Description of Dubrovsky from the novel "Dubrovsky". Characteristics of the elder Dubrovsky

The novel "Dubrovsky" is one of the most interesting prose works of Pushkin. How many generations read it with enthusiasm, sympathizing, empathizing and indignant together with the author and the main characters! Moreover, it can be confidently stated that interest in the novel will not fade with time.

Typology of the work

The type (or rather, the genre) of it can be attributed to the family, and to the social and domestic, and adventure-adventure, and love, and historical. Literary critics for a long time could not come to an opinion about whether this is a story or a novel? And in general, to what extent the storylines are completed, the personalities of the characters are formed, the conflict is revealed - for us it will remain unknown. After all, a work dated 1833 was found in the writer's manuscripts. Pushkin did not finish it - he intended to give further development to the fate of the characters. And yet, published in 1841, the novel arouses keen interest among fans of real works of art, especially among teenagers and young men.

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History of creation

The novel is based on a story reminiscent of dramatic events from Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The enmity between the two families, which caused the unhappy love of the young representatives of the Troekurov and Dubrovsky families, however, was transferred by Pushkin to domestic, Russian soil. And its prehistory lies not so much in medieval legends, but in contemporary reality for our poet. About the events that are described in the novel, the writer learned from his friend Nashchokin. He once spoke about the small estate nobleman Ostrovsky (the characterization of Dubrovsky, or rather Dubrovsky - father and son, coincides in many details with his story and indicates that it was this person who became the prototype of both heroes), who for a long time led land litigation with a neighbor. But since his opponent was richer and more influential, he survived Ostrovsky from the walls of his own house. And he, outraged by the injustice of judges and authorities, made a gang of robbers from his peasants, robbing other landowners.

Prototypes and fiction

On this, perhaps, the comparative characteristics of Dubrovsky Sr. and Dubrovsky Jr. with their prototype ends. Pushkin, of course, changed the names of the heroes, introduced an adventurous plot, new characters, and a love line into the story. And robbery, in fact, is carried out by the younger representative of the family, while the older one was offended. Moreover, Vladimir is not an ordinary robber-villain. He is a robber involuntarily, by an unfortunate coincidence. This is, rather, a victim of fatal forces, rather than a conscious fighter for justice, a formidable retribution for all those in power. Yes, and the opponent of Andrei Gavrilovich and Vladimir, gentleman Troekurov, is described very vividly, colorfully, which was not in Nashchokin's version. And finally, the title of the story. Pushkin's novel is titled by the date when writing began. And "Dubrovsky" is a free version of the publisher.

two buddies

The action in the work falls on the 20s of the 19th century. It ends a year and a half after the beginning of the events described. From the very first lines of the novel, pictures of the life of provincial Russian landowners unfold before us: their leisurely way of life, characteristic details of life, care and fun. The characterization of Andrei Gavrilovich Dubrovsky and Kirila Petrovich Troekurov, with whom the author introduces us, is built on the principle of opposition, or contrast. They are indeed very different in everything, from their financial situation to their outlook on life.

“Everything gave rise to disputes between them ...”

Let's start with the fact that Kirila Petrovich Troekurov was very rich and influential. It was famous throughout the district for prosperous, strong villages with well-trained serfs. The peasants were afraid of the master to death, but they also boasted of him, according to their slavish psychology, in front of the same “brother-serf” of other landowners who did not take off so high. The characterization of Dubrovsky Sr. is different. He belongs to a family no less noble and ancient, but has long been impoverished. And if Troekurov, being a military man, retired with the honorary rank of general-in-chief, which brought him many privileges and honors, then Andrei Gavrilovich returned from the guard as a mere poor lieutenant. He owns Kistenevka - a small village of several dozen unsightly, rickety peasant huts with fields adjacent to it, and a birch grove.

Moral qualities

Wealth and power corrupted one, instilling in him exorbitant pride and contempt for everyone who stands a step lower on the social ladder. The characterization of the elder Dubrovsky is different in this respect. He is also proud, but this pride has developed in him from hurt pride and poverty. It is in them that the reason for feigned arrogance, an increased demand for self-respect for others lies. Poverty, on the other hand, developed in the hero a heightened sense of dignity and justice. And here again, the comparative characteristics of Dubrovsky and Troekurov point to the moral superiority of the former. Not enduring humiliation himself, Andrei Gavrilovich never stooped to such treatment of others. Even the serfs do not hypocritically fawn over the master, inwardly fading with horror, but treat him with sincere reverence. No wonder they do not want to go "under Troekurov", preferring the fate of fugitive robbers.

"They got along..."

However, the characterization of Dubrovsky from the novel "Dubrovsky" and Kirila Petrovich has some points of contact. Both, as we have already established, served in the army and were proud of it. Both married for great and sincere love, both soon became widowers with small children in their arms. True, if in Andrei Gavrilovich we can assume such strong and romantic feelings, then it is hard to believe in the sincerity of Kirila Petrovich. And yet ... The fact that he can love deeply is evidenced by his father's relationship with Marya Kirillovna, whom Troekurov indulges in all requests and whims, although outwardly strict. True, his feelings are blind, firmly intertwined with tyranny, which will lead to tragedy in the fate of Masha. A brief description of Dubrovsky's life story (alas, everything that is said here about the heroes is far from a complete account and psychological portrait of them) is close, but not identical: having lost his wife, the hero in strict tenderness brings up "Volodka", the only son. Sending him from himself to St. Petersburg, giving a good education and upbringing of the Guards, on which the lion's share of meager income is spent, Andrei Gavrilovich hopes that his heir will be more successful and happier. And when Troekurov plans the marriage of the offspring of their families, the old lieutenant firmly answers: Vladimir would rather marry an equal, a poor noblewoman, but respect him, than become a toy in the hands of a spoiled lady.

Cause of the quarrel

A comparative description of Dubrovsky and Troekurov would be incomplete without mentioning their common passion - hunting. No matter how Kirila Petrovich understood its intricacies, it was still worth looking for such a meticulous connoisseur as Dubrovsky was during the day with fire. For this, Troekurov immensely respected the poor neighbor, highly appreciated and welcomed him. Not a single trip was complete without him. And if, for any reason, a retired lieutenant was absent, the general-in-chief grumbled, cursed, was dissatisfied with everything and everyone, and no hunting came of it. Besides, he only allowed Dubrovsky to keep himself on an equal footing, respected the fact that his friend never fawned and did not allow himself to be treated down. And yet there was a secret rivalry between the neighbors and an object of involuntary envy of the poor to the rich. This is Troekurov's famous kennel, the source of his legitimate pride and swagger. And she is Dubrovsky's pipe dream. The kennel's careless words against Andrei Gavrilovich offended his noble honor, and the connivance of Kirila Petrovich aggravated the insult. And so the friendship broke, which the whole neighborhood envied. And enmity began, affecting many destinies and breaking the happiness of two young hearts - Masha and Vladimir.