Comedy in five acts

CHARACTERS:
Prostakov.
Mrs. Prostakova, his wife.
Mitrofan, their son, is undersized.
Eremeevna, Mitrofan's mother.
Pravdin. Starodum.
Sophia, Starodum's niece.
Milo.
Mr. Skotinin, brother of Mrs. Prostakova.
Kuteikin, seminarian.
Tsyfirkin, retired sergeant.
Vralman, teacher.
Trishka, tailor.
Servant of Prostakov.
Starodum's valet.
Action in the village of Prostakov.

STEP ONE

PHENOMENON I
Mrs. Prostakova, examining Mitrofan's new caftan, scolds Trishka for having restrained and ruined the thing. She sends Eremeevna for a tailor, and Mitrofan for her father.

PHENOMENON II
Prostakova, calling Trishka "cattle" and "thieves' mug", scolds him for the spoiled caftan. Trishka justifies himself: he is self-taught. To this, Prostakova replies that the first tailor also did not study with anyone. To which Trishka brilliantly objects:
- Yes, the first tailor, perhaps, sewed worse than mine.

PHENOMENON III
Prostakova scolds her husband that he is hiding from her, and asks to resolve the dispute about the caftan. It seems to Prostakov that the caftan is baggy (i.e. large). Prostakova scolds her husband, and he replies: “With your eyes, mine do not see anything.” Prostakova complains that God gave a foolish husband.

EVENT IV
Skotinin appears and asks whom the sister wants to punish on the day of his collusion? On another day, he himself will help punish anyone: “Don’t be Taras Skotinin, if I don’t have any fault to blame.” Looking at Mitrofan's caftan, Skotinin says that it is sewn "quite a bit". Prostakova tells Eremeevna to feed Mitrofan, for the teachers will come soon. Eremeevna replies that he has already eaten 5 rolls, and before that, he was washed out all night from gluttony. Mitrofan says that he was tormented by nightmares: the mother beat the father. Mitrofan regrets that his mother is tired of the fight. Mrs. Prostakova calls her son “my consolation” and sends him to frolic.

EVENT V
Prostakova and Skotinin are talking about Sophia. Skotinin suggests: it would not be a sin for her to find out about the conspiracy. Prostakova replies that there is nothing to report to her. And he remembers how well she treats the orphan. Prostakov, on the other hand, clarifies that, together with Sophia, we undertook to oversee her village. The wife abruptly cuts him off. Skotinin is impatient to get married in order to unite the lands and breed pigs, to which he has a “mortal hunt”. Prostakova claims that Mitrofan is all like an uncle, he also loves pigs.

EVENT VI
Sophia enters with a letter, but neither Skotinin nor Prostakova can read it and boast that there were no literate people in their family.

PHENOMENON VII
Pravdin enters, Prostakova asks him to read the letter, but Pravdin first asks Sofya for permission, explaining that he does not read other people's letters. From the letter it turns out that Sophia is "the heiress of income from ten thousand." Skotinin and Prostakova are stunned. Prostakova rushes to hug Sophia. Skotinin understands that his collusion will no longer be.

SCENE VIII
The servant announces to Prostakov that soldiers with an officer have entered the village. Prostakova is frightened, but her husband reassures her that the officer will not allow the soldiers to mess up.

ACT TWO

PHENOMENON I
Milon unexpectedly meets with an old friend Pravdin and says that he is hastily going to Moscow, grieves that he does not know anything about his beloved, who may be subjected to cruelty. To which Pravdin says that in this family there is a cruel wife and a stupid husband. He, Pravdin, hopes to put an end to "the malice of the wife and the stupidity of the husband." Milon is pleased that his friend has the authority to do so. Sophia enters.

PHENOMENON II
Milon is happy to meet his beloved, and Sophia complains about the harassment she had to endure in the Prostakovs' house. Sophia is surprised by today's change to her Prostakova. Milon is jealous, but Sophia describes Mitrofan's stupidity, and Milon calms down. Sophia is sure that her fate is in the hands of her uncle, who will arrive soon. Skotinin appears.

PHENOMENON III
Skotinin complains that his sister, who summoned him from the estate to collusion, has sharply changed her mind. He tells Sophia that no one will take her away from him. Milo is outraged by such audacity. Skotinin threatens to take revenge on Mitrofan, who crosses his path.

EVENT IV
Yeremeevna persuades Mitrofan to study, and he calls her "an old bastard". Enter Skotinin threatens Mitrofan with reprisals. Eremeevna rushes to protect her pet. Skotinin retreats.

EVENT V
Prostakova fawns over Milon and Sophia, says that she can’t wait for her uncle, and then begins to tell how she loves Mitrofan and takes care of him, if only to bring him out to people. Teachers appear, not God knows what, but they are cheap to pay. Tsyfirkin complains that for the third year he cannot teach Mitrofan to act with fractions. Pravdin and Milon are convinced that the teachers are useless, and leave so as not to interfere with Mitrofan's studies.

EVENT VI
Prostakova asks Mitrofan to repeat what has been done with the teachers. And her son complains to her about his uncle, who almost killed him. Prostakova attacked Eremeevna, why she did not stand up for the “child”. Then she tells her mother to feed the teachers and continue teaching. As they leave, the teachers complain about their unfortunate lot.

ACT THREE

PHENOMENON I
Pravdin and Starodum, talking, recall the Petrine era, when people were valued for their intelligence, and not for their rank and wealth. They talk about the merits of traditional education, when they brought up not only the mind, but also the soul. Starodum tells the story of when he met a worthy person but didn't recognize it right away. Starodum served the fatherland, fought and received wounds, but found out that the young man, thanks to his father's proximity to the court, went around him in the service, without showing the slightest zeal for business, then Starodum left public service, retired. Once at the court, Starodum was surprised that no one there walks along a straight road, but all by detours, just to get around each other. He did not like all this, and he preferred to retire. Having received neither ranks nor villages, he retained "soul, honor and rules." Starodum pronounces a sentence on the reigning house: “It is in vain to call a doctor to the sick is incurable. Here the doctor will not help, unless he himself becomes infected.

SCENE II Starodum and Sophia meet joyfully and cordially. Sophia says that she was very worried where he disappeared for so many years. Starodum reassures her that he has made enough money in Siberia to marry her well. Sophia expresses her respect and gratitude to him. They hear a terrible noise.

PHENOMENON III Milon separates the fighting Prostakov and Skotinin. Skotinin is pretty shabby. If not for Milo, he would have had a very bad time. Sophia shows Milon with her eyes at Starodum, Milon understands her.

PHENOMENON IV Prostakova scolds Yeremeyevna that she sees none of the servants except her. Eremeyevna says that Palashka has fallen ill and is delirious, “like a noble woman.” Prostakova is surprised. She orders to call her husband and son to introduce them to Uncle Sophia.

PHENOMENON V Starodum, barely escaping from the arms of Prostakova, immediately gets to Skotinin. Then he meets Milon. And Mitrofan and Prostakov grab him by the hand. Mitrofan intends to kiss Starodum's hand, fawning over him under his mother's dictation. Prostakova tells Starodum that she never quarrels with anyone, because. quiet disposition. Starodum sarcastically replies that he managed to notice this. Pravdin adds that he has been watching battles for three days now. Starodum says that he is not a fan of such spectacles, so tomorrow he will leave with Sophia for Moscow. Prostakova literally cries that she will not survive Sophia's departure. Starodum says that he is going to marry Sophia to a worthy person. Prostakova recalls her parents, who had 18 children, and only two survived: she and her brother. Her father always said that he would curse his son if he studied. And now another century, here she is teaching her son something. Prostakova boasts of Mitrofan and wants Starodum to appreciate his successes. Starodum refuses, saying that he is a bad judge in that.

SCENE VI Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin are indignant that they have to wait a long time for their student each time. Kuteikin sympathizes with the local servants, saying that he is a serviceman, he has been in battles, but it is more terrible here. Tsyfirkin regrets that Mitrofan cannot be properly punished for stupidity and laziness.

PHENOMENON VII Mitrofan agrees to study for the sake of his mother last time, but so that there would be an agreement today: “I don’t want to study, but I want to get married.” Mitrofan repeats what he has learned with his teachers, but he cannot solve the simplest problem. The mother constantly interferes, teaches her son not to share with anyone, and there is no need to know geography, there are cabs for that.

SCENE VIII Teacher Vralman speaks with a strong foreign accent, he can hardly be understood. He is sure that one should not stuff the child's head with sciences, if only there is health. He scolds the Russian teachers who are ruining Mitrofanushka's health. Prostakova completely agrees with him. She leaves to look after her son so that he does not anger Starodum somehow by chance. PHENOMENON IX Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin attack Vralman, he runs away so that his sides will not be beaten.

ACT FOUR

PHENOMENON I
Sophia is reading a book and waiting for her uncle.

PHENOMENON II
Starodum sees Sophia's book and says that the author of Telemachus cannot write a bad book. He believes that Sophia is reading an excellent book. They talk about good and bad people. Sophia assures that happiness is nobility and wealth. Starodum agrees with her, saying that he has his own calculation. He appreciates nobility by the number of deeds performed by a person for the benefit of the Fatherland, and sees wealth not in saving money in chests, but in giving the excess to those in need. Sophia agrees with him. Starodum talks about a person in general. He talks about a family in which the husband and wife hate each other - this is a misfortune for them and those around them, the children in such a family are abandoned and the most unfortunate creatures. And all because people do not consult their hearts. Sophia is happy that she has such a wise mentor.

PHENOMENON III
The valet brings a letter to Starodum. Sophia goes to get glasses for her uncle.

EVENT IV
Starodum reflects on Milo. He wants to marry Sophia for him.

EVENT V
Sophia confesses to Starodum her love for Milon.

EVENT VI
Pravdin presents Staroduma Milon. Sophia says that her mother loved him like her own son. Milon expresses his views on the service and the person, close to the views of Starodum. Milon shows himself to be an educated and sensible young man. Starodum likes him, and he blesses Sophia and Milon for marriage.

PHENOMENON VII
Skotinin appears and asks to bless him and Sophia. He shows himself to be an absolute fool. The Old Man laughs.

SCENE VIII
Mrs. Prostakova wonders if anyone prevented Starodum from resting; she made everyone walk on tiptoe so as not to disturb such a dear guest. Prostakova again asks Starodum to examine Mitrofan. Mi-rofan shows absolute ignorance of elementary things. The mother, protecting her son, says that for a century people have lived without science, and he will live happily.

PHENOMENON IX
Prostakova wonders if Starodum recognized her son. He replies that he knew both of them as well as possible. To Mitrofan's question, he replies that Sophia will not visit him, she has already been arranged for another. Prostakova runs around the room in anger and makes plans: to steal Sophia at six in the morning, before she leaves with her uncle.

ACT FIVE

PHENOMENON I
Pravdin and Starodum are talking about how to put an end to Prostakova's wickedness. Pravdin was instructed to take custody of the estate. Pravdin and Starodum discuss the virtues of the tsar, to whom the lives of his subjects are entrusted, how great his soul should be. Further, they move on to a discussion about the nobles, "who should be well-behaved."

PHENOMENON II
Milon, with a sword in his hands, repels Sophia from Eremeevna and Prostakova's people, who forcibly dragged the girl into the carriage and wanted to take her to church to marry Mitrofan.

PHENOMENON III
Pravdin is sure that this crime gives the uncle and the fiancé a reason to turn to the government to punish the criminals. Prostakova on her knees begging for mercy.

EVENT IV
But Starodum and Milon refuse to complain about the Prostakovs, who are pathetic and disgusting in their humiliation. Skotinin understands nothing of what is happening. Prostakova gets up from her knees when she realizes that she is forgiven, and is immediately going to inflict reprisals on her people, who "let Sophia out of her hands." She says that she is free to flog everyone if she wants. Here Pravdin takes out a paper on guardianship of the estate. Skotinin, fearing that they will get to him, prefers to retire.

EVENT V
Prostakova asks Pravdin to pardon or give a respite, at least for three days. He doesn't even give three hours.

EVENT VI
Starodum recognizes in Vralman his former coachman. Kuteikin demands money for his work, and Prostakova says that he did not teach Mitrofan anything. He replies that it is not his fault. Tsyfirkin refuses money, because. for three years Mitrofan learned nothing worthwhile. Pravdin shames Kuteikin and rewards Tsyfirkin for his kind soul. Milon also gives him money. Vralman asks Starodum to be a coachman.

PHENOMENON VII
Starodum's carriage has been served, and Vralman is ready to take the coachman's place: Starodum takes him into his service.

PHENOMENON LAST
Starodum, Sofya, Milon say goodbye to Pravdin. Prostakova rushes to Mitrofan, her last hope, and Mitrofan replies: “Yes, get rid of it, mother, how you imposed it ...” Prostakova was killed by “the betrayal of her son.” Even Sophia rushes to comfort her. Pravdin decides to give Mitrofan to the service. Starodum says, pointing to Prostakova: "Here are worthy fruits of evil-mindedness."

A variant of the summary of Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" 1

The village of landowners Prostakovs. Mrs. Prostakova is angry: the serf tailor Trishka, she believes, sewed a too narrow caftan for her beloved son, the sixteen-year-old undersized Mitrofanushka. Trishka justifies herself by saying that she did not learn tailoring, but the lady does not want to listen to anything. Her husband, Prostakov, a narrow-minded and obedient man to his wife, expresses the opinion that the caftan is baggy. And it seems to Taras Skotinin, Prostakova's brother, that the caftan is "quite well sewn."

The caftan itself is a new thing for Mitrofanushka to collude with Skotinin and Sophia, a distant relative of the Prostakovs. Sophia's father died when she was still a baby. The girl grew up with her mother in Moscow. But six months have already passed since she remained an orphan. The Prostakovs took her in to "supervise her estate as if it were their own." Sophia's uncle, Starodum, left for Siberia. For a long time there was no news about him, and the Prostakovs believe that he died long ago.

Skotinin wants to marry Sofya - not because he likes the girl, not because he wants to take possession of her villages, but because there are a lot of ... pigs in these villages, and he is a big hunter before them. But Sophia still does not know who is predicted for her husband.

Sophia receives a letter from Starodum. Mrs. Prostakova, hearing about this, is extremely annoyed: her hopes did not come true, her uncle turned out to be alive. Prostakova accuses Sofya of lying: the letter, they say, is amorous. But she cannot verify the statement, because she is illiterate. Her husband and brother are also not much readers. They are rescued by the guest Pravdin. He reads a letter in which Starodum informs his niece that he makes her the heiress of his fortune, acquired by him in Siberia, which gives an income of ten thousand a year. Mrs. Prostakova is amazed by this news. She “has a new idea: to marry Sophia to her son, the ignorant Mitrofan.

Soldiers pass through the village of Prostakov. They are led by officer Milon. Here he meets his old friend, Pravdiva. He says that he is a member of the governor's board. Pravdin travels around the district and especially pays attention to the "evil-tempered ignoramuses" who mistreat their people. It was precisely such ignoramuses that he found in the person of the Prostakovs.

Milon says that he is in love and has been separated from his beloved for more than six months. Recently, he learned that his beloved was left an orphan and some distant relatives took her to their villages ... At the moment when Milon talks about this, he suddenly sees his beloved - this is Sophia.

The lovers are happy to meet. But Sofya says that Mrs. Prostakova wants to marry her to Mitrofanushka. Milon is tormented by jealousy. True, she weakens when he learns more about his "rival".

Skotinin, passing by, unceremoniously declares his views on Sophia. Pravdin tells him about Mrs. Prostakova's plans. Skotinin is furious. Mitrofan catches his eye, being led to study by his nanny Eremeevna. The uncle wants to explain himself to his nephew and was already attacking him with his fists. But Yeremeyevna shields Mitrofanushka with her body and drives Skotinin away.

Mitrofanushka's teachers come: Sidorych - Kuteikin and Pafnutich - Tsyfirkin. Kuteikin, a deacon from Pokrov, who did not finish his studies at the seminary, teaches Mitrofan to read and write according to the Book of Hours and the Psalter. And Tsyfirkin, a retired sergeant, is an arithmetic teacher.

Mitrofan refuses to study. He complains to his mother that after his uncle's "task" learning does not come to his mind. Eremeevna tells about the collision with Skotinin. Prostakova comforts her son, promises to marry him soon. She orders the teachers to be fed dinner and sent again. The lady is dissatisfied with Eremeevna: she “did not bite into Skotinin’s mug” and “did not tear his snout up to his ears.” Prostakova is going to “transfer” with her brother in her own way. Zealous Eremeyevna cries out of resentment. The teachers console her.

Starodum arrives. Before showing himself to the owners, he talks with an old acquaintance, Truthful. Starodum recalls his father, who served Peter the Great, praises those times. Starodum came to free his niece from "ignoramuses without a soul." He was forced to leave the public service. When Starodum was still serving in the military, he became friends with the young count. Upon the declaration of war, Starodum hurried to the army, and the count evaded this. And soon after that, the count was promoted to the rank, and Starodum, wounded in the war, was bypassed. After retiring, Starodum came to St. Petersburg to the court. But later he decided that "it is better to lead a life at home than in someone else's front."

Starodum meets Sofya and promises to take his niece away from the Prostakovs. The conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Prostakova and Skotinin. Sister and brother fight, and Milon separates them. This scene amuses the old-timer. Mrs. Prostakova is annoyed by the stranger's fun, but, having learned that this is Starodum, she changes her tone to the most servile and obsequious. She wants to seduce herself to a rich relative and help Mitrofanushka marry Sofya.

But Starodum promises to take Sophia to Moscow the very next morning in order to marry her there to some "young man of great merit." This news plunges everyone into despondency, and Sophia "seems amazed." Then Starodum tells her that the choice of a worthy groom is entirely in her will. It brings hope back to everyone. Mrs. Prostakova boasts before Starodum about the formation of Mitrofanushka. She is especially pleased with the German Adam Adamych Vralman, whom she hired for five years. She pays him three hundred rubles a year (other teachers - ten). Vralman teaches Mitrofan "in French and all sciences." But most importantly, he "does not captivate the child."

Meanwhile, Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin are sad that the exercise is not going very well. Mitrofan has been studying arithmetic for three years, but "he can't count three." He has been studying the diploma for the fourth year, and until now he “does not understand the new line.” And the whole trouble is that Vralman indulges a lazy student and interferes with his studies.

Mrs. Prostakova persuades her son to learn. He demands that there be an agreement as soon as possible: “I don’t want to study, I want to get married.” Tsyfirkin sets Mitrofan two tasks. But the mother intervenes and does not allow them to be solved. In general, arithmetic seems to her an empty science: “There is no money - what to count? There is money - we will consider it good even without Pafnutich. Tsyfirkin has to finish the lesson. His place is taken by Kuteikin. Mitrofan senselessly repeats after him lines from the Book of Hours. Here comes Vralman. He explains to Mrs. Prostakova that it is very dangerous to stuff your head too much. Vralman believes that one can do without Russian literacy and arithmetic. Mitrofanushka, he says, only needs to know how to live in the world. Vralman lets Mitrofan frolic.

Tsyfirkin and Kuteikin want to beat Vralman. The retired sergeant brandishes the board, and the sexton - the Book of Hours, but the German manages to escape.

Sophia is reading Fenelon's book on the upbringing of girls. Starodum talks with her about virtue. He receives a letter from the Count of Chestan. This is Uncle Milon, who wants to marry his nephew to Sophia. Talking to Sophia about her marriage, Starodum again notices that she is embarrassed ... Then Pravdin and Milon appear. Prav-din introduces Milon to Starodum. It turns out that Milon in Moscow often visited the house of Sophia's mother, and she loved him like a son. Starodum, talking with Milon, is convinced that he is dealing with a worthy person. Milon asks for Sophia's hand in marriage, mentioning his "mutual inclination" with the girl. Starodum is happy to learn that Sophia has chosen exactly the one whom he himself reads to her as her husband. He agrees to this marriage.

But other contenders for Sophia's hand know nothing and do not leave their hopes. Skotinin begins to talk about the antiquity of his kind. Starodum jokingly pretends to agree with him on everything. Mrs. Prostakova invites Starodum to see how Mitrofanushka is learned. Sofya's uncle pretends to be delighted with Mitrofanushka's learning. However, he refuses both Skotinin and Mitrofanushka, saying that Sophia has already been agreed. He announces that he will leave with Sophia at seven in the morning. But Mrs. Prostakova decides that before that time she will have time to "put on her own." She places sentries around the house.

Pravdin receives a package; he is ordered to take custody of the house and villages of the Prostakovs at the first occasion when Prostakov's temper threatens the safety of the people subject to her. Pravdin tells Starodum about this. Their conversation is interrupted by noise...

Prostakova's people are dragging the resisting Sophia to the carriage - to marry Mitrofanushka. Milon, who caught this scene, frees the bride. Pravdin threatens that Prostakova will be brought to trial as a "violator of civil peace." Mrs. Prostakova violently repents of her act. Starodum and Sophia forgive her. Prostakova is glad for forgiveness: now she will take revenge on her servants for the failure that has occurred! But she fails to do this: Pravdin announces that, by government decree, he takes custody of the house and villages of the Prostakovs.

Skotinin goes back to his place, to his favorite stables. Mrs. Prostakova asks Pravdiv to give her power for at least three days. But he does not agree. He calls teachers to pay them off. Eremeevna brings Kuteikin, Tsyfirkin and Vralman. Pravdin lets them go. Kuteikin demands to be paid for his studies, for worn boots... But Tsyfirkin refuses to pay because Mitrofanushka hasn't learned anything. For such generosity Starodum, Milon and Pravdin give him money. And Pravdin offers Kuteikin to settle accounts with the mistress herself. He exclaims in horror: "I retreat from everything." In Vralman, Starodum recognizes his former coachman. It turns out that Vralman could not find a job as a coachman anywhere and he had to become a teacher. Starodum agrees to take him back as a coachman.

Starodum, Sofya and Milon are going to leave. Prostakova hugs Mitrofanushka: “You are the only one left with me ...” But her son is rude to her. The mother faints. Pravdin decides to send Mitrofan to serve. Waking up, Mrs. Prostakova wails: “I died completely ...” And Starodum, pointing to her, says: “Here are worthy fruits of malevolence!”

Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin

undergrowth

Comedy in five acts

Characters

Prostakov.

Ms. Prostakova, his wife.

Mitrofan, their son, undersized.

Eremeevna, Mitrofanov's mother.

Pravdin.

Starodum.

Sofia, niece of Starodum.

Milon.

Skotinin, brother of Ms. Prostakova.

Kuteikin, seminarian.

Tsyfirkin, retired sergeant.

Vralman, teacher.

Trishka, tailor.

Servant Prostakov.

Valet Starodum.

Action in the village of Prostakov.

Act one

Phenomenon I

Mrs. Prostakova, Mitrofan, Eremeevna.

Ms. Prostakova (examining the caftan on Mitrofan). The coat is all ruined. Eremeevna, bring in the swindler Trishka here. (Yeremeevna leaves.) He, the thief, has restrained him everywhere. Mitrofanushka, my friend! I have tea, you are pressed to death. Call your father here.

Mitrofan leaves.

Phenomenon II

Mrs. Prostakova, Eremeevna, Trishka.

Ms. Prostakova (Trishka). And you, cattle, come closer. Didn't I tell you, thieves' mug, that you let your caftan go wider. The child, the first, grows; another, a child and without a narrow caftan of delicate build. Tell me, idiot, what's your excuse?

Trishka. Why, madame, I was self-taught. I then reported to you: well, if you please, give it to the tailor.

Ms Prostakova. So is it really necessary to be a tailor in order to be able to sew a caftan well. What a beastly argument!

Trishka. Yes, a tailor learned to knit, madam, but I didn’t.

Ms Prostakova. He is also seeking and arguing. A tailor learned from another, another from a third, but who did the first tailor learn from? Speak, cattle.

Trishka. Yes, the first tailor, perhaps, sewed worse than mine.

Mitrofan (runs in). Called my father. I dared to say: immediately.

Ms Prostakova. So go and get him out, if you don’t call for good.

Mitrofan. Yes, here is the father.

Phenomenon III

The same and Prostakov.

Ms Prostakova. What, what are you trying to hide from me? Here, sir, what I have lived with your indulgence. What is the son's new thing to his uncle's conspiracy? What caftan Trishka deigned to sew?

Prostakov (stammering from timidity). Me ... a little baggy.

Ms Prostakova. You yourself are baggy, smart head.

Prostakov. Yes, I thought, mother, that you think so.

Ms Prostakova. Are you blind yourself?

Prostakov. With your eyes mine see nothing.

Ms Prostakova. This is the kind of hubby the Lord has rewarded me with: he doesn’t know how to make out what is wide and what is narrow.

Prostakov. In this I believe in you, mother, and believe.

Ms Prostakova. So believe the same and the fact that I do not intend to indulge the lackeys. Go, sir, and now punish ...

Event IV

The same and Skotinin.

Skotinin. Whom? For what? On the day of my collusion! I ask you, sister, for such a holiday to postpone the punishment until tomorrow; and tomorrow, if you please, I myself will gladly help. If it wasn't for me Taras Skotinin, if not all my fault is to blame. In this, sister, I have the same custom with you. Why are you so angry?

Ms Prostakova. Yes, brother, I will send to your eyes. Mitrofanushka, come here. Is this coat baggy?

Skotinin. No.

Prostakov. Yes, I myself can already see, mother, that it is narrow.

Skotinin. I don't see that either. The caftan, brother, is quite well made.

Ms. Prostakova (Trishka). Get out, cattle. (Eremeevna.) Come on, Eremeevna, let the child have breakfast. Vit, I have tea, soon the teachers will come.

Eremeevna. He already, mother, deigned to eat five buns.

Ms Prostakova. So you're sorry for the sixth, you bastard? What zeal! Feel free to watch.

Eremeevna. Hello, mother. I said this for Mitrofan Terentyevich. Protoskoval until morning.

Ms Prostakova. Ah, Mother of God! What happened to you, Mitrofanushka?

Mitrofan. Yes, mother. Yesterday, after dinner, I had a seizure.

Skotinin. Yes, it can be seen, brother, you dined tightly.

Mitrofan. And I, uncle, hardly ate supper at all.

Prostakov. I remember, my friend, you deigned to eat something.

Mitrofan. What! Three slices of corned beef, yes hearth, I don’t remember, five, I don’t remember, six.

Eremeevna. At night every now and then he asked for a drink. The whole jug deigned to eat kvass.

Mitrofan. And now I'm walking like crazy. All night long such rubbish climbed into the eyes.

Ms Prostakova. What rubbish, Mitrofanushka?

Mitrofan. Yes, then you, mother, then father.

Ms Prostakova. How is it?

Mitrofan. As soon as I begin to fall asleep, I see that you, mother, deign to beat the father.

Prostakov (to the side). Well, my trouble! Dream in hand!

Mitrofan (spread out). So I felt sorry.

Ms. Prostakova (with annoyance). Who, Mitrofanushka?

Mitrofan. You, mother: you are so tired, beating the father.

Ms Prostakova. Embrace me, my friend of the heart! Here, son, is one of my consolations.

Skotinin. Well, Mitrofanushka, I see you are a mother's son, not a father!

Prostakov. At least I love him as a parent should, this is a clever child, this is a reasonable child, an amusing, entertainer; sometimes I am beside myself with him and with joy I myself truly do not believe that he is my son.

Skotinin. Only now our amusing fellow is frowning at something.

Ms Prostakova. Why not send for a doctor to the city?

Mitrofan. No, no, mother. I'd rather get better on my own. I’ll run to the dovecote now, so maybe ...

Ms Prostakova. So maybe the Lord is merciful. Come, frolic, Mitrofanushka.

Mitrofan and Eremeevna depart.

Phenomenon V

Ms. Prostakova, Prostakov, Skotinin.

Skotinin. Why can't I see my bride? Where's she? In the evening there will be an agreement, so isn't it time for her to say that she is being married off?

Ms Prostakova. We'll make it, brother. If she is told this ahead of time, then she may still think that we are reporting to her. Although by my husband, however, I am a relative of hers; And I love that strangers listen to me.

Prostakov (Skotinin). To tell the truth, we treated Sofyushka like a real orphan. After her father, she remained a baby. Tom, with six months, as her mother, and my fiancé, had a stroke ...

• Prostakov - nobleman
• Prostakova - his wife
• Mitrofan is their child, teenager is undersized
• Eremeevna - Mitrofan's nanny
• Pravdin
• Starodum
• Milon
• Skotinin, brother of Prostakova
• Kuteikin, student
• Tsyfirkin, mathematics teacher, retired sergeant
• Vralman, history teacher
• Trishka, dresser
• Events unfold in the estate of the Prostakovs

Action 1

The little tailor Trishka sewed Mitrofan a tight caftan. Prostakova scolds both Trishka and her husband, who does not know how to make decisions on his own, but relies on her will in everything. Skotinin arrives, in a great mood: he has an appointment with Sophia, a distant relative of the Prostakovs, who lives with them after the death of their mother. The Prostakovs have long been planning to marry her off. Skotinin became interested in the girl not because of her wealth or beauty, but because there are a lot of pigs on her estate; Skotinin has a weakness for these animals. Sofya appears with a letter from her uncle Skorodum, whom everyone considered dead many years ago. He lived in Siberia for a long time, amassed a considerable fortune and appointed Sophia as his heiress. Here in the head of Prostakova the idea arises to marry her son to such a rich bride. However, Skotinin also does not want to back down.

Action 2

Soldiers stop in the village, among them officer Milon. He meets with Pravdin, who defends the interests of the peasants under the arbitrariness of the landowners. Milon complains to a friend that for several months he has not seen his beloved Sophia, who, according to rumors, was taken away from Moscow by her relatives and was very cruel to her.

Sophia appears on the stage and falls into the arms of Milon, complaining about the difficult life on the estate of relatives, about a possible matchmaking with Mitrofan. Skotinin, who entered after her, also voiced his intention to marry the girl. When Pravdin voices Mitrofan's true intentions, Skotinin, instead of Milon's real rival, becomes embittered at his nephew and attacks him with a fight. Only Pravdin pulls Skotinin away.

Prostakova becomes courteous with Sophia, courteous, she wants to win her over to herself and her son. Ms. Prostakova introduces Milona and Pravdina from the teachers Mitrofanushka, who complain about the incredible stupidity of their pupil, the lack of education of the hostess herself. The son threatens Prostakova that she will throw herself into the water if she forces him to read again. Mitrofanushka is angry with Skotinin. Upon learning of the fight between them, Prostakova first pounces on Yeremeevna, because she failed to save the child, and then on her brother. The teen's teachers get paid and go to the bar for a drink.

Action 3

Pravdin meets with Starodum and expresses his respect for him. Starodum told that deceit, humiliation, cowardice, selfishness reign at the court. He says that he left the royal service in order to keep his soul and honor with him. Having earned a fortune, Starodum put the well-being of his niece as the meaning of life. He is happy to see her after so many years of separation. Sophia shows her uncle her love, devotion and unanimity. She completely accepts her uncle's views on life. The girl is somewhat embarrassed by the statement of Starodum that he dreams of marrying her to a well-known and respected person. But he's not going to force her to do anything. Sophia's entourage vied with each other to advise her as a suitor either Mitrofan or Skotinin. Prostakova wants Mitrofanushka to show his education in front of Starodum, in order to make a positive impression on him. But he exclaims that he does not want to study, but wants to get married. Teachers try one after another to transfer knowledge to the underage, but he does not want to solve problems. Finally, the mother agrees that Mitrofanushka was tortured and says that it is better for him to communicate in his own circle, and not with educated people. She pities her overworked son.

Action 4

Starodum talks with Sophia about goodness and justice, gives her advice: stick to people who will appreciate her for her mind and inner world, be upright and honest. Speaking about the family, he is indignant that in recent times many marriages are concluded for convenience, and not for heartfelt attraction. He hopes that Sophia, when choosing a husband, will be guided by spiritual closeness with a person, will be friends with him, and not just love him. Starodum receives a letter from Moscow from an old friend who recommends Sofia Milon as a suitor. He asks his niece if her heart is free. As soon as Sophia decides to tell about her sympathy for Milon, Pravdin appears and introduces Sophia's beloved Starodum. The latter, having found out everything, is delighted that this is the person referred to in the letter. And when it becomes obvious that Sophia is in love with him, that the girl’s late mother also did not have a soul in him, he is delighted and approves of the worthy choice of his niece.

In the process of explanation, Skotinin appears, who exclaims about his attachment to pigs. At Skotinin’s offer of a hand and heart, Starodum unequivocally refuses, explaining that it is not appropriate for a decent girl of noble blood to marry Skotinin and live like cattle. Here Prostakova enters, praising Mitrofanushka, extolling his deep knowledge in various areas science. Mitrofan defines the word "door" as an adjective, since it is attached to the jamb, and he designated the closet door, which has not yet been hung, as a noun. At the request of the grinning people around him to tell something from the story, he says that he knows only the “stories” of the cowgirl Khavronya. He does not know the word "geography" at all.

When Pravdin tries to explain the importance of geography while traveling, she says that for a young nobleman this is superfluous knowledge, because he is driven by a cab. As a result, Starodum refuses to match Prostakova. Pravdin receives a letter saying that in case of illegal actions, the Prostakovs' estate will be taken away. Prostakova gasps with anger. Having discovered that early in the morning Starodum and Sophia are leaving for Moscow, she comes up with the idea of ​​marrying the girl with Mitrofan against her will.

Action 5

They try to forcefully drag Sophia into the carriage. Milon saves her. Eremeevna tells Starodum and Pravdin about what happened, and they decide to end the arbitrariness that is taking place in the Prostakovs' house. Realizing that her plans were ruined, the noblewoman Prostakova falls on her face, begins to beg Starodum to forgive her. Taking pity, Pravdin lets her go, and she immediately begins to take out the evil on her servants, who did not guard Sophia. Pravdin takes away the house from the Prostakovs. Skotinin promises to respect the peasants and advise all nobles to take this approach.

Prostakova screams that all she has is Mitrofan, but her son does not need her - he pushes her away. From this, Prostakova loses consciousness. Pravdin accuses Mitrofan of rudeness and defines him for military service. Prostakova was distraught from the realization that she had lost everything - both power and her son. And Starodum says: "Here are worthy fruits of evil-mindedness."

Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" is one of the outstanding and famous works of the classics of Russian literature.

Thanks to a brief summary of actions and characteristics for each character, you can write an essay perfectly well in grade 8.

Summary of Fonvizin's work "Undergrowth" by actions

Important! In act 1, the reader discovers a large house where the Prostakov family lives.

The hostess is dissatisfied with the caftan, which was sewn by Tryphon for his son Mitrofan. She gives the order to bring the tailor and her husband.

Trifon enters the house, Prostakova begins to accuse him of a poorly tailored caftan. The man makes excuses that he has no education.

The owner also expresses his displeasure. In his opinion, the caftan is more like a bag. He always trusts his wife and her opinion. Prostakova insists that Tryphon be punished.

The owner's brother, Skotinin, enters the house. He made an appointment for the orphan Sofya, who also lives in the house.

This was supposed to be a solemn event, so Prostakova ordered a caftan from Tryphon.

Skotinin persuades his sister not to punish the tailor today, and assures her that she will be able to deal with him after the celebration on her own.

The hostess expresses her displeasure, and orders that her son be served breakfast.

Teachers should be here soon. The nanny says that Mitrofan ate five buns. At night he did not sleep well and complained of pain in his stomach.

The mistress's son says that he had terrible dreams, and his mother began to beat his father. He was very sorry for his mother, because in a dream she overworked. Prostakov.

Allows his big son to go and look at the pigeons. Skotinin is interested in where his future wife has disappeared, and he needs to find her.

He is waiting for the wedding ceremony. The girl was left alone, relatives died.

Skotinin marries Sophia because she has large pigs on her estate, and since childhood he has liked these animals.

Sophia runs into the living room with good news. She holds in her hand a letter sent to her by her only uncle Starodum.

The Prostakovs were not happy about this news, who immediately claim that Sophia was deceiving them.

The teacher Mitrofan Pravdin comes to the house and reads the letter. Sophia's uncle got rich in Siberia and wants to take his heir.

Prostakova decides to marry Mitrofan to Sophia. A servant abruptly runs into the house and reports that there are soldiers in the village.

Note! In act 2, officer Milon appears.

The girl complains that she does not want to marry Mitrofan. Skotinin was very upset that his marriage did not work out.

A fight breaks out between him and Mitrofan. In the third act, Pravdin sees from the window that Starodum's carriage is driving up to the house.

He meets his old friend. Starodum talks about how he served in the army and was promoted.

His story was interrupted by Sophia, who was glad to see her uncle. A picture unfolds where Prostakova beats Skotinin because he dared to hit her beloved son.

Starodum begins to laugh, and Prostakova blames her uncle for daring to laugh at them. Sophia introduces her uncle, and Prostakova changes tactics, begins to suck up.

Starodum announces that he is taking his niece to marry her to a wealthy young man. The uncle promises his niece that she will be able to choose her own groom.

Mitrofan's teachers: Tsyfirkin, Kuteikin and Vralman claim that the mother of their student demands too much from her son. His nanny Eremeevna is also convinced of this.

In the fourth act, Sophia and Starodum talk about their future plans. The uncle was convinced that his niece grew up to be a reasonable and honest girl.

He receives a letter from the Count of Chestan. His friend proposes to marry the girl to his nephew Milo. At this moment, Milon himself enters their room, and the girl introduces him to her uncle.

Starodum, after a short conversation, concludes that this is a good young man, gives a blessing. Skotinin arrives and tries to persuade his uncle to give Sophia for him.

Prostakova invites Starodum to check the literacy and mind of her beloved son Mitrofan. But the undergrowth cannot answer simple grammar questions.

Mitrofan starts talking nonsense that seems obvious to a learned person.

Starodum announces that he is passing off his Sophia as Milon. Prostakova organizes the kidnapping of the girl in order to secretly pass her off as Mitrofan.

Starodum, together with Pravdin, decide that they can sue for the crime. But the Prostakovs begin to beg for forgiveness. Sophia decides not to punish them.

The prostakovs are removed from the management of the house. All servants receive remuneration and new jobs.

Prostakova begins to defend her son, but Mitrofan rudely pushes her away. Mother faints, and Pravdin decides to send the undergrowth to the service. Mitrofan doesn't mind.

When Prostakova regains consciousness, she begins to cry that she was left without power and a son. Starodum is sure that bad deeds should be punished.

Characteristics of the heroes: very briefly

Below, a very brief description of the characters with a description:

Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin in his work "Undergrowth" tries to convey to readers that any evil is punished. It is important to be a decent, kind person.

The original idea of ​​​​Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" was to reveal the topic of education, which was very relevant in the Enlightenment, a little later socio-political issues were added to the work.

The name of the play is directly related to the decree of Peter the Great, who banned the opportunity to serve and marry young uneducated underage nobles.

History of creation

The first manuscript sketches of The Undergrowth date from around 1770. To write the play, Fonvizin had to rework many works with the appropriate ideology - the works of Russian and foreign contemporary writers (Voltaire, Rousseau, Lukin, Chulkov, etc.), articles from satirical magazines and even comedies written by Empress Catherine II herself. The work on the text was completed in 1781. A year later, after some obstacles from censorship, the first production of the play took place, and Fonvizin himself was the director, and the first publication of the play took place in 1773.

Description of the work

Action 1

The scene begins with a stormy discussion of a caftan sewn for Mitrofanushka. Mrs. Prostakova scolds her tailor Trishka and Prostakov supports her in an effort to punish the negligent servant. The situation is saved by the appearance of Skotinin, he justifies the unfortunate tailor. This is followed by a comical scene with Mitrofanushka - he manifests himself as an infantile young man, who also loves to eat tightly.

Skotinin discusses with the Prostakov couple the prospects for his marriage to Sofyushka. The only relative of the girl, Starodum, unexpectedly sends news of Sophia's acquisition of an impressive inheritance. Now the young lady has no end to the suitors - now the "minor" Mitrofan appears in the list of candidates for husbands.

Action 2

Among the soldiers who stopped in the village by chance is Sofyushka's fiancé - officer Milon. He turns out to be a good friend of Pravdin, an official who came to deal with the lawlessness that is happening on the Prostakov estate. At a chance meeting with her beloved, Milon learns about Prostakova's plans to arrange the fate of her son by marrying a now wealthy girl. This is followed by a quarrel between Skotinin and Mitrofan because of the future bride. Teachers appear - Kuteikin and Tsyfirkin, they share with Pravdin the details of their appearance in the Prostakovs' house.

Action 3

Arrival of the Starodum. Pravdin first meets Sophia's relative and reports to him about the atrocities happening in the Prostakovs' house in relation to the girl. The entire host family and Skotinin greet Starodum with hypocritical joy. Uncle plans to take Sofyushka to Moscow and marry her off. The girl submits to the will of her relative, not knowing that he chose Milon as her husband. Prostakova begins to praise Mitrofanushka as a diligent student. After everyone has dispersed, the remaining teachers Tsyfirkin and Kuteikin discuss the laziness and mediocrity of their undergrowth student. At the same time, they accuse the rogue, the former stableman of Starodum, Vralman, of hindering the learning process of the already stupid Mitrofanushka with his dense ignorance.

Action 4

Starodum and Sofyushka are talking about high moral principles and family values ​​- true love between spouses. After a conversation with Milon, having ascertained the high moral qualities of the young man, the uncle blesses his niece for marriage with her lover. What follows is a comical scene in which the unfortunate suitors Mitrofanushka and Skotinin are shown in a very unfavorable light. Having learned about the departure of a happy couple, the Prostakov family decides to intercept Sophia on the road.

Action 5

Starodum and Pravdin have pious conversations, having heard a noise, they interrupt the conversation and soon learn about the attempted kidnapping of the bride. Pravdin accuses the Prostakovs of this atrocity and threatens them with punishment. Prostakova on her knees begs for forgiveness from Sophia, but as soon as she receives it, she immediately accuses the servants of sluggishness in kidnapping the girl. A government paper arrives, announcing the transfer of all the property of the Prostakovs to Pravdin's custody. The scene of paying debts to teachers ends with a fair denouement - Vralman's deceit is revealed, the modest hard worker Tsyfirkin is generously endowed, and the ignorant Kuteikin is left with nothing. The happy young people and Starodum are getting ready to leave. Mitrofanushka heeds Pravdin's advice to join the army.

main characters

Considering the images of the main characters, it is worth noting that the speaking names of the characters in the play express the one-line nature of their character and leave no doubt about the author's moral assessment of the characters in the comedy.

The sovereign mistress of the estate, a despotic and ignorant woman, who believes that all matters, without exception, can be solved with the help of force, money or deceit.

His image is the focus of stupidity and ignorance. It has a striking lack of will and unwillingness to make decisions on its own. Undergrowth Mitrofanushka was named not only because of his age, but also because of his total ignorance and low level of moral and civic education.

Kind, sympathetic girl who received a good education, which has high level internal culture. Lives with the Prostakovs after the death of his parents. With all her heart she is devoted to her fiancé - officer Milon.

A person personifying the truth of life and the word of the law. As a government official, he is on the Prostakovs' estate in order to sort out the lawlessness that is happening there, in particular the unfair mistreatment of servants.

Sophia's only relative, her uncle and guardian. A successful man who managed to realize his high moral principles.

Sophia's beloved and long-awaited fiance. A brave and honest young officer of high virtue.

A narrow-minded, greedy, uneducated person, who does not disdain anything for the sake of profit and is distinguished by deceit and hypocrisy to a high degree.

comedy analysis

Fonvizin's "Undergrowth" is a classic comedy in 5 acts, all three unities are strictly observed in it - the unity of time, place and action.

The solution to the problem of education is the central moment of the dramatic action of this satirical play. The accusatory sarcastic scene of Mitrofanushka's exam is a true culmination in the development of an educational theme. In Fonvizin's comedy, two worlds collide - each with different ideals and needs, with different lifestyles and speech dialects.

The author innovatively shows the landowner's life of that time, the relationship between the owners and ordinary peasant people. The complex psychological characteristics of the characters gave impetus to the subsequent development of Russian everyday comedy as a theatrical and literary genre of the era of classicism.

Hero Quotes

Mitrofanushka- “I don’t want to study, I want to get married”;

— “Direct dignity in a person is the soul” and many others.

Prostakov — « Without science, people live and lived"

Final conclusion

Fonvizin's comedy has become a unique landmark work for contemporaries. In the play there is a vivid opposition of high moral principles, real education and laziness, ignorance and willfulness. In the socio-political comedy "Undergrowth" three themes rise to the surface:

• the theme of education and upbringing;
• the theme of serfdom;
• the theme of the condemnation of despotic autocratic power.

The purpose of writing this brilliant work is clear - the eradication of ignorance, the education of virtues, the fight against the vices that struck Russian society and the state.