Colonel Skalozub Sergei Sergeevich characteristics. Character history

"no less bright than the figure of Famusov. “A constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas,” says Chatsky about Skalozub. In the person of this hero, Griboedov caricatured the type of military man who pays attention mainly to the external part of military service, is interested in the uniform that distinguishes one regiment from another, is engaged in drilling, “stepping,” as they said then, and is deprived of that real military spirit that created the valor of the Russian army. Skalozub embodies all the vulgarity, all the limitations of this kind of officer. His name indicates that he constantly “snarls”, jokes, tries to make jokes; but his jokes are not funny, but vulgar. Typical is his story about Princess Lasova, who, having fallen from her horse,

“...the other day I was completely blown away:
The jockey did not support - he thought it was obvious that there were flies.
And without that she is, as you can hear, clumsy,
Now the rib is missing
So she’s looking for a husband for support.”

His answer to Famusov’s question about how Nastasya Nikolaevna is related to him is typical:

“I don’t know, sir, it’s my fault:
She and I didn’t serve together.”

With this witticism, Skalozub wants to show that nothing outside of military service interests him. What is occupying him? “The uniforms have piping, shoulder straps, buttonholes...” - a comparison of the guard with the army, in which the officers “everything is so tailored and the waists are so narrow”...

Woe from the mind. Maly Theater performance, 1977

Skalozub strives only for ranks, awards, and promotions. He himself is a colonel, but is already “aiming for general.” It is interesting to know how he achieved high rank; he himself quite frankly says that he received a promotion not for personal merit, but due to happy coincidences of circumstances:

“I am quite happy in my comrades,”
Vacancies are currently open:
Then the elders will turn off others,
The others, you see, have been killed.”

The frankness with which Skalozub speaks about his promotion testifies to his extreme stupidity:

“He’s talkative, but he’s not cunning,”

– the maid Lisa characterizes him. Just like Famusov, he is convinced of the dangers of science and wants children to be taught to march in all lyceums and gymnasiums.

I will make you happy: universal rumor,
That there is a project about lyceums, schools, gymnasiums;
There they will only teach in our way: one, two;
And the books will be saved like this: for big occasions.

This is the kind of son-in-law Famusov would like to have! But his daughter Sofya Skalozub is disgusted - and not only because she loves Molchalin. Sophia understands Skalozub’s emptiness and stupidity. When Chatsky, trying to find out Sophia’s attitude towards a possible groom, mentions:

Here, for example, is Colonel Skalozub:
And a golden bag, and aims to become a general,

she answers:

How sweet! and it's fun for me to fear
Listen about the frunt and rows;
He hasn’t uttered a smart word for a long time, -
I don’t care what goes into the water.

Skalozub has been serving in the army since 1809 (in his own words), but he does not even mention the Patriotic War of 1812, except for his words about the fire of Moscow, which, in his judgment, “contributed a lot to its decoration.” He “distinguished himself” in 1913, and for August 3, when he “sat down in a trench,” he received an order. Professor Nechkina, in his book about Griboyedov and the Decembrists, says that at that time there were no hostilities, so Skalozub received his orders and awards not for military exploits, but thanks to his ability to use various “channels.” Skalozub has the rank of colonel (“You’ve been a colonel for a long time, but you’ve only been serving recently,” Famusov notes with approval) and strives to become a general.

Skalozub

Yes, to get ranks, there are many channels;
I judge them as a true philosopher:
If only I could get an axis as a general, -
he himself admits, and it is clear that he does not neglect any of these
"channels". He, by his own admission, is lucky in his career:
I am quite happy in my comrades
Vacancies are currently open:

Then the elders will turn off others,
The others, you see, have been killed.
In his naivety and stupidity, he does not even understand what immoral things he is saying: after all, he sees his happiness in the fact that his comrades were killed, since this gives him the opportunity to advance in his career. In his desire for rank, Skalozub is similar to Famusov.
He is unanimous with Famusov in his views on enlightenment. At Famusov’s ball he announces:

When Repetilov calls him to go to a meeting of the smartest people, in his opinion, Skalozub replies:

Spare me. You can't fool me with learning,
Call others, and if you want,
I am Prince Gregory and you
I'll give the sergeant major to Voltaire,
He will line you up in three ranks,
Just make a noise and it will instantly calm you down.

Skalozub puts drill, command, front, barracks, shagistika, ranks above all else, shows an exact knowledge of the differences between all regiments in piping, shoulder straps, buttonholes on their uniforms (in a conversation with Khlestova), perks up and becomes talkative when the topic comes up. He is not interested in anything else and cannot talk about anything coherently.
talk, with the exception of secular gossip, which he readily retells, adding “a hundred embellishments.” So, he tells gossip about the princess with sincere pleasure. Skalozub sprinkles military terms: distance, line, sergeant major, etc., and here the comedy is achieved by the fact that Skalozub speaks about things that have nothing to do with military life in exactly this language. When Famusov asks him how he gets to know Nastasya Nikolaevna, Skalozub replies:

I don’t know, sir, it’s my fault,
She and I did not serve together.

When it comes to Moscow and Muscovites, and Famusov makes a laudatory speech, and Chatsky makes an accusatory speech, Skalozub has only three words in praise of Moscow: “Distances of enormous size.” He strives to be polite with Famusov, but in front of people with whom he does not stand on ceremony, he says ponderously and rudely: “Look at how he cracked - in the chest or in the side?” If Skalozub is similar to Famusov in his views on service, ranks, and education, then mentally he is much lower than Famusov, who is intelligent, eloquent, and observant. Sophia says about Skalozub: “He hasn’t uttered a smart word in his life,” and Lisa agrees with her, only she expresses it in her own way: “he’s not very cunning.” In conclusion, let us recall the reviews of Skalozub by two ideological enemies, representatives of opposite camps - Famusov and Chatsky.

Famous person, respectable,
And he picked up a ton of insignia;
Beyond his years, and an enviable rank,
Not today or tomorrow general, -
This is how Famusov respectfully evaluates Skalozub. Chatsky gives him a brief spigrammatic description:
Khripun, strangled, bassoon,
A constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas!
“And a golden bag, and aims to become a general,” - in these apt words
Lisa is all Skalozub.

It is precisely such people - narcissistic, stupid, ignorant, non-reasoning, admirers, shagists, barracks education, cane drills, enemies of free thought - who succeeded in the army during Arakcheev’s time. Real people, educated and thinking, resigned in protest against Arakcheevism, as did Skalozub’s cousin, a participant Patriotic War 1812.

Next to Famusov in the comedy stands Skalozub - “And the golden bag aspires to be a general.” Colonel Skalozub is a typical representative of the Arakcheevo army environment. There is nothing caricatured in his appearance: historically he is completely truthful. Like Famusov, Colonel Skalozub is guided in his life by “philosophy” and the ideal of the “past century,” only in an even more rude and frank form. He sees the purpose of his service not in protecting the fatherland from enemy encroachment, but in achieving wealth and nobility, which, in his opinion, are more accessible to a military man. Chatsky characterizes him as follows:

Khripun, strangled, bassoon, Constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas!

According to Sophia, Skalozub only talks about “fronts and rows.” The source of Skalozub’s “military wisdom” is the Prussian-Pavlovian school in the Russian army, so hated by the free-thinking officers of that time, brought up on the precepts of Suvorov and Kutuzov. In one of the early editions of the comedy, in a conversation with Repetilov, Skalozub directly states:

I am the school of Friedrich, in the team are the grenadiers, Feldwebel are my Voltaires.

Skalozub began to make his career from the moment when the heroes of 1812 began to be replaced by stupid martinets, slavishly loyal to the autocracy, led by Arakcheev. Then “at every step there were clawed teeth, not only in the army, but also in the guard, for whom it was incomprehensible that it was possible to turn a Russian man into a fit soldier without breaking several cartloads of sticks on his back,” notes the Decembrist Yakushkin. It was people like Skalozub, less than a year after the end of “Woe from Wit,” who shot the Decembrists from cannons on Senate Square in St. Petersburg. His image was of great political importance for exposing the military-serf reaction of that time.

It is characteristic that Griboedov contrasts Skalozub with his cousin, a representative of a different environment in the Russian army, with that freedom-loving part of the officers from which many Decembrist military officers emerged. After the end of the war of 1812-1814. Skalozub’s cousin, having resigned, went to the village “to read books.” The Decembrist P. Kakhovsky testifies to the veracity of this image. “Our young people, with all their meager means, are engaged more than anywhere else,” he writes, “many of them have retired and in their secluded rural houses they study and organize the prosperity and education of farmers, entrusted by fate to their care... How many you will meet now seventeen-year-old young people about whom we can safely say that they read old books." The resignation of many leading officers who distinguished themselves in the wars of 1812-1814 was also associated with the strengthening of the Arakcheev regime in the army - the persecution of all free-thinking, the imposition of stupid military drill and servile subordination. This is precisely how the Decembrist V. Raevsky explains his resignation in 1817: “The influence of Arakcheev has already become noticeable. The service became difficult and insulting. What was required was not noble service, but servile subordination. Many officers have retired." This was one of the forms of protest against the reaction. And it’s not for nothing that the Famusovs looked very askance at the young noblemen who were not serving

Comedy "Woe from Wit", written by A.S. Griboyedov in 1824, exposes the morals of the nobles of the early 19th century. The play presents a situation when, after the War of 1812, at a turning point for Russia, people with progressive views on the structure of society began to appear in the noble society. The main theme of the work is the struggle of the “past century” with the “present century”, the old with the new. The camp of the “past century” is represented in the play by many people of different types. Skalozub’s characterization in the comedy “Woe from Wit” is of great importance for understanding the problems of the work.

This hero is highly respected among Famus society. From the first pages of the book we learn that Famusov considers him the most desirable contender for the hand of his daughter Sophia. In the play "Woe from Wit" Skalozub fully corresponds to the ideals of the Moscow noble society: “And a golden bag, and aims to become a general.” Sophia, as a sensible girl, does not want to marry Skalozub at all. She considers him very stupid: “He will never utter a smart word, I don’t care what’s for him, what’s in the water.”

If Chatsky is not suitable for the role of Sophia’s husband, because he “does not serve, that is, he does not find any benefit in it,” then Skalozub is a colonel. High rank is the main thing that is valued in Moscow. The image of this hero is a satire on Russian army Arakcheev's period, when any free-thinking was persecuted, and thoughtless submission was required. In this regard, many young nobles resigned. Stupid military drill reigned in the army at that time. That is why in Famus society they are so wary of Chatsky, who “would be happy to serve,” but does not want to “serve,” because this indicates his dissent. Skalozub is “with stars and ranks,” which means everything is fine with him. In Famus society, he is forgiven even for rudeness, which is not forgiven for Chatsky.

As a typical representative of the “past century,” Skalozub serves the purpose of enriching himself, gaining respectable weight in society, and not in order to take care of the safety of his homeland. In the comedy “Woe from Wit,” Skalozub’s army rank is very attractive to Famusov’s Moscow. In this regard, Chatsky gives an apt description of Skalozub: “A constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas.”

The path to high ranks and awards for people like Skalozub does not matter. Most often, promotions among the nobility of that time were achieved through connections. Skalozub’s character helps him skillfully use these connections: “... To get ranks, there are many channels... I just wish I could become a general.”

Skalozub even received his order not for military merits, but on the occasion of military celebrations.

In the comedy “Woe from Wit,” the characterization of Skalozub would have been incomplete if the work had not contrasted this hero with other representatives of the military class - progressive-minded nobles who respect human personality. These were the people who retired during that period. Such is Skalozub’s cousin, who, despite the fact that “the rank followed him,” left military service and went to live in the village, where “he began to read books.” Refusing another rank is unthinkable for Skalozub. Skalozub speaks about his brother with disdain also because he is also an opponent of learning and education. It is from the lips of this hero at Famusov’s ball that information about reform comes educational institutions according to the barracks type: “There they will only teach in our way: once or twice; and the books will be preserved - like this: for great occasions.”

One of the important characters in Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” is Sergei Sergeevich Skalozub. He spent his whole life in military service, rose to the rank of colonel and really wants to become a general. The brilliant careerist, however, was carried away by his service alone; he was a limited and simply stupid person.

Skalozub's appearance is almost perfect: all his clothes are chosen according to army fashion, he is tall, and his voice could be admired by all the girls who dream of fairy-tale heroes. Skalozub has many medals, but all of them are on the occasion of a celebration, and not received for valor and honor. This is one of the details with which the author wants to show readers that Skalozub does not have that real military spirit that rushes into battle to protect his loved ones. All Skalozub dreams of is a beautiful uniform and a lot of glory and fame. He fights not for his homeland, but for his own selfish and vain goals.

Sergei Sergeevich’s upbringing fails him: he grew up in the barracks, so all his requests or even ordinary speech sound like army orders. He is very rude, not tolerant, not tactful and in some places seems just a boor. But his shortcomings are largely offset by his enormous fortune, respectability and place in society; many respect him and almost worship him.

Skalozub hates reading and believes that there is nothing good in books; two examples of this can be cited: when he happily says that now all educational schools will become like barracks, and when he talks with great contempt about his cousin, who is currently moment sitting in the village and reading books.

Famusov wants to marry Sophia to Skalozub, because he has a lot of money. Sophia finds Skalozub very stupid and speaks of him as if he had not said a single sensible thought the entire time. Sophia’s words are confirmed for the reader in the situation when Skalozub, having listened to Chatsky’s monologue, agrees with him, not understanding anything of what Chatsky said.

I think that Skalozub is a person who tries to show the good side of himself in everything, a person who tries to please others and win their sympathy. Because of his ambitions to become a general, he does not see anything beyond his service, which scares away the smart and well-read Sophia. Skalozub himself considers himself a very honest officer who is worthy of his position. Judging by how his service is going, I can assume that he will still achieve his goal of becoming a general, but whether he will become the person that a young lady like Sophia wants to see in her husbands is unlikely.

Option 2

Griboyedov in his comedy "Woe from Wit" raises important topic which concerns the past and present time. At this time, the values of the “old” time are opposed to the values of the new time. Not only Famusov or Khlestakov, but also Skalozub considers himself a supporter of the old self.

Skalozub holds a military rank, his goal in life is to achieve good place or rank at any cost. He “made a fortune” and is therefore popular with the ladies. Even Famusov himself prefers Skalozub as his daughter’s husband.

Skalozub, although a military man, does not know how to think for himself. He follows society, follows those who are beneficial to him or supports those who are more noble. The hero doesn’t really love Russia, he says so himself. He received a high military rank only because there were places, and not for his exploits and devotion to the Motherland. Skalozub is a collective image, his behavior corresponds to other military men who tried to make their careers after World War II, and, it should be noted, they had every opportunity to do this.

Skalozub is a typical liberal of that time, who clings to the old, because only by those laws and rules can he live; it is more convenient for him to adapt to someone than to act on his own.

Also, the image of Skalozub helps to fully understand Chatsky, who is opposed to the “past century”; the reader notices deceit, depravity and stupidity Famusovsky Society, which includes Skalozub.

Skalozub has a special attitude towards learning; he does not understand why he needs to study, and he tries to show himself as smart, but in dialogues with other characters he only answers with memorized military phrases.

Skalozub does not bring anything useful to society, he only satisfies his own needs, goes over his head for the sake of his goals. This attitude towards the world is the basis of the old system, which Chatsky does not like so much.

The hero did not receive an education, he grew up in a military environment, so he was used to speaking rudely, not taking anyone into account, and giving orders. Skalozub is rude, does not listen or understand others, he lives according to the laws of the army.

His attitude towards reading is terrible - he despises books. The reader notices this when main character assures that it is better to equip schools in a new way, like in the army, where they will teach what is really important, and not science. And talking about his distant brother, who loves to read and lives in the village, Skalozub humiliates him, he does not understand how one can read books.

Sophia sees Skalozub as a stupid and backward person; she is not interested in his money. In a dialogue with Chatsky, Skalozub does not understand what the hero is talking about, but out of habit he agrees with what was said.

Skalozub is accustomed to benefiting from any situation through flattery and agreement with others. He does not want to develop, but there is only one goal - to succeed in a military career, this shows the limitations of the protagonist and his ideals.

Detailed analysis of Skalozub’s image

Skalozubs are the generals of Tsarist Russia, or hoarsemen, stranglers and bassoons.

(Based on the comedy by A.S. Griboedov “Woe from Wit.”)

Literature knows cases of the genius of an author thanks to one of his works. These include famous works of literary art from different eras. These are “Don Quixote” by Cervantes Saavedra, “Gulliver’s Travels” by Swift and, of course, “Woe from Wit” by Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov.

The immortal comedy was written at the beginning of the 19th century, but has not lost its significance in the 21st century, because it touches on universal human values - “eternal values”.

The play mainly contains representatives of the nobility (“the present century” and the “past century”) with their own worldview, attitude to service, education, serfdom, foreign fashion, and people of different classes. The author talks about the meaning of life, honor and dignity, love, inner freedom, moral choice.

There's a lot in comedy characters, but conditionally they can be divided into two camps: the world of Famusov and the world of Chatsky. Chatsky has progressive views on life, he is an active figure, a thinking person, and the other (Famusov) is an adherent of the old order, where servility, hypocrisy, respect for rank, and the desire to become an “ace” are valued.

Skalozub is a prominent representative of the Famus circle. Chatsky gives an apt description of this character:

Khripun, strangled, bassoon,

A constellation of maneuvers and mazurkas.

In tsarist Russia, khripuns were called fanfare officers who gave themselves an important appearance and sought to be especially noticeable in secular society. To this end, they forced themselves to wheeze, pronouncing words with a French accent. The writer gives the term “khripun” an army, military slang meaning.

The word “strangled” is associated with “wheezer” and helps to partially represent the highest-ranking military in Nikolaev Russia: the collar was pulled so tightly and the uniform was pulled into a glass that it was difficult to breathe.

A bassoon is a musical wind instrument made of wood that produces hoarse, nasal sounds (direct meaning). However, in order to have a complete understanding of the word “bassoon”, one must turn to the story of the surgeon N.I. Pirogov (“The Diary of an Old Doctor”). Uniformed leaders were called bassoons for their abrupt, harsh speech. The hero of Griboyedov's comedy Skalozub Sergei Sergeich is a serving colonel, a narrow-minded Saldophone, who has only military career(“And a golden bag, and aims to become a general”). In fact, he did not participate in hostilities and received an award because he “sat in a trench.” He is very limited in knowledge and has a poor vocabulary, like the character of the satirical novel by Ilf and Petrov “The Twelve Chairs” Ellochka the cannibal. Dumb and rude in communication, he is not interesting to anyone, and they communicate with him because of money. It's funny and sad to hear his answers. A typical figure in the Arakcheev army drill. His appearance is historically real, without caricature. Just like Famusov, Colonel Skalozub adheres to the “philosophy” of the “past century,” but more crudely and openly. For him, the purpose of service is not to protect the Fatherland, but to achieve career growth, wealth and honor. In his opinion, a military man can achieve success faster.

Skalozub is an opponent of all enlightenment. For him, learning is a “plague.” To eliminate freethinkers, it is he who proposes effective measures to destroy books. He would really like to establish an army regime and suppress any manifestation of freedom of thought.

Individuals like Skalozub are dangerous to society.

Several interesting essays

Outline of Astafiev's story Strizhonok Skrip
Creak, along with his brothers and sisters, hatched from an egg in his mother's warm nest. They could only see a small spot of light from their nest on the river bank.

My opinion is this: being a talented reader is the same as being talented writer. These two talents are even similar in some ways. Writer describing amazing worlds, makes the reader imagine all this.