Childhood Oblomov: the sources of apathy and inertia

"Oblomov" - one of three extensive novels Goncharov, written by him with an interval of 10 years. It was first published in 1859. This time is an active search for a modern hero, a man who knows how to get along in the new world.

The protagonist of the novel is Ilya Ilyich Oblomov. His childhood passed in a family estate, he was always surrounded by the care of his mother and nannies. Now Ilya Ilyich, an adult, is already a resident of St. Petersburg. It is in the apartment of the main character that the novel begins its action. The situation in his house immediately declares his inertia. Goncharov creates a special type of character. Moreover, this type is not single, but generalizing, characteristic for the era of that time. The question asked by the author is whether such a hero can live in a new environment, or he is doomed?

In order to see the origins and root causes of laziness, one should look at Oblomov's childhood. From the earliest years, little Ilyusha got used to the fact that everyone in the house is made by cooks and servants. He was followed by the strictest surveillance. Every step was monitored: God forbid hurt, catch cold, strike, etc. Life in the village Oblomovka flowed serenely, slowly and calmly. There was no place for rough activity and fussiness. Oblomov's childhood was spent in an earthly paradise, at least so he sees his ancestral estate in a dream. Oblomov's dream is the key to unraveling the novel. Goncharov sees Oblomov's problem in his upbringing. Laziness was instilled in him from infancy. By the way, the author himself also had similar character traits. That is why contemporaries sometimes held the parallel "Goncharov-Oblomov." Childhood (Oblomov and Goncharov held it in tribal estates) was similar, a love for "homeownership," a kind of idleness, lack of entrepreneurial tenderness, apathy, a reluctance to change something in life - that's what makes the author and his hero.

In contrast to Ilya Ilyich his friend Andrew Stolz is shown. He is alive, energetic, agile. The German name is associated with punctuality and pragmatism. For Goncharova, the names were very important. After all, the name of the main character is symbolic. Ilya Ilyich - reference to the national (Ilya Muromets), in the succession of generations (he bears the same name as his father), "Oblo" is a circle. It is Andrew who acquaints Oblomov with Olga - his unrealized love. Ilya Ilyich does not pass the test of love. He finds rest in Agafia Pshenitsyn's house. They have a son, Andryusha. After the death of Ilya Ilyich, Stolz and Olga took up his education. The researchers see this as the author's hope for the emergence of an ideal hero, combining the soulfulness of Oblomov and the pragmatic nature of Stolz.

Contemporaries well met the novel Goncharov. Oblomov's childhood, Oblomovka became key symbols. And laziness, apathy and inertia began to be called a common name "Oblomovism". This is the subject of an article by one of the most important critics of the time, Dobrolyubov. True, the author could not see anything positive in the hero. Revolutionary Dobrolyubov evaluated the hero only from the standpoint of his social landmarks. Despite this, Ilya Ilyich is a pure, spiritually free, sensual person. Oblomov's childhood proves his closeness to the people and to everything Russian.