"Father of Russian Democracy": the meaning of expression

"Father of Russian democracy" is an expression from the novel "The Twelve Chairs", which became a true aphorism. So called the main character of the work Ostap Bender of his companion Ippolit Matveyevich in the scene of collecting money from the inhabitants of one provincial city under the pretext of helping Russian emigration abroad, but in fact in order to appropriate these funds for themselves.

Use in the novel

The phrase "the father of Russian democracy" is used in everyday life with reference to a person who is credited with imaginary services for actions that he did not commit at all. In the novel, Ostap uses this expression in order to give significance to Ippolit Matveyevich. Indicative is the fact that he applies these words in relation to his companion, and not to himself, since Kis Vorobyaninov was the leader of the uyezd nobility before the revolution, therefore, had the appropriate education and manners, due to which he could impress the residents of the city.

Derived aphorism

The expression "father of Russian democracy" served as the basis for another phrase, which also became winged. In another episode, Ostap begs for money from the hero of Kislyarsky and demands five hundred rubles for Kisa's "salvation." Then his interlocutor asks if two hundred rubles can save the "giant of thought". This phrase also became something like an aphorism, which is used in the sense of "you have enough of this."

The image of Ippolit Matveyevich

The application to the character of the words "the father of Russian democracy" received a special comedic sound due to the fact that Ostap called this the person who was the most distant from political consciousness and state thinking. Rather, Bender himself could have come up with such a definition, since he possessed strategic thinking and was able to abstract from domestic trivia and reflect philosophically. However, Kisa Vorobyaninov was completely deprived of this quality. Therefore, the phrase "the giant of thought, the father of Russian democracy" is the least suitable for this person, all the desires and aspirations of which were directed only at getting chairs, finding diamonds and living richly. It is obvious that he is far from political ideas, despite the fact that in the past he was the leader of the nobility.

In addition, in the course of adventures and the search for chairs, Kisa discovers, in the words of Ostap, small vulgar inclinations. Against this background, Bender looks more noble, despite all his fraudulent antics. Both heroes strikingly differ from each other, despite the fact that they pursue a common goal. "Father of Russian democracy" (according to Ostap Bender) during the search made a lot of stupid things and showed himself as a short-sighted person, and this despite the fact that he had experience of social activities in his pre-revolutionary past. However, in a number of cases, he showed himself at the most disadvantageous side and, in the context of his companion, loses in this respect. However, this makes the character comedic and so memorable. Therefore, the characteristic given to him by Ostap became a true aphorism and is used even in our time in a variety of situations.