The Problem of the Interrelationships of Generations in Russian Literature

The problem of interrelations of generations is considered one of the eternal questions of morality. Time accelerates its course, people do not keep up with it. Social institutions, codes, norms keep the traditions of the past. The current trends, not to mention the future, are turning into a storm in the musty crypt of the past.

In this article, we will try to highlight not only the relationship of generations, but also the elaboration of this issue in the works of Russian writers.

The essence and origins of the problem

Today, in our rapidly racing world under the conditions of total globalization, the problem of the interrelationships of generations becomes perceptibly acute. It seems that children are separated from their parents not by one, but by several steps at once.

The peculiarity of the struggle between the new and the old is that the former does not always emerge victorious from it. Adults have more levers of influence, confidence in their unshakable rightness, the need to be an authority and a leader for the child.

Next we will consider this problem from the point of view of psychologists, and also learn how writers saw it in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Particularly interesting material will be for students who are preparing for exams. Often one of the topics is the following: "Problems of intergenerational relationships". You can easily write an essay on this task after reading this article.

Today, the emphasis has shifted from the experience of older generations to peer achievements. Virtually all the knowledge from parents the child is already getting in an "obsolete" form. Nowadays, the lifespan of innovation sometimes fluctuates within a few days or hours.

In adolescence, boys and girls are forced to undergo an original stage of initiation. They need to learn to control emotions, become sensible and wise. This is called "grow up". The difficulty is that with the acceleration of the pace of life, parents often themselves are not yet fully formed into a coherent mature personality. Or their image suits only for the heroes of the novel of the nineteenth century.

The problem is that often parents can not even tell the offspring how to act correctly in one or the other situation. After all, they never spent their youth in the present-day conditions. What was previously considered revolutionary, today the youth refers to the era of the Stone Age.

Let's look at the issue of disagreements between parents and children. How do psychologists and writers see it?

What psychologists say

If the assignment deals with the problem of intergenerational relationships, the essay can begin with the opinion of specialists on this topic.

Now we will talk about some of the studies conducted by scientists to study the psychology of the adult generation. They believe that the main problem lies in the inability of the elders to understand their inadequacy in matters of education.

It turns out that complacency and the belief that past life experience is the standard by which the "correctness" of a child should be measured is the foundation for discord. It turns out that adults speak the same language, and children - completely different.

And, from the point of view of psychologists, the problem of mutual relations of generations often comes from the part of parents. The most frequent complaint from children: "They do not want to hear me."

Experiments were conducted to confirm this hypothesis. We give a description and the results of one of them.

At school, students of the tenth grade were asked to rate themselves on a five-point scale. It was necessary to measure internal qualities, such as kindness, sociability, initiative and so on. The second task was to determine how these same qualities will be appreciated by parents. The older generation was asked to evaluate their children, and then predict their self-esteem.

As a result, it turned out that children accurately imagine what parents think of them, and fathers and mothers, in their turn, know absolutely nothing about their offspring.
Other studies have proved, in addition to this point, a number of difficulties in the relationship of children and adults. So, it was revealed that the child is more frank with the mother than with the father. The second unpleasant moment is that many things that interest a teenager are not accepted in our society.

The themes of feelings, openness, sex life put an insurmountable barrier between generations in the family. Such a turn of events leads to formal communication and routineization of relations.

Turgenev, Fathers and Sons

According to many critics, the problem of the interrelations of generations in the novel "Fathers and Sons" is most fully covered. In principle, it is given the most attention here, but you will soon be convinced that there are other works in which this issue will be touched upon.

Ivan Sergeevich in his novel shows not just the confrontation between father and son in a single family. Here the problem of intergenerational relations is depicted, since Kirsanov and Bazarov are not related.

The first is young, nihilist, democrat and revolutionary. Pavel Petrovich is also shown as a monarchist and an aristocrat to the core. The clash of their worldviews is the basis of the plot.

We see that Evgeni Bazarov is inclined to deny everything, placing science above all other values. The image of the landscape of Switzerland, for example, is interesting to him only from the geological point of view. He is pragmatic, trying to prove the advantage of new views. However, in the end, Eugene dies with the thought that Russia did not accept him.

Bazarov's antagonist is Kirsanov. He likes to talk about the "Russian idea", the simplicity of peasant life. But in fact all his words turn out to be an illusion. He is inclined only to talk about it, by actions he shows the opposite.

Like many other writers of the nineteenth century, Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is on the side of the younger generation. He shows through the prism of the novel the agony of the old worldview and the birth of the new philosophy of society in torments.

Tolstoy, "War and Peace"

Next we will consider the problem of the interrelations of generations in the novel "War and Peace". Here Tolstoy, being a subtle connoisseur of human souls and motives of behavior, shows three different families. They have different social status, values and traditions. On the example of the Bolkonsky, Kuragins and Rostovs we see practically the entire palette of Russian citizens of the nineteenth century.

However, the novel shows not only the relationship between different generations, but also the friction of different layers of society. Bolkonsky, for example, brings up children in the service of the Fatherland. Honor and favor for other people he puts above all else. Such grow up Andrew and Maria. However, the old prince often overdid the stick in education, which he laments on his deathbed.

The Kuragins are shown as the complete opposite of Bolkonsky. They are careerists who put public standing above all else. Their example illustrates the cold attitude of parents towards children. The absence of sensuality and confidence becomes natural for Helen and Anatole.

In fact, Tolstoy, with the help of the Kuragins family, shows empty people who are interested only in material values and external brilliance.

The opposite are the Rostovs. Here is an ideal family. Parents fully support Nicholas and Natasha. Children can always turn to them for help when they need it. This genus is completely different from the aristocratic Bolkonski and from the careerists of the Kuragins.

Thus, in the first two of the works mentioned above, the problem of the interrelations of generations is most fully revealed. The composition (USE) will be best written, based on these novels.

Paustovsky, "The Telegram"

When the problem of intergenerational relations is discussed, the arguments "from life" will be the best. The story of Konstantin Paustovsky will affect the most painful strings of the human soul. It highlights the situation when children forget their parents.

This is the second extreme, in which the family can fall. Often the reason is not so much the problem of upbringing, but the pernicious moments of social influence.

Sometimes teenagers unprepared for real world aggression fall into the vortex of other people's goals. They live by the ideals of other people and lose themselves. If the parents did not manage to accustom a child to the fact that the house will be accepted in any condition, the young person will move away.

Thus, we face a multifaceted problem of the interrelations of generations. Arguments for correct upbringing and other preventive measures can be cited, but it is better to show the terrible consequences of a deepening abyss.

It is just such examples that we see in the writings of many writers. In the "Telegram", in particular, the daughter was late. When the girl came to her senses and came to visit her mother in the village, she found only a grave mound and a simple tombstone.

Paustovsky shows that pride, secret jealousy and other barriers that prevent warm relations between relatives always lead to the tragedy of the "offended". Therefore, the best way to solve the problem of intergenerational relationships is forgiveness and a sincere desire to understand the interlocutor.

Gogol, "Taras Bulba"

The problem of the interrelations of generations in Russian literature arises quite sharply in Gogol's work. He addresses the unexpected and terrible side of the realization of this moment.

The story illustrates the father's murder of his child for the sake of his own sense of honor and pride. Taras Bulba could not forgive and experience the betrayal of ideals from Andrei. He avenges him for the fact that the young man grew up not by the one whom he was brought up.

On the other hand, he punishes the Poles for the death of his youngest son - Ostap.

Thus, in this work we see the bitter truth of reality. Fathers rarely seek to understand their children. They just want to realize their concept of "ideal life" in them.

That is why the problem of intergenerational relationships is eternal. The arguments of Russian writers in favor of the impossibility of solving it can be found in our article. Further we will consider different areas of this issue.

But after reading most of the works and studies, it seems that with age people have the ideals of a house-building waking up at the gene level.

"Elder Son" - play and film

We are now discussing the problem of the interrelations of generations (the Unified State Examination often includes it in the list of tasks). Let's look at Vampilov's comedy "Elder Son". It was written in the late sixties of the twentieth century.

The significance of the work is that several generations are interwoven here. We see the relationship between the three: fathers, adults and younger children.

The essence of the comedy lies in an innocent joke, which turned into a significant stage in the life of the whole family. Two friends (Busygin and Silva) linger late in a foreign city, late for transportation. They are looking for an overnight stay.

In the city they meet with the Sarafanov family. Silva tells their new acquaintance that Busygin is his son. A man accepts a message at face value, because he "had the sin of youth".

The essence of the work lies in the fact that Busygin has to become a link between the father and children, who do not put their parents into anything.

We see already mature enough "junior" Vasenka, who jealously burns Natalya's dwelling. Nina, Busygina's sister named, wants to run away with the groom to the Far East, but her new brother keeps her.

Obeying the impulse of feelings, the deceiver admits everything. In the work everything ends well. But the main accent is still put. The situation is created in a comic form for convenient perception and comfortable introduction into the comedy "family friend".

It is through the prism of a foreign view of the family that the problem of the interrelations of generations is revealed. Vampilov's composition is fundamentally different from similar works of the nineteenth and eighteenth centuries. It is here that we see the picture that exists in our time.

Traditions of house construction have actually outlived themselves, but the softness and thoughtless love of many parents plays with them a cruel joke when children grow up.

Griboyedov and Fonvizin

The problem of the interrelations of generations in "Woe from Wit" is revealed by the example of Famusov and Chatsky. Let's get acquainted with these symbolic images in more detail.

The old generation is characterized by the worship of ranks, wealth and status in society. It is afraid, does not understand and hates new trends. Famusov was stuck in the philistine worldview of the last century. His only desire is to find for his daughter a son-in-law with officials and stars on his chest.

Chatsky is the exact opposite of Pavel Afanasyevich. He not only verbally denounces the Domostroevsky foundations of the past, but also shows all the behavior of the depravity of the old and the power of a new worldview.

Molchalin is also a contemporary of Chatsky, but contrasts with him in his thoughts, goals and behavior. He is pragmatic, hypocritical and hypocritical. Above all for him - a warm and monetary place. That is why the young man pleases Famusov in everything, quiet and modest with Sophia.

In his private life, Chatsky has a drama. A favorite girl calls him crazy and repels, preferring "serviceman with rank." But, in spite of this, the comedy's result to the readers is shown openly. It is precisely the "carnarians" and rebels that will replace the traditional chinabolism and mossiness of the old noblemen.

The issue of intergenerational relations is also covered in Nedorosle. The composition is a terrific transcript of the phrase: "Apple is not far from the apple tree". Here we see a separate aspect of the relationship between parents and children. Education, which is designed not to help the child find life and be realized, but to reflect the outdated picture of the mother's world.

So, in the comedy "Nedorosl" we see the result, which Ms. Prostakova received. She fully protected the child from the "hated" world and corrupt society. Teachers were hired to him only because "Peter the Great bequeathed it". And the teachers at Mitrofanushka did not differ in learning.

The comedy is written in the key of classicism, so all the names in it are talking. Teachers Tsifirkin, Kuteykin, Vralman. Son Mitrofan, which in Greek means "like a mother," and she herself Prostakova.

We see the disappointing results of blindly following dead dogmas without the slightest attempt at their comprehension.

Opposed to the old traditions Starodum, Pravdin and some other characters. They reflect the desire of the new society to see in a person a soul, and not an empty gilded shell.

As a result of the conflict, we get an absolutely ruthless, greedy and stupid "underdog". "I do not want to learn, but I want to get married," is the most accurate reflection of his essence.

Illumination of the problem in the works of Pushkin

One of the eternal moral issues is the problem of the interrelations of generations. Arguments from the life of modern society rarely fully correspond to literary images. The closest situation is mentioned in the "Elder Son", of which we spoke earlier.

The works of the same classics of the nineteenth century are often useful to young people only on a global scale. The common ethical and moral themes that are touched upon in them will be relevant for more than one century.

The problems of intergenerational relationships in Pushkin's works are covered many times. Examples include the following: "The Captain's Daughter", "The Stationmaster", "Boris Godunov", "The Mean Knight" and some others.

Alexander Sergeyevich, most likely, did not set himself the goal of reflecting precisely this conflict, as Tolstoy and Turgenev. The clash of generations has been a part of everyday life since the time of primitive people. Just over time, the gap between parents and children is increasing. This is affected by progress, changing social values, globalization and many other factors.

In particular, in the "Stationary Caretaker" the situation is similar to the one that Paustovsky later described (we spoke about this earlier). Here, Samson's daughter Vyrin escapes from her father's house with a hussar. She falls into urban society, becomes a rich and respectable lady.

When her father finds him, he does not recognize and does not want to accept a new image of his daughter. Samson returns to the station where he drinks and dies. Here the conflict is formed due to the different meaning that the heroes put in the concept of "happiness."

In the "Captain's Daughter" we see a completely different picture. Here, Peter Grinev has memorized the traditional teachings of his father. Following these rules helped him to save face and honor in difficult situations.

The old baron in The Miserly Knight loses his own son, as he is committed to the old philistine foundations. He does not want to change his straggly world outlook, feudal views. In this work, we see a too big gulf between father and son. As a result, the bond is finally broken.

Ostrovsky, The Thunderstorm

As you have already seen, if the problem of intergenerational relations is to be touched upon in the essay, arguments (literary, life and other) will easily help to do this.

At the end of this article, we give one more example that best suits the task. Now we will talk about the drama Ostrovsky "Thunderstorm".

In this amazing work, the clash between the old housebuilding and young generations is very vividly illustrated . Of all the actors, only the main heroine, Katerina, is determined to resist the stagnant tyranny of the elders.

There is such a saying that Russia is a country of facades. It is in this play that this phrase is deciphered in frightening nakedness. For the apparent welfare and piety of the usual Volga town, we discover for ourselves the real evil that lurks in the souls of people.

The problem is not only cruelty, stupidity and hypocrisy of the older generation. Kabanikha, Wild tyrannize young people only when they are not seen by society. By such actions they are only trying to "guide the true way" of their unlucky children. However, the difficulty is that all the knowledge and traditions inherent in a house-building have long since evolved from norms of conduct into an unnecessary burden.

The reverse side of this issue is the lack of will, weakness and cattle obedience of the younger, and also the indifference of the other townspeople to what is happening before their eyes.

The problems of intergenerational relationships in the drama are shown in parallel with the impending storm. As nature seeks to get rid of the accumulated, sending a life-giving rain on the petrified soil, so the suicide of Katerina makes the indifferent souls of people start.

Thus, we have considered the interrelations of generations on examples from life, origins and manifestations of this problem. In addition, they got acquainted with the works of many Russian writers who accurately, sharply and frightfully truthfully covered this issue.

Good luck to you, dear readers! Try to find the strength to be better in order not to become kabanikhs, simpletons and other house-builders.