The theme of the "little man" in Russian literature of the 18th and 19th centuries: the most vivid characters

"Little Man" - a literary character, characteristic of the era of realism. Such a hero in art works could be a petty official, a petty bourgeois or even a poor nobleman. As a rule, its main feature is its low social position. This image is found in the works of both domestic and foreign authors. The theme of the little man in Russian literature occupies a special position. After all, this image received a particularly vivid expression in the works of such writers as Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Gogol.

Stationmaster

The great Russian poet and writer showed readers a pure and unspoilt soul. The protagonist of one of the works included in the cycle "The Tale of Belkin", knows how to rejoice, sympathize and suffer. However, the life of the Pushkin character initially is not easy to form.

The words that the station rangers are cursed by everyone, the famous story begins, without analysis of which it is impossible to consider the topic "A Little Man in Russian Literature". Pushkin depicted in his work a calm and happy character. Samson Vyrin remained a good-natured and kind-hearted person, despite years of hard service. And only separation from his daughter deprived him of peace of mind. Samson can survive a difficult life and ungrateful work, but he can not exist without a single person in the world. The stationmaster dies of longing and loneliness. The theme of the little man in Russian literature is multifaceted. The hero of the story "Stationmaster", perhaps, like no other is able to cause the reader compassion.

Akaky Akakievich

Less attractive character is the hero of the story "Overcoat". Gogol's character is a collective image. There are many such Bashmachkin. They are everywhere, but people do not notice them, because they do not know how to appreciate in man his immortal soul. The theme of the little man in Russian literature is discussed year after year in school literature lessons. After all, due to a careful reading of the story "Overcoat", the young reader can look at the people who surround him in a different way. The development of the theme of the little man in Russian literature began precisely with this semi-sketchy work. No wonder the great classic Dostoevsky once said the famous phrase: "We all left the" Overcoat "."

Until the middle of the twentieth century, the image of a small man was used by writers Russian and foreign. He meets not only in the works of Dostoevsky, but also in the books of Franz Kafka, Gerhart Hauptmann, Thomas Mann.

Maxim Maksimovich

A small man in Lermontov's work is an outstanding personality, suffering from inaction. The image of Maxim Maximovich was first encountered in the novel "Bela". The theme of the little man in Russian literature, thanks to Lermontov, began to serve as a literary device for critically portraying such vices of a social society as kneeling, careerism.

Maxim Maksimovich is a nobleman. However, he belongs to an impoverished family, besides he does not have influential connections. Therefore, despite his age, he is still in the rank of captain. However, Lermontov portrayed a small man not insulted and humiliated. His hero knows what honor is. Maxim Maksimovich is a decent man and an old campaigner. In many respects he reminds Pushkin's captain Mironov from the story "The Captain's Daughter".

Marmeladov

In the works of Dostoevsky, a small man is pitiful and insignificant. Marmeladov is aware of his uselessness and uselessness. Telling Raskolnikov the story of his moral fall, he is hardly capable of arousing sympathy. He says: "Poverty is not a vice. Poverty is vice. " And these words justify Marmeladov's weakness and powerlessness.

In the novel "Crime and Punishment", the theme of a small man in Russian literature receives special development. The work on Dostoevsky's work is a standard task in the lesson of literature. But, no matter what name this written task has, it is impossible to fulfill it without having previously described Marmeladov and his daughter. At the same time, it should be understood that Sonya, although also a typical small man, differs significantly from other "humiliated and offended". She is not able to change anything in her life. However, this frail girl has great spiritual wealth and inner beauty. Sonia is the personification of purity and mercy.

Poor people

This novel also deals with "little people". Devushkin and Varvara Alekseevna are heroes whom Dostoevsky created with an eye for Gogol's Overcoat. However, the image and theme of the little man in Russian literature began precisely with the works of Pushkin. And they have a lot in common with Dostoevsky's novels. The story of the stationmaster is told by him. "Little People" in Dostoevsky's novels are also inclined to confession. They not only realize their insignificance, but also strive to comprehend its cause, act as philosophers. It is enough only to recall the lengthy messages of Devushkin and Marmeladov's long monologue.

Tushin

The system of images in the novel "War and Peace" is extremely complex. The characters of Tolstoy are heroes from the highest aristocratic circle. Insignificant and pitiful in them a little. But why are they remembering the great novel-epic then, how is the topic of the little man in Russian literature discussed? Composition-reasoning is a task in which it is necessary to bring the characterization of such a hero as Captain Tushin from the novel "War and Peace". At first glance, he is ridiculous and clumsy. However, this impression is deceptive. In the battle Tushin shows his manhood and fearlessness.

In Tolstoy's huge work, this hero is given only a few pages. However, the theme of a small man in Russian literature of the 19th century is impossible without considering the image of Tushin. Characterization of this character is very important for understanding the views of the author himself.

Little people in the work of Leskov

The theme of a little man in Russian literature of the 18th and 19th centuries is maximally revealed. Leskov in his work also did not pass her. However, his characters differ significantly from the image of a small man who can be seen in Pushkin's novels and Dostoevsky's novels. Ivan Flyagin - a hero with his appearance and soul. But this hero can be referred to the category of "little people". First of all, because he has a lot of trials, but he does not complain about fate and does not cry.

The image of a little man in Chekhov's stories

Such a hero is often found on the pages of this writer's works. Especially bright image of a small man is depicted in satirical stories. A petty official is a typical hero of Chekhov's works. In the story "The death of an official" there is an image of a small man. Chervyakov manages an inexplicable fear of the boss. Unlike the heroes of the story "Overcoat", a character from Chekhov's story does not suffer from oppression and bullying from colleagues and the boss. Chervyakov kills fear of higher ranks, eternal admiration to the authorities.

"Celebration of the winner"

The theme of admiration for the authorities Chekhov continued in this story. However, the little people in the "Victory Celebration" are depicted in a far more satirical light. The father, in order to obtain a good position for his son, humiliates himself with ingratiation and rude flattery.

But in low thoughts and unworthy behavior, not only are the people expressing them guilty. All this is the result of the orders reigning in the social and political order. Chervyakov would not have been so zealously asking for forgiveness, had he not been aware of the possible consequences of an oversight.

In the work of Maxim Gorky

The play "At the bottom" narrates about the dwellers of the doss house. Each of the characters of this work is a small man, devoid of the most necessary for a normal life. Change anything he is not capable of. The only thing that he has the right is to believe in the fables of the wanderer Luke. Sympathy and warmth are what the heroes of the play "At the bottom" need. The author calls readers to compassion. And in this view it coincides with the point of view of Dostoevsky.

Yolk

"Pomegranate bracelet" is a story about the great love of a small man. Yoltkov once falls in love with a married woman, and this feeling remains true until the last minutes of his life. There is a gap between them. And the recipient of the reciprocal feeling of the hero of the work "Garnet Bracelet" does not hope.

Zheltkov has the characteristic features of a small man, not only because he has a low social position. He, like Bashmachkin, and the stationmaster, remains alone with his pain. Zheltkov's feelings serve as the soil for pranks and ironic sketches of Prince Shein. Assess the depth of suffering of the "little man" other heroes are capable only after his death.

Karandyshev

The image of a small man in Ostrovsky's works has similarities with similar characters in the works of Dostoevsky and Chekhov. However, the humiliated Karandyshev in the play "The Dowry" does not cause either pity or sympathy. He wants to get into the society in which he is not expected. And for the insults he endures for many years, he is ready to take revenge.

To the category of small people are also Larissa Ogudalova, and Katerina Kabanova. But these heroines are individuals who are whole, and therefore can not adapt and dodge. Death for them becomes the only way out of the situation in which they found themselves due to the stagnation of the social order.

The image of a small man in literature developed in the nineteenth century. However, in contemporary literature he gave way to other heroes. As you know, many foreign authors were influenced by Russian literature. Proof of this is the writings of the writers of XX, in which there are often characters resembling Chekhov's and Gogol's heroes. An example is the "Little Lord Friedemann" by Thomas Mann. The hero of this novel lives its short life imperceptibly and dies the same way, from indifference and cruelty of those around.