The history of one city - complete analysis. Analysis of the work “The History of a City” by Saltykov-Shchedrin M.E.

Saltykov-Shchedrin’s satirical novel “The History of a City” is one of the most striking works of Russian literature of the 19th century. The grotesque depiction of the political system in Russia, a parody of the hierarchy that reigns in the state, caused a mixed reaction in society. “The History of a City” requires a deep and detailed analysis, because this work Only at first glance it may seem like easy reading. It will be especially useful when preparing for a literature lesson in 8th grade and writing essays on a given topic.

Brief Analysis

Year of writing-1870

History of creation– The writer had long been nurturing the idea of ​​writing a novel about autocracy. Work on the work was carried out intermittently, since Saltykov-Shchedrin simultaneously wrote several books at once.

Subject- Exposing the vices of the social and political sphere in the life of Russia, as well as revealing the peculiarities of the relationship between the people and the authorities under the autocracy.

Composition– The novel consists of 16 chapters. The peculiarity is that they were all allegedly written by different authors, and only the first and last were written by the publisher himself. According to the writer’s version, “The History of a City” is just a publication of the notebook of the “Foolish Chronicler”, accidentally found in the city archive.

Genre- Novel.

Direction- Realism.

History of creation

Saltykov-Shchedrin nurtured the idea of ​​the novel for quite a long time. The image of the fictional city of Foolov as the embodiment of the autocratic-landowner system in Russia first appeared in the writer’s essays in the early 60s, when in the vast Russian Empire The liberation struggle of the common people was experiencing its rise.

In 1867, the writer published his fantastic “The Story of the Governor with a Stuffed Head,” which later formed the basis for the chapter “The Organ.” A year later, Mikhail Evgrafovich began work on a full-scale novel, which he completed in 1870. When writing the book “The History of a City,” the writer suspended work for some time for the sake of fairy tales and some other works.

Initially, the novel had a different title - “The Foolov Chronicler”, but then the author changed it to “The History of the Old City”. Literary work was published in parts in the journal Otechestvennye zapiski, in which Saltykov-Shchedrin was the editor-in-chief. In the same 1870 she saw the light full version books.

After the publication of the novel, a wave of indignant criticism hit the writer. Saltykov-Shchedrin was accused of distorting national history and insults to the entire Russian people, interest in his work noticeably declined. The reflection of the realities of life of the Russian people and long-standing problems in society, the practically undisguised criticism of the autocracy was frankly frightening, and not everyone was ready to accept the truth in its true light.

Subject

“The History of a City” is an innovative work that goes far beyond the scope of artistic satire. Saltykov-Shchedrin, as true patriot his country, could not remain an indifferent observer of what was happening in Russia.

In his novel he touched upon a rather acute topic- exposing the imperfections of the political system Russian state, in which the oppressed people humbly accept their slave position and consider this the only correct and possible one.

Using the example of the fictional city of Gupov, Saltykov-Shchedrin wanted to show that the Russian people simply cannot exist without a tough and, at times, outright cruel ruler. Otherwise, he immediately finds himself in the grip of anarchy.

TO issues In the novel, the author also attributes a distortion of the essence of history, which is extremely beneficial for the state to present as the history of individual power, but not as the history of compatriots. In "The Story of a City" Main characters- mayors, and each of them has recognizable features historical figures. In some cases, mayors are collective images of statesmen who at one time occupied high positions.

Main thought The work lies in the fact that the unconscious worship of the people of autocratic power and the reluctance to take responsibility for what is happening in the country are an indestructible barrier to the well-being of the state.

The meaning of “The History of a City” is not a mockery of Russia, but the author’s desire to open society’s eyes to what is happening in the country and encourage the decisive eradication of vices in society.

Composition

The novel "The History of a City" consists of 16 chapters, and they are all written by different authors. After the first publication, the author carried out a thorough analysis of the work, during which its composition was changed. So, Mikhail Evgrafovich swapped some chapters, and also added an appendix “Letter to the Editor”, in which he responded to criticism addressed to him.

The novel begins with the words of Saltykov-Shchedin himself, who supposedly accidentally came across a historical chronicle about the fictional city of Foolov and its inhabitants.

After a short introduction, a story begins from the perspective of a fictional chronicler about the origin of the Foolovites. The reader gets acquainted with the history of the emergence of the state system in Foolov. Tribal feuds, the search for a ruler, and the further enslavement of citizens occupy a whole century in the novel.

The “Inventory of mayors” presents a brief description of 22 mayors who different time had power over all the Foolovites.

The following chapters describe the most prominent mayors - the rulers of Foolov: Velikanov, Baklan, Brudasty, Dvoekurov, Negodyaev, Grustilov and others.

At the end of the novel, “Exculpatory Documents” are published, which, in essence, represent an edification to other mayors.

Main characters

Genre

"The Story of a City" is satirical novel. Mikhail Evgrafovich has always been a faithful follower of this genre, and many of his works are written in the spirit of caustic satire. Grotesque, irony, humor - the novel is replete with these artistic techniques.

However, “The History of a City” is a very ambiguous work: it is written in the form of a chronicle, but all the characters seem fantastic, and the events that take place are more reminiscent of a delusional dream than reality.

However, the fantasy in the work is very truthful and realistic; only the outer shell of the images and events is unreal. That is why the novel “The History of a City” is related to realism in its direction.

“The History of a City” can rightfully be considered the pinnacle of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s work. It was this work that brought him fame as a satirical writer, for a long time, strengthening it. I believe that “The Story of a City” is one of the most unusual books, dedicated to the history of the Russian state. The originality of “The Story of a City” lies in the amazing combination of the real and the fantastic. The book was created as a parody of Karamzin’s “History of the Russian State.” Historians often wrote history “according to the kings,” which Saltykov-Shchedrin took advantage of.

The author presents a historical chronicle of an allegedly real city, but we understand that the entire history of Russia is hidden here. Probably, the idea arose after the reform of 1861 - it did not lead to the expected results. Completely disillusioned with his previous political ideals, Saltykov-Shchedrin decides to write “The History of a City.”

Russia has never seen such caustic satire on the political system before. Feeling the injustice of the attitude towards ordinary people, the author set out to show all the shortcomings of the Russian political system. He succeeded quite well. Saltykov-Shchedrin’s satire touches on several aspects, the main of which can be considered the country’s political system. How did one city become the embodiment of an entire country? The answer to this question can be considered a purely Shchedrin method of mixing geography, historical events, the fantastic and the real. The city of Foolov appears to us now as a capital, now as a provincial town, now as a village. In its description there are constantly contradictions: sometimes it was built on a swamp, sometimes how “ great city Rome" - on seven hills, and right there the citizens of this "great city" graze cattle in their pasture. Such contradictions, oddly enough, not only do not confuse, but help build a holistic picture. The city becomes the embodiment of the paradox that is so characteristic of Russian people. The confusion of time (in the case when, for example, a historian recording chronicles in the 18th - early 19th centuries mentions events that took place much later) also plays a role in the appearance of Foolov. It’s as if the author sees his country as an apartment in which it’s a mess, where nothing can ever be found and nothing is in its place.

Another object of satire is the mayors of the city of Foolov, those who make history. Unfortunately, there were no worthy rulers who could change the life of the city of Foolov in better side. An organ in the head, or minced meat instead of brains - very eloquent images of thoughtless kings. But Foolov’s people don’t inspire sympathy either. The Foolovites watch a series of changing tyrants, while remaining almost completely passive. Nothing can force them to change themselves. Only the forms of submission change. One gets the impression that the Foolovites themselves are not worthy of a noble and sensible ruler.

The stupid, but in principle quite harmless rulers are being replaced by the cruel dictator and tyrant Gloomy-Burcheev, who dreams of turning the city into a prison surrounded by high fence. Perhaps in this case the long-awaited order will reign in the city, but the price for it will be prohibitively high. The scene of the death of Gloomy-Burcheev is encouraging, although even here it is not without a certain amount of regret. Yes, the despot dies, buried by a tornado, a raging element of popular anger, not a conscious protest, but an impulse that sweeps away everything in its path. The worst thing is that as a result an even greater tyrant comes to power. Destruction does not give rise to creation, the author warns us.

In his work “The History of a City,” Saltykov-Shchedrin was able to clearly show the vices of political and social sphere in the life of your country.

Saltykov-Shchedrin is a Russian writer who wrote a lot interesting works. One of his famous works is The History of a City. We will make works based on it today.

Saltykov-Shchedrin calls his work The History of One City a chronicle small town Foolov, which he found and decided to reproduce in his work. Thus, the author wants to create the illusion of authenticity by stylizing the work as a historical chronicle, which covers the period from 1731 to 1825.

In the essay based on the work of Saltykov-Shchedrin, I would like to note not just the history of some city invented by the writer called Glupov. The writer, describing the history of Foolov, his mayors and residents of the Foolovites, allegorically describes part of the history of Russia. An attentive reader will definitely draw a parallel and see in the creation and formation of the city of Foolov, in the change of its mayors, the history of the formation of Rus' with its rulers.

We immediately see how the bungling residents, who were tired of constant hostility, decided to find a powerful person. He had to get everything in order. Thus was found the stupid prince who creates new town Foolov. Describing the situations that arise in the city during the reign of the prince, who sends governors to rule in his place, the writer shows the period of feudal fragmentation.

After the death of Brudasty, anarchy reigned; then simple mayors, of whom there were about six people, tried to govern the city. And here we see a parallel depicting the era of palace coups.

Afterwards, Dvoekurov came to rule the city, who took up brewing, mead making, began cultivating the land, in a word, carrying out reforms.

After the death of Doekurov, Ferdyshchenko comes, who at first seemed to begin to pursue the right policy, the city began to prosper, and then crazy reforms and a passion for women began to lead to famine reigning in the city.

With each subsequent mayor the situation only worsened. These were Wartkin, fighting for enlightenment, and Negodyaev, under whom the population runs wild and the city goes bankrupt. These were Bonevlevsky, who, without having the right to do so, loved to create laws, Pimple - a lover of balls and fun. The mistakes of the authorities lead to terrible consequences, which Saltykov-Shchedrin describes in his work for the 8th grade called The History of a City.

Last on the list of mayors is Gloomy Burcheev with a wooden face, an idiot who destroyed the city, creating a new one. People didn’t like the ruler and they were preparing a rebellion, but the tornado decided everything for them. He wiped off the face of the earth any reminder of the once existing city of Foolov. The mayor himself also disappeared without a trace.

Reading the work, many will call it a fairy tale, but in terms of genre, the History of the City is much more complex. This satirical novel, where the author uses various techniques, including grotesque, irony, humor and satirical fiction.

History of creation

If we talk about the history of the creation of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s work, then the idea was formed and emerged gradually. So first, in 1867, a story about a governor with a stuffed head was published. Later it will become part of the famous work about which we are writing.

The writer began working on the novel in 1868 and wrote it until 1869. And only in 1870 the work saw the light of day. However, improvements continued to be made and adjustments were made. There was a first, second, and then a third edition, which was published in 1883. It is the last edition that has reached us and it is this that we study in class, getting to know the writer and his work.

Heroes of the work

The heroes of the work The History of a City are 22 mayors who ruled in the town of Foolov. All these rulers, although they were different people, but these were evil dolls who only wanted to destroy everything that thinks. Even their last names tell us about their parasitism and hostility. All of them: Brudasty, Pyshch, Scoundrels, Wartkin and others are the personification of arbitrariness, autocracy and cruelty.

The full title of the work is “Stories of a City. Based on original documents, published by M. E. Saltykov (Shchedrin).” In form it is a chronicle with a clear time frame of 1731-1826. The author appears in it as a narrator-archivist, a compiler of the “Foolov chronicler”, as a publisher who published and commented on archival materials.
The genre is a review novel, a parody novel of the traditional representation of the history of the state in the form of a sequential chain of successive princes and city rulers. The writer parodies a number of episodes from “bygone years” and “History of the Russian State.” Karamzin, for example, the origin of the description of the fires and famine that befell Foolov. Ka and in Russian history XVIII century, a number of false rulers appear in the novel, some of the mayors resemble the Russian tsars or their favorites. For the author, it does not matter which of them relates to historical figures, since the focus is on the problem of the relationship between the government and the people. The satirist deliberately uses anachronisms: he created a novel not about the past, but about the present of Russia, although critics often saw the opposite in the work. For example, I. Turgenev wrote that “The History of a City” is “essentially satirical real story Russian people in the second part of the past and at the beginning of this century.”
Saltykov-Shchedrin chooses the city as the setting for his work - ordinary city with a square in the center there is the house of the city governor and public places, with a cathedral, a market, wooden houses inhabitants, numerous suburbs. Everything about it is gray, monotonous, stupid. Foolov sometimes looks like a district town, sometimes like a capital, sometimes like a village with wooden fence, it turns out that beyond the Foolov pasture there is a border with the Byzantine Empire. This inconsistency is explained by the fact that for the author Fulov was a model for all of Russia, a generalized image that reflected all the most typical and most terrible of Russian history, eternal vices of Russian social and state life.
The novel contains a gallery of mayors. They all have negative “speaking” surnames. Saltykov-Shchedrin identifies three types of mayors: despots, liberals and democrats. However, the author, through satire, hyperbole and grotesque, shows the relativity of such a division.
The relationship between the rulers and the Foolovites corresponds to the formula: “The mayors flog, and the townsfolk tremble.” Mayors are like puppets: they carry out their duties as if wound up, with stuffed or mechanical heads. Their rise to power is as accidental as sudden death.
The gallery of mayors is opened by the silent, energetic, never smiling Brudasty. The image was created using grotesque (only two melodies are needed to rule the city; a headless torso is the literal embodiment of the saying “no head on shoulders”) and hyperbole (he scribbled papers day and night). Shchedrin points out the “brainlessness” and bureaucracy of this city ruler
Pimple has a lot in common with Brudasty. He arrived in the city “to relax, sir!”, does not interfere at all in the affairs of the townsfolk, that’s why they prosper. The author exaggerates the well-being of the townspeople: “The barns were simply bursting with offerings... huge chests did not hold gold and silver, and banknotes were randomly scattered on the floor.”
Shchedrin insists that, without interfering with the development of the people, the government will bring them the greatest benefit. Therefore, Mikalaidze was able to stop the savagery of the Foolovites after the “wars for enlightenment”, ordering enlightenment to “stop” and “not to issue laws.” Benevolensky, although he creates completely meaningless laws due to his “irresistible inclination towards legislation,” does not interfere with the natural course of history. He retired from business, so with him “the well-being of the Foolovites... acquired only greater affirmation.”
The reign of Ugryum-Burcheev is the apogee of despotism. The goal of this mayor is to destroy the old Foolov and build a new, correct, European city, destroying all the buildings in it and changing the course of the river. All day long he is busy doing steps, like an automaton, giving commands to himself. This is a fanatic whom the author calls a “gloomy idiot.” He is a despot in the family: his hungry, wild children one day ate too much and died. Under the rule of Ugryum-Burcheev, even the simplest Foolovites, with all their limitations and downtroddenness, felt that “it was impossible to breathe any longer in this air.” The story of Gloomy-Burcheeva ends the novel with a picture of “either a tornado or a downpour” that hit the Foolov. Critics argued about the point of investing in “It”, which destroyed Gloomy-Bucheev. Some saw a revolution in this image, since the tornado appeared at a moment when the residents began to feel a sense of shame, somewhat similar to civic consciousness. But Gloomy-Burcheev did not finish his last phrase: “Someone will come after me, who will be much more terrible than me.” Therefore, “It” was considered a symbol of an even harsher reaction, since the “Inventory of Town Governors” says that the next ruler was Intercept-Zalikhvatsky, who rode into Foolov “on a white horse,” burned the gymnasium and destroyed the sciences.
The activities of the mayors led to the fact that “history stopped flowing.” But this did not last long: the river, which Ugryum-Burcheev tried to curb, swept away the dam and returned to its old channel. This is a symbol of natural development, which is opposed to the absurd state power.
The life of the townspeople is depicted not satirically, but tragically; the situation of the Foolovites resembles a “black, boundless abyss.” The colors are extremely condensed, there is not a single bright spot. The Foolovites do not have a clear class affiliation: they either go to the service or work in the fields. Among them there are “dangerous dreamers”, and “little people and orphans”, and “bureaucratic archangels”. In general, this is a faceless mass: the inhabitants have no names. This is their main difference from city rulers, who retain their individuality. Saltykov-Shchidrin emphasizes the downtroddenness and loyal feelings of the Foolovites. To make the townspeople happy, you just need to show them the ruler; it is important for them “that the boss has a friendly smile on his face...”. Foolovites do not know how to defend their interests before the authorities. They “were glad to rebel, but they could not arrange it in any way, since they did not know what the very essence of the rebellion was.” The “revolt on the knees” could have outgrown the real one, but this never happened, although the author points out that the road to the city of Umnov lies through the city of Buyanov.
The critic and Suvorin reproached M. Saltykov-Shchedrin for “mockery of the Russian people,” but the writer himself argued that “one should distinguish between the people representing the idea of ​​democracy and the historical people.” It was the second, with his weak-willed worldview, who became the object of satire, and the writer “always sympathized with the first.”

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"The History of a City" summary which is given in this article is an ironic, grotesque chronicle of the city of Foolov. Saltykov-Shchedrin's satire is transparent, so the appearance of modern Russia is easily guessed in the text.

Only at first glance it seems that the story is like an inventory of city governors - a gallery of human madness and moral deformities. In fact, each image is recognizable in its own way.

Unfortunately, the work does not lose its uniqueness to this day.

The history of the creation of “The Story of a City”

The idea of ​​the work was nurtured by the author for several years. In 1867, a story appears about a mayor with a stuffed head, eaten with gusto at the end. This hero transformed into a governor named Pyshch. And the story itself became one of the chapters of the story.

Mikhail Evgrafovich Saltykov-Shchedrin (1826-1889)

A year later, the author began writing Foolov's chronicle itself. The work lasted more than a year. Initially, the work was called “The Foolov Chronicler”; the final title appeared later. The name change is due to the fact that the second carries a broader meaning.

In the year of graduation, the story was first published in the anthology “Notes of the Fatherland,” where Mikhail Evgrafovich signed the pseudonym N. Shchedrin. An independent publication comes out in six months. The text is slightly different. The sequence of chapters has been changed, and the characteristics and descriptions of the governors have been rewritten in abbreviation, but have become more expressive.

The main characters and their characteristics

The main characters of the work are the mayors and townspeople - the inhabitants of Foolov. Below is a table with characteristics. A brief overview of the main characters is given.

Minor characters

The list of heroes is not complete, it is given in abbreviation. During the time of unrest alone, more than ten rulers were replaced, six of them women.

It is a summary of the work in chapters.

From the publisher

The narrator assures the reader of the document's authenticity. To prove the absence fiction an argument is made about the monotony of the narrative. The text is entirely devoted to the biographies of mayors and the peculiarities of their reign.

The story begins with the address of the last clerk, who outlined the chronicle of events.

About the root of the origin of fools

The chapter describes the prehistoric period. The tribe of bunglers waged internecine wars with their neighbors, defeating them. When the last enemy was defeated, the population was confused. Then they began the search for a prince to rule them. But even the stupidest princes did not want to take power over the savages.

They found someone who agreed to “volody”, but did not go to live on the territory of the property. He sent governors who turned out to be thieves. I had to appear to the prince in person.

Organ

The reign of Dementy Brudasty began. The townsfolk were surprised by his lack of emotion. It turned out that there was a small device in his head. The mechanism played only two short compositions: “I’ll ruin” and “I won’t tolerate it.”

Then the unit broke down. The local watchmaker couldn't fix it himself. We ordered a new head from the capital. But the parcel, as often happens in Russia, was lost.

Due to anarchy, unrest began, and then a week-long anarchy.

The Tale of the Six City Leaders

During the anarchic week, six impostors were replaced. Women's claims to power were based on the fact that their husbands, brothers, or other relatives had once ruled. Or they themselves were in service in the families of mayors. And some had no reason at all.

News about Dvoekurov

Semyon Konstantinovich remained in power for about eight years. A leader of progressive views. Main innovations: brewing, mead making, planting and eating bay leaves and mustard.

Reform activities are worthy of respect. But the changes were forced, ridiculous and unnecessary.

Hungry City

The first six years of Pyotr Ferdyshchenko's governorship were measured and calm. But then he fell in love with someone else’s wife, who did not share the feelings. A drought began, then other disasters. The result: hunger and death.

The people rebelled, caught and threw the official's chosen one from the bell tower. The uprising was brutally suppressed.

Straw City

After the next love affair fires started. The whole area burned down.

Fantastic traveler

The mayor went on a journey to homes and villages, demanding that food be brought to him. This was the reason for his death. The townsfolk are afraid that they will be accused of deliberately feeding their boss. But everything worked out. The fantastic traveler from the capital was replaced by a new one.

Wars for enlightenment

Wartkin approached the position thoroughly. Studied the activities of his predecessors. I decided to follow the example of the reformer Dvoekurov. He ordered them to sow mustard again and collect arrears.

Residents rioted, on their knees. Wars began to be waged against them “for enlightenment.” Victory has always been with the authorities. As punishment for disobedience, it was ordered to consume Provençal oil and sow Persian chamomile.

The era of retirement from wars

Under Negodyaev, the city became even more impoverished than under the previous ruler. This is the only manager from the people, who previously served as a stoker. But the democratic beginning did not bring benefits to the population.

The Pimple period is noteworthy. He was not engaged in any activity, but the people were getting rich, which raised doubts. The leader of the nobility revealed a secret: the chief's head was stuffed with truffles. The quick-witted henchman feasted on it himself.

Worship of Mammon and repentance

The successor to the stuffed head, State Councilor Ivanov, died from a decree that he could not understand and burst from mental strain.

The Viscount de Chariot came to replace him. Life under him was fun, but stupid. No one was involved in administrative affairs, but there were many holidays, balls, masquerades, and other fun.

Confirmation of repentance and conclusion

The last manager was Ugryum-Burcheev. A thick-headed guy, a martinet. The author calls him “the purest type of idiot.” He intended to destroy the city and recreate a new one - Nepreklonsk, making it a military fortification.

Supporting documents

Notes created by foremen are presented for the edification of followers and successors.

Analysis of the work

The work cannot belong to small literary forms: a story or a fairy tale. In terms of content, composition and depth of meaning, it is much broader.

On the one hand, the style and style of writing resemble real reports. On the other hand, the content, description of heroes, events, brought to the point of absurdity.

The retelling of the city's history spans about a hundred years. Four local archivists took part in writing the chronicle. The plot even illuminates the history of the people. Locals descended from ancient tribe"bunglers". But then they were renamed by their neighbors for savagery and ignorance.

Conclusion

The history of the state is reflected from the time of Rurik's calling to the principality and feudal fragmentation. The appearance of two False Dmitrys, the reign of Ivan the Terrible and the turmoil after his death are covered. He appears in the form of Brudasty. Dvoekurov, who becomes an activist and innovator, establishing brewing and mead making, symbolizes Peter I with his reforms.

The Foolovites unconsciously worship autocrats and tyrants, carrying out the most absurd orders. Residents are the image of the Russian people.

The satirical chronicle could be applied to any city. The work ironically conveys the fate of Russia. The story does not lose its relevance to this day. A film was made based on the work.