What is this book about " dog's heart"? Bulgakov's ironic story tells about the failed experiment of Professor Preobrazhensky. What is it? In search of an answer to the question of how to “rejuvenate” humanity. Does the hero manage to find the answer he is looking for? No. But he comes to a result that is more important for society high level significance than the intended experiment.
Kiev resident Bulgakov decided to become a singer of Moscow, its houses and streets. This is how the Moscow chronicles were born. The story was written in Prechistinsky Lanes at the request of the Nedra magazine, which was well acquainted with the writer’s work. The chronology of the writing of the work fits into three months of 1925.
Being a doctor, Mikhail Alexandrovich continued the dynasty of his family, describing in detail in the book an operation to “rejuvenate” a person. Moreover, the famous Moscow doctor N.M. Pokrovsky, the uncle of the author of the story, became the prototype of Professor Preobrazhensky.
The first reading of the typewritten material took place at a meeting of the Nikitsky Subbotniks, which immediately became known to the country’s leadership. In May 1926, a search was carried out at the Bulgakovs’ place, the result of which was not long in coming: the manuscript was confiscated. The writer’s plan to publish his work did not come true. The Soviet reader saw the book only in 1987.
Main problems
It was not for nothing that the book disturbed the vigilant guardians of thought. Bulgakov managed to gracefully and subtly, but still quite clearly reflect the pressing issues of the day - the challenges of new times. The problems in the story “Heart of a Dog” that the author touches on do not leave readers indifferent. The writer discusses the ethics of science, the moral responsibility of a scientist for his experiments, the possibility of the disastrous consequences of scientific adventurism and ignorance. A technical breakthrough could turn into a moral decline.
Problem scientific progress is acutely felt at the moment of his powerlessness before the transformation of the consciousness of a new person. The professor dealt with his body, but could not control his spirit, so Preobrazhensky had to give up his ambitions and correct his mistake - stop competing with the universe and return the dog’s heart to its owner. Artificial people were unable to justify their proud title and become full-fledged members of society. In addition, endless rejuvenation could jeopardize the very idea of progress, because if new generations naturally If the old ones are not replaced, then the development of the world will stop.
Are attempts to change the country's mentality for the better completely fruitless? Soviet authority tried to eradicate the prejudices of past centuries - this is the process behind the metaphor of Sharikov’s creation. Here he is, the proletarian, the new Soviet citizen, his creation is possible. However, its creators face the problem of education: they cannot calm down their creation and teach it to be cultured, educated and moral with a full set of revolutionary consciousness, class hatred and blind faith in the correctness and infallibility of the party. Why? This is impossible: either a pipe or a jug.
Human defenselessness in the whirlwind of events associated with the construction of a socialist society, hatred of violence and hypocrisy, the absence and suppression of the remaining human dignity in all its manifestations - all these are slaps in the face with which the author branded his era, and all because it does not value individuality . Collectivization affected not only the village, but also souls. It became more and more difficult to remain an individual, because the public laid more and more rights on her. General equalization and equalization did not make people happier, but turned them into ranks of meaningless biorobots, where the tone is set by the most dull and mediocre of them. Rudeness and stupidity have become the norm in society, replacing revolutionary consciousness, and in the image of Sharikov we see a verdict on a new type Soviet man. From the rule of the Shvonders and others like them arise the problems of trampling on intelligence and the intelligentsia, the power of dark instincts in the life of an individual, total gross interference in the natural course of things...
Some questions posed in the work remain unanswered to this day.
What is the point of the book?
People have long been looking for answers to the questions: What is a person? What is its social purpose? What role does everyone play in creating an environment that would be “comfortable” for those living on planet Earth? What are the “paths” to this “comfortable community”? Is consensus possible between people of different social origin holding opposing views on certain issues of existence, occupying alternative “steps” in the intellectual and cultural development? And, of course, it is important to understand the simple truth that society develops thanks to unexpected discoveries in one or another branch of science. But can these “discoveries” always be called progressive? Bulgakov answers all these questions with his characteristic irony.
A person is a person, and the development of a person implies independence, which is denied to a Soviet citizen. The social purpose of people is to do their job masterfully and not interfere with others. However, Bulgakov’s “conscious” heroes only chant slogans, but do not work to translate them into reality. Each of us, in the name of comfort, must be tolerant of dissent and not prevent people from practicing it. And again in the USSR everything is exactly the opposite: Preobrazhensky’s talent is forced to fight to defend his right to help patients, and his point of view is brazenly condemned and persecuted by some nonentities. They can live in peace if everyone minds their own business, but there is no equality in nature and cannot be, because from birth we are all different from each other. It is impossible to maintain it artificially, since Shvonder cannot begin to operate brilliantly, and the professor cannot begin to play the balalaika. Imposed, unreal equality will only harm people and prevent them from adequately assessing their place in the world and occupying it with dignity.
Humanity needs discoveries, this is understandable. But there is no point in reinventing the wheel - trying to reproduce a person artificially, for example. If the natural method is still possible, why does it need an analogue, and even such a labor-intensive one? People face many other, more significant threats that require the full power of scientific intelligence to be addressed.
Main topics
The story is multifaceted. The author touches upon important topics, characteristic not only of the era of the beginning of the twentieth century, but also being “eternal”: good and evil, science and morality, morality, human destiny, attitude towards animals, building a new state, homeland, sincere human relations. I would especially like to highlight the topic of the creator’s responsibility for his creation. The struggle between ambition and integrity in the professor ended with the victory of humanism over pride. He accepted his mistakes, admitted defeat, and used the experience to correct his mistakes. This is exactly what every creator should do.
Also relevant in the work is the theme of individual freedom and the boundaries that society, like the state, has no right to cross. Bulgakov insists that full-fledged person- one who has free will and beliefs. Only he can develop the idea of socialism without caricatured forms and branches that disfigure the idea. The crowd is blind and always driven by primitive incentives. But the individual is capable of self-control and self-development; she must be given the will to work and live for the good of society, and not be turned against it by vain attempts at forced merger.
Satire and humor
The book opens with a monologue stray dog, addressed to “citizens” and giving exact specifications Muscovites and the city itself. The population “through the eyes” of a dog is heterogeneous (which is true!): citizens – comrades – gentlemen. “Citizens” shop at the Tsentrokhoz cooperative, and “gentlemen” shop at Okhotny Ryad. Why do rich people need a rotten horse? You can only get this “poison” in Mosselprom.
You can “recognize” a person by their eyes: who is “dry in the soul,” who is aggressive, and who is a “lack.” The last one is the nastiest. If you are afraid, you are the one who should be “plucked.” The most vile “scum” are the wipers: they sweep away “human cleaning”.
But the cook is an important object. Nutrition is a serious indicator of the state of society. So, the lordly cook of Count Tolstoy is a real person, and the cooks from the Council of Normal Nutrition do things that are indecent even for a dog. If I became chairman, then I actively steal. Ham, tangerines, wines - these are the “former brothers of Elisha.” The doorman is worse than cats. He lets a stray dog pass, ingratiating himself with the professor.
The education system “presumes” Muscovites to be “educated” and “uneducated.” Why learn to read? “The meat smells a mile away.” But if you have any brains, you will learn to read and write without taking courses, like, for example, a stray dog. The beginning of Sharikov’s education was in an electrical store, where a tramp “tasted” insulated wire.
The techniques of irony, humor and satire are often used in combination with tropes: similes, metaphors and personification. Special satirical device can be considered a way of initially presenting characters based on preliminary descriptive characteristics: “mysterious gentleman”, “rich eccentric” - Professor Preobrazhensky”; “handsome bitten”, “bitten” - Dr. Bormenthal; “someone”, “fruit” - visitor. Sharikov’s inability to communicate with residents and formulate his demands gives rise to humorous situations and questions.
If we talk about the state of the press, then through the mouth of Fyodor Fedorovich the writer discusses the case when, as a result of reading Soviet newspapers before lunch, patients lost weight. The professor’s assessment of the existing system through the “hanger” and “galosh rack” is interesting: until 1917, the front doors were not closed, since dirty shoes and outerwear were left downstairs. After March all the galoshes disappeared.
main idea
In his book M.A. Bulgakov warned that violence is a crime. All life on earth has the right to exist. This is an unwritten law of nature that must be followed to avoid the point of no return. It is necessary to maintain purity of soul and thoughts throughout your life, so as not to indulge internal aggression, not to splash it out. Therefore, the professor’s violent intervention in the natural course of things is condemned by the writer, and therefore leads to such monstrous consequences.
The Civil War hardened society, made it marginal, boorish and vulgar at its core. These are the fruits of violent interference in the life of the country. All of Russia in the 20s was rude and ignorant Sharikov, who did not at all strive for work. His goals are less lofty and more selfish. Bulgakov warned his contemporaries against such a development of events, ridiculing the vices of a new type of people and showing their inconsistency.
The main characters and their characteristics
- The central figure of the book is Professor Preobrazhensky. Wears glasses with gold frames. Lives in a rich apartment consisting of seven rooms. He's lonely. He devotes all his time to work. Philip Philipovich conducts receptions at home, sometimes he operates here. Patients call him “magician”, “sorcerer”. He “creates,” often accompanying his actions by singing excerpts from operas. Loves the theater. I am convinced that every person should strive to become a specialist in their field. The professor is an excellent speaker. His judgments are built into a clear logical chain. He says about himself that he is a man of observation and facts. While leading a discussion, he gets carried away, gets excited, and sometimes starts shouting if the problem touches him to the quick. His attitude towards the new system is manifested in his statements about terror, paralyzing nervous system people, about newspapers, about the devastation in the country. Treats animals with care: “I’m hungry, poor thing.” In relation to living beings, he preaches only affection and the impossibility of any violence. Instilling humane truths is the only way to influence all living things. An interesting detail in the interior of the professor’s apartment is a huge owl sitting on the wall, a symbol of wisdom, so necessary not only for a world-famous scientist, but for every person. At the end of the “experiment”, he finds the courage to admit that the experiment rejuvenation failed.
- Young, handsome Ivan Arnoldovich Bormental, an assistant professor who fell in love with him and took him in as a promising young man. Philip Philipovich hoped that the doctor would become a talented scientist in the future. During the operation, literally everything flashes in Ivan Arnoldovich’s hands. The doctor is not just scrupulous about his duties. The doctor's diary, as a strict medical report-observation of the patient's condition, reflects the whole gamut of his feelings and experiences about the result of the “experiment”.
- Shvonder is the chairman of the house committee. All his actions resemble the convulsions of a puppet, which is controlled by someone invisible. The speech is confused, the same words are repeated, which sometimes causes a condescending smile in the readers. Shvonder doesn't even have a name. He sees his task as fulfilling the will of the new government, without thinking about whether it is good or bad. He is capable of taking any step to achieve his goal. Vengeful, he distorts the facts and slanderes many people.
- Sharikov is a creature, something, the result of an “experiment”. A sloping and low forehead indicates the level of its development. Uses all swear words in his vocabulary. An attempt to teach him good manners and instill a taste for beauty was unsuccessful: he gets drunk, steals, mocks women, cynically insults people, strangles cats, “commits bestial acts.” As they say, nature rests on it, because you can’t go against it.
The main motives of Bulgakov's creativity
The versatility of Bulgakov's creativity is amazing. It’s as if you are traveling through the works, encountering familiar motifs. Love, greed, totalitarianism, morality are just parts of one whole, “wandering” from book to book and creating a single thread.
- “Notes on Cuffs” and “Heart of a Dog” convey a belief in human kindness. This motif is central in The Master and Margarita.
- In the story "Diaboliad" the fate of little man, an ordinary cog in the bureaucratic machine. This motif is characteristic of other works by the author. The system suppresses them in people best qualities, and the scary thing is that over time this becomes the norm for the people. In the novel “The Master and Margarita,” writers whose creations did not correspond to the ruling ideology were kept in a “psychiatric hospital.” Professor Preobrazhensky talked about his observations: when he gave patients the Pravda newspaper to read before lunch, they lost weight. It was impossible to find anything that would help broaden one’s horizons and allow one to look at events from opposite angles in the periodical press.
- Selfishness is what most people are motivated by negative characters Bulgakov's books. For example, Sharikov from “Heart of a Dog”. And how many troubles could have been avoided, provided that the “red ray” would have been used for its intended purpose, and not for selfish purposes (story “ Fatal eggs")? The basis of these works are experiments that go against nature. It is noteworthy that Bulgakov identified the experiment with the construction of socialism in the Soviet Union, which is dangerous for society as a whole.
- The main motive of the writer’s work is the motive of his native Home. The comfort in Philip Philipovich’s apartment (“a lamp under a silk lampshade”) resembles the atmosphere of the Turbins’ house. Home is family, homeland, Russia, about which the writer’s heart ached. With all his creativity, he wished well-being and prosperity for his homeland.
Interesting? Save it on your wall!
“Heart of a Dog” was written in early 1925. It was supposed to be published in the Nedra almanac, but censorship prohibited publication. The story was completed in March, and Bulgakov read it at the literary meeting of the Nikitsky Subbotniks. The Moscow public became interested in the work. It was distributed in samizdat. It was first published in London and Frankfurt in 1968, in the magazine “Znamya” No. 6 in 1987.
In the 20s medical experiments on rejuvenation were very popular human body. Bulgakov, as a doctor, was familiar with these natural science experiments. The prototype of Professor Preobrazhensky was Bulgakov’s uncle, N.M. Pokrovsky, a gynecologist. He lived on Prechistenka, where the events of the story unfold.
Genre features
The satirical story “Heart of a Dog” combines various genre elements. The plot of the story is reminiscent of fantastic adventure literature in the tradition of H. Wells. The subtitle of the story “A Monstrous Story” indicates the parodic flavor of the fantastic plot.
The science-adventure genre is an outer cover for satirical subtext and topical metaphor.
The story is close to dystopias due to its social satire. This is a warning about the consequences of a historical experiment that must be stopped, everything must be returned to normal.
Issues
The most important problem of the story is social: it is the comprehension of the events of the revolution, which made it possible for the Sharik and Shvonders to rule the world. Another problem is awareness of the limits of human capabilities. Preobrazhensky, imagining himself to be a god (he is literally worshiped by his family), goes against nature, turning a dog into a man. Realizing that “any woman can give birth to Spinoza at any time,” Preobrazhensky repents of his experiment, which saves his life. He understands the fallacy of eugenics - the science of improving the human race.
The problem of the danger of invasion of human nature and social processes is raised.
Plot and composition
The science fiction plot describes how Professor Philip Philipovich Preobrazhensky decides to experiment with transplanting the pituitary gland and ovaries of the “semi-proletarian” Klim Chugunkin to a dog. As a result of this experiment, the monstrous Polygraph Poligrafovich Sharikov appeared, the embodiment and quintessence of the victorious proletariat class. Sharikov's existence caused many problems for Philip Philipovich's family, and, in the end, endangered the normal life and freedom of the professor. Then Preobrazhensky decided on a reverse experiment, transplanting the dog’s pituitary gland into Sharikov.
The ending of the story is open: this time Preobrazhensky was able to prove to the new proletarian authorities that he was not involved in the “murder” of Poligraf Poligrafovich, but how long will his far from peaceful life last?
The story consists of 9 parts and an epilogue. The first part is written on behalf of the dog Sharik, who suffers from the cold and a wound on his scalded side in the harsh St. Petersburg winter. In the second part, the dog becomes an observer of everything that happens in Preobrazhensky’s apartment: the reception of patients in the “obscene apartment”, the professor’s opposition to the new house management headed by Shvonder, the fearless admission of Philip Philipovich that he does not love the proletariat. For the dog, Preobrazhensky turns into a semblance of a deity.
The third part talks about ordinary life Philip Philipovich: breakfast, conversations about politics and devastation. This part is polyphonic, it contains the voices of both the professor, and the “chopped” (Bormenthal’s assistant from the point of view of Sharik who grabbed him), and Sharik himself, talking about his lucky ticket and about Preobrazhensky as a magician from a dog’s fairy tale.
In the fourth part, Sharik meets the rest of the inhabitants of the house: the cook Daria and the servant Zina, whom the men treat very gallantly, and Sharik mentally calls Zina Zinka, and quarrels with Daria Petrovna, she calls him a homeless pickpocket and threatens him with a poker. In the middle of the fourth part, Sharik's narrative is interrupted because he undergoes surgery.
The operation is described in detail, Philip Philipovich is terrible, he is called a robber, like a murderer who cuts, snatches, destroys. At the end of the operation, he is compared to a well-fed vampire. This is the author’s point of view, it is a continuation of Sharik’s thoughts.
The fifth, central and climactic chapter is the diary of Dr. Bormenthal. It starts in strictly scientific style, which gradually turns into conversational, with emotionally charged words. The case history ends with Bormenthal’s conclusion that “we have a new organism before us, and we need to observe it first.”
The next chapters 6-9 are history short life Sharikova. He experiences the world by destroying it and living the probable fate of the murdered Klim Chugunkin. Already in Chapter 7, the professor has the idea to decide on new operation. Sharikov's behavior becomes unbearable: hooliganism, drunkenness, theft, harassment of women. The last straw Shvonder's denunciation, based on Sharikov's words, began against all the inhabitants of the apartment.
The epilogue, describing the events 10 days after Bormental's fight with Sharikov, shows Sharikov almost turning into a dog again. The next episode is the reasoning of the dog Sharik in March (about 2 months have passed) about how lucky he was.
Metaphorical subtext
At the professor's speaking surname. He transforms the dog into a “new person.” This happens between December 23 and January 7, between Catholic and Orthodox Christmas. It turns out that the transformation occurs in some kind of temporary void between the same date in different styles. A polygrapher (who writes a lot) is the embodiment of the devil, a “massive” person.
Apartment on Prechistenka (from the definition of the Mother of God) of 7 rooms (7 days of creation). She is the embodiment of divine order amidst the surrounding chaos and destruction. A star looks out of the apartment window from the darkness (chaos), observing the monstrous transformation. The professor is called a deity and a priest. He officiates.
Heroes of the story
Professor Preobrazhensky– scientist, a figure of world significance. At the same time, he is a successful doctor. But his merits do not prevent the new government from frightening the professor with a seal, registering Sharikov and threatening to arrest him. The professor has an inappropriate background - his father is a cathedral archpriest.
Preobrazhensky is quick-tempered, but kind. He sheltered Bormenthal at the department when he was a half-starved student. He is a noble man and is not going to abandon his colleague in the event of a disaster.
Doctor Ivan Arnoldovich Bormental- son of a forensic investigator from Vilna. He is the first student of the Preobrazhensky school, loving his teacher and devoted to him.
Ball appears as a completely rational, reasoning creature. He even jokes: “A collar is like a briefcase.” But Sharik is the very creature in whose mind the crazy idea of rising “from rags to riches” appears: “I am a master’s dog, an intelligent creature.” However, he hardly sins against the truth. Unlike Sharikov, he is grateful to Preobrazhensky. And the professor operates with a firm hand, mercilessly kills Sharik, and having killed, he regrets: “It’s a pity for the dog, he was affectionate, but cunning.”
U Sharikova nothing remains of Sharik except hatred of cats and love of the kitchen. His portrait was described in detail first by Bormenthal in his diary: this is a man vertically challenged with a small head. Subsequently, the reader learns that the hero’s appearance is unattractive, his hair is coarse, his forehead is low, his face is unshaven.
His jacket and striped trousers are torn and dirty, a poisonous heavenly tie and patent leather boots with white leggings complete the costume. Sharikov is dressed in accordance with his own concepts of chic. Like Klim Chugunkin, whose pituitary gland was transplanted to him, Sharikov plays the balalaika professionally. From Klim he got his love for vodka.
Sharikov chooses his first and patronymic according to the calendar, and takes the “hereditary” surname.
The main character trait of Sharikov is arrogance and ingratitude. He behaves like a savage, and about normal behavior he says: “You torture yourself, like under the tsarist regime.”
Sharikov receives a “proletarian education” from Shvonder. Bormenthal calls Sharikov a man with a dog’s heart, but Preobrazhensky corrects him: Sharikov has a human heart, but the worst possible person.
Sharikov even makes a career in his own sense: he takes the position of head of the department for cleaning Moscow from stray animals and is going to sign with the typist.
Stylistic features
The story is full of aphorisms expressed different heroes: “Don’t read Soviet newspapers before lunch,” “The devastation is not in the closets, but in the heads,” “You can’t hurt anyone! You can influence a person or an animal only by suggestion” (Preobrazhensky), “Happiness is not in galoshes”, “And what is will? So, smoke, mirage, fiction, nonsense of these ill-fated democrats..." (Sharik), "The document is the most important thing in the world" (Shvonder), "I am not a master, the gentlemen are all in Paris" (Sharikov).
For Professor Preobrazhensky there are certain symbols normal life, which in themselves do not provide this life, but testify to it: a shoe rack in the front door, carpets on the stairs, steam heating, electricity.
What was the nickname of the dog from M. Bulgakov’s story “Heart of a Dog”?
$$$186 The last poem V. Mayakovsky was called:
$$$187 What type literary hero became the discovery of A.N. Ostrovsky:
$$$188. Name the country in which Bunin spent his years of emigration:
$France
$$$189. The island where Gorky spent 7 years of emigration:
$Capri
$$$190. Which artistic technique laid by M.A. Bulgakov as the basis for “Heart of a Dog”?
$Grotesque
$$$191. Hometown M. Bulgakova:
$Kyiv
$$$192 Which poem is not written by S. Yesenin?
$"Stranger"
$$$193 What type (genre) is complete without a plot?
$Tale
$$$194 Continue the words of Behemoth, a character in M. Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and
Margarita": "Excuse me, queen, how could you think that I would give
could offer vodka. This …"
$ pure alcohol
$$$195 Name Bulgakov’s profession:
The name of which poetic movement is translated as “future”?
$futurism
The name of which poetic movement is translated as “ highest degree something, color, blooming time.”
Which poetic movement was the first in literature? silver age»?
$symbolism
What movement was N. Gumilev the founder of?
Which poet is not a representative of Acmeism?
$V.Bryusov
Which literary device did V. Mayakovsky use when writing the following lines?
The violin twitched, begging,
And suddenly I burst into tears
so childish...
$impersonation
Which work by L. N. Tolstoy reflects the events Crimean War, in which Tolstoy himself became a participant?
$"Sevastopol in May"
$$$203 The second part of L. N. Tolstoy’s trilogy about different eras in human life is called:
$"Adolescence"
In whom does L.N. Tolstoy see the decisive force of history?
What genre definition is assigned to “War and Peace” by L. N. Tolstoy?
$epic novel
Which one listed works not written by L.N. Tolstoy?
$"My Universities"
$$$207 Complete the sentence of Leo Tolstoy: “There is not and cannot be greatness where there is no .....”
$simplicity, kindness and truth
Who was called the “Singer of the People’s Share”?
$ N. Nekrasova
$$$209 Who is happy man in N. Nekrasov’s poem “Who can live well in Rus'?”
$Grisha Dobrosklonov
What was the name of the cat in M. Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita”?
Who, according to N. Nekrasov, can be a happy person?
$$$212 M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin was:
$satirist
$$$213 A. Chekhov’s “little trilogy” includes:
$ “Man in a Case”, “Gooseberry”, “About Love”
$$$214 In the legend of M. Gorky, Danko is:
$altruist
Which of the listed works is not written by M.A. Bulgakov?
$ "After the ball"
$$$216 In the legend of M. Gorky, Lara is:
$selfish
What does the name “Woland” mean in M. Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita”?
$Mocker
$$$218 The hero of which work by F.M. Dostoevsky commits the murder of an old pawnbroker to justify his theory:
$"Crime and Punishment"
Which of the following genres is not drama?
Which poem belongs to A. Akhmatova?
$"Requiem"
What did A. Chekhov ask before his death?
$glass of champagne
The main technique of L. Tolstoy in the work “War and Peace”?
$antithesis
Where did I. Bunin die?
$in France
Which poet committed suicide?
$V. Mayakovsky
What did V. Nabokov collect?
$butterflies
What genre is not prose?
What is not a poetic meter?
Which group is not a futurist?
Bulgakov’s legendary work “The Heart of a Dog” is studied in literature lessons in the 9th grade. Its fantastic content reflects very real historical events. In “Heart of a Dog,” the analysis according to plan assumes detailed analysis all artistic aspects of the work. It is this information that is presented in our article, including analysis of the work, criticism, issues, compositional structure and the history of creation.
Brief Analysis
Year of writing- the story was written in 1925.
History of creation- the work is created quickly - in three months, sold in samizdat, but published in its homeland only in 1986 during the period of perestroika.
Subject– rejection of violent intervention in history, political changes in society, the theme of human nature, its nature.
Composition– a ring composition based on the image of the main character.
Genre– social and philosophical satirical story.
Direction– satire, fantasy (as a way of presenting literary text).
History of creation
Bulgakov's work was written in 1925. In just three months, a brilliant work was born, which subsequently gained a legendary future and national fame.
It was being prepared for publication in the Nedra magazine. Having read the text, the editor-in-chief, naturally, refused to publish such an openly hostile political system, book. In 1926, the author’s apartment was searched and the manuscript of “Heart of a Dog” was confiscated. In its original version, the book was called “Dog's Happiness. A monstrous story,” she later received modern name, which is associated with lines from the book by A. V. Laifert.
The very idea of the plot, according to researchers of Mikhail Bulgakov’s work, was borrowed by the author from the science fiction writer G. Wells. Bulgakov's plot becomes almost a covert parody of government circles and their policies. The writer twice read his story, for the first time at the literary meeting “Nikitin Subbotniks”. After the next performance, the audience was delighted, with the exception of a few communist writers. During the author’s lifetime, his work was not published, largely due to its disgraced content, but there was another reason. “The Heart of a Dog” was first published abroad, which automatically “sentenced” the text to persecution in its homeland. Therefore, only in 1986, 60 years later, it appeared on the pages of Zvezda magazine. Despite his disfavor, Bulgakov hoped to publish the text during his lifetime; it was rewritten, copied, and passed on by friends and acquaintances of the writer, admiring the courage and originality of the images.
Subject
The writer raises problem the ideology and politics of Bolshevism, the lack of education of those who rose to power, the impossibility of forcibly changing the order of history. The results of the revolution are deplorable; it, like the operation of Professor Preobrazhensky, led to completely unexpected consequences, revealed the most terrible diseases society.
Subject human nature, nature, characters are also touched upon by the author. It gives a translucent hint that a person feels too omnipotent, but is not able to control the fruits of his activities.
Briefly about issues works: violent change social order and the way of life will inevitably lead to disastrous results, the “experiment” will be unsuccessful.
Idea Bulgakov’s story is quite transparent: any artificial intervention in nature, society, history, politics, and other areas will not lead to positive changes. The author adheres to healthy conservatism.
Main thought The story says the following: uneducated, immature “people” like the “Sharikovs” should not be given power, they are morally immature, such an experiment will result in a disaster for society and history. The conclusion about the author’s artistic goals from the position of the political system and politics of the 20-30s would be too narrow, so both ideas have the right to life.
Meaning of the name works is that not all people are born with normal, spiritually “healthy” hearts. There are people on earth who live the life of Sharikov, they have dog (bad, evil) hearts from birth.
Composition
The story has a circular composition, which can be traced by following the content of the work.
The story begins with a description of a dog who soon becomes a man; ends where it began: Sharikov is operated on and again takes on the appearance of a contented animal.
The special features of the composition are diary entries Bormenthal about the results of the experiment, about the rebirth of the patient, about his achievements and degradation. Thus, the history of Sharikov’s “life” was documented by the professor’s assistant. A striking key point of the composition is Sharikov’s acquaintance with Shvonder, who has a decisive influence on the formation of the personality of the newly minted citizen.
In the center of the story are two main characters: Professor Preobrazhensky and Polygraph Sharikov, they are the ones who have a plot-shaping role. In the beginning of the work, an interesting technique is used by the author, when life is shown through the eyes of the dog Sharik, his “dog” thoughts about the weather, about people and own life– a reflection of the little that is needed for a peaceful existence. The culmination of the story is the rebirth of Polygraph, his moral and spiritual decay, the highest manifestation which became the plot to kill the professor. In the denouement, Bormetal and Philip Philipovich return the experimental subject to his original form, thereby correcting their mistake. This moment is very symbolic, as it defines what the story teaches: some things can be corrected if you admit your mistake.
Main characters
Genre
The genre “Heart of a Dog” is usually referred to as a story. In essence it is social or political satire. The interweaving of sharp satire with philosophical reflections on the future after the revolution gives the right to call the work socio-philosophical satirical story with elements of fantasy.
Instructions
Main character In the story “Heart of a Dog,” Professor Preobrazhensky is the author of a monstrous experiment. He is a representative of the Russian intelligentsia: he lives in a beautiful seven-room apartment, has a servant, speaks and dresses intelligently. Philip Philipovich embodies the dying Russian aristocratic culture: this is evidenced by the interior, dinners, which represent a real ritual. Professor Preobrazhensky is talented, witty, feels confident in the company of representatives of the new class of society, and does not hide his negative attitude towards the proletarian order. Preobrazhensky enjoys enormous prestige among the new government, as a rare luminary of medicine, able to perform complex rejuvenation operations. Professor Preobrazhensky considers violence against living beings unacceptable. But he himself decides to undertake a terrible experiment in improving the imperfect nature of man: he performs an operation to transplant part of human organs into a dog. The failure of the experiment returns the professor to the understanding of the immorality of such experimental violence against nature human life. As a result, Professor Preobrazhensky comes to the conclusion that “decorating Earth“Outstanding geniuses are distinguished according to the laws of evolution, not experiments. The author has an ambivalent attitude towards his hero: he respects him for his true intelligence and condemns him for the dubious and dangerous violent methods of his experiments.
Dr. Bormenthal also holds important place in the system of images of the story “Heart of a Dog”. Ivan Arnoldovich is young, thanks to Preobrazhensky he turned from a poor person into an assistant professor, studied his skills with a medical luminary and earned good money. The experiment with the dog Sharik, who turned into citizen Sharikov, brought Bormenthal closely together with his teacher. He was an assistant in the operation, then lived in the apartment of Professor Preobrazhensky, recording the results of the experiment in a diary and raising Sharikov. Dr. Bormental is intelligent, but, realizing the impossibility of re-educating such a “person,” he is ready to strangle Sharikov in order to make life easier for himself and his benefactor.
Polygraph Poligrafovich Sharikov appears in the story after the operation performed by Professor Preobrazhensky. And at first it is the gullible dog Sharik, transformed as a result of experience into an immoral person who cannot be raised and educated. Sharikov is the embodiment of a society in which there are no strong moral principles: the “illegitimate son” of the professor goes to bed in the kitchen on the bed, plays the balalaika, swears, throws cigarette butts on the floor, etc. Citizen Sharikov writes denunciations against “daddy” and even threatens to kill him. Within two months of its existence, Poligraf Poligrafovich received a job and got a job as head of the department. The new government supports him and considers him a useful member of the existing society. The anti-hero Sharikov at the end of the work again becomes the affectionate dog Sharik, because the immoral actions of the new “citizen”, contrary to the laws of human life, forced the intellectual Preobrazhensky to admit the monstrosity of his experiment and destroy the results.
An active participant in the plot of the story “Heart of a Dog” is the recently elected Chairman Shvonder. The author deliberately depicted this hero schematically: Shvonder represents one of the “comrades”, the “public face” of the new structure of life. Shvonder hates class enemies, it consists in an unreasoning admiration for the power of new laws and. Shvonder looks indifferently at the miracle of the creation of man, in front of him is the society of Sharikov, who must have a document and get a job. Main conflict The story “Heart of a Dog” is primarily reflected in the confrontation between Shvonder and Preobrazhensky, representing two opposing socio-ethical classes.
