Images of regimental ladies in the story of a duel. Features of the image of the spiritual and emotional world of a person in the stories of A.I. Kuprin - "Moloch", "Olesya", "Duel

Preview:

"Duel" (1905)

The purpose of the lesson: to show the significance of Kuprin's story for society's awareness of the crisis of all Russian life; humanistic, anti-war pathos of the story.

Methodical methods:analytical conversation, commented reading.

During the classes

Teacher's word. The revolutionary era brought before all writers an urgent need to understand the historical fate of Russia, its people, and national culture. These global issues led to the creation of large "numerous" canvases. The writers comprehended the pace of the world in a contradictory time. This is how the stories "Duel", "Dry Valley" and "Village" by Bunin are written; "Judas Iscariot" by L. Andreev; "Movements", "Bear Cub" by Sergeev-Tsensky.

At first glance, the story (any of them) is simple in its content. But according to the author's generalizations, it is multi-layered, reminiscent of a "casket in a casket" that stores a jewel.

The story "Duel" came out in May 1905, in the days of the defeat of the Russian fleet at Tsushima. The image of a backward, incapacitated army, decomposed officers, and downtrodden soldiers had an important socio-political meaning: it was the answer to the question about the causes of the Far Eastern catastrophe. With hard strokes, as if paying off the past, Kuprin draws the army, to which he gave the years of his youth.

This story can be defined as psychological and philosophical. Since "Fathers and Sons" there was no such work.

Novel conversation:

What is the theme of the story?The main theme is the crisis of Russia, of all spheres of Russian life. The critical orientation of the story was noted by Gorky, classifying "Duel" as civil, revolutionary prose. The story had a wide resonance, brought Kuprin all-Russian fame, became the reason for controversy in the press about the fate of the Russian army. The problems of the army always reflect the general problems of society. In this sense, Kuprin's story is still relevant today.
Dedicating "Duel" in her first publication to Gorky, Kuprin wrote to him: "Now, finally, when everything is over, I can say that everything bold and violent in my story belongs to you. If you knew how much I learned from Vasya, how grateful I am to you for it.
What, in your opinion, in "Duel" can be defined as " bold and exuberant"? From the denial of petty rituals (holding hands at the seams and heels together in a conversation with superiors, pulling a sock down when marching, shouting “On the shoulder!”, Ch. 9, p. 336.), the main character of the “Duel” Romashov comes to the denial of what that in a rational societythere shouldn't be wars: « Maybe all this is some kind of common mistake, some kind of worldwide delusion, insanity? Is it natural to kill? “Let's say tomorrow, let's say, this very second this thought occurred to everyone: Russians, Germans, British, Japanese ... And now there is no more war, there are no officers and soldiers, everyone has gone home.”Romashov naively believes that in order to eliminate the war, it is necessary that all people suddenly see the light, declare in one voice:"I don't want to fight!" and dropped their weapons. "What courage ! - said admiringly L. Tolstoy about Romashov. - And how did the censors let it through and why don’t the military protest?”

The preaching of peacemaking ideas provoked strong attacks in the fierce magazine campaign unleashed around the "Duel", and military officials were especially indignant. The story was a major literary event that sounded topical.

What thematic lines can be identified in the story?There are several of them: the life of officers, the combat and barracks life of soldiers, relations between people. It turns out that not all people hold the same pacifist views as Romashov.

How does Kuprin draw images of officers?Kuprin knew the military environment very well from his many years of experience. The images of the officers are given accurately. Realistically, with ruthless authenticity. Almost all the officers in the "Duel" are nonentities, drunkards, stupid and cruel careerists and ignoramuses.

Moreover, they are confident in their class and moral superiority, they are contemptuous of civilians, who are called "hazel grouses", "shpaks", "shtafirks". Even Pushkin for them " some kind of spat ". Among them, it is considered “youthfulness to scold or beat a civilian for no reason, put out a lit cigarette on his nose, put a top hat over his ears.” Arrogance based on nothing, perverted ideas about the "honor of the uniform" and honor in general, rudeness - a consequence of isolation, isolation from society, inactivity, stupefying drill. In ugly revels, drunkenness, absurd antics, some kind of blind, animal,senseless rebellion against mortal anguish and monotony.Officers are not used to thinking and reasoning, some seriously believe that in military service in general "not supposed to think"(N. Rostov visited similar thoughts).

Literary critic Yu. V. Babicheva writes: “The officers of the regiment have a single "typical" face with clear signs of caste limitation, senseless cruelty, cynicism, vulgarity and swagger. At the same time, in the course of the development of the plot, each officer, typical in his caste deformity, at least for a moment is shown as he could have become if it were not for the destructive influence of the army.».

Do you agree that the officers in the story "Duel" have a single "typical" face? If so, what is the manifestation of this unity?The writer shows the officer environment in a vertical section: corporals, junior officers, senior officers, senior officers. "With the exception of a few ambitious and careerists, all officers served as a forced, unpleasant, disgusted corvee, yearning for it and not loving it.". A scary pictureugly wholesale revelry " officers. 406, ch. eighteen .

In addition to the common features common to most officers, each of them haspersonality traits,outlined so vividly and expressively that the image becomes almost symbolic:

BUT) Regimental commander Shulgovich, under his thunderous bourbon, hides his concern for the officers.

B) What can you say about the image of Osadchy?An ominous image of Osadchy. "He's a cruel man."- says Romashov about him. The cruelty of Osadchy was constantly experienced by the soldiers, who trembled from his thunderous voice and the inhuman force of blows. In Osadchy's company, more often than in others, there were suicides of soldiers. Animal-like, bloodthirsty Osadchy, in disputes about the duel, insists on the need for a fatal outcome of the duel - “otherwise it will only be a stupid pity ... a comedy.At the picnic he makes a toastfor the joy of former wars, for the cheerful bloody cruelty". In a bloody battle, he finds pleasure, the smell of blood intoxicates him, he is ready to chop, stab, shoot all his life - no matter who and for what ( ch. 8, 14)

C) Tell us about your impressions of Captain Plum. « Even in the regiment, which, thanks to the conditions of wild provincial life, did not differ in a particularly humane direction, it was some kind of outlandish monument of this ferocious military antiquity.He did not read a single book, not a single newspaper, and despised everything that went beyond the limits of the order, charter and company. This is a sluggish, downcast man, he brutally, to the point of blood, beats the soldiers, but he is attentive "to soldier's needs: does not delay money, personally monitors the company's boiler"(Ch. 10, 337)

D) What is the difference between Captain Stelkovsky,commander of the 5th company? Perhaps only the image of Captain Stelkovsky - patient, cold-blooded, persistent - does not cause disgust, "soldiers truly loved: an example, perhaps the only one in the Russian army"(Ch. 15. 376 - 377). “In his company, they didn’t fight and didn’t even swear, although they weren’t particularly gentle, and yet the company, in terms of its magnificent appearance and training, was not inferior to any guards unit.”It is his company at the May review that causes tears from his corps commander.

D) lieutenant colonel Rafalsky (Brem) loves animals and devotes all his free and non-free time to collecting a rare domestic menagerie.352.

E) What are the distinguishing features of Bek-Agamalov? He boasts of his ability to chop, says with regret that he probably won’t cut a man in half: “I’ll blow my head to hell, I know that, but so that it’s oblique ... no ”My father did it easily…» (« Yes, there were people in our time…”). With his evil eyes, his hooked nose and bared teeth, helooked like some kind of predatory, angry and proud bird"(ch.1)

8) Bestiality generally distinguishes many officers. During a scandal in a brothel, this bestial essence comes through especially brightly: in Bek-Agamalov's rolling eyes "naked round squirrels sparkled terribly, his head" was lowered low and menacingly", "an ominous yellow gleam lit up in the eyes». “And at the same time, he bent his legs lower and lower, all cringed and absorbed his neck, like a beast ready to make a jump”. After this scandal, which ended in a fight and a challenge to a duel, "everyone dispersed, embarrassed, depressed, avoiding looking at each other. Everyone was afraid to read in other people's eyes their own horror, their slavish, guilty longing - the horror and longing of small, evil and dirty animals.» (Ch. 19).

9) Let us pay attention to the contrast of this description with the following description of the dawn "with clear, childlike skies and still cool air. Trees, damp, shrouded in barely visibleferry, silently woke up from their dark, mysterious night dreams". Romashov feels "short, ugly, ugly and infinitely alien in the midst of this innocent charm of the morning, smiling half-awake».

As the mouthpiece of Kuprin - Nazansky says,“all of them, even the best, most tender of them, wonderful fathers and attentive husbands, all of them in the service become base, cowardly, stupid little animals. You will ask why? Yes, precisely because none of them believe in the service and do not see the reasonable goal of this service».

10) How are the "regimental ladies" depicted?Officers' wives are just as predatory and bloodthirsty as their husbands. Evil, stupid, ignorant, hypocritical. Regimental ladies are the personification of extreme squalor. Their everyday life is woven from gossip, a provincial game of secularism, boring and vulgar connections. The most repulsive image is Raisa Peterson, the wife of Captain Talman. Evil, stupid, depraved and vengeful. "Oh, how nasty she is!”Romashov thinks of her with disgust. "And from the thought of the former physical intimacy with this woman, he had such a feeling, as if he had not washed for several months and had not changed his linen ”(ch. 9).

Not better and the rest of the "ladies". Even with outwardly charmingShurochka Nikolaevathe features of Osadchy, who seems to be unlike him, appear: she stands up for fights with a fatal outcome, says: “I would shoot these people like rabid dogs". There is no truly feminine left in her: “I don't want a child. Fu, what a mess!" - she confesses to Romashov (ch. 14).

What role do images play? soldier? Depicted by the mass, motley in national composition, but gray in essence. The soldiers are completely powerless: officers take out their anger on them, beat them, crush their teeth, break their eardrums.
Kuprin gives and individualized images(there are about 20 of them in the story). A whole series of ordinary soldiers - in chapter 11:

A) poorly thinking, slow-witted B ondarenko,

B) intimidated, stunned by shouts Arkhipov, who does not understand and cannot memorize the simplest things»,

B) loser Khlebnikov. 340, 375, 348/2.His image is more detailed than others. Ruined, landless and impoverished Russian peasant,shaved into soldiers.Khlebnikov's soldier's lot is painful and pitiful. Corporal punishment and constant humiliation - that's his lot. Sick and weak, with a face in cam ”, on which a dirty nose turned up absurdly stuck up, with eyes in which“froze stupid, submissive horror", This soldier has become a general ridicule in the company and an object for mockery and abuse. He is driven to the idea of suicide, from which Romashov saves him, seeing in Khlebnikov his brother-man. Pitying Khlebnikov, Romashov says:Khlebnikov, are you sick? And I'm not feeling well, my dear... I don't understand anything of what's going on in the world. Everything is some wild, senseless, cruel nonsense!But you have to endure, my dear, you have to endure…» Khlebnikov, although he sees in Romashov a kind person who humanly relates to a simple soldier, but, first of all, he sees in him master. Cruelty, injustice, the absurdity of the way of life become obvious, but the hero sees no way out of this horror, except for patience.

G) educated, intelligent, independent Fokin.

Depicting gray, impersonal, crushed « own ignorance, general slavery, bossy indifference, arbitrariness and violence» soldier, Kuprin evokes compassion in the reader for them, shows that in fact they are living people, and not faceless "cogs" of the military machine.

So Kuprin comes to another, very important topic- the theme of personality.

D. h. one) Prepare messages based on the images of Romashov and Nazansky (in groups) (portrait characteristics, relationships with people, views, attitude to service, etc.)

2) Answer the questions:

How is the theme of love dealt with in the story?

What is the meaning of the title of the story?

Lesson 2

Topic: The metaphorical nature of the title of A. I. Kuprin's story "Duel".

The purpose of the lesson: analyze the images of the characters expressing the author's position in the story.

Methodical methods:students' messages, work on the text, analytical conversation.

Checking the house. tasks.The author's ideals are expressed by the heroes opposed to the main mass - Romashov and Nazansky. These heroes are represented by several students (in groups)
Characteristics of the image of Nazansky.The conversations between Romashov and Nazansky contain the essence of the story.

BUT) We learn about Nazansky from the conversation between the Nikolaevs and Romashov ( ch. 4): this is "an inveterate person", he is " goes on vacation for one month due to domestic circumstances ... This means that he took a drink”; “Such officers are a disgrace to the regiment, an abomination!”

B) Chapter 5 contains a description of the meeting between Romashov and Nazansky. We see firstwhite figure and golden head"Nazansky, we hear his calm voice, we get acquainted with his dwelling:" 288", ch. 5. All this, and even a direct look "thoughtful, beautiful blue eyes”contradicts what the Nikolaevs said about him. Nazansky argues "about sublime matters”, philosophizes, and this, from the point of view of others, is“nonsense, idle and absurd chatter". He thinks of "289". This is for him « 290/1 ". He feels someone else's joy and someone else's sorrow, feelsinjustice exists with Troy, the aimlessness of your life, looking for and not finding a way out of the impasse. 431-432.

Description of the landscape, the mysterious night that opens from the window, according to hislofty words: "290/2".

Nazansky's face seems to Romashov "beautiful and interesting": golden hair, a high, clean forehead, a neck of a noble pattern, a massive and graceful head, similar to the head of one of the Greek heroes or sages, clear blue eyes, looking "lively, smart and meek". True, this description of an almost ideal hero ends with a revelation: “ 291/1".

Dreaming about " future godlike life”, Nazansky glorifies the power and beauty of the human mind, enthusiastically calls for respect for a person, enthusiastically talks about love - and at the same time expresses the views of the author himself: “ 293/1 ". Love according to Kuprin is a talent akin to a musical one. Kuprin will develop this theme later in the story "Garnet Bracelet", and much of what Nazansky said will go directly into the story.

C) "435 -underlined" (Ch. 21 ). Preaches equality and happiness, sings of the human mind.

In the passionate speeches of Nazanskya lot of bile and anger, thoughts on the need to fight against"two-headed monster" - the tsarist autocracy andpolice regime in the country, forebodings of the inevitability of profound social upheavals: "433/1 ". Believes in the next life.

He anti-military and the army in general condemns the brutal treatment of soldiers(ch.21, 430 - 432 ). Nazansky's accusatory speeches are full of open pathos. It's kind of hero duel with a senseless and cruel system. Some statements of this hero, as Kuprin himself later said, “sound like a gramophone,but they are dear to the writer, who invested in Nazansky much that worried him.

D) What do you think, why was such a hero needed in the “Duel” next to Romashov?Nazansky asserts: there is only man, the complete freedom of man. Romashov embodies the principle of human lack of freedom. The door is not closed, you can go out. Romashov recalls that his mother tied him to the bed with the thinnest thread. She caused him mystical fear, although it was possible to break.

Characteristics of Romashov.

Lieutenant Romashov, the protagonist of The Duel, becomes infected with the moods and thoughts of Nazansky. This is a typical Kuprin image of a truth seeker and a humanist. Romashovgiven in perpetual motion, in the process of his inner change and spiritual growth. Kuprin reproduces not the entire biography of the hero, and the most important momentin it, without a beginning, but with a tragic end.

Portrait the hero is outwardly expressive: 260, ch. one ", sometimes unsophisticated. However, in the actions of Romashov one can feel inner strength coming from a sense of righteousness and justice. For example, he unexpectedly defends the Tatar Sharafutdinov, who does not understand Russian, from a colonel who insults him (Ch. 1, 262-263 )

He stands up for the soldier Khlebnikov when a non-commissioned officer wants to beat him ( ch.10, 340/1).

He even triumphs over the bestial Bek-Agamalov, when he almost hacked to death a woman from a brothel where the officers were drinking: “ 18 ch., 414" . Bek-Agamalov is grateful to Romashov for not letting him, who had gone berserk from drunkenness, kill a woman

In all these fights Romashov is at his best.

- What lifestyle does? (bored, drunkenness, loneliness, is in connection with an unloved woman)

There are plans ? Extensive in self-education, the study of languages, literature, art. But they remain only plans.

What is he dreaming about? About a brilliant career, sees himself as an outstanding commander. His dreams are poetic, but they are wasted. 267-269.

- Where does Romashov like to go?? Meet trains at the station 265. ch.2. His heart yearns for beauty. Wed Tolstoy ("Resurrection"), Nekrasov ("Troika"), Blok ("On the Railway", 439) . direct reminiscence ( echo, the influence of someone's creativity in a work of art). The railway is read as the theme of the distance, the theme of life's way out

Romashov is a romantic, subtle nature. Him " 264 ". Attractive in the herosoftness of mind, kindness , innate sense of justice. All this sharply distinguishes him from the rest of the officers of the regiment.

Painful, boring army situation in a provincial regiment. Senseless, sometimes idiotic military practice. His disappointments are painful.

- Why is Kuprin's hero young?Over blossoming youth is dominated by soul-deadening treasury. Choosing a young hero, Kuprin intensified the torment "nonsense, incomprehensibility».

What feeling does Romashov evoke in the reader?Deep sympathy.

Romashov has trend towards evolution. Moves towards the knowledge of life.Clash of man and officerfirst takes place in Romashov himself, in his soul and mind. This internal struggle gradually turns into an open one. duel with Nikolayev and with all the officers. pp. 312 (ch. 7), 348, 349, 419.

Romashov graduallyfreed from a false understanding of honorofficer's uniform. The turning point was the hero's reflections on the position of the human person in society, his internal monologue in defense of human rights, dignity and freedom. Romashova "I was stunned and shocked by the unexpectedly bright consciousness of my individuality.and he rose in his own way against depersonalization of a person in military service, in defense of the ordinary soldier. He is indignant at the regimental authorities, who maintain a state of enmity between soldiers and officers. But his impulses to protest are replaced by complete apathy and indifference, his soul is often overwhelmed by depression: “My life is gone!"

The feeling of absurdity, confusion, incomprehensibility of life depresses him. During a conversation with a sick, disfigured Khlebnikov Romashov is experiencingdeep pity and compassion for him(ch. 16 ). He, brought up in the spirit of superiority over the mass of soldiers, indifference to the hard fate of a soldier, begins to understand that Khlebnikov and his comrades are impersonal and crushed by their own ignorance, general slavery, arbitrariness and violence, that soldiers are also people who have the right to sympathy. 402/1, 342 .

A. And Kuprin recalled that the scene at the railroad track made a great impression on Gorky: " When I read the conversation between Lieutenant Romashov and the miserable soldier Khlebnikov, Alexei Maksimovich was moved, and it was terrible to see this big man with wet eyes.

Unexpectedly for himself, he suddenly rebels against God himself, who allows evil and injustice (another duel perhaps the most important)."402". He withdrawn into himself, focused on his inner world, firmly decided to break with military service in order to start a new life:"403"; "404/1 ”- this is how Romashov defines for himself the worthy purpose of life.

A modest person grows spiritually, discovers the eternal values of being. Kuprin sees in the youth of the hero hope for the future transformation of the world. The service makes a repulsive impression on him precisely because of its unnaturalness and anti-humanity. However, Romashov does not have time to fulfill his dreams and dies as a result of betrayal.

4. Thoughts about the possibility of another life are combined in him with thoughts about love forShurochka Nikolaeva. Sweet, feminine Shurochka, with whom Nazansky is in love, is essentiallyguilty of the murder of Romashov to a duel. Greed, calculation, lust for power, duplicity, « some evil and proud force", Shurochka's resourcefulness is not noticed by Romashov in love. She demands:You must shoot tomorrow”- and Romashov agrees for her sake to a duel that could have been avoided.

Types of business people have already been created in Russian literature (Chichikov, Stolz). Shurochka is a business man in a skirt. She seeks to escape from the environment. The only way is for her husband to enter the academy, he seeks to leave for the capital from the petty-bourgeois province. 280, 4 ch.

For the sake of winning his place in the world, he rejects Nazansky's passionate love, for the sake of preserving his husband's reputation and career, he sacrifices Romashov. Outwardly charming and smart, she appears disgusting in a conversation with Romashov on the eve of a duel. 440/2.

Discussing the meaning of the story's title.

BUT) The title itself conveys the personal and social conflict underlying the plot.

plot aspect. duels , which we have already talked about, is inevitable and natural lead to a breakdown to the last fight.

Final Feature. The duel between Romashov and Nikolaev is not described in the story. O the death of Romashov report dry, official, soulless lines report Staff Captain Dietz ( ch.23, 443 ). The ending is perceived as tragic because Romashov's death is meaningless. This last chord is full of compassion. This duel, the death of the hero is a foregone conclusion:Romashov is too different from everyone,to survive in this society.

Mentioned several times in the story duel , a painful, stuffy atmosphere is being forced. Chapter 19 describes how drunken officers are pullingfuneral tune,(in Vetkin's stupid eyes this motive causes tears), but pure sounds funeral services suddenly interrupted "terrible, cynical swearing" Osadchy, 419. Offended Romashov is trying to reason with people. After that, a scandal is played out, which led to the fact that Romashov challenges Nikolaev to a duel, 420, 426.

B) The meaning of the name is in Romashov's duel with the evil that is in himself. This conflict is given as a philosophical one, the hero's comprehension of freedom and necessity.

C) The theme of the duel -a sign of reality itself, the disunity of people, the misunderstanding of one person by another.

G) Civilian - officers, 411-412. Caste officer prejudices.

D) officers and soldiers(humiliated, let's remember the Tatar, Romashov's orderly, finishing his coffee after him, finishing his dinners)

E) But the name is also metaphorical, symbolic meaning. Kuprin wrote:With all the strength of my soul, I hate the years of my childhood and youth, the years of the corps, the cadet school and service in the regiment. About everything. What I have experienced and seen, I must write. And with my novel I will challenge the royal army to a duel". The name also has another, much larger social aspect. The story is Kuprin's duel with the whole army, with the whole system that kills the personality in a person and kills the person himself. In 1905, this story, of course, was taken by the revolutionary forces as a call to fight. But even almost a hundred years after the writing, the story remains a call for respect for the human person, for reconciliation and brotherly love.

5. So traditions of Russian literature:

1) Kuprin's hero is closely connected with the concept of a superfluous person, Tolstoy's hero.

2) Subtle psychological drawing (Dostoevsky, Tolstoy). Like L. Tolstoy, he explores in depth the struggle of feelings, the contradictions of the awakening consciousness, their collapse. Romashov is close to Chekhov's characters. Kuprin's approach to his hero is akin to Chekhov's. An embarrassing, short-sighted and baggy lieutenant, thinking of himself in the 3rd person with the words of stilted novels, 375, 380. 387., evokes a mocking and compassionate attitude. This is how the figure of Petya Trofimov is illuminated.

3) Spontaneous democracy, sympathy for the little man. (Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky)

4) Socio-philosophical definition of good and evil.

5) Orientation to some kind of doctrine. Tolstoy is looking for his "green stick". Kuprin does not know how to rebuild the world. His work contains the rejection of evil.

Agenosov's textbook, part 1, p. 26.

V. Lilin, With. 64 - reviews of the "Duel" by Gorky, L. Tolstoy.

The story "Duel" was published in 1905 and immediately made A. I. Kuprin popular. This is not at all surprising, because not a single work of that time described the army and its customs with such a degree of skill. In this article we will talk about the heroes of the mentioned work, and also reveal the image of Romashov in the story "Duel" by Kuprin.

Essay idea

The material for this work was given to the author by life itself. The writer graduated from the cadet school, and then served in an infantry regiment for four years. The story is based on all the impressions accumulated during this time. Therefore, the author managed to depict the episodes of army life so realistically and enrich the work with a whole gallery of soldier and officer portraits. The image of Romashov in the story "Duel" will be revealed a little later, but for now we will briefly talk about other heroes.

officers

Life and service of officers of the N-th regiment has common features. Their life is a daily routine, consisting of studying army regulations, drills, officer meetings, drinking with friends, gambling and adultery with other people's wives.

On the other hand, each officer is endowed with individuality and stands out in some way from the general background. For example, the good-natured and unpretentious lieutenant Vetkin. He does not think about the future and lives only army everyday life. Company Commander Plum is a rude, stupid campaigner with a difficult character and a craving for harsh discipline. He is not interested in anything that is outside the charter, formation and company. Plum has only two attachments: solitary drunkenness in the evenings and the military beauty of her own company. Lieutenant Bek-Agamalov constantly struggles with outbursts of bloodthirsty instincts and cannot cope with them. Captain Osadchy is somewhat reminiscent of the image of Romashov in the story "Duel", but, unlike Yuri, he is excessively cruel. The captain literally sings of a merciless war, thus inspiring awe in his subordinates. The gallery of characters is continued by the passive and melancholic captain Leshchenko, who makes melancholy with his appearance; empty and fat Bobetinsky, who considers himself a high society man with elegant manners; a young old man, lieutenant Olizar and others. I sincerely feel sorry for the poor widowed lieutenant Zegrzht, who barely has enough salary to feed four children. Before we reveal the image of Romashov in the story "Duel", we will briefly talk about two colorful characters.

Lieutenant Colonel Rafalsky

To escape from routine and boredom, each officer came up with a certain occupation for himself, which helped to get away from the heavy nonsense of army service. Lieutenant Colonel Rafalsky, nicknamed Brem, had a pet menagerie. Among his colleagues, he was known as a man of the kindest soul, a glorious and sweet eccentric. But one day, a tired bugler did not follow his order as expected, and this good-natured man simply went berserk, hitting the soldier in the jaw with such force that he lost several teeth.

Captain Stelkovsky

The military was his calling. He took care of his own soldiers, so his company was the best in the regiment: all the people in it seemed to be specially selected. They walked well-fed, lively, soberly assessed the environment and were not afraid to look into the eyes of any superiors. In the company of Stelkovsky they did not swear and did not fight. In terms of training and appearance, it was in no way inferior to any guards unit. At military reviews, the captain showed himself to be an enterprising, quick-witted and resourceful commander. However, outside the service, there is no nobility in his actions: he seduces young peasant women. This became a kind of entertainment for the captain.

Two main characters

Be patient, a little more - and we will describe the image of Romashov. "Duel" reveals to us the spiritual devastation, inhumanity, vulgarization and refinement of people in the conditions of military service. Whom does the author oppose to the officer environment with its stubborn officer caste? Lieutenant Romashov and his senior friend - officer Nazansky. They personify the humanistic principle in the work. Let's dwell on them in more detail. And let's start, of course, with the first. So, how does the author draw the image of Romashov in the story "Duel"?

Yuri Romashov

Many literary historians and critics agree that Kuprin put his autobiographical features into the image of the protagonist: Yuri was born in the city of Narovchata, he does not remember his father (only his mother), spent his childhood in Moscow, studied in the cadet corps, and then went to the military school. All this corresponds to the circumstances of Kuprin's life.

Yuri Romashov appears to the reader as a charming young man who attracts with his spiritual purity and nobility. It is these qualities that do not allow the lieutenant to adapt to the army environment. Yuri is simple-hearted and kind, has a childish dreaminess and a vivid imagination. And almost all the people in his environment are vicious and have forgotten how to think. Therefore, the lieutenant feels lonely and alien among the soldiers: for a year and a half of officer service, he was constantly tormented by a feeling of being lost and alone among indifferent and unfriendly people. Yuri did not like the rude habits of the military, vulgar connections, drinking parties, cards, mockery of the soldiers.

The image of Romashov in the story "Duel" by Kuprin was thought out in such a way as to arouse the reader's compassion and sympathy for someone else's misfortune. So, Yuri stood up for the Tatar Sharafutdinov, who does not know Russian well and practically does not understand the orders of the colonel. He also kept Khlebnikov from committing suicide (the soldiers drove him to despair with beatings and bullying). Unlike other military men, Yuri understands that no matter how monotonously submissive and nondescript Khlebnikov is, he is actually a living person, and not a mechanical quantity.

The lieutenant's humanity was also manifested in other ways: in the discussion of the soldiers' reprisals against civilians, in relation to the batman Gainan and his pagan beliefs, in his feelings about the vulgar affair with Raisa Peterson, etc.

The image of Romashov in the story "Duel" (with quotes)

After A.I. was published and gained popularity, the most beloved phrases of the protagonist immediately began to appear in publications on literary subjects. We also decided to choose from the story the best quotes by Yuri Romashov, which most accurately reveal his character. We invite you to familiarize yourself with them.

About love for Alexandra Petrovna:

“Love is the most amazing and wonderful feeling. It is a great happiness just to see your beloved at least once a year. For her and for her every whim, I am ready to give my life.

About soldiers:

“The officers are embittered and stupid, but at the same time they are proud of the “honor of the uniform.” Every day they beat the rank and file, turning them into submissive and faceless slaves. No matter who they were before the army, she made them indistinguishable from each other.

About calling:

“It becomes clearer and clearer for me the idea that a person has only three proud vocations: free physical labor, art and science.”

Nazan

The image of Romashov in the story "Duel" (quotes characterizing the hero, you could read above) is the main thing in the work. But it is impossible not to note Nazansky as the least vital character in the work. Apparently, the author introduced it to express his worldview and cherished thoughts. You ask, why not embody all this in the image of the main character? We think that the author considered the lieutenant too uneducated and young to express this philosophy. And Nazansky came up perfectly and very successfully complemented the image of Romashov. Kuprin's "duel" is good because it contains many characters that complement each other.

Philosophy of Nazansky

Nazansky is alien to the gospel instruction about love for one's neighbor. He believes that over time, love for humanity will be replaced by love for oneself: one’s mind, body and an infinite variety of feelings ... “Everyone should be the king of the world, his pride and adornment, and take whatever he wants. There is no need to be afraid of anyone, you have no equal. The time will come, and faith in one's own Self will overshadow all people. And then there will be no envy, no malice, no vices, no pity, no colleagues, no masters, no slaves. People will turn into gods." This position of the character echoes the theory of the superman in the spirit of Nietzsche. It was quite popular in the early 20th century. Apparently, the author of the work was also carried away by it.

Conclusion

So, we gave a description of the main characters of the story and, we hope, fully covered the topic: “Kuprin. "Duel": the image of Romashov. And the last…

Although the lieutenant listened to Nazansky with admiration, Nietzsche's teachings were alien to him. He does not accept contempt for the weak and defenseless. Suffice it to recall how kind Yuri was to Gainan and how carefully he treated Khlebnikov. Despite the brilliance and intelligence of Nazansky, the image of Romashov in the story "Duel" is much nobler and more attractive. Apparently, the author, having made it so, wanted to convey to the reader the idea that a decent and honest person will always be above the rest and win spiritually.

Grade 11. Lessons based on the novel by A. I. Kuprin "Duel" (1905)

The purpose of the lesson: to show the significance of Kuprin's story for society's awareness of the crisis of all Russian life; humanistic, anti-war pathos of the story.

Methodical methods: analytical conversation, commented reading.

During the classes

Teacher's word. The revolutionary era brought before all writers an urgent need to understand the historical fate of Russia, its people, and national culture. These global issues led to the creation of large "numerous" canvases. The writers comprehended the pace of the world in a contradictory time. This is how the stories "Duel", "Dry Valley" and "Village" by Bunin are written; "Judas Iscariot" by L. Andreev; "Movements", "Bear Cub" by Sergeev-Tsensky.

At first glance, the story (any of them) is simple in its content. But according to the author's generalizations, it is multi-layered, reminiscent of a "casket in a casket" that stores a jewel.

Tale " Duel" came out in May 1905, in the days of the defeat of the Russian fleet at Tsushima. The image of a backward, incapacitated army, decomposed officers, and downtrodden soldiers had an important socio-political meaning: it was the answer to the question about the causes of the Far Eastern catastrophe. With hard strokes, as if paying off the past, Kuprin draws the army, to which he gave the years of his youth.

This story can be defined as psychological and philosophical. Since "Fathers and Sons" there was no such work.

Story conversation:

What is the theme of the story? The main theme is the crisis of Russia, of all spheres of Russian life. The critical orientation of the story was noted by Gorky, classifying "Duel" as civil, revolutionary prose. The story had a wide resonance, brought Kuprin all-Russian fame, became the reason for controversy in the press about the fate of the Russian army. The problems of the army always reflect the general problems of society. In this sense, Kuprin's story is still relevant today.

Dedicating "Duel" in her first publication to Gorky, Kuprin wrote to him: " Now, finally, when everything is over, I can say that everything bold and violent in my story belongs to you. If you knew how much I learned from Vasya, how grateful I am to you for it.

What, in your opinion, in "Duel" can be defined as "bold and exuberant »? From the denial of petty rituals (holding hands at the seams and heels together in a conversation with superiors, pulling a sock down when marching, shouting “On the shoulder!”, Ch. 9, p. 336.), the main character of the “Duel” Romashov comes to the denial of what that in a rational society there shouldn't be wars: « Maybe all this is some kind of common mistake, some kind of worldwide delusion, insanity? Is it natural to kill? “Let's say tomorrow, let's say, this very second this thought occurred to everyone: Russians, Germans, British, Japanese ... And now there is no more war, there are no officers and soldiers, everyone has gone home.” Romashov naively believes that in order to eliminate the war, it is necessary that all people suddenly see the light, declare in one voice: "I don't want to fight!" and dropped their weapons.« What courage! - said admiringly L. Tolstoy about Romashov. - And how did the censors let it through and why don’t the military protest?”

What thematic lines can be identified in the story? There are several of them: the life of officers, the combat and barracks life of soldiers, relations between people. It turns out that not all people hold the same pacifist views as Romashov.

How does Kuprin draw images of officers? Kuprin knew the military environment very well from his many years of experience. The images of the officers are given accurately. Realistically, with ruthless authenticity. Almost all the officers in the "Duel" are nonentities, drunkards, stupid and cruel careerists and ignoramuses.

Moreover, they are confident in their class and moral superiority, they are contemptuous of civilians, who are called " hazel grouses", "shpaks", "shtafirks". Even Pushkin for them " some kind of spat". Among them, it is considered “youthfulness to scold or beat a civilian for no reason, put out a lit cigarette on his nose, put a top hat over his ears.” Arrogance based on nothing, perverted ideas about the "honor of the uniform" and honor in general, rudeness - a consequence of isolation, isolation from society, inactivity, stupefying drill. In ugly revels, drunkenness, absurd antics, some kind of blind, animal, senseless rebellion against mortal anguish and monotony. Officers are not used to thinking and reasoning, some seriously believe that in military service in general " not supposed to think"(N. Rostov visited similar thoughts).

Literary critic Yu. V. Babicheva writes: “ The officers of the regiment have a single "typical" face with clear signs of caste limitation, senseless cruelty, cynicism, vulgarity and swagger. At the same time, in the course of the development of the plot, each officer, typical in his caste deformity, at least for a moment is shown as he could have become if it were not for the destructive influence of the army.».

Do you agree that the officers in the story "Duel" have a single "typical" face? If so, what is the manifestation of this unity? The writer shows the officer environment in a vertical section: corporals, junior officers, senior officers, senior officers. " With the exception of a few ambitious and careerists, all officers served as a forced, unpleasant, disgusted corvee, yearning for it and not loving it.". A scary picture ugly wholesale revelry " officers. 406, ch. eighteen.

In addition to the common features common to most officers, each of them has personality traits, outlined so vividly and expressively that the image becomes almost symbolic :

BUT) Regimental commander Shulgovich, under his thunderous bourbon, hides his concern for the officers.

B) What can you say about the image of Osadchy? An ominous image of Osadchy. " He's a cruel man."- says Romashov about him. The cruelty of Osadchy was constantly experienced by the soldiers, who trembled from his thunderous voice and the inhuman force of blows. In Osadchy's company, more often than in others, there were suicides of soldiers. Animal-like, bloodthirsty Osadchy, in disputes about the duel, insists on the need for a fatal outcome of the duel - “ otherwise it will only be a stupid pity ... a comedy. At the picnic he makes a toast for the joy of former wars, for the cheerful bloody cruelty". In a bloody battle, he finds pleasure, the smell of blood intoxicates him, he is ready to chop, stab, shoot all his life - no matter who and for what ( ch. 8, 14)

C) Tell us about your impressions of Captain Plum. « Even in the regiment, which, thanks to the conditions of wild provincial life, did not differ in a particularly humane direction, it was some kind of outlandish monument of this ferocious military antiquity. He did not read a single book, not a single newspaper, and despised everything that went beyond the limits of the order, charter and company. This is a sluggish, downcast man, he brutally, to the point of blood, beats the soldiers, but he is attentive " to soldier's needs: does not delay money, personally monitors the company's boiler"(Ch. 10, 337)

D) What is the difference between Captain Stelkovsky, commander of the 5th company? Perhaps only the image of Captain Stelkovsky - patient, cold-blooded, persistent - does not cause disgust , "soldiers truly loved: an example, perhaps the only one in the Russian army"(Ch. 15. 376 - 377). “In his company, they didn’t fight and didn’t even swear, although they weren’t particularly gentle, and yet the company, in terms of its magnificent appearance and training, was not inferior to any guards unit.” It is his company at the May review that causes tears from his corps commander.

D) Lieutenant colonel Rafalsky (Brem) loves animals and devotes all his free and non-free time to collecting a rare domestic menagerie.352.

E) What are the distinguishing features of Bek-Agamalov? He boasts of his ability to chop, says with regret that he probably won’t cut a man in half: “ I’ll blow my head to hell, I know that, but so that it’s oblique ... no ”My father did it easily…» (« Yes, there were people in our time…”). With his evil eyes, his hooked nose and bared teeth, he looked like some kind of predatory, angry and proud bird"(ch.1)

8) Bestiality generally distinguishes many officers. During a scandal in a brothel, this bestial essence comes through especially brightly: in Bek-Agamalov's rolling eyes " naked round squirrels sparkled terribly, his head" was lowered low and menacingly", "an ominous yellow gleam lit up in the eyes». “And at the same time, he bent his legs lower and lower, all cringed and absorbed his neck, like a beast ready to make a jump”. After this scandal, which ended in a fight and a challenge to a duel, " everyone dispersed, embarrassed, depressed, avoiding looking at each other. Everyone was afraid to read in other people's eyes their own horror, their slavish, guilty longing - the horror and longing of small, evil and dirty animals.» (Ch. 19).

9) Let us pay attention to the contrast of this description with the following description of the dawn " with clear, childlike skies and still cool air. Trees, damp, shrouded in barely visible ferry, silently woke up from their dark, mysterious night dreams". Romashov feels " short, ugly, ugly and infinitely alien in the midst of this innocent charm of the morning, smiling half-awake».

As the mouthpiece of Kuprin - Nazansky says, “all of them, even the best, most tender of them, wonderful fathers and attentive husbands, all of them in the service become base, cowardly, stupid little animals. You will ask why? Yes, precisely because none of them believe in the service and do not see the reasonable goal of this service».

10) How are the "regimental ladies" depicted? Officers' wives are just as predatory and bloodthirsty as their husbands. Evil, stupid, ignorant, hypocritical. Regimental ladies are the personification of extreme squalor. Their everyday life is woven from gossip, a provincial game of secularism, boring and vulgar connections. The most repulsive image is Raisa Peterson, the wife of Captain Talman. Evil, stupid, depraved and vengeful. " Oh, how nasty she is!” Romashov thinks of her with disgust. " And from the thought of the former physical intimacy with this woman, he had such a feeling, as if he had not washed for several months and had not changed his linen ”(ch. 9).

Not better and the rest of the "ladies". Even with outwardly charming Shurochka Nikolaeva the features of Osadchy, who seems to be unlike him, appear: she stands up for fights with a fatal outcome, says: “ I would shoot these people like rabid dogs". There is no truly feminine left in her: “ I don't want a child. Fu, what a mess!" - she confesses to Romashov (ch. 14).

What role do images play?soldier? Depicted by the mass, motley in national composition, but gray in essence. The soldiers are completely powerless: officers take out their anger on them, beat them, crush their teeth, break their eardrums.

Kuprin gives and individualized images(there are about 20 of them in the story). A whole series of ordinary soldiers - in chapter 11:

A) poorly thinking, slow-witted B ondarenko,

B) intimidated, stunned by shouts Arkhipov, which the " does not understand and cannot memorize the simplest things»,

B) loser Khlebnikov. 340, 375, 348/2. His image is more detailed than others. Ruined, landless and impoverished Russian peasant, shaved into soldiers. Khlebnikov's soldier's lot is painful and pitiful. Corporal punishment and constant humiliation - that's his lot. Sick and weak, with a face in cam”, on which a dirty nose turned up absurdly stuck up, with eyes in which“ froze stupid, submissive horror", This soldier has become a general ridicule in the company and an object for mockery and abuse. He is driven to the idea of suicide, from which Romashov saves him, seeing in Khlebnikov his brother-man. Pitying Khlebnikov, Romashov says: Khlebnikov, are you sick? And I'm not feeling well, my dear... I don't understand anything of what's going on in the world. Everything is some wild, senseless, cruel nonsense!But you have to endure, my dear, you have to endure …» Khlebnikov, although he sees in Romashov a kind person who humanly relates to a simple soldier, but, first of all, he sees in him master.Cruelty, injustice, the absurdity of the way of life become obvious, but the hero sees no way out of this horror, except for patience.

G) educated, intelligent, independent Fokin.

Depicting gray, impersonal, crushed « own ignorance, general slavery, bossy indifference, arbitrariness and violence » soldier, Kuprin evokes compassion in the reader for them, shows that in fact they are living people, and not faceless "cogs" of the military machine .

So Kuprin comes to another, very important topic - personality theme.

D. h. 1) Prepare messages based on the images of Romashov and Nazansky (in groups) (portrait characteristics, relationships with people, views, attitude to service, etc.)

2) Answer the questions:

How is the theme of love dealt with in the story?

What is the meaning of the title of the story?

Lesson 2

Topic: The metaphorical nature of the title of A. I. Kuprin's story "Duel".

The purpose of the lesson: analyze the images of the characters expressing the author's position in the story.

Methodical methods: students' messages, work on the text, analytical conversation.

Characteristics of the image of Nazansky. The conversations between Romashov and Nazansky contain the essence of the story.

BUT) We learn about Nazansky from the conversation between the Nikolaevs and Romashov ( ch. four): this is " inveterate person", he " goes on vacation for one month due to domestic circumstances ... This means that he took a drink”; “Such officers are a disgrace to the regiment, an abomination!”

B) Chapter 5 contains a description of the meeting between Romashov and Nazansky. We see first white figure and golden head"Nazansky, we hear his calm voice, we get acquainted with his dwelling:" 288", ch. 5. All this, and even a direct look " thoughtful, beautiful blue eyes”contradicts what the Nikolaevs said about him. Nazansky argues " about sublime matters”, philosophizes, and this, from the point of view of others, is“ nonsense, idle and absurd chatter". He thinks about 289 ". This is for him" 290/1 ". He feels someone else's joy and someone else's sorrow, feels injustice exists with Troy, the aimlessness of your life, looking for and not finding a way out of the impasse. 431-432.

Description of the landscape, the mysterious night that opens from the window, according to his lofty words: « 290/2 ».

Nazansky's face seems to Romashov " beautiful and interesting": golden hair, a high, clean forehead, a neck of a noble pattern, a massive and graceful head, similar to the head of one of the Greek heroes or sages, clear blue eyes, looking " lively, smart and meek". True, this description of an almost ideal hero ends with a revelation: “ 291/1".

Dreaming about " future godlike life”, Nazansky glorifies the power and beauty of the human mind, enthusiastically calls for respect for a person, enthusiastically talks about love - and at the same time expresses the views of the author himself: “ 293/1 ". Love according to Kuprin is a talent akin to a musical one. Kuprin will develop this theme later in the story "Garnet Bracelet", and much of what Nazansky said will go directly into the story.

AT) « 435 -underlined » (ch. 21). Preaches equality and happiness, sings of the human mind.

In the passionate speeches of Nazansky a lot of bile and anger, thoughts on the need to fight against"two-headed monster" - the tsarist autocracy and police regime in the country, forebodings of the inevitability of profound social upheavals: « 433/1 ". Believes in the next life.

He anti-military and the army in general condemns the brutal treatment of soldiers (ch.21, 430 - 432). Nazansky's accusatory speeches are full of open pathos. It's kind of duel hero with a senseless and cruel system. Some statements of this hero, as Kuprin himself later said, “ sound like a gramophone, but they are dear to the writer, who invested in Nazansky much that worried him.

D) What do you think, why was such a hero needed in the “Duel” next to Romashov? Nazansky asserts: there is only man, the complete freedom of man. Romashov embodies the principle of human lack of freedom. The door is not closed, you can go out. Romashov recalls that his mother tied him to the bed with the thinnest thread. She caused him mystical fear, although it was possible to break.

Characteristics of Romashov.

Lieutenant Romashov, the protagonist of The Duel, becomes infected with the moods and thoughts of Nazansky. This is a typical Kuprin image of a truth seeker and a humanist. Romashov given in perpetual motion, in the process of his inner change and spiritual growth. Kuprin reproduces not all biography hero, and the most important moment in it, without a beginning, but with a tragic end.

Portrait the hero is outwardly expressive: 260, ch. one ", sometimes unsophisticated. However, in the actions of Romashov one can feel inner strength coming from a sense of righteousness and justice. For example, he unexpectedly defends the Tatar Sharafutdinov, who does not understand Russian, from a colonel who insults him (Ch. 1, 262-263 )

He stands up for the soldier Khlebnikov when a non-commissioned officer wants to beat him ( ch.10, 340/1).

He even triumphs over the bestial Bek-Agamalov, when he almost hacked to death a woman from a brothel where the officers were drinking: “ 18 ch., 414". Bek-Agamalov is grateful to Romashov for not letting him, who had gone berserk from drunkenness, kill a woman

In all these fights Romashov is at his best.

- What lifestyle does ? (bored, drunkenness, loneliness, is in connection with an unloved woman)

- There are plans ? Extensive in self-education, the study of languages, literature, art. But they remain only plans.

- What is he dreaming about? About a brilliant career, sees himself as an outstanding commander. His dreams are poetic, but they are wasted. 267-269.

- Where does Romashov like to go? ? Meet trains at the station 265. ch.2. His heart yearns for beauty. Wed Tolstoy ("Resurrection"), Nekrasov ("Troika"), Blok ("On the Railway", 439) .Straight reminiscence ( echo, the influence of someone's creativity in a work of art). The railway is read as the theme of the distance, the theme of life's way out

Romashov is a romantic, subtle nature. Him " 264 ". Attractive in the hero softness of mind, kindness, congenital sense of justice. All this sharply distinguishes him from the rest of the officers of the regiment.

Painful, boring army situation in a provincial regiment. Senseless, sometimes idiotic military practice. His disappointments are painful.

-Why is Kuprin's hero young? Over blossoming youth is dominated by soul-deadening treasury. Choosing a young hero, Kuprin intensified the torment " nonsense, incomprehensibility».

- What feeling does Romashov evoke in the reader? Deep sympathy.

Romashov has trend towards evolution. Moves towards the knowledge of life. Clash of man and officer first takes place in Romashov himself, in his soul and mind. This internal struggle gradually turns into an open one. duel with Nikolayev and with all the officers. pp. 312 (ch. 7), 348, 349, 419.

Romashov gradually freed from a false understanding of honor officer's uniform. The turning point was the hero's reflections on the position of the human person in society, his internal monologue in defense of human rights, dignity and freedom. Romashova " I was stunned and shocked by the unexpectedly bright consciousness of my individuality. and he rose in his own way against depersonalization of a person in military service, in defense of the ordinary soldier. He is indignant at the regimental authorities, who maintain a state of enmity between soldiers and officers. But his impulses to protest are replaced by complete apathy and indifference, his soul is often overwhelmed by depression: “ My life is gone!"

The feeling of absurdity, confusion, incomprehensibility of life depresses him. During a conversation with a sick, disfigured Khlebnikov Romashov is experiencing deep pity and compassion for him (ch. 16). He, brought up in the spirit of superiority over the mass of soldiers, indifference to the hard fate of a soldier, begins to understand that Khlebnikov and his comrades are impersonal and crushed by their own ignorance, general slavery, arbitrariness and violence, that soldiers are also people who have the right to sympathy. 402/1, 342 .

A. And Kuprin recalled that the scene at the railroad track made a great impression on Gorky: « When I read the conversation between Lieutenant Romashov and the miserable soldier Khlebnikov, Alexei Maksimovich was moved, and it was terrible to see this big man with wet eyes.

Unexpectedly for himself, he suddenly rebels against God himself, who allows evil and injustice (another duel perhaps the most important). « 402" . He withdrawn into himself, focused on his inner world, firmly decided to break with military service in order to start a new life: "403"; "404/1 ”- this is how Romashov defines for himself the worthy purpose of life.

4. Thoughts about the possibility of another life are combined in him with thoughts about love for Shurochka Nikolaeva. Sweet, feminine Shurochka, with whom Nazansky is in love, is essentially guilty of the murder of Romashov to a duel. Greed, calculation, lust for power, duplicity, « some evil and proud force", Shurochka's resourcefulness is not noticed by Romashov in love. She demands: You must shoot tomorrow”- and Romashov agrees for her sake to a duel that could have been avoided.

Discussing the meaning of the story's title.

BUT) The title itself conveys the personal and social conflict underlying the plot.

plot aspect. P fights, which we have already talked about, is inevitable and natural lead to the denouement - to the last fight.

Final Feature . The duel between Romashov and Nikolaev is not described in the story. O the death of Romashov report dry, official, soulless lines report Staff Captain Dietz ( ch.23, 443). The ending is perceived as tragic because Romashov's death is meaningless. This last chord is full of compassion. This duel, the death of the hero is a foregone conclusion: Romashov is too different from everyone, to survive in this society.

Mentioned several times in the story duel, a painful, stuffy atmosphere is being forced. Chapter 19 describes how drunken officers are pulling funeral tune,(in Vetkin's stupid eyes this motive causes tears), but pure sounds funeral services suddenly interrupted " terrible, cynical swearing" Osadchy , 419. Offended Romashov is trying to reason with people. After that, a scandal is played out, which led to the fact that Romashov challenges Nikolaev to a duel, 420, 426.

B) The meaning of the name is in Romashov's duel with the evil that is in himself. This conflict is given as a philosophical one, the hero's comprehension of freedom and necessity.

C) The theme of the duel - a sign of reality itself, the disunity of people, the misunderstanding of one person by another.

G) Civilian - officers, 411-412. Caste officer prejudices.

D) officers and soldiers(humiliated, let's remember the Tatar, Romashov's orderly, finishing his coffee after him, finishing his dinners)

E) But the name is also metaphorical, symbolic meaning. Kuprin wrote: With all the strength of my soul, I hate the years of my childhood and youth, the years of the corps, the cadet school and service in the regiment. About everything. What I have experienced and seen, I must write. And with my novel I will challenge the royal army to a duel". The name also has another, much larger social aspect. The story is Kuprin's duel with the whole army, with the whole system that kills the personality in a person and kills the person himself. In 1905, this story, of course, was taken by the revolutionary forces as a call to fight. But even almost a hundred years after the writing, the story remains a call for respect for the human person, for reconciliation and brotherly love.

5. So, traditions of Russian literature:

1) Kuprin's hero is closely connected with the concept of a superfluous person, Tolstoy's hero.

3) Spontaneous democracy, sympathy for the little man. (Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky)

4) Socio-philosophical definition of good and evil.

5) Orientation to some kind of doctrine. Tolstoy is looking for his "green stick". Kuprin does not know how to rebuild the world. His work contains the rejection of evil.

What is the theme of the story "Duel"?

(The main theme of the story is the crisis of Russia, of all spheres of Russian life, shown through the crisis of the army.)

Teacher comment:

The critical orientation of the story was noted by Gorky, classifying "Duel" as civil, revolutionary prose. The story had a wide resonance, brought Kuprin all-Russian fame, became the reason for controversy in the press about the fate of the Russian army. The problems of the army always reflect the general problems of society. In this sense, Kuprin's story is still relevant today.

Dedicating the story “Duel” in its first (1905) publication to M. Gorky, Kuprin wrote to him: “Now, finally, when everything is over, I can say that everything bold and violent in my story belongs to you. If you knew how much I have learned from you and how grateful I am to you for it.

What, in your opinion, in "Duel" can be defined as "bold and violent"?

(Discussion.)

What topic, besides the crisis of the army, the crisis of Russia, is of particular concern to Kuprin?

(The theme of the protest against the war. Kuprin shows the senselessness and inhumanity of wars.)

Teacher comment:

The anti-war orientation of the story was noted by L. N. Tolstoy. By the way, Tolstoy's story "After the Ball", the theme of which is close to the theme of "Duel", was also written in 1905. The protagonist of the “Duel” Romashov thinks that there should be no wars in a rationally arranged society: “Maybe all this is some kind of common mistake, some kind of global delusion, insanity? Is it natural to kill? Romashov naively believes that in order to eliminate the war, it is necessary that all people suddenly see the light, declare with one voice: “I don’t want to fight!” and dropped their weapons. There are several thematic lines in the story: the life of officers, the combat and barracks life of soldiers, relations between people. It turns out that not all people hold the same pacifist views as Romashov.

How does Kuprin draw images of officers?

(Kuprin knew the army environment very well from his many years of experience. The images of officers are given accurately, realistically, with merciless authenticity. Almost all the officers in the “Duel” are nonentities, drunkards, stupid and cruel careerists and ignoramuses. Moreover, they are confident in their class and morality superiority, they contemptuously treat civilians, who are called "hazel grouse", "shpak", "stafirka". Even Pushkin is "some kind of shpak" for them. Among them, it is considered "youthfulness to scold or beat a civilian for no reason put out a lit cigarette on his nose, slide a top hat over his ears.")

What is the reason for the arrogance and rudeness of officers?

(Harrogance based on nothing, perverted ideas about the “honor of the uniform” and honor in general, rudeness - a consequence of isolation, isolation from society, inactivity, stupefying drill. revolt against mortal anguish and monotony. Officers are not accustomed to think and reason, some seriously believe that in military service in general “thinking is not supposed to happen.” Let us recall that such thoughts were visited, for example, by Nikolai Rostov from the novel War and Peace.)

Teacher comment:

The literary critic Yu. V. Babicheva writes about the “Duel”: “The officers of the regiment have a single “typical” face with clear signs of caste limitation, senseless cruelty, cynicism, vulgarity and swagger. At the same time, in the course of the development of the plot, each officer, typical in his caste ugliness, at least for a moment is shown as he could have become if not for the destructive influence of the army.

Do you agree that the officers in the story "Duel" have a single "typical" face? If so, how does this “unity” manifest itself?

Is it true that each of the officers, heroes of Kuprin's story, "at least for a moment is shown as he could have become if not for the destructive influence of the army"?

(The writer shows the officer environment in a vertical section: corporals, junior officers, senior officers, senior officers. “With the exception of a few ambitious and careerists, all officers served as a forced, unpleasant, disgusted corvee, yearning for it and not loving it.” Except common features common to most officers, each of them has individual features, outlined so vividly and expressively that the image becomes almost symbolic.)

What can you say about the image of Osadchy?

(The image of Osadchy is ominous. “He is a cruel man,” Romashov says about him. The cruelty of Osadchy was constantly experienced by soldiers who trembled from his thunderous voice and the inhuman force of blows. In the company of Osadchy more often than in others, there were suicides of soldiers. Animal-like, bloodthirsty Osadchy, in disputes about the duel, insists on the need for a fatal outcome of the duel - “otherwise it will only be a stupid pity ... a comedy". At a picnic, he makes a toast "to the joy of former wars, to the cheerful bloody cruelty". In a bloody battle, he finds pleasure, he is intoxicated by the smell of blood, he is ready to chop, stab, shoot all his life - it doesn’t matter who and for what (chapters VIII, XIV).)

Tell us about your impressions of Captain Plum.

(Captain Plum - “even in the regiment, which, thanks to the conditions of wild provincial life, did not differ in a particularly humane direction, he was some kind of outlandish monument to this ferocious military antiquity.” He did not read a single book, not a single newspaper, and despised everything that This is a sluggish, degraded man, he brutally, to the point of blood, beats the soldiers, but he is attentive to the soldiers' needs: he does not withhold money, he personally monitors the company's boiler (Chapter X).)

What is the difference between the image of Captain Stelkovsky?

(Perhaps, only the image of Captain Stelkovsky - patient, cold-blooded, persistent - does not cause disgust. The soldiers "truly loved him: perhaps the only example in the Russian army" (Chapter XV).)

What are the distinguishing features of Bek-Agamalov?

(Bek-Agamalov boasts of his ability to chop, says with regret that he probably won’t cut a man in half: “I’ll blow my head to hell, I know that, but so that it’s oblique ... no. My father did it easily ... " (“Yes, there were people in our time...”) With malicious eyes, with a hooked nose and bared teeth, he “looked like some kind of predatory, angry and proud bird” (chapter I).

Features of Bek-Agamalov are in each of the officers. Many are generally distinguished by bestiality. During a scandal in a brothel, this bestial essence comes through especially brightly: in Bek-Agamalov's eyes that rolled out, "the naked round whites sparkled terribly", his head "was low and menacingly lowered", "an ominous yellow gleam lit up in his eyes." “And at the same time, he kept bending his legs lower and lower, cowering all over and taking in his neck like a beast ready to make a jump.”)

What feelings do the officers experience after the scandal in the brothel?

(After this scandal, which ended in a fight and a challenge to a duel, “everyone dispersed embarrassed, depressed, avoiding looking at each other. Everyone was afraid to read their own horror in other people’s eyes, their slavish, guilty longing - the horror and longing of small, evil and dirty animals (Chapter XIX).)

Teacher comment:

Let us pay attention to the contrast of this description with the following description of the dawn “with a clear, childishly clear sky and still cool air. The trees, damp, shrouded in a barely visible steam, silently woke up from their dark, mysterious night dreams. Romashov feels "short, ugly, ugly and infinitely alien in the midst of this innocent charm of the morning, smiling half-awake."

How are the "regimental ladies" depicted?

(Officers' wives are just as predatory and bloodthirsty as their husbands. Regimental ladies are the personification of extreme squalor. Their everyday life is woven from gossip, a provincial game of secularism, boring and vulgar connections. The most repulsive image is Raisa Peterson, evil, stupid, depraved and vindictive. "Oh, how disgusting she is!" - Romashov thinks of her with disgust. 4-Note of the thought of the former fcisical intimacy with this woman, he had such a feeling, as if he had not washed for several months and had not changed his linen (chapter IX) The rest of the "ladies" are no better. Even the outwardly charming Shurochka Nikolaeva shows features of Osadchy, who seems to be unlike her: she stands up for fights with a fatal outcome, says: "I would shoot such people like mad dogs." Truly feminine in her no more: "I don't want a child. Fu, what a disgusting thing! "- she admits to Romashov (Chapter XIV).)

What is the peculiarity of the image of soldiers?

(The soldiers are depicted in a mass, motley in ethnic composition, but gray in essence. The soldiers are completely powerless: the officers take out their anger on them, beat them, crumble their teeth, break their eardrums. Kuprin also gives individualized images (there are about twenty of them in the story). A whole series ordinary soldiers - in chapter XI: poorly thinking, slow-witted Bondarenko, intimidated, stunned by the shouts of Arkhipov, who "does not understand and cannot memorize the simplest things", Khlebnikov, an educated, intelligent, independent Fokin.)

What is the role of Khlebnikov's image?

(The image of ordinary Khlebnikov, a landless, ruined and impoverished Russian peasant, “shaved into soldiers”, is detailed more than others. Khlebnikov’s soldier’s life is painful and pitiful. Corporal punishment and constant humiliation are his lot. Sick and weak, with a face “in a fist” , on which an absurdly upturned dirty nose stuck out, with eyes in which a dull, submissive horror froze, this soldier became a universal laughing stock in the company and an object for bullying and abuse. feeling sorry for Khlebnikov, Romashov said: "Khlebnikov, are you feeling bad? And I'm not feeling well, my dear... I don't understand anything of what is going on in the world. Everything is some kind of wild, senseless, cruel nonsense! But you have to endure, my dear, you must endure ... ". Cruelty, injustice, the absurdity of the way of life become obvious, but the hero sees no way out of this horror, except for patience.)

Answers

What is the theme of the story?

The crisis of Russia, all spheres of Russian life

What are the three main thematic lines you saw in the story?

The life of officers, soldiers, relationships between people

How does Kuprin draw images of officers?

With cruel strokes, Kuprin paints an army environment. Images of officers have been created from many years of experience. Almost all careerists, drunkards, stupid and ignorant. Service for them is a boring, onerous duty. There are no intellectual interests, they cannot read or think, and they do not want to.

Kuprin managed to create a whole gallery of portraits. These are representatives of the older generation - Colonel Shulgovich, Captain Sliva, Captain Osadchy, who is distinguished by inhumanity towards soldiers and recognizes only cane discipline.

There are also younger officers - Naznansky, Vetkin, Bek-Agamalov. Their life is no better. Resigned to the despotic order in the army, they try to escape from reality in drunkenness.

Do you agree that the officers in the story "Duel" have a single "typical" face? What is this "unity"?

Comparison with animals, Kuprin in the description of officers uses the epithet "animal"

Kuprin depicts how in the conditions of the army there is a "dehumanization" of a person - a soldier and an officer, how the Russian army is dying

How are the "regimental ladies" depicted?

Officers' wives are just as predatory and bloodthirsty as their husbands. Evil, stupid, ignorant, hypocritical. Regimental ladies are the personification of extreme squalor. Their everyday life is woven from gossip, a provincial game of secularism, boring and vulgar connections. The most repulsive image is Raisa Peterson, the wife of Captain Talman. Evil, stupid, depraved and vengeful. "Oh, how nasty she is!” Romashov thinks of her with disgust. "And from the thought of the former physical intimacy with this woman, he had such a feeling, as if he had not washed for several months and had not changed his linen ”(ch. 9).

Not better and the rest of the "ladies" . Even with outwardly charmingShurochka Nikolaeva the features of Osadchy, who seems to be unlike him, appear: she stands up for fights with a fatal outcome, says: “I would shoot these people like rabid dogs ". There is no truly feminine left in her: “I don't want a child. Fu, what a mess !" - she confesses to Romashov (ch. 14).Thoughts about the possibility of another life are combined in him with thoughts about love forShurochka Nikolaeva . Sweet, feminine Shurochka, with whom Nazansky is in love, is essentiallyguilty of the murder of Romashov to a duel.Greed, calculation, lust for power, duplicity , « some evil and proud force ", Shurochka's resourcefulness is not noticed by Romashov in love. She demands:You must shoot tomorrow ”- and Romashov agrees for her sake to a duel that could have been avoided.

What does Kuprin say about the soldiers?

A) poorly thinking, slow-witted Bondarenko ,

B) intimidated, stunned by shoutsArkhipov , which the "does not understand and cannot memorize the simplest things »,

B) loserKhlebnikov. His image is more detailed than others. Ruined, landless and impoverished Russian peasant,shaved into soldiers. Khlebnikov's soldier's lot is painful and pitiful. Corporal punishment and constant humiliation - that's his lot. Sick and weak, with a facein cam ”, on which a dirty nose turned up absurdly stuck up, with eyes in which“froze stupid, submissive horror ", This soldier has become a general ridicule in the company and an object for mockery and abuse. He is driven to the idea of suicide, from which Romashov saves him, seeing in Khlebnikov his brother-man. Pitying Khlebnikov, Romashov says:Khlebnikov, are you sick? And I'm not feeling well, my dear... I don't understand anything of what's going on in the world. Everything is some wild, senseless, cruel nonsense! But you have to endure, my dear, you have to endure …» Khlebnikov, although he sees in Romashov a kind person who humanly relates to a simple soldier, but, first of all, he sees in himmaster . Cruelty, injustice, the absurdity of the way of life become obvious, but the hero sees no way out of this horror, except for patience.

G) educated, intelligent, independentFokin.

Depicting gray, impersonal, crushed« own ignorance, general slavery, bossy indifference, arbitrariness and violence » soldier, Kuprin evokes compassion in the reader for them, shows that in fact they are living people, and not faceless "cogs" of the military machine.

So Kuprin comes to another, very important topic– personality theme.

Romashov's image.

Lieutenant Romashov is given in continuous movement, in the process of his inner change and spiritual growth. He differs radically from all the officers in the story.

The protagonist of the story is Lieutenant Yuri Alekseevich Romashov. Kuprin will say about him: "He is my double." Indeed, this hero embodies the best features of Kuprin's heroes: honesty, decency, intelligence, but at the same time a certain dreaminess, a desire to change the world for the better. Naznansky says about Romashov: “There is some kind of inner light in you. But in our lair they will extinguish it "

Which of the characters in the story is going through a “serious moral upheaval”? What is it connected with?

Romashov. Mercy has triumphed over the sinful nature of man.

What is the meaning of the title of the story?

1. Officer duel - Romashov and Nikolaev

2. Romashov loses in a duel with reality. If he had survived, moral death would have awaited him in an army environment.

But the name is also metaphorical , symbolic meaning. Kuprin wrote: “With all the strength of my soul, I hate the years of my childhood and youth, the years of the corps, the cadet school and service in the regiment. About everything. What I have experienced and seen, I must write. And with my novel, I will challenge the tsarist army to a duel. The name also has another, much larger social aspect. Tale -duel of Kuprin with the whole army , with the whole system that kills the personality in a person and kills the person himself. In 1905, this story, of course, was taken by the revolutionary forces as a call to fight. But even almost a hundred years after the writing, the story remains a call for respect for the human person, for reconciliation and brotherly love.

3. The meaning of the name isRomashov's duel with the evil that is in himself . This conflict is given as a philosophical one, the hero's comprehension of freedom and necessity.

The theme of the fight a sign of reality itself, the disunity of people, the misunderstanding of one person by another.