Thick and thin. Essay “The theme of veneration in the stories of A. P. Chekhov “Thick and Thin” and “Chameleon”
Read also
The plot of the story “Fat and Thin” in its original version was based on an anecdotal incident, and the conflict between the characters arose by chance, due to the involuntary mistake of the “thin one.”
The 1886 edition, being generally textually close to the 1883 edition, changes made significantly changed the meaning of the story. The motive of official subordination has been eliminated: the “thin” one now grovels before the “fat” without any practical need - “out of reflex.” The story received much greater satirical sharpness and generalization.
When preparing the text for the collected works, Chekhov made stylistic amendments - in particular, eliminating the taste of the “fragmentary” feuilleton (for example, the name of the department was omitted in the phrase: “He served, you know, in the department of “prefaces and typos”).”
In a review article about Chekhov’s work (“Flaws in Creativity”), P. Pertsov classified the story “The Thick and the Thin” (together with “The Mysterious Nature” and some others) as things that “represent simply filigree work, and in them, it seems, there is no one line cannot be added or subtracted” (“Russian wealth”, 1893, No. 1, p. 50).
10. Very nice, sir!
– the letter “s” at the end of a word or “slovo-er-s” is shortened to a single sound address "sir".
Once upon a time, the “word-er-s” was also common in the speech of the nobility as an expression of respect, especially for elders. One of the signs of the proud and independent behavior of young Eugene Onegin among his neighboring landowners was his refusal to “slovo-er-sa”. For this he was decisively condemned by the local nobility as an ignoramus and a madman: “Everything is yes and no; will not say yes, sir / Or no, sir". But the respectful Molchalin never leaves his tongue: “yes, sir, I, sir, come here, sir” etc. Even Famusov, ingratiating himself with Skalozub, uses “slovo-er-s”. “Slovo-er-s” in the minds of the old nobles testified to the preservation of the “good traditions” of antiquity, patriarchy and veneration of elders. “The word-erik-s has disappeared,- says the conservative and serf owner Kallomeytsev in Turgenev’s Novi, - and with it all respect and veneration!”
However, it did not disappear altogether, but only disappeared from the speech of the educated nobles, passing to the merchants, philistines, petty officials, and servants. The humiliated and beaten staff captain Snegirev in Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, introducing himself, says: “It would be more appropriate to say: Staff Captain Sloversov, and not Snegirev, for only from the second half of his life he began to speak in Sloversov. The word-er-s is acquired in humiliation". Let us remember the epigraph to chapter 6 “ Queen of Spades» Pushkin: “- Atande! - How dare you tell me atanda? “Your Excellency, I said atande, sir!” This conversation at the card table told a contemporary a lot: atande is a card term meaning “wait, I’ll make the move first.” Probably, without the word-er-sa, he sounded somewhat rude, like a simple wait, which is why the modest participant in the game has to apologize to his “Excellency” - the general.
It would be wrong to consider “slovo-er-s” exclusively an expression of respect. TO end of the 19th century century, among intelligent men, the “word-er-s”, used sparingly, became a means of strengthening emotional expressiveness speech, a sign of a certain, sometimes ironic, formality. Thus, Doctor Astrov in Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” says to Voinitsky, with whom he is on an equal footing, with “slovo-er-sami”; “word-er-s” is used by Solyony in “Three Sisters” and by many other characters in Chekhov’s works without any servility.
The conversation-interrogation of Raskolnikov in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” is very curious, psychologically subtle and convincing. Investigator Porfiry Petrovich, in order to give a confidential, semi-official character to the conversation with the defendant, often uses the “word-er-s”, Raskolnikov, being in an unequal position, never once. “You killed it, sir.”- so calmly and insinuatingly Porfiry Petrovich ends the conversation, as if softening the tension of the situation with this “word-er-som”.
WITH October Revolution 1917, which by decree abolished ranks, estates and the title formulas associated with them, spontaneously, without any decrees, the “slovo-er-s” died. It was preserved for some time in the mouths of old professors, scientists and doctors, as an addition to some official words: well, yes, here, so, so, as if imparting to the speech not at all servility, but a certain solidity and lordship.
Stories by A.P. Chekhov's works are distinguished by their realism and brevity. The writer manages to reflect all the nuances of human life briefly, elegantly and witty; so that readers remember these stories for a long time. Some of the stories are devoted to how a person behaves in the company of other people (depending on which ones).
Chameleon's story
For example, a story "Chameleon", which shows how easily a person is ready to change his opinion if he understands that there is a benefit for him. Or, conversely, fear of punishment. Police warden Ochumelov discovers a dog in the square that has bitten a man and orders it to be destroyed.
However, when a rumor spreads through the crowd that this dog is not a yard dog, but belongs to a general, Ochumelov abruptly changes his point of view and treats the dog with tenderness.
So he rushes from side to side several times as soon as the correct answer is suggested to him. Ochumelov no longer cares what the dog has done; he is worried that a high-ranking general may be dissatisfied with the treatment of his pet.
Thick and thin
The dependence of people on social status and the prejudices associated with it is shown in the story "Thick and thin": two old friends accidentally meet at a railway station and start asking each other about life.
It turns out that one of them stands much higher than the other according to the “Table of Ranks” (a document that determined Russian Empire class).
Having realized this, the inferior (the so-called “subtle”) begins to ingratiate himself in every possible way with his old friend. It no longer matters to him that they knew each other many years ago; now only civil rank matters. In this story, Chekhov shows with bitter regret how dependent people can be on stereotypes.
Death of an official
The story also deals with the problem of status "Death of an Official", main character who dies due to pathological admiration for people of higher rank. The tragedy of this story is that a certain minor official accidentally splashed the cloak of his superior, and from that moment on his whole life is subordinated to the single goal of apologizing for his “outrageous” act.
However, a significant person does not understand this noble impulse and rudely shouts at the official. A man who trembled before people in power could not bear such a shock. He had a serious nervous breakdown, came home and died.
Horse surname
Story "Horse surname" also shows how stereotypical human thinking. However, what is already touched upon here are not social class stereotypes, but ordinary, everyday ones. Several people can’t remember the doctor’s last name; they only remember that it’s some kind of “horse” name.
Everyone at home immediately starts sorting through suitable options Kobylin, Zherebtsov, Konyukhov... but no one thinks to remember what the horses eat: the name of Dr. Ovsov.
At Nikolaevskaya station railway two friends met: one fat, the other thin. The fat man had just had lunch at the station, and his lips, coated with oil, were shiny like ripe cherries. He smelled of sherry and orange blossom. The thin one had just left the carriage and was laden with suitcases, bundles and cardboard boxes. He smelled of ham and coffee grounds. Peeking out from behind him was a thin woman with a long chin - his wife, and a tall high school student with a squinted eye - his son.
Porfiry! - the fat one exclaimed when he saw the thin one. - Is that you? My darling! How many winters, how many years!
Fathers! - the thin one was amazed. - Misha! Childhood friend! Where did you come from?
The friends kissed each other three times and looked at each other with eyes full of tears. Both were pleasantly stunned.
My dear! - the thin one began after kissing. - I didn’t expect it! What a surprise! Well, take a good look at me! Just as handsome as he was! Such a soul and a dandy! Oh, my God! Well, what are you doing? Rich? Married? I’m already married, as you can see... This is my wife, Louise, nee Vanzenbach... Lutheran... And this is my son, Nathanael, a third-grade student. This is Nafanya, my childhood friend! We studied together at the gymnasium!
Nathanael thought for a moment and took off his hat.
We studied together at the gymnasium! - continued the thin one. - Do you remember how they teased you? They teased you as Herostratus because you burned a government book with a cigarette, and they teased me as Ephialtes because I loved to tell lies. Ho-ho... We were children! Don't be afraid, Nafanya! Come closer to him... And this is my wife, née Vanzenbach... a Lutheran.
Nathanael thought for a moment and hid behind his father.
Well, how are you doing, friend? - asked the fat man, looking at his friend enthusiastically. - Where do you serve? Have you achieved the rank?
I serve, my dear! I have been a collegiate assessor for the second year now and I have Stanislav. The salary is bad... well, God bless him! My wife gives music lessons, I privately make cigarette cases out of wood. Great cigarette cases! I sell them for a ruble apiece. If someone takes ten grand or more, then, you know, there is a concession. Let's make some money. I served, you know, in the department, and now I’ve been transferred here as the head of the same department... I’ll serve here. Well, how are you? Probably already a civilian? A?
No, my dear, lift it higher,” said the fat one. - I have already reached the rank of secret... I have two stars.
The thin one suddenly turned pale and petrified, but soon his face twisted in all directions with a broad smile; it seemed as if sparks were falling from his face and eyes. He himself shrank, hunched over, narrowed... His suitcases, bundles and cardboard boxes shrank, wrinkled... His wife's long chin became even longer; Nathanael stood tall and fastened all the buttons of his uniform...
I, Your Excellency... It’s a pleasure, sir! A friend, one might say, from childhood, and suddenly they became such nobles, sir! Hee hee sir.
Well, that's enough! - the fat man winced. - What is this tone for? You and I are childhood friends - and why this respect for rank?
For mercy's sake... What are you... - the thin one giggled, shrinking even more. - The gracious attention of your Excellency... seems like life-giving moisture... This, Your Excellency, is my son Nathanael... wife Louise, a Lutheran, in some way...
The fat one wanted to object something, but the thin one had so much reverence, sweetness and respectful acid written on his face that Privy Councilor vomited. He turned away from the thin one and offered him his hand in farewell.
The thin one shook three fingers, bowed with his whole body and chuckled like a Chinese: “Hee-hee-hee.” The wife smiled. Nathanael shuffled his foot and dropped his cap. All three were pleasantly stunned.
The mastery of a humorous story is inherent in A.P. Chekhov. It is revealed in his work through details, symbols and images that remain in the ears of several generations of grateful readers. The moral embedded in these laconic prose works is still a reliable guide for moral choice a free-thinking person.
The action begins with a meeting of two friends at the station. One of them is thick - Mikhail (privy councilor), the other thin - Porfiry. Already at the beginning, Chekhov contrasts two heroes.
Thin immediately begins to describe how wonderful he is, what his wife Louise is, what a son Nathanael is. Tolstoy looks at his friend enthusiastically, while Porfiry, having learned that Mikhail is a Privy Councilor, suddenly turned pale and petrified. The plot of the story “Thick and Thin” half consists of demonstrating a change in the attitude of the loser hero to his childhood friend. The author describes in great detail how the character and his family are changing: “He himself shrank, hunched over, narrowed... His suitcases, bundles and cardboard boxes shrank, wrinkled... His wife’s long chin became even longer; Nathanael stood tall and fastened all the buttons of his uniform...” After all, the son at first also assessed his father’s friend, whether it was worth greeting him, and in the end he hid behind Porfiry’s back. The same one immediately began to be polite to his old friend, address him “on you,” calling him “Your Excellency,” while he himself shrank more and more. Mikhail tried to explain that there can be no respect for rank between friends, but it was all in vain. And all this “reverence, sweetness and respectful acidity made the Privy Councilor sick. He turned away from the thin one and gave him his hand in farewell.”
Main characters
- Tolstoy (Mikhail) is successful and prosperous. He rejoices at the meeting, is interested in the life of his friend, and is disappointed that his friend turned out to be a servile hypocrite. His position is Privy Councilor (a fairly high rank in Tsarist Russia). Chekhov gives an ironic description of his character: “Fat had just had lunch at the station, and his lips, coated with oil, were shiny like ripe cherries.” The carefree life of the hero also did not escape the reader: who would drink during the working day if there are some important matters at work? This means that the official lives idlely and freely, not knowing any worries, therefore he retains his cordiality and friendliness. He is glad to have the opportunity to demonstrate his liberal views to the public and willingly recognizes his old comrade as an equal, although he realizes that this is not so. In addition, Mikhail goes through life alone, we do not see his family. This means that his fate is developing smoothly and comfortably, no one burdens him with troubles. The characteristics of Tolstoy are contained in his portrait, a feature of which was noted by Gogol: fat officials know how to get comfortable, use their positions for personal enrichment, but skinny ones do not.
- Subtle (Porfiry) – humiliated, servile and busy. He bends under the weight of his burden, questions his friend absentmindedly and superficially, flatters and humiliates himself in front of him when he learns that his friend is a Privy Councilor. His position is that of a minor official, perhaps a copyist of papers. The author described him as follows: “The thin man had just gotten out of the carriage and was laden with suitcases, bundles and cardboard boxes.” Before my mind’s eye appeared a portrait of a tortured, fussy man, on whom life presses from all sides, like trunks and bundles. The difficult lot of Porfiry, the hardships and worries of his family, taking into account the low salary, are shown through the suitcases and bags with which he is laden like a donkey. The hero is initially not free, he is burdened by family matters and responsibilities, which may be why he occupies a lower position. His servility is a cost of his profession. Without it, he will lose even the humble position he occupies. The writer emphasizes the typicality of his character, implying that all the unkempt-looking officials cannot arrange their lives differently: they bend under their superiors and never bend again, remaining on the lower steps of the career ladder.
Chekhov's attitude towards the heroes of the work is neutral. He tells the story and brings it to the attention of the readers, but does not pass moral judgment on it. He is impartial in his laconic manner of presentation.
The most important stylistic figure in the book is the antithesis, which Chekhov stated already in the title. The characters in the story “Thick and Thin” symbolize the social inequality that people themselves create between themselves. Throughout the entire work, the antithesis remains: the rich man smells of “sherry and fleur-d’orange,” while the poor man smells of “ham and coffee grounds.” When Tolstoy is delighted, his comrade turns pale. Mikhail addresses his friend on a “first name” basis, and Porfiry, having recognized his rank, begins to address him “on a personal level”. Characteristics of heroes are based on comparison. If one is shy before rank, then the other has already learned to puff up with self-satisfaction. If one person’s life is bustle and flickering, then the other’s is comfort and idleness.
Not only the attitude changes, but also the speech. Both Thin and Tolstoy use colloquial vocabulary: “My darling,” “My darling,” “Fathers,” “darling.” When Porfiry finds out his friend’s position, he switches to an official and respectful address: “your excellency,” “you, sir,” “pleasantly, sir.”
Main topics
- In the story “Fat and Thin,” the theme of social inequality occupies a central place. It gives rise to such ugly forms of opportunism as flattery and hypocrisy.
- The writer wanted to emphasize how important it is for a person to preserve his individuality, so he raised the topic of personal freedom in his work. “Subtle” people are accustomed to servility; they no longer have their own “I”. The hero was not obliged to change his tone, because this is his friend, but he is so accustomed to the accepted cliches that he can no longer do otherwise.
- The theme of moral choice is also evident. Porfiry is also a chameleon man who changes his color depending on the situation. He is governed not by morality or intelligence, but by pitiful prudence. His choice is to achieve the favor of his superiors at the cost of his own dignity.
- At the same time, the author showed that government system in Russia at that time it simply forces people to become reptiles and defend themselves from attack at any cost. The lower is completely dependent on the higher, and there is nowhere to be found at the discretion of the government. Theme of injustice political structure This is not the first time that Chekhov has been worried.
- In general, the author tries to devalue vices by ridiculing them. Satire has a good purpose: to destroy a bad personality trait by showing people how ridiculous it is. The humor in the story can be traced even at the linguistic level: the writer deliberately uses colloquial expressions adjacent to clerical speech patterns to cause a comic effect.
The main idea and meaning of the story
The author wanted to ridicule vices so that people would feel ashamed of behaving this way. Society had to squeeze out hypocrisy, which, alas, became an integral part of career growth and success in life. Thin is already a hypocrite automatically, he doesn’t even realize it, like his whole family. This is no longer private disadvantage, This global problem, which needs to be solved. The idea of the story “Fat and Thin” is that hypocrisy is more likely to destroy man A rather than help him. It is always noticeable and looks disgusting. People turn away from the hypocrite, just as Mikhail turned away from Porfiry. They see that insincerity is common among liars, and they do not want to be deceived. In addition, a hypocrite is ridiculous and insignificant, there is nothing to respect him for and it is difficult to love him. With his behavior he crosses out his reputation.
You must be able to differentiate between personal and work connections without infringing on any of these areas of life. Even if your career is not going well, and you need some help, you should not sell your personal space, your dignity. Having sold them once, a person forever loses his honor and becomes a reptile. the main idea in Chekhov's work is that the life of a hypocrite ceases to have significance for himself, its price is lower than the price of money, and other people feel this, so their attitude changes for the worse. For example, at first Tolstoy was sincerely glad to meet his friend, but then he was turned inside out by the disgusting spectacle of servility. If at first he himself thought of helping his comrade, then in the end he is ready to run away from him as fast as he can, as contempt rolls over him.
What does Chekhov teach?
The satirist ridicules veneration, which turns people into nonentities and deprives them of dignity. The author wittily showed how it destroys friendship and turns comrades into Thin and Thick, separating them forever. Such a division by rank is unjustified, because good people are everywhere, no matter what position they occupy or how much their salary is. The writer understands that sycophancy, or its opposite - contempt, only harms society, and does not order it, so he ridicules these vices.
The author bequeaths to his descendants the well-known wisdom: “Every day, drop by drop, squeeze a slave out of yourself.” It is worth devoting all of yourself to this work, otherwise conventions, prejudices, public opinion or tyrants at a higher post can break the will, eradicate individuality and leave a spineless person at the mercy of the winner. A free person develops harmoniously and gains independence of views and judgments, which allows her to choose her own path.
Interesting? Save it on your wall!