In the Belogorsk fortress. Grinev in the Belogorsk fortress

One of the works of the school curriculum, written by the Russian writer Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, is “The Captain's Daughter”. In this article we will analyze the meaning of the place in which the young man Petrusha grew spiritually and turned into the man Peter Grinev. This is the Belogorsk fortress. What role does it play in the overall design of the work? Let's figure it out.

How was the work created?

Before moving on to the question of what plot and semantic functions the Belogorsk fortress and all the episodes that took place in it perform, it is necessary to turn directly to the history of the creation of the story. No analysis of a work of art can do without analyzing the events that served as the impetus for the creation of this or that creation, without searching for real prototypes of the heroes.

The origins of the novel go back to the middle of 1832, when Alexander Sergeevich first addressed the topic of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev of 1773-1775. First, the writer gains access to secret materials with the permission of the authorities, then, in 1833, he goes to Kazan, where he looks for contemporaries of those events who have already become old people. As a result, the collected materials formed the “History of the Pugachesky Revolt,” which was published in 1834, but did not satisfy Pushkin’s artistic research.

The idea of ​​a major work directly, with a renegade hero in the title role, who ended up in the Pugachev camp, had been brewing in the author since 1832, during the time of work on the no less famous novel “Dubrovsky”. At the same time, Alexander Sergeevich had to be extremely careful, because censorship could consider such a work “freethinking” due to any little thing.

Grinev prototypes

The essential components of the story changed several times: for some time, Alexander Sergeevich was looking for a suitable surname for the key character, until he finally settled on Grinev. By the way, such a person was actually listed in real documents. During the uprising, he was suspected of conspiring with the “villains,” but as a result he was released from arrest due to the lack of proof of his guilt. However, the prototype of the main character was another person: initially it was intended to take the second lieutenant of the 2nd Grenadier Regiment, Mikhail Shvanovich, but later Alexander Sergeevich chose another participant in the events described, Basharin, who was taken prisoner by the rebels, but escaped, and eventually began to fight on side of the pacifiers of the rioters.

Instead of the planned one nobleman, two of them appeared on the pages of the book: the antagonist Shvabrin, a “vile villain,” was added to Grinev. This was done to circumvent censorship barriers

What is the genre?

The work, in which the Belogorsk fortress will play a significant role, was interpreted by the author himself as a historical novel. However, today most literary researchers, due to the small volume of a literary work, classify it as a story genre.

Belogorsk fortress: what did it look like?

The fortress appears in the story after the main character, Petrusha Grinev, reaches the age of 16. The father decides to send his son to serve in the army, which the young man thinks about with joy: he assumes that he will be sent to St. Petersburg, where he can continue to lead a wild, cheerful life. However, things turn out a little differently. Where does young Grinev end up? In the Belogorsk fortress, which, however, turned out to be even worse than its young man imagined.

Located in the Orenburg province, it was, in fact, a village surrounded by a wooden log palisade! Here Captain Mironov, the managing commandant, who, in Petrusha’s opinion, should have been a firm, stern, strict old man, turned out to be affectionate and soft, met the young man in a simple way, like a son, and conducted military exercises in a “cap and a Chinese suit.” robe." The brave army consisted entirely of old invalids who could not remember where the right was and where the left was, and the only defensive weapon in the fortress was an old cast-iron cannon, from which it is unknown when the last time they fired.

Life in the Belogorsk fortress: how Peter’s attitude changes

Over time, however, Grinev changed his opinion about the Belogorsk fortress: here he studied literature, he was surrounded by kind, bright and wise people with whom he loved to talk - this especially applied to the Mironov family, that is, to the commandant himself, his wife and daughter Masha. Peter’s feelings flared up for the latter, which is why the young man stood up to defend the girl’s honor and his attitude towards her in front of the vile, envious, jealous Shvabrin.

A duel took place between the men, as a result of which Grinev was unfairly wounded, but this only brought him even closer to Masha. Despite the lack of blessing from Father Peter, the lovers continued to remain faithful to each other in words and deeds.

After the conquest of the fortress by Emelyan Pugachev and his bandit gang, the idyll collapses. At the same time, Peter continues to remember and honor the best moments of his life spent here and does not betray this place even after it falls into the hands of the rebels. He flatly refuses to swear allegiance to Pugachev, and even the fear of death does not frighten him. The main character is ready to follow the commandant and other killed defenders of the fortress. However, the leader of the uprising agrees to spare Grinev for his integrity, honesty, and loyalty to honor.

Grinev will end up in the Belogorsk fortress, the essay about which is presented in detail in this article, even after the events described, because he will return here in order to save his beloved Masha, captured by the defector Shvabrin. As you can see, the fortress is one of the central places in the work. A large number of important episodes, from the point of view of plot and development of action, take place here.

Meaning

The essay “Belogorsk Fortress” cannot end without describing the significance of this place in the semantic structure of the story. Fortress is one of the most important components in the development of a hero’s personality. It is here that Grinev meets with serious love, here he faces the enemy. As a result, it is within the walls of the fortress that Peter turns from a boy into a mature man, a man capable of taking responsibility for his actions.

Here he thinks about many truly philosophical matters, for example, about the meaning of life, about honor, about the value of human life. Here his morality and purity are finally crystallized.

Obviously, it was simply impossible to think of a better place - Pushkin’s genius showed that appearance is not as important as life itself, way of life, traditions, and culture of a certain place. The Belogorsk fortress is an element that accumulates everything truly Russian, folk, and national.

Petrusha Grinev’s father, a retired military man, hardly ever guessed when he sent his son to serve in the Belogorsk fortress that such childish trials would fall to his lot. Little else was known about the popular revolt, about its “meaninglessness and mercilessness.” But the fact that his son should not “hang around and hang out” in St. Petersburg, but “smell gunpowder” was self-evident in his ideas about military service. “Serve faithfully to whom you swear allegiance” - this was his order.

The small garrison where Pyotr Grinev went to serve stood far from the cultural and political centers of Russia. Life here was boring and monotonous, the commandant of the fortress, Captain Mironov, taught the soldiers the intricacies of military service, his wife, Vasilisa Egorovna, delved into everything, managing the fortress as seriously as in her home. Their daughter, Marya Ivanovna Mironova, “a girl of about eighteen, chubby, ruddy, with light brown hair smoothly combed behind her ears,” was the same age as Grinev, and, of course, he immediately fell in love with her. In the house of the commandant, Grinev was received as if he were his own, and from the ease of such service, as well as from being in love, he even began to compose poetry.

Petrusha shared his literary experiences with Alexei Shvabrin, an officer exiled to the Belogorsk fortress from St. Petersburg for a duel. It soon became clear that Shvabrin was also in love with Masha, but was refused. Offended, he slandered Masha Grineva, in the hope that his comrade would doubt her integrity and stop caring for her. But Grinev challenged the slanderer to a duel and was wounded. The commandant's family tenderly nursed the wounded man, and Shvabrin harbored an even greater grudge against Grinev.

One day, this completely peaceful life of the inhabitants of the fortress was disrupted: the siege of the fortress began by rebels led by Pugachev. The forces were clearly unequal and, although Mironov’s soldiers stood to the death with their only cannon, Pugachev conquered the fortress. This is where the character of the inhabitants of the fortress manifested itself: neither the “coward” Masha nor Vasilisa Egorovna agreed to leave Mironov and take refuge in Orenburg. The captain himself, realizing that the garrison was doomed, ordered to shoot back to the end, tried to raise the garrison to attack, to strike at the enemy. This is a brave act of an elderly and quiet man, considering that Pugachev took many fortresses without a fight. Mironov did not recognize the impostor as emperor and accepted death, as befits a Russian officer. Following him, Vasilisa Egorovna died, before her death she called Pugachev a poor convict.

Masha managed to take refuge in the priest’s house, the frightened Shvabrin swore allegiance to Pugachev, and Grinev was preparing to accept death as fearlessly as the Mironovs, but suddenly the false emperor recognized him. Grinev also remembered that night when he and Savelich, on their way to service in the Belogorsk fortress, got caught in a snowstorm and lost their way. They were then led to the inn by a man who came from nowhere, whom he and Savelich conventionally called the counselor. Then, to the man’s displeasure, Grinev gave the counselor a sheepskin coat from the master’s shoulder, because he noticed how lightly he was dressed. Now Pugachev recognized Grinev and, in gratitude, let him go.

Shvabrin captured Marya Ivanovna, forcing her to surrender to him. She managed to deliver the letter to Grinev and he rushed to help her out. Pugachev again showed generosity and freed the girl. He did not change his decision even after learning that this girl was the daughter of the rebellious commandant of the Belogorsk fortress. Seeing Grinev off, he almost admitted that he was an impostor and did not believe in the happy outcome of his venture.

Thus ended the seemingly serene life of the inhabitants of the Belogorsk fortress. The usual course of events was changed by its sudden siege. Extreme events revealed the characters of its inhabitants.

The story of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin “” can safely be called a historical work, because it describes the peasant uprising led by Pugachev. We see everything that happens through the eyes of the main character Pyotr Grinev, who was sent to military service in the Belogorsk fortress.

In the fortress, Petrusha remains a completely “green” boy. He was only sixteen years old. It should be noted that the main character was under the care of his parents throughout his entire adult life and did not feel all the difficulties of his life’s journey. The Belogorsk fortress became a real school of life for Grinev. She raised him to be a real man with his own values, principles, and the ability to stand up for himself and his loved ones.

The first life lesson for him was love feelings for. The main character's first impression of Maria was based on the stories of Shvabrin, who spoke not very kindly about the girl. Over time, Grinev realizes that Masha is a smart and well-mannered girl. He stops believing words. One day he even challenges his once best friend to a duel in order to defend the honor of his beloved. Shvabrin cheated and wounded Grinev when he was distracted by Savelich’s scream.

After the duel, Peter and Maria decide to get married. True, Grinev’s parents did not approve of their son’s choice, because they received from Shvabrin about the duel and Peter’s injury.

This event completely destroyed the friendship of the two young people. Although they were very similar to each other, the only thing that distinguished them was their moral level of development. Over time, Grinev learns that all the dirty reviews about Masha were Shvabrin’s revenge for the fact that the girl rejected the advances of the young officer.

All the insignificance of Shvabrin’s personality was revealed during the capture of the Belogorsk fortress by Pugachev’s rebels. He immediately went over to Pugachev’s side. Having become the commandant of the fortress, he wanted to take advantage of the situation and force Maria to marry him, but an accident intervened, which saved the girl.

Much to Grinev’s surprise, he recognized Pugachev. It was he who helped the main character and Savelich get out of the snowstorm. It was for this that Peter presented Pugachev with a hare sheepskin coat. This act remained in Pugachev’s memory, which later reflected in his good attitude towards Grinev. The main character remained faithful to the oath, he did not recognize the true power in the rebels and openly declared that he was ready to fight for the empress to the last drop of blood.

Over time, Grinev radically changes his opinion about Pugachev. If at the beginning of the uprising he acted as a robber and impostor who achieves his goal by any means, then later we see a wise man with his own philosophy of life, which was enclosed in a Kalmyk fairy tale. But all the same, Peter could not accept this philosophy, it was not clear to him. Even Pugachev’s act of saving Maria from Shvabrin’s atrocities did not affect this. Later he releases his lovers from the fortress.

Thus, while in the Belogorsk fortress, Pyotr Grinev passed the test of friendship, love, and loyalty to his homeland. It should be noted that he passed them with honor. Now he was no longer a “green” boy, but a real officer, ready at any moment to perform a feat for the sake of his family, homeland, and empress.

The story "The Captain's Daughter" was written in 1836 by A. S. Pushkin on behalf of Pyotr Grinev. This is a story about the development of his personality, about how the Pugachev rebellion influenced his life, about his first love.

Peter's father was a retired prime minister, a man of duty and honor, despising careerists, his mother was caring, kind and loving. It was not Uncle Savelich and teacher Beaupre who were involved in education, but the yard boys.

This led to the fact that Petrusha grew up undersized

When Grinev was 15 years old, his father sent him to serve. Before even reaching his destination, he managed to lose money in billiards to Zurin, whom he had not known for even a day, got drunk for the first time, got into a snowstorm due to stubbornness - he showed boyish inexperience and dissoluteness. Although the very next day he showed qualities adopted from his mother: kindness and generosity. He looked not at the counselor’s appearance, but at what he did for Peter. I saw him as a man, and in gratitude he gave him a sheepskin coat.

The Belogorsk fortress made a depressing impression on Grinev.

Instead of formidable, impregnable bastions there is a village surrounded by a log fence, with thatched huts. Instead of a stern, angry boss, there is a commandant who went out for training in a cap and robe. Instead of a brave army, there are elderly disabled people. Instead of a deadly weapon, there is an old cannon, clogged with garbage. Life in the Belogorsk fortress reveals to the young man the beauty of the life of simple, kind people, and gives rise to the joy of communicating with them. “There was no other society in the fortress; but I didn’t want anything else,” recalls Grinev, the author of the notes. It is not military service, not shows and parades that attract the young officer, but conversations with nice, simple people, literature studies. In the fortress, Grinev meets Shvabrin, the only smart person in the fortress in his opinion.

In the fortress, Shvabrin ridicules the commandant’s family, but Grinev fell in love and does not mock their simple life. Shvabrin spoke of the commandant’s daughter as “a complete fool.” He hid how he unsuccessfully pursued her. The reason for the duel was not only Grinev’s song, but also because he could not stand ridicule of Marya Ivanovna and about the Mironov family. Grinev could have refused the duel and lodged a complaint against Shvabrin, but he entered into an unequal duel, defending his honor on his own. Shvabrin could not have imagined that the young man would offer such strong resistance. Seeing that his opponent was distracted, he struck him in the chest. And after this vile act, Shvabrin commits another one - he sends a letter of slander to Peter’s father, where he denigrates his son and Masha.

From this time on, a “period of good upheavals” began for Grinev. The young man witnesses the torture of a mutilated Bashkir, who has repeatedly participated in riots and then understands that all riots are senseless and cruel. This disgusts him, just like Pushkin, who expresses his opinion through the hero. the events that occur next help Grinev to prove himself as an officer and as a person, temper him, make him truly appreciate duty, life, love. These are the same “good shocks”: Pugachev’s attack, the executions of Ivan Kuzmich and Ivan Ignatievich, the death of Vasilisa Egorovna, the looting of houses, worry for Masha’s life and health, Grinev’s rescue thanks to a donated sheepskin coat.

In the Belogorsk fortress, where Pyotr Grinev arrived to serve, he fell in love with the daughter of the captain of the fortress, Masha Mironova. Nobility and honor do not allow him to ignore the slander of his beloved by another nobleman Alexei Shvabrin, the result of this is a duel that could cost Grinev his life; he is not afraid to die for the honor of another person - this is an indicator of growing up.

Visually imagine the picture that is contained in just one phrase: “The river has not yet frozen, and its lead waves sadly blackened in the monotonous banks covered with white snow.” Describe the epithets used here.

Leaden waves create a sharp contrast with the white shores covered with snow. Before us is a landscape of the beginning of winter, depicted graphically. It is very reminiscent of an engraving, and its outline creates an unsettling mood. Not only do the colors of the beginning of winter appear before the viewer, but a certain mood is also created. Thus, the epithet lead conveys the heavy movement of freezing water.

Carefully read the description of the Belogorsk fortress and compare it with the imaginary fortress that Petrusha expected to see. How could the idea of ​​a mighty fortress form in the minds of a minor?

Petrusha read little, but even in the fairy tales that he could hear from his mothers and nannies, there were fairy-tale palaces and impregnable fortresses. They are always depicted in our minds as mighty, made of powerful stones and with their walls and towers stretching upward. It’s worth imagining such a fortress for a moment, and then rereading the description of the poor and neglected structure that the Belogorsk fortress was. At the same time, you will immediately feel the strength of the disappointment that should have gripped Petrusha.

Describe the first appearance of the new officer at the commandant of the fortress. With what feeling does the narrator describe this scene? How is this description related to the second epigraph of the chapter (“Old people, my father”)? Let us remember that these are words from “The Minor” by D. I. Fonvizin. Who says this phrase in a comedy?

Let's not forget that the story is narrated from the perspective of Pyotr Grinev, who has matured and remembers his youth. The scene of Petrusha’s appearance at the commandant of the Belogorsk fortress is described with a feeling of sympathy and a slight smile from the elder over the naive ignorant who found himself in a new situation. The simplicity and patriarchal nature of the life of the inhabitants of the fortress evokes affection and helps to immediately appreciate the new participants in the events of the story. These are truly “old people”. But such a definition in no way detracts from their dignity. The patriarchal nature of everyday life and the strict adherence to customs only support the atmosphere of sympathy that arises when reading.

There is no irony in the epigraph to the chapter. Let us remind you that these are the words of Mrs. Prostakova from the comedy “The Minor” (act three, scene V).

Give portraits of those “old people” whom Grinev recognized in the Belogorsk fortress.

The story about the people whom Pyotr Grinev recognized in the Belogorsk fortress can be told in the order of their appearance on the pages of the chapter. The first was an “old invalid” who, sitting on a table, sewed a patch onto the elbow of his green uniform. He immediately said to the newcomer: “Enter, father, our houses.”

The “old lady in a padded jacket,” who, together with the “crooked old man in an officer’s uniform,” was unwinding the threads, was Vasilisa Egorovna, the wife of the commandant, the main person in this provincial little world.

She tells Grinev about Shvabrin and summons the constable Maksimych, a young and stately Cossack.

Grinev gets used to his new surroundings. It becomes obvious to the reader that the relationships of people in the Belogorsk fortress are completely determined by the words from “The Minor.”

Those who wish can prepare a story - a genre sketch of the life of the Belogorsk fortress in peacetime.

The story about the peaceful course of life in the Belogorsk fortress may well coincide with the retelling of Chapter III “Fortress”. It is worth talking about the very modest strengthening, the patriarchal nature of life, and the inextricable connection with official decisions, which are still made in peacetime, about how the military service goes. You can introduce into this story, for example, a description of how the hut was chosen for Grinev’s residence. “Take Pyotr Andreich to Semyon Kuzov. He, a swindler, let his horse into my garden.” This is the motive for the newly arrived officer to stay.

Carefully read the brief description of the landscape opening from the window of Semyon Kuzov’s hut, where Grinev was assigned to billet. What role does this description play in the chapter?

The place where Grinev was assigned to live was located at the very edge of the fortress, on the high bank of the river. “The sad steppe stretched out before me. Several huts stood diagonally; There were several chickens wandering around the street. The old woman, standing on the porch with a trough, called to the pigs, who answered her with a friendly grunt.” This description prepared the reader to understand the state of the young officer: “And this is the direction in which I was condemned to spend my youth!”