B. G. Belinsky said that it is upbringing that decides the fate of each person. This can be fully attributed to Oblomov Ilya Ilyich and Stolz Andrey Ivanovich - the two main characters of the novel "Oblomov" by I. A. Goncharov. These people, it would seem, come from the same environment, class, time. Therefore, they should have the same aspirations, lifestyles, worldviews. Why, then, when reading the work, we notice in Stolz and Oblomov mainly differences, and not similarities? In order to answer this question, one should turn to the origins that shaped the characters of the two characters we are interested in. You will see that the upbringing of Stolz and Oblomov had its own characteristics that influenced their entire future life.
Oblomov's dream
The first chapter of the work is dedicated to Ilyusha's childhood. Goncharov himself called it "the overture of the whole novel." From this chapter we will learn in general terms what Oblomov's upbringing was. Quotes from it are not accidental oftenare cited as proof that Elijah's life simply could not have turned out differently. In the first chapter of the work, one can find the key to the nature of the title character, an inactive, lazy, apathetic person who is used to subsist on the labor of his serfs.
As soon as Ilya Ilyich dozed off, he began to dream the same dream: the affectionate hands of his mother, her gentle voice, the hugs of friends and relatives … Each time Oblomov returned to his childhood in a dream, when he was loved by everyone and absolutely happy. He seemed to be running into childhood memories from real life. Under what conditions was his personality formed, how was Oblomov's upbringing?
The atmosphere that prevailed in Oblomovka
Ilyusha spent his childhood in Oblomovka, in his native village. His parents were nobles, and life in the village went according to special laws. The village was dominated by the cult of doing nothing, sleeping, eating, and undisturbed peace. True, sometimes the quiet course of life was nevertheless disturbed by quarrels, losses, illnesses and labor, which was considered a punishment for the inhabitants of the village, from which they sought to get rid of at the first opportunity. Let's talk about what kind of upbringing Oblomov received. You probably already have some idea of him based on the above.
How were Ilyusha's aspirations thwarted?
Oblomov's upbringing was expressed mainly in prohibitions. Ilyusha, a mobile, dexterous child, was forbidden to do any housework (there are servants for this). In addition, his desire forindependence each time was interrupted by the cries of the nanny and parents, who did not allow the boy to take a step without supervision, as they were afraid that he would catch a cold or hurt himself. Interest in the world, activity - all this in Ilyusha's childhood was condemned by adults who did not allow him to frolic, jump, run on the street. But this is necessary for any child for the development, knowledge of life. Oblomov's improper upbringing led to the fact that Ilyusha's forces, seeking manifestations, turned inward and, fading, nicked. Instead of activity, he was instilled with a love for a good afternoon nap. In the novel, he is described as a "true likeness of death," replacing Oblomov's upbringing. Quotations from the text, no less vivid, can be found dedicated to good food, the cult of which has become almost the only occupation in the village.
Influence of the nanny's tales
Besides, the ideal of inactivity was constantly reinforced by the nanny's tales about "Emel the Fool", who received various gifts from the magic pike, while doing nothing. Oblomov Ilya Ilyich will subsequently be sad, lying on his sofa, and ask himself: "Why is life not a fairy tale?".
Ilya Ilyich is called a dreamer by everyone. But after all, Oblomov’s upbringing with the endless tales of the nanny about firebirds, sorcerers, heroes, Militris Kirbityevna, could not but sow in his soul hope for the best, the belief that problems would somehow be resolved by themselves? In addition, these tales gave the hero a fear of life. Oblomov's lazy childhood and upbringing led to the fact that Ilya Ilyich tried in vain to hide fromreality in his apartment, located on Gorokhovaya street, and then - on the Vyborg side.
Ilyusha's parents' attitude towards education
Parents tried not to burden Ilyusha with education, believing that studying is not worth missing holidays and losing he alth. Therefore, they used every opportunity to keep their child out of school. Ilyusha himself soon realized that he liked such a sluggish and measured existence. Oblomov's childhood and upbringing did their job. Habit, as they say, is second nature. And the adult Ilya Ilyich was completely satisfied with the situation in which the servants do everything for him, and he has nothing left to worry about and worry about. So the hero's childhood imperceptibly flowed into adulthood.
Ilya Ilyich's adult life
Not much has changed about her. The whole existence of Oblomov in his own eyes was still divided into 2 halves. The first is work and boredom (these concepts were synonymous with him), and the second is peaceful fun and peace. Zakhar changed his nanny, and Vyborgskaya street in the city of St. Petersburg - Oblomovka. Ilya Ilyich was so afraid of any activity, he was so afraid of any changes in his life that even the dream of love was not able to bring this hero out of apathy.
That is why he was satisfied with living together with a good hostess Pshenitsyna, since she became nothing more than a continuation of life in the village of Oblomovka.
Parents of Andrei Stolz
Fullthe opposite of Ilya Ilyich is Andrei Ivanovich. Stolz's upbringing took place in a poor family. Andrei's mother was a Russian noblewoman, and his father was a Russified German. Each of them contributed to the upbringing of Stolz.
Father influence
Stolz Ivan Bogdanovich, Andrey's father, taught his son the German language, practical sciences. Andrei began to work early - to help Ivan Bogdanovich, who was demanding with him and strict in a burgher style. Stolz's upbringing in the novel "Oblomov" contributed to the fact that pragmatism and a serious outlook on life developed in him at a young age. For him, everyday work became a necessity, which Andrey considered an integral part of his life.
Mother's influence
Andrey's mother also made her contribution to the upbringing of Stolz in the novel "Oblomov". She looked at her husband's methods with concern. This woman wanted to make Andrei a sweet and clean boy-master, one of those whom she had seen when she worked as a governess in rich Russian families. Her soul languished when Andryusha returned after a fight, all tattered or dirty after the field or factory, where he went with his father. And she began to cut his nails, sew elegant shirt-fronts and collars, curl his curls, order clothes in the city. Stolz's mother taught him to listen to the sounds of Hertz. She sang to him about flowers, whispered about the calling of a writer, then a warrior, dreamed of a high role that falls to the lot of other people. Andrei's mother in many ways wanted her son to be like Oblomov, and therefore, withwith pleasure she often let him go to Sosnovka.
So, you can see that, on the one hand, Andrei's upbringing was based on practicality, his father's efficiency, and on the other, his mother's daydreaming. In addition, there was Oblomovka nearby, in which there is an "eternal holiday", where work is sold from the shoulders, like a yoke. All this influenced the formation of Stolz's character.
Leaving home
Of course, Andrei's father loved him in his own way, but he did not consider it necessary to show his feelings. The scene of Stolz's farewell to his father is poignant to tears. Even at that moment, Ivan Bogdanovich could not find kind words for his son. Andrei, swallowing tears of resentment, sets off. It seems that at this moment Stolz, despite the efforts of his mother, leaves no room in his soul for "empty dreams". He takes with him into an independent life only what, in his opinion, was necessary: purposefulness, practicality, prudence. In distant childhood, everything else remained, along with the image of the mother.
Life in St. Petersburg
He goes after graduation to St. Petersburg, where he takes on business (sends goods abroad), travels around the world, leads an active life and manages everything. Despite the fact that he was the same age as Oblomov, this hero managed to achieve much more in life. He made money and a house. Energy and activity contributed to the successful career of this hero. He achieved heights that he could not even dream of. Stolz managed to properly manage his life and abilities,inherent in it by nature.
Everything was in moderation in his life: both joys and sorrows. Andrei prefers the direct path, which suits his simple outlook on life. He was not disturbed by dreams or imagination - he simply did not allow them into his life. This hero did not like to speculate, he always retained self-esteem in his behavior, as well as a sober, calm look at people and things. Andrei Ivanovich considered passions to be a destructive force. His life was like "slow and steady burning of fire".
Stolz and Oblomov - two different fates
The upbringing of Stolz and Oblomov, as you can see, was significantly different, although both of them came from a noble environment and belonged to the same stratum of society. Andrey and Ilya are people with different worldviews and characters, so the fates were so different. The upbringings of Oblomov and Stolz were very different. The comparison allows us to notice that this fact greatly influenced the adult life of these heroes. The active Andrei tried until the last day to "carry the vessel of life" and not spill a single drop in vain. And the apathetic and soft Ilya was too lazy to even just get up from the sofa and leave his room so that the servants would clean it up. Olga Oblomova once asked Ilya in anguish about what had ruined him. To this he replied: "Oblomovism." N. A. Dobrolyubov, a well-known critic, also believed that "Oblomovism" was the fault of all the troubles of Ilya Ilyich. This is the environment in which the protagonist was forced to grow up.
The role of education inshaping a person's personality
The problem of education in the novel "Oblomov" was not accidentally accentuated by the author. As you can see, the way of life, worldview, character of each person are formed in childhood. The environment in which personality development takes place, teachers, parents - all this greatly influences the formation of character. If a child is not taught from childhood to work and independence, if one does not show him by his own example that something useful should be done every day and that time should not be wasted, then one should not be surprised that he will grow up a weak-willed and lazy person, similar to Ilya Ilyich from Goncharov's work.
