What is honor using the example of Grinev. Honor and dishonor in the story “The Captain's Daughter”
Take care of your dress again, and take care of your honor from a young age. Probably, each of us first thought about the validity of this famous proverb when we read “The Captain’s Daughter” by A.S. at school. Pushkin. Indeed, what is honor: many today, unfortunately, consider this concept to be far-fetched, ephemeral, and divorced from real life. Others argue that honor has always been the basis of loyalty to the Motherland, cause, and family. Let's try to answer the question: what is honor and why, according to A.S. Pushkin, it is necessary from a young age to “protect it like a crystal vessel, like the main jewel of life.”
Let's turn to the novel "The Captain's Daughter". The main character, a young Russian nobleman Pyotr Grinev, goes through the most difficult trials without losing the honor of an officer and a decent person. How does he do this? The reader knows that Petrusha, as Savelich affectionately calls him, did not receive a serious education or a decent upbringing. On the one hand, Monsieur Beaupré, who “was a hairdresser in his fatherland” and did not even try to instill in the soul of a Russian boy the concepts of honor and dignity, since you cannot invest in a student what you do not possess yourself. On the other hand, before leaving for the Belogorsk fortress, Savelich, although he was considered Petrusha’s “uncle,” did not exert any influence on the teenager, because so far the young nobleman treated the elderly man only as a servant. Where does the idea of honor come from in the boy’s fragile soul? Of course, this is the influence of the parents, primarily the father, a nobleman of Catherine’s time, who suffered precisely for his honesty and decency.
When Petrusha got to the Belogorsk fortress, unbeknownst to him, the formation of ideas about honor and dignity continued. Communication with the family of Captain Mironov became a real school of kindness, human responsiveness, and an example of service to Russia. Thus, by the time Pugachev captured the fortress, the young Russian officer Pyotr Andreevich Grinev was already a mature personality, a man for whom honor was more valuable than life. And no circumstances could shake Petrusha from changing his moral principles. Therefore, to the rebel’s proposal, he proudly and honestly replies that he has already sworn allegiance to the fatherland and the empress once - “I will not swear allegiance again.” Pushkin's hero, of course, risked his life by so boldly and decisively refusing to cooperate with Pugachev. But it was the honor and courage of the young officer that was appreciated by the formidable leader of the peasant uprising. That’s why he helps Petrusha because he sees in this yesterday’s boy a moral quality that is rarely found even among officers - the honor of a soldier and a man!
Grinev and his beloved Masha had to go through many trials. Their behavior and actions are endlessly admired and surprised: nowhere, never, under any circumstances did they compromise their dignity, their ideas about duty, honor, and justice. And what a wonderful example they are for all of us!
Thus, we can conclude: honor is not a speculative concept divorced from the realities of life. This is an enduring moral value that is formed from childhood and which must be protected throughout life. Its antipodes are dishonor, meanness, betrayal. Not everyone will be able to preserve honor from their youth, as Pushkin himself, who knew very well what honor is, believes: only those who are demanding of themselves, constantly working on themselves, decent, worthy, honest are capable of this!
Searched here:
- honor definition for an essay captain's daughter
- what is honor according to the novel the captain's daughter essay
- how do you understand the meaning of the word honor write an essay reasoning the captain's daughter
One of the main themes in Pushkin’s story “The Captain’s Daughter” is the theme of honor and duty. This theme is already set by the epigraph to the work - the Russian proverb “Take care of your honor from a young age.” The father gives the same parting words to Petrusha Grinev, seeing off his son to military service.
And the very act of Andrei Petrovich Grinev, who instead of St. Petersburg sends his son to a “deaf and distant side” so that Petrusha becomes a real officer, characterizes him as a man of honor and duty. The Grinevs are an old noble family. Pushkin emphasizes the strictness of Andrei Petrovich’s morals, his wisdom, and self-esteem.
It is characteristic that the concept of “honor and duty” in the story is ambiguous. In the story of Petrusha Grinev’s acquaintance with Zurin, when the young man lost a hundred rubles to his new acquaintance, we are talking about noble honor. Petrusha’s money was kept by Savelich, and the young man had to quarrel with his uncle in order to get the required amount. Amazed by the size of this amount, Savelich tries to dissuade Grinev from paying the debt. “You are my light! listen to me, the old man: write to this robber that you were joking, that we don’t even have that kind of money,” he persuades his pupil. However, Grinev cannot help but pay his billiard debt - for him it is a matter of noble honor.
The theme of honor is also realized in the history of Grinev’s relationship with Masha Mironova. Defending the honor of his beloved girl, the hero challenges his rival, Shvabrin, to a duel. However, the intervention of the commandant prevented the duel, and only then did it resume. Here we are talking about the lady’s honor, about the duty to her.
Having fallen in love with the daughter of Captain Mironov, Grinev feels responsible for her fate. He sees his duty as protecting and preserving his beloved girl. When Masha becomes Shvabrin's prisoner, Grinev is ready to do anything to free her. Not finding support from the official authorities, he turns to Pugachev for help. And Pugachev helps young people despite the fact that Masha is the daughter of the commandant of the Belogorsk fortress, the daughter of an officer of the enemy troops. Here, along with the theme of knightly honor, the motif of male honor arises. By rescuing Masha, his bride, from Shvabrin’s captivity, Grinev simultaneously defends his masculine honor.
After Grinev's arrest, a trial took place. However, while defending himself, the hero could not reveal the true state of affairs, because he was afraid to involve Masha Mironova in this story. “It occurred to me that if I named her, the commission would demand her to answer; and the idea of entangling her name among the vile reports of villains and bringing her herself into a confrontation with them - this terrible thought struck me so much that I hesitated and became confused.” Grinev prefers to suffer an undeserved punishment rather than insult the good name of Marya Ivanovna. Thus, in relation to Masha, the hero behaves like a true knight protecting his lady.
Another meaning of the concept of “honor and duty” in the story is military honor, loyalty to the oath, loyalty to duty to the Fatherland. This theme is also embodied in the history of the relationship between Grinev and Pugachev. After the capture of the Belogorsk fortress, Pugachev saved the hero from the death penalty and pardoned him. However, Grinev cannot recognize him as the sovereign, since he understands who he really is. “I was again brought to the impostor and made to kneel before him. Pugachev extended his sinewy hand to me. “Kiss the hand, kiss the hand!” they said around me. But I would prefer the most brutal execution to such vile humiliation,” recalls Grinev. However, this time everything worked out: Pugachev only joked that the young man was “stupified with joy,” and let him go.
However, further the drama and tension in the story increase. Pugachev asks Grinev if he recognizes his “sovereign” and if he promises to serve him. The position of the young man is very ambiguous: he cannot recognize the impostor as sovereign, and, at the same time, he does not want to expose himself to useless risks. Grinev hesitates, but the sense of duty triumphs “over human weakness.” He overcomes his own cowardice and frankly admits to Pugachev that he cannot consider him a sovereign. A young officer cannot serve an impostor: Grinev is a natural nobleman who swore allegiance to the empress.
Then the situation becomes even more dramatic. Pugachev is trying to make Grinev promise not to oppose the rebels. But the hero cannot promise him this either: he is obliged to obey the requirements of military duty, to obey orders. However, this time Pugachev’s soul softened - he let the young man go.
The theme of honor and duty is also embodied in other episodes of the story. Here Ivan Kuzmich Mironov refuses to recognize the impostor as sovereign. Despite the injury, he fulfills his duty as the commandant of the fortress to the end. He prefers to die rather than betray his military duty. Ivan Ignatyich, the garrison lieutenant who refused to swear allegiance to Pugachev, also dies heroically.
Thus, the theme of honor and duty receives the most varied embodiment in Pushkin’s story. This is noble honor, knightly honor and lady's honor, male honor, military honor, human duty. All these motives, merging together, form a semantic polyphony in the plot of the story.
31.12.2020 “The work on writing essays 9.3 on the collection of tests for the OGE 2020, edited by I.P. Tsybulko, has been completed on the site’s forum.”
10.11.2019 - On the site forum, work on writing essays on the collection of tests for the Unified State Exam 2020, edited by I.P. Tsybulko, has ended.
20.10.2019 - On the site forum, work has begun on writing essays 9.3 on the collection of tests for the OGE 2020, edited by I.P. Tsybulko.
20.10.2019 - On the site forum, work has begun on writing essays on the collection of tests for the Unified State Exam 2020, edited by I.P. Tsybulko.
20.10.2019 - Friends, many materials on our website are borrowed from the books of Samara methodologist Svetlana Yuryevna Ivanova. Starting this year, all her books can be ordered and received by mail. She sends collections to all parts of the country. All you have to do is call 89198030991.
29.09.2019 - Over all the years of operation of our website, the most popular material from the Forum, dedicated to the essays based on the collection of I.P. Tsybulko 2019, has become the most popular. It was watched by more than 183 thousand people. Link >>
22.09.2019 - Friends, please note that the texts of presentations for the 2020 OGE will remain the same
15.09.2019 - A master class on preparing for the Final Essay in the direction of “Pride and Humility” has begun on the forum website.
10.03.2019 - On the site forum, work on writing essays on the collection of tests for the Unified State Exam by I.P. Tsybulko has been completed.
07.01.2019 - Dear visitors! In the VIP section of the site, we have opened a new subsection that will be of interest to those of you who are in a hurry to check (complete, clean up) your essay. We will try to check quickly (within 3-4 hours).
16.09.2017 - A collection of stories by I. Kuramshina “Filial Duty”, which also includes stories presented on the bookshelf of the Unified State Exam Traps website, can be purchased both electronically and in paper form via the link >>
09.05.2017 - Today Russia celebrates the 72nd anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War! Personally, we have one more reason to be proud: it was on Victory Day, 5 years ago, that our website went live! And this is our first anniversary!
16.04.2017 - In the VIP section of the site, an experienced expert will check and correct your work: 1. All types of essays for the Unified State Exam in literature. 2. Essays on the Unified State Exam in Russian. P.S. The most profitable monthly subscription!
16.04.2017 - The work on writing a new block of essays based on the texts of the Obz has FINISHED on the site.
25.02 2017 - Work has begun on the site on writing essays based on the texts of OB Z. Essays on the topic “What is good?” You can already watch.
28.01.2017 - Ready-made condensed statements on the texts of the FIPI OBZ appeared on the website,
Russian writers have always addressed the problem of honor and morality in their works. It seems to me that this problem was and is one of the central ones in Russian literature. Honor ranks first among moral symbols. You can survive many troubles and hardships, but, probably, not a single people on earth will come to terms with the decay of morality. Loss of honor is a decline in moral principles, which is always followed by punishment. The concept of honor is brought up in a person from childhood. Thus, using the example of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin’s story “The Captain’s Daughter,” it is clearly visible how this happens in life and what results it leads to.
The main character of the story, Pyotr Andreevich Grinev, has been brought up since childhood in an environment of high everyday morality. In Grinev, the kind, loving heart of his mother seemed to be combined with honesty, directness, courage - qualities that are inherent in his father. Andrei Petrovich Grinev has a negative attitude towards easy but dishonest ways to make a career at court. That is why he did not want to send his son Petrusha to serve in St. Petersburg, in the guard: “What will he learn by serving in St. Petersburg? Wander and hang out? - Andrei Petrovich says to his wife. “No, let him serve in the army, let him pull the strap, let him smell gunpowder, let him be a soldier, not a chamaton.” In his parting words to his son, Grinev especially emphasizes the need to maintain honor: “Serve faithfully to whom you swear allegiance, obey your superiors; Don’t chase their affection; don’t ask for service; don’t talk yourself out of serving and remember the proverb: take care of your dress again, but take care of your honor from a young age.” This parting word from his father stays with Grinev for the rest of his life and helps Petrushi not to stray from the right path.
Since childhood, Grinev has been greatly influenced by his faithful servant, but at the same time also by his friend, Savelich. Savelich considers it his duty to serve Petrusha and be devoted to him from beginning to end. His devotion to his masters is far from slavish. In Petrusha's childhood, Savelich not only teaches him to write and judge the merits of a greyhound dog, but he also gives Grinev important advice that helped Petrusha Grinev in the future. With these words, for example, an old servant educates his ward Pyotr Grinev, who got drunk for the first time and behaved unsightly: “It seems that neither the father nor the grandfather were drunkards; There’s nothing to say about mother...” Thus, Grinev’s father and his faithful servant Savelich raised Peter from childhood to be a nobleman who did not consider it possible to change his oath and go over to the side of his enemies for his own good.
The first time, Pyotr Grinev acted honorably, returning the gambling debt, although in that situation Savelich tried to persuade him to evade payment. But nobility prevailed. It would seem like such a small thing, but it’s with these little things that everything begins.
A man of honor, in my opinion, is always kind and selfless in his interactions with others. For example, Pyotr Grinev, despite Savelich’s dissatisfaction, thanked the tramp for his service by giving him a hare sheepskin coat. This act saved both of their lives in the future. This episode seems to say that fate itself protects a person who lives by honor. But, of course, it’s not a matter of fate, but simply there are more people on earth who remember good than evil, which means that a noble person has a better chance of everyday happiness.
Moral tests awaited Grinev in the Belgorod fortress, where he served. There Peter met the daughter of boss Mironov. Because of Masha, Peter quarreled with his vile comrade Shvabrin, who, as it later turned out, wooed her, but was refused. Not wanting anyone to discredit Masha’s good name with impunity, Grinev challenges the offender to a duel. He acted like a real man.
Shvabrin is the complete opposite of Grinev. He is a selfish and ungrateful person. For the sake of his personal goals, Shvabrin is ready to commit any dishonorable act. This shows up in everything. Even during the duel, he did not hesitate to take advantage of a dishonorable situation to strike. The duel almost ended with the death of Grinev due to Shvabrin’s meanness, if not for Savelich. When Savelich found out about Grinev’s duel with Shvabrin, he rushed to the place of the duel with the intention of protecting his master. “God knows, I ran to shield you with my chest from Alexei Ivanovich’s sword.” However, Grinev not only did not thank the old man, but also accused him of informing his parents. Although, having recovered, Grinev learned that it was Shvabrin, once his best friend, who wrote a denunciation against him to Grinev, his father. No wonder they say: “Never talk bad about yourself, your friends will tell you everything themselves.” Naturally, this aroused in Peter hatred of his enemy. Grinev’s righteous anger is close and understandable to me. After all, Shvabrin was always a “stone” in Grinev’s path. However, fate did not deprive Shvabrin of its attention for his sins. He got what he deserved. Shvabrin will side with Pugachev, and he will be condemned as an officer who took the oath.
It seems to me that Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin wanted to show that external culture has little influence on the development of a person’s personality and character. After all, Shvabrin was more educated than Grinev. He read French novels, he was a smart conversationalist. Shvabrin even got Grinev addicted to reading. Apparently, the family in which a person is raised is of decisive importance.
In the life of every person there is an intersection of two roads, and at the crossroads there is a stone with the inscription: “If you walk through life with honor, you will die.” If you go against honor, you will live.” It was in front of this stone that the inhabitants of the fortress, including Grinev and Shvabrin, now stood. During the Pugachev rebellion, the moral qualities of some heroes of the story and the baseness of the feelings of others were especially evident.
I learned that Captain Mironov and his wife chose death, but did not surrender to the mercy of the rebels. Honor and duty in their understanding are above all. The Mironovs’ concept of honor and duty does not go beyond the scope of the charter, but you can always rely on such people. They are right in their own way. Mironov is characterized by a sense of loyalty to duty, word, oath. He is not capable of treason and betrayal for the sake of his own well-being; he will accept death, but will not change, will not renounce his service. His courage, loyalty to duty and oath, his moral value and deep humanity are traits of a true Russian character. Vasilisa Egorovna was of the same opinion as her husband. Masha's mother was an exemplary wife who understood her husband well and tried to help him in every possible way. In my memory she remained like this until the last.
Shvabrin was filled with indifference and contempt for the common people and honest petty service people, for Mironov, who was fulfilling his duty and morally standing above Shvabrin. The sense of honor in Shvabrin was very poorly developed. Shvabrin, as one would expect, went over to Pugachev’s side, but did not do so out of ideological convictions: he hoped to save his life, hoped to make a career with him if Pugachev was successful, and most importantly, he wanted, having dealt with his enemy, to forcibly marry Masha who didn't love him. Shvabrin did not understand what honor and duty were. Perhaps, deep down in his soul, he knew that such noble feelings existed, but they were not inherent in him. In extreme situations, he first of all wanted to survive, even through humiliation.
As for Grinev, it is quite clear that he chose death. After all, having sworn allegiance to Pugachev, the killer of Masha’s parents, Petrusha became an accomplice in the crime. To kiss Pugachev’s hand meant to betray all life’s ideals, to betray honor. Grinev could not break the moral code and live the vile life of a traitor. It was better to die, but to die a hero. Peter still did not kiss Pugachev’s hand. If it were not for Savelich’s intervention at the time of trial and oath, Grinev would have been hanged. This is how Grinev himself spoke about this scene: “Suddenly I heard a cry: “Wait, you damned ones!” Wait!” The executioners stopped. I look: Savelich is lying at Pugachev’s feet. “Dear father! - said the poor guy - What do you want in the death of the master’s child? Let him go; They will give you a ransom for it; and for the sake of example and fear, order them to hang even me as an old man!” Pugachev gave a sign, and they immediately untied me and left me.” I think that in this episode Savelich accomplished a real feat. He always fussed and cared about his “master,” and Grinev did not take this into account, as if this was how everything should be, and yet Savelich saved his life for the second time. This is what it meant for Savelich to be truly devoted and to observe his duty.
It seems to me that Pugachev showed generosity towards the young officer not only out of gratitude for the old service. Although Pugachev and Grinev were even for a long time: Pugachev gave Grinev a ride home, and in gratitude he gave him a sheepskin coat. Pugachev equally, it seemed to me, appreciated Grinev as a man of honor. The leader of the popular uprising himself set noble goals for himself - the liberation of serfs and the fight for their personal independence, so Pugachev was not alien to the concepts of honor.
At the feast, a verbal duel arises between Pugachev and Grinev. But unexpectedly for both of them, a warrior wakes up in Grinev the child. He stands with dignity for his ideals, his honor before Russia and is ready to accept death. But at the same time, a man wakes up in Pugachev the robber. He begins to understand Petrusha: “But he’s right!” He is a man of honor. It doesn’t matter that he is still young, and most importantly, he does not evaluate life in a childish way!” It was at this stage that Pugachev and Grinev found a common language. Their souls seemed to merge into a single whole and mutually enriched.
Grinev's morality even influenced Pugachev himself. The chieftain told the officer a fairy tale he had heard from an old Kalmyk woman, in which it was said that it was better to drink blood once than to eat carrion for three hundred years. Of course, the fairy eagle and the raven were arguing at the moment, solving a purely human problem at the moment. Discussing this fairy tale, Pugachev and Grinev express their position in life. Pugachev has no choice, he cannot live otherwise, for him rebellion is the meaning of life, for Grinev, “to live by murder and robbery means, for me, to peck at carrion.” The heroes do not agree on the definition of the basis of life and nevertheless are friendly to each other. After their conversation, Pugachev then plunges into deep thoughts. Therefore, deep down, Pugachev had noble roots.
When Pugachev freed Masha Mironova, he invited Grinev to get married right away, and he himself wanted to be his imprisoned father. However, Grinev politely refused, and Pugachev managed to understand him and let him go. This episode reveals the amazing humanity of Pugachev’s morality. Having learned that two young people loved each other, he sought to promote their happiness. Do you like it? Then get together, get married, be happy: “Take your beauty; take her wherever you want, and God give you love and advice!”
Shvabrin, too, was powerless in implementing his insidious and selfish plans. Pugachev not only did not support Shvabrin, but also clearly made it clear to him that he was dishonest and therefore not a competitor to Grinev.
It would seem that a connection with the rebellious ataman would become fatal for Grinev. He is actually arrested based on a denunciation. He faces the death penalty, but Grinev decides, for reasons of honor, not to name his beloved. If he had told the whole truth about such a situation, he would probably have been acquitted. But at the very last moment, justice triumphed. Masha herself turns to a lady close to the Empress for Grinev’s pardon. In trouble, Masha revealed such spiritual depths that at the beginning of the story I could not have imagined in a young girl who blushed every time at the mere mention of her name. It would seem that Masha is so weak. But, deciding that she will never marry the vile Shvabrin in her life, she gathers courage and for the sake of her lover goes all the way to the empress herself to defend her love. These are her principles that she will not compromise. The lady takes the poor girl at her word. This fact suggests that in a society where most people live by honor, justice is always easier to prevail. The lady turns out to be the empress herself, and the fate of her beloved Masha is decided for the better.
Grinev remains a man of honor to the end. He was present at the execution of Pugachev, to whom he owed his happiness. Pugachev recognized him and nodded from the scaffold. Pyotr Grinev showed himself from the very beginning in all the trials that befell him from the very best side. In all his actions, he was guided by his convictions, without betraying his oath and the concept of honor and morality.
So, the proverb “take care of your honor from a young age” has the meaning of a life talisman that helps you overcome harsh life trials.
The concepts of honor, duty, and conscience were fundamental in the Grinev family of nobles. The reader learns about this from the first lines of the work. Pyotr Grinev's father, Andrei Petrovich Grinev, was exiled to the distant Simbirsk province because he preferred imprisonment in the Belogorsk fortress to betrayal and sycophancy. He served under Count Minich, was lucky and brave. The reader learns about this from the notes of Grinev Jr. However, Count Minich did not want to serve the illegal power seized as a result of another palace coup, and resigned. Following Count Minich, Andrei Petrovich Grinev leaves the capital, preferring to remain in harmony with his honor and conscience.
Grinev raised his son, Peter, so that he would live openly and never bow his head to untruth. As soon as Petrusha was born, he was enlisted in the Life Guards regiment. This was the tradition among nobles in the 18th century. The father dreamed that his son would serve the state, just like he did in his youth. And Peter really had to defend his honor and the honor of his family.
Of course, nobility and love reign in the Grinev family. The reader observes how touchingly Grinev Sr. treats his wife, with whom he has been together for many years. Subsequently, Peter treats Masha Mironova the same way.
Code of Honor of Peter Grinev
Andrei Petrovich sends his son to serve not in St. Petersburg, which he dreams of, but in the remote Orenburg region. And it’s no coincidence. He knows that in youth there are so many temptations lurking at every turn. At the beginning, Pyotr Grinev appears before the reader as a certain young rake, disappointed and bored, who is able to gamble and lose everything to Zurin, he can shout at his uncle Savelich. Although the reader understands that Peter repents of his actions, he is tormented by his conscience. This characterizes him as an honest and worthy person.
In the Simbirsk fortress, Peter faces trials. He suddenly finds himself at the crossroads of two roads, in front of a stone with the inscription “If you walk through life with honor, you will die. If you go against honor, you will live.” And Petrusha did not let down the family honor of the Grinevs, he justified his father’s aspirations.
Even the fear of death does not allow him to turn away from the path of honor when Grinev finds himself in front of Pugachev. Like his father, Peter could not swear allegiance to the impostor who was Pugachev, although exclamations were heard around him: “Kiss the hand, kiss the hand!” Didn't kiss. Otherwise there would be no Grinev. And Pugachev, being an intelligent person, appreciated the moral principles of Pyotr Grinev. And for the sake of his beloved - Masha Mironova - for the sake of her maiden honor, Grinev is ready to sacrifice his life.
Thus, throughout the story “The Captain's Daughter,” Pushkin draws before the reader a certain code of honor for the Grinev family in general and Peter in particular. He remains faithful to the oath to the end, is always ready to defend his honor and dignity, repeatedly demonstrates his nobility of soul and is ready to sacrifice his life to save the honor of his beloved girl. These are the moral principles of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev.