The meaning of the fairy tale bear in the voivodeship. Literary analysis of the fairy tale "The Bear in Voivodeship"!! Visual material for the lesson

M. E. SALTYKOV-SHCHEDRIN

BEAR IN THE VOIVODIA

“Large and serious atrocities are often called brilliant and, as such, are recorded on the tablets of History.” And even contemporaries scold petty crimes.

Toptygin 1st

Toptygin was the first to want to get on the tablets of History so much that he forgot that he knew how to build dens, and “he kept turning to one thing: “Bloodsheds... bloodsheds... that’s what is needed!” For this lust for blood, Lev promoted the bear to the rank of major and sent him to the distant forest as a governor. As soon as he arrived, he decided to start bloodshed the next day. And while waiting, I drank a bucket of vodka and lay down in the clearing to sleep. As luck would have it, Chizhik flew past, mistook the bear for a block of wood, sat on it and began to sing. The bear, with a hangover, didn’t figure out what this “internal adversary” was, but simply took and ate Chizhik.

For this too petty crime, Toptygin became the laughing stock of the entire forest. And the crow, and the frog, and even the mosquito teased him from behind the bushes: “You fool, you fool! Ate the little siskin!” The bear, in order to justify himself in the eyes of his superiors, destroyed the printing house at night, and “buried the works of the human mind in a waste pit.” But it was already too late... Lev did not believe that the same Toptygin, “with whom Lyubimov’s mavo took down Chizhik,” was capable of such feats! (the author reproduces Lev’s illiterate spelling).

Toptygin 2nd

Another governor, also Toptygin, was sent to another forest. He decided to start with major atrocities, but there was no printing house, no university, no academicians in that forest - everyone had already been destroyed before Toptygin. What makes you different? The bear climbed into the man's yard, picked up a horse, a cow, a pig, a couple of sheep and climbed onto the roof. The rotten roof fell through - a bear was caught! He grabbed a piece of log and roared - he was afraid to fall. The men gathered and finished off the bear: “Look, anathema! He wanted to curry favor with his superiors, but we have to go through this!”

Since then, in forest history, the division of atrocities into brilliant and shameful (in terms of size) has been abolished, and all atrocities began to be considered shameful.

Toptygin 3rd

The third Toptygin was smarter: he realized that neither large nor small atrocities were allowed to be committed. He arrived in the forest and lay down in a den, talking about rights: “Even the squirrel has rights now! A pellet in your nose—that’s your rights!” Thinking like this, he did not actually take part in management - and everything in the forest went on as usual. Someone ate, someone was eaten - “natural” atrocities occurred. Realizing that even without him “the villainy would happen on its own,” the bear decided to leave the den only “to receive the assigned contents.” Orders in the forest were never violated during this time. Lev promoted Toptygin to higher and higher ranks: lieutenant colonel, colonel and finally...

Men with a spear appeared and drove the bear out of the den into the field. “And the fate of all fur-bearing animals befell him.”

A comment. In the fairy tale “Conscience Is Missing,” the writer shows the decline of morality in bourgeois-noble society. In this society it is possible to live and get rich only by losing your conscience. Demoralization has gone so far that those who do not cheat or take bribes are ridiculed by those who are accustomed to being under the yoke of those in power. The ending of the fairy tale is interesting, where the writer expresses faith in new generations who are able to fight for bright ideals, guided precisely by conscience.

Fairy tale " The wise minnow” written shortly after the defeat of the Narodnaya Volya. The intelligentsia was overcome by cowardice and cowardice. The writer's satirical criticism is directed against this cowardice, against those who hide in holes from reality. But the sound of the fairy tale is still relevant - anyone who refuses to fight evil, who lives by the principle “my house is on the edge,” looks like such a “squeaker.”

In the fairy tale “The Bear in the Voivodeship,” three Toptygins are depicted in succession - the evil, the zealous and the good-natured. Using the example of the first two, the satirist showed what unlimited space The government system of autocracy was open to abuse. The third Toptygin did not interfere in matters, although he did not refuse tribute, but nothing in the forest changed significantly. It turns out that the issue is not in the abuse of power, but in the very principle of the autocratic system, in which the people are simply doomed to suffer. Commentators note that the text contains a number of topical allusions - thus, in the image of the illiterate Leo, the personality of Alexandra III.

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BEAR IN THE VOIVODIA

A satirical depiction of the ruling classes and various social types vividly expressed in fairy-tale form in the work “The Bear in the Voivodeship.”

Already at the beginning of the tale, the writer notifies the reader that we will talk about atrocities. Next, the hero of the work is introduced - Toptygin 1st. Already myself serial number serves as an allusion to the first person in the state. This hint is emphasized in the further story about Toptygin the 1st, when the author emphasizes that the hero wants to get “on the tablets of History” and everything else suggests the brilliance of bloodshed.

However, already in the second paragraph, apparently due to the desire to pass censorship obstacles, M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin notes: “For this, Lev promoted him to the rank of major and, as a temporary measure, sent him to the further forest, sort of like a governor, to pacify internal adversaries.” Social aspect The narratives are emphasized by the lexical structure: “major rank”, “trade”, “industry”, “servants”, “freemen”. Urgent social problems are also expressed figuratively in the tale. “Animals prowled, birds flew, insects crawled; but no one wanted to march in step.” Appointed governor, Toptygin, however, is worth his entire farm. Instead of bringing order to the forest, he got drunk and went to sleep in a clearing.

Carefully, as if it just had to be said by the way, the author hastens to mention that Leo, who is now becoming the prototype of the head of state, has a Donkey among his advisers: there was no one wiser in the fairy-tale state.

At the same time, a new character- siskin. All the birds, that is, the people, the public, consider him a real sage. Outraged by the fact that the little siskin sat down to sing right on top of him, the governor grabbed it in his paw and ate it with a hangover. And then he just caught himself and realized that stupid thing did. Sayings (“The first pancake is always lumpy”) and catchphrases(“Do noble deeds, beware of idle ones”) add to the atmosphere of the work the didactic element necessary for the fairy tale genre.

M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin continues to use lexical play as a means of satirical denunciation: from the syntactic constructions traditional for fairy tales (“he sits and marvels at himself,” “Toptygin is right there”), which give the story a conversational tone, he moves on to reduced vocabulary (“Thought and thought , but he didn’t invent anything, the brute,” “...If even the most innocent bird is gobbled up, then it will rot in the major’s belly just like the most criminal one”), then to the official business (“Alas! I didn’t know , it is clear, Toptygin, that in the sphere of administrative activity the first mistake is the most fatal, that, having given the administrative run a direction at all angles from the very beginning, it will subsequently move it further and further away from the straight line...” This contrast emphasizes that in responsible government positions there are people who are inactive, irresponsible, and incapable of pursuing correct policies.

Toptygin consoles himself with only one thought: the thought that no one saw him. However, there was a squirrel who shouted to the whole forest about what the bear had done. The separately written lines of the bird characters also contain sparkling satire on ruling circles. "Fool! They sent him to bring us to the same denominator, but he ate a siskin!” - exclaims the starling. Looking at him, the raven dares to support him.

The starling, unlike the gullible siskin, did not become an easy prey for the bear. The information spread with great speed: within an hour the whole forest knew what Toptygin had done: “Every bush, every tree, every hummock, as if alive, is being teased. And he listen!” To emphasize how rumors spread and the information field for gossip expands, M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin introduces more and more new characters into the text of the narrative. Ego and an eagle owl, and sparrows, and a hedgehog, and frogs, mosquitoes, flies. Gradually the whole swamp, the whole forest learns about Toptygin’s stupidity.

A paradoxical situation arises: in an effort to get into history, Toptygin did not take into account that “history only values the most excellent bloodsheds, and mentions small ones with spitting.” In the context of the story, the siskin becomes a symbol of reprisals against the free-thinking intelligentsia. It is no coincidence that his image is associated with the image of the poet A.S., who died untimely as a result of a duel forced on him. Pushkin. this comparison arises after reading the phrase: “Both the wild Tungus and the Kalmyk, the son of the steppes, will all say: “Major Toptygin was sent to conquer the adversary, but he, instead, ate a siskin!” It contains a direct reference to the text of the famous Pushkin poem “51 erected a monument to himself not made by hands...”: “Rumor about me will spread throughout Great Rus', And every language that exists in it will call me, And the proud grandson of the Slavs, and the Finn, and now wild Tungus, and friend of the steppes Kalmyk.”

In parallel with this, M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin paints an angrily accusatory picture of what, in fact, the common people expect from the tsar's governor. The ideas of slaughtering a herd of cows, dispossessing an entire village through theft, rolling out a log from a woodsman's hut - all of this appears in the work as typical steps and methods of those who are endowed with state power. The culmination of the author’s growing sense of indignation at the current political situation in the country is an exclamation based on hyperbole: “How many general bloodsheds will it take to inflict in order to make amends for this dirty trick! How many people to rob, ruin, destroy! Here again we recall the key phrase for the work that history values only the “most excellent” bloodshed.

Subtle irony permeates the tale with the mention that, along with the report, Bear sent Donkey a tub of honey as a present. For this service he received a special valuable advice: to make amends for the minor mischief that he committed with a major crime.

The list of further exploits of Mikhail Ivanovich intersperses events worthy of traditional fairy tales(he slaughtered a flock of sheep, caught a woman in a raspberry patch and took away the basket with raspberries, and the cruel realities of the era, depicting typical picture reprisals against the Russian democratic press (“he climbed into the printing house at night, smashed the presses, mixed up the type, and dumped the works of the human mind into a waste pit”). Thus, Toptygin 1st goes from a single reprisal against a freedom-loving poet (siskin) to a large-scale reactionary policy (the fight against the democratic press). The final lines of the first part of the tale sound caustic: “So Toptygin remained 1st Major forever. And if he had started straight from the printing houses, he would now be a general.”

In the second chapter it is drawn parallel plot: Lev Toptygin 2nd is sent to another slum with the same task. In this fragment of the fairy tale by M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin criticizes government policy towards educational institutions and science. It turned out that in this slum everyone is shrouded in the darkness of times, “knowing neither the past nor the present and not looking into the future.” Toptygin 2nd arrives with the desire to start with some large-scale atrocity. However, it turns out that already under M.L. Magnitsky (M.L. Magnitsky (1778-1855) - trustee of Kazan University in last years reign of Alexander I) was burned printing press, university in in full force transferred to line battalions, and the academicians were imprisoned in hollows, where they lethargic sleep abide. A scientifically aphoristic phrase in Latin sounds satirical in the context of the following statement: “Toptygin got angry and demanded that Magnitsky be brought to him in order to tear him to pieces (“similia similibus curantur”) [they knock out a wedge with a wedge (lat.)], but received in response that Magnitsky, by the will of God, will die.” In the second chapter of the work, an image of a spontaneous popular protest arises, the result of which is the reprisal of the governor: “the men came running to the roar, some with a stake, some with..., and some with a spear. Wherever they turn, there is pogrom everywhere. The fences are broken, the yard is open, there are pools of blood in the barns. And in the middle of the yard the gate itself hangs.” This scene serves as a kind of warning to the authorities about the coming era of popular revolutions. In relation to the future, it sounds prophetic.

As you know, Russian fairy tales are compositionally characterized by threefold repetition. In this regard, the appearance of Toptygin III in the work seems natural. This hero chooses average atrocities: his reign does not bring social life special changes, and he himself resembles an “empty place”. In the fairy-tale space entrusted to him at this time, the usual social hierarchy, established in society, flourishes: “If from time immemorial it was customary that wolves skin hares, and kites and owls pluck crows, then, although there is nothing prosperous in such an “order”, but so as it is still “order” - therefore, it should be recognized as such. And if at the same time neither hares nor crows not only do not grumble, but continue to multiply and populate the earth, then this means that “order” does not go beyond the boundaries defined by it from time immemorial.”

The politics of social contrasts is embodied in M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin in polar images: the cry of some is an agonizing cry, and the cry of others is a victorious cry. This realistic situation is formalized in Toptygin’s theory of dysfunctional well-being. Here M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin again resorts to stylistic contrast as an accusatory means: “The main thing in our craft is: laisser passer, laisser faire! (allow, do not interfere! (French), the state providing complete freedom of action to private enterprise!)]. Or, to put it in Russian: “A fool sits on a fool and drives the fool around).” However, in the finale, Toptygin the 3rd suffers the same fate as Toptygin the 2nd. Fairy tale by M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin is a vivid embodiment of the spontaneous social protest of the leading part of the Russian intelligentsia against the oppression and enslavement of the people and free thought in Russia.

The satirical depiction of the ruling classes and various social types was clearly expressed in fairy-tale form in the work “The Bear in the Voivodeship.”

Already at the beginning of the tale, the writer notifies the reader that we will talk about atrocities. Next, the hero of the work is introduced - Toptygin 1st. The serial number itself serves as a hint to the first person in the state. This hint is emphasized in the further story about Toptygin the 1st, when the author emphasizes that the hero wants to get “on the tablets of History” and everything else suggests the brilliance of bloodshed.

However, already in the second paragraph, apparently due to the desire to pass censorship obstacles, M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin notes: “For this, Lev promoted him to the rank of major and, as a temporary measure, sent him to the further forest, sort of like a governor, to pacify internal adversaries.” The social aspect of the story is emphasized by the lexical structure: “major rank”, “trade”, “industry”, “servants”, “freemen”. Pressing social problems are also expressed allegorically in the tale. “Animals prowled, birds flew, insects crawled; but no one wanted to march in step.” Appointed governor, Toptygin, however, is worth his entire farm. Instead of bringing order to the forest, he got drunk and went to sleep in a clearing.

At the same time, a new character appears in the arena of events - the siskin. All the birds, that is, the people, the public, consider him a real sage. Outraged by the fact that the little siskin sat down to sing right on top of him, the governor grabbed it in his paw and ate it with a hangover. And then he just caught himself and realized that he had done a stupid thing. Sayings (“The first pancake is always lumpy”) and catchphrases (“Do noble deeds, beware of idle ones”) add a didactic element to the atmosphere of the work, which is necessary for the fairy tale genre.

Toptygin consoles himself with only one thought: the thought that no one saw him. However, there was a squirrel who shouted to the whole forest about what the bear had done. The separately written lines of the bird characters also contain sparkling satire on the ruling circles. "Fool! They sent him to bring us to the same denominator, but he ate a siskin!” - exclaims the starling. Looking at him, the raven dares to support him.

In parallel with this, M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin paints an angrily accusatory picture of what, in fact, the common people expect from the tsar's governor. The ideas of slaughtering a herd of cows, dispossessing an entire village through theft, ripping out a logger's hut - all of this appears in the work as typical steps and methods of those endowed with state power. The culmination of the author’s growing sense of indignation at the current political situation in the country is an exclamation based on hyperbole: “How many general bloodsheds will it take to inflict in order to make amends for this dirty trick! How many people to rob, ruin, destroy! Here again we recall the key phrase for the work that history values only the “most excellent” bloodshed.

Subtle irony permeates the tale with the mention that, along with the report, Bear sent Donkey a tub of honey as a present. For this service, he received special valuable advice: to make amends for the minor dirty trick he committed with a major crime.

The list of further exploits of Mikhail Ivanovich alternates with events worthy of traditional fairy-tale plots (he slaughtered a flock of sheep, caught a woman in a raspberry field and took away a basket of raspberries, and the cruel realities of the era, painting a typical picture of reprisals against the Russian democratic press (“he climbed into the printing house at night, smashed the presses , mixed the font, and dumped the works of the human mind into a waste pit." Thus, Toptygin 1st goes from a single reprisal against a freedom-loving poet (siskin) to a large-scale reactionary policy (the fight against the democratic press). The final lines of the first part sound caustic fairy tales: "So Toptygin remained the 1st major forever. And if he had started straight from the printing houses, he would now be a general."

In the second chapter, a parallel plot is drawn: Lev Toptygin 2nd is sent to another slum with the same task. In this fragment of the fairy tale by M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin criticizes the government's policy towards educational institutions and science. It turned out that in this slum everyone is shrouded in the darkness of times, “knowing neither the past nor the present and not looking into the future.” Toptygin 2nd arrives with the desire to start with some large-scale atrocity. However, it turns out that already under M.L. Magnitsky (M.L. Magnitsky (1778-1855) - trustee of Kazan University in the last years of the reign of Alexander I) burned the printing press, the entire university was turned into line battalions, and the academicians were imprisoned in hollows, where they remain in a lethargic sleep. A scientifically aphoristic phrase in Latin sounds satirical in the context of the following statement: “Toptygin got angry and demanded that Magnitsky be brought to him in order to tear him to pieces (“similia similibus curantur”) [they knock out a wedge with a wedge (lat.)], but received in response that Magnitsky, by the will of God, will die.” In the second chapter of the work, an image of a spontaneous popular protest arises, the result of which is the reprisal of the governor: “the men came running to the roar, some with a stake, some with..., and some with a spear. Wherever they turn, there is pogrom everywhere. The fences are broken, the yard is open, there are pools of blood in the barns. And in the middle of the yard the gate itself hangs.” This scene serves as a kind of warning to the authorities about the coming era of popular revolutions. In relation to the future, it sounds prophetic.

As you know, Russian fairy tales are compositionally characterized by threefold repetition. In this regard, the appearance of Toptygin III in the work seems natural. This hero chooses average atrocities: his rule does not bring any special changes to public life, and he himself resembles an “empty place.” In the fairy-tale space entrusted to him at this time, the usual social hierarchy, established in society, flourishes: “If from time immemorial it was customary that wolves skin hares, and kites and owls pluck crows, then, although there is nothing prosperous in such an “order”, but so as it is still “order” - therefore, it should be recognized as such. And if at the same time neither hares nor crows not only do not grumble, but continue to multiply and populate the earth, then this means that “order” does not go beyond the boundaries defined by it from time immemorial.”

We invite you to consider one of Saltykov-Shchedrin’s tales - “The Bear in the Voivodeship”. Its analysis presented in this article will help you understand the meaning of this work. We will talk about what ideas of Saltykov-Shchedrin were reflected in it. In addition, you will get acquainted with the main characters of the fairy tale "The Bear in the Voivodeship". We begin our analysis with short story about the general Saltykov-Shchedrin. This is necessary to better understand the work of interest to us.

General characteristics of Saltykov-Shchedrin's tales

First of all, it should be noted that these works are written more for adults than for children. The writer indicated in the subtitle that these are “fairy tales for adults.” But what made Mikhail Evgrafovich turn to this genre? Probably used in fairy tales, it is the most suitable form for expressing his harsh statements and thoughts, presented in the form of satire.

In these works, Saltykov-Shchedrin continues to develop his favorite themes, which are fully embodied in his work “The History of a City.” What are these topics? On the one hand, this is harsh criticism Russian authorities, a satire on her, and on the other hand, a satire on the entire Russian people.

"Introduction" to the fairy tale

"The Bear in the Voivodeship" is a fairy tale created in 1884. It includes 3 short stories, which are an imitation of a historical chronicle, a parody of it. A short “introduction” precedes the description of the service of 3 governors of the Toptygins. It outlines the theme that links these stories from the fairy tale “The Bear in the Voivodeship” into one whole. An analysis of the reign of each of the governors is presented below.

Saltykov-Shchedrin believed that history consists of a series of great and bloody atrocities that rulers committed against their people. The writer, ironically, notes that petty atrocities are not worthy of the attention of history and, therefore, the chronicler.

Toptygin the First

The first short story tells about a “beast servant” sent “to the distant forest” to the voivodeship. The bear, having appeared in the estate, immediately caused bloodshed. It is unknown what forced the ruler to make this decision. After all, he could not be called evil. He was "so, brute." This is exactly how the author speaks about the inner essence of all those in power. They are not villains, but they are decent brutes.

But the plans of ruler Toptygin the First were not destined to come true. He destroyed his reputation and career in the most decisive way. While sleeping, he accidentally ate Chizhik, whom he mistook for his “inner adversary.” This little siskin was a “small bird,” albeit a smart one. And Toptygin was destroyed by this “crime.” Everyone began to point out this action to the governor.

Why was Toptygin demoted?

Toptygin was not reproached at all for the innocent soul he ruined. The worst thing in this whole story was the essence of the accusation. It turns out that he “did not live up to the expectations” of his people. After all " good people“They expected great bloodshed from him, but he just ate Chizhik! This is how the people treat the authorities. People are so accustomed to the atrocities of the authorities that they expect them. If the ruler does not manage to commit any cruelties, the people even become disappointed in him.

Thus, Toptygin’s career was completely ruined. Even the bloodshed he committed after this incident in order to make amends for the “guilt” did not help. The authorities, Donkey and Lev, never forgot Toptygin’s “sin”. This is what this bear was like in the voivodeship. The analysis of the tale according to plan continues with a description of the activities of the next ruler.

Toptygin the Second

Toptygin the Second was the name of the new ruler. It should be noted that the second bear in the voivodeship was somewhat smarter than the first. The analysis of his activities is very interesting. I came up with a plan for the “campaign” in advance, which I decided to implement. However, once on the spot, Toptygin the Second realized that everything had already been destroyed before him. Neither universities nor printing houses were in his domain. What was the poor ruler to do? How could he become famous and prove himself? And Toptygin decided to take up the physical destruction of his charges. However, the men did not like his idea. They punished Toptygin by skinning him. An analysis of the fairy tale “The Bear in the Voivodeship” shows that people’s patience also has limits. This is indicated by the story of the second bear.

"Activities" of Toptygin the Third

The writer further asks what the governors can do. How can they express themselves? The surest way was found by Toptygin the Third from the fairy tale “The Bear in the Voivodeship”. He decided that "natural" bloodshed was the best of all. This Toptygin slept in a den all his life, letting the life of the people take its course. During this time, there were “natural” incidents and casualties in his domain, but this only strengthened the authority of the governor. Lying in his den, Toptygin the Third received encouragement from his superiors. In addition, the people, according to custom, brought taxes to their “master”, hoping to appease him.

The fate of Toptygin the Third

And everything would go on as usual quietly and peacefully. Life on the estate is still long years would be just as unchanged and hopeless. However, the author ends his third short story, “The Bear in the Voivodeship,” with the fact that the Lukash men came to the slum, and Toptygin came out of the den into the field. The ruler shared the fate of “everyone.” Most likely, this phrase contains not reality and truth, but the hopes of the writer. These are both the author’s aspirations and a call to action.

What is the author calling for?

Saltykov-Shchedrin (“Bear in the Voivodeship”) calls on ordinary people to stand up for their lives and their rights. Of course, the tale uses allegory, and people are depicted under the Toptygin masks. The work describes the problems and issues that had to be faced Russian society at the end of the 19th century. They worried the author, who, with the help of allegory, irony, and satire, is trying to open people’s eyes to actual problems. The writer also offers a way out of this situation. One must assume that it is precisely to revolution that Saltykov-Shchedrin is calling for. “The Bear in the Voivodeship” is an excellent example of satire by Mikhail Evgrafovich, who could not turn a blind eye to social problems.

“Bear in the Voivodeship” Saltykov-Shchedrin

"Bear in the Voivodeship" analysis of the work - theme, idea, genre, plot, composition, characters, issues and other issues are discussed in this article.

The satirical depiction of the ruling classes and various social types was clearly expressed in fairy-tale form in the work “The Bear in the Voivodeship”.

However, already in the second paragraph, apparently due to the desire to pass censorship obstacles, M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin notes: “For this, Lev promoted him to the rank of major and, as a temporary measure, sent him to the further forest, sort of like a governor, to pacify internal adversaries.” The social aspect of the story is emphasized by the lexical structure: “major rank”, “trade”, “industry”, “servants”, “freemen”. Pressing social problems are also expressed allegorically in the tale. “Animals prowled, birds flew, insects crawled; but no one wanted to march in step.” Appointed governor, Toptygin, however, is worth his entire farm. Instead of bringing order to the forest, he got drunk and went to sleep in a clearing.

At the same time, a new character appears on the scene - the little siskin. All the birds, that is, the people, the public, consider him a real sage. Outraged by the fact that the little siskin sat down to sing right on top of him, the governor grabbed it in his paw and ate it with a hangover. And then he just caught himself and realized that he had done a stupid thing. Sayings (“The first pancake is always lumpy”) and catchphrases (“Do noble deeds, beware of idle ones”) add a didactic element to the atmosphere of the work, which is necessary for the fairy tale genre.

Toptygin consoles himself with only one thought: the thought that no one saw him. However, there was a squirrel who shouted to the whole forest about what the bear had done. The separately written lines of the bird characters also contain sparkling satire on the ruling circles. "Fool! They sent him to bring us to the same denominator, but he ate a siskin!” - exclaims the starling. Looking at him, the raven dares to support him.

A paradoxical situation arises: in an effort to get into history, Toptygin did not take into account that “history only values the most excellent bloodsheds, and mentions small ones with spitting.” In the context of the story, the siskin becomes a symbol of reprisals against the free-thinking intelligentsia. It is no coincidence that his image is associated with the image of the poet A.S., who died untimely as a result of a duel forced on him. Pushkin. This comparison arises after reading the phrase: “Both the wild Tungus and the Kalmyk, the son of the steppes, will all say: “Major Toptygin was sent to conquer the adversary, but he, instead, ate a siskin!” It contains a direct reference to the text of the famous Pushkin poem “51 erected a monument to himself not made by hands...”: “Rumor about me will spread throughout Great Rus', And every language that exists in it will call me, And the proud grandson of the Slavs, and the Finn, and now wild Tungus, and friend of the steppes Kalmyk.”

In parallel with this, M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin paints an angrily accusatory picture of what, in fact, the common people expect from the tsar's governor. The ideas of slaughtering a herd of cows, dispossessing an entire village through theft, and flattening a logger's hut - all of this appears in the work as typical steps and methods of those endowed with state power. The culmination of the author’s growing sense of indignation at the current political situation in the country is an exclamation based on hyperbole: “How many general bloodsheds will it take to inflict in order to make amends for this dirty trick! How many people to rob, ruin, destroy! Here again we recall the key phrase for the work that history values only the “most excellent” bloodshed.

As you know, Russian fairy tales are compositionally characterized by threefold repetition. In this regard, the appearance of Toptygin III in the work seems natural. This hero chooses average atrocities: his rule does not bring any special changes to public life, and he himself resembles an “empty place.” In the fairy-tale space entrusted to him at this time, the usual social hierarchy, established in society, flourishes: “If from time immemorial it was customary that wolves skin hares, and kites and owls pluck crows, then, although there is nothing prosperous in such an “order”, but so as it is still “order” - therefore, it should be recognized as such. And if at the same time neither hares nor crows not only do not grumble, but continue to multiply and populate the earth, then this means that “order” does not go beyond the boundaries defined by it from time immemorial.”