Characteristics of Nikolenka from the work Childhood. “The formation of the character of Nikolenka Irtenev. Characteristics of the image of Irteneva Lyubochka
I. Nikolenka Irtenyev is the main character of L. N. Tolstoy’s story “Childhood”. (The story “Childhood” is autobiographical in nature and written on behalf of the main character - Nikolenka Irtenyev. Having become an adult, he recalls his childhood, its bright and significant pages, introduces the reader to his childhood thoughts, feelings, experiences.)
II. First acquaintance with the hero. (The first acquaintance with Nikolenka Irteniev gives us an idea of him as an impressionable and sensitive boy. Waking up in the morning, he is angry with Karl Ivanovich for killing a fly over his head with a firecracker. But then the teacher sits on the bed next to Nikolenka, says affectionate words to him words, tickles his heels. And Nikolenka’s heart is filled with love for the teacher whom he just hated. The boy is annoyed at his anger and unfair feelings towards Karl Ivanovich, gets upset and suddenly cries.)
Sh. Nikolenka’s love for her mother. (The most heartfelt pages of the story “Childhood” are dedicated to his mother. The memories associated with her are dear to the author. He remembers the happy evenings spent with his mother in the living room, the gentle hands that so often caressed him, the sad and charming mother’s smile. “If only in difficult moments of life, if I could even catch a glimpse of this smile, I would not know what grief is,” he says.)
IV. Nikolenka Irtenyev’s attitude towards Karl Ivanovich and Natalya Savishna. (Many years have passed, but Irtenyev’s memory carefully preserves the memories of Karl Ivanovich and Natalya Savishna. The author talks with love about his teacher, recalls how his father unfairly offended Karl Ivanovich by deciding to fire him, and how happy everyone was that their good mentor would remain with them. Nikolenka is grateful to Natalya Savishna, who had a “strong and beneficial influence on the development of his sensitivity.”)
V. Nikolenka’s ability for self-esteem and introspection. (Despite his young age, Nikolenka is already able to evaluate and analyze his actions. When Natalya Savishna punishes him for an offense in the dining room, his lordly arrogance suddenly manifests itself: Natalya Savishna, “just Natalya,” whipped him like a yard boy. Nikolenka wants revenge “ impudent Natalya" for the insult. But when she "timidly approached" him and, thrusting caramels, began to feel sorry for him, Nikolenka did not have the strength to look into Natalya Savishna's eyes, tears flowed from him, but "not from anger, but from love." and shame."
Until now, the author cannot explain to himself the cruelty of his act towards Ilenka Grapu. This is the “only dark spot” of his childhood memories. It was this episode that made him take a new look at Seryozha Ivin: he realized that the boy was unworthy of his love.)
VI. Moral growth of Nikolenka Irtenyev. (Throughout the entire story, we follow the actions of the hero, learn about his feelings, experiences, see how his ability to evaluate his actions grows, and become witnesses to the internal changes that occur in Nikolenka by the end of the story.)
“- a unique, “original” nature, which, with its complexity, stands out noticeably from a number of other children and adults brought out by the author in his story.
Childhood. Adolescence. Youth. Film adaptation of L. N. Tolstoy’s trilogy (1973)
What is especially striking when we meet Nikolenka Irteniev is the consciousness of his life and the rare ability to treat himself truthfully. The disturbed spontaneity of his childish soul was reflected in him early on - he treats both his joys and his sorrows not like a child: he is still a child - and at the same time he is already a merciless psychologist who, with morbid curiosity, delves into his own soul and into the souls of others . This penchant for psychological analysis develops in him amazing powers of observation, makes him think about all the phenomena of life, understand them and, most often, suffer and suffer, since, on the one hand, he lacks spiritual integrity, and, on the other hand, he is possessed by “egotism” - an exclusive, painful interest, mainly in his own complex “I”.
Always analyzing everything, he finally lost the ability to perceive directly, like a child, the impressions of being; preoccupied exclusively with himself, subordinating everything to his “I”, he nevertheless struggles with great effort against the influence of the environment - that is why he is always at the mercy of his pride, which in him therefore takes on the painful forms of excessive shyness, suspicion, suspiciousness, even envy of others. That is why he suffers, looking at others living simply, seeing that their life is easier for themselves and everyone around them; he is always tormented by the thought of what others will say about him - it seems to him that he is always making mistakes, that everyone is condemning him.
Nikolenka Irtenyev is the main character of the autobiographical story by Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, a boy brought up in a noble family in accordance with all established rules and customs.
He loves his parents, especially his mother. But his childhood years are not characterized by carelessness and cheerfulness. He has to face disappointments, and close people became the subject of such unpleasant impressions, and this is doubly difficult to survive.
The boy Nikolenka is precocious; from early childhood he is attracted by such values as truth, goodness, beauty and love. And the source of all these moral guidelines for the boy was his mother, Natalya Nikolaevna. With constant warmth, he immerses himself in memories of her: the caressing sounds of her voice, the gentle touches of her hands, a smile that makes everyone around her more cheerful.
Not only the mother, but also the nanny, a simple Russian woman, played a huge role in the development and formation of the boy’s character. Thanks to her, Nikolenka realized that kindness rules everything in the world. The old woman’s pure and incorruptible love for her pupil became the basis on which Nikolenka developed as a person.
The boy does not tolerate deception. He himself does not accept a drop of falsehood. And if he suddenly notices this, he begins to worry and reproach himself. This incident is noteworthy: Nikolenka wrote a poem on the occasion of his grandmother’s birthday. One line did not give the child peace: he wrote that he loved his grandmother like his own mother. And by that time my mother was no longer there. And Nikolenka could not decide: was he sincere, had he forgotten his mother and his love for her, was he deceiving his grandmother by telling her such words. The boy's mental anguish evokes respect. Not every child is able to think about this at all.
The attitude of adults, their conventions and orders had a great influence on the formation of the boy’s character. Ilenka Grap, a boy from a poor family, became the subject of ridicule only because he was not in their circle. The boys mocked Ilenka, and Nikolenka did not lag behind them. Although later he bitterly regretted and repented. Bad deeds became the subject of torment for the boy's conscience. And this defines him as a person who is able to analyze his behavior, and therefore begins to grow up.
So, the character of Nikolenka Irtenyev develops in communication with close and dear people: he is surrounded by his mother, father, brothers and sisters, servants, teachers. Relationships with each of these people leave a mark on the boy’s soul.
Nikolenka is an impressionable and observant child, he watches not only what is happening around him, but also how it all affects his inner world, what changes are taking place in him.
Such observation helps the child in many ways: he learns to draw conclusions, analyze, and think. In the future, this child will turn into a sympathetic, honest and kind person. It was childhood that laid the foundation for these qualities in the boy’s character.
- creator of the story “Childhood”. The main character in it is Nikolenka Irtenev. The author introduces readers to the boy's early years, revealing the character's personality and worldview and assessing his actions. It is not without reason that the writer created such a touching image. The character's characteristics coincided with his personal character and biography.
Nikolenka Irtenyev is among the curious young heroes, such as Ilyusha Snegirev, Kolya Krasotkin and.
History of creation
Tolstoy, like many writers, kept a diary. In it, the Count wrote down thoughts, dreams, and moral lessons that life taught him. The writer was not always the same as readers remember. He acquired the image of a venerable old man preaching life in the world and love of God after many years of reflection and creativity. The story “Childhood,” published in 1852, became Tolstoy’s first work.
Nikolenka, more precisely, Nikolai Petrovich Irtenyev, becomes the main character of the story and the trilogy to which it gave rise. The works “Childhood”, “Adolescence”, “Youth” describe the life of the hero. The character is autobiographical, and with his help Tolstoy answers questions that he repeatedly asked himself.
Illustration for Tolstoy's story "Childhood" Nikolenka is a representative of an aristocratic family. The child is 10 years old. He is a count, and his upbringing corresponds to the highest standards of secular society. The boy is looking for peace of mind and the meaning of life, developing as a person. His inner world is rich. He changed after the terrible event that befell the boy's family.
The narration is told in the first person. In this way, the author makes it possible to understand that the events discussed were important to him and taken from real life.
The story "Childhood"
The author introduces the main character in the very first lines of the story. The reader sees a sleeping boy, for whom his mentor tirelessly watches. The boy grows up in comfortable conditions. Despite the spoilage and quirks typical of a barchuk, he shows kindness of heart and tender feelings towards others. The story introduces the audience to the first years of Nikolenka’s life.
We get the opportunity to form an idea of the conditions in which a new generation of landowners and representatives of secular society was raised. The immorality and hypocrisy propagated in society are obvious in the example of a particular family.
Nikolenka Irtenev is not at all handsome. He has a large nose and plump lips, small eyes, and cowlicks sticking out at the back of his head. Appearance is important for a child, so he worries about shortcomings and often prays to God to send him beauty. Unpleasant traits are also noted by the adults around the child, even the closest person, the mother. She also talks about the boy’s spiritual beauty.
Nikolenka is distinguished by a quarrelsome character and a flaring feeling of envy, but the boy is gentle and affectionate with his loved ones, conscientious and kind to others. Positive traits favor the hero. He is always ashamed of his misdeeds and wrong thoughts. Remorse and remorse that overtake a child become a punishment for him. And I want to believe that the boy will try to behave better. He is not faced with a choice of profession, but the boy makes the life choice that is available to the hero every day, relying on his own feelings.
The contradictory personality of the main character is manifested in his actions and relationships with other characters in the story. The child studied at home. Nikolenka's mentor, a German who came to try his luck in Russia, evokes sympathy and pity in the boy.
Nikolenka wants to sacrifice for the sake of her beloved teacher, and he tries in every possible way to show his love. Sometimes he has breakdowns, and at such moments he gets angry and scolds at his older friend and teacher, is insolent and curses the German for a bad grade, a difficult exam or a reprimand. The boy is quickly overwhelmed by remorse, and he tries to obey.
Nikolenka’s character is also manifested in her friendship with Ilenka Grap, a sickly and modest peer from a failed family. Ilenka tolerated communication with the Irtenyevs, counting on subsequent patronage, and the master's children mocked the quiet boy and sometimes even beat him. He was brought to tears. This sin will torment Nikolenka’s soul for many years. He believed that he should have stood up for Ilenka, but he never did this, egged on by the older guys.
The main character, although distinguished by noble spiritual qualities, cannot hide his arrogance and arrogance. The boy understands perfectly well what status is expected for him, and what position Karl Ivanovich and. This could not be avoided, because from a young age the child heard that he was the master’s son. He realized that he was better than others due to his origin, and therefore worthy of respect. A sense of superiority in those years was instilled in children from an early age, so Nikolenka cannot be blamed for the formation of such a consciousness.
Trouble comes to any home. The death of the mother became a turning point in the child's life. His life was not as sweet as it seemed. The older brother mocked him, his friend, Dmitry Nekhlyudov, did not understand, his parents did not provide the necessary warmth and care, and the only bright image in his life was condemned to disappear. Nikolenka was not shy about his mother and loved her very much.
The main characters of the story "Childhood" He often spent time with her, so her responsiveness and kindness were passed on to him. Maman's death struck the child and caused him deep emotional trauma. Although he cried for her, feeling sorry for himself, showing selfishness and pride.
Tolstoy, using the example of Nikolenka Irtenyev, showed the formation of the inner world of a person, described events that leave a mark on the soul and shape views on life. Through the hero, he describes his own experiences and the path to the person he became at the time of writing the work.
Quotes
“I continued to cry, and the thought that my tears proved my sensitivity gave me pleasure and joy...”
“...I imagined that there was no happiness on earth for a person with such a wide nose, thick lips and small gray eyes as me...”
“...You used to remember about Karl Ivanovich and his bitter fate - the only person I knew who was unhappy - and you would feel so sorry, you would love him so much that tears would flow from your eyes, and you would think: “God grant him happiness, give him happiness.” I have the opportunity to help him, to ease his grief; I’m ready to sacrifice everything for him.”
Nikolenka Irteniev, the main character of the story “Childhood,” written by a brilliant writer, takes readers back to distant childhood, and also opens the spiritual and moral world of a child.
What is the characteristic of Nikolenka Irtenyev? How did the author treat him? Did he idealize his hero? And what did he want to convey to the hearts of readers by choosing the image of a child as key and central in his work?
Let's briefly analyze the realistic, life story that L.N. Tolstoy wrote, “Childhood,” and try to find answers to the above questions.
Childhood image
The characterization of Nikolenka from the story “Childhood” begins from the very first lines of the work. Before us appears a sleeping boy, whose sleep is protected by his kind, loving mentor.
From the child’s brief remarks and reflections, it is clear that he is the son of a landowner, who grew up in hothouse conditions, a little spoiled and eccentric, but very kind and gentle.
It is not for nothing that the narration is conducted in the first person. This gives us the opportunity to better know the boy’s thoughts and feelings, his childish spontaneity and childish seriousness.
The characterization of Nikolenka Irtenyev is a characteristic of Tolstoy himself, since many of the events and incidents described in the story are taken directly from the author’s memoirs.
What did L.N. Tolstoy keep in his memory? “Childhood” reveals to us his first years of life; it not only vividly and effectively characterizes the younger generation of wealthy landowners, but also criticizes and exposes the immorality and hypocrisy of the noble lifestyle of that time.
Appearance of the main character
The portrait of Nikolenka from the story “Childhood” presents us with a rather ugly boy of ten years old with a large nose, large lips and small eyes, with curls constantly sticking out on the top of his head.
The boy is very worried about his external shortcomings. Because of this, he is sometimes overcome by sadness and despair. He even asks God for external beauty and is ready to give all that is most valuable just to have an ideal appearance.
And although sometimes it may seem that the main character deliberately describes himself as such a little freak, his elders repeatedly talk about his ugly appearance. This is noted even by the one who loves Nikolenka more than anyone in the world - his mother. On the other hand, she more than once emphasized the spiritual attractiveness of her youngest son.
Conflicting feelings
What is Nikolenka like in the story “Childhood”?
This is an ordinary boy, a little envious, a little absurd, but very kind, gentle and conscientious.
Most likely, Irtenyev’s conscientiousness is his inner core, which attracts us to the main character.
He may commit ugly acts, may have bad judgment, may think and feel things that are reprehensible, but he will always, always (!) feel shame and regret, remorse and some remorse after this. After this, I want to believe and hope that Nikolenka will change, improve and become better.
Relationship with a mentor
How do Nikolenka’s conflicting feelings manifest themselves?
For example, in his relationship with the children's teacher, a German by birth, Karl Ivanovich. Life did not work out for this poor man in his distant homeland, and he came to Russia in search of happiness. The German did not find wealth and prosperity, but, being kind and warm-hearted by nature, he became very attached to his students and, in the simplicity of his soul, gave them all of himself.
Nikolenka loves her poor mentor very much and feels sorry for him. For example, he dreams of growing up and helping his teacher, easing his grief and even sacrificing a lot for him.
His sincere love for Karl Ivanovich is also manifested in practice: Nikolenka often approaches his mentor, gently takes his hand and affectionately calls him a “dear” teacher.
However, multiple drastic changes occur in the boy’s soul. He can scold and be angry with the disadvantaged teacher, answer him rudely and impudently, and wish for everything bad. And all this just because of a strict suggestion, a short remark or a bad grade!
Of course, later, having analyzed his wrong behavior, little Irtenyev begins to feel remorse and try to make amends.
Relationship with Ilenka
The characterization of Nikolenka from the story “Childhood” emerges clearly in his relationship with Ilenka Grap, who was the same age as the main character. Ilenka was a sickly, quiet child, bullied and bullied by his rich comrades. His father had neither wealth nor title, but tried to maintain acquaintance with the Irtenyevs in the hope of further patronage. How difficult it was for Ilenka to communicate with the inflated barchuks, who offended him, humiliated him, insulted him and even beat him!
Children, already capable of showing cruelty, brought the unfortunate boy to tears, without even thinking that he was experiencing mental anguish and torment.
Memories of Ilenka’s persecution lie like a dark spot on Irtenyev’s heart for many years. He, so gentle and sympathetic, with a subtle, understanding soul, reproaches himself for following the lead of the grown-up boys and not standing up for the defenseless, disadvantaged boy.
Hero's lordship
However, in Nikolenka’s attitude towards the people below him there was always a note of arrogance and swagger. He considered himself much higher than Karl Ivanovich and Natalya Savishna, servants attached to him with all their souls. He treated his poor peers with contempt and arrogance, considering himself better and smarter.
Where did such a sense of arrogance and superiority come from in this nice, sweet child? The characterization of Nikolenka from the story “Childhood” fully reveals to us the causes and consequences of his actions and judgments.
A little boy was brought up in the house of a rich, arrogant landowner. From infancy he was taught that he was a master's son, worthy of honor and reverence. With his mother's milk, Nikolenka absorbed a sense of superiority and a desire to live in luxury and contentment, among serving, servile people.
Many noble children were raised this way. And this was a common phenomenon at that time.
Hard tests
But this does not mean that little Irtenyev lived in a castle in the air, protected by fate from problems and worries. No, he was also touched by troubles and experiences, leaving an indelible sad mark on his tender soul.
The image of Nikolenka Irtenyev in the story “Childhood” is the image of a rich boy who has known personal grief and subtly feels the suffering of others.
Despite a comfortable and passive existence, the main character experiences severe emotional trauma: misunderstanding of his older brother, arrogance of a friend, pride and immorality of a father who cheats on his mother and ruins the entire family.
However, Nikolenka's most sad memory is the sudden death of her mother.
Relation to maman
The image of the mother is the brightest, most beautiful image in the story, while in the work there is no specific description of the appearance or detailed characteristics of the woman.
For Nikolenka, her mother is the most beloved creature on earth. He does not hesitate to show tenderness and affection to her, he loves to often spend time with her and communicate. Most likely, it is thanks to the early influence of his mother that the boy grows up to be such a kind and sympathetic child, capable of compassion and feeling of guilt. Therefore, the characterization of Nikolenka from the story “Childhood” would be incomplete and one-sided if it were not for the description of his relationship with his mother.
The death of the person he loved most left an indelible wound in the boy's heart. He cried and suffered a lot, experiencing the bitter loss in his own way. He did not understand how a blooming and cheerful mother could turn into a yellow, withered creature with closed eyes and an unrecognizable face.
And at the same time, the boy describes all his sensations and feelings with boundless sincerity and directness. He calls the moment of self-forgetfulness spent near the coffin of his beloved parent the truest manifestation of grief. In other cases, when Nikolenka cried and sobbed for his mother, he did it out of a sense of pride, pretentiousness and selfishness, honestly admitting this to himself and experiencing deep shame and contempt for himself.
The influence of Nikolenka’s image
As we can see, in his story “Childhood” Tolstoy created a bright, original image of Nikolenka Irtenyev, who teaches us to react correctly to our misfortunes and failures. The work also shows that childhood is an important time for the development of a child’s personality and worldview, which will leave an indelible mark on his mind and heart.