Sections: Literature
Class: 5
Target:
- the formation of the concept of "Christmas story" through the analysis of the works of A.I. Kuprin "Taper" and " Miraculous Doctor";
- development of communicative and cultural competences of students;
- cultivating a sense of compassion for others.
During the classes
- Review of the past: the story as an epic genre.
- approach to a new topic.
- Christmas story as a kind of genre (analysis of works).
- Generalization.
- Reflection.
- Homework.
Equipment: multimedia complex (screen, projector, laptop), empty tables to fill.
| SU | Good afternoon! Let me start our lesson. I hope it will be of benefit to you and me. To begin with, let us recall what a story is, to which of the genres of literature it belongs. |
| POU | Story - small form epic prose, a short narrative work. |
| SU | Are the stories about the taper and the wonderful doctor that you read at home stories. |
| POU | Yes, because it is small in size, written in prose. |
| SU | How are these stories similar? |
| POU | In both works, a miracle occurs at Christmas. |
| SU | Indeed, you are right. Did you know that stories with a similar plot in literature are quite common, and they came up with a special name - "Christmas (Christmas) stories." Are you familiar with this term. |
| POU | Not |
| SU | And since we are talking about this, then the topic of our lesson will be:? |
| POU | Christmas story. |
| SU | In that case, what should we learn in the lesson? |
| POU | Features of the "Christmas story" (on the example of the stories "The Miraculous Doctor" and "The Taper"). Write the topic in your notebook. |
| SU | True, this is the goal of our lesson, but what tasks do we need to solve in order to achieve the goal? |
| POU | Read stories Analyze stories Find common ground in them |
| SU | That's right, let's start analyzing the works. But first, let's remember the plot of the works. |
| POU | Brief retelling texts. |
| SU | Before you are leaflets with tablets, during the lesson we will fill in all the empty cells, this will help you create a definition of the genre of "Christmas story" on your own. |
| SU | What epic genre do both works belong to? Why? |
| POU | Narrative (record). |
| SU | When were these stories created? |
| POU | The student's message about the time of creation of stories and their publication. (They make a record - the time of creation - the eve of Christmas). Kuprin's story "Taper" was published in the newspaper "Odessa News" (1900, December 25). The plot of the story is based, as follows from the author's note, on a real fact. "Wonderful Doctor"(1897), published in the Christmas issue of the Kievskoye Slovo newspaper, was written in the genre of a Christmas story. |
| SU | Remember and prove with the text at what time the action takes place in both stories. |
| POU | The time of action is Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve) (record). |
| SU | Who are the main the heroes of the story What are they, answer the question based on the text of the works. |
| POU | Children. |
| SU | In what environment are the children, are they happy? |
| POU | Poor, unfortunate children, make a record. |
| SU | Kuprin shows a situation typical for most Russian families at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Many people at that time were dying of hunger and disease without finding food for themselves and their families. How do our heroes manage to get out of this situation? Was such a turn of events really possible? |
| SU | How do the stories end, what happens to the characters? |
| POU | The stories have a happy ending, circumstances develop in such a way that all bad things pass, and the lives of children are getting better. A miracle happens, help comes by chance. |
| SU | What entry will be next? |
| POU | The stories have a happy ending (record). |
| SU | And who works miracles? |
| POU | God, wizard, etc. |
| SU | But it's not God himself who descends to Earth and creates this miracle? |
| POU | No. People do it. |
| SU | What kind of people helped to accomplish a miracle? |
| POU | Pirogov and Rubinstein. |
| SU | Do you know who it is? Are these characters fictional or not? Let's look at people who can bring a miracle to life. What will you write on the next ray? |
| POU | Miracles happen because of people. |
| SU | And now independently formulate the definition of "Christmas story", continuing the sentence "A Christmas story is:", make an entry in your notebook. |
| POU | Statement of definitions, several students read it out. |
| SU | Why do you think such stories were common in the 19th century? |
| POU | |
| SU | Simple and uncomplicated stories contain dreams of a kind and joyful life, of a cordial and merciful attitude towards each other, of the victory of good over evil in spite of everything. These stories are intended for both children and adults, both for the experienced and for the novice reader. It is better to read them with the whole family, and precisely during the winter holidays, when there is no fuss, when our hearts are softened, so Christmas or Christmas stories will not seem to us too sentimental or far from life. |
| SU | Remember what our goal and objectives were. Have we solved the problems, have we achieved the goals? |
| POU | Remember goals and objectives, draw conclusions. |
| SU | I have already said that the genre of the Christmas story is widespread in literature. Therefore, the homework will be as follows: Prove, in writing, that this is a "Christmas story." (Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol in Prose", "Cricket Behind the Hearth"; Selma Lagerlöf "The Christmas Guest"; F.M. Dostoevsky "Christ's Boy on the Christmas Tree"). Or write your own Christmas story. Thank you for the lesson. The lesson is over. |
SU - teacher's word
Literature lesson in grade 5 based on the story of A.I. Kuprin "The Wonderful Doctor".
Teacher of Russian language and literature
Barmina Galina Vadimovna
Lesson topic: "Ethere are such people with a warm-warm heart».
Lesson Objectives:
Acquaintance with the genre of the Christmas story, its features; learning to analyze the content of the text.
form positive traits personalities such as mercy, compassion, kindness, empathy.
Formed universal learning activities:
Cognitive UUD: formulate the objectives of the lesson and argue your own opinion, find the necessary information in the text; to form the ability to work with text; continue the conversation about humanity;
Regulatory UUD: plan your work in the lesson
Personal UUD: be able to correlate the actions of the characters with the events described in the story and the reasons for their occurrence.
Communicative UUD: the ability to listen and hear, take someone else's point of view, formulate and argue their own opinion.
Equipment: a book for students of the 5th grade “Around you is the world”, portraits of A.I. Kuprin and N.I. Pirogov, an exhibition of the writer's books and illustrations for the story "The Wonderful Doctor", computer.
Type of lesson: lesson-thinking.
lesson form: frontal, individual.
None of us has the right to pass by suffering for which we, in fact, are not responsible, and not to prevent it. Albert Schweitzer
While we feel someone else's pain,
As long as we have compassion,
While we dream and run wild
There is an excuse for our life.
Y. Gridasov
Lesson Plan
Organizing time. Good parable.
Goal setting. Objectives and purpose of the lesson.
Introductory speech about A.I. Kuprine. The concept of "Christmas story".
Knowledge update. Work with text. Episode analysis.
At the shop window
In the dungeon at the Mertsalovs.
Mertsalov's return home.
Meeting in the garden.
Student's story about Dr. N.I. Pirogov.
Reflection
Summary of the lesson. Evaluation
Creative homework
Organizing time.
Today I want to start our lesson with an acquaintance with a parable
A parable about kindness and mercy.
On a clear May morning, a young man saw a man, about his age, begging for alms by the wall of the park. Next to it was a poster, which was a handwritten inscription on a piece of board: "I am blind."
This prayer clearly did not touch the hearts of residents and tourists. big city hurried past. Except for a few coins, the begging bowl was empty.
Touched by this sad sight, the passer-by thought about what this unfortunate young man was deprived of on such a wonderful day, and approached the beggar.
“I can’t give you money,” he explained guiltily to the beggar, “because I myself have been unemployed for several months. But, if you don't mind, I can help you in another way. I would like to make some changes to your request for help.
The astonished beggar hesitated for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders.
- All right, do what you want. But I must tell you that there are hardly any words that can arouse pity among the inhabitants of this city for another beggar.
The young man took out a marker from his pocket, wrote a few words on the poster, and continued on his way.
By the end of the day, he was returning through the park, and as he passed the beggar, he noted with satisfaction that the new poster had proved effective in opening the hearts and wallets of passers-by. The bowl was full of money, and not only small coins, but even five- and ten-dollar bills.
“Things have gone much better for you,” he said to the beggar.
- What are the guys parable about?
goal setting
- How does the theme of the parable relate to the theme of our lesson?
- What will we talk about in the lesson?
- What are the tasks we are facing today, determine the purpose of our lesson?(student answers).
Introduction by the teacher.
Today our lesson is called a reflection lesson. We will talk about the moral values that each of us needs - this is mercy and compassion, sympathy and kindness.
- What do you think the words "kindness", "mercy", sympathy, "compassion" mean?
Vocabulary work. Checking homework.
Mercy- willingness to help someone or forgive someone out of compassion, philanthropy.
Compassion- a feeling of pity for someone who has misfortune, grief.
Sympathy- responsive, sympathetic attitude to the experiences, misfortune of others.
Unselfishness- unwillingness of rewards and retributions for good deeds. Selfless is the one who thinks more about others than about himself. Priceless these human qualities!
Work with the text of the story "The Wonderful Doctor".
Kuprin's story "The Wonderful Doctor", according to the author himself, was written on the basis of real history, which Kuprin heard from a certain successful banker. The story was written at the time when Kuprin lived in Kyiv in 1897 and refers us to the events of about thirty years ago.
Human life is complex and unpredictable, it is not simple. A variety of trials and problems lie in wait for each of us. Today this is due to such problems as unemployment, lack of money, which affect many families. Often there are trials so difficult that even the strongest and most self-confident person simply gives up. What to do in such moments? Who to turn to for help? And if a person is faced with the heartlessness of others? Desperate, a person decides on the most terrible act - suicide. And how wonderful it is that in such a moment of despair, someone suddenly appears who is not indifferent to your story, who, after listening to you, can not leave, but take part in the life of your family to help. A real miracle is happening. The name of this miracle is mercy, compassion, sympathy, kindness.
You read the story of A.I. Kuprin "The Wonderful Doctor". This story is fictional or based on real events? Who is this wonderful doctor?
What impression did the story make on you? Why did the author give it such a name?
- How do you understand the meaning of the word "wonderful"?(amazing, magical, extraordinary, wonderful, magnificent)
What is the meaning of the word "miracle"?(this is wish fulfillment)
What Orthodox holiday is it associated with? student answers)
(The events of the story take place on Christmas Eve, on the eve of Christmas.
- What do you know about Christmas? What feelings fill your hearts on the eve of the holiday?
What miracles do you want to believe in? What are you expecting?(I hope for the gifts that will be given to me and look forward to them). "The Miraculous Doctor" refers to Christmas stories.
The Christmas or Christmas story is one of the most complex, but at the same time one of the most “Russian genres in our literature.
The main idea of the Christmas story- the revival of kindness and mercy in people.
Work in notebooks. Christmas story features:
1) coincidence with Christmas;
2) main character- child;
3) the movement of the plot from a hopeless situation to a happy ending;
4) an obligatory condition in the plot: transformation, metamorphosis;
5) the edification of the story, the presence of a pronounced morality.
- What features did you note in the story "The Wonderful Doctor"?
- How does Kuprin show the approach of the holiday in the story?
- Let's turn to the text and remember what characters the author introduces us to at the very beginning of the work..
1. Episode at the shop window.
- Grish, and Grish! Look piglet something ... Laughing ... Yes, yes. And in his mouth! .. Look, look ... weed in your mouth, by God, weed! .. Here's a thing! And two little boys standing in front of a huge, solid glass window of a grocery store, started laughing uncontrollably, pushing each other to the side with elbows, but involuntarily dancing from the cruel cold. They've been for over five minutes stuck out before this magnificent exhibition, exciting their minds and stomachs alike.
Mountains in the shop window red firm apples and oranges; stood right pyramids of tangerines, gently gilded through the tissue paper enveloping them; stretched out on dishes, ugly gaping mouths and bulging eyes, huge smoked and marinated fish s; below, surrounded garlands of sausages, flaunted juicy cut hams with a thick layer of pinkish fat..., shining Christmas trees, a festive revival of the crowd, a cheerful rumble saw a Christmas tree, which from a distance seemed like a huge bunch of bright shining spots.
- Why are the boys looking at the window so carefully?
- Can they imagine that they will have the same treats in their house for the holiday?
Find in the text the description of the cellar of the Mertsalovs (page 79)
- And what can you say about the Mertsalov family? Do they feel the holidays are coming?
- What in the story indicates the impossibility of fulfilling these dreams? live in the basement, father lost his job, sick sister, empty cabbage soup ..)
Work with text.
Unpopulated, crooked, narrow, gloomy, unlit lanes.
For more than a year the Mertsalovs lived in this dungeon. Both boys had long since become accustomed to these smoky, crying from dampness to the walls, and to wet scraps drying on a rope stretched across the room, and to this terrible smell of kerosene, children's dirty linen and rats- the real smell of poverty. But today, after everything they saw on the street, after this festive jubilation that they felt everywhere, their little children's hearts sank from acute, unchildish suffering. In the corner, on dirty wide bed, lay a girl of seven years; her face burned, her breathing was short and difficult, her wide-open shining eyes stared intently and aimlessly. Next to the bed, in a cradle hanging from the ceiling, shouted, grimacing, straining and choking, infant.
- And how does the writer help us to feel the tragedy of disadvantaged people more strongly? ( children's answers) read out.
- Look at the opposite descriptions. What is the name of such an artistic device in literature? (antithesis- opposition)
(student answers: so that we can see how hard life is for the family and the indifference of the city to people like the Mertsalovs).
Work with text.
Episode. In the dungeon at the Mertsalovs.
Teacher. Using the technique antitheses, Kuprin shows us the world of rich, well-fed and indifferent people, and against their background, the poverty of people like the Mertsalovs is more visible.
- What happened to the Mertsalov family? Read out.
In this terrible fateful year misfortune per misfortune persistent and ruthless rained down on Mertsalov and his family. At first he himself fell ill with typhoid fever, and all their meager savings went into his treatment. Then, when he recovered, he learned that his place, the humble position of a house manager twenty-five rubles a month, already taken by someone else.... Desperate began, convulsive pursuit per odd job, for correspondence, for an insignificant place, a pledge and re-pledge of things, the sale of all household rags. And then the kids got sick. Three months ago, one girl died, now another is lying in a fever and unconscious.
- Can this happen today?
(Yes, and today there are many families that are in the same position as the Mertsalov family. Problems are so complex that a person loses hope that he will be able to find a solution. It just so happens that constant searches do not give the desired result, and then even the strongest person gives up, or to put it simply, he gives up.)
3.Fizminutka
From behind the desks we will go out together,
But there is no need to make noise.
straight, feet together
Turn around in place.
Clap your hands a couple of times
And let's dive in a little.
Now let's imagine kids
As if our hands are branches,
Let's shake them together
Like a south wind blowing.
The wind died down. They sighed together.
We need to continue the lesson.
Lined up, quietly sat down
And look at the board.
Work with text.
4. Episode. Mertsalov's return home.
At this time, someone's hesitant steps and the rustling of a hand searching for a door in the darkness were heard in the corridor. Mertsalov entered. He was in summer coat, summer felt hat and without galoshes. His hands were swollen and blue from the cold, his eyes sunken in, his cheeks stuck around his gums like a dead man's. He did not say a single word to his wife, she did not ask him a single question. They understood each other by the despair they read in each other's eyes.
-Did anyone help the Mertsalovs? students' answers: no, whoever Mertsalov turned to, no one helped him, they did not care about him, there was no sympathy for him and his family).
- What do you think, what is Mertsalov going through, who does he blame for what happened?
Teacher. I think you have noticed that with the help of the antithesis, the author drew our attention not only to the cruelty of the surrounding world, but also to the unbearable need of the inhabitants of the dungeon. An equally important place in the story is given to the image of the landscape.
- How do you think, why did the writer need to describe the city garden in detail?
How did Mertsalov get here?
Work with text. Meeting in the garden.
"Going out into the street, he went aimlessly forward ... Unbeknownst to himself Mertsalov found himself at the fence of a dense public garden. Mechanically he rolled up through the gate and, passing a long avenue of lindens covered with snow, went down on a low garden bench. It was quiet and solemn. The trees, shrouded in their white robes, slumbered in motionless majesty. Sometimes a piece of snow broke off from the upper branch, and you could hear how it rustled, falling and clinging to other branches. deep silence and great calm who guarded the garden, suddenly awakened in to the tormented soul of Mertsalov, an unbearable thirst for the same calmness, the same silence. "I wish I could lie down and fall asleep," he thought, "and forget about my wife, about the hungry children, about the sick Mashutka" ... Thought about suicide absolutely clear got up in his head. But he doesn't horrified this thought, not for a moment didn't shudder before the darkness of the unknown. " Than die slowly, So wouldn't it be better to take the shorter route? He already wanted to get up to fulfill his terrible intention, but at this time at the end of the alley heard the creak of steps, distinctly heard in the frosty air.
Teacher. Describing the beauty of nature, Kuprin also uses personifications, metaphors, epithets. And again we see opposition-antithesis. The tranquility of nature, its calmness and the thirst for the same calmness in Mertsalov's tormented soul.
— What a glorious night The stranger suddenly spoke up. — Frosty... quiet. What a charm - Russian winter! Voice He had soft, affectionate, senile. Mertsalov was silent, not turning around.
- And here I am kids I know gifts bought- continued the stranger (he had several bundles in his hands).
- Yes, on the way. couldn't resist, made a circle to pass the garden: very good here….
Mertsalov was generally a meek and shy person, but at last words the stranger suddenly seized him with a surge of desperate anger. He turned abruptly towards the old man shouted, absurdly waving his arms and panting: - Presents! .. Gifts! .. Gifts for familiar children! .. And I ... and I have, your Majesty, at the present moment my kids are dying of hunger at home... Gifts!.
- How did Mertsalov react to the unfamiliar old man?
- Why didn't the old man leave after such rude cries from Mertsalov?
- What made the hero open his soul to this old man?
(He was the only person who paid attention to him, not out of idle curiosity, but out of a desire to help. His calm old man's voice endeared Mertsalov to him.
The old man brought his smart, serious face with gray whiskers closer to him and said friendly, but in a serious tone:
— Wait... don't worry! Tell I have everything in order and as short as possible. Maybe together we can come up with something for you. There was something so calm and inspiring confidence in the stranger's unusual face that Mertsalov immediately, without the slightest concealment, but terribly excited and in a hurry, conveyed his story. He spoke about his illness, about the loss of a place, about the death of a child, about all your misfortunes up to the present day. Stranger listened without interrupting him with a word, and only more and more inquisitively and intently looked into his eyes, as if wanting to penetrate into the very depths of this sore, indignant soul. Suddenly, with a quick, quite youthful movement, he jumped up from his seat and grabbed Mertsalov by the hand. Mertsalov involuntarily also stood up.
— Let's go! said the stranger, pulling Mertsalov by the hand.
- Let's go soon! .. Your happiness that you met with the doctor. Of course I can't vouch for anything but...let's go!
-What picture did the doctor see when they entered the basement where Mertsalov lived?
- Tell me, guys, did a miracle happen in the hero's family after he met the doctor?
(The unbelievable happened, soon the stove was heated, the samovar was blown up, food appeared. The doctor wrote out a prescription for medicines and promised to send another doctor tomorrow. So the hope settled in the soul of the Mertsalov family that all hardships would go away and everything would be fine now.)
- What surprise awaits the Mertsalovs after the disappearance of the doctor?
The teacher reads a poem by Tatyana Grigorieva.
There are such people...
There are people like that... they make you stronger
It's like medicine for a wounded soul.
A kind smile, a word that is more necessary,
And the warmth on the pulse is already asking.
There are such people ... with a warm, warm heart,
They open their souls and let them in.
Their warmth goes beyond the hertz,
And lucky those who can find them.
-
What was the name of this wonderful doctor?
5. Student's story about Dr. Pirogov
N.I. Pirogov is a Russian surgeon who made a great contribution to the formation of military field surgery. He contributed to the organization of the movement of sisters of mercy in Russia during the period of hostilities in 1853-1856.
He survived three kings, passing away, probably at the peak of his fame...
At the beginning last year life, on a harsh winter evening in 1881, he could often be found on one of the snow-covered St. Petersburg alleys of a dense city garden. He was busy with his evening exercise, because he believed that such walks contribute to good sleep and excellent appetite. Walking through the winter garden, as usual, he smoked a cigarette.
The gray-haired old man knew how to appreciate loneliness. This is what happens when a person gets tired of the most endless stream of people and, like a snake, is looking for a small loophole to hide, quietly slip away from society.
It seemed that at that moment he rejoiced at this loneliness and the silence that arose around him, with his whole appearance showing kind hospitality to rare passers-by. Pirogov was not only an experienced doctor, but an outstanding kind savior human souls. He helped suffering people free of charge, without demanding awards and praise. After all, true kindness is not flaunted. And they do it from a pure heart, sincerely, secretly.
The charitable activities of Pirogov, the doctor, left a mark on fiction. Kuprin in the story "The Wonderful Doctor" told how Pirogov saved the family of a poor official from illness and hunger, helped her "break out." We somehow do not really trust the ends, where, as in a fairy tale, great person who suits everything, because everything can. But the story is reliable - it is a tribute to the humanity, kindness and nobility of Pirogov.
Conclusion.- What does the story make you think about? Is it modern?
At the beginning of the lesson, we asked ourselves the question “Why is the story called “The Miraculous Doctor”? Let's now answer this question. (Student answers)
V. "Reflective Screen"
Today I found out...
It was interesting to me…
It was difficult for me...
I understand)…
I'll try…
Conclusion. So, the miracle of active compassion, helping a person without expectation of gratitude, should become an “ordinary miracle”, natural for every person. There are still people like Dr. Pirogov in our real life, which means that there is hope for help and support from others. And most importantly - never lose heart, fight against circumstances and lend a helping hand to those in need. Guys, you have to believe in miracles!
VI. Summing up, grading for the lesson.
Which of the epigraphs of the lesson is more suitable for our lesson.
What is good? This is a piece of happiness
This fresh air, this wind is a sip.
You give it, and it will return,
Some people just have a heartbeat.
Do not buy this word and do not sell,
You can give it as a gift or just give it away ...
Free of charge, without demanding money back,
It's all very simple and very enjoyable.
Today I want to give you good,
How do you people feel warm in your heart?
Let everyone feel it, smile,
And it will immediately return to you with a smile!
VII. Creative homework.
Write an essay-reflection on the topic “Why is active compassion a miracle?
What miracles should people believe in?
Is it necessary in today's life to follow the advice of Pirogov: “... the main thing is never lose heart”?
Grish, oh Grish! Look, a little pig... Laughing... Yeah. And he has something in his mouth! .. Look, look ... weed in his mouth, by God, weed! .. That's something!
And the two little boys, standing in front of the huge, solid glass window of the grocery store, began to laugh uncontrollably, pushing each other in the side with their elbows, but involuntarily dancing from the cruel cold. For more than five minutes they had stood in front of this magnificent exhibition, which excited their minds and stomachs in equal measure.
Here, illuminated by the bright light of hanging lamps, towered whole mountains of strong red apples and oranges; stood regular pyramids tangerines, tenderly golden through the cigarette paper wrapping them; stretched out on platters with ugly gaping mouths and bulging eyes, huge smoked and pickled fish; below, surrounded by garlands of sausages, were juicy cut hams with a thick layer of pinkish fat...
An innumerable number of jars and boxes with salted, boiled and smoked snacks completed this spectacular picture, looking at which both boys for a moment forgot about the twelve-degree frost and about the important task entrusted to them by their mother - a task that ended so unexpectedly and so deplorably.
The eldest boy was the first to break away from contemplation of the charming spectacle. He pulled his brother's sleeve and said sternly:
Well, Volodya, let's go, let's go ... There's nothing here ...
At the same time, suppressing a heavy sigh (the eldest of them was only ten years old, and besides, both of them had not eaten anything since morning, except for empty cabbage soup) and throwing a last loving-greedy glance at the gastronomic exhibition, the boys hurriedly ran down the street. Sometimes, through the misted windows of some house, they saw a Christmas tree, which from afar seemed like a huge bunch of bright, shining spots, sometimes they even heard the sounds of a cheerful polka ... But they courageously drove away from themselves the tempting thought: to stop for a few seconds and snuggle up to glass.
As the boys walked, the streets became less crowded and darker. Beautiful shops, shining Christmas trees, trotters rushing under their blue and red nets, the screech of runners, the festive animation of the crowd, the cheerful rumble of shouts and conversations, the laughing faces of smart ladies flushed with frost - everything was left behind. Wastelands stretched out, crooked, narrow lanes, gloomy, unlit slopes ... At last they reached a rickety dilapidated house that stood apart; its bottom - the basement itself - was stone, and the top was wooden. Walking around the cramped, icy and dirty yard, which served as a natural garbage pit for all the residents, they went down to the basement, went through the common corridor in the darkness, found their door by feel and opened it.
For more than a year the Mertsalovs lived in this dungeon. Both boys had long since become accustomed to these smoky, damp-weeping walls, and to wet scraps drying on a rope stretched across the room, and to this terrible smell of kerosene fumes, children's dirty laundry and rats - the real smell of poverty. But today, after all that they saw on the street, after this festive jubilation that they felt everywhere, their little children's hearts sank from acute, unchildish suffering. In the corner, on a dirty wide bed, lay a girl of about seven; her face burned, her breathing was short and difficult, her wide-open shining eyes stared intently and aimlessly. Next to the bed, in a cradle suspended from the ceiling, a baby was crying, grimacing, straining and choking. A tall, thin woman, with a haggard, tired face, as if blackened with grief, was kneeling beside the sick girl, straightening her pillow and at the same time not forgetting to push the rocking cradle with her elbow. When the boys entered and white puffs of frosty air rushed into the basement after them, the woman turned her worried face back.
Well? What? she asked abruptly and impatiently.
The boys were silent. Only Grisha noisily wiped his nose with the sleeve of his overcoat, remade from an old wadded dressing gown.
Did you take the letter? .. Grisha, I ask you, did you give the letter back?
So what? What did you say to him?
Yes, just like you taught. Here, I say, is a letter from Mertsalov, from your former manager. And he scolded us: “Get out of here, you say... You bastards...”
But who is this? Who was talking to you?.. Speak plainly, Grisha!
The doorman was talking... Who else? I told him: "Take, uncle, a letter, pass it on, and I'll wait for an answer here." And he says: “Well, he says, keep your pocket ... The master also has time to read your letters ...”
Well, what about you?
I told him everything, as you taught, “There is, they say, nothing ... Mother is sick ... Dying ...” I say: “As dad finds a place, he will thank you, Savely Petrovich, by God, he will thank you” . Well, at this time, the bell will ring, how it will ring, and he tells us: “Get the hell out of here as soon as possible! So that your spirit is not here! .. ”And he even hit Volodya on the back of the head.
And he hit me on the back of the head, ”said Volodya, who followed his brother’s story with attention, and scratched the back of his head.
The older boy suddenly began rummaging preoccupiedly in the deep pockets of his dressing gown. Finally pulling out a crumpled envelope, he laid it on the table and said:
Here is the letter...
The mother didn't ask any more questions. For a long time in the stuffy, dank room, only the frantic cry of the baby and the short, frequent breathing of Mashutka, more like uninterrupted monotonous groans, were heard. Suddenly the mother said, turning back:
There is borscht there, left over from dinner... Maybe we could eat? Only cold - there is nothing to warm up ...
At this time, someone's hesitant steps and the rustling of a hand searching for a door in the darkness were heard in the corridor. The mother and both boys, all three of them even pale with intense anticipation, turned in this direction.
Mertsalov entered. He was wearing a summer coat, a summer felt hat, and no galoshes. His hands were swollen and blue from the cold, his eyes sunken in, his cheeks stuck around his gums like a dead man's. He did not say a single word to his wife, she did not ask him a single question. They understood each other by the despair they read in each other's eyes.
In this terrible fateful year, misfortune after misfortune persistently and ruthlessly rained down on Mertsalov and his family. First, he himself contracted typhoid fever, and all their meager savings went to his treatment. Then, when he recovered, he learned that his place, the modest position of a house manager for twenty-five rubles a month, was already occupied by another .... A desperate, convulsive pursuit began for odd jobs, for correspondence, for an insignificant place, bail and things, sale of any economic rags. And then the kids got sick. Three months ago, one girl died, now another is lying in a fever and unconscious. Elizaveta Ivanovna had to simultaneously take care of a sick girl, breastfeed a little one and go almost to the other end of the city to the house where she washed clothes every day.
All day today I was busy trying to squeeze out at least a few kopecks from somewhere for Mashutka's medicine through superhuman efforts. To this end, Mertsalov ran around almost half the city, begging and humiliating himself everywhere; Elizaveta Ivanovna went to her mistress, the children were sent with a letter to the gentleman whose house Mertsalov used to manage ... But everyone tried to dissuade him either by festive chores, or lack of money ... Others, like, for example, the doorman of the former patron, simply chased petitioners from the porch.
For ten minutes no one could utter a word. Suddenly Mertsalov quickly got up from the chest on which he had been sitting up until now, and with a decisive movement pushed his tattered hat deeper onto his forehead.
Where are you going? asked Elizaveta Ivanovna anxiously.
Mertsalov, who had already taken hold of the doorknob, turned around.
All the same, sitting will not help anything, - he answered hoarsely. - I'll go again ... At least I'll try to ask for alms.
Out on the street, he walked aimlessly forward. He didn't look for anything, didn't hope for anything. He has long gone through that burning time of poverty, when you dream of finding a wallet with money on the street or suddenly receiving an inheritance from an unknown second cousin. Now he was seized by an irresistible desire to run anywhere, to run without looking back, so as not to see the silent despair of a hungry family.
Beg for mercy? He has already tried this remedy twice today. But for the first time, some gentleman in a raccoon coat read him an instruction that he had to work, and not beg, and the second time they promised to send him to the police.
Unbeknownst to himself, Mertsalov found himself in the center of the city, near the fence of a dense public garden. Since he had to go uphill all the time, he was out of breath and felt tired. Mechanically, he turned into a gate and, passing a long avenue of lindens covered with snow, went down to a low garden bench.
It was quiet and solemn. The trees, shrouded in their white robes, slumbered in motionless majesty. Sometimes a piece of snow broke off from the upper branch, and you could hear how it rustled, falling and clinging to other branches. The deep stillness and great calm that guarded the garden suddenly awakened in Mertsalov's tormented soul an unbearable thirst for the same calmness, the same silence.
“I wish I could lie down and fall asleep,” he thought, “and forget about my wife, about the hungry children, about the sick Mashutka.” Putting his hand under his waistcoat, Mertsalov felt for a rather thick rope that served as his belt. The thought of suicide was very clear in his head. But he was not horrified by this thought, did not shudder for a moment before the darkness of the unknown.
“Instead of dying slowly, isn’t it better to take a shorter path?” He was about to get up in order to fulfill his terrible intention, but at that time a creak of footsteps was heard at the end of the alley, distinctly resounding in the frosty air. Mertsalov turned in anger in that direction. Someone was walking down the alley. At first, the light of a flashing, then an extinct cigar was visible. Then, little by little, Mertsalov could make out an old man of small stature, in a warm hat, fur coat and high galoshes. Coming abreast of the bench, the stranger suddenly turned sharply in the direction of Mertsalov and, lightly touching his hat, asked:
Will you let me sit here?
Mertsalov deliberately abruptly turned away from the stranger and moved to the edge of the bench. Five minutes passed in mutual silence, during which the stranger smoked a cigar and (Mertsalov sensed this) sideways watched his neighbor.
What a glorious night, - the stranger suddenly spoke up. - Frosty ... quiet. What a charm - Russian winter!
But I bought presents for the children of my acquaintances, - the stranger continued (he had several bundles in his hands). - Yes, I couldn’t resist on the road, I made a circle in order to pass through the garden: it’s very good here.
Mertsalov was generally a meek and shy person, but at the last words of the stranger he was suddenly seized by a surge of desperate anger. With a sharp movement he turned towards the old man and shouted, absurdly waving his arms and panting:
Gifts!.. Gifts!.. Gifts for the children I know!.. And I... and I, dear sir, at the present moment my children are dying of hunger at home... Gifts!.. And my wife’s milk is gone, and breast the child has not eaten all day ... Gifts! ..
Mertsalov expected that after these disorderly, angry cries the old man would get up and leave, but he was mistaken. The old man brought his smart, serious face with gray whiskers closer to him and said in a friendly but serious tone:
Wait... don't worry! Tell me everything in order and as briefly as possible. Maybe together we can come up with something for you.
There was something so calm and inspiring confidence in the stranger's unusual face that Mertsalov immediately, without the slightest concealment, but terribly excited and in a hurry, conveyed his story. He spoke about his illness, about the loss of his place, about the death of a child, about all his misfortunes, up to this day. The stranger listened without interrupting him with a word, and only looked more inquisitively and intently into his eyes, as if wishing to penetrate into the very depths of this sore, indignant soul. Suddenly, with a quick, quite youthful movement, he jumped up from his seat and grabbed Mertsalov by the arm. Mertsalov involuntarily also stood up.
Let's go! - said the stranger, pulling Mertsalov by the hand. - Let's go soon! .. Your happiness that you met with the doctor. Of course, I can't vouch for anything, but ... let's go!
Ten minutes later, Mertsalov and the doctor were already entering the basement. Elizaveta Ivanovna was lying on the bed next to her sick daughter, her face buried in dirty, greasy pillows. The boys slurped borscht, sitting in the same places. Frightened by the long absence of their father and the immobility of their mother, they wept, smearing tears down their faces with dirty fists and spilling them profusely into a sooty cast-iron. Entering the room, the doctor threw off his overcoat and, remaining in an old-fashioned, rather shabby coat, went up to Elizaveta Ivanovna. She didn't even raise her head at his approach.
Well, that's enough, that's enough, my dear, - the doctor spoke, affectionately stroking the woman on the back. - Get up! Show me your patient.
And just as recently in the garden, something tender and convincing sounding in his voice made Elizaveta Ivanovna instantly get out of bed and implicitly do everything that the doctor said. Two minutes later, Grishka was already lighting the stove with firewood, for which the wonderful doctor sent to the neighbors, Volodya was fanning the samovar with all his might, Elizaveta Ivanovna was wrapping Mashutka with a warming compress ... A little later, Mertsalov also appeared. For the three rubles received from the doctor, he managed to buy tea, sugar, rolls during this time and get hot food at the nearest tavern. The doctor was sitting at the table writing something on a piece of paper which he had torn out of notebook. Having finished this lesson and depicting some kind of hook below instead of a signature, he got up, covered what was written with a tea saucer and said:
With this piece of paper you will go to the pharmacy ... let's take a teaspoon in two hours. This will cause the baby to expectorate ... Continue the warming compress ... Besides, even if your daughter gets better, in any case, invite Dr. Afrosimov tomorrow. He is a good doctor and good man. I will warn him now. Then farewell, gentlemen! God grant that the coming year treats you a little more condescendingly than this one, and most importantly - never lose heart.
After shaking hands with Mertsalov and Elizaveta Ivanovna, who still had not recovered from his astonishment, and casually patting Volodya's open-mouthed cheek on the cheek, the doctor quickly thrust his feet into deep galoshes and put on his overcoat. Mertsalov came to his senses only when the doctor was already in the corridor, and rushed after him.
Since it was impossible to make out anything in the darkness, Mertsalov shouted at random:
Doctor! Doctor, wait!.. Tell me your name, doctor! May my children pray for you!
And he moved his hands in the air to catch the invisible doctor. But at this time, at the other end of the corridor, a calm old voice said:
E! Here are some more trifles invented! .. Come back home soon!
When he returned, a surprise awaited him: under the tea saucer, along with the wonderful doctor's prescription, there were several large credit notes...
On the same evening, Mertsalov also learned the name of his unexpected benefactor. On the pharmacy label, attached to the vial of medicine, it was written in the pharmacist's clear hand: "According to the prescription of Professor Pirogov."
I heard this story, and more than once, from the lips of Grigory Emelyanovich Mertsalov himself - the same Grishka who, on the Christmas Eve I described, shed tears into a smoky iron with empty borscht. Now he occupies a fairly large, responsible post in one of the banks, reputed to be a model of honesty and responsiveness to the needs of poverty. And each time, finishing his story about the wonderful doctor, he adds in a voice trembling with hidden tears:
Since then, a beneficent angel has descended into our family. Everything has changed. At the beginning of January, my father found a place, my mother got on her feet, and my brother and I were able to get a place at the gymnasium at public expense. Just a miracle performed by this holy man. And we have seen our wonderful doctor only once since then - this is when he was transported dead to his own estate Cherry. And even then they didn’t see him, because that great, powerful and holy thing that lived and burned in the wonderful doctor during his lifetime died out irretrievably.
From Christmas to Epiphany - Christmas time. "Redka" publishes Christmas mini-stories every year, and we fully realized how hard it was for writers before the revolution to come up with plots for Christmas stories - after all, not a single self-respecting newspaper could do without them. Here is another mini-story based on Kuprin.
"Wonderful Doctor"
Prologue
The frost was getting stronger, but the twins Grishutka and Vanechka did not want to return home. Shop windows beckoned with gifts and food. The guards chased them away from the windows, but they again flattened their noses on the display glass ...
The frost was getting stronger ... (without this phrase, as you know, not a single Christmas story can do)
But the brothers did not want to return to the cold basement room of the dormitory where their family lived: a sick mother with a six-month-old baby in her arms, an unemployed father, a grandmother with progressive paralysis, and a severely coughing sister Ninochka. Moreover, a drinking Afghan uncle nailed down, who at night screamed like he "... under Kandahar drenched reptiles", frightening everyone. The good spouses did not dare to drive him out into the winter. And now, on Christmas Eve, this is what happened there.
1. The haggard head of the family, Nikolai Ivanovich, entered the room.
- Received? - Mom screamed.
- No ... - Papa answered dully. - We went bankrupt ... The boss said that there was no money, but you hold on ...
- And you said that the children ...
- He said ... And he told me: "And you lean on pasta." And this one, his secretary bitch, hisses: “The state did not force you to give birth!”.
- The heating was turned off ... - the progressive grandmother mumbled.
“The commandant came in and said to get out of here after Christmas if you don’t pay,” Ninochka said through a cough.
- I'll go and try to hand over the bottles ... - the Afghan uncle hissed.
The twin brothers ran in.
- What would you like to eat?
Mommy cried.
Nikolai Ivanovich grabbed his head and ran out into the street.
2. After wandering around the city, he sat down on a bench. “Is it possible to start asking for alms…” At this time, a well-dressed gentleman sat down next to him.
- I love Christmas! – said the gentleman, with a barely perceptible foreign accent. - Frost! A sort of snowball crunches ... As a doctor, I say that the weather is wonderful for your health. Good!
- Good?! suddenly shouted the unfortunate Nikolai Ivanovich. “Do you know, dear sir, that my children have not eaten for three days!” That I haven’t received a salary for six months and I’m unlikely to get it!
- Let's go! said the strange doctor, flashing his golden glasses.
3. A miracle happened. Not even an hour had passed before the heating was turned on, the sick mother drank hot milk with honey, the grandmother's paralysis was recognized as not so progressive, and now she herself cheerfully jumped around the room in a downy belly, sobbing and grunting joyfully. The Afghan uncle went to hand over the bottles and did not return. Ninochka stopped coughing after taking some pills. The wonderful doctor examined her and the twin brothers especially carefully. Then he grunted with satisfaction and sent Nikolai Ivanovich for food. On the way, he asked who his director was and called somewhere. After some time, the mobile phone squealed: the salary for six months came to the card! In the corridor, he thrust a pack of five thousandth banknotes to Nikolai Ivanovich, who was stunned with happiness.
- Feed your children well, buy them caviar. I will visit you in a couple of weeks and arrange them at the expense of a charitable foundation in a sanatorium in Turkey.
The wonderful doctor is gone.
4. Things went well with Nikolai Ivanovich. On the same evening, the director called him and very politely congratulated him on Christmas, in passing wondering how he knew the official in charge of social security in the region. By the way, he offered Nikolai Ivanovich a job in his new company and an interest-free loan to buy a large apartment in a new house. No one celebrated Christmas so cheerfully as the family of Nikolai Ivanovich. The quiet angel was even tired of fluttering under the low ceilings of the basement room. It was midnight on the tower of St. Vovan. The Christmas star has risen!
Epilogue
Nikolai Ivanovich waited in vain for a wonderful doctor. On the same evening, the actor Sapegin, drunk to amazement, after finishing the New Year's Eve, was returning home in his bat-broken Toyota. Father Frost's hat was sticking out on his head, and his drunken girlfriend Martha, aka Snegurochka, was lying in the back seat. Sapegin, remembering the cherished bottle in the refrigerator, pressed down on the gas. And then a figure appeared ahead. Spectacles flashed ... Blow! .. The wonderful doctor was thrown up and slammed onto the pavement. Everything was over...
Sapegin was punished, of course, but not severely. Because the doctor crushed by him turned out to be an international criminal wanted by Interpol, the leader of a gang supplying children's organs from Russia to countries with developed democratic traditions.
The frost was getting stronger...
Christmas story
Analysis of A. Kuprin's story "The Wonderful Doctor"
5th grade
Barnaul 2018
In the 19th century, the genre of the Christmas story became popular. Just as we are now looking forward to films with wonderful New Year's adventures, we were also waiting for new Christmas stories then. What is a holy story?
A story is a small form of narrative literature in which an image of an episode from the life of a hero is given. According to N. Leskov, “from the Yuletide story it is absolutely required that it be timed to coincide with the events of the Yuletide evening - from Christmas to baptism, so that it is somewhat fantastic, has some kind of morality, at least like a refutation of a harmful prejudice, and finally - so that it ends happily. »
And here is what a Christmas story should be like according to N. N. Starygina: “The genre Christmas canon requires that the Christmas story be fantastic, have a moral and be distinguished by a cheerful nature of the story.”
Based on the above definitions, we highlight the main features of the Christmas story:
The events of the story unfold in the period from Christmas Eve (January 6) to Epiphany (January 19).
Three-level organization of the space of the story (hell-earth-heaven).
The hero, as a rule, is in some painful state: despondency, sorrow, loneliness, poverty, disappointment, grief.
At the climax of the story, a miracle or extraordinary accident occurs. A miracle is not only the intervention of external forces, but also a happy accident, a lucky coincidence.
5) The denouement of the story is connected with the transformation of the hero, a change in his state.
6) A bright and joyful ending to the story.
7) The social theme of the story.
8) The use of words inherent in the Christmas theme.
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol (The Night Before Christmas) is considered to be the founder of the Christmas story genre. Nikolai Leskov (a cycle of Christmas stories, "Christ visiting a peasant"), A.I. Kuprin, A.P. Chekhov became the successors of the Christmastide genre.
Let us dwell in more detail on Alexander Kuprin's story "The Wonderful Doctor".
Kuprin does not immediately say that the story takes place at Christmas time, but we can guess this from signs: “they saw a Christmas tree, which from a distance seemed like a huge bunch of bright, shining spots, sometimes they even heard the sounds of a cheerful polka”, “shining Christmas trees”, “festive revival of the crowd”, holiday chores”. And only at the end, the author finally names the time - Christmas Eve: "I heard this story, and more than once, from the lips of Grigory Emelyanovich Mertsalov himself - the same Grishka who, on the Christmas Eve described by me, shed tears into a smoky cast-iron with empty borscht."
Three-level organization of the space of the story (hell-earth-heaven). The cellar of the Mertsalovs, their poverty, hunger, illness - hell, a festive city, a meeting with a doctor - earth, Mertsalov's father - finds a job, Mother recovers, the boys go to the gymnasium, years later Grigory Emelyanovich Mertsalov occupies a responsible position in one of the banks - paradise.
In the "Miraculous Doctor" in a state of spiritual despondency, poverty is whole family Mertsalov. This one was "terrible", "misfortune after misfortune persistently and ruthlessly rained down on Mertsalov and his family." First, Mertsalov fell ill with typhus and all their savings were spent on his treatment. When he recovered, his place of work was taken by another. He did not find a new place. Then the children started getting sick. “Three months ago, one girl died, now another is in a fever and unconscious,” writes A. Kuprin. And Mertsalov himself is on the verge of suicide. Poverty, the realization that, despite all the efforts made, he cannot help his family, oppresses him. Hungry children, a sick child, a wife who has to "at the same time take care of a sick girl, breastfeed a little one and go almost to the other end of the city to the house where she washed clothes every day." Mertsalov does not know from whom to expect help. He no longer hopes for anything, is in hopeless despair. In order "not to see the silent despair of a hungry family," Mertsalov finds himself in a public city garden, where he meets a stranger who helps his family.
The doctor sets the whole house in motion with his calmness, active participation. The visit of the doctor is only the beginning of miraculous changes. He appears at the most unexpected moment “at this time, at the end of the alley, a creak of steps was heard, distinctly heard in the frosty air. Mertsalov turned in anger in that direction. Someone was walking down the alley. At first, the light of a flaring, then dying out cigar was visible. Then Mertsalov, little by little, could make out an old man of small stature, in a warm hat, fur coat and high galoshes. The stranger said that the evening was good, that he had bought gifts for Christmas for the kids he knew, Mertsalov, driven to despair, shouted: “Gifts! .. Gifts! .. Gifts for the kids I know! sir, at the present moment my children are dying of hunger at home... Presents! Mertsalov thought that he would leave, but the old man, making a serious face, asked him to tell him his story: “There was something so calm and inspiring confidence in the unusual face of the stranger that Mertsalov immediately, without the slightest concealment, but terribly worried and in a hurry, conveyed his history." He cried about his bad life and his daughter's illness, to which the man, saying that he was a doctor, asked Mertsalov to take him to the patient. After the examination, the doctor prescribed medicines and agreed with the pharmacy, and also said to invite Dr. Afanasiev, with whom he also promised to have an agreement. This is akin to a miracle, which is emphasized in the title of the story. The harsh words of the desperate Mertsalov meet with a lively human response, and the doctor immediately offers his help, instead of being offended or ignoring someone else's misfortune. It also looks like a miracle, because people from a wealthy, festive, other life did not respond to Mertsalov's requests for help and did not even give alms. And the wonderful doctor, by his mere appearance, inspires courage in exhausted people, after that he prescribes treatment for a sick child, gives money for the necessary food and quietly leaves large credit notes on the table. And with all this, this one does not even name his own name, not only not wanting to listen to thanks, but not even considering that he should listen to them:
"Here's another trifle invented!" “From now on, it’s like a beneficent angel descended into our family,” says Grigory Emelyanovich (former Grishka). In early January, my father found a place. Mother got to her feet, my brother and I were able to attach to the gymnasium at public expense. This holy man just performed a miracle.” Why is a doctor called a saint? A saint is called a spiritually and morally immaculate person who is close to God. Having done a good deed, he does not expect gratitude for it.
A distinctive genre feature of the Christmas story is the presence of a contrast. The whole work is built on contrasts. At the very beginning, two boys are standing in front of a bright shop window, a festive air is in the air. But when they go home, everything around becomes gloomy: old crumbling houses are everywhere, and their own dwelling is in the basement. While everyone is preparing for the holiday, the Mertsalovs do not know how to make ends meet in order to simply survive. In this family, the holiday is not even discussed.
It is worth noting the contrast among the heroes of the work. The head of the Mertsal family is a weak person who is not able to solve problems on his own, he is ready to run away from them: he is thinking about suicide. Professor Pirogov, on the contrary, is presented as an incredibly strong, cheerful, confident positive hero who saves the Marmeladov family with his kindness.
In this story, Kuprin raises acute questions regarding the stratification of society, the insecurity of its poor.
And, of course, it is impossible not to note the presence in the story thematic group words related to the Christmas theme: soul, happiness, saint, pray, miracle, wonderful.
Christmas stories have become classics. The main ideas of the holiday are love for one's neighbor, compassion, mercy, which are so lacking in the modern pragmatic world.
