“Notes from the House of the Dead” attracted the attention of the public as a depiction of convicts, whom no one depicted clearly to “The House of the Dead,” wrote Dostoevsky in 1863. But since the theme of “Notes from the House of the Dead” is much broader and concerns many general issues folk life, then assessments of the work only from the side of the depiction of the prison subsequently began to upset the writer. Among Dostoevsky’s draft notes dating back to 1876, we find the following: “In criticism of “Notes from the House of the Dead” it means that Dostoevsky wore prisons, but now it is outdated. That's what they said in the bookstore, offering something else, nearest denunciation of the prisons."

The memoirist’s attention in “Notes from the House of the Dead” is focused not so much on his own experiences, but on the lives and characters of those around him. Like Ivan Petrovich in “The Humiliated and Insulted,” Goryanchikov is almost entirely occupied with the destinies of other people, his narrative has one goal: “To present our entire the prison and everything that I lived during these years, in one clear and vivid picture.” Each chapter, being part of the whole, is a completely finished work, dedicated, like the entire book, to the general life of the prison. The depiction of individual characters is also subordinated to this main task.

There are many crowd scenes in the story. Dostoevsky's desire to make the center of attention is not individual characteristics, A common life masses of people creates the epic style of “Notes from the House of the Dead”.

F. M. Dostoevsky. Notes from dead house(part 1). Audiobook

The theme of the work goes far beyond the boundaries of Siberian hard labor. Telling the stories of prisoners or simply reflecting on the customs of the prison, Dostoevsky turns to the reasons for the crimes committed there, in the “freedom”. And every time, when comparing free and convicts, it turns out that the difference is not so great, that “people are people everywhere,” that convicts live according to the same general laws, or more precisely, that even free people live according to convict laws. It is no coincidence that some crimes are even specifically committed with the goal of getting into prison “and there getting rid of the incomparably more hard labor of life in the wild.”

Establishing similarities between the life of a convict and a “free” one, Dostoevsky deals primarily with the most important social issues: about the attitude of the people towards the nobles and the administration, about the role of money, about the role of labor, etc. As was clear from Dostoevsky’s first letter upon release from prison, he was deeply shocked hostility prisoners to convicts from the nobility. In “Notes from the House of the Dead” this is widely shown and socially explained: “Yes, sir, they don’t like nobles, especially political ones... Firstly, you and the people are different, unlike them, and secondly, they are all before were either landowners or military rank. Judge for yourself, can they love you, sir?”

The chapter “Claim” is especially expressive in this regard. It is characteristic that, despite the severity of his position as a nobleman, the narrator understands and fully justifies the prisoners’ hatred of the nobles, who, upon leaving the prison, will again move into a class hostile to the people. These same feelings are also manifested in the attitude of the common people towards the administration, towards everything official. Even the hospital doctors were treated with prejudice by the prisoners, “because the doctors are gentlemen after all.”

The images of people from the people in “Notes from the House of the Dead” were created with remarkable skill. These are most often strong and integral natures, closely united with their environment, alien to intellectual reflection. Precisely because in their previous lives these people were oppressed and humiliated, because they were most often pushed into crimes by social reasons, there is no repentance in their souls, but only a firm consciousness of their right.

Dostoevsky is convinced that the wonderful natural qualities of people imprisoned in prison, in other conditions, could have developed completely differently and found a different use for themselves. Dostoevsky’s words about being in prison sound like an angry accusation against the entire social order. best people from the people: “Mighty forces died in vain, died abnormally, illegally, irrevocably. And who is to blame? So, who is to blame?

However positive heroes Dostoevsky does not paint rebels, but humble people; he even claims that rebellious sentiments gradually fade away in prison. Dostoevsky’s favorite characters in “Notes from the House of the Dead” are the quiet and affectionate young man Alei, the kind widow Nastasya Ivanovna, and the old Old Believer who decided to suffer for his faith. Speaking, for example, about Nastasya Ivanovna, Dostoevsky, without naming names, polemicizes with the theory reasonable selfishness Chernyshevsky: “Others say (I have heard and read this) that highest love towards one's neighbor is at the same time the greatest egoism. I just don’t understand what egoism there was.”

In “Notes from the House of the Dead,” the moral ideal Dostoevsky, which he later never tired of promoting, passing it off as a people’s ideal. Personal honesty and nobility, religious humility and active love - these are the main traits that Dostoevsky endows with his favorite heroes. Subsequently creating Prince Myshkin (“The Idiot”) and Alyosha (“The Brothers Karamazov”), he essentially developed the trends laid down in “Notes from the House of the Dead.” These tendencies, which make “Notes” similar to the work of the “late” Dostoevsky, could not yet be noticed by the critics of the sixties, but after all the subsequent works of the writer they became obvious. It is characteristic that he paid special attention to this aspect of Notes from the House of the Dead L. N. Tolstoy, who emphasized that here Dostoevsky is close to his own beliefs. In a letter to Strakhov dated September 26, 1880, he wrote: “The other day I was not feeling well, and I was reading “The House of the Dead.” I forgot a lot, re-read and don’t know better than books with all my might new literature, including Pushkin. Not the tone, but the point of view is amazing: sincere, natural and Christian. A good, edifying book. I enjoyed the whole day yesterday, like I haven’t enjoyed for a long time. If you see Dostoevsky, tell him that I love him.”

Alexander Goryanchikov was sentenced to 10 years of hard labor for the murder of his wife. The “house of the dead,” as he called the prison, housed about 250 prisoners. There was a special order here. Some tried to make money with their craft, but the authorities took away all the tools after searches. Many begged for alms. With the money one could buy tobacco or wine to somehow brighten up one's existence.

The hero often thought that someone was exiled for a cold-blooded and brutal murder, and the same sentence was given to a person who killed a person while trying to protect his daughter.

In the very first month, Alexander had the opportunity to see absolutely different people. There were smugglers, robbers, informers, and Old Believers here. Many bragged about the crimes they had committed, wanting the glory of fearless criminals. Goryanchikov immediately decided that he would not go against his conscience, like many, trying to make his life easier. Alexander was 1 of 4 nobles who ended up here. Despite his self-contempt, he didn't want to grovel or complain, and wanted to prove that he was capable of working.

He found a dog behind the barracks and often came to feed his new friend Sharik. Soon he began meeting other prisoners, although he tried to avoid particularly cruel murderers.

Before Christmas, the prisoners were taken to the bathhouse, which everyone was very happy about. On the holiday, the townspeople brought gifts to the prisoners, and the priest blessed all the cells.

Having fallen ill and being hospitalized, Goryanchikov saw with his own eyes what corporal punishment practiced in prison led to.

In the summer, prisoners rioted over prison food. After this, the food became a little better, but not for long.

Several years have passed. The hero had already come to terms with many things and was firmly convinced not to make any more past mistakes. Every day he became more humble and patient. On the last day, Goryanchikov was taken to a blacksmith, who removed the hated shackles from him. Freedom and a happy life lay ahead.

Picture or drawing of Notes from the House of the Dead

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History of creation

The story is documentary in nature and introduces the reader to the life of imprisoned criminals in Siberia on the second half of the 19th century century. The writer artistically comprehended everything he saw and experienced during the four years of hard labor (from to), having been exiled there in connection with the Petrashevites case. The work was created over the years, the first chapters were published in the magazine “Time”.

Plot

The story is told on behalf of the main character, Alexander Petrovich Goryanchikov, a nobleman who found himself in hard labor for a period of 10 years for the murder of his wife. Having killed his wife out of jealousy, Alexander Petrovich himself confessed to the murder, and after serving hard labor, he cut off all ties with relatives and remained in a settlement in the Siberian city of K., leading a secluded life and earning a living by tutoring. One of his few entertainments remains reading and literary sketches about hard labor. Actually, the author calls the “living Dead House”, which gave the title of the story, the prison where the convicts are serving their sentences, and his notes - “Scenes from the Dead House”.

Characters

• Goryanchikov Alexander Petrovich - main character the story from whose perspective the story is told.
• Akim Akimych is one of the four former nobles, a comrade of Goryanchikov, a senior prisoner in the barracks. Sentenced to 12 years for shooting a Caucasian prince who set his fortress on fire. An extremely pedantic and stupidly well-behaved person.
• Gazin is a kissing convict, a wine merchant, a Tatar, the most powerful convict in the prison.
• Sirotkin is a 23-year-old former recruit who was sent to hard labor for the murder of his commander.
• Dutov - former soldier, who rushed at the guard officer to delay the punishment (running him through the ranks) and received an even longer sentence.
• Orlov is a killer with strong will, completely fearless in the face of punishments and trials.
• Nurra is a highlander, Lezgin, cheerful, intolerant of theft, drunkenness, pious, a favorite of the convicts.
• Alei is a Dagestani, 22 years old, who was sent to hard labor with his older brothers for attacking an Armenian merchant. A neighbor on the bunk of Goryanchikov, who became close friends with him and taught Aley to read and write in Russian.
• Isai Fomich is a Jew who was sent to hard labor for murder. Moneylender and jeweler. Was in friendly relations with Goryanchikov.
• Osip, a smuggler who elevated smuggling to the level of an art, carried wine into the prison. He was terribly afraid of punishment and many times swore off smuggling, but he still broke down. Most of the time he worked as a cook, preparing separate (not official) food for the prisoners’ money (including for Goryanchikov).
• Sushilov is a prisoner who changed his name at the stage with another prisoner: for a silver ruble and a red shirt, he exchanged his settlement for eternal hard labor. Served Goryanchikov.
• A-v - one of the four nobles. He received 10 years of hard labor for false denunciation, from which he wanted to make money. Hard labor did not lead him to repentance, but corrupted him, turning him into an informer and a scoundrel. The author uses this character to depict the complete moral decline of man. One of the escape participants.
• Nastasya Ivanovna is a widow who selflessly takes care of the convicts.
• Petrov is a former soldier who ended up in hard labor after stabbing a colonel during training because he unfairly hit him. He is characterized as the most determined convict. He sympathized with Goryanchikov, but treated him as a dependent person, a wonder of the prison.
• Baklushin - ended up in hard labor for the murder of a German who had betrothed his bride. Organizer of a theater in a prison.
• Luchka is a Ukrainian, he was sent to hard labor for the murder of six people, and in conclusion he killed the head of the prison.
• Ustyantsev, a former soldier, in order to avoid punishment, drank wine infused with tea to induce consumption, from which he later died.
• Mikhailov is a convict who died in a military hospital from consumption.
• Zherebyatnikov is a lieutenant, an executor with sadistic tendencies.
• Smekalov - lieutenant, executor, who was popular among convicts.
• Shishkov is a prisoner who was sent to hard labor for the murder of his wife (the story “Akulkin’s Husband”).
• Kulikov - gypsy, horse thief, guarded veterinarian. One of the escape participants.
• Elkin is a Siberian who was imprisoned for counterfeiting. A cautious veterinarian who quickly took away his practice from Kulikov.
• The story features an unnamed fourth nobleman, a frivolous, eccentric, unreasonable and non-cruel man, falsely accused of murdering his father, acquitted and released from hard labor only ten years later. Dmitry's prototype from the novel The Brothers Karamazov.

Part one

• I. House of the Dead
• II. First impressions
• III. First impressions
• IV. First impressions
• V. First month
• VI. First month
• VII. New acquaintances. Petrov
• VIII. Determined people. Luchka
• IX. Isai Fomich. Bathhouse. Baklushin's story
• X. Feast of the Nativity of Christ
• XI. Performance

Part two

• I. Hospital
• II. Continuation
• III. Continuation
• IV. Akulkin's husband Story
• V. Summer couple
• VI. Convict animals
• VII. Claim
• VIII. Comrades
• IX. Escape
• X. Exit from hard labor

Links

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky
Novels	Poor people | Humiliated and insulted | Notes from the Underground | Crime and Punishment | Player | Idiot | Demons | Teen | Brothers Karamazov
Novels and stories	Double | Notes from the House of the Dead| A Novel in Nine Letters | The village of Stepanchikovo and its inhabitants | Mr. Prokharchin | Mistress | White nights | Christmas tree and wedding | Sliders | Weak Heart | Someone else's wife and husband under the bed | Netochka Nezvanova | Little hero| Uncle's dream | Honest Thief | Petersburg dreams in verse and prose | Bad joke | Crocodile | Eternal husband | Bobok | Man Marey | Centennial | Meek | Two suicides| Boy at Christ's Christmas tree | Funny man's dream
Journalism	Petersburg Chronicle | Winter notes about summer impressions | Writer's Diary | Pushkin (essay)
Related Articles	Museums of F. M. Dostoevsky | Addresses of F. M. Dostoevsky | Petersburg by Dostoevsky

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See what “Notes from the House of the Dead” is in other dictionaries:

- “NOTES FROM THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD”, Russia, REN TV, 1997, color, 36 min. Documentary. The film is a confession about the inhabitants of Ognenny Island, near Vologda. One hundred and fifty “death row” murderers have been pardoned, for whom capital punishment is by Presidential Decree... ... Encyclopedia of Cinema

Notes from the House of the Dead ... Wikipedia

Writer, born October 30, 1821 in Moscow, died January 29, 1881, in St. Petersburg. His father, Mikhail Andreevich, married to a merchant’s daughter, Marya Fedorovna Nechaeva, occupied the position of doctor’s headquarters at the Mariinsky Hospital for the Poor. Busy at the hospital and... ... Large biographical encyclopedia

Famous novelist, b. Oct 30 1821 in Moscow, in the building of the Maryinskaya Hospital, where his father served as a staff doctor. His mother, nee Nechaeva, came from a Moscow merchant class (from a family apparently intelligent). D.'s family was... ...

The history of Russian literature, for the convenience of viewing the main phenomena of its development, can be divided into three periods: I from the first monuments to Tatar yoke; II to late XVII century; III to our time. In reality, these periods are not sharply... Encyclopedic Dictionary F. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

This story does not have a strictly defined plot and represents sketches from the life of convicts presented in chronological order. In this work, Dostoevsky describes his personal impressions of being in exile, tells stories from the lives of other prisoners, and also creates psychological sketches and expresses philosophical reflections.

Alexander Goryanchikov, a hereditary nobleman, receives 10 years of hard labor for the murder of his wife. Alexander Petrovich killed his wife out of jealousy, which he himself admitted to the investigation. After hard labor, he cuts off all contacts with relatives and acquaintances and remains to live in the Siberian town of K., where he leads a secluded life, earning his living by tutoring.

The nobleman Goryanchikov is having a hard time with his imprisonment in prison, since he is not used to being among ordinary peasants. Many prisoners take him for a sissy, despise him for his high-born clumsiness in everyday affairs, deliberate disgust, but respect his high origin. At first, Alexander Petrovich is shocked by being in a difficult peasant atmosphere, but this impression soon passes and Goryanchikov begins to study the Ostroh prisoners with genuine interest, discovering for himself the essence common people, his vices and nobility.

Alexander Petrovich falls into the second category of Siberian hard labor - a fortress, the first category in this system was hard labor itself, the third - factories. The convicts believed that the severity of hard labor decreased from hard labor to the factory, but second-class slaves were under constant surveillance by the military and often dreamed of moving either to the first category or to the third. Along with ordinary prisoners, in the fortress where Goryanchikov was serving his sentence, there was a specific department of prisoners convicted of especially serious crimes.

Alexander Petrovich meets many prisoners. Akim Akimych, a former nobleman with whom Goryanchikov made friends, was sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for the massacre of a Caucasian prince. Akim is an extremely pedantic and well-behaved person. Another nobleman, A-v, was sentenced to ten years of hard labor for a false denunciation, on which he wanted to make a fortune. Hard work in hard labor did not lead A. to repentance, but on the contrary, it corrupted him, turning the nobleman into an informer and a scoundrel. A-b is a symbol of complete moral decay person.

The terrible kisser Gazin, the strongest convict in the fortress, convicted of killing small children. It was rumored that Gazin enjoyed the fear and torment of innocent children. The smuggler Osip, who raised smuggling to the level of an art, smuggled wine and forbidden foods into the fortress, worked as a cook in the prison and prepared decent food for the prisoners for the money.

A nobleman lives among the common people and learns such worldly wisdom as how to earn money in hard labor, how to smuggle wine into the prison. He learns about what kind of work prisoners are recruited for, how they relate to their superiors and to hard labor itself. What the convicts dream about, what they are allowed to do and what is forbidden, what the prison authorities will turn a blind eye to, and for what the convicts will receive severe punishment.

Notes from a Dead House Fyodor Dostoevsky

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Title: Notes from a Dead House

About the book “Notes from a Dead House” by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky wrote “Notes from the House of the Dead” shortly after he returned from hard labor. Having been arrested in the political case of the Petrashevites, he spent four years in hard labor in Omsk. So almost all the events take place in the convict barracks in the prison, one of many hundreds in Russia, where thousands and thousands of prisoners were sent.

Alexander Petrovich Goryanchikov is a nobleman who was exiled to prison for the murder of his wife, to which he himself admitted. In hard labor, the hero is under double oppression. On the one hand, he never found himself in conditions similar to hard labor. Captivity seems to him the most terrible punishment. On the other hand, the other prisoners do not like him and despise him for his lack of preparation. After all, Alexander Petrovich is a master, although a former one, and could previously command simple peasants.

“Notes from the House of the Dead” does not contain a coherent plot, although it does have a main character, Alexander Goryanchikov (although there is no doubt whose thoughts, words and feelings he relays). All the events of the novel are told in chronological order and reflect how slowly and painfully the hero adapted to hard labor. The story consists of small sketches, the heroes of which are people from Alexander Goryanchikov’s entourage, himself and the guards, or they take the form of inserted stories heard by the heroes.

In them, Fyodor Dostoevsky tried to record what he experienced during his own stay in hard labor, so the work has more of a documentary nature. The chapters contain the author’s personal impressions, retelling the stories of other convicts, experiences, discussions about religion, honor, life and death.

The main place in “Notes from the House of the Dead” is given to detailed description everyday life and the unspoken code of conduct of convicts. The car talks about their attitude towards each other, about hard work and almost army discipline, faith in God, the fate of prisoners and the crimes for which they were convicted. Fyodor Dostoevsky talks about the daily life of convicts, about entertainment, dreams, relationships, punishments and little joys. In this story, the author managed to collect the entire spectrum of human morality: from an informer and traitor capable of slandering for money, to a kind-hearted widow who selflessly cares about prisoners. The author talks about national composition and different classes (nobles, peasants, soldiers) of people caught in inhumane conditions. Almost all the stories from their lives (and some of them can be followed to the end) are tenderly conveyed by the author. Dostoevsky also mentions what happens to these people when they are in hard labor (and this is whole life years) ends.

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Quotes from the book “Notes from the House of the Dead” by Fyodor Dostoevsky

The highest and most striking characteristic feature of our people is a sense of justice and a thirst for it.

Money is minted freedom, and therefore for a person completely deprived of freedom, it is ten times more valuable.

In a word, the right of corporal punishment given to one over another is one of the plagues of society, is one of the most strong means for the destruction of every embryo in him, every attempt at citizenship and a complete basis for his inevitable and irresistible decomposition.

Tyranny is a habit; it is gifted with development, it finally develops into a disease.

But all his charm was gone as soon as he took off his uniform. In his uniform he was a thunderstorm, a god. In his frock coat he suddenly became completely nothing and looked like a footman. It's amazing how much a uniform these people have.