In my opinion, the most striking and significant in the novel are three heroines: Marya Ivanovna Mironova, her mother Vasilisa Egorovna and, of course, Empress Catherine II. Also present in the story are the mother of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev and the priest Akulina Pamfilovna, who sheltered Masha during the capture of the fortress by Pugachev. Not much is known about the hero’s mother, and, admittedly, she does not play a significant role in the development of the plot. As for Akulina Pamfilovna, one should note her mercy, which, however, is quite characteristic of her way of life as a mother.

Marya Ivanovna Mironova, the chosen one of Pyotr Grinev, went through the whole difficult path with him during the Pugachev rebellion. At the first meeting, the hero was not disposed towards her, thanks to the efforts of Shvabrin, who was rejected by her, but soon noted her prudence and sensitivity. The young girl, the daughter of captain Ivan Kuzmich and Vasilisa Egorovna Mironov, lived with her parents in the Belogorsk fortress before the uprising and her life, I believe, differed little from the girls of that time.

However, the war reveals many hidden qualities of human nature, and, just as the meanness and baseness of Alexei Shvabrin, a man entering the Mironovs’ house, were revealed, the selflessness and straightforwardness of the main character were also revealed. Marya Ivanovna is modest and friendly. Having fallen in love with Pyotr Grinev, she remains true to her feeling and, under threat of death, does not accept Shvabrin’s life-saving offer to become his wife.

Subsequently, when all the difficulties associated with survival in the epicenter of rebellious events are left behind, a new problem, even disaster, will arise: Pyotr Grinev is arrested, he faces, at best, imprisonment with subsequent exile, at worst, the gallows as a state traitor. Not wanting to involve his beloved in legal acquisitiveness related to the rebellion, the hero is silent about the details that would justify his name. Realizing this, Marya Ivanovna goes to St. Petersburg to beg the Empress herself for the salvation of her beloved.

The decisive meeting occurs unexpectedly: in Tsarskoe Selo, where the Court was located at that time, the girl meets an unfamiliar lady who asks with interest about the purpose of her visit. Marya Ivanovna passionately talks about all the events from which the courage and courage of her fiancé is clear, as well as his devotion to the Fatherland and refusal to go over to the side of the impostor. Subsequently, it turns out that the random lady turned out to be Catherine II herself, who completely exonerates the unfairly accused Grinev, thereby giving him and Marya Ivanovna the opportunity for full-fledged family happiness.

The mother of Marya Ivanovna Mironova, Vasilisa Egorovna, is a true example of a faithful and selfless wife and mother.

Shortly before the bloody massacre in the Belogorsk fortress, an episode of Masha’s farewell to her father took place. Vasilisa Egorovna could not help but understand what awaited them ahead, but outwardly she was completely calm, fulfilling her parental duty: “Ivan Kuzmich, God is free in life and death: bless Masha.”

On the eve of the capture of the fortress, Ivan Kuzmich was going to send him and Masha to Orenburg for the sake of their safety, but Vasilisa Egorovna flatly refused such an offer, deciding to send only Masha:

“Okay,” said the commandant, “so be it, we’ll send Masha away.” And don’t ask me in your dreams: I won’t go. There is no reason for me to part with you in my old age and look for a lonely grave on a strange side. Live together, die together.
Actually, that’s how it happened. The courageous woman did not survive her husband for long. They barely had time to hang the unfortunate Ivan Kuzmich when local residents began to swear allegiance to the impostor. Rioters broke into houses. They pulled out poor Vasilisa Yegorovna, who, looking at the gallows, immediately recognized her husband: “You are my light, Ivan Kuzmich, you daring soldier’s head! ...neither Prussian bayonets nor Turkish bullets touched you; You didn’t lay down your belly in a fair fight, but perished from an escaped convict!” Pugachev could not stand this, and the brave woman was killed.

Catherine II A.S. Pushkin describes it this way: “She seemed to be forty years old. Her face, plump and ruddy, expressed importance and calmness, and her blue eyes and light smile had an inexplicable charm.” Further, the spiritual beauty of the empress is shown: she was touched by Masha’s story, she affectionately asked her about the details of the events in the Belogorsk fortress and outside it - about what was in one way or another connected with the role of Pyotr Grinev in the Pugachev uprising. “Everything about the unknown lady involuntarily attracted the heart and inspired confidence.”

At first, the empress accused the girl’s lover of being an immoral and harmful scoundrel, but, hearing Marya Ivanovna’s passionate protest, she listened to her carefully. This alone already characterizes the empress as an extremely fair woman and devoid of excessive ambitions. A little later, when Catherine II and Masha met, so to speak, officially (that is, Masha understood with whom she had been frank a few minutes ago), the Empress showed herself to be a man of honor: “I know that you are not rich, but I am indebted to daughter of captain Mironov. Don't worry about the future. I take it upon myself to arrange your condition.”

Thus, we can say that in the novel by A.S. Pushkin's "The Captain's Daughter" does not contain negative female characters. Each of the heroines is worthy of the reader's respect and admiration. In their relation, I seem to have three figures, three images: Daughter, Wife and Mother. Mother Empress, capable of showing generosity and mercy to the people of her state, taking care of those unjustly offended with a share of maternal participation; a faithful wife, and at the graveside she has not forgotten the wedding vow to be together both before and after the death of her husband; a daughter who did not disgrace the bright memory of her father and mother with a vile or dishonorable act. All of them are genuine heroines, and Pyotr Andreevich, an honest and noble young man, was incredibly lucky that these three infinitely beautiful women met in his life.

Introduction

In Russian spiritual culture, the image of a woman has always occupied a special place. Our people in songs and fairy tales glorified a woman, endowing her with beauty, kindness, hard work - those character traits that make her especially attractive.

Many writers of the 18th and 19th centuries wrote about women, but women were especially described in the works of A.S. Pushkin. He perfectly expressed his vision and understanding of a woman’s place in life.

"The Captain's Daughter"

Mironova Maria

Masha Mironova is the daughter of the commandant of the Belogorsk fortress. She is an ordinary Russian girl: “chubby, ruddy, with light brown hair combed smoothly behind the ears.” Masha Mironova is simple and modest. She is full of nobility and beauty, but she is also a person of strong will.

A bitter fate awaits the girl ahead: her parents were executed, and she was hidden in her house by the priest. Finding herself in a critical situation, Masha reveals a new side. She shows incredible resilience and fortitude when she finds herself in the hands of the hated Shvabrin. Neither force nor threats can break a defenseless girl. Left without parents and separated from her fiancé, Masha decides to fight for her happiness alone. Shvabrin took Masha by force and put him under lock and key, forcing her to marry him. When the long-awaited salvation finally comes in the person of Pugachev, the girl is overcome by conflicting feelings: she sees before her the murderer of her parents and at the same time her savior. Instead of words of gratitude, “she covered her face with both hands and fell unconscious.”

Pugachev released Peter and Masha, and Grinev sent her to her parents, who received the girl well: “They saw the grace of God in the fact that they had the opportunity to shelter and caress a poor orphan. Soon they became sincerely attached to her, because it was impossible to recognize her and not love her.”

The character of Masha Mironova is clearly revealed after Grinev’s arrest. She was very worried, because she knew the real reason for the arrest and considered herself guilty of Grinev’s misfortunes: “She hid her tears and suffering from everyone and meanwhile constantly thought about ways to save him.” Having told Grinev’s parents that “her entire future fate depends on this journey, that she is going to seek protection and help from strong people as the daughter of a man who suffered for his loyalty,” Masha goes to St. Petersburg. She is determined to achieve the release of her beloved, no matter what the cost. Having met the empress by chance, but not yet knowing who this woman is, Masha openly tells her her story and the reasons for Grinev’s action: “I know everything, I’ll tell you everything. For me alone, he was exposed to everything that befell him.” It is in this meeting that the character of a modest and timid Russian girl without any education is truly revealed, who, however, found in herself enough strength, fortitude and unyielding determination to defend the truth and achieve the acquittal of her innocent fiancé.

I believe that Masha Mironova is one of the best heroines in Russian literature. She harmoniously combines tenderness and willpower, femininity and determination, sensuality and intelligence. Getting to know this girl evokes sincere sympathy and affection.

Mironova Vasilisa Egorovna

Vasilisa Egorovna is the wife of Captain Mironov and the mother of Masha Mironova. She is a simple Russian woman, the keeper of the family hearth and happiness. Pushkin paints not a downtrodden, not weak, but a selfless and noble heroine, able to make an important decision, and at the same time, a femininely inquisitive, insightful and savvy heroine.

The first time we meet Mironova: “An old woman in a padded jacket and with a scarf on her head was sitting by the window. She was unwinding the threads...” And Vasilisa Yegorovna’s appearance, clothes, and occupation did not correspond to her position as the commandant’s wife. By this, the author, in my opinion, emphasized the origin of Vasilisa Egorovna from the people. This was also indicated by her speech, full of proverbs, and her appeal to Grinev: “I ask you to love and favor me. Sit down, father.” Vasilisa Yegorovna respected her husband and called him by name and patronymic both to his face and behind his back.

Before Pugachev’s arrival, Vasilisa Egorovna seemed like a nimble Russian old woman, tightly holding both her daughter Masha and her husband in her hands, equally interested in pickling cucumbers and all the affairs that happened in the fortress.

After Pugachev appeared, they appeared before us completely different. Obsessively curious, busy only with household chores and chores, Vasilisa Egorovna turned into a selfless, noble woman, ready in difficult times to share, if necessary, the tragic fate of her husband. When, having hanged the commandant, the Cossacks dragged her out of the house “disheveled and stripped naked,” Vasilisa Yegorovna did not ask for mercy, but shouted loudly: “Release your soul to repentance. Dear fathers, take me to Ivan Kuzmich.” So they died together.

Among those few female images that appear in the story, the images of Vasilisa Egorovna Mironova, the wife of Captain Mironov and her daughter Masha Mironova, made the greatest impression on me.
As for Vasilisa Egorovna, in her image the author showed us a simple Russian woman, the keeper of the family hearth and happiness, not downtrodden, not weak, but selfless and noble, able to make an important decision, and at the same time, inquisitive, insightful and savvy in a feminine way .
We meet Vasilisa Egorovna at the same time

With the main character of the story, Pyotr Grinev. And just like him, we find ourselves embarrassed and surprised by the appearance of the commandant’s wife: “An old woman in a padded jacket and with a scarf on her head was sitting by the window. She was unwinding the threads...” Vasilisa Yegorovna’s appearance, clothes, and occupation did not correspond to her position as the commandant’s wife. By this, the author, in my opinion, emphasized the origin of Vasilisa Egorovna from the people. This was also indicated by her speech, full of proverbs, and her appeal to Grinev: “I ask you to love and favor me. Sit down, father.” Vasilisa Yegorovna respected her husband and called him by name and patronymic both to his face and behind his back. But, like any strong woman, she felt superior to him.
Before Pugachev’s arrival, Vasilisa Egorovna seemed to me like a kind of nimble Russian old woman, tightly holding both her daughter Masha and her weak-willed husband in her hands (this is how Captain Mironov seems to me at the beginning of the story), equally interested in pickling cucumbers and all the affairs that happened in the fortress. Because of all this, Vasilisa Egorovna looked a little ridiculous in my eyes. The old woman appeared completely different before me when Pugachev arrived at the fortress. Obsessively curious, busy only with household chores and chores, Vasilisa Egorovna turned into a selfless, noble woman, ready in difficult times to share, if necessary, the tragic fate of her husband. Having learned that the fortress could end up in the hands of the rebels, Vasilisa Egorovna refused her husband’s offer to take refuge with relatives in Orenburg: “Okay,” said the commandant, “so be it, we’ll send Masha.” And don’t ask me in your dreams: I won’t go. There is no reason for me to part with you in my old age and look for a lonely grave on a strange side. Live together, die together.” Aren’t these words worthy of respect, and isn’t the wife who said them to her husband worthy of respect?! Vasilisa Yegorovna confirmed what was said in practice: when, after hanging the commandant, the Cossacks dragged her out of the house “disheveled and stripped naked,” Vasilisa Yegorovna did not ask for mercy, but shouted loudly: “Release your soul to repentance. Dear fathers, take me to Ivan Kuzmich.” So they died together.
Marya Ivanovna, the daughter of the Mironovs, turned out to be worthy of her parents. She took the best from them: honesty and nobility. Describing Masha Mironova, it is impossible not to compare her with other Pushkin heroines: Masha Troekurova and Tatyana Larina. They have a lot in common: they all grew up in solitude in the lap of nature, they were all nourished by folk wisdom; once they fell in love, each of them remained forever true to their feelings. Only Masha Mironova, in my opinion, turned out to be stronger than her predecessors; she, unlike them, did not accept what fate had in store for her, but began to fight for her happiness. Her innate selflessness and nobility forced the girl to overcome her timidity and go to seek intercession from the empress herself. Thanks to this, Masha Mironova turned out to be happier than other Pushkin heroines.

In the story "" we meet few female characters. But this does not prevent us from understanding the character and essence of a real woman of that time. Before us are presented the images of Vasilisa Egorovna and Masha Mironova.

Vasilisa Egorovna was the wife of commandant Ivan Kuzmich, but at the same time, she is very simple, generous and kind. The Mironov family did not live in wealth. Their house was modest and cozy. Therefore, the heroine herself looked the same. When meeting her, the woman was dressed in a warm padded jacket and scarf. She was very close to the people, often used proverbs, ancient words and phrases in her conversations.

Vasilisa Egorovna was always interested in the affairs of her husband and gave him advice, and sometimes decrees. She was the head of the family, but Ivan Kuzmich was not offended by this, because harmony and true love reigned between husband and wife.

After Pugachev’s attack on the Belgorod fortress, Vasilisa Egorovna shows nobility and courage, devotion to her land and her husband. The woman does not agree to her husband’s persuasion to leave for Orenburg and prefers to share death with him.

After Ivan Kuzmich was hanged, she mourned him loudly, and then went after him.

She was the daughter of Ivan Kuzmich and Vasilisa Egorovna. This girl was brought up in a wonderful atmosphere and took the best from her parents. She was pure and immaculate, she resembled an angel who descended from heaven. Masha evoked sympathy and was liked by everyone who met her. It is not surprising that they were in love with this folk beauty.

As the events of the story unfold, Masha shows a persistent character. Finding herself in captivity, she considered death a better option than marrying Shabrin. The girl showed persistence and reached the empress herself. She made a speech and won her happiness. Only thanks to her courage and bravery, the girl found love and happiness.

These two beautiful images appear before us in the story “The Captain's Daughter”.

Women's images in the works of A. S. Pushkin. Bright, unique female images are depicted in the works of A.S. Pushkin: the romantic, proud Zemfira, the cheerful and charming peasant young lady, the childishly simple-minded Olga, the fatal mistress of the black shawl... But there are heroines in his works about whom V.G. Belinsky said that they are the embodiment of the national Russian character.

It is no coincidence that Pushkin embodied the Russian national character in the female type: its essence, according to V. G. Belinsky, consists of “fiery passion, and the sincerity of a simple, sincere feeling, and the purity and holiness of the naive movements of a noble nature,” and much more. These qualities are especially clearly manifested in the characters of such heroines as Tatyana Larina and Marya Ivanovna Mironova, who invariably evoke the respect and admiration of readers. Their characters have a lot in common, although the origins and conditions of education of the young ladies are different.

Tatyana grew up in the village, among the provincial nobility, narrow-minded and at the same time kind-hearted. She read and wrote in French, although, of course, her Russian nanny played a much more important role in her upbringing. From here come the typically folk traits in her character: love for nature, for her native places (this is especially noticeable before leaving for Moscow), belief in omens and folk beliefs, love and knowledge of folklore.

Masha Mironova grew up in a steppe garrison, deprived of even the society that Tatyana had, and, of course, did not receive a typical noble education - she writes to Grinev in pure Russian. But she is even less different from the people among whom she grew up; besides, she is poor, her entire dowry is the serf girl Palashka; and priest Akulina Pamfilovna accepts her into her family in difficult times. The main thing that brings both young ladies together is the primordial moral principle inherent in character, which helps the heroines endure life's trials, preserving the best in themselves and improving.

The ability to love deeply and sincerely is combined in the soul of the heroines with a readiness for self-sacrifice and a sense of duty. Tatyana Larina will remain faithful to her feelings for the rest of her life. Onegin rejected the love of a provincial dreamer and after a duel with Lensky left the estate. Tatyana carefully preserved her deep feeling. But Onegin did not remind him of himself in any way... Tatyana got married.

For what? Not for myself:

me with tears of spells

The mother begged; for poor Tanya

All the lots were equal...

Tatyana is not capable of deception, of betrayal; it is impossible for her to cause suffering to her husband, a respected person, or to break the vow of fidelity given in the church:

I love you (why lie?),

But I was given to another;

I will be faithful to him forever.

This outcome of her explanation with Onegin is logical, it simply could not have been otherwise, otherwise it would not have been Tatyana - sincere and faithful, ready to sacrifice her feelings, but not to cause harm to another. She was guided by her high honesty and sense of duty.

Marya Ivanovna is the same in love. She cannot marry Grinev without the blessing of his parents; she does not agree to the wedding secretly, without their knowledge. Moreover, she is ready to give Pyotr Andreich freedom, sacrificing her feelings. “If you find yourself a betrothed, if you fall in love with another, God be with you, Pyotr Andreich; and I am for both of you...” - so, crying, she says to the hero. Shy and timid, the “coward” Masha turns out to be strong-willed and decisive in difficult life trials. Having lost her parents during the attack on the Pugachevo fortress, hiding her origins in a severe nervous illness, she finds the strength and courage to resist Shvabrin’s advances.

“On the floor, in a ragged peasant dress, sat Marya Ivanovna, pale, thin, with disheveled hair. In front of her stood a jug of water covered with a slice of bread.”

Having withstood such conditions, Masha is ready to die, but not become Shvabrin’s wife. Even Pugachev was touched by the girl’s determination. And she shows the same determination when she decides to save Grinev from unfair accusations. Alone, without anyone's support, she goes to St. Petersburg to ask for mercy from the empress, neglecting the fact that under the circumstances that arise, her good name and reputation as an honest girl may suffer. This is the same decision that violates all rules of decency, like Tatyana’s letter with her declaration of love for Onegin. But in such life circumstances, moral laws, the search for truth, deep feelings are stronger than the norms of public morality, and the highest judge for the heroine can only be her own conscience.

Pushkin sees the essence of the Russian national character in spiritual integrity; this is the secret of readers’ enduring love for Pushkin’s heroes. Russian literature subsequently gave many beautiful images of Russian women. But in their rich gallery, Tatyana Larina and Masha Mironova remain one of the best and unforgettable images, immortal creations of Pushkin’s creative genius.