Oblomov and Stolz: a comparative characteristic or anatomy?

Ivan Goncharov's brilliant novel acquaints us with two diametrically opposite images: Oblomov and Stolz. Comparative characteristics of them can take pages and pages. After all, they are completely different: in their temperament, in their attitude to life and worldview. Ten years he wrote it Goncharov! How do you think, dear readers, would the academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts "steal" for a whole decade, writing a novel in the form of a "single-layered" pie? What is easier for a corresponding member to write a story about two friends! One - without measure lazy. The other is amazingly efficient. But no. A novel is written about all of us! And this we will try to prove. The comparative characteristic of Oblomov and Stolz will help us in this study.

The image of Ilya Oblomov

The Oblomov Landowner is externally a full, loose man with dark gray eyes, preferring a passive lifestyle, lying on the couch, doing nothing. In all its appearance, carelessness is seen, but his face is spiritual. And the thought is present in it constantly, it glows in the eyes, hides in the wrinkles of the forehead, twists together with the lips. However, this idea is "toothless", it has no practical application. The comparative characteristics of Oblomov and Stolz are clearly not in favor of Ilya Ilyich. He is a hereditary landowner. He has 350 serfs. A good, solid mansion in St. Petersburg, a cottage, a country house. Oblomov has no idea how to care for all this property that is in his possession. He is like a child, first he is robbed by the clerk, and then the fraudsters Mikhei Andreevich Tarantyev and Ivan Matveyevich Mukhoyarov bring to ruin.

He is educated, but has no practical experience of work. Under the influence of the first setbacks in his service, he formed a psychological "laziness complex", which Ilya Ilyich could not overcome.

The image of Andrew Stolz

According to the plot of the novel they are familiar and friendly from school: Oblomov and Stolz. Comparative characteristics indicate the proximity of their caste origin. Andrew Stolz was born in the family of the German-steward Ivan Bogdanovich and a simple, but educated Russian woman. The ratio of his status to the status of a friend-landowner is similar to that of a business owner-a top manager. Since childhood, my father regularly taught in science, as well as bookkeeping, diligence in him. Andrew - a lean man with sunken cheeks, swarthy skin and greenish expressive eyes. He is hyperactive: constantly, like a shark, is in motion. The writer speaks of his hero, as if he consists of only muscles and tendons. He knows languages and is smart, that's why he is sent by an employer-trading company as an agent to Belgium. In addition, Stolz is able to use his knowledge creatively. Therefore, colleagues prefer to invite him to develop projects. Oblomov and Stolz differ in their attitude to money. Comparative characteristics indicate the viability of the latter.

Secret overtones of Gonchar's images?

The fact that, by and large, the images of Stolz and Oblomov are not independent, but allegorical, the author of the novel shows in their relationship with Olga Ilyinskaya. On the one hand, it can neither win nor retain, but invariably attracts the spineless Ilya Ilyich with his romanticism, a pure child's soul. On the other hand, Stolz, who became her husband, pathologically does not feel the difference between business cooperation and sincerity. In a romantic wedding trip to Paris, he, to put it mildly, is unconvincing.

Why did Goncharov create these two images: Oblomov and Stolz? Comparative characteristics of these images - just an instructive conclusion? Contrasting characters? And maybe this should look wider? After all, each of us, of course, knows how many "Stoltsa" it contains and how many "Oblomov" it contains. What is Oblomov? This is a dream that does not touch the feet of the earth. The dream is global, devoid of any desire for realization. And what is Stolz? It's down to earth, business acumen, a sense of partnership. So let us ask the same question: "If we create something global, can we discount the dream in principle?" (As you know, Stolz avoided dreaming.) Hardly.

And you, dear readers, will you agree with the following inference? To create a truly successful personality promoting fantastic projects, you need to mix 30% of the dreamer-Oblomov and 70% of the fanatic of Stolz's work in one glass. Is that what Goncharov wanted to tell us? After all, in the family of Stoltsov appeared adopted son. Of course, proper education will educate him in business acumen. Well, but the ability to dream? Genes still, you know ...