What was Oblomov's education like?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

We all certainly remember the protagonist of Goncharov's novel, Ilya Ilyich Oblomov. This surname itself causes a yawn, and the word "Oblomovism" has become synonymous with a lazy lifestyle. Before talking about what Oblomov's education was, you should definitely remember the conditions in which he was brought up.

Parental custody

Ilyusha, of course, was the son of caring parents who tried to make the precious child get everything easily, without difficulty, without making any effort. The boy was not even allowed to pick up what he had dropped, he was not allowed to dress himself. In the parental home, work was considered a real punishment. Food and sound sleep were revered for the good.

The boy was taught to give orders to servants. Initially, of course, he aspired to do something himself, but very quickly realized that it is much easier if others do everything for you.

By nature, this child was mobile, but his parents did not let him run, frolic, as they were very afraid that the boy would catch a cold or fall. Cherished by parental love, Ilyusha gradually lost the strength that was given to him by nature.

Oblomov's primary education

Although Ilya Ilyich's parents were indifferent to science, they sent him to study at a small boarding school in the village of Verkhlev, located five miles from their native estate. His education began there, with Ivan Stolz. So he studied until the age of fifteen.

Oblomov's education was a formality for parents, they simply believed that having a diploma would contribute to the rapid promotion of their precious son. Having sent the boy to a boarding school, the mother and father tried in every possible way to avoid Ilyusha from overstraining with the teachings. For the most insignificant reasons, caring parents left him at home, so Ivan Stolts, an energetic teacher, could do very little for the development of Ilya Oblomov.

Moscow University

After much thought, the parents sent their son to study further. He entered the faculty of law at Moscow University. This is how Oblomov's education continued.

Since the parents could not "take care" of their son in Moscow in the same way, he undoubtedly received much more knowledge there. His disputes with Stolz carry the ideas of humanism expressed by the famous professor Nadezhdin.

It should be noted that Oblomov initially studied with passion, he was inspired by the ideas of Goethe and Byron, but then he lost interest in learning.

He ceased to understand why science is needed, he often asked himself the question of when he would live. By life he meant rest and enjoyment. He ended up giving upscience. After that, the real "life" began - the time of lying on the couch and idleness. That, perhaps, is all that is said in the novel about Oblomov's education.

Summing up, it should be noted that the environment in which Ilya Ilyich's childhood passed did not encourage him to engage in any serious activity in adulthood. Any work was considered by him as something negative. Almost always, Oblomov studied for show, that is, to get a certificate. Being a naturally gifted person, he could not realize himself in life. So, we see that Oblomov's education in the novel "Oblomov" had a formal character.