The Young Hopeful (Fonvizin)
Short summary
Russia, 1780s. On the Prostakovs' estate, Mrs. Prostakov tyrannized her household while doting on her lazy son Mitrofan.
The family planned to marry their ward Sophia to Mrs. Prostakov's brother Skotinin, who wanted her villages for his pig farm. However, Sophia received a letter from her uncle Starodum, who had made a fortune in Siberia and named her his heiress with an income of ten thousand rubles.
Mrs. Prostakov immediately changed her plans and decided to marry Sophia to Mitrofan instead. Meanwhile, an officer named Milon arrived with his soldiers and discovered that Sophia was his beloved, from whom he had been separated. Government official Pravdin, who was investigating the Prostakovs' cruelty to their serfs, witnessed the family's schemes.
When Starodum arrived, he revealed that Sophia was already betrothed to a worthy young man. Mrs. Prostakov attempted to kidnap Sophia early the next morning to force her into marriage with Mitrofan, but Milon rescued her. Starodum then announced that Milon was Sophia's intended husband.
Pravdin used this assault as grounds to place the Prostakov estate under government wardship. Mrs. Prostakov, devastated by losing her power, turned to her son for comfort, but Mitrofan rudely rejected her.
She fainted, and when she recovered, she cried:
I am done for! I have lost my power! I won't dare show myself anywhere for shame! I have no son! Behold the just reward of wickedness!
Detailed summary by acts
Act titles and their division into scene groups are editorial.
Act 1. The Prostakov household and its conflicts
The kaftan incident and morning discord
The morning began with a domestic quarrel in the Prostakov household. Mrs. Prostakov examined a new kaftan made for her son and declared it completely unsuitable, claiming it was too tight and would choke the boy. She summoned the tailor, a serf named Trishka, and berated him furiously for his incompetence.
Trishka attempted to defend himself, explaining that he was self-taught and had suggested giving the work to a professional tailor. Mrs. Prostakov dismissed his excuses with contempt, arguing that one tailor learned from another in an endless chain, so there was no reason Trishka could not make a proper kaftan. When Trishka suggested that the first tailor probably made an even worse garment, she grew more enraged. She called for her husband and son, determined to have the servant punished.
Mitrofans upbringing and Skotinins intentions
Mr. Prostakov arrived and timidly agreed with his wife's assessment of the kaftan, though he clearly had no opinion of his own. Mrs. Prostakov's brother, Skotinin, also appeared and examined the garment, declaring it perfectly acceptable. This disagreement further irritated Mrs. Prostakov, who ordered Trishka away and instructed her nurse to give breakfast to her son.
The nurse reported that Mitrofan had already eaten five rolls, but Mrs. Prostakov insisted he have more. The boy complained of stomach pains from overeating the previous night, when he had consumed three slices of corned beef and several pies, followed by a pitcher of kvass. He described a dream in which he saw his mother beating his father, and felt sorry for her because she grew so tired from the effort. This pleased Mrs. Prostakov immensely, and she embraced her son tenderly.
Pravdin arrives and soldiers quarter nearby
The conversation turned to Skotinin's planned betrothal to Sophia, a young orphan living with the Prostakovs. Sophia's father had died when she was a baby, and her mother had passed away six months earlier. Her uncle, Starodum, had gone to Siberia years ago and was presumed dead. The Prostakovs had taken Sophia into their home and managed her property as if it were their own. Skotinin revealed that his interest in marrying Sophia stemmed not from affection for her, but from his passion for the pigs raised in her villages.
Sophia entered holding a letter and looking cheerful. She announced that her uncle Starodum was alive and had arrived in Moscow, having made a fortune in Siberia. Mrs. Prostakov refused to believe this news, insisting that Starodum must be dead since she had been having prayers said for his soul for years. She demanded to see the letter but could not read it herself. Her husband and brother were equally illiterate, so she decided to wait for one of Mitrofan's teachers to read it aloud. A guest named Pravdin arrived, and Mrs. Prostakov asked him to read the letter.
Pravdin read that Starodum had accumulated an annual income of ten thousand rubles through honest work in Siberia and was making Sophia his sole heiress. This news transformed Mrs. Prostakov's attitude toward Sophia completely. She suddenly became obsequiously kind, embracing the girl and declaring her intention to marry Sophia to Mitrofan instead of to Skotinin. The household was interrupted by news that soldiers had arrived and were quartering in the village.
Act 2. Milon and Sophia reunited
The lovers reunite and Skotinin declares rivalry
Pravdin and Milon, an officer leading the soldiers, met privately. Milon confided that he was in love with a young woman whom he had not seen for six months. After her mother's death, distant relatives had taken her to their estate, and he feared she might be suffering at their hands. When Pravdin asked her name, Milon suddenly saw Sophia herself approaching. The lovers were overjoyed to be reunited.
Sophia explained that Mrs. Prostakov, having learned of her inheritance, now planned to marry her to Mitrofan. Milon grew jealous until Sophia described her prospective bridegroom as a sixteen-year-old boy who was still studying the Prayer Book and would never advance beyond it. Mrs. Prostakov appeared and confirmed her intention to marry Sophia to her son. Skotinin arrived and confronted his nephew Mitrofan, threatening violence when he learned that the boy also wanted to marry Sophia. Yeremeyevna tried to protect Mitrofan, and Milon had to separate the quarreling relatives.
Mitrofans lessons and Mrs. Prostakovs indulgence
Mrs. Prostakov insisted that Mitrofan study to impress Sophia's uncle when he arrived. The boy reluctantly agreed but declared this would be the last time he studied, and the betrothal must take place that day. His arithmetic teacher, Cipherkin, a retired sergeant, gave him problems to solve. When asked to divide three hundred rubles among three people, Mitrofan suggested keeping all the money for himself. Mrs. Prostakov approved, saying there was no reason to share found money with anyone.
The grammar lesson with Kuteykin, a former seminary student, proved equally fruitless. Mitrofan could not distinguish between nouns and adjectives, claiming that a door was an adjective because it was attached to something. The German teacher, Vralman, interrupted the lessons, arguing that too much study would damage the boy's weak head. Mrs. Prostakov agreed and dismissed the teachers, praising Vralman for his concern about her son's health.
Act 3. Starodum arrives and observes the household
Starodums philosophy and reunion with Sophia
Starodum arrived and met with Pravdin. He explained that he had been appointed to investigate abuses of power in the district. Starodum shared his philosophy of education and virtue, describing how his father had served under Peter the Great and taught him that having a heart and soul made one truly human.
Have a heart, have a soul, and you will be a human being always. As to the rest—it's only a fashion. There is a fashion for wits, a fashion for learning, just as there's a fashion for buckles.
Starodum recounted his experiences in military service and at court. He had befriended a young count who refused to go to war, preferring to stay safely at home. Starodum went to battle and was wounded, but the count received a promotion while Starodum was overlooked. Disillusioned, he retired from service. Later, at court, he found that people took roundabout paths to advancement and cared only for themselves. He left court with his integrity intact but without wealth or honors. He then went to Siberia, where he made his fortune through honest labor.
The Prostakovs and Skotinin compete for Sophias hand
Sophia rushed to embrace her uncle. Starodum explained that he had come to rescue her from her unscrupulous relatives and planned to take her to Moscow the next morning to marry her to a worthy young man. Mrs. Prostakov and Skotinin both pressed their claims. Mrs. Prostakov boasted about Mitrofan's education, claiming they spared no expense on his teachers. She described her family's proud ignorance, explaining that her father had refused to let his children learn anything from 'heretics' and had died illiterate.
Skotinin argued for his own suit, emphasizing his ancient noble lineage. Starodum dismissed both suitors, revealing that Sophia was already betrothed. Mrs. Prostakov immediately began plotting to prevent Sophia's departure, planning to have her kidnapped early the next morning before Starodum could leave.
Mitrofans teachers and Vralmans fraudulent instruction
After Starodum retired to rest, Kuteykin and Cipherkin confronted Vralman about his interference with their teaching. They threatened him with violence, and he fled in fear. The teachers complained that they had been trying to educate Mitrofan for years without success. Cipherkin had struggled for three years to teach the boy to count to three, while Kuteykin could not get him to read beyond review lessons. They blamed Vralman for constantly interrupting their work.
Mrs. Prostakov brought Mitrofan to pretend to study while Starodum rested, hoping the uncle would hear how hard the boy worked. She sat knitting a purse for Sophia's money while Mitrofan went through the motions of his lessons. Vralman appeared and convinced Mrs. Prostakov to stop the lessons, arguing that too much learning would damage Mitrofan's weak brain. He revealed that he had been Starodum's coachman in St. Petersburg, watching high society from the coach box rather than teaching anyone.
Act 4. Starodums lessons and choice of suitor
Starodum instructs Sophia on virtue and marriage
Starodum found Sophia reading Fénelon's work on the education of girls. He approved of her choice and began instructing her on virtue and happiness. He explained that true nobility came from worthy deeds, not rank, and that real wealth meant having enough to help others in need. He emphasized that virtue was incomparably higher than any intellectual achievement.
Without it the most educated man is a pitiful creature. An ignoramus without a soul is a brute. The least action leads him into a crime. It makes no difference to him why he acts so, or to what purpose.
Starodum discussed marriage, warning Sophia about the misery of unions based on wealth rather than virtue. He described unhappy families where husband and wife had no respect for each other, where children grew up as orphans with living parents, and where the household fell into ruin. He advised that her husband should obey reason while she obeyed her husband, and that their mutual affection should resemble friendship more than passion.
The suitors present themselves; Mitrofans examination
Pravdin introduced Milon to Starodum, who recognized him as the nephew of his friend Count Chestan. Milon impressed Starodum with his definition of true valor, explaining that it meant not just battlefield courage but the moral strength to tell truth to power and defend justice. Starodum embraced him warmly. When Milon confessed his love for Sophia, Starodum joyfully revealed that Milon was the very man he had chosen as her husband. He joined their hands and gave his blessing.
Mrs. Prostakov brought Mitrofan to demonstrate his learning. Starodum and Pravdin examined the boy, who proved completely ignorant. He could not distinguish nouns from adjectives, knew no history beyond fairy tales, and had never heard of geography. When asked about the usefulness of geography, Mrs. Prostakov declared it unnecessary for noblemen since coachmen could take them wherever they needed to go. She boasted that her father had been a governor for fifteen years and died illiterate but wealthy, having starved to death while sitting on a trunk full of money.
Starodum chooses Milon as Sophias husband
Skotinin pressed his suit, emphasizing his ancient lineage and arguing that he descended from a family older than Adam. Starodum mocked him, suggesting he should only marry within the Skotinin family to preserve such distinguished bloodlines. When both Mrs. Prostakov and Skotinin demanded to know who would marry Sophia, Starodum revealed that she was already betrothed and would leave for Moscow the next morning. Mrs. Prostakov immediately began planning to kidnap Sophia before dawn.
Act 5. The attempted abduction and final judgment
Starodums views on government and education
The next morning, Starodum and Pravdin discussed government and education. Starodum praised enlightened rulers who elevated their subjects' souls and governed free people rather than slaves. He condemned flatterers who convinced rulers that people existed to serve them rather than the reverse. He argued that proper education required teaching virtue above all else, warning that education in corrupt hands became a weapon for evil. He suggested that young nobles should study history to learn both the achievements of great men and the disgrace of those who abused their power.
Mrs. Prostakovs failed abduction attempt
Milon rushed in with his sword drawn, having rescued Sophia from an attempted kidnapping. He had seen a crowd of people forcing her down the steps toward a carriage despite her resistance and cries for help. Yeremeyevna confessed that they had planned to marry Sophia to Mitrofan by force. Mrs. Prostakov arrived, cursing her servants for allowing Sophia to escape. She declared her right as mistress to punish her people as she wished.
Pravdin threatened to summon Mrs. Prostakov to court for disturbing the peace. The entire Prostakov family fell to their knees, begging forgiveness. Mrs. Prostakov pleaded pathetically, calling herself a sinner and asking mercy for her husband and son. Sophia and Starodum agreed to forgive the offense. Mrs. Prostakov immediately jumped up and threatened to punish her servants severely for letting Sophia escape, revealing that her repentance had been entirely false.
Pravdins wardship and the familys downfall
Pravdin produced an official document placing the Prostakov estate under government wardship due to Mrs. Prostakov's cruelty and her husband's stupidity. Mrs. Prostakov protested that she would no longer be mistress in her own house. The teachers appeared to settle their accounts. Kuteykin demanded payment for tuition and worn-out shoes, but Cipherkin refused any payment since Mitrofan had learned nothing. Starodum, Milon, and Pravdin rewarded Cipherkin's honesty with money, while Kuteykin was told to return the next day to settle with Mrs. Prostakov herself. He immediately renounced all claims and fled.
Starodum recognized Vralman as his former coachman and dismissed him. Vralman admitted he had wandered Moscow for three months without finding work as a coachman and had become a teacher to avoid starvation. Starodum allowed him to return as his coachman. As Starodum prepared to leave with Sophia and Milon, Mrs. Prostakov rushed to embrace Mitrofan, crying that he was all she had left. The boy rudely pushed her away, telling her not to bother him.
You alone are left to me in all this world, my darling Mitrofanushka! So, you too! You too have forsaken me! Ah, how ungrateful! Her blind love for you is mainly responsible for her misfortunes.
Mrs. Prostakov fainted from shock. When she revived, she lamented that she was ruined, had lost her power, and had no son. Pravdin ordered Mitrofan into government service. Starodum pointed to Mrs. Prostakov and declared her fate the just reward of wickedness.