“The Gentleman from San Francisco” is one of the most famous stories of the Russian prose writer Ivan Alekseevich Bunin. It was published in 1915 and has long become a textbook, it is held in schools and universities. Behind the seeming simplicity of this work, deep meanings and problems are hidden, which never loses relevance.

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History of creation and plot of the story

According to Bunin himself, the inspiration for writing "Mr...." was Thomas Mann's story "Death in Venice". At that time, Ivan Alekseevich did not read the work of his German colleague, but only knew that an American was dying in it on the island of Capri. So “The Gentleman from San Francisco” and “Death in Venice” are not connected in any way, except perhaps by a good idea.

In the story, a certain gentleman from San Francisco, along with his wife and young daughter, set off on a big journey from the New World to the Old World. The gentleman worked all his life and amassed a solid fortune. Now, like all people of his status, he can afford a well-deserved rest. The family sails on a luxurious ship called "Atlantis". The ship is more like a chic mobile hotel, where the eternal holiday lasts and everything works in order to bring pleasure to its obscenely wealthy passengers.

The first tourist point in the route of our travelers is Naples, which meets them unfavorably - the city has disgusting weather. Soon a gentleman from San Francisco leaves the city to go to the shores of sunny Capri. However, there, in a cozy reading room of a fashionable hotel, an unexpected death from an attack awaits him. The gentleman is hastily transferred to the cheapest room (so as not to spoil the reputation of the hotel) and in a dead box, in the hold of the Atlantis, they are sent home to San Francisco.

Main characters: characterization of images

gentleman from san francisco

We get acquainted with the gentleman from San Francisco from the first pages of the story, because he is central character works. Surprisingly, the author does not honor his hero with a name. Throughout the story, he remains "master" or "mister." Why? In this, the writer honestly admits to his reader - this person is faceless “in his desire to buy charms with the wealth he has. real life”.

Before hanging labels, let's get to know this gentleman better. Suddenly he's not so bad? So, our hero worked hard all his life (“the Chinese, whom he ordered to work for him by the thousands, knew this well”). He is 58 years old and now he has the full material and moral right to arrange for himself (and his family part-time) a great vacation.

“Until this time, he did not live, but only existed, though not badly, but still placing all his hopes on the future”

Describing the appearance of his nameless master, Bunin, who was distinguished by his ability to notice individual features in everyone, for some reason does not find anything special in this person. He casually draws a portrait of him - "dry, short, awkwardly cut, but tightly sewn ... a yellowish face with trimmed silver mustaches ... large teeth ... a strong bald head." It seems that behind this rough “ammunition”, which is issued complete with a solid state, it is difficult to consider the thoughts and feelings of a person, and, perhaps, everything sensual simply turns sour in such storage conditions.

With a closer acquaintance with the master, we still learn little about him. We know that he wears elegant, expensive suits with suffocating collars, we know that at dinner at Atlantis he gorges himself, smokes red-hot cigars and gets drunk on liquors, and this brings pleasure, but in fact we don’t know anything else.

It is amazing, but during the entire long journey on the ship and stay in Naples, not a single enthusiastic exclamation sounded from the lips of the gentleman, he does not admire anything, is not surprised by anything, does not argue about anything. The trip brings him a lot of inconvenience, but he cannot help but go, because all people of his rank do this. So it is necessary - first Italy, then France, Spain, Greece, certainly Egypt and the British Isles, exotic Japan on the way back ...

Exhausted by seasickness, he sails to the island of Capri (an obligatory point on the way of any self-respecting tourist). In a chic room in the best hotel on the island, a gentleman from San Francisco constantly says “Oh, this is terrible!” Without even trying to understand what exactly is terrible. The pricks of cufflinks, the stuffiness of a starched collar, naughty gouty fingers ... I would rather go to the reading room and drink local wine, all respected tourists certainly drink it.

And having reached his “mecca” in the hotel reading room, the gentleman from San Francisco dies, but we do not feel sorry for him. No, no, we do not want a righteous reprisal, we simply do not care, as if a chair were broken. We wouldn't shed tears about a chair.

In pursuit of wealth this deep limited person did not know how to manage the money, and therefore bought what society imposed on him - uncomfortable clothes, unnecessary travel, even the daily routine, according to which all travelers were required to rest. Early rise, first breakfast, walk on the deck or “enjoyment” of the sights of the city, second breakfast, voluntary-compulsory sleep (everyone should be tired at this time!), gatherings and a long-awaited dinner, plentiful, satisfying, drunk. This is what the imaginary “freedom” of a rich man from the New World looks like.

master's wife

The wife of the gentleman from San Francisco, alas, also has no name. The author calls her "Mrs" and characterizes her as "a large, broad and calm woman." She, like a faceless shadow, follows her wealthy spouse, walks along the deck, has breakfast, dinner, “enjoys” the sights. The writer admits that she is not very impressionable, but, like all elderly American women, she is a passionate traveler ... at least, she's supposed to be.

The only emotional outburst occurs after the death of a spouse. Mrs. is indignant that the manager of the hotel refuses to place the body of the deceased in expensive rooms and leaves him to “spend the night” in a shabby, damp little room. And not a word about the loss of a spouse, they have lost respect, status - that's what occupies an unfortunate woman.

Master's daughter

This sweet miss does not cause negative emotions. She is not capricious, not swaggering, not talkative, on the contrary, she is very reserved and shy.

“Tall, thin, with magnificent hair, beautifully done up, with aromatic breath from violet cakes and with the most delicate pink pimples near the lips and between the shoulder blades”

At first glance, the author is favorable to this lovely person, but he does not even give a name to his daughter, because again there is nothing individual in her. Remember the episode when she trembles while talking aboard the Atlantis with the Crown Prince, who was traveling incognito. Everyone, of course, knew that this was an oriental prince and knew how fabulously rich he was. The young miss went crazy with excitement when he noticed her, perhaps she even fell in love with him. Meanwhile, the oriental prince was not at all good-looking - small, like a boy, thin face with tight swarthy skin, sparse mustaches, unattractive European attire (he travels incognito!). Falling in love with princes is supposed to be, even if he is a real freak.

Other characters

As a contrast to our cold trinity, the author intersperses descriptions of characters from the people. This is the boatman Lorenzo (“carefree reveler and handsome man”), and two highlanders with bagpipes at the ready, and simple Italians meeting the boat from the shore. All of them are the inhabitants of a joyful, cheerful, beautiful country, they are its masters, its sweat and blood. They do not have untold fortunes, tight collars, and social duties, but in their poverty they are richer than all the San Francisco gentlemen put together, their cold wives and tender daughters.

A gentleman from San Francisco understands this on some subconscious, intuitive level ... and hates all these “men who stink of garlic”, because he cannot just run barefoot along the shore - he has lunch on schedule.

Analysis of the work

The story can be conditionally divided into two unequal parts - before and after the death of a gentleman from San Francisco. We are witnessing a vivid metamorphosis that has taken place literally in everything. How the money and the status of this man, this self-proclaimed ruler of life, instantly depreciated. The manager of the hotel, who just a few hours ago broke into a sweet smile in front of a wealthy guest, now allows himself undisguised familiarity in relation to Mrs., Miss and the deceased gentleman. Now this is not an honored guest who will leave a substantial amount in the cash register, but simply a corpse, which risks casting a shadow on the high-society hotel.

With expressive strokes, Bunin draws the chilling indifference of everyone around to the death of a person, starting from the guests, whose evening is now overshadowed, and ending with his wife and daughter, whose journey is hopelessly ruined. Fierce selfishness and coldness - everyone thinks only about himself.

The generalized allegory of this thoroughly false bourgeois society is the ship "Atlantis". It is also divided into classes by its decks. In luxurious halls, the rich have fun and get drunk with their companions and families, and in the holds, those who are not considered by representatives of the high society and for people work up to a sweat. But the world of money and lack of spirituality is doomed, which is why the author calls his ship-allegory in honor of the sunken mainland "Atlantis".

Problems of the work

In the story “The Gentleman from San Francisco,” Ivan Bunin raises the following questions:

• What is the true meaning of money in life?
• Can you buy joy and happiness?
• Is it worth enduring constant deprivation for the sake of an illusory reward?
• Who is freer: the rich or the poor?
• What is the purpose of man in this world?

The last question is of particular interest. It is certainly not new - many writers have thought about what is the meaning of human existence. Bunin does not go into a complex philosophy, his conclusion is simple - a person must live in such a way as to leave a mark. Whether it will be works of art, reforms in the lives of millions, or a bright memory in the hearts of loved ones, it does not matter. The gentleman from San Francisco left nothing, no one will sincerely mourn him, even his wife and daughter.

Place in literature: Literature of the 20th century → Russian literature of the 20th century → The work of Ivan Bunin → The story “The Gentleman from San Francisco” (1915).

I. A. Bunin is known as a master of creation short stories, which are distinguished by the poignancy of the narrative and the accuracy of the description of the characters. Below is a description of the heroes of "The Gentleman from San Francisco". This is a story about how important it is to be able to live in the present. And that work and the accumulation of capital should not be the main goal in life.

Main character

You should start with the characteristics of the protagonist of "The Gentleman from San Francisco". Distinctive feature his description is that the author does not call his character by name. Thus, he wanted to show that his hero does not stand out among other people of the same rank as he is.

His appearance was also unremarkable. The only thing that caught my eye was his large yellow teeth and his always starched suit. The gentleman was 58 years old, and throughout his life he worked tirelessly. Therefore, he deserved the right to rest.

This man was purposeful, hardworking. His goal was to make a fortune so that he would not need anything in the future. The master and his whole family were respected, they were served by the best lackeys and maids. They could afford to travel in comfort, as befits people of their position.

The gentleman always ate and drank as much as he wanted, smoked expensive cigars, but not a word is said that he read books or attended any other cultural events. But the journey he started does not bring any pleasure to the master. During their entire trip, he never marveled at the magnificent view or fine weather.

The master did not do what he himself wanted. He visited those places that were accepted. He lived according to the daily routine that all rich people adhered to. And he bought suits, shirts that were worn by people of his circle. When he died, everyone immediately forgot about him. And no more respect was shown to his family. No one truly loved the gentleman, and they valued him not for his spiritual qualities, but only because of his wealth.

In pursuit of material wealth and in an effort to earn as much as possible, he ceased to be a person and individuality. He became like all the other rich gentlemen. He no longer has an opinion. Using this character as an example, the writer showed the life of a typical rich man from the New World.

The protagonist's wife

The characterization of the characters from "The Gentleman from San Francisco" should be continued with a description of the wife of the main character. Bunin also does not give her name, thereby showing that she is the same unremarkable person as her husband. The woman does not stand out from his background in any way and follows him everywhere, unquestioningly accepting his decisions and not expressing her opinion.

She adheres to the same daily routine of all rich people. This physique is calm. She was not very impressionable, but, like most older American women, she loved to travel. The only manifestation of her emotions happens after the death of her husband. The woman begins to resent that her husband's body is refused to be transferred to expensive rooms. What worried her most was that they were no longer respected and honored.

Daughter of the main character

The next characterization of the hero from "The Gentleman from San Francisco" is a description of his daughter. The writer also does not name her, which is an indication that she also does not stand out among the other characters in the story. But this is still a pretty pretty person, modest, reserved.

This girl has a rather attractive appearance: she is tall, slender with beautiful hair. However, although she was not proud of her position, she could not resist one Arabian prince. The girl was very worried when he turned his attention to her. The prince was not at all handsome, but his enormous fortune added to his attractiveness. But the girl liked him, because all young ladies are supposed to fall in love with princes.

Minor characters

The characterization of the characters from "The Gentleman from San Francisco", who accidentally meet on the way of the main character, emphasizes his inconspicuous personality. Their description and actions are the opposite of the measured and calm behavior of the master. All of them are cheerful carefree people. Even if they did not have such a state as the main character, but they knew how to enjoy life.

After reading the characteristics of the heroes of the story "The Gentleman from San Francisco", the reader understands that the main idea works - is that money will not make a person happy. The main wealth is his relatives and his inner world, you need to strive to develop spiritually. It is important to be able to appreciate life and enjoy every day. It was a brief description of characters from "The Gentleman from San Francisco" Bunin.

>Characteristics of the heroes Mr. San Francisco

Characteristics of the hero Gentleman from San Francisco

The gentleman from San Francisco main character of the story of the same name by I. A. Bunin, a rich man from the New World, who decided at fifty-eight to go on a long journey with his family. The real name of the character is not mentioned anywhere, since they did not remember him anywhere and did not even know who he was. He worked hard enough and deserved such a rest. He and his family planned to visit many cities and countries of the Old World, including the south of Italy, France, England and even Japan. Outwardly, he was an oddly tailored, but strong man, dry, short, with gold fillings and a strong bald head. When he put on a frock coat and snow-white linen, he looked youthful.

Even though he was quite rich, he was just getting started. As a passenger on a steamer with the symbolic name "Atlantis", he and his wife and daughter set sail from the shores of America. After a long wandering, they finally arrived in Naples, where they planned to spend December and January. On the ship they led a measured life. In the morning we drank coffee, ate the first breakfast, then took baths and went to the second breakfast. Soon fragrant biscuits with tea were served, and in the evening a plentiful dinner was arranged, followed by dancing. In Naples, he settled in an expensive hotel and also lived measuredly. However, the weather turned out to be extremely windy and rainy, so the gentleman from San Francisco decided to go to Capri, where it is sunny all year round.

I had to go to the island on a small ship that rocked from side to side, and the passengers developed terrible seasickness. Arriving at the hotel, the gentleman from San Francisco felt better and decided to read a newspaper before dinner. At that moment a stroke seized him and he died. His body was sent in a long soda box back to the New World on the same steamship Atlantis. Finally passing long haul over the raging ocean to his well-deserved rest, he went to his grave without having traveled. No amount of wealth helped the gentleman from San Francisco buy happiness.

Composition

The plot of the story by I. A. Bunin "Mr. from San Francisco" is based on the fate of the protagonist - " gentleman from San Francisco". He goes on a journey to the Old World and dies unexpectedly on Capri. The writer deprives the San Francisco gentleman of his name, emphasizing that he is one of many whose life is wasted (his wife and daughter are also not named). Bunin emphasizes that none of the people surrounding the hero (neither wealthy tourists, nor servants) became interested in this person at least enough to find out his name and history. For everyone, he is just "the gentleman from San Francisco." The word "lord" is used as the only name of the hero and evokes associations with the words "lord", "ruler", "master". "He was firmly convinced that he had full right for rest, for pleasures ... He was quite generous on the way and therefore fully believed in the caring of all those who fed and watered him, served him from morning to evening, preventing his slightest desire, guarded his purity and peace ... ”Actually, the story of his elevation is simple: at first he pursued profit, ruthlessly forcing others to work for him, and then unrestrainedly enjoyed, amusing his own flesh, not thinking about the soul. The fate of the hero does not contain any individual traits and is evaluated as "existence", opposed to "living life". The appearance of the "gentleman from San Francisco" is reduced to a few bright details that emphasize the most material, material, valuable in him: "... his large teeth shone with gold fillings, his bald head was old ivory." The writer is interested not only in the appearance of the hero, but also in his inner essence, and the impression he makes on others. Already in portrait characteristic the hero has a negative author's assessment. A bald head, a gray mustache is completely incompatible with Bunin's sarcastic definition of "cleared to a gloss." The story does not have an expanded speech characteristics hero, his inner life is not shown. The word “soul” appears only once in the descriptions, but it is used rather to deny the complexity of the hero’s spiritual life: “... in his soul for a long time even the mustard seed of any so-called mystical feelings did not remain ...” The hero of the story is equally far from the world of nature and the world of art. His assessments are either emphatically utilitarian or self-centered (the opinions and feelings of other people do not interest him). It acts and reacts like an automaton. The soul of the gentleman from San Francisco is dead, and existence seems to be the fulfillment of a certain role. Bunin portrays the "new man" of modern civilization, deprived of inner freedom.

The hero of the story perceives as property not only material, but also spiritual values. But the illusory nature of power and wealth is revealed in the face of death, which in the story metaphorically comes close to brute force, "suddenly ... fell upon" a person. Only a spiritual person can overcome death. But the gentleman from San Francisco was not, so his death is depicted in the story only as the death of the body. Signs of a lost soul appear already after death, as a faint hint: “And slowly, slowly, before everyone’s eyes, pallor flowed down the face of the deceased, and his features began to thin, brighten ...” Death erased the harshness from his face and for a moment revealed his true appearance - the way he could have been if he had lived his life differently. It turns out that the hero's life was a state of his spiritual death, and only physical death carries the possibility of awakening the lost soul. The description of the deceased takes on a symbolic character: “The dead man remained in the dark, blue stars looked at him from the sky, a cricket sang on the wall with sad carelessness ...” The image of the “fires of heaven” is a symbol of the soul and the search for the spirit.

The next part of the story is the journey of the gentleman's body from San Francisco. The theme of power is replaced by the theme of inattention and indifference of the living to the dead. Death is assessed by them as an "accident", "nuisance". Money and honor turn out to be fiction. It is no coincidence that the bellboy Luigi plays a kind of performance in front of the maids, parodying the pompous manner of the “master” and playing up his death. Unworthy revenge a man accustomed by virtue of his profession to bend his back. But what can you do - great mystery death is replaced by a farce in the theater of life. And the hero, imperceptibly for the reader, ceases to be a master. The author, speaking about him, uses the phrases “dead old man”, “some one”. This is the path of a hero from a person who placed all hopes on the future, to complete non-existence.

Bunin shows that the gentleman from San Francisco is part of a dying, doomed world, and he is destined to disappear with him. The image of the master carries a generalizing meaning. And this generalization is underlined ring composition: a description of the voyage on the "Atlantis" is given at the beginning and at the end of the story. And among the recurring images, the image of the ocean stands out as a symbol of life and death, the image of a ship's siren as a symbol of the Last Judgment, as well as the image of a ship's firebox as a symbol of hellfire. At the same time, social conflict becomes a manifestation of a more general conflict - the eternal struggle between good and evil. And if the world's evil is embodied in the story in the image of the Devil watching "Atlantis", then the personification of goodness is the Mother of God, blessing the inhabitants of Monte Solaro from the depths of a rocky grotto. The death of the protagonist is not a triumph of good and not a victory of evil, but only a triumph of the eternal and inexorable course of life, where everyone is certainly rewarded according to his deeds. And only wind, darkness, blizzard fall on the share of the mortal remains of the gentleman from San Francisco ...

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Main character Bunin's story, he lived his life in anticipation of rest and enjoyment, until a certain time he worked, but did not live, but existed. All his intentions to live were postponed to the future. Expensive outfits, treats, spectacles - everything that is supposed to be for people with a high income accompanies the master, but does not bring him any impressions or pleasure. The main characters of "The Gentleman from San Francisco" endure all the joys of a rich life calmly and indifferently, this is the same necessity as following fashion for the sake of convenience.

Characteristics of the characters "Mr. from San Francisco"

Main characters

gentleman from san francisco	A short, bald, thin, strong, not distinguished by a good figure man. His face had a yellowish tinge that gave it a Mongolian look. The author mentions large teeth with gold fillings in the description of the hero several times in the work. The name of the protagonist is not mentioned anywhere, the author explains this by the fact that in none of the countries, "he was not remembered." At the age of 58, the main character decided to reward himself for his work by going on a trip with his family. He takes luxury for granted. It is impossible to surprise the master with anything, he is fed up with everything in life.
master's wife	A large, broad woman with a calm character. Dress according to age. The author speaks of her as a person who cannot be called impressionable. The only time she shows her emotions is after the death of her husband, when the owner of the hotel refuses her request to place the deceased in their luxurious apartments. Her image is faceless, there is no character, no soul in it. None negative traits it doesn't.
Master's daughter	A tall, slender girl with beautiful hair. Expensive outfits, elegant hairstyles, slight soreness - this is all that is known about the master's daughter. She, like her mother, is voiceless and faceless.

Minor characters

Prince of one Asian state	In the list of passengers of "Atlantis", on which the family of the protagonist travels, there is a certain Asian prince. Small, broad-faced, with narrow eyes, swarthy, like a boy. He is ugly, strange, wears simple European clothes. For the master's daughter, he is the embodiment of a dream, apparently because he is infinitely rich.
The hotel owner	This character is characterized by his act. When a gentleman from San Francisco becomes ill, instead of helping, the hotel owner rushes to the fleeing visitors, calming the audience, as if justifying himself for the indecent behavior of the dying man. The owner of the hotel coldly refuses the widow's request to move the deceased to his expensive room, so as not to spoil the reputation of the hotel. Offers a coffin-like wooden soda box to transport the corpse.
Graceful couple in love	Two young people hired for money: beautiful woman and a man. They dance, kiss, portray love and passion, creating a peculiar flavor on the ship. The couple "works" causing admiration and envy of others.

In the story, Bunin touches on the theme of the meaning of human life, the price of money and human happiness. A sharp contrast is created by the description of the journey before and after the death of the protagonist. At the end of The Gentleman from San Francisco, the characters mourn more about a ruined journey, about a lost status, than about the death of a loved one. An analysis of the pictures of nature and the life of those who continue on their way, despite the death of a person, suggests the indifference of everything around him to his tragedy. The truth is cruel: for a man hanging in the hold in a wooden box for a week, money and position do not play any role.