One of the key characters in I. A. Goncharov’s novel “Oblomov” is Andrei Stolts - the best friend and complete opposite of the main character, Ilya Oblomov. Strong-willed, hardworking, decisive - he shows by his own example what heights can be achieved thanks to one’s own work and perseverance. The characterization of Stolz is of great importance, since it allows us to most fully reveal the image of Oblomov and convey the main idea of the work. It is not without reason that the author assigns Stolts the second most important role in the novel: being the complete antipode of Oblomov, Andrei Stolts embodies the features of a new type of Russian progressive person.
a brief description of
Before reading this analysis, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with Oblomov’s work itself.
Full name : Andrey Ivanovich Stolts.
Age - a little over 30 years.
Occupation : court councilor, merchant.
Family - father Ivan Stolts and mother, wife Olga Ilyinskaya.
Social status : nobleman.
Origin - comes from a mixed family, since his father was a simple German burgher, and his mother was an impoverished Russian noblewoman.
Upbringing - father's upbringing - strict, hard work, mother's upbringing - noble, refined.
Education - well educated, university education.
Appearance - a thin, slender, muscular man with expressive green eyes and dark skin color.
Character - persistent, decisive, hardworking, pedantic, restrained, pragmatic, purposeful.
Positive traits - kind, caring, hardworking, purposeful, great friend.
Negative traits : stingy with emotions, pedantic, calculating.
The work is “Oblomov”.
Author : Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov.
Appearance
Andrei Ivanovich was the same age as his friend Ilya Oblomov. The author compares him to a thoroughbred English horse. It seemed that he was composed only of nerves and muscles. Stolz was thin. He lacked the “sign of fatty roundness”
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On a dark face, green eyes looked very expressive. The gaze was sharp. Absolutely no detail escaped him. Ilya Oblomov enviously tells his friend that he exudes masculinity and health, because he “is not fat and does not have styes.”
- Comparative characteristics of Oblomov and Stolz in Goncharov’s novel “Oblomov”
Quote characteristic
A description of Stolz with quotes will allow you to reveal his image, demonstrate not only his appearance, but also character traits, behavioral characteristics, and attitude to life.
Portrait
The artistic portrait of Andrei Stolts is based on the fact that he is a nobleman, half German.
“...this is Andrei Ivanovich Stolts.” (Part one, chapter 3)
“... in her son she saw the ideal of a gentleman, although an upstart, from a black body, from a burgher father, but still the son of a Russian noblewoman...” (Part two, chapter 1)
“ Stolz was only half German, through his father : his mother was Russian; he professed the Orthodox faith; his natural speech was Russian..." (Part two, chapter 1)
Andrei Stolz's father is an educated burgher originally from Germany, his mother is an impoverished Russian noblewoman.
“Andryusha’s father was an agronomist, technologist, and teacher.” (Part two, chapter 1)
“She lived as a governess in a rich house and had the opportunity to be abroad...” (Part two, chapter 1)
Andrei Stolz’s father is a Russified German who managed to raise a small capital for his only son thanks to his hard work. He worked as a manager and also ran a small boarding house for noble offspring.
“ He left his son an inheritance of only forty thousand . He took some as a dowry for his wife, and acquired the rest by teaching his children and managing the estate: he received a good salary.” (Part one, chapter 4)
“...from the local manager, the German Stolz, who started a small boarding school for the children of the surrounding nobles. He had his own son, Andrei, almost the same age as Oblomov...” (Part one, chapter 9)
“In the village of Verkhleve, where his father was the manager...” (Part two, chapter 1)
The portrait description of Andrei Stolts is based on the fact that he is a successful businessman, an entrepreneur who was able to increase his father’s fortune several times. He is in the civil service with the rank of court councilor.
“Good boy! Suddenly, out of his father’s forty, he made three hundred thousand capital, and in the service he became a servant, and the scientist ... now he’s still traveling!” (Part one, chapter 4)
“ The court councilor study!” (Part one, chapter 4)
Appearance
Andrey Stolts is a young man, a little over thirty years old.
“...he is already over thirty years old...” (Part two, chapter 2)
Stolz has expressive green eyes.
“Andryusha with his childish green eyes...” (Part two, chapter 1)
“...the eyes, although a little greenish, are expressive...” (Part two, chapter 2)
Stolz's complexion is even, slightly dark.
“...the complexion is even, dark and no blush...” (Part two, chapter 2)
Andrey Stolts is a slender, fit man without excess weight, with physical strength.
“He is all made up of bones, muscles and nerves , like a blooded English horse. He is thin; he has almost no cheeks at all, that is, there is bone and muscle, but no sign of fatty roundness...” (Part two, chapter 2)
“...he retained the strength of his soul, the strength of his body ...” (Part two, chapter 2)
“He was vigorous in body...” (Part four, chapter 
Stolz is not used to making unnecessary body movements or using rich facial expressions.
“He had no unnecessary movements. If he was sitting, he sat quietly, but if he acted, he used as many facial expressions as necessary.” (Part two, chapter 1)
Character traits and actions
Stolz is a versatile, enthusiastic person. In search of new knowledge, he travels around the world and never stops learning.
“...he loved news, and light, and science, and all of life, but somehow deeper, more sincere...” (Part one, chapter 3)
“Why is he wandering around foreign lands?
“ He wants to learn, see everything, know everything .” (Part one, chapter 4)
“Stolz often left St. Petersburg for Moscow, Nizhny, Crimea, and then abroad...” (Part one, chapter 5)
“...Stolz was almost never in St. Petersburg...” (Part one, chapter 6)
“I was abroad twice, after our wisdom, I humbly sat on the student benches in Bonn, Jena, Erlangen, then I learned Europe as my estate. But let’s say that a voyage is a luxury, and not everyone is able or obliged to use this means; and Russia? I have seen Russia up and down. I’m working ..." (Part two, chapter 4)
Andrey Stolts is an incredibly hardworking, active person who is not afraid to take on new work and develop himself in a new field.
“He served, retired, went about his business and actually made a house and money . He is involved in some company that ships goods abroad.” (Part Two, Chapter 2)
“ He is constantly on the move : if society needs to send an agent to Belgium or England, they send him; you need to write some project or adapt a new idea to business - they choose it. Meanwhile, he goes out into the world and reads: when he has time, God knows .” (Part two, chapter 2)
“Oh, if only I could live two hundred, three hundred years! - he concluded, - how many things could be redone! (Part Four, Chapter 2)
Andrey Stolts is a strong, strong-willed, purposeful nature, capable of changing circumstances in his favor.
“ Above all else he placed perseverance in achieving goals : this was a sign of character in his eyes, and he never refused to respect people with this perseverance, no matter how unimportant their goals were.” (Part two, chapter 2)
“Here Stolz is a different matter: Stolz is intelligence, strength, the ability to control oneself, others, and fate . Wherever he comes, with whomever he meets, you look, he’s already mastered it, he plays as if he were playing an instrument.” (Part two, chapter 7)
“Man was created to arrange himself and even change his nature... There is no person who cannot do something , by God, no!” (Part Four, Chapter 2)
“...life and work itself is the purpose of life ...” (Part four, chapter 2)
Stolz is a prudent, thrifty, pragmatic person not only in financial matters, but also in terms of emotional experiences.
“Just as he had nothing superfluous in his body, so in the moral aspects of his life he sought a balance between the practical aspects and the subtle needs of the spirit ...” (Part two, chapter 2)
“ He walked firmly, cheerfully; lived on a budget , trying to spend every day, like every ruble, with every minute, never dozing control of spent time, labor, strength of soul and heart.” (Part two, chapter 2)
“It seems that he controlled both sorrows and joys, like the movement of his hands , like the steps of his feet, or how he dealt with bad and good weather. He opened his umbrella while it was raining, that is, he suffered while the grief lasted, and he suffered without timid submission, but more with annoyance, with pride, and he endured it patiently...” (Part two, chapter 2)
Stolz always strived to look at life simply and without embellishment. He always avoided empty hopes and dreams.
“A simple, that is, direct, real view of life - that was his constant task...” (Part two, chapter 2)
“Most of all he was afraid of imagination , this two-faced companion... He was afraid of every dream ... The dream, the mysterious, the mysterious had no place in his soul.” (Part two, chapter 2)
There is no place for strong passions and emotions in Stolz's soul. He had never been a slave to beautiful women and intended to live his life without fatal passions that exhausted his soul.
“He was not blinded by beauty and therefore did not forget, did not humiliate the dignity of a man, was not a slave, “did not lie at the feet” of beauties, although he did not experience fiery joys.” (Part two, chapter 2)
“Passion, passion justifies everything,” they said around him, “but in your egoism you save only yourself: let’s see for whom.” (Part two, chapter 2)
“He said that “the normal purpose of a person is to live through the four seasons, that is, four ages, without leaps and carry the vessel of life to the last day, without spilling a single drop in vain, and that an even and slow burning of fire is better than violent fires , no matter what.” poetry never burned in them..." (Part two, chapter 2)
“... he is not a dreamer ; he wouldn’t want impetuous passion...” (Part four, chapter 4)
Andrei Stolts is a straightforward person, accustomed to openly expressing his thoughts.
“How you sometimes speak harshly about people , Andrey...” (Part two, chapter 3)
Stolz is a true, loyal friend of Oblomov, despite the complete opposite of their characters.
“How could such a person be close to Oblomov, in whom every feature, every step, his entire existence was a blatant protest against Stolz’s life? This seems to be a settled issue, that the opposite extremes, if they do not serve as a reason for sympathy, as was previously thought, then do not in any way prevent it. Moreover, they were connected by childhood and school - two strong springs...” (Part two, chapter 2)
“...his childhood comrade, his constant friend, Stolz...” (Part one, chapter
Stolz is a caring friend who solves many of Oblomov’s everyday problems and helps him understand issues related to the estate.
“Until then, he didn’t really know his affairs: Stolz sometimes took care of him...” (Part one, chapter 6)
Andrei Stolts categorically does not accept Oblomov’s lifestyle and gives this swamp a definition - “Oblomovism.” He tries to the last to return his friend to a normal lifestyle.
“This is not life! - Stolz repeated stubbornly.
- What do you think this is?
“This is... (Stolz thought and looked for what to call this life.) Some kind of... Oblomovism ...” (Part two, chapter 4)
“Listen, Ilya, I’ll seriously tell you that you need to change your lifestyle, otherwise you’ll give yourself water damage or a stroke... I won’t leave you alone . Now I obey not only my own desire, but the will of Olga: she wants - do you hear? - so that you don’t die at all, don’t get buried alive, and I promised to dig you out of the grave ...” (Part four, chapter 2)
Stolz gives all the best that is in his soul to Olga, whom he loves deeply, with all his heart. In her he finds the ideal life partner.
“Little by little, imperceptibly, he got used to thinking out loud, feeling in front of her, and suddenly one day, strictly believing himself, he learned that he had begun to live not alone, but together, and that he had been living this life since the day Olga arrived.” (Part four, chapter 4)
“But I love you, Olga Sergeevna! “he said almost sternly.” (Part Four, Chapter 4)
“...give me your future and don’t think about anything - I vouch for everything.” (Part Four, Chapter 4)
“...I found mine,” he thought, looking with loving eyes at the trees, at the sky, at the lake, even at the fog rising from the water. - Waited for it! So many years of thirst for feeling, patience, saving the strength of the soul! How long have I waited - everything has been rewarded : here it is, the last happiness of man! (Part Four, Chapter 4)
Family life with Olga turns out to be very happy due to the fact that the spouses have similar temperaments and outlooks on life.
“ The years passed, but they did not get tired of living . Silence came, the gusts subsided; the curvatures of life became clear, they were endured patiently and cheerfully, and life still did not stop for them... wild passions could not be rampant: everything was harmony and silence for them . "(Part four, chapter
“Only there was no drowsiness, no despondency , they spent their days without boredom and without apathy; there was no sluggish look, no words; their conversation never ended, it was often heated" (Part four, chapter
“They were awakened by the eternal movement of thought, the eternal irritation of the soul and the need to think together, feel, speak!..” (Part four, chapter
“Stolz was deeply happy with his full, exciting life...” (Part four, chapter
Upbringing
Being half German and half Russian, Andrei Stolz was raised in two languages and was equally fluent in them.
“...his natural speech was Russian: he learned it from his mother and from books, in the university classroom and in games with village boys, in discussions with their fathers and in Moscow bazaars. He inherited the German language from his father and from books.” (Part two, chapter 1)
During his school years, Andrei always read more than the prescribed curriculum.
“...Stolz brought him books that he still needed to read beyond what he had learned...” (Part one, chapter 6)
Thanks to his parents, Andrei was able to receive a diverse education. He had very deep knowledge on many subjects.
“From the age of eight, he sat with his father at the geographical map, sorted through the warehouses of Herder, Wieland, biblical verses and summed up the illiterate accounts of the peasants, townspeople and factory workers, and with his mother he read sacred history, learned Krylov’s fables and sorted through the warehouses of Telemachus.” (Part two, chapter 1)
“...besides, he is so understanding ! Soon he began to read Telemachus, like she herself, and play four hands with her...” (Part two, chapter 1)
Andrei's parents had different views on raising their son. His mother tried to protect him from all troubles, while his father taught him from an early age to the harsh realities of life.
“Mother always watched with concern as Andryusha disappeared from the house for half a day, and if only for his father’s positive prohibition to disturb him, she would have kept him near her.” (Part two, chapter 1)
“Andryusha walks around like this clean, well-behaved boy for half a day, and in the evening, sometimes in the morning, someone will drag him back again, dirty, disheveled, unrecognizable, or the men will bring him on a cart with hay...” (Part two, chapter 1)
“What kind of child is this if he has never broken his or anyone else’s nose? - the father said with a laugh.” (Part two, chapter 1)
“She didn’t quite like this laborious, practical upbringing . She was afraid that her son would become the same German burgher that his father came from.” (Part two, chapter 1)
His father was able to raise Andrei in such a way that from childhood he was a disciplined, responsible person who could be relied on. The father, seeing his son's abilities, makes him his assistant - a tutor at the boarding school and pays him a salary.
“At the age of fourteen or fifteen, the boy often went alone, in a cart or on horseback, with a bag at the saddle, on errands from his father to the city, and it never happened that he forgot something, changed it, overlooked it , made a mistake.” (Part two , Chapter 1)
“... Andryusha studied well , and his father made him a tutor in his small boarding school.”
The father, who received a university education, decides that his son should also be an educated person. After completing his studies, Stolz gives his son complete freedom to choose a profession.
“He was at the university and decided that his son should also be there...” (Part two, chapter 1)
“ You are well educated: all careers are open to you ; you can serve, trade, or even write, perhaps - I don’t know what you will choose, what you feel more inclined to do...” (Part two, chapter 1)
Childhood and literacy
Stolz Andrei Ivanovich was born into a family of a German and a Russian noblewoman. His father was a manager in the village of Verkhlevo, he ran a local boarding house, where Andryusha met young Ilya Ilyich Oblomov. They soon became inseparable friends.
“Russian was a natural speech”
Stolz, he learned it from his mother, from books, and adopted many words from peasants and village boys. Parents early began to introduce their son to all kinds of sciences.
“From the age of eight, the boy sat over geographical maps, learned Bible verses, Krylov’s fables.” When he “looked up from the instructions,” he ran to the neighbor’s kids.
He stayed on the street until late at night, destroyed birds' nests, and often got into fights. The mother complained to her husband that:
“Not a day goes by without a boy returning without a blue spot, and the other day he breaks his nose.” Despite his violent temper, he never lost his talent for learning. When he played the piano four hands with his mother, she instantly forgot about the bad behavior of her beloved son.
From the age of fourteen, the father began to send his son to the city on certain errands.
“It never happened that the boy forgot, overlooked, changed things up, made a mistake.” Mother did not like this kind of “work discipline”. The woman dreamed of seeing her son as a gentleman, and not as a farmer with working hands.
Characterization of Stolz by other heroes
Oblomov
For Oblomov, Stolz is a real savior who solves almost all his problems. They have had a strong friendship since childhood.
“—If only Stolz had come sooner!.. He would have sorted it out...” (Part one, chapter 2)
“There was one person after his heart: he also did not give him peace; he loved news, and light, and science, and all his life, but somehow deeper, sincerely - and Oblomov, although he was affectionate with everyone, he sincerely loved him alone, believed him alone , perhaps because he grew up, studied and lived with him. This is Andrei Ivanovich Stolts.” (Part one, chapter 3)
“What kind of relative is he to you? German - known.
“ Closer than any relative : I grew up with him, studied with him and will not allow insolence...” (Part one, chapter 4)
From a young age, Stolz, who always strived for new knowledge, takes care of Oblomov’s development and tries in every possible way to bring him to a new level.
“When Stolz brought him books that he still needed to read beyond what he had learned, Oblomov looked at him silently for a long time... Such immoderate reading seemed unnatural and difficult to him.” (Part one, chapter 6)
Oblomov considers Andrei to be an overly harsh, straightforward person.
“—How you sometimes speak harshly about people, Andrei, God knows you.” (Part two, chapter 3)
Oblomov sincerely admires his friend’s inner strength, his ability to subjugate circumstances.
“Here Stolz is a different matter: Stolz is intelligence, strength, the ability to control oneself, others, and fate . Wherever he comes, with whomever he meets, you look, he’s already mastered it, he plays as if he were playing an instrument.” (Part two, chapter 7)
“You are a different matter, Andrey,” objected Oblomov, “you have wings: you don’t live, you fly; you have talents, pride; You’re not fat, you don’t have barley, the back of your head doesn’t itch. You are somehow built differently..." (Part four, chapter 2)
Olga Ilyinskaya
Stolz is an unquestioning authority for Olga, a person whom she greatly respects for his intelligence, prudence, life experience, and sense of humor.
“She called him a friend, loved him because he always made her laugh and didn’t let her get bored, but she was a little afraid because she felt like too much of a child in front of him.” (Part two, chapter 5)
“When a question or bewilderment arose in her mind, she did not suddenly decide to believe him: he was too far ahead of her, too taller than her , so her pride sometimes suffered from this immaturity, from the distance in their minds and years.” (Part two, chapter 5)
Stolz evokes the warmest, most sincere feelings in Olga. She sees him as “her” person.
“On her face he read childish confidence in himself; she sometimes looked at him as if she had never looked at anyone.” (Part Four, Chapter 4)
“She was very happy about Stoltz; although her eyes did not light up with sparkle, her cheeks did not glow with a blush, an even, calm light spread across her entire face and a smile appeared.” (Part two, chapter 5)
Detailed description of Olga Ilyinskaya.
Tarantiev
Tarantiev is distrustful of Stolz, whose hard work and enterprise causes great irritation.
“Suddenly, out of his father’s forty, he made three hundred thousand capital, and in the service he became a servant, and a scientist... now he’s still traveling! The arrows are everywhere! Would a real good Russian person do all this? A Russian person will choose one thing, and even then slowly, little by little, somehow, otherwise, come on!” (Part one, chapter 4)
Tarantiev sincerely does not understand the desire of the already successful, accomplished Stolz to constantly study.
“Now he’s staggering God knows where! - Tarantiev continued. - Why does he wander around foreign lands?
— He wants to learn, see everything, know everything.
- Study! Haven't you taught him enough yet? What is this for? He is lying, don’t believe him: he deceives you to your face, like a small child. Do the big ones learn anything? Do you hear what he is saying? The court councilor will study!” (Part one, chapter 4)
Tarantiev considers Stolz to be a “smart” person, that is, cunning and cunning.
“And you are good! - he reproached. - He didn’t say what kind of German he was!
“After all, I told you that it’s blown!” (Part Four, Chapter 7)
Mukhoyarov
Mukhoyarov learns that Stolz is not just a nobleman, a friend of Oblomov, but a person with significant influence in high society.
“... Why didn’t you say that he was in force? He and the general say to each other , this is how you and I are. I would have gotten involved with people like that if I had known!” (Part Four, Chapter 4)
Friendship and love.
Stolz was a loyal and reliable comrade. He became friends with Oblomov when he was a teenager. Together they studied at the boarding school, where Andrei’s father was in charge. The guys were already very different in their aspirations.
Ilya did not like science. But when he developed a passion for poetry, Andryusha began to bring him all kinds of books from home, just to develop his knowledge.
“Stolz’s son spoiled Ilyusha, giving him lessons and doing many translations for him.” Years later, he never ceases to support Oblomov. He claims that he is a close person to him. “Closer than any relative: I studied and grew up with him.”
- The image and characteristics of Oblomov in Goncharov’s novel “Oblomov”
Andrey will always selflessly support his comrade. Ilya happily awaits his visit and trusts him with all his affairs, including financial ones. Stolz would come soon! He writes that it will be soon. He would have sorted it out. When Oblomov has serious problems with the estate, his friend himself offers to help restore order there; he understands that the estate manager is deceiving Ilya Ilyich. He does everything competently.
Even after Oblomov’s death, he never ceases to show concern for his loved ones. He sends his wife Agafya Pshenitsyna the money that the estate brings. He takes the son of his late comrade into his home.
“Andryusha was asked to be raised by Stolz and his wife. Now they consider him a member of their own family.”
Biography
Andrei Ivanovich Stolts is a young man, a nobleman with Russian and German roots. The father is an educated German of humble origin, who managed to amass a small capital thanks to his hard work and perseverance. The mother is an impoverished Russian noblewoman, forced in her youth to work as a governess for a wealthy family.
His parents devoted a lot of time and effort to Andryusha, teaching him everything they knew. The smart boy quickly absorbed new knowledge and showed increased interest in it. Despite the dissatisfaction of his sophisticated mother, his father gave Andrei a practical, business-like education, and from a young age the boy grew up to be a disciplined, responsible person who could be relied on.
Stolz Sr. provided his son with a university education, after which he sent him out into the “big” world to earn his own living. At first, Andrei got a job, where he was able to rise to the rank of court councilor. After leaving the service, he went into business and, thanks to his entrepreneurial spirit, was able to achieve considerable success.
Stolz devoted all his time to self-development, education, and travel. Having established himself as an individual and ensuring complete financial independence for himself, he started a family with Olga Ilyinskaya, a young beautiful noblewoman with whom he was connected by complete mutual understanding and kinship of souls. This marriage turned out to be extremely successful.
Stolz's image
Andrey Ivanovich Stolts is the embodiment of hard work, determination, and a healthy attitude towards life. He is a deeply decent, responsible, reliable person who you can always rely on.
Possessing a lively mind and an irrepressible interest in everything that surrounds him, Andrei Stolts enjoys learning, even in adulthood. His whole nature strives for knowledge and obtaining new useful information. He travels a lot, works, studies, reads, communicates with people, and visits high society. Such activity is due to two important factors: an active nature and the ability to competently plan and spend one’s time, and exemplary self-discipline. No wonder Stolz mentions that he wanted to live for hundreds of years in order to have time to do as much as possible.
Stolz is a prudent person, pragmatic not only in business, but also in matters of a personal nature. He does not waste his spiritual strength, but waits for true strong love. In marriage, he finds long-awaited happiness, since his chosen one becomes not only a good wife, but also a loyal friend and ally.
Conclusion
In I. A. Goncharov’s novel “Oblomov,” one of the central characters is Andrei Stolts, who was introduced by the author as the antipode of the main character, Ilya Oblomov. Stolz's position in life is expressed, first of all, in his attitude to work: the hero is distinguished by great hard work, discipline, and the ability to achieve his goal.
The role of the hero is to demonstrate what success can be achieved with an active lifestyle and the desire to constantly learn and develop. A quotation from Stolz will allow you to better prepare for a literature lesson, briefly describe a character, or write an essay or report on a given topic.
The collected material, which includes quotes from the text, allows you to independently characterize the character according to plan, help you compose a detailed written work or write an essay on a given topic.
Attitude to work
“...I’m working...” “Someday you’ll stop working,” Oblomov noted. “I will never stop...”
“...Work is the image, content, element and purpose of life, at least mine...”
“He stubbornly walked along his chosen path. I haven't seen anyone think painfully about anything. Didn’t get lost in difficult circumstances"
“When there is a need in society to visit Belgium or England, they send Stolz, it is necessary to write a project or adapt a new idea to business - they choose him.”
“I tried to spend every ruble, with vigilant control of time and labor, the strength of the soul and heart”
“from the parents’ forty, make three hundred thousand capital”
