Ivan Turgenev wrote his story “Mumu” in 1852, but it remains relevant to this day. The history of the deaf-mute Gerasim, who drowned his beloved dog on the orders of the mistress, is studied in modern schools, and teachers give children essays on the topic "Why Gerasim drowned Mumu." So how can one explain the act of Gerasim from the point of view of psychology?
Storyline
The deaf and mute janitor Gerasim, serving the old lady, had a lover - the washerwoman Tatyana, a piece of bread and a roof over her head. Once, Gerasim rescues a drowning dog from the water and decides to keep it for himself, giving the rescued nickname “Mumu”. Over time, the janitor becomes attached to the animal and takes care of him as if he were his own child. Especially his feelings towards Mumu are strengthened after the lady passes off his beloved Tatyana for the alcoholic Kapiton, without asking that consent for this marriage.
In those days, the landowners were known for their complete impunity and poor attitude towards serfs.
Once the lady heard Mumu barking at night and ordered Gerasim to drown the dog, which irritated her. The mistress did not feel pity for animals, since in the old days dogs were considered exclusively guards of the yard, and if they could not protect him from robbers, there was no use against them. Gerasim, as a simple serf without the right to vote, could not but obey the mistress, so he had to get into the boat and drown his only native creature. Why did Gerasim simply not let Muma go free?
