Heart of a dog in short. Heart of a Dog

Winter 1924/25 Moscow. Professor Philip Philipovich Preobrazhensky discovered a way to rejuvenate the body by transplanting animal endocrine glands into people. In his seven-room apartment in a large house on Prechistenka, he receives patients. The building is undergoing “densification”: new residents, “tenants,” are being moved into the apartments of the previous residents. The chairman of the house committee, Shvonder, comes to Preobrazhensky with a demand to vacate two rooms in his apartment. However, the professor, having called one of his high-ranking patients by phone, receives armor for his apartment, and Shvonder leaves with nothing.

Professor Preobrazhensky and his assistant Dr. Ivan Arnoldovich Bormental are having lunch in the professor's dining room. Choral singing can be heard from somewhere above - this is a general meeting of “tenants”. The professor is outraged by what is happening in the house: the carpet was stolen from the main staircase, the front door was boarded up and people are now walking through the back door, all the galoshes disappeared from the galosh rack in the entrance at once. “Devastation,” notes Bormental and receives the answer: “If instead of operating, I start singing in chorus in my apartment, I will be devastated!”

Professor Preobrazhensky picks up a mongrel dog on the street, sick and with tattered fur, brings him home, instructs the housekeeper Zina to feed him and care for him. After a week, a clean and well-fed Sharik becomes an affectionate, charming and beautiful dog.

The professor performs an operation - he transplants the endocrine glands of Klim Chugunkin, 25 years old, three times convicted of theft, who played the balalaika in taverns, and died from a knife blow. The experiment was a success - the dog does not die, but, on the contrary, gradually turns into a human: he gains height and weight, his hair falls out, he begins to speak. Three weeks later he is already a short man with an unattractive appearance who enthusiastically plays the balalaika, smokes and curses. After some time, he demands from Philip Philipovich to register him, for which he needs a document, and he has already chosen his first and last name: Polygraph Poligrafovich Sharikov.

From his previous life as a dog, Sharikov still has a hatred of cats. One day, while chasing a cat that had run into the bathroom, Sharikov latches the lock in the bathroom, accidentally turns off the water tap, and floods the entire apartment with water. The professor is forced to cancel the appointment. The janitor Fyodor, called to fix the tap, embarrassedly asks Philip Philipovich to pay for the window broken by Sharikov: he tried to hug the cook from the seventh apartment, the owner began to chase him away. Sharikov responded by throwing stones at him.

Philip Philipovich, Bormental and Sharikov are having lunch; again and again Bormenthal unsuccessfully teaches Sharikov good manners. To Philip Philipovich’s question about what Sharikov is reading now, he answers: “The correspondence of Engels with Kautsky” - and adds that he does not agree with both, but in general “everything must be divided,” otherwise “one sat in seven rooms, and another is looking for food in trash bins.” The indignant professor announces to Sharikov that he is at the lowest level of development and nevertheless allows himself to give advice on a cosmic scale. The professor orders the harmful book to be thrown into the oven.

A week later, Sharikov presents the professor with a document, from which it follows that he, Sharikov, is a member of the housing association and is entitled to a room in the professor’s apartment. That same evening, in the professor’s office, Sharikov appropriates two chervonets and returns at night completely drunk, accompanied by two unknown men, who left only after calling the police, however, taking with them a malachite ashtray, a cane and Philip Philipovich’s beaver hat.

That same night, in his office, Professor Preobrazhensky talks with Bormenthal. Analyzing what is happening, the scientist comes to despair that he received such scum from the sweetest dog. And the whole horror is that he no longer has a dog’s heart, but a human heart, and the lousiest of all that exist in nature. He is sure that in front of them is Klim Chugunkin with all his thefts and convictions.

One day, upon arriving home, Sharikov presents Filipp Filippovich with a certificate, from which it is clear that he, Sharikov, is the head of the department for cleaning the city of Moscow from stray animals (cats, etc.). A few days later, Sharikov brings home a young lady, with whom, according to him, he is going to marry and live in Preobrazhensky’s apartment. The professor tells the young lady about Sharikov’s past; she sobs, saying that he passed off the scar from the operation as a battle wound.

The next day, one of the professor’s high-ranking patients brings him a denunciation written against him by Sharikov, which mentions Engels being thrown into the oven and the professor’s “counter-revolutionary speeches.” Philip Philipovich invites Sharikov to pack his things and immediately get out of the apartment. In response to this, Sharikov shows the professor a shish with one hand, and with the other takes a revolver out of his pocket... A few minutes later, the pale Bormental cuts the bell wire, locks the front door and the back door and hides with the professor in the examination room.

Ten days later, an investigator appears in the apartment with a search warrant and the arrest of Professor Preobrazhensky and Doctor Bormental on charges of murdering the head of the cleaning department, P. P. Sharikov. “Which Sharikov? - asks the professor. “Oh, the dog I operated on!” And he introduces the visitors to a strange-looking dog: in some places bald, in others with patches of growing fur, he walks out on his hind legs, then stands on all fours, then again rises on his hind legs and sits in a chair. The investigator faints.

Two months pass. In the evenings, the dog sleeps peacefully on the carpet in the professor’s office, and life in the apartment goes on as usual.

Retold

What is the book “Heart of a Dog” about? Bulgakov's ironic story tells about the failed experiment of Professor Preobrazhensky. What is it? In search of an answer to the question of how to “rejuvenate” humanity. Does the hero manage to find the answer he is looking for? No. But he comes to a result that has a higher level of significance for society than the intended experiment.

Kiev resident Bulgakov decided to become a singer of Moscow, its houses and streets. This is how the Moscow chronicles were born. The story was written in Prechistinsky Lanes at the request of the Nedra magazine, which was well acquainted with the writer’s work. The chronology of the writing of the work fits into three months of 1925.

Being a doctor, Mikhail Alexandrovich continued the dynasty of his family, describing in detail in the book an operation to “rejuvenate” a person. Moreover, the famous Moscow doctor N.M. Pokrovsky, the uncle of the author of the story, became the prototype of Professor Preobrazhensky.

The first reading of the typewritten material took place at a meeting of the Nikitsky Subbotniks, which immediately became known to the country’s leadership. In May 1926, a search was carried out at the Bulgakovs’ place, the result of which was not long in coming: the manuscript was confiscated. The writer’s plan to publish his work did not come true. The Soviet reader saw the book only in 1987.

Main problems

It was not for nothing that the book disturbed the vigilant guardians of thought. Bulgakov managed to elegantly and subtly, but still quite clearly reflect the pressing issues of the day - the challenges of new times. The problems in the story “Heart of a Dog” that the author touches on do not leave readers indifferent. The writer discusses the ethics of science, the moral responsibility of a scientist for his experiments, the possibility of the disastrous consequences of scientific adventurism and ignorance. A technical breakthrough could turn into a moral decline.

The problem of scientific progress is acutely felt at the moment of its powerlessness before the transformation of the consciousness of a new person. The professor dealt with his body, but could not control his spirit, so Preobrazhensky had to give up his ambitions and correct his mistake - stop competing with the universe and return the dog’s heart to its owner. Artificial people were unable to justify their proud title and become full-fledged members of society. In addition, endless rejuvenation could jeopardize the very idea of progress, because if new generations do not naturally replace the old ones, then the development of the world will stop.

Are attempts to change the country's mentality for the better completely fruitless? The Soviet government tried to eradicate the prejudices of past centuries - it is this process that is behind the metaphor of Sharikov’s creation. Here he is, the proletarian, the new Soviet citizen, his creation is possible. However, its creators face the problem of education: they cannot calm down their creation and teach it to be cultured, educated and moral with a full set of revolutionary consciousness, class hatred and blind faith in the correctness and infallibility of the party. Why? This is impossible: either a pipe or a jug.

Human defenselessness in the whirlwind of events associated with the construction of a socialist society, hatred of violence and hypocrisy, the absence and suppression of the remaining human dignity in all its manifestations - all these are slaps in the face with which the author branded his era, and all because it does not value individuality . Collectivization affected not only the village, but also souls. It became more and more difficult to remain an individual, because the public laid more and more rights on her. General equalization and equalization did not make people happier, but turned them into ranks of meaningless biorobots, where the tone is set by the most dull and mediocre of them. Rudeness and stupidity have become the norm in society, replacing revolutionary consciousness, and in the image of Sharikov we see a verdict on a new type of Soviet man. From the rule of the Shvonders and others like them arise the problems of trampling on intelligence and intelligentsia, the power of dark instincts in the life of an individual, total gross interference in the natural course of things...

Some questions posed in the work remain unanswered to this day.

What is the point of the book?

People have long been looking for answers to the questions: What is a person? What is its social purpose? What role does everyone play in creating an environment that would be “comfortable” for those living on planet Earth? What are the “paths” to this “comfortable community”? Is consensus possible between people of different social origins, holding opposing views on certain issues of existence, occupying alternative “steps” in intellectual and cultural development? And, of course, it is important to understand the simple truth that society develops thanks to unexpected discoveries in one or another branch of science. But can these “discoveries” always be called progressive? Bulgakov answers all these questions with his characteristic irony.

A person is a personality, and the development of personality implies independence, which is denied to a Soviet citizen. The social purpose of people is to do their job masterfully and not interfere with others. However, Bulgakov’s “conscious” heroes only chant slogans, but do not work to translate them into reality. Each of us, in the name of comfort, must be tolerant of dissent and not prevent people from practicing it. And again in the USSR everything is exactly the opposite: Preobrazhensky’s talent is forced to fight to defend his right to help patients, and his point of view is brazenly condemned and persecuted by some nonentities. They can live in peace if everyone minds their own business, but there is no equality in nature and there cannot be, because from birth we are all different from each other. It is impossible to maintain it artificially, since Shvonder cannot begin to operate brilliantly, and the professor cannot begin to play the balalaika. Imposed, unreal equality will only harm people and prevent them from adequately assessing their place in the world and occupying it with dignity.

Humanity needs discoveries, this is understandable. But there is no point in reinventing the wheel - trying to reproduce a person artificially, for example. If the natural method is still possible, why does it need an analogue, and even such a labor-intensive one? People face many other, more significant threats that require the full power of scientific intelligence to be addressed.

Main topics

The story is multifaceted. The author touches on important topics that are characteristic not only of the era of the beginning of the twentieth century, but are also “eternal”: good and evil, science and morality, morality, human destiny, attitude towards animals, building a new state, homeland, sincere human relations. I would especially like to highlight the topic of the creator’s responsibility for his creation. The struggle between ambition and integrity in the professor ended with the victory of humanism over pride. He accepted his mistakes, admitted defeat, and used the experience to correct his mistakes. This is exactly what every creator should do.

Also relevant in the work is the theme of individual freedom and the boundaries that society, like the state, has no right to cross. Bulgakov insists that a full-fledged person is one who has free will and beliefs. Only he can develop the idea of socialism without caricatured forms and branches that disfigure the idea. The crowd is blind and always driven by primitive incentives. But the individual is capable of self-control and self-development; she must be given the will to work and live for the good of society, and not be turned against it by vain attempts at forced merger.

Satire and humor

The book opens with a monologue from a stray dog addressed to “citizens” and giving precise characteristics of Muscovites and the city itself. The population “through the eyes” of a dog is heterogeneous (which is true!): citizens – comrades – gentlemen. “Citizens” shop at the Tsentrokhoz cooperative, and “gentlemen” shop at Okhotny Ryad. Why do rich people need a rotten horse? You can only get this “poison” in Mosselprom.

You can “recognize” a person by their eyes: who is “dry in the soul,” who is aggressive, and who is a “lack.” The last one is the nastiest. If you are afraid, you are the one who should be “plucked.” The most vile “scum” are the wipers: they sweep away “human cleaning”.

But the cook is an important object. Nutrition is a serious indicator of the state of society. So, the lordly cook of Count Tolstoy is a real person, and the cooks from the Council of Normal Nutrition do things that are indecent even for a dog. If I became chairman, then I actively steal. Ham, tangerines, wines - these are the “former brothers of Elisha.” The doorman is worse than cats. He lets a stray dog pass, ingratiating himself with the professor.

The education system “presumes” Muscovites to be “educated” and “uneducated.” Why learn to read? “The meat smells a mile away.” But if you have any brains, you will learn to read and write without taking courses, like, for example, a stray dog. The beginning of Sharikov’s education was an electrical store where a tramp “tasted” insulated wire.

The techniques of irony, humor and satire are often used in combination with tropes: similes, metaphors and personification. A special satirical device can be considered the way of initially presenting characters based on preliminary descriptive characteristics: “mysterious gentleman”, “rich eccentric” - Professor Preobrazhensky”; “handsome bitten”, “bitten” - Dr. Bormenthal; “someone”, “fruit” - visitor. Sharikov’s inability to communicate with residents and formulate his demands gives rise to humorous situations and questions.

If we talk about the state of the press, then through the mouth of Fyodor Fedorovich the writer discusses the case when, as a result of reading Soviet newspapers before lunch, patients lost weight. The professor’s assessment of the existing system through the “hanger” and “galosh rack” is interesting: until 1917, the front doors were not closed, since dirty shoes and outerwear were left downstairs. After March all the galoshes disappeared.

main idea

In his book M.A. Bulgakov warned that violence is a crime. All life on earth has the right to exist. This is an unwritten law of nature that must be followed to avoid the point of no return. It is necessary to maintain the purity of soul and thoughts throughout your life, so as not to indulge internal aggression, not to splash it out. Therefore, the professor’s violent intervention in the natural course of things is condemned by the writer, and therefore leads to such monstrous consequences.

The Civil War hardened society, made it marginal, boorish and vulgar at its core. These are the fruits of violent interference in the life of the country. All of Russia in the 20s was rude and ignorant Sharikov, who did not at all strive for work. His goals are less lofty and more selfish. Bulgakov warned his contemporaries against such a development of events, ridiculing the vices of a new type of people and showing their inconsistency.

The main characters and their characteristics

The central figure of the book is Professor Preobrazhensky. Wears glasses with gold frames. Lives in a rich apartment consisting of seven rooms. He's lonely. He devotes all his time to work. Philip Philipovich conducts receptions at home, sometimes he operates here. Patients call him a “magician”, “sorcerer”. He “creates,” often accompanying his actions by singing excerpts from operas. Loves the theater. I am convinced that every person should strive to become a specialist in their field. The professor is an excellent speaker. His judgments are built into a clear logical chain. He says about himself that he is a man of observation and facts. While leading a discussion, he gets carried away, gets excited, and sometimes starts shouting if the problem touches him to the quick. His attitude towards the new system is manifested in his statements about terror, which paralyzes the human nervous system, about newspapers, and about the devastation in the country. Treats animals with care: “I’m hungry, poor thing.” In relation to living beings, he preaches only affection and the impossibility of any violence. Instilling humane truths is the only way to influence all living things. An interesting detail in the interior of the professor’s apartment is a huge owl sitting on the wall, a symbol of wisdom, so necessary not only for a world-famous scientist, but for every person. At the end of the “experiment”, he finds the courage to admit that the experiment rejuvenation failed.
Young, handsome Ivan Arnoldovich Bormental, an assistant professor, who fell in love with him and took him in as a promising young man. Philip Philipovich hoped that the doctor would become a talented scientist in the future. During the operation, literally everything flashes in the hands of Ivan Arnoldovich. The doctor is not just scrupulous about his duties. The doctor's diary, as a strict medical report-observation of the patient's condition, reflects the whole gamut of his feelings and experiences about the result of the “experiment”.
Shvonder is the chairman of the house committee. All his actions resemble the convulsions of a puppet, which is controlled by someone invisible. The speech is confused, the same words are repeated, which sometimes causes a condescending smile in the readers. Shvonder doesn't even have a name. He sees his task as fulfilling the will of the new government, without thinking about whether it is good or bad. He is capable of taking any step to achieve his goal. Vengeful, he distorts the facts and slanderes many people.
Sharikov is a creature, something, the result of an “experiment”. A sloping and low forehead indicates the level of its development. Uses all swear words in his vocabulary. An attempt to teach him good manners and instill a taste for beauty was unsuccessful: he gets drunk, steals, mocks women, cynically insults people, strangles cats, “commits bestial acts.” As they say, nature rests on it, because you can’t go against it.

The main motives of Bulgakov's creativity

The versatility of Bulgakov's creativity is amazing. It’s as if you are traveling through the works, encountering familiar motifs. Love, greed, totalitarianism, morality are just parts of one whole, “wandering” from book to book and creating a single thread.

“Notes on Cuffs” and “Heart of a Dog” convey a belief in human kindness. This motif is central in The Master and Margarita.
In the story “Diaboliad” the fate of a little man, an ordinary cog in a bureaucratic machine, is clearly traced. This motif is characteristic of other works by the author. The system suppresses the best qualities in people, and the scary thing is that over time this becomes the norm for the people. In the novel “The Master and Margarita,” writers whose creations did not correspond to the ruling ideology were kept in a “psychiatric hospital.” Professor Preobrazhensky talked about his observations: when he gave patients the Pravda newspaper to read before lunch, they lost weight. It was impossible to find anything that would help broaden one’s horizons and allow one to look at events from opposite angles in the periodical press.
Selfishness is what guides most of the negative characters in Bulgakov’s books. For example, Sharikov from “Heart of a Dog”. And how many troubles could have been avoided, provided that the “red ray” would have been used for its intended purpose, and not for selfish purposes (the story “Fatal Eggs”)? The basis of these works are experiments that go against nature. It is noteworthy that Bulgakov identified the experiment with the construction of socialism in the Soviet Union, which is dangerous for society as a whole.
The main motive of the writer’s work is the motive of his native home. The comfort in Philip Philipovich’s apartment (“a lamp under a silk lampshade”) resembles the atmosphere of the Turbins’ house. Home is family, homeland, Russia, about which the writer’s heart ached. With all his creativity, he wished well-being and prosperity for his homeland.

Interesting? Save it on your wall!

He was so imbued with Bulgakov’s mood that from the very beginning he knew that it would be a black and white film: the director believed that only in this way could the film convey the flavor of the era. During filming, a sepia filter was used, and some shots were stylized as newsreels from the early 20th century.

Mikhail Bulgakov wrote the story “Heart of a Dog” in 1925, and until perestroika it was known exclusively in samizdat, although it was published abroad in 1968. The first publication of the work in the USSR took place in 1987 in the magazine “Znamya”, and almost immediately the idea of its film adaptation arose.

There was literally a queue of the most famous artists of that time lined up for roles in the future film. So, Leonid Bronevoy, Mikhail Ulyanov, Yuri Yakovlev and Vladislav Strzhelchik auditioned for the role of Professor Preobrazhensky, but it went to Evgeny Evstigneev. And although he didn’t even read the story before filming, Evstigneev was so convincing in the role of the professor that he left no chance for the other applicants.

Cast

In addition to Vladimir Tolokonnikov, Nikolai Karachentsov was considered for the role of Sharikov. But Tolokonnikov very effectively delivered his legendary toast “I wish that everyone!” - and the director later recalled: “Volodya killed me the very moment he took a sip of vodka. He chuckled so convincingly, his Adam’s apple twitched so predatorily that I approved him without hesitation.”

Famous comedian Semyon Farada auditioned for the role of Shvonder along with Roman Kartsev, however, according to Bortko, Farada lacked the tragedy of the image, his role was too cheerful, and the image of Shvonder required laughter in half with tears.

There were no less candidates for the role of the dog. And before a mongrel dog named Karai got onto the set, the director looked at more than 20 famous and not very trained and smart dogs. For Karay, the film “Heart of a Dog” became his debut, and he subsequently starred in several more famous films.

Still from the film “Heart of a Dog” (1988)

It was decided to film Moscow in the Northern capital. Decorators and artists spent a lot of effort trying to find streets in Leningrad that were similar to those in Moscow. But this task was also completed: Prechistenka, where Sharikov and the professor met, was filmed on Borovaya Street; Preobrazhensky's house in Obukhov Lane - on Mokhovaya; other location shooting took place on Preobrazhenskaya Square, Ryleeva Street, Degtyarny Lane and other streets of Leningrad. To film episodes in a cinematograph, the group came to the Znamya cinema, and the laughing audience in the film frame were cinema visitors who watched the film Neptune's Feast.

Awards

The film caused a lot of reviews and reviews - from laudatory to indignant, but there were not only indifferent people. The premiere took place exactly one year after the publication of the story, in November 1988, and in 1989 the film “Heart of a Dog” was awarded the Golden Screen prize at the International Film Festival in Warsaw (Poland) and the Grand Prix at the international television film festivals in Dushanbe and in Perugia (Italy). In 1990, the director of the film, Vladimir Bortko, and Evgeny Evstigneev, who played the role of Professor Preobrazhensky, became laureates of the State Prize of the RSFSR named after the Vasilyev brothers.

Lecture on the film “Heart of a Dog”

Lecturers: film critic Maxim Semenov, actress Irina Lachina, actor Semyon Treskunov, film critic David Shneiderov, actress Lukerya Ilyashenko.

Which the writer published in 1925. In those years, it was popular in science to cross different types of animals and perform various medical manipulations in order to improve human existence. Thus, Bulgakov’s main character, Professor Preobrazhensky, suddenly makes a discovery that astonishes him while learning the secrets of human immortality. He learns a way to make an animal human through surgery.

Classmates

But the result obtained is not at all what the professor wanted to see. The human brain does not function well in a dog whose heart continues to feel like an animal.

Characters

There are 5 main characters in the work:

In addition to them, the content of the story includes minor characters:

The typist is Sharikov’s colleague, his friend.
Cook in Preobrazhensky's house - Daria Petrovna
The professor's maid is Zina, a young girl. Occasionally assists as a nurse.

Heart of a Dog: a short overview of the chapters

Chapter one

A stray dog named Sharik suffers from the cold in a Moscow courtyard. The dog intelligently talks about his life, subtly noticing the details of human life and types of people. He especially doesn't like doormen and janitors. Here a stately, richly dressed man hands Sharik a sausage. He calmly accepts the treat and follows the master.

Second

Once in a warm room, Sharik rushes around the apartment with fear. The dog is euthanized and his sore paw is treated. Then the dog, having awakened, watches with interest how patients are received. A variety of people come to Preobrazhensky’s reception: an elderly lady dreaming of a party with a handsome young man; and an elderly ladies' man. They all demand one thing from the miracle doctor - to rejuvenate. And he is ready to help them for a round sum.

In the evening, Shvonder and members of the house committee will show up to the professor. They want to take away his seven rooms for other residents. Preobrazhensky complains to an acquaintance, demanding that his problem be resolved. Shvonder and company leave with nothing, accusing the professor of hating the working class.

Third

While dining, the professor philosophizes about the proletarian class, about the norms of decency. He is indignant at why this class, now praised, is so popular if they, the workers, make a living in petty theft. At the same time, they exalt each other and call themselves patriots. Preobrazhensky rightly believes that instead of empty words and hymns sung by the proletarians, we need to do business. And then order will reign in the world, and not the chaos that is around now. The professor looks at Sharik and suggests when his fate can be changed. Bormenthal has pathologists who have promised to provide material for the transplant.

Sharik is still recovering from old ailments and getting used to the apartment and surroundings. But as soon as he relaxes, the professor, having received a call, immediately rushes to begin the operation.

Fourth and fifth

Sharik is being operated on. From the freshly delivered corpse he gets the pituitary gland and testes. Bormenthal and Preobrazhensky believe that in this way they will achieve success in rejuvenating people. The professor makes the assumption that the dog in front of them will not survive - another experiment may lead to nothing.

However, Sharik survived, and the entire operation was successful. Bormenthal keeps a diary where he describes changes in the behavior of the former dog. Sharik's skull changes shape, excess hair falls out, and his claws grow rapidly. The barking gradually turns to voice. The dog once learned to recognize letters on store signs and now reproduces what he learned. The young assistant hastily sums up: they have achieved not rejuvenation, but the complete transformation of the dog into a person. Preobrazhensky is now akin to God for him. However, the professor himself dejectedly studies the history of the person whose brain now belongs to Sharik.

Sixth

Doctors are closely involved in educating the resulting person. The ball and its tastes somewhat puzzle Preobrazhensky. He is not particularly keen on mastering etiquette. Having met the house committee, Sharik acquires a minimum set of vocabulary and asks to make him a passport. Now he is Sharikov. He also chooses the name himself.

Preobrazhensky wants to move the newly minted Poligraf Poligrafovich, but Shvonder does not allow him to buy a room because of the recent ideological sport.

A disaster soon occurs in the professor's apartment: Sharikov destroyed the bathroom while chasing the cat.

Seventh and eighth

Sharikov, like an avid drunkard, drinks vodka for lunch. The professor, observing him, concludes that this is due to the harmful influence of the person whose brain was transplanted into Sharik. Sharikov wants entertainment, and Preobrazhensky advises going to the theater. He does not give up trying to educate him and also offers books to read.

Having sent Sharikov, accompanied by Bormental, to the circus, the professor ponders whether to do something with the dog’s remaining pituitary gland...

Sharikov, prompted by Shvonder, demands that the professor give him a residence permit. Preobrazhensky threatens Polygraph by depriving him of food, and promises to shoot the house manager. Sharikov retreats, but not for long. He had already stolen a couple of coins from the doctor and tried to blame it on Zina. After which he also got drunk, bringing strangers into the house. Preobrazhensky is deprived of his favorite things.

Bormental expresses his respect to the professor and suggests poisoning Sharikov. The doctor is against, but not the idea itself, but the idea of his assistant correcting a medical error for him. Preobrazhensky bitterly lists the shortcomings of Sharikov, who is no longer destined to change. And it will only get worse further.

But Sharikov gives his doctors a surprise: he gets a job as head of the department for ridding the city of stray animals. The polygraph brings home his fiancée, a colleague from the service. The girl is immediately told the truth about him. Sharikov is trying to keep her under threat of dismissal. Bormenthal comes to the young lady's defense.

Ninth

Preobrazhensky is visited by an old patient - a military man with connections. It turned out that Sharikov complained about him and Bormental. He accused them of planning to kill him and Shvonder, campaigning against the Soviet regime, illegally keeping weapons, and so on. After such an outburst, the doctors demand immediate care from Polygraph. But he pulls out a gun. The men twist his arms, disarm him, put him to sleep and take him to the examination room.

Epilogue

The police show up at the professor's apartment with a search warrant. They were called by Shvonder, who decided that the doctors had killed Sharikov. But Preobrazhensky calmly explains that his experimental man is now a dog again, which happened for the most natural reasons. He shows the policeman a creature that vaguely resembles a Polygraph.

But in fact, the dog was given back his pituitary gland, and he, becoming Sharik again, continued to live in the professor’s apartment, completely forgetting about his adventure in human form.

In the story “Heart of a Dog,” Bulgakov laid down both philosophical and biological motives on the topic of human existence. He touched upon the topical issues of that time, inter-class differences, and the general tendency towards an uneducated population. According to the author, a person must, first of all, be humane, wise, and compassionate. Against the backdrop of economic devastation, some exalt themselves and belittle others, while they begin to snap back.

What is “Heart of a Dog” about, if you answer briefly? About the laws of human life. About the fact that you cannot unnaturally impose your principles and character on someone, or write out their fate in advance for them. Nature creates both people and animals to live in commonwealth. And each of her creations deserves happiness.

This is a brief retelling of Bulgakov’s work. To deeply understand the touching story “Heart of a Dog,” read it in its entirety.

Summary of Heart of a Dog

Chapter 1

The action takes place in Moscow in the winter of 1924/25. In a snow-covered gateway, a homeless dog Sharik, who was offended by the canteen cook, is suffering from pain and hunger. He scalded the poor fellow's side, and now the dog was afraid to ask anyone for food, although he knew that people come across different people. He lay against the cold wall and meekly waited in the wings. Suddenly, from around the corner, there was a whiff of Krakow sausage. With the last of his strength, he stood up and crawled out onto the sidewalk. From this smell he seemed to perk up and become bolder. Sharik approached the mysterious gentleman, who treated him to a piece of sausage. The dog was ready to thank his savior endlessly. He followed him and demonstrated his devotion in every possible way. For this, the gentleman gave him a second piece of sausage. Soon they reached a decent house and entered it. To Sharik's surprise, the doorman named Fedor let him in too. Turning to Sharik’s benefactor, Philip Philipovich, he said that new residents, representatives of the house committee, had moved into one of the apartments and would draw up a new plan for moving in.

Chapter 2

Sharik was an unusually smart dog. He knew how to read and thought that every dog could do it. He read mainly by colors. For example, he knew for sure that under a blue-green sign with the inscription MSPO they were selling meat. But after, guided by colors, he ended up in an electrical appliance store, Sharik decided to learn the letters. I quickly remembered the “a” and “b” in the word “fish”, or rather “Glavryba” on Mokhovaya. This is how he learned to navigate the city streets.

The benefactor led him to his apartment, where the door was opened for them by a young and very pretty girl in a white apron. Sharik was struck by the decoration of the apartment, especially the electric lamp under the ceiling and the long mirror in the hallway. After examining the wound on his side, the mysterious gentleman decided to take him to the examination room. The dog immediately did not like this dazzling room. He tried to run and even grabbed some man in a robe, but it was all in vain. Something sickening was brought to his nose, causing him to immediately fall onto his side.

When he woke up, the wound did not hurt at all and was bandaged. He listened to the conversation between the professor and the man he had bitten. Philip Phillipovich said something about animals and how nothing can be achieved by terror, no matter what stage of development they are at. Then he sent Zina to get another portion of sausage for Sharik. When the dog recovered, he followed with unsteady steps to the room of his benefactor, to whom various patients soon began to come one after another. The dog realized that this was not a simple room, but a place where people came with various diseases.

This continued until late in the evening. The last to arrive were 4 guests, different from the previous ones. These were young representatives of the house management: Shvonder, Pestrukhin, Sharovkin and Vyazemskaya. They wanted to take away two rooms from Philip Philipovich. Then the professor called some influential person and demanded assistance. After this conversation, the new chairman of the house committee, Shvonder, retreated from his claims and left with his group. Sharik liked this and he respected the professor for his ability to put down impudent people.

Chapter 3

Immediately after the guests left, a luxurious dinner awaited Sharik. Having eaten his fill of a large piece of sturgeon and roast beef, he could no longer look at the food, which had never happened to him before. Philip Philipovich talked about old times and new orders. The dog, meanwhile, was dozing blissfully, but the thought still haunted him that it was all a dream. He was afraid of waking up one day and finding himself again in the cold and without food. But nothing terrible happened. Every day he became prettier and healthier; in the mirror he saw a well-fed dog happy with life. He ate as much as he wanted, did what he wanted, and they never scolded him for anything; they even bought a beautiful collar for the neighbors’ dogs to make them jealous.

But one terrible day, Sharik immediately sensed something was wrong. After the doctor’s call, everyone began to fuss, Bormental arrived with a briefcase filled with something, Philip Philipovich was worried, Sharik was forbidden to eat and drink, and was locked in the bathroom. In a word, terrible turmoil. Soon Zina dragged him into the examination room, where, from the false eyes of Bormental, whom he had previously grabbed, he realized that something terrible was about to happen. A rag with a nasty smell was again brought to Sharik’s nose, after which he lost consciousness.

Chapter 4

The ball lay spread out on a narrow operating table. A clump of hair was cut off from his head and stomach. First, Professor Preobrazhensky removed his testes and inserted some others that were drooping. Then he opened Sharik's skull and performed a brain appendage transplant. When Bormenthal felt that the dog’s pulse was rapidly falling, becoming thread-like, he gave some kind of injection to the heart area. After the operation, neither the doctor nor the professor hoped to see Sharik alive.

Chapter 5

Despite the complexity of the operation, the dog came to his senses. From the professor’s diary it was clear that an experimental operation to transplant the pituitary gland was carried out in order to determine the effect of such a procedure on the rejuvenation of the human body. Yes, the dog was recovering, but he was behaving rather strangely. The hair fell out of his body in clumps, his pulse and temperature changed, and he began to resemble a human. Soon Bormenthal noticed that instead of the usual barking, Sharik was trying to pronounce some word from the letters “a-b-y-r”. They concluded that it was a “fish”.

On January 1, the professor wrote in his diary that the dog could already laugh and bark happily, and sometimes said “abyr-valg,” which apparently meant “Glavryba.” Gradually he stood on two legs and walked like a man. So far he was able to hold out in this position for half an hour. Also, he began to swear at his mother.

On January 5, his tail fell off and he pronounced the word “beerhouse.” From that moment on, he began to often resort to obscene speech. Meanwhile, rumors about a strange creature were circulating around the city. One newspaper published a myth about a miracle. The professor realized his mistake. Now he knew that a pituitary gland transplant does not lead to rejuvenation, but to humanization. Bormenthal recommended taking up the education of Sharik and the development of his personality. But Preobrazhensky already knew that the dog behaved like a person whose pituitary gland was transplanted to him. It was the organ of the late Klim Chugunkin, a conditionally convicted repeat thief, alcoholic, rowdy and hooligan.

Chapter 6

As a result, Sharik turned into an ordinary man of short stature, began to wear patent leather boots, a poison-blue tie, made an acquaintance with comrade Shvonder and shocked Preobrazhensky and Bormental day by day. The behavior of the new creature was impudent and boorish. He could spit on the floor, scare Zina in the dark, come drunk, fall asleep on the floor in the kitchen, etc.

When the professor tried to talk to him, the situation only got worse. The creature demanded a passport in the name of Polygraph Poligrafovich Sharikov. Shvonder demanded that a new tenant be registered in the apartment. Preobrazhensky initially objected. After all, Sharikov could not be a full-fledged person from the point of view of science. But they still had to register it, since formally the law was on their side.

The dog’s habits made themselves felt when a cat sneaked into the apartment unnoticed. Sharikov rushed after him into the bathroom like crazy. The safety latched. So he found himself trapped. The cat managed to escape out the window, and the professor canceled all the patients in order to save him together with Bormental and Zina. It turned out that while chasing the cat, he turned off all the taps, causing water to flood the entire floor. When the door was opened, everyone began to clean up the water, but Sharikov used obscene words, for which he was kicked out by the professor. Neighbors complained that he broke their windows and ran after the cooks.

Chapter 7

During lunch, the professor tried to teach Sharikov proper manners, but all in vain. He, like Klim Chugunkin, had a craving for alcohol and bad manners. He did not like to read books or go to the theater, but only to the circus. After another skirmish, Bormenthal went with him to the circus so that temporary peace could reign in the house. At this time, the professor was thinking about some kind of plan. He walked into the office and spent a long time looking at a glass jar containing a dog’s pituitary gland.

Chapter 8

Soon they brought Sharikov's documents. Since then, he began to behave even more cheekily, demanding a room in the apartment. When the professor threatened that he would no longer feed him, he calmed down for a while. One evening, with two unknown men, Sharikov robbed the professor, stealing from him a couple of ducats, a commemorative cane, a malachite ashtray and a hat. Until recently he did not admit to what he had done. By evening he felt bad and everyone was treating him like he was a little boy. The professor and Bormenthal were deciding what to do with him next. Bormenthal was even ready to strangle the insolent man, but the professor promised to fix everything himself.

The next day Sharikov disappeared with the documents. The house committee said that they had not seen him. Then they decided to contact the police, but this was not necessary. Poligraf Poligrafovich himself showed up and announced that he had been hired for the position of head of the department for cleaning the city from stray animals. Bormenthal forced him to apologize to Zina and Daria Petrovna, and also to not make noise in the apartment and show respect to the professor.

A couple of days later a lady in cream stockings came. It turned out that this is Sharikov’s fiancee, he intends to marry her, and demands his share in the apartment. The professor told her about Sharikov’s origins, which greatly upset her. After all, he was lying to her all this time. The insolent man's wedding was upset.

Chapter 9

One of his patients came to the doctor in a police uniform. He brought a denunciation drawn up by Sharikov, Shvonder and Pestrukhin. The matter was not set in motion, but the professor realized that he could not delay any longer. When Sharikov returned, the professor told him to pack his things and get out, to which Sharikov responded in his usual boorish manner and even took out a revolver. By this he further convinced Preobrazhensky that it was time to act. With Bormenthal's help, the head of the cleaning department was soon lying on the couch. The professor canceled all his appointments, turned off the bell and asked not to disturb him. The doctor and the professor performed the operation.

Epilogue

A few days later, the police showed up at the professor’s apartment, followed by representatives of the house committee, led by Shvonder. Everyone unanimously accused Philip Philipovich of killing Sharikov, to which the professor and Bormenthal showed them their dog. Although the dog looked strange, walked on two legs, was bald in places, and covered in patches of fur in places, it was quite obvious that it was a dog. The professor called it an atavism and added that it is impossible to make a man out of a beast. After all this nightmare, Sharik again sat happily at the feet of his owner, did not remember anything and only sometimes suffered from a headache.