Prostakova overprotected and spoiled Metrofan, and set a negative example for him with her attitude toward the serfs. Mitrofan grew up seeing his mother hand out "five slaps a day," while Prostakova received "fruits worthy of evil." He doesn't want to study and attends classes only because of the fashionable educational trend. But his teachers aren't positive figures to follow; on the contrary, they can hardly even be called teachers, with the exception of Tsyfirkin, who has some positive traits. As for Kuteikin and Vralman, they are a disgrace to the teaching profession, especially the latter, who doesn't even attempt to teach Mitrofanushka. They impart knowledge not for the sake of good, but as a way for people like Mitrofan to make money.

This is the late 1770s - early 1780s.

After all the troubles that occurred in the Prostkov and Skotinin families, they decided to send Mitrofanushka to serve. The following week, he enlisted, acting like a child, frowning, sulking, saying it would be better to stay with his mother than to serve, but now he had no choice. He walked in uniform, his beret carelessly pushed up on his head, his shirt tucked in unevenly, his boots already slightly dirty, his hands in his pockets, his feet shuffling on the ground.

When it was time for lunch and all the soldiers went to the mess hall to dine, he picked at his porridge with a spoon, quietly grumbling to himself. He missed the buns and the kvass... his mother's cooing over him. Now he was here, at a military base, now there was only a strict sleep schedule, no more pigeons to chase, exercises, studying, and this tasteless filth.

He grabbed a piece of bread and stuffed it in his pocket for later before running after the squad to the barracks to pack for the expedition. But what he took was wrong: he grabbed the goodies his mother had brought him, a slingshot with stones, and other unnecessary little things. "I wish I could get home sooner..." He grumbled to himself whinily.