The village of the landowners Prostakovs. The landowner is unhappy with how the caftan is sewn for her beloved son Mitrofanushka. She scolds the tailor for a poorly tailored, baggy caftan that does not fit well on the figure of her beloved son. The estate is home to Prostakova's brother Skotinin and her acquaintance Sophia, who was taken to the village to look after, allegedly, her villages. But the landowner dreams of marrying her off to her son, the ignorant Mitrofanushka, in order to seize Sophia's wealth.
Uncle Sophia left her and went to Siberia, where he remained to live there. Everyone forgot about him, thinking that he was dead. Brother Prostakova also wants to marry Sophia: many are attracted by her wealth.
Mitrofanushka does not want to study, is lazy, does not want anything, complaining that science is difficult for him. The mother does not cherish the soul in her child, offends the peasants, the servants who behave not as she wants.
The lodger Pravdin sees all this ignorance, reads a letter from Uncle Starodum. Everyone thought he had died long ago. He reports that he made a fortune in Siberia, which he bequeathed to Sophia. There are many who want to marry her. But he meets a groom who remembers her and returned to her. She is forced to marry Mitrofanushka, dragging her into the carriage. But the groom beats her off, appearing on time.
The authorities seize the villages from Prostakova because of the mistreatment of the peasants. The landowner is upset and begs her for three days of power, but she is denied. She did not learn in her life to treat people with respect, she could not bring up and educate her son. It was decided to send him to the army for further service and life. The army will correct the character of the undergrowth. There is an opportunity to change your life, to direct it in the right direction. And then, perhaps, the person will not be lost to society.
