They are real heroes. Not just characters in books, but heroes: they fight evil. And even if they do not win, they embody the ideas of the era about what is good and what is bad. Views on justice and goodness are changing, enemies are taking on new guises, but, despite all the conventions and inconstancy of the rules of the game, even in our ironic era, books about those who fight against injustice appear. Of course, yesterday's heroes may look comical today. But the same thing may happen tomorrow with the heroes of our time.
1. Ilya Muromets
Epics about Ilya Muromets
Hero Ilya Muromets, son of Ivan Timofeevich and Efrosinya Yakovlevna, peasants of the village of Karacharova near Murom. Most popular character bylin, the second strongest (after Svyatogor) Russian hero and the first domestic superman.
Sometimes a real person is identified with the epic Ilya Muromets, the Monk Ilya of the Caves, nicknamed Chobotok, buried in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and canonized in 1643.
Years of creation. 12th–16th centuries
What is the point. Until the age of 33, Ilya lay, paralyzed, on the stove in parental home, until he was miraculously healed by wanderers ("passable stones"). Having gained strength, he arranged his father's household and went to Kyiv, along the way capturing Nightingale the Robber, who terrorized the neighborhood. In Kyiv, Ilya Muromets joined the squad of Prince Vladimir and found the hero Svyatogor, who gave him the sword-treasurer and the mystical "real power". In this episode, he demonstrated not only physical strength, but also high moral qualities without reacting to the advances of Svyatogor's wife. Later, Ilya Muromets defeated the “great force” near Chernigov, paved the direct road from Chernigov to Kiev, inspected the roads from Alatyr-stone, tested the young hero Dobrynya Nikitich, rescued the hero Mikhail Potyk from captivity in the Saracen kingdom, defeated Idolishche, walked with his squad to Tsargrad, one defeated the army of Kalin Tsar.
Ilya Muromets was not alien to simple human joys: in one of the epic episodes, he walks around Kiev with “tavern goals”, and his offspring Sokolnik was born out of wedlock, which later leads to a fight between father and son.
What does it look like. Superman. Epics describe Ilya Muromets as "remote portly good fellow”, he fights with a club “in ninety pounds” (1440 kilograms)!
What is he fighting for. Ilya Muromets and his squad very clearly formulate the purpose of their service:
“... stand alone for the faith for the fatherland,
... to stand alone for Kyiv-grad,
... to stand alone for the churches for the cathedral,
... he will save the prince and Vladimir.
But Ilya Muromets is not only a statesman - he is also one of the most democratic fighters against evil, as he is always ready to fight "for widows, for orphans, for poor people."
The way to fight. A duel with the enemy or a battle with superior enemy forces.
With what result. Despite the difficulties caused by the numerical superiority of the enemy or dismissive attitude Prince Vladimir and the boyars, invariably wins.
What is it fighting against? Against the internal and external enemies of Rus' and their allies, violators of law and order, illegal migrants, invaders and aggressors.
2. Archpriest Avvakum
"The Life of Archpriest Avvakum"
Hero. Archpriest Avvakum made his way from a village priest to the leader of the resistance to church reform, Patriarch Nikon, and became one of the leaders of the Old Believers, or schismatics. Habakkuk - the first religious leader of such a magnitude, not only suffered for his beliefs, but also described it himself.
Years of creation. Approximately 1672–1675.
What is the point. A native of the Volga village, Avvakum from his youth was distinguished by both piety and violent temper. Having moved to Moscow, he took an active part in church and educational activities, was close to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, but sharply opposed the church reforms carried out by Patriarch Nikon. With his characteristic temperament, Avvakum waged a fierce struggle against Nikon, advocating the old order of church ritual. Avvakum, not at all embarrassed in expressions, conducted public and journalistic activities, for which he repeatedly went to prison, was cursed and defrocked, and was exiled to Tobolsk, Transbaikalia, Mezen and Pustozersk. From the place of the last exile, he continued to write appeals, for which he was imprisoned in an "earthen pit". Had many followers. Church hierarchs tried to persuade Avvakum to renounce his "delusions", but he remained adamant and was eventually burned.
What does it look like. One can only guess: Avvakum did not describe himself. Maybe this is how the priest looks like in Surikov’s painting “Boyar Morozova” - Feodosia Prokopyevna Morozova was a faithful follower of Avvakum.
What is he fighting for. For purity Orthodox faith for the preservation of tradition.
The way to fight. Word and deed. Avvakum wrote accusatory pamphlets, but he could personally beat the buffoons who entered the village and break their musical instruments. Considered self-immolation as a form of possible resistance.
With what result. Avvakum's passionate sermon against church reform made resistance to it massive, but he himself, along with three of his associates, was executed in 1682 in Pustozersk.
What is it fighting against? Against the defilement of Orthodoxy by "heretical novelties", against everything alien, "external wisdom", that is scientific knowledge, against entertainment. He suspects the imminent coming of the Antichrist and the reign of the devil.
3. Taras Bulba
"Taras Bulba"
Hero.“Taras was one of the indigenous, old colonels: he was all created for abusive anxiety and was distinguished by the rude directness of his temper. Then the influence of Poland was already beginning to appear on the Russian nobility. Many already adopted Polish customs, started luxury, magnificent servants, falcons, hunters, dinners, courtyards. Taras didn't like it. He loved simple life Cossacks and quarreled with those of his comrades who were inclined towards the Warsaw side, calling them serfs of the Polish pans. Eternally restless, he considered himself the legitimate defender of Orthodoxy. Arbitrarily entered the villages, where they only complained about the harassment of tenants and the increase in new duties on smoke. He himself carried out reprisals against his Cossacks and made it a rule for himself that in three cases one should always take up a saber, namely: when the commissars did not respect the foremen in anything and stood in front of them in hats, when they mocked Orthodoxy and did not honor the ancestral law, and, finally, when the enemies were the Busurmans and the Turks, against whom he considered it at least permissible to take up arms for the glory of Christianity.
Year of creation. The story was first published in 1835 in the collection Mirgorod. The edition of 1842, in which, in fact, we all read Taras Bulba, differs significantly from the original version.
What is the point. Throughout his life, the dashing Cossack Taras Bulba has been fighting for the liberation of Ukraine from oppressors. He, the glorious ataman, cannot bear the thought that his own children, flesh of his flesh, may not follow his example. Therefore, Taras kills Andriy's son, who betrayed the sacred cause, without hesitation. When another son, Ostap, is captured, our hero deliberately penetrates into the heart of the enemy camp - but not in order to try to save his son. His only goal is to make sure that Ostap, under torture, did not show cowardice and did not renounce high ideals. Taras himself dies like Joan of Arc, having previously presented Russian culture with the immortal phrase: “There are no bonds holier than camaraderie!”
What does it look like. Extremely heavy and fat (20 pounds, in terms of - 320 kg), gloomy eyes, black-white eyebrows, mustache and forelock.
What is he fighting for. For the liberation of the Zaporozhian Sich, for independence.
The way to fight. Hostilities.
With what result. With deplorable. All died.
What is it fighting against? Against oppressor Poles, foreign yoke, police despotism, old-world landowners and court satraps.
4. Stepan Paramonovich Kalashnikov
"A song about Tsar Ivan Vasilievich, a young guardsman and a daring merchant Kalashnikov"
Hero. Stepan Paramonovich Kalashnikov, merchant class. Trades in silks - with varying degrees of success. Moskvich. Orthodox. Has two younger brothers. He is married to the beautiful Alena Dmitrievna, because of whom the whole story came out.
Year of creation. 1838
What is the point. Lermontov was not fond of the theme of Russian heroism. He wrote romantic poems about nobles, officers, Chechens and Jews. But he was one of the first to find out that the 19th century is rich only in the heroes of his time, but heroes for all time should be sought in the deep past. There, in the Moscow of Ivan the Terrible, a hero was found (or rather, invented) with the now speaking surname Kalashnikov. The young oprichnik Kiribeevich falls in love with his wife and attacks her at night, persuading her to surrender. The next day, the offended husband challenges the oprichnik to a fistfight and kills him with one blow. For the murder of his beloved oprichnik and for the fact that Kalashnikov refuses to name the reason for his act, Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich orders the execution of a young merchant, but does not leave his widow and children with mercy and care. Such is royal justice.
What does it look like.
"His falcon eyes are burning,
He looks at the oprichnik intently.
Opposite him, he becomes
Pulls on combat gloves
Mighty shoulders straightens.
What is he fighting for. For the honor of his woman and family. Kiribeevich's attack on Alena Dmitrievna was seen by the neighbors, and now she cannot be seen honest people. Although, going out to fight with the guardsman, Kalashnikov solemnly declares that he is fighting "for the holy truth-mother." But heroes sometimes distort.
The way to fight. Fatal fistfight. In fact, a murder in broad daylight in front of thousands of witnesses.
With what result.
“And they executed Stepan Kalashnikov
Death is fierce, shameful;
And the untalented head
She rolled on the chopping block in blood.
But on the other hand, Kiribeevich was also buried.
What is it fighting against? Evil in the poem is personified by an oprichnik with a foreign patronymic Kiribeevich, and even a relative of Malyuta Skuratov, that is, an enemy squared. Kalashnikov calls him "basurman's son", alluding to his enemy's lack of Moscow registration. And the first (and also the last) blow this person of eastern nationality inflicts not on the face of a merchant, but on an Orthodox cross with relics from Kyiv, which hangs on a valiant chest. He says to Alena Dmitrievna: “I am not a thief, a forest murderer, / I am a servant of the king, the terrible king ...” - that is, he hides behind the highest mercy. So the heroic act of Kalashnikov is nothing but a deliberate murder on the basis of ethnic hatred. Lermontov, who himself participated in the Caucasian campaigns and wrote a lot about the wars with the Chechens, the theme of "Moscow for Muscovites" in its anti-Basurman section was close.
5. Danko "Old Woman Izergil"
Hero Danko. Biography unknown.
“Only people lived in the world in the old days, impenetrable forests camps of these people surrounded on three sides, and on the fourth - there was a steppe. They were cheerful, strong and courageous people ... Danko is one of those people ... "
Year of creation. The short story "Old Woman Izergil" was first published in Samarskaya Gazeta in 1895.
What is the point. Danko is the fruit of the irrepressible imagination of the very old woman Izergil, whose name is Gorky's short story. A sultry Bessarabian old woman with a rich past tells a beautiful legend: at the time of the ona, there was a redistribution of property - there were disassemblies between the two tribes. Not wishing to remain in the occupied territory, one of the tribes went into the forest, but there the people suffered a massive depression, because "nothing - neither work nor women exhaust the bodies and souls of people as exhausting dreary thoughts." At a critical moment, Danko did not allow his people to bow to the conquerors, but instead offered to follow him - in an unknown direction.
What does it look like.“Danko… a handsome young man. The beautiful are always bold.
What is he fighting for. Go know. For getting out of the forest and thereby ensuring freedom for your people. Where are the guarantees that freedom is exactly where the forest ends, it is not clear.
The way to fight. An unpleasant physiological operation, indicating a masochistic personality. Self-dismemberment.
With what result. With dual. He got out of the forest, but died immediately. Sophisticated mockery of one's own body does not go in vain. The hero did not receive gratitude for his feat: his heart, torn from his chest with his own hand, was trampled under someone's heartless heel.
What is it fighting against? Against collaborationism, conciliation and cringing before the conquerors.
6. Colonel Isaev (Stirlitz)
Corpus of texts, from "Diamonds for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat" to "Bomb for the Chairman", the most important of the novels - "Seventeen Moments of Spring"
Hero. Vsevolod Vladimirovich Vladimirov, aka Maxim Maksimovich Isaev, aka Max Otto von Stirlitz, aka Estilitz, Bolsen, Brunn. An employee of the press service of the Kolchak government, an underground Chekist, intelligence officer, professor of history, exposing the conspiracy of the followers of Nazism.
Years of creation. Novels about Colonel Isaev were created over 24 years - from 1965 to 1989.
What is the point. In 1921 Chekist Vladimirov liberates the Far East from the remnants of the White Army. In 1927, they decided to send him to Europe - it was then that the legend of the German aristocrat Max Otto von Stirlitz was born. In 1944, he saved Krakow from destruction by helping the group of Major Whirlwind. At the very end of the war, he was entrusted with the most important mission - the disruption of separate negotiations between Germany and the West. In Berlin, the hero does his hard work, saving the radio operator Kat along the way, the end of the war is already close, and the Third Reich is collapsing to the song of Marika Rekk "Seventeen Moments of April". In 1945, Stirlitz was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
What does it look like. From the party characteristics of a member of the NSDAP since 1933 von Stirlitz, SS Standartenführer (VI department of the RSHA): “ True Aryan. Character - Nordic, seasoned. Maintains good relations with co-workers. Fulfills his duty without fail. Merciless to the enemies of the Reich. Excellent athlete: Berlin tennis champion. Single; he was not noticed in connections discrediting him. Marked with awards from the Fuhrer and thanks from the Reichsfuehrer SS ... "
What is he fighting for. For the victory of communism. It is unpleasant for oneself to admit this, but in some situations - for the motherland, for Stalin.
The way to fight. Intelligence and espionage, in some places the deductive method, ingenuity, skill-disguise.
With what result. On the one hand, he saves everyone who needs it and successfully carries out subversive activities; reveals covert intelligence networks and defeats the main enemy - Gestapo chief Muller. However Soviet country, for the honor and victory of which he is fighting, thanks his hero in his own way: in 1947, he, who had just arrived in the Union on a Soviet ship, was arrested, and by order of Stalin, his wife and son were shot. Stirlitz is released from prison only after the death of Beria.
What is it fighting against? Against whites, Spanish fascists, German Nazis and all enemies of the USSR.
7. Nikolai Stepanovich Gumilyov "Look into the eyes of monsters"
Hero Nikolai Stepanovich Gumilyov, symbolist poet, superman, conquistador, member of the Order of the Fifth Rome, executor Soviet history and fearless dragon slayer.
Year of creation. 1997
What is the point. Nikolai Gumilyov was not shot in 1921 in the dungeons of the Cheka. From execution, he was saved by Yakov Wilhelmovich (or James William Bruce), a representative of the secret Order of the Fifth Rome, created back in the 13th century. Having acquired the gift of immortality and power, Gumilyov walks through the history of the 20th century, generously leaving his traces in it. Puts Marilyn Monroe to bed, along the way building chickens to Agatha Christie, gives valuable advice Ian Fleming, due to the absurdity of his character, starts a duel with Mayakovsky and, leaving his cold corpse in Lubyansky passage, runs, leaving the police and literary critics to compose a version of suicide. He takes part in the congress of writers and sits down on xerion - a magical dope based on dragon blood, which gives immortality to members of the order. Everything would be fine - the problems begin later, when the evil dragon forces begin to threaten not only the world in general, but the Gumilyov family: wife Annushka and son Stepa.
What is he fighting for. First for goodness and beauty, then he is no longer up to lofty ideas- he just saves his wife and son.
The way to fight. Gumilyov participates in an unthinkable number of battles and battles, owns hand-to-hand combat techniques and all kinds of firearms. True, in order to achieve special sleight of hand, fearlessness, omnipotence, invulnerability and even immortality, he has to throw xerion.
With what result. Nobody knows. The novel "Look into the eyes of monsters" ends without giving an answer to this burning question. All the continuations of the novel (both the Hyperborean Plague and the March of the Ecclesiastes), firstly, are much less recognized by Lazarchuk-Uspensky's fans, and secondly, and most importantly, they also do not offer the reader clues.
What is it fighting against? Having learned about the real causes of the disasters that hit the world in the 20th century, he fights first of all with these misfortunes. In other words, with a civilization of evil lizards.
8. Vasily Terkin
"Vasily Terkin"
Hero. Vasily Terkin, reserve private, infantryman. A native of Smolensk. Single, no children. He has an award for the totality of feats.
Years of creation. 1941–1945
What is the point. Contrary to popular belief, the need for such a hero appeared even before the Great Patriotic War. Tvardovsky invented Terkin during the Finnish campaign, where he, along with the Pulkins, Mushkins, Protirkins and other characters in newspaper feuilletons, fought with the White Finns for their homeland. So in 1941, Terkin entered an already experienced fighter. By 1943, Tvardovsky was tired of his unsinkable hero and wanted to send him into retirement due to injury, but letters from readers returned Terkin to the front, where he spent another two years, was shell-shocked and surrounded three times, conquered high and low heights, led fights in the swamps, liberated villages, took Berlin and even spoke with Death. His rustic but sparkling wit invariably saved him from enemies and censors, but he definitely did not attract girls. Tvardovsky even turned to readers with an appeal to love his hero - just like that, from the heart. Still do not have Soviet heroes the dexterity of James Bond.
What does it look like. Endowed with beauty He was not excellent, Not tall, not that small, But a hero - a hero.
What is he fighting for. For the cause of peace for the sake of life on earth, that is, his task, like that of any soldier-liberator, is global. Terkin himself is sure that he is fighting “for Russia, for the people / And for everything in the world”, but sometimes, just in case, he also mentions Soviet power- no matter what happens.
The way to fight. In war, as you know, any means are good, so everything is used: a tank, a machine gun, a knife, a wooden spoon, fists, teeth, vodka, the power of persuasion, a joke, a song, an accordion ...
With what result. Several times he was on the verge of death. He was supposed to receive a medal, but due to a typo in the list, the award did not find the hero.
But imitators found him: by the end of the war, almost every company already had its own “Terkin”, and some even had two.
What is it fighting against? First against the Finns, then against the Nazis, and sometimes against Death. In fact, Terkin was called upon to fight depressive moods at the front, which he did with success.
9. Anastasia Kamenskaya
A series of detective stories about Anastasia Kamenskaya
Heroine. Nastya Kamenskaya, major of MUR, the best analyst of Petrovka, a brilliant operative, in the manner of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot investigating serious crimes.
Years of creation. 1992–2006
What is the point. The work of an operative involves hard everyday life (the first evidence of this is the television series "Streets of Broken Lights"). But it is difficult for Nastya Kamenskaya to rush around the city and catch bandits in dark alleys: she is lazy, in poor health, and loves peace more than anything in the world. Because of this, she periodically has difficulties in relations with management. Only her first boss and teacher, nicknamed Kolobok, believed in her. analytic skills limitless; the rest have to prove that she is the best at investigating bloody crimes, sitting in the office, drinking coffee and analyzing, analyzing.
What does it look like. Tall, lean blonde, her features expressionless. She never wears make-up and prefers casual, comfortable clothes.
What is he fighting for. Definitely not for a modest police salary: knowing five foreign languages and having some connections, Nastya can leave Petrovka at any moment, but she does not. It turns out that he is fighting for the triumph of law and order.
The way to fight. First of all, analytics. But sometimes Nastya has to change her habits and go on the warpath on her own. In this case, acting skills, the art of reincarnation and female charm are used.
With what result. Most often - with brilliant: criminals are exposed, caught, punished. But in rare cases, some of them manage to hide, and then Nastya does not sleep at night, smokes one cigarette after another, goes crazy and tries to come to terms with the injustice of life. However, so far there are clearly more happy endings.
What is it fighting against? Against crime.
10. Erast Fandorin
A series of novels about Erast Fandorin
Hero. Erast Petrovich Fandorin, a nobleman, the son of a small landowner who lost his family fortune at cards. He began his career in the detective police with the rank of collegiate registrar, managed to visit Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878, serve in the diplomatic corps in Japan and incur the disfavor of Nicholas II. He rose to the rank of State Councilor and retired. Private detective and consultant to various influential people since 1892. Phenomenally successful in everything, especially in gambling. Single. Has a number of children and other descendants.
Years of creation. 1998–2006
What is the point. The turn of the XX-XXI centuries again turned out to be an era that is looking for heroes in the past. Akunin found his protector of the weak and oppressed in the gallant XIX century, but in that professional field, which is becoming especially popular right now - in the special services. Of all Akunin's stylistic undertakings, Fandorin is the most charming and therefore the most enduring. His biography begins in 1856, the action of the last novel dates back to 1905, and the end of the story has not yet been written, so you can always expect new achievements from Erast Petrovich. Although Akunin, like Tvardovsky earlier, since 2000 has been trying to end his hero and write his last novel about him. The Coronation is subtitled The Last of the Novels; the “Lover of Death” and “The Mistress of Death” written after her were published as a bonus, but then it became clear that Fandorin's readers would not let go so easily. The people need, need, an elegant detective who knows languages and is wildly popular with women. Not all the same "Cops", in fact!
What does it look like.“He was a very pretty young man, with black hair (which he was secretly proud of) and blue (alas, it would be better also black) eyes, quite tall, with white skin and a damned, indestructible blush on her cheeks. After the experience of misfortune, his appearance acquires an intriguing detail for ladies - gray temples.
What is he fighting for. For an enlightened monarchy, order and law. Fandorin dreams of new Russia- ennobled on japanese manner, with firmly and reasonably established laws and their scrupulous execution. About Russia, which did not go through the Russo-Japanese and First world war, revolution and civil war. That is, about Russia, which could be if we had enough luck and common sense build it.
The way to fight. A combination of the deductive method, meditation techniques and Japanese martial arts with almost mystical luck. By the way, there is also female love, which Fandorin uses in every sense.
With what result. As we know, the Russia that Fandorin dreams about did not happen. So globally, he suffers a crushing defeat. Yes, and in small things too: those whom he tries to save most often die, and the criminals never go to jail (they die, or pay off the court, or simply disappear). However, Fandorin himself invariably remains alive, as does the hope for the final triumph of justice.
What is it fighting against? Against the unenlightened monarchy, revolutionary bombers, nihilists and socio-political chaos, which in Russia can come at any moment. Along the way, he has to fight bureaucracy, corruption in the highest echelons of power, fools, roads and ordinary criminals.
Illustrations: Maria Sosnina
Copyright Contest -K2
The word "hero" ("heros" - Greek) means a demigod or a deified person.
Among the ancient Greeks, the heroes were either half-breeds (one of the parents is a god, the second is a man), or outstanding men who became famous for their deeds, for example, military exploits or travels. But, according to anyone, the title of a hero gave a person a lot of advantages. He was worshiped, poems and other songs were composed in his honor. Gradually, gradually, the concept of "hero" migrated to literature, where it has stuck to this day.
Now, in our understanding, a hero can be both a “noble man” and a “bad man” if he acts within the framework of a work of art.
The term "character" is adjacent to the term "hero", and often these terms are perceived as synonyms.
In ancient Rome, a persona was a mask that an actor put on before a performance - tragic or comic.
Hero and character are not the same thing.
A LITERARY HERO is an exponent of a plot action that reveals the content of a work.
CHARACTER is any actor in the work.
The word "character" is characteristic in that it does not carry any additional meanings.
Take, for example, the term "actor". It is immediately clear that it - must act = perform actions, and then a whole bunch of heroes do not fit this definition. Starting from Papa Pippi Longstocking, the mythical sea captain, and ending with the people in Boris Godunov, who, as always, is “silent”.
The emotional-evaluative coloring of the term "hero" implies exclusively positive qualities = heroism \ heroism. And then it will not fall under this definition yet more people. Well, how, say, to call Chichikov or Gobsek a hero?
And now literary critics are fighting with philologists - who should be called a “hero”, and who should be called a “character”?
Who will win, time will tell. For now, we'll keep it simple.
The hero is an important character for expressing the idea of the work. And the characters are everything else.
A little later we will talk about the system of characters in a work of art, there we will talk about the main (heroes) and secondary (characters).
Let's take a look at a couple more definitions.
LYRICAL HERO
concept lyrical hero was first formulated by Yu.N. Tynyanov in 1921 in relation to the work of A.A. Blok.
Lyrical hero - the image of a hero in lyrical work, experiences, feelings, whose thoughts reflect the author's worldview.
The lyrical hero is not an autobiographical image of the author.
Can't say " lyrical character"- only a" lyrical hero ".
THE IMAGE OF THE HERO is an artistic generalization of human properties, character traits in the individual appearance of the hero.
LITERARY TYPE is a generalized image of human individuality, the most characteristic of a certain social environment in certain time. It combines two sides - the individual (single) and the general.
Typical does not mean average. The type concentrates in itself all the most striking, characteristic of a whole group of people - social, national, age, etc. For example, the type of a Turgenev girl or a lady of Balzac age.
CHARACTER AND CHARACTER
IN modern literary criticism character is the unique personality of the character, his inner appearance, that is, what distinguishes him from other people.
Character consists of diverse traits and qualities that are not randomly combined. In every character there is a main, dominant feature.
Character can be simple or complex.
A simple character is distinguished by integrity and static. The hero is either positive or negative.
Simple characters are traditionally paired, most often on the basis of the opposition "bad" - "good". Opposition sharpens virtues goodies and belittles the merits of negative heroes. Example - Shvabrin and Grinev in The Captain's Daughter
A complex character is a constant search for the hero himself, the spiritual evolution of the hero, etc.
A complex character is very difficult to label "positive" or "negative." It contains contradictions and paradoxes. As in Captain Zheglov, who almost put poor Gruzdev in jail, but easily gave the ration cards to Sharapov's neighbor.
STRUCTURE OF A LITERARY HERO
A literary hero is a complex and multifaceted person. It has two forms - external and internal.
To create the appearance of the hero work:
PORTRAIT. This is a face, figure, distinctive features of the physique (for example, Quasimodo's hump or Karenin's ears).
CLOTHING, which can also reflect certain character traits of the hero.
SPEECH, the features of which characterize the hero no less than his appearance.
AGE, which determines the potential for certain actions.
PROFESSION, which shows the degree of socialization of the hero, determines his position in society.
LIFE STORY. Information about the origin of the hero, his parents / relatives, the country and place where he lives, gives the hero a sensually tangible realism, historical concreteness.
The internal appearance of the hero consists of:
WORLD VIEWS AND ETHICAL BELIEFS, which endow the hero with value orientations, give meaning to his existence.
THOUGHTS AND ATTITUDES that outline the diverse life of the hero's soul.
FAITH (or lack thereof), which determines the presence of the hero in the spiritual field, his attitude towards God and the Church.
STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS, which denote the results of the interaction of the soul and spirit of the hero.
The hero can not only reason, love, but also be aware of emotions, analyze his own activity, that is, reflect. Artistic reflection allows the author to reveal the personal self-esteem of the hero, to characterize his attitude towards himself.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
So, a character is a fictional animated person with a certain character and unique external data. The author must come up with these data and convincingly convey to the reader.
If the author does not do this, the reader perceives the character as cardboard and is not included in his experiences.
Character development is a rather time-consuming process and requires skill.
Most effective way is to write out on a separate sheet of paper all the personality traits of your character that you want to present to the reader. Straight to the point.
The first point is the appearance of the hero (fat, thin, blond, brunette, etc.). The second point is age. The third is education and profession.
Be sure to answer (first of all, to yourself) the following questions:
How does the character relate to other people? (sociable / withdrawn, sensitive / callous, respectful / rude)
- How does the character feel about his work? (hardworking/lazy, prone to creativity/routine, responsible/irresponsible, initiative/passive)
How does the character feel about himself? (has a feeling dignity, self-critical, proud, modest, impudent, conceited, arrogant, touchy, shy, selfish)
- How does the character feel about his things? (neat/sloppy, careful about things/sloppy)
The choice of questions is not accidental. The answers to them will give a FULL picture of the personality of the character.
It is better to write down the answers and keep them in front of your eyes throughout the work on the work.
What will it give? Even if in the work you do not mention ALL QUALITIES of a person (it is not rational to do this for minor and episodic characters), then all the same, the author's FULL understanding of his characters will be transmitted to the reader and make their images voluminous.
ARTISTIC DETAILS play a huge role in the creation/disclosure of character images.
An artistic detail is a detail that the author endowed with a significant semantic and emotional load.
A bright detail replaces whole descriptive fragments, cuts off unnecessary details that obscure the essence of the matter.
An expressive, well-found detail is evidence of the author's skill.
I would especially like to note such a moment as the CHOICE OF THE NAME OF THE CHARACTER.
According to Pavel Florensky, "names are the essence of the category of personality cognition." Names are not just called, but actually declare the spiritual and physical essence of a person. They form special models of personal existence, which become common for each bearer of a certain name. Names predetermine spiritual qualities, deeds and even the fate of a person.
The existence of a character in a work of art begins with the choice of his name. It is very important how you name your hero.
Compare the variants of the name Anna - Anna, Anka, Anka, Nyura, Nyurka, Nyusha, Nyushka, Nyusya, Nyuska.
Each of the options crystallizes certain personality traits, gives the key to character.
Once you've decided on a character's name, don't (unnecessarily) change it as you go along, as this can confuse the reader's perception.
If in life you tend to call friends and acquaintances diminutively, affectionately, disparagingly (Svetka, Mashulya, Lenusik, Dimon), control your passion in writing. In a work of art, the use of such names must be justified. Numerous Vovkas and Tanki look terrible.
CHARACTER SYSTEM
The literary hero is a brightly individual and at the same time distinctly collective person, that is, he is born public environment and interpersonal relationships.
It is unlikely that only one hero will act in your work (although this has happened). In most cases, the character is at the point where the three rays intersect.
The first is friends, associates (friendly relations).
The second is enemies, ill-wishers (hostile relations).
Third - others strangers(neutral relationship)
These three rays (and the people in them) create a strict hierarchical structure or CHARACTER SYSTEM.
Characters are divided by the degree of author's attention (or the frequency of the image in the work), the purpose and functions that they perform.
Traditionally, there are main, secondary and episodic characters.
THE MAIN CHARACTER(S) is always at the center of the work.
The protagonist actively masters and transforms artistic reality. Its character (see above) predetermines events.
Axiom - the main character must be bright, that is, his structure must be spelled out thoroughly, no gaps are allowed.
The SECONDARY CHARACTERS are, although next to the main character, but somewhat behind, in the background, so to speak, on the plane of the artistic image.
Characters and portraits of secondary characters are rarely detailed, more often appear dotted. These heroes help the main to open up and ensure the development of the action.
Axiom - minor character cannot be brighter than the main one.
Otherwise, he will pull the blanket over himself. An example from a related field. The film "Seventeen Moments of Spring". Remember the girl who molested Stirlitz in one of latest episodes? (“Mathematicians say about us that we are terrible crackers .... But in love I am Einstein ...”).
In the first edition of the film, the episode with her was much longer. Actress Inna Ulyanova was so good that she drew all the attention to herself and distorted the scene. Let me remind you that there Stirlitz was supposed to receive an important encryption from the center. However, no one remembered the encryption anymore, everyone reveled in the bright clowning of the EPISODIC (completely passing) character. Ulyanov, of course, is sorry, but the director Lioznova made the absolutely right decision and cut out this scene. An example for reflection, however!
EPISODIC HEROES are on the periphery of the world of the work. They may have no character at all, act as passive executors of the author's will. Their functions are purely official.
POSITIVE and NEGATIVE HEROES usually divide the system of characters in the work into two warring groups (“reds” - “whites”, “ours” - “fascists”).
The theory of dividing characters BY ARCHETYPES is interesting.
The archetype is the primary idea expressed in symbols and images and underlying everything.
That is, each character in the work should serve as a symbol of something.
According to the classics, there are seven archetypes in literature.
So, the main character can be:
- The Protagonist - the one who "accelerates the action", the real Hero.
- Antagonist - completely opposite to the Hero. I mean, villain.
- Guardian, Sage, Mentor and Assistant - those who assist the Protagonist
The secondary characters are:
- Bosom friend - symbolizes support and faith in the main character.
- Skeptic - questions everything that happens
- Reasonable - makes decisions based solely on logic.
- Emotional - reacts only with emotions.
For example, Rowling's Harry Potter novels.
The main character is undoubtedly Harry Potter himself. He is opposed by the Villain - Voldemort. Professor Dumbledore = Sage appears periodically.
And Harry's friends are the sensible Hermione and the emotional Ron.
In conclusion, I want to talk about the number of characters.
When there are a lot of them, this is bad, since they will begin to duplicate each other (there are only seven archetypes!). The competition among the characters will cause discoordination in the minds of the readers.
The most reasonable thing is to stupidly check your heroes by archetypes.
For example, you have three old women in your novel. The first is cheerful, the second is smart, and the third is just a lonely grandmother from the first floor. Ask yourself - what do they embody? And you will understand that a lonely old woman is superfluous. Her phrases (if there are any at all) can be passed on to the second or first (to the old women). This way you will get rid of unnecessary verbal noise, concentrate on the idea.
After all, “The idea is the tyrant of the work” (c) Egri.
© Copyright: Copyright Contest -K2, 2013
Publication Certificate No. 213010300586
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Literary characters are usually fiction author. But some of them still have real prototypes who lived at the time of the author, or famous historical figures. We will tell you who these strangers were a wide range figure readers.
1. Sherlock Holmes
Even the author himself admitted that Sherlock Holmes has many similarities with his mentor Joe Bell. On the pages of his autobiography, one could read that the writer often recalled his teacher, spoke of his eagle profile, inquisitive mind and amazing intuition. According to him, the doctor could turn any business into an accurate, systematic scientific discipline.
Often, Dr. Bell used deductive methods of inquiry. Only by one type of person could he tell about his habits, about his biography, and sometimes even made a diagnosis. After the release of the novel, Conan Doyle corresponded with the "prototype" Holmes, and he told him that perhaps this is how his career would have developed if he had chosen a different path.
2. James Bond
The literary history of James Bond began with a series of books that were written by intelligence agent Ian Fleming. The first book in the series - "Casino Royale" - was published in 1953, a few years after Fleming was assigned to follow Prince Bernard, who had defected from German service to British intelligence. After long mutual suspicions, the scouts became good friends. Bond took over from Prince Bernard to order a Vodka Martini, while adding the legendary "Shake, don't stir."
3. Ostap Bender
The man who became the prototype of the great combinator from the "12 chairs" of Ilf and Petrov at the age of 80 still worked as a conductor on railway on the train from Moscow to Tashkent. Born in Odessa, Ostap Shor, from tender nails, was prone to adventures. He presented himself either as an artist, or as a chess grandmaster, and even acted as a member of one of the anti-Soviet parties.
Only thanks to his remarkable imagination, Ostap Shor managed to return from Moscow to Odessa, where he served in the criminal investigation department and fought against local banditry. Probably, hence the respectful attitude of Ostap Bender to the Criminal Code.
4. Professor Preobrazhensky
Professor Preobrazhensky from Bulgakov's famous novel Heart of a Dog also had real prototype- French surgeon of Russian origin Samuil Abramovich Voronov. This man at the beginning of the 20th century made a splash in Europe, transplanting monkey glands to humans to rejuvenate the body. The first operations showed a simply amazing effect: in elderly patients, there was a resumption of sexual activity, an improvement in memory and vision, ease of movement, and mentally retarded children gained mental alertness.
Thousands of people underwent treatment in Voronova, and the doctor himself opened his own monkey nursery on the French Riviera. But very little time passed, the patients of the miracle doctor began to feel worse. There were rumors that the result of the treatment was just self-hypnosis, and Voronov was called a charlatan.
5. Peter Pan
The boy with the beautiful Tinker Bell fairy was presented to the world and to James Barry himself, the author of the written work, by the Davis couple (Arthur and Sylvia). The prototype for Peter Pan was Michael, one of their sons. fairy tale hero received from a real boy not only age and character, but also nightmares. And the novel itself is a dedication to the author's brother, David, who died a day before his 14th birthday while skating.
6. Dorian Gray
It's a shame, but the protagonist of the novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" significantly spoiled the reputation of his life original. John Gray, who in his youth was Oscar Wilde's protégé and close friend, was handsome, solid, and had the appearance of a 15-year-old boy. But their happy union came to an end when journalists became aware of their relationship. Enraged, Gray went to court, got an apology from the editors of the newspaper, but after that his friendship with Wilde ended. Soon John Gray met Andre Raffalovich - a poet and a native of Russia. They converted to Catholicism, and after a while Gray became a priest at St. Patrick's Church in Edinburgh.
7. Alice
The story of Alice in Wonderland began on the day Lewis Carroll walked with the daughters of the rector of Oxford University, Henry Lidell, among whom was Alice Lidell. Carroll came up with a story on the go at the request of the children, but the next time he did not forget about it, but began to compose a sequel. Two years later, the author presented Alice with a manuscript consisting of four chapters, to which was attached a photograph of Alice herself at the age of seven. It was entitled "Christmas present for a dear girl in memory of a summer day."
8. Karabas-Barabas
As you know, Alexei Tolstoy only planned to present "Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodio in Russian, but it turned out that he wrote an independent story, in which analogies with cultural figures of that time were clearly drawn. Since Tolstoy had no weakness for the Meyerhold theater and its biomechanics, it was the director of this theater that got the role of Karabas-Barabas. You can guess the parody even in the name: Karabas is the Marquis of Carabas from Perro's fairy tale, and Barabas is from the Italian word for swindler - baraba. But no less speaking role the seller of leeches Duremar went to Meyerhold's assistant, who worked under the pseudonym Voldemar Luscinius.
9. Lolita
According to the memoirs of Brian Boyd, the biographer of Vladimir Nabokov, when the writer was working on his scandalous novel Lolita, he regularly looked through the newspaper columns, which published reports of murders and violence. His attention was drawn to the sensational story of Sally Horner and Frank LaSalle, which took place in 1948: a middle-aged man kidnapped 12-year-old Sally Horner and kept her for almost 2 years until the police found her in a common California hotel. Lasalle, like the hero of Nabokov, passed off the girl as his daughter. Nabokov even casually mentions this incident in the book in the words of Humbert: "Did I do to Dolly what Frank Lasalle, a 50-year-old mechanic, did to eleven-year-old Sally Horner in '48?"
10. Carlson
The history of the creation of Carlson is mythologized and incredible. Literary critics claim that possible prototype this funny character was Hermann Goering. And although the relatives of Astrid Lindgren refute this version, such rumors still exist today.
Astrid Lindgren met Göring in the 1920s when he was organizing an air show in Sweden. At that time, Goering was just "in his prime", a famous ace pilot, a man with charisma and an excellent appetite. The motor behind Carlson's back is an interpretation of Goering's flight experience.
Adherents of this version note that for some time Astrid Lindgren was an ardent admirer of the National Socialist Party of Sweden. The book about Carlson was published in 1955, so there could be no direct analogy. Nevertheless, it is possible that the charismatic image of the young Goering influenced the appearance of the charming Carlson.
11. One-legged John Silver
Robert Louis Stevenson in the novel "Treasure Island" portrayed his friend Williams Hansley not at all as a critic and poet, which he was in fact, but as a real villain. As a child, William suffered from tuberculosis, and his leg was amputated to the knee. Before the book hit store shelves, Stevenson told a friend, “I have to tell you, Evil-looking but kind-hearted, John Silver was based on you. You're not offended, are you?"
12. Bear cub Winnie the Pooh
According to one version, the world-famous teddy bear got its name in honor of the favorite toy of the writer Milne's son Christopher Robin. However, like all the other characters in the book. But in fact, this name is from the nickname Winnipeg - that was the name of the bear who lived in London Zoo from 1915 to 1934. This bear had a lot of kids-admirers, including Christopher Robin.
13. Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise
Despite the fact that the main characters in the book are called Sal and Dean, Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road is purely autobiographical. One can only guess why Kerouac dropped his name in the most famous book for beatniks.
14. Daisy Buchanan
In the novel The Great Gatsby, its author Francis Scott Fitzgerald described Ginevra King, his first love, deeply and penetratingly. Their romance lasted from 1915 to 1917. But due to different social statuses they separated, after which Fitzgerald wrote that "poor boys should not even think of marrying rich girls". This phrase was included not only in the book, but also in the film of the same name. Ginevra King also inspired Isabelle Borge in Beyond Paradise and Judy Jones in Winter Dreams.
Especially for those who like to sit up for reading. If you choose these books, you won't be disappointed.
Keys to the Olympiad tasks in literature
7th grade
Maximum number: 50 points
Task 1. Name the hero of the work, indicate the author and title.
A) Portrait of Thomas, nicknamed Biryuk. I.S. Turgenev "Biryuk"
B) Fevronia - "The Tale of Peter and Fevronia", a work of ancient Russian literature;
C) Peter - A.S. Pushkin "Poltava".
Grade: 0.5 points for a correct answer, 4.5 points in total.
Task 2. Match the term and its definition.
A) - 2
B) - 3
IN 1
D) - 5
D) - 4
Grade: 0.5 points for a correct answer, 2.5 points in total.
Task 3 . The hero from which work does not have a name. Despite this, he deserved love and respect. readers. Name the work, author and character.
An oblique left-hander from the work of N.S. Leskov "Lefty". The main character does not have a proper name, left-handed is his nickname. Currently, the left-hander is the standard of excellence, a person gifted with amazing talent.
Grade: 3 points
Task 4. Connect the names and surnames of Russian and foreign writers.
A) - 8
B) - 5
IN 1
D) - 3
D) - 10
E) - 9
G) - 6
H) - 7
I) - 4
K) - 2
Grade : 0.5 points for each correctly completed task,only 5 points .
Task 5 . Find and correct the semantic error in the passage below. Explain the meaning of the found word.
« Our colonel was born grip …»
XBAT ( colloquial) - a dexterous, quick person, full of daring.
Grade: 1 point for a correctly found word and 1 point for its interpretation,only 2 points
Task 6. Answer each of the questions "yes" (if the statement is true) or "no" (if the statement is false).
A) no
B) yes
B) yes
D) no
D) yes
Grade: 1 point for each correct answer,only 5 points
Task 7 . Pushkin's heroes often change their former way of life, becoming, as it were, "imposters". In what work and who became:
A) “The young lady is a peasant woman” - Lisa - Akulina
B) "Dubrovsky" - Vladimir Dubrovsky - a robber
Grade: 0.5 points for a correct answer,only 2 points .
Task 8.
Find the “third extra” in each of the groups.
, Aamphibrach, anapaest - trisyllabic;
b) romance - lyrical genre,
and the novel and short story are prose genres of literature;
c) an epithet, since it is a means artistic expressiveness, and the episode and epilogue are parts of a work of art.
Grade: 1 point for a correct answer,only 3 points .
Task 9. Determine literary devices(paths) in the lines of A.S. Pushkin from the poem "Poltava".
The east is burning with a new dawn - a metaphor; crimson smoke - an epithet; like a plowman the battle is resting - comparison; throwing piles of bodies on a pile – hyperbola.
Grade: 4 points
Task 10. Determine which of the writers or poets is described in the given fragments.
A) Jack London.
B) Viktor Petrovich Astafiev.
C) Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin.
D) Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov.
Grade: 4 points
Task 11. Define genres following works:
A ) A.S. Pushkin "The Song of the Prophetic Oleg"; (ballad)
B) N.S. Leskov "Lefty"; (tale )
B) M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin " wild landlord»; (fairy tale )
D) I.S. Turgenev "Russian language"; (prose poem )
E) N.V. Gogol "The Inspector General". (comedy)
Grade: 5 points.
Task 12. Creative task: the content of the work is fully consistent with the topic (1 point); there are no factual errors (1 point); the content is presented sequentially (1 point); the work is distinguished by the richness of the dictionary, the variety of syntactic constructions used, the accuracy of word usage (3 points); achieved stylistic unity and expressiveness of the text (2 points), rough spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors absent (2 points).
Grade: Only 10 points.
3.1. Ballad by V.A. Zhukovsky "Svetlana".
3.2. The story of N.V. Gogol "The Night Before Christmas".
3.3. The story of A.P. Chekhov "Chameleon".
3.4. Epic "Ilya Muromets and the Nightingale the Robber".
3.5. Fable by I.A. Krylov "Demyan's Ear".
Find the “third extra” in each of the groups. Justify your choice.
a) trochee - two-syllable meter of versification
b) romance - lyrical genre
c) song - lyrical genre
3. An oblique left-hander from the work of N.S. Leskov "Lefty". The main character does not have a proper name, left-handed is his nickname. Currently, the left-hander is the standard of excellence., A person gifted with amazing talent.
Maximum 2 points.
1. (3b.) A) “Fight and seek, find and not give up!” V. Kaverin "Two Captains", Sasha Grigoriev
B) "Be patient, Cossack - you will be an ataman!" N.V. Gogol "Taras Bulba", T. Bulba - Andriy
C) “One for all and all for one!” A. Dumas. "Three Musketeers", D" artagnan
Russian literature has given us a cavalcade of both positive and negative characters. We decided to recall the second group. Beware, spoilers.
20. Alexei Molchalin (Alexander Griboyedov, "Woe from Wit")
Molchalin is the hero of "nothing", Famusov's secretary. He is faithful to his father's behest: "to please all people without exception - the owner, the boss, his servant, the janitor's dog."
In a conversation with Chatsky, he sets out his life principles, consisting in the fact that "in my years one should not dare to have one's own judgment."
Molchalin is sure that you need to think and act as is customary in the "famus" society, otherwise they will gossip about you, but, as you know, " gossips scarier than pistols.
He despises Sophia, but is ready to please Famusov to sit with her all night long, playing the role of a lover.
19. Grushnitsky (Mikhail Lermontov, "A Hero of Our Time")
Grushnitsky has no name in Lermontov's story. He is the "double" of the main character - Pechorin. According to Lermontov’s description, Grushnitsky is “... one of those people who have ready-made lush phrases for all occasions, who are simply not touched by the beautiful and who importantly drape in extraordinary feelings, sublime passions and exceptional suffering. To produce an effect is their delight ... ".
Grushnitsky is very fond of pathos. There is not an ounce of sincerity in him. Grushnitsky is in love with Princess Mary, and at first she answers him with special attention, but then falls in love with Pechorin.
The case ends in a duel. Grushnitsky is so low that he conspires with friends and they do not load Pechorin's pistol. The hero cannot forgive such frank meanness. He reloads the pistol and kills Grushnitsky.
18. Afanasy Totsky (Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Idiot)
Afanasy Totsky, having adopted and dependent Nastya Barashkova, the daughter of a deceased neighbor, eventually “became close to her”, developing a suicidal complex in the girl and indirectly becoming one of the culprits of her death.
Extremely avid to the female, at the age of 55, Totsky decided to connect his life with the daughter of General Epanchin Alexandra, deciding to marry Nastasya to Ganya Ivolgin. However, neither of these things worked out. As a result, Totsky "was captivated by a visiting Frenchwoman, a Marquise and a Legitimist."
17. Alena Ivanovna (Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment)
The old pawnbroker is a character that has become a household name. Even those who have not read Dostoevsky's novel have heard of her. Alena Ivanovna is not so old by today’s standards, she is “60 years old”, but the author describes her like this: “... a dry old woman with sharp and angry eyes with a small pointed nose ... Her blond, slightly graying hair was oiled with oil. Some kind of flannel rag was wrapped around her thin and long neck, similar to a chicken leg ... ".
The old woman pawnbroker is engaged in usury and profits from the grief of people. She takes valuable things at huge interest, treats her younger sister Lizaveta, beats her.
16. Arkady Svidrigailov (Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment)
Svidrigailov - one of Raskolnikov's doubles in Dostoevsky's novel, a widower, at one time was bought out of prison by his wife, lived in the village for 7 years. A cynical and depraved person. On his conscience, the suicide of a servant, a 14-year-old girl, possibly the poisoning of his wife.
Due to Svidrigailov's harassment, Raskolnikov's sister lost her job. Upon learning that Raskolnikov is a murderer, Luzhin blackmails Dunya. The girl shoots at Svidrigailov and misses.
Svidrigailov is an ideological scoundrel, he does not experience moral torment and experiences "world boredom", eternity seems to him "a bathhouse with spiders." As a result, he commits suicide with a shot from a revolver.
15. Boar (Alexander Ostrovsky, Thunderstorm)
In the image of Kabanikh, one of the central characters in the play "Thunderstorm", Ostrovsky reflected the outgoing patriarchal, strict archaism. Kabanova Marfa Ignatievna - "a rich merchant's wife, widow", Katerina's mother-in-law, mother of Tikhon and Varvara.
The boar is very domineering and strong, she is religious, but more outwardly, because she does not believe in forgiveness or mercy. She is as practical as possible and lives by earthly interests.
The boar is sure that family life it can only be preserved on fear and orders: “After all, out of love, parents are strict with you, out of love they scold you, everyone thinks to teach good.” She perceives the departure of the former order as a personal tragedy: “That’s how the old days are brought out ... What will happen, as the elders die, ... I don’t know.”
14. Lady (Ivan Turgenev, "Mumu")
We all know sad story about the fact that Gerasim drowned Mumu, but not everyone remembers why he did it, but he did it because the despotic lady ordered him to do so.
The same landowner had previously given the washerwoman Tatyana, with whom Gerasim was in love, to the drunkard shoemaker Kapiton, which ruined both.
The lady, at her own discretion, decides the fate of her serfs, not at all considering their wishes, and sometimes even common sense.
13. Footman Yasha (Anton Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard)
Lackey Yasha in Anton Chekhov's play " The Cherry Orchard"- the character is unpleasant. He openly bows to everything foreign, while he is extremely ignorant, rude and even boorish. When his mother comes to him from the village and waits for him in the servants' room all day, Yasha dismissively declares: "It is very necessary, I could come tomorrow."
Yasha tries to behave decently in public, tries to appear educated and well-mannered, but at the same time, alone with Firs, she says to the old man: “You are tired, grandfather. If only you'd die sooner."
Yasha is very proud of the fact that he lived abroad. With a foreign gloss, he wins the heart of the maid Dunyasha, but uses her location for his own benefit. After the sale of the estate, the lackey persuades Ranevskaya to take him back to Paris with her. It is impossible for him to stay in Russia: "the country is uneducated, the people are immoral, moreover, boredom ...".
12. Pavel Smerdyakov (Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov)
Smerdyakov - a character with speaking surname, according to rumors, the illegitimate son of Fyodor Karrmazov from the city's holy fool Lizaveta Smerdyashchaya. The surname Smerdyakov was given to him by Fyodor Pavlovich in honor of his mother.
Smerdyakov serves as a cook in Karamazov's house, and, apparently, he cooks quite well. However, this is "a man with rottenness." This is evidenced by at least Smerdyakov’s reasoning about history: “In the twelfth year there was a great invasion of Russia by Emperor Napoleon french first, and well, if these same Frenchmen had conquered us then, a smart nation would have conquered a very stupid one, sir, and annexed to itself. There would even be other orders.”
Smerdyakov is the murderer of Karamazov's father.
11. Pyotr Luzhin (Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment)
Luzhin is another of the twins of Rodion Raskolnikov, a business man of 45 years old, "with a cautious and obnoxious physiognomy."
Having broken out "from rags to riches", Luzhin is proud of his pseudo-education, behaves arrogantly and stiffly. Having made an offer to Dunya, he anticipates that she will be grateful to him all her life for the fact that he "brought her to the people."
He also wooed Dunya by calculation, believing that she would be useful to him for his career. Luzhin hates Raskolnikov because he opposes their alliance with Dunya. Luzhin, on the other hand, pockets Sonya Marmeladova one hundred rubles at her father's funeral, accusing her of stealing.
10. Kirila Troyekurov (Alexander Pushkin, "Dubrovsky")
Troekurov is an example of a Russian master, spoiled by his power and environment. He spends his time in idleness, drunkenness, voluptuousness. Troekurov sincerely believes in his impunity and unlimited possibilities (“That is the strength to take away the estate without any right”).
The master loves his daughter Masha, but passes her off as an old man she does not love. Troekurov's serfs look like their master - the Troekurov kennel is insolent to Dubrovsky Sr. - and thereby quarrels old friends.
9. Sergei Talberg (Mikhail Bulgakov, White Guard)
Sergei Talberg is the husband of Elena Turbina, a traitor and opportunist. He easily changes his principles, beliefs, without special efforts and remorse. Thalberg is always where it is easier to live, so he runs abroad. He leaves his family and friends. Even Talberg's eyes (which, as you know, are the "mirror of the soul") are "two-story", he is the exact opposite of the Turbins.
Talberg was the first to put on a red armband at the military school in March 1917 and, as a member of the military committee, arrested the famous General Petrov.
8. Alexey Shvabrin (Alexander Pushkin, The Captain's Daughter)
Shvabrin is the antipode of the protagonist of Pushkin's story "The Captain's Daughter" by Pyotr Grinev. IN Belogorsk fortress he was exiled for murder in a duel. Shvabrin is undoubtedly smart, but at the same time he is cunning, impudent, cynical, and mocking. Having received Masha Mironova's refusal, he spreads dirty rumors about her, wounds him in the back in a duel with Grinev, goes over to Pugachev's side, and, having been captured by government troops, spreads rumors that Grinev is a traitor. In general, a rubbish person.
7. Vasilisa Kostyleva (Maxim Gorky, "At the Bottom")
In Gorky's play "At the Bottom" everything is sad and melancholy. Such an atmosphere is diligently maintained by the owners of the rooming house where the action takes place - the Kostylevs. The husband is a nasty cowardly and greedy old man, Vasilisa's wife is a prudent, dodgy opportunist, forcing her lover Vaska Ash to steal for her sake. When she finds out that he himself is in love with her sister, she promises to give her away in exchange for killing her husband.
6. Mazepa (Alexander Pushkin, Poltava)
Mazepa is a historical character, but if in history the role of Mazepa is ambiguous, then in Pushkin's poem Mazepa is definitely negative character. Mazepa appears in the poem as an absolutely immoral, dishonorable, vengeful, vicious person, like a treacherous hypocrite for whom nothing is sacred (he “does not know the shrine”, “does not remember goodness”), a person who is accustomed to achieve his goal at any cost.
The seducer of his young goddaughter Maria, he publicly executes her father Kochubey and - already sentenced to death - subjected to severe torture in order to find out where he hid his treasures. Without equivocation, Pushkin denounces Mazepa's political activity, which is determined only by the love of power and the thirst for revenge on Peter.
5. Foma Opiskin (Fyodor Dostoevsky, "The Village of Stepanchikovo and Its Inhabitants")
Foma Opiskin is an extremely negative character. Livelier, hypocrite, liar. He diligently portrays piety and education, tells everyone about his supposedly ascetic experience and sparkles with quotes from books...
When he gets his hands on power, he shows his true essence. “The low soul, having come out from under oppression, oppresses itself. Thomas was oppressed - and he immediately felt the need to oppress himself; they broke down on him - and he himself began to break down on others. He was a jester and immediately felt the need to have his own jesters. He boasted to the point of absurdity, broke down to the point of impossibility, demanded bird's milk, tyrannized without measure, and it got to the point that good people, having not yet been witnesses to all these tricks, but listening only to stories, they considered all this to be a miracle, an obsession, they were baptized and spat ... ".
4. Viktor Komarovsky (Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago)
Lawyer Komarovsky is a negative character in Boris Pasternak's novel Doctor Zhivago. In the fates of the main characters - Zhivago and Lara, Komarovsky is " evil genius" And " gray cardinal". He is guilty of the ruin of the Zhivago family and the death of the protagonist's father, he cohabits with Lara's mother and with Lara herself. Finally, Komarovsky deceives Zhivago and his wife apart. Komarovsky is smart, prudent, greedy, cynical. Overall, bad person. He himself understands this, but it suits him perfectly.
3. Judas Golovlev (Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin, "Gentlemen Golovlevs")
Porfiry Vladimirovich Golovlev, nicknamed Yudushka and Krovopivushka, is "the last representative of a swindled family." He is hypocritical, greedy, cowardly, prudent. He spends his life in endless slander and litigation, drives his son to suicide, while imitating extreme religiosity, reading prayers "without the participation of the heart."
Toward the end of his dark life, Golovlev gets drunk and runs wild, goes into a March blizzard. In the morning, his stiff corpse is found.
2. Andriy (Nikolai Gogol, Taras Bulba)
Andriy - younger son Taras Bulba, the hero of the novel of the same name by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. Andriy, as Gogol writes, with early youth began to feel the need for love. This need brings him down. He falls in love with a panochka, betrays his homeland, friends, and father. Andriy admits: “Who said that my homeland is Ukraine? Who gave it to me in the homeland? The fatherland is what our soul seeks, which is sweeter for it than anything. My homeland is you! ... and everything that is, I will sell, give, destroy for such a homeland!
Andrew is a traitor. He is killed by his own father.
1. Fyodor Karamazov (Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov)
He is voluptuous, greedy, envious, stupid. To maturity, he became flabby, began to drink a lot, opened several taverns, made many countrymen his debtors ... He began to compete with his eldest son Dmitry for the heart of Grushenka Svetlova, which paved the way for the crime - Karamazov was killed by his illegitimate son Peter Smerdyakov.
