"The fate of man" - the story of Sholokhov. "The fate of man": analysis

1. The behavior of the protagonist as a reflection of his inner essence.
2. Moral duel.
3. My attitude to the duel between Andrei Sokolov and Muller.

There are many episodes in Sholokhov's story "The Fate of a Man" that allow us to better understand the character traits of the protagonist. One of these moments, deserving our, reader's, close attention- the scene of the interrogation of Andrei Sokolov by Muller.

Observing the behavior of the protagonist, we can appreciate the Russian national character, hallmark which is pride and self-respect. Prisoner of war Andrey Sokolov, exhausted by hunger and hard work, in the circle of brothers in misfortune utters a seditious phrase: "They need four cubic meters of production, and one cubic meter through the eyes is enough for each of us." This phrase became known to the Germans. And then follows the interrogation of the hero.

The scene of the interrogation of Andrei Sokolov by Muller is a kind of psychological "duel". One of the participants in the duel is a weak, emaciated person. The other is well-fed, prosperous, self-satisfied. And yet, the weak and emaciated won. Andrei Sokolov surpasses the fascist Muller in the strength of his spirit. Rejection of the offer to drink to the victory of the German arms shows inner strength Andrey Sokolov. “So that I, a Russian soldier, should start drinking for the victory of German weapons ?!!” The very thought of this struck Andrei Sokolov as blasphemous. Andrey agrees to Muller's offer to drink for his death. “What did I have to lose? he later recalls. “I will drink to my death and deliverance from torment.”

In the moral duel between Muller and Sokolov, the latter wins also because he is absolutely not afraid of anything. Andrei has nothing to lose, he has already mentally said goodbye to life. He openly mocks those who are in this moment endowed with power and has a significant advantage. “I wanted to show them, damned, that although I’m dying of hunger, I’m not going to choke on their handouts, that I have my own, Russian dignity and pride, and that they didn’t turn me into a beast, no matter how hard they tried.” The fascists appreciated the strength of Andrey's spirit. The commandant told him: “That's it, Sokolov, you are a real Russian soldier. You are a brave soldier. I am also a soldier and I respect worthy opponents.”

I think that the scene of the interrogation of Andrey Sokolov by Muller showed the Germans all the endurance, national pride, dignity and self-respect of a Russian person. For the Nazis it was good lesson. Unbending Will to a life that distinguishes the Russian people, made it possible to win the war, despite the technical superiority of the enemy.

1. The behavior of the protagonist as a reflection of his inner essence. 2. Moral duel. 3. My attitude to the duel between Andrei Sokolov and Muller. There are many episodes in Sholokhov's story "The Fate of a Man" that allow us to better understand the character traits of the protagonist. One of such moments that deserves our readers' close attention is the scene of Andrey Sokolov's interrogation by Muller. Observing the behavior of the protagonist, we can appreciate the Russian national character, the hallmark of which is pride and self-respect. Prisoner of war Andrey Sokolov, exhausted by hunger and hard work, in the circle of brothers in misfortune utters a seditious phrase: "They need four cubic meters of production, and one cubic meter through the eyes is enough for each of us." This phrase became known to the Germans. And then follows the interrogation of the hero. The scene of the interrogation of Andrei Sokolov by Muller is a kind of psychological "duel". One of the participants in the duel is a weak, emaciated person. The other is well-fed, prosperous, self-satisfied. And yet, the weak and emaciated won. Andrei Sokolov surpasses the fascist Muller in the strength of his spirit. Refusal of the offer to drink for the victory of German weapons shows the inner strength of Andrei Sokolov. “So that I, a Russian soldier, should start drinking for the victory of German weapons ?!!” The very thought of this struck Andrei Sokolov as blasphemous. Andrey agrees to Muller's offer to drink for his death. “What did I have to lose? he later recalls. “I will drink to my death and deliverance from torment.” In the moral duel between Muller and Sokolov, the latter wins also because he is absolutely not afraid of anything. Andrei has nothing to lose, he has already mentally said goodbye to life. He frankly mocks those who are currently in power and have a significant advantage. “I wanted to show them, damned, that although I’m dying of hunger, I’m not going to choke on their handouts, that I have my own, Russian dignity and pride, and that they didn’t turn me into a beast, no matter how hard they tried.” The fascists appreciated the strength of Andrey's spirit. The commandant told him: “That's it, Sokolov, you are a real Russian soldier. You are a brave soldier. I am also a soldier and I respect worthy opponents.” I think that the scene of the interrogation of Andrey Sokolov by Muller showed the Germans all the endurance, national pride, dignity and self-respect of a Russian person. For the Nazis it was a good lesson. The unbending will to live, which distinguishes the Russian people, made it possible to win the war, despite the technical superiority of the enemy.

During the years of the Great Patriotic War Sholokhov, in military correspondence, essays, and the story "The Science of Hatred", exposed the anti-human nature of the war unleashed by the Nazis, revealed the heroism of the Soviet people, love for the Motherland. And in the novel "They Fought for the Motherland" the Russian national character was deeply revealed, which clearly manifested itself in the days of severe trials. Remembering how during the war the Nazis mockingly called Soviet soldier“Russian Ivan,” Sholokhov wrote in one of his articles: “The symbolic Russian Ivan is this: a man dressed in a gray overcoat who, without hesitation, gave the last piece of bread and front-line thirty grams of sugar to a child orphaned in the terrible days of the war, a man who selflessly covered his comrade with his body, saving him from inevitable death, a man who, gritting his teeth, endured and will endure all the hardships and hardships, going on a feat in the name of the Motherland.

Andrey Sokolov appears before us as such a modest, ordinary warrior in the story “The Fate of a Man”. As about the most common business, Sokolov speaks of his courageous deeds. He bravely fulfilled his military duty at the front. Near Lozovenki, he was instructed to bring shells to the battery. “We had to hurry a lot, because the battle was approaching us…,” says Sokolov. - The commander of our unit asks: "Will you get through, Sokolov?" And there was nothing to ask. There, my comrades, maybe they are dying, but I'll sniff around here? What a conversation! I answer him. - I have to slip through, and that's it! In this episode, Sholokhov noticed the main feature of the hero - a sense of camaraderie, the ability to think about others more than about himself. But, stunned by the explosion of a shell, he woke up already in captivity by the Germans. With pain, he watches as the advancing German troops go east. Having learned what enemy captivity is, Andrei says with a bitter sigh, turning to his interlocutor: “Oh, brother, it’s not easy to understand that you are not in captivity by your own water. Whoever has not experienced this in their own skin, you will not immediately enter into the soul, so that it comes to him as a human being what this thing means. His bitter memories speak of what he had to endure in captivity: “It’s hard for me, brother, to remember, and even harder to talk about what happened in captivity. When you remember the inhuman torments that you had to endure there in Germany, when you remember all the friends and comrades who died, were tortured there in the camps, the heart is no longer in the chest, but in the throat beats, and it becomes difficult to breathe ... "

Being in captivity, Andrei Sokolov made every effort to preserve the person in himself, not to exchange for any relief of the fate of "Russian dignity and pride." One of the most striking scenes in the story is the scene of the interrogation of the captured Soviet soldier Andrei Sokolov by the professional killer and sadist Muller. When Muller was informed that Andrei had allowed his dissatisfaction with hard labor to show, he summoned him to the commandant's office for interrogation. Andrey knew that he was going to die, but decided to "gather up his courage to look into the hole of the pistol fearlessly, as befits a soldier, so that the enemies would not see at the last minute that it was difficult for him to part with life ...".

The interrogation scene turns into a spiritual duel between the captive soldier and the commandant of the camp, Müller. It would seem that the forces of superiority should be on the side of the well-fed, endowed with power and the ability to humiliate and trample on the man of Muller. Playing with a pistol, he asks Sokolov whether four cubic meters of production is really a lot, but is one enough for a grave? When Sokolov confirms his earlier words, Muller offers to drink a glass of schnapps before the execution: “Before you die, drink, Russ Ivan, for the victory of German weapons.” Sokolov initially refused to drink "for the victory of German weapons", and then agreed "for his death." After drinking the first glass, Sokolov refused to eat. Then he was given a second one. Only after the third did he bite off a small piece of bread and put the rest on the table. Talking about this, Sokolov says: “I wanted to show them, damned, that although I’m dying of hunger, I’m not going to choke on their sop, that I have my own, Russian dignity and pride, and that they didn’t turn me into cattle, no matter how hard you try."

The courage and endurance of Sokolov struck the German commandant. He not only let him go, but finally gave him a small loaf of bread and a piece of lard: “Here's the thing, Sokolov, you are a real Russian soldier. You are a brave soldier. I am also a soldier and respect worthy opponents. I won't shoot you. In addition, today our valiant troops reached the Volga and completely captured Stalingrad. This is a great joy for us, and therefore I generously give you life. Go to your block…”

Considering the scene of the interrogation of Andrei Sokolov, we can say that it is one of the compositional peaks of the story. She has her own theme - spiritual wealth and moral nobility. Soviet man, his own idea: there is no force in the world capable of spiritually breaking true patriot, to force him to humiliate himself before the enemy.

Andrey Sokolov overcame a lot on his way. The national pride and dignity of the Russian Soviet man, endurance, spiritual humanity, insubordination and indestructible faith in life, in his homeland, in his people - this is what Sholokhov typified in the truly Russian character of Andrei Sokolov. The author showed the indomitable will, courage, heroism of a simple Russian man who, in the time of the most difficult trials that befell his Motherland and irreparable personal losses, was able to rise above his personal fate filled with the deepest drama, managed to overcome death with life and for the sake of life. This is the pathos of the story, its main idea.

M.A. Sholokhov wrote a story about the fate of a former prisoner of war, about the tragedy and strength of character of a man who had to endure the most difficult trials. During and immediately after the Great Patriotic War, soldiers who returned from captivity were considered traitors, they were not trusted, and a thorough check was carried out to clarify the circumstances. The story "The Fate of a Man" has become such a work that allows you to see and understand the cruel truth of the war.

The word "fate" can be interpreted as a "life story" or used in the sense of "fate, share, coincidence." In Sholokhov's story, we find both, but only the hero turned out to be not one of those who resignedly accepts the fate destined for him.

The author showed how dignified and courageous the Russians behaved in captivity. There were few traitors "shaking in their own skins". By the way, they surrendered voluntarily, at the first opportunity. The hero of the story "The Fate of a Man" during the battle was wounded, shell-shocked and in a helpless state was taken prisoner by the Germans. In the prisoner of war camp, Andrey Sokolov endured a lot of suffering: bullying, beating, hunger, death of comrades, "unhuman torment." For example, commandant Müller, bypassing the line of prisoners, beat with his fist (or rather, with a piece of lead embedded in a glove) every second person in the nose, “bleeded”. Such was his way of expressing Aryan superiority, emphasizing the insignificance of the human life of representatives of all nations (unlike the Germans).

Andrei Sokolov had a chance to personally confront Muller, and the author showed this "duel" in one of climactic episodes story.
The conversation of the captured soldier with the commandant took place because someone informed the Germans about the words spoken by Andrei on the eve of the order in the concentration camp. Barely alive captives chiseled the stone by hand, and the rate per person was four cubic meters per day. Once after work, wet, exhausted, hungry, Sokolov said: "They need four cubic meters of output, but for the grave of each of us, even one cubic meter through the eyes is enough." For these words he had to answer to the commandant.

In Muller's office, all the camp authorities sat at the table. The Germans celebrated another victory at the front, they drank schnapps, ate lard and canned food. And Sokolov, when he entered, almost vomited (constant starvation affected). Muller, clarifying the words spoken by Sokolov the day before, promised that he would honor him and personally shoot him. In addition, the commandant decided to show generosity and invited the captured soldier to drink and eat before he died. Andrei had already taken a glass and a snack, but the commandant added that it was necessary to drink for the victory of the Germans. This hurt Sokolov very much: “So that I, a Russian soldier, should start drinking for the victory of German weapons ?!” Andrei was no longer afraid of death, so he put down the glass and said that he was a non-drinker. And Muller, smiling, suggested: "If you don't want to drink to our victory, then drink to your death." The soldier, who had nothing to lose, boldly declared that he would drink to get rid of torment. He overturned the glass in one gulp, and put the snack aside, although he was mortally hungry.

What willpower this man had! Not only did he not humiliate himself because of a crumb of bacon and a piece of bread, but he did not lose his dignity, his sense of humor, and this gave him a sense of superiority over the Germans. He suggested that Muller go to the yard, where the German would "sign" him, that is, sign a death sentence, shoot him. Muller allowed Sokolov to have a bite, but the soldier said that after the first one he did not have a bite. And after the second glass he announced that he did not have a snack. He himself understood that he showed this courage not so much to surprise the Germans, but for himself, so that before death he would not look like a coward. With his behavior, Sokolov made the Germans laugh, and the commandant poured him a third glass. Andrei took a bite, as if reluctantly; he really wanted to prove that he had pride, "that the fascists did not turn him into a beast."

The Germans, surprisingly, appreciated the pride, courage and humor of the Russian soldier, and Muller told him that he respected worthy opponents, and therefore would not shoot him. For courage, Sokolov was given a loaf of bread and a piece of lard. The soldier did not really believe in the generosity of the Nazis, he was waiting for a shot in the back and regretted that he would not bring the unexpectedly dropped treat to the hungry cellmates. And again the soldier was not thinking about himself, but about those who were dying of hunger. He managed to bring these "gifts" to the prisoners, and they divided everything equally.

In this episode, Sholokhov raised common man on the hero's pedestal, despite the fact that he was a prisoner of war. It was not Sokolov's fault in his captivity, he was not going to surrender. And in captivity he did not grovel, did not betray his own, did not change his beliefs. He remained a devoted citizen of his homeland and dreamed of returning to the ranks in order to fight against the Nazis again. This incident from the life of a soldier turned out to be decisive in his fate: Sokolov could have been shot, but he saved himself, because he was less afraid of death than shame. That's where he stayed alive.

And the "superman" Muller suddenly saw pride in the Russian soldier, the desire to preserve human dignity, courage and even contempt for death, since the prisoner did not want to grab onto life at the cost of humiliation and cowardice. It was one of the victories of Andrei Sokolov in the circumstances that fate presented.

What kind of character do you need to have in order not to submit to circumstances? Andrey's habits that became character traits were the most common for people of that time: diligence, generosity, perseverance, courage, the ability to love people and the Motherland, the ability to pity a person, to sympathize with him. And he was satisfied with his life, because he had a house, a job, his children grew up and studied. Only the life and destiny of people can easily be broken by politicians and militarists who need power, money, new territories and income. Can a person survive in this meat grinder? It turns out that this is sometimes possible.

Fate was merciless to Sokolov: a bomb hit his house in Voronezh, his daughters and wife died. last hope for the future (dreams about his son's marriage and grandchildren) he loses at the very end of the war, when he learns about the death of his son in Berlin.
The endless blows of fate did not destroy this man. He did not become embittered, did not hate anyone, realizing that you can only curse the Nazis who killed millions of people. human lives all over the earth. Now the enemy is defeated, and we must live on. However, the memories were heavy, it is difficult to think about the future. The pain did not let go for a long time, and sometimes there was a desire to forget with the help of vodka, but he coped with this, overcame weakness.
The meeting of Andrei Sokolov with a boy, an orphan homeless, changed a lot in his life. The man's heart sank with pain when he saw someone who lives even harder and worse than himself.

The writer does not just show us the twists of fate that either break or temper a person, Sholokhov explains why his hero acts in a way that can change his life. Andrei Sokolov gives the warmth of his heart to those who need it, and thereby protests the fate that sentenced him to loneliness. Hope and the will to live were revived. He can say to himself: cast aside your weaknesses, stop feeling sorry for yourself, become a protector and support for the weaker. This is the peculiarity of the image of a person created by M.A. Sholokhov with strong character. His hero argued with fate, managed to reshape life, directing it in the right direction.

The writer Sholokhov spoke not only about life specific person, citizen Soviet Union Andrey Sokolov. He called his work “The Fate of a Man”, thereby emphasizing that every person, if he is spiritually rich and strong, like his hero, is able to withstand any test, create new destiny, new life where he will have a worthy role. Apparently, this is the meaning of the title of the story.
And in the current aggravated situation, M.A. Sholokhov could remind the current Russophobes and Nazis that the Sokolovs among the Russian people have not disappeared.

Reviews

M. Sholokhov - Great Russian writer, no words! "The Destiny of Man" is a prime example of this. Just a story about a simple Russian peasant, but how it is written! And S. Bondarchuk's film based on this work is also great! How he played Sokolov! This scene, when he drinks vodka with faceted glasses, is simply incomparable! And a meeting with a homeless boy brought him back to life, when it seemed that there was simply no point in living on ... Thank you, Zoya! R.R.

1. The behavior of the protagonist as a reflection of his inner essence.
2. Moral duel.
3. My attitude to the duel between Andrei Sokolov and Muller.

There are many episodes in Sholokhov's story "The Fate of a Man" that allow us to better understand the character traits of the protagonist. One of such moments that deserves our readers' close attention is the scene of Andrey Sokolov's interrogation by Muller.

Observing the behavior of the protagonist, we can appreciate the Russian national character, the hallmark of which is pride and self-respect. Prisoner of war Andrey Sokolov, exhausted by hunger and hard work, in the circle of brothers in misfortune utters a seditious phrase: "They need four cubic meters of production, and one cubic meter through the eyes is enough for each of us." This phrase became known to the Germans. And then follows the interrogation of the hero.

The scene of the interrogation of Andrei Sokolov by Muller is a kind of psychological "duel". One of the participants in the duel is a weak, emaciated person. The other is well-fed, prosperous, self-satisfied. And yet, the weak and emaciated won. Andrei Sokolov surpasses the fascist Muller in the strength of his spirit. Refusal of the offer to drink for the victory of German weapons shows the inner strength of Andrei Sokolov. “So that I, a Russian soldier, should start drinking for the victory of German weapons ?!!” The very thought of this struck Andrei Sokolov as blasphemous. Andrey agrees to Muller's offer to drink for his death. “What did I have to lose? he later recalls. “I will drink to my death and deliverance from torment.”

In the moral duel between Muller and Sokolov, the latter wins also because he is absolutely not afraid of anything. Andrei has nothing to lose, he has already mentally said goodbye to life. He frankly mocks those who are currently in power and have a significant advantage. “I wanted to show them, damned, that although I’m dying of hunger, I’m not going to choke on their handouts, that I have my own, Russian dignity and pride, and that they didn’t turn me into a beast, no matter how hard they tried.” The fascists appreciated the strength of Andrey's spirit. The commandant told him: “That's it, Sokolov, you are a real Russian soldier. You are a brave soldier. I am also a soldier and I respect worthy opponents.”

I think that the scene of the interrogation of Andrey Sokolov by Muller showed the Germans all the endurance, national pride, dignity and self-respect of a Russian person. For the Nazis it was a good lesson. The unbending will to live, which distinguishes the Russian people, made it possible to win the war, despite the technical superiority of the enemy.