"The fate of man": the analysis of the story. Sholokhov, the work "The Fate of Man"

M. Sholokhov is a recognized master of the epic. In the novel "Quiet Flows the Don" he managed to recreate large-scale paintings of one of the most difficult periods in the history of Russia. Not less advantages are possessed by a small in volume, but very capacious in content work "The Fate of Man". The analysis of the story helps to determine the ideological intent of the author and the reason for his great popularity with the reader.

The focus of the front-line writer's life is the painful life of an ordinary Russian man who survived the death of his entire family and the destruction of his home, the most dangerous military battles and fascist captivity, the chilling soul of loneliness and despair. Passing through all the trials, he managed to stand up and take care of the orphan child.

Memorable meeting in 1946

Analysis of Sholokhov's story "The Fate of Man" will be more correct to begin with the history of its creation. A year after the end of the war, life brought the writer with a driver unfamiliar to him, a former front-line soldier. This happened during a hunt at the farm of Mokhovsky. During the break to Sholokhov came an elderly man and a boy - they were heading for a ferry on the river Elanke. During the conversation, the traveler (he never mentioned his name) told the sad story of his life.

The subsequent analysis of the story, the fate of a man, many survivors, made a great impression on the writer. He immediately decided to write about a new acquaintance, but everything was postponed. The immediate reason was the re-reading of foreign works about people weak and helpless. It was then that arose the idea of opposing their hero to him, and together with it the idea of the future story was determined. As a result, in 8 days one of the best works was created not only about the war, but also about the greatness of a simple Russian worker and warrior.

Composition of the story "The Fate of Man"

A brief analysis of the construction of a work already determines its essence. After a small exposition containing a description of the spring and symbolizing the revival of life, the story of the hero-narrator's acquaintance with Andrei Sokolov is given. Next, a fairly common method in the literature is used: "a story in a story". Simple, unhurried, sometimes confusing - it's hard to remember the past - the hero's speech characterizes him better than any descriptive turns. The narrator on the way only marks important details in his appearance, first of all, "as if sprinkled with ashes" and full of "inescapable mortal melancholy" eyes. They speak eloquently about how difficult the fate of man was.

Analysis of the story: from peaceful life to war

Sokolov had a lot of things going on like most Russian people: civil war and loss of loved ones, first work on kulaks, then, after moving to town, changing several specialties, until he learned to be a chauffeur. Finally, marrying a good girl, children, your home and a settled life.

All this collapsed at one point: the war began, and Andrei went to the front. With pain he remembered farewell to his family, as it turned out, the last. And then - the front line.

In the conditions of the war, Sholokhov emphasizes the destiny of man in different ways. Analysis of the work allows us to understand that for a moment the hero did not think about his own life, if it was a question of saving others. There were many similar episodes. This is also the willingness to break through the enemy's fire to the front end of the battery, which needs ammunition. And the first murder of a man (which is especially scary - his own!) In the church, when he learned of the impending betrayal. And readiness to be captive, under the barrel, to protect dying comrades. These actions characterize Sokolov as a man of just, persistent, courageous: far from everyone is able to sacrifice himself for others.

Opposition to Mueller

Analysis of the work "The Fate of Man" and in particular the scene of interrogation shows the spiritual superiority of the Russian prisoner over German officers. Extraordinary courage and nobility showed in a relationship with the famous cruelty of Müller's hero. Unwillingness to drink for Germany's successes and an unshakable faith in the victory of his people, the readiness to calmly accept the shooting and a glass of schnapps for his death, as well as the refusal of bread and fat of a hungry, tormented man-these qualities aroused respect even among the fascists. All the time Sokolov stood before them with his head up, not broken and refused to recognize their strength. The gift of Mueller to the Russian Ivan - "You are a brave soldier. I ... respect worthy opponents "- life became the moral victory of the latter. And the bread and fat received were equally divided among all the prisoners. So an analysis of Sholokhov's story "The Fate of Man" helps to understand who really owes the country a victory in this terrible war.

Liberation from captivity and new blows of fate

Sokolov's feat was also his escape. Even at that moment he was thinking about what kind of benefits the homeland can bring. Under bilateral fire - from behind the Germans, ahead of their own - he took out a bound German officer, for which he deserved the opportunity to receive medical treatment in a hospital.

And then - a new blow: first the news of the death of his wife and daughters, then the death of his son on the last day of the war. How strong can a person be? To this question, the narrator and the reader analyze the work. The fate of a person seems to be deliberately throwing him tests one after another, and each subsequent is worse than the previous one. Only a truly strong personality is given all of them worthy of surviving and surviving. The main thing is to find the source of salvation, which is how little Vanya becomes for Andrei Sokolov.

Back to life

How unfairly arranged life - this idea arises in connection with the events described. Sholokhov probably thought about it. The fate of man - the analysis of the work confirms this - often depends on the circumstances. The protagonist, who came from the war as the winner-liberator, is powerless before the loss that has befallen him: neither home, nor family, nor faith in a further prosperous life. And suddenly a meeting with an orphan who saved them both. To one she gave fatherly care, the other - the belief that all the tests he had prepared were not in vain. Once again, a person finds the strength to live in order to give warmth, joy and happiness to another. As if she checked for strength, and then the fate of a man presented her mercy.

The analysis of the confession story of Andrei Sokolov makes us once again think about how unlimited the spiritual wealth, inner strength and capabilities of man can be .

Story Value

The publication of a new work by M. Sholokhov at the turn of 1956-57 was a real sensation in the literature. The author's credit is that he managed to tell on several pages about the difficult process of maturing and becoming a personality of the hero - a typical representative of the Russian people. Sokolov had to go through much, but he managed to retain the best qualities: philanthropy, patriotism, national dignity.

Important was the fact that in the work the author first raised the issue of the situation of Russian soldiers in captivity. The fate of the man, the analysis of the story of the main character literally stirred the people: E.Pirmitin, who visited the writer at that time, noted that Sholokhov was filled with letters by grateful readers.

Interest in the story is not lost in our time, and this is the best recognition of the author's merits.