Grigory Melekhov in the novel "Quiet Flows the Don": a characteristic. The tragic fate and spiritual quest of Grigory Melekhov

MA Sholokhov in his novel "Quiet Flows the Don" poetizes the life of the people, deeply analyzes its way of life, as well as the origins of its crisis, which largely affected the fate of the protagonists of the work. The author emphasizes that people play a key role in history. It is he, according to Sholokhov, is its driving force. Of course, the main hero of the work of Sholokhov is one of the representatives of the people - Grigory Melekhov. The prototype of it, as it is believed, is Kharlampy Ermakov, the Don Cossack (pictured below). He fought in the Civil War and in the First World War.

Grigory Melekhov, whose characteristic we are interested in, is an illiterate, simple Cossack, but his personality is multifaceted and complex. The author bestowed the best features that are inherent in the people.

Grigory Melekhov in the beginning of the work

Sholokhov at the very beginning of his work tells the story of the Melekhov family. Cossack Prokofy, the ancestor of Gregory, returns home from the Turkish campaign. He brings with him a Turkish woman, who becomes his wife. From this event a new history of the Melekhov family begins. The character of Gregory is already laid in it. This character is not by chance similar in appearance to other men of a kind. The author notes that he is "in the father": above Peter half a head, although younger than him for 6 years. He has the same "floppy nose", like Pantelei Prokofievich. Grigory Melekhov is just as stooping as his father. Both of them even had a smile in common, "beastly". The continuer of the Melekhov family is he, and not Peter, his elder brother.

Relationship with nature

Gregory from the very first pages is depicted in everyday occupations, characteristic of the life of the peasants. Like all of them, he drives horses to a watering hole, goes fishing, goes to plays, falls in love, participates in general peasant labor. The character of this hero is clearly revealed in the meadow mowing scene. In it Grigory Melekhov discovers sympathy for another's pain, love for everything living. He is sorry for the duckling, cut by accident. Gregory looks at him, as the author notes, with "a feeling of acute pity." This hero feels well the nature with which he is strongly connected.

How does the character reveal the character in his personal life?

Gregory can be called a person of decisive actions and actions, strong passions. Many episodes with Aksinya speak eloquently about this. Despite the slander of his father, at midnight, during haymaking, he still goes to this girl. Panteley Prokofievich brutally punishes his son. However, not being afraid of his father's threats, Grigory still goes to his beloved night and returns only from the dawn. Already here, in his character, he shows a desire to go all the way to the end. Marriage to a woman he does not love could not make this hero give up on himself, from a sincere, natural feeling. He only reassured Pantelei Prokofievich, who appeals to him: "Do not be afraid of your father!" But nothing more. This hero has the ability to passionately love, and also does not tolerate any ridicule over himself. He does not forgive jokes over his feelings even to Peter and grabs the pitchfork. Gregory is always sincere and honest. He directly tells Natalia, his wife, that he does not like her.

How did the life of Listnitsky affect Grigory?

At first he does not agree to escape from the farm with Aksinya. However, the impossibility of subordination and innate stubbornness ultimately force him to leave his native farm, go to the estate to Listnitsky with his beloved. Gregory becomes a groom. However, it is not for him that life is separated from the parental home. The author notes that he was spoiled by a light, well-fed life. The protagonist grew fat, lazy, began to look older than his years.

Grigory Melekhov in the novel "Quiet Flows the Don" has a huge inner power. The scene of the beating of this hero Listnitsky Jr. is a vivid testimony of this. Grigory, despite the position that Listnitsky occupies, does not want to forgive the offense he inflicted. He hits him with his whip on his hands and face, not letting him come to his senses. Melekhov is not afraid of punishment, which will follow this act. And with Aksinya, he manages severely: leaving, he never even looks back.

The sense of dignity, which is inherent in the hero

Complementing the image of Grigory Melekhov, we note that in his character - a pronounced sense of dignity. It is in him that his power lies, which is able to influence other people, regardless of position and rank. Of course, in a duel at the watering place with the sergeant-major, Grigory wins, who did not allow himself to be struck by the rank of senior.

This hero is able to intercede not only for his own dignity, but also for someone else's. It was he who was the only one who defended Frania, a girl over whom the Cossacks outraged. Caught in this situation powerless against the evil, Grigory nearly cried for the first time in a long time.

Gregory's boldness in battle

The events of the First World War affected the lives of many people, including this hero. The whirlwind of historical events was captured by Grigory Melekhov. His fate is a reflection of the fate of many people, representatives of the simple Russian people. As a true Cossack, Gregory is completely given up in battle. He is bold and resolute. Gregory easily defeats the three Germans and takes them prisoner, deftly beats off the enemy battery, and also saves the officer. Medals and St. George crosses, the officer's rank he received - these are the evidences of the courage of this hero.

Murder of man, contrary to the nature of Gregory

Gregory is magnanimous. He helps in battle, even Stepan Astakhov, his rival who dreams of killing him. Melekhov is shown by a skilful, courageous warrior. However, the murder nevertheless fundamentally contradicts the humane nature of Gregory, his vital values. He confesses to Peter that he killed a man and through him "sick of heart".

Change in the worldview under the influence of other people

Quite quickly Grigory Melekhov begins to feel disappointed and incredibly tired. At first he fearlessly fights, not reflecting on that he sheds his own and other people's blood in battles. However, life and war confront Gregory with many people who have completely different views on the world and the events taking place in it. After talking with them Melekhov begins to think about the war, as well as about the life he lives. The truth that Chewbaty bears, is that a person needs to be cut boldly. This hero easily speaks about death, about the right and possibility to deprive others of life. His Gregory listens attentively and understands that for him it is alien, so inhuman a position is unacceptable. Garanya - the hero who sowed the seeds of doubt in the soul of Gregory. He suddenly doubted the values that had previously been considered unshakable, such as the military Cossack duty and the king, who "is around our neck." Garanha makes a lot of thinking about the main character. Begins the spiritual quest of Grigory Melekhov. It is these doubts that are the beginning of Melekhov's tragic path to truth. He desperately tries to find the meaning and truth of life. The tragedy of Grigory Melekhov unfolds in a difficult time in the history of our country.

Certainly, Grigory's character is truly popular. The tragic fate of Grigory Melekhov, described by the author, even today evokes the sympathy of many readers of the "Quiet Don". Sholokhov (his portrait is presented above) managed to create a bright, strong, complex and truthful character of the Russian Cossack Grigory Melekhov.