What is strength of character? Folk character in Russian literature of the 19th century

Epics about Ilya Muromets

HeroIlya Muromets, son of Ivan Timofeevich and Efrosinya Yakovlevna, peasants of the village of Karacharova near Murom. The most popular character in epics, the second most powerful (after Svyatogor) Russian hero and the first Russian superman.

Sometimes a real person, the Venerable Ilya of Pechersk, nicknamed Chobotok, buried in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra and canonized in 1643, is identified with the epic Ilya of Muromets.

Years of creation. XII–XVI centuries

What's the point? Until the age of 33, Ilya lay, paralyzed, on the stove in his parents’ house, until he was miraculously healed by wanderers (“walking kalikas”). Having gained strength, he equipped his father’s farm and went to Kyiv, along the way capturing the Nightingale the Robber, who was terrorizing the surrounding area. In Kyiv, Ilya Muromets joined the squad of Prince Vladimir and found the hero Svyatogor, who gave him a treasure sword and mystical “real power”. In this episode, he demonstrated not only physical strength, but also high moral qualities, without responding 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 the Alatyr-stone, tested the young hero Dobrynya Nikitich, saved the hero Mikhail Potyk from captivity in the Saracen kingdom, defeated Idolishche, and walked with his squad to Constantinople, one defeated the army of Tsar Kalin.

Ilya Muromets was not alien to simple human joys: in one of the epic episodes, he walks around Kyiv with “tavern heads,” and his son Sokolnik was born out of wedlock, which later leads to a fight between father and son.

What it looks like. Superman. Epic stories describe Ilya Muromets as a “remote, portly, kind fellow,” he fights with a “ninety pounds” (1,440 kilograms) club!

What is he fighting for? Ilya Muromets and his squad very clearly formulate the purpose of their service:

“...to stand alone for the faith for the fatherland,

...to stand alone for Kyiv-grad,

...to stand alone for the churches for the cathedrals,

...he will take care of Prince and Vladimir.”

But Ilya Muromets is not only a statesman - he is at the same time one of the most democratic fighters against evil, as he is always ready to fight “for widows, for orphans, for poor people.”

Way of fighting. A duel with an enemy or a battle with superior enemy forces.

With what result? Despite the difficulties caused by the numerical superiority of the enemy or the disdainful attitude of Prince Vladimir and the boyars, he invariably wins.

What is it fighting against? Against 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 worked his way up from a village priest to the leader of the resistance to the church reform of Patriarch Nikon and became one of the leaders of the Old Believers, or schismatics. Avvakum is the first religious figure of such magnitude who not only suffered for his beliefs, but also described it himself.

Years of creation. Approximately 1672–1675.

What's the point? A native of a Volga village, Avvakum from his youth was distinguished by both piety and violent disposition. Having moved to Moscow, he took an active part in church educational activities, was close to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, but sharply opposed the church reforms carried out by Patriarch Nikon. With his characteristic temperament, Avvakum led a fierce struggle against Nikon, advocating for the old order of church rites. Avvakum, not at all shy in his expressions, conducted public and journalistic activities, for which he was repeatedly imprisoned, cursed and defrocked, and exiled to Tobolsk, Transbaikalia, Mezen and Pustozersk. From the place of his last exile, he continued to write appeals, for which he was imprisoned in an “earth pit.” He had many followers. Church hierarchs tried to persuade Habakkuk to renounce his “delusions,” but he remained adamant and was eventually burned.

What it looks like. One can only guess: Avvakum did not describe himself. Maybe the way the priest looks in Surikov’s painting “Boyarina Morozova” - Feodosia Prokopyevna Morozova was a faithful follower of Avvakum.

What is he fighting for? For the purity of the Orthodox faith, for the preservation of tradition.

Way of fighting. Word and deed. Avvakum wrote accusatory pamphlets, but could personally beat the buffoons who entered the village and break their musical instruments. He considered self-immolation a form of possible resistance.

With what result? Avvakum's passionate preaching against church reform made resistance to it widespread, but he himself, along with three of his comrades-in-arms, was executed in 1682 in Pustozersk.

What is it fighting against? Against the desecration of Orthodoxy by “heretical novelties”, against everything alien, “external wisdom”, that is, scientific knowledge, against entertainment. 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 about scolding anxiety and was distinguished by the brutal directness of his character. Then the influence of Poland was already beginning to exert itself on the Russian nobility. Many had already adopted Polish customs, had luxury, magnificent servants, falcons, hunters, dinners, courtyards. Taras did not like this. He loved the simple life of the Cossacks and quarreled with those of his comrades who were inclined to the Warsaw side, calling them slaves of the Polish lords. Always restless, he considered himself the legitimate defender of Orthodoxy. He arbitrarily entered villages where they only complained about the harassment of tenants and the increase in new duties on smoke. He himself carried out reprisals against them with his Cossacks and made it a rule that in three cases one should always take up the saber, namely: when the commissars did not respect the elders in any way and stood before them in their caps, when they mocked Orthodoxy and did not respect the ancestral law and, finally, when the enemies were the Busurmans and the Turks, against whom he considered in any case permissible to raise arms for the glory of Christianity.”

Year of creation. The story was first published in 1835 in the collection “Mirgorod”. The 1842 edition, in which, in fact, we all read Taras Bulba, differs significantly from the original version.

What's the point? All his life, the dashing Cossack Taras Bulba has been fighting for the liberation of Ukraine from its oppressors. He, the glorious chieftain, cannot bear the thought that his own children, flesh of his flesh, may not follow his example. Therefore, Taras kills Andria’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, does not show cowardice and does not renounce high ideals. Taras himself dies like Joan of Arc, having previously given Russian culture the immortal phrase: “There is no bond holier than comradeship!”

What it looks like. He is extremely heavy and fat (20 pounds, equivalent to 320 kg), gloomy eyes, very white eyebrows, mustache and forelock.

What is he fighting for? For the liberation of the Zaporozhye Sich, for independence.

Way of fighting. Hostilities.

With what result? With deplorable. Everyone died.

What is it fighting against? Against the oppressor Poles, the foreign yoke, police despotism, old-world landowners and court satraps.

4. Stepan Paramonovich Kalashnikov

“Song about Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, the young guardsman and the daring merchant Kalashnikov”

Hero. Stepan Paramonovich Kalashnikov, merchant class. Trades silks - with varying 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's the point? Lermontov was not keen on 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 was rich only in the heroes of its time, but heroes for all times should be sought in the deep past. There, in Moscow, Ivan the Terrible was found (or rather, invented) a hero with the now common name Kalashnikov. The young guardsman Kiribeevich falls in love with his wife and attacks her at night, persuading her to surrender. The next day, the offended husband challenges the guardsman to a fist fight and kills him with one blow. For the murder of his beloved guardsman and for the fact that Kalashnikov refuses to name the reason for his action, Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich orders the execution of the young merchant, but does not leave his widow and children with mercy and care. Such is royal justice.

What it looks like.

“His falcon eyes are burning,

He looks intently at the guardsman.

He becomes opposite to him,

He pulls on his combat gloves,

He straightens his mighty shoulders.”

What is he fighting for? For the honor of his woman and family. Neighbors saw Kiribeevich's attack on Alena Dmitrievna, and now she cannot appear in front of honest people. Although, going into battle with the oprichnik, Kalashnikov solemnly declares that he is fighting “for the holy mother truth.” But the heroes sometimes distort.

Way of fighting. Fatal fist fight. Essentially a murder in broad daylight in front of thousands of witnesses.

With what result?

“And they executed Stepan Kalashnikov

A cruel, shameful death;

And the little head is mediocre

She rolled onto the chopping block covered in blood.”

But they buried Kiribeevich too.

What is it fighting against? Evil in the poem is personified by the guardsman with the foreign patronymic Kiribeevich, and also a relative of Malyuta Skuratov, that is, the enemy squared. Kalashnikov calls him “son of Basurman,” hinting at his enemy’s lack of Moscow registration. And this person of Eastern nationality delivers the first (aka the last) blow not to the merchant’s face, but to the Orthodox cross with relics from Kyiv, which hangs on the brave chest. He says to Alena Dmitrievna: “I am not some kind of thief, a forest murderer, / I am a servant of the Tsar, the terrible Tsar...” - that is, he hides behind the highest mercy. So Kalashnikov’s heroic act is nothing more than a deliberate murder motivated by national hatred. Lermontov, who himself participated in the Caucasian campaigns and wrote a lot about the wars with the Chechens, was close to the theme of “Moscow for Muscovites” in its anti-Basurman context.

5. Danko “Old Woman Izergil”

Hero Danko. Biography unknown.

“In the old days, there lived only people in the world; impenetrable forests surrounded the camps of these people on three sides, and on the fourth there was the steppe. These were cheerful, strong and brave people... Danko is one of those people..."

Year of creation. The short story “Old Woman Izergil” was first published in Samara Gazeta in 1895.

What's the point? Danko is the fruit of the uncontrollable imagination of the same old woman Izergil, after whom Gorky’s short story is named. A sultry Bessarabian old woman with a rich past tells a beautiful legend: during her time there was a redistribution of property - there was a showdown between two tribes. Not wanting to stay in the occupied territory, one of the tribes went into the forest, but there the people experienced mass depression, because “nothing - neither work nor women, exhausts the bodies and souls of people as much as sad thoughts exhaust.” 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 it looks like.“Danko... a handsome young man. Beautiful people are always brave.”

What is he fighting for? Go figure. In order to get out of the forest and thereby ensure freedom for his people. It is unclear where the guarantee is that freedom is exactly where the forest ends.

Way of fighting. An unpleasant physiological operation, indicating a masochistic personality. Self-dismemberment.

With what result? With duality. He got out of the forest, but died immediately. Sophisticated abuse of one’s own body is not in vain. The hero did not receive gratitude for his feat: his heart, torn out of his chest with his own hands, was trampled under someone’s heartless heel.

What is it fighting against? Against collaboration, conciliation and sycophancy before conquerors.

6. Colonel Isaev (Stirlitz)

A body of texts, from “Diamonds for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat” to “Bombs for the Chairman,” the most important of the novels is “Seventeen Moments of Spring”

Hero. Vsevolod Vladimirovich Vladimirov, aka Maxim Maksimovich Isaev, aka Max Otto von Stirlitz, aka Estilitz, Bolzen, Brunn. An employee of the press service of the Kolchak government, an underground security officer, an intelligence officer, a history professor, exposing a conspiracy of Nazi followers.

Years of creation. Novels about Colonel Isaev were created over 24 years - from 1965 to 1989.

What's the point? In 1921, the security officer Vladimirov liberated 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 saves 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 - to disrupt separate negotiations between Germany and the West. In Berlin, the hero carries out his difficult task, simultaneously saving the radio operator Kat, the end of the war is already close, and the Third Reich is collapsing to the song “Seventeen Moments of April” by Marika Rekk. In 1945, Stirlitz was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

What it looks like. From the party description of von Stirlitz, a member of the NSDAP since 1933, SS Standartenführer (VI Department of the RSHA): “A true Aryan. Character - Nordic, seasoned. Maintains good relationships with workmates. Fulfills his official duty impeccably. Merciless towards the enemies of the Reich. An excellent athlete: Berlin tennis champion. Single; he was not noticed in any connections that discredited him. Recognized with awards from the Fuhrer and commendations from the Reichsfuhrer SS..."

What is he fighting for? For the victory of communism. It’s unpleasant to admit this to yourself, but in some situations - for the homeland, for Stalin.

Way of fighting. Intelligence and espionage, sometimes the deductive method, ingenuity, dexterity and camouflage.

With what result? On the one hand, he saves everyone who needs it and successfully carries out subversive activities; reveals secret intelligence networks and defeats the main enemy - Gestapo chief Müller. However, the Soviet country, for whose honor and victory he is fighting, thanks its hero in its 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 leaves prison only after Beria's death.

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 Gumilev, symbolist poet, superman, conquistador, member of the Order of the Fifth Rome, maker of Soviet history and fearless dragon slayer.

Year of creation. 1997

What's the point? Nikolai Gumilyov was not shot in 1921 in the dungeons of the Cheka. He was saved from execution by Yakov Wilhelmovich (or James William Bruce), a representative of the secret order of the Fifth Rome, created in the 13th century. Having acquired the gift of immortality and power, Gumilyov strides through the history of the 20th century, generously leaving his traces in it. He puts Marilyn Monroe to bed, simultaneously building chickens for Agatha Christie, gives valuable advice to Ian Fleming, due to his absurd character, he starts a duel with Mayakovsky and, leaving his cold corpse in Lubyansky Proezd, runs away, leaving the police and literary scholars to compose a version of suicide. He takes part in a writers' convention and becomes addicted to xerion, a magical drug based on dragon blood that gives immortality to members of the order. Everything would be fine - the problems begin later, when evil dragon forces begin to threaten not only the world in general, but the Gumilyov family: his wife Annushka and son Styopa.

What is he fighting for? First for goodness and beauty, then he no longer has time for lofty ideas - he simply saves his wife and son.

Way of fighting. Gumilyov participates in an unimaginable number of battles and battles, masters hand-to-hand combat techniques and all types of firearms. True, to achieve special sleight of hand, fearlessness, omnipotence, invulnerability and even immortality, he has to throw in xerion.

With what result? Nobody knows this. 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 fans of Lazarchuk-Uspensky, and secondly, and this is the most important thing, they also do not offer the reader a solution.

What is it fighting against? Having learned about the real causes of the disasters that befell the world in the 20th century, he struggles primarily with these misfortunes. In other words, with a civilization of evil lizards.

8. Vasily Terkin

"Vasily Terkin"

Hero. Vasily Terkin, reserve private, infantryman. Originally from near Smolensk. Single, no children. He has an award for the totality of his feats.

Years of creation. 1941–1945

What's the point? Contrary to popular belief, the need for such a hero appeared even before the Great Patriotic War. Tvardovsky came up with Terkin during the Finnish campaign, where he, together with the Pulkins, Mushkins, Protirkins and other characters in newspaper feuilletons, fought with the White Finns for the Motherland. So Terkin entered 1941 as an 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 was surrounded three times, conquered high and low heights, led battles 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 it definitely did not attract girls. Tvardovsky even appealed to his readers to love his hero - just like that, from the heart. After all, Soviet heroes do not have the dexterity of James Bond.

What it looks 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 liberator soldier, 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 mentions the Soviet government - no matter what happens.

Way of fighting. 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?. He came close to death several times. He was supposed to receive a medal, but due to a typo in the list, the hero never received the award.

But imitators found it: by the end of the war, almost every company already had its own Terkin, and some had two.

What is it fighting against? First against the Finns, then against the Nazis, and sometimes also 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 the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department, Petrovka’s best analyst, a brilliant operative, investigating serious crimes in the manner of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.

Years of creation. 1992–2006

What's the point? The work of an operative involves difficult everyday life (the first evidence of this is the television series “Streets of Broken Lights”). But Nastya Kamenskaya finds it difficult to rush around the city and catch bandits in dark alleys: she is lazy, in poor health and loves peace more than anything else. Because of this, she periodically has difficulties in relations with management. Only her first boss and teacher, nicknamed Kolobok, had unlimited faith in her analytical abilities; to others, she has to prove that she best investigates bloody crimes by sitting in her office, drinking coffee and analyzing, analyzing.

What it looks like. Tall, thin blonde, expressionless facial features. He never wears cosmetics and prefers discreet, comfortable clothes.

What is he fighting for? Definitely not for a modest police salary: knowing five foreign languages ​​and having some connections, Nastya could leave Petrovka at any moment, but she doesn’t. It turns out that he is fighting for the triumph of law and order.

Way of fighting. First of all, analytics. But sometimes Nastya has to change her habits and go out on the warpath on her own. In this case, acting skills, the art of transformation and feminine charm are used.

With what result? Most often - with brilliant results: criminals are exposed, caught, punished. But in rare cases, some of them manage to escape, 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, there are clearly more successful endings so far.

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 the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878, serve in the diplomatic corps in Japan and displease Nicholas II. He rose to the rank of state councilor and resigned. Private detective and consultant to various influential people since 1892. Phenomenally lucky in everything, especially in gambling. Single. Has a number of children and other descendants.

Years of creation. 1998–2006

What's the point? The turn of the 20th–21st centuries once again turned out to be an era that is looking for heroes in the past. Akunin found his defender of the weak and oppressed in the gallant 19th century, but in that professional sphere that is becoming especially popular right now - in the special services. Of all Akunin's stylizing endeavors, Fandorin is the most charming and therefore 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 before, since 2000 everyone has been trying to do away with his hero and write the last novel about him. "Coronation" is subtitled "The Last of the Romances"; “Death's Lover” and “Death's Mistress,” written after it, were published as a bonus, but then it became clear that Fandorin’s readers would not let go so easily. The people need, they need, an elegant detective who knows languages ​​and is wildly popular with women. Not all “Cops”, indeed!

What it looks like.“He was a very handsome young man, with black hair (of which he was secretly proud) and blue (alas, it would have been better if he had also been black) eyes, quite tall, with white skin and a damned, ineradicable blush on his cheeks.” After the misfortune he experienced, his appearance acquires an intriguing detail for ladies - gray temples.

What is he fighting for? For an enlightened monarchy, order and legality. Fandorin dreams of a new Russia - ennobled in the Japanese style, with firmly and reasonably established laws and their scrupulous implementation. About Russia, which did not go through the Russo-Japanese and the First World War, revolution and civil war. That is, about the Russia that could be if we had enough luck and common sense to build it.

Way of fighting. 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 of did not happen. So globally he suffers a crushing defeat. And in small things too: those whom he tries to save most often die, and the criminals never end up behind bars (they die, or pay off the trial, 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, bombing revolutionaries, nihilists and socio-political chaos, which can occur in Russia 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

National character in the works of A.I. Solzhenitsyn.

The main theme of A.I.’s creativity Solzhenitsyn is an exposure of the totalitarian system, proof of the impossibility of human existence in it.

In such conditions, according to A.I. Solzhenitsyn, the Russian national character is most clearly manifested. The people retain their fortitude and moral ideals under such circumstances - this is their greatness. It should be noted that Solzhenitsyn’s heroes combine the utmost tragedy of existence and love of life, just as the writer’s work combines tragic motives and hope for a better life, for the strength of the people’s spirit.

Purely folk characters are shown by the writer in the stories “Matryonin’s Dvor” and “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” in the images of the old woman Matryona and the prisoner Shch-854 Shukhov. Solzhenitsyn’s understanding of the people’s character is much broader than these two images and includes the features of not only the “common man,” but also representatives of other strata of society. But it was in these two images that the author showed what creates the true power of Russia, what Rus' rests on. Although Solzhenitsyn’s heroes experienced many deceptions and disappointments in life, both Matryona and Ivan Denisovich retain amazing integrity, strength and simplicity of character. By their existence, they seem to say that Russia exists, there is hope for revival.

The story “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” is not only a description of one day in our history, but also a story about the resistance of the human spirit to violence. Ivan Denisovich retains human dignity in this terrible, upside-down world. At the same time, Solzhenitsyn’s camp is not just a real camp, but a symbol of the embodiment of evil, hatred, and violence.

The condition for survival is resistance to the camp order. And the whole plot of the story is a story about the resistance of a living person to the inanimate, of a person to the camp. Ivan Denisovich strives not just for physical survival, but for spiritual survival through all the temptations of the camp. Shukhov is not alone; with him in this fight the kavtorang, the convict X-123, Alyoshka the Baptist, Senka Klevshin, and the foreman Tyurin win. They are not one of those who “die: who lick bowls, who rely on the medical unit, and who go to knock on their godfather.”

The camp oppresses a person at every step and makes any human action meaningless. This world is not compatible with any reasonable work. Therefore, most prisoners approach work like this: “if you do it for people, give quality, if you do it for the boss, give it show.” In Shukhov, the people's spirit of hard work is preserved. A peasant son, like the entire generation of his ancestors, cannot work carelessly. His work involves confronting the camp. Because Ivan Denisovich and partly the entire Tyurin brigade work conscientiously, skillfully and quickly, he resists the unfreedom of the camp. “This is how Shukhov is built in a stupid way, and in eight years of camp they can’t wean him off: he spares every thing and every labor so that they don’t disappear in vain.” The foreman, laughing, says to Shukhov, drawing attention to his persistent desire to finish the work after the shift: “The prison will cry without you!”

Ivan Denisovich has another characteristic national feature - defending his inner freedom. He tries to internally depend on the camp regime as little as possible, to belong to himself for at least a few minutes. “Do not expose yourself” to the camp anywhere - this is Ivan Denisovich’s resistance tactics. “The moment is ours! Until the authorities figure it out...” - Shukhov’s principle. So, under the threat of ten days in a punishment cell, he carries a “piece of hacksaw blade” on a “shmona” - this is his income, bread.

Ivan Denisovich is simple, open, natural, conscientious, accustomed to “taking everything upon himself.” He “did not give to anyone or take from anyone, and did not learn in the camp.” Shukhov lives by the principle of not bothering anyone, relying only on himself. He “understands life and doesn’t give a damn about other people’s goods.” This is the inner essence of the Russian peasant - a man of deep folk breed. In the story we see how the simple Russian peasant Shukhov speaks, thinks, and acts. The camp shows us the wastefulness of the people’s forces: Shukhov has “an eight-year-old reel to unwind,” foreman Tyurin, a peasant son, has been imprisoned for nineteen years, and “Kildigeu has been given twenty-five.” At the same time, “there is no time to think: How did you sit down? How will you get out?” All prisoners were torn from the very depths of Russian folk life. The absurd spirit of the camp can only be resisted by a healthy folk instinct of self-preservation, an innate moral sense.

Ivan Denisovich has no hatred for anyone. He even sees the camp’s victims in the guards. The guards, Russian people, are busy with meaningless work.

The story ends with an argument between Ivan Denisovich and Alyosha the Baptist. Alyoshka finds solace in God. Shukhov does not have this consolation: he is a man of this world and does not want to be content with the consciousness of his righteousness. An earthly man, the peasant Shukhov, cannot agree with this.

In search of the people's character, Solzhenitsyn looks into “the very interior of Russia” and finds a character that perfectly preserves itself in the vague, inhuman conditions of reality. Shukhov forgets himself in his work, giving it his all.

It is this work that saves him from the inhumane world. It brings “enlightenment”, returns “good mood”.

According to Solzhenitsyn, independence, openness, sincerity, and goodwill towards people, both their own and strangers, are natural for the national character.

The merit of A.I. Solzhenitsyn's portrayal of the people's national character lies in the fact that he lowered the schematic image of the common man from heroic notes. Russia, according to Solzhenitsyn, will stand as long as the hut of the righteous Matryona stands “in the middle of the sky.” He showed that the power of Russia is created not by a man-monument, but by millions of humble Ivanov Denisovichs. Russia.

A strong character is not formed overnight; one is not born with it, although the inclinations may be there from birth. A person who has developed a strong character sets difficult goals for himself and achieves them, and all difficulties for a strong personality are only a way to deeply know oneself.

What does strong character mean?

Strength of character, how is it expressed, why can we say about one person that he has a strong character, but about another not? Everyone has a character in itself, but a strong character is a set of human qualities that allows him to have his own firm position in life, not to deviate from what he has planned, to be able to overcome difficult periods in life with self-confidence and not to give up.

Strong Character Traits

All the strong character qualities of a woman or man imply all those positive properties and traits that are inherent in a person as a whole. It cannot be said that certain qualities, and only these, form a strong character. Each person has his own set of life circumstances that make him strong. But in general, we can list the following qualities that contribute to the development of a strong-willed, strong character:

• determination;
• courage;
• high motivation;
• ambition;
• the desire to become better and change the world.

A man has a strong character

A person's character strengths do not just appear out of nowhere. How a person builds his life path consciously or simply goes with the flow, the formation of his character depends on this. Men are characterized by purposefulness, straightforwardness and great activity; they are more prepared for the harsh trials of life than the fair half of humanity. Male strong character, how it is expressed:

• follows its purpose;
• achieves success in his chosen field;
• respected in society;
• with his determination and personal success he contributes to the development of society, being an example to follow;
• has courage and an iron will;
• compassionate towards the misfortunes of others;
• is honest with himself and others;
• true to his goal, ideal, family.

A woman with a strong character

Who is a woman or girl with a strong character - psychological portrait:

• she is independent;
• focused on cooperation with others, sees strength in this;
• knows how to take care of his needs in a timely manner;
• trusts his thoughts, feelings;
• understands and accepts that others have the right to be themselves;
• appreciates the help of others;
• endures difficulties with dignity and supports others in difficult moments.

A child with a strong character

How to recognize a child with the makings of a strong character and will? Child's strong character - behavior:

• difficulties arise when you need to force a child to do something that he does not want until he decides to do it himself;
• strives to make decisions himself;
• and anger - as character traits;
• If a child is busy with something and it doesn’t work out, he reacts very emotionally, but strives to figure it out and bring it to the end.

Strong character - examples

Strength of character and strong will allow people to perform heroic deeds, change society for the better and leave a memory of themselves for many centuries. In the history of mankind there are many examples of such people with strong character:

How to develop a strong character?

First, you need to set a goal to develop your strengths. You don’t need to start moving mountains right away, otherwise your motivation will quickly burn out. How to become stronger in character, recommendations from psychologists:

• remember an important rule: “all responsibility for your life lies entirely with you”;
• develop a positive outlook on surrounding events and phenomena;
• believe in yourself in any situation and be above your fears;
• understand that difficulties and obstacles are the next step towards development;
• maintain your physical fitness: moderate physical activity and proper nutrition are an integral part of developing a strong character;
• gradually, step by step, turn your weaknesses into strengths, ruthlessly saying goodbye to bad habits.

Quotes about strong character

Aphorisms and sayings of famous writers and philosophers become mottos in life for many people, helping to overcome difficult periods. Quotes about strong character:

• A strong character must be combined with flexibility of mind (L. Vauvenargues);
• Man himself is the final creator of his character (L. Lopatin);
• A strong character, like a strong stream, encounters an obstacle, only becomes irritated and intensifies even more, but at the same time, having overturned the obstacle, it creates a deep channel for itself (K. Ushinsky);
• Character consists of the ability to act according to principles (I. Kant);
• Talents are formed in peace, characters are formed amid the storms of life (I. Goethe).

Films about strong character

All people have ups and downs, but the strong differ from the weak in that they consider obstacles and difficulties an integral part of their path, while weak people quickly give up at the first difficulties. Movies about strength, character, watching which will help you get out of the period of despair and start taking action. :

1. "Cast Away". He, the main character, who lived an ordinary human life, had to face a different reality of existence, when every day is a struggle for survival. Thus, in a difficult trial, the hero’s strong character blossoms and courage and perseverance come to the surface.

1. "Soul Surfer". An autobiographical film about the girl Bethany Hamilton, a surfer at the age of 13 who lost her arm in a shark attack while training. This ordeal did not dampen her desire to compete alongside able-bodied surfers.

1. "Jobs: Empire of Temptation / Jobs". This name needs no introduction. The film is about the formation, ups and downs of life and the strong character of the Apple founder.

1. "The Pursuit of Happiness". The biography of Chris Gernet, a millionaire and philanthropist who went from a homeless single father and aspiring sales representative to a successful broker.

1. "Gone With the Wind". Strong in character and independent, Scarlett O'Hara accepts all trials as a challenge from fate, because she is the mistress of her life.

Strong character - books

Books about strength of character give readers an example and inspire them to achieve their goals. Books about a strong-willed character:

1. "Guide to life. How to achieve your goals, learn to overcome obstacles and forge a strong character” B. Grylls. A famous traveler and conqueror of difficult mountain peaks shares his experience on how to become a strong and purposeful person.
2. “Born with character” by E. Belonoshchenko. A book for parents on how to recognize in a child the will to overcome obstacles, his desire to know himself.
3. "The Hunger Games" by S. Collins. A fictional trilogy about a strong girl, Katniss, who became this way thanks to harsh life circumstances.
4. "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. What 4,000 hours in orbit taught me" K. Hadfield. A bestseller about perseverance, strength of spirit and character with humor and kindness of the author.
5. "Frida Kahlo" by J. Herrera. This amazing woman, artist, little fragile, went through difficult trials of fate and became a strong, famous personality.

In literature, men rule the show: writers, heroes, villains. But aren't women less interesting and talented? We have chosen several heroines who inspire with intelligence, ingenuity, strong character and kindness.

Women and goddesses from ancient literature

Scheherazade overcame toxic masculinity before the term even existed. The Persian king Shahryar was faced with the infidelity of his first wife and his brother's wife and decided that all women were vicious libertines. Since he still couldn’t do without women, he decided to take innocent girls as wives and execute them after their first wedding night. The smart and beautiful daughter of the vizier, Scheherazade, decided to rid the country of the tyranny of such misogyny. She came to the king as a new bride. And then you know: she began to tell an interesting story and cut it off at the most intriguing moment. Curiosity took possession of Shahryar, and he kept the girl alive until the next night. This went on for a thousand days (almost three years!), during which time Scheherazade gave birth to three children. When she finally fell at his feet and asked to save her life for the sake of their common sons, Shahriyar replied that he had pardoned her a long time ago. This is how the narrator’s courage, intelligence and skill saved many innocent lives.

Elizabeth. "Pride and Prejudice "

Witty and observant, Elizabeth captivated not only the unapproachable and proud Mr. Darcy, but also millions of readers around the world. She loves her family very much, especially her sisters, whom she tries to protect. She is even more offended to see the shortcomings of her parents, but she does not try to change the people close to her or rebel: she only wants to find an acceptable place for herself in her contemporary society.

Scarlett O'Hara. "Gone With the Wind "

Bright, capricious and eccentric, Scarlett evokes conflicting feelings among readers. Many believe that she herself was to blame for her misfortunes and was generally an obnoxious woman. The writer Margaret Mitchell herself had an ambivalent attitude towards her heroine. But beautiful and strong women who are not used to losing often infuriate others. Unlike men: they are praised for the same qualities. Still, it’s worth admiring the strength of spirit of the green-eyed Irish woman: she survived the civil war, the death of her parents and hardships, coping with all the hardships herself.

Margarita. "Master and Margarita "

A beautiful woman who chose love with a poor artist over a profitable marriage. For his sake, she was humiliated, made a deal with the devil and took revenge on the offenders of her betrothed. Some see sacrifice in Margarita, but we know that she understood well for whom she risked everything. She inspires admiration for the strength of her love and courage.

Pippi Longstocking. Cycle of stories

Astrid Lindgren was such a prankster and did not hesitate to break the far-fetched rules of decency. For example, she made a daring attempt to walk from her native Vimmerby to Lake Vättern (a distance of 300 kilometers) in the company of five women and completely without male help. Believe me, for Sweden at that time it was a challenge! It's no surprise that her heroines also make boring people itch. Pippi Longstocking easily violates social norms and infuriates adults: she goes to bed whenever she wants, keeps a horse on the balcony, beats thieves, and generally lives without parental supervision. Real moms and dads are also annoyed by her: there were even complaints that because of Pippi, children “have the opportunity to find a socially acceptable outlet for aggression against their parents.” But the children like her because she can do everything they would like, but will not do for fear of the “big ones.” The fact that Pippi has become so popular only speaks of the longing for spontaneous, bright heroines, headstrong and funny.

Hermione. Series of books about Harry Potter

How can you not love Hermione? We spend our entire (and her) childhood with her. We meet her as a little girl who is very smart and wants to be as good as everyone else in her class. After all, she immediately realized that it would be more difficult for her, because she did not know those things that children of wizards know from childhood. She makes friends, falls in love, becomes stronger before our eyes. Hermione learns from her mistakes: after the story with the windbag Lockhart, she does not trust everyone, but only those who deserve her respect. She is brave and knows how to sympathize with the weak, and now she has an emotional range that is clearly wider than that of a toothpick.

The term “,” introduced by Karl Leonhard back in the 60s of the 20th century, means a pronounced strengthening of individual character traits or their totality, not reaching the degree of psychopathy. Accented individuals, unlike patients with psychopathy, are well oriented in most social situations and are sufficiently adapted to life in society.

Conflict situations and vivid manifestations of their characterological characteristics are possible only in a small number of situations, called the “place of least resistance.” Moreover, in other areas of life they may be even more adaptable than unaccented individuals.

“A “psychopathic triad” of signs is described that are characteristic only of severe personality disorders and make it possible to distinguish personality accentuation from psychopathy. This is the immutability of character manifestations in all life situations, its constancy over time and a violation of social adaptation.”

Often the maximum manifestations of character accentuation occur in adolescence and smooth out as they grow older. traditionally divided into obvious and hidden. Explicit accentuation of character is the extreme limit of the norm, accompanied by constant manifestations of accentuated traits, but not leading to social maladjustment. People with hidden accentuation may not show characteristic features at all in everyday life. Hidden accentuation becomes apparent only in crisis situations affecting vulnerable aspects of the individual. These types of accentuations can transform into one another depending on life situations.

Pure types of character accentuation are rare; in most cases, manifestations of several types are mixed, forming an individual picture of the personality. You can read more about the characteristics of accentuated personalities in our article on this topic.

Due to the fact that many psychologists have dealt with the issue of accentuated personalities, there are several options for their typologies. Our most common typology is A.E. Lichko. Karl Leonhard's typology is used a little less frequently. Find out whether you have accentuation and what type the corresponding test will help. The type of character accentuation in different classifications may have a different name, but its characteristics and “places of least resistance” will remain unchanged. Depending on your results, you can choose ways to respond more effectively in adverse situations.

Factors in the formation of character accentuations

In the formation of an accentuated character, there is undoubtedly the influence of innate personality characteristics and hereditary factors. However, even in the presence of a genetic predisposition, accentuation does not always occur. The appearance of pronounced personality traits is influenced by the following factors:

• Characteristics of the social environment. This is especially important in childhood, when the child blindly copies the behavior of adults, adopting their characteristic ways of responding.
• Conditions of education. Deforming types of upbringing include overprotection and insufficient attention, excessive demands on the child, cruel treatment, lack of emotional contact with him, fulfilling all the child’s whims, creating a “cult of illness,” and conflicting demands in upbringing.
• Communication crisis in adolescents. At this age, the breadth of interactions with others significantly exceeds the psychological competence of the individual, which can lead to psychological discomfort and its compensation by accentuation of character.
• Inability to satisfy personal needs. Obstacles in achieving them, an authoritarian management style in a school or family increase the likelihood of accentuations.
• Disharmonious ideas about oneself. These include an unformed opinion about oneself, an inferiority complex, and an inadequate level of demands.
• Lack of interests, goals, lack of formulated ideas about needs and social norms, as well as ways to achieve them. This factor is very relevant in adolescence.
• Health status. Chronic diseases, especially pathology of the nervous system, congenital or acquired physical defects.
• Professional activity can also have a strong influence on personality traits. Professional deformations of character are often noticed among doctors, teachers, actors, and military personnel.

Accentuation of character using the example of literary characters and film heroes