Image and characteristics of Grigory Melekhov. The main character of Mikhail Sholokhov's novel "Quiet Don"

Quiet Don is a unique classic, the uniqueness of which lies in its heroes. The main character will be discussed in the article.

The novel “Quiet Don”, written by M. A. Sholokhov, became a great literary work of the 20th century. The book is devoted to the problems of the Russian Cossacks during the revolutionary and war periods. It reveals the problems of humanity in the era of historical events. Many broken destinies are described. The author spent more than ten years writing the novel. Some of the events and characters described in the book are taken from real life. "Quiet Don" brought Sholokhov worldwide popularity.

Image of Grigory Melekhov

Sholokhov grew up on the banks of the Don. The problems of the Cossacks were closely intertwined with his life and left their indelible, significant mark. In the work you can get acquainted in detail with the Cossack life, the features of their life. The author writes a lot about the values and principles of the Don Cossacks. It conveys to the reader how difficult it is for a freedom-loving Cossack to part with his native land and his usual way of life. The novel contains some historical events that have documentary evidence.

The central figure in the novel is the Cossack Grigory Melekhov . In this man, the author presented many diverse, contradictory qualities that personify the strength of the people's spirit. Throughout the novel, the main character intertwines the military courage of a Cossack and the sensitive soul of an ordinary person. Sholokhov does not classify the image of Grigory Melekhov as a negative or positive hero. Using the example of a Cossack and the life of his family, the author shows the complexity of the life of the Don Cossacks.

A representative of an old Cossack family was born in 1982 on the Tatar farm on the banks of the Don River into a working, wealthy family. From birth, he is instilled with a love of the land and hard work. He enjoys fishing, caring for horses, and mowing the grass. His youth passes in happy and carefree everyday life. Using the example of a duckling cut with a scythe, the author emphasizes his compassion for all living things.

Image of Melekhov

At the beginning of the novel, Gregory appears before the reader as a handsome young guy with bright appearance. Melekhov’s grandmother was Turkish, so the author points out his similarity with typical Turkish features - dark skin, curly black hair, dark eyes.
The Cossack has a high-cheekboned face with a cartilaginous nose. His gaze was like the gaze of a wild animal. His extraordinary appearance emphasizes his unique character and makes him stand out from the crowd.
Sholokhov mentions the beauty of his facial features throughout the novel. The author emphasizes Gregory’s Cossack roots with his traditional clothes - red trousers with stripes, white woolen stockings, chiriki on his legs.

Characteristics of Grigory Melekhov

Gregory had a hot temper. The blood was boiling in him, pushing him to desperate and rash actions. Melekhov always expresses his opinion and does not listen to the advice of others. The Cossack did not tolerate ridicule of himself and did not forgive them even to his relatives.

His older brother Peter becomes his life partner. In their youth, Gregory and Peter help each other with housework, and later they go to war together. The brothers' ideals differ radically. For Gregory, honor and dignity always come first. Peter did not experience any mental suffering; for him, the war opened up new prospects for his own self-realization.
Melekhov's father was a prominent representative of the indigenous Cossacks. It is he who instills valiant Cossack qualities in Gregory. Throughout the novel, the father teaches his son, but Grigory persistently pursues his goals. In conflict situations, Grigory never allows himself to be hit. During the war, the father feels proud of his son's achievements.
Living in a Cossack farm, Gregory enjoys the beauty of his native land. He is an ardent patriot of his native land: “...I will not move anywhere from the earth. Here is the steppe, there is something to breathe, but there?..” He is in complete understanding with the people around him. The heart of a young and energetic Cossack is open to selfless love. Following the lead of his passion, Melikhov is unable to stop and acts contrary to his parents’ orders.
The first significant event in Gregory’s life was his love and passion for a married woman, Aksinya. He persistently and persistently courted her. Contrary to moral principles, the Cossack was not afraid to make his feelings public. This is beneath his dignity.
The relationship between Aksinya and Gregory is perceived by the indigenous residents as a protest to the legalized traditions and mores of the Cossacks. People gloat and avoid their company.

With the woman I love

The affected honor of the family forces Father Gregory to marry his son as soon as possible. A conscientious Cossack follows the lead of his relatives and marries a girl from a wealthy family.
Grigory's wife Natalya is infinitely devoted to him and is passionately in love with her husband, but they never come to an understanding. Despite his marriage, Melekhov does not end his relationship with Aksinya.
Feelings for this woman take over and Melekhov leaves his wife, without thinking about her future fate. Gregory is always open and honest with everyone. He will not hide the truth, even if it causes great pain. Tears do not evoke compassion in him; he is able to say directly to his face about his dislike for a woman.

The Cossack’s pride does not allow him to lower his head and ask for anyone’s help. Gregory blames his father for the forced marriage. He leaves the farm together with Aksinya and builds his new independent life.

Before the outbreak of hostilities, their daughter is born, which further strengthens their relationship. Under the influence of historical events, their love ended tragically. However, throughout her life she was filled with openness and sincerity.

Love in Aksinya gave strength to Gregory in difficult times. She inspired him with hope for a bright future and returned him to his native land. Being far from home, he often recalls his happy family life in Yagodnoye.
Despite Aksinya’s betrayal with the master’s son, Melekhov will carry his feelings for her throughout his life. Memories of this woman brought him mental anguish. Any reminder of her made the Cossack’s heart beat faster.

These events are replaced by a new period in Gregory’s life. A year later, the First World War begins with his military service. Melekhov goes to war to fulfill his Cossack duty. In wartime, the characterization of Grigory Melekhov is revealed from a new side.

A film based on the brilliant work was made back in the USSR

In the service, the Cossack encounters blood, violence and cruelty for the first time. In Melekhov’s battles, on the one hand, courage and bravery are demonstrated. On the other hand, killing an enemy causes him incurable mental trauma: “... Well, I cut down a man in vain and through him, the bastard, my soul is sick. I dream at night, you bastard. Am I to blame?..”
Nobility and generosity encourage the Cossack to help the weak and defenseless. He never stands aside when injustice and violence occur. The value of human life always remains in the first place for Gregory.
At the beginning of the war, Melekhov was overwhelmed by Cossack courage and perseverance. He confidently walks the earth and is guided in his actions by unshakable life principles. Melekhov does not bend to the military and always rebuffs even his superiors. Doesn't allow you to talk to yourself rudely or command yourself.
He is overwhelmed with enormous vitality, subjugating those around him, regardless of their rank. Honor and duty are above all for Gregory. He saves the lives of his comrades more than once. Overcoming his wounds, he carried the wounded from the battlefield.
Saves his rival Stepan Astakhov from death. For his military exploits he was awarded the rank of officer and was repeatedly awarded medals. For patience and endurance he received the St. George Cross.
The first bloodshed in the war turns Melekhov’s spiritual world upside down. Killing an enemy with his own hand becomes a tragedy for him. Brings him a lot of emotional distress and pangs of conscience. The essence of his character strives to show love for the world around him.
It is alien to him to hurt people. Circumstances force you to reconsider your inner beliefs. Analyze current events and reconsider your attitude towards people around you.
The cold-blooded attitude of the Cossacks towards the deaths around them leads Melekhov to bewilderment. The humanity that filled Gregory begins to fade over time. But he could never come to terms with killing people that could have been avoided.

Grigory Melekhov in the Russian film adaptation
The cruelty and unpredictability of war gives Grigory many doubts about what is happening around him. The tragedy of Melikhov’s fate begins with remorse. Stumbling upon constant deception, he becomes confused in his aspirations and desires. The new government does not lead to the promised equality of the people.

In search of truth, Gregory rushes between different military sides and faces different ideologies. After defending the interests of the “Reds”, he switches to the position of the Budennovites, then joins the white formations. There is a complete misunderstanding of whose side is right and what ideals need to be fought for.
Grigory is disgusted by following other people’s incomprehensible instructions: “I, brother, feel that you are speaking incorrectly here, but I don’t know how to pin you down... Let’s drop this. Don’t confuse me, I’m confused without you.” There was a struggle for material values all around, but for Melekhov, value was primarily in human life.
Military events give Gregory’s character bitterness and cruelty. The feeling of compassion in him is dulled. Constantly faced with the death of people close to him, he drowns his feelings in alcohol.
In the battle against the “whites,” Melekhov witnesses brutal reprisals against prisoners of war. This event becomes a turning point in his life, “I wanted to turn away from everything that was seething with hatred, a hostile and incomprehensible world...”.
A sense of injustice undermines his military spirit. He decides not to fight anymore and leaves the squad. Soon Melekhov was returned to the military ranks. And he is again overtaken by a new shock. Unarmed soldiers are being killed before his eyes.
Gregory's psyche cannot stand it, and he returns to his native land as a deserter. As a result of persecution by the Soviet authorities, Melekhov was forced to join a Cossack gang and soon headed it. However, their military actions do not lead to success.

In battles
Without changing his position in life, being in a constant struggle for the truth, Gregory arouses suspicion and distrust among those around him. Melekhov does not find support in his ideology and this fills his heart with endless loneliness. He is increasingly drawn to a calm, peaceful life.

Throughout the war, Gregory is constantly overcome by the desire to return to his native land. His soul is torn between military duty and longing for his native land and family. The parental home and everyday work on his own land become more valuable to him than the struggle for other people's ideals. Thoughts about family overwhelm Gregory and warm him from the inside. He constantly imagines how he will harvest crops, take care of livestock, and manage the housework. Throughout the novel, life circumstances force Gregory to make a choice.

The love between Melekhov and Aksinya stands the test of time and after the war, Grigory makes new attempts towards a happy and calm life. However, he is overtaken by a new heart tragedy. Under unforeseen circumstances, his beloved woman Aksinya dies. Her death turns a brave and freedom-loving warrior into a grief-stricken man. The meaning of Gregory's existence is lost.

At the end of the novel, Melekhov leaves the military lifestyle. Shrouded in loneliness, he sees everything around him in black - black clouds and “the dazzling black disk of the sun.” He returns to his home with the hope of starting a new life on his land. Grigory finds strength to continue his existence in his son. In Mishutushka he sees the embodiment of his beloved.

Gregory with his son

The character of Grigory Melekhov attracts the reader with his humanity. The resilience and steadfastness of the people's spirit evokes amazement throughout the entire novel. The image of Gregory absorbed the best features of the Russian national character.

Grigory Melekhov in the war and his path of quest

Throughout the entire novel, Grigory Melekhov strives to find his calling, to understand the whole war, to find true happiness and to find the meaning of life. He spends his entire life in an internal search for truth.

If at first he is a daring Cossack who loves his family and Motherland, bravely fights for the land and knows his purpose in life, then by the end of the novel Gregory despairs of finding his happiness. He doesn’t understand what his calling is. He has experienced so many sad and tragic moments in his life that he does not understand why he lives and what the truth is.

Taking the path of searching for happiness, conducting a monologue with himself, he is not afraid of whispers and shame, openly loves someone else’s wife and does not consider it shameful to go to work as a farm laborer for the sake of love. At the same time, he hesitates, and, despite the fact that he loves Aksinya so much and has a good attitude towards her, he does not resist the will of his parents and marries an unloved woman.

Seeking his destiny, he goes to war without hesitation and thinks that he knows where the truth is and what he is fighting for. Melekhov Jr. valiantly defeats the enemy, receives awards and, without a doubt, kills people. Later, he begins to understand that the whole war will not bring anything good to people, and all his comrades are murderers. Then he takes the side of the reds, then hesitates and returns to the whites again. As a result, he comes to the conclusion that there are no rightists, and adults and children are dying from politics.

As a result, in search of happiness and his own path, the hero loses everything that was dear to him. The novel ends tragically. Gregory loses faith in his cause, his wife, child, lover, his parents die, his beloved brother dies. Thus, through the fate of one person, the writer emphasizes the tragedy of the entire Russian people from the civil war of 1917-1922.