Mikhail Koshevoy as the ideological antipode of Grigory Melekhov. Characteristics of the hero Mishka Koshevoy, Quiet Don, Sholokhov

Introduction

Mikhail Koshevoy in the novel "Quiet Flows the Don" is originally a minor person. But gradually his image comes to the fore. It is this, at first, insignificant character that plays a decisive role in the fate of a number of central heroes of the work.

Description of Mikhail Koshevoy

In the first part of The Quiet Flows the Don, Mishka Koshevoy appears before us as an ordinary farm boy with a naive, even somewhat childish, expression on his face and amused eyes. It is on the eyes of the hero that Sholokhov draws the reader's attention. Dark in the first book, they suddenly become "unsmiling", "blue and cold as ice" in the third.

During the war years, “Mikhail’s face matured and, as it were, faded.” The hero hardens, frowns, and often grits his teeth. Koshevoi "jerked up his eyes, and they looked straight into the pupils of the enemy, pierced into them." His dull eyes briefly revive only when he looks at Mishatka and Dunyashka. "The fires of admiration and caress flashed in them for a moment and went out."

Characteristics of Mikhail Koshevoy

In peacetime, Koshevoy behaves like his peers. Lives with the care of the economy, takes part in the entertainment of the farm youth. Participation in Shtokman's circle changes his outlook on life. Mishka is imbued with the ideas of a visiting member of the RSDLP and unconditionally takes the side of the Soviet government. Unlike Grigory Melekhov, Koshevoy does not doubt for a moment which side he is on. His devotion to the ideas of the party gradually reaches fanaticism, and the hero becomes completely hardened. The feeling of class hatred displaces everything universal from his soul. The final rebirth of Koshevoy occurs after he learns about the death of his comrades. “After the murder of Shtokman, after Mishka heard a rumor about the death of Ivan Alekseevich and the Yelan communists, Mishka’s heart was dressed with burning hatred for the Cossacks. He no longer thought, did not listen to the hated voice of pity, when a captured rebel Cossack fell into his hands. He kills, burns houses. Particularly indicative are the scenes of Koshevoy's participation in a punitive expedition to the village of Karginskaya, where he personally let the "red kochet" into 150 houses.

Michael was not naturally cruel. He says that, unlike other Cossacks, he cannot even slaughter a pig. But, the opponents of the new government for him are no longer people. In his opinion, they live in vain in the world, Koshevoy has a “firm hand” on them. It is characteristic that the word "enemy" constantly sounds in the hero's speech. He sees enemies everywhere. Even Dunyasha, the person closest to him, he is ready to throw out of his life just because she spoke unflatteringly about the Communists. “If you say this again - you and I don’t live together, just know it!

Your words are the enemy’s…” – declares Koshevoy.

Koshevoy and Melekhov

It is difficult to develop Koshevoy's relationship in the "Quiet Don" with the Melekhov family. He personally shoots the captive Peter, kills the matchmaker of the Melekhovs, grandfather Grishaka Korshunov, and sets fire to his house, insists on the arrest of his former comrade Grigory. For all that, he does not feel guilty for what he did. For him, they are not fellow villagers with whom he lived side by side for so many years, but class enemies. Mishka tells Ilyinichna, who reproaches him for killing his grandfather: “I can’t kill an animal ... but a dirty trick, like this matchmaker of yours or some other enemy, I can do as much as I like!” To the accusations of killing Peter, he replies that Peter would have done the same to him if they had switched places.

It is interesting that it is Koshevoy, who brought so much grief to the Melekhovs, who undertakes to improve her life. He, having come to Ilyinichna's house as Dunya's fiancé, puts up a wattle fence, mends a longboat, and helps with mowing. But, despite these seemingly positive moments, in his soul he is not able to understand and accept someone else's position. He considers Dunyasha's mother, who calls him a "murderer", "a furious old woman." He hates Mishka and Gregory, who, even after everything that happened, opens his arms to him, considering Koshevoy his own.

If in the first three books Mishka still shows uncertainty, sometimes even confusion, then they completely disappear in the fourth book, when Koshevoy becomes chairman of the farm revolutionary committee. The only feeling he has for his fellow villagers is anger because they do not want to unconditionally accept the new government, as he himself did.

Conclusion

Positive or negative character Koshevoy? From a political point of view, of course, yes. After all, it is difficult to imagine a more devoted fighter for a brighter future. But, if you look at the hero from a universal position, it becomes scary. What bright future can be built by a fanatic who has neither understanding nor compassion in his soul?

Artwork test

Even Dunyashka, the only native person, Koshevoy gives a stern warning due to the fact that she spoke unflatteringly about the Reds: “if you ever say that, you and I won’t live together, just know it! Your words are the enemy's…” All this characterizes fanaticism, uncompromisingness of his positions.

Koshevoy's ruthlessness does not come from natural cruelty, as, for example, with Mitka Korshunov, but is dictated and explained by him by the class struggle. Mother, killed by him, Peter Melekhov, Mishka says: “... There is no reason for my eyes to squint! And if Petro caught me, what would he do? Do you think you would kiss the poppy head? He would have killed me too…”

But all this does not bring the necessary harmony into the image of Koshevoy, and in the minds of readers he remains a negative hero. Mikhail Koshevoy is the embodiment of loyalty to the party, but on the scale of human values, he is lower than Grigory. Once, having heard that Mikhail was threatened with death at the hands of the Cossacks, Grigory, not thinking about his own danger, rushes to his aid: “... Blood has fallen between us, but are we not strangers?”181 If he constantly hesitates in the political struggle, then this happens because he is true to himself, human dignity, decency.

Mikhail, who humbly asks the farmer Soldatov not to extradite him, "eyes ran in confusion ...". Returning from Veshenskaya to the Tatarsky farm, and still not knowing what was happening there, Koshevoy hesitated: “What should I do? What if we are in such a mess? Koshevoi was sad with his eyes ... "Later, when he escaped from the death that threatened him in the farm," he remembered how they took him prisoner, his defenselessness, his rifle left in the hallway - painfully blushed to tears ... ".

But a simple, cheerful village guy changes dramatically during the turbulent years and turns from a secondary image into one of the main characters.

“I’ll do it, namesake, by God I’ll do it, just leave the crumbs, otherwise the chips don’t get into your eyes,” Koshevoy persuaded him, chuckling and thinking in amazement: “Well, how similar, imp ... spitting image of dad! And the eyes and eyebrows, and the upper lip also raises ... What a job! Here direct speech and internal monologue help to present the simultaneous good nature and amazement on Koshevoy's face without any instructions from the author.

The image of Mikhail Koshevoy reflects how the revolutionary changes in life influenced the development of the character of the hero for changes, his moral qualities.

In the first book, where peaceful life is depicted, Mikhail Koshevoy, a friend of Grigory Melekhov, a member of the Shtokman circle, is almost not shown in action. The author only sketches his portrait. “He was stocky, equally broad in the shoulders and hips, which is why he seemed square; on a strong cast-iron abutment sat a dense, in a brick blush, neck, and a small head, beautiful in planting, with female outlines of matte cheeks, a small stubborn mouth and dark eyes under a golden lump of curly hair, looked strange on this neck ... "Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 1. - M.: Pravda, 1975. - S. 141. Courageous features are combined here with gentle features. Mikhail Sholokhov emphasizes Koshevoy's childishness and affectionateness. So, for example, he is affectionate in dealing with women. When Knave in a conversation called Marya Bogatyreva a dissolute hero, “Mikhail, smiling languidly and gently, corrected him: - Not dissolute, but cheerful” Sholokhov M.A. Collected Works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 2. - M. : Pravda, 1975. - S. 303 ..

But a simple, cheerful village guy changes dramatically during the turbulent years and turns from a secondary image into one of the main characters.

Narrating the events of 1918, the author notes that during the war years “Mikhail’s face matured and seemed to fade ...” Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 2. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 297. When Grigory Melekhov meets with Koshev, whom he has not seen for more than a year and a half, he is not without surprise looking at "... the stern face of a former friend ..." Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 t. - T. 4. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 334.

Michael's eyes change over the years. In the first book he has "... a beautiful dark-eyed face ...", "... dark eyes ..." Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 1. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 141., in the third book, Grigory, greeting him, "... peers into his blue eyes ..." Sholokhov M. A. Collected Works: In 8 volumes - V. 3 - M.: Pravda, 1975. - S. 127.

After the murder of Shtokman, when a rumor reached Mikhail about the brutal massacre in the Tatarsky farm with Ivan Alekseevich, Sholokhov describes the hero: “He looked at the stanitsa with blue and cold eyes, like ice, and asked:“ Did you fight the Soviet authorities? - and, without waiting for an answer, without looking at the dead face of the prisoner, he chopped. Chopped Ruthlessly ... "Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 378.

Mikhail, who returned from the front, has faded, cloudy eyes. But they "revived" when he saw Dunyashka. “Ilyinichna noticed with surprise that the dead eyes of the “murderer” warmed and revived, stopping at little Mishatka, the lights of admiration and affection flashed in them for a moment and went out ...” Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 volumes. - T. 4. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 288. When Grigory, returning home from the front after Koshev, wanted to hug him, he "saw in his unsmiling eyes a chill, hostility ..." Sholokhov M A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T. 4. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 324.

In the manner acquired by Koshev over the years, lips were compressed, teeth were clenched, “... in a stubborn crease that lay between his eyebrows ...” Sholokhov M. A. Collected Works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 386., in a firm gait, in a gaze that he thrust into the interlocutor, forcing him to look down ... "Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T 2. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 300., and in how “he jerked up his eyes, and they looked directly into the pupils of the enemy, stuck into them ...” Sholokhov M. A. Collected Works : In 8 volumes - T. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 194. in all this one can see the bitterness of Mikhail Koshevoy.

The hero did not immediately learn to act confidently; earlier, more than once he experienced a feeling of confusion and shame. When, for example, Jack reported that the rebel Cossacks had defeated the Red Guards near the village of Migulinskaya, “confusion slipped across Mikhail’s face, he glanced sideways at Jack, asked again:

As it is now?" Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T. 2. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 297-298.

Mikhail, who humbly asks the farmer Soldatov not to extradite him, “eyes flickered in confusion ...” Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 vols. - Vol. .32..

Returning from Veshenskaya to the Tatarsky farm, and still not knowing what was happening there, Koshevoy hesitated: “What should I do? And if we have such a mess? Koshevoi was nostalgic with his eyes ... "Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 vols. - Vol. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 169. Later, when he escaped from the death that threatened him in the farm , “I remembered how they took him prisoner, my defenselessness, a rifle left in the hallway, - he blushed painfully to tears ...” Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T. 3. - M. : Pravda, 1975. - S. 171 ..

The feeling of confusion in its various shades is expressed not only by Koshevoy's eyes and movements, but also by the tone of his voice.

When, for example, Mikhail learns from an oncoming Red Army soldier that the Gorbatov farm to which he is heading is occupied by whites, he questions this soldier in bewilderment and confusion. “How to get to Bobrovsky? - Mikhail said in confusion ... "Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 377 ..

In the first three books of The Quiet Flows the Flows, Koshevoy's bewilderment sometimes manifests itself as sharply as Grigory Melekhov's bewilderment does not. His actions look all the more contrasting when he is confident in his strength and superiority.

So, for example, when taking on the duties of chairman of the farm revolutionary committee, the hero experiences nothing but irritation: “Angry to the max at himself and at everything around him, Mishka got up from the table, straightened his tunic, said, looking into space, without opening his teeth:“ I'll show you, pigeons, what Soviet power is! Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T. 4. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 307.

He behaves with restraint and resoluteness when he arrives at the deserter's house. Mikhail, “smiling calmly”, asks him to come out “for a minute” Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T. 4. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 314 ..

When Ilyinichna reproaches him for the murder of his grandfather Grishaka, Mishka “smiled good-naturedly and said:“ My conscience will sharpen me because of such junk as this grandfather ... ”Sholokhov M.A. Collected Works: In 8 volumes - T 4. - M.: Pravda, 1975. - S. 275.

Koshevoy's ruthlessness does not come from natural cruelty, as, for example, with Mitka Korshunov, but is dictated and explained by him by the class struggle. The mother of Peter Melekhov, who was killed by him, Mishka says: “... There is no reason for my eyes to squint! And if Petro caught me, what would he do? Do you think you would kiss the poppy head? He would have killed me too ... "Sholokhov M.A. Collected Works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 4. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 283.

The feeling of class hatred dominates this hero over all other manifestations of the soul. He is ready to do everything for the sake of Soviet power.

So, for example, Mikhail Koshevoy responds to the complaints of fellow countrymen about the lack of salt: “Our government has nothing to do with it ... There is only one government to blame: the former Cadet government! It was she who caused such devastation that even salt can not be imagined, perhaps! All the railroads were beaten, the wagons were the same ... he told the old people for a long time about how the whites destroyed state property during the retreat, blew up factories, burned warehouses, he saw something himself during the war, the rest he inspiredly invented for the sole purpose - to divert discontent from the native Soviet authorities. In order to protect this power from reproaches, he harmlessly lied, dexterous, and thought to himself: “It won’t be a big trouble if I talk a little to the bastards. All the same, they are bastards, and they will not lose it, but we will benefit ... "Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T. 4. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 312.

Even Dunyashka, the only native person, Koshevoy gives a stern warning due to the fact that she spoke unflatteringly about the Reds: “if you say that once, you and I won’t live together, just know it! Your words are the enemy's...” Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 vols. - Vol. 4. - M.: Pravda, 1975. - P. 105. All this characterizes fanaticism, the uncompromising nature of his positions.

On the other hand, Mikhail Sholokhov does not hide the irony in portraying this hero. So, for example, the author tells about the naive prowess that Mishka flashed when returning to his native farm in the summer of 1919:

“... From time immemorial, it has been done in such a way that a serviceman who enters a farm should be smart. And Mikhail, has not yet freed himself from the Cossack traditions, even while in the Red Army. He was going to sacredly observe the old custom... He unscrewed the balls hollow inside from the corners of the bed, hung them on silk balls to the bridle... Despite the fact that the horse's eyesight suffered from glare... Mikhail did not remove a single ball from the bridle.. .” Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 380.

Scenes are also permeated with humor when Mikhail first goes to the farm revolutionary committee to fulfill his duties as chairman: “... his gait was so unusual that some of the farm people stopped at the meeting and looked after him with a smile ...” Sholokhov M. A Collected works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 4. - M.: Pravda, 1975. - S. 305.

“I’ll do it, namesake, by God I’ll do it, just get away the crumbs, otherwise the chips don’t get into your eyes,” Koshevoy persuaded him, chuckling and thinking in amazement: “Well, how similar, imp ... spitting image of dad! And the eyes and eyebrows, and the upper lip also raises ... What a job! Sholokhov M. A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 4. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 287. Here, direct speech and internal monologue help to present the simultaneous good nature and amazement on Koshevoy's face without any or directions from the author.

Although the appearance of the hero changes over the years, something feminine and childish remains in Koshevoy. So, for example, listening to Shtokman telling some funny story with a calm air, Mikhail “... laughs with a childish, effervescent laugh, choking, and kept trying to look under Shtokman’s hood ...” Sholokhov M. A. Collected Works: In 8 volumes - T. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 166. When he, severely beaten by the rebels, learned from his mother about the uprising, about the murder of Filka, Timofey and about the flight of Alexei Ivanovich, Shtokman, Davydki, - “for a long time, Mikhail cried for the first time, sobbing like a child ...” Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - T. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - C 171.

But all this does not bring the necessary harmony into the image of Koshevoy, and in the minds of readers he remains a negative hero. Mikhail Koshevoy is the embodiment of loyalty to the party, but on the scale of human values, he is lower than Grigory. Once, having heard that Mikhail was threatened with death at the hands of the Cossacks, Grigory, not thinking about his own danger, rushes to his aid: “... Blood has fallen between us, but are we not strangers?” Sholokhov M.A. Collected works: In 8 volumes - Vol. 3. - M .: Pravda, 1975. - S. 168. If he constantly fluctuates in the political struggle, then this is because he is true to himself, human dignity and decency.

Whatever Sholokhov's intentions were when portraying this hero, he is unlikely to make a bright image of a new Soviet man.

During the years of the imperialist war, he realized that justice was on the side of the people and organized agitation among the Cossacks, speaking out against these military battles. The bear could not be out of the fight when the fate of the people is being decided. Once in the otarschik, he cannot be alone, and is afraid that this steppe silence will swallow him up. If Grishka Melekhov was always at the crossroads of his views, then Koshevoy did not want to leave the struggle. On the contrary, having consciously chosen the right path to fight for changing life during the revolution, he copes with a feeling of pity for Gregory and criticizes his friend, with whom he once studied at school.

When Soviet power came to power in the farm, and Koshevoy was elected deputy chairman of the Soviet, he insistently wants Melekhov to be arrested. Mishka has a special hatred for the enemies of the Soviets, and therefore he mercilessly destroys the houses of merchants and clergy, and puts grandfather Grishaka to death. But at the same time, Sholokhov clearly shows his spiritual world. He was dreamy and loved his native land. Through all the years of the war, he shows love for Dunyasha and his children. With great tact, the writer depicts those moments when the hated Ilyinichna Koshevoy wins her trust, after which the old woman loses all hatred for him. Having married this sweet girl, despite a serious illness, he all goes to the household. However, he soon begins to condemn his labor zeal and goes into the struggle for a bright future for the Cossacks.

Sholokhov, on the last pages of the work, confronts Koshevoy and Grigory Melekhov, emphasizing Mishka's vigilance and growth in political views. The disclosure of Koshevoy's character is manifested through all his actions in the process of fighting for the strengthening of Soviet power among the Don Cossacks. In the novel, he is shown as the master of life and a representative of the working Cossacks, who found the right path in the revolution. Showing the image of Koshevoy, Sholokhov wanted to show that such a fanatical struggle, like Mishka's, will not lead to anything good.

Mishka Koshevoy.

Some interesting essays

• Review of the work What Abramov's horses cry about Grade 7

  Recently I read the story of Fedor Alexandrovich Abramov "What horses cry about." He made an amazing impression. Here Abramov shows the life of the Russian village with its chores.

• The image and characteristics of Dr. Bormental in the story Bulgakov's Heart of a Dog essay

  One of the main characters of the work is Bormental Ivan Arnoldovich, who is a student and assistant of Dr. Preobrazhensky, a world-famous scientist.

• Analysis of the story Sign of trouble Bykov

  In the center of events, we see an elderly couple who live near the village, where the German invaders come and occupy their house. At first, Petrok obeys them and does whatever they order.

• Composition Zaretsky in the novel Eugene Onegin by Pushkin

  In the work of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin "Eugene Onegin" there are many characters who play a significant role in the novel, but their presence is not as bright as that of the main characters. One of these characters is Mr. Zaretsky

What does this concept mean? Ecology is the science of the relationship between man and the environment. Each person relates to nature differently. Someone takes care of her, takes care of her, while others only do

Mishka Koshevoy is a Cossack from the village of Tatarskaya, who went over to the side of the Bolsheviks. He is characterized by impetuous character, he is characterized by great emotionality and maximalism. The hero takes the position of the “reds” and devotes himself entirely to the fight against the whites, whom he considers enemies of the people. Koshevoy now does not see in the people with whom he lived all his life, fellow countrymen, neighbors, friends. He now divides people into "his own" and "enemies."

Our experts can check your essay according to the USE criteria

Site experts Kritika24.ru
Teachers of leading schools and current experts of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.

Koshevoy is fanatical about his work. He ruthlessly kills people, and drowns out the pangs of conscience with the phrase "We are all murderers." The vengeance and anger of Koshevoy also extends to the families of the belligerents, does not spare the elderly and children. He cruelly kills grandfather Grishaka, burns many houses of his enemies: about one and a half hundred yards of the village of Karginskaya he set on fire along with three of his comrades.

Koshevoi takes care of Dunyashka, the sister of Grigory Melekhov. She agrees to marry him even though he killed Peter, her older brother.

Updated: 2012-12-16

Attention!
If you notice an error or typo, highlight the text and press Ctrl+Enter.
Thus, you will provide invaluable benefit to the project and other readers.

Thank you for your attention.