Zhilin and Kostylin different fate conclusion. An essay on Zhilin and Kostylin: different fates in the story Prisoner of the Caucasus, Tolstoy read for free

I.Articulation warm-up

II. Zhilin and Kostylin - two different character, two different fates
Conversation
Let's start the work with clarifying the impressions of the story.
- Did you enjoy reading the story? What episodes caused sadness, sympathy, joy? What episodes would you like to re-read?
- Which of the characters aroused respect, which - hostility?
Why is the story called Prisoner of the Caucasus”, and not “Prisoners of the Caucasus”, because there were two prisoners?
The story is called "Prisoner of the Caucasus", and not "Prisoners of the Caucasus", because the writer pays the main attention to the story about Zhilin. Zhilin and Kostylin are the heroes of the story, but only Zhilin can be called a true hero.

Drafting comparison table
Talking about Zhilin and Kostylin, we begin teaching children comparative analysis. The formation of the ability to conduct a comparative description of the heroes in the future will depend on the quality of work in this lesson, so we will pay special attention to compiling a comparative table. First, let's discuss the meaning of the names of the characters.
Progress: Students take turns reading the story. Finding definitions or facts that characterize the characters from one side or the other, the students, at the suggestion of the teacher, stop reading and write out a quote, character trait or act of the hero in the table. The spreadsheet will be completed at home.

Table option

Quality	Zhilin	Kostylin
The meaning of the surname	Veins - blood vessels, tendons. wiry - lean, muscular, with protruding veins	Crutch - a stick with a cross-beam placed under the arm, which serves as a support when walking for lame people or those who have sore legs
Appearance	“But Zhilin, at least not great in stature, but he was daring”	“And Kostylin is a heavy, fat man, all red, and the sweat is pouring from him”
forethought	“- We must go to the mountain to have a look, otherwise here, perhaps, they will jump out from behind the mountain and you won’t see it.” “Zhilin fed her in advance” (dog)
Attitude towards the horse	“The horse near Zhilin was a hunting horse (he paid a hundred rubles for it in the herd as a foal and rode it himself) ...” “... Mother, take it out, don’t catch it with your foot ...”	“The whip fries the horse from that side, then from the other”
Courage - cowardice	“- ... I won’t give myself up alive ...” “- ... It’s worse to be shy with them”	“And Kostylin, instead of waiting, only saw the Tatars, rolled up to the fortress.” "And Kostylin became timid." “Kostylin fell down with fear”
behavior in captivity	“Zhilin wrote a letter, but he wrote it wrong on the letter, so that it didn’t come through. He himself thinks: “I will leave.” “And he himself is looking out for everything, trying to find out how he can escape. He walks around the aul, whistles, otherwise he sits, doing some needlework - either he sculpts dolls from clay, or weaves wickerwork from twigs. And Zhilin was a master of all needlework.	“Kostylin wrote home again, kept waiting for the money to be sent and was bored. For whole days he sits in the barn and counts the days when the letter will arrive; or sleeping"
The opinion of the Tatars about the prisoners	"Dzhigit"	"Smirny"
observation, curiosity	“Zhilin began to understand a little in their language.” “Zhilin got up, dug out a bigger crack, began to look”
Endurance, courage	"Jumping from pebble to pebble and looking at the stars"	"Kostylin keeps lagging behind and groans"
Loyalty, devotion	“... it’s not good to leave a comrade”	Kostylin left Zhilin in trouble and rode away on a horse

Homework
Finish compiling the table.
Prepare an oral essay on the topic "Zhilin and Kostylin".

Zhilin and Tatars. Zhilin and Dina. The writer's idea of ​​friendship different peoples how about natural law human life. Pictures of nature in a story

I.Examination homework
After the articulation warm-up, the students tell how they finished compiling the table.
We listen oral compositions one or two students.
We summarize the results of the work by comparing two heroes: the writer opposes Zhilin's activity, stamina and humanity to Kostylin's weakness and passivity. Courage and endurance helped him to run to his own, overcoming all obstacles.
main idea story - to show that you can not give up even in the most difficult circumstances, you need to stubbornly achieve your goal.

II. Zhilin and Tatars. Zhilin and Dina. The writer's thought about the friendship of different peoples as a natural law of human life
Conversation
- How is the life of the village shown: through the eyes of Kostylin or through the eyes of Zhilin? Why?
We will invite students to find descriptions of the life of the village in the text, read and retell these descriptions close to the text.
The Tatar village presented itself to Zhilin in the morning peaceful, calm. People wake up, everyone is busy with their own business, women bring water, boys play around. Zhilin counted ten houses and a Tatar church with a turret (that is, a mosque with a minaret).
When Zhilin entered the house, he saw that the walls were smoothly plastered with clay, the room was good. Expensive carpets hang on the walls, weapons in silver are on the carpets. The stove is small, and the floor is earthen, clean. The front corner is covered with felts, there are carpets on them, down pillows on the carpets. Tatars sit here and eat.
Zhilin watched how the Tatars dressed - both men and women, noticed that they were very fond of silver. In the house I noticed that they are the first, they leave big shoes at the threshold, and in other, inner shoes they sit on carpets. Zhilin also noticed how they wash their hands and pray after eating. Servants are not allowed on carpets with pillows. The women only serve the food, but do not sit with the men.
Let's draw the children's attention to the description of the funeral of the Tatar, to the details that tell about worship and about the life of women in the village.
Why did the old woman break Dinah's first doll?
Muslim tradition forbids portraying people. Besides, the old woman was probably angry with the Russian.
- How did the Tatars treat Zhilin? Why did Abdul-Murat fall in love with Zhilin?
The Tatars treated Zhilin with respect for the fact that he did not allow himself to be intimidated when they demanded a ransom from him, and for the fact that he knew how to do a lot. Abdul the owner said that he fell in love with Zhilin. The red Tatar and the old man who lived under the mountain hated all Russians, and Zhilin too.
- Tell us about the relationship between Dina and Zhilin. Why did Dina help Zhilin?
Zhilin was grateful to Dina for her help. Dina helped Zhilin, brought him food, because Zhilin showed kindness to her, made her a doll, then a second one. After a thunderstorm, he made a toy for children - a wheel with dolls. Describing the friendship between a girl and a captured Russian officer, Tolstoy wants to say that the feeling of enmity is not innate. Chechen children treat Russians with innocent curiosity, not hostility. And Zhilin is fighting with adult Chechens who attacked him, but not with children. With respect and gratitude, he refers to the courage and kindness of Dina. If the father had found out that Dina was helping Zhilin, he would have severely punished her.
The author wants to say that enmity between peoples is meaningless, that the friendship of people is the norm of human communication, and confirms this with the example of friendship between Zhilin and Dina.

III. Pictures of nature in the story
Expressive reading
Note that the story does not big descriptions: pictures of nature are short and capacious.
Let's read the description of the mountains that Zhilin saw while sitting on the top of the mountain (chapter four), from the words: "I persuaded the little one, let's go" - to the words: "And so he thinks that this is the Russian fortress."
What is special about this description?
Note that there are very few adjectives. The landscape is shown as if in action.
- Where else in the story do we see the image of nature, as if actively accompanying human actions?
We read expressively an episode from chapter six from the words: “Zhilin crossed himself, grabbed the lock on the block with his hand ...” - to the words: “You can only hear, the river murmurs below.”
We will strive to ensure that the text of the story is heard in the classroom in the reading of the students. The story of Zhilin's second escape must be read in its entirety.

Homework
Write out rare obsolete words and expressions, explain them. (We will divide the class into four or five groups and invite each group to work with the text of one of the chapters.)

Brevity and expressiveness of the language of the story. Story, plot, composition, idea of ​​the work

Speech development lesson

I. Brevity and expressiveness of the language of the story
This work has already been started in the previous lesson. Let's draw students' attention to short sentences who wrote the story. Brevity and at the same time depth are the main advantages of the story.

Vocabulary work (in groups)
Each group of schoolchildren who worked with rare, obscure words and expressions from the chapters of the story discusses with each other the words that the students wrote out at home. It is very important to work on explaining the meaning of words by selecting synonyms and referring to explanatory dictionaries. The group will designate one or two representatives who will prepare to answer on its behalf. Then we listen to the students' answer about the meaning of rare words.
Attention requires a significant number of words and expressions. Let us remember that what seems natural and understandable to us, adults, can cause significant difficulties for children. At the same time, not knowing the meaning of even one word in a sentence (especially if it is a key word) often makes the entire sentence incomprehensible to children.

Chapter first
straightened vacation- took a vacation.
Escorted soldiers- soldiers who accompanied a group of people; security.
The sun has already passed in the afternoon- passed noon.
I will attack the Tatars- suddenly meeting the Tatars.
hunting horse- a horse that does not need to be urged, which easily understands what needs to be done.
Took him to the edge- the horse, along with the rider, easily climbed a steep mountain.
Whip roasts- lashes hard.
He began to shorten- began to pull the reins to stop the horse.
The horse has run wild- the horse is racing, can't stop.
fluttered- shuddered.
Nogai - Nogai- people in Russia, speak the language of the Turkic group.

Chapter Two
Raspoyaskoy- no belt.
Beshmet- men's and women's oar clothes, worn under a caftan, chekmen, Circassian among the peoples Central Asia, Caucasus, Siberia.
snoring wet- the muzzle is wet.
Sheathed with lace. Galloon- a dense ribbon or braid, often with a silver or gold thread.
Saffiano shoes. Morocco- thin, soft, usually brightly colored skin, made from the skins of goats or sheep.
Red trim on sleeves- sleeves trimmed with red (galoon, braid, ribbon).
Monisto from Russian fifty dollars- a necklace of Russian coins of 50 kopecks (at that time fifty kopecks were silver).
Their church, with a turret- a mosque with a minaret.
Pure as current. Current- platform for threshing; it is always clean at the current, because grain is collected here and the chaff is swept aside.
Felt- dense thick material made of felted wool.
Cow butter dissolved in a cup- cow's butter (butter) lies, melted, in a cup.
Pelvis- wooden round or oblong dishes, here - for washing hands.
The gun is cut off- the gun misfired, i.e., did not fire due to a malfunction of the weapon or cartridge.

Chapter Three
Three arshins. Arshin- a measure of length equal to 71.12 cm; three arshins - 2.13 m.
Approved them- firmly, steadily put, attached.
Snores and turns away (old man)- begins to breathe indignantly, so that a sound similar to snoring arises, and turns away so as not to look at a person of a different faith.
Get behind the stone- hide behind a stone, clinging to it.

Chapter Four
Under the armpits and under the patches- under the armpits and behind the legs under the bends of the knees.
Zarobel- experienced timidity, frightened.

Chapter Five
Sheep farting in the couch- a sheep coughs convulsively in a zakuta, i.e., in a barn for small livestock.
Vysozhary began to descend. Vysozhary, or Stozhary, or the Pleiades - an open star cluster in the constellation Taurus; in summer time Stozhary in the first half of the night are high in the sky, and in the second half of the night they gradually descend to the horizon.
Picked up. Malt- a product that is prepared from grain germinated in moisture and heat, then dried and coarsely ground; here brine- became wet (sweaty), as if loose (weak muscles), lethargic.

Chapter Six
Stone east- the stone is sharp.
I'll lie down in the forest, front- I'll hide in the forest, wait out the day, wait for darkness.

Let's summarize: the brevity of the language of the story makes it understandable and fascinating, the use of old folk words makes the story expressive and memorable.

II. Story, plot, composition, story idea
In the textbook (p. 278) definitions are given: idea, plot, story, episode. Definition composition can be looked up in a dictionary us. 309 textbook. We will work with them based on what children know about storytelling from Russian lessons. Let's write the definitions in a notebook.

Plot is the chain of events that take place in a story.

What is the plot of the story "Prisoner of the Caucasus"?

A story is a short narrative work that is united by one plot and consists of several episodes.

Which of the works read in the 5th grade can we call stories?
Composition is a phenomenon that is familiar to children at the level of presentation.
Composition - the construction of a work, the arrangement of parts, episodes and images in a significant temporal sequence.
Let us say that such a sequence is never random.
The composition of the story "Prisoner of the Caucasus" is based on its plot. Highlight in the work exposition, plot, development of action, climax, denouement and epilogue.
exposition and epilogue Tolstoy's are swift, fit in one or two phrases.
tie- receiving a letter from the mother. The action develops rapidly and leads to climax- Zhilin's second escape.
denouement- Zhilin manages to run to his own.
(Often the concept of composition narrative work is given in the Russian language lessons, so we do not write here in detail about the structural elements of the composition of a narrative work.)
Let's talk about the 7th question (p. 278 of the textbook):
- What did the writer take from the memoirs of officer F.F. Thornau, which is the author's fiction? What ideas, thoughts, feelings does the author of the story want to convey to the reader?
Tolstoy took from his memoirs the idea of ​​the friendship of a captive officer with Tatar girl who ran to visit him and brought food. F. F. Thornau says that he fed the dog that guarded him. He drew figures and carved wood in such a way that even the Circassians asked him to carve sticks for them. These facts, slightly modified, were used by Tolstoy. From his life, he took the memories of how the Chechens were chasing him and almost took him prisoner.
The writer used the author's fiction. He came up with the idea that there were two prisoners, and thought up the story of the first and second escapes. The author wants to evoke in readers a sense of pride for the Russian officer who was captured while fighting with enemies, behaved with dignity in captivity and managed to escape.

Idea - the main idea works.

The idea of ​​the story is that perseverance and courage always win. The writer condemns the enmity between peoples, considers it senseless.

Homework
Prepare a written answer to the question: what, in your opinion, is the idea of ​​L. N. Tolstoy's story "The Prisoner of the Caucasus"?

The brightest are those works in which the main characters are completely different. It is these characters that are the basis of Leo Tolstoy's story "Prisoner of the Caucasus". Characters- Zhilin and Kostylin. These men have different fates and characters. The true story tells about their life in captivity of the Tatars and an attempt to escape. But the path to freedom is thorny, and in particular because these two officers are the complete opposite of each other.

First meeting of friends

The events take place during the war for Officer Zhilin received a letter from his mother. She asks her son to return. Ivan, that's the man's name, considers the proposal and agrees. Traveling alone was dangerous, so the soldiers walked in a column. The group dragged on slowly, and the thought came to his mind that it would be better to go alone. As if having heard his thoughts, another officer, Kostylin, invites him to continue the journey together.

The first Zhilina and Kostylin is very important for further development events. The author does not talk about what it looks like main character, but gives a description of Kostylin. It's rough. Sweat drips from it because of the heat. After making sure that he has a loaded weapon, and taking the word to stick together, Zhilin agrees to the invitation.

Ambush and unexpected betrayal of a friend

Comrades are leaving. The whole path lies through the steppe, where the enemy is clearly visible. But further the road runs between two mountains. At this point there is a conflict of views. In the scene, Zhilin and Kostylin are compared in terms of a sense of danger.

Two excellent warriors perceive the gorge of the mountains in different ways. Zhilin sees a potential threat and is sure that the Turks can ambush behind the rock. Kostylin is ready to move forward, despite the possible risk. Leaving his friend below, Ivan climbs the mountain and sees a group of riders. Enemies notice the officer and jump towards him. Zhilin shouts to Kostylin to pull out a gun. But he, seeing the Tatars, rushes into the fortress.

Comparative characteristics Zhilin and Kostylin will be incomplete if this situation is not considered in more detail. The first took care of the safety of both, while the second, under difficult circumstances, thought only of own life. Kostylin left his comrade unarmed. Ivan fought back for a long time, but the forces were unequal. He was taken prisoner. But already from the Tatars, he learns that his unfortunate friend was also ambushed.

The second and unexpected meeting of former friends

For some time the man spent in a closed barn. Then he was taken to the house of the Tatars. There he was explained that the man who had taken the soldier prisoner had sold him to another Tatar. And he, in turn, wants to receive a ransom for Ivan in the amount of 3,000 rubles. The officer, without hesitation for a long time, refused and said that he could not afford such an amount. The most he can offer is 500 gold. The last word was firm and unshakable. His friend is brought into the room.

And the appearance of Zhilin and Kostylin are very different. The second officer is fat, barefoot, exhausted, ragged, with a block on his feet. Zhilina is no better, but the thirst for struggle has not yet died out in him. new owner puts Kostylin as an example and reports that he will be accepted for a ransom of 5,000 rubles.

The author shows how humbly he accepts an offer at such a high price. Ivan, on the other hand, achieved that the payment for his soul would be But nevertheless he understands that the mother, who lives on the money that he himself sends to her, would have to sell everything in order to free her son. Therefore, the officer writes the wrong address so that the letter does not reach. The comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin when establishing the amount of the ransom indicate that the first officer takes care of his mother, even if he is threatened with death. Kostylin is not worried about how money is being collected for his release.

Attempt to escape from the enemy

Time passes. Leo Tolstoy vividly describes the everyday life of Zhilin. A man wins the heart of the owner's daughter when he sculpts clay dolls for her. Gains respect in the village as a master, and even through cunning - as a doctor. But every night, when the shackles are removed, he digs a passage under the wall. He works during the day, thinking about which way he should run. The characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin in captivity are absolutely opposite. Zhilin does not sit still, unlike his friend. And he sleeps or gets sick all the time, waiting for the storm associated with the death of one of the Tatar warriors to pass.

One night, Zhilin decides to run away. He offers this to his comrade in the "camera". Kostylin is skeptical about this. He states that they don't know the way and will get lost at night. But the argument that because of the death of a Tatar, they, as Russians, can be avenged, finally convinces him.

Struggling with your own abilities

The prisoners are active. Trying to get out, the clumsy Kostylin raises a fuss. The dogs growled. But prudent Ivan fed the dogs for a long time. Therefore, the commotion quickly calmed them down. They get out of the village, but the fat man is out of breath and falls behind. Very quickly gives up and asks to leave it.

A comparative description of Zhilin and Kostylin is a competition of cowardice with strength. Both are tired. The night is impenetrable, they are forced to walk almost to the touch. Bad boots rub your feet until they bleed. Kostylin stops and rests over and over again. Subsequently, he is exhausted and says that he is unable to continue his journey.

Then the comrade pulls him on his back. Because of Kostylin's scream of pain, they are noticed and hunted down. Before dawn, the comrades were caught and this time thrown into the pit. And there the portrait of Zhilin and Kostylin is opposite. An officer, thirsting for freedom, is trying to dig, but there is nowhere to put the earth and stones.

Increasingly, one hears talk from enemies that the Russians need to be killed.

Final and will

The owner's daughter comes to the rescue. She lowers a pole into the pit, along which, not without the help of a friend, Zhilin climbs the mountain. Weak Kostylin remains with the Tatars. He runs away with his feet bound, but nevertheless gets to his army.

After some time, money is also paid for Kostylin. He comes back barely alive. This is where the piece ends. The author does not report what further awaits the characters with the names Zhilin and Kostylin. The heroes have different fates, the first relied only on their own abilities, the second was waiting for manna from heaven. They are two poles that are guided by different principles and rules. If Zhilin is stubborn, courageous and freedom-loving, then his partner in misfortune is weak, lazy and cowardly.

A fine hearted officer

The main characters of Leo Tolstoy are Zhilin and Kostylin. This story is about two officers. The first fought bravely, the second accepted with humility everything that life had prepared for him. Zhilin has such a trait as care. He thinks about the old mother when they asked for a ransom, he worries about the fate of his friend, so he does not leave him in the village of enemies, for the girl who helped get out of the pit.

She is ordered to hide the pole she brought so that Zhilin can get up. His heart is full of kindness and love. The officer fell in love with the simple, peaceful people of the Tatars. So it makes their life easier. He is a symbol of everything bright and sincere in the work.

Kostylin - a hero or an anti-hero?

Kostylin is often considered a negative hero. He left a comrade in trouble, distinguished himself by laziness and weakness, brought danger to both. There is nothing to say about the cowardice of a man, because every now and then helplessness is manifested in his actions.

But is Kostylin really as weak in his soul as he is outside? Somewhere deep in his heart he is brave and strong. Although in part it borders on unreasonableness. It was he who suggested that his friend separate from the group and jump first. I was also ready to go between the mountains without even making sure it was safe there. No less courage was needed to decide on an escape, which he did not plan and for which he was not ready either physically or mentally.

The characterization of Zhilin and Kostylin is an analysis of two opposite types of courage. But Kostylin showed more courage when he refused to repeat the escape attempt. Moreover, as best he could, he helped a friend get out of the pit. He understood all his weakness and did not dare to set up his comrade again. It is in such actions that the secret of his essence lies.

/ / / Why do Zhilin and Kostylin have different fates? (according to Tolstoy's story "Prisoner of the Caucasus")

In the story, L. Tolstoy depicts the fate of two Russian soldiers - Zhilin and Kostylin. These characters are complete opposites. Zhilin is small, but a dexterous man, and Kostylin is fat and clumsy. Appearance is the first thing that catches the eye of the reader. Further, the author gradually reveals the characters of Russian soldiers.

During the war with the Tatars, Russians traveled for considerable distances under the protection of soldiers, otherwise they could be captured by the enemy. During one of the moves, Zhilin was not in the service: he asked for leave on vacation and returned home. The wagon train constantly stopped, and the man was tired of "weaving". He decided to get home as quickly as possible, continuing the journey alone. Kostylin made the same decision and offered to go together. On the way they were attacked by the Tatars. First they chased Zhilin. When Kostylin saw that his comrade was in trouble, he rushed not to help him, but to save his own skin. This episode demonstrates the cowardice of a soldier. In the end, both were captured.

If Zhilin managed to free himself, thanks to Dina, Kostylin could hardly wait for the money for the ransom. He was lucky that the money was sent before his death. Why did the fate of the soldiers develop differently. Why didn't Kostylin run away with his friend? I think it's about the characters.

He had a formidable spirit. He did not bend to either people or circumstances. The first vivid demonstration of this quality is the episode in which the soldier was forced to write a ransom letter. The Tatar demanded 3,000 rubles, but the prisoner agreed to only 500. He knew that his mother had no money. Even under the threat of death, the soldier insisted on his own.

Zhilin never despaired. He believed that higher power help him escape, so he carefully prepared for the escape: he learned the way, dug a passage in the barn. The fate of the officer was decided by his kindness. He helped the Tatars and found a savior thanks to this.

Finally, the hero was helped by his endurance. He stubbornly walked towards his goal, not paying attention to wounds or hunger. Zhilin did not spare himself, so he was able to free himself.

Couldn't brag about it strong character. He hoped for others. The soldier sent the letter home and then passively waited for it to be redeemed. In anticipation of his release, the hero only ate and slept. He did not immediately agree to escape with Zhilin, as he succumbed to fear. The comrade managed to persuade him, but they did not go far.

Kostylin was very sorry for himself. In the escape, he complained about worn boots, about body aches. He refused to go because of the wounds on his legs. Selfishness and weakness blocked the path to salvation not only for him, but also for Zhilin. After the obese officer measured his strength in escaping, he gave up on a second attempt and doomed himself to suffering for another month. But at the same time, he made sure that his friend would no longer put himself in danger because of him.

Thus, the fates of the heroes developed differently, due to the fact that they had different attitudes to difficulties and to themselves. The fate of Zhilin was more successful, who knew how to pull himself together and look for a way out. The image of Kostylin proves that manifestations of physical and internal weakness can play a cruel joke on a person.

In the story "The Prisoner of the Caucasus", which serves in part as an autobiography of Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy, there are two main characters. These are colleagues: Zhilin and Kostylin. Lev Nikolaevich himself became the prototype of Zhilin, and the hero of Kostylin was invented by him as an opposition to Zhilin.

Zhilin is described by Tolstoy as a strong-willed character, with strong spirit, and unwilling to lay down his head before the trials that fall on him. His colleague, on the other hand, is cowardly and lazy person, patiently waiting for the verdict of fate, and not wanting to decide it himself.

An attentive reader will immediately notice that, despite the presence of two main characters, the story is called "Prisoner of the Caucasus". Think: why? The fact is that Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, as a writer who knows how to convey the mood and essence of the story in a few words, called the work so, due to the fact that he did not consider Kostylin a man, worthy to be mentioned in history.

After being captured, Kostylin immediately, unconditionally, agrees to write a letter to his relatives. This means that he does not have his own goals, but hopes for his relatives, and that they will redeem him. Zhilin, realizing that his mother will not collect a sufficient amount, indicates the wrong address in the letter, hoping to subsequently get out, which he succeeds later. Zhilin does not just run away, he provides for everything possible outcomes, planning an escape to the smallest detail. And, being already ready, he also takes Kostylin, who at that time was not doing anything, but only eating and sleeping. Zhilin is a purposeful person, ready to make sacrifices for the sake of friends and colleagues. Kostylin is a pampered egoist, incapable of anything. After the first failed attempt, which failed because of Kostylin, Zhilin nevertheless ran away, demonstrating his love of life and vitality, but Kostylin did not succeed because of his laziness.

The story ends with Lev Nikolaevich talking about the fate of Zhilin. Zhilin remained to serve in the Caucasus, as befits a brave officer. Pro further fate Kostylin, apart from the fact that he was bought out, nothing is known.

It is noteworthy that Lev Nikolaevich uses the names of the characters to describe their characters. Zhilin is associated with a strong man, a strong soul, and not a body, which is visible to the readers of the "Prisoner of the Caucasus" from the beginning of the story to the end. The surname Kostylin, so similar to a crutch, indicates the laziness and cowardice of the character.

Thus, Lev Nikolaevich fit two opposite characters in one story. This was done by him for the education of future generations. So that there would not be people like Kostylin in the future, but only people like Zhilin.