Description of Grigory Melikhov in the novel. Quote characteristic of Grigory Melekhov from the novel Quiet Flows the Don

The collapse of the age-old way folk life captured in his novel Quiet Don» M. Sholokhov (the first book was published in 1928, the final chapters of the fourth book - in 1940). We emphasize that this is not just a book about the revolution and civil war, but a work about the fate of the people in turning points historical development, a story about the fundamental problems of being "on the line of the century". In Sholokhov's novel, a desire was manifested to "cover everything" and "get to the bottom", to show the situation of the "beginning of time", the beginning of a new history. The work is characterized by the scale and depth of the image of life. Suffice it to recall that the plot, which began near the Melekhovsky kuren on the banks of the Don, gradually expanding, captures a farm, a village, a steppe, its own and other people's lands, various cities into the orbit of the author's image, big number heroes representing all social strata and the most important shades political views, pictures of the world and fierce battles of the first world and civil wars. All this, as well as the "folk thought", which determines the writer's view of what is happening, allows us to speak of Sholokhov's work as an epic. The author captured the conflict state of the world, showed how tragic events stories destroyed the peaceful life of man on earth, the traditional ties of people by kinship, brotherhood, fellowship, joint work, opposing them with the irreconcilability of class confrontation. This fault is especially clearly visible in the history of the Melekhov family. Sholokhov shows historical events through the private destinies of specific people, thus continuing the traditions of Pushkin and Tolstoy. But for the first time, the central character of the epic novel becomes a simple Cossack, seeking the truth not only for himself, but for the whole people. The path of Gregory is full of painful doubts, throwing, mistakes and losses. The author does not hide how much the grey-haired and "starved soul" Grigory in the finale of the novel differs from that brutally handsome and valiant Cossack, as we met him at the beginning of the story. But never and nowhere does the “charm of a man” sincere, honest, passionately wanting to understand what is happening, never fail him, nowhere is the hero opposed to his people. Despite open pressure and numerous campaigns against Sholokhov, the author did not lead Grigory to any unequivocal political choice, did not complete the work with episodes of Melekhov's service in the Red Army. At the end of the work, the plot circle closes: tired of blood and fighting, without waiting for an amnesty, the hero goes to his home, from which he left for a large and hostile world. He, a simple worker, distracted from his beloved work by the war, is imperiously calling to his native land, despite everything waiting for the owner in the spring. Don-father, who personifies the very soul of the freedom-loving laboring Cossacks, and mother earth are waiting for him. It is symbolic that Gregory throws weapons into the waters of his native river, the same for all, thus expressing his attitude towards the fratricidal and senseless war. And, finally, one more image, symbolizing what gives a person support: the image of a house destroyed by the war, but the only one, dear.

Grigory Melekhov is a truly epic hero. His individual destiny embodied a whole gamut of contradictions in people's life in a critical era, longing for truth, blood, pain and love, which no historical explosions are able to "cancel". In The Quiet Don, contrary to the tradition of the revolutionary 1920s, class criteria for evaluating life recede before the epic breadth and analytical depth of the depiction of time and man, before the polyphony of opinions and feelings, the wisdom of the writer’s philosophical view, which affirms the eternal values ​​of human life on earth.

Sholokhov created a whole gallery of images in his novel Quiet Flows the Don. The heroes of the novel have become extraordinary characters in world literature.

The most controversial and attractive hero of the book is Grigory Melekhov. In the image of the hero, the author personified the individual traits of character common man. Melekhov is the most common Cossack who was born into a wealthy family. WITH early childhood the hero lives a peasant life. It contains love for nature, pity for all living things. In addition, Gregory is very honest and sincere with everyone. After growing up, he falls in love with Aksinya and forever keeps love in his heart. Aksinya was married. Despite her marriage, Gregory did not try to hide his feelings. Melekhov married Natalya and confessed to her that he did not love her.

The hero was distinguished as an economic, brave and hard-working guy. Once in the center of the war, the young Cossack behaved like a staunch and courageous fighter. He was smart, fearless and determined, and proud at the same time. He always acted honorably and adhered to the principles he learned in childhood.

Melekhov joined the ranks of the Red Revolutionaries. However, having learned that the revolutionaries support violence and cruelty, Gregory was greatly disappointed. Before his eyes, the Red Army killed all unarmed prisoners and shot all the Cossacks, plundered the Cossack villages and raped women.

During the battles, the hero constantly saw the ruthlessness and cruelty of the white and red revolutionaries. Therefore, class hatred for him seemed meaningless. In his heart he wanted peace, love and simple work. Gregory did not know how to understand the contradictions of society. He took everything that happened close to his heart, and therefore often changed camp. The hero did not know how to understand his thoughts and began to obey the will of other people.

Melekhov did not want to betray his principles and himself, and therefore became an outcast in the camps of the revolutionaries. To know the truth, he went over to the ranks of the white revolutionaries. He became a stranger to everyone and constantly experienced loneliness.

Some time later, he attempted to escape with Aksinya. But on the way, a misfortune happened to his beloved, which led to her death. Instead of a strong and brave fighter, Gregory turned into a heartbroken man who will suffer until the end of his life.

By the end of the work, Melekhov completely abandoned weapons and war. He returned to his native lands because he could not accept the cruelty of the mortal world.

Option 2

Mikhail Sholokhov wrote the most interesting epic novel Quiet Don. A simple, life story about ordinary people who are destined to experience more than one hardship. Life is difficult, and the author of the Quiet Don wanted to demonstrate this to us.

Quiet Don pro ordinary people, one of these was Grigory Melekhov. The fate of Gregory is intertwined with many life events. He is the kind of person who searches for the truth all his life. He is looking for justice, honesty, he wants to know the answers to many life questions. Grigory Melekhov is a controversial personality, certain people condemn him, and many praise him, nevertheless he is a man, and a man is constantly changing.

It was difficult for him to cope with the realization that he had killed a man. He never imagined that the time would come when he would have to kill. He searched for the truth, but did not find it either in the environment of the whites or in the environment of the reds during the civil war. Thus, it can be said that he was not for a certain side, he searched, but did not find those who were right in honor ...

He was often unlucky in life. He encountered difficulties along the way, but always overcame them. It was difficult, but he managed. Grigory Melekhov got along with many, he was surrounded by many of his friends. Grigory's best friend can be considered Mikhail Koshevoy, but it was his best friend kills sibling Gregory. Is it possible after that to consider Michael a friend?

But the main interweaving in the epic novel was love story Grigory Melekhov. He was a free man and no girl was able to rein him in. But he was popular with the girls. He had 2 companions in life, Aksinya and Natalya. Grigory's parents forced Natalya to marry, but he could refuse, but did not do it. He claimed, and everyone knew that he did not love Natalia. They still had two children.

Grigory had a beloved - Aksinya. She was the inspiration for him. In their relationship there was passion, love, mutual attraction. It was a real relationship, but Grigory still could not decide with whom he needed to be - with his wife Natalya or his mistress Aksinya. Gregory even took birth with Aksinya. They worked on the field, being pregnant Aksinya also helped. But suddenly the fights start. He took her in a wagon, went to the village, but did not have time to get there, he had to take delivery himself.

Grigory Melekhov is a controversial character, with a very difficult fate, but personally I respect him for the fact that he never changed his principles. He always sought to achieve truth and justice.

Composition The image and characteristics of Melekhov

In one of the most famous novels Sholokhov, the author, having revealed one of the problems - the relationship between the individual and the people, showed the tragedy with special artistic skill life path Grigory Melekhov. The character and beliefs of the hero are significantly different from Peter. The writer, singling out the 19-year-old Grishka from the Melekhov family, shows his amazing attractiveness. Appearance Gregory is set off not by what class he belongs to, but by his peculiar character.

As a teenager, he was a hardworking guy, subtly feeling native nature. Remarkable abilities, directness and openness are continuously noted by Sholokhov. He opposes the cruelty of his villagers, stands up for Aksinya because of the terrible treatment of her husband, and contemptuously treats the act of Daria, who kills Kotlyarov without a twinge of conscience.

Gregory sympathizes with those who are always courageous and maintain their dignity in the most dangerous situations. life situations. He always denounced cowardice and weak-heartedness, and at various stages of his quest he held firm. Gregory's patriotism is especially clearly shown. So, for example, he cannot see the presence of English troops on the Don and speaks disapprovingly about them. Together with the positive qualities of a gifted person, a self-willed character was early discovered in him. As a worker, he is drawn to the best and new trends, however, his interest in possessiveness draws him back, confuses him in choosing the right path. He hesitates for a long time between the two political camps and searches for his own path in the revolution.

The main character can't figure out his personal relationships either. He is drawn to Natalya by the vein of the owner, home comfort, children. Aksinya is close to him with her ardent love and love of freedom. This position of Gregory between two women is explained by the desire to reconcile love for Aksinya with family traditions. The author showed on the image of Gregory the features characteristic of the middle peasants. He showed his views and moods, which distinguished the small owner. The tragedy of his fate was manifested in the fact that he was completely lost in his searches, opposed historical events, against the people of which he was a native.

Grigory Melekhov is the most famous and memorable character in Sholokhov's novel The Quiet Flows the Don. But few people know that in the first edition of the work there was no such hero at all. His place was taken by a certain Abram Ermakov, who outwardly looked very much like Grigory. Why the author decided to make changes to the novel is still unknown.

Hero's appearance

Grigory Melekhov (the characterization of the character will be discussed in detail in this article) is endowed by the author with a “wild” beauty, like all the Cossacks of his kind. He was taller than his older brother, black-haired and hook-nosed, which made him look like a gypsy. The eyes are slightly slanted, almond-shaped and “bluish”, and “the sharp slabs of the cheekbones are covered with brown skin.” His smile was "animal", "wolf teeth" snow-white. Hands are stubborn and callous to caress.

In all his appearance, wildness and rudeness are felt, combined with incredible beauty. Even during the war, he did not lose his attractiveness. Although he lost a lot of weight and became more like an Asian.

Grigory Melikhov wore traditional Cossack clothes: wide trousers, woolen white stockings, chiriks (shoes), a zipun, a spacious shirt, and a sheepskin coat. The clothes have a direct indication of nationality. The author emphasizes the Cossack origin of his hero.

Who is the main character of the novel?

Let's start with the fact that the focus of Sholokhov is the people, and not a specific person. And Gregory stands out from the general background only because he is the embodiment of folk traits. It became a reflection of the Cossack prowess and "love for the economy, for work" - the two main commandments of the Cossacks, who were warriors and farmers at the same time.

But Grigory Melekhov (“Quiet Flows the Don”) is famous not only for this. Distinctive features self-will, the desire for truth and independence in actions became his character. He always seeks to verify everything personally and does not take anyone's word for it. For him, truth is born slowly, from concrete reality, painfully and painfully. His whole life is the search for truth. The same thoughts tormented the Cossacks, who first encountered the new government.

Grigory Melekhov and Aksinya

The love conflict is one of the main ones in the novel. The relationship of the protagonist with Aksinya runs like a red thread through the entire work. Their feeling was high, but tragic.

Let's talk a little about the heroine. Aksinya is a stately, beautiful and proud Cossack woman, who perceives what is happening very emotionally. A difficult fate fell on her. At the age of sixteen, Aksinya was raped by her father, and a year later they married Stepan Astakhov, who beat her. This was followed by the death of a child. An unloved husband and hard work - that's the whole life of a young woman. Such was the fate of many peasant women and Cossack women, and therefore it is generally accepted that it reflects the whole era of the Quiet Don.

The fate of Grigory Melekhov was closely intertwined with the life of Aksinya. The woman wanted true love, so she so readily responded to the courtship of a neighbor. Passion broke out between the young people, burning fear, shame and doubt.

Even marrying Natalya did not stop Gregory. He continued to meet with Aksinya, for which he was expelled from the house by his father. But even here the lovers did not give up. Their life as workers does not bring happiness. And Aksinya's betrayal with the master's son forces Grigory to return to his wife.

However, the final break does not occur. The lovers start dating again. They carry their feelings through life, despite all the misfortunes and tragedies.

Character

Grigory Melekhov does not run away from reality. He soberly assesses everything that happens around and takes an active part in all events. This is considered the most striking and memorable in his image. He is characterized by breadth of soul and nobility. So, he saves the life of Stepan Astakhov, risking himself, although he does not have any friendly feelings for him. Then he bravely rushes to the rescue of those who killed his brother.

The image of Melekhov is complex and ambiguous. He is characterized by throwing, a feeling of inner dissatisfaction with his actions. That is why he constantly rushes about, for him to make a choice is not an easy task.

Social aspect

The character of the hero is determined by his origin. For example, Listnitsky is a landowner, and Koshevoy is a laborer, so you cannot rely on them. Grigory Melekhov has a completely different origin. "Quiet Don" was written during the heyday of socialist realism and harsh criticism. Therefore, it is not surprising that the main character has a peasant origin, which was considered the most “correct”. However, the fact that he was from the middle peasants became the reason for all his throwing. A worker and an owner coexist in the hero at the same time. This is the cause of internal discord.

Grigory Melekhov in the war practically does not care about his family, even Aksinya fades into the background. At this time, he is trying to understand the social structure and his place in it. In war, the hero does not seek benefits for himself, the main thing is to find the truth. That is why he looks so intently at the world. He does not share the enthusiasm of other Cossacks regarding the coming of the revolution. Gregory does not understand why they need her.

Previously, the Cossacks themselves decided who would rule them, chose the ataman, and now they are imprisoned for this. On the Don, neither generals nor peasants are needed, the people will figure it out themselves, as they figured it out before. Yes, and the promises of the Bolsheviks are false. They say that everyone is equal, but here comes the Red Army, chrome boots on the platoon, and the soldiers are all in windings. And where is the equality?

Search

Grigory Melekhov sees reality very clearly and soberly assesses what is happening. In this he is similar to many Cossacks, but there is one difference - the hero is looking for the truth. This is what gives him no rest. Sholokhov himself wrote that the opinion of all the Cossacks was embodied in Melekhov, but his strength was that he was not afraid to speak out and tried to resolve contradictions, and did not humbly accept what was happening, hiding behind words about brotherhood and equality.

Gregory could recognize the correctness of the Reds, but he felt the lie in their slogans and promises. He could not take everything on faith, and when he checked it in practice, it turned out that he was lied to.

Closing one's eyes to lies was tantamount to betraying oneself, one's land and one's people.

How to deal with an unwanted person?

Grigory Melekhov (the characterization confirms this) stood out against the background of other representatives of the Cossacks. This attracted Shtokman's attention to him. This man did not have time to convince people like our hero, so he immediately decided to eliminate him. The innocent Gregory was doomed to arrest and death. And what else to do with unnecessary people who ask unnecessary questions?

The order is given to Koshevoy, who is surprised and embarrassed. Gregory, his friend, is accused of dangerous way thoughts. Here we see the main conflict of the novel, where two sides clash, each of which is right. Shtokman takes all measures to prevent an uprising that could interfere with the accession Soviet power which he serves. The character of Gregory does not allow him to accept either his fate or the fate of his people.

However, Shtokman's order becomes the beginning of the very uprising that he wanted to prevent. Together with Melekhov, who entered into battle with Koshev, all the Cossacks rise. In this scene, the reader can be convinced with distinct clarity that Gregory is indeed a reflection of the people's will.

Melekhov decides to fight the power of the Reds. And this decision was due to a series of incidents: the arrest of his father, numerous executions in Tatarsky, a threat to the life of the hero himself, insults to the Red Army soldiers stationed at his base.

Gregory has made his choice and is sure of it. However, not all so simple. This is not the last turn in his life.

Throwing

The image of Grigory Melekhov in the novel "Quiet Don" is very ambiguous. He is constantly in throwing and is not sure of the correctness of the choice. So it is with the decision to confront the Red Army. He sees the prisoners and the dead who participated in his uprising, he understands who can benefit from it. The final epiphany comes when Gregory rushes alone to the machine gun and kills the sailors who controlled it. Melekhov then rolls in the snow and exclaims: “Who did I kill!”

The hero again finds himself in conflict with the world. All Melekhov's throwings reflect the fluctuations of the entire Cossacks, which first came from monarchism to Bolshevism, then decided to build autonomy, and then returned to Bolshevism again. Only on the example of Gregory do we see everything more clearly than it happened in reality. This is due to the very character of the hero, with his intransigence, passion, unbridledness. Strictly Melekhov judges himself and those around him. He is ready to answer for his wrong deeds, but he wants others to answer.

Summing up

The image of Grigory Melekhov in the novel "Quiet Don" is full of tragedy. Throughout his life he tried to find the truth, but what did he get in the end? In the last chapter of the book, we see how the hero loses the most precious thing - the woman he loves. Aksinya's death was the most a terrible blow for Melekhov. At that moment, the meaning of life was taken away from him. In this world, he no longer has close people. Spiritual devastation leads him to the forest. He tries to live alone, but can't stand it and returns to the farm where his son lives - the only thing left of Aksinya and their love.

What is the tragedy of Grigory Melekhov? He came into conflict with the world, could not come to terms with its new laws, attempts to change something ended in failure. But the hero could not come to terms with what was happening. The new era "ground" and distorted his fate. Gregory just turned out to be a man who could not adapt to change.

M. A. Sholokhov in his novel "Quiet Don" poeticizes the life of the people, deeply analyzes its way of life, as well as the origins of its crisis, which largely affected the fate of the main characters of the work. The author emphasizes that the people play a key role in history. It is he, according to Sholokhov, who is her driving force. Of course, the main character of Sholokhov's work is one of the representatives of the people - Grigory Melekhov. Its prototype is believed to be Kharlampy Ermakov, a Don Cossack (pictured below). He fought in the Civil War and in the First World War.

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

at the beginning of the work

Sholokhov, at the very beginning of his work, tells the story of the Melekhov family. Cossack Prokofy, Gregory's ancestor, returns home from the Turkish campaign. He brings with him a Turkish woman who becomes his wife. This event starts new story Melekhov family. The character of Gregory is already laid in her. This character is not accidentally similar in appearance to other men of his kind. The author notes that he is "like a father": he is half a head taller than Peter, although he is 6 years younger than him. He has the same "drooping kite nose" as Panteley Prokofievich's. Grigory Melekhov is as stooping as his father. Both even in a smile had something in common, "animal". It is he who is the successor of the Melekhov family, and not Peter, his elder brother.

Connection with nature

Gregory from the very first pages is depicted in everyday activities that are characteristic of the life of peasants. Like all of them, he leads horses to water, goes fishing, goes to games, falls in love, participates in the general peasant labor. The character of this hero is clearly revealed in the meadow mowing scene. In it, Grigory Melekhov discovers sympathy for someone else's pain, love for all living things. He feels sorry for the duckling, accidentally cut with a scythe. Gregory looks at him, as the author notes, with "a feeling of acute pity." This hero is well aware of the nature with which he is vitally connected.

How is the character of the hero revealed in his personal life?

Gregory can be called a man decisive action and deeds, strong passions. Numerous episodes with Aksinya speak eloquently about this. Despite his father's slander, at midnight, during haymaking, he still goes to this girl. Pantelei Prokofievich severely punishes his son. However, not afraid of his father's threats, Gregory still goes to his beloved again at night and returns only with the dawn. Already here, in his character, the desire to reach the end in everything is manifested. Marrying a woman he does not love could not make this hero give up himself, from a sincere, natural feeling. He only slightly reassured Panteley Prokofievich, who calls out to him: "Do not fear your father!" But no more. This hero has the ability to love passionately, and also does not tolerate any ridicule of himself. He does not forgive the joke on his feelings even to Peter and grabs the pitchfork. Gregory is always sincere and honest. He directly tells Natalya, his wife, that he does not love her.

How did life at the Listnitskys influence Grigory?

At first, he does not agree to run away from the farm with Aksinya. However, the impossibility of submission and innate stubbornness eventually force him to leave his native household, go to the estate of Listnitsky with his beloved. Gregory becomes a groom. However, life apart from the parental home is not at all according to him. The author notes that he was spoiled by an easy, well-fed life. Main character grew fat, lazy, began to look older than his years.

In the novel "Quiet Flows the Don" has great inner strength. The scene of this hero beating Listnitsky Jr. is clear evidence of this. Grigory, despite the position that Listnitsky occupies, does not want to forgive the offense inflicted on him. He beats him with a whip on his hands and face, not allowing him to come to his senses. Melekhov is not afraid of the punishment that will follow this act. And he treats Aksinya harshly: when he leaves, he never even looks back.

The self-esteem that is inherent in the hero

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

This hero is able to stand up not only for dignity but also for others. It is he who turns out to be the only one who defended Franya - the girl over whom the Cossacks abused. Finding himself in this situation powerless against the evil being committed, Grigory, for the first time in for a long time almost cried.

Gregory's courage in battle

The events of the First World War affected the fate of many people, including this hero. Grigory Melekhov was captured by a whirlwind of historical events. His fate is a reflection of the fate of many people, representatives of the simple Russian people. As a true Cossack, Gregory completely surrenders to the battle. He is bold and determined. Gregory easily defeats three Germans and takes them prisoner, deftly beats off an enemy battery, and also saves an officer. Medals and received by him officer rank- this is evidence of the courage of this hero.

The murder of a man, contrary to the nature of Gregory

Gregory is generous. He helps in battle even Stepan Astakhov, his rival, who dreams of killing him. Melekhov is shown as a skillful, courageous warrior. However, the murder still fundamentally contradicts the humane nature of Gregory, his life values. He confesses to Peter that he killed a man and through him "sick in soul."

Change of outlook under the influence of other people

Pretty quickly, Grigory Melekhov begins to experience disappointment and incredible fatigue. At first, he fearlessly fights, not thinking about the fact that he sheds both his own and other people's blood in battles. However, life and war confront Gregory with many people who have completely different views on the world and the events taking place in it. After talking with them, Melekhov begins to think about the war, as well as about the life he lives. The truth that Chubaty bears is that a person needs to be cut boldly. This hero easily talks about death, about the right and opportunity to deprive others of life. Gregory listens attentively to him and understands that such an inhuman position is alien to him, unacceptable. Garanzha is a hero who sowed the seeds of doubt in Grigory's soul. He suddenly began to question the values ​​that were previously considered unshakable, such as the military duty of the Cossacks and the king, who is "on our neck." Garanga makes the protagonist think about a lot. The spiritual quest of Grigory Melekhov begins. It is these doubts that become the beginning of Melekhov's tragic path to the truth. He is desperately trying to find the meaning and truth of life. The tragedy of Grigory Melekhov unfolds at a difficult time in the history of our country.

Undoubtedly, the character of Gregory is truly folk. tragic fate Grigory Melekhov, described by the author, still evokes the sympathy of many readers of The Quiet Flows the Don. Sholokhov (his portrait is presented above) managed to create a bright, strong, complex and truthful character of the Russian Cossack Grigory Melekhov.

This rich image embodied the dashing thoughtless youth of the Cossacks and the wisdom of a life lived, full of suffering and troubles of a terrible time of change.

The image of Grigory Melekhov

Grigory Melekhov by Sholokhov can be safely called the last free man. Free by any human standards.

Sholokhov deliberately did not make Melekhov a Bolshevik, despite the fact that the novel was written in an era when the very idea of ​​the immorality of Bolshevism was blasphemous.

And, nevertheless, the reader sympathizes with Grigory even at the moment when he flees on a cart with a mortally wounded Aksinya from the Red Army. The reader wishes Gregory salvation, not victory for the Bolsheviks.

Gregory is an honest, hardworking, fearless, trusting and disinterested person, a rebel. His rebelliousness manifests itself even in early youth, when, with gloomy determination, for the sake of love for Aksinya - married woman- goes to break with his family.

He has the determination not to be afraid public opinion, nor the condemnation of the farmers. He does not tolerate ridicule and condescension from the Cossacks. Read to mother and father. He is confident in his feelings, his actions are guided only by love, which seems to Gregory, in spite of everything, the only value in life, and therefore justifies his decisions.

You need to have great courage to live contrary to the opinion of the majority, to live with your head and heart, not to be afraid to remain rejected by the family and society. Only capable of such a real man, just a real fighter. The anger of the father, the contempt of the farmers - Grigory does not care. With the same courage, he jumps over the wattle fence to protect his beloved Aksinya from her husband's cast-iron fists.

Melekhov and Aksinya

In relations with Aksinya, Grigory Melekhov is becoming a man. From dashing young guy, with hot Cossack blood, he turns into a faithful and loving male protector.

At the very beginning of the novel, when Grigory is only seeking Aksinya, one gets the impression that further fate this woman, whose reputation he ruined with his youthful passion, he does not care at all. He even talks about it to his beloved. “The bitch doesn’t want to - the male won’t jump up,” Grigory says to Aksinya and immediately turns purple at the thought that scalded him like boiling water when he saw tears in the woman’s eyes: “I hit the lying one.”

What Grigory himself at first perceived as ordinary lust turned out to be love that he will carry through his whole life, and this woman will not be his mistress, but will become an unofficial wife. For the sake of Aksinya, Grigory will leave his father, mother, and young wife Natalya. For the sake of Aksinya, he will go to work instead of getting rich on his own farm. Will give preference to someone else's house instead of his own.

Undoubtedly, this madness deserves respect, as it speaks of the incredible honesty of this person. Gregory is incapable of living a lie. He cannot pretend and live as others tell him to. He does not lie to his wife either. He does not lie when he seeks the truth from the "whites" and the "reds". He lives. Gregory lives his own life, he himself weaves the thread of his fate and he does not know how to do it differently.

Melekhov and Natalia

Grigory's relationship with his wife Natalya is saturated with tragedy, like his whole life. He married the one he did not love, and did not hope to love. The tragedy of their relationship is that Grigory could not lie to his wife either. With Natalia, he is cold, he is indifferent. writes that Gregory caressed his young wife as a matter of duty, tried to inflame her with young love zeal, but from her side he met only humility.

And then Grigory remembered Aksinya's frenzied pupils darkened with love, and he understood that he could not live with the icy Natalya. He can't. Yes, I do not love you, Natalya! - Gregory will somehow say something in his hearts and he will immediately understand - no, he really does not love. Subsequently, Gregory will learn to feel sorry for his wife. Especially after her suicide attempt, but she won't be able to love for the rest of her life.

Melekhov and the Civil War

Grigory Melekhov is a truth seeker. That is why in the novel Sholokhov portrayed him as a rushing man. He is honest, and therefore has the right to demand honesty from others. The Bolsheviks promised equality, that there would be no more poor or rich. However, nothing has changed in life. The platoon leader, as before, is in chrome boots, but the Vanyok is still in windings.

Gregory first gets to the whites, then to the reds. But one gets the impression that individualism is alien to both Sholokhov and his hero. The novel was written in an era when being a "renegade" and being on the side of a Cossack business executive was mortally dangerous. Therefore, Sholokhov describes Melekhov's throwing during civil war like the throwing of a lost man.

Gregory does not cause condemnation, but compassion and sympathy. In the novel, Gregory takes on a similarity peace of mind and moral stability only after a short stay with the "Reds". Sholokhov could not have written otherwise.

The fate of Grigory Melekhov

During the 10 years during which the action of the novel develops, the fate of Grigory Melekhov is full of tragedies. Living in times of war and political change is a test in itself. And to remain human in these times is sometimes an impossible task. It can be said that Grigory, having lost Aksinya, having lost his wife, brother, relatives and friends, managed to preserve his humanity, remained himself, did not change his inherent honesty.

Actors who played Melekhov in the films "Quiet Flows the Don"

In the film adaptation of the novel by Sergei Gerasimov (1957), Pyotr Glebov was approved for the role of Grigory. In the film by Sergei Bondarchuk (1990-91), the role of Gregory went to the British actor Rupert Everett. In the new series, based on the book by Sergei Ursulyak, Grigory Melekhov was played by Yevgeny Tkachuk.