Always be in the mood. Learning to write an essay
Class: 5
Goals:
- Teach students how to create an artistic image.
- Develop the ability to compare literary characters, develop students’ speech activity, and their imagination.
- Raise a literate reader.
DURING THE CLASSES
I. Work based on the work of L.N. Tolstoy “ Prisoner of the Caucasus»
(Annex 1 . Slide 1)
1. Repetition of knowledge of literary theory
– We continue the conversation about Leo Tolstoy’s work “Prisoner of the Caucasus.”
Take advantage literary terms and don't get confused.
– “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is a literary fairy tale? (No, this is a story, because this work is narrative, small in volume, united by a plot and consisting of several episodes)
– If this is a narrative work, does that mean there is a personal narrative? (The narration is impersonal, because the conversation in “Prisoner of the Caucasus” comes from the perspective of the narrator)
– I believe that there is no plot in the work, there are only events all around. What do you think? (The work has a plot. The plot is a chain of events)
– Are the episode and the plot the same thing? (No, an episode is one event with a beginning and an end)
– What groups of characters are there in the story? (Main, secondary and episodic.)
– Name the main characters. (Zhilin, Kostylin and Dina.)
– Now look at the screen to see if you made a mistake.
(Annex 1 . Slide 2)
Story– a small narrative work united by a plot and consisting of one or several episodes.
Plot- this is a chain of events occurring in a work.
Episode– one event with a beginning and an end.
(Annex 1 . Slide 3)
Narration:
- Personal - on behalf of the hero-storyteller;
- Impersonal - on behalf of the narrator.
(Annex 1 . Slide 4)
Characters:
- main;
- minor;
- episodic.
– Do you agree with your answers? (Yes)
Answer marks...
2. Work on the epigraph
– What historical event is reflected in the story? (Caucasian War)
Caucasian War 1817 - 1864 (47 years old)- this is war Russian Empire with the mountain peoples of the North Caucasus (Chechens, Dagestanis, Ossetians, Tatars). About what people we're talking about in the story? (About the Tatars).
The Caucasian War is the longest war.
War is not a fairy tale about Ivan,
And we don’t gild it...
Boris Pasternak.
- Read the epigraph.
– Why is war not a fairy tale?
– What do you mean “we don’t gild it”?
Conclusion:
War is scary, painful, cruel; These are losses, death, crippled destinies, unhealed wounds.
War is the color of ashes, so we don’t “golden” it, it cannot be embellished.
– For many, war is a test of strength, endurance, and humanity.
– The story depicts two officers.
– In your opinion, what qualities should an officer have? (The officer is not alien to the concepts of honor, conscience, dignity; he is a brave, courageous, courageous person; he is devoted to his Fatherland).
3. Lesson topic
(Annex 1 . Slide 4)
a) Techniques for compiling characterizations of heroes
(Annex 1 . Slide 3)
Techniques for compiling characteristics literary heroes:
– external features (portrait);
– the hero’s actions, attitude towards other people, his feelings, speech;
– characterization of the hero by other characters
b) Comparative characteristics Zhilina and Kostylina.
–
Let's compare Zhilin and Kostylin.
– Sometimes it takes years to understand a person, and you and I will try to get to know the heroes in a lesson. The task is not easy, but it is quite solvable.
– To compare means to find commonality and differences in their character.
What common?
- Officers who served in the Caucasus, both were captured, both wrote a letter asking for a ransom to be sent, and took part in the escape.
Of course, these are not character traits, but events, but they are the ones that will help us figure out who the real officer and the real person are.
Difference:
Portrait
– Find a description of the heroes in the text;
– What character traits of heroes do we learn from their appearance descriptions?
Zhilin is daring, brave, courageous.
Kostylin is a physically weak person.
– Is it possible to limit ourselves to only this technique? (no, there may be a misconception about the hero).
"Talking" surname
– The author gave Zhilin and Kostylin “speaking” surnames.
The surname Zhilin comes from the word vein (blood vessels, tendons). Our hero is a wiry man. How else can you say it? (Lean, strong, hardy).
The surname Kostylin comes from the word crutch. What is a crutch? (A stick that serves as a support when walking for lame people or people with sore legs).
-Who is our hero? (Weak).
The behavior of the heroes during the attack of the Tatars
–
What decision does Zhilin make? Read it. What is characteristic of him? (Decision, courage, ability to resist the enemy; he is not timid).
– How is Kostylin behaving? Read it. What do you think of him? (He broke the agreement - not to leave; he behaves like a coward and a traitor).
In captivity
1. Ransom letter
– Why did Zhilin indicate the wrong address in the letter? (He knew that his mother had no money)
- Suppose he wrote a letter. Would your mother send money despite her poverty?
– Yes, because there is nothing in life higher and stronger than mother’s love.
Zhilin is able to spare the feelings of people close and dear to him.
Kostylin wrote more than one letter because he was a coward and thought only of himself.
2. Internal state heroes
While in captivity, Zhilin meets a Tatar girl, Dina. This image is not accidental. "Dina" means "faith" in Arabic.
– What does Zhilin believe in? (V own strength, for good luck; he is strong in spirit.)
– What does Kostylin believe in? (for ransom)
3. Activities of heroes
Zhilin:
– Handicrafts;
– Studying the area because he is thinking about escape;
– Communicates with Dina;
– He treats the people of the village.
- What can you say about him? (Master, smart, cunning, resourceful; man of action).
Kostylin:
- Inactive and moaning.
– Confirm what is said about the heroes with text.
4. The opinion of the Tatars about the heroes.
Zhilin won the respect of children and adults: “Korosh Urus”, “dzhigit”.
Kostylin - “meek”.
The escape
– Tell us about it.
– How did the heroes behave?
Zhilin shows will, courage, resourcefulness, perseverance, and actively fights.
Kostylin is a burden; suffers, shows selfishness, weakness.
c) Creation of an oral statement “Comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin”
using a table compiled during the work
Zhilin | Kostylin |
General | |
Officers who served in the Caucasus, both were captured, both wrote a letter asking for a ransom to be sent, and took part in the escape. | |
Difference | |
I. Portrait | |
Daring, hardy, brave. | Physically weak. |
II. "Talking" surname | |
Veins - blood vessels, tendons. A wiry, hardy, strong man. |
A crutch is a stick used to support the lame or people with sore legs when walking. Weak person. |
III. The behavior of the heroes during the attack of the Tatars | |
Not a timid person, brave, decisive, able to resist the enemy. | I broke the agreement - not to leave; behaves like a coward and a traitor). |
IV. In captivity | |
1. Ransom letter Able to spare the feelings of people close and dear to him. |
1. Ransom letter A coward, he thinks only of himself. |
2. Internal state Strong in spirit, believes in luck and his own strength. |
2. Internal state Mentally weak, believes in ransom. |
3. Classes Master, smart, cunning, resourceful; man of action . |
3. Classes Inactive, moaning. |
4. Tatar opinion about Zilina Zhilin won the respect of children and adults: “Korosh Urus”, “dzhigit”. |
4. The opinion of the Tatars about Kostylin Kostylin - “meek”. |
V. Escape | |
Zhilin shows will, courage, resourcefulness, perseverance, and actively fights. | Kostylin is a burden; suffers, shows selfishness, weakness. |
d) Significance of the topic
– Do you need to learn to determine the qualities of a person’s character or can you do without it in life?
This is necessary in life to:
– distinguish between good and evil, love and hatred, courage and cowardice;
– make the right choice of friends;
– understand the inner world of a person.
4. Homework:
1. Oral statement “Meeting with Zhilin and Kostylin”
– Imagine that you invited Zhilin and Kostylin to the lesson as participants in the Caucasian War.
– What could they tell you about?
– What would you ask them?
Teacher: Aratova G.B., MKOU Andreevskaya Secondary School
Lesson plan for Russian literature in 5th grade (FSES)
Subject:“Comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin”
Target: Give a comparative description of the heroes
Tasks:
1. Teach students how to create an artistic image.
2. Develop the ability to compare literary characters, develop students’ speech activity, and their imagination.
3. Raise a competent reader.
Technologies: technology of problem-based learning, dialogue technology, elements of technology for the development of critical thinking
During the classes:
Organizational stage
Checking homework
Homework - make a story plan
Motivation for learning activities
1. Work on the epigraph
What historical event is reflected in the story? (Caucasian War)
(47 years old)
War is not a fairy tale about Ivan,
And we don’t gild it...
Boris Pasternak.
Read the epigraph.
Why is war not a fairy tale?
What does “we don’t gild it” mean?
Conclusion:
War is scary, painful, cruel; These are losses, death, crippled destinies, unhealed wounds.
War is the color of ashes, so we do not “gild” it, it cannot be embellished.
For many, war is a test of strength, endurance, and humanity.
What historical event is reflected in the story? (Caucasian War)
Caucasian War 1817 - 1864 (47 years old)- this is the war of the Russian Empire with the mountain peoples of the North Caucasus (Chechens, Dagestanis, Ossetians, Tatars). What people are we talking about in the story? (about the Tatars).
The Caucasian War is the longest war.
The story features two officers. In your opinion, what qualities should an officer have? (the officer is not alien to the concepts of honor, conscience, dignity; he is a brave, courageous, courageous person; he is devoted to his Fatherland).
Do you think both of our heroes have these qualities? Are they different from each other?
How would you formulate the topic of our lesson? (Comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin)
What is the goal of our lesson? What should we learn in class? (Learn to compare heroes, understand how two heroes differ)
4. Work on new topic
A). Techniques for compiling characterizations of heroes
(portrait, actions of the hero, behavior, characterization of the hero by others actors)
Techniques for compiling characteristics of literary heroes:
External features (portrait);
The hero’s actions, attitude towards other people, his feelings, speech;
Characteristics of the hero by other characters
b). Comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin.
- Let's compare Zhilin and Kostylin.
Sometimes it takes years to understand a person, and you and I will try to get to know the heroes in a lesson. The task is not easy, but it is quite solvable.
To compare means to find commonality and differences in their character.
What common?
Officers who served in the Caucasus, both were captured, both wrote a letter asking for a ransom to be sent, and took part in the escape.
Of course, these are not character traits, but events, but they are the ones that will help us figure out who the real officer and the real person are.
Difference:
I . Portrait
Find a description of the heroes in the text;
What character qualities of the characters do we learn from the description of their appearance?
Zhilin is daring, brave, courageous.
Kostylin is a physically weak person.
Is it possible to limit ourselves to just this technique? (no, there may be a misconception about the hero).
II . "Talking" surname
The surname Zhilin comes from the word vein (blood vessels, tendons). Our hero is a wiry man. How else can you say it? (lean, strong, hardy).
The surname Kostylin comes from the word crutch. What is a crutch? (a stick that serves as a support when walking for lame people or people with sore legs).
Who is our hero? (weak).
III
- What decision does Zhilin make? Read it. What is characteristic of him? (decisiveness, courage, ability to resist the enemy; he is not timid).
How does Kostylin behave? Read it. What do you think of him? (violated the agreement - not to leave; behaves like a coward and a traitor).
IV . In captivity
1. Ransom letter
Why did Zhilin indicate the wrong address in the letter? (he knew that his mother had no money)
Suppose he wrote a letter. Would your mother send money despite her poverty? Yes, because there is nothing in life higher and stronger than mother's love.
Zhilin is able to spare the feelings of people close and dear to him.
Kostylin wrote more than one letter because he was a coward and thought only of himself.
2. The internal state of the heroes
While in captivity, Zhilin meets a Tatar girl, Dina. This image is not accidental. "Dina" means "faith" in Arabic.
What does Zhilin believe in? (in his own strength, in luck; he is strong in spirit.)
What does Kostylin believe in? (for ransom)
3. Hero Activities
Handicrafts;
Studying the area as he thinks about escaping;
Communicates with Dina;
He heals the people of the village.
What can you say about him? (master, smart, cunning, resourceful; man of action).
Kostylin:
Inactive and moaning.
Confirm what is said about the heroes with text.
4. Tatar opinion about heroes.
Kostylin - “meek”.
V . The escape
Tell us about it.
How did the heroes behave?
5. Application of knowledge
Fill out the table “Comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin”
ZhilinKostylin
General
Officers who served in the Caucasus, both were captured, both wrote a letter asking for a ransom to be sent, and took part in the escape.
Difference
I . Portrait
Daring, hardy, brave.
Physically weak.
II . "Talking" surname
Veins - blood vessels, tendons.
A wiry, hardy, strong man.
A crutch is a stick used to support the lame or people with sore legs when walking.
Weak person.
III . The behavior of the heroes during the attack of the Tatars
Not a timid person, brave, decisive, able to resist the enemy.
I broke the agreement - not to leave; behaves like a coward and a traitor).
IV . In captivity
1. Ransom letter
Able to spare the feelings of people close and dear to him.
1. Ransom letter
A coward, he thinks only of himself.
2. Internal state
Strong in spirit, believes in luck and his own strength.
1. Internal state
Mentally weak, believes in ransom.
3. Classes
Master, smart, cunning, resourceful; man of action .
3. Classes
Inactive, moaning.
4.Tatar opinion about Zilina
Zhilin won the respect of children and adults: “Korosh Urus”, “dzhigit”.
4. The opinion of the Tatars about Kostylin
Kostylin - “meek”.
V . The escape
Zhilin shows will, courage, resourcefulness, perseverance, and actively fights.
Kostylin is a burden; suffers, shows selfishness, weakness.
6.Information about homework
1. Compose a syncwine in groups (group 1 – Zhilin, group 2 – Kostylin)
2. Imagine that you invited Zhilin and Kostylin to the lesson as participants in the Caucasian War. What could they tell you about? What would you ask them?
7. Summing up the lesson. Reflection
1. Significance of the topic
Do you need to learn to determine the qualities of a person’s character or can you do without it in life?
This is necessary in life to:
Distinguish between good and evil, love and hatred, courage and cowardice;
Make the right choice of friends;
Understand the inner world of a person.
Class: 5
Goals:
- Teach students how to create an artistic image.
- Develop the ability to compare literary characters, develop students’ speech activity, and their imagination.
- Raise a literate reader.
DURING THE CLASSES
I. Work based on the work of L.N. Tolstoy “Prisoner of the Caucasus”
(Annex 1 . Slide 1)
1. Repetition of knowledge of literary theory
– We continue the conversation about Leo Tolstoy’s work “Prisoner of the Caucasus.”
Use literary terms and don't get confused.
– “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is a literary fairy tale? (No, this is a story, because this work is narrative, small in volume, united by a plot and consisting of several episodes)
– If this is a narrative work, does that mean there is a personal narrative? (The narration is impersonal, because the conversation in “Prisoner of the Caucasus” comes from the perspective of the narrator)
– I believe that there is no plot in the work, there are only events all around. What do you think? (The work has a plot. The plot is a chain of events)
– Are the episode and the plot the same thing? (No, an episode is one event with a beginning and an end)
– What groups of characters are there in the story? (Main, secondary and episodic.)
– Name the main characters. (Zhilin, Kostylin and Dina.)
– Now look at the screen to see if you made a mistake.
(Annex 1 . Slide 2)
Story– a small narrative work united by a plot and consisting of one or several episodes.
Plot- this is a chain of events occurring in a work.
Episode– one event with a beginning and an end.
(Annex 1 . Slide 3)
Narration:
- Personal - on behalf of the hero-storyteller;
- Impersonal - on behalf of the narrator.
(Annex 1 . Slide 4)
Characters:
- main;
- minor;
- episodic.
– Do you agree with your answers? (Yes)
Answer marks...
2. Work on the epigraph
– What historical event is reflected in the story? (Caucasian War)
Caucasian War 1817 - 1864 (47 years old)- this is the war of the Russian Empire with the mountain peoples of the North Caucasus (Chechens, Dagestanis, Ossetians, Tatars). What people are we talking about in the story? (About the Tatars).
The Caucasian War is the longest war.
War is not a fairy tale about Ivan,
And we don’t gild it...
Boris Pasternak.
- Read the epigraph.
– Why is war not a fairy tale?
– What do you mean “we don’t gild it”?
Conclusion:
War is scary, painful, cruel; These are losses, death, crippled destinies, unhealed wounds.
War is the color of ashes, so we don’t “golden” it, it cannot be embellished.
– For many, war is a test of strength, endurance, and humanity.
– The story depicts two officers.
– In your opinion, what qualities should an officer have? (The officer is not alien to the concepts of honor, conscience, dignity; he is a brave, courageous, courageous person; he is devoted to his Fatherland).
3. Lesson topic
(Annex 1 . Slide 4)
a) Techniques for compiling characterizations of heroes
(Annex 1 . Slide 3)
Techniques for compiling characteristics of literary heroes:
– external features (portrait);
– the hero’s actions, attitude towards other people, his feelings, speech;
– characterization of the hero by other characters
b) Comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin.
–
Let's compare Zhilin and Kostylin.
– Sometimes it takes years to understand a person, and you and I will try to get to know the heroes in a lesson. The task is not easy, but it is quite solvable.
– To compare means to find commonality and differences in their character.
What common?
- Officers who served in the Caucasus, both were captured, both wrote a letter asking for a ransom to be sent, and took part in the escape.
Of course, these are not character traits, but events, but they are the ones that will help us figure out who the real officer and the real person are.
Difference:
Portrait
– Find a description of the heroes in the text;
– What character traits of heroes do we learn from their appearance descriptions?
Zhilin is daring, brave, courageous.
Kostylin is a physically weak person.
– Is it possible to limit ourselves to only this technique? (no, there may be a misconception about the hero).
"Talking" surname
– The author gave Zhilin and Kostylin “speaking” surnames.
The surname Zhilin comes from the word vein (blood vessels, tendons). Our hero is a wiry man. How else can you say it? (Lean, strong, hardy).
The surname Kostylin comes from the word crutch. What is a crutch? (A stick that serves as a support when walking for lame people or people with sore legs).
-Who is our hero? (Weak).
The behavior of the heroes during the attack of the Tatars
–
What decision does Zhilin make? Read it. What is characteristic of him? (Decision, courage, ability to resist the enemy; he is not timid).
– How is Kostylin behaving? Read it. What do you think of him? (He broke the agreement - not to leave; he behaves like a coward and a traitor).
In captivity
1. Ransom letter
– Why did Zhilin indicate the wrong address in the letter? (He knew that his mother had no money)
- Suppose he wrote a letter. Would your mother send money despite her poverty?
– Yes, because there is nothing in life higher and stronger than mother’s love.
Zhilin is able to spare the feelings of people close and dear to him.
Kostylin wrote more than one letter because he was a coward and thought only of himself.
2. The internal state of the heroes
While in captivity, Zhilin meets a Tatar girl, Dina. This image is not accidental. "Dina" means "faith" in Arabic.
– What does Zhilin believe in? (in his own strength, in luck; he is strong in spirit.)
– What does Kostylin believe in? (for ransom)
3. Activities of heroes
Zhilin:
– Handicrafts;
– Studying the area because he is thinking about escape;
– Communicates with Dina;
– He treats the people of the village.
- What can you say about him? (Master, smart, cunning, resourceful; man of action).
Kostylin:
- Inactive and moaning.
– Confirm what is said about the heroes with text.
4. The opinion of the Tatars about the heroes.
Zhilin won the respect of children and adults: “Korosh Urus”, “dzhigit”.
Kostylin - “meek”.
The escape
– Tell us about it.
– How did the heroes behave?
Zhilin shows will, courage, resourcefulness, perseverance, and actively fights.
Kostylin is a burden; suffers, shows selfishness, weakness.
c) Creation of an oral statement “Comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin”
using a table compiled during the work
Zhilin | Kostylin |
General | |
Officers who served in the Caucasus, both were captured, both wrote a letter asking for a ransom to be sent, and took part in the escape. | |
Difference | |
I. Portrait | |
Daring, hardy, brave. | Physically weak. |
II. "Talking" surname | |
Veins - blood vessels, tendons. A wiry, hardy, strong man. |
A crutch is a stick used to support the lame or people with sore legs when walking. Weak person. |
III. The behavior of the heroes during the attack of the Tatars | |
Not a timid person, brave, decisive, able to resist the enemy. | I broke the agreement - not to leave; behaves like a coward and a traitor). |
IV. In captivity | |
1. Ransom letter Able to spare the feelings of people close and dear to him. |
1. Ransom letter A coward, he thinks only of himself. |
2. Internal state Strong in spirit, believes in luck and his own strength. |
2. Internal state Mentally weak, believes in ransom. |
3. Classes Master, smart, cunning, resourceful; man of action . |
3. Classes Inactive, moaning. |
4. Tatar opinion about Zilina Zhilin won the respect of children and adults: “Korosh Urus”, “dzhigit”. |
4. The opinion of the Tatars about Kostylin Kostylin - “meek”. |
V. Escape | |
Zhilin shows will, courage, resourcefulness, perseverance, and actively fights. | Kostylin is a burden; suffers, shows selfishness, weakness. |
d) Significance of the topic
– Do you need to learn to determine the qualities of a person’s character or can you do without it in life?
This is necessary in life to:
– distinguish between good and evil, love and hatred, courage and cowardice;
– make the right choice of friends;
– understand the inner world of a person.
4. Homework:
1. Oral statement “Meeting with Zhilin and Kostylin”
– Imagine that you invited Zhilin and Kostylin to the lesson as participants in the Caucasian War.
– What could they tell you about?
– What would you ask them?
“Prisoner of the Caucasus” is an edifying story by L. N. Tolstoy for children. In it, the writer showed two striking opposite images: the brave and resourceful Zhilin and the weak and cowardly Kostylin. The contrast between these people is strengthened by the extreme situation of being captured.
Before captivity
Zhilin and Kostylin are two Russian officers serving in the Caucasus. Kostylin is “an overweight, fat man,” so it is logical to assume that he prefers to command than to fight. And the commander from Kostylin is useless. He persuades Zhilin to leave the soldiers and continue the journey together: “There’s no urine, I’m hungry, and it’s hot.” It’s hard for Kostylin to endure even such inconveniences.
All the way, Kostylin thinks only about food, completely forgetting about a possible attack by the mountaineers. Even when entering the gorge, he ignores Zhilin’s warning: “What to see? Let's go forward." This already shows the huge difference between the two officers.
Zhilin is a prudent commander. He climbs the mountain and notices the mountaineers. Together, the officers had a chance to shoot back in order to retreat to the convoy. However, Kostylin breaks the agreement, betrays his comrade in arms and flees.
When Zhilin realizes that it will no longer be possible to escape from the trap, he makes a courageous decision: “I won’t give in alive...”. A horse is killed under a brave officer. Zhilin tries to fight back to the end, but, crowded in, the mountaineers take him prisoner.
Together again
Once captured, Zhilin does not despair. He examines the village with interest and remembers all the details. which may be useful when escaping.
Zhilin certainly knows about the cruelty of the mountaineers, but he behaves and talks to them very boldly: “To be timid with them is worse.” Even under the threat of punishment, the officer declares that he refuses to pay three thousand rubles. This behavior involuntarily evokes respect from enemies: “Dzhigit Urus!”
During a dispute about the amount of the ransom, Zhilin meets Kostylin again. It turns out that the coward was also unable to hide. Unlike Zhilin, Kostylin’s will was broken even before his capture. The mountaineers easily forced him to write a letter asking him to pay five thousand rubles.
The officers were specially brought together to influence the intractable Zhilin. The idea of the mountaineers failed. Zhilin still managed to reduce the ransom to 500 rubles (“Kill if you want, it won’t do you any good”), and he also demanded a decent allowance for himself and his friend.
Behavior in captivity
Kostylin completely resigned himself to fate. He places all his hopes only on the ransom, “counting the days... or sleeping.”
Zhilin relies on his own strength. Knowing that the old mother would hardly be able to collect even five hundred rubles, he sent a letter to a false address.
Zhilin’s skillful hands allowed him to gain Dina’s trust and even greater respect from the owner. Various things are brought to the officer from all over the area for repair. Zhilin needed the fame of the master only to distract attention. Secretly, he began to dig a tunnel in the barn, and one day, climbing a mountain, he outlined a path to escape.
First escape
The initiative to escape belongs exclusively to Zhilin. He even had to persuade his comrade to run away together. Kostylin from the very beginning became a burden for Zhilin. He constantly complained of fatigue and sore legs. In a fit of irritation, Zhilin regretted taking “this deck with me... If only I would have left long ago.”
The negative attitude towards Kostylin softens a little when he asks Zhilin to leave him and run away alone. But the officer cannot do this. Zhilin courageously hoists fat Kostylin onto his shoulders.
Even with a heavy burden, Zhilin could have escaped his pursuers. The fugitives were given away by Kostylin’s scream.
Second escape
The failure weighed heavily on both prisoners. Kostylin got sick in the pit and stopped hoping for anything. Even Zhilin did not see a way out of the situation.
The friendly relations established with Dina helped Zhilin. The girl initially fed the prisoners, and then decided to help them escape. Kostylin didn’t have the strength to make a second attempt: “It’s obvious that I can’t get out of here.”
Leo Tolstoy is best known for his large-scale works. “War and Peace”, “Sunday”, “Anna Karenina” - these novels come to mind first. But among Tolstoy’s works there are also stories that are simple and truthful. One of them is “Prisoner of the Caucasus”. The two main characters are Zhilin and Kostylin. A comparative description of these heroes is presented in the article.
History of creation
Before giving a comparative description of Zhilin and Kostylin, it is worth talking about how work on “Prisoner of the Caucasus” began. The idea for the work arose from the writer in his youth. The plot is based on the events that happened to Tolstoy during his service in the Caucasus. In 1853, Tolstoy almost was captured. Like a true artist, he preserved this event in his memory, and later, returning to Yasnaya Polyana, he transferred it to paper. True, Tolstoy’s hero failed to avoid capture. Otherwise the plot wouldn't be so interesting.
The story was first published in 1872. The author himself highly valued his work and recalled it even in the treatise “What is Art?” Critics praised "Prisoner of the Caucasus." An important feature of the story is its simplicity of presentation, which is not characteristic of Tolstoy the novelist. Samuel Marshak called the work “an example of a short story for children.”
Plan
A comparative description of Zhilin and Kostylin in the article is given simultaneously with the presentation of the story. The author created two bright portraits. One belongs to the main character, the other to his antipode. There are a few more interesting images. But in literature lessons, students first of all make a comparative description of Zhilin and Kostylin. Why? The actions of these heroes illustrate the author's idea. One is brave and noble. The other is a coward and a traitor. We see a similar opposition in the works of other Russian writers, for example in The Captain's Daughter.
Let's draw up a plan for comparative characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin:
- Appearance.
- Tatars.
- In captivity.
Letter from mother
The main character of the story is an officer named Zhilin. One day he receives a letter from his mother. She asks her son to come and say goodbye. The woman senses imminent death, and therefore hastily looks for a bride for him. At that time it was very dangerous in the Caucasus. Tatars (as all Muslims were called in the 19th century) were scurrying around everywhere. Zhilin was not supposed to leave the fortress without being accompanied by soldiers.
Kostylin
At that moment, when Zhilin was thinking about whether he should go alone, unaccompanied by soldiers, another officer rode up to him on a horse and offered to go together. The author gives a description of the main character: he was a short, strong man. When making a comparative description of Zhilin and Kostylin from “Prisoner of the Caucasus,” it is worth mentioning: the author gave his characters surnames that were not random, they correspond to their appearance. Zhilin is strong, sinewy. Kostylin is overweight, plump, clumsy.
So, main character agrees to go. But on condition: do not leave under any circumstances. When asked whether the gun is loaded, Kostylin answers in the affirmative.
Tatars
A comparative description of Zhilin and Kostylin should be drawn up on the basis of the capture scene. The officers did not manage to move far from the fortress - the Tatars appeared. Kostylin at that moment drove a little further away. When he saw the Tatars approaching, he did not shoot, but rushed away. The main point in the comparative description of Zhilin and Kostylin from “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is their behavior in a critical situation. The first one was never lost, he was brave. The second behaved cowardly, betraying his comrade.
Ransom
There were about thirty Tatars, and Zhilin, of course, was unable to resist them. However, he did not give up quickly. “I won’t give in alive,” he thought, and this thought perfectly reveals the inner world of the hero of the story “Prisoner of the Caucasus.” The author gives the characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin at the beginning of the work. But what happened next to the officer? What is the fate of the traitor who, having seen the Tatars, “ran towards the fortress with all his might”?
As has already been said, Zhilin was not tall, but he was brave. Despite the fact that he was left alone, he fought for a long time with the Tatars who attacked him. However, they won and took the prisoner to their village. They put him in stocks and took him to the barn.
In order to compose a complete description of the heroes Zhilin and Kostylin, you need to remember how the main character behaved in captivity. After all, later the officer who betrayed him will end up there too.
The Tatars who captured Zhilin did not speak Russian - they called an interpreter. The Russian officer was brought to the main one - Abdul-Murat - and was told that he was now his master. He, with the help of an interpreter, put forward a demand: Zhilin will be released after three thousand coins are paid for him. But the prisoner did not have rich relatives, and he did not want to upset his mother. He immediately told the Tatars that he could not give more than five hundred rubles.
Zhilin understood: you cannot be timid with the Tatars. He spoke to them confidently, even with some challenge. Suddenly they brought Kostylin. It turned out that he was unable to escape. He, unlike the main character, behaved quietly and immediately wrote a letter home - he asked to send five thousand rubles. Zhilin also wrote, but the address indicated was incorrect. He was sure that he would escape sooner or later. At the same time, he demanded from the Tatars that they keep him together with his comrade. Even at such moments, he thought not only about himself, but also about the other prisoner, who, by the way, did not deserve it.
In a comparative full description of Zhilin and Kostylin, it must certainly be said: the main character, unlike the second captured officer, was ready to fight to the last.
In captivity
Zhilin is a man accustomed to fighting. He no longer wrote letters home; he realized that his mother, to whom he himself had previously sent money, could not collect even five hundred rubles. He hatched a plan to escape. In the essay “Comparative Characteristics of Zhilin and Kostylin” it is important to talk about how the officers behaved in captivity.
Kostylin was either sleeping or counting the days. He wrote another letter to his relatives. He was homesick, homesick, and didn’t even think about escaping. He was too cowardly to dare to take such a step.
Zhilin became bored, but he was “a master of all kinds of needlework.” I started making toys from clay. One day he made a doll and gave it to Dina, the daughter of his “master”. The girl was frightened at first, but over time she stopped being afraid of the Russian prisoner and even developed sympathy for him. Soon Zhilin made another doll out of clay for Dina. And she, as a sign of gratitude, brought him milk (the Tatars kept their prisoners on dry rations).
Dina began to bring Zhilin milk every day, and sometimes, if he was lucky, flat cakes or lamb. Soon the whole village learned that the Russian was a jack of all trades. One day Zhilin called Abdul to his place and ordered him to repair a broken watch, and he quickly completed the task.
People from nearby villages began to come to the captured Russian. Either fix the watch or fix the gun. Two months later, he began to understand a little the language of the inhabitants of the village. Once they turned to him with a request to cure a Tatar. Zhilin could no longer do this, but he whispered into the water and gave it to the sick man to drink. The Tatar, fortunately, recovered.
Old horseman
The inhabitants of the village fell in love with the Russian prisoner. The owner once admitted: “I would have let you go, but I gave my word and spent money on you.” The only thing Zhilin didn’t like was the old Tatar, who always wore a turban. The story of this man is very interesting. Once upon a time, the Russians ravaged the village and killed his entire family. Only one son survived, and even he went over to the side of the enemy. The old man found the traitor and killed him. He hated the Russians and more than once demanded that Zhilin be killed.
Preparing to escape
Zhilin made toys for Tatar children and observed the life of the village. But he did not accept his fate. But he knew that there was no one to pay the ransom for him. Zhilin little by little dug into the barn. Kostylin did not take part in this. He humbly waited for the money that his rich relatives were supposed to send him.
Zhilin did not even think of running away alone. He developed an escape plan, but would never have left the village without Kostylin. He refused to run for a long time. Kostylin was scared, and besides, he didn’t know the road. But there was no need to expect pity from the Tatars. One of them was killed by Russian soldiers.
Failed escape
Zhilin was dexterous and resilient. Kostylin - slow, clumsy. On a quiet summer night they finally decided to escape. We got out of the barn and went towards the fortress. But Kostylin stopped every now and then, sighed and groaned. If Zhilin had fled himself, he would not have fallen into the hands of the Tatars again. Kostylin began to complain and lament. In a word, he behaved completely differently than an officer should. Zhilin had to drag him on himself - he could not leave his comrade.
The fugitives were quickly overtaken by the Tatars. From now on, the chances of salvation became very small. Abdula promised Zhilin that he would kill them if he did not receive the ransom within two weeks. Now they were kept in prison, separately. The pads were not removed and they were not allowed into fresh air.
Dina
There was very little space in the dungeon. There was no point in digging. Dina began to come to Zhilin: she brought flat cakes and cherries. And once she said: “They want to kill you.” Abdul's elders ordered him to destroy the prisoners, and in the Caucasus you are not supposed to contradict the elders. Zhilin asked the girl to bring him a long stick with which he could get out of the basement. But she refused - she was afraid of her father.
One day, Abdul’s daughter finally brought him a long pole. That day there was almost no one in the village, which she informed Zhilin about. Kostylin did not want to run, but helped his comrade get out of the basement. Zhilin said goodbye to him. Dina accompanied him to the outskirts of the village.
Return
But this time there were some adventures. Zhilin was already approaching the fortress when he saw the Tatars. Fortunately, there were Cossacks nearby who rushed to his cry. Zhilin was saved. For a long time he told his comrades about what he had experienced during these months.
Kostylin returned a month later. They still paid five thousand rubles for it. They brought him in barely alive.
Kostylin is a weak person. Unlike Zhilin, he is ready for any kind of humiliation, just not to fight. But he's not a scoundrel. During his first escape, he asks his comrade to leave him and not drag him along. But he refuses. Zhilin's principle: die, but not leave a friend in trouble.
The characters were brought up in different conditions. The author says almost nothing about Zhilin’s family, but it is known that he is not rich and not noble. However, he is used to taking care not only of himself, but also of his mother. Kostylin is from a wealthy noble family. Probably someone always made decisions for him. He is not used to acting - he is used to going with the flow.
"Prisoner of the Caucasus" in cinema
The story has been filmed twice. For the first time in 1975. The second film based on the work of Leo Tolstoy was released in the mid-nineties. It was filmed by Sergei Bodrov Sr. However, in the 1995 film, the events take place in the years