The work of V.M. . Narrating for the most part about the fates of the inhabitants of Russian villages, he chose characters that would be typical of his social group, and, on the other hand, stand out from it with spiritual beauty, some zest, a special outlook on the world, people, life itself. Critics knowingly call them "cranks."
What does "weirdo" mean?
The word itself appeared in the title of one of the stories that Shukshin wrote: "Freak." The summary of the work will help to understand what the essence of the "eccentricity" of the character is, and what is the meaning of it (in the word) in general. We learn the real name and surname of the hero at the very end: Knyazev Vasily Yegorych, a projectionist, a lover of dogs and detectives, who in his childhood dreamed of being a spy. He is 39 years old, but according to his actions, the weirdo sometimes seems like a true child - naive, conscientious, direct. Often he behaves, as it seems, contrary to common sense. Shukshin repeatedly draws the reader's attention to this. "Freak", the brief content of which can be reduced to several sentences, is interesting in that it makes it possible to present the whole life of the hero in several fragments. And although we already have a mature personality, we understand that Knyazev was like that five years ago and ten. No wonder he’s a “weirdo” in different situations: his wife calls him that affectionately and when he is angry. The neighbors, acquaintances, and friends also call them nicknamed. It seems they don’t take it seriously. And how can you take seriously a person who saw a lot of money at that time (50 rubles) in the store, but didn’t take it for himself, but turned to people: “Who lost it?” And when he discovered that he himself had dropped the bill, he was embarrassed to return, pick it up.
I thought - people will believe that someone else wants to pocket, because they will not believe that his money is! This episode confirms how accurately named his hero Shukshin: "Crank."
The summary brings to mind the scenes of the “collisions” of the character with the daughter-in-law, the brother's wife. She was clearly not a joy in visiting a relative. And the fact that he sings songs until nightfall, having drunk with a brother-in-law “for a meeting”, and that he is not “responsible”, i.e. not at the ranks and position, but simple, ordinary. And the fact that I am sincerely glad to meet with Dmitry, in general that I’m sincere, open, sincere, not calculating, like she and those whom Sofya Ivanovna respects immensely. In a frank conversation with his brother Dmitry complains and wonders: “Why are people evil?” Why does the wife only “bark”, barmaid and saleswomen answer buyers rudely and strive to cheat? Why do people not smile, do not say good words to each other, and are only concerned about what, where and from whom to “snatch”? Why does nobody care about the beauty of God's world, about quiet human joys?
The same questions are asked by Shukshin himself. The freak (a short summary of the work allows us to trace the confrontation outlined by the author) is trying to console his brother and correct his situation in his own way. He draws wonderfully, and therefore, when the daughter-in-law and brother went to work, he planned to please them with a surprise and painted, “like a toy”, a pram. All day the hero anticipates the surprise and admiration of Sophia Ivanovna. Yes, just did not take into account her hatred, frank contempt for the village and mockery of her. In this regard, the story of Shukshin is very truthful and realistic. The summary (“Crank” is concise in accordance with the genre features of the work) makes it possible to identify the hostility of philistinism (that is, the poorly educated, undeveloped part of the urban population), their arrogant attitude towards ordinary people. After all, Sophia herself comes from the village. It’s about people like her, they put together a saying: “I left the village, I didn’t reach the city”. And therefore, when she saw the painted carriage, she kicked out her son-in-law with a terrible scandal.
Vasily Yegorych blames himself for everything, his absurdity. However, we readers do not agree with this, the author, Vasily Shukshin, does not agree. The “Crank” (a brief summary clearly demonstrates this) is just right - those who condemn him are wrong, do not want to understand. Whoever seeks profit in everything and has forgotten that there is the beauty of nature and human relations,
sincere love and friendship, the poetry of life. That is what the writer wants to tell us. So that we look inside ourselves, into our souls and try to correct at least something.
So that we, albeit quite a bit, but also become weirdoes.