The story of I. S. Turgenev about the beliefs of peasant children, who are the main characters of the story "Bezhin Meadow," was first published in the journal N. A. Nekrasov "Contemporary" in 1851.
Lost Hunter
Realizing that he had lost the right path, our hero woke up until the night, which descended to the earth fragrant, warm and dark. Suddenly, in the distance, he noticed two small lights, and hastened to their light, to the people.
It turned out to be peasant boys, who were released to graze horses at night. They are the main characters of the story "Bezhin meadow."
By the fire
A gloomy gloom stood around. The hunter lay quietly under the bush. The children, and there were five of them, decided that he was dozing off, and began to have an interrupted conversation. Meanwhile, our hero looked at everyone. Fedya, about 14 years old, Pavlush and Ilyusha, about 12 years old, Kostya, about 10 years old, and the youngest, who looked about seven years old, Vanyusha, are the main characters. Bezhin meadow, on which they grazed horses, was near the river and very far from the hunter's house.
Fedya and Pavlusha
Fedya is the oldest boy, slender and handsome, with blond curly hair and blond eyes, clearly grew up in a wealthy family. His clothes were beautiful and brand new, and the boots belonged to him, and not to his father. He drove out at night for fun.
His position obliged to hold on significantly. Pavlusha with disheveled hair and gray eyes was squat and clumsy. His pockmarked face was smart, and his voice sounded significantly. He could not boast of clothes, but that was not the main thing in him.
This is how the main characters looked. Bezhin meadow, on which they were, at night became mysterious. Pavlush will play a special role in the story. Four other boys (they are also the main characters, "Bezhin Meadow") I. Turgenev will not characterize as clearly as Pavlushu.
Ilyusha, Kostya and Vanya
Ilyusha had an insignificant face, he constantly squinted at the fire and pulled a hat on his almost yellow hair. He was neatly dressed in new bast shoes and onuchi and a black scroll. Kostya, sad and thin, as if he wanted to tell something, but it seemed that he lacked words. Vanya, lying on the ground and covered up to a curly head with a mat, as it later turns out, was a poetic and kind boy. Here are all the main characters. Bezhin meadow united different boys that night. They all loved to listen to terrible stories that Ilyusha told most of all. The main characters ("Bezhin Meadow") of Turgenev are children with different characters. Now we will consider each of them in detail.
The main characters ("Bezhin meadow"), their characteristics
Fedya - the position obliges him to behave in a few words and is important so as not to drop his dignity. He tries to keep a patronizing look towards all the boys.
Pavlush is the brightest of all the guys, despite his ugliness. Terrible stories, from which everyone is breathtaking, pour out of him. Pavlush can tell an infinite number of scary stories. He is the only one who has heard the brownie walking at night, rearranging objects at night in an old paper mill. Significantly, he explains to those present that it is impossible to see the brownie.
On a dark night, his stories become completely believable. Pavlusha is not afraid of anything. When it seemed to him that the wolves had attacked the herd, he shot up on the horse, the dogs flew behind him, and only he was seen. When he returned, saying that there were no wolves, fortunately, everyone was astounded by his courage and determination. No less bravely he went to the river to get water. Everyone was afraid that he might be dragged away by a water man. But Pavlusha returned, as if nothing had happened, bringing water. All his behavior shows the reader a smart boy with a strong character. In the end, the author says that Pavlusha died in the same year. He fell from a horse and crashed to death.
Characteristic of Ilyusha
Ilyusha is the same age as Pavel; he also knows local beliefs well, but tells them in a hoarse, weak voice. Ilyusha's story about the drowned man also captures the imagination of the boys, and they listen to him with unflagging attention, because the story turns into the appearance of a werewolf sheep who can speak the human language. Ilyusha is happy to tell the story of a rebellious dead man who is looking for a grass break at night.
He is surprised to be asked about this story and, in general, when you can see the dead. He even knows how to find out who will die this year. Everyone is amazed. In general, Ilyusha, unlike all the kids, is already working with her brother in the factory. This causes respect for the children, as well as his deep knowledge. Here they are - the main characters ("Bezhin meadow") Turgenev.
Kostya and Vanya
Kostya is a weak and thin boy, even seemingly painful, with a thin voice told the story with the mermaid, which he heard from his father. The carpenter from the settlement of Gavril got lost in the forest, and he was met with the marvelous: a silver mermaid with green hair sways on a branch and calls him to her.
Gavrila really wanted to approach her, but laid a cross on himself. And the hand was heavy, barely raised. The little mermaid was saddened and told Gavrila that he would now always be gloomy, and disappeared. So Gavril walks forever sad. But in general, Kostya is cowardly. He would not have decided, like Pavel, to go to disperse the wolves, and the screams of a heron above the river frightened him.
The youngest and inconspicuous - curly Vanya. He lay all night without getting up, so that the author did not see him at first.
He says, slightly burry, in a very childish voice. He only listens to his older comrades, but he does not say anything. When they offer him a present, he, a kind and caring boy, asks to give it to his sister, because Anyuta is a good girl.
So all the main characters of the story “Bezhin Meadow” are described. The characterization shows us the spiritual beauty of children with their small weaknesses. I. Turgenev is probably the first Russian writer to dwell on the topic of child psychology in such detail.