"The Enchanted Wanderer" - Leskov's novel, created in the 2nd half of the 19th century. At the center of the work is an image of the life of a simple Russian peasant named Flyagin Ivan Severyanovich. Researchers agree that the image of Ivan Flyagin incorporated the main features of the Russian national character.
In Leskov’s novel, an entirely new type of hero is presented, incomparable with any other in Russian literature. He is so organically merged with the elements of life that he is not afraid to get entangled in it.
Flyagin - "an enchanted wanderer"
The author called Flyagin Ivan Severyanych "an enchanted wanderer." This hero is "fascinated" by life itself, its fairy tale, magic. That is why there are no limits for him. The hero perceives the world in which he lives as a real miracle. For him, he is infinite, as well as his wandering in this world. Flyagin Ivan does not have any specific goal in life; it is inexhaustible for him. This hero perceives each new haven as the next discovery on his way, and not just as a change of occupation.
The appearance of the hero
The author notes that his character has an external resemblance to Ilya Muromets, the legendary hero of epics. Ivan Severyanovich is distinguished by huge growth. He has an open swarthy face. The hair of this hero is thick, wavy, lead-colored (his gray hair was cast with this unusual color). Flagin wears a novice cassock with a monastic belt, as well as a high black cloth cap. In appearance, the hero can be given a little over fifty years. However, he, as Leskov notes, was a hero in the full sense of the word. This is a kind, simple-minded Russian hero.
Frequent change of seats, flight motive
Despite his livable nature, Ivan Severyanovich does not linger for a long time anywhere. It may seem to the reader that the hero is fickle, frivolous, unfaithful both to himself and to others. Is that why Flyagin roams the world and cannot find refuge in any way? No, it is not. The hero has repeatedly proved his loyalty and devotion. For example, he saved the family of Count K. from imminent death. In the same way, the hero Ivan Flyagin proved himself in a relationship with Pear and the prince. The frequent change of places, the motive for the flight of this hero is not due to the fact that he is dissatisfied with life. On the contrary, he longs to drink it in full. Ivan Severyanovich is so open to life that it seems that she carries it herself, and the hero only follows her course with wise humility. However, this should not be understood as a manifestation of passivity and mental weakness. This submission is an unconditional acceptance of fate. The image of Ivan Flyagin is characterized by the fact that the hero often does not give a report in his own actions. He relies on intuition, on the wisdom of life, which he trusts in everything.
Invulnerability to death
The characterization of Ivan Flyagin can be supplemented by the fact that the hero is honest and open to a higher power, and she rewards and protects him for this. Ivan is invulnerable to death; he is always ready for her. By some miracle, he manages to save himself from death when he keeps horses on the edge of the abyss. Then the gypsy takes Ivan Flyagin out of the loop. Next, the hero wins the duel with the Tatar, after which he escapes from captivity. During the war, Ivan Severyanovich escapes from bullets. He says about himself that he perished all his life, but he could not perish in any way. The hero explains this with his great sins. He believes that neither water nor land wants to accept it. On the conscience of Ivan Severyanovich - the death of a monk, gypsy Pear and Tatar. The hero easily abandons his children born of Tatar wives. Also, Ivan Severyanovich is “tempted by demons”.
"Sins" of Ivan Severyanych
None of the "sinful" acts are the product of hatred, thirst for personal gain or lies. The monk died in an accident. Ivan until his death spotted Savakirey in an honest battle. As for the story with the Pear, the hero acted according to the command of conscience. He understood that he was committing a crime, murder. Ivan Flyagin was aware that the death of this girl was inevitable, so he decided to take the sin upon himself. At the same time, Ivan Severyanovich decides to beg God for forgiveness in the future. The unfortunate Pear tells him that he will still live and pray to God and her, and his soul. She herself asks to kill her, so as not to commit suicide.
Naivety and cruelty
Ivan Flyagin has his own morality, his own religion, but in life this hero always remains honest with himself and with other people. Talking about the events of his life, Ivan Severyanovich does not conceal anything. The soul of this hero is open to both random fellow travelers and God. Ivan Severyanovich is simple and naive as a baby, but during the fight against evil and injustice, he can be very decisive, and sometimes cruel. For example, he cuts off the tail of a lordly cat, punishing her so for torturing a bird. For this, Ivan Flyagin himself was severely punished. The hero wants to "die for the people", and he decides to go to war instead of one young man with whom his parents cannot part.
Natural strength Flyagina
The huge natural strength of the hero is the cause of his actions. This energy prompts Ivan Flyagin to recklessness. The hero accidentally kills a monk who fell asleep on a cart with hay. It happens in excitement during a fast ride. In his youth, Ivan Severyanovich is not very burdened by this sin, but over the years the hero begins to feel that he will someday have to atone for it.
Despite this case, we see that the speed, dexterity, and heroic strength of Flyagin are not always destructive. As a child, this hero travels to Voronezh with the count and countess. During the trip, the wagon almost falls into the abyss.
The boy saves the owners by stopping the horses, but he himself barely manages to avoid death after falling from a cliff.
The courage and patriotism of the hero
Ivan Flyagin also shows courage during a duel with the Tatar. Again, because of his reckless daring, the hero is captured by the Tatars. Ivan Severyanovich yearns for his homeland, being in captivity. Thus, the characterization of Ivan Flyagin can be supplemented by his patriotism, love of the motherland.
The secret of optimism Flyagin
Flagin is a person endowed with remarkable physical and spiritual strength. That is how Leskov depicts him. Ivan Flyagin is a man for whom nothing is impossible. The secret of his constant optimism, invulnerability and strength is that the hero in any, even the most difficult situation, does exactly as the situation requires. The life of Ivan Flyagin is also interesting in that he is in harmony with those around him and is ready at any time to fight the evil that will get in his way.
Traits of national character in the image of Flagin
Leskov reveals to the readers the qualities of the national Russian character, creating the image of Ivan Flyagin, the “enchanted hero”. This character cannot be called impeccable. Rather, it is characterized by inconsistency. The hero is both kind and merciless. In some situations, it is primitive, in others it is cunning. Flagin is bold and poetic. Sometimes he does crazy things, but he does good to people. The image of Ivan Flyagin is an embodiment of the breadth of Russian nature, its immensity.