This story is part of a series of works by Turgenev, "Notes of the Hunter." In order to better reveal the topic “Characteristics of a biryuk”, you need to know the plot well, and it is tied to the fact that a thunderstorm suddenly catches up with a hunter lost in the forest. To wait out the weather, he hid under a large bush. But then he was picked up by a local forester, Thomas Kuzmich, and drove to his home. There, the hunter saw the wretched refuge of his savior, and at the same time he had two children: a 12-year-old girl and a baby in a cradle. There was no wife in the house; she fled from him with another, leaving him children.
Turgenev, “Biryuk”: characteristics of a biryuk
People called this gloomy forester a birch. He had a wide figure and a face that did not betray any emotions. When the rain ended, they went to the yard. And then the sound of an ax was heard, the forester immediately realized where he came from, and soon he dragged a wet man who was begging for mercy. The hunter immediately took pity on the poor peasant and was ready to pay for him, but the severe turkey himself released him.
As you can see, the characterization of the biryuk is not simple, Turgenev shows the hero, albeit a beggar, but well knowing his duty, which cannot be taken in any way. He understands a peasant thief who is trying to somehow get out "from hunger." And here the hero’s conflict between a sense of duty and compassion for a poor person is shown, and yet he decided in favor of compassion. Thomas Kuzmich is an integral and strong personality, but tragic, because he has his own views on life, but sometimes he, a principle person, has to give them up.
Biryuk characteristic
The author points out that in the middle of the XIX century the majority of the peasant people treated theft as something natural and ordinary. Of course, serious social problems led to this phenomenon: lack of education, poverty and immorality.
But it’s the turkey that is unlike most of these people, albeit as poor as everyone else. His hut consisted of one small room, low and empty. But still, he does not steal, although if he did, he could afford a better hut.
Duty and compassion
The characteristic of the biryuk suggests that he himself does not steal, and does not give to others, since he perfectly understands that if everyone does this, it will only get worse.
He is confident in this and therefore is firm in his decision. But, as the essay describes, his principles sometimes compete with feelings of pity and compassion, and he will have this hesitation all his life. After all, he understands the one who, from his despair, is going to steal.