The poem by Nikolai Nekrasov, “To whom it is good to live in Russia” is replete with various characters, among them Yermil Girin. The characterization of this hero is very important for the entire work, as the author makes him one of the likely contenders for the title of a happy person.
About the poem
Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov created a poem about the hardships of peasant life, trying to portray all the torment that falls on the lot of the village peasant. And at the same time illustrate the life of the former serfs. One of these village people is Yermil Girin. Characterization of the character is not the last in understanding the way of life of that time. Yes, and Nekrasov himself distinguishes him from a number of others. We will discuss below how the author does this and why.
Yermil Girin: characteristic
This character appears in the first part of the poem. However, the reader does not personally get to know him, but hears only a story about him. Yermil Girin (the characteristics of the plan must include this moment) - the chairman of the village, who is nominated as a lucky candidate. Yermilu was elected to his post for honesty and intelligence by the burmister. And the man fully justified the hopes placed on him, for seven years faithfully and fairly fulfilling his duty, for which he earned the respect and love of the whole community.
Once Jirin abused power. When they came for his younger brother to recruit, he gave in his place the son of a local peasant. But even here the best moral qualities of the hero appeared. His conscience began to torment him. And he brought himself to the point that he almost hanged himself. Saved the position of the master, who returned his mother unjustly sent to the service of his son.
But after this incident, he no longer felt entitled to be chairman, so he left the service, and then became a miller. However, in spite of everything, Jirin continued to enjoy the trust and respect of other peasants. In this regard, the case with the sale of the mill is indicative. The fact is that he rented the mill where Yermil worked. And so the owner decided to sell his property. Bidding began, and Jirin won them. However, he did not have the necessary amount of deposit with him. Then the men came to his aid, who in half an hour managed to raise a far from small amount - a thousand rubles. Only their help saved Jirin from ruin.
However, this happy story ends with the fact that Yermila was arrested for refusing to pacify the rebellion that happened in his village.
Nekrasov specifically shows the strength and height of the moral foundations of the hero (a quoted characteristic of Yermila Girin confirms this). However, the injustice of the authorities does not allow even such a person to live happily.
Prototype hero
Yermil Girin, whose characterization was described above, was not invented from scratch by Nekrasov. The prototype was A. D. Potanin - a native of the peasants, managing the estate of Count Orlov. This man is famous for his selflessness, justice and honesty. Potanin and Girin are related, for example, by such quotes from the poem: “A bad conscience is necessary - the peasant must extort a penny from the peasant”, “He began to love the whole nation more than ever”.
Thus , Yermila Girin is a measure of happiness, for which, according to Nekrasov, it is necessary to be honest, fair, disinterested and respected people.