The image of Ivan Flyagin in the story of N. S. Leskov "Enchanted Wanderer"

"Enchanted Wanderer" - Leskov's story, created in the second half of the 19th century. In the center of the work is a depiction of the life of a simple Russian peasant named Ivan A. Flyagin. Researchers agree that the image of Ivan Flyagin absorbed the main features of the Russian national character.

Leskov's novel presents a completely new type of hero, which is incomparable with any other in Russian literature. He so organically merged with the element of life that he is not afraid to get confused in it.

Flyagin - "an enchanted wanderer"

The author called Fljagin Ivan Severyanich "an enchanted wanderer." This hero is "fascinated" by life itself, its fairy tale, magic. That's why there are no limits to it. The hero perceives the world in which he lives, as a real miracle. For him, he is infinite, no less than his wanderings in this world. Ivan Fljagin has no specific goal in life, it is inexhaustible for him. This hero perceives every new haven as another discovery on his way, and not just as a change of occupation.

Appearance of the hero

The author notes that his character has an external resemblance to Ilya Muromets, the legendary hero of the epic. Ivan Severyanovich is very large. He has an open, swarthy face. The hair of this hero is thick, wavy, leaden in color (its sieve was cast by this unusual color). The flask is worn by a novice with a monastic belt, and also a high cloth cap of black color. By the form of the hero can be given a little more than fifty years. However, he, as Leskov notes, was a hero in the full sense of the word. This is a kind, simple-hearted Russian hero.

Frequent change of places, motive of escape

Despite his livable nature, Ivan Severyanovich does not stay for a long time anywhere. The reader may think that the hero is unstable, frivolous, incorrect to himself, and to others. Is not that why Flyagin wanders around the world and can not find a refuge for himself in any way? No, it's not. The hero has repeatedly proved his loyalty and loyalty. For example, he saved the family of Count K. from imminent death. In the same way, the warrior Ivan Flyagin showed himself in relations with Grusha and the prince. Frequent change of seats, the motive for the flight of this hero is not due to the fact that he is not happy with life. On the contrary, he yearns to drink it in full. Ivan Severyanovich is so open to life that she seems to carry it herself, and the hero only follows her current with wise submission. However, this should not be understood as a manifestation of passivity and mental weakness. This obedience is the unconditional acceptance of fate. The image of Ivan Flyagin is characterized by the fact that the hero often does not report in his actions. He relies on intuition, on the wisdom of life, which he trusts in everything.

Invulnerability to death

The character of Ivan Flyagin can be supplemented by the fact that the hero is honest and open to the higher power, and she rewards and protects it for it. For death, Ivan is invulnerable, he is always ready for it. He somehow miraculously manages to save himself from death, when he keeps the horses on the edge of the abyss. Then the gypsy takes Ivan Flyagin out of the loop. Next, the hero wins in a duel with the Tartar, then runs away from captivity. During the war, Ivan Severyanovich flees from bullets. He says of himself that he died all his life, but could not perish in any way. The hero explains this with his great sins. He believes that neither water nor land wants to take it. On the conscience of Ivan Severyanovich - the death of a monk, a Gypsy Gruza and a Tatar. The hero easily throws his children, born of Tatar wives. Also Ivan Severyanovich "tempted by demons".

"Sins" of Ivan Severyanich

None of the "sinful" acts is a product of hatred, a thirst for personal gain or lies. The monk died as a result of an accident. Ivan killed Savakirea to death in a fair fight. As for the story with Pear, the hero acted according to the dictates of conscience. He understood that he was committing a crime, murder. Ivan Flyagin realized that the death of this girl is inevitable, so he decided to take the sin on himself. At the same time, Ivan Severyanovich decides to beg for forgiveness from God in the future. The unhappy Grusha tells him that he will 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 morals, his 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 for both casual companions, and for 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 for torturing a bird. For this Ivan Flyagin himself brutally punished. The hero wants to "die for the people," and he decides to go to war instead of one young man whom his parents can not part with.

The natural power of Flaggin

The great 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. This happens in excitement, during a fast ride. In the youth of Ivan Severjanovich, this sin does not weigh very much, but over the years the hero begins to feel that he will have to redeem it someday.

Despite this case, we see that Fliagin's quickness, agility and heroic strength are not always a destructive force. Being still quite a child, this hero travels to Voronezh along with the Count and Countess. During the trip, the wagon almost breaks into the abyss.

The boy rescues the hosts, stopping the horses, but he himself barely manages to avoid death after falling off the cliff.

Courage and patriotism of the hero

Ivan Flyagin demonstrates courage and during a fight with the Tatar. Again, because of his foolishness, 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, his love for his homeland.

The secret of optimism

Fliagin is a man endowed with an uncommon physical and spiritual strength. This is how Leskov depicts him. Ivan Flyagin is a man for whom nothing is impossible. The secret of his invariable optimism, invulnerability and strength lies in the fact that the hero in any, even the most complicated situation, acts exactly as the situation demands. The life of Ivan Flyagin is also interesting because he is in harmony with others and is ready at any time to fight with the dashingness that will arise on his way.

Features of national character in the image of Flyagin

Leskov reveals to the readers the qualities of the national Russian character, creating the image of Ivan Flyagin, "the enchanted hero". This character can not 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 can be bold and poetic. Sometimes he makes insane acts, but he does good to people. The image of Ivan Flyagin - the personification of the breadth of Russian nature, its immensity.