Caucasian prisoner who is the author of the story. Brief description of the work “Prisoner of the Caucasus” by L. N. Tolstoy

« Prisoner of the Caucasus" - a story telling about a brave officer who did not lose hope of surviving when he was captured by the Tatars.

In the middle of the 19th century. there was a difficult and bloody war in the Caucasus, L.N. Tolstoy served there at that time, so he saw everything with his own eyes.

The genre of the work is determined by the writer himself - a true story, it indicates the reality of the events described. The beginning. Life goes to his mother. Highlights:

1. Zhilin and Kostylin are captured.
2. Unsuccessful escape.
3. Zhilin’s second escape.

The denouement is the happy release of Zhilin, he finds himself in a Cossack detachment. Barely alive, Kostylin, having paid off, ends up in his camp.

The story fully and in detail describes the life of the highlanders, their customs. The narration amazes with its dynamism: everything around moves, breathes, lives, everything is real, but at the same time we are as if in a fairy tale. But the main thing is a vivid description of the characters and actions of people who know how to endure difficulties with dignity, fight for freedom, without losing their own dignity.

The story is based on a comparison of two heroes. By the way, their last names are significant. Zhilin - from the word “lived”, popular name blood vessels and tendons. This is a strong, strong-willed, calm, courageous person, capable of withstanding a lot. Kostylin - from the word “crutch”, a wooden tool that helps the lame move. This is a weak-willed person who easily gives in to despondency; he needs to be supported and guided. From the very beginning, the characters behave differently. They both don’t want to move with the barely crawling convoy. However, Zhilin is thinking about whether it is worth risking his life by getting through dangerous places on his own. This hero always thinks first, makes a decision, and then acts. Kostylin’s thoughts here (and further) are deliberately hidden from us by the author. He does not think through his actions in advance. He invites Zhilin to go together, without thinking about the consequences, and tacitly agrees with Zhilin’s proposal not to separate in case of danger. When meeting with the Tatars, Kostylin instantly forgets his promise and, seeing that Zhilin is almost in captivity, shamelessly runs away.

When both end up with the Tatars, Kostylin immediately agrees to write a letter home to be ransomed for five thousand rubles. Zhilin knows that his mother will not be able to send such a sum for ransom, so he first bargains with his captors, and then indicates the wrong address on the envelope. Zhilin says that they won’t be able to give more than five hundred rubles for it. He just wants to gain time so he can get out of captivity himself.

Zhilin commands respect even from his enemies. His “master” Abdul-Murat calls him a horseman, local residents value him as a master who can fix any thing. Zhilin made friends with Dina, the daughter of Abdul-Murat, and makes toys for her.

In captivity, Kostylin is simply waiting for help from home, and Zhilin is counting only on himself. He prepares an escape: he examines the area to know where to move when escaping, feeds the owner’s dog to tame it, and digs a hole out of the barn. Trying to escape from captivity, he does not forget Kostylin and takes him with him. Zhilin does not remember evil (after all, Kostylin once betrayed him). After an unsuccessful escape, Zhilin still does not give up, and Kostylin completely loses heart. Thanks to a happy coincidence of circumstances (Dina’s help, the absence of the Tatars), his own perseverance, courage and ingenuity, Zhilin manages to escape from captivity.

Almost every classic writer of the 19th century wrote about the Caucasus. This region, engulfed in an almost endless war (1817-1864), attracted authors with its beauty, rebellion and exoticism. L.N. Tolstoy was no exception and wrote a simple and vital story “Prisoner of the Caucasus.”

L. N. Tolstoy, who became famous all over the world after the novels “War and Peace”, “Anna Karenina” and others, in the 70s of the 19th century renounced his past work because his worldview had changed. The writer developed his neo-Christian teaching, according to which he decided to remake himself by “simplifying” life and his future works. And earlier literary works were written incomprehensibly for the people, who were the measure of morality and the producer of all goods.

Deciding to write in a new way, Tolstoy creates “ABC” (1871-1872) and “New ABC” (1874-1875), characterized by simplicity, clarity and strength of language. The first book also included “The Prisoner of the Caucasus,” which was based on the impressions of the author himself, who was almost captured by the mountaineers in 1853. In 1872, the story was published in the magazine Zarya. The writer highly appreciated his work, classifying “Prisoner of the Caucasus” as “art that conveys the simplest everyday feelings, those that are accessible to all people around the world - universal art.”

The essence of the story

A poor officer Zhilin, serving in the Caucasus, is going home to see his mother and, possibly, get married. The road was dangerous, so the hero rode along with the convoy, which was slowly trundling along under the protection of soldiers. Unable to withstand the heat, stuffiness and slow movement, the rider rode forward. Directly towards the highlanders, who captured him along with his colleague Kostylin.

The heroes live in a barn, chained in stocks during the day. Zhilin makes toys for local children, which especially attracts Dina, the daughter of their “owner”. The girl takes pity on the craftsman and brings him cakes. Zhilin cannot hope for a ransom; he decides to escape through a tunnel. Taking Kostylin with him, he heads for freedom, but his comrade, clumsy and obese, ruined the whole plan, the prisoners were returned. Conditions became worse, they were moved to a pit and the pads were no longer removed at night. With the help of Dina, Zhilin runs again, but his comrade categorically refuses. The fugitive, despite his feet being shackled in stocks, reached his own, and his friend was later ransomed.

Characteristics of the main characters

1. Zhilin is an officer from poor nobles, in life he is used to relying only on himself, he knows how to do everything with his own hands. The hero understands that no one will save him from captivity: his mother is too poor, he himself has not saved anything for his service. But he does not lose heart, but is engrossed in activity: digging a tunnel, making toys. He is observant, resourceful, persistent and patient - these are the qualities that helped him free himself. The man is not devoid of nobility: he cannot leave his comrade in the service, Kostylin. Although the latter abandoned him during the attack of the mountaineers, because of him the first escape failed, Zhilin does not hold a grudge against his “cellmate.”
2. Kostylin is a noble and rich officer, he hopes for money and influence, so in an extreme situation he turns out to be incapable of anything. He is a pampered, weak in spirit and body, an inert person. Meanness is inherent in this hero, he abandoned Zhilin to the mercy of fate both during the attack, and when he could not run because of his worn out legs (the wound was not at all large), and when he did not run a second time (probably thinking about the hopelessness of the enterprise). That is why this coward rotted for a long time in a hole in a mountain village and was ransomed barely alive.

the main idea

The work is really written simply and even its meaning lies on the surface. The main idea of ​​the story “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is that you should never give up in the face of difficulties, you need to overcome them, and not wait for help from others, and no matter what the conditions, a way out can always be found. At least try.

It would seem, who has a better chance of escaping captivity: poor Zhilin or rich Kostylin? Of course, the latter. However, the first has courage and willpower, so he does not wait for mercy, ransom, divine intervention, but simply acts as best he can. At the same time, he does not go over his head, believing that the end justifies the means; he remains human even in a difficult situation. Main character close to the people who, according to the author, still have decency and nobility in their souls, and not in their pedigree. That is why he defeated all hostile circumstances.

Subjects

• Many issues are raised in the story. The theme of friendship, sincere and real on the part of Zhilin and “friendship by chance” on Kostylin’s part. If the first defended the second as himself, then the latter abandoned his comrade to death.
• The theme of the feat is also revealed in the story. The language and description of events are natural and everyday, because the work is for children, so Zhilin’s exploits are described in a completely ordinary way, but in reality, who will protect his comrade in any situation? Who would be willing to give everything to be free? Who would voluntarily refuse to bother an old mother with a ransom that is too much for her? Of course, a real Hero. A feat for him - natural state, because he is not proud of it, but just lives like that.
• The theme of mercy and sympathy is revealed in the image of Dina. Unlike “Prisoner of the Caucasus” by A.S. Pushkin, heroine L.N. Tolstoy saved the prisoner not out of love, she was guided by higher feelings, she took pity on such a kind and skillful man, and was imbued with purely friendly sympathy and respect for him.

Issues

• The Caucasian War lasted almost half a century, and many Russians died in it. And for what? L.N. Tolstoy raises the problem of a senseless and cruel war. It benefits only the highest circles, ordinary people completely unnecessary and alien. Zhilin, a native of the people, feels like a stranger in the mountain village, but does not feel hostility, because the mountaineers simply lived quietly until they were conquered and began to try to subjugate them. The author shows in positive character“owner” Zhilin Abdulla, whom the main character likes, and his compassionate and kind daughter Dina. They are not animals, not monsters, they are the same as their opponents.
• The problem of betrayal fully faces Zhilin. Comrade Kostylin betrays him, because of him they are in captivity, because of him they did not immediately escape. The hero is a man with a broad soul; he generously forgives his colleague, realizing that not every person is capable of being strong.

What does the story teach?

The main lesson that the reader can take away from “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is to never give up. Even if everything is against you, even if it seems that there is no hope, then someday everything will change in better side if you direct all your efforts to achieve your goal. And although, fortunately, few people are familiar with such an extreme situation as Zhilin’s, it is worth learning perseverance from him.

Another one important thing, which the story teaches - war and national strife are meaningless. These phenomena may be beneficial to immoral people in power, but normal person I must try to prevent this for myself, not to be a chauvinist and a nationalist, because, despite some differences in values ​​and lifestyle, each of us always and everywhere strives for the same thing - tranquility, happiness and peace.

Story by L.N. Tolstoy, almost 150 years later, has not lost relevance. It is written simply and clearly, but this does not at all affect its deep meaning. Therefore, this work is a must read.

It is in vain that Leo Tolstoy is considered a purely serious, “adult” writer. In addition to “War and Peace”, “Sunday” and other complex works, he wrote a number of stories and fairy tales for children, developed the “ABC”, which he used to teach literacy to peasant children. The story “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is included in it and has enjoyed constant interest among all generations of girls and boys from the end of the 19th century to the present day.

Genre and place of the work in the writer’s work

"Prisoner of the Caucasus" by Tolstoy, summary which we will now consider, researchers call a short story or a large story. The confusion in the genre nature of the work is due to its non-standard sizes, big amount characters, multiple storylines and conflicts. The author himself defined it as “truth”, i.e. a narration of real-life deeds and events. The story takes place in the Caucasus, during the war with the highlanders. It is worth noting that this topic was not completed for the writer, and Tolstoy’s “Prisoner of the Caucasus” (a summary follows below) was not the only work related to it. “Cossacks” and “Hadji Murat” are also devoted to the description of military clashes, the peculiarities of relationships between people of different cultures and nationalities and contain many interesting observations and colorful sketches. The story was published in 1872 in the magazine “Zarya”. Since Soviet times and to this day, it has been part of school programs most of the former Soviet republics.

History of creation

What is Tolstoy’s “Prisoner of the Caucasus”? Its summary can be correlated with real events in which Tolstoy became a participant. He himself served in the Caucasus, was a participant in the fighting and once almost was captured. Lev Nikolaevich and his comrade Sado, a Chechen by nationality, miraculously escaped. The sensations they experienced during the adventure formed the basis of the story. As for the name, there are some literary associations associated with it. In particular, with Pushkin’s southern romantic poem. True, Tolstoy’s “Prisoner of the Caucasus” (a brief summary of the story gives a complete idea of ​​the writing method) belongs to realistic works, but the corresponding “exotic” flavor is clearly felt in it. I would like to note one more detail. Tolstoy gave the story great importance, because it was a sample of his new prose, a kind of experiment in the field of language and style. Therefore, when sending the work to critic Nikolai Strakhov, I asked him to pay attention to this aspect of the work.

Plot and characters

So, what did Tolstoy tell us about (“Prisoner of the Caucasus”)? The summary of the story can be reduced to several storylines. A poor Russian officer Zhilin, serving in a remote fortress, receives a letter from his old mother asking him to come on leave and see him. Having asked for leave, he and the convoy set off on the road. Another officer, Kostylin, is traveling with Zhilin. Since the convoy is moving slowly, the road is long, and the day is hot, the friends decide not to wait for an escort and cover the rest of the journey on their own. Kostylin has a gun, the horses under both are good, and even if they catch the eye of the mountaineers, they will be able to avoid a skirmish. However, due to Kostylin's oversight and cowardice, the officers are captured. Their behavior gives a clear idea of ​​the character and personality type of each. Kostylin is heavy on the outside and equally apathetic and clumsy on the inside. When in trouble, he resigns himself to the circumstances, sleeps or grumbles, complains. When the Tatars demand to write a ransom request, the hero fulfills all the conditions. He is passive, phlegmatic, devoid of any enterprise. Zhilin is a completely different matter. He clearly sympathizes with Tolstoy. “Prisoner of the Caucasus” (a brief summary allows us to reveal the meaning of the title) is therefore named in singular that this character is the main one actor, a real hero. Not wanting to burden his mother with debts, Zhilin signs the letter incorrectly, gains authority and respect from the village residents, and finds mutual language with the girl Dina and organizes an escape twice. He does not lose heart, fights against circumstances, and does not abandon his comrade. Strong-willed, energetic, enterprising, courageous, Zhilin achieves his goal. It’s not scary to go on reconnaissance missions with this one. This is a reliable, simple person who has always been close and interesting to the writer.

It is in the charm of Zhilin’s personality, the entertaining plot, and the simplicity and brevity of the language that lies the secret of the story’s enormous popularity.

I would like to present one of the works of L.N. Tolstoy, his summary. “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is a work that the writer took on at the request of the editors of two magazines: “Zarya” and “Conversation”. At that time, these magazines were not widely distributed. Tolstoy completed his story in 1872 on March 25th. The publication of the work did not have to wait long: in the same year, “Prisoner of the Caucasus” appeared on the pages of the Zarya magazine.

The basis of the story was an incident that actually happened to the author. On June 13, 1853, five Russian officers were attacked by Chechens in the Caucasus, among them was Tolstoy.

Summary. “Prisoner of the Caucasus”: the beginning of the story

Officer Zhilin served in the Caucasus. One day he received a letter from his mother, after reading it, he decided to visit his home. On the way there, he and Kostylin (another Russian officer) were attacked by highlanders. Everything happened through the fault of Kostylin; instead of covering Zhilin, he started to run. So the officers, instead of their home, were captured by the highlanders. The prisoners were shackled and locked in a barn.

Next we present the story “Prisoner of the Caucasus” (summary). Then the following events occur. The officers, under pressure from the mountaineers, were forced to send letters to their relatives asking them to ransom them. Kostylin wrote, but Zhilin deliberately indicated an unreliable address, because he knew that the poor old mother would not have any money. They lived like this in the barn for a month. During this time, Zhilin won over the owner’s daughter Dina. The Russian officer surprised a thirteen-year-old child with homemade dolls, and the girl thanked him for this with secretly brought flat cakes and milk. Zhilin was haunted by the thought of escaping, and he decided to make a tunnel.

The long-awaited escape

One night they decided to escape: they crawled into a tunnel and planned to get to the fortress through the forest. In the darkness they went in the wrong direction and ended up near a strange village. They had to quickly change direction before the mountaineers caught them. Kostylin complained all the way, constantly falling behind and groaning. Zhilin could not leave his comrade and decided to carry him on himself. Due to the heavy burden (the fat and awkward Kostylin), he quickly got tired. The movement of the officers was very slow, so they were quickly overtaken, brought back, severely beaten with whips and put not in a barn, but in a hole 5 arshins deep.

Savior Dina

Zhilin is not used to giving up. He constantly thought about how he could escape. His savior was the owner’s daughter Dina, whom we mentioned earlier. At night, the girl brought the officer a long stick, with which he was able to climb up.

Having got out of the hole, Zhilin ran downhill and tried to remove the blocks, but the lock was so strong that he was unable to do this. Dina helped the officer with all her might, but the child’s support was in vain. The prisoner decided to escape just like that. Zhilin said goodbye to the girl, thanked her for the flat cakes she brought, and walked away in the stocks.

Freedom at last

The unshakable Russian officer finally reached the end of the forest at dawn, and the Cossacks appeared on the horizon. However, on the other side, the mountaineers were catching up with Zilina, it seemed that his heart was about to freeze. The officer got ready and shouted at the top of his lungs so that the Cossacks could hear him. The mountaineers got scared and stopped. This is how Zhilin escaped.

After this incident, the officer decided to live in the Caucasus. Kostylin remained in captivity for another month, and only then, barely alive, was he finally ransomed.

This concludes the summary. “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is one of the most poetic and perfect works in “Russian Reading Books”.

We told you about the story “Prisoner of the Caucasus” (summary) by Tolstoy Lev Nikolaevich. It is essentially a miniature novel aimed at children.

Many poems, poems and stories are dedicated to the Caucasus, but many are not in vain interested in the work “Prisoner of the Caucasus”. Who wrote it, let's try to figure it out further. Once upon a time, the literary critic Belinsky wrote that the Caucasus for Russians has become a cherished country of “free will and inexhaustible poetry, ebullient life and bold dreams.” Today it is not for nothing that Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov and Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy are considered three Caucasian captives. The Caucasus left an indelible mark on their souls, because since the 18th century, this wonderful region in itself began to arouse great interest among writers, historians, and researchers, as a result of which numerous historical, scientific and literary works began to appear.

“Prisoner of the Caucasus”: who wrote it?

Pushkin is considered the discoverer of the Caucasus in Russian poetry. It was here that he drew his inspiration, communicating through poetry with the romantic landscapes of majestic mountains, green valleys and fast rivers. And the acute and dangerous events (1816-1964) and the life of the highlanders began to serve as sources of various literary subjects. It was here that the poet plunged into the atmosphere of various dramatic stories and legends about military confrontation and the heroism of Russian officers in captivity and irreconcilable highlanders.

Pushkin began writing his poem “Prisoner of the Caucasus” in August 1820 in Gurzuf, Crimea. It became the first work dedicated to the Caucasus, which was a huge success among readers. According to the author himself, the character of the captive hero did not turn out very well, but he described the mountains of the fertile region with extraordinary admiration, and the love of the Circassian woman also deeply touched his soul.

"Prisoner of the Caucasus". Lermontov

Throughout his, unfortunately, short life, he felt a reverent love for the Caucasus and M. Yu. Lermontov. In 1825 he visited this fabulously beautiful region. It greatly excited his imagination and subsequently took a central place in his work. He received all information about the Caucasus from his relatives living in Mineralnye Vody. In addition, Pushkin’s “prisoner” made an indelible impression on him. Therefore, already at the age of 14 (1818), Mikhail Yuryevich began to write his “Prisoner of the Caucasus.” The plots have a strong similarity and tell how a Russian serviceman is captured by the Circassians. A Circassian woman fell in love with him very much, who later helped him escape. Only Lermontov gave this plot his own unique and inimitable facet.

Tolstoy

And other authors had the work “Prisoner of the Caucasus”. Who wrote a story on this topic? Of course, the “third prisoner” is Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy. He came to the Caucasus when he was 23 years old. And fell in love with these lands. He didn’t know what to do with himself, so he started writing a story about local beauties, people’s lives, and traditions. After more than three years (1851-1854) of living here, he left this region famous writer. Many years later, in his memoirs, he emphasized that the Caucasus became a school of life for him. Here he first learned what it was fighting, danger and death.

As a child, Tolstoy read Lermontov's fascinating Caucasian works, which he enjoyed. Then Chechen mountaineers appeared among his acquaintances, and he recorded their stories and songs, especially about the war. This is how the story “Prisoner of the Caucasus” was born in his head. The author describes in it the life of two Russian prisoners - Zhilin and Kostylin, who ended up in the Caucasus. For Tolstoy, his young years spent in the Caucasian War will evoke the best memories. Here he was lonely and unhappy, so it was the most painful, but good time for reflection, the beginning of writing and the achievement of high thought.

Now, I think, the confusion regarding the question of what “Prisoner of the Caucasus” is, who wrote it and what it tells about, will disappear by itself. As it turned out, there are already three similar works, and not just one.