In 1927 A. Fadeev's novel "The Defeat" was published, in which the author turned to the events of the revolution and the civil war. By that time, this topic had already been sufficiently covered in the literature. Some writers considered the events that completely changed the life of the country as the greatest tragedy of the people, others portrayed everything in a romantic halo.
Aleksandrovich approached the coverage of the revolutionary movement somewhat differently. He continued the traditions of L. Tolstoy in the study of the human soul and created a psychological novel, which was often accused by "new writers" who rejected the classical traditions.
The plot and composition of the work
The action is developing in the Far East, where the combined troops of the White Guards and the Japanese fought a fierce struggle against the partisans of Primorye. The latter often found themselves in complete isolation and were forced to act independently, without receiving support. It is in this situation that Levinson's detachment finds itself, about which Fadeev's novel "The Defeat" narrates. An analysis of his composition determines the main task that the writer set himself: to create psychological portraits of people of the revolution.
The novel of 17 chapters can be roughly divided into 3 parts.
- Chapters 1-9 - an extensive exposition introducing the situation and the main characters: Morozkoy, Mechik, Levinson. The detachment is on vacation, but its commander must maintain discipline in the "combat unit" and be ready to act at any time. Here the main conflicts are outlined and the plot of the action takes place.
- 10-13 chapters - the squad makes endless transitions and enters into minor clashes with the enemy. Fadeev Alexander Alexandrovich pays great attention to the development of the characters of the main characters, who often find themselves in difficult situations.
- Chapters 14-17 - the culmination of the action and the denouement. Of the entire detachment, forced to fight alone, only 19 people remain alive. But the main emphasis is on Frost and Mechik, who find themselves in equal conditions - in the face of death.
Thus, in the novel there is no heroic description of the military exploits of people defending the ideas of the revolution. To show the influence of the events on the formation of the human personality - this was what A. Fadeev strove for. "Defeat" - an analysis of a difficult situation when there is a "selection of human material". In such conditions, according to the author, everything "hostile is swept away", and "that which has risen from the true roots of the revolution ... is tempered, grows, develops."
Antithesis as the main device of the novel
Opposition in the work takes place at all levels. It concerns both the position of the opposing sides ("red" - "white"), and the moral analysis of the actions of people involved in the events that served as the basis of Fadeev's novel "The Defeat".
An analysis of the images of the main characters, Frost and Mechik, makes it clear that they are opposed in everything: origin and education, appearance, actions performed and their motivation, relationships with people, place in the squad. Thus, the author gives his answer to the question of what is the path of different social groups in the revolution.
Frost
The reader gets acquainted with the "second generation miner" already in Chapter 1. This is a young man who goes through a difficult path
At first it seems that Frost consists of some flaws. Rude, uneducated, constantly violating discipline in the unit. He did all his actions thoughtlessly, and he saw life as "simple, unwise." At the same time, the reader immediately notices his courage: he, risking his life, saves an absolutely stranger - Mechik.
Much attention is paid to Morozka in Fadeev's novel The Defeat. An analysis of his actions allows us to understand how the hero's attitude towards himself and those around him changed. The first significant event for him was the trial for the theft of melons. Frost was shocked and frightened that he could be expelled from the detachment, and for the first time he gave the "miner's" word to improve, which he would never break. Gradually, the hero realizes his responsibility to the detachment, learns to live meaningfully.
The advantage of Morozka was the fact that he clearly knew why he had come to the detachment. He was always attracted only to the best people, of whom there are many in Fadeev's novel "The Defeat". Analysis of the actions of Levinson, Baklanov, Goncharenko will become the basis for the formation of the best moral qualities in the former miner. A devoted comrade, a selfless fighter, a person who feels responsible for his actions - this is how Moroz appears in the finale, when he saves the squad at the cost of his own life.
Mechik
Paul is completely different. First introduced in a rushing crowd, he will never find a place for himself until the end of the novel.
Mechik is introduced into Fadeev's novel "The Defeat" for a reason. A citizen, educated and well-mannered, clean (in the description of the hero, words with diminutive suffixes are often used) is a typical representative of the intelligentsia, whose attitude to the revolution has always caused controversy.
The mechik often evokes contempt for himself. Once he imagined a romantic, heroic setting that would await him in the war. When the reality turned out to be completely different ("dirtier, lousier, tougher"), I experienced great disappointment. And the more Mechik was in the detachment, the thinner the connection between him and the partisans became. Pavel does not use the opportunities to become part of the "detachment mechanism" - Fadeev gives them to him more than once. The "defeat", the problems of which are also associated with the role in the revolution of the intelligentsia divorced from the roots of the people, ends with the hero's moral downfall. He betrays the detachment, and the condemnation of his own cowardice is quickly replaced by joy from the fact that the "terrible life" has now ended for him.
Levinson
This character begins and ends the story. Levinson's role is significant: he helps to unite the detachment, unites the partisans into one whole.
The hero is interesting already because his appearance (due to his short stature and wedge, he resembled the Mechik of the dwarf) in no way corresponded to the image of a heroic commander in a leather jacket created in literature. But the unsightly appearance only emphasized the uncommon personality. The attitude of all the heroes of Fadeev's novel "The Defeat" to him, the analysis of actions and thoughts prove that Levinson was an indisputable authority for everyone in the detachment. No one could even imagine the commander as doubting, he always served as an example of a "special, correct breed." Even the moment when the last of the men is taken away to save the detachment, Morozka sees, for example, not as robbery, similar to stealing melons, but as a necessary deed. And only the reader becomes a witness to the fact that Levinson is a living person with fears and insecurity inherent in everyone.
It is also noteworthy that difficulties only temper the commander, make him stronger. Only such a person, according to the writer, is capable of leading people.
The idea of \u200b\u200bthe novel as Fadeev saw it
The "defeat", the content and theme of which is largely explained by the author himself, shows how in the process of complex historical events the true character of a person is manifested.
"Huge rework of people" concerns representatives of different ages and social groups. Some emerge from trials with dignity, while others reveal emptiness and worthlessness.
Today, Fadeev's work is perceived ambiguously. So, the indisputable merits of the novel include a deep analysis of the psychology of the main characters, especially since this was practically the first attempt in post-revolutionary literature. But at the same time it is difficult to agree with the opinion that for the sake of the triumph of the idea, all methods are good, even the murder of the mortally wounded Frolov. No goals can justify cruelty and violence - this is the main principle of the inviolable laws of humanism, on which humanity rests.
Fadeev's novel is still controversial. His heroes are real, alive, but many see them as state orders and Soviet revolutionary propaganda. And although history has now turned against the "reds", there are still millions of people in the country who are close to the position of Morozka and Levinson, but there are those who sympathize with Mechik, they are against goodness and freedom, mixed with blood.
The author wrote the novel at the age of 25, but despite this, the work was mature enough. Critics immediately noted the talent of the writer. The work brought him success and recognition, because the ideological basis of the book was very suitable for the political course of the new state. The action in "Mayhem" takes place during the Civil War in the Ussuri region. Alexander Alexandrovich himself fought in the 1920s in the Far East against the army of Kolchak and Semyonov and personally experienced the hardships of battles. Therefore, the descriptions of military sorties and frontline life looks so convincing and vivid, as if the reader himself witnessed these events and is now listening to the nostalgic story of a comrade of those years.
the main idea
Fadeev spoke about the main idea of \u200b\u200bthe work as follows:
The first and main idea: in a civil war, a selection of human material takes place, everything hostile is swept away by the revolution, everything that is incapable of a real revolutionary struggle that accidentally falls into the camp of the revolution is eliminated, and everything that has risen from the true roots of the revolution, from the millions of people, is tempered, grows, develops in this fight. A tremendous transformation of people is taking place. This alteration is successful because the revolution is led by the advanced representatives of the working class - the communists, who clearly see the goal of the movement and who lead the more backward and help them to re-educate. "
And, indeed, throughout the narrative, in the center of which are three heroes, we see how they change. The author describes in detail their experiences, dreams, desires, sufferings, thoughts. Many critics even accused Fadeev of excessive internal probing of the characters, of unnecessary "Tolstoyism". But without this it would have been simply impossible to reveal the images of Morozka, Mechik and Levinson. The writer managed to overcome the superficiality of socialist realism and preserve in literature the psychologism typical of classical Russian prose.
Frost's image
The heroes are representatives of different strata of society, with different fates, but they were united by the revolution. They found themselves in the same squad, fighting side by side with the enemy, experiencing similar feelings every day. The author describes in detail the development of each of them.
Morozka is a miner guy who has been living a physically difficult but disorderly life since childhood. At the age of 12, he already started working at the mine, learned to swear and drink vodka. Fadeev writes that Morozka got into the detachment, most likely, rashly, it was just that then it was impossible to do otherwise. It turns out that he appeared with his wife Varka among the partisans by chance, unconsciously, fate itself took him there. But in the first chapter we see that Morozka values \u200b\u200bhis place in the squadron and will never leave it, this has become the meaning of his useless, aimless life. He initially has the ability to realize real honest deeds, but he can also easily commit a low, dishonoring act. Morozka does not betray his comrades, saves Mechiku's life, but after that he steals melons from Ryabets, with whom he slept under the same blanket and lived with him. Later, Frost changes. The author describes his development in the following way: “He also thought that life was becoming more cunning, the old Suchan paths were overgrown, and he had to choose the Road himself.” This suggests that the hero is already quite consciously choosing his path. Then Morozka makes his own decisions. At the trial, he promises that he will never again dare to dishonor their squad, he says that he is ready to shed blood for each of them. The soldier has long become an integral part of the detachment, these are his most dear people, for whom he gives his life without hesitation in the final of the novel. Such people are needed by the revolution. There is no selfishness in them, and they love comrades more than themselves.
Levinson's image
Levinson is completely different. He is a squad leader and is a role model for most partisans. Everyone considers him to be the strongest, bravest, intelligent person who always knows how to do the right thing. In fact, Levinson grew up in an ordinary Jewish family, helped his father sell supported furniture, was afraid of mice and was in many ways similar to his partisans. But he knew that he could lead people only by deeply hiding all his fears and anxieties, he should be an example for them to follow. Levinson, like Morozka, loves his comrades more than himself and his sufferings. He knows for sure that there is an important cause for which he lives and is ready for anything.
Mechik's image
Sword is the exact opposite of Frost. A guy from an intelligent family, he graduated from high school and got into the detachment of his own free will, only he had completely different ideas about the revolution, the struggle, they are too bookish, romantic. In life, everything turned out differently, but Mechik did not immediately understand that this was not his environment. The author shows him a long way to betrayal.
Fadeev immediately presents him with the eyes of Morozka, who does not like such too clean people, his experience says that these are unreliable comrades who cannot be trusted. But at first Mechik wanted struggle and movement, young hot blood was seething in him. He was not immediately accepted by the partisans, since he was very different from them in appearance. Seeing real, living people - rude, dirty, uncouth - he was disappointed. The image of Mechik is written in the most detail, since it is important to know how good guys seem to become traitors. Fadeev describes this process in detail. The author writes about him without contempt; he seems to justify his fall. After all, it was the partisans themselves who did not accept him, and the main reason for this was that he belonged to a different class. He was constantly offended, mocked and laughed at. He was always, in fact, alone, and loneliness pushes people to desperate actions. Mechik, unfortunately, did not fall into his own environment, but it was no longer possible to leave in an amicable way. Fadeev leaves him alive, he will have to live with his betrayal. The hero will be able to justify himself, because more than anything in the world he loves only himself, such as he is. Such as he has no place in the revolutionary ranks. He's too weak to fight.
Main problems
When it comes to a big and responsible business, it is important to understand all its aspects and if you really take on it, then stand to the end. If you rush around, then nothing good will come of it. In this sense, the problem of betrayal is central to the novel. It is to her that the author devotes a lot of time and effort. His position is not one-sided: he does not judge, but tries to understand. So he wants to prove to people that it is not worth chopping off the shoulder if there is a traitor in front of them. It is necessary to take into account the reasons that prompted a person to become one. In this case, the class incompetence of the intelligentsia cannot be blamed for everything, as Soviet literary critics hastened to do on orders from “above”. The roots of the moral crime are much deeper, because we have before us an almost biblical story: the apostle Peter's denial of his teacher. This is exactly what Mechik did, and his betrayal was also foretold. This means that the problem of moral choice faced humanity from the very first day and still stands unchanged. Someone initially does not have the fortitude to defend their beliefs, so at the crossroads they choose a crooked path to save their lives.
The author also found the courage to look at the revolution from different points of view. Someone imagines her as a romantic aspiration, while someone sees a real struggle with blood, sweat and death at every step. However, the realist risks becoming a cynic and a meat grinder, going towards the goal, no matter what. And a romantic can break down and turn off the path at the cost of considerable sacrifices. It is important to maintain balance and perceive the revolution soberly, but at the same time obey the highest moral laws and follow the ideal, not agreeing to compromises.
Interesting? Keep it on your wall!One of the main characters of the novel "The Defeat" by Fadeev is the commander of a partisan detachment, fearless Osip Abramovich Levinson.
The main feature of Levinson's appearance were huge bluish eyes, deep as a pool. By himself, he was a short man with red hair on his face, but his height is another proof that respect for a person, authority in front of a person is caused not so much by appearance as by actions, words and character. And Osip Abramovich's character was tough, biting and sometimes even cruel.
Throughout the novel, he several times goes to crimes against a person and any civilized rights, but he does this not out of tyranny or abnormal cruelty, he does it in order to save his squad. He is a very responsible commander, who puts care of his partisan detachment above all else, he understands that the lives of these people are largely in his hands, that he is responsible for them.
We can say that Levinson is an experienced commander, because he does not discuss his thoughts from the detachment with anyone in order to prevent confusion in the ranks of the soldiers. He does not share his feelings or doubts about the decisions he makes, he carries everything in himself.
Orders from his mouth fly out like bullets that are unquestioningly executed, no matter how unjustified they seem to the heroes of the squad. So the sick Frolov, whom the detachment can no longer contain, who will only be a burden for the partisans, accepts the commander's order that he will be killed. Only one young and weak-minded Sword, who is not used to the fact that cynicism is the key to success in war, is trying to convey to those around him that Levinson is giving inappropriate orders that do not spare anyone. The rest of the partisans do not even dare to think about challenging the commander's order, it was so authoritative for them.
Without showing hesitation, Osip Abramovich makes the decision to shoot a man in a vest, just as confidently he decides to take by force all the products from the nearest settlements and vegetable gardens when the partisans ran out of food.
Most of all, the reader is imbued with sympathy for Levinson, when in the last chapter of the novel the partisans are surrounded by the Cossacks and fight them to the death. The partisan commander, almost exhausted, makes the last order to his subordinates - to go into a breakthrough. Nineteen people survive, including Levinson himself. He lost his comrades, but saved those who remained, which means he did the right thing. He admires the peaceful life.
Option 2
Fadeev's novel "The Defeat" tells the reader about real events in the history of Russia, namely about the tragic fate of the partisans in the Far East.
The hero described by Fadeev is the author's fantasy; we will not find such a person in literature anywhere else.
Joseph Levinson is described to us as an unremarkable person, he does not have special physical qualities, he is not endowed with special beauty, but even though he looks like the simplest person to us, inside he is complex and unpredictable.
Levinson enjoys special authority and respect from his subordinates, he is patient, smart, knows how to find ways out of all, even the most hopeless, situations.
The guerrillas see in Levinson a real person with a capital letter, he is full of courage, there is not a drop of cowardice in him, he is reliable and wise.
Levinson has the characteristics of a subtle psychologist, he knows how to find a common language with anyone. We see these features in his relationship with Blizzard, when the young man, seeing the hopelessness of the current situation, offers the partisans a plan of retreat. But Levinson, being an intelligent person, did not openly criticize his idea, he, on the contrary, replaced it with a more careful plan, and no one understood this. By this action, the commander managed to increase the significance of the Blizzard in the eyes of people, made the guy believe in himself.
Levinson is fair, but at the same time strict, because only with a carrot and a stick can iron discipline be preserved in the detachment. Learning that Morozko committed the theft of melons, Levinson arranges a trial for him. To help in making a decision, the commander invites local residents to the event. In the end, the court obliges Morozko to help the peasants with the household. Of course, in my spare time from war
The author attaches particular importance to Levinson's view. They were afraid of his gaze, the guilty understood the full depth and gravity of their misdeeds. The commander's gaze made the guerrillas speak the truth and feel ashamed of their illegal actions.
But Fadeev did not want to idealize his hero as much as possible. Levinson is an ordinary person with his problems and fears, but he tries to hide his weaknesses from others, to suppress them. People consider him the most correct person on earth, and this image, despite the severity, has to correspond.
Essay about Levinson
In the works of such an author as Fadeev, there were always interesting characters and their images, creating a general atmosphere of the work, with which the author gave his readers a complete idea of \u200b\u200bthe characters and their character. Of course, in many works of many authors there are interesting and thoughtful characters, but this author managed to describe them most clearly. Levinson from The Defeat will serve as a striking example.
Levinson is the commander of a partisan brigade, which was directly involved in a kind of work in a small place, which describes the action of the work. Levinson was a very wayward man, not sparing any oversights. As a person, Levinson is described as outwardly, although not entirely credible, but after getting to know him more closely, it became clear that in his case, appearances were deceiving. Although at first glance he was a simple man, quite harmless, perhaps not even credible, after a personal conversation with him one thing became clear - Levinson is not so simple as it seems at first glance.
After a close acquaintance with Levinson, many noted his education, tact, ability to maintain a conversation, and, of course, not a hefty cunning, which he undoubtedly possessed, as he always found a way out of any, even seemingly hopeless situations. Also, many note in him courage, a desire to move only forward, constant enthusiasm, which constantly encouraged his subordinates and gave even greater fighting spirit.
The author gives Levinson the features of a strict boss, in order to show how faithful he was to his cause, that sometimes he even sacrificed civilians for the benefit of his goal. However, even despite this all his severity, he was still a simple person, with his own fears and experiences, which is described in the work. Although he is a serious and courageous person, he still worries about what will be in the future, whether he will be able to achieve his goal, having overcome all adversities to reach the cherished peak.
Feature 4
In order to suppress unrest in some region, troops are sometimes brought from another region. Actually, this practice has been known for a long time, and Fadeev's Osip Abramovich Levinson is a typical representative of just such people. Moreover, in the book, of course, he is given to a greater extent as an artistic image.
Levinson is small and puny, reddish and with large blue eyes. At the same time, the slenderness of the commander of the partisan detachment does not affect his position, more precisely, it affects the opposite direction. Outwardly, the puny Levinson is distinguished by a firmness of character, which is probably the result of a Napoleon complex or something similar.
Levinson is a strict commander who puts the team ahead of the whole and does not reckon with specific individuals. Thanks to this, he actually enjoys authority, which he probably values \u200b\u200band therefore makes firm decisions. He shoots the "man in the vest", poison the sick Frolov, and these actions are justified by the interests of the detachment.
Like all people who remain in power, Levinson professes rather ephemeral and extensive ideals, he wants to see a new, strong and kind person. He himself tries to be like this person, but in reality he is just a person drawn by the waters of history, just a person who has taken the most advantageous position. Of course, Levinson worries about his own squad, he worries when in the final chapter the Cossacks killed almost everyone, nevertheless, he makes the right decisions for his squad and gets out into peaceful space.
However, what does Levinson think about when he sees peaceful people who simply live and cultivate bread? He wants to make these people "his" the same as the parts of his squad. In fact, he wants to own in a sense other people, to subordinate ideas that he himself does not fully understand, he wants to "fulfill his duties", but you doubt the sincerity of this hero, perhaps he is doing his job simply as a way to survive in harsh conditions.
Several interesting compositions
- The image and characteristics of the Count in the story Pushkin's Shot composition
One of the main characters of the work, included in the cycle of stories "Belkin's Tale", is a military officer, who comes from a wealthy noble family, handsome, intelligent and courageous Count B.
The obelisk is a historically immortal story by Vasil Bykov. The work touches on the global theme of the continuity of generations, loyalty to the traditions of his father and grandfather.
Characteristics of the literary hero Levinson Joseph (Osip) Abramovich - the commander of a partisan detachment. "He was so small, unprepossessing in appearance - all consisted of a hat, a red beard and ichigov above the knees." But the main feature of L.'s appearance is “blue as pools”, “deep and large” eyes.
The detachment believed that L. never doubts anything, because “… he did not share his thoughts and feelings with anyone, presented ready-made“ yes ”or“ no ”. The commander enjoyed indisputable authority among the partisans. Most of them considered him “a person of a special, correct breed” with no weaknesses.
Indeed, L. has all the qualities of a real commander. He has a strong character, great organizational skills, military talent. Always and everywhere, the commander puts the interests of his partisans to the fore. Even the most cruel actions of L. (shooting the “man in the vest,” poisoning the hopelessly ill Frolov, etc.) are justified by the vital interests of the soldiers.
The hero's life goal was "a huge ... thirst for a new, wonderful, strong and kind person."
The image of L. is fully revealed in the last chapter of the novel, where a retreating partisan detachment is completely defeated.
Fatally tired, half-delirious, the commander feels a kindred affinity with his soldiers. As a mere mortal, L. worries that at a crucial moment he will not be able to save the partisans, to make the right decision. But at the right moment, he desperately leads the squad to a breakthrough. After a fierce battle with the Cossacks, only nineteen fighters remain alive, including the commander himself. Seeing this, Levinson “was no longer ashamed and did not hide his weakness; he sat looking down, slowly blinking long wet eyelashes, and tears rolled down his beard ... ”. But I had to live on. Leaving the forest, the commander sees a picture of a peaceful life. Then “Levinson looked around with his silent, still damp gaze this spacious sky and earth, which promised bread and rest, these distant people on the current, whom he would soon have to make his own, close people, which were the eighteen who silently rode after, - and stopped crying; I had to live and fulfill my duties ”.
Essay on literature on the topic: Levinson (Defeat Fadeev)
Other compositions:
- Defeat The commander of the partisan detachment Levinson orders orderly Morozka to take the package to another detachment. Frost doesn't want to go, he offers to send someone else; Levinson calmly orders the orderly to surrender their weapons and go to all four directions. Frost, having changed his mind, takes the letter and goes Read More ......
- I want to tell you about the book by A. Fadeev Razgrom, which I read quite recently. Roman Razgrom made a big impression on me. In this essay, I would like to review this work and I hope that I can cope with this task. The events in the novel take place Read More ......
- Mechik Characteristics of the literary hero Mechik Pavel is an intelligent young man who graduated from high school. There are a lot of immature traits in his character. Seeking adventures and exploits, M. ends up in Shaldyba's partisan detachment. Gradually he finds out that “the people around him were not at all like those created by Read More ......
- The idea of \u200b\u200bthe novel is revealed by the example of the fate of one of the revolutionary partisan detachments that operated in 1919 in the taiga Primorye. The core of the detachment is made up of workers, the "coal tribe". This is the commander of a mining platoon Dubov, an elderly but strong man; Demoman Goncharenko; miner Morozka. Two platoons and Read More ......
- The novel "The Defeat" is called Fadeev's first and last success. The writer's fate was dramatic: after a successful literary debut, he became a Soviet functionary, squandered his strength and talent in the service of the party. However, The Defeat, published in 1927, is a truly talented work. Roman showed Read More ......
- The events of A. Fadeev's novel "The Defeat" are based on a real historical fact - the defeat of a partisan detachment in the Far East. Levinson is at the head of the squad. The image of this red commander is a kind of discovery by Fadeev. His innovation in portraying a communist is evident. First of all, Read More ......
- Alexander Alexandrovich Fadeev is a writer whose biography is closely connected with the history of the Soviet state. His youth was scorched by the fire of revolution and civil war. He reflected his impressions of the battles in the Far East in the novel Defeat, which appeared in print in 1927. Explaining the idea Read More ......
- Fadeev worked on the novel "The Defeat" for three years (from 1924 to 1927). The novel gives a general broad picture of the great remaking of the world and man after the revolution; this is a book about the “birth of man”, about the formation of the character of a new person. “The first and main Read More ......
Levinson Joseph (Osip) Abramovich
THE LOAD
Novel (1927)
Levinson Joseph (Osip) Abramovich - commander of a partisan detachment. It is known about the hero's biography that he is the son of a used furniture dealer. The main feature of the portrait is "eyes blue as pools", "Levinson's eyes from outside, deep and large like lakes." It is said about the hero that "he was extremely patient and persistent, like an old taiga wolf." At the beginning of the novel, L. talks with the returned intelligence officer, trying to get from him not only factual information, but also to learn about his intuitive feelings. When the peasant Ryabets comes with a complaint about the orderly Morozka, L. orders to gather the village gathering together with the detachment; in addition, L., based on his own intuition and anticipating imminent hostilities, asks Ryabets to dry the peasants for the partisans, and orders his assistant Baklanov to increase the portion of oats to the horses. Before the start of the descent, L. tries to catch the rumors circulating among the peasants. “He was so small, unsightly in appearance - all consisted of a hat, a red beard and ichigov above the knees. But, listening attentively to the disheveled peasant voices, Levinson caught in them disturbing notes, intelligible to him alone. During the descent, L. outwardly does not take part in the discussion of Morozka's deed, but unnoticed directs events.
In an unclear military situation, L. hesitates, although in the detachment he is considered never to have doubts: “... he did not share his thoughts and feelings with anyone, he presented ready-made“ yes ”or“ no ”. To the majority of partisans, he appears to be "a man of a special, correct breed" with no weaknesses. Having received the news of the beginning of the Japanese offensive, L. hesitated and waited for more reliable information. From the outside it seems that he has a deliberate plan of action, but in fact he is at a loss. A scout from the city brings news of the failure of the revolutionary underground. The task of the partisans is “to keep at least small, but strong and disciplined combat units”; this task becomes the main one for L. At the council of war, he orders to prepare to leave their homes and retreat. At night, having written letters to the city and the head doctor of the hospital, L. reads a letter from his wife - that the family is in poverty, the children are sick. He writes the answer: "There were many words in it that no one would have thought were familiar to Levinson." Going then to check the posts, L. meets scouts of a neighboring detachment and learns that their detachment has been defeated by the advancing Japanese. The next night, L. organizes a drill and, when the partisans gather, announces a retreat. Mechik, having arrived in the detachment, sees L. playing with the soldiers in the towns; he resembles Mechiku "a gnome from a children's fairy tale." When the detachment, retreating, goes into the taiga, L. is constantly among the partisans: "he led them into battle himself, ate with them from the same pot, did not sleep at night, checking the guards, and was almost the only person who had not yet forgotten how to laugh." Nevertheless, he gradually "turns into a force standing above the detachment," and goes to great lengths to maintain combat effectiveness - for example, requisitioning the only pig in a poor Korean family with many children. In a conversation with the doctor, Stashinsky L. actually orders the mortally wounded Frolov to be poisoned, because of which the detachment cannot move fast enough. Morozka, looking at L., thinks that he is “good” and does not have any special problems, “without assuming that Levinson has a cold sore side, that Levinson is responsible for Frolov’s death, that his head was appreciated before anyone else. part with the body. "
Checking the posts at night, L. meets Mechik, who is on patrol. After listening to him, L. understands that he will not be able to influence Mechik with words, but the conversation worries him, since the basis of L.'s outlook is "the thirst for a new, beautiful, strong and kind person." L. remembers himself in his youth, compares with Mechik and thinks: "No, after all I was a tough guy, I was much stronger than him." The next morning, recalling the conversation with Mechik, L: feels "vague discontent" and concludes: "I am sick and every day I control myself worse and worse." Without waiting for the return of the platoon Blizzard, who went on reconnaissance, L. orders to act. Noticing a Cossack squadron ahead, he organizes an ambush on the road and, expecting the enemy, feels an unusual excitement, which he has not experienced in battle for a long time. A day later, detachment L., retreating under the onslaught of the enemy into the taiga, falls into a quagmire; people are close to panic, and their anger is ready to turn on L. "He appeared among them, in the very center of the human mash, holding up a lighted torch in his hand, illuminating his deathly pale bearded face with clenched teeth, with large, burning, round eyes." ... L. curbs the panic, and on his order, people begin to make ditch through the swamp; they manage to get across and break away from the enemy. Looking at the detachment, "thinned three times", L. feels that "he no longer leads them, and only they themselves did not yet know this and dutifully followed him, like a herd accustomed to their leader." Hearing the shots of sentinel Frost, L. feels complete helplessness; nevertheless, he gives the command to go for a breakthrough, in which he himself participates in a "semi-conscious state." When he comes to his senses, it turns out that only nineteen partisans managed to break through. “Not hiding his weakness,” L. cries, then drives forward again. "So they rode out of the forest — all nineteen." Thinking about the future, L. stops crying: "I had to live and fulfill my duties."
