Twardowski’s poem “Vasily Terkin”, which also has another name - “A Book about a Soldier”, is considered one of the most important and famous works written by the poet during his creative career.
Being the pinnacle of epic Russian poetry, it received national recognition. Many lines of the work of Twardowski "Vasily Terkin" have become an integral part of oral speech or popular aphorisms, pronounced in poetic form. Moreover, the “Book about the fighter” received not only nationwide, but also nationwide recognition.
History of creation
Work on the poem "Vasily Terkin" Twardowski began in 1939-1940. At that time he was a war correspondent, publishing his material in the newspaper “On Guard of the Homeland” of the Leningrad Military District. This was the period of the Finnish campaign. The image and name of the main character of Twardowski - Vasily Terkin - became the fruit of the joint work of many members of the editorial board. Among them: S. Marshak, N. Shcherbakov, N. Tikhonov. The result was a very successful image of a good-natured, strong and at the same time simple Russian guy.
Initially, Terkin was a satirical hero of feuilletons and poems written for the newspaper. And from that time on, the readers of the district newspaper fell in love with the Russian soldier. This led Twardowski to the idea of ​​the prospects of this topic and the need for its development in the framework of a major work.
In 1940, the author created draft versions of some chapters, and one of them, “Harmony,” was printed on the pages of the newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda as a separate poem.
The outbreak of war with fascist Germany for some time not only interrupted the work on the poem. It became the reason for the correction of the plan. As a result, the feuilleton Vasya Terkin turned into a Soviet fighter, in the image of which the best moral aspects of the entire pre-war generation are embodied. Twardowski gave his hero the features of the broadest generalization, while preserving his recognition and concreteness.
The work of Twardowski "Vasily Terkin" was loved by the soldiers who fought on the fields of war. It was the feeling of the need for the book that made the author continue to work on it.
Already at the end of 1942, readers could familiarize themselves with the new chapter of the work “Who Shot?”, Which was included in the second part of the poem. After that, Twardowski continued his work and completely completed work on the book in March 1945. Let's get acquainted with the summary of Vasily Terkin by Twardowski.
From the author
In the first chapter of the work, the reader gets acquainted with the hero of the poem "Vasily Terkin." Tvardovsky, starting his story, argues that the most important thing in the war is not food at all, but a good saying and saying, as well as a joke. No less important at this time is the true truth. And even if it will be bitter.
The hero of Twardowski, Vasily Terkin, whom the author introduces us to, plays an important role in the war. Indeed, in this difficult time, there must be a place for fun and joke. In the first chapter of the work, the author decided on the form of his narrative. He pointed out to the reader that the book he had taken in his hands had neither a beginning nor an end. The first chapter is just the middle of the story.
At rest
Getting acquainted with the content of “Vasily Terkin” by Twardowski, the reader learns that the main character of the work fell into the first infantry platoon, where he immediately became his own. All the first night after his appearance, the soldiers could not sleep, listening to the stories of an experienced soldier. Vasily Terkin’s jokes help to survive the hardships of unsettled military life, cold, hunger, dirt and sleep on bare roots and in wet overcoats.
Based on the arguments of Twardowski, Vasily Terkin is a man who can be found in every company. And let this fighter of average height, plain-looking himself, not very handsome and has no awards. But still he fought and was able to survive in any position and under any fire.
Before the fight
Let's move on to the next chapter of Vasily Terkin by Twardowski. In it, the hero of the poem talks about how he got out of his surroundings and was a political instructor, conducting a conversation with the fighters only with the words "do not cheer."
From this chapter of Vasily Terkin, Twardowski, we understand that the Soviet army is retreating. She leaves her native lands, which will soon be occupied. Soldiers feel guilty towards the civilian population. On their way is the commander’s native village. The platoon enters there. The commander’s wife invites soldiers to the hut and treats them. Children are happy with their father, who, as they think at first, came in the evening after working in the field. However, they understand that tomorrow he will leave, and the Germans will most likely enter their house. All night the commander does not sleep and chop wood. He is trying to somehow help his wife.
For a long time in the head of Terkin there is the crying of children who woke up at dawn and saw how their father and the soldiers left the house. Vasily dreams of how, after the liberation of his native land, he would come to a hospitable hostess and bow to her for a bail.
Crossing
We continue our acquaintance with the summary of the chapters of Twardowski's poem "Vasily Terkin." In the next one, the reader learns about how fighters of three platoons tried to cross the river during the winter season. To the other side only soldiers of the unit where Terkin served served. After that, the Germans began shelling. By nightfall, the one who remained alive no longer hoped to see his comrades, believing that they had all died.
What does the chapter “Crossing” in “Vasily Terkin” by Twardovsky tell the reader further? At dawn, the sentinels reported that they saw a small black dot on the river. At first, they decided that this was the body of a soldier killed during shelling. However, the sergeant picked up the binoculars and made out a floating man. Someone joked that only Terkin could cross the river in ice water. And the truth is, it was he. Vasily reported to the colonel that the first platoon was intact, awaiting further instructions and asking for support with artillery fire. Terkin is changed into dry clothes, forced to run, rubbed with alcohol and given inside to warm him. At night, the soldiers resumed crossing to fight for the sake of life on earth, and not for the sake of glory.
About war
The next chapter of Twardowski's poem "Vasily Terkin" contains the reasoning of the protagonist. He believes that with the advent of war, you need to forget about everything and only be responsible for the homeland and for your people. At this time, you must be one with all people. About himself, believes Terkin, you must also forget. Each fighter must beat a German, fight selflessly and be fully prepared to fulfill the command order at any cost. Even if you have to give your life for it. At the same time, soldiers must believe that descendants will be grateful to them.
Terkin is wounded
Continuing our acquaintance with the chapters of the poem by A. T. Twardovsky “Vasily Terkin”, we learn that her protagonist had to make contact one winter day. At this time, Vasily moved after the rifle company. Suddenly a shell hissed next to him. Everyone was scared and fell to the ground. The first of all the fighters was Terkin. He handed the coil to the soldiers and decided to see if the enemy was beating from a nearby cellar. But there was nobody there. He himself set an ambush in this dugout, deciding to hold the defense using two grenades.
The Nazis were approaching. Two steps away Terkin noticed a German soldier. The enemy rushed at Vasily and wounded him in the shoulder. Terkin hit the German with a bayonet. At this time, heavy artillery shelling began.
At the end of this chapter of Twardowski’s poem “Vasily Terkin”, the reader learns that the Soviet tankmen found the wounded soldier. He was already bleeding and losing consciousness. Tankers saved his life.
About the award
In the next chapter of the poem by A. T. Twardowski "Vasily Terkin", the reader gets acquainted with the reasoning of the protagonist that he does not need the order at all. The fighter agrees to the medal. He will need this award after the war, when, having returned to his homeland, he will tell the girls about how he once went on the attack. The author regrets that now Vasily cannot get to his native land. After all, he takes part in a terrible, mortal, bloody battle for life on earth, and not for glory.
Harmonic
What is described in the next chapter of the poem by A. T. Twardowski "Vasily Terkin"? The reader learns that after being wounded and staying in the hospital, the soldier returns to the rifle regiment to the soldiers of his first company. On the way he was picked up by a truck heading for the front. A running convoy had to stop due to snow congestion. In forced minutes of rest, two tankers gave Terkin harmony, which remained from the commander who had recently died in battle.
From the sounds of a musical instrument, all fighters feel warmer in their souls, and some of them start to dance. Tankers even begin to think that they are already familiar with Terkin. Looking closer to him, they recognized in Vasily that wounded soldier whom they had saved from death. Tankers gave Terkin the harmony of their commander. They understand that war is not the time to grieve over the dead and wonder who can survive and return home.
Two soldiers
What does the reader know from the next chapter of the poem by A. T. Twardowski "Vasily Terkin"? Just three miles from the front line, the main character of the work entered the house where two old men live. Grandfather himself was a soldier in the past. Terkin helped the old man fix his watch and saw. Jokes Vasily lured the old woman food. Reluctantly, she pulled lard from her bins and fried the eggs of two eggs for the men. Having lunch and drinking alcohol from a flask, two soldiers started a conversation about the everyday difficulties of the war. In the end, Vasily bowed to the owners and promised that the German would definitely be defeated.
About the loss
What does the reader learn from the next chapter of the poem “Vasily Terkin” by Alexander Twardovsky? This story says that a friend of our hero lost his pouch. This really upset him. But Vasily reassures the fighter, saying that he has already lost his native land and family. This is the main chagrin. Everything else should not be regretted. Terkin gives his companion his pouch, noting at the same time that they should never lose Russia, for which they are responsible.
Duel
From the plot of “Vasily Terkin” by Twardowski, the reader learns that the main character of the work entered into hand-to-hand combat with the fascist. The German is a strong and agile man, large and well-fed. However, our soldier does not give up and does not lose heart. The German knocked out Terkin’s teeth, and Vasily knocked out his enemy’s eyes. It’s very hard for our soldier. He already hardly owns his wounded right arm and is exhausted, but he does not give up. The fascist took off his helmet and began to fight with it. Terkin hit his enemy with an unloaded grenade, stunned and tied him up.
Vasily is pleased with himself. He enjoys military fortune and is proud to be walking on Soviet soil and pushing the “language” into the headquarters, realizing that everyone who comes across him is glad that Terkin returned from intelligence alive.
Message from the author
The next chapter is a kind of respite in the author's "tale of war". After all, listening to her is good for someone who has already managed to defeat the enemy and returned home. Twardowski says a soldier in a war would like to read a peaceful tale. However, as long as the native land continues to remain in captivity, the author will talk about the war.
Who shot?
In this chapter, the author tells the story of how, after yesterday’s battle, the soldiers are in the trenches near the enemy’s positions. A summer evening descends to earth, reminding the soldiers of peacetime and peasant labor. Suddenly, the sound of an approaching enemy aircraft is heard. A fascist circles over the positions of Soviet soldiers. Death is very near. However, nobody wants to die. And here the author of the work began to talk about what time of the year it is best to die in the war. In the end, he concludes that no time is right for this.
But here Terkin came to the aid of his comrades. He got up, fired a rifle at the plane and knocked him out. Vasily became a hero. For this he was awarded the order.
About hero
In the next chapter of the poem, its main character talks about how he met, while in the hospital, a young order-bearing soldier from under Tambov. He hinted to him that there simply could not be such daredevils like him in the Smolensk region - the homeland of Terkin. Now Vasily is glad that he received the order. He does not boast of his small homeland, but at the same time he is proud of the land where he was born and raised, and also values ​​him.
The general
This chapter talks about the second year of the war. There are battles on the Volga. Terkin is on the defensive and sleeps in a trench on the river bank. Half asleep, he hears a song that speaks of a rivulet that can creep under barbed wire and reach its native village, sending greetings and words of love to the soldier’s mother. And here he was called to the general to present the order. Terkin refuses his vacation, and decides to go home at a time when the army will move to the liberation of Smolensk. The general agrees with his words, shakes hands tightly with Vasily, hugs him and looks the soldier in the eye. With him, he behaves as he would with his son. The general warmly says goodbye to Terkin.
About myself
In this chapter, the author tells the reader how he saved his ancestral home in his soul, although he left it in his youth. The poet recalls the forest not yet wounded by the war and summer days, his native courtyard and the stitch leading to the well. He identifies himself with those Soviet people who left behind the front line of the family and all that they have a native. Now the land of the author and Terkin - his fellow countryman, suffers in captivity. And for this they both must hold the answer.
Swamp Fight
Terkin's platoon fights for the village of Borki. For the third day now they have been fighting in a swamp, which seems senseless to them. Around hungry and damp. You can’t even smoke for the soldiers, because all the tobacco is husky. And at this time, Terkin manages to cheer on his comrades. He tells the soldiers that they are among their own and in their native territory. In addition, the soldier is protected by Soviet artillery. According to Vasily, everything is not so bad. And this swamp can be compared with a resort. The words spoken by Terkin amused the fighters, after which they easily occupied the village.
About love
In the next chapter of the poem, the author discusses the fact that every soldier must be accompanied by a woman to the war. Her love always encourages, glorifies, warns and condemns. The wives of soldiers never complain in their letters about how hard it is for them to live. And these news from home do real miracles with fighters. The author claims that love is much stronger than war, and urges women to write to husbands more often to the front. The poet also asks the girls to take a closer look at the hero of the poem and love him.
Rest of Terkin
From the next chapter, the reader learns that a soldier’s paradise is where he can sleep. The hero of Twardowski fell into such a peaceful house. There is a warm stove and a bedroom with a bed, covered with clean linen. In this "paradise" you do not need to sit in clothes, cut bread with a bayonet and put a rifle at your feet, and also remove the spoon behind the bootleg. In such a purity, Vasily becomes uncomfortable. Sometimes he even begins to think that he again found himself in a hospital. The fighter continues to think about those who are in the war, and because of this can not fall asleep. However, the Soviet army has not yet come to victory. That is why Terkin again sent to the cutting edge. Until the end of the war he will have to rest only on the way and wherever chance will lead him.
On the offensive
The next chapter tells about the fact that the fighters are already very used to being in the harrow. However, an order came in that the army needed to go on the offensive. Young soldiers are trying to equal Terkin. And this, despite the fact that he, too, is scared, lying on the ground, to wait for another break. The lieutenant, who was running ahead in the attack, was seriously wounded, and he died right on the battlefield. And then Terkin led the soldier forward. But he was also seriously injured.
Death and the warrior
In this chapter, the author tells the reader how death came to the bleeding Terkin. She called him with her, scared him with mutilation and said that the war would go on for a very long time, so there was no point in life. However, Vasily did not give up. He still wanted to see the victory and, returning home, take a walk with living people.
The funeral team found the fighter. He was put on a stretcher and carried to the medical battalion. All this time, death was near. But when she saw that the living took good care of each other, she left.
Terkin writes
This chapter refers to the time when Vasily is in the hospital.
He writes to his fellow soldiers that he has survived and that his leg is already healing. After the hospital, Terkin dreams of returning to his native unit, which has become a soldier’s home and family. Vasily wants to go along with his comrades to the very border, and if this does not work, then meet his doom among fellow soldiers.
Terkin-Terkin
After recovery, Vasily was again in his regiment. However, now he feels completely alien. And then someone asked: “Where is Terkin?” The first to answer the question was an unfamiliar red-haired fighter. Terkin Old had a grudge in his soul. He decided to find out to the end which of them is real. It turned out that the new soldier was called Ivan Terkin. He was awarded two orders. And due to the fact that Ivan knocked out one more enemy car, he is sure that the book about the soldier was written specifically about him. The author came up with another name only for rhyme. How did the characters of Vasily Terkin A. T. Twardovsky resolve their dispute? The foreman settled the conflict. He announced that each company will now have its own Terkin.
From the author
In this chapter, the poet refutes rumors about the death of a hero beloved by everyone. He says that Terkin is alive, and not heard about him just because he is fighting in the West.
Grandfather and woman
The heroes whom the reader met in the chapter of Twardowski's poem "Vasily Terkin" - "Two Soldiers" met again during the offensive of the Soviet troops. Grandfather and woman were sitting in the cellar, hiding from the shots, when they heard the voices of scouts, among whom was our soldier. The old men accepted Vasily as their own son, feeding him fat. Terkin assured them that the Soviet army would no longer retreat back. He promised to bring from Berlin a watch that the Germans had taken from the elderly.
On the Dnieper
Creating a collective image of Vasily Terkin, Twardowski argued that throughout the war his hero did not cease to feel his own guilt in the occupation of his native land. He was ashamed that he was not among those who liberated his native village. The front continued to advance towards the Dnieper, where at dawn, at the very end of Indian summer, a battle took place. Our troops successfully crossed the river. At the same time, they captured the Germans, who practically did not resist it.
The image of Vasily Terkin in the poem of Twardowski to this chapter has already managed to undergo significant changes. In this fighter, we see a perfect other person - calm, experienced, who has already managed to lose many and much.
About the orphan soldier
The Soviet army continues its offensive. The fighters who are liberating city after city are already dreaming of the capture of Berlin as something real. After analyzing "Vasily Terkin" Twardowski, it becomes clear that the popularity of the protagonist of the poem began to decline. He was held in high esteem in those days when the army was retreating. At that time, Vasily cheered up the soldiers. Now this role is assigned to the generals.
It becomes clear that the war in Vasily Terkin of Twardowski is nearing completion. Residents of European capitals are happy to meet the liberators. However, a simple soldier does not stop thinking about his native village.
One of the fellow countrymen of the author was orphaned. His house was burned, and his family was killed. He learned about this during the offensive near Smolensk, when he asked for a visit to his native village of Red Bridge. The soldier silently returned to the unit and, holding a plate of cold soup in his hands, cried. The author urges the reader not to forgive these tears for the Nazis, to reach victory and avenge the grief brought by the Germans.
On the way to Berlin
The war in Twardowski's poem "Vasily Terkin" is increasingly drawing to a close. The Soviet army is in a foreign land, where soldiers are unaccustomed to red tiles and foreign speech.
People are going east. These are the British, French and Poles who are friendly looking at the Russian soldiers-liberators. Here, the fighters meet a Russian woman who is returning beyond the Dnieper to her destroyed courtyard. Terkin gives her a horse with a harness, a sheep, a cow and various household utensils.
In the bath
For the soldiers, a Russian bathhouse becomes a real stepfather's home in a foreign land. She gives them a lot of pleasure. The soldiers regret only that they have to take water from other people's rivers. However, the author observes that in a war it will be worse if the soldiers begin to wash themselves, for example, near Moscow.
In the bathhouse, everyone is undressing, and all injuries immediately become visible on the body. They are marks of war. At the tunics that the fighters put on after the bath, a large number of medals stand out. Soldiers joke that this is not all. After all, the last frontier awaits them.
From the author
In this chapter, the author says goodbye to Terkin. After the war, he was no longer needed, since it was time for a different song. But the book about the soldier created by Tvardovsky is dear to him. After all, Terkin is the pain of the poet, his joy, rest and feat. Everything written by the author was supposed to please the reader.
Poem analysis
“Vasily Terkin” by Twardowski is rightfully on the list of the most significant works of Russian literature written in the second half of the 20th century.
The poem includes 29 chapters. Each of them can be considered as an independent work. The book contains many lyrical digressions. Moreover, its form and content are close to popular narratives.
In the poem you can find a whole fusion of genres, epics and lyrics. The poetic form of the work is rich in humor and pathetic, sketches of front-line life and heroic battles, a laid-back joke and tragedy. There is a folk language and high oratory. That is why the work is sometimes called not a poem at all. It can be considered a folk book. Twardowski invented a universal genre and chose a military theme. Moreover, the author showed the war from the very beginning to the end.
From lyrical digressions, the image of the author becomes clear to us. The reader realizes that the poet loves his hero very much.
The whole plot of the work carries a high ideological thought. And the simplicity of the poetic language, which is close to the popular, makes the poem understandable to all people. From the poems of Twardowski it became warm to the soldiers who were on the battlefield. They give us inexhaustible spiritual energy even now, after many years.
As for the character of the protagonist, its author reveals to his reader gradually. Walking from chapter to chapter, Terkin appears to us from different angles. Sometimes he shows real courage and courage. This is what the reader sees in the “Crossing” chapter. When describing what is happening in the war, the author does not cease to emphasize the fact that Soviet soldiers are not heroes from birth. They are simple young men, many of them wearing military uniforms for the first time. Nevertheless, their faces are illuminated by heroism.
Twardowski emphasizes his idea that the feat performed by these young fighters is nothing more than a continuation of the military successes of their grandfathers and fathers who participated in the wars of past centuries.
The author covers Terkin’s participation in battles using a half-joking form. At the same time, he talks about the dreams of his hero who wants to return home as soon as possible. Vasily does not mind receiving a reward, but at the same time shows modesty. Most of all, he wants to impress girls with his medal.
After the cheerful scenes in which Vasily’s dreams are described, the author goes on to describe the terrible battle. By this, he seeks to emphasize that the path to happiness lies through struggle, and also indicates the connection of the fate of each person with the future of the country.
In the poem, the author collected folk joy and sorrow. You can find here both harsh and mournful lines. However, most of all in the work of folk humor, affirming a huge love of life. Sometimes it seems unbelievable that the story of the most difficult and brutal war that has only been in the history of peoples will sound so life-affirming. But Twardowski in his "Vasily Terkin" successfully coped with a similar task.
The work with amazing brightness and truthfulness paints a real picture of the life and struggle of the people in the harsh years of the war. Moreover, the author constantly draws the reader’s eyes to the future. He also mentions the list of golden glory, in which the descendants will add nameless heroes who gave their lives for victory.
The epic nature of the poem, as well as its narrative nature of the plot, coexist perfectly with a high lyrical beginning, which after literally permeates all the chapters. The reader acquaints himself with the most sincere thoughts of the author both in the descriptions of the battle, and in the story of the woman who escorts the soldier, and in the conversation that Terkin leads with death. Thus, the lyrical and epic principles in the work are one and indissoluble.
Twardowski's poem "Vasily Terkin" has been reprinted more than once. There are many translations into various languages. And nowadays it is readily read by both the older generation and youth.