The House on the Embankment: Analysis of Major Characters
"The House on the Embankment: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complex relationships and motivations of key figures within a literary context. Central to the narrative is Vadim Alexandrovich Glebov, a literary critic marked by his evasive nature and deep-seated envy, particularly towards his childhood friend Lev Shulepnikov, who embodies confidence and privilege. Glebov's moral ambiguity is highlighted through his betrayal of his mentor, Professor Nikolai Vasilievich Ganchuk, and his abandonment of Ganchuk's daughter, Sonya, who is characterized by her kindness and tragic fate. The story also features Anton Ovchinnikov, a reflective figure who embodies the nostalgia of lost childhood simplicity, and Boris Lvovich Astrug, who struggles for recognition in the academic world. The interactions among these characters reflect broader themes of ambition, loyalty, and the impact of societal changes on personal relationships, providing a poignant exploration of human nature and ideological conflict. Through these character studies, the work invites readers to consider the intricate dynamics of envy and betrayal against a backdrop of literary and historical significance.
The House on the Embankment: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Yuri Trifonov
First published: Dom na naberezhnoi, 1976 (English translation, 1983)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Moscow and Bruskovo
Plot: Psychological realism
Time: The late 1930's to the early 1970's
Vadim Alexandrovich Glebov (vah-DIHM ah-lehk-SANdroh-vihch GLEH-bov), a literary critic whose life has been defined by envy, anger, and caution. He avoids taking firm stands on any issue until the last possible moment, avoids contradicting people, and carefully nurtures his relationships without growing too close, all of which result in his ability to fit in with practically any circle of people without actually committing himself to being a part of any one group exclusively. As a boy, he enjoyed special authority among his friends because his mother worked at a cinema to which he could take his friends without paying. That authority vanished when Lev Shulepnikov moved to the neighborhood because Lev owned a film projector. Glebov eventually enters an institute to study literature, later becoming the lover of Sonya Ganchuk, his adviser's daughter. When an attempt is made to oust his adviser, Glebov does not rise to his defense, which in essence is an act of betrayal. Shortly thereafter, he abandons Sonya. By the end of his career, he is a well-ensconced establishment figure in literary circles, even having the uncommon privilege of being allowed to travel abroad as part of his duties.
Lev Mikhailovich Shulepnikov (mih-KHAH-ih-loh-vihch shew-LEHP-nih-kov), or Shulepa (shew-LEH-pah), a childhood friend of Glebov and the chief object of Glebov's childhood envy. Arrogant and bold because of his stepfather's influence, he owns foreign toys, wears good clothing, and is the object of his neighbors' respect and envy. Separated from Glebov during the war, Lev again encounters him at the institute. Eventually, Lev is party to the attempt to oust Professor Ganchuk. When his second stepfather loses his influence, Lev ceases to enjoy his many privileges and ends up poor, haggard, and working in a dead-end job.
Nikolai Vasilievich Ganchuk (nih-koh-LAY gahnCHEWK), a professor of literature. Although a literary scholar and intellectual, Ganchuk nevertheless idealistically and rather blindly accepts socialist ideology. A participant in the ideological and intellectual literary wars of the 1920's, Ganchuk is fiercely interested in literature and discusses literature and literary criticism with uncommon verve. When Glebov enrolls at the institute, Ganchuk becomes his adviser and champions his cause for graduate student status. When Glebov fails to defend him some years later, Ganchuk forgives him. Within an hour after he is finally removed from the department, he is spotted thoroughly enjoying a pastry in a shop. At the age of eighty-six, after he moves into a much smaller apartment, he is still busy, subscribing to eighteen newspapers and keeping up with popular science and television, and he still longs to hold on to life.
The narrator, a childhood friend of Glebov who remains unidentified in the story. His childhood is consumed with envy of Anton Ovchinnikov, because of the latter's intellectual brilliance, and of Glebov, because of Glebov's ability to get along with anybody. In his old age, the narrator remembers his childhood friends and childhood happiness with scorn and bitterness.
Sonya Ganchuk, Professor Ganchuk's daughter and Glebov's lover during his years at the institute. She is submissive, kind, and sympathetic. Sonya's first response to all people is pity, which sometimes leads to absurdities such as pitying the victimizer almost as much as the victim. She falls in love with Glebov in sixth grade, but he does not think twice about her until he is studying at the institute. Glebov abandons her shortly after her father loses his position. She eventually dies, before her father does.
Boris Lvovich Astrug (LVOH-vihch AH-strewg), a graduate student and member of Ganchuk's clique. He is a poor lecturer, unable to make an impression on people. On that pretext, he is discharged from his position as part of the attack on Ganchuk.
Druzyaev (drew-ZYAH-ehv), the dean of studies at the institute. To discredit Ganchuk, Druzyaev attempts to persuade Glebov to find another adviser on the pretext of avoiding the appearance of nepotism.
Anton Ovchinnikov (ov-CHI-nih-kov), another of Glebov's childhood friends. Modest, musical, and seemingly all-knowing, Anton at an early age senses that his friends are changing and that their carefree childhood has passed irrevocably.