The Naked Year: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Naked Year: Analysis of Major Characters" explores a diverse cast of individuals set against the backdrop of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. Central to the narrative is Donat Ratchin, a young man who, returning from war, takes on a leadership role in a revolutionary commune, diverging from his family's merchant legacy. His father, Ivan Ratchin, embodies autocratic authority and has a complex relationship with Donat, marked by interference in his son's personal affairs.
The story also introduces several other notable characters, including Nastia, a maid who becomes momentarily involved with Donat, and Olly Kuntz, a young woman engaged in printing arrest orders for the revolutionary cause. Comrade Laitis is portrayed as an enthusiastic revolutionary, while Andrey, who is betrothed to Irina, faces persecution from Laitis. The narrative dives into themes of loyalty and betrayal, as seen in the dynamic between Arkhip, an enthusiastic Red official, and Natalia Ordynin, a young doctor who marries him with hopes of a stable future.
The characters’ relationships and struggles reflect the tumultuous societal changes of the time, highlighting issues of power, morality, and survival in a rapidly shifting landscape. Overall, the analysis provides insight into how these characters navigate their intertwined fates amidst the chaos of revolution, making it a compelling study of human behavior in times of crisis.
The Naked Year: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Boris Pilnyak
First published: Goly god, 1922 (English translation, 1928)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Russia
Plot: Regional
Time: Early twentieth century
Donat Ratchin (doh-NAHT RAHT-chihn), a young Russian during the Bolshevik Revolution. Although he has planned to follow his father as a merchant, he returns from the war to become the head of a revolutionary commune in Ordynin Town.
Ivan Ratchin (ih-VAHN), Donat's autocratic father; he breaks up Donat's brief affair with a pretty maid but sends the housekeeper to his son's bed.
Nastia (NAHS-tyuh), a pretty young maid, briefly Donat's mistress.
Olly Kuntz (OHL-lih kewnts), a young woman who prints blank orders for arrest and imprisonment for the Reds.
Comrade Laitis (LI-tihs), an enthusiastic revolutionist.
Andrey (ahn-DRAY), a man persecuted by Comrade Laitis. He is betrothed to Irina.
Semyon (sehm-YOHN), a man impressed by Andrey's cleverness in eluding the Reds.
Arkhip (ahr-HIHP), a rude peasant and an enthusiastic Red who suggests suicide to his ailing father. After he becomes a Red official, he marries Natalia Ordynin.
Arkhipov (ahr-HIH-pof), Arkhip's father, who shoots himself to avoid a lingering death from cancer.
Natalia Ordynin (nah-TAH-lyuh ohr-DEW-nihn), a young woman doctor. She becomes fond of Arkhip, the Red leader, and marries him, looking forward to what she deems a cozy arrangement.
Boris Ordynin, the oldest of the Ordynin brothers, who rapes a maid and suffers from syphilis inherited from his father. He leaves Ordynin when the family home is requisitioned by the Reds.
Gleb and Egor (eh-GOHR), Natalia's younger brothers.
Lidiya (LYEE-dyih-yuh), a morphine addict, and Katarina Ordynin (kah-tah-REE-nuh), Natalia's sisters.
Arina Ordynin (ah-RIH-nuh), Natalia's mother. She sells clothes and furniture from the home to provide food for her family.
Martha, the maid raped by Boris Ordynin.
Aganka (ah-GAHN-kuh), a peasant girl attracted to Andrey.
Irina (ih-RIH-nuh), a girl loved by Andrey and betrothed to him.
Harry, the English leader of a band of armed men who kill and loot on their way through Ordynin Town.