The Thaw: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Thaw" explores the emotional intricacies and conflicts of its major characters against the backdrop of Soviet society. Elena (Lena) Borissovna Zhuravliov, a discontented schoolteacher, grapples with her unfulfilled marriage and ultimately leaves her husband for Dmitri Koroteyev, a sensitive engineer. Ivan Zhuravliov, Lena's husband and a factory manager, prioritizes his career, leading to his downfall after Lena's departure and a catastrophic housing failure. Dmitri, still grieving his wife's death during the war, finds a deep connection with Lena based on shared intellectual interests but struggles with his feelings. Supporting characters, like Andrey Pukhov, Lena's mentor who encourages her independence, and his cynical artist son, Vladimir, highlight the broader themes of disillusionment and the search for personal fulfillment. The narrative also includes Vera Scherer, a physician haunted by her wartime losses, who becomes a confidant for Lena. Each character's journey reflects a quest for love, purpose, and self-identity within a complex social framework, making "The Thaw" a poignant examination of human relationships amidst societal challenges.
The Thaw: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Ilya Ehrenburg
First published: Ottepel, 1954 (English translation, 1955)
Genre: Novel
Locale: A small town in the Soviet Union
Plot: Social realism
Time: The early 1950's
Elena (Lena) Borissovna Zhuravliov (boh-rih-SOHV-nah zhew-rahv-LYOV), a Soviet schoolteacher. Attractive, intelligent, and cultured, she is a thirty-year-old wife and mother who has become dissatisfied with her life. She finds purpose in her career as a teacher but no emotional satisfaction in her relationship with her husband. She unwittingly falls in love with her husband's coworker, Dmitri Koroteyev, who is also cultured and sensitive. When she realizes the seriousness of her affection, she leaves her husband. Mistakenly believing that her love is unrequited, she lives solitarily until a chance encounter brings her and Dmitri together.
Ivan Zhuravliov, a factory manager, several years older than Lena. He has grown stout and sedate with marriage. Committed to increasing production, he puts machines ahead of workers and his job before his family. Soon after Lena leaves him, a storm destroys shoddily built housing that he constructed for employees. Well-meaning but bewildered by private as well as public humiliation, he loses both his family and his career.
Dmitri Koroteyev (DMIH-tree koh-roh-TEH-yehv), an engineer in Zhuravliov's factory. Thirty-five years old and regarded as a model worker, he is quiet and somewhat reclusive. His wife was killed in the Great Patriotic War against the Nazis, and he has since resisted any emotional involvement. His friendship with Lena grows from their mutual love of books and ideas. Unaware of the depth of his passion for her or of her passion for him, he hesitates to act after she leaves Ivan. At the end of a long, bitter winter, he can no longer stifle his need for affection and approaches Lena.
Andrey Pukhov (ahn-DRAY PEW-khov), an old schoolmaster, sixty-four years of age, who acted as Lena's mentor, inspiring her with ideals about learning and living. He supports her separation from Ivan.
Vladimir (Volyoda) Andreyevich Pukhov (vla-DIH-mihr voh-LY-oh-dyah ahn-DREH-yeh-vihch), Andrey's son, an artist. He has grown cynical by painting industrial scenes that sell well to bureaucrats but do not reflect his own aesthetic aspirations. Like Ivan, he has lost the ability to love by concentrating on his social advancement. Although he constantly attracts women, he is unable to find love.
Saburaov (sah-BEW-rov), an artist and friend of Volyoda. He and his wife, Glasha, live miserably on her bookkeeper's salary, but they live contentedly, with passion compensating for poverty.
Sonya, Andrey's daughter, who is studying to be an engineer. Although she loves literature, she is determined to pursue a practical career. At the age of twenty-five, she has just finished school and taken her first job, though it means breaking off a romance with Savchenko, Dmitri's coworker.
Vera Scherer, a physician at the factory. Like Dmitri, she is a veteran of the war whose lover was killed in the fighting. She dedicates herself to work to stifle her own emotions. She is thirteen years older than Lena and serves as Lena's confidant and supporter.