Mikhail Sholokhov authors the dramatic tale of a grief-stricken man. The man, unnamed, tells of his tragic life story including the death of his family members and injuries sustained in battle. The man tells of his dramatic accident that left him in enemy hands– living as a prisoner of war for two years. He makes a dramatic escape with a German major and is welcomed by his fellow Russians. Despite his hardships, however, the man attempts to reenlist in the Russian army, “Comrade Colonel, please enlist me in an infantry unit” (Sholokhov 499). The man pleads with he Colonel to reenlist him in an infantry unit despite his failing health and obvious trauma. Why does the man yearn to be back in the army? Is he seeking revenge for his time in captivity or simply trying to be a ‘good’ Soviet citizen?
Russia, the Soviet Union, and the CIS (HIS240 S20)
Revolution and its evolution!
During this time it was a theme for prisoners of war to be executed upon return to society as if they were traitors. The man maybe knew this and wanted to reenlist as a form of salvation. Or potentially his pride had been wounded and he wanted to make up for that. I don’t think he was trying to be a good Soviet citizen. In the end he explains to the narrator that he won’t go back to Russia. Maybe the man knew deep down that his family was gone and he had nothing left to go home to. I think he could have wanted revenge on the Germans. This would seem likely given how cruelly he was treated.