Markel Shchapov: Techniques of Character Creation and its Function in the Novel by B. L. Pasternak "Doctor Zhivago"

Abstract

The article analyses the features of the minor characters in the novel of B. L. Pasternak «Doctor Zhivago» that are characterized by the expressiveness of the portrayal, manifested in the peculiarities of their portraiture, language etc. The techniques of creating the image of Markel Shchapov are examined: the peculiarities of his speech, behavior, characterization through actions and deeds, description of the interior, a number of artistic details. The following conclusions are made: the absence of the external portrait is in itself a stylistic feature of this character; important plot and compositional functions (introduces the world of the Gromeko family into the novel, appears in all the key events of the Moscow period of Dr. Zhivago’s life) make it possible to refer this character to the number of persons, explaining and interpreting the main characters. Markel is regarded as a personage-character that accentuates different traits of character of Yuri; as an artistic image that reproduces reality and typifies it; as one of the most recognizable images of the new time representatives; as a cross-cutting image.

Keywords

• B. L. Pasternak
• «Doctor Zhivago»
• the system of characters
• the techniques of character creation