SPECIFICS OF THE LITERARY CHARACTERS IN THE NOVEL “GERATSITE” BY ELIN PELIN, INCLUDED FOR STUDY AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

Abstract

Among Elin Pelin's works, the novel "Geratsite," studied in 10th grade, holds a special place – nowhere else is the life of the Bulgarian village before the wars depicted with such realistic power. "Geratsite" is much more than just a picture of village life; it repeatedly goes beyond the fate of a single person or family, actually presenting the history of the Bulgarian village as a whole. The objective way the writer depicts the surrounding reality isn’t some dry formula, but a real method for truthfully and vividly portraying life.
The novel “Geratsite” should by no means be seen as a purely descriptive work; on the contrary, it’s a dynamic text rich in events and happenings. Besides offering deep social and philosophical insight, in his work Elin Pelin also demonstrates all the qualities of his unique creative talent – delving deeply into the characters’ psyche, keen observation, remarkable skill in structuring the work, a distinctive sense of nature, simplicity, and at the same time, an unmatched command of language. Particularly valuable is his ability to develop characters, presenting them not as static, frozen artistic images, but as personalities who evolve.
This is yet another proof of both Elin Pelin's creative skill and his impeccable realistic sense, which makes 'The Geraks' one of the brightest works in the Bulgarian literary sky.