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Abstract:

The central event depicted in the chapters of Mikhail Sholokhov’s novel “They Fought for Their Motherland” is war that is active resistance to the enemy. A key role in conveying the meaning of war is played by the synonymous series of verbs to fight (voevat’), to struggle (srazhat’sya), and to battle (bit’sya), most often used in the speech of the characters. Among them, to fight is the most polysemous, encompassing such meanings as “to wage war,” “to participate in war,” and “to engage in battle.” Through the polysemy of this verb, Sholokhov contrasts the understanding of war held by commanders and that held by rank- and-file soldiers. For the soldiers, war appears as difficult but necessary and doable work. The verb to battle carries a more concrete meaning — “to actively engage in combat,” with an inherent image of delivering and receiving blows; it is stylistically neutral and commonly used by both soldiers and officers when referring to their combat participation. The verb to struggle is close in meaning but emphasizes the physical danger, wounds, and the chance of death, giving it a more elevated and solemn connotation. It is rarely used by soldiers in reference to their own actions but appears in emotionally charged contexts. Its inclusion in the novel’s title suggests that what the soldiers themselves perceived as arduous but necessary work was, in reality, a heroic endeavor that united the entire nation.

Keywords: Sholokhov, “They Fought for Their Motherland”, synonymous row, to fight, to struggle, to battle.