(275 words) The true qualities of a person are known to manifest themselves in extreme situations. This happened with the main characters of the story Bykov. Two brave comrades, Rybak and Sotnikov, went on a mission. At first, it seems that Rybak was more confidently honored to be called a hero, because his comrade, who did not want to inform the commander of his illness, complicated the operation due to his poor health. It was because of Sotnikov's cough that the Germans found them in the attic of Demichikha. But could he have done otherwise? Not. The hero was very afraid to be a burden, when danger was approaching, he never thought about himself, he tried to protect others from danger.
The most striking episode of the story, revealing the essence of the heroes of the work, was their capture. Sotnikov, sitting in a cell and waiting for his fate, was confident in his intentions, convinced that, despite all the torture, he would never give up the partisans, would not give any information even under the threat of death. Opposite him is his comrade. From the very beginning, he decides to save his life. Seeing the exhausted partner, who was brought after the torture, he rejoices that he remained unharmed due to the fact that he shared information with the enemy. Before the liquidation begins, Sotnikov, not afraid of the consequences, takes all the blame on himself, trying to save his ally. But the Fisherman in the face of death is weak. He accepts the offer of the invaders and becomes a policeman. When executed, the traitor knocks the stump out from under the feet of the former fellow soldier.
So in this story shows the selfless heroism of Sotnikov and the cowardice of the traitor Rybak. Describing the situation in which the partisans fell, the author raises the theme of "man and circumstances." An important feature of Bykov’s novel is that the writer himself does not evaluate the actions of the heroes. The only vivid value judgment is made by Sotnikov himself when he finds out about Rybak’s decision. He shouted to the traitor just one word: "Bastard!" - but that was all said ...
