What Books Teach Us about World War II (Based on Oleksandr Dovzhenko’s Book “Ukraine on Fire”)

Abstract

Oleksandr Dovzhenko is a Ukrainian writer, film director, film dramatist, artist, the author of famous novels “Earth” and “Arsenal.” When World War II began, Dovzhenko was evacuated to Ashgabat. Appointed a colonel of the quartermaster service, he could not stand inaction and asked to be sent to the front and witness liberation from the occupation, after which he wrote his most famous work, “Ukraine on Fire.” The idea of the work, according to the author himself, is the indomitable strength and steadfastness of our people’s spirit, their ability to fight for liberation and confidence in victory over the enemy. What can impress the reader is the strength of will of Ukrainians who went on to protect their country. It was very difficult to fight the fascists, but our people persevered and defeated them. The main story is the gigantic epic image of Ukraine, plundered by fascists and Bolsheviks. The family from Zaporizhzhya is a micromodel of Ukraine. The song “Oh, I’m going to go for a walk” serves as a kind of framing. Zaporizhians sing it at the beginning of the piece. It symbolizes the unity of the family and harmony within it, and therefore, the unity of the Ukrainian people. At the end of the film, the family gathers again. And although there are not many of its representatives, there is hope that the family line of the Zaporizhians will not be interrupted.