Vasil Dyatel – Lyavon Kuzhal: a Belrusian in novels by I. Melezh and V. Gnilomedov

The article examines the novels by I. Melezh (“People of the Marsh”) and V. Gnilomedov (“Ulysses from Pruska”) through the central characters – Vasil Dyatel and Lyavon Kuzhal. It is noted that these novels have not only a great deal of common ground but also significant differences in the description of everyday life, habits, figures of the main characters. In particular, the Belarusian nature is studied from the point of view of sociocentrism and personocentrism, so the corresponding type of hero is considered as the type of a “new” Belarusian is analysed. It is emphasised that V. Gnilomedov's novel presents the main character with a predominant personality-centred principle, while a social-centred principle is observed in I. Melezh's hero.