A Man Was Going Down the Road

Questions About A Man Was Going Down the Road

by Otar Chiladze

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What is the allegorical significance of the character names in the novel? I have written about the Parnaoz in the full review on my blog. I know that Ukheiro means "worthless." What about Metekhi? What about Ino (is that just a shortened form of the name, Nino)? What about Popeye come from? Does that have some significance in the Georgian form of the word?
ioane Hey! I'm from Georgia and I'll try to share what I can. 7 years late, but let's try.
Ukheiro today is more used simply for "clumsy", but it can also m…moreHey! I'm from Georgia and I'll try to share what I can. 7 years late, but let's try.
Ukheiro today is more used simply for "clumsy", but it can also mean "worthless" if you go in depth. Ino is not related to Nino, as far as I know. Popeye doesn't have a clear significance, for me it sounded like a name of a peasant boy (this "ye" suffix used in dialects in different regions, so that's why. I don't know what Pope means, but the "e" here is not silent, it's pronounced, unlike in English).

About Metekhi - I don't remember this character in the novel, but it's a very significant name. It's one of the sightseeings of Tbilisi, a 5th century church built on a rock at the river base, with a statue of the King that built it. And Metekhi, as I was taught, means "I broke an oath" - the King promised the leader of an opposing army that he would allow them to cross the river peacefully, in order to negotiate. But he broke the promise and killed them in the river. Then he built the church to repent the sin he had to commit. I think his hand posture on the statue also illustrates taking an oath.
Can you please share your blog about Parnaoz?(less)
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