Ivan Brovkin on the State Farm

Ivan was considered a traitor because he chose to leave for the virgin lands instead of returning to work at his native kolkhoz. When he arrived after military service, he planned to marry Lyubasha, but his decision to seek work elsewhere was seen as abandoning his home and responsibilities. The chairman, Lyubasha, and her mother viewed his departure as a betrayal of the local community and his commitments to them.

The virgin lands referred to the Soviet Union's massive agricultural expansion program in the 1950s, primarily in Kazakhstan and Siberia, where settlers were recruited to cultivate previously uncultivated steppe land. After being demobilized as a sergeant, Ivan and a group of friends decided to join this program for a new start, hoping to find better opportunities and contribute to the national agricultural effort.

The film opens with Ivan and his friends heading toward the virgin lands, setting up the central conflict of leaving home.

Lyubasha decided to join Ivan after hearing news about his successful life on the virgin lands through the letters he sent home. The letters described how well he was doing, which sparked her imagination about a different life away from her restrictive family situation. Her desire to escape her confines and be with Ivan grew stronger as she learned about his promotion to foreman and his respected position.

Ivan earned his promotion to foreman of the tractor brigade through hard work and demonstrated leadership during the spring. His dedication during the plowing season and through the winter months impressed both the workers and management. By spring, his commitment and ability to lead the team were recognized, and he was appointed to the supervisory position.

The timeline shows Ivan working through winter and writing home that everything was fine, building toward his recognition.

The director arranged for a house to be built specifically to keep Ivan on the state farm. When Ivan considered returning to his native kolkhoz because he missed Lyubasha, the director recognized his value as a worker and leader. The house construction was part of a scheme during a subbotnik (voluntary work day), with the director also instructing the driver to fake an engine breakdown to delay Ivan's departure from the airport and buy time for the plans.

Ivan was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour after the harvest, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the virgin lands project. This state honor recognized his successful work as foreman of the tractor brigade and his significant role in the agricultural development of the virgin lands.

Zakhar Silych arrived at the state farm to fetch his bride Polina, who had already left for the virgin lands. Rather than taking her back to their native village, Zakhar observed the opportunities available on the new lands and chose to stay. He soon married Polina in a wedding held on the virgin lands, deciding to build his future there alongside Ivan.

Ivan considered returning to his native kolkhoz during harvest time because he was deeply missing Lyubasha. Despite his success and promotion on the virgin lands, his personal longing for his fiancée grew stronger as the harvest approached. This internal conflict between his professional success and his personal desires created a key emotional moment in the story.

The wedding was cancelled because Ivan's decision to leave for the virgin lands was seen as a betrayal by Lyubasha, her mother, and the kolkhoz chairman. When Ivan arrived home after military service and announced he was heading to the virgin lands instead of staying to work at the local farm, the family considered this abandoning his responsibilities. They reacted by cancelling the planned wedding and treating him as a traitor.

Ivan and Lyubasha finally married after Ivan visited his native village following the harvest. When Ivan returned briefly to the village with Zakhar Silych and his wife, the situation had changed enough for them to reconcile. Ivan married Lyubasha in their native village, and the newlyweds then departed together to continue their life and work on the virgin lands.