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What is the meaning of life according to Gorky, and is it equivalent to happiness?

The best writers of all times and peoples asked themselves and their readers about why man lives in the world. To be or not to be is a philosophical question. The meaning of life is different for every person. Well-being and prosperity are enough for one, give peace and freedom to another, and the third carefully monitors his own health, believing that it is most important.

Alexey Maksimovich Peshkov wondered about the purpose of existence in almost all of his works. His characters follow their path in different ways, among them there are egoists who think only about their own good, and those who are ready to devote themselves to serving bright ideals. By contrasting the philosophy of sacrifice with the way of thinking of an opportunist, the writer indicates his own position. Renunciation of one's own material interests in the name of a bright future - this is the meaning of life according to Gorky.

The meaning of the life of the old woman Izergil

Three storylines are woven into the story “Old Woman Izergil”. The main character had to live a difficult life, in which there was a place for both happiness and grief. The men who, by the will of fate, left their mark on her destiny are very different, but she recklessly and generously gave both the young man, like an oriental flower, and the arrogant Polish duelist, what she owned - her love, without sparing her. Has she ever thought about the question of what is the meaning of life? According to the old woman's bitter story about tragic fate Danko, we can conclude that thoughts about the purpose of human existence were not alien to her. At the same time, when talking about Larra, she, without any condemnation, sets out the concept of a carefree and comfortable life. To each his own!

Petrel and already

A similar ideological confrontation is also manifested in the dialogue between the “wise” grass snake and the petrel. Freedom is the meaning of life according to Gorky. It can be defined as the will to do what one wants, the whole question is what the slave wants and what the true citizen wants. The average person, being captive of his own petty goals, is simply unable to understand high heroic aspirations; he does not like the feeling of free flight, especially if it ends in a clumsy fall from a height, albeit a small one. I really like a warm and damp coziness, familiar and comfortable. The high emotional intensity elevates this fable to the rank of a real parable with an almost biblical plot.

The meaning of a mother's life

The idea of ​​serving high ideals also dominates the novel “Mother”. In this work, the interpretation of human relations is not as schematic as in “Song of the Petrel.” The narrative is complicated by the understanding of simple human feelings experienced by an ordinary woman who raised a son obsessed with class struggle. Like any mother, she wants her child to be happy, and she is very afraid for Pavel, who is not afraid of anything. A revolutionary is ready to step over any obstacle, without thinking about the consequences, seeing only an unclear and distant goal. And the mother is always on the side of her son.

Was the Petrel of the Revolution happy?

So what is the meaning of life according to Gorky? Is it only in serving high ideals, or are more mundane, universal issues important to him? Declaring Maxim Gorky the main proletarian writer, Soviet leadership of the thirties hoped to tame the “petrel of the revolution” and reduce his complex, ambiguous work to a simplified scheme in which there is only room for heroes, enemies and ordinary people, a “wavering swamp” that must be eradicated. But the world is much more complex and varied than the formula “who is not with us is against us”... But from school, children were instilled with the idea that the meaning of life, according to Gorky, lies in continuous struggle.

Happiness is here the main objective every person, and everyone has their own. Gorky's characters almost never experience it; they suffer. Did you become happy man myself great writer, despite all the honors that the authorities showered him with? Hardly.

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Miscellaneous

In Maxim Gorky’s most famous play “At the Depths” three truths are described - three philosophical views for life: the first truth of Luke, the second truth of Satin and the third truth of Bubnov. All these points of view are defended by arguments, all supported by evidence and examples, but still each person needs to decide what he thinks? A lot depends on the answer, since the question is very important. Before me is the play “At the Bottom”. So which truth is closer to me? The three truths about a person in the play “At the Bottom” are significantly different from each other, so first you need to figure out what they are.

What is Luke's truth? This paradoxical hero appears in a shelter in Kitay-Gorod and promotes white lies. He consoles the poor and ragged inhabitants of the basements, promising them all kinds of benefits that are due to them for their suffering. Many people are really starting to believe his encouraging words. Luke’s “truth” from the play “At the Bottom” is expressed in the fact that he saves a person from the harmful influence of harsh and harsh reality through deception. In order to live, a person needs a lie, because without it he may not be able to withstand the difficult truth and die altogether. Everyone needs consolation, albeit imaginary, to continue the fight against despondency. The hero's speech is aphoristic, and in it one can see life position Luke. For example, he believes that: “What you believe in is what you believe.”

What is Satin's truth? The cheater and alcoholic Konstantin also hears Luke’s sermons, but desperately argues with him. Satin's philosophy is that lying is the religion of slaves and you cannot lie to anyone, anywhere. Whatever the purpose of the deceiver, such means do not justify it. He believes that a person should be respected in any case, and not humiliated with pity. Illusions will sooner or later disappear, and the deceived will come to despair from another collapse of hopes. According to Konstantin, a person should not despair and it is in his monologues that one observes author's position: “Truth is God free man!». The truth and opinion of Gorky are expressed in Satin’s position, because the writer was a supporter of the revolution, which proclaimed truths like “Religion is the opium of the people.” Lenin and his supporters, including Gorky, brought the unvarnished truth to the people. They were already tired of the lies of the tsarist regime, which was supported by the church. It was religion that justified the king in everything, calling him “God’s anointed.” That is, inequality and oppression of the autocracy were determined by this concept, which was hammered into the heads of all subjects. The Bolsheviks wanted equality, freedom and brotherhood, like Gorky. Therefore, the author in image of Luke portrayed a typical priest with his eternal promises and consolations, and in image of Satin– a proletarian revolutionary force with a sober materialistic mind. The preacher of lies escapes, but Satin has the courage to remain true to himself and his beliefs.

What is the third truth, Bubnov’s truth? This philosophy is to tell it straight as it is. The hero believes that there is no point in lying, since everyone will die sooner or later anyway. It seems to me that in Bubnov’s face one can see the features of a nobleman - a native of a degraded class. He is “lazy and a drunkard” and ran away from home because his wife found someone else. Bubnov's restlessness and inability to independently settle in life give rise to his gloomy worldview. He prefers to hide rather than solve the problem. He has the same attitude towards the truth: he doesn’t care, as long as they don’t touch him. Therefore, he does not bother himself with lies, and he is not very burdened with the truth, since he does not care what will happen in life, since no one has canceled death.

Which truth from the play “At the Bottom” is closer to me? I am inclined to choose Satin’s truth, since this philosophy provides for a meaning of life that is close and understandable to me. According to Gorky, life is worth living in order to serve the ideals of truth, freedom and justice. It was this principle that guided him when he wrote such wonderful works. Satin also tries to embody these ideals to the best of his ability. I think I can also contribute.

M. Gorky considered “Old Woman Izergil” his best work, as evidenced by his letters addressed to his colleagues. This work refers to early creativity writer, but it surprises unusual images, storylines and composition. Schoolchildren study it in 11th grade. We offer brief analysis works “The Old Women of Izergil”, which will help you prepare qualitatively for lessons and for the Unified State Exam.

Brief Analysis

Year of writing - 1894.

History of creation- In the spring of 1891, M. Gorky traveled around Bessarabia. The atmosphere of the southern region inspired the young writer to create the story being analyzed. The poet realized the idea only 3 years later.

Subject- The work reveals several themes, the central ones being: love that knows no barriers, man and society, generation weak people.

Composition- The structure of the work has its own peculiarities. It can be defined as stories within a story. “Old Woman Izergil” consists of three parts, the connecting link between which is the dialogue between the guy and the old woman.

Genre- Story. The parts dedicated to Larra and Danko are legends.

Direction- Romanticism.

History of creation

The history of the creation of the work dates back to 1891. Then M. Gorky traveled around Bessarabia. He was impressed by the nature and people of the southern region. At this time, he had an idea for a work, the writer began to implement it in 1894. Assumptions about the year of writing are confirmed by letters addressed to V. G. Korolenko.

The story refers to early period creativity of M. Gorky, represents the romantic layer of his work. The author himself considered “The Old Woman Izergil” to be “a harmonious and beautiful work,” about which he wrote to A. Chekhov. He doubted he could create anything like this again.

The work first saw the world on the pages of the Samara Gazette in the spring of 1895.

Subject

The analyzed story displays motifs characteristic of romantic literature. The author realized them through extraordinary plots and images. M. Gorky revealed several topics, among which the following stand out: love that does not obey; man and society, a generation of weak people. These themes are closely intertwined and define the problems of the work.

“Old Woman Izergil” begins with a landscape sketch, immersing the reader in the atmosphere of Bessarabia. Gradually, the author's attention switches to the company of boys and girls. The narrator is watching them. He notices the external beauty of young people, which radiates freedom that fills their souls. The narrator himself remains near the old woman Izergil. The woman cannot understand why her interlocutor did not go with cheerful company. Gradually, a conversation begins between the narrator and the old woman.

A woman tells a guy from a foreign land local legends and remembers her life. The first legend is dedicated to Larra, a shadow that wanders the Bessarabian steppes. Once upon a time he was a young man - the son of an eagle and a woman. He and his mother descended from the mountains after the death of their eagle father. The guy considered himself superior to people, so he dared to kill the girl. For this he was expelled. At first, Larra enjoyed his solitude and kidnapped girls and cattle without a twinge of conscience. But loneliness began to “eat” him. Larra decided to commit suicide, but death did not want to free him from torment. The guy wandered the steppes for thousands of years, his body and bones dried up, only a shadow remained.

In the first part the problem of man and society is revealed. M. Gorky shows that a person cannot live without love, without the support of other people. A lonely existence is just an illusion of happiness, which is quickly shattered.

In the second part The old woman talks about her life and relationships with men. The meaning of life, according to the heroine, is love. Izergil had many fans. She knew how to surrender to tender feelings without unnecessary thoughts. In her youth, a woman sacrificed herself for those she loved. She was mercilessly betrayed and used, but her soul continued to radiate light. Izergil’s story pushes the reader to the conclusion: one should not allow one’s self to become covered with a stone shell, even if it has been broken more than once.

The third part M. Gorky's story “Old Woman Izergil” is a legend about Danko, a guy who sacrificed his heart for the sake of other people. In it, the author continues the theme of the conflict between man and society. But Danko is the complete opposite of Larra. Danko - typical romantic hero. He is alienated from society, at the same time his soul is filled with noble impulses. Old Woman Izergil sets this guy as an example to the narrator’s generation who is weak in spirit.

Meaning of the name works should be sought in the system of images. Its center is precisely the old woman Izergil. It is also important to consider symbolic meaning woman's name. Most researchers believe that the name “Izergil” was derived from the Old Scandinavian “yggdrasil”, meaning ash. The Scandinavians considered this tree to be the basis of the world, connecting three kingdoms: the dead, gods and people. The heroine of the story also resembles a mediator between the living and the dead, because she stores and transmits the wisdom given by life itself.

Idea of ​​the piece: glorifying courage, beauty and noble impulses, condemning the passivity and spiritual weakness of people.

Main thought– a person cannot be happy without society, at the same time he should not extinguish his inner fire, trying to conform to stereotypes.

Composition

Features of the composition allow the author to explore several themes. The work can be called stories within a story. It consists of three parts, which are framed by a dialogue between the storyteller and the old woman Izergil. The first and last parts are legends, and the second are the old woman’s memories of her youth. The conversation between the elderly woman and the narrator connects three parts that are different in content.

Each story has an exposition, a plot, a development and a denouement. Therefore, for a deeper understanding of the work “Old Woman Izergil,” an analysis of the plot of each part should be done separately.

Main characters

Genre

The genre of the work is a story, because it is small in volume, and main role plays story line old woman Izergil. There are also two legends in the story (the first and third parts). Some researchers consider them parables because of their pronounced instructive component. The direction of “The Old Woman Izergil” is romanticism.

Genre originality, system of images and plot determined the character artistic means. Paths help bring the story closer to folklore.

Work test

Rating Analysis

Average rating: 4.3. Total ratings received: 1080.

The story about the old woman Izergil by Maxim Gorkov is heartfelt, romantic and imbued with a subtle philosophy of searching for the meaning of life. The most talented writer once again made the reader stop for a moment and think. As for what, everyone has the right to decide for themselves.

The two legends of this story tell more about the old woman herself, about her life, make Izergil understand and, perhaps, forgive.

What was she like in her youth? Was she burned by Larra’s individualism or Danko’s self-sacrifice? But it becomes clear that both qualities are not alien to her.

On her wrinkled face were the imprints of everyone she met. life path. It’s as if you see in every wrinkle a hidden young man, poisoned by a kiss. But in the crease above the eyebrow is an arrogant nobleman and next to him is a gentleman with a hacked-up face. What was it? What happened to her and all these people?

However, it is on her face that someone left the imprint of struggle, suffering and passion. You just have to hold your gaze a little longer.

And, despite the life she lived only for herself, Maxim Gorky invites her to tell the legends about Larra and Danko. Who are we to judge anyone? And everyone must draw conclusions.

Two legends, two antipodes. Alone, taking from life whatever he wants, allowing himself any liberties. Shouldn't life seem wonderful to him? And why does the hero dream of death at the end?

And the second, with a burning heart from a huge, sizzling love for people. A romantic image of a real hero, ready to do anything for his people. Energetic, strong, handsome man. He is able to lead his people through any obstacles.

The stories heard from Izergil’s lips can tell a lot about her life. Stupid, she lived an interesting and life to the fullest, enjoyed not only benefits, but also people. But how bitterly and cruelly she paid for it.

Having fallen in love, her feelings remained unanswered. Then Izergil realized how senselessly and stupidly she was wasting her life, giving in to passions and calling it freedom. Free to choose, she was always a hostage and slave of her own passions. How blind she was in her choice.

Having told us these two legends, Maxim Gorky through the mouth of the old woman Izergil, wanted to warn the reader. To think, not to make the mistakes of the old woman, who now regrets them, but time has been wasted, and nothing can be changed.

And the meaning of her life remained for her to save the lost with warnings and stories of her own life.

Option 2

Maxim Gorky's story "Old Woman Izergil" belongs to the author's early prose. main character The story is the old woman Izergil, who talks about her life, and also tells the legends about Larra and Danko.

Each of these three characters your meaning of life. The old woman Izergil lived a very long life and saw a lot. This is an ordinary character, exactly the same person. In the image of an old woman, the author wants to say that there are no ideal people in life, everyone earthly man has its own vices and shortcomings, weaknesses.

Izergil lived bright life. She loved so many, she had to sacrifice a lot for the sake of her beloved, but the woman remained alone and devoted her life to herself. However, old woman Izergil is a kind, moral, honest and fair woman. She is devoid of meanness, evil, self-interest.

From her lips the reader learns two legends: about Larra and Danko. Each of these fairy-tale heroes your vision of life, your meaning.

Larr lived solely for himself. He did whatever he wanted and got everything he ever wanted. He kidnapped cattle and women, and stole objects. He was not bothered out of feelings. He was only interested in satisfying his needs. Larr is an individualist in the bad sense of the word. This was his undoing.

Maxim Gorky wants to say that living only for yourself is wrong. This is unfair not only to those around you, but also to yourself.

Danko dedicated his life to serving people. He helped them selflessly and always came to the rescue. Danko did this because he simply couldn’t do it any other way. Helping others is the principle of his existence, main meaning. Such selfless help and service to society was considered by Maxim Gorky to be an ideal. However, the author was a realist, so he understood that this could not happen in life.

Maxim Gorky specifically told these legends to readers in the person of the old woman Izergil. Thus, the author wants to tell readers that both aspirations (to live for oneself and to serve others) live in every person, they are simply in a different balance. Finding harmony between them is not easy, but this is the task of every person in life - to find the optimal combination in actions for oneself and actions for society.

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In my opinion, of all early works Maxim Gorky's story “Old Woman Izergil” is the most romantic and poetic. His heroes are brave strong-willed People. Using their example, the writer talks about good and evil, the meaning and wisdom of life. The construction of the story is also very interesting. The story of the life of the old woman Izergil is framed by two legends - about Larra and Danko. Before us are several human destinies - choose! Judge for yourself the meaning of life! What does it consist of? In Larra’s individualism or in the selfless service to people to which Danko devoted himself? Or maybe we should strive to live a free, adventurous life? The old woman Izergil experienced a lot of grief and joy, different people she met on her long journey of life. The images of those she loved remained forever in her memory. This is an arrogant nobleman, and a “worthy gentleman with a hacked-up face,” and a young man - “a pale and fragile flower of the east, poisoned by kisses.”
The years have robbed Izergil of her former beauty, extinguished the sparkle of her eyes, hunched her slender figure, but gave her wisdom, knowledge of life and true spirituality.
It is no coincidence that Gorky puts the legends about Larra and Danko into the mouth of this particular woman. She has something in common with both heroes. Izergil had to sacrifice herself for the sake of her lovers, show selflessness, and at the same time she lived her life for herself, free from any responsibilities and obligations. The writer does not condemn her: ideal people really only found in fairy tales, but in the living, real people Both good and bad can come together.
However, it is unlikely that the legend of Danko could have come from the lips of a spiritually wretched, cowardly and vile person.
In the legend of Larra, Gorky debunks the individualism of those who reject people and do not want to reckon with universal human laws. Someone might argue that this is precisely what true freedom consists of - to do what you want, to go wherever you want, not to take anyone into account, that is, to “keep yourself whole.” However, whoever chooses this path will face a tragic and sad fate - loneliness. Indeed, “for everything a person takes, he pays with himself: with his mind and strength, sometimes with his life.” In other words, you cannot just consume without giving anything in return. Larra neglected this law, and a terrible punishment awaited him. It would seem that he lacked nothing: “he kidnapped cattle, girls - whatever he wanted,” and at the same time he was free as a bird. Then why, in the end, did he begin to dream of death and “there was so much melancholy in his eyes that it would be possible to poison all the people of the world with it?” Apparently, it is difficult for someone who does not know how to give, to give warmth, who “sees nothing but himself,” to be happy and to walk the path of life with dignity.
Larra’s romantic antipode is Danko, a brave, handsome man whose heart was aflame with great love for people. In his image, Gorky embodied his idea of ​​true heroes, of those in whom he saw the ideal. It is no coincidence that even the landscape creates in the reader a feeling of something unusual and fantastic. He helps us move from real life(Izergil’s story about herself) into the romantic world of legend: “And in the steppe distance, now black and terrible, as if lurking, hiding something within itself, small blue lights. Here and there they appeared for a moment and went out, as if several people, scattered across the steppe far from each other, were looking for something in it, lighting matches, which the wind immediately extinguished. These were very strange blue tongues of fire, hinting at something fabulous.” Just as blue sparks enliven the black steppe, as if hiding something evil within itself, so people like Danko are able to bring goodness and light into life.
Danko is beautiful both externally and internally: “They looked at him and saw that he was the best of all, because a lot of strength and living fire shone in his eyes.”
Danko's energy and strength are contrasted with the lack of will and cowardice of the crowd. Tired and evil people, irritated by their powerlessness, lose human form: “Danko looked at those for whom he had labored, and saw that they were like animals. Many people stood around him, but there was no nobility on their faces, and he could not expect mercy from them.” But Danko managed to overcome the indignation that flared up in him, because pity and love for people turned out to be stronger in him. To save them he does spiritual feat. “What will I do for people?” - Danko shouted louder than thunder. And suddenly he tore his chest with his hands and tore out his heart from it and raised it high above his head. It burned as brightly as the sun, and brighter than the sun, and the whole forest fell silent, illuminated by this torch. great love to people-.". Danko’s burning heart is a symbol of sacrificial service to people, and the hero himself is the embodiment of all the best in a person. And how pitiful and low against his background seems the “cautious man” who, “fearing something, stepped on his proud heart with his foot...”
I think that the legend of Danko’s burning heart expresses the author’s position on the question of the meaning of life. In other words, the whole meaning of life, according to Gorky, is in sacrificial, selfless service to people. True, at present such a position is unlikely to be popular. It seems to me that most of us are like the “cautious man” who steps on a burning heart. Is this why we have to experience a painful crisis, both moral and material.
Of course, you cannot force sacrifices from people, and not everyone can achieve great feats. But if we try to become kinder, more sympathetic, and help those who need it, then the world will certainly change for the better. And the life of a person who gives people warmth can be called beautiful and meaningful.