Grandmother often plays a significant role in a child's life. So it was with the main character of Maxim Gorky’s autobiographical work “Childhood” Alyosha Peshkov. After the death of his father, grandmother Akulina was next to her grandson throughout his growing up: she helped, mentored, supported. This character is drawn by Gorky with bright, expressive colors, which gives the image of the grandmother depth and liveliness. After reading the story, it seems as if I met the old woman as a close person.
Akulina has already passed her sixties, in the eyes of little Alyosha this is a respectable age, almost decrepit. The grandmother’s appearance cannot be called pleasant, but an amazing softness and warmth can be seen in her. There are many descriptions of Akulina’s appearance, and they all leave the same impression of homeliness, kindness and solid character: “grandmother is round, big-headed, with huge eyes and a funny loose nose; she is all black, soft and surprisingly interesting.” And Alyosha also notes: “When she smiled, her pupils, dark as cherries, dilated, flashing with an inexpressibly pleasant light, her smile cheerfully revealed strong white teeth, and, despite the many wrinkles in the dark skin of her cheeks, her whole face seemed young and bright... The whole she was dark, but she shone from within – through her eyes – with an unquenchable, cheerful and warm light.”
Admiring this awkward, shabby woman over the years, but bright and strong, the author, through the hero-boy, characterizes the grandmother, comparing her with a cat, focusing on the lightness and smoothness of her movements, on how much warmth and tenderness emanates from her. Being a jack of all trades, Akulina weaves exquisite lace for the city residents, putting a piece of her soul into it, which makes her products more beautiful. Massive and plump, she does not like to be idle, she takes part in fun and celebrations with pleasure, sings and dances, amazingly with her ability to control such a clumsy, at first glance, body.
Much in childhood is perceived through conversations, endless stories of an older, wiser person. Grandmother Akulina Ivanovna is a treasure trove of stories and fairy tales that Alyosha listens to greedily. The grandmother’s voice, her magical manner of expressing herself, also contributes to this: “She spoke, somehow singing the words in a special way, and they easily became stronger in my memory, like flowers, just as affectionate, bright, juicy.” The craftswoman's stories awaken the imagination, teach the grandson what is kind, good, and correct.
It was not in vain that the old woman, who had suffered a lot in her life and experienced all sorts of hardships, remained open, humble, full of love and forgiveness. She finds an excuse for everyone and does not hold a grudge against her husband, who beat and oppressed her throughout their entire life together. Grandma finds solace in religion. She believes in the Christian commandments sacredly, which evokes the sincere admiration of Alyosha, who observes the morning ritual of turning to icons: “She found new words of praise almost every morning, and this always made me listen to her prayer with intense attention.”
Akulina’s simplicity, generosity and apparent lack of insight evoke opposite feelings towards her among those around her. Some people respect Alyosha’s grandmother for her meekness, others consider her a holy fool for her inability to fight back and her desire to forgive everyone. She really does not accumulate any benefits for herself, does not know how to make money or be prudent in relationships with people. Her simplicity is sometimes taken advantage of, but for the grandson given to be raised by this frank and simple woman, she becomes the main standard of morality, a guideline of righteousness and purity.
Later, Alyosha Peshkov admits how much the years while Grandma Akulina was nearby had an impact on him. That it was her perception of the world, her courage and courage, her view of life, people, the nature of things - the view of an illiterate, but rich in spirit peasant woman - that formed the backbone of the character of the future writer and creator.
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In the story “Childhood,” M. Gorky spoke about his childhood years, in which his grandmother occupied perhaps the most important place. Strange, very plump, big-headed, with huge eyes, a loose reddish nose. The boy's grandmother appeared in his life when his father died, and until the end of his days she was always there.
The boy sees and understands that his grandmother is beautiful on the inside, she is soft, affectionate, kind, trying to understand and help in any situation.
Despite her plumpness, the grandmother walked very easily, smoothly and deftly. Her movements were like a cat's.
Grandma had a very pleasant snow-white smile, her eyes flashed with warm light, and her face became young and bright.
Her hair was black, very thick, long and unruly. Therefore, when my grandmother combed her hair with a rare-toothed comb, she usually got angry.
The grandmother spoke cheerfully, smoothly, in a singsong voice. She mentioned God often. Everything she said was warm and affectionate, so the boy became friends with his grandmother from the first day, she became his most faithful and closest friend, the most understanding person. Later he realized that his grandmother was the kind of person who gives her love selflessly; she loves the world as it is.
M. Gorky reverently remembers his grandmother, and perhaps it was his unselfish attitude towards people that helped the writer later endure M. Gorky’s story “Childhood” is autobiographical. Everyone who surrounded Alyosha Peshkov helped the writer grow, albeit with the pain of memories and grievances, but it was a school.
His grandmother Akulina Ivanovna aroused trembling, still unconscious love in the boy. A man of a rich soul, colorful appearance, possessing the wisdom that is characteristic of the Russian people.
Alexey saw his grandmother for the first time when she was “in her sixth decade of summer and spring.” No one could perceive the world around her the way her grandmother perceived it. From the shore floating past, from the domes of churches sunk in the sky, she could cry or laugh. And who else could tell the boy such tales that the hardened bearded sailors asked: “Come on, grandmother, tell me something else!” For Alyosha Peshkov, grandmother became the light that everyone should have in life. She became his most faithful friend, “the most understandable and closest person.” “She was all dark, but she glowed from within... with an unquenchable, cheerful and warm light.”
Alyosha learned selfless love from his grandmother, since his grandfather’s family, where he unwittingly ended up, lived according to the harsh rules established by his usurper grandfather. It seems that from time to time there is a glimpse of a kind person in him, but the shell snaps shut... and don’t cross, otherwise the reprisal will be with rods. The grandmother knew her grandfather’s character well and was not afraid of him, unlike other family members. She could become a mountain for anyone if her grandfather was wrong.
The house was filled with her warmth, her love and light, living energy. She put her whole soul into caring for her children and grandchildren. The unwanted Gypsy, thrown under the gate of the house, was accepted by the grandmother as if she were her own, she fed the boy and left him. Working from dawn until late at night around the house, my grandmother saw everyone and everything that happened around her, paying attention to everyone who needed her.
And her heroism during the fire was equal to the elements. Both the flame and the grandmother fought for the workshop. Who will win. She saved what was dear to her, was her home, her household; the fire burned what it considered its prey. The fire was extinguished, the grandmother received burns, but she also found words of consolation for others.
M. Gorky went through the school of generosity and severity, love and malice, but all his life he tried to analyze his actions, give love, and educate himself. And thank fate that he had such a wonderful grandmother.
The image of a grandmother. Based on Gorky's story Childhood
M. Gorky wrote the story “Childhood”, where in the image of the main character he brought out an autobiographical character - Alyosha Peshkov. All events and heroes of the work are depicted by the writer through the perception of a little boy.
The image of the grandmother whom Alyosha loved so much helps to reveal the character of the main character more deeply.
The grandmother is the complete opposite of her grandfather and her husband: affectionate, kind, ready to help everyone. The grandmother is very worried about the constant quarrels of her sons, and is dissatisfied with the severity of the grandfather. What especially stood out on the grandmother’s face were the eyes, thanks to which the heroine “shone from within... with an unquenchable, cheerful and warm light.”
The grandmother’s character is soft, compliant, she loves people from the bottom of her heart, knows how to appreciate true beauty, and is attached to home: “I remember my grandmother’s childhood joy at the sight of Nizhny.” It is the inconspicuous grandmother who becomes a kind angel for Alyosha, protecting the boy from evil people and difficult living conditions. It was she who grabbed the hero in her arms when his grandfather punished him for ruining the tablecloth. Grandmother did not know how to hold a grudge for a long time, to be cruel. People took advantage of her kindness, but she never complained about life. Living with her grandmother, Alyosha listens every evening to stories about the life of the Kashirin family. When it came to the business life of the family, the grandmother “speaking laughingly, aloofly, somehow from a distance, like a neighbor, and not the second eldest in the house.”
Material goods were not the heroine’s life values. Pity and compassion for people are the main qualities of the grandmother’s character, which is why she worries and suffers after the death of her foundling, Gypsy. The wise woman perceives the difficulties encountered in life as God’s tests, this is what she tells her grandson about Vanya the Gypsy: “Grandfather wanted to take Vanya to the police, but I dissuaded him: let’s take him for ourselves; God sent us to those places that died. After all, I had eighteen births... but the Lord loved my blood, took everything and even made my children into angels. I’m both sorry and happy!” During the fire: “illuminated by the fire, which seemed to catch her, black, she rushed around the yard, keeping pace everywhere, in charge of everything, seeing everything.” Having become practically beggars, Alyosha was forced to beg. He brought small crumbs to his grandmother, who “looked at them and cried silently,” worrying about the future of her grandson.
The grandmother’s entire life was spent for the benefit of people, so her image was imprinted for a long time in the mind of the main character. A wise woman smoothes out the “leaden abominations of wild Russian life”, spiritually enriching the difficult lives of people.
(Option 2)
The young grandson describes the grandmother, watching her, talking to her, listening to her, he gets to know people and the world. The grandmother was “round, big-headed, with huge eyes and a funny loose nose... soft and surprisingly interesting,” “stooped, almost hunchbacked, and she moved easily and deftly, like a big cat.” This is only a description of her appearance, but here are observations: “She was all dark, but she shone from the inside - through her eyes - with an unquenchable, cheerful and warm light.”
Her life was truly dark: she begged for alms with her disabled mother, then mastered the skill of a lacemaker, was married off at the age of fourteen, gave birth to her first child by the age of fifteen, had eighteen children, of whom only three survived. My husband has been beating me brutally all my life, and not a word in response, he justifies everything: “He’s angry, it’s hard for him, the old man, everything’s a failure... Don’t feel too sorry for me... I’m also to blame.” Sons are beasts, but they all rush to their defense and teach their grandson: “Who is to blame for what is none of your business. The Lord judges and punishes." What saved her, gave her inner light? “She knew countless fairy tales, stories and poems,” “she danced as if she were telling something,” talked with God (“He will understand. Whatever you say to him, he will understand...”) and the Mother of God (“Source of joy, most pure beauty, apple tree in bloom!..”) as with equals, with horses (“What, child? What, kitten? Want to play pranks? Well, indulge, God’s fun!”), birds, plants, brownies. There is a lot of strength, inner fire, restlessness of life in her: “Grandmother cooked, sewed, dug in the garden and in the garden, spun all day like a huge head over heels driven by an invisible whip, sniffed tobacco, sneezed deliciously and said, wiping her sweaty face: “Hello , honest peace, forever and ever! During the fire, she kept up with everything: she managed to order the icons to be taken out of the house and the children to be taken away, to take out the vitriol from the workshop, to stop the horse, to organize and thank the neighbors; with burnt hands after the fire, she gave birth. Five townspeople beat a man - the grandmother rushes to the rescue, waving a yoke. Listen to the comments about this woman from your grandfather (“Hooray, you blessed fool... you don’t feel sorry for anything...”), your grandson (“You are absolutely a saint, they torture and torture you, but you don’t care!”).
Neither wealth nor poverty, neither sorrow nor joy changes it. “And the grandmother herself, as if cast from copper, is unchangeable,” like life itself.
M. Gorky wrote the story “Childhood”, where in the image of the main character he brought out an autobiographical character - Alyosha Peshkov. All events and heroes of the work are depicted by the writer through the perception of a little boy.
The image of the grandmother whom Alyosha loved so much helps to reveal the character of the main character more deeply.
The grandmother is the complete opposite of her grandfather and her husband: affectionate, kind, ready to help everyone. The grandmother is very worried about the constant quarrels of her sons, and is dissatisfied with the severity of the grandfather. What especially stood out on the grandmother’s face were the eyes, thanks to which the heroine “shone from within... with an unquenchable, cheerful and warm light.”
The grandmother’s character is soft, compliant, she loves people from the bottom of her heart, knows how to appreciate true beauty, and is attached to home: “I remember my grandmother’s childhood joy at the sight of Nizhny.” It is the inconspicuous grandmother who becomes a kind angel for Alyosha, protecting the boy from evil people and difficult living conditions. It was she who grabbed the hero in her arms when his grandfather punished him for ruining the tablecloth. Grandmother did not know how to hold a grudge for a long time, to be cruel. People took advantage of her kindness, but she never complained about life. Living with her grandmother, Alyosha listens every evening to stories about the life of the Kashirin family. When it came to the business life of the family, the grandmother “speaking laughingly, aloofly, somehow from a distance, like a neighbor, and not the second eldest in the house.”
Material goods were not the heroine’s life values. Pity and compassion for people are the main qualities of the grandmother’s character, which is why she worries and suffers after the death of her foundling, Gypsy. The wise woman perceives the difficulties encountered in life as God’s tests, this is what she tells her grandson about Vanya the Gypsy: “Grandfather wanted to take Vanya to the police, but I dissuaded him: let’s take him for ourselves; God sent us to those places that died. After all, I had eighteen births... but the Lord loved my blood, took everything and even made my children into angels. I’m both sorry and happy!” During the fire: “illuminated by the fire, which seemed to catch her, black, she rushed around the yard, keeping pace everywhere, in charge of everything, seeing everything.” Having become practically beggars, Alyosha was forced to beg. He brought small crumbs to his grandmother, who “looked at them and cried silently,” worrying about the future of her grandson.
The grandmother’s entire life was spent for the benefit of people, so her image was imprinted for a long time in the mind of the main character. A wise woman smoothes out the “leaden abominations of wild Russian life”, spiritually enriching the difficult lives of people.
(Option 2)
The young grandson describes the grandmother, watching her, talking to her, listening to her, he gets to know people and the world. The grandmother was “round, big-headed, with huge eyes and a funny loose nose... soft and surprisingly interesting,” “stooped, almost hunchbacked, and she moved easily and deftly, like a big cat.” This is only a description of her appearance, but here are observations: “She was all dark, but she shone from the inside - through her eyes - with an unquenchable, cheerful and warm light.”
Her life was truly dark: she begged for alms with her disabled mother, then mastered the skill of a lacemaker, was married off at the age of fourteen, gave birth to her first child by the age of fifteen, had eighteen children, of whom only three survived. My husband has been beating me brutally all my life, and not a word in response, he justifies everything: “He’s angry, it’s hard for him, the old man, everything’s a failure... Don’t feel too sorry for me... I’m also to blame.” Sons are beasts, but they all rush to their defense and teach their grandson: “Who is to blame for what is none of your business. The Lord will judge and naka
In M. Gorky's story "Childhood" the author talks about the events of his life, his impressions and the people who were with him. All the people around Alyosha Peshkov played their role in the development of the boy’s character, helped him become an adult, even if this path of development was not always easy, even if it was sometimes filled with the pain of memories and grievances, however, nevertheless, it was the school that he went through .
Alyosha treats his grandmother, Akulina Ivanovna, with great love, whose character is completely opposite to the character of her wayward grandfather. Grandmother is affectionate, kind, and ready to help everyone. She is very worried about her grandson, the constant quarrels and fights of her sons are unpleasant to her.
Grandma has a soft, compliant character, she treats all people with love, knows how to appreciate beauty, and loves her home. The grandmother helps Alyosha maintain his faith in goodness, in the fact that there are more good people than bad ones, and tries to protect the boy from difficult living conditions.
Akulina Ivanovna is not vindictive, she does not hold grudges for long, maybe that’s why those around her took advantage of her kindness. However, she happily helped everyone, never complaining about life. Akulina Ivanovna was not interested in material wealth. For her, her main asset was people and good relationships between them.
Every evening, the grandmother told Alyosha fairy tales and stories from the life of the Kashirin family, and the boy really loved listening to these stories.
Grandmother treats all the difficulties that befell her as God's tests. She shows true heroism during a fire. Her activity was like a raging element. Grandma and the flame fought for the workshop. “Illuminated by the fire, which seemed to catch her, black, she rushed around the yard, keeping pace everywhere, in charge of everything, seeing everything.” She managed to save what was dear to her, what was her home, her household. Having received burns, overcoming the pain, the grandmother finds words of consolation for others.
The grandmother’s appearance was not very attractive, Akulina Ivanovna was very plump, her face was spoiled by a “loose nose with swollen nostrils and red at the end.” However, the grandmother’s eyes shone with such an “unquenchable, cheerful and warm light” that her entire face was illuminated with amazing beauty. Looking at my grandmother, it was impossible not to see her rich inner world.
Akulina Ivanovna was for Alyosha the light that became his guiding light. The grandmother was a faithful friend, a close and understandable person for the boy. The Kashirins’ house became warmer from the love and living energy that radiated from their grandmother. Her whole life was full of worries about children and grandchildren, she accepted Gypsy as a child of God, sent in place of those children who died. My grandmother had eighteen children, but, as she says, “the Lord loved my blood, took everything, and even made my children into angels. I’m both sorry and happy.”
The life of a grandmother is a constant concern for people; she spiritually enriches the people who meet on her way. That is why her image left such a vivid impression in the memory and consciousness of the main character. Akulina Ivanovna is distinguished by her rich soul and worldly wisdom, characteristic of the entire Russian people.
