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"Old Woman Izergil" refers to the early period of creativity of Maxim Gorky, develops ideas and elements of romanticism. According to the writer himself, this work is one of the best among all written. What Old Woman Izergil teaches us: analysis of the work.

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History of creation

In 1891 (more exact date is unknown), Alexey Peshkov known to everyone under the pseudonym Maxim Gorky, wanders around the southern lands of Bessarabia. He spends the spring searching for impressions that will later be reflected in his works. This creative time in the writer’s life reflects his admiration for the personality, integrity and unity of man.

It is with such romantic thoughts that Gorky’s story “Old Woman Izergil” is filled. His heroes are legendary people of their time who face different life obstacles, the author clearly showed the different results of the confrontation between the individual and the crowd. The main stories in the direction of romanticism are:

1. "Old Isergil",
2. "The Girl and Death"
3. "Song of the Falcon".

There is no exact information about the date of writing “Old Woman Izergil”. The work was published in 1895, and was written presumably in 1894. It was published in three spring issues of Samara Gazeta. The author himself highly appreciated his story and even admitted in letters to A.P. To Chekhov: “Apparently, I won’t write anything as harmoniously and beautifully as I wrote “The Old Woman Izergil.” The name is closely related to the author’s surname, because it is one of those that brought him popularity.

The work “Old Woman Izergil” was allegedly written in 1894.

Composition

The principle of constructing the story is very unusual. The composition consists of three parts.

• The Legend of Larra;
• The story of the narrator's life;
• The Legend of Danko.

Moreover, two of them are fairy tales told by the main character. This leads to the following principle: story within a story. The author uses this technique because he wants to focus not only on the personality of the hero, but on his stories, living in the memory of the character and the people.

The main feature is contrast of legends according to its meaning. It is very difficult to determine “The Old Woman Izergil” is a story or a story, since the boundaries of these genres are very blurred. However, literary scholars are inclined to believe that this the work is not a story, since the number of characters and storylines is limited.

The main theme runs through all three chapters of “The Old Woman Izergil” - life values. The author is trying to find an answer to the question of what freedom and the meaning of life are. All chapters give different interpretations and attempts to explain the answers. But despite their differences, they make this story a single and complete work.

An introduction should also be added to the outline of the story of the main character, the old woman Izergil, because it is in it that the reader is immersed in the mysterious seaside atmosphere and gets acquainted with the narrator of fairy tales.

In the story's introduction, the youth of the male protagonist, who leads conversation with an old woman, is contrasted with the old woman Izergil’s advanced years and her weariness with life.

It is not only the description of her appearance that helps to imagine the image of an old woman against the backdrop of the sea and vineyards, but also the creaky voice in which she told her life and legends, captivating the reader with their attractiveness and fabulousness. What is the story of old woman Izergil about?

The Legend of Larra

The central figure of the first narrative is proud and selfish- young man Larra. Having a handsome appearance, he was son of a simple woman and an eagle. From the bird of prey, the young man inherited an indomitable temper and the desire to achieve anything, at any cost. Instincts deprive him of all human traits, only outwardly it is impossible to distinguish him from other people. This character is inside completely soulless. The only value for him is himself, the satisfaction of his pleasures is the goal of his life. Therefore, the hero easily goes for the kill.

His conviction in his perfection and disregard for other lives lead to the fact that he deprived of ordinary human fate. For his selfishness, he receives the most terrible punishment - Larra is doomed to eternal and complete loneliness. God gave him immortality, but it cannot be called a gift.

Hero name means "outcast". Being away from people is the worst punishment a person can suffer, according to the author.

Attention! The principle of life of this hero is “Live without people for yourself.”

Life of an old woman

In the second part of the story you can follow the actions of the old woman Izergil. Looking at her, it is difficult for the male narrator to believe that once upon a time she was young and beautiful, as she constantly claims. On the path of life Izergil I had to go through a lot. Her beauty is gone, but wisdom has replaced it. The woman’s speech is rich in aphoristic expressions. The main one here is love theme- this is personal, unlike legends, which mean love not for an individual, but for a people.

The actions of the old woman cannot be called unambiguous, because Izergil lived listening to her heart. She is ready to rescue the person she loves from captivity, without being afraid to kill another. But, having felt the falsehood and insincerity, while still a young girl, she could proudly continue her life journey alone. At the end of her life, she comes to the conclusion that there are far fewer beautiful and strong people in the world than when she was full of energy.

The Legend of Danko

The last tale that the woman tells helps the reader conclude how to live correctly.

Danko – fairy tale character, who sacrificed himself in a terrible moment to save people. Despite the bitterness of others, he felt only love for each person. The meaning of his life - give your heart to others, serve for good.

Unfortunately, Gorky says in the story, people are not able to treat such a sacrifice with full understanding. Little of, many are afraid of such rejection.

All that remains of Danko, who tore his fiery heart out of his chest, is only blue sparks. They still continue to flicker among people, but few people pay attention to them.

Important! Danko committed his act free of charge, solely for the sake of love. Danko and Larra are two opposites, but both were driven by the same feeling.

What does Gorky's story teach?

“Old Woman Izergil” shows the reader not only the attitude of an individual to the crowd, in this case Danko and Larra are compared, but also the love of people for each other. For a writer, living with people and for people is of great value. However, even in this case, it is possible between them the emergence of conflicts and misunderstandings.

Old Isergil. Maxim Gorky (analysis)

Features of romanticism in Maxim Gorky’s story “Old Woman Izergil”

Conclusion

After analyzing the work and the characters of “Old Woman Izergil”, the reader can come to the conclusion that in Gorky’s story, indeed, deep issues raised and issues of attitude towards life and others. They make you think about the main human values.

"Old Isergil"- a story by Maxim Gorky, written in 1894, consisting of three parts. The story included two "legends": the legend of Larra and the legend of Danko, as well as the old woman's story about the men she loved throughout her life.

First published in the periodical “Samara Newspaper” in 1895, number 80, April 16; number 86, April 23; number 89, April 27.

Apparently written in the fall of 1894. The dating is confirmed by a letter from V. G. Korolenko dated October 4, 1894 to a member of the editorial board of Russkie Vedomosti.

Plot

The main concept of the story: “Live outside of people and for yourself (Larra)” - “Live with people, but for yourself (Izergil)” - “Live with people and for people (Danko).”

The Legend of Larra

The hero of the first legend told by the old woman is Larra, the son of a woman and an eagle. He only looks like a human being, being at the same time a sower of death and opposing himself to life. Thoughtless following of instinct, the desire to achieve a goal at any cost, an existence devoid of past and future - all this devalues ​​both the pride and beauty that were originally inherent in Larra. He is the embodiment of lack of spirituality: he considers himself perfect only and destroys those he dislikes. Larra is deprived of his human destiny: he does not die, but ceases to exist. The suicide attempt is unsuccessful: the ground moves away from his blows. All that remains of him is a shadow and the name “outcast.” Larra's fate was determined by human judgment. It is in loneliness and rejection from people that Gorky sees the most terrible punishment.

The Legend of Danko

From time immemorial, people of the same tribe lived in the steppe. Then another tribe came and drove the people into the forest. The tribe could not go back to the steppe, but ahead there was a dangerous forest with poisonous swamps.

Maxim Gorky’s story “Old Woman Izergil” was written in 1894, and a few months later it first appeared in print in the periodical “Samara Gazeta”. The first part was published in No. 80 (dated April 16, 1895), the second in No. 89 (dated April 23, 1895), and the third in No. 95 (dated April 27, 1895).

Old woman Izergil is the author’s interlocutor. The story begins with an old woman narrating her life and the men she once loved. Izergil is sure that you need to be able to enjoy life and get pleasure from it in all possible ways. One of the main joys of life is love, not only sublime, platonic, but also, above all, carnal. Without carnal pleasures, without the opportunity to receive pleasure from the body of a loved one, existence loses its charm.

The Legend of Larra

Suddenly Izergil notices a column of dust on the horizon. This is Larra coming. Then the old woman tells a terrible legend about a proud man who was destroyed by the desire to stand out from his own kind and disrespect for his neighbors.

The Story of a Proud Man

Larra's mother was once kidnapped by an eagle. He took the girl to his home. After some time, she returned to her family, bringing with her her son - half man, half eagle. The young man inherited his mother's beauty and his father's pride. He considers himself better than everyone else and disdains his elders.

Larra tried to take possession of one of the girls, but she refused him, fearing her father’s displeasure. Angry, Larra killed the unfortunate woman. Fellow villagers wanted to execute the young man. However, the punishment from above turned out to be even worse: Larra was cursed, becoming neither alive nor dead.

People abandoned the proud man and expelled him from their society. Left alone, Larra realized how wrong he was. The young man wants to die, but he fails. Since then, for many years, Larra has been wandering restless, turning into a shadow.

Seeing strange sparks, Izergil says that this is all that remains of the burning heart of Danko, a man who gave his life for those who were dear to him.

The Danko tribe lived in the steppe from time immemorial. But one day conquerors came and occupied their native land, evicting Danko and his fellow tribesmen into the forest. People cannot return home, but they cannot stay in the forest either - it is too dangerous. The only way out is to go forward. Behind the forest another steppe awaits. Danko volunteers to become a guide.

The road was not easy. People died in poisonous swamps, died of hunger, but continued to move forward. In the end, the tribesmen lost faith in their guide and that they would ever be able to get out of the impenetrable thicket. People decided to kill Danko. Not knowing how else to help them, Danko tore out the flaming heart from his chest and, with its help, illuminated the path for his fellow tribesmen. The people believed the guide again and followed him again. The difficulties have not diminished. Exhausted, tired wanderers still died, but faith no longer left their souls.

The survivors still managed to reach the steppe. Danko did not have to rejoice along with the others. He fell and died. No one noticed the conductor's death. Only one of the tribesmen discovered the heart, which continued to burn near Danko, and crushed it, as if afraid of something. The heart went out, but sparks from it can be seen even now, many years after the events described.

Characteristics

In the image of Larra, the author embodied all anti-human qualities. The origin of the young man is not accidental: he has the appearance of a man, but his behavior is completely asocial. The eagle is a proud, independent bird. It was these character traits that Larra inherited. Pride and independence cannot be called shortcomings. These qualities characterize a courageous, self-confident person who is not afraid of difficulties. Every person should know their own worth and not allow others to humiliate themselves. Pride and independence become flaws when they go beyond the individual.

Larra tries to gain the respect and admiration of her fellow villagers by putting herself above others. In his opinion, he found the easiest and most correct path to honor. The young man's claims are unfounded. He didn't do anything for which he could be loved or simply respected. Beauty is one of Larra’s few advantages. However, even external attractiveness gradually melts away against the background of the ugliness of the soul. Years later, the beautiful body of the eagle's son turned to dust, revealing a "rotten" essence.

The image of the proud Larra is contrasted in the story with the image of Danko. These characters are in no way related to each other, but the author considers it necessary to mention them within one story. As a result, one character becomes a foil to the other.

Danko is a brave, courageous man who possessed the same character traits as Larra: pride and independence. But unlike the eagle's son, Danko's best qualities do not cross the boundaries of his personality. He directs them not against his fellow tribesmen, but for their benefit. Danko invites people to show pride and independence towards the invaders of their homeland. There is no need to ask the occupiers for mercy. We need to find empty land and thereby show our superiority. Danko becomes a guide not because he considers himself somehow better than others. He sees the despair of his fellow tribesmen and takes care of them, realizing that at least one person must remain who has not lost his composure and hope.

The author regretfully mentions human ingratitude. People were not grateful to their guide on the path to happiness, despite the fact that Danko did everything in his power for them. But this was not enough. Then the guide gave away the last thing he had - his heart, which became the only source of light in the most difficult days of the journey. Even after a new homeland was found, the tribesmen did not feel gratitude to their savior. The death of a hero who gave his life for the common good was not noticed. And one of the tribesmen simply destroyed the last thing that was left of the guide.

Analysis of the work

The symbols in the story “Old Woman Izergil” cannot escape the reader’s attention. Danko’s burning heart is a symbol of faith and hope for a better life. Even after the death of the main character, his heart continued to burn with love for people. The ungrateful foot that stepped on the source of light could not destroy it. The sparks remaining from the heart did not disappear or go out. In the same way, good deeds done by those who fought for human happiness, devoting their lives to it, do not disappear or fade away.

People like Larra also leave a lot behind. Their heritage is as antisocial as they themselves are antisocial. Antiheroes who committed crimes against humanity have not faded into obscurity. They are remembered and cursed by many generations who come into this world after their departure, not personally affected by the heinous acts of the criminals. An unkind memory remained about the proud son of the eagle, the symbol of which was a column of dust that did not evoke a good response in any human heart.

Old Woman Izergil is a character in the work of the same name, consisting of three, at first glance, unrelated parts. A woman who has experienced many problems and trials, through her stories, demonstrates her attitude towards society, people, and moral values.

History of character creation

The idea for the story came during a trip to Bessarabia, which the writer undertook in 1891. The work was included in the writer’s series of romantic works, which analyze human essence and nature. Gorky compared the low and the sublime, without predetermining which of them would win a head start. Work on the work took four years. The first publication of “The Old Woman Izergil” took place in 1895. The story was published by Samara Gazeta.

Work on the essay fascinated Gorky. The author's view of man in the mechanism of social relations is reflected in this work. Maxim Gorky recognized “The Old Woman Izergil” as the best creation. When creating the image, Gorky deliberately embellished the narrative and characterization of the character in order to ignite in readers a desire for heroism and a craving for the sublime.

The book is distinguished by its short form. The genre is defined as a story, but when analyzing the essay, elements of a parable with moralistic overtones are visible. There are few heroes in the story; there is a motive of edification. Speech is conducted from the character's point of view. Gorky believed that comparison with heroes capable of heroic deeds would allow the reader to become a better person, to strive for goodness and the best manifestations of the soul.

The image and fate of the old woman Izergil

The introduction to the story is a description of nature and atmosphere. The author communicates with an old woman named Izergil, who recalls her biography and instructive stories. A woman tells her interlocutor two legends.

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The first story about Larra says that a shadow appeared on Earth. It happened as follows. One day, an eagle stole a girl from a tribe of strong people and began to live with her as his wife. When death overtook him, the girl returned home not alone, but with her son.

The story tells about the son of a girl and an eagle, who despised those around him and was arrogant. The elder's daughter attracted his attention, but the young man was refused. In anger, Larra killed his chosen one. After a while, it became clear that the hero was immortal. Years and travels exhausted the man physically, and he turned into a shadow.

The old woman's story sounds realistic. It intertwines with events from the busy life of an elderly woman. The energy of the heroine attracts the reader and listener of the story to her. In her youth she worked as a spinner, but was not content with such a life. Having run away with her lover, Izergil did not live with him for long and left for another man.

In her life there were a Hutsul and a Russian, a soldier and a Pole, a young Turk and other heroes. The woman loved each man dearly, but did not want to remember any of them. The heroine perceives the issue of fidelity and betrayal ingenuously, saying that the main thing is that the person is open to her.

The characterization of the heroine is interesting because she has not forgotten what it was like to be young and live with interest. And on the verge of death, he tries to teach others to love, thirst, see clearly and hear keenly. And she deeply regrets that the younger generation does not have the passion that she and other heroes of legends had.

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Danko

Danko's story occupies a central place in the story. The character evokes the admiration of the storyteller. A man from a tribe of strong people, like his relatives, suffered attacks from enemies who drove them into a swamp. On one side stood the attackers, and on the other was a dark forest. The tribe was wary of war and thought about agreeing to captivity. Danko's courage played a decisive role. He led the people with him through the dense forest, although at first his fellow tribesmen reproached him. Tearing open his chest, he tore out his burning heart, blazing with thirst to help his loved ones.

With his heart, Danko illuminated the path out of the forest and, emerging from it, died. No one noticed the victim. Someone deliberately stepped on the hero's heart and trampled it into sparks. Now the lights are visible in the steppe plain before the thunderstorm. The description of Danko's act is a celebration of his courage and philanthropy. This part is the most important in the story.

The image of the old woman was created by the author for a reason. Old and frail, she gave the impression of incredible disrepair. It was difficult to guess her age. His appearance did not hint at him either. The woman’s voice seemed to creak, and wrinkles dotted the narrator’s entire face.

Gorky looked for something special in a person, reproaching the current generation for inertia and indifference. The writer was upset that everyone around him was looking for profit, that the heroism he glorified was forgotten. Izergil describes Russians as gloomy and overly serious people. The essence of this character is that Izergil acts as an intermediary between the author and the reader, broadcasting Gorky’s thoughts.

Fragment of an illustration by S. A. Sorin

Very briefly

An old Romanian woman recalls her turbulent youth and tells two legends: about the son of an eagle, doomed to eternal loneliness for his pride, and about the young man who sacrificed himself to save his native tribe.

The chapter titles are arbitrary and do not correspond to the original. The story is told from the point of view of the narrator, whose name is not mentioned in the story. The memoirs of the old woman Izergil are presented on her behalf.

The narrator met the old woman Izergil while picking grapes in Bessarabia. One evening, while relaxing on the seashore, he talked with her. Suddenly the old woman pointed to the shadow of a low-floating cloud, called it Larra and told “one of the glorious tales told in the steppes.”

The Legend of Larra

Many thousands of years ago, in the “land of the big river” there lived a tribe of hunters and farmers. One day one of the girls of this tribe was carried away by a huge eagle. They looked for the girl for a long time, did not find her and forgot about her, and twenty years later she returned with an adult son, whom she gave birth to from an eagle. The eagle itself, sensing the approach of old age, committed suicide - it fell from a great height onto sharp rocks.

The eagle's son was a handsome guy with cold, proud eyes. He did not respect anyone, but treated the elders as equals. The elders did not want to accept the guy into their tribe, but this only made him laugh.

He approached a beautiful girl and hugged her, but she pushed him away because she was the daughter of one of the elders and was afraid of her father’s wrath. Then the eagle's son killed the girl. They tied him up and began to come up with an “execution worthy of the crime.”

One wise man asked why he killed the girl, and the eagle's son replied that he wanted her, but she pushed him away. After a long conversation, the elders realized that the guy “considers himself the first on earth and sees nothing but himself.” He didn't want to love anyone and wanted to take what he wanted.

For everything a person takes, he pays with himself: with his mind and strength, sometimes with his life.

The elders realized that the eagle’s son was dooming himself to terrible loneliness, decided that this would be the most severe punishment for him, and released him.

The eagle's son was named Larra - the outcast. From then on, he lived “free as a bird,” came to the tribe and kidnapped cattle and women. They shot at him, but could not kill him, because Larra’s body was covered with the “invisible veil of the highest punishment.”

This is how Larra lived for many decades. One day he approached people and did not defend himself. People realized that Larra wanted to die and retreated, not wanting to ease his fate. He hit himself in the chest with a knife, but the knife broke, he tried to smash his head on the ground, but the earth pulled away from him, and people realized that Larra could not die. Since then, he has been wandering the steppe in the form of an ethereal shadow, punished for his great pride.

Memoirs of the old woman Izergil

The old woman Izergil dozed off, and the narrator sat on the shore, listening to the sound of the waves and the distant songs of the grape pickers.

Suddenly waking up, the old woman Izergil began to remember those whom she loved in her long life.

She lived with her mother in Romania on the banks of a river, weaving carpets. At fifteen she fell in love with a young fisherman. He persuaded Izergil to leave with him, but by that time she was already tired of the fisherman - “he just sings and kisses, nothing more.”

Having abandoned the fisherman, Izergil fell in love with a Hutsul - a cheerful, red-haired Carpathian youth from a band of robbers. The fisherman could not forget Izergil and also pestered the Hutsuls. So they were hanged together - both the fisherman and the Hutsul, and Izergil went to watch the execution.

Then Izergil met an important and rich Turk, lived in his harem for a whole week, then got bored and ran away with his son, a dark-haired, flexible boy much younger than her, to Bulgaria. There she was wounded in the chest with a knife by a certain Bulgarian woman, either for her fiance, or for her husband - Izergil no longer remembers.

Izergil left at the convent. The Polish nun who looked after her had a brother in a nearby monastery. Izergil fled to Poland with him, and the young Turk died from an excess of carnal love and homesickness.

The Pole was “funny and mean”; he could hit people with words like a whip. One day he greatly offended Izergil. She took him in her arms, threw him into the river and left.

I never met those I once loved. These are not good meetings, as if they were with the dead.

People in Poland turned out to be “cold and deceitful”; Izergil found it difficult to live among them. In the city of Bochnia, a Jew bought it, “not for himself, but to trade.” Izergil agreed, wanting to earn money and return home. “Rich gentlemen” came to feast with her and showered her with gold.

Izergil loved many, and most of all the handsome nobleman Arcadek. He was young, and Izergil had already lived for four decades. Then Izergil broke up with the Jew and lived in Krakow, she was rich - a big house, servants. Arcadek sought it for a long time, and having achieved it, he abandoned it. Then he went to fight the Russians and was captured.

Izergil, pretending to be a beggar, killed a sentry and managed to rescue her beloved Arcadek from Russian captivity. He promised to love her, but Izergil did not stay with him - she did not want to be loved out of gratitude.

After that, Izergil went to Bessarabia and stayed there. Her Moldavian husband died, and now the old woman lives among the young grape pickers, telling them her tales.

A thundercloud drifted in from the sea, and blue sparks began to appear in the steppe. Seeing them, Izergil told the storyteller the legend of Danko.

The Legend of Danko

In the old days, between the steppe and the impenetrable forest lived a tribe of strong and brave people. One day, stronger tribes appeared from the steppe and drove these people deep into the forest, where the air was poisoned by the poisonous fumes of the swamps.

People began to get sick and die. It was necessary to leave the forest, but behind there were strong enemies, and ahead the road was blocked by swamps and giant trees, creating a “ring of strong darkness” around the people.

People could not return to the steppe and fight to the death, because they had covenants that should not disappear.

Nothing—neither work nor women—exhausts the bodies and souls of people as much as melancholy thoughts do.

Heavy thoughts created fear in the hearts of people. The cowardly words that we must return to the steppe and become slaves of the strongest sounded louder and louder.

And then the handsome young man Danko volunteered to lead the tribe out of the forest. People believed and followed him. Their path was difficult, people died in the swamps and every step was difficult for them. Soon the exhausted tribesmen began to grumble against Danko.

One day a thunderstorm began, impenetrable darkness fell over the forest, and the tribe lost heart. People were ashamed to admit their own powerlessness, and they began to reproach Danko for his inability to manage them.

Tired and angry people began to judge Danko, but he answered that the tribesmen themselves were unable to maintain strength for the long journey and simply walked like a flock of sheep. Then people wanted to kill Danko, and there was no kindness or nobility in their faces anymore. Out of pity for his fellow tribesmen, Danko’s heart flared up with the fire of desire to help them, and the rays of this mighty fire sparkled in his eyes.

Seeing how Danko’s eyes were burning, people decided that he was furious, became wary and began to surround him in order to capture and kill him. Danko understood their intention and felt bitter, and his heart burned even brighter. He “teared his chest with his hands,” tore out his flaming heart, raised it high above his head and led the enchanted people forward, illuminating their path.

Finally, the forest parted and the tribe saw a wide steppe, and Danko laughed joyfully and died. His heart was still burning next to his body. Some cautious person saw this and, frightened by something, “stepped on the proud heart with his foot.” It scattered into sparks and died out.

Sometimes blue sparks appear in the steppe before a thunderstorm. These are the remains of Danko's burning heart.

Having finished the story, the old woman Izergil dozed off, and the narrator looked at her withered body and wondered how many more “beautiful and powerful legends” she knew. Covering the old woman with rags, the narrator lay down next to her and looked for a long time at the sky covered with clouds, while the sea rustled “dullly and sadly” nearby.