2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
The early work of M. Gorky is a vivid example of new romanticism. The writer resurrects the principles that have remained in the past, in the middle of the 19th century. Again, an exceptional hero with some special qualities becomes relevant. This is exactly the image of the old woman Izergil.
Story Summary
The work "Old Woman Izergil" is a narrative in stories. It begins with a description of nature and the general situation. The narrator is talking to the old woman Izergil, it was she who told him two interesting legends.
The Legend of Larra
This is the story of how a shadow appeared on Earth. Once from a tribe of strong people, an eagle kidnapped a girl, he lived with her as with his wife, and after his death she returned home. The young man, who first caused everyone's fear, was no different from people. But he was very proud and despised everyone. He wanted to get the elder's daughter, but she rejected him. Enraged, Larra killed her in cold blood. No one could think of a better punishment than expelling Larra. After a while, it turned out that he was immortal. Time and wandering have exhausted himflesh, eventually he turned into a shadow. The image of the old woman Izergil clearly emerges through the story. She narrates the events with particular rapture, it seems that she really believes in the authenticity of this story.
History of Izergil
There are no fictitious events in this part of the work, only the real story of the life of an old woman who has gone through many trials and seen a lot in life. The image of the old woman Izergil is very contradictory. There were so many men in her life that she can easily be judged. However, the author listens to her story with pleasure, because there is so much life and energy in it. She worked as a spinner in her youth, but such a life could not please an agile girl. As a result, she ran away from home with her lover, but then she left him for another. She lived with a Hutsul, a military man, Russians and Poles, with a young Turkish boy … She loved everyone, but did not want to see anyone after parting. The innocence of the heroine is captivating, she never thinks about morality for a second, saying only that a person must know life, be open to it. Therefore, the life of today's youth seems wrong to her.
Legend of Danko
The most important thing in the story is the image of Danko. The old woman Izergil talks about him last, speaking with obvious admiration, solemnly and sonorously. Danko was from a tribe of strong people. Once they were attacked, people were forced to go to the swamp, on one side of which there were enemies, and on the other - a dense forest. Fearing for yourcovenants, people did not go to war. They had the idea of surrendering. But the brave young man Danko led the people through the forest. The hardships of the path were beyond the strength of the tribe, they began to grumble at Danko, threatened to kill him. But he loved people so much that he could not bear their reproaches. He tore open his chest and took out a burning heart (it caught fire from the desire to help). Lighting the way, Danko led the tribe out of the forest, and he himself fell dead. But no one noticed. Some "cautious" person stepped on a still burning heart, sparks from it are still visible in the steppe before a thunderstorm. This legend is a hymn to human bravery and courage. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this particular story is the central one in the work.
Izergil's appearance
It is impossible to analyze the image of the old woman Izergil without describing her appearance. She was so old that her skin was wrinkled and dry, it seemed that she could just tear into shreds, her wrinkles cut so deep. Gorky mentions more than once that her voice sounded hoarse, like a creak, even he was old. All this suggests that the old woman Izergil is an example of experience and worldly wisdom.
Meaning of the image
The image of the old woman Izergil is significant for understanding the ideological intent of the story. Gorky sought to find something special in a person, he was not satisfied with the way his contemporaries live. He was upset by a certain inertia, coupled with the desire to achieve benefits, arrange for himself a "warm" place and a quiet life. He puts his thoughts into his mouthan old woman who says that there is no longer the former heroism and fortitude. In addition, the old woman does not understand Russians because of their sullenness and seriousness. It is no coincidence that the writer does not just retell the legend, but introduces the image of the old woman Izergil. In the stories of M. Gorky of the early period, such heroes were not uncommon. Makar Chudra, the hero of the story of the same name, expresses a similar opinion about the life of modern youth. He is also old, has seen a lot in his lifetime and has formed his own idea of the meaning of human life.
Artistic originality of the story
The image of the old woman Izergil is significant both for the structure and for the form of the work. Indeed, thanks to this heroine, the narrative becomes heterogeneous, multi-layered. First, we hear the voice of the narrator, who communicates with Izergil. In this case, the artistic style of speech is used. But when the heroine steps in, everything changes. New style, different speech turns. Gorky surprisingly accurately manages to copy the manner of conversation of an old simple woman. Precisely because the legends are told by Izergil herself, they become even more interesting. Do not forget that almost all the principles of romanticism are observed in the story. The landscape that opens the work is the sea and the steppe, a place where strong nature can roam, they symbolize freedom. Night, shadows, sparks give the situation a certain mystery. And the main sign of romanticism is three unusual heroes. Izergil is the embodiment of vital energy. Larra combined in himself all human vices. And Danko is the personification of courage, kindness and philanthropy.
So, what role does the image of the old woman Izergil play in the story of the same name? The most important thing is that Gorky's idea of a correct human life, in which there is no place for narrow limits, narrowness, boredom and idleness, was put into her mouth.
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