"The Old Woman of Izergil": the analysis of the story

This work Maxim Gorky wrote after returning from the tour of Bessarabia in 1891. Literary critics refer him to early works. However, already here you can see the author's style and romantic motive in his work. Gorky himself considered the story of "Old Woman Izergil" to be the best one written by him. The analysis of this work will help us to better understand the course of author's thoughts.

Composition

The story consists of three novels, which in the story are not related to each other. But they are united by a common idea. With the help of three different stories, Maxim Gorky tries to show the reader the real value of human life. And in this, of course, they help him, the main characters - Danko, Larra and the old woman Izergil. The analysis of these three images will help us to understand what kind of human freedom is in the mind of the writer.

Unbridled freedom

The first story short story "Old Woman Isergil" - the analysis of which we will conduct, tells us about Larre. Gorky describes him as an egoist and individualist, shows it to the reader in a worse light. In the surrounding Larra causes only negative emotions - some are afraid of him, others hate. In fact, this is the son of an eagle and a woman. Outwardly, he looks like a human being, but his actions are denounced by a real animal - for he is ready for anything for the sake of his goal, he does not value the past or the future.

This image is evidence of how permissiveness and complete freedom can affect a person. There is no place for love, justice and kindness. Too free Larra appreciates only her "I" without thinking about other people.

Charity and kindness

Analysis of the work "Old Woman Izergil" will be incomplete, if you do not mention a character like Danko. He is completely opposed to Larre. Danko in his life chooses such qualities as altruism and charity. Other people are more important to him than dignity. He is ready to sacrifice himself, and for him this is the only right life path.

With the help of this image, Gorky shows that a person can awaken in himself a powerful force capable of loving without thinking about the consequences.

Old woman Izergil, character analysis

The third character, introduced by the writer, is the old woman Izergil. The analysis of this image is most ambiguous. Unlike the two previous characters, it no longer exists within the legend. It is the product of our reality.

The old woman Izergil tells the story of her love. However, the reader hardly believes that she described all the feelings she described with sincerity. However, the old woman acted as her heart commanded. The novella about it still resembles the first passage, the main character of which is Larra. Probably, Gorky leaves the choice for the reader, how to still perceive the behavior of the heroine. After all, human actions in real life, too, are not always unambiguous.

The perfect complement of two characters, Larra and Danko, as Gorky believes, is the old woman Izergil. Analysis of this character leads us to determine the main theme of the work. And it is the meaning of human life.