My Childhood (Gorky)
Short summary
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, late 1870s. After his father died of cholera in Astrakhan, five-year-old Alexei Peshkov moved with his mother and grandmother to his maternal grandfather's house.
Grandfather's household was a place of mutual hostility and violence. His two uncles, Mikhail and Yakov, constantly fought over inheritance and the family dye-works business. Alexei witnessed brutal beatings, including his own flogging by Grandfather for dyeing a tablecloth. His grandmother became his only source of warmth and protection.
The family's foundling, Tsiganok, was tragically killed when Uncle Yakov's cross crushed him. Uncle Mikhail's violent sieges on the house became weekly occurrences. Grandmother suffered brutal beatings from Grandfather, once having hairpins driven into her skull. A mysterious lodger called 'Just the Job' became Alexei's first real friend before being forced to leave.
Alexei's mother returned, remarried, and moved away. Grandfather went bankrupt and the family descended into poverty. After his mother died giving birth, Grandfather told Alexei he must leave.
A few days after Mother's funeral Grandfather said: 'Alexei, you're not a medal... There's no room for you here. You must go out into the world.' And so I went out into the world.
At eleven years old, Alexei left to fend for himself, his childhood ending in poverty and loss.
Detailed summary by chapters
Chapter titles are editorial.
Introduction
The introduction provided an overview of Alexei Maximovich Peshkov, known by his pen name Maxim Gorky, meaning 'bitter'. Born in 1868 in Nizhny Novgorod, Gorky achieved immense literary acclaim in Russia, with his works surpassing even Tolstoy's and Dostoyevsky's in sales. He became a pivotal figure in 20th-century Russian literature and a revered Soviet institution, with 'My Childhood' being lauded as one of his finest and most moving descriptions of boyhood.
Chapter 1. Fathers death and arrival at Grandfathers house
The narrative opened with a traumatic scene of the narrator's father's death. His father lay dressed in white, with copper coins sealing his eyes, his once kind face now darkened and baring frightening teeth. His mother, half-naked and disheveled, knelt beside him, distraught, combing his hair and muttering incoherently, her eyes swollen with tears.
Grandmother, a large, soft woman, held the narrator's hand, also weeping. She tried to make him say goodbye to his father, explaining that he wouldn't see him again, but the boy, recently recovered from an illness, resisted, feeling frightened and out of place. He didn't understand death, recalling his father playing with him just before his disappearance.
Days later, on a steamboat, the narrator's newborn brother, Maxim, lay dead, wrapped in a white sheet. The narrator looked out the porthole, observing the swirling water, comforted by Grandmother when he was frightened. His mother leaned against a wall, unmoving and silent, her face grim, eyes shut. At Nizhny, a shriveled old man with a beard of tarnished gold came aboard. His mother cried 'Father!' and embraced him. Grandmother then introduced the narrator to a large family: his grandfather, uncles Mikhail and Yakov, Aunt Natalya, and cousins. They traveled up a cobblestone road to a squat, pink house, cramped and chaotic inside, filled with people and children, and a strange pungent smell.
Chapter 2. The Kashirin household: hostility and violence
The narrator recounted his arrival at his grandfather's house, describing it as a new, strange, and violent life. He portrayed the household as consumed by mutual hostility, which he believed reflected the harsh reality of the common Russian man's existence. His mother's unexpected return to her father's home exacerbated long-standing family tensions between her brothers, Uncle Mikhail and Uncle Yakov, who feared her presence would jeopardize their inheritance and dowry.
A fierce quarrel erupted in the kitchen shortly after their arrival, with the uncles aggressively confronting Grandfather, who retaliated with threats of disinheritance. The conflict escalated into physical violence between Uncle Mikhail and Uncle Yakov, causing the children to cry and Aunt Natalya, who was pregnant, to moan in despair. The narrator described Grandfather as a sarcastic and offensive man whose presence induced fear. Despite this, Grandfather frequently gave the narrator special attention during tea breaks, making the other children jealous.
On Saturday evening, the narrator was led to the dark kitchen where he found Grandfather preparing twigs for a beating. Grandmother tried to intervene, calling Grandfather a 'butcher'. Grandfather, despite Sasha's screams and confession, continued the flogging. Grandmother rushed to protect the narrator, trying to take him away, but Grandfather assaulted her, snatching the narrator and throwing him onto the bench. The narrator struggled, bites Grandfather, who then roared and threatened to kill him. Grandfather continued to flog the narrator until he lost consciousness. The narrator remained ill for several days, lying face down in bed.
Chapter 3. Tsiganoks role and tragic death
The narrator observed the household dynamic after recovering from his illness, noting the special position of Tsiganok (Ivan). Grandfather treated Tsiganok with more respect than his own sons, praising his 'hands of gold'. The uncles, however, despite being kind to Tsiganok's face, constantly played cruel tricks on the blind Grigory, such as heating his scissors or placing a nail on his chair.
The narrator learned from Grandmother that Tsiganok was a foundling, discovered as a baby in an apron. His mother, unable to feed him, left him in place of a recently deceased child in the neighborhood. Grandmother emphasized the harshness of poverty and the shame associated with unmarried mothers. Festive evenings were described when Grandfather and Uncle Mikhail were out. Uncle Yakov, dishevelled and carrying a guitar, led musical sessions. Tsiganok, energetic and flushed, danced wildly and skillfully, swirling like a 'golden bird', his movements so rapid they were a blur.
The narrator discovered Tsiganok's habit of stealing. Every Friday, Tsiganok took Grandmother's favorite horse, Sharap, to the bazaar for groceries. He spent only a fraction of the money given, stealing the rest, a practice everyone in the household seemed to know about and implicitly condone, to Grandfather's avaricious delight and the uncles' approval. Tragically, Tsiganok was killed soon after. Uncle Yakov, on the anniversary of his wife's death, attempted to carry a heavy oak cross to the cemetery. When the cross proved too heavy for the uncles and Grigory, they placed the thick, gnarled stump on Tsiganok's broad shoulders. As they carried the cross, Uncle Yakov and Mikhail taunted him. In the kitchen, Tsiganok collapsed, lying face up with blood flowing from his mouth. Grandfather, upon seeing Tsiganok dead, erupted in grief and anger, blaming his sons and lamenting Ivan's death.
Chapter 4. Grandmothers faith, the fire, and Aunt Natalyas death
The narrator lay in bed, feigning sleep while his Grandmother prayed. He observed her devotion and the serene atmosphere of the room. Grandmother's unique descriptions of God and heaven captivated the narrator. She spoke of God on a diamond throne, surrounded by angels who reported human actions, and stressed that God treated everyone equally, dispensing joy or suffering as deserved. The narrator, however, struggled to reconcile his grandmother's optimistic view with the harsh reality of his home.
The chapter culminated in a chaotic fire at the family's workshop. Grandfather interrupted Grandmother's prayer with the news, and she immediately took charge, issuing commands to save the icons and children. She heroically rushed into the burning workshop to retrieve a flagon of vitriol, demonstrating immense courage and presence of mind. Despite the danger, she emerged safely, urging the neighbors to focus on saving the barn and hayloft to prevent further devastation. During the fire, Grandmother's leadership and fearlessness were striking. She even calmed a terrified horse, leading it to safety.
The night took another dramatic turn with Aunt Natalya's prolonged and painful labor. The narrator was caught in the escalating tension, ultimately being pulled down by Uncle Mikhail and hitting his head. He regained consciousness in the front room, comforted by Grandfather, who lamented their collective sinfulness. Uncle Yakov escorted the narrator to Grandmother's room, where he revealed that Aunt Natalya had died. Grandmother then entered the room, leaning against the door and plaintively stating, 'My poor hands, they hurt…', her words underscoring the physical and emotional toll of the night's events and the deep sorrow she carried.
Chapter 5. New house and Grandfathers lessons
In spring, the narrator's uncles, Yakov and Mikhail, separated. Grandfather acquired a large house on Polyevoi Street, featuring a stone tavern on the ground floor, a small attic room, and a garden leading to a ravine filled with willow shoots. Grandfather playfully suggested these shoots were good for whips and announced his intention to teach the narrator the alphabet. Grandfather spends his days assisting his sons in their workshops, returning home each evening tired and irritable. Grandmother, conversely, engaged in constant domestic activities like sewing, cooking, and gardening, expressing contentment and attributing their newfound peace to God and the Holy Virgin.
One evening, the narrator asked Grandmother if she was a witch, prompting her to laugh and then seriously explain her lack of literacy and her difficult past. She recounted being orphaned, her crippled mother, a lacemaker who suffered an injury jumping from a window in fear of her master, and their subsequent life of wandering and begging. Later, Grandfather, despite his illness, decided to teach the narrator the alphabet. Their lesson was intense, with Grandfather's passionate yet rough instruction, his physical presence overwhelming the narrator.
Chapter 6. Uncle Mikhails violent attacks on the house
The narrative opened with a terrifying incident as Uncle Yakov burst into Grandfather's house after tea, disheveled and agitated. He announced that Uncle Mikhail, having gotten drunk at his place, went 'berserk,' smashing crockery, tearing clothes, breaking windows, and threatening to 'kill' Grandfather. Almost every Sunday evening, Uncle Mikhail, often with louts from Kunavino, laid siege to the house, destroying property like raspberry bushes, the bathhouse, and its contents. Grandfather silently watched from the window, while Grandmother futilely pleaded with Mikhail in the dark, receiving only obscene Russian oaths in return.
Chapter 7. Different faiths and harsh street life
The narrator observed the stark differences in how his Grandfather and Grandmother practiced their faith. Grandmother, after a morning ritual of disentangling and braiding her long hair, washed herself angrily before standing before her icons. Her prayers were fervent, heartfelt, and imaginative, often incorporating new words of praise for the Virgin of Kazan, whom she saw as a benevolent protector. Grandfather, in contrast, adhered to a strict and formal prayer routine. He meticulously groomed himself before approaching the icons, reciting prayers in a loud, firm voice, emphasizing God's judgmental and punitive nature.
Before she came into my life I must have been lying asleep in a dark corner, but now she had woken me up, brought me out into the light, and bound up everything around me into a continuous thread.
Chapter 8. New lodgers and friendship with Just the Job
Grandfather unexpectedly sold their old house and bought a new one on Kanatny Street, a quiet, grass-overgrown street leading to open fields. The new house was described as smarter and more pleasant, painted raspberry-red with light-blue shutters. The most compelling new lodger was 'Just the Job,' who rented a room next to the kitchen. He was thin, stooping, with a white face, a black forked beard, and kind, spectacled eyes. His room was filled with boxes, thick books, bottles of colorful liquids, metal pieces, and lead bars.
Their bond strengthened, especially when the narrator faced insults or beatings. Unlike Grandfather, who rudely interrupted, or Grandmother, who was absorbed in her thoughts, 'Just the Job' always listened intently to the narrator's chatter. Eventually, he was forced to leave. The narrator found him packing his boxes, singing about the Rose of Sharon. 'Just the Job' revealed that Grandfather claimed the narrator's mother wanted the room.
And this was the end of my first friendship with one of that innumerable company of people who are foreigners in their own country, but who are in reality its finest sons.
Chapter 9. Uncle Peters dark past and the Ovsyannikov boys
The narrator, viewing his childhood as a beehive of diverse influences, reflected on the departure of 'Just the Job' and the subsequent deepening of his friendship with Uncle Peter. Peter, thin and neat like Grandfather but shorter, possessed a comical appearance and a buzzing voice that often implied he was mocking others. He recounted his past as a servant, describing various roles dictated by Countess Tatyana Alexeyevna.
Uncle Peter's mood darkened over time; his once warm voice became melancholic, and he isolated himself in his small room above the stables, neglecting his appearance. One morning, a policeman arrived, looking for Peter, who had abandoned his horse and gone into hiding after apparently stealing something. A second policeman arrived later. A household member dramatically discovered Uncle Peter's body in the garden pit, propped against a charred beam, with a deep gash below his ear, a saddler's knife nearby, and his right hand blackened and twisted.
Chapter 10. Mothers return and escalating family tensions
One Saturday morning, the narrator attempted to catch bullfinches in a kitchen garden. Upon entering the kitchen, the narrator overheard his mother's loud voice in the next room, expressing distress. His mother, Varvara, embraced him, noting his growth and disheveled appearance. She wore a striking red dress. Her face seemed paler and her eyes larger. Compared to his mother, everything else appeared small and old.
Mother soon began teaching the narrator, focusing on grammar. He struggled with 'Our Native Tongue,' mispronouncing words and frustrating her. Grandfather began to scare Grandmother and Mother, making strange noises in Mother's room. One evening, Mother shouted, 'No, never, never!' and Grandfather howled. Grandfather then attacked Grandmother in the kitchen, hitting her and calling her an old witch. Three days later, in Grandfather's attic, the narrator found him looking through papers in a trunk. While Grandfather was distracted, the narrator took some pages, stole scissors, and climbed onto the stove bunk. He began cutting the heads off the saints in the calendar.
Chapter 11. Fathers story and Grandmothers memories
Following a significant episode, Mother's influence in the household grew, and she assumed the role of mistress, while Grandfather receded, becoming uncharacteristically pensive and quiet. During his convalescence, the narrator observed the increasing noise and activity in the house. Grandmother, whose breath increasingly smelled of vodka, secretly brought a teapot of alcohol to his room, winking and asking him not to tell the 'hearth goblins.' She drinks from the spout and asked the narrator to remind her of where she left off in her stories, often about his father.
Grandmother then delved into the story of the narrator's father, a soldier's son born in Siberia after his own father's exile. The narrator's father had a difficult upbringing, frequently beaten and attempting to run away. He became a skilled cabinet-maker, upholsterer, and decorator. Grandmother recalled a lively garden scene where the narrator's father, then Maxim, boldly proposed to Varvara, much to Grandmother's initial shock and Grandfather's later disapproval. She recounted how she helped them elope, despite her reservations and fear of Grandfather's wrath.
Chapter 12. Mothers remarriage, Sormovo, and final confrontation
The narrator, still recovering from an illness, attempted to walk but fell, crawling instead to his grandmother. He encountered unfamiliar people, including a stern 'green' woman, and learned his mother was remarrying Yevgeny Maximov. After the engagement, his mother left, and the house became quiet. The narrator found solace in the garden, transforming a pit into a 'sanctuary'. His mother, tearfully, pleaded with him to behave, revealing her plans to marry soon, move to Moscow, and for him to live with her and pursue an education.
When I try to recall those vile abominations of that barbarous life in Russia... is it worth while recording them? And with ever stronger conviction I find the answer is yes.
He was then moved to a new house in Sormovo, where he lived with Grandmother in the kitchen, surrounded by the harsh realities of factory life. Mother, now visibly pregnant and ailing, was short-tempered and distant. The narrator, sent to school, faced ridicule for his clothes. He attempted to reconcile with his mother, who was deeply worried about their poverty. Sasha, his younger brother, was portrayed as a gentle, joyous child who unexpectedly died. Later, he overheard an argument between his mother and stepfather, learning of the latter's infidelity. He witnessed his stepfather physically abuse his mother and, in a fit of rage, lunged at him with a bread knife, only grazing him.
Life is always surprising us... by the bright, healthy and creative human powers of goodness that are for ever forcing their way up through it. It is those powers that awaken our indestructible hope.
Chapter 13. Mothers death and going out into the world
The narrator, Alexei, returned to his grandparents' home, finding his grandfather noticeably aged and more miserly. The property had been strictly divided between Grandfather and Grandmother, leading to constant bickering over household provisions. Alexei and Grandmother both contributed financially; Alexei collected rags and bones after school and on weekends, earning money that Grandmother carefully saved. More profitably, he and his gang stole logs and firewood from an island, an activity considered a necessity rather than a crime in their impoverished district.
His street life was cut short when his stepfather lost his job, and his mother, now ill and wasted, moved back with Grandfather, bringing the scrofulous, infant Nikolai. Grandmother left to embroider a cover for a rich merchant, leaving the narrator as Nikolai's nursemaid. Mother died tragically in August. After sending Alexei for the local doctor, he was delayed by an errand for Grandmother. Upon his return, Mother, dressed in a lilac dress, appeared momentarily lucid before violently lashing out at him with a knife, then succumbed to death. A few days later, Grandfather told Alexei he must leave home and go 'out into the world,' marking the end of his childhood.