home › Test Drives › The history of writing the old woman Izergil. M

The history of writing the old woman Izergil. M

Maxim Gorky called his Old Woman Izergil one of the best works and indeed there are many reasons to agree with this because of the versatility and depth of meanings and the magnificent structure of the work itself.

Perhaps we should start with the structure, which is a geometrically precise composition that creates a beautiful harmony. Before us are three stories that go sequentially, but the perception of the entire work should be considered as a whole.

It is most convenient for the reader, as it were, to ascend with his mind's eye above the story itself and look at the structure created by Gorky. Two extremes (Larra and Danko) on the sides and in the center is the figure of the Old Woman Izergil. In fact, we see in front of us a person who is located between opposites or even angelic and demonic principles.

The legend of Larra, which chronologically comes first and is located, as it were, on one side, presents us with a hero full of pride. This pride leads Larra to a serious sin, he destroyed the girl who did not give herself to him, and after that he rejoiced at his own exile and became even more proud. It is not for nothing that Gorky makes Larra not quite a man, he is a mixture of an eagle and a man, that is, something a little unnatural.

The legend of Danko completes the story and comes, as it were, from the other side. This hero is an example of dedication and altruism, he even, despite the reproaches and stupidity of people, continues to lead them to the light and, as a result, gives himself completely in order for them to leave the thicket (of course, the thicket should be considered here for the most part in a symbolic aspect as an image of the darkness of ignorance, total and pernicious delusions or something like that) and in the end they only trampled on his heart. Danko is an ideal example of the highest morality that can only exist, he is the best of people, but at the same time he gives himself for those who, in fact, are much worse than him - this is the opposite of pride.

In the middle is the story of the old woman herself, and if we see legends and tales on the sides, then in the center, as it were, real story about a real person, which Izergil tells about himself. Two opposites are mixed in her, on the one hand, she is proud and self-willed like Larra and pays attention only to own feelings and freedom, on the other hand, she shows altruism and goes to serious deeds for the sake of her loved ones. Probably, the key phrase in this whole structure is the old woman's words "everyone is his own destiny."

Gorky seems to be talking about moral choice every person who creates own destiny and always chooses between an angel and a demon, who sit on either side of him. Once he imitates the proud Larra and can doom himself to the terrible fate of a rejected wanderer and a disembodied spirit, once Danko, who dooms himself to an equally sad fate, but now for the sake of a lofty ideal. The structure of the work, in fact, is a three-dimensional metaphor of human existence.

Option 2

Maxim Gorky especially liked to travel around his native expanses. A lot of things were taken from these travels, and the author created a collection of essays. This was the basis for writing the story "Old Woman Izergil".

The story was written in 1884. The author is very proud of this work and emphasizes this. The story is based on the story of a gypsy woman who has already seen a lot in her life. Gorky divides the work into three parts, but this does not prevent the story from being read as a whole. The writer tries to find out the real value of human life.

An old gypsy woman tells stories about the heroes Danko and Larra. The author shows the reader characters who are completely different from each other, and in turn, with the help of this technique, Gorky reveals different aspects of life.

In order to fully understand the difference between the characters, you should consider them in detail.

The author compares Larra with a beast that is quite wild and cruel and avoids meeting people. The hero loves only himself and no one else. Gorky placed a lot of anti-human manifestations in the hero. A very clear phrase that maximally shows the essence of Larr, if the hero wanted to pierce his heart with a knife, then he would certainly break like a stone. The hero put himself an order of magnitude higher than the rest and believed that he had the right to do whatever he wanted, while others did not. Larra was very much concerned about his own freedom.

As for Izergil, she was somewhat similar to Larr. But at least she could feel something, the only trouble was that all feelings for her were something fleeting and quickly forgotten. During her youth, Izergil did not appreciate the attention of men and made many suffer from it. But there was a moment when she was in love, and the same thing happened to her as to the men who tried to get her attention. The gypsy was abandoned and humiliated.

And now she is old and only remembers those times and really wants to feel the state of love again, because only such a feeling helps to live and gives meaning to life.

The third hero of the story, Danko, is also confident in his beliefs, but they are somewhat different and humane. He believes that only he can save people and is ready to do everything for this. Moreover, Danko is not at all stopped by the thought that he may not succeed. The main difference between Danko and other heroes is that he died for his goal and lived his life trying to create something good.

Reading this story, it becomes clear that, in principle, a person can do very low deeds or the most courageous deeds. When Izergil resigned herself to the fact that she is already old and will not be the same as before, she decides to accomplish her feat. Having gone to the murder, she saves her beloved from captivity and then refuses his love. After all, love in captivity is wrong. The actions of the heroes remain unrewarded.

Looking at the heroes of this story, it is clear that youth gives a lot of strength and you can do a lot of things both for good and not. But not just the story is called "Old Woman Izergil", the author makes it clear that youth will not be eternal. A person is remembered by his actions, and as long as the memory is alive, then the person is with it.

The choice remains for everyone, to live quietly, crushing difficulties, or to accomplish their own, and maybe the only feat, but which will remain in the memory of people.

Old Isergil. Analysis of the work

Maxim Gorky extremely liked to wander through his native expanses. From these wanderings the writer drew his inspiration, he made essays and sketches about what he saw. Actually, this prompted the writer to create the story "Old Woman Izergil".

The author finished writing the story in the fall of 1884. The work "Old Woman Izergil" from early work writer. He was extremely proud of this work and focuses on it. The story was published only a year later. After the story was published, literary critics of that time trace the author's peculiar style of writing with magnificent notes of romanticism. Although the story is written in a rather complicated style of narration, as if in a dialogue between the author and an elderly woman. But the story remains light and quite interesting.

The story was based on the story of a gypsy woman who told a lot in this life. The author, by an invisible technique, divides the story into three life stories that an old gypsy will tell. Legends about Larre and Danko. life stories characters are completely different, by this the author reveals to the reader different aspects life path. But this does not violate the integrity of the story.

The author likens the image of Larr to a beast, wild, cruel, avoiding any contact with people around him and loving only himself. The hero presented himself above others, believing that everything was permissible for him. Larra did not want to limit himself to freedom of action.

Izergil Gorky described Larr almost identically to the image, but she was more sensitive. But for her, all feelings were fleeting and quickly left without leaving any trace. In her youth, Izergil was in demand by men, but she did not appreciate their attention. Many of her fans were hurt by this. Having fallen in love, the gypsy felt in full those feelings that she brought to outcast men. She was humiliated and abandoned.

In the image of Danko, the author shows absolutely opposite traits of a human character. This is selflessness, reliability and purposefulness. The most important difference from other characters is that he gave his life in the name of achieving his goal. Trying to do as many good things as possible.

With each line, Gorky conveys to us that a person is characterized by various actions, both the lowest, vile and insanely heroic. Youth opens up unlimited opportunities for a person to express themselves. But the title of the story “Old Woman Izergil” is not without reason, the author emphasizes that youth is very fleeting. And it is necessary to leave behind only a bright and good memory.

How his life will pass is the choice of each person. After all, life is not a field to cross, and you need to think about it from a young age.

Some interesting essays

Social and philosophical origins of the Raskolnikov rebellion
In the novel by Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky "Crime and Punishment" one of major topics addressed by the author are social and philosophical problems
Ivan Berestov and Grigory Muromsky (Pushkin's Young Lady Peasant Woman) composition
One of minor characters works are prominent representatives Russian landowners, represented by the writer in the images of Ivan Petrovich Berestov and Grigory Ivanovich Muromsky.
Analysis of the chapters of the novel Journey from St. Petersburg to Moscow by Radishchev
The work begins with a message from Radishchev to his friend A.M. Kutuzov. The author shows why he decided to write this story. The chapter "Departure" tells how he, sitting at a table with friends, begins a trip in a wagon
Composition What does it mean to be a talented reader grade 8, 10, 11
My opinion is this: being a talented reader is the same as being a talented writer. These two talents are somewhat similar. Writer describing amazing worlds, makes the reader imagine all this.
The image and characteristics of Maxim Maksimych in the novel A Hero of Our Time Lermontov essay
The image of Maxim Maksimych is considered in detail by M. Yu. Lermontov in the novel "A Hero of Our Time" in order to, through the character, worldview of this experienced person reveal in more detail the image of Grigory Pechorin.

In the 90s 19th century there is a sharp acceleration of the capitalist development of the country. Millions of people, primarily peasants, find themselves landless, destitute, cut off from their homes. This process was painful, but it led to a change in the way of life of the population.

Gorky felt this breaking of habitual foundations and the intensity of the spiritual life of a person caused by them more sharply than his contemporaries. He embodied his idea of a new worldview, born in the people's environment, in his romantic works. Such is the story "Old Woman Izergil", the analysis of which we will analyze.

In this work, romantic legends are organically fused with contemporary Gorky folk life. A life rich in events, passions, rebellious disagreement with what was destined, with the principles of moderation and accuracy distinguishes the main character of the story.

Her life is full of heroism, an indomitable desire for freedom. Before her eyes, the soldiers of revolutionary Poland fought and died for their freedom, she knew and loved "one worthy pan with a chopped face" - a Pole who "fought for the Greeks", she condemned the Russians who went to beat the Magyars. Izergil may have been a witness to the bloody suppression of the revolution in Hungary by the troops of Nicholas I. Finally, the old woman tells how she herself helped the rebellious Poles escape from captivity.

Match the stories of her life and those legends that she tells to the passing. In contrast to the "were" Makar Chudra, where in romantic coverage they were given, although unusual, but still real facts In reality, Izergil's stories about Larra and Danko stand out as truly fabulous.

The hyperbolization of the fact in Makar Chudra's "were" did not go beyond the bounds of the possible. This, in particular, is indicated by the fact that the narrator could show himself as a witness to the drama that played out between Loiko and Radda. Another thing is the legends of the old woman Izergil. The exaggeration here clearly goes beyond reality, and to speak in this case it follows not about the romantic coverage of reality, but about fabulousness, which is expressed primarily in the narrative of events of a fantastic nature.

The first of the legends that Izergil tells tells about tragic fate the son of a woman and an eagle - Larra.

The image of Larra ("Old Woman Izergil")

This young man, unfamiliar with the laws of his mother's tribe, and accustomed to consider himself the best, comes into conflict with the tribe, which demanded that he respect their laws and customs. But Larra himself wants to command, everywhere and in everything recognizing only his desire, his will, his right to be strong. And therefore he refuses to obey this demand, and as a result of a tragic collision with people, he was condemned by them to eternal loneliness. The justice of such a court, according to Izergil, was confirmed by heaven itself. This is what pride can bring a person to, and this is how God and people can punish the proud! she wants to say.

Both the passing one and the author himself, of course, could not accept either Larra's egoism or individualism. In criticism, it was rightly noted that the image of Larra Gorky polemicized with the philosophy of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer, who preached the contempt of the superman for the crowd, the people, the right " strong personality”on crime, violence, lack of jurisdiction, etc. However, if you try to delve deeper into the essence of the image of the tragic conflict between Larra and the people of the tribe, then the issue of controversy will appear in all its complexity. The writer challenged not only the reactionary ideas of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer, but also many inert folk concepts about life, about the hero, which the old woman Izergil follows.

Condemning Larra, Izergil concludes that he was smitten for his pride. Naturally, the writer was not inclined to unconditionally agree with the condemnation of a person for pride. After all, pride in the character's character could be combined with his love of freedom, respect for the rights to freedom of others. Arguing with Izergil, the writer (and passing along with him) seemed to want to say: Larra was struck not for pride in general, but for the pride of an individualist and egoist.

The old woman Izergil did not understand the essence of Larra's character, condemning him for pride (for pride in general!). And if we take into account at the same time that pride was also inherent in her, then the words of the author, which he said about the old woman, will become quite understandable: “And for some reason, it became terribly sorry for her. She led the end of the story in such a lofty, threatening tone, and yet in this tone there was a fearful, slavish note. Indeed, in her own way, having understood the reasons for the tragedy of Larra and condemned him for his desire to be independent, proud, she condemned herself. It is natural to ask: why did this happen? The answer to this is given by the life story of Izergil following the legend, which the old woman tells to the passer-by.

The image of the old woman Izergil

The criticism has already spoken in sufficient detail about the love of freedom of the Gorky heroine, her ability to "sacrifice herself." But this is not the whole truth, oddly enough, with all the love for independence, freedom, with all the condemnation of passing away from people, Izergil herself is selfish in spirit and internally had little connection with those people among whom she lived .

She is always attracted to strong, heroic natures, her sympathies are entirely on the side of these freedom fighters. But, being herself proud, beautiful and strong, she appreciates other people, first of all, for these qualities. The same political ideals, for which the people she loved fought, were much less interested in her. This, I think, can explain the fact that Izergil could fall in love not only with the “worthy pan”, who fought against the “Turkish tyranny” for the freedom of the Greeks, but also with the despotic rich Turk.

The ideal life of the Gorky heroine was free love which she puts above all else. And with those who tried to infringe on her rights in this, Izergil dealt decisively and severely. So it was with the “little Pole”, who said “a proud, insulting word” to her, for which the angry woman threw him off the bridge into the river, so it was with Pan Arkadek, whom she “gave ... a kick with her foot and would have hit him in the face, yes, he recoiled, ”for the fact that he wanted to love Izergil in gratitude for deliverance from captivity.

However, Izergil herself turned out to be selfish in her love. Her kisses often brought suffering to people, led them to death. But Izergil looks at this as something ordinary, of little interest to her, now and then forgetting to tell the passing sad story fate former lover. And it is understandable, because in love she “only wants freedom for herself.”

Unlike legends, the life story of Izergil is quite real, but it is given in a romantic light. Like Makar Chudra, the old woman does not skimp on praising herself and her time. She, like Chudra (only to a greater extent), exaggerates the fact. This is also served by the lofty rhetorical style of Izergil's narration with many aphorisms and lyrical and philosophical digressions, for example, discourse on life and exploits, and colorful description her lover, and silence - for the time being - about the negative that was in them.

Throughout the story, and especially where Izergil herself speaks directly - and she mostly speaks alone - the elevated "philosophical" style of narration prevails.

Izergil wants to show himself as an example to follow, but her character is very contradictory. In this sense, the end of her story about her life is very indicative: “And for about three decades I have been living here ... I had a husband, a Moldavian; died a year ago. And I live here! I live alone... No, not alone, but with those over there.”

This stipulation is by no means accidental. She once again speaks of the deep inconsistency of the character of the heroine, her individualism and selfishness.

Nevertheless, the passer-by, wanting to make sure of this, asks the old woman to tell the legend about the burning heart of Danko, already known to him. “I heard,” says the passer-by, “something before about the origin of these sparks (from the burning heart of Danko), but I wanted to hear how old Izergil would tell about it.”

The image of Danko ("Old Woman Izergil")

Danko is portrayed as an old woman by a strong, courageous person, but standing, as it were, outside the team, the crowd. He looks down on his compatriots. All this - if you continue to follow the narrator - to some extent allows you to bring Danko closer to the character of another legend - Larra. As for the difference in their destinies, it again could be explained by the fact that in the legend about Larra the collective was portrayed as a “powerful tribe of people”, while in the legend about Danko the collective of the tribe turned out to be somehow weak, helpless in the misfortune that befell it : everyone "wanted to go to the enemy and bring him their will as a gift, and no one, frightened by death, was afraid of a slave life ...". But then, says Izergil, "Danko appeared and saved everyone alone." This “appeared” is very characteristic of her understanding of the hero. Danko definitely came from somewhere, although Izergil further explains: “Danko is one of those people ...” And then - not people who, doubting the ability of a heroic tribesman to lead them out of the darkness of forests and swamps, like animals, attacked him , not people, but it was he - Danko "saved all alone."

The whole legend about Danko, as presented by Izergil, is sustained in one tone. For the sake of saving people, the hero sacrifices himself and dies, "without asking them for anything as a reward for himself."

But it would, of course, be wrong, based on the assessment given by Izergil, to consider Danko an individualist or a personality that is contradictory in nature. The content of the legend gives reason to speak of Danko as a whole heroic personality, true to the interests of his people, living with the people with the same thoughts. It is noteworthy that the tribe without hesitation chose Danko as the leader of the campaign, on which the fate of everyone depended. And not with his beauty, as the old woman Izergil believes, but with his courage and determination, Danko made people believe in him and in themselves. "I have the courage to lead, that's why I led you!" he says to the people of the tribe. Through the harsh and condemning tone of the narration of the old woman Izergil, a living folk tale about a man who gave his life for the people, and about the people, together with him going to the kingdom of light and freedom.

Functions of Romantic Legends

The images of romantic legends are significant in and of themselves. But Gorky needs them, first of all, to characterize the worldview real person. The admiration with which Izergil narrates about exploits, selflessness, love of freedom, disinterestedness and activity, and the indignation that permeates her attitude towards inglorious vegetation, selfishness, slavery, testifies to her own desire for freedom, shows that in her soul a person lives with a thirst for the new, the beautiful, that this person does not feel like a passive victim of circumstances.

The romantic worldview of the characters is manifested not only in what they tell, but also in how they tell. From the standpoint of the ideal, they consider the world as a ratio of only two categories: the sublime and the base. At the same time, they are not inclined to objective perception and presentation of facts. Going to the extreme, to the extreme, they defend what seems beautiful to them, and in the same way, going to the extreme, to the exaggeration, they deny what seems ugly. Therefore, the images of the legends are marked by the seal of poetic conventionality, unusualness and one-sidedness: each embodies one principle in its exclusive expression. So, Larra is a symbol of selfishness raised to such an extreme degree that the hero is able to kill a girl who neglected his desire. He is opposed by Danko, a hero who is the embodiment of love for people, a love so selfless that it makes him sacrifice his life. This concludes the analysis of the story "Old Woman Izergil".

M. Gorky in the early period of his work described the impressions of wandering around Rus'. He paid most attention not to the narrator, but to the personality of the people he met during the trip. The work "Old Woman Izergil" by Gorky, the analysis of which is presented below, is one of the best creations of the writer.

Genre of the work

The analysis of Gorky's "Old Woman Izergil" should begin with the definition of the literary genre of this creation. It was written in 1895, the researchers attribute this story to early period the creativity of the writer. It is written in the spirit of romanticism, which occupied one of the main roles in his work.

"Old Woman Izergil" is one of the best works of XIX century, written in this genre. The writer tried to find an answer to the question, what is the meaning of life. To do this, he showed three points of view, thereby indicating that there is no definite answer to this question. The romanticism of the work made it possible to create its special composition.

Composition features

Further, in the analysis of Gorky's "Old Woman Izergil" it is necessary to talk about the construction of the plot of the story. In works like this one, it seems that the story is being told from the perspective of two narrators. The composition of this story is complex.

Even the writer himself noted that he would hardly be able to create anything similar in beauty and harmony. The story of the old gypsy can be divided into three parts. At the same time, they are all united by one idea - this is the writer's desire to show the value of human life. And these three stories create a coherent text.

The story is built on the antithesis - the opposition of Larra and Danko. The young gypsy is somewhat similar to Larra - just as proud, freedom-loving, but still she is capable of real feelings. For Danko, the meaning of life was to serve people, disinterested help. For the son of an eagle, the main thing is himself, his desires and freedom.

They represent two different perspectives on life. Larra is a manifestation and praise of individualism, and Danko is love for people and a willingness to sacrifice everything for their well-being. Characteristic for them is that only a shadow reminds of Larra, and bluish sparks flashing before a thunderstorm about Danko, because good deeds remain forever in the hearts of people.

Larry's story

The analysis of Gorky's "Old Woman Izergil" should be continued with the story of Larra, a proud and freedom-loving man. He was the son of an eagle and a woman. Larra was selfish, impudent, did not consider the desires of other people, so he could not get along with anyone in the community.

Larra was proud that he was the son of an eagle and believed that everything was permissible for him. But he was punished: he was expelled from the society of people, and received immortality. At first, Larr was even pleased with this outcome: after all, freedom was the most precious thing for him. And only many years later he realized the real value of life, but by that time Larra had become only a shadow that reminded him of his existence.

The story about Danko

The analysis of Gorky's story "Old Woman Izergil" continues with a legend about a young man named Danko. He was a real leader, handsome and smart, he could lead people and light a fire in their hearts. Danko was a brave man and decided to help his people get out of the dark forest.

The path was difficult, and the people began to grumble and blame the young man for all the difficulties. Then he rips the heart out of his chest, lighting the way for them so that they feel the love and kindness that comes from his heart. But, when they finally reached their goal, no one even thought that Danko had sacrificed his life for them. Only one person, seeing the burning heart, stepped on it.

Why did he do it? Perhaps, out of fear that the sparks of kindness and love will ignite in young people the desire for freedom, justice. And only sparks reminded of Danko's disinterested act.

The image of a gypsy

In the analysis of the "Old Woman Izergil" by M. Gorky, one must also consider the image of Izergil herself. She tells the story of her life: once she was a young and beautiful gypsy, proud, who loved freedom, travel. She often fell in love and each time it seemed to her that these were real feelings.

Once she truly fell in love with Artadek and saved her lover from captivity. He offered her love as a thank you for saving her, but Izergil refused, because she did not need such bondage feelings. And then the woman understands that in life there is a place for courage and exploits.

The story "Old Woman Izergil" is one of the most famous works written in the spirit of romanticism. These legends are imbued with motives of love of freedom, helping people. At that time, more and more people supported revolutionary ideas, working people wanted a free life. Danko and his heart are people's hopes for revolutionary figures. They would lead the common people out of the dependent position in which they were. This story encourages people to do good and selfless deeds. serious philosophical reflections the writer managed to express in these ancient legends. It was an analysis of Gorky's work "Old Woman Izergil".

Before conducting a small analysis of "The Old Woman Izergil" - the work of Maxim Gorky, we will briefly consider the main facts about this story. Maxim Gorky travels around Bessarabia, and upon returning home he immediately writes this wonderful story. The year of writing the story "Old Woman Izergil" is 1891.

According to literary critics, this work belongs to early work Gorky, but the author's style and notes of romanticism are already well traced. It is important that the author himself believed that this particular story was the most successful of all the others. Thanks to the analysis of "Old Woman Izergil" one can better understand the idea and course of Gorky's reasoning.

The main characters of the story "Old Woman Izergil"

There are three novellas in the story, the plot of which is not connected to each other, but instead they have a pronounced common idea. Using three completely different plots, Maxim Gorky conveys to readers how truly valuable a person's life is. Of course, the main characters of the story "The Old Woman Izergil" will help to convey this idea - these are Danko, Larra, the old woman Izergil. Having made an analysis of the image of each of these heroes, we will see what the author means by true freedom.

First, we will analyze the first short story of the story "Old Woman Izergil", which tells about Larra. His nature is saturated with selfishness, he thinks only of himself, so the reader sees Larra in an unsightly light. Others, looking at Larra's behavior, also experience only disappointment - someone is simply afraid of him, and someone even hates him. Larra's father is an eagle, and his mother is a woman, and although outwardly he looks like a man, with his actions he reveals his essence of an animal. To achieve his goal, Larra goes to all lengths and for everyone, he has no values.

The analysis of "Old Woman Izergil" would not be accurate if we miss such a character as Danko. Gorky completely opposes him to Larra. What are the main qualities in Danko? He is merciful, compassionate and kind. Danko puts others above himself, and he values \u200b\u200btheir own dignity of others much higher than his own. He is ready to make sacrifices and sees no other way in life.

The image of Danko in the story "Old Woman Izergil" conveys the course of Gorky's reasoning that any person can develop ardent and selfless love in himself, without even thinking about the consequences.

Now let's talk about the third character - the old woman Izergil. It is very ambiguous to analyze this hero of the story. Izergil differs from Larra and Danko in that she is not within the boundaries of the legend, she comes out of reality. When the old woman Izergil tells about her love story, the reader cannot believe that she sincerely experienced the feelings she talks about. Although, I must say that this woman acted at the behest of her heart. The novel about this old woman is very similar to the part of the story where Larra was the main character.

Maxim Gorky does not decide for the reader how to interpret actions main character, which leads one to think: real life after all, human behavior is also often ambiguous. Taking into account all three characters in the story "Old Woman Izergil", we understand what topic Gorky wanted to discuss - this is the topic of the meaning of human life.

He introduced readers to his wanderings in Rus', and called the collection of essays that way. However, he paid more attention not to the personality of the narrator, from whose lips the narration is heard, but to the people he met. They introduced him to the history of their lives, told legends that are alive in the memory of the people. It turned out that the voices of two narrators sounded in the work. This principle was also preserved in the story "Makar Chudra", in the same way the "Old Isergil".

However composition this piece is more difficult. Even Gorky himself said: “It seems that I will not write anything as harmoniously and beautifully as I wrote the Old Woman Izergil.” The story of Izergil, an old gypsy who has seen a lot in her lifetime, can be divided into three chapters: the legend of the eagle's son Larr, the gypsy's story about her long life and the legend of Danko. At the same time, all three parts form a single text, permeated common idea- the author's desire to understand true value human life.

Since the idea of life is very romantic, the heroine of the story “Old Woman Izergil” herself appears in a romantic halo. Only in a seaside, nocturnal, mysterious landscape can she truly express herself. And in the heroes of her legends - Danko and Larre - examples of "one, but fiery passion» : in Larra - extreme individualism, and in Danko - the highest degree self-sacrifice out of love for people. Thus, they reveal two opposite hypostases of life.

What is the meaning of this antitheses? Larra- a proud man who did not love anyone but himself. No wonder he looks like a wild animal: "He was agile, predatory, strong, cruel and did not meet people face to face". This son of an eagle and a simple woman had no heart: when he wanted to plunge a knife into his heart, it broke, "They hit them like a stone". In fact, an anti-human essence is embodied in the image of this hero. Of course, the motivation of his character is due to the fact that he was the son of an eagle, and the eagle is a proud bird, always symbolizing the ideal of will and strength. On this basis, Larra considered himself not only superior to other people - he was sure that everything was allowed to him, and for him personal freedom was the most precious thing.

Danko the same is the embodiment of inexhaustible love for those who accuse him of all troubles. One desire moved the young men - to drive out of their hearts the fear of the dark thicket, from where they looked at people. "something scary, dark and cold". Danko's heart, which he tore out of his chest, lit up to dispel the darkness, both forest and spiritual. However, it burned down, but no one noticed it, and only one "careful person" saw it and came "on a proud heart with a foot". What frightened such a cautious person? Perhaps the fear that Danko's feat could inspire new young people in their constant desire for freedom.

Ancient legends are instructive, and the old woman Izergil with her raspy voice, which sounded like this, “as if all the forgotten ages were murmuring about it” passing them on to the younger generation. Her story about her youth is also included in the circle of narrations.

image of an old gypsy completely unclear, even contradictory. Beauty Izergil was the embodiment of spontaneous love of freedom. She lived brightly, enjoyed her youth, beauty and carelessness. She did not want to be anyone's slave and lived without caring about anyone. However, meeting freedom-loving people along the way, she began to understand heroism: a Pole cut down in battles turned out to be dearer to her than a rich pan. And when she truly fell in love, she even turned out to be capable of a selfless act - she saved her beloved Artadek from captivity. When he offered his love in gratitude for salvation, she refused, because she did not need bonded love. So her observations of life led Izergil to the conclusion that "the beautiful are always brave", A "In life there is always a place for exploits".

The action of the legends takes place in chronologically indefinite antiquity - as if before the beginning of history, in times of chaos. But in the present time, the time of the old woman Izergil, there are traces associated with that fantastic era. Larra, who rejected people, is now reminded of a dark shadow, visible only to the narrator. And about the feat of Danko, who sacrificed his life for the sake of people, a long memory was preserved: before a thunderstorm approaching in the steppe, it was as if bluish sparks of his burning, but crushed heart flared up.