Mother had a crucial message for me.

As a revolutionary mother, her concerns, dilemmas, and the passion and eagerness she had were overwhelming. She lamented that there were people who never even had the opportunity to think about what could be the core of their beliefs, simply because they didn't have the taste or there was no one close to them who could speak freely about independent thinking.

Perhaps this book was a witness to the truth of what I always say.

"We should speak from our own right and pure thoughts and let others also speak from their thoughts. This is the root of civilization, and the seed of awareness will not grow without two-way interaction."

The novel is devoid of the didactic and rhetorical nature among Marxists in its long history. It often relied on a balanced discourse around the principles of the Manifesto in its English Marxist origins!

Max here turned the ordinary woman into a daily myth based on two feet, that is, turned the idea of struggle into a viable, achievable mythical feeling, which is one of the rare things in literary and human history, that the daily event is painted with a believable and observable mythical color. A woman like Pelagia, without a history or a true identity or even a faith that exceeds the daily meaning of the faith of "the five prayers," was actually turned by Max into a shocking event in the daily life of Russia, during the Marxist struggle between 1905-1917. The Marxist struggle during these years was almost in line with what Pelagia was like in the novel, as if Max was predicting from afar while he was living in America what was happening everywhere in Tsarist Russia.

All this doesn't matter!

In this novel, Max was able to read the psychological stages that any human goes through towards a new and innovative idea in society. These psychological stages can be generalized and issued as a general and governing framework for all human societies, and this is of course not didactic; but a reality that can be lived anywhere on earth. These stages, for Max, are considered the initial formation of the meaning of truth, and how to believe in it and spread it on a wide human scale, which necessarily sprouts under the influence of a different idea based on historical, religious, political, etc. forces that have strong foundations in the daily life of humans.

Here was the idea of Mrs. Pelagia, which can be drawn on all those who shared her struggle, all those who stood with her and supported her, and even those who were influenced by her story and followed in her footsteps. The truth that starts with a stage of doubt soon turns into a decision if the state of enthusiasm in the human mind that tries to activate it in reality agrees.

Perhaps all the risks that Pelagia took were not only for her only son Pavel. The mother's feeling does not lead to general stages of struggle like what Pelagia did, but it was for all her children on this earth. The mother Pelagia has several aspects for the reader, and the aspect of motherhood is not the only one. She has the aspect of the struggle for the original Marxist truth, then the aspect of the true human suffering in Russia, and then the aspect of the mother as the last and surely the most sincere aspect. This is the idea that Max tried to embody in a Marxist framework, and surely he could have embodied it in other ideological frameworks if he had belonged to another current.

The strategic passage:

The matter is not only Russia, but it is more like a situation that can be generalized to the European continent before the First World War. Europe, which was fragmented and bourgeois before the First World War, was almost a similar picture to the Russian picture before the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, and the struggle situations that Max talked about can be generalized to situations that might have occurred in those days in any other European society.

In the novel, there is a high degree of prophecy in Gorky. The novel, which was written in exile before the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, predicts the struggle events in order to reach a socialist revolution in Tsarist Russia - of course, this revolution could have spread to include other countries, but the reality of the war stopped it at the Russian borders. So, all that was in the novel was daily prophecies, which most of the characters in the novel believe in. Everyone talks about the reality of change and the inevitability of its occurrence in the near future, except for the mother who was losing this faith, but only hoping for it. She had begun to lose her faith in many things except for the sincerity of the revolutionary act, which she associated with hope and the fate of Pavel as a secondary level. Freedom and social justice in the eyes of everyone were coming inevitably, but Pelagia was only thinking about them. She did not believe in these things, perhaps because these comrades were lacking the true example that she had and which was represented in Christ. The absence of this example or the spiritual refuge made her doubt the inevitability of the event, and so she was only satisfied with hoping.

Another thing about Max's fate is the secret political manifesto, which was not inflammatory in the first place as much as it was educational and awakening for the factory workers and peasants to the last tired and deceived classes in Russian society. In addition to the educational situation, there was the situation of propaganda for the near future. So, all the worker had to do was to be patient, struggle, and be careful about what he did and continue to struggle against any deviation in the future. Therefore, the strikes were not ordinary things for the workers, but they only struck for a few hours in one day, while the burial of one of the comrades turned into a battle to prove the right to express only. It seems that Max in the novel is hinting at the basics of social change and inciting it, and calling to hold on to it. Issues such as equality, justice, freedom, the right to speak, and socialism are not only socialist principles for him, but pure human principles that are the right of everyone, and it is up to the Marxist ideology to spread them to everyone.

Max points to a core issue in the Christian human. This human cannot completely get rid of the image of Christ because it is in the rule of impossibility. So, Christ is compared to the fate of the worker. The volcano is the factory and the workplace and work in general in the capitalist, bourgeois, and plutocratic society, and the cross carried on the shoulders of Christ is the equivalent of this work. So, Christ is close to the poor and their assemblies, and he is also close to the workers and their assemblies. Although the faith in Christ is only clearly shown in the mother, it is the basic incentive in parallel with Pavel in the necessity of struggle and its continuation.

For me, the general human situation in the novel is the painful situation of the human who finds himself surrounded by thousands of daily obstacles and difficulties to reach his earthly paradise. The socialist does not believe in the sincerity of living in another paradise as long as he does not see it in front of him in exchange for his sweat. So, for him, the poor do not only enter paradise; but they must also live it in this life. The amount of oppression that must end in order to reach the amount of promised satisfaction in the earthly paradise was the third incentive for Pelagia and for Max, which is the general humanity in its Russian form.

I'm not saying that Pelagia didn't become a prophecy. This is what Max wanted in his heart as a mother, an ordinary and simple woman. But what he wanted to die was not the mother Pelagia but the ability to imagine the idea of pain in the human mind, the idea of oppression and confusion in this material world. The screams that died or disappeared at the train station were the ones that lingered for a long time in this universe, and this is what necessitated the life that turned into a secret political manifesto. The life of the struggler becomes more inspiring when dealing with it becomes an ordinary daily event. So, their lives became more exciting because they were never orderly and never boring, but able to create at every moment and every instant. What Pelagia had was the truth in all its manifestations. The truth in its beginnings is confused, then it soon becomes stronger and its voice becomes very high, just like the case of Nilovna at the train station. This woman represents the truth that does not despair of examining who contains it and trying to embrace it and speak the truth about it in this world. This mother is the opposite image of the general idea that is by nature confused at first and then soon becomes doubtful, and even when the right time comes, it becomes stronger and starts trying to convince others by shouting about it, and even sees in the hidden danger in it a proof of its vitality and a strong incentive.

The ability to endure pain and turn it into a means of entertainment is only a characteristic of the truth. Only the truth can do that because it is the only one that believes in itself absolutely. For me, this is how Pelagia Nilovna was, the human face of the truth in its Marxist form, the most radiant and beautiful face because it is the most just face in this world, the face that can live even if it is shot with a pistol because its fate is only life. As for death, it is the fate of the false that decays in this land. The truth that Pelagia believed in had only one language, which is the language of the poor who must end their poverty and exercise their rights because it is the only thing they have without exercising it.

Thank you, Max!

Quotations:

Birth of a human in the world is an extremely difficult thing, and the hardest thing of all is to teach him to be noble.

Fish were created to fall into the net.

The church is up to God.

Sorrow is like our skin and we are inside it, this garment returns us.

The wolves also have the right when they tear their sister Irsa Irsa.

You will not become a saint just by turning into icons.

The less you know, the longer you sleep.

Surely, a good thing will never come out of the slaves.

The people who make more jokes are the ones who suffer more than others.

Set in the backdrop of the pre-Russian Revolution period, "Mother" is a profound and captivating story. It revolves around Pelagueya Nilovna, the mother of a young Socialist leader, Pavel Vlasov.

At the beginning, Pelagueya is the spouse of a wife-beating drunkard factory worker. However, her life takes a significant turn when she notices that her son Pavel is different from the rest of the miserable factory workers. Pavel and his comrades print leaflets about the poor working conditions and distribute them among the workers.

Initially, Pelagueya is scared of the new strangers who are Pavel's friends. But as she spends more time with them, she realizes that they are much warmer and gentler than the people she has known all her life. She slowly warms up to them and even offers to take in Audrey, one of Pavel's comrades, as a house guest.

Pavel's stern intelligence earns him the confidence of the workers, despite their initial curiosity about his strange activities. Mother watches with fascination as workers start approaching Pavel for advice. This inspires her to believe in her son and his ideals.

During a protest, Pavel and his comrades are arrested. Though shattered by this, Pelagueya decides to continue the work her son started. The reasons behind her choice and the consequences that follow make for a very interesting read.

Although the book ends on a melancholic note, Pelagueya becomes a symbol of a mother who supports her children in their fight for rights. Her words, "Our children are treading the path of truth and reason, bringing love to the hearts of men, showing them a new heaven and lighting up the earth with a new fire - the unquenchable fire of the spirit. From its flames a new life is springing, born of our children's love for all mankind. Who can extinguish this love? Who? What force can destroy it? What for can opposite it? The earth has given it birth, and life itself longs for its victory. Life itself!" are truly inspiring.

"Mother" is undoubtedly the best work of Gorky - realistic, idealistic, and thought-provoking. It not only tells the story of a mother's transformation but also reflects the social and political context of the time.

The date is full of the struggles of the youth who have fought until the last breath and with all their beings on the path of their goals and schools. But among them, there are few mothers who have taken steps beyond just worry and prayer for their children. The mother's struggle for her child's school and in a way, being the mother of all the fighters... It is right to have mercy on their complete wounds and embrace them with all their beings. Besides this, one cannot expect anything else from a "mother". And as Andrah said: It is fair, but it is not a source of comfort.......

This situation highlights the often overlooked role of mothers in the midst of these struggles. They bear a silent burden, sacrificing and hoping for the best for their children. Their love and determination are as strong as that of the fighters themselves.

We should not forget the sacrifices made by these mothers and should give them the recognition and support they deserve. They are an integral part of the equation and their contributions are invaluable.

In conclusion, while the focus is often on the youth and their struggles, we must also remember the mothers who stand behind them, providing unwavering support and love.

Our author, whose real name is Aleksey Maksimoviç Peşkov, took the surname Gorki, which means 'bitter' at the age of 19. Those who read his biography will understand how meaningful it is.

His main novel is one of the most important representatives of the socialist realist current. In fact, Gorki wrote the book at Lenin's request.

It is the story of how Pelageya, who is religious and does not speak out against the pressures exerted by both her husband and society, is transformed by her son's thoughts and teachings. It is a window full of hardships but also promising hope. It gives hope that the world can change, that those who defend their rights and those who are united will win. The fact that the characters are based on real events, the cruel gap between the working class and the bourgeoisie, and those who do not accept the situation, read books, continuously learn, and strive to improve society are very well portrayed by Gorki's pen. With the translation of Ergin Altay, it has also become a great translation and a very smooth read for me.

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ayseum

Poverty, hunger, diseases... Work is only giving people these things. Everything is against us, and we are living every day of our lives by working. We are always in the mud, being deceived. Those who exploit our labor are eating, drinking, having fun, keeping us chained like dogs, leaving us ignorant, we have no idea about anything, and we are living in fear. Our life is a night, a pitch-black night.

I often think about to what extent it is to value the classics and evaluate them from the perspective of the stars. The first time I read Gorky, because I especially liked his social realist books, this book also provided a very satisfying experience. Gorky chose to tell the rise of the workers' movement in Russia through Pavel's mother, who led this movement, from her perspective. In fact, we can see the process of the mother's transformation into an activist throughout the book. But I also want to evaluate the book from another perspective, not only from the perspective of the workers' movement but also from the perspective of women and femininity. Here, women appear as a gender oppressed by both the bourgeois/managerial class and all men (of course, we are not surprised). Her husband and son also see the right to oppress women without thinking; Gorky first draws a picture of Pavel imitating his father in the book, and then simply tells us how he moves away from this line as he starts reading. That is, we can also see what can happen when male children are properly educated or read. Unfortunately, today, there are people everywhere who are kept away from reading, taught that ignorance is a good thing, hate educated people, and are also enemies of women (excluding exceptions).

Gorky, who set off with a beautiful dream, we also know how the workers' movement in Russia ended and what happened afterwards; because he himself also cursed his country for a long time and lived abroad.

Throughout the history of "Mother", the struggles of the working class and the lower social strata in early 20th-century Russia are revealed, serving as a prelude to the October Revolution that was to follow.

Certainly, there is a significant dose of propaganda in the story. However, one doesn't have to be a member of the Communist Party of Greece to enjoy this beautifully written and, in my opinion, literarily excellent book.

The narrative provides a vivid portrayal of the hardships and injustices faced by the common people during that era. It shows their determination to fight for a better life and their growing awareness of the need for social change.

"Mother" not only offers a historical perspective but also touches on universal themes such as love, sacrifice, and the power of the human spirit. It is a book that can resonate with readers from different backgrounds and inspire them to reflect on the importance of social justice and equality.

I was only 11 years old back then.

To get the highest marks in school, a dear teacher gave me this book as a gift.

Is it fate or destiny to have this book? I don't know.

But at that time, this book gave me an enormous imagination about the idea of 'Mother'. This term ("MOTHER") may sound silly to most people, but to me, it means a world of abstract forms, insatiable curiosity, love, and beauty.

I lost my mother at birth. The concept of mother is entirely a myth and imagination for me. Since that young age, this book has added many more qualities to my world of imagination and also to my grief. Just because of this reason, this book is invaluable to me. There are many stories, memories, and imaginations associated with this book and will remain so. Moreover, since that young age, the love for reading that developed was partly due to this book.

Gorky has presented an unparalleled description of a mother's love. The life of Nilovna, her love for her children, and her spiritual turmoil - these three combined form an extraordinary life story. A literate, nervous woman in the village who wants to avoid everything, but life pushes her until one day she becomes fearless and irresistible - "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

I love to imagine a blend of my mother and Nilovna. Both are fictional characters, yet they are so alive in my imagination. #My_First_loved_Book #Always_Special

4.5 stars *contains spoilers*

Vladimir Lenin once said, “It is a book of the utmost importance; many workers, who have joined the revolutionary movement impulsively, without properly understanding why, will begin to comprehend after reading Mother.” Maxim Gorky, a socialist novelist and the founder of social realism, used this style to glorify the working class and their struggle for emancipation. His pen name, Gorky, means “bitter” in Russian. The influence of Vladimir Lenin on Gorky's thoughts and beliefs is evident in this novel. Mother, written in 1906, portrays pre-revolution Russia and the lives of working people and peasants. It focuses on the role of women in the struggle, revealing their hardships and brutalization. The story follows Pelagueya Vlasova, a revolutionary heroine and the mother of Pavel Mikhailovich. After years of a miserable life with her abusive husband, Pavel becomes a member of a socialist circle. His devotion to the cause leads to his exile, and Pelagueya is drawn into the revolutionary movement. The realist description in the book is both heartbreaking and touching, taking the reader to a brutal era. The beginning and end are the best parts, showing the character developments, while the middle lags slightly. The most touching part is the end, where Pelagueya is caught distributing her son's speech and utters the powerful words, “Not even an ocean of blood can drown the truth.” Mother is a beautiful, lethal, and eccentric experience that I can read multiple times. It's a moving story of an uneducated woman's love and pride in her son and a humanitarian cause, and Gorky's talent for capturing human suffering is truly remarkable.

... The truth cannot be drowned in blood!...
... Even with the seas of blood, they cannot silence the truth.
... Oh, the mad ones, you will gain nothing but destruction! And this destruction and chaos of the people will drown you!...

The words above seem to convey a powerful message about the indomitability of the truth and the consequences of trying to suppress it through violence and chaos. It implies that no matter how much blood is shed or how much chaos is created, the truth will always prevail. The reference to "the mad ones" suggests that those who engage in such actions are acting irrationally and will ultimately face the consequences of their actions. The mention of "destruction and chaos of the people" emphasizes the negative impact that such behavior can have on society as a whole. Overall, this passage serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the truth and the need to resist those who would try to undermine it.

I realise this was probably written with the average individual in mind, considering the political nature of the novel. After all, Gorky was one of the key figures behind the second Russian Revolution. However, during my reading of this, the simplicity of the prose did, at times, become tiresome for me.

The characters in the novel are rather one-dimensional, lacking in character development. But given the time and place in which it was written, I'm willing to overlook this aspect as well.

Essentially, the novel documents the growing discord and the alignment of the peasants and the working class towards revolution against the bourgeois and the social class under the Czar's ruling.

Personally, I prefer Emile Zola's works that depict workers rebelling against those in power. His works were written around the same time as Gorky's, but in France. Zola's writing style and his ability to bring out the complexity of the characters and the social issues make his works more engaging and thought-provoking for me.

Gorki's Die Mutter is a remarkable work that tells the story of Pelagea Wlassowa. The novel begins with her difficult life, being mistreated by her alcoholic husband until his death. Her son, Pawel, then becomes involved in the revolutionary movement, which gives both of them a new purpose in life. The plot is filled with various events, such as meetings, strikes, and arrests. The characters are well-developed, and the reader can easily empathize with their struggles and hopes.

The form of the novel is quite unique. The language is very concise and simple, which suits the theme well. However, at times, it may seem a bit too austere. The use of English, as the novel was written while Gorki was abroad, also gives it an unusual flavor. The narrative voice is mainly from the perspective of the mother, which is very effective in showing her growth and transformation throughout the story.

The composition of the novel is excellent. The tension builds up gradually as the reader wonders whether Pawel will follow in his father's footsteps or not. The relationship between the mother and son is also explored in-depth, and their mutual influence on each other is clearly shown. The ending is quite powerful, with the mother finally finding her own voice and purpose in life.

Overall, Die Mutter is a must-read for anyone interested in socialist literature or the history of the Russian revolution. It is a moving and inspiring story that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it. The novel has received high ratings in various aspects, such as content, form, narrative voice, composition, and reading experience. It is a masterpiece that deserves to be widely read and studied.