Top 10 Bài văn phân tích truyện ngắn "Những đứa trẻ" của M. Go-rơ-ki hay nhất

Maxim Gorky (1868 – 1936) was a prominent realist writer from late 19th to early 20th century Russia. His real name was Alexei Peshkov, but he was affectionately called Alyosha. He was born in the city of Nizhny Novgorod (later renamed Gorky), into a poor working-class family, with his father working as a carpenter. Alyosha had a harsh childhood, filled with bitterness and humiliation, having to support himself through various jobs from the age of eleven.

The writer produced numerous works, including short stories, novels, and plays. Notable works include the novel The Mother (1906-1907), the autobiographical trilogy Childhood (1913-1914), My Apprenticeship (1915-1916), and My Universities (1923)...

Childhood is the first novel in his autobiographical trilogy. The story is told from the first-person perspective (I). The author recounts his own life. The narrative begins with the death of his father when Alyosha was only three years old. He goes to live with his grandparents as his mother remarries. Alyosha’s early years are filled with hardship, witnessing painful family conflicts. His grandfather, Vasily Kasirin, was strict and cruel, often threatening him and punishing him with a whip. His uncles constantly quarreled over inheritance.

His neighbor, the widowed Colonel Opsyannikov, was arrogant and looked down upon those from lower social classes... Yet, Alyosha also met kind-hearted people. He found love and protection in the arms of his grandmother, Akulina Ivanovna, who often told him fairy tales, nurturing beautiful feelings in his young heart. A blacksmith, Syuganov, once took a beating for Alyosha, leaving his arm bruised. The children of Colonel Opsyannikov, though unfortunate, were very fond of Alyosha... The story ends with the death of Alyosha’s mother when he was just ten years old.

This excerpt comes from chapter IX of the novel Childhood. The author recounts the close friendship that blossomed between Alyosha and the orphaned children next door, who lacked affection, despite the class barriers and societal stratification of that time.

Alyosha's grandparents were neighbors of Colonel Opsyannikov. The two families came from different social backgrounds. One was working-class, and the other was aristocratic. Because of this, the colonel forbade his children from playing with Alyosha. However, after Alyosha saved the colonel's youngest child from falling into a well, the three children grew fond of him and invited him to play in their garden.

Alyosha had lost his father, and his mother remarried. He was often punished by his grandfather. Only his grandmother, a kind-hearted woman, offered him love and protection. Through their conversations, Alyosha discovered that although his new friends were wealthy, they were not without their own troubles. Their mother had died, and they lived with a stepmother, who often mistreated them.

Because of their shared hardships, both children longed for affection, Alyosha quickly befriended them. Their pure friendship left a deep impression on Alyosha, so much so that many years later, as M. Gorky, he still recalled it fondly and emotionally.

Before they became friends, Alyosha would often glance at the neighbors and see three children, all wearing gray shirts and trousers, their faces round with gray eyes, so alike that he could only tell them apart by their size. Despite being forbidden by their social status, they secretly met to talk. All of them were treated harshly and had no childhood joy.

When the children told Alyosha that their mother had passed away and they had to live with a stepmother, they looked downcast. They huddled together, much like chicks in fear, an apt comparison to how these children, overwhelmed by oppression, grouped together in silence.

The children’s mention of their stepmother, whom they referred to as “another mother,” reminded Alyosha of the wicked stepmothers in fairy tales. He could only console them by saying: “Your real mother will come back, and you will see!” The eldest child seemed doubtful: “She’s dead, how can she return?” Alyosha, lost in the world of fairy tales, replied, “Who says it’s impossible? Haven’t many dead people returned to life, even those torn apart, with a little magic water?”

When Colonel Opsyannikov suddenly appeared and sternly questioned his children, “Who invited him over?”, Alyosha saw all three children quietly get out of the car and enter the house. This moment reminded him of obedient geese, an accurate metaphor that mirrored the children’s fearful, submissive behavior as they followed their father without a word. Alyosha empathized with their world of emotional neglect.

Alyosha felt fortunate compared to his friends because he still had a loving grandmother. She often told him fairy tales, which he later retold to his new friends, going back to her for details whenever he forgot something. When the eldest child of the colonel thoughtfully remarked, “Maybe all grandmothers are like that, my grandmother was very kind too,” Alyosha responded sadly, “She’s gone now, before I could understand how wonderful she was.”

Not only their words but also their appearance and the warmth in their eyes left a lasting impression on Alyosha. As a grown-up, the writer recalled: “I still remember his small hands, slender fingers, and fragile, delicate body. His eyes were very bright, yet gentle, like the light of a candle in a church. His siblings were also sweet and lovable. I cherished them all, but I especially adored the eldest...”

Through this passage, we see that Alyosha, though still a child, was compassionate and capable of comforting his friends who shared similar misfortunes. It’s clear that social divisions and wealth disparity couldn’t stop the pure friendship of childhood. This friendship became an invaluable spiritual treasure in their lives.

Maxim Gorky was an outstanding Russian writer, a pioneer of Soviet literature, and one of the great authors of the 20th century. His life was filled with hardships from a young age. One of his famous memoirs is 'My Childhood,' written between 1913 and 1914.

The excerpt 'The Children' from this memoir leaves a profound impression on readers. It recounts real events that occurred when Aleyosha (the author's childhood nickname) was about nine or ten years old. Although written years later, the story evokes deep emotions through its portrayal of innocent children deprived of love, narrated with the sensitivity of Gorky’s heart.

The main characters in the excerpt include Aleyosha, who is orphaned, without a mother, and often beaten by his grandfather; and the three sons of a colonel, who, although wealthy, have lost their mother and live under the stern rule of their father and stepmother. Despite their different social classes, the lack of love in their lives brings them closer, and their friendship blossoms even though it is forbidden by the colonel.

This friendship left a lasting impression on Gorky, and even as an adult, the memories of these children still remained vivid in his mind. People often say that the soul of a child is like a blank page, and life, or rather the actions of adults, will draw on it. A child's development requires not only food and clothing but also the most vital thing—love, something these children lacked in Gorky’s memoir.

To fill this void, the children sought each other out for companionship. They were innocent, pure, and lovable. Their sweetness and innocence, along with their inherent goodness, were evident in their conversations about birds. When they told Aleyosha that their mother had died, and they had to live with their stepmother, Aleyosha noticed how their faces darkened as they spoke... 'They huddled together like chicks.'

This comparison effectively conjures the image of chicks huddling together for safety when they spot a predator. When the children spoke about their stepmother, whom they called the 'other mother,' Aleyosha immediately thought of the cruel stepmothers in fairy tales. He comforted them, saying that their real mother would return. The older child skeptically remarked, 'But she’s dead; how could she come back?' Aleyosha, still lost in the world of fairy tales, reassured them, 'Don’t worry, people who die can come back to life with a bit of magic.'

Despite being often beaten by his grandfather, Aleyosha felt he was luckier than his friends because, unlike them, he had a loving grandmother who told him fairy tales.

It’s heartbreaking that these innocent children were deprived of love and subjected to the harshness of their class differences. When Colonel Opsianikov suddenly appeared and demanded, 'Which one of you called me here?' Aleyosha saw the children silently step out of the car and walk into the house. The scene reminded him of geese obediently following their mother, which not only described their sad appearance but also gave insight into their inner world.

Their father’s oppression and their fear forced them to silently enter the house without saying a word. Aleyosha sympathized with their lack of love, but despite the Colonel's cruelty, the children's friendship remained unchanged, as they continued to meet and share stories. Aleyosha often told them fairy tales his grandmother had shared, and despite having to hide in bushes, their friendship endured, leaving an indelible memory in Gorky’s mind.

Could it be that the pure-hearted affection of these children broke down the cold barriers of social class and defied all prejudices, overcoming any restrictions imposed upon them? 'The Children' is a touching excerpt that speaks of Gorky's pure friendship with the children from his childhood. Their friendship was innocent and free from the complicated thoughts of adults.

The purity and love of these children gave them a portion of true 'happiness,' even though they lived in a less-than-ideal situation. They are the children we will always remember...

Pure friendship or the deep bond between a grandmother and her grandchildren serves as a powerful force, uplifting the souls of childhood. The writer Maxim Gorky also celebrates such beautiful feelings in Chapter IX of 'The Children', excerpted from his novel 'Childhood'.

The beautiful friendship between Alyosha and the three children of Colonel Opixian-nicop is not a mere coincidence, but rather an inevitable occurrence. It stems from Alyosha's kind heart, who, by chance, helped the older children pull up a well rope and saved the little brother who had fallen into the well while playing. Thus, the bond of friendship grew naturally. Over time, this bond grew stronger, and the author recalls it fondly when describing his childhood.

The four children spent time together and witnessed each other's misfortunes. Their young hearts sought comfort and understanding in one another. They stuck together like glue, almost as if they were siblings. When Alyosha didn’t see his friends for a week, he longed for them and eagerly counted the days: 'It’s been a whole week since I saw those three siblings.' The familiar voice of the older brother broke through class barriers, drawing them closer: 'Come play with us!'

Childhood friendship is often expressed simply, as these children confided in each other about their lives. Having lost their mothers and facing the harsh treatment of adults, they relied on one another more. Alyosha sympathized as he saw his friends listen intently to his fairy tale: 'They sat close together, like little chicks.' If Alyosha believed in the magical world of fairy tales where the dead come back to life, the older brother was aware of the harsh reality that such miracles do not happen. 'These are just fairy tales...'. Alyosha probably sensed the sorrow and bitterness that nothing could ease from the absence of his mother.

The silence was heavy: 'The youngest clenched his lips and puffed his cheeks, while the other propped his elbow on his knee... pressing his brother's head down.' The atmosphere remained somber, undisturbed until an old man, the strict Colonel, tested their friendship. The children felt both fear and sadness as they quietly exited the car and entered the house, like 'obedient geese.' The simile poignantly captures the helplessness of children used to being suppressed and punished.

For Alyosha, 'he grabbed my shoulder and pointed his finger at me,' scaring him into near tears. Yet, the power of friendship remained unbroken, even in the face of the Colonel's or the grandfather's beatings. 'I still played with those children and found great joy in it.' They even made a small crescent-shaped hole in the fence, carefully 'keeping watch in case the Colonel might catch us.'

Their conversations continued as usual, and they never spoke about their fathers or stepmothers. A humorous detail appeared when Alyosha recalled his grandmother's stories, 'forgetting a part... rushing home to ask her again.' This bond was innocent and pure.

In addition to the strong friendship, the writer’s childhood was blessed by the loving care of his gentle grandmother. The fairy tales she told nurtured Alyosha's innocent soul, helping him not lose faith in life. He was fortunate compared to his friends, as they did not receive such family protection. The sigh of the older brother, upon hearing Alyosha speak of his grandmother, made one reflect: 'Perhaps all grandmothers are like that; my grandmother was kind, too...' His simple words, ending with an ellipsis, hinted at the deep sadness in his eyes.

Through the excerpt from 'The Children', the Russian author shows us the beauty of childhood friendships and the deep affection between grandchildren and their grandmother. These bonds serve as a source of warmth, comforting the hearts and souls of children experiencing misfortune.

The excerpt "The Children" from the work "Childhood" was written by Maxim Gorky in the years 1913-1914, during a period when social class distinctions between the rich and the poor in Russian society became sharply pronounced. The piece is autobiographical, reflecting the author’s own life and the lives of his neighbors and family members.

This excerpt paints a vivid picture of the lives and fates of the children and their innocent friendship. The characters are not named, which adds a more generalized tone to the narrative and infuses it with a fairy-tale quality. The fate of the children evokes sympathy in readers, highlighting their difficult circumstances.

Living in a society where class distinctions are stark, the narrator and the three children from the colonel’s family are unable to form a friendship. Both the narrator and the three children share a common plight—being deprived of parental love. Unlike typical children, the narrator must live with his grandparents after his father died early, and his mother remarried.

To make matters worse, his grandfather is strict, subjecting the narrator to unjust punishment and harsh treatment. The three children of the colonel, orphaned from an early age, live with their father and stepmother, who are characters the narrator never hears about. All the narrator knows is that their father is a stern, authoritarian figure who forbids them from interacting with the narrator and frequently punishes them.

These children are pitiable, deprived of affection from their parents and care from others. They share a common sorrow of being forbidden and punished. In such circumstances, they long for a mother—a mother who would care for them and shower them with love. And friendship, in turn, becomes a substitute for maternal love, filling the void left by their misfortunes.

Despite living in such a harsh society and family conditions, the children remain obedient, innocent, and kind-hearted. They share similar interests, such as enjoying fairy tales. Even though they know the stories are not real, they listen intently. They often exchange stories through a narrow gap between the narrator's wall and the fence of the Op-sian-nikov house.

They also love birds, and they enjoy hearing their songs, but are too afraid to catch them, knowing they are not allowed to. In a society sharply divided by social classes, despite being neighbors, the narrator’s family and the colonel’s family are not friendly. The adults forbid the children from talking and playing with each other. But, despite these social barriers, a deep friendship blossoms among the children, who share the same plight.

Friendship gives them courage and a noble spirit. The narrator feels deep sympathy for the three children’s life of deprivation and misfortune. The children, in return, offer the narrator warmth and a friendship that fulfills shared interests—things the narrator never had before. Their bond is not based on material things but on pure, sincere affection. Despite being scolded, punished, and forbidden, they remain friends. To them, friendship means everything, and no social barrier can prevent their bond from flourishing.

In a gentle and engaging narrative, Russian writer Maxim Gorky leaves a lasting impression and evokes strong emotions in readers. He skillfully combines various forms of expression, such as narration and description. By blending the present with elements of fairy tales, ordinary life is woven into the fairy-tale world, making the excerpt more evocative and appealing, while also reflecting the dreams of these unfortunate children.

Moreover, Gorky’s use of storytelling and insight into the characters’ inner thoughts brings them to life with distinct personalities. It reveals their inner worlds, allowing readers to understand the misfortune and longing for love these children experience. "The Children" not only evokes sympathy for the sad fate of childhood but also imparts a profound lesson about pure and noble friendship.

At the same time, it serves as a message to adults: ‘Children yearn for and await the affection and love of adults.’ Through "The Children," the fairy-tale world appears, representing the children's dream: the desire for a kind mother and to live in a world free of sadness, a society where love for children is abundant.

With his masterful storytelling, Maxim Gorky vividly recounts the close friendship he had as a child with the neighbor children, despite the social barriers of the time. It was a pure, warm, innocent childhood friendship that is truly worth cherishing.

Đề tài về trẻ thơ luôn luôn có sức hấp dẫn đối với bạn đọc ở mọi lứa tuổi. Người lớn thì muốn đọc để được sống lại giây phút tuổi thơ của mình. Trẻ thơ thì muốn đọc để xem người ta nói gì về thế hệ của mình, để biết những bạn nhỏ khác sống như thế nào, có giống mình hay không,… Mác-xim Go-rơ-ki, một nhà văn đại tài đã viết một tác phẩm kinh điển mang tên Thời thơ ấu. Đoạn trích Những đứa trẻ chính là trích ra từ tác phẩm này. Nội dung của nó mang đầy chất thơ và thể hiện được tài năng của người kể chuyện.

Muốn trưởng thành, ai cũng phải trải qua một thời thơ dại với những bước đi chập chững. Tuổi thơ ấy dù có xảy ra như thế nào đi chăng nữa thì đến khi trưởng thành chúng ta cũng vẫn sẽ nhớ về nó. Tất nhiên không phải tất cả kỉ niệm ta đều có thể nhớ nhưng những kỉ niệm cay đắng, ngọt bùi, những kỉ niệm như cứa vào tim gan sẽ là những kỉ niệm không thể nào quên. Chúng trở thành một hành trang theo con người trong suốt những chặng đường còn lại của cuộc sống.

Nếu xét về hoàn cảnh sống và thành phần xã hội thì A-li-ô-sa và mấy đứa con nhà ông đại tá Ốp-xi-an-ni-cốp rất khác nhau. Người lớn có thể nhận thấy rõ điều đó nhưng với trẻ thơ thì lại khác. Sự phân cách xã hội ấy chưa đủ lớn để tạo thành một bức tường ngăn cách chúng. Nhất là khi chúng có một điểm chung, đủ để chúng xích lại gần nhau đó chính là mất mẹ. Mất mẹ giống như mất đi một nguồn sữa tình người lớn nhất trên thế giới.

Những đứa trẻ mất mẹ bao giờ cũng cảm thấy thiếu thốn tình cảm và vì vậy chúng luôn thèm khát được yêu thương. Thế giới chung của chúng chính là vầng sáng tuổi thơ. Chúng đến với nhau nhưng không đi bằng cổng chính. Đó cũng là cái kiểu riêng của trẻ thơ. Mỗi lần bọn trẻ nhà Ốp-xi-an-ni-cốp thấy A-li-ô-sa là mỗi lần thằng bé ở trong một tư thế khác nhau, khi qua cái lỗ, cái ngách hẹp của hàng rào, khi lại vắt vẻo trên cây.

Tư thế mà chúng nói chuyện với nhau cũng không được đường hoàng cho lắm. Khi thì ngồi xổm, khi thì quỳ xuống và cũng chỉ dám nói chuyện khe khẽ bởi vì sợ ông đại tá bắt gặp. Địa điểm để cho chúng trò chuyện không phải là phòng khách giống như người lớn mà là những nơi chẳng ai nghĩ đến. Có khi chỉ là trên cái xe trượt tuyết đã hỏng để ở dưới nhà kho. Tuy nhiên, những cuộc gặp gỡ vụng trộm ấy khiến chúng cảm thấy vui sướng, cảm động.

Chúng ngắm nhìn nhau và trò chuyện với nhau rất lâu. Nội dung của những câu chuyện mà chúng nói thì chẳng có gì quan trọng. Khi là về những con chim tôi bẫy được đang sống ra sao, khi thì nói về phép phù thủy làm cho người chết sống lại y như thật. Những câu chuyện mà chúng kể đều lấy từ kho cổ tích của bà ngoại nên nếu như có chỗ nào quên thì A-li-ô-sa sẽ dặn chúng đợi để chạy về nhà hỏi lại bà.

Trẻ nhỏ thì bao giờ cũng mê nghe những câu chuyện cổ tích. Chính vì vậy mà những câu chuyện chúng kể cho nhau nghe hấp dẫn cả người kể lẫn người nghe. Người kể cứ say sưa kể, người nghe cứ dỏng tai mà nghe. Dù có muốn không tin thì người kể cũng sẽ giải thích và nhấn mạnh để cho nhất định phải tin. Chính vì thế nên những đứa trẻ nhà Ốp-xi-an-ni-cốp lúc nào cũng im lặng lắng nghe.

Thằng anh lớn nhất, khôn nhất thì đã biết mỉm cười khi được nghe kể chuyện còn thằng em bé nhất thì cứ mím chặt môi và phồng má lên vì bị căng thẳng. Vậy là thế giới tuổi thơ của chúng đã được chắp cánh bay bổng vào không gian, thời gian của cái ngày trước, trước kia, đã có thời,… Dường như thằng lớn nhà Ốp-xi-an-ni-cốp đã sống trên trái đất này cả trăm năm chứ không phải chỉ mới 11 năm giống như tuổi cha sinh mẹ đẻ của nó.

Không chỉ giống nhau ở chỗ chúng là những trái tim mơ mộng, chúng còn giống nhau ở chỗ có một tuổi thơ thiếu tình thương. Đó là lí do mà chúng gắn bó và thân thiết với nhau. Ban đầu A-li-ô-sa không tin mấy đứa trẻ nhà ông đại tá bị đánh đòn. Trong suy nghĩ của A-li-ô-sa thì chỉ có nó, người không còn ai che chở mới bị đánh đòn. Còn những đứa trẻ kia sinh ra đã được sống trong nhung lụa thì cớ gì chúng lại phải chịu đòn. Nhất là khi nguyên nhân mà chúng bị đánh lại là chơi với con nhà thường dân, quả thực là nguyên nhân vô cớ.

Nó khiến cho A-li-ô-sa cảm thấy giận dù chẳng phải là chuyện của mình. Cho tới khi gần gũi và thân thiết với nhau, A-li-ô-sa mới thấu hiểu được nỗi đau của những người bạn cũng như nỗi đau của chính mình. A-li-ô-sa đã hỏi những người bạn của mình rằng “Thế các cậu có mẹ không?”. Câu hỏi như chạm sâu vào nỗi đau của những đứa trẻ. Đứa thì nói là không, đứa lại bảo là có mẹ khác.

Mẹ khác tức là dì ghẻ, là người không sinh ra chúng. Vậy là A-li-ô-sa đã tìm ra được câu trả lời. Với những đứa con của ông đại tá thì câu nói của A-li-ô-sa “Mẹ khác thì gọi là dì ghẻ” như một tiếng sét bên tai. Một nỗi sợ mơ hồ khiến những đứa trẻ ngồi sát vào với nhau. Chúng như những chú gà con bơ vơ, lạc mẹ ngơ ngác và thật tội nghiệp làm sao. A-li-ô-sa thì đã quá quen với những bà dì ghẻ trong các câu chuyện cổ tích mà bà ngoại vẫn thường hay kể.

Giờ thì A-li-ô-sa đã hiểu được nỗi bất hạnh của những đứa trẻ thơ mất mẹ kia. Chúng chưa bao giờ kể về bố và về dì ghẻ. Mặc dù hai tiếng dì ghẻ chỉ được nhắc tới thoáng qua trong câu chuyện của những đứa trẻ nhưng nó tạo nên một bóng tối bao trùm lên không khí. Thông qua những câu chuyện mà bà đã kể rồi thông qua thái độ và hành động độc đoán, gia trưởng của ngài đại tá và sự bất lực của những đứa trẻ, A-li-ô-sa hiểu được vì sao lại có bầu không khí nặng nề nay.

Một khi ông đại tá đã đưa ra quyết định thì không ai có thể thay đổi được, kể cả những đứa con ruột thịt mang dòng máu của ông. A-li-ô-sa khi bị ông ta tóm cổ đuổi ra khỏi nhà cũng đã sợ đến phát khóc. Ngược lại với cha của mình, những đứa con của ông đại tá có một vẻ đẹp dịu dàng, thơ ngây và cam chịu.

Nhìn vào cặp mắt của thằng anh, A-li-ô-sa nghĩ đến những ngọn đèn trong nhà thờ như một thứ ánh sáng hắt hiu bị cái tăm tối mênh mông bủa vây. Ông đại tá với bộ ria trắng, trên người mặc một chiếc áo dài lùng thùng màu nâu nhạt như của thầy tu chính là hiện thân của kẻ ác, của một con quỷ xa tăng chính hiệu.

Qua đoạn trích này, Mác-xim Go-rơ-ki đã cho thấy tài năng kể chuyện của mình. Mặc dù không mấy dụng công và cũng không dựng chuyện li kì nhưng tác phẩm vẫn đậm đà, hấp dẫn. Trong câu chuyện ấy, nhà văn đã đưa vào một không khí trẻ thơ vô cùng hấp dẫn. Nó làm kích thích sự tò mò và trí tưởng tượng của người đọc. Ví dụ như chuyện người chết có thể sống lại không. Đám trẻ nhà ông đại tá thì bán tín bán nghi còn A-li-ô-sa thì thề sống thề chết như mình đã trải qua. Nó khiến người đọc cũng phải nghi ngờ rằng phải chăng điều đó là sự thật.

Trước một giọng kể chắc như đinh đóng cột của A-li-ô-sa thật khó mà có thể không tin được. Nhưng trên hết những đứa trẻ muốn tin bởi vì chúng lúc nào cũng khao khát mẹ của mình có thể sống lại. Trong câu chuyện nửa hư, nửa thực, trí tưởng tượng của con người được dịp bay xa. Trong những câu chuyện thần tiên có thấp thoáng bóng hình của những ông bụt, bà tiên hiền lành, phúc hậu.

Họ xuất hiện giống như mong ước được che chở của những đứa trẻ tội nghiệp. Hình ảnh người bà xuất hiện cũng như một bà tiên giúp những đứa trẻ thêm yên lòng. Với A-li-ô-sa cậu bé có thể chạy đi chạy lại để gặp bà. Có thể được nghe bà kể chuyện mỗi ngày. Nhưng với những đứa trẻ nhà đại tá thì những câu chuyện về bà của chúng chỉ là chuyện trước kia. Cũng giống như mẹ, bà của chúng không còn nữa.

Mác-xim Go-rơ-ki còn thể hiện tài năng kể chuyện của mình ở sự dẫn dắt, từ chuyện nuôi chim đến chuyện dì ghẻ của ông đại tá. Trẻ con hầu như đứa nào cũng ham nuối chim. Một cái việc tưởng chừng như đơn giản ấy nhưng những đứa trẻ phải chờ đợi sự cho phép của cha mới dám thực hiện và dĩ nhiên cha của chúng thì chẳng bao giờ đồng ý với chuyện này. Người duy nhất có thể hiểu chúng là mẹ thì qua đã đời từ lâu. Chúng có mẹ khác và đó là dì ghẻ.

Cuộc đối thoại giữa những đứa trẻ cứ thế diễn ra một cách tự nhiên giúp chúng hiểu nhau hơn và cũng giúp người đọc hiểu hơn về thế giới nội tâm của những đứa trẻ thơ. A-li-ô-sa vào sân nhà ông đại tá theo một cái lối khác lạ là nhảy dù từ trên cây xuống nhưng em lại ra rất đàng hoàng bằng cổng chính do ông đại tá nắm cổ áo lôi ra. Sự hăm dọa của ông đại tá khiến người đọc nhận thấy được tính cách của ông.

Với sự dẫn dắt câu chuyện như vậy, Mác-xim Go-rơ-ki đã cho người đọc thấy được chân dung của từng nhân vật. Mặc dù nhìn tổng thể nội dung của đoạn trích khá bình dị nhưng chính sự bình dị đã làm nên một tác phẩm tuyệt vời.

Maxim Gorky was a famous Russian writer, known for his many unique works that captivated generations of readers, not only in Russia but around the world. Gorky deeply and comprehensively reflected reality through his literary works, earning him a reputation as one of Russia's finest realist writers.

One of his works widely recognized by Vietnamese readers is "Childhood", which includes the excerpt "The Children" that is part of the Grade 9 Literature curriculum.

In Vietnamese literature, there is a memoir by the writer Nguyen Hong, "The Days of Childhood", which recounts the bitter and humiliating days of the poet's childhood. Similarly, in Russian literature, there is Gorky's famous work "Childhood". Like Nguyen Hong's "The Days of Childhood", Gorky's "Childhood" is an autobiographical account of the author's early years.

The excerpt "The Children" touches readers deeply with its portrayal of the close friendship and the love that the boy Alyosha feels for his grandmother. Through this passage, readers can gain some insight into Gorky's childhood memories.

Maxim Gorky had a bitter and painful childhood, having lost both of his parents at a very young age. While other children were fortunate to grow up in the care and love of their parents, young Gorky was not so lucky. After losing his parents, he was raised by his grandparents, but his grandfather was harsh and punished him severely.

Gorky's uncles were indifferent and preoccupied with fighting each other for their inheritance. Not only was Gorky neglected by his family, but even the neighbors were a diverse group of people, including a colonel who relied on his authority to be arrogant and condescending toward those beneath him.

For a child like Gorky, life was incredibly harsh, living in a family where people were indifferent to each other, and the care he received was not driven by love but rather by a sense of duty.

In such an environment, Gorky’s once happy and innocent childhood was overshadowed by suffering and neglect. However, he was fortunate to have one person who truly cared for him—his grandmother, who took on the role of a mother and raised him with love.

Additionally, there was the friendly neighbor, a craftsman, who, despite not being wealthy, showed love and concern for those around him, and the children of the colonel, who were kind and not as arrogant as their father. These people brought warmth and joy into Gorky's life, giving him beautiful memories amid the pain.

Through Gorky's childhood story, we see a boy who was innocent, friendly, and always eager to make friends. Perhaps because his life had been so dull and uneventful, he yearned for love and the companionship of friends.

One day, while sitting on a high tree branch, Gorky watched the colonel's children playing joyfully, and he longed to join them. His innocent and carefree nature led him to whistle and shout to catch their attention, but they merely glanced at him before whispering to each other, leaving Gorky embarrassed and climbing down.

It wasn’t until Gorky, along with the colonel's children, saved their little sibling who had fallen into a well that their friendship truly began. The first words the children said to Gorky, "Come down and play with us", were an invitation of friendship, signaling their acceptance of him in their games.

However, their innocent and pure friendship was soon met with opposition from Gorky's cruel grandfather, who punished him for disobeying his orders to stop playing with the children. But despite the harsh treatment, the friendship between the four children overcame all social barriers and the unreasonable restrictions of the adults. Their friendship was pure and remains a beautiful memory in Gorky’s childhood.

"The Children" is a touching passage about the warm friendship the poet shared with his childhood friends. It is a friendship free of selfishness, sincere, and playful—untouched by the complex thoughts and judgments of adults. Thanks to the love of his grandmother and his dear friends, Gorky’s memories were filled with light, preventing the darkness of his circumstances from overshadowing his life.

Reading about the children we recognize in the story evokes a passage filled with poetic essence, the poetry of childhood, love, and the storytelling craft.

Everyone has a time of childhood, their first steps into life. Yet, as we grow, not all memories are retained. Only the ones marked by bitter or sweet experiences that pierce the heart or elevate the soul, the memories that don’t fade and become companions for the journey ahead. Alyosha and the children of Colonel Opsyannikov, though living in different circumstances and social classes, share a common world of childhood where separation is not enough to create barriers.

Furthermore, they share a profound misfortune: the loss of their mother, the greatest source of affection. The light of childhood is their shared universe. They meet in ways only children do: not by the front gate. Sometimes, Opsyannikov’s children see the boy perched in a tree, or through a narrow gap in the fence, talking to each other in postures that aren’t proper: sitting cross-legged or crouching down, whispering softly in fear of being caught by the Colonel.

They meet in places that are not living rooms, sometimes on a broken sleigh parked under the shed roof. Yet, these secret meetings are a magical world for them, filled with joy and emotion as they spend hours in each other’s company.

Their conversations were never about anything important—about “the birds I caught and how they’re doing” and other childhood tales, about a magic spell that brings the dead back to life as if it were real, no fiction involved. Most stories came from their grandmother’s treasure of fairy tales, and if anything was forgotten, Alyosha would simply “ask grandmother” when he returned home. The stories were so captivating that both the storyteller and the listener were spellbound, with the narrator eager, and the listener, even if skeptical, would be swiftly convinced by Alyosha’s passionate explanations.

The three children of Colonel Opsyannikov, especially the two younger ones, were silent listeners. The eldest, wise beyond his years, would “smile,” while the youngest, tense and anxious, would “pucker his lips and puff his cheeks” from stress. Childhood was their flight of imagination, soaring through time as if the eldest had “lived for a hundred years,” not just eleven, as his actual age.

The deep bond between these children stemmed from a shared, dreamy childhood, and also from the lack of affection in their lives. Initially, Alyosha was shocked to learn that the Colonel’s children were beaten. He had always thought that only he suffered such punishment, as his mother had left, but the children of the wealthy Colonel should never have to endure such things. The reason for their punishment? Simply for associating with children from lower social classes—a senseless reason, but one that ignited a surge of anger in Alyosha for them.

It was only later that Alyosha would truly understand their pain, a pain so subtle that they hadn’t even acknowledged it yet, nor could they give it a name. “Do you have mothers?”—this question, born of despair, prompted the children’s vague answers, some saying “no,” others stating “another mother.” Alyosha immediately responded, “Another mother means a stepmother,” and he understood. Those two chilling words were enough to strike fear in the Colonel’s children, who huddled together like frightened chicks.

Alyosha understood the concept of a stepmother from his grandmother’s fairy tales. The sadness of children who had lost their mother and now lived with a “false mother” was something Alyosha grasped well, as it was a secret the children had kept. They never spoke of their father or stepmother. Even though this fleeting thought of the stepmother overshadowed the children’s innocence, it weighed heavily on their carefree world.

For Alyosha, the tyranny of the Colonel and his cold indifference towards the children made him fear the Colonel. Alyosha, a stranger to the Colonel, was even thrown out of the house in a fit of rage, a terrifying experience that left him “on the verge of tears.”

The Colonel’s children, in contrast, were sweet and gentle, their angelic and resigned beauty shining through. The eyes of the eldest reminded Alyosha of “the lights in a church” — faint and overshadowed by the darkness of the building. In the thick darkness, it was not a priest, but the Colonel himself, “with his white mustache and wearing a long, loose brown robe, like a priest,” who embodied evil, a true Satanic figure.

Gorky’s storytelling doesn’t rely on intricate plot twists. Even without much effort, the tale remains rich and captivating. The author immerses us in a world of childhood innocence. It piques curiosity and stimulates the imagination. For example, the notion that the dead could come back to life—while the Colonel’s children were skeptical, Alyosha believed it wholeheartedly as if he had witnessed it firsthand. “Oh my, there were times when the dead, even cut into pieces, could come back to life with just a little magic water,” Alyosha would declare with such conviction that none could doubt it. Moreover, it resonated with a longing, as the children yearned for their deceased mother to return. The story is both real and fantastical, blending imagination and reality with no clear boundaries.

In this strange world, images of fairies and spirits appear, benevolent and kind. These figures stand in stark contrast to the evil and cruelty of the world, offering protection and compassion, especially for the unfortunate children of the world. The image of each child’s grandmother lingers above them, with Alyosha’s grandmother being especially close, always available to tell her stories, “Grandmother was always happy when Alyosha needed a fairy tale.”

The Colonel’s children also speak fondly of “our grandmother from the past,” much like Alyosha’s grandmother, except theirs had passed away, belonging now to a past era, a time “long ago,” “before,” as something that slipped away like a fleeting lightning bolt they could only mourn.

Gorky’s storytelling is also remarkable in its progression, from the bird-keeping tale to the story of the Colonel’s stepmother. Every child loves to keep birds, “Birds that sing joyfully, to be kept in a cage.” Yet, even this seemingly trivial act requires the father’s approval, and he adamantly refuses to let them keep birds. The mother might have permitted them, but theirs was not a real mother. They had a “stepmother.” The dialogue flows naturally, like the events themselves. The entrance to the Colonel’s house for Alyosha was through the tree, and he “parachuted” down by invitation of the Colonel’s children. However, his exit was far more “proper,” as the Colonel grabbed him by the collar and threw him out through the main gate, threatening, “You are forbidden to come to my house.” These unexpected details, when considered within the text’s framework, carry profound meaning, emerging from the story’s hidden current.

The characters, especially the Colonel’s children, are portrayed vividly—while they share the purity and innocence of childhood, their instincts to protect one another are clear in their actions. The eldest smiles while listening to fairy tales, while the younger one embraces his sibling and makes him “bow down” when listening to the fantastical stories. Such artistry, combined with the content, creates exceptional writing. It’s simple, yet full of a rare talent.

Each of us surely holds memories of our childhood. Some may be filled with joy and laughter, while others might be marked by tears. Regardless of whether the memories are happy or sad, reflecting on them always evokes strong emotions. Maxim Gorky, the renowned writer, portrayed his own childhood in the excerpt "The Children".

Maxim Gorky (1868 - 1936), whose real name was Alexei Peskov, chose a pen name that means "bitter" in Russian, symbolizing the hardships and suffering he endured throughout his life. The excerpt "The Children" comes from Chapter IX of his autobiographical novel "Childhood", written between 1913 and 1914.

This passage tells the story of Alyosha, who notices that the three children of Colonel Opsianinikov have stopped playing after the incident where the youngest boy fell into a well. Though forbidden to play with Alyosha, they eventually appear again, louder than before. Despite the prohibition, the children continue their friendship, meeting secretly and sharing tales of fairy tales and birds.

The children in the story all grew up in environments lacking the affection of their parents. Alyosha lives with his grandparents after losing his father, and his mother remarried. His grandmother deeply loves and cares for him, but his grandfather is a strict and harsh man. Alyosha receives no affection from his parents or even from his grandfather. The children of Colonel Opsianinikov, on the other hand, live with their new mother, as their biological mother passed away and their father remarried.

The Colonel is harsh, even punishing the children for playing with Alyosha. This prohibition likely stems from the stark contrast between their circumstances: the Colonel's children live in a well-off family, while Alyosha comes from a modest, struggling background.

Despite the social gap, the children share a common experience—growing up without parental love. This lack of affection unites them, and they bond through the innocence and carefree nature of their childhood. Their pure friendship is rooted in the absence of emotional connection from their parents.

True friendship cannot be broken by anything. Even though they are forbidden, the children find ways to maintain their bond. Their deep connection allows them to overcome obstacles, continuing their friendship despite the barriers imposed by their parents. They climb onto an old sleigh under the eaves of a shed to talk and share stories. This is also where the Colonel's children confide about their lost mother and the new mother they now have, often called the "evil stepmother" in fairy tales.

With the mindset of a young boy, Alyosha believes that the children's mother will return, brought back to life by magic. He tells them stories of his grandmother, who listens attentively. Suddenly, an old man with a white mustache, wearing a long brown robe and a hat, comes up and warns Alyosha, "Don't come near my house." This man is Colonel Opsianinikov. He grips Alyosha by the shoulder, frightening him so much that he almost cries, but before he can do so, he finds himself outside on the street.

Despite the threat, the children continue to play together, finding joy in each other's company. Alyosha creates a small hole in the fence to speak with the others, and they sit together, speaking quietly. One of the children stands guard to keep watch for the father. The children's conversations revolve around their mundane lives, the birds, and other innocent topics.

Alyosha tells them more of his grandmother's fairy tales. Whenever he forgets parts of them, he runs back to ask her, much to the children's delight. They sit close to each other, like little chicks. The eldest smiles, the youngest pouts, and the middle child leans on his sibling, protecting him from their father's gaze. The disparity between rich and poor doesn't affect their deep, meaningful friendship. They remain united by the purity of their hearts and their unwavering connection.

The excerpt not only highlights the bond between these children but also portrays Alyosha's kind grandmother. Though the author doesn't describe her in detail, we can feel her loving nature. The eldest child of Colonel Opsianinikov's family affirms, "Perhaps all grandmothers are very kind." Grandmothers are the ones who offer love and care, bringing children into the world of fairy tales, filled with humanistic values and compassion. Alyosha, hearing this, feels as though he's lived for a hundred years, rather than just eleven.

This passage is part of an autobiographical novel narrated in the first person, which makes the story feel authentic and captivating. The events in the book reflect Gorky's own life, as this genre allows the author to recount his personal experiences.

"The Children" blends elements of narration, description, emotion, and reflection, with thrilling moments that captivate the reader. The intertwining of everyday life with fairy tales about mothers and grandmothers creates a poetic, humanistic atmosphere. Through rich storytelling, the author vividly reimagines the close childhood friendship he shared with the neighborhood children, overcoming social barriers and family restrictions. Maxim Gorky has provided readers with an exceptional literary work, helping us understand more about the author's life and humanity.

Maxim Gorky is a renowned writer from the Socialist Realist movement in Russian literature. The excerpt "The Children" comes from his novel "Childhood," and it is a deeply moving passage that reflects the love of a grandmother for her grandson, Alyosha, and offers readers a glimpse into the author's own childhood.

The author had a childhood filled with sorrow and hardship, losing both his parents at a young age and left alone to face the world. He lived with his grandparents, though his grandfather was harsh, often using a whip, and there was constant conflict over inheritance. The neighboring colonel was arrogant and despised those of lower social class. Fortunately, Alyosha had the love of his grandmother and the kindness of the carpenter and the children from the colonel's family. Thanks to these relationships, Alyosha's childhood was filled with pure and heartfelt emotions.

The first time the children met was when Alyosha saw the colonel's children hanging from a tree branch. He eagerly yearned for friendship, trying to draw their attention, but they whispered among themselves, causing him to feel too embarrassed to stay. This was the beginning of Alyosha's bittersweet experience of friendship. Later, when he and two of the colonel's sons saved the youngest from falling into a well, it was a moment of triumph and the beginning of a friendship that overcame all barriers. The call to "Come play with us" was their first invitation to friendship, filled with affection and trust, marking a joyful moment in their lives.

From then on, the four children played together happily, sitting close like little chicks. They shared magical moments until the colonel appeared and chased Alyosha away, forbidding him to play with his children. Yet, nothing could break their bond. They continued to play together, growing closer. They took turns listening to Alyosha tell stories about sorrowful lives and birds. This innocent, pure, and beautiful friendship left an indelible mark on the author's life, even though over 40 years had passed, he still vividly recalled those emotions.

In the friendship and childhood of these children, the presence of Alyosha's grandmother stands out. She was a source of happiness and nourishment for their souls. She provided emotional support and protection for Alyosha from harm. Every time he forgot a part of a fairy tale, he would run to her for help, something the colonel's children longed for and dreamed of. Alyosha was always proud to share the wonderful things about his grandmother.

It can be said that it was the love of friendship and the nurturing affection of his grandmother that helped Alyosha rise above the hardships of his life. From this, we grasp the true meaning and value of a beautiful friendship—one that lights up hope and brings happiness to childhood. This is the humanistic message of the novel and the excerpt itself.

The three autobiographical works of Gorky (Childhood, My Apprenticeship, My Universities) are pages filled with tears, sighs, as well as laughter and songs, capturing the challenging journey of a young boy, a young man with a heart full of boundless kindness.

Reading Chapter 9 of "Childhood", following the journey of the boy Peskov, our hearts are stirred by the beauty of a child's soul. The friendship and love between the boy Aliosa Peskov and his grandmother are deeply moving and full of affection.

Peskov had already experienced many hardships and misfortunes. By the age of ten, both his parents had passed away. His strict grandfather was harsh, but his gentle and loving grandmother gave him unconditional love. The fairy tales she told and the hymns she sang filled his childhood soul with fragrant memories. The only solace Aliosa could find was in the world of birds—he would trap and keep birds to hear them sing, longing for love and friendship.

Being poor and seldom able to attend school, Aliosa often sat perched on a tree branch, gazing at a wide yard, sometimes peeking through a gap in the fence to watch the three brothers from the neighboring house play. Their round faces, gray eyes, and green clothes, along with their unique games, fascinated him. They played joyfully and never argued. Aliosa liked their clothes and the care they showed one another...

Every time the younger brother, a "cute and clever" little boy, fell, the two older brothers would laugh joyfully, rush to help him up, or use a handkerchief or burdock leaves to wipe his hands and pants. The second older brother's gentle voice saying, "You're so clumsy" caught Aliosa's attention. All three brothers were healthy, quick, loving, and never argued or cheated! Aliosa watched them, imagining that he was playing along with them.

He had to climb up the tree, sometimes "whistling to call them," other times "shouting or laughing loudly so they could see him..." They would whisper to each other, making Aliosa feel embarrassed, and he would "climb down the tree". There was something separating the two worlds of childhood—a fence, perhaps, but whatever it was made Aliosa feel lonely and "isolated".

Gorky recounts this distant memory in great detail, evoking emotions in us as we remember our own joyful and sorrowful childhood experiences, recalling the warm memories of friendships under the roof of elementary school... One opportunity arose for the three brothers to invite Aliosa to play. They played a game of hide and seek, and the youngest, naive and innocent, climbed into a bucket and fell into the well.

Aliosa saw this, jumped down into the yard, and shouted, "He fell into the well!". He reached in time to help the two older brothers pull the younger one up, saving him. The boy was soaked, his hands were bleeding, but "his face was pale yet he still smiled". They all discussed the lie, "he fell into a puddle of water".

Before taking the boy inside, the older brother "nodded" and "reached out" to Aliosa, saying: "You ran so fast!". The incident happened so quickly that when Aliosa looked back at the tree from which he had jumped to save his friend, "it was still shaking, and a yellow leaf fell". It could be said that Aliosa's quick actions and heart in rescuing the little boy were a "victory" and a test of his friendship with the brothers for the week that followed.

The invisible fence separating them had been broken. Just days later, the three brothers came out to play, and when the oldest saw Aliosa in the tree, he called out warmly: "Come down and play with us!". That was the call of friendship. A call of love and trust. It was the reward, the happiest moment Aliosa had been longing for.

With their pure and sensitive hearts, the four children were like birds chirping joyfully together. Aliosa asked them if they had been scolded. They talked about catching birds, about white swallows... They spoke of their mothers and aunts. All four children shared the experience of being "motherless", and their empathy for one another bonded their childhood spirits.

Aliosa told them the story of "The Wicked Stepmother"... The four children sat closely together like little chicks. These were their magical moments. The youngest puckered his lips and puffed up his cheeks. One leaned on his elbows and draped his arm around his younger sibling. They listened silently to the fairy tale.

In life, both now and in the past, friendship is always tested through wealth, status, achievements, etc... Among both adults and children, there is enduring friendship, a type of friendship that can endure the "early morning sun and evening rain"... These four children, playing together, were suddenly interrupted by an adult. The old colonel appeared with a white mustache and a rough hat and harshly "grabbed" Aliosa by the shoulder, threatening: "You're not allowed to come near me!".

Then came the punishment from his grandfather. The gossip, the "surveillance" from Uncle Piot. His grandfather forbade Aliosa from playing with the colonel's children, etc... But can childhood and innocent friendship be prevented or divided? Aliosa continued playing with the three children, and their relationship "grew more and more delightful". No "official" or "wall" could separate the four children!

All class prejudices, all prohibitions and punishments had no meaning. Between the colonel's wall and fence, there was a linden tree, a bodhi tree, and a thick patch of aromatic herbs, where a "half-moon hole" had been secretly carved. Here, the three colonel's sons stood watch, and two of them "squatted or knelt, speaking softly to each other".

They talked about life, birds, and many other children's topics... They listened as Aliosa told fairy tales. A very interesting detail: whenever he forgot a part of the story, Aliosa would run back to ask his grandmother... They continued to play, chat, and enjoy the warmth of childhood. A pure, innocent friendship.

The three colonel's children, motherless and suffering under a wicked stepmother, no longer had their grandmother. Aliosa, though occasionally punished by his grandfather, still had his loving grandmother. She was the sweet fairy tale that nurtured his soul. She was his emotional support, protecting him when the adults spread false rumors. Let's listen to her firm reply to Uncle Piot:

"Oh Piot, you made this up yourself, he didn't insult you like that! Every time Aliosa forgot a detail in a fairy tale and ran to ask me, it made me "so happy". He proudly told the three colonel's sons about his grandmother, which moved them deeply. The oldest son sighed and said: "Maybe all grandmothers are wonderful, my grandmother was also very kind".

This was a simple statement from a child who had endured many misfortunes. What children have had the privilege of hearing their grandmothers sing, tell fairy tales, and lovingly stroke their backs? What children, in their dreams, have seen their kind grandmother holding the "Tam Cam" fruit in her hands? And those who, when born, never had the chance to see their grandmother's hair or smile will be deeply moved when they hear a child sigh, "my grandmother was also very kind".

It can be said that friendship and love for one's grandmother are the deep, pure, and sacred feelings of childhood. Reading these autobiographical lines, we feel the overflowing poetry in Gorky's writing—We learn to love our grandmothers, our friends. We grow up living in the trust of boundless love. Without love, childhood is a sad time filled with loneliness and gloom.

When there is friendship, playing together in love, orphaned children feel the warmth of sunlight bringing comfort to their souls. Gorky poignantly expressed this. The authenticity, innocence, and emotionality of the writing create the true beauty of "Childhood".