Gorky Trilogy: My University

Author: Maxim Gorky
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: The first half of the book describes the protagonist's journey to Kazan University and his stay at the home of Nikolai Yevreyev, where the "cellar" next door serves as his "second university." The second university is the lively and bustling——Marusovka Compound. The second chapter introduces the Populist Andrei Zelyonkov and his shop, which serves as a meeting point for the Populist underground organization, a place for university students to gather and debate. It also depicts the protagonist's second job at the bakery, his interactions with the workers, and his rescue of a man during a snowy night, which deepens his understanding of the genuine love between a couple of intellectuals and the peculiar thoughts of the French man. The fourth chapter of the book holds significant reference and recognition value for understanding and studying the thoughts of the author Maxim Gorky and the social trends of Russia at the time. The third chapter details the protagonist's experiences working at a bakery, where Andrei Zelyonkov has opened a new establishment and appointed the protagonist as a "foreman." The first half of the fourth chapter describes a secret reading session where the group reads a pamphlet by Plekhanov titled "Our Differences," which critiques the Populists. It then portrays the protagonist's interactions with the weaver Nikita Rubtsov and the locksmith Yakov Shaposhnikov. The latter part of the chapter focuses on the arrest of Gulya and the protagonist's visit to the police chief's home. The fifth chapter explores various pains and misfortunes in life. The sixth chapter describes how Romanos invites the protagonist to open a cooperative store in the countryside and educate the peasants. Mikhail Romanos is a thoughtful, experienced, capable, cultured, and respected leader of the Populist underground movement. The seventh chapter depicts the locals' hatred for the "elite" led by Romanos, the tragic death of Izot by being hacked to death and drowned in water, the cooperative store being set on fire and nearly destroyed, and especially the heroic act of Romanos and the protagonist seeking fire. The chapter concludes with the separation of Romanos and the protagonist.