Gorky’s early work (90s of the 19th century) was created under the sign of “collecting” the truly human: “I recognized people very early and from my youth began to invent Man in order to satiate my thirst for beauty. Wise people... convinced me that I had invented a bad consolation for myself.
Then I went to people again and - it’s so clear! “I am returning from them again to Man,” Gorky wrote at that time.
Stories from the 1890s can be divided into two groups: some of them are based on fiction - the author uses legends or composes them himself; other
They draw characters and scenes from the real life of tramps.
The story “Chelkash” is based on a real incident. Later, the writer recalled the tramp who served as the prototype for Chelkash. Gorky met this man in a hospital in the city of Nikolaev (Khersones). “I was amazed at the good-natured mockery of the Odessa tramp who told me the incident I described in the story “Chelkash.” I remember well his smile, revealing his magnificent white teeth - the smile with which he concluded the story about the treacherous act of the guy he hired ... "
The story has two main characters: Chelkash and Gavrila.
Both are tramps, poor, both village men, of peasant origin, accustomed to work. Chelkash met this guy by chance, on the street.
Chelkash recognized “one of his own” in him: Gavrila was “in the same pants, bast shoes and a tattered red cap.” He was of heavy build. Gorky several times draws our attention to large blue eyes, looking trustingly and good-naturedly.
With psychological precision, the guy defined Chelkash’s “profession” - “we throw nets along dry banks, over barns, over whips.”
Gorky contrasts Chelkash with Gavril. Chelkash at first “despised”, and then “hated” the guy for his youth, “clean blue eyes”, healthy tanned face, short strong arms, because he has his own house in the village, that he wants to start a family, but most importantly , as it seems to me, this is that Gavrila has not yet known the life that this experienced man leads, because he dares to love freedom, which he does not know the price of, and which he does not need.
Chelkash seethed and shuddered from the insult inflicted by the guy, from the fact that he dared to object to an adult man.
Gavrila was very afraid to go fishing, because this was his first business of this kind. Chelkash was calm as always, he was amused by the guy’s fear, and he enjoyed it and reveled in what a formidable person he, Chelkash, was.
Chelkash rowed slowly and evenly, Gavrila – quickly, nervously. This speaks of strength of character. Gavrila is a beginner, that’s why his first hike is so difficult for him, for Chelkash this is just another hike, a common thing. This is where the negative side of a man comes into play: he doesn’t show patience and doesn’t understand the guy, he yells at him and intimidates him.
However, on the way back, a conversation began, during which Gavrila asked the man: “What are you now without land?” These words made Chelkash think, pictures of his childhood, the past, the life that was before the thieves surfaced. The conversation fell silent, but Chelkash even smelled of the village from Gavrila’s silence. These memories made me feel alone, torn out, thrown out of that life.
The climax of the story is the scene of a fight over money. Gavrila was attacked by greed, he became scary, an incomprehensible excitement moved him. Greed took possession of the young man, who began to demand all the money.
Chelkash perfectly understood the condition of his ward, went to meet him halfway and gave him the money.
But Gavrila acted basely, cruelly, humiliated Chelkash, saying that he was an unnecessary person and that no one would have missed him if Gavrila had killed him. This, naturally, hit Chelkash’s self-esteem; anyone in his place would have done the same.
Chelkash is undoubtedly a positive hero; Gorky puts Gavrila in contrast to him.
Chelkash, despite the fact that he leads a riotous lifestyle and steals, would never act as basely as this guy. It seems to me that the main things for Chelkash are life and freedom, and he would not tell anyone that his life is worthless. Unlike the young man, he knows the joys of life and, most importantly, life and moral values.
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In the story "Chelkash" M. Gorky describes "a little drama that played out between two people."
Both heroes - Chelkash and Gavrila - come from the village. Chelkash warms his heart with memories of his rural childhood and youth, and Gavrila dreams of a prosperous life in the village. Chelkash understands Gavrila’s wishes and even feels responsible for his fate.
Chelkash has long been torn off from the earth, he is a drunkard and a thief, and that’s what he lives for.
He loves the sea, loves to walk, Gavrila dreams of freedom, which only money can give him, and Chelkash already feels truly free.
Comparison of Chelkash and Gavrila
In the story "Chelkash" M. Gorky describes "a little drama that played out between two people."
Both heroes - Chelkash and Gavrila - come from the village. Chelkash warms his heart with memories of his rural childhood and youth, and Gavrila dreams of a prosperous life in the village. Chelkash understands Gavrila’s wishes and even feels responsible for his fate.
Chelkash has long been torn off from the earth, he is a drunkard and a thief, and that’s what he lives for.
He loves the sea, loves to walk, Gavrila dreams of freedom, which only money can give him, and Chelkash already feels truly free.
Chelkash speaks rudely, threatens to kill Gavrila if he “ruins the business,” but these are only threats. Gavrila is still afraid of ruining his soul by engaging in sinful activities, but for the sake of money he is ready to actually ruin his soul by plotting the murder of Chelkashi.
Being in an equal position, Chelkash is morally superior to Gavrila. He throws money in Gavrila's face and "spits in his clean eyes." Gavrila humbly asks for forgiveness, but still takes the money, greed crushes him. Asking for forgiveness is no longer perceived as a moral act. Chelkash behaves nobly again: he forgives the would-be murderer.
The heroes disperse in opposite directions from the place where their clash occurred. The free tramp and thief Chelkash evokes more sympathy than the God-fearing Gavrila, who may improve his economic affairs, but Chelkash will never reach the moral heights.
MAXIM GORKY IN THE STORY “CHELKASH” REVEALS BEFORE US TWO, ON THE ONE SIDE, VERY SIMILAR, AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, DIFFERENT IMAGES. LET'S TURNS TO EACH OF THEM AND TRY TO FIND WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS.
GRISHKA CHELKASH IS AN AVERAGE DRINKER, A SMART THIEF, AN OLD POISHED WOLF. HE WAS BOOSE. IN OLD WEAR-OUT PANTS, WITHOUT A HAT, IN A DIRTY CATTEN SHIRT WITH A TURN THAT REVEALED HIS DRY AND ANGULAR BONES, CLOSED IN BROWN SKIN. LONG, BONEY AND A LITTLE STUNNED.
GAVRILA IS A YOUNG GUY IN A BLUE SHIRT. IN PLASKE PANTS, LOCKED BAWERS AND A TORN RED CAP. THE GUY IS BROAD SHOULDERED, STOCKY, WITH A TAN AND WEATHER FACE.
AT FIRST, GAVRILA WOULD SEEM MOST PLEASANT FOR US... WE CAN VILLIANTLY REMEMBER THE RUSSIAN PROVERB: “WE MEET BY CLOTHING, WEEK AWAY BY MIND.” AND INDEED, THE FIRST IMPRESSION IS DECEPTIVE. WE CAN ABSOLUTELY CALL THESE WORDS CORRECT, KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED AT THE DENOUNIUM OF THE STORY. NEXT WE SEE WHO IS WHO, REALLY. WE CLEARLY NOTE WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GAVRILA AND CHELKASH.
FIRST, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT ATTITUDES TO LIFE. THEIR MORAL VIEWS AND VALUES ARE DIFFERENT. LET THEY BOTH BE GREED, THEY TREAT MONEY DIFFERENTLY. CHELKASH, UNLIKE GAVRILA, IS NOT ABLE TO GO TO KILL A PERSON. CHELKASH BELIEVES IN GOD, TRYING TO LIVE BY CHRISTIAN RULES, DESPITE THE FACT THAT HE WAS A THIEF. GAVRILA IS A MAN WITHOUT MORAL FOUNDATIONS, IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE HIS GOAL, TO MAKE MONEY, WILL DO ANYTHING: BETRAYAL, LIE, AND EVEN MURDER
A comparative description of two heroes in a work helps the author to depict his characters more clearly and clearly. When compared, the images of heroes can be revealed from the most unexpected side. This happened with Chelkash and Gavrila from M. Gorky’s story “Chelkash”.
Chelkash is a representative of the “bottom” of a big city. He is well known to everyone working in the harbor, “an inveterate drunkard and a clever, brave thief.” The author emphasizes his resemblance to a predator - “an old poisoned wolf”, he has a mustache like a cat, and he is especially similar to a steppe hawk with his “predatory thinness” and “aiming” gait.
Gavrila came from the village to earn money, but was unsuccessful. He is good-natured, trusting and, by Chelkash’s definition, looks like a calf. Gavrila agrees to work with Chelkash because he needs money, but he does not know what kind of work we are talking about. Gavrila trusts Chelkash, especially when they are fed in a tavern on credit, this is proof for Gavrila that Chelkash is a respected person in the city.
Both heroes value freedom, but understand it differently. For Gavrila this is material well-being. Then he will be able to return home, improve his household, and get married. There is no money - you will have to become a son-in-law and depend on your father-in-law for everything, working as a laborer for him. Chelkash does not value money; for him freedom is a broader concept. He is free from property, from his family, from whom he separated long ago, from social conventions. He has no roots, he doesn’t care where to live, but he loved the sea. The author emphasizes the similarity of the sea element, the boundless and powerful, and freedom-loving nature of the hero. At sea, he felt that his soul was being cleansed “from everyday filth.” Gavrila, on the contrary, is afraid of the sea; the lack of soil under his feet instills fear in him. Chelkash knows what he is doing and is not afraid to take risks. Gavrila, realizing what he was dragged into, was scared to death. He is afraid of being caught and of the sin of ruining his soul.
Seeing Chelkash with a wad of money, Gavrila forgets about sin and agrees to steal again for money. After all, maybe “you won’t lose your soul, but you will become a man for the rest of your life.” He humiliatingly lies at Chelkash’s feet, begging for money, and at this moment the author shows Chelkash’s moral superiority: he “felt that he – a thief, a reveler, cut off from everything dear to him – would never be so greedy, so forgetful of himself.” .
His dignity and contempt for the spiritual slavery of man evoke the respect and admiration of the author. And Gavrila’s greed is such that he is ready to commit murder for money, and actually makes such an attempt. He later repents of her, but he took the money offered by Chelkash.
Therefore, when comparing these two heroes, we see that Chelkash is a prouder and freer person, and the author’s sympathies are on his side.
In this work, the author tried to contrast the main character with another character. This made it possible to most clearly reveal their character and show how strikingly different their views on life are. A comparative description of Chelkash and Gavrila from Maxim Gorky’s story “Chelkash” will introduce the reader to two completely different people, whose true colors were revealed in a specific situation.
Grishka Chelkash and Gavrila both come from the village. They know firsthand what hard work is. Both have been accustomed since childhood to plow from morning to night. Everyone still has a family in the village. Chelkash has a wife and child. Gavrila has an old mother and a fiancee.
Chelkash. Gregory appears in the form of a tramp and a drunkard. An aged man. In dirty clothes. Sloppy and unkempt. The smell of a body that had not been washed for a long time hit my nose. His appearance makes a repulsive impression. Cold, gray eyes. The nose is straight and predatory. The look is sharp, piercing right through. His brown mustache was constantly quivering. Movements are abrupt and jerky.
Gavrila. A simple, country guy of about 20 years old. A Russian hero of strong build. Strong shoulders and arms. Skin tanned. Brown hair. Light blue eyes shone with kindness. The look is open and good-natured. He immediately endeared himself to his interlocutor. His image inspired confidence. He dressed modestly. All his clothes were shabby, but at the same time, he looked neat.
At Gavrila's The concept of freedom lies in material well-being. Only if he has money can he feel like a human being. He often imagined how he would return home, fix the collapsed household, raise his sick mother to her feet, and get married. Without money, he has no choice but to become a son-in-law to his rich father-in-law, on whom he will have to live the rest of his life.
Grishka I never put money above all else. They flew away as quickly as they appeared. Freedom for him is a broader concept. He has no responsibility for the family with which he separated long ago, no dependence on social conventions. He doesn’t care where to live or how. Just looking at the sea, he felt absolutely free and happy. At these moments, he invariably felt how his soul was cleansed of filth and he himself seemed to be exalted above the entire surrounding world and its eternal vanity.
Chelkash:
Gavrila:
Having agreed to earn some money in a dubious way, Gavrila soon regrets the hasty decision. He became cowardly and was ready to go astray without completing the work he started. Having received a small part of the amount earned, greed awakens in the guy. An uncontrollable feeling of greed made him feel weaker than his partner. He begged Chelkash to give him all the money. Unable to control his emotions, he throws a stone at him and runs away from the crime scene along with the proceeds. Fear and cowardice forced him to return to the wounded Chelkash. He asks for forgiveness, trying to atone for a low deed, but how can this cleanse the soul if it is dirty?
Chelkash is accustomed to treating his work with responsibility. Having completed the task, he receives the amount promised to him. For him, these are just pieces of paper that do not play a special role in life. When he sees that Gavrila needs them more, he easily parts with them, which speaks of his generosity and kindness. He even managed to forgive Gavrila after he found out that the guy wanted to kill him for money. Chelkash evokes admiration and respect, unlike Gavrila, who is capable of murder for his own benefit.
M. Gorky "Chelkash" Comparative characteristics of Chelkash and Gavrila and received the best answer
Answer from Riding on Lermontov[guru]
In his work, Gorky contrasts people with a slave soul with a free and proud hero, capable of self-sacrifice for the good of people.
Answer from Popoposdf lsdpflplgsd[newbie]
Chelkash appears to us as a hunted wolf: a tramp, a drunkard; he was wearing corduroy pants, no hat, a dirty shirt, with a torn collar - in a word, a beggar. Next we see his portrait: a predatory nose, a sharp gaze, cold gray eyes, a thick brown mustache.
Gavrila appears to us as a young guy, in a blue motley shirt, in the same pants, in bast shoes and a tattered cap - a simple Russian guy, broad-shouldered, stocky, fair-haired, with a tanned and weather-beaten face, with large blue eyes, a trusting and good-natured look. We see huge differences in these descriptions. In the tavern, when Gavrila got drunk, Chelkash looks at him and thinks that he is able to turn Gavrila’s life as he wants, that he will not drink away such a cup of suffering as Chelkash. Chelkash envied and regretted this young soul. We see Chelkash as a thinking, suffering person, capable of deep feelings.
Next we see the sea. Gorky describes a beautiful landscape: “an endless and mighty sea”, mountains of clouds rise from the waters - lilac-gray, with yellow edges... Chelkash likes the sea, he is free, in such simplicity he is happy, but Gavrila is afraid to be free.
Throughout the entire “case,” Gavrila feels immense fear, and Chelkash feels only anger—at work, at Gavrila, at the patrol boats. At the end, when they divide the money, Chelkash is capable of a generous act - he just gives Gavrila 540 rubles. And Gavrila? At first it seems to him that his share is not enough and he asks for more. When he pours out thoughts about killing Chelkash in an emotional outburst, he takes the money. And Gavrila is already starting to fight for them. Gorky shows that Chelkash is not capable of meanness: he is a generous and kind person at heart, and most importantly, he is free. Gavrila - on the contrary, despite her youth, she can kill for money, she can humiliate herself for money. At the end, after Chelkash left, Gavrila hid the money and “went with wide and firm steps.” He is confident “that he did the right thing - the main thing is that he received the money.” And at the very end, Gorky shows the landscape, the stormy sea, the rain, the wind. We understand that the landscape is connected with Chelkash’s state of mind: at the beginning - the southern sky and the sun, in the middle - the wide, mighty sea, at the end - the howl, roar, roar. Gorky's favorite hero is Chelkash, because of his generosity and kindness, freedom and spiritual strength.
Answer from Alexey Dilis[newbie]
In his early romantic stories, Maxim Gorky expressed his attitude towards life and people, his view of the era. The heroes of many of these stories are so-called tramps. The writer portrays them as brave, strong-hearted people. The main thing for them is freedom, which tramps, like all of us, understand in their own way. They passionately dream of some kind of special life, far from everyday life. But they can’t find her, so they go wandering, drink themselves to death, and commit suicide. One of these people is depicted in the story “Chelkash”. Chelkash is “an old poisoned wolf, well known to the Havana people, an inveterate drunkard and a clever, brave thief.”
The main thing he values in life is freedom. Freedom from people, work, any responsibilities. His antipode is the peasant guy Gavrila, who accidentally became an assistant to the thief and smuggler Chelkash.
Gavrila and Chelkash really are not on the same path; they look at life too differently. And indeed, “...a thief, a reveler, cut off from everything familiar, will never be so greedy, low, and not remembering himself. He will never become like this!..” Although more than a hundred years have passed since the writing of the story “Chelkash”, it has not lost its meaning in our time. The economic crisis, the impoverishment of the majority of the population, the decline in the prestige of moral values - all this has led to the fact that many people consider money to be the most important thing in life, and for them it does not matter how they got it. Overcoming the psychology of acquisitiveness is not easy, but those who can do this will become taller, purer and spiritually richer.
Answer from Iuslan Fedorov[newbie]
Chelkash is a thief and Gavrila was a man and became a thief+ Chelkash needed a partner, his partner got sick and he used him
Answer from Victor Chepushtanov[newbie]
The main feature of Maxim Gorky's work is the exposure of bourgeois morality and individualism. His works glorify heroic deeds in the name of freedom and happiness. He realizes the idea of a man-doer, a fighter, a hero. His works with romantic heroes shocked the Russian reader with faith in the omnipotence of the free human spirit, a passionate, all-encompassing thirst for renewal, and a life-affirming faith in heroism.
The main characters of Gorky's work "Chelkash" are Chelkash and Gavrila. Chelkash is a thief, a drunkard who has neither a family nor a roof over his head. He lives by stealing, and then sells the stolen things to buyers. Gavrila is a rural guy who came to the city in search of a better life. He had one goal to earn a large amount of money in order to be able to build a house in the village and marry a rich girl. Having met by chance, the main characters agree to go to work at night. Chelkash needed an assistant to help him do his usual thing. And he, having promised Gavrila that he would give him a lot of money, elects him to this position, not knowing about his real character.
We see the true faces of Gavrila and Chelkash at the end of the story, when they share the money they earned. Chelkash might not have given Gavrila a penny, because he turned out to be completely unsuitable for this work.
But Chelkash generously rewards his night assistant, despite the fact that Gavrila only interfered with him and showed himself to be a coward, a man who is afraid of everything and has no opinion. And when Gavrila attacked the money that Chelkash gave him, and then asked him to give him his own money, Chelkash saw that a greedy, greedy man was standing in front of him. And if Gavrila had not admitted to Chelkash that if he had not given him all the money, he would have killed him and then taken it himself, Chelkash may have tried to understand him. But, as an open person who never hides his thoughts and actions, he, of course, could not forgive the betrayal.
At the beginning of the story, no one feels much sympathy for Chelkash. But after we learn about his fate, and after the episode with Gavrila, we immediately see that this man has such qualities as inner beauty, energy and strength of life, compassion for his neighbor, love of freedom and independence. Gavrila, having taken this money, still will not be able to live with a clear conscience, and if he does not understand that it is not money that makes a person happy, but a person himself must seek his own happiness, without humiliating himself and without causing pain to other people, he will not be able to live a truly happy life.
In his work, Gorky contrasts people with a slave soul with a free and proud hero, capable of self-sacrifice for the good of people.
