On August 12, 18**, ten-year-old Nikolenka Irtenev wakes up on the third day after his birthday at seven o’clock in the morning. After the morning toilet, teacher Karl Ivanovich takes Nikolenka and his brother Volodya to greet their mother, who is pouring tea in the living room, and their father, who is giving housekeeping instructions to the clerk in his office. Nikolenka feels pure and clear love for his parents, he admires them, making accurate observations for himself: “... in one smile lies what is called the beauty of the face: if a smile adds charm to the face, then it is beautiful; if she does not change it, then her face is ordinary; if she spoils it, then it is bad.” For Nikolenka, her mother’s face is beautiful, angelic. The father, due to his seriousness and severity, seems mysterious to the child, but undoubtedly beautiful man, which “is liked by everyone without exception.” The father announces to the boys his decision - tomorrow he is taking them with him to Moscow. The whole day: studying in classes under the supervision of Karl Ivanovich, who was upset by the news he had received, and the hunt, which the father takes the children on, and the meeting with the holy fool, and the last games, during which Nikolenka feels something like her first love for Katenka - everything this is accompanied by a sorrowful and sad feeling of the upcoming farewell to one’s home. Nikolenka remembers the happy time spent in the village, the courtyard people who were selflessly devoted to their family, and the details of the life lived here appear before him vividly, in all the contradictions that his childhood consciousness is trying to reconcile.
The next day at twelve o'clock the carriage and chaise are standing at the entrance. Everyone is busy preparing for the road, and Nikolenka especially acutely feels the discrepancy between the importance of the last minutes before parting and the general bustle reigning in the house. The whole family gathers in the living room around round table. Nikolenka hugs her mother, cries and thinks about nothing but her grief. Having reached the main road, Nikolenka waves a handkerchief to his mother, continues to cry and notices how tears give him “pleasure and joy.” He thinks about his mother, and all Nikolenka’s memories are imbued with love for her.
This father and his children live in Moscow, in their grandmother’s house. Although Karl Ivanovich was also taken to Moscow, the children are taught by new teachers. On her grandmother’s name day, Nikolenka writes her first poems, which are read in public, and Nikolenka especially worries about this moment. He meets new people: Princess Kornakova, Prince Ivan Ivanovich, the Ivin relatives - three boys, almost the same age as Nikolenka. When communicating with these people, Nikolenka develops his main qualities: natural keen observation, inconsistency in his own feelings. Nikolenka often looks at herself in the mirror and cannot imagine that someone could love him. Before going to bed, Nikolenka shares his experiences with his brother Volodya, admits that he loves Sonechka Valakhina, and his words reveal all the childish, genuine passion of his nature. He admits: “... when I lie and think about her, God knows why I feel sad and really want to cry.”
Six months later, the father receives a letter from his mother from the village saying that during a walk she caught a severe cold, fell ill, and her strength is fading every day. She asks to come and bring Volodya and Nikolenka. Without hesitation, the father and sons leave Moscow. The worst premonitions are confirmed - for the last six days, my mother has not gotten up. She can't even say goodbye to her children - her open eyes they no longer see anything... Mama dies on the same day in terrible suffering, having only managed to ask for a blessing for the children: “Mother of God, do not leave them!”
The next day, Nikolenka sees his mother in the coffin and cannot come to terms with the thought that this yellow and waxy face belongs to the one whom he loved most in his life. The peasant girl, who is brought to the deceased, screams terribly in horror, Nikolenka screams and runs out of the room, struck by the bitter truth and despair in front of the incomprehensibility of death.
Three days after the funeral, the whole house moves to Moscow, and with the death of her mother it ends for Nikolenka. happy time childhood. When he later came to the village, he always came to his mother’s grave, not far from which they buried his faithful daughter. last days their home Natalya Savishna.
On August 12, 18**, ten-year-old Nikolenka Irtenev wakes up on the third day after his birthday at seven o’clock in the morning. After the morning toilet, teacher Karl Ivanovich takes Nikolenka and his brother Volodya to greet their mother, who is pouring tea in the living room, and their father, who is giving housekeeping instructions to the clerk in his office.
Nikolenka feels pure and clear love for his parents, he admires them, making accurate observations for himself: “... in one smile lies what is called the beauty of the face: if a smile adds charm to the face, then it is beautiful; if she does not change it, then her face is ordinary; if she spoils it, then it is bad.” For Nikolenka, her mother’s face is beautiful, angelic. The father, due to his seriousness and severity, seems to the child to be a mysterious, but undeniably beautiful person who “is liked by everyone without exception.”
The father announces to the boys his decision - tomorrow he is taking them with him to Moscow. The whole day: studying in classes under the supervision of Karl Ivanovich, who was upset by the news he had received, and the hunt on which the father takes the children, and the meeting with the holy fool, and the last games, during which Nikolenka feels something like her first love for Katenka - everything this is accompanied by a sorrowful and sad feeling of the upcoming farewell to one’s home. Nikolenka remembers the happy time spent in the village, the courtyard people who were selflessly devoted to their family, and the details of the life lived here appear before him vividly, in all the contradictions that his childhood consciousness is trying to reconcile.
The next day at twelve o'clock the carriage and chaise are standing at the entrance. Everyone is busy preparing for the road, and Nikolenka especially acutely feels the discrepancy between the importance of the last minutes before parting and the general bustle reigning in the house. The whole family gathers in the living room around a round table. Nikolenka hugs her mother, cries and thinks about nothing but her grief. Having reached the main road, Nikolenka waves a handkerchief to his mother, continues to cry and notices how tears give him “pleasure and joy.” He thinks about his mother, and all Nikolenka’s memories are imbued with love for her.
For a month now, the father and children have been living in Moscow, in their grandmother’s house. Although Karl Ivanovich was also taken to Moscow, the children are taught by new teachers. On her grandmother’s name day, Nikolenka writes her first poems, which are read in public, and Nikolenka especially worries about this moment. He meets new people: Princess Kornakova, Prince Ivan Ivanovich, the Ivin relatives - three boys, almost the same age as Nikolenka. When communicating with these people, Nikolenka develops his main qualities: natural keen observation, inconsistency in his own feelings. Nikolenka often looks at herself in the mirror and cannot imagine that someone could love him. Before going to bed, Nikolenka shares his experiences with his brother Volodya, admits that he loves Sonechka Valakhina, and his words reveal all the childish, genuine passion of his nature. He admits: “... when I lie and think about her, God knows why I feel sad and really want to cry.”
Six months later, the father receives a letter from his mother from the village saying that during a walk she caught a severe cold, fell ill, and her strength is melting every day. She asks to come and bring Volodya and Nikolenka. Without hesitation, the father and sons leave Moscow. The worst premonitions are confirmed - for the last six days, mummy has not gotten up. She cannot even say goodbye to the children - her open eyes no longer see anything... Mama dies on the same day in terrible suffering, having only managed to ask for a blessing for the children: “Mother of God, do not leave them!”
The next day, Nikolenka sees his mother in the coffin and cannot come to terms with the idea that this yellow and waxy face belongs to the one whom he loved most in his life. The peasant girl, who is brought to the deceased, screams terribly in horror, Nikolenka screams and runs out of the room, struck by the bitter truth and despair in front of the incomprehensibility of death.
Three days after the funeral, the whole house moves to Moscow, and with the death of her mother, the happy time of childhood ends for Nikolenka. When he later comes to the village, he always comes to his mother’s grave, not far from which they buried Natalya Savishna, who was faithful to their home until her last days.
Memories of his childhood, family and people surrounding him at that time lay down. The actions described in it take place in mid-19th century. Below is Tolstoy's story "Childhood", summary.
Chapters I to IV (Teacher Karl Ivanovich, maman, dad, classes)
- Nikolenka, who turned 10 three days ago, and his brother were raised and taught science by Karl Ivanovich . The boy loved his teacher, although this morning Karl Ivanovich angered him. The teacher also loved his students, but while in the classroom, he tried to be strict. Karl Ivanovich loved to read a lot, because of this he even ruined his eyesight. Having waited for the boys to take their morning toilet, he took them to greet their mother.
- In his story, Tolstoy very much regrets that he cannot remember in detail his mother of those times. He remembered only her brown eyes and dry hands with which she caressed Nikolenka as a child. After greeting the children, mom sent them to dad to tell him to come to her.
- Dad had a serious conversation with the clerk, so he asked to wait a little. After saying hello, dad told the boys his plan, who leaves for Moscow at night and takes them with him for more serious studies. Contrary to Nikolenka’s expectations, dad then sent them to classes with Karl Ivanovich, promising to later take the boys hunting.
- Karl Ivanovich was very upset by the resignation he received due to the departure of his charges. He constantly complained to Uncle Nikolai about his future fate. It seemed to Nikolenka that lessons would never end that day, but then steps were heard on the stairs.
Chapters V to VIII (The Holy Fool, preparations for the hunt, hunting, games)
Chapters IX to XII (Something like first love. What kind of person was my father? Classes in the office and living room. Grisha)
- The game immediately stopped after Nikolinka’s sister, Lyubochka, tore the worm along with the leaf from the tree. The children began to watch the worm, and Nikolenka liked to look more at Katenka (the daughter of the governess Lyubochka Mimi). He always liked her, but now he realized that he loved her even more. At this time, the boys' father announced that, at the mother's request, the departure was postponed until the morning.
- In chapter X of his story Tolstoy discusses the character of his father. He characterizes his parent as a self-confident, enterprising person, with shades of courtesy and revelry. His favorite pastime was playing cards, and he also loved women. His father was a happy man, Tolstoy believed. He loved to be in public and was able to tell all sorts of stories in a very interesting and interesting way.
- When we returned home from hunting, dad, after talking with Karl Ivanovich, decided to take him with him to Moscow. Maman approved of this news, saying that the children would be better off with him, and they were used to each other. Just before going to bed, the children decided to look at the chains of Grisha, who spent the night on the second floor.
- Watching Grisha pray before going to bed made such an impression on the boy that Tolstoy writes about the impossibility of forgetting these feelings for the rest of his life.
Chapters XIII to XVI (Natalia Savishna, separation, childhood, poetry)
Chapters XVII to XX (Princess Kornakova, Prince Ivan Ivanovich, Ivins, guests are gathering)
- Then the grandmother received Princess Kornakova with her congratulations. They had a conversation about methods of raising children. The princess greeted Physical punishment in education. Nikolenka thought it was good that he was not her son.
- There were a lot of guests with congratulations that day. But Nikolenka was struck by one of them - this is Prince Ivan Ivanovich. He looked at the prince with admiration and respect. He liked that his grandmother was happy about the appearance of the prince. After listening to the boy’s poems, he praised him and said that he would be a different Derzhavin.
- Next, Ivina’s relatives came. They had a son, Seryozha, who Nikolenka really liked. He sometimes even tried to imitate him. The children began to play their favorite game - robbers.
- Meanwhile, guests began to gather in the living room and hall. Among them was Mrs. Valakhina with her daughter Sonechka. Nikolenka was not indifferent to Sonechka and she occupied all his attention.
– one of the titans of Russian culture. Author of such literary monuments as “War and Peace”, “Anna Karenina”. The path to the world of high literature opened for the writer thanks to the story “Childhood”, the magazine “Sovremennik” and its insightful editor Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov.
In 1851, Lev Nikolaevich, together with his brother Nikolai, went to the Caucasus, where there were fierce battles with the highlanders. The atmosphere there inspires 23-year-old Tolstoy to create. However, he does not create a work on a military theme, which would be quite natural, but a nostalgic story “Childhood”, written in the genre of pseudo-autobiography.
A year later, after a series of proofreadings, the first work is ready. Tolstoy sends the manuscript to the editorial office of the cult magazine Sovremennik, which at that time was headed by Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov. An experienced writer immediately notes the talented story and publishes the work of an unknown author on the pages of his magazine. This is how it appeared in Russia outstanding writer, not a beginner, but a mature, mature prose writer.
History of the trilogy
Later, Sovremennik will publish “Adolescence” (1854) and “Youth” (1857), which will continue the story of the life and personality development of the main character Nikolenka Irtenyev. However, it all began with “Childhood”.
Getting to know the Irtenevs' house
The morning of August 12 started very badly for Nikolenka Irtenyev. He was awakened by a loud bang right under his ear. It was the teacher Karl Ivanovich who started a fly hunt near the little master’s bed. Nikolenka is terribly angry with the teacher. He hates Karl Ivanychev's colorful robe and red cap, which he wears so as not to catch a cold in his sore ears, his German speech and the sugar paper flapper.
Laughing, Karl Ivanovich tickles the heels of his little pupil. The sleepy haze dissipates, and Nikolenka can no longer imagine how he could have hated the kind Karl Ivanovich just a few moments ago. The German has been living in their house for 12 years and has taught Nikolenka and his older brother Volodya everything he knows.
Thus begins another day in the life of Nikolenka Irtenva. Three days ago he turned ten years old. And this is his childhood.
After some minor preparations, Karl Ivanovich takes the boys (Nikolenka and Volodya) out to greet their mother, Natalya Nikolaevna. Nikolenka perfectly remembers her kind brown eyes, the mole on her neck located in the place where her hair begins to curl, the gentle dry hand with which her mother so often caressed her sons. Natalya Nikolaevna pours tea into mugs. In the same room, Nikolenka’s younger sister Lyubochka and her governess Mimi (Marya Ivanovna) are playing music - a most unpleasant person, in the opinion of young Irtenyev.
After kissing her mother’s hand, Nikolenka goes to her father’s office. His father, Pyotr Alekseevich, is a large landowner. From the very morning he decides on business matters with the clerk Yakov. Nikolenka admires how tall and stately his dad is, what a big, sinewy hand he has and an even, calm voice. The father reminds his son that they are leaving for Moscow that night.
The fact is that Nikolenka and Volodya are already adults. They can no longer stay in the village. Father will take them to Big city, where they will receive a decent education and learn secular manners. Nikolenka is glad to leave for mysterious Moscow. He is only upset by the upcoming separation from his mother and the kind Karl Ivanovich, whom he loves no less than his father. After many years of service, teachers are fired. The grown Irtenevs no longer need him.
Nikolenka’s morning worries do not allow her to tune in to the lesson. He completely forgets the dialogue he learned the day before, and turns his handwriting notebook into an ink puddle because of the tears that have dripped onto it. To add insult to injury to the chaotic morning, the holy fool Grisha, a regular at the Irtenyev estate, appears on the threshold of the classroom. He makes some incoherent predictions, knocks with his crutch and, as usual, asks for lunch from the kind Natalya Nikolaevna.
Hunting, first love and triumph of justice
The Irtenev family in in full force goes hunting. Nikolenka really loves such trips, especially since today her mother and the girls went with them - sister Lyubochka and the governess’s daughter Katenka, for whom young Irtenyev is experiencing his first tender feelings.
After an unsuccessful hunt (Nikolenka inadvertently scared away the hare), the adults sit down to dinner, and the children go to play Robinson. All this time, Nikolenka awkwardly shows signs of attention towards Katenka, but the girl does not indulge the advances of the young master.
Upon returning home, the children are occupied with drawing. Nikolenka only gets blue paint, and he tries to depict events today. First, the boy draws a blue hare, then turns the animal into a bush, the bush into a tree, the tree into a stack, and the stack into a cloud. As a result, the drawing is considered unusable and is thrown away.
At this time, a drama is playing out in the house with the teacher Karl Ivanovich, whom it was decided to fire the day before. The offended German came to complain to Pyotr Nikolaevich about their ingratitude, but he became so excited that he forgot all the Russian words, burst into tears and promised to serve without salary, so long as he would not be separated from his beloved students. Taking pity on the old man, Pyotr Nikolaevich decided to take the teacher to Moscow and secure his previous salary. Justice has been restored. Nikolenka is happy.
Young lady and peasant woman
The narrator introduces the reader to another permanent resident of the Irtenyevs' house - housekeeper Natalya Savishna. Once upon a time she was just Natasha, a street girl in the village of Khabarovka, where her mother Natalya Nikolaevna grew up. At the request of her clarinetist father, the young peasant woman was taken into the house. When Nikolenka’s mother was born, she became her nanny. Thus began the warm affection of two Natalias - the young lady and the serf. And when, in gratitude for the years of service, Natalya Nikolaevna wrote Savishna a free letter, she burst into tears and did not want to leave the yard.
Looking through the years, Nikolenka admits that then, as a child, he did not appreciate Savishna’s love. And today, saying goodbye before leaving, he quickly kisses the tear-stained old woman on her cap. He can’t wait to go to Moscow for adventure. Looking out of the stroller, Nikolenka sees her mother, beautiful in a flowing blue scarf, which she holds with her hand. Then the boy did not yet suspect that he was looking at his mother in such a last time.
Moscow, relatives and second first love
A new period begins in the life of the young Irtenyevs, Moscow. And the first alarming test on the boys’ path is meeting their city relatives. First of all, Nikolenka and Volodya go to meet their grandmother, the princess. Everyone prepares a gift for a relative. Nikolenka composes a poem. At first it seems quite tolerable to him, but by the time of the public reading he is practically convinced that the poems were bad and, moreover, false. He is especially concerned about the last line - “And we love him like his own mother.” It's not true! Not true! Nikolenka, of course, loves and respects her grandmother, the Countess, but not at all like her mother, the most adored creature in the world.
In the Countess's house, the Irtenyevs meet distant relatives - the bilious Princess Kornakova and the very stately and handsome, despite his seventy, Prince Ivan Ivanovich. A little later, Nikolenka and Volodya make acquaintance with the Ivin brothers, their peers, take part in games, attend real dances, and Nikolenka also falls in love for the second time. Now the object of his adoration is Sonechka Valakhina, whom he thinks about every time before going to bed. And this, young Irtenyev is convinced, is serious.
The end of childhood
The Irtenyevs have been living in the Moscow house of the countess’s grandmother for six months now. Their new hectic life is disrupted by a letter from the village. Natalya Nikolaevna writes that she is seriously ill, her days are numbered, and asks her husband to bring the children to the village as soon as possible. Pyotr Alekseevich, without hesitation, rushes to his wife. However, the relatives find the patient delirious, she sees nothing, recognizes no one, and dies that same day in terrible agony.
Mother’s funeral left the most difficult memories in the soul of young Nikolenka Irtenyev. Many people gathered, for some reason everyone cried, prayed, and felt sorry for the poor orphans. “What right did they have to talk and cry about her?” - Nikolenka screams through the years. After all, no one really cared about her death or their grief. And the boy himself could not understand what was happening: “... I despised myself for not experiencing exclusively one feeling of grief.”
Title of the work: Childhood
Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Year of writing: 1852
Genre of the work: autobiographical story
Main characters: Nikolenka Irtenev- narrator, prototype of Leo Tolstoy, Volodya- the hero's brother, Lyubochka- their sister, Father mother- Nikolenka's parents, Karl Ivanovich- teacher, Mimi- governess, Sonechka Valakhina- first love, Natalya Savishna- housekeeper.