“Childhood Themes” is the first novel of an autobiographical work consisting of four parts. Talking about himself, the writer protects the identity of each child from treasury and heartlessness in the family and society.
N. G. Garin-Mikhailovsky, “Childhood Themes”: summary of
I - II chaptersThe action takes place in the Kartashev family. Its head is retired general Nikolai Semenovich. Mother - Aglaida Vasilievna. The father, a former military man, is in every possible way opposed to the sentimental education of Theme - the eldest of the boys in the family. The mother, on the contrary, believes that the child should not be intimidated, punished bodily, so as not to destroy human dignity in him . The first meeting with Theme occurs when he accidentally broke his father’s favorite flower. The boy does not admit, as he is afraid of punishment. This fear is higher than trust in the justice of the mother. He leads all the activities of the Theme. On the first day of the story, he still tore the skirt of a bonna, galloped on a stallion, broke a ship and stole sugar. As a result, the father severely punished his son - he carved. He will remember such executions forever. So, when, after almost 20 years, he ended up in his father's house, he remembered the place where he was whipped as a child. At the same time, the feeling of hostility towards his father did not change.
N. G. Garin-Mikhailovsky, “Childhood Themes”: Summary III - IV chapters
During this period, it was important for the mother that, in spite of the vagaries, pranks and rash acts, her son’s heart remained warm. He feels this attitude and eagerly tells her about his misfortunes. After repentance and recognition, Theme is overwhelmed by lofty feelings. But at the same time, he is still impressed by physical punishment, which is why he is sick, and then commits a real act. He recalls the Bug, his beloved dog.
The nanny says that someone threw her into a well. The theme saves the bug first in a dream, and then in reality. This impressed the boy so much that he considers many future events of adult life through the prism of what happened to him in childhood. This time, Theme's feat ended in fever and several weeks of illness. But he got out.
Summary of "Childhood Themes": V - VI chapters
After recovery, the boy was allowed to play in the wasteland, which belonged to his father and was leased. So, in games, sorties and walks, two more pre-school years passed. The exam in the first grade Theme passed successfully. The boy was trembling before the Latinist, but he adored the teacher of natural history. Here he first learned what friendship is.
Summary of "Childhood Themes": VII - VIII chapters
Soon, the emotional upsurge is replaced by a more everyday mood. The days became smooth, monotonous. The kind and meek classmate Ivanov became a good friend of Themes. In addition, he was more well-read. Thanks to him, Kartashev in the second grade meets new writers.
Summary of “Childhood Themes”: IX - X chapters
But soon an unpleasant story occurred, after which Ivanov was expelled from the gymnasium. Friends stopped talking. And not only because there were no common interests.
Ivanov witnessed the cowardly act of Themes. Since then, he and in the class have gained a reputation of "issuing". For several days the boy was completely alone. When Kartashev studied in St. Petersburg, he still had a chance to meet with Ivanov. But at that time he had a lot of new friends. Adventurous and romantic dreams overwhelmed them. They wanted to escape to America, so as not to be like everyone else. This, of course, affected academic performance: less eagerness to study led to worse grades in the journal. This is carefully hidden from the subject. The escape did not work, the friends received the nickname "Americans."
Summary of “Childhood Themes”: XI - XII chapters
When it came time to take exams, it turned out that no one was ready for them. Kartashev is very afraid to fail. Out of fear, he thinks of suicide. Fortunately, these thoughts left without consequences. The topic still passes the exams, it is transferred to the third grade. At the same time, the boy draws closer to his father. He became more affectionate and softer, sought to be with home more often. Before, he was silent more, and now he tells the theme of his campaigns, military comrades and battles. Soon, the father is dying.