1.2 Childhood

Born on August 28, 1828 in the Krapivensky district of the Tula province, in the hereditary estate of his mother - Yasnaya Polyana. Was the 4th child; his three older brothers: Nikolai (1823-1860), Sergei (1826-1904) and Dmitry (1827-1856). Sister Mary (1830-1912) was born in 1830. His mother died when he was not yet 2 years old.

A distant relative T.A.Yergolskaya took up the upbringing of orphaned children. In 1837, the family moved to Moscow, settling on Plyushchikha, because the eldest son had to prepare to enter the university, but his father suddenly died, leaving affairs (including some litigation related to the family's property) unfinished, and three younger ones children again settled in Yasnaya Polyana under the supervision of Ergolskaya and her paternal aunt, Countess A.M. Osten-Saken, who was appointed guardian of the children. Lev Nikolayevich stayed here until 1840, when Countess Osten-Saken died and the children moved to Kazan, to a new guardian - father's sister PI Yushkova.

The Yushkovs' house was one of the funniest in Kazan; all family members highly appreciated the external brilliance. “My good aunt,” says Tolstoy, “is a pure being, she always said that she would not want anything more for me than for me to have a relationship with a married woman” (“Confession”).

He wanted to shine in society, but his natural shyness hindered him. The most diverse, as Tolstoy himself defines them, "speculations" about the most important issues of our life - happiness, death, God, love, eternity - painfully tormented him in that era of life. What he told in "Adolescence" and "Youth" about the aspirations of Irteniev and Nekhlyudov for self-improvement is taken by Tolstoy from the history of his own ascetic attempts of that time. All this led to the fact that Tolstoy developed a "habit of constant moral analysis", as it seemed to him, "destroying the freshness of feeling and clarity of reason" ("Youth").

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The themes that Leo Tolstoy touches upon in his work are truly eternal! In the lesson, you will get acquainted with a work in which all the skill of Tolstoy as a writer, psychologist, philosopher was manifested. It will be about the autobiographical story "Childhood". You will read and analyze the chapters "Classes", "Natalia Savishna", "Childhood".

Topic: From 19th century literature

Lesson: Leo N. Tolstoy. The story "Childhood". Analysis of selected chapters

Rice. 1. Book cover ()

Reading and analyzing the chapter "Classes".

The main role in this chapter is played by the teacher Karl Ivanovich, we have already met him in the chapter "Maman". But, of course, the peculiarity of the work is how the little boy Nikolenka Irteniev, who is 10 years old, perceives the life of adults and his teacher Karl Ivanovich. The chapter begins like this:

"Karl Ivanovich was very out of sorts."

Let's observe the reaction of the adults in this chapter, the reaction of the child, his thoughts, his understanding of life.

“It was evident in his knitted eyebrows and in the way he threw his coat into the chest of drawers, and how angrily he girded, and how hard he scribbled his fingernail across the book of dialogues to indicate the place to which we had to press. Volodya studied decently; I was so upset that there was absolutely nothing I could do. "

Rice. 2. Illustration for Leo Tolstoy's story "Childhood" ()

As we know, Nikolenka was upset at the news that they were now being taken to Moscow, and the teacher Karl Ivanovich would no longer teach.

“For a long time I stared at the book of dialogues, but from the tears that were typing into my eyes at the thought of the upcoming separation, I could not read ...” as if he wrote with water on wrapping paper. "

How keenly does the boy feel about himself?

“Karl Ivanovich got angry, put me on my knees, insisted that it was stubbornness, a puppet comedy (this was his favorite word), threatened with a ruler and demanded that I ask forgiveness, while I could not utter a word from tears; finally, probably feeling his injustice, he went into Nikolai's room and slammed the door. "

Despite the fact that Nikolenka is still a child, he perfectly sees and understands the actions of adults. Nikolenka hears a conversation in Nikolai's room, where Karl Ivanovich complains about the injustice of the owner, who takes the children away to study and deprives him of work.

“I have been living in this house for twelve years and I can say before God, Nikolai,” Karl Ivanovich continued, raising his eyes and snuff-box to the ceiling, “that I loved them and did more with them than if they were my own children. Do you remember, Nikolai, when Volodenka had a fever? Do you remember how I sat at his bedside for nine days without closing my eyes. Yes! then I was kind, dear Karl Ivanitch, then I was needed; and now, ”he added, smiling ironically,“ now the children are big: they must study seriously. Are they sure they don't study here, Nikolai? "

And, of course, Nikolenka sympathized with the grief that Karl Ivanovich felt. Here is how Tolstoy writes about it:

“I sympathized with his grief, and it hurt me that my father and Karl Ivanitch, whom I loved almost equally, did not understand each other; I went back to the corner, sat on my heels and talked about how to restore agreement between them. "

These were the feelings of the child, but let's see how Karl Ivanovich's resentment manifests itself during the lesson.

"Several times, with different intonations and with an expression of the greatest pleasure, he read this saying, which expressed his soulful thought." And the saying was: "Of all vices, the most serious is Ingratitude."

How does Nikolenka perceive the behavior of her teacher?

“His face was not gloomy as before; it expressed the contentment of a person who was worthy of revenge for the offense inflicted on him. "

Nikolenka understands the behavior of Karl Ivanovich and perceives him as a person who almost kept track of his feelings.

“It was a quarter to one; but Karl Ivanitch did not seem to think about letting us go: he kept asking new lessons. Boredom and appetite increased equally. I watched with intense impatience for all the signs proving the proximity of dinner. Here is a woman from the yard with a washcloth going to wash the dishes, you can hear the noise of the dishes in the buffet ... "

But Karl Ivanovich was relentless. This is how the chapter "Karl Ivanovich" ends.

Reading and analysis of the chapter "Natalia Savishna".

Rice. 3. Illustration for Leo Tolstoy's story "Childhood" ()

“In the middle of the last century, a barefoot, but cheerful, fat and red-cheeked girl, Natasha, ran around the courtyards of the village of Khabarovka in a shabby dress. According to the merits and the request of her father, the clarinet player Savva, my grandfather took her up - to be among the female servants of my grandmother. The maid Natasha was distinguished in this position by her meek disposition and diligence. When mother was born and a nanny was needed, this responsibility was assigned to Natasha. And in this new field, she earned praise and awards for her work, loyalty and affection for the young lady. But the powdered head and stockings with buckles of the young lively waiter Foki, who had frequent intercourse with Natalya at work, captivated her rough but loving heart. She even decided to go to her grandfather to ask permission to marry Fock. Grandfather took her desire for ingratitude, got angry and sent poor Natalya for punishment to a cattle yard in a steppe village. Six months later, however, since no one could replace Natalya, she was returned to the courtyard and to her former position. Returning from exile in a shabby meal, she came to her grandfather, fell at his feet and asked him to return her mercy, affection and forget the nonsense that had found her and which, she swore, would never return. Indeed, she kept her word.

Since then, Natasha became Natalya Savishna and put on a cap: she transferred the entire supply of love that was stored in her to her young lady. "

“When maman got married, wanting to thank Natalia Savishna in some way for her twenty years of work and affection, she called her to her and, expressing in the most flattering words all her gratitude and love for her, handed her a sheet of stamp paper on which was written free to Natalya Savishne, and said that, regardless of whether or not she continues to serve in our house, she will always receive an annual pension of three hundred rubles. Natalya Savishna silently listened to all this, then, picking up the document, glared at it, muttered something through her teeth and ran out of the room, slamming the door. Not understanding the reasons for such a strange act, maman a little later entered Natalya Savishna's room. She was sitting with tear-stained eyes on the chest, fingering a handkerchief with her fingers, and gazing intently at the scraps of torn free lying on the floor in front of her. "

“Since I can remember myself, I also remember Natalia Savishna, her love and affection; but now I can only appreciate them ... "

And again, this is the view of an adult on what happened to him in childhood, a view from the position of time, from the position of wisdom.

“... then it never occurred to me what a rare, wonderful creature this old woman was. She not only never spoke, but did not even think about herself: her whole life was love and self-sacrifice. I was so used to her disinterested, tender love for us that I never imagined that it could be otherwise, I was not in the least grateful to her and never asked myself questions: is she happy? are you satisfied? "

And we meet an interesting case in the chapter "Natalia Savishna".

Think about how the human character and character of the protagonist will manifest in this scene.

“That's how it was. At dinner, pouring myself some kvass, I dropped the decanter and poured over the tablecloth.

Call Natalya Savishna to be happy with her pet, ”said maman.

Natalya Savishna came in and, seeing the puddle that I had made, shook her head; then maman said something in her ear, and she threatened me and went out.

After lunch, in the most cheerful mood, jumping up and down, I went into the hall, when suddenly Natalya Savishna jumped out from behind the door with a tablecloth in her hand, caught me and, despite desperate resistance on my part, began rubbing my face wet, saying : "Don't stain the tablecloths, don't stain the tablecloths!" It offended me so much that I burst into tears with anger. "

The first feeling that arises in the hero is a feeling of resentment and a feeling of anger.

"How! - I said to myself, walking around the hall and choking with tears. - Natalya Savishna, just Natalya, you say to me, and also hits me in the face with a wet tablecloth, like a yard boy. No, it's terrible!"

It is in this scene that Nikolenka perceives all the traditions that were characteristic of noble families, the level of understanding that she and Natalya are not on the same levels of the social ladder, it is already understandable for Nikolenka.

However, this feeling of anger, resentment, gives way to other more moral categories.

"When Natalya Savishna saw that I was drooling, she immediately ran away, and I, continuing to walk, talked about how to repay the impudent Natalya for the insult inflicted on me."

See how feelings develop: resentment, anger, and latent anger.

“A few minutes later Natalya Savishna returned, timidly approached me and began to admonish:

Completely, my father, do not cry ... forgive me, fool ... I am to blame ... forgive me, my dear ... here's to you.

She took out from under the handkerchief a cornet made of red paper, in which there were two caramels and one wine berry, and with a trembling hand held it to me. I didn’t have the strength to look the good old woman in the face: I turned away and accepted the gift, and the tears flowed even more profusely, but not from anger, but from love and shame ”.

Reading and analyzing the chapter "Childhood"

Rice. 4. Illustration for Leo Tolstoy's story "Childhood" ()

The chapter "Childhood" begins with wonderful words that could become an epigraph to the whole story:

“Happy, happy, irreversible time of childhood! How not to love, not cherish the memories of her? These memories refresh, elevate my soul and serve as a source of the best pleasures for me. "

Pay attention to the vocabulary used in the chapter. How many good, warm words! Try to see the most important of them, keywords.

“... You sit and listen. And how not to listen? Maman speaks to someone and the sounds of her voice are so sweet, so welcoming. These sounds speak so much to my heart! "

“No one’s indifferent looks do not hinder her: she is not afraid to pour out all her tenderness and love on me. I do not move, but I kiss her hand even harder. "

"Tears of love and delight."

“... Love for her and love for God somehow strangely merged into one feeling.

After prayer, you would wrap yourself in a blanket; the soul is light, light and joyful; some dreams drive others - but what are they about? They are elusive, but filled with pure love and hopes for bright happiness. "

How many warm words we saw: heart, tenderness, love... Word "love" is repeated several times during the chapter. Love, love, love, tears of love and delight, bright happiness, love and hope, the soul is light, light, gratifying - these are the feelings of childhood that Nikolenka carried.

“Will that freshness, carelessness, the need for love and the power of faith that you possess in childhood return? What time could be better than when the two best virtues - innocent gaiety and the boundless need for love - were the only motives in life? " "Are there really only memories left?"

This is the question the chapter "Childhood" ends with. And Tolstoy poses this question to the reader, will that freshness and carelessness ever return? What time could be better than childhood? Probably, you need to love, appreciate your childhood, treat both mom and dad with love.

Output.

A feature of the hero of the story "Childhood" is that he constantly expresses his feelings and is often merciless towards himself, often reproaches himself for some actions, for which he himself then becomes ashamed.

Nikolenka recalls the happy time spent in the village. He recalls people who were selflessly devoted to their family, he recalls his childhood.

A large place in the story is occupied by a description of the feeling of love for people, the ability to love oneself. These are the feelings that Tolstoy himself admires. But at the same time, Tolstoy shows how very often the world of adults can destroy children's understanding of life.

The story "Childhood" ends with the death of the mother. And there comes another, completely different time, which Nikolenka will never call the happy, irrecoverable time of childhood.

Bibliography

Korovina V.Ya. Didactic materials on literature. 7th grade. - 2008.
Tishchenko O.A. Homework on literature for grade 7 (to the textbook by V.Ya. Korovina). - 2012.
Kuteinikova N.E. Literature lessons in grade 7. - 2009.
Korovina V.Ya. Literature textbook. 7th grade. Part 1. - 2012.
Korovina V.Ya. Literature textbook. 7th grade. Part 2. - 2009.
Ladygin M.B., Zaitseva O.N. Textbook-reader on literature. 7th grade. - 2012.

Homework

What episode in the story made the strongest impression on you? Why?
What does Tolstoy's story "Childhood" teach? What makes you think?
Do you think it is useful to read this story not only for children, but also for adults? Why?
Remember a vivid episode of your childhood. Try to talk about it or describe it in a Tolstoyan manner. Try not only to outline the course of the event, but also to convey feelings, experiences, thoughts about people and events.

“Suppose,” I thought, “I am small, but why does he disturb me? Why doesn't he hit the flies near Volodya's bed? there are so many of them! No, Volodya is older than me; but I am the least of all: that's why he torments me. Only about that and thinks all my life, - I whispered, - how can I make trouble. He very well sees that he woke me up and frightened me, but he shows as if he does not notice ... a disgusting person! And the robe, and the cap, and the tassel - how disgusting! "

While I was thus mentally expressing my annoyance at Karl Ivanitch, he went up to his bed, glanced at the clock that hung above her in an embroidered beaded shoe, hung a cracker on a carnation and, as was noticeable, turned in the most pleasant mood. to us.

- Auf, Kinder, auf! .. s'ist Zeit. Die Mutter ist schon im Saal, ”he shouted in a kind German voice, then came up to me, sat down at my feet and took a snuff-box out of his pocket. I pretended to be asleep. Karl Ivanitch first sniffed, wiped his nose, snapped his fingers, and then only began to work on me. He chuckled and began to tickle my heels. - Nu, nun, Faulenzer! - he said.

As much as I feared tickling, I did not jump out of bed and did not answer him, but only hid my head deeper under the pillows, kicked my legs with all my might and tried all my best to keep from laughing.

"How kind he is and how he loves us, and I could think so badly of him!"

I was vexed both with myself and with Karl Ivanitch, I wanted to laugh and I wanted to cry: my nerves were upset.

- Ach, lassen Sie, Karl Ivanovich! I shouted with tears in my eyes, sticking my head out from under the pillows.

Karl Ivanitch was surprised, left my soles alone and with concern began to ask me: what am I talking about? did I not see anything bad in a dream? .. His kind German face, the sympathy with which he tried to guess the reason for my tears, made them flow even more profusely: I was ashamed, and I did not understand how a minute before I could not love Karl Ivanitch and find his dressing gown, hat and tassel disgusting; now, on the contrary, it all seemed extremely sweet to me, and even the tassel seemed to be a clear proof of his kindness. I told him that I was crying because I had a bad dream - as if maman had died and they were carrying her to bury her. I invented all this, because I absolutely did not remember what I dreamed that night; but when Karl Ivanitch, touched by my story, began to console and calm me down, it seemed to me that I had definitely seen this terrible dream, and tears flowed from another reason.

When Karl Ivanitch left me and I, having raised myself on the bed, began to pull stockings on my little legs, the tears subsided a little, but gloomy thoughts about a fictitious dream did not leave me. Uncle Nikolai entered - a small, clean man, always a serious, neat, respectful and great friend of Karl Ivanitch. He carried our dresses and shoes: Volodya's boots, while I still have unbearable shoes with bows. In his presence I would have been ashamed to cry; besides, the morning sun shone merrily through the windows, and Volodya, imitating Marya Ivanovna (his sister's governess), laughed so merrily and sonorously, standing over the washbasin, that even the serious Nikolai, with a towel on his shoulder, with soap in one hand and with a washstand in the other, smiling, he said:

- Will you, Vladimir Petrovich, if you please wash.

I was completely amused.

- Sind Sie bald fertig? - I heard Karl Ivanitch's voice from the classroom.

His voice was stern and no longer had that expression of kindness that moved me to tears. In the classroom, Karl Ivanovich was a completely different person: he was a mentor. I dressed briskly, washed myself and, still with a brush in hand, smoothing my wet hair, appeared at his call.

Karl Ivanitch, with glasses on his nose and a book in his hand, was sitting in his usual place, between the door and the window. To the left of the door there were two shelves: one - ours, for children, the other - Karl Ivanovich, own... Ours had all sorts of books - educational and non-educational: some were standing, others were lying. Only the two large volumes of Histoire des voyages, in red bindings, rested solemnly against the wall; and then they went, long, thick, big and small books - crusts without books and books without crusts; you used to press everything there and stick it in when they ordered to put the library in order before the recreation, as Karl Ivanovich loudly called this shelf. Collection of books on own if it was not as large as on ours, it was even more diverse. I remember three of them: a German brochure on cabbage manure - without binding, one volume of the history of the Seven Years' War - in parchment burnt from one corner, and a complete hydrostatics course. Karl Ivanitch spent most of his time reading, even ruining his eyesight with it; but apart from these books and The Northern Bee, he read nothing.

Among the items lying on the shelf of Karl Ivanovich, there was one that most of all reminds me of him. This is a circle made of cardon, inserted into a wooden leg, in which this circle was moved by means of pins. On the mug was pasted a picture representing the caricatures of some lady and a hairdresser. Karl Ivanovich glued very well and invented this circle himself and made it in order to protect his weak eyes from bright light.

As I now see in front of me a long figure in a cotton robe and a red cap, from under which sparse gray hair can be seen. He sits beside a table on which is a circle with a hairdresser casting a shadow over his face; in one hand he holds a book, the other rests on the arm of an armchair; beside him lie a watch with a painted huntsman on the dial, a checkered scarf, a black round snuffbox, a green spectacle case, and tongs on a tray. All this is so decorous, neatly in its place, that one can conclude from this order alone that Karl Ivanovich has a clear conscience and a calm soul.

It used to be that you ran your fill down the hall, tiptoeing upstairs, into the classroom, looking - Karl Ivanitch was sitting alone in his armchair and reading some of his favorite books with a calm stately expression. Sometimes I caught him even at such moments when he did not read: the glasses went down on a large aquiline nose, blue half-closed eyes looked with a special expression, and his lips smiled sadly. The room is quiet; only his uniform breathing and the striking of the clock with the gamekeeper can be heard.

Sometimes he didn’t notice me, but I stood at the door and thought: “Poor, poor old man! There are many of us, we play, we have fun, but he is alone, and no one caresses him. The truth is he says that he is an orphan. And the story of his life is so awful! I remember how he told it to Nikolai - it's awful to be in his position! " And you will become so sorry that you would go up to him, take his hand and say: "Lieber Karl Ivanovich!" He loved it when I told him so; always caresses, and it is clear that he is moved.

On the other wall were land maps, all almost torn, but skillfully glued by the hand of Karl Ivanitch. On the third wall, in the middle of which there was a door downward, on one side hung two rulers: one - cut, ours, the other - brand new, own, used by him more for encouragement than for shedding; on the other, a black board, on which our big offenses were marked with circles and small crosses. To the left of the board was a corner in which we were put on our knees.

On August 12, 18 ..., exactly on the third day after my birthday, on which I was ten years old and on which I received such wonderful gifts, at seven o'clock in the morning Karl Ivanovich woke me up, hitting me over my head with a firecracker - from sugar paper on a stick - a fly. He did it so awkwardly that he touched the icon of my angel, which was hanging on the oak headboard, and that the killed fly fell right on my head. I poked my nose out from under the blanket, stopped the little icon, which continued to swing, with my hand, threw the killed fly on the floor and, though sleepy, but angry, looked Karl Ivanitch. He, in a motley cotton robe, belted with a belt of the same material, in a red knitted yarmulke with a tassel and in soft goat boots, continued to walk around the walls, aiming and clapping. “Suppose,” I thought, “I am small, but why does he disturb me? Why doesn't he hit the flies near Volodya's bed? there are so many of them! No, Volodya is older than me; but I am the least of all: that's why he torments me. Only about that and thinks all my life, - I whispered, - how can I make trouble. He sees very well that he woke me up and frightened me, but he shows as if he does not notice ... a disgusting person! And the robe, and the cap, and the tassel - how disgusting! " While I was thus mentally expressing my annoyance at Karl Ivanitch, he went up to his bed, glanced at the clock that hung above her in an embroidered beaded shoe, hung a cracker on a carnation and, as was noticeable, turned in the most pleasant mood. to us. "Auf, Kinder, auf! .. s" ist Zeit. Die Mutter ist schon im Saal, "he shouted in a kind German voice, then he came up to me, sat down at my feet and took a snuff-box out of my pocket. I pretended to be asleep. Karl Ivanovich first he sniffed, wiped his nose, snapped his fingers and then he just started at me. He chuckled and began tickling my heels. "Nu, nun, Faulenzer!" he said. As much as I feared tickling, I did not jump out of bed and did not answer him, but only hid my head deeper under the pillows, kicked my legs with all my might and tried all my best to keep from laughing. "How kind he is and how he loves us, and I could think so badly of him!" I was vexed both with myself and with Karl Ivanitch, I wanted to laugh and I wanted to cry: my nerves were upset. - Ach, lassen Sie, Karl Ivanovich! I shouted with tears in my eyes, sticking my head out from under the pillows. Karl Ivanitch was surprised, left my soles alone and with concern began to ask me: what am I talking about? did I not see anything bad in a dream? .. His kind German face, the sympathy with which he tried to guess the reason for my tears, made them flow even more profusely: I was ashamed, and I did not understand how a minute before I could not love Karl Ivanitch and find his dressing gown, hat and tassel disgusting; now, on the contrary, it all seemed extremely sweet to me, and even the tassel seemed to be a clear proof of his kindness. I told him that I was crying because I had a bad dream - as if maman had died and they were carrying her to bury her. I invented all this, because I absolutely did not remember what I dreamed that night; but when Karl Ivanitch, touched by my story, began to console and calm me down, it seemed to me that I had definitely seen this terrible dream, and tears flowed from another reason. When Karl Ivanitch left me and I, having raised myself on the bed, began to pull stockings on my little legs, the tears subsided a little, but gloomy thoughts about a fictitious dream did not leave me. Uncle Nikolai entered - a small, clean man, always a serious, neat, respectful and great friend of Karl Ivanitch. He carried our dresses and shoes: Volodya's boots, while I still have unbearable shoes with bows. In his presence I would have been ashamed to cry; besides, the morning sun shone merrily through the windows, and Volodya, imitating Marya Ivanovna (his sister's governess), laughed so merrily and sonorously, standing over the washbasin, that even the serious Nikolai, with a towel on his shoulder, with soap in one hand and with a washstand in the other, smiling, he said: - Will you, Vladimir Petrovich, if you please wash. I was completely amused. - Sind Sie bald fertig? - I heard Karl Ivanitch's voice from the classroom. His voice was stern and no longer had that expression of kindness that moved me to tears. In the classroom, Karl Ivanovich was a completely different person: he was a mentor. I dressed briskly, washed myself and, still with a brush in hand, smoothing my wet hair, appeared at his call. Karl Ivanitch, with glasses on his nose and a book in his hand, was sitting in his usual place, between the door and the window. To the left of the door there were two shelves: one - ours, for children, the other - Karl Ivanovich, own. Ours had all sorts of books - educational and non-educational: some were standing, others were lying. Only the two large volumes of Histoire des voyages, 2 in red bindings, rested solemnly against the wall; and then they went, long, thick, big and small books - crusts without books and books without crusts; you used to press everything there and stick it in when they ordered to put the library in order before the recreation, as Karl Ivanovich loudly called this shelf. Collection of books on own if it was not as large as on ours, it was even more diverse. I remember three of them: a German brochure on cabbage manure - without binding, one volume of the history of the Seven Years' War - in parchment burnt from one corner, and a complete hydrostatics course. Karl Ivanitch spent most of his time reading, even ruining his eyesight with it; but apart from these books and The Northern Bee, he read nothing. Among the items lying on the shelf of Karl Ivanovich, there was one that most of all reminds me of him. This is a circle made of cardboard, inserted into a wooden leg, in which this circle was moved by means of pins. On the mug was pasted a picture representing the caricatures of some lady and a hairdresser. Karl Ivanovich glued very well and invented this circle himself and made it in order to protect his weak eyes from bright light. As I now see in front of me a long figure in a cotton robe and a red cap, from under which sparse gray hair can be seen. He sits beside a table on which is a circle with a hairdresser casting a shadow over his face; in one hand he holds a book, the other rests on the arm of an armchair; beside him lie a watch with a painted huntsman on the dial, a checkered scarf, a black round snuffbox, a green spectacle case, and tongs on a tray. All this is so decorous, neatly in its place, that one can conclude from this order alone that Karl Ivanovich has a clear conscience and a calm soul. It used to be that you ran your fill down the hall, tiptoeing to the top, into the classroom, looking - Karl Ivanitch was sitting alone in his armchair and reading some of his favorite books with a calm stately expression. Sometimes I caught him even at such moments when he did not read: the glasses went down on a large aquiline nose, blue half-closed eyes looked with a special expression, and his lips smiled sadly. The room is quiet; only his uniform breathing and the striking of the clock with the gamekeeper can be heard. Sometimes he did not notice me, but I stood at the door and thought: “Poor, poor old man! There are many of us, we play, we have fun, but he is alone, and no one caresses him. The truth is he says that he is an orphan. And the story of his life is so awful! I remember how he told it to Nikolai - it's awful to be in his position! " And you will become so sorry that you would go up to him, take his hand and say: "Lieber Karl Ivanovich!" He loved it when I told him so; always caresses, and it is clear that he is moved. On the other wall were land maps, all almost torn, but skillfully glued by the hand of Karl Ivanitch. On the third wall, in the middle of which there was a door downward, on one side hung two rulers: one - cut, ours, the other - brand new, own, used by him more for encouragement than for shedding; on the other - a black board, on which our big offenses were marked with circles and small crosses. To the left of the board was a corner in which we were put on our knees. How I remember this corner! I remember the damper in the oven, the air vent in this damper and the noise it made when it was turned. Sometimes, you stood, stood in the corner, so that your knees and back hurt, and you thought: "Karl Ivanovich has forgotten about me: it must be easy for him to sit on an easy chair and read his hydrostatics - but what is it like for me?" - and you will begin, to remind you of yourself, slowly open and close the shutter or pick the plaster from the wall; but if suddenly too large a piece falls with a noise on the ground - really, fear alone is worse than any punishment. If you look back at Karl Ivanitch, he is standing there with a book in his hand and as if noticing nothing. In the middle of the room was a table covered with a torn black oilcloth, from under which in many places the edges cut with penknives could be seen. Around the table were several unpainted, but from long-term use of varnished stools. The last wall was occupied by three windows. This is what the view was: right under the windows is a road on which every pothole, every pebble, every track has long been familiar and dear to me; behind the road there is a sheared linden alley, from behind which a wicker palisade can be seen here and there; through the alley, a meadow is seen, on one side of which there is a threshing floor, and opposite a forest; far in the forest is the watchman's hut. From the window to the right you can see a part of the terrace, on which the big ones usually sat until lunchtime. It used to be, while Karl Ivanitch was correcting the sheet with the dictation, you looked in that direction, you saw the black head of mother, someone’s back, and dimly heard talk and laughter from there; It will become so annoying that you cannot be there, and you think: "When will I be big, I will stop studying and will always sit not at dialogues, but with those whom I love?" The annoyance will turn into sadness, and, God knows why and about what, you will think so deeply that you don't even hear Karl Ivanovich angry for mistakes. Karl Ivanitch took off his dressing gown, put on a blue tailcoat with elevations and gathers on his shoulders, straightened his tie in front of the mirror and led us downstairs to greet mother.

"Childhood" by L.N. Tolstoy is an excellent illustration of the mores of that time. The main character and his experiences seem at times naive and a little funny. But if you think about it, even now children and adolescents are worried about the same problems, rejoicing in the same little things. Childhood, especially a happy one, is something that hardly changes. To refresh your memory before class, read the summary of Tolstoy's book chapter by chapter.

The birthday boy, Nikolenka, wakes up in the morning from the fact that his teacher, Karl Ivanovich (a respectable good-natured German), kills a fly over the boy's bed. Because of this, the student is not very happy and angry, thinking that the teacher only needs to do what is unpleasant to him, Nikolenka.

But after a minute he already thinks that Karl Ivanovich is a wonderful person. We need to go down to my mother, so they bring clothes to Nikolenka and his brother Volodya.

While the boy is being dressed, he remembers what a classroom looks like - with a shelf of books, rulers, landacrats, and a punishment angle.

Chapter 2. Maman

Nikolenka goes downstairs to the drawing-room - there are mother and sister Lyuba sitting there. Lyuba is playing the piano, and next to her is the governess Marya Ivanovna. This is an ordinary morning in the family - Karl Ivanovich habitually greets Natalya Nikolaevna (mother), she asks him how the children slept.

After exchanging morning greetings, mother sends the children to greet their father before he leaves for the threshing floor. This time, all the traditional actions were repeated again.

Chapter 3. Dad

Father in his office, together with the clerk Yakov Mikhailov, are sorting out where and how much money needs to be sent, invested, etc.

Pyotr Aleksandrovich (father) has long conversations with Yakov about whether it is worth paying to the Council on time, what is the profit from the mills, whether to send funds to Khabarovsk (mother's village), etc.

When Jacob leaves, the father turns his attention to his sons. And he informs them that he is going to Moscow this night and takes them with him - enough for them to sit in the village, it's time to go to study.

Nikolenka feels sorry for mother and Karl Ivanovich - after all, he will now be calculated, and mother will be lonely.

Chapter 4. Classes

In frustration, Nikolenka cannot concentrate on the lessons, and Karl Ivanovich punishes him. K.I. himself goes to Uncle Nikolai, complaining that the children are leaving, and he taught them for so many years, was attached and loyal to the family, and in return there was no gratitude.

After talking with my uncle, K.I. returns to class and continues the lesson. It drags on for a long time, the teacher does not let go of the boys, and in the meantime, lunch is about to come. Nikolenka hears footsteps, but it is not Fock's butler who always called them to dinner. The door opens, and behind it ...

Chapter 5. The Fool

A man of about 50 enters the room, with a pockmarked face, sparse hair, crooked in one eye. His clothes are torn, a staff in his hand. He moves strangely, his speech is incoherent. This is the wanderer and the holy fool Grisha. He wanders the world in summer and winter barefoot, visits monasteries, gives icons to people he loves and mutters something that others consider to be predictions.

Finally, Fock's butler appears and calls for dinner. The boys go down, Grisha goes after them.

Lyuba and Marya Ivanovna are already sitting downstairs, parents are walking around the drawing-room. M.I.'s daughter comes up to Nikolenka. and Lyuba's friend, Katya, and asks him to persuade the adults to take the girls to hunt.

Have lunch. Parents argue about Grisha and such wanderers, holy fools in general. The father believes that these people should not be allowed to roam the world and upset the nerves of respectable citizens with their appearance and predictions. Mother disagrees with him, but does not start an argument.

At the end of the meal, the boys decide to ask the adults to take the girls on a hunt. They are given the go-ahead, and even mother decides to go with them.

Chapter 6. Preparations for the hunt

During tea time, the clerk, Yakov, is called and given orders for the upcoming hunt. Volodya's horse is lame, and they will saddle him hunting. Mother worries that the playful mare will certainly carry, Volodya will fall and hurt himself.

After lunch, the adults went to the study, and the children went to play in the garden. There they see how they bring horses and a cart, already ready for the hunt. They run to get dressed.

Finally, everyone is ready, the ruler for the ladies is served, as are the horses for the men. Waiting for their father, the boys ride their horses around the yard. The father comes out, they go.

Chapter 7. Hunting

Outside the gates, everyone, except for the father, goes along the road, and he goes to the rye field - the harvest is in full swing, and you need to check how things are going.

There are many people in the field - both women and men. Someone reaps, someone collects in carts and takes away.

When the boys drive up to the Kalinovy forest, they see that the line has already arrived. And besides the line, there is a cart with a cook. This means there will be tea in the fresh air and ice cream. While the family is settling for tea, the hunters with the dogs go on.

The father sends Nikolenka with the dog Giran further, after the hare. They run to a clearing under an oak tree and sit there - waiting for the other hounds to chase the hare.

Nikolenka lies looking at ants and butterflies. A hare appears at the other end of the clearing, the boy shouts, the dog rushes, but the hare escapes safely. The hunters see this and laugh at him. They leave, drive the hare further, and the hero, in frustration, sits in the clearing.

Chapter 8. Games

The family is sitting and drinking tea in the fresh air. Children with ice cream and fruit sit separately and think - what to play.

Then they play Robinson, but without much pleasure - the game is already bored, and they have not come up with a new one.

Chapter 9. Something like first love

Nikolenka watches as Katya tears leaves from the trees, shrugs her shoulders. At some point, he kisses her on the shoulder. The heroine does not understand what kind of tenderness it is. He thinks that he is so used to Katenka that he did not pay much attention to her, but now he paid and fell in love even more.

On the way back, he deliberately lags behind the line and catches up with Katya. But his horse rears up, and the boy almost falls off it.

Chapter 10. What kind of man was my father?

Big stature, strong build, bald head, aquiline nose, small eyes and calm, self-confident movements. He was sensitive and even tearful. He dressed well and in such a way that it all went to his figure. A man with connections. Loved music.

His image is crowned with the imperious character of a person who is firm in his convictions. He feels like the master of the house and the head of the family.

Chapter 11. Study in the study and living room

We returned home from hunting. Mother sat down at the piano, the children began to paint. Nikolenka got blue paint, the hunting drawing was not very successful, and as a result he threw out the blue sheet and went to doze in a chair.

He sees how the clerk Yakov and some people enter the office, the teacher Karl Ivanovich comes. From the office you can hear conversations and the smell of cigars.

Nikolenka falls asleep. He wakes up from the fact that the released father tells his mother that Karl Ivanovich will go to Moscow with the children.

The children decide to go into the room of the holy fool Grisha (he was left to spend the night), and see his chains.

Chapter 12. Grisha

The children are hiding in a closet in Grisha's room. He walks in, undresses, prays and goes to bed. Lying down, he continues to pray. And children, instead of having fun, feel fear.

Nikolenka grabs the hand of Katya, who is sitting next to her, and realizing that it is she, kisses her hand. The heroine pushes the boy away, it becomes noisy. Grisha crosses the corners of the room, and the children run away from the closet.

Chapter 13. Natalia Savishna

This chapter tells the story of a maid who served in the family of Nikolenka's mother. At first it was just a maid, Natasha, after the birth of Natalya Nikolaevna (mother), she became a nanny. She wanted to marry the butler Foku (then he was still a waiter), but the owners saw ingratitude in this and drove Natasha away. True, six months later, they realized that without her - as if without hands, they returned, made Natalya Nikolaevna's personal maid. Natasha put on a cap and became Natalia Savishna.

When to N.N. a governess was already assigned, Natalya Savishna received the keys to the pantry, and became something like a housekeeper-housekeeper.

When N.N. got married, she gave her governess free, which she refused to accept. So, Natalia Savishna remained in the family of her pupil. Now she took care of Natalya Nikolaevna's children and loved them very much.

At the moment of the narration, N.S. appears when Nikolenka dropped the decanter of kvass and stained the tablecloth. N.S. came, scolded the boy, and he, in his best traditions, took offense at her. While Nikolenka was thinking how to take revenge on the harmful Natalya, she came and gave him a cornet (a piece of paper rolled up in a corner) with caramels. And Nikolenka forgave her.

Chapter 14. Parting

In the courtyard there is a chaise in which Uncle Nikolai is packing the boys' things. The courtyards are watching, and the drivers are preparing the chaise for the trip.

The family is sitting in the living room for the last minutes together. An atmosphere of sadness and upcoming separation. Nikolenka is saddened, seeing her mother's tears, Foka and Natalia Savishna's upset, and, at the same time, wants to go as soon as possible. They say goodbye, last kisses, tears ... They leave.

Chapter 15. Childhood

Nikolenka recalls the days she spent at home. His games, his mother's kisses, a cozy armchair in the living room ...

Nostalgia takes over the boy and lulls him to sleep.

Chapter 16. Poems

A month has passed since the moment when Nikolenka and his brother moved to Moscow. The boys are preparing for their grandmother's birthday. Volodya drew a Turk for her ("head", as the drawing teacher says), and the younger brother decided to give poetry. I wrote two poems in the heat of the moment, and then nothing went into my head. Found a poem by Karl Ivanovich, decided to take it as a model. Wrote, copied beautifully for a long time. But at the last moment he did not like the final lines - "... and we love like a mother." It was too late to redo something, and the dress clothes had already been brought.

The three of us went down - Karl Ivanovich, Volodya and Nikolenka - in tailcoats, pomaded and all with their gifts. Grandmother graciously accepted both the box from Karl Ivanovich and the Turk from Volodya. It was Nikolenka's turn. He was already completely intimidated, and was afraid to give his package of verses. The elderly woman unfolded, began to read aloud, then, without finishing reading, asked the boys' father to read again and in full - her poor eyesight did not allow her. Nikolenka was ready to sink into the ground, but grandmother said that it was all lovely and put the package with the rest of the gifts. Princess Varvara Ilyinichna appeared.

Chapter 17. Princess Kornakov

The princess seems to Nikolenka not a very pleasant-looking woman - small, bilious, puny, with unpleasant gray-green eyes. He talks a lot, even despite the obvious displeasure of the grandmother. The princess brags about her son Etienne - a young rake, does not even give a word to the mistress. They discuss parenting methods.

Then Kornakova decides to meet the boys. Father presents Volodya as a secular youth, and Nikolenka - as a poet - small and with whirlwinds. The hero begins to reflect on the fact that he is a fool of himself, as his mother had already told him a long time ago. And since his face is not too beautiful, he needs to become an intelligent and kind person. But at moments like this, it seems to Nikolenka that there will be no ugly happiness on earth for him.

Chapter 18. Prince Ivan Ivanovich

Kornakova listened to Nikolenka's poems, talked to her grandmother and left.

Another friend came - an elderly man in a uniform, with a face of remarkable beauty - Prince Ivan Ivanovich.

With him, the grandmother discusses her grandchildren again. She believes that the boys should have been sent to the city for education much earlier, because now they are completely wild - they don't even know how to enter a room. They also discuss the parents' income, their relationship.

Nikolenka, who unwittingly overheard this conversation, tiptoes out of the room.

Chapter 19. Ivin

Acquaintance with the Ivin family. They have three boys in the family, and the second of them, Seryozha, is the subject of Nikolenka's adoration. The boy tries to imitate his friend, considers him the most beautiful person, but Seryozha pays almost no attention to the hero. Their governor, Herr Frost, arrived with the Ivinas - that type of young Russian German who wants to be a brave fellow and a bummer.

In the front garden, children play robbers. Seryozha is one of the robbers, and Nikolenka is a gendarme. But at one point Ivin falls, bruises his knee, and the hero, instead of arresting him during the game, begins to inquire about his health. Seryozha is angry, he says that you can find out after the game. Nikolenka, on the other hand, is delighted with the steadfastness and courage of his hero.

The company is joined by Ilenka Grap, the son of a poor foreigner who owed something to the boys' grandfather.

After playing robbers, the children go to the house. There they are busy and flaunt in front of each other with various gymnastic tricks. And then the boys decide to force Ilenka to do gymnastic tricks. They forcefully put him on his head, and when he hits Seryozha's eye with fear, they start calling him names. Ilenka is crying, and Ivin says that there is nothing to be with him, let him sit alone. In Nikolenka, admired by Seryozha, not a drop of his usual pity wakes up.

Chapter 20. Guests are gathering

Nikolenka is impatient - he is waiting for the Ivins to arrive. A stroller drives up, but strangers get out of it. The boy is waiting in the hallway. One of the unfamiliar figures turns out to be a lovely girl of Nikolenka's age. In a muslin dress, curly, big-eyed. This is Sonechka Valakhina, together with her mother.

The grandmother introduces the Valakhins to her grandson and sends the children to dance and have fun. In the hallway, meanwhile, the children of Princess Kornakova had already appeared - all equally unpleasant and ugly, especially Etienne.

He immediately begins to brag that he does not ride in a wheelchair, but on a box. A footman appears, who asks - where is Etienne doing the whip. He says that he does not remember, and maybe he lost - then he will pay. The footman reminds that he already owes money to several servants, but Etienne rudely cuts him off and leaves. When he comes to see his grandmother, she treats him with some contempt, but the young prince does not notice this.

Nikolenka, on the other hand, draws everything in front of Sonechka, and for the first time he is annoyed that Ivins have arrived - now Seryozha will see Sonechka and will show himself to her.

Chapter 21. Before the Mazurka

There will be dances, but Nikolenka and Volodya do not have kid gloves for them. The hero finds only one - an old and torn one, and approaches his grandmother with a question about gloves, and she laughs and tells Valakhin that this is how her grandson is ready to dress up for a dance with Sonechka. The girl laughs, but this episode helped Nikolenka overcome her shyness, and they soon set off to dance.

Together they laugh at that torn glove and dance. Nikolenka talks about Karl Ivanovich, about herself. After the square dance, Sonechka leaves, and for the next dance he invites an adult girl, taking her out from under the nose of another gentleman.

Chapter 22. Mazurka

Nikolenka sits and looks at the people dancing in the hall. The boy notices that everyone is not dancing the way he was taught. He did not get a pair for the mazurka, but he is cheerful after dancing with Sonechka. However, the girl, whom he took away for the last dance, decides to entertain him and sends one of the princesses to dance with him.

Confused, Nikolenka begins to dance not as is customary here, but as he was taught. The princess is at a loss, but her father says that if you don’t know how, then don’t take it. He takes the princess away, and the son remains in complete disorder - even his father is ashamed of him, and Sonechka also laughed. He wants to be at home again, where everything is so clear, friendly and warm.

Chapter 23. After the Mazurka

The young man, from whom Nikolenka took the lady to a dance, decides to cheer and cheer the boy - he jokes, pours him wine until the adults see. In the end, the hero gets drunk and cheerful. Sonechka persuades her mother to stay another half hour and leads Nikolenka to dance.

After the merry dancing, the boy again falls into despondency - he is still not good enough for a girl like Sonechka. Before the heroine leaves, they persuade the girl to persuade her mother to come again on Tuesday. All the boys are fascinated by Sonechka, but Nikolenka is sure that she liked him the most.

Chapter 24. In bed

Volodya and Nikolenka are in their room. They discuss - what a charm this Sonechka is, and what each of them would do for her - Nikolenka is ready to jump out of the window, and Volodya is ready to kiss her all.

Their discussions are naive and pure, yet both are embarrassed.

Chapter 25. Letter

Six months have passed since leaving the village. The father receives a letter and says that they all need to go to Petrovskoe - home. Matushka writes about her affairs at home, about the successes of the boys' sister, Lyubochka, and admits that she is very ill.

The letter contains a note from the governess Marya Ivanovna, and she asks to hurry up with the arrival, while mother is still alive.

Chapter 26. What awaited us in the village

The boys together with their father came to Petrovskoe. There they learn that mother has not got out of bed for six days. In her room, they meet a doctor, Natalia Savishna and a maid girl.

As soon as they arrived, they found the last minutes of the life of their dear mother, who was so kind and affectionate with all the household.

Chapter 27. Woe

The next day, late in the evening, Nikolenka sneaks into the hall where there is a coffin with his mother. He cannot come to terms with her death and, looking at the body in the coffin, imagines her alive.

The next morning, a memorial service takes place. During her time, Nikolenka cries decently, crosses herself. But in his thoughts he worries that the frock coat is pressing on him, and how not to get his trousers on his knees dirty. The whole family and servants are in utter despair and sadness. The last to say goodbye to the deceased is a peasant woman with a child in her arms. The girl is frightened by the face of the deceased and screams. This upsets Nikolenka even more.

Chapter 28. Last sad memories

Nikolenka regularly visits Natalya Savishna for several days - she tells him stories about his mother, her childhood and how the deceased loved her maid. Three days after the funeral, the half-orphaned boys leave with their father back to Moscow.

The grandmother learns about the death of Natalya Nikolaevna from them, and for a week falls into unconsciousness. She now runs through the rooms, then imagines that Natalya Nikolaevna has come to her, then she screams. A week later, the old woman's grief is shed in tears.

Nikolenka understands that childhood is over. In the end, he mentions that he did not see Natalya Savishna again - soon after his mistress died, she herself, in a month before she ordered everything about her funeral. She died after a serious illness, but with a smile on her face and peace of mind - she was faithful to her masters all her life, did not take anything from someone else, and before her death she gave 10 rubles to the priest so that he would give them to the poor in his parish.

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