Mother

Illustrated by Sigismond de Ivanowski

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"Mother" by Maksim Gorky is a novel written in 1906 about revolutionary factory workers. It follows Pelageya Nilovna Vlasova, a woman enduring brutal poverty and manual labor in a Russian factory. When her son Pavel becomes involved in revolutionary activities, the illiterate mother gradually transforms from fearful bystander to active participant in the movement. Based on real events from a 1902 May Day demonstration, the novel blends political awakening with biblical imagery, portraying revolutionaries as martyrs fighting against exploitation by authorities and the wealthy.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.