The father-son conflict in the short novel (povest’) “The mother” by Maxim Gorky

The turn of the 20th century was marked by M. Gorky’s search for new artistic forms, genres, new aesthetics and a new hero. It was important for the writer to bring timeliness and usefulness of literature come to the fore. In the short novel “The Mother” Gorky attempted to present the result of his search: to act as an innovator in terms of genre; to acquaint readers with a new type of hero, his new truth and aesthetics, to demonstrate his goals and capabilities; as well as to resolve the long-standing conflict of “fathers and sons,” which concerned the writer at the very beginning of his career. Gorky offered his version of the solution to the conflict, which consisted of breaking the binding thread between generations of “fathers and children.” According to the writer’s observations, the generation of “fathers” turned out to be incapable of this, as well as incapable of resolving the existing contradictions and finding a compromise, therefore, he took the side of the younger generation in the overdue “confrontation.” Having taken the father, as the bearer of the traditions of the past that have become obsolete, out of the dispute, the writer provided the Son with the opportunity to assert his own new truth, the essence of which is the struggle for a better future for all mankind. The author entrusted this exalted and honorable mission to the younger generation. Gorky’s innovation was expressed in the fact that he made Mother the key assistant, friend and ally in this significant matter, thereby reminding society of the lofty purpose and role of a woman, as well as the sacred essence of motherhood in this world. The main conclusion of the study states that the spiritual revival of Pelageya Vlasova as an individual is the central leitmotif of this work.