What themes appear in Maxim Gorky’s autobiographical trilogy?

Maxim Gorky’s autobiographical trilogy—comprising My Childhood, In the World, and My Universities—is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of the genre in Russian literature. Rather than preaching openly, Gorky uses these works to convey several key themes through detailed vignettes and portraits of the people he encountered during his youth and early manhood.12

The primary themes explored in the trilogy include:

• Protest against cruelty: The narrative serves as a critique of the motiveless brutality Gorky witnessed, particularly during his upbringing under his grandfather.12
• Self-reliance and toughness: Gorky emphasizes the necessity of resilience, a trait he was forced to develop after leaving home at age 12 to navigate the world on his own.12
• The value of hard work: The books reflect on the importance of labor and the formative nature of his experiences as an apprentice and worker.2
• Education through life: The title of the final volume, My Universities, is sardonic; it highlights that his true education came not from formal institutions, but from the harsh realities of life itself.2