Ivan Tsyganok is not a central figure in the novel “Childhood” by M. Gorky, his character is secondary. In addition, on the example of Ivan’s fate, we can more fully feel the spirit of that time, feel how insignificant the price of human life is on the scale of an entire state.
And Ivan’s fate is not easy. A baby throws him to the gates of the Kashirin family. Akulina Ivanovna, the mistress, is imbued with love for a small defenseless creature. She had lost several of her own children by that time, so she persuades her husband to adopt a foundling. She considers this to be God's gift, a sign that was sent to her as a consolation in her grief. The boy grew up healthy, had a cheerful, sociable character. For swarthy skin, slanting eyes and thieves' habits of him and nicknamed "Gypsy." From early childhood he was taught craft and he studied well and diligently. By his 19 years, Gypsy was a great master, “golden hands”, so the Kashirin family loves him, even his grandfather scolds him not so often and angrily as his own sons. And Gypsy loves to steal at the bazaar for the sake of entertainment, and for this the family also appreciates him. He doesn’t steal for profit, he just likes to do it. There is neither greed, nor self-interest in him - he gives all the stolen goods to Jacob and Mikhail. And we believe him, because the hero is very cheerful, having fun and having fun almost all his free time. Dancing, singing songs, showing tricks and joking, fooling around like a child, despite his age at that time.
When Alyosha appears in the Kashirin’s house, he likes Gypsies right away. From the very beginning, he saves him: he puts his hand under the rods with which his grandfather, distraught with anger, wanted to award Alexei. Alyosha sees that Ivan has a kind heart, tries to get close to him, hears him and fools around with him. Gypsy woman responds with kindness and participation, friendship arises between the boys. A gypsy woman shares with him a revelation that he loves only his grandmother, Akulin, from the whole family, and considers others cruel and greedy people. About Alyosha, he says that he is from a “different breed”, from the Peshkov family, and this is his main distinguishing feature in Alyosha.
Gypsy woman left the most vivid impressions in the heart of Alexei. He is cheerful, provocative, reckless, joyful, the author compares it to a spinning top that spins all the time without stopping.
The sudden death of the Gypsy shocked Alexei and revealed the secret of the current state of affairs in the Kashirin family. The story happened very symbolic: Ivan helps his half-brothers Mikhail and Yakov transfer from one place to another the hardest cross for the grave. In the course of this work, the Gypsy slipped and fell. And the brothers, instead of helping Ivan, throw off the cross on top of him, actually killing him. It is difficult to say whether this plan was thought out from the very beginning or spontaneously arose. But only one thing is clear - Mikhail and Yakov never considered Ivan a brother, moreover, they only used him, hated secretly, wished for death. Further it turns out that Grandfather Vasily knew about the behavior of his grandchildren and their attitude, but remained inactive for many years.
As a result, we see a talented man in vain ruined, who was offended and used for many years by members of his own family. This reveals the true face of the Kashirin brothers and their grandfather. We understand that these people do not do good just like that, but only in order to benefit from it. And moral blindness does not allow them to discern and appreciate the kindness and talent of the person whom they used and killed, having remained completely unpunished for their terrible act.
Volga and Mikula
