Political consciousness in Mother by Maxim Gorky

Abstract

The then Russian society has been sketched in the Mother. It depicts the obligatory circumstances of working class people and females who have existing by struggling against the predominant bourgeois and capitalistic ideology. As male workers, females have also struggled against the opponent class and its ideology. Pelageya Nilovna, Sophia, Natasha are the symbols of oppressed, helpless, alienated and illiterate females, know nothing about society and politics in the beginning. Later on Pelageya’s recollection of suffering in the past, Pavel’s opinion, his secret involvement in socialist party and their study of forbidden books sow the seed of consciousness in her mind. She witnesses the worsened condition of workers and females due to illegal detention, suppression, exploitation and atrocity during the Czar regime. This clarifies the necessity to overthrow the existing system as well as to grasp the way of their liberation. The very understanding clarifies their roadmap and promotes their involvement for social change. Moreover, her clear understanding of socio-economic, political structure and certain roadmap matures their consciousness and widens the horizon of their consciousness. Similarly, the misjudgment of their social contribution and biological role, mistreatment of patriarchy and capitalism, and everlasting dependency gives birth to consciousness to gain rights, liberty, freedom, and for radical political change. Gradual development of consciousness and its maturity regards socialism is the best option for females’ liberation.