The novel My University is the last autobiographical trilogy completed by Gorky 1923 during his convalescence abroad, and the first important work he wrote after the October Revolution. The novel tells the story of 16-year-old hero, full of the desire to go to college, bidding farewell to his elderly grandmother and coming to Kazan city on the Volga River from Nizhny Novgorod. When he arrived in Kazan, the hero clearly saw that the harsh real life suddenly dashed his good wish to go to college, because he had to face up to life and work for survival first. So the slums, despicable streets and ship docks of Kazan became his first social university on the road of life.
My university described his activities and growing experience in Kazan. He 16 years old came to Kazan with the hope of going to college, but his dream could not be realized. The slums and docks of Kazan became his social university. He has no place to live and shares a bed with others. Working in docks, bakeries and grocery stores. Later, due to contact with college students, middle school students, members of secret groups and revolutionaries exiled from Siberia, their thoughts changed. He read works of revolutionary democracy and Marxism until he took part in revolutionary activities. Under the guidance of revolutionaries, he got rid of the mental crisis of suicide. During his four years in Kazan, his thoughts, knowledge and social experience have made great progress.
On Earth is not only an autobiography of the author's childhood, but also a life history of teenagers, and it is also an art history of the times, reflecting the disintegration process of handicrafts in the petty bourgeoisie stage caused by the growth of Russian industrial capitalism. Asha's grandfather Kashirin's bankruptcy is a true portrayal of Russia in 1970s and 1980s. The novel describes the hard life of ordinary Russians and their daily anguish, and shows the growing resistance of teenagers to this life. So as to create a vivid image of a capable and curious teenager. This book truly describes the grim and gloomy life of the lower class, and also describes that teenagers from the lower class have established their own preliminary world outlook. This autobiographical novel was well received by progressive social activists. Armenian writer sylvain Zajie believes that this novel is of great significance to all mankind.