Abstract:
This study conducts a thorough corpus-based analysis of Gorky Maxim’s short stories,
focusing on the lexical choices that characterize his unique literary style and thematic
exploration. Gorky’s significant influence on 20th-century literature is evident in his
skillful use of language, adeptly portraying settings and characters, particularly within
the realm of realism. His narratives, deeply rooted in a robust social critique, confront
the prevalent inequalities and injustices of his era. The analysis employs Antconc
software for both Key Word in Context (KWIC) and word frequency analyses, offering
a dual quantitative and qualitative examination of Gorky’s lexical preferences. Within
a Marxist theoretical framework, this research delves into how Gorky’s stories
illuminate class struggles and social disparities. Selected short stories such as In the
Step, One Autumn Night, Twenty-Six Men of Us & One Other, Her Lover, A Rolling
Stone, The Green Kitchen, Comrades, Chums, and Cheek Lash act as gateways into
Gorky’s exploration of human existence, societal challenges, and the repercussions of
capitalism. The objective is to uncover the nuanced use of language in Gorky’s works,
thereby contributing to a more profound understanding of his literary legacy and
societal insights
