The play "At the Bottom" was created by Maxim Gorky especially for the troupe Art Theater, and initially did not look in the eyes of the author as an independent literary work. However, the power of psychological embodiment, the sharp, to some extent even scandalous, theme of the work, brought the play "At the Bottom" to the rank of the strongest dramatic works.
"At the bottom" is a peculiar continuation of the theme of the humiliated and insulted in Russian literature. The author tells about the thoughts and feelings of people who, by the will of circumstances, found themselves at the very bottom of society. The very title of the work contains deepest meaning, which very accurately reflects the theme of the play.
The main images and heroes of the play "At the bottom"
From the first pages of the drama "At the Bottom" a dark and unpleasant picture unfolds before us. Dark dirty basement that looks more like primeval cave is the home of many people who different reasons got to the bottom social life. Many of them are rich in the past successful people who broke down under the pressure of fate, many continue their beggarly existence here.
All of them are bound by the same fetters, which consist in the absence of any spiritual and cultural development. The inhabitants of the rooming house are tired of struggling with difficulties and obediently swim along the life stream. Gorky vividly depicts lost people who will never be able to rise from the "bottom".
Thief Vaska Pepel not trying to change their life values, talking about what continues the thieves' path of their parents. The actor, who was in fact one of the most thoughtful inhabitants of the rooming house, unable to apply his philosophical reflections in practice, finally falls asleep.
Died in terrible agony Anna who still firmly believed before last moment your life in recovery. But like every society, even at its very bottom there was a person who tried to reassure and kindle the fire of faith in the souls of the destitute.
The priest was such a hero Luke. He tried to instill faith in people in salvation, pushed them to feel the strength in themselves and get out of the bottom of society. However, no one heard him. After the death of the priest, the existence of people became even more unbearable, they lost that weak thin thread of hope that was still in their souls.
It destroyed the dreams Tick O a better life, and he was the first to give up in his struggle for existence. The hope that at least someone could get out of here was completely crushed. The inhabitants did not have the strength to follow the light that Luke showed them.
The tragedy of society in the play
On the example of heroes, the author shows how people should not live. And this in no way concerns their fall, since no one in life is immune from this. But once at the bottom, no one has the right to obey circumstances, but on the contrary, this should serve powerful impetus to a better life.
"At the bottom" can be regarded as a kind of historical record. The situation described in the play was quite common at the beginning of the century.
The young tend to build" castles in the air", dream about something. Few people in their youth come up with the idea that he will not achieve anything in life, will drag out a miserable existence or even sink to the very "bottom" of life. Most often, people dream of eternal love, glory, a comfortable life, serving the people and about simple human happiness. M. Gorky's play "At the bottom" is just about such people, people who were "at the bottom".
Initially, the play had another no less speaking name"No Sun" Then this name was transformed into "Nochlezhka". But this option was also rejected by the author. After much deliberation, it is confirmed new version- "At the bottom of life." Just before the play's release, in 1902, the title was shortened by one word. IN final version The name turned out to be the most appropriate of all previously announced. The play reflects many of the contradictions of the early twentieth century. It reflects both social and philosophical conflict. There is a place and love drama. The action of the play takes place in the Kostylevs' rooming house, where "everything is unpainted and dirty", "stone vaults ... with fallen off plaster". The inhabitants of the “bottom” - the inhabitants of the Kostylevo rooming house - were thrown out of their ranks by society. The “bottom” threatens stumbled, weak, unsettled people with moral or physical death. Here are people with various characters, destinies and various social background: a worker and a thief, a ruined baron and a drunken actor, lung woman behavior and righteousness. At the first meeting with the inhabitants of the rooming house, it is clear that suffering and very lonely people appear before us. Gorky deliberately does not give complete biography heroes. We can build it only by individual replicas. So what can we say about each hero?
In general, all the inhabitants of the rooming house can be divided into three groups. The first are those who have come to terms with the status quo. Having found a saving dream, false and unrealizable in its essence, they found an excuse for themselves in refusing to actively life position. The second are those people who would like to start new life, get out of the "bottom". And the third, last image is Satin, taken separately from the others. Let's now consider each group separately.
Representatives of the first group are Bubnov, Nastya, Baron, Actor and Anna. We learn about Bubnov from his stories: once he was the owner of a dyeing workshop. His wife soon got along with the master, and Bubnov, fearing for his life, chose to simply leave. According to his theory, the very environment in which a person is placed forms the latter, makes him completely dependent on himself. The truth of Bubnov is the truth of external circumstances, in which a person is denied personal initiative. Here we see a true adherent of fatalism. The environment that surrounds him is vile and dirty. There are no good people here, and therefore there is nothing to "paint" yourself.
Nastya - lung girl behavior. Despite all the cruelty, humiliation and insults, she did not despair, did not become cruel and soulless. On the contrary, she sincerely dreams of great and bright love. But in the real, surrounding reality, there is no place for pure love, except for its face value on paper. Not wanting to take a sober look at reality, she created a past for herself, in which a large and pure love. She presents her created world as real.
Baron - just like Nastya lives in the past, but unlike her, it really took place. From time to time, remembering his former state, his famous family, the Baron is unable to deal with the difficult reality. He finds salvation from memories and bitterness of loss at the bottom of a glass. Author's attitude to such a hero is expressed by the following phrase: "You cannot go far in the carriage of the past." So it is: the Baron's "carriage" stands still, and he himself does not take any steps to change his life.
The actor is another inhabitant of the rooming house. The real name of the hero is not known. In the past, he was a representative creative intelligentsia, and now it's just a man "without a name". remembering former glory, each time he colors it in more bright colors than she actually was. Saved from the bitter "truth of life" as well as the previous hero - drunkenness.
The most pathetic and tragic character, in my opinion, is Anna. She is the hardest of all: she is sick and fading away every day. Gorkovskaya Anna is collective image ordinary woman beginning of the twentieth century. She describes her life as follows: “I don’t remember when I was full ... I was shaking over every piece of bread ... I was trembling all my life ... I was tormented ... how not to eat more than others ... I went all my life in rags ... my whole unhappy life. "Most likely she was born in normal poor family. Then she got married, not so much out of love, but out of necessity. The image of Anna is rather neutral, characterizing the total mass gray people: those who do not create evil in life, but also do not represent a bright image. She is completely at peace with surrounding reality hoping only for happiness in the afterlife.
All these people, having sunk to the very "bottom" after many hardships, became ruthless both to themselves and to others. In response to their complaints, they receive only laughter and bullying from others. The Baron, who lives at the expense of Nastya, is amused by her fantasies and tears. Everyone is closed in his grief and leads an endless story about him, not listening to those who may also need help.
The only one who believes in the ability to escape, to escape from the "bottom" is Kleshch, a representative of the second group. Yes, he is angry with people, sometimes cruel with Anna - his wife. But the only one who sees salvation in exhausting, hard, but honest work: "I'm a working person... I'm ashamed to look at them... I've been working since I was young... Do you think I won't get out of here? I'll get out... I'll rip off my skin and get out."
And finally, the third last group. Its only representative is Konstantin Satin. Why does he stand out from the rest? He is the bearer of the philosophy of the truth of life in a dispute with Luke. In his opinion, one should not give up, it is necessary to openly look at troubles and try to solve them. All we know about him is that in the present he is a card sharper. Previously, he worked as a telegraph operator, but after the crime committed by him, he ended up at the "bottom". In many ways, he stands out against the background of the general mass of "gray" rooming houses: with his remarks, education and intelligence. In a dispute with Luke, they are united by the fact that both stand on positions of respect for a person. But everyone sees it differently. Satin, in his fiery monologue, claims that "falsehood is the religion of slaves and masters. Truth is God free man". He is also against any compassion for a person: "You must respect a person! Do not regret ... do not humiliate him with pity. "And therefore, apparently, he opens everyone's eyes to Luka's deception: The actor assures that there are no free hospitals for alcoholics, Vaska Pepla jokingly pushes him to a crime. And what eventually led Is this the truth? To the death of the Actor and Ash's exile to Siberia. That's the whole truth of Konstantin Satin.
Bed-and-breakfasts appear before us miserable and miserable. None of them could get out of the "bottom", could not change anything in themselves. And so they all remained to live out their short life "at the bottom".
Characteristics of the main characters of the work At the bottom, Gorky. Their images and description
One of the characters in the play, an inhabitant of a rooming house. He does not give his real name, since he himself forgot it due to drunkenness. He remembers only a pseudonym, appears to be Sverchkov-Zavolzhsky. The Actor's memory has become so bad that he tries in vain to remember poetry or recite excerpts from plays.
A consumptive woman living on her own last days, the wife of the hard worker Klesch. She is tired of a life in which she shakes over every piece of bread and walks in rags. At the same time, Anna constantly demolishes cruel treatment husband. Anyone sympathizes with the poor thing, but not her husband.
One of the more miserable inhabitants of the rooming house in the play, a former nobleman who squandered his fortune. He is thirty three years old. He was once a rich aristocrat, and now he has sunk to the very "bottom", to the position of a pimp. In the past, he had hundreds of serfs and carriages with coats of arms.
One of the inhabitants of the rooming house, a kartuznik who lives there on credit. In the past, he was the owner of a dyeing workshop. However, his wife agreed with the master, after which he chose to leave in order to stay alive. Now he has sunk to the very “bottom” and does not want to retain any positive qualities in himself.
The wife of the owner of the rooming house, Kostylev, and the mistress of Vaska Pepel. Vasilisa is a cruel and domineering woman. She is 28 years younger than her husband and does not love him at all, most likely, she lives with him for the sake of money. She dreams of getting rid of him as soon as possible and from time to time persuades the guest Vaska the thief to save her from her husband.
Guest of a rooming house, a hereditary thief. He was told from childhood that he would grow up to be a thief, like his father. With such parting words, he grew up. Vaska is 28 years old. He is young, cheerful and naturally a kind person. He does not want to accept such a life and tries in every possible way to find another truth.
One of the characters in the play; hostel resident; dumpling vendor. Kvashnya kind woman, which can be understood by her attitude in the sick Anna, whom even her husband does not regret. She often feeds the sick, takes care of her.
One of the guests of the rooming house, a locksmith by profession, Anna's husband. At the beginning of the play, he idealizes hard work, considering this the only way out. He dreams of returning to a normal life with the help of honest labor. The tick is opposed to other lodgers who prefer to do nothing.
One of the main actors in the play, an ambiguous character, an elderly wanderer who unexpectedly appeared in a rooming house. He has rich life experience and his mission is to comfort disappointed people.
One of minor characters in the play, the uncle of Vasilisa and Natalia, a policeman. It is a precinct district where Kostylev's rooming house is located. Frequently visits to keep order.
One of the inhabitants of the rooming house in the play, a fallen woman who dreams of romantic love. Despite the fact that she is engaged in prostitution, she dreams of pure and devoted love. However, she is surrounded by poverty, hopelessness and humiliation.
The sister of the hostess of the hostel, a kind and soft-hearted girl. Her image is noticeably different from other guests. Natasha combines kindness, purity, dignity and pride. It was with these qualities that she charmed Vaska Ash. The intrigue of the play is whether she will be able to retain these qualities under the influence of a rough and cruel environment.
Innovation of AM Gorky For the first time before the viewer appeared the previously unseen world of thieves, vagabonds and prostitutes, and in it is a reflection of the world from which these people were cast out. Image of this scary world- an indictment against an unjust social order.
Inhabitants of the flophouse Inhabitants of the bottom are thrown out of life due to the conditions prevailing in society. Their destinies are indicated by a few words. People are mutilated, broken by life and doomed to death, although they deserve a better fate. Before us are deeply suffering and lonely people. Everyone is closed in his grief Photograph sent by Gorky to the Moscow Art Theater
Kleshch and Anna Kleshch - locksmith. I went to the "bottom", losing my job. He dreams of getting out of the rooming house and doing honest work. He lives in the hope of liberation, which will bring him the death of his wife. Dying Anna all her life she “shook over every piece of bread” and constantly worries, “how not to eat more than another”. Act I. Artist S. Gonkov.
Baron Ruined nobleman. All his property is memories of the former greatness of his kind. He lives at the expense of Nastya, but her tears and fantasies only amuse him. He mocks everyone and quickly loses his human appearance. Baron: “Ah… for some reason I was born… huh?” Baron V. Kachalov. Performance of the Moscow Art Theatre.
Actor Former theater actor. Once played on stage and wore sonorous surname Sverchkov - Transdanubian, and now he drank himself. Lives in memories of beauty. Of all the overnight stays, he is distinguished by a fine mental organization. Actor E. Reiher. Performance "Kleines Theatre", Berlin.
Vaska Pepel Thief. Son of a thief. Born in prison and doomed to walk this road. But he yearns right life: dreams of marrying Natasha, getting out of Vasilisa's power. “... you have to live ... otherwise! It is better to live! ... so that I can respect myself ... " Vaska Pepel I. Skanke. Performance by the Alma and Johan Falstram Theatre. Christiania (now Oslo), Norway.
Luke Name - the duality of the image: Luke means "bright" (the name of one of the 4 canonical evangelists) and evokes associations with the word "evil". Finds an approach to each overnight stay. In anyone he sees a person, his bright sides, instills in people faith in the best and in himself. Luka I. Moskvin. Performance of the Moscow Art Theater
“A man is free… he pays for everything himself: for faith, for disbelief, for love, for intelligence – a man pays for everything himself, and therefore he is free!..” “Don't offend a man! And if I was offended once - and for the rest of my life at once! How to be? Forgive? “After all, you ... you live with me, like a worm with an apple!”
Satin's Philosophy Satin does not believe in man, weak and small, but in humanity. Instead of "love of neighbor." He offers "love for the distant" person, the dream person. Satin: “Lie is the religion of slaves and masters… Truth is the god of a free man” “Man is the truth! Human! That sounds…proud!” Act IV. Artist S. Gonkov.
Philosophy of Luke Luke is the bearer of the philosophy of faith. He believes in every person. The essence of his philosophy: faith can change the real truth, as it helps to get away from the terrible reality into the world of beautiful illusions. Luke's truth is expressed in a simple formula: "What you believe is what you are." Act II. Artist S. Gonkov.
The philosophy of the author A.M. Gorky argues with Luka: one cannot live in captivity of illusions, and insight is always tragic. And the worst thing is that a person can come to terms with his hopeless life. This reconciliation must not be allowed. The composition of the play exposes Luke's philosophy.
