In the rooming house, which belongs to Kostylev and his wife Vasilisa, poor, deserted “former people” live, as Gorky himself defined them. “At the bottom”, a brief summary of which we will consider further, speaks with all the terrible truth about them as those who already have neither faith nor hope. Meaninglessness
human life, forcing these people to paint it, amuse themselves with ghostly illusions. But reality brutally breaks in and destroys them.
M. Gorky “At the bottom”. Summary of Act 1
The play begins with a heated quarrel between Kvasha, a dumpling merchant, and Mite, the husband of Anna dying here. Then the guests find out for a long time who should clean the room, because nobody wants to do this.
The actor, in order to avoid unscheduled vigil, offers to help the panting Anna out in the canopy, breathe air.
At this time, Kostylev appears in the rooming house. He suspects that his young wife is spinning tricks with the thief Ash and came to look for her. But the Ashes drive the master away. To which Satin advises him to kill Kostylev and become the owner of this whole house.
The generous Ashes loan money to the Actor. To which Mite evil remarks that money is easily given to a thief, and he is a working man and is proud of it.
During this argument, the hostess's sister, Natasha, brought in a new guest, Luka. It immediately becomes clear that the girl really likes Vaska Pepl. But it is dangerous. Jealous Vasilisa has repeatedly beat her for it. Indeed, soon behind the scenes you can hear Vasilisa trying to kill Natasha.
M. Gorky “At the bottom”. Summary of Act 2
In the evening, almost all of its inhabitants gathered in a rooming house. Some play cards, others checkers, someone sings mournfully.
Luke is sitting at the bed of the unfortunate Anna. He consoles her, explaining that she will rest in the next world and will no longer know the troubles. At the same time, he tells the actor about the amazing hospital for alcoholics, promising to later name the city in which it is located.
Ash is trying to find out from Medvedev whether Vasilisa beat Natasha badly, for which he hears threats from a policeman. At this moment, Luka intervenes, offering the thief to go to Siberia himself, since it is good for those who have a head on their shoulders.
A little later, Luka overhears the conversation between Ashes and Vasilisa, in which she invited him to kill her husband for money, and then pick up Natasha and leave.
M. Gorky “At the bottom”. Summary of Act 3
Behind the house, in the wasteland, Nastya talks about her love with a Frenchman. It can be seen that the whole plot is drawn from the novels that she loves to read. They do not believe her, she is offended, and Luke confirms that if a girl believes that love was, then it is so.
In answer to Natasha’s question, why, he is a kind old man who answers that someone in the world needs to be like that, and tells the story of fugitive convicts whom he sheltered in the cold winter.
Ashes under Luka asks Natasha once more to believe him and leave with him. The old man supports the guy and advises to run together. All this overheard Vasilisa. And Kostylev, who appeared in the wasteland, tells Luke to get out of the rooming house.
Soon it becomes audible how the Kostylevs beat Natasha. Ashes, standing up for her, in a fight accidentally kills the owner.
“At the bottom”, Gorky, summary of act 4
In the turmoil at the time, Luke disappeared. Guests cannot forget it. In addition, they say that Natasha, whom her sister had boiled boiling water on that terrible day, had already left the hospital, and nothing more was heard about her. Ashes are on trial, and Vasilisa is likely to turn out, because she is cunning.
All are gloomy and depressed. Satin, trying to reconcile his neighbors with life, fervently says that everyone is free to choose, and no one needs pity - you just need to respect. Guests gathered for the night want to sing all night. They drag out "The sun rises and sets ..", but at this time Bubnov runs in and screams that the Actor hanged himself. There is silence, and only Sateen sighs that such a song is spoiled.
The play “At the Bottom” (Gorky), a brief summary of the actions of which we examined, is tragic, but very ambiguous, and to understand it, a careful reading of the full text is necessary.