Gorky (real name Aleksey Peshkov) is the largest literary figure of the Soviet era. He began to write in the 19th century, even then his works seemed revolutionary and propaganda to everyone. However, the early work of the writer is significantly different from the subsequent. After all, the author began with romantic stories. Gorkyās play āAt the Bottomā is an example of a realistic drama, in the center of which is the depressed, hopeless life of the lower classes of Russian society. In addition to social issues, the work has an extensive philosophical layer: the heroes of the play discuss important issues, in particular, which is better: truth or compassion?
The problem of the genre
As for the genre of this work, not all researchers are unanimous. Some people think that itās fairest to call the plays a social drama. After all, the main thing that Gorky shows is the problems of people who have sunk to the bottom of life. The heroes of the play are drunkards, cheaters, prostitutes, thieves ... The action takes place in a godforsaken forgotten shelter, where no one is interested in their "neighbor". Others believe that it would be more correct to call the work a philosophical drama. According to this point of view, in the center of the image is a clash of views, a certain conflict of ideas. The main question that the characters argue about is: is truth or compassion better? Of course, each answers this question in his own way. And in general, it is not clear to the end whether there is a definite answer. One way or another, the philosophical layer in the play is connected with the appearance of Luke in it, which prompts residents of the overnight stay to think about their own life.
Heroes of the play
The main characters of the play are residents of the rooming house. The action involves the host of the rooming house Kostylev, his wife Vasilisa, Actor (former actor of the provincial theater), Satin, Tick (locksmith), Natasha-sister Vasilisa, thief Vaska Pepel, Bubnov and Baron. One of the heroes is a "stranger", this is the stranger of Luke, who appeared from nowhere and went nowhere after the third act. These heroes are featured throughout the play. There are other characters, but their roles are auxiliary. Kostylevs are a married couple who hardly digest each other. Both of them are rude and scandalous, moreover, cruel. Vasilisa is in love with Vaska Ashes and persuades him to kill her elderly husband. But Vaska does not want to, because she knows her, and knows that she wants to send him to the Natorg, in order to separate her from her set Natalya. The actor and Satin have a special role in the drama. The actor long ago drunk, his dreams of a big stage were not destined to come true. He, like the man in Luke's story, who believed in a righteous land, commits suicide at the end of the play. Satin's monologues are important. The semantic load, he confronts Luka, although at the same time, he does not blame him for lying, unlike other residents of the overnight stay. It is Satin who answers the question: which is better - truth or compassion. In the play At the Bottom , several deaths occur. Anna, the tickās wife, dies at the very beginning of the play. Her role, although not long, is very important. Anna's death on the background of playing cards gives the situation tragedy. In the third act, Kostylev dies in a fight, which even more aggravates the situation of the residents of the overnight stay. And at the very end, the actor's suicide takes place, which, however, almost no one pays attention to.
The philosophical content of the play
The philosophical content of the drama falls into two layers. The first is the question of truth. The second is the answer to the central question in the drama: which is better - truth or compassion?
The truth in the play
The hero of Luke, an old man, comes to a night shelter and begins to promise a bright future to all heroes. He tells Anna that after death she will go to paradise, where she will be calm, there will be no troubles and torment. Luke tells the actor that in a city (he forgot the name) there are hospitals for drunkards, where you can get rid of alcoholism absolutely free. but the reader immediately understands that Luke did not forget the name of the city, because what he is talking about is simply not there. Ashes Luka advises to go to Siberia and take Natasha with them, only there they can establish their life. Each of the dwellers understands that Luke is deceiving them. But what is the truth? That is a debate. according to Luke, truth cannot always be healed, but a lie that is pronounced for good is not a sin. Bubnov and Ashes declare that the truth is better than the bitter, even if it is unbearable than a lie. But the Tick is so confused in his life that he is not interested in anything. The truth is that there is no work, no money and no hope of a more dignified existence. The hero hates this truth as much as Lukeās false promises.
Which is better: truth or compassion (based on Gorky's play "At the Bottom")
This is the main question. Luke solves it in one way: itās better to lie to a man than to bring him pain. As an example, he cites a man who believed in true land, he lived and hoped that someday he would get there. But when he found out that there was no such land, there was no hope left, and the man strangled himself. Ashes and Bubnov deny this position, they are sharply negative in relation to Luke. Satin holds a slightly different position. He believes that Luka cannot be blamed for lying. After all, he is lying because of pity and mercy. However, Satin himself does not accept this: man - it sounds proudly, and you can not humiliate him with pity. The question "which is better - truth or compassion" in the play "At the Bottom" is unresolved. Is there any answer to such a complex and vital question? Perhaps there can be no definite answer. Each hero decides it in his own way, and each person has the right to choose which is better - truth or compassion.
According to Gorkyās play āAt the Bottomā, they write essays and become on different topics, but one of the most popular concerns this very problem, the problem of lies āfor salvationā.
How to write an essay?
First of all, you need to remember the right composition. In addition, in an essay-discussion, as an example, it is necessary to cite not only episodes from a work, but also reinforce what has been said with examples from life or other books. The topic āWhich is better: truth or compassionā does not allow a one-sided interpretation. it must be said that in each situation it is necessary to act differently. Sometimes truth can kill a person, then the question is: did this person say that he was afraid of sin, or, on the contrary, decided to harm his neighbor and act cruelly. However, not everyone wants to be deceived either. If a person has a chance to correct something, to start life differently, isnāt it better to know the truth? But if there is no other way, and the truth turns out to be fatal, then you can lie. Which is better: truth or compassion, which is more necessary - everyone decides in his own way at a certain moment in his life. One must always remember humanity and mercy.
So, the play is a complex work with a two-level conflict. At the philosophical level, this is the question: which is better - truth or compassion. At the bottom of life were the heroes of the Gorky play, perhaps Lukeās lie was the only bright moment in their life for them, so can then consider what the hero says as a lie?