But Ostrovsky poverty is not a vice, in short. Brief analysis Poverty is not a vice (A. N. Ostrovsky)
Russian dramaturgy of the mid-19th century is characterized by the appearance of works describing the life and customs of the merchants of Zamoskvorechye. A special place in this list is occupied by the plays of A.N. Ostrovsky. The most famous is the comedy “God Resists the Proud,” written in 1853. It was then renamed “Poverty is No Vice.” What Ostrovsky’s comedy “Poverty is not a vice” is written about, brief summary.
Nikolai Fedorovich Ostrovsky dreamed of a legal career for his son Alexander. However, in 1843, a young man who failed the exam in Roman law was expelled from the university. A failed lawyer combines the work of a judicial clerk with the work of a writer.
A.N. Ostrovsky writes the comedy “Poverty is not a vice,” which was published as a separate book in 1854. The following year, a production of the writer’s play took place at the Maly Theater. Leading artist of the theater troupe P.M. Sadovsky, to whom the playwright dedicated the work, plays the role of Lyubim.
On the stage of St. Petersburg, Ostrovsky’s “Poverty is not a vice” was published in the fall of 1854. The production took place in honor of the benefit performance of the actor and director of the Alexandrinsky Theater A.A. Yablochkina.
The plot of the play “Poverty is not a vice” in brief. Of course, familiarizing yourself with this version will not replace reading the original.
We remind you! Summary the actions reveal only the plot of the work of the great writer.
Fable
Literary scholars consider Ostrovsky’s comedy in three acts “Poverty is not a Vice” to be one of the best creations. The events take place in the merchant house of Gordey Tortsov in a provincial town during the Christmas festivities.
In the play “Poverty is not a vice” the following characters act:
- Wealthy merchant Gordey Tortsov, his wife Pelageya Egorovna, their daughter Lyubov.
- We love you, Tortsov’s brother, who squandered his inheritance.
- Capital breeder African Korshunov.
- Clerk Mitya.
- Nephew of the owner Yasha Guslin, and Grisha Razlyulyaev, a rich merchant son.
- Widow Anna Ivanovna.
- Masha and Lisa, friends of Lyubov Gordeevna.
- Nanny Arina and boy Egorushka, a distant relative of the Tortsovs.
First action
Loitering around, Mitya wonders what the household are doing. Yegorushka describes the scandal between Gordey Karpych and his brother that occurred the day before at dinner.
Pelageya Egorovna enters the room. In a conversation with the clerk, an elderly woman complains about her husband’s wayward character and does not approve of his acquaintance with Korshunov. She claims that the fashion for living abroad is a temporary phenomenon, but Russian customs will live forever. Guslin appears. When leaving, the owner’s wife invites the young people to come and visit in the evening.
Left alone, Mitya tells Yasha about his hard lot and confesses his love for the daughter of Gordey Tortsov. Then the clerk sits down to work, and Guslin selects music for the poems written by the young man in love. Razlyulyaev enters the room, boasting of his wealth and recklessness.
Tortsov's nephew offers to listen to the melody he composed. Everyone is fascinated by the song. Then the friends start fooling around. The owner of the house finds them doing this. The merchant criticizes the clothes worn by Mitya and Razlyulyaev. Before leaving, Gordey Tortsov condemns the clerk’s desire to primarily take care of his elderly mother.
Lyubov Gordeevna, her friends and Anna Ivanovna appear in the room. The girls were bored and lonely in the living room, and they wanted to join the guys. Yakov whispers to the widow about the clerk’s feelings for the owner’s daughter.
The company decides to move into the next room. Anna makes sure that the clerk and Gordey Tortsov’s daughter are left alone. Dmitry recites poems dedicated to his beloved. The girl writes a note with an answer, but demands that the message be read after she leaves.
Gordey Tortsov’s brother comes in and deprives Mitya of the opportunity to familiarize himself with the contents of the note. Lyubim Karpych tells the young man how he drank away his half of his inheritance in Moscow and became homeless. African Korshunov helped squander the money. Dirty and sick, Lyubim came to his brother asking for help in need. Proud was ashamed of his poor relative in front of the polished guests.
The old man says that wealth is evil, and big money spoils a person’s character. Retelling his life, the unhappy man falls asleep. Mitya reads the girl’s note with a confession of reciprocity.
Second act
In the living room of the play's heroine, Lyuba and Anna talk about the fleeting nature of love. When Dmitry arrives, the widow leaves the room. The lovers admit that they cannot live without each other. It was decided to go to Gordey Karpych so that he would decide their fate. Arina's approach forces the clerk and the merchant's daughter to leave.
The nanny is preparing the living room for the meeting of the mummers, who are invited to entertain the guests. The room is filled with family members, invited neighbors and artists who have brought a bear and a goat.
While the mummers are making fun of themselves and singing songs, Mitya and Lyuba whisper to each other and secretly kiss. Noticing this, Razlyulyaev complains to the clerk. Yasha stands up for the lover.
Gordey Karpych and Korshunov arrive. The owner of the house throws out the guests with the artists and orders them to bring champagne and snacks. The manufacturer kisses the girls, the guys leave.
African presents Lyubov Gordeevna with a diamond ring and hints at his desire to marry the girl. Tortsov’s daughter wants to leave the room, but her father orders her to stay. The merchant announces his intention to marry Lyuba to Korshunov.
Third act
The nanny is saddened by Lyubov Gordeevna's future marriage to an unloved person. Upset, Pelageya Egorovna orders a large samovar to be served to the guests in the next room. The merchant's wife asks Anna Ivanovna to help with the housework. Mitya, who is about to leave for his mother, comes in to say goodbye. The widow goes for Lyubov Gordeevna.
The clerk tells Tortsova how unhappy he is and invites his beloved, who came into the room, to secretly escape from her parents’ house and get married. The girl refuses to get married without her father's blessing. Dmitry says goodbye to the women and leaves.
Korshunov, who entered, asks Pelageya Egorovna to leave him and his daughter alone. He expounds on the benefits of marrying an older man to the bride. When the girl asked about the manufacturer's previous wife, he remembers the deceased with anger. Then Africanus again takes the form of a good-natured old man.
Gordey, who comes in, boasts about how he treated the guest in a foreign style. Yegorushka reports that Lyubim Karpych has arrived. Household members and guests gathered in the hall when the owner’s brother appeared and began accusing Korshunov of a dishonest act, reminding him of an old debt.
The exposed African refuses to marry the daughter of Gordey Tortsov. From now on, he wants Gordey to beg the Moscow rich man to become his son-in-law. In response to this, the humiliated merchant promises to give his daughter to any poor man.
At first the choice fell on the returning Mitya. The young man takes Lyubov Gordeevna by the hand and brings her to her parent for a blessing. The merchant was dumbfounded and wants to retract the words he said, but everyone present persuades Gordey Tortsov to agree to the lovers’ marriage.
Note! The brief content does not allow the reader of the comedy “Poverty is Not a Vice” to fully experience the richness of the Russian language.
Useful video: play “Poverty is not a vice” in 17 minutes
Critical controversy
Critics and literary scholars expressed their views on the play:
- N.G. Chernyshevsky,
- P.N. Kudryavtsev,
- A.V. Druzhinin,
- A.A. Grigoriev.
The subject of controversy was the opposition in the play “Poverty is not a vice” between the imaginary aristocracy and the spirituality of the lower classes. Supporters of Westernism reproached the writer for inertia and defense of patriarchal social foundations. The playwright's sympathies for folk culture advocated by representatives of objective criticism.
N.G. Chernyshevsky considered the comedy “Poverty is not a vice” by Ostrovsky to be false and weak. According to the critic, only the name of the author of the famous play “We Will Be Numbered Our Own People” provides favorable reviews. The literary critic, who is annoyed by the embellishment of the characters of positive characters, believes that the main characters of the play “Poverty is not a vice” cannot have prototypes in real life.
Review of the play “Poverty is not a vice”, in which P.N. Kudryavtsev gives characteristics of the heroes, accuses Ostrovsky of exalting the dirty sides of reality in the image of his brother Gordey Tortsov. The playwright was accused of being a Slavophile. Critics did not like the transformation of the stage into a “booth”, when the Yuletide festivities of a merchant family were presented.
Speaking in defense of Ostrovsky's play, A.V. Druzhinin rejects Chernyshevsky’s unfair reproaches for the playwright’s idealization of patriarchal foundations. The critic points out the only drawback of the play “Poverty is not a vice” - the far-fetched plot outcome. The undeniable advantages are the poetry and beauty of the language of the work.
The writer's comedies, which were allowed to be staged on imperial stages, including the play “Poverty is not a Vice,” created a national theater. Having made a deep analysis of the playwright’s works, Apollon Grigoriev writes that the key to understanding Ostrovsky’s work is the word “nationality”.
Contemporaries believed that Ostrovsky, with the help of the play “Poverty is not a vice,” released the truth of life onto the theatrical stage, putting an end to the era of landscape performances by the romantic playwright Puppeteer.
Useful video: analysis of A. N. Ostrovsky’s play “Poverty is not a vice”
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the Russian language has become extremely impoverished in the modern world and is overly polluted in foreign words, easily replaceable lexical units of native speech.
Classical literature differs from pulp fiction in that the works of great authors written in past centuries touch on problems relevant to modern world. It is enough to recall the remarks of the main characters of the play “Poverty is not a vice” to understand how consonant Ostrovsky’s ideas are with the present time.
The action takes place in a provincial town, in the house of the merchant Tortsov, during Christmastide.
Act one
Day. Small clerk's room. There is a door in the back, a window to the left, a table and a chair near the window, in the corner there is a bed with a guitar next to it. To the right is a closet, a desk littered with papers and books, and a wooden stool.
Mitya walks around the room; Yegorushka sits on a stool and reads “Bova Korolevich,” then stops and tells Mitya that everyone at home has gone for a ride. Only Gordey Karpych remains, he is terribly angry with his brother, Lyubim Karpych. The day before, at a festive dinner, Lyubim Karpych got drunk, started throwing out different knees and made all the guests laugh. Gordey Karpych considered this an insult, got angry and drove his brother away. In retaliation, Lyubim Karpych committed mischief: he stood with the beggars near the cathedral. Gordey Karpych has gone wilder than ever and is now angry with everyone indiscriminately.
There is a noise outside the windows - Pelageya Egorovna, Lyubov Gordeevna and guests have arrived. Yegorushka grabs the book and runs away. Mitya is left alone, he complains about life (“I’m a stranger to everyone here, I have no relatives or friends!”), sits down at the desk and tries to work. But the work is not going well, all Mitya’s thoughts are occupied with her beloved.
Pelageya Egorovna enters the room, stops at the door and affectionately invites Mitya to come and visit them in the evening. She notices that Gordey Karpych will not be at home, he will go to his new friend - manufacturer Afrikan Savich Korshunov. Pelageya Egorovna complains about Korshunov, a violent man who often drinks in the company of his English director. Tortsov used to be distinguished by his prudence, but when he went to Moscow last year, everything Russian became distasteful to him. Now he wants to live like a foreigner, he became proud: “I have no one to keep company with here, everyone is a bastard, men, and they live like a peasant,” and he made an acquaintance with the “Moscow” rich man Korshunov, who is simply getting his new friend drunk. The imperious Tortsov does not react to his wife’s reproaches; and her daughter, Lyubov Gordeevna, wants to get married exclusively in Moscow: in this city she has no equal.
At the end of Pelageya Egorovna’s monologue, Yasha Guslin, Tortsov’s nephew, enters. He is also invited to visit in the evening, and Yasha happily agrees. When Pelageya Egorovna comes out, Mitya shares her concerns with Yasha: Mitya, The only son old and poor mother, must support her on his small salary; from Gordey Karpych he sees only insult, abuse and reproaches of poverty; Mitya could go to the Razlyulyaevs, but Tortsov has the sweetheart of his heart - Lyubov Gordeevna. Yasha advises Mitya to get this love out of her head, because Gordey Karpych will never bless them unequal marriage: “Anna Ivanovna is my equal: she has nothing, I have nothing, and even then the uncle does not order me to get married. And you have nothing to think about.”
Razlyulyaev enters the room with a harmonica, he is cheerful and carefree, plays and sings, declares that he will party throughout the holiday, and then marry a rich woman. He sits next to Guslin and listens to the song he wrote. Mitya offers to sing, and everyone sings. In the middle of the song Gordey Karpych Tortsov enters; everyone immediately becomes silent and stands up. Tortsov attacks Mitya with angry reproaches: “It seems that you don’t live in such a house, not with peasants. What a half-beer house! What a scattering of papers!...” He notices a book of Koltsov’s poems, which Mitya is reading, and a new portion of reproaches follows: “What tenderness in our poverty! Do you know what education is?... You should sew a brand new frock coat! After all, you come upstairs to us... It’s a disgrace!” In response, Mitya makes excuses and says that he sends all the money to his elderly mother. Gordey Karpych notes: “God doesn’t know what a mother needs, she wasn’t brought up in luxury, she kept the tea sheds herself. Is this what education consists of, singing stupid songs? Don’t you dare show yourself upstairs in that frock coat!” Then Razlyulyaev gets it too: “And you too! Your father, hey, is raking in money with a shovel, and he’s driving you around in this zip-up bag. Well, there’s nothing to collect from you! You yourself are stupid, and your father isn’t very smart... he’s been walking around with a greasy belly for a whole century; You live as unenlightened fools, and you will die as fools.” And after this angry tirade, Gordey Karpych leaves.
After Gordey Kapych leaves for Korshunov, Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha and Lisa come into Mitya’s room. They were bored sitting upstairs, and they began to look for interesting company. Anna Ivanovna behaves very freely; Mitya, Lyubov Gordeevna and her friends opposite are constrained and awkward. Anna Ivanovna openly asks Guslin when he will marry her. Guslin replies that he will marry as soon as he receives permission from Gordey Karpych; then he motions to Anna Ivanovna and whispers in her ear, pointing to Lyubov Gordeevna and Mitya. At this time, Razlyulyaev amuses the girls: “I love to dance. Girls, someone will love me... for my simplicity.” The girls answer that they don’t say such words to girls, and Lyubov Gordeevna adds, looking at Mitya: “Maybe someone loves someone, but won’t say: you have to guess for yourself.” Anna Ivanovna, having finished her meeting with Guslin and looking ambiguously first at Lyubov Gordeevna and then at Mitya, invites everyone to go upstairs. She opens the door and lets everyone in, but slams it in front of Lyubov Gordeevna. Lyubov Gordeevna knocks and asks to be let out; the girls outside the door are having fun.
Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna are left alone, and Mitya timidly says that he composed poetry for her. Lyubov Gordeevna, trying to hide her joy, asks Mitya to read them. Mitya sits down near the table, Lyubov Gordeevna moves very close to him. Mitya reads: “...The guy is ruining his heart in vain, Because the guy loves an uneven girl...” Lyubov Gordeevna sits for a while, thinking, then writes an answer (“I can’t only write poetry, but just like that”) and gives it to Mitya with the condition that Mitya will read it later, when Lyubov Gordeevna leaves. She is about to leave and runs into her uncle, Lyubim Karpych, at the door. He is amused, seeing his niece’s fright, then assures that he will not tell his brother anything. Lyubov Gordeevna runs away.
Lyubim Karpych goes into the room and asks Mitya to shelter him for a while: after that dinner party, his brother does not let him on the threshold. Lyubim Karpych tells Mitya the story of his life: when his father died, Lyubim Karpych was twenty years old. The brothers divided the inheritance: Gordey took the establishment for himself, and gave it to his brother in money and bills. Lyubim Gordeich went to Moscow to receive money for tickets and plunged headlong into the Moscow beautiful life: dressed like a dandy, dined in taverns, went to theaters; He made a lot of friends. And after some time, almost the entire inheritance was spent. Lyubim Gordeich entrusted what was left to his friend, Afrikan Korshunov, who deceived him. Lyubim Gordeich was left with nothing. He figured out how to live further and, since the path to his father’s house was blocked, he stayed in Moscow, began to go around as a buffoon: when a merchant arrives, Lyubim jumps out, makes fun, tells jokes, and then who will serve what. That winter Lyubim Gordeich caught a bad cold, they took him to the hospital; It was there that enlightenment of mind came to Lyubim. Once he recovered, he decided to go and pray to God and go back to his brother. Only his brother received him unkindly, began to feel ashamed, and blamed him: “You see how I live: who can notice that we had a little man? I’ve had enough of this shame, otherwise I’ll tie it around your neck.” And after the notorious dinner, Lyubim Gordeich became offended, he decided to teach his arrogant brother a lesson (“...He has this very thick bone. [Points to his forehead.] He, a fool, needs science”).
Lyubim Gordeich settles down on Mitya’s bed to get some sleep; asks him for money. Mitya does not refuse Lyubim Gordeich anything, and he thanks Mitya and threatens his brother: “Brother does not know how to appreciate you. Well, I’ll do something with him.” Mitya is about to go upstairs, he goes to the door and remembers the letter. With trembling hands, he takes it out and reads: “And I love you. Lyubov Tortsova. Mitya grabs his head and runs away.
Act two
Evening. Living room in Tortsov's house. There is a sofa against the back wall, a round table and six armchairs in front of the sofa. There are several doors leading into the living room. There are mirrors on the walls, with small tables underneath. The living room is dark; There is only light from the door on the left. Lyubov Gordeevna and Anna Ivanovna enter this door. Lyubov Gordeevna tells how much she loves Mitya. Anna Ivanovna warns her against rash actions, then leaves.
Mitya enters. He asks Lyubov Gordeevna if her confession is a joke. Lyubov Gordeevna replies that everything written in the note is true, and requires reciprocal assurances of love. At first she pretends that she doesn’t believe Mitya (“And I thought that you loved Anna Ivanovna”), but then she admits that she just wanted to joke. But Mitya has no time for jokes, he is too worried about the fate of their love. Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna decide the next day to throw themselves at the feet of Gordey Karpych and declare their love, and then whatever happens. They hug. When someone's footsteps are heard, Mitya quietly leaves.
Nanny Arina enters the living room with a candle and sends Lyubov Gordeevna to her mother. Egorushka runs into the room, and Arina asks him to call the neighboring maidservants to sing Christmas songs. Yegorushka rejoices at the upcoming fun and the fact that there may be mummers, and runs away.
Pelageya Egorovna enters the living room, she gives Arina instructions, then invites everyone else to come in: Lyubov Gordeevna, Masha, Lisa, Anna Ivanovna, Razlyulyaeva, Mitya, Guslin and her two elderly friends. The old women and Pelageya Egorovna sit down on the sofa; Anna Ivanovna and Guslin sit on chairs and talk quietly, Mitya stands next to them; Masha, Lyubov Gordeevna and Lisa walk around the room, hugging each other; Razlyulyaev follows them. The girls cheerfully pick each other with Razlyulyaev, the old women talk to each other, looking at them, and then offer Guslin to sing some song. While Guslin is singing, Arina enters with drinks and treats, treats the young ladies with sweets, and serves Madeira to the old women. Anna Ivanovna quietly talks to Pelageya Egorovna, Razlyulyaev picks up Arina and starts dancing, Arina fights back. Anna Ivanovna stands up for Arina and herself volunteers to dance with Razlyulyaev.
Neighborhood girls come in, are warmly greeted and seated.
CHARACTERS
Proud Karpych Tortsov, a rich merchant.
P elagia Egorovna, his wife.
Lyubov Gordevna, their daughter.
Lyubim Karpych Tortsov, his brother, who wasted money.
Afrikan Savich Korshunov, manufacturer.
M and I, Tortsov's clerk.
Yasha Guslin, Tortsov’s nephew.
Grisha Razlyulyaev, a young merchant, the son of a rich father.
A n a Ivanovna, a young widow.
Liza) friend of Lyubov Gordeevna.
Egorushka, a boy, is a distant relative of Tortsov.
Arina, Lyubov Gordeevna's nanny.
Guests, guests, servants, mummers and others.
The action takes place in a provincial town, in the house of the merchant Tortsov, during Christmastide.
ACT ONE
Small clerk's room; there is a door on the back wall, a bed in the corner to the left, a wardrobe to the right; there is a window on the left wall, a table near the window, a chair near the table; near the right wall there is a desk and a wooden stool; there is a guitar next to the bed; There are books and papers on the table and desk.
SCENE ONE
Mitya walks back and forth around the room; Yegorushka sits on a stool and reads "Bova Korolevich."
Yegorushka (reading). “My lord, father, glorious and brave king, Kiribit Verzulovich, now I don’t have the courage to marry him, because when I was in my youth, King Guidon wooed me.”
Mitya. What, Yegorushka, are our houses?
Egorushka (presses his finger on the place where he is reading, so as not to make a mistake). Nobody here; went for a ride. Gordey Karpych is alone at home. (Reads.) “That’s what Kiribit Verzulovich told his daughter...” (Pins with his finger.) Only so angry that it’s a disaster! I've already left - everyone is swearing. (Reads.) “Then the beautiful Militrisa Kirbitevna, calling to her servant Licharda...”
Mitya. Who is he angry with?
Yegorushka (presses again). To my uncle, to Lyubim Karpych. On the second holiday, Uncle Lyubim Karpych dined with us, during dinner he got drunk, and began to throw out different knees, but it’s funny like that. I’m funny, it’s painful, I couldn’t stand it, I burst into laughter, and that’s all, looking at me. Uncle Gordey Karpych took this as an insult and ignorance, became angry with him, and drove him away. Uncle Lyubim Karpych took it and, in retaliation against him, disobeyed him, went with the beggars and stood at the cathedral. Uncle Gordey Karpych says: he put the whole city to shame, he says. Yes, now he is angry with everyone indiscriminately who comes to hand. (Reads.) “With the intention of coming under our city.”
Mitya (looking out the window). It seems that ours have arrived... That's right! Pelageya Egorovna, Lyubov Gordeevna, and the guests with them.
Egorushka (hides the fairy tale in his pocket). Run upstairs. (Leaves.)
PHENOMENA SECOND
Mitya (alone). What a melancholy, Lord!.. It’s a holiday on the street, everyone has a holiday in the house, and you sit within four walls!.. I’m a stranger to everyone, no family, no acquaintances!.. And then there’s... Oh, come on ! It’s better to get down to business, maybe the melancholy will pass. (Sits down at the desk and thinks, then starts singing.)
Her beauty cannot be described!..
Black eyebrows, cloudy eyes.
Yes, with drag. And just like yesterday in a sable coat, covered with a scarf, walking away from mass, so this... ah!.. I think so, such beauty has never been imagined! (Thinks, then sings.)
So where was this beauty born...
Well, work will come to mind here! I wish I could still think about her!.. My soul was tormented by melancholy. Oh, you, woe-sorrow!.. (Covers his face with his hands and sits silently.)
Pelageya Egorovna enters, dressed for winter, and stops at the door.
PHENOMENA THIRD
Mitya and Pelageya Egorovna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Mitya, Mityenka!
Mitya. What do you want?
Pelageya Egorovna. Come and see us this evening, my dear. Play with the girls and sing songs.
Mitya. Very grateful. I will consider it my first duty, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna. Why should you sit in the office all alone? Not much fun! Will you come in, or what? Gordey Karpych will not be at home.
Mitya. Okay, sir, I'll definitely come in.
Pelageya Egorovna. He'll leave again... yes, he'll go there, to this, to his... what's his name?..
Mitya. To Afrikan Savich, sir?
Pelageya Egorovna. Yes Yes! I imposed myself, God forgive me!
Mitya (giving a chair). Sit down, Pelageya Egorovna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Oh, no time. Well, I’ll sit down a little. (Sits down.) So here you go... such a misfortune! Really!.. We became friends, so what? Yes! What a deal! What for? What's the point? Please tell me! He is a violent and drunk man, African Savich... yes!
Mitya. Maybe Gordey Karpych has something to do with Afrikan Savich.
Pelageya Egorovna. What's going on! There is no business. After all, he, Afrikan Savich, drinks everything with aglicin. There he has aglichin at the dilekhtor factory - and they drink it... yes! But ours has no trace with them. How can you talk to him? His pride alone is worth it! I, he says, have no one to keep company with, everything, he says, is a bastard, that’s it, you see, men, and they live like men; and that one, you see, is from Moscow, more everything is in Moscow... and rich. And what happened to him? But suddenly, my dear, suddenly! Still, he had some sense. Well, we didn’t live luxuriously, of course, but still in such a way that God forbid everyone; But last year I went on vacation and took it over from someone. I adopted it, I adopted it, they told me... I adopted all these things. Now everything Russian is not nice to him; I get along with one thing - I want to live in the present way, to be involved in fashion. Yes, yes! .. Put on a cap, he says! Ugh! Well, go with him! Yes! I haven’t drunk before... really... never, but now they’re drinking with African! He must be drunk (pointing to his head) and confused. (Silence.) I really think it’s the enemy who’s confusing him! How to have no sense!.. Well, if only he was young: for a young man it’s all about dressing up, and all this is flattering; but he’s under sixty, dear, under sixty! Right! What is fashionable for you and what is current, I tell him, changes every day, but our Russian custom has lived on from time immemorial! The old people were no more stupid than us. But how can you even talk to him, given his cool character, my dear?
Mitya. What should I say! A strict man, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna. Lyubochka is now in a real time, she needs to be settled, but he gets along with one thing: there is no equal for her... no, no!
Mitya. Maybe Gordey Karpych wants to extradite Lyubov Gordeevna to Moscow.
Pelageya Egorovna. Who knows what's on his mind. He looks like a beast, he won’t say a word, as if I’m not his mother... yes, really... I don’t dare say anything to him; unless you talk to a stranger about your grief, cry, vent your soul, that’s all. (Gets up.) Come in, Mitenka.
Mitya. I'll come, sir.
Guslin enters.
SCENE FOUR
Same with Guslin.
Pelageya Egorovna. Well done again! Come, Yashenka, to sing songs with us upstairs with the girls, you are a master, and bring your guitar.
Guslin. Well, sir, this is not difficult for us, but also, one might say, a pleasure, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, goodbye. Go take a nap for half an hour.
Guslin and Mitya. Farewell, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna leaves; Mitya sits down at the table, saddened;
Guslin sits on the bed and takes the guitar.
SCENE FIFTH
Mitya and Yasha Guslin.
Guslin. What a crowd there was for skating!.. And there were yours. Why weren't you there?
Mitya. Why, Yasha, I was overcome with sadness and sadness.
Guslin. What kind of melancholy? What do you have to worry about?
Mitya. How can you not bother? Suddenly the following thoughts come to mind: what kind of person am I in the world? Now my parent is old and poor, I have to support her, but with what? The salary is small, from Gordey Karpych all the insults and abuse, and he reproaches everyone with poverty, as if it were my fault... but he does not increase the salary. I would look for another place, but where can you find him without meeting him? Yes, I must admit, I won’t go to any other place.
Guslin. Why don't you go? Life is good with the Razlyulyaevs - they are rich and kind people.
Mitya. No, Yasha, not a hand! I’ll endure everything from Gordey Karpych, I’ll be in poverty, but I won’t go. This is my plan!
Guslin. Why is this so?
Mitya (stands up). Well, there is a reason for this. Yes, Yasha, I still have grief, but no one knows that grief. I didn’t tell anyone about my grief.
Guslin. Tell me.
Mitya (waving his hand). For what!
Guslin. Yes, tell me what is the importance!
Mitya. Talk, don’t talk, you won’t help!
Guslin. Why should we know?
Mitya (approaches Guslin). Nobody will help me. My head is gone! I fell in love with Lyubov Gordeevna painfully.
Guslin. What are you doing, Mitya?! How can this be?
Mitya. Yes, after all, it’s already done.
Guslin. Better, Mitya, get it out of your head. This thing will never happen, and will never be born.
Mitya. Knowing all this, I can’t figure out my heart. “You can love a friend, you cannot forget!..” (Speaks with strong gestures.) “I fell in love with a beautiful maiden, more than my family, more than my tribe!” Evil people They don’t tell me, they tell me to quit, stop!”
Guslin. And even then you have to quit. Anna Ivanovna is my equal: she has nothing, I have nothing, and even then the uncle does not order me to get married. And you have nothing to think about. Otherwise you’ll get it in your head, and then it’ll be even harder.
Mitya (recites).
What in the world is most cruel? -
Love is beyond cruelty!
(Walks around the room.) Yasha, have you read Koltsov? (Stops.)
Guslin. I read it, but what?
Mitya. How he described all these feelings!
Guslin. Described it exactly.
Mitya. That's exactly what it is. (Walks around the room.) Yasha!
Guslin. What?
Mitya. I composed the song myself.
Mitya. Fine. Here you go. (Gives him the paper.) And I’ll write a little - there’s something to do: Gordey Karpych will ask. (Sits down and writes.)
Guslin takes the guitar and begins to pick out his voice;
Razlyulyaev enters in harmony.
SCENE SIX
Same with Razlyulyaev.
Razlyulyaev. Hello, brothers! (Plays harmony and dances.)
Guslin. Eco fool! What did you use to buy this harmony?
Razlyulyaev. It is known what to play for. Like this... (Plays.)
Guslin. Well, important music... nothing to say! Stop it, they tell you.
Razlyulyaev. Well, I won’t give it up!.. If I want to, I’ll give it up... That’s the importance! Don't we have money? (He hits his pocket.) They are ringing. Here we go for a walk - so go for a walk! (Throws out the harmony.)
One the mountain is high,
And the other is low;
One darling is far away
And the other one is close.
Mitya (hits Mitya on the shoulder), and Mitya! Why are you sitting?
Mitya. There is a case. (Continues to study.)
Razlyulyaev. Mitya, and Mitya, and I’m walking, brother... really, I’m walking. Wow, go!.. (Sings: “One mountain is high,” etc.) Mitya, oh Mitya! I’ll be walking throughout the holiday, and then I’ll get down to business... My word! Well, don't we have any money? Here they are!.. And I’m not drunk... No, I’m just walking... having fun...
Mitya. Well, have fun.
Razlyulyaev. And after the holiday I’ll get married!.. Truly, I’ll get married! I'll take the rich one.
Guslin (Mitya). Well, listen, will it be okay?
Razlyulyaev. Sing, sing, I’ll listen.
Guslin (singing).
No, angrier, more hateful
Evil orphan's share,
Angrier than grief fierce,
Harder than bondage.
Happy holiday to everyone in the world,
No fun for you!..
Is it a wild little head?
No wine hangover!
Youth is not happy
Beauty does not amuse;
Not a zanoba girl -
Grief scratches his curls.
During all this time, Razlyulyaev stands rooted to the spot and listens with feeling; At the end of the singing, everyone is silent.
Razlyulyaev. Okay, it hurts good! It's such a pity... It's enough for the heart. (Sighs.) Eh, Yasha! play a funny one, it’s a lot of hassle to drag this out - it’s a holiday today. (Sings.)
Wow! How can you not love a hussar?
This is no good!
Play along, Yasha.
Guslin plays along.
Mitya. Stop fooling around. Let's sit down in a small group and sing a little song.
Razlyulyaev. OK! (They sit down.)
Guslin (sings; Mitya and Razlyulyaev join in).
You guys are young,
You are my friends...
Gordey Karpych enters; everyone gets up and stops singing.
SCENE SEVEN
The same goes for Gordey Karpych.
Gordey Karpych. Why are you singing! They bawler like men! (Mitya.) And you go there! It seems that you don’t live in such a house, not with men. What a half-beer house! So that I don’t have this in the future! (He goes to the table and looks at the papers.) What papers scattered!..
Mitya. I checked the accounts, sir.
Gordey Karpych (takes Koltsov’s book and a notebook with poems). What kind of nonsense is this?
Mitya. It’s me, out of boredom, on holidays, sir, who rewrite Mr. Koltsov’s poems.
Gordey Karpych. What tenderness in our poverty!
Mitya. Actually, I study for my own education, so that I can have a concept.
Gordey Karpych. Education! Do you know what education is?.. And he also talks there! If only you could sew a new fur coat! After all, when you come upstairs to us, there are guests... shame! Where do you put the money?
Mitya. I am sending it to my mother, because she is old and has nowhere to take it.
Gordey Karpych. You send it to your mother! You should have shaped yourself first; The mother doesn’t know what she needs, she wasn’t brought up in luxury, she closed the tea sheds herself.
Mitya. It’s better if I endure it, but at least my mother doesn’t need anything.
Gordey Karpych. Yes, it's ugly! If you don’t know how to watch yourself with decency, then sit in your kennel; If there's a goal all around, then there's no point in dreaming about yourself! Writes poetry; He wants to educate himself, but he walks around like a factory worker! Is this what education consists of, singing stupid songs? That's stupid! (Through clenched teeth and looking sideways at Mitya.) Fool! (After a pause.) Don’t you dare show yourself upstairs in that little fur coat. Do you hear me telling you! (To Razlyulyaev.) And you too! Your father, hey, is raking in money with a shovel, and he’s driving you around in this zip-up bag.
Razlyulyaev. What is this! It’s new... it’s French cloth, they ordered it from Moscow, through an acquaintance... twenty rubles arshin. Well, I don’t need to put on something like that, like Franz Fedorych’s, at the pharmacist’s... short-haired; That's how everyone teases him: stram coat! So what? good people make you laugh!
Gordey Karpych. You know a lot! Well, there’s nothing to collect from you! You yourself are stupid, and your father isn’t very smart... he’s been walking around with a greasy belly for a whole century; You live as unenlightened fools, and you will die as fools.
Razlyulyaev. Okay.
Gordey Karpych (sternly). What?
Razlyulyaev. Okay, please.
Gordey Karpych. You're an ignoramus, and you know how to say something worthwhile! Talking to you is just wasting words; It’s all the same to the wall, so it is to you, fools. (Leaves.)
SCENE EIGHTH
The same, without Tortsov.
Razlyulyaev. Gosh, how formidable! Look, you've lost yourselves! So they were scared of you... Well, keep your pocket!
Mitya (to Guslin). This is what my life is like! This is how sweet it feels for me to live in the world!
Razlyulyaev. Yes, from such a life - you will drink, you really will! Come on, don’t think about it. (Sings.)
One mountain is high
And the other is low;
One darling is far away
And the other one is close.
Enter: Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha and Lisa.
SCENE NINE
The same ones, Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha and Lisa.
Anna Ivanovna. The world of honest company!
Razlyulyaev. You are welcome to our hut.
Mitya. Our respect, sir! You are welcome!.. By what fate?..
Anna Ivanovna. But no, they just took it and came. Gordey Karpych left, and Pelageya Egorovna lay down to rest, so now it’s our will... Walk - I don’t want to!..
Mitya. Please sit down obediently.
Sit down; Mitya sits opposite Lyubov Gordeevna; Razlyulyaev is walking.
Anna Ivanovna. I'm tired of sitting silently, cracking nuts, - let's go, I say, girls, to the guys, and the girls are happy.
Lyubov Gordeevna. What are you making up? We didn’t imagine coming here, you made it up.
Anna Ivanovna. How could it not be! Yes, you are the first... It’s a well-known fact that whoever needs what thinks about it: guys about girls, and girls about guys.
Razlyulyaev. Ha, ha, ha!.. It’s you, Anna Ivanovna, I’m telling you exactly.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Never again!
Masha (to Liza). Oh, what a shame!
Lisa. This, Anna Ivanovna, you say is completely opposite.
Anna Ivanovna. Oh, modesty! I would have said a word, but it’s not good in front of guys... I was in girls myself, I know everything.
Lyubov Gordeevna. There's a difference between girl and girl.
Masha. Oh, what a shame!
Lisa. What you are saying is very strange even for us and, one might say, embarrassing.
Razlyulyaev. Ha, ha, ha!..
Anna Ivanovna. What was the conversation upstairs now? If you want, I’ll tell you!.. Well, talk, or what? What, calm down!
Razlyulyaev. Ha, ha, ha!..
Anna Ivanovna. You've got your mouth open! Not about you, I suppose!
Razlyulyaev. Hosha is not talking about me, however, maybe there are someone who is thinking about us. We know, we know! (Dances.)
How can you not love a hussar?
This is no good!
Anna Ivanovna (approaches Guslin). What are you doing, bandura player, when you marry me?
Guslin (playing guitar). But when permission will be issued from Gordey Karpych. Where should we rush, it doesn’t rain on us. (He nods his head to her.) Come here, Anna Ivanovna, I need to tell you one thing.
She comes up to him and sits down next to him; he whispers in her ear, pointing to Lyubov Gordeevna and Mitya.
Anna Ivanovna. What are you saying!.. Really!
Guslin. This is true.
Anna Ivanovna. Well, okay, shut up! (They speak in a whisper.)
Lyubov Gordeevna. Mitya, will you come to us in the evening?
Mitya. I'll come, sir.
Razlyulyaev. And I will come. It hurts me to dance. (Becomes a jerk.) Girls, someone will love me.
Masha. Shame on you! What are you saying?
Razlyulyaev. What is this importance! I say - love me... yes... for my simplicity.
Lisa. They don't tell girls this. And you had to wait for them to love you.
Razlyulyaev. Yes, I’ll wait from you, of course! (Dances.)
How can you not love a hussar?
Lyubov Gordeevna (looking at Mitya). Maybe someone loves someone, but won’t say: you have to guess for yourself.
Lisa. What girl in the world can say that!
Masha. Certainly.
Anna Ivanovna (comes up to them and looks first at Lyubov Gordeevna, then at Mitya and begins to sing).
And as you can see,
When someone loves someone -
He sits opposite the dear one,
Sighs heavily.
Mitya. On whose account should this be accepted?
Anna Ivanovna. We already know whose.
Razlyulyaev. Stop, girls, I’ll sing you a song.
Anna Ivanovna. Sing, sing!
Razlyulyaev (sings drawn out).
A bear flew across the sky...
Anna Ivanovna. Don’t you know worse than this?
Lisa. You can even take this as a joke.
Razlyulyaev. And if this one is not good, I’ll sing you another; I'm cheerful. (Sings.)
Ah, hit the board,
Remember Moscow!
Moscow wants to get married -
Take Kolomna.
And Tula laughs
He doesn’t want it as a dowry!
And buckwheat, four each,
Grain for forty,
Here is our millet hryvnia,
And barley is three altyns.
(Addressing the girls.)
Oats would also become cheaper -
Freight is too expensive!
See what the weather is like!
Masha. This does not apply to us.
Lisa. We don't sell flour.
Anna Ivanovna. Why are you here? Now guess the riddle. What is it: round - but not a girl; with a tail - isn't it a mouse?
Razlyulyaev. This is a tricky thing!
Anna Ivanovna. What a tricky one!.. Just think about it! Well, girls, let's go.
The girls get up and get ready to go.
Guys, let's go.
Guslin and Razlyulyaev are getting ready.
Mitya. And I'll come later. I'll clean something up here.
Anna Ivanovna (while they are getting ready).
Girls' night
The evening is red,
In the evening the girls brewed beer.
Went to see the girls
I went to the Reds
An uninvited guest came to see the girls.
Anna Ivanovna lets everyone through the door, except for Lyubov Gordeevna, closes it and does not let her in.
SCENE TENTH
Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna.
Lyubov Gordeevna (at the door). Stop it, don't be a fool.
There's a girlish laugh outside the door.
They don't let me in!.. Oh, what! (Moves away from the door). Pampered girls, really!..
Mitya (giving a chair). Sit down, Lyubov Gordeevna, talk for a minute. I am very glad to see you here.
Lyubov Gordeevna (sits down). I don’t understand what there is to be happy about.
Mitya. Yes, sir!.. I am very pleased to see such attention on your part, beyond my merits for you. This is another time I have the happiness...
Lyubov Gordeevna. Well! She came, sat and left, that’s not important. I'll probably leave now.
Mitya. Oh, no, don’t leave, sir!.. For what, sir!.. (Takes paper out of his pocket.) Let me present you my work... as best I can, from the heart.
Lyubov Gordeevna. What is it?
Mitya. Actually, I composed poems for you.
Lyubov Gordeevna (trying to hide her joy). It might also be some kind of nonsense... not worth reading.
Mitya. I cannot judge this, because I wrote it myself and, moreover, without studying.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Read it.
Mitya. Now, sir. (Sits down near the table and takes the paper; Lyubov Gordeevna moves very close to him.)
Not a flower withers in a field, not a blade of grass, -
The good fellow is withering and withering.
He fell in love with the beautiful maiden on the mountain,
To your misfortune and to your great advantage.
The guy is ruining his heart in vain,
That a guy loves an uneven girl:
In the dark night the red sun does not rise,
What kind of guy would a red girl not be.
Lyubov Gordeevna (sits for a while, thinking). Give it to me. (Takes the paper and hides it, then gets up.) I’ll write to you myself.
Mitya. You sir?!
Lyubov Gordeevna. I just can’t write poetry, it’s just that.
Mitya. For your great happiness, mail for yourself is such a favor, sir. (Gives paper and pen.) Excuse me, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna. It's just a pity that I write poorly. (Writes.)
Mitya wants to look in.
Just don’t look, otherwise I’ll stop writing and tear it up.
Mitya. I won't look, sir. But allow me, with your indulgence, to do the same as best I can, and write poetry for you a second time, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna (putting down her pen). Write, perhaps... Only my fingers got all dirty, if I knew, it would be better not to write.
Mitya. Please, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Here, take it. Just don’t you dare read in front of me, but read it later, when I’m gone. (Folds the piece of paper and gives it to him; he puts it in his pocket.)
Mitya. It will be according to your wishes, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna (stands up). Will you come upstairs with us?
Mitya. I'll come... this minute.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Goodbye.
Mitya. Have a nice goodbye, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna goes to the door; Lyubim Karpych comes out of the door.
SCENE ELEVENTH
We love Karpych the same way.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Oh!
We love Karpych (pointing to Lyubov Gordeevna). Stop! What kind of person? By what type? For what purpose? Take her into doubt.
Lyubov Gordeevna. It's you, uncle!
We love Karpych. Me, niece! What, I was scared! Go ahead, don't worry! I’m not a prover, but I put everything in a box, and I’ll sort it out later, at my leisure.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Farewell! (Leaves.)
SCENE TWELVE
Mitya and Lyubim Karpych.
We love Karpych. Mitya, welcome to you the merchant brother Lyubim Karpov, son of Tortsov.
Mitya. Welcome.
We love Karpych (sits down). My brother kicked me out! And on the street, in this burnous, you’ll dance a little! Frosts... Epiphany time - brrr... And my hands were cold, and my legs were chilled - brrr...
Mitya. Warm yourself up, Love Karpych.
We love Karpych. Won't you send me away, Mitya? Otherwise I’ll freeze in the yard... I’ll freeze like a dog.
Mitya. How is it possible what you say!..
We love Karpych. After all, my brother kicked me out. Well, while I had the money, I wandered around here and there warm places; but there is no money - they don’t let me in anywhere. And the money was two francs and a few centimes! Not much capital! You can’t build a stone house!.. You can’t buy a village!.. What should you do with this capital? Where should I put it? Don't take it to the pawn shop! So I took this capital and drank it away, squandered it. That's where he belongs!
Mitya. Why are you drinking, Love Karpych? Through this you are your own enemy!
We love Karpych. Why do I drink?.. Out of stupidity! Yes, from my stupidity. Why did you think?
Mitya. So you better stop.
We love Karpych. You can’t stop: you’ve fallen into this line.
Mitya. What line is this?
We love Karpych. But listen, alive soul what line is this? Just listen and keep your head up. I was left behind after my father, you see, a little boy, about a mile away from Kolomna, about twenty years old. In my head, like in an empty attic, the wind keeps moving! My brother and I split up: he took the establishment for himself, and gave it to me in money, tickets, and bills. Well, how he divided it is none of our business, God will be his judge! So I went to Moscow to receive money on tickets. You can't help but go! You need to see people, show yourself, gain a high tone. Again, I’m such a wonderful young man, but I’ve never seen the world, I haven’t spent the night in a private house. We need to get to everything! The first thing is to dress like a dandy, you know, they say, ours! That is, I’m playing such and such a fool, which is rare! Now, of course, to the taverns... Shpilen zi polka, give me another colder bottle. I made friends, a dime a dozen! I went to the theaters...
Mitya. But this must be Lyubim Karpych, they present it very well in the theater.
We love Karpych. I kept going to watch the tragedy, I loved it very much, but I didn’t see anything and I don’t remember anything, because I was mostly drunk. (Stands up.) “Drink under Prokop Lyapunov’s knife!” (Sits down.) That’s how I lost all my money; what was left, he trusted his friend Afrikan Korshunov on his word and his word of honor; I drank and walked with him, he’s the breeder of all the dissipation, the main brewer of the brewery, he’s the one who tricked me and brought me to fresh water. And I ran aground like a lobster: I had nothing to drink, but I wanted to drink. How can we be here? Where to run, to put the melancholy to rest? I sold my dress, all my fashionable things, took them in paper, exchanged them for silver, silver for copper, and there was only zilch, and that’s all!
Mitya. How did you live, Love Karpych?
We love Karpych. How did you live? God forbid the dashing Tatar. I lived in a spacious apartment, between heaven and earth, there was nothing from the sides or from above. People are ashamed, you are hidden from the light, but you need to go out into God’s light: there is nothing to eat. You walk down the street, everyone is looking at you... Everyone saw what kind of tricks I did, driving reckless cars with hail, and now I’m walking in tatters, rags, unshaven... They shake their heads and walk away. Stramota, zamota, zamota! (Sits with his head hanging.) There is a good craft, a profitable trade - stealing. Yes, I’m not fit for this job - I have a conscience, and again, it’s scary: no one approves of this industry.
Mitya. Last thing!
We love Karpych. They say that in other lands they pay a taler for this, but here good people they beat on the necks. No, brother, stealing is bad! This thing is old, it’s time to give it up... But hunger is no big deal, something needs to be done! He began to walk around the city as a buffoon, collecting pennies, playing the jester, telling jokes, throwing out various articles. It used to be that you were trembling early in the morning in the city, hiding somewhere around the corner from people and waiting for the merchants. As soon as he arrives, especially those who are richer, you will jump out, make a knee, and some will give you a penny, some a hryvnia. What you collect is how you breathe every day, and how you exist.
Mitya. It would be better for you, Lyubim Karpych, to go to your brother than to live like this.
We love Karpych. No, I got involved. Eh, Mitya, if you get into this notch, you won’t get off soon. Don't interrupt, your speech is ahead. Well, listen! I caught a cold in the city - the winter was cold, and I was sporting this coat, blowing my fists, jumping from foot to foot. Kind people took me to the hospital. How did I begin to recover and come to my senses, there was no drunkenness in my head - fear attacked me, horror came over me!.. How did I live? What kind of business was I doing? I began to feel sad, so sad that it seemed better to die. So I decided, as soon as I was completely recovered, to go and pray to God and go to my brother, let him at least hire me as a janitor. So I did. Bang at his feet!.. Be, I say, instead of your father! I lived this way and that way, now I want to come to my senses. Do you know how my brother received me! You see, he is ashamed that his brother is like this. And you support me, I tell him, straighten me out, caress me, I will be a man. No, he says, “Where am I going to take you?” Good guests come to me, rich merchants, nobles; You, he says, will take my head off. According to my feelings and concepts, he says, I would not be born into this family at all. You see, he says how I live: who can notice that we had a little man? I’ve had enough of this shame, he says, otherwise I’ll have to tie it around your neck. He struck me like thunder! With these words I began to feel a little sick again. Well, yes, I think God bless him, this bone of his is very thick. (Points to his forehead.) He, the fool, needs science. Wealth has no use for us fools, it spoils us. You need to handle money skillfully... (Dozes.) Mitya, I’ll lie down with you, I want to sleep.
Mitya. Lie down, Love Karpych.
We love Karpych (stands up). Mitya, don’t give me money... that is, don’t give me a lot, just give me a little. I’m taking a nap, but I’ll go and warm up a little, you know!.. Only I’m a little... no, no!.. He’ll be fooling around.
Mitya (takes out money). Here's how much you need, if you please.
We love Karpych (takes it). I need a dime. Everything here is silver, I don’t need silver. Give me another seven-note, and it will be in real rhythm. (Mitya gives.) That's enough. You are a kind soul, Mitya! (Lies down.) Brother doesn’t know how to appreciate you. Well, yes, I'll do something with him. Wealth is evil for fools! Give smart person money, he'll do the job. I walked around Moscow, I saw everything, everything... Great science has happened! And to the fool better than money don’t give in, otherwise he’ll break... fu, fu, fu, thrr!
Mitya. Come. Now the office is empty... holidays...
We love Karpych (falling asleep). And my brother and I will do a funny thing. (Falls asleep.)
Mitya (approaching the door, takes the letter out of his pocket). Is there something here? I'm afraid!.. My hands are shaking!.. Well, what will happen will happen - I'll read it. (Reads.) “And I love you. Lyubov Tortsova.” (He grabs his head and runs away.)
ACT TWO
Living room in Tortsov's house. There is a sofa against the back wall, in front of the sofa there is a round table and six armchairs, three on each side; there is a door in the left corner; there are mirrors on the walls and small tables under them; in the side walls along the door and door
on the back in the corner. The stage is dark; there is light from the left door.
SCENE ONE
Lyubov Gordeevna and Anna Ivanovna enter from the illuminated door.
Anna Ivanovna. Why aren’t they coming, the falcons are ours?.. Shouldn’t we go get them?
Lyubov Gordeevna. No, don't. Otherwise, maybe go. (Hugs her.) Go, Annushka.
Anna Ivanovna. What, apparently, pinched your heart?
Lyubov Gordeevna. Oh, Annushka, how I love him, if only you knew!..
Anna Ivanovna. And you, girl, love, but don’t lose your mind. Don't give in so that there is no looking back. First take a good look at what kind of guy he is.
Lyubov Gordeevna. He's a good guy... It hurts my heart, he's so quiet and lonely.
Anna Ivanovna. Well, if it’s good, then love it, it’s closer to you to know. That's what I say, for example. You never know how many of our sisters cry from them. How long before you sin without asking your mind?
Lyubov Gordeevna. What is our love? Like a blade of grass in a field: it will not bloom, but will fade.
Anna Ivanovna. Wait a minute, girl, someone is coming. Isn't it him? I’ll go, but you wait, maybe it’s him... You can talk to your heart’s content. (Leaves.)
Mitya enters.
PHENOMENA SECOND
Lyubov Gordeevna and Mitya.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Who's there?
Mitya. Me, sir, Mitya.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Why didn't you come for so long?
Mitya. I was detained, sir. (Approaches.) Lyubov Gordeevna, are you alone?
Lyubov Gordeevna. One. And what?
Mitya. Lyubov Gordeevna, how would you like your note to be understood, in truth or as a joke, sir?
Lyubov Gordeevna is silent.
Tell me, Lyubov Gordeevna! I am now in such confusion that I cannot express it to you. You know my position in your house: I am dependent on everyone, I can say that I am completely neglected by Gordey Karpych; I only had one feeling for you, sir: if I am accepted from you as ridicule, then it is better for me not to live in the world, sir. Believe my soul. I'm telling you the truth, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna. No, Mitenka, I wrote to you in truth, not as a joke. And do you love me?
Mitya. Of course, Lyubov Gordeevna, I don’t know how to express to you everything I feel; but let me assure you. that I have a heart and not a stone. You can see my love from everything, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna. And I thought that you loved Anna Ivanovna.
Mitya. This is not true, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna. That's right, that's what they told me.
Mitya. If this were true, then what kind of person am I after that! Can I express in words what the heart does not feel! And I think that this is dishonest. I may not even be worth it for you to pay attention to me, let alone deceive you.
Lyubov Gordeevna. You cannot be trusted: all men in the world are deceivers.
Mitya. Let them be deceivers, but not me.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Who knows! Maybe you are deceiving, you want to make fun of me.
Mitya. It would be easier for me, it seems, to die in this place than to hear such words from you! (Turns away.)
Lyubov Gordeevna. No, Mitya, I did it on purpose. I know that you love me; I just wanted to joke with you.
Mitya is silent.
Mitenka, Mitya... Why are you silent? Are you angry with me? I'm telling you I'm joking. Mitya! Come on, say something. (Takes him by the hand.)
Mitya. Eh, Lyubov Gordeevna, this is not a joke on my mind! I'm not that kind of person.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Don't be angry.
Mitya. If you love it, stop these jokes! They are out of place. Oh, my head is gone! (Hugs her.) If they take it by force, I won’t give it up with my will. I will lay down my soul for you, Lyuba!
Lyubov Gordeevna (clinging to him). Mitenka, what should we do now?
Mitya. What should I do? We didn’t fall in love enough to part.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Well, how can I be talked into for someone else?
Mitya. But here’s what, Lyuba: one word - we must go to Gordey Karpych tomorrow together, and at his feet. So and so, they say, everything is your will, and we can’t live without each other. If you love a friend, then forget your pride!
Lyubov Gordeevna. What pride, Mitenka! How about pride now! You, Mitenka, don’t be angry with me, don’t remember my previous words: it was just a girl’s stupidity, I apologize to you! It’s not a joke to joke with you, but I should have caressed you, poor thing. (Lits down on his chest.) Well, if little darling doesn’t want our happiness, what then?
Mitya. What to think ahead, God willing. I don’t know about you, but I can’t live without you!
Silence.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Someone is coming!.. Go, my dear, slowly, and I’ll come later.
Mitya quietly leaves; Arina enters with a candle; Lyubov Gordeevna goes to meet her.
PHENOMENA THIRD
Arina, Lyubov Gordeevna and then Yegorushka.
Arina. Come on! I was completely scared. What are you doing here? Mama is there looking for you, and that’s where you are. You're wandering around in the dark! Look, you are a modest princess, a foolish princess.
Lyubov Gordeevna leaves.
There really wasn't anyone here with her. (Looks in the corners.) And I, fool, who did I think of! (Lights candles.) After all, you see, what kind of sin will come in old age.
Yegorushka enters.
Go, Yegorushka, call the neighboring girls. Say, Pelageya Egorovna ordered to call for songs to sing.
Yegorushka. Oh! What are you doing, Arinushka, mother! (Dances.)
Arina. Why are you happy, stupid!
Yegorushka. Why not be happy, such fun! Ay, ay, ay!.. (Jumps.)
Arina. Still, maybe there will be mummers; Well done guys wanted to dress up.
Yegorushka. Oh, I'm going to die! Fathers, I will die!
Arina. What are you, a shooter?
Yegorushka. I'll die laughing; I'm painfully funny, grandma!
Arina. And you dress up yourself.
Yegorushka. I'll dress up, I'll dress up! Ay, fathers, ah, ah, ah!
Arina. Yes, hurry up and run after the girls.
Yegorushka. In a second! (Leaves.)
Pelageya Egorovna enters.
SCENE FOUR
Arina and Pelageya Egorovna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Arinushka, did you send for the girls?
Arina. Sent it, mother.
Pelageya Egorovna. That's it. Let them sing with ours. They will amuse my darling with the guests. Until then, have fun while you’re young... yes; you know, it’s a girl’s business, locked up and locked up, they don’t see the light... Well, now it’s their holiday... yes, let them, let them!
Arina. Well, mother, well! Let them in, well!
Pelageya Egorovna. Yes, maders, Arinushka, madeders... older ones; well, and for the young people gingerbread, sweets, you know what... yes! You can figure it out for yourself. Yes, maderki, Arinushka, don’t forget.
Arina. I know, mother, I know! Everything will be enough. Now, mother, now!
Pelageya Egorovna. Well done guys, snacks.
Arina. Everything, everything, mother, will be. Don’t worry, just go and see the guests, and I’ll do everything with pleasure. (Leaves.)
Pelageya Egorovna (approaching the door). Well done girls, come here, it’s more spacious and brighter.
Enter Lyubov Gordeevna, Masha, Liza, Anna Ivanovna, Razlyulyaev, Mitya, Guslin and two guests: 1st and 2nd.
SCENE FIFTH
Pelageya Egorovna, Lyubov Gordeevna, Masha, Lisa, Anna Ivanovna, Razlyulyaev,
Mitya, Guslin and two old women guests: 1st and 2nd.
Pelageya Egorovna (to the old women). And we'll sit here.
She sits on the sofa, the old women are next to her; Anna Ivanovna and Guslin sit on chairs and speak quietly; Mitya stands next to them; Masha, Lyubov Gordeevna and Lisa walk around the hall, hugging each other; Razlyulyaev follows them.
Let's look at them, let them play.
Lisa. I say: imagine, mummy, he has no politics in his conversation and even says such words, which is completely discourteous.
Razlyulyaev. Isn't this for our garden?
Lisa. This is not about you; your business side. (Continues.) But why, mamma, should I love him... (Speaks in a whisper.)
Pelageya Egorovna. I, mother, love in the old way, in the old way... yes, in our way, in the Russian way. My husband doesn’t like what to do, he turned out to be such a character. And I love, I’m cheerful... yes... to regale, and to sing songs to me... yes, to my relatives: our whole family is cheerful... singers.
1st guest. As I look, Mother Pelageya Egorovna, there is no such fun as before, when we were young.
2nd guest. No, no.
Pelageya Egorovna. When I was young, I was the first to try to sing and dance - take me... yes... I knew a lot of songs! They don't sing like that anymore.
1st guest. No, they don’t sing, all the new ones have arrived.
2nd guest. Yes, yes, you will remember the old days.
Pelageya Egorovna. Yashenka, sing some old song.
Guslin takes the guitar.
Razlyulyaev (to girls). Therefore, I really can’t wait; Apparently you won't be of any use.
Lisa. What's the point, I don't understand.
Masha. It's even funny to hear.
Razlyulyaev. Yes, it’s funny for you, but what does it feel like for me? Why don't you really love me?
Lyubov Gordeevna. Let's sit down.
They sit down.
Guslin (singing).
Behind the river behind the fast one
Four courtyards;
Is it in these courtyards?
Four godfathers.
You godmothers, my dears,
My girlfriends,
Cheer up, love,
Love me.
Will you go to green Garden -
Take me;
You will begin to pick flowers -
Rip it for me too;
You will begin to weave wreaths -
Weave for me too;
Go to the river -
Take me;
You will throw wreaths -
Give up mine too.
Like all the wreaths on top of the water,
And mine sank;
How all the friends came home,
But mine didn't come.
Arina (enters with bottles, glasses and a girl with snacks). Here, mother, I brought it.
Pelageya Egorovna (to the girl). Treat the young ladies.
The girl walks around the girls, puts the tray on the table and leaves.
Arina, give me some wine here. Yes, pour it, pour some Madeira, some Madeira... It will be more fun. Well, okay, let's have a drink. They won’t judge us - we are old women, yes... (They drink.) Annushka, go and drink some wine. Will you have a drink, or what?
Anna Ivanovna. Well, why not drink! They say don’t drink without people, but there’s no need to drink in front of people. (He approaches Pelageya Egorovna, drinks and talks quietly.)
Arina. Well done, why are you so tired?
Mitya. I don't drink, sir.
Razlyulyaev. Can! (He comes up with Guslin and then drinks, grabbing Arina.) Come on, let’s shake things up! (Sings.)
Oh, let me shake the old man
About Yerema, about Thomas...
Arina. Leave me alone, you mischief maker, you broke everything!
Razlyulyaev (singing).
Ah, the reins in Kaluga,
Yoke in Tarusa,
Sleigh with undercuts,
They go on their own.
The girls laugh.
Arina. Get rid of them, they say!.. Well, absolutely! (Leaves.)
Anna Ivanovna. Why are you bothering the old woman, come with me.
Razlyulyaev. Come on! Play, Yasha!
Yasha plays, they dance.
1st guest. What a funny butterfly.
Pelageya Egorovna. Cheerful, cheerful.
Razlyulyaev (stomping his foot). Here's how we do it! (Stops dancing.)
Yegorushka (enters). The girls have arrived.
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, call them.
Yegorushka leaves; girls enter; Arina brings the dish and covers it.
Sit down, sit down, and start drinking some of the dishes, I love them very much.
Lyubov Gordeevna, Masha, Lisa and Anna Ivanovna take off the rings and put them on a plate; the girls start singing.
This, mother, tormentor,
Bake pies.
You will have guests
Suitors come to me.
They will come to you in bast shoes,
To me in boots.
To whom they sang -
Good for that.
Who will take it out -
It will come true.
Razlyulyaev rolls up his sleeves, takes out the ring, gives it to Lyubov Gordeevna.
Pelageya Egorovna. It's time, it's time.
Girls (sing).
Sparrow sits
On Bel-Gorod.
On Bel-gorod,
On a high wall.
A sparrow is looking
To the other side.
Who will take it out -
It will come true.
Arina (enters). The mummers came; will you order me to let you in?
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, let them, let them dance. And you girls will sing afterwards.
SCENE SIX
The same mummers: an old man with a balalaika or a guitar, a leader with a bear and a goat, Yegorushka with molasses.
Old man (bows). I bow to all honest conversation.
Leader. Take a bow, Mishka.
The bear bows.
Old man. Order them to sing, dance, have fun, fix their old bones.
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, it’s okay, dance. Serve them, Arinushka, with wine.
Arina brings wine; some drink.
Old man. We humbly thank you with a kind word and a treat. (Sings.)
Our fellows are so good,
At least goals and daring!
They weave cloth
Twelve hands.
They rewove cloth -
Everyone's caftans were sewn.
Caftans are not dear to us,
There would be money in my pocket.
Monetary rubles
Don't let you sleep at night;
Copper money rattles -
They tell me to go to the tavern.
Tselovalnichek Andrey,
Unlock the tavern quickly:
We have a new caftan,
We'll lay it here
You can't take it home.
(Moves aside.)
Yegorushka (dancing with molasses).
Ah, molasses, molasses,
Boiled, sweet!
Winter, winter-winter
It was painfully cold!
Painfully fussy
And restless -
Notice all the paths
You can’t go to the cute one.
Ah, molasses, molasses,
Boiled, sweet!
My wife is sitting
Exactly quail!
That's why I love her
For that I honor
What walks primly
Walks well.
(Bows.)
1st guest. Look, what a great fellow you are!.. ah!
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, mother, from childhood, as best she can. After all, he’s still a child. Come here, Yegorushka.
Yegorushka comes up.
You're wearing gingerbread... (Gives it.)
Yegorushka bows and leaves.
Yes... he’s still a child, what can one take from him!
The leader leads the bear; the goat is dancing.
Old man (singing).
Like we have a goat
What a smart guy he was:
I walked on water myself,
I cooked the porridge myself -
I fed my grandfather and grandmother.
How did our goat go?
He's in the dark forest
How to meet a goat
Yes seven wolves:
Like one wolf
He was hungry
He walked for three years
I asked for all the goats.
Leader (to the bear). Ask for wine, remember the goat.
The bear bows.
Pelageya Egorovna. Arinushka, treat the mummers.
Arina brings it; they drink and bow.
Leader. Come on, Mishenka, amuse honest gentlemen. And like beautiful maidens, young ladies turn white, blush, glance at the young men, peek out at the grooms.
The bear breaks down.
And how the old woman goes to work, hunched over, cowering, her old age has overwhelmed her, her antiquity has overcome her.
The bear breaks down.
Well, now bow to the honest gentlemen. (They leave.)
The old man plays the guitar, the other mummers dance; everyone is looking at them; Guslin and Mitya stand next to Lyubov Gordeevna; Mitya whispers something to her and kisses her; Razlyulyaev approaches.
Razlyulyaev. What are you doing?
Mitya. What do you care?
Razlyulyaev. So I’ll tell Pelageya Egorovna, give me time!
Mitya. Just give me a peep!
Guslin (steps on him). Look at me! We have to go from here together: it’s nighttime, and your alley is a back street, so remember that!
Razlyulyaev. Why are you here? For what? I want to marry her, I want to get married. What, they took it! Yes, I'm getting married!
Mitya. We'll see.
Razlyulyaev. So, will they give it for you? Well, keep your pockets!.. And we have a lot of money!..
Arina. Look at the noise!.. Stop it!.. No way, someone is knocking...
Everyone is listening.
That's right... they knock.
Pelageya Egorovna. Unlock it.
Arina (leaves, then returns). I came myself!
Everyone gets up.
SCENE SEVEN
The same ones, Gordey Karpych and Korshunov.
Gordey Karpych (to the mummers). What kind of bastard is this!.. Get out! (To his wife.) Wife! Pelageya Egorovna! Receive a guest. (Quietly.) You stabbed me!
Pelageya Egorovna. You are welcome, Afrikan Savich, you are welcome.
Korshunov. Hello, Pelageya Egorovna... Heh, heh, heh... You're having fun! That's how we got it right.
Pelageya Egorovna. But I’m with the girls... Yes, I’m still with the girls. Well, Christmas time; I want to amuse my daughter.
Gordey Karpych. You are welcome, Afrikan Savich, without ceremony.
Afrikan Savich sits down on a chair at the table.
(To his wife). Get the girls out!
Korshunov. Why persecute them! Who is driving the girls... Heh, heh, heh... They will sing, and we will listen, and look at them, and even give them money, and not just drive them away.
Gordey Karpych. As you wish, Afrikan Savich! I'm just embarrassed in front of you! But don’t conclude from this about our lack of education - that’s all the wife. I just can't get it into her head. (To his wife.) How many times have I told you: if you want to host an evening at your place, call the musicians so that it can be done in full form. It seems like you can't be denied anything.
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, where do we need musicians... old women. It's up to you to have fun.
Gordey Karpych. These are their ideas about life. Even I think it’s funny for you to listen.
Pelageya Egorovna. What concepts, concepts! You'd better treat your guest. Would you like it, African?
Savich, Vintsa is with us, with the old women. (Pours Madeira.)
Gordey Karpych (sternly). Wife! Have you really gone crazy? Afrikan Savich has never seen your Madeira! They ordered to serve champagne... half a dozen... and quickly. Yes, they ordered the candles to be lit in the living room, that a new sky had been installed. There will be a completely different effect.
Pelageya Egorovna. Now I’ll do everything myself. (Gets up.) Arinushka, let's go. Sorry, neighbors.
1st guest. Eh, mother, you and I will go too. U; It's time for us to go home.
2nd guest. It's time, it's time! The nights are dark, the dogs are running wild in the alleys.
1st guest. Oh, daring, daring!..
They bow and leave.
SCENE EIGHTH
Gordey Karpych, Korshunov, Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha, Lisa, girls, Mitya, Guslin and Razlyulyaev.
Korshunov. Let's go to the ladies. Where did you find such beauties... Heh! (Approaches Lyubov Gordeevna.) Hello, Lyubov Gordeevna, you are my beauty!..
Lyubov Gordeevna bows.
Take me into your company.
Lyubov Gordeevna. We don't drive anyone away.
Anna Ivanovna. Sit down, you will be guests.
Korshunov. You accept the old man dryly. These days are the holidays, and you can kiss and have tea.
Anna Ivanovna. Why bring up these endearments?
Korshunov. Gordey Karpych, can I kiss my daughter? And I must admit... heh, heh... I'm a big fan of this. But who doesn’t love it!.. Heh, heh...
Gordey Karpych. Do me a favor, without ceremony.
Korshunov. Let's kiss, young lady.
Lyubov Gordeevna. If aunty wants... (Kisses.)
Korshunov. Well, let's get everyone in order.
Anna Ivanovna. Me, perhaps! I'm not arrogant.
Masha. Oh, what a shame!..
Lisa. Well, there’s nothing to say, it’s a great pleasure!
Gordey Karpych (approaching Mitya). Why are you there? Is this where you belong? A crow flew into the high mansions!
Mitya, Guslin and Razlyulyaev leave.
SCENE NINE
Gordey Karpych, Korshunov, Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha, Lisa and the girls.
Korshunov (sitting down next to Lyubov Gordeevna). I, Lyubov Gordeevna, am not into you: you didn’t even want to kiss me, heh, heh, heh! and I brought you a gift.
Lyubov Gordeevna. There was no need to worry.
Korshunov. Here I brought you a diamond, heh, heh... (Gives it back.)
Lyubov Gordeevna. These are earrings. I humbly thank you.
Anna Ivanovna. Show me.
Masha. But it's lovely!
Lisa. And with great taste!
Korshunov. Give me your pen. (Takes it and kisses it.) I love you very much, heh, heh, heh! I love you very much, but you don’t love me, tea, do you?
Lyubov Gordeevna. Why shouldn't I love you?
Korshunov. For what? Love someone else, that's why. And you will love me, I’m a good, cheerful person, heh, heh, heh...
Lyubov Gordeevna. I don't know what you're saying.
Korshunov. I say: love me. Well, I'm not old yet... (Looks at her.) Are you old? heh, heh, heh... Well, no problem. But you will walk in gold. I don’t have any money, I’m a poor man... So some hundred and five thousand... heh, heh, heh, silver!.. (Takes him by the hand.)
Lyubov Gordeevna (standing up). I don't need your money.
Gordey Karpych. Love, where are you going?
Lyubov Gordeevna. I'm going to see my mom!
Gordey Karpych. Stay; she will come here.
Lyubov Gordeevna sits down.
Korshunov. You don’t want to sit with the old man. Give me your hand, young lady, I'll kiss it.
Lyubov Gordeevna (gives his hand). Oh my god!
Korshunov. What a pen! heh, heh, heh... velvet! (Strokes it with his hand and then puts on a diamond ring.)
Lyubov Gordeevna (freeing her hand). Oh, leave me alone, I don’t need it, I don’t need it.
Korshunov. It’s okay, it’s not a loss for me, maybe it won’t ruin me.
Lyubov Gordeevna. I don't need it. Give it to anyone you want. (Takes it off and gives it back.)
Korshunov. They give, they don’t take it back... heh, heh, heh.
Enter: Pelageya Egorovna, followed by Arina and Yegorushka with wine and glasses.
SCENE TENTH
The same are Pelageya Egorovna, Arina and Egorushka.
Gordey Karpych. Let's go have a drink.
Korshunov. Well, Gordey Karpych, serve it, and you girls, dignify me. I love honor.
Pelageya Egorovna. Girls, magnify it.
Gordey Karpych (uncorks, pours and brings). Dear guest Afrikan Savich. Bow down, wife!
Pelageya Egorovna. Please, Afrikan Savich, we humbly ask!
Korshunov takes it.
Gordey Karpych (takes a glass). Wife, have a drink.
Pelageya Egorovna. Oh, I don’t like this wine... well, I’ll just drink a glass.
Girls (sing).
And who is single among us?
And who is unmarried?
African - single,
Savich is unmarried.
Rides a horse
Under him the horse is invigorated;
Drives up to the meadows -
The meadows are turning green,
Flowers are blooming.
Korshunov (sitting down next to Lyubov Gordeevna). This is good, I love this. Come on, someone come here. (The girl approaches, he pats her on the cheek.) Look, you are so sharp-eyed! After all, you girls need a lot of tea for white for white, for blush for scarlet... heh, heh, heh... but I don’t have money, they’ll follow me... heh, heh, heh... Hold it apron. (He showers her with money, small change; the girl bows and leaves.) Well, Gordey Karpych, tell your wife why we came.
Gordey Karpych. I told you, wife, a long time ago that I’m tired of living in this city, because at every step here you can see how there is only ignorance and lack of education. For this reason, I want to move from here to Moscow. And we won’t have a stranger there, it will be our son-in-law Afrikan Savich.
Pelageya Egorovna. Oh, oh, what are you doing?
Korshunov. And we, Pelageya Egorovna, shook hands... Why are you so scared, I won’t eat her.
Pelageya Egorovna. Ah, ah, fathers! (Grabs his daughter.) My daughter! Will not give it back!
Gordey Karpych. Wife!
Pelageya Egorovna. Father, Gordey Karpych, don’t joke about mother's heart!.. Stop it!.. Exhausted my whole soul.
Gordey Karpych. Wife, you know me!.. You, Afrikan Savich, don’t worry: I’ve said it and done it.
Korshunov. I promised, so keep my word. (He gets up, approaches the girls and speaks to them quietly.)
Lyubov Gordeevna (approaches her father.) Baby! I will not take one step out of your will. Have pity on me, poor thing, don’t ruin my youth!..
Gordey Karpych. You, you fool, don’t understand your own happiness. In Moscow you will live like a lord, you will ride in carriages. It’s one thing - you’ll live in plain sight, and not in some kind of wilderness; and another thing is that I order it so.
Lyubov Gordeevna. I don’t dare disobey your order. Baby! (Bows at his feet.) Don’t want my misfortune for the rest of my life!.. Change your mind, dear!.. Make me whatever you want, just don’t force me against my heart to marry someone who isn’t nice!..
Gordey Karpych. I don't take back my word. (Rises.)
Lyubov Gordeevna. Your will, father! (Bows and goes to mother.)
Korshunov. That's the end of the matter! Come on, girls, let's have a wedding!
Girls (singing).
All the flowers in the garden will fade,
The blue tits will wither in green,
My little darling, scarlet without me.
Get up early, mother,
Water all the flowers often
Morning, evening dawn,
And also with your burning tears.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Not that one, not that one, sing another one.
Gordey Karpych. Let's go, Afrikan Savich, to the living room. Wife! Come all of you there.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Where should I go!..
Gordey Karpych. Arina, move the wine.
Arina. Oh, wait, it's not up to you. You are my child!.. Girls, my dears, this is what you'll sing. (Sings.)
You are my dear mother!
On the day of Denna my sadness.
At night, a night pilgrim,
My dryness is centuries old!
Look through your clear eyes,
Looking at your daughter,
For your beloved daughter,
In last time, in the end!
Lyubov Gordeevna. In the rest.
In continuation of this song, Gordey Karpych and Korshunov leave; Lyubov Gordeevna in her mother's arms;
her friends surround her.
ACT THREE
A small room in Tortsov’s house, filled with various types of cabinets, chests and shelves with dishes and silver; furniture: sofas, armchairs, tables, everything is very rich and placed closely. In general, this room constitutes a kind of office for the hostess, from where she manages the entire house and where she easily receives her guests. One door leads into the hall where guests dine, the other into the interior rooms.
SCENE ONE
Arina sits on a chair by the door to the hall; next to her are several girls and women.
Arina (pointing into the hall). We didn’t wait, mothers, we didn’t expect it! He swooped down like a hawk out of the blue and snatched our swan from the herd of swan, from her father, from her mother, from her relatives, from her girlfriends. We didn’t even have time to come to our senses!.. So what in the world is going on! People today have become evil, deceitful, crafty, and approachable. Gordey Karpych walked around this and that, like a fog, and he, in his old age, was flattered by his wealth! Our beauty was written down and they conspired for the old, for the hateful. There she is, my little darling, sitting there, not looking at the light. Oh, I feel sick! That’s why I went out and nursed you, carried you in my arms, like I was taking care of a bird in cotton clothes!.. And just recently, she and I had such an understanding. We won’t give you up, I say, child, for common man; unless some prince from foreign lands comes and blows a trumpet at the gate. But it didn’t work out our way. There he is, our separator, sitting, fat and big-lipped! Look at her and chuckle - he loves it! Oh, may you be empty! Well, now that you've eaten, get up and get to work. (Gets up from the chair.)
The women leave. Pelageya Egorovna enters.
PHENOMENA SECOND
Arina and Pelageya Egorovna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Come on, Arinushka, help me clear the table... yes... And I’ll rest, sit down - I’m tired.
Arina. How not to get tired, my dear, you’re on your feet all day, aren’t you young!..
Pelageya Egorovna (sits on the sofa). Oh... Yes, a samovar should be served there in the girls' room, a big one... which is the biggest one. Find Annushka, come to me.
Arina. I'm listening, I'm listening.
Pelageya Egorovna. Yes... come on, come on... Oh, my little pussy is gone!
Arina leaves.
The whole head was broken! Woe is grief, but there are still troubles. Yes, yes, what a hassle! Ah ah ah! I was knocked off my feet, completely lost! There’s a lot to do, but in my head it’s all wrong... I need it there, and I need it here, but I don’t know what to grab onto... Really... yes... (Sits down thoughtfully.) What kind of groom is this, what kind of groom ... ah, ah, ah!.. Where can I expect love here? Now she would like to have at least a poor little thing and a dear friend... If only there was life... if only there was paradise...
Anna Ivanovna enters.
PHENOMENA THIRD
Pelageya Egorovna and Anna Ivanovna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Here you go, the keys to the tea. Go and pour it out for the guests; Well, everything you need is there, you already know. I’ve already lost my legs, but what about you - you’re a young butterfly... yes... serve me.
Anna Ivanovna. Why not serve, it’s not a big job, your hands won’t fall off. (Takes the keys.)
Pelageya Egorovna. There's tea over there in the cupboard, in a red drawer.
Anna Ivanovna unlocks it and takes out the box. Mitya enters.
SCENE FOUR
Same with Mitya.
Pelageya Egorovna. What do you need, Mitenka?
Mitya (holding back tears). I, s... I, sir, Pelageya Egorovna, for all your affection and for all your indulgences, and even for what, perhaps, I’m not worth it... just as you, in my orphanhood, did not leave me in place of your mother. .. I... should be grateful to you all my life and always pray to God, sir. (Bows at his feet.)
Pelageya Egorovna. What are you saying, Mitya?
Mitya. Thank you for everything, sir. Goodbye now, Pelageya Egorovna! (Rises.)
Pelageya Egorovna. Where are you going?
Mitya. I want to go to my mother, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna. How long are you going?
Mitya. Yes, I asked the owner for time off for the holidays, and one must assume that I will stay there altogether.
Pelageya Egorovna. Why do you want to leave us, Mitya?
Mitya (shuffling). Yes, that’s it!.. Well... I’ve already made up my mind.
Pelageya Egorovna. When are you going?
Mitya. Tonight is the night. (Silence). So, I think you won’t see you until nightfall, so I came to say goodbye.
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, Mitya, if you need it so much... We are not holding you back, God is with you... Goodbye!..
Mitya (bows at the feet of Pelageya Egorovna, kisses her and Anna Ivanovna, then bows and stops). I should also say goodbye to Lyubov Gordeevna... Well, after all, they lived in the same house... Either I will be alive or not...
Pelageya Egorovna. Yes, we must, we must. Well, say goodbye, say goodbye!.. Annushka, go call out to Lyubushka.
Anna Ivanovna (shaking her head). “One leads by the hand, another follows a friend, the third stands shedding tears, loved, but did not take.” (Leaves.)
SCENE FIFTH
Pelageya Egorovna and Mitya.
Pelageya Egorovna. But for us, Mitenka, what a tragedy! I can’t figure out how to open it and unwind it... I was just mistaken by thunder, I won’t come to my senses.
Mitya. Who is to blame for this now, sir, you have no one to cry on, Pelageya Egorovna, sir, you pay it yourself.
Pelageya Egorovna. We ourselves... ourselves... yes, we give it ourselves. Oh, it’s not my will, Mitya; If it were my will, I would give it away! What am I, really her enemy!
Mitya. The man, from hearsay, is not very enviable. Nothing good can be heard other than bad.
Pelageya Egorovna. I know, Mitenka, I know.
Mitya. But now, according to these rumors, it must be said that Lyubov Gordeevna must completely perish for such a person, and moreover, in a remote place, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna. Oh, don’t tell me, don’t tell me... I feel sick without you. Her eyes overlooked everything, looking at her! At least now I can look at her in reserve. I'm definitely going to bury her.
Mitya (almost crying). So what is this! Do they do something like this? After all, she, tea, is your own daughter!..
Pelageya Egorovna. If it weren’t for my dear, I wouldn’t cry and be killed, my heart wouldn’t break into tears for her.
Mitya. Rather than cry, it would be better not to give it away. Why are you seizing a girl’s age and sending her into bondage? Isn't this a sin? After all, tea, you will have to give God an answer for it.
Pelageya Egorovna. I know, I know everything, but I’m telling you that it’s not my will. Why are you pestering me? I’m already sick without you, and you still upset me. And you, Mitya, would have pity on me!
Mitya. It’s like that, Pelageya Egorovna, but I can’t bear this grief; maybe harder than for you. I have such faith in you, Pelageya Egorovna, that I will still open up to my own mother. (Wipes his eyes with a handkerchief.) That evening, what a party you had... (Tears prevent me from speaking.)
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, well, talk, talk...
Mitya. Well, so we came to an agreement in the dark so that we could go to you, mother, and to Gordey Karpych, to ask you basely: bless us, they say, but we can’t live without each other (wipes away tears); and now suddenly in the morning I hear... my little hands have dropped!..
Pelageya Egorovna. What you?!
Mitya. Here in front of the true one, Pelageya Egorovna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Oh, you are so kind! What a bitter boy you are, how I look at you!
Lyubov Gordeevna enters.
SCENE SIX
The same goes for Lyubov Gordeevna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Here, Lyubushka, Mitya has come to say goodbye: he is going from us to his mother.
Mitya (bows). Farewell, Lyubov Gordeevna!.. Don’t remember it badly!
Lyubov Gordeevna. Goodbye, Mitya! (Bows.)
Pelageya Egorovna. Kiss goodbye, because maybe God won’t bring you to meet again... yes... well
Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna kiss; she sits on the sofa and cries; Mitya is crying too.
You will be crying! You're driving me crazy!
Mitya. Oh, my head is gone! It really wasn't! (Approaches Pelageya Egorovna.) Pelageya Egorovna, it’s a pity for you to give your daughter to an old man, or not?
Pelageya Egorovna. If it weren't a pity, I wouldn't cry.
Mitya. Would you like to speak, Pelageya Egorovna?
Pelageya Egorovna. Speak.
Mitya. Here's what I'm saying: pack her up and dress her warmly. Let her come out slowly: I’ll put her in a scooter-sleigh - and that’s how I was! Then the old man won’t see her like his ears, and my head will perish at the same time! I’ll take her to my mother and we’ll get married. Eh! give your soul space - it wants to roam! At the very least, if I have to respond in response, then I will know that I was amused.
Pelageya Egorovna. What are you, what are you, dissolute!
Lyubov Gordeevna. What did you come up with, Mitya?
Mitya. Don't you love me anymore? Al fell out of love?
Lyubov Gordeevna. Yes, you say something scary!
Pelageya Egorovna. What did you come up with, you dissolute one! Who dares to take such a sin on his soul... yes... come to your senses... what are you doing!
Mitya. After all, I say: if it’s a pity; and if you don’t feel sorry, then give it up for Afrikan Savich, enslave him forever and ever. You yourself, looking at her wretched life, will begin to kill yourself. If you catch up with Gordey Karpych, it will be too late.
Pelageya Egorovna. How could it be without my father’s blessing! Well, how about it, judge for yourself?
Mitya. Of course, what would life be without a blessing! So bless you, Pelageya Egorovna (kneels), and Gordey Karpych, maybe... and sometime himself...
Pelageya Egorovna. How can I be with you! I've gone completely crazy... yes... crazy. I don’t know anything, I don’t remember... yes, yes... my head is spinning... Bitter, bitter to my heart, my dears!..
Lyubov Gordeevna (approaches Mitya). No, Mitya, this won’t happen! Don't torment yourself in vain, stop! (He picks him up.) Don't break my soul! And so my heart sank within me. Ride with God. Goodbye!
Mitya. Why did you deceive me, mock me?
Lyubov Gordeevna. That's enough, Mitya. Why should I deceive you? I loved you, I told you so myself. And now I shouldn’t leave my parents’ will. It is my father’s will that I get married. I must submit to him, such is our lot as a girl. So, you know, this is how it should be, this is how it has been established since ancient times. I don’t want to go against my father, so that people won’t talk about me or make an example of me. Even though I may have torn my heart through this, at least I know that I live according to the law, no one dares to laugh in my face. Goodbye!
They kiss.
Mitya. Well, it’s not fate to know!
Lyubov Gordeevna sits on the sofa and cries.
Goodbye! (Bows to Pelageya Egorovna.) Farewell, Pelageya Egorovna, you are my benefactor! I will never forget your kindness and mercy towards me: you did not forget the orphan on the other side.
Pelageya Egorovna. Farewell, my dear, don’t judge us for anything, it will be a sin for you. May God bless you... and we will not forget you.
Mitya bows and leaves.
SCENE SEVEN
Pelageya Egorovna and Lyubov Gordeevna and then Korshunov.
Pelageya Egorovna. What, Lyubushka, I feel sorry for the guy! Eko, girl... ah! And I had no idea that you fell in love with him. And how could I, an old woman, guess... yes. What about me? It’s our job to cry, but I have no power over my daughter! That would be nice! I would admire it in my old age. The guy is so simple, with a soft heart, and he would love me, an old woman. How can I look at you, girl, how can you not be sad!.. but I have nothing to help you, my dear!
Lyubov Gordeevna. Well, mummy, what is there and what you can’t think about, just torment yourself. (Sits silently.)
Pelageya Egorovna. Come in, father.
Korshunov (entering). Oh, here she is, my bride, where did she hide... heh... I’ll find her, I’ll find her everywhere. Let us, Pelageya Egorovna, talk to your daughter in confidence about our affairs.
Pelageya Egorovna. Please, father. (Leaves.)
Korshunov (sits down next to Lyubov Gordeevna). What are you crying about, madam? It’s a shame, a shame... heh... heh... heh... So I’m older, but I’m not crying... (Looks at her shrewdly.) I know what I’m talking about: tea, do you want it for a young man? So this, my dear (takes your hand and kisses it), is just girlish stupidity. Now listen to what I’m telling you... I’ll tell the truth, frankly, I don’t like to deceive, I have no reason to. Will you listen, eh?
Lyubov Gordeevna. Speak.
Korshunov. Good with. Let's start with this. Will a young man really appreciate that you love him, huh? After all, everyone will love a young man, this is not a novelty for him, but it is dear to an old man. The old man wants a gift for love, and this and that, and gold, and velvet - and does not know how to console. (Kisses her hands.) And in Moscow there are a lot of good things in stores, there is something to give. So it’s good to love an old man... That’s it for you... And then here’s what happens to a young husband and a good one: after all, they are a flighty people - you see, and they’ll drag themselves after someone on the side , or some lady will fall in love with him, and his wife will dry up... There will be reproaches and jealousy... And what is jealousy, huh? heh... heh... heh... Do you know, madam, what jealousy is?
Lyubov Gordeevna. No, I do not know.
Korshunov. But I know... It’s not like pricking your finger with a needle - it will be much more painful. After all, she, damned, dries out a person. Out of jealousy they cut each other and poison themselves with arsenic! (Laughs convulsively and coughs.) Who would fall in love with an old man? Therefore, the wife is at peace. Moreover, I’ll tell you this, my precious young lady: young people love to go on a spree, have fun, have fun, and have all sorts of rowdy behavior, but your wife stays at home, waits for him until midnight. And he’ll arrive drunk, he’ll break down, he’ll put on airs. And the old man will still sit next to his wife; If he dies, he won’t go away. Yes, he would look into everyone’s eyes, and he would caress everyone, and he would kiss hands... (Kisses.) That’s it.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Did that wife... the deceased love you?
Korshunov (looks at her intently). And why do you need this, madam?
Lyubov Gordeevna. Yes, I wanted to know.
Korshunov. Would you like to know?.. (Gets up.) No, she didn’t love her, and I didn’t love her either. She wasn't worth loving. I took her, poor, beggarly, for her beauty alone; the whole family looked upon him; saved my father from a hole; I wore it in gold.
Lyubov Gordeevna. You can't buy love with gold.
Korshunov. Love or love, look more often. They, you see, needed money, they had nothing to live on: I gave, did not refuse; but I need to be loved. Well, am I free to demand this or not? I paid money for that. It’s a sin to complain about me: whoever I love will live well in the world; and if I don’t love anyone, don’t blame me! (Getting excited, he walks around.) Yes, I’m that man’s enemy, it’s better to run out of my sight: I’ll get there with a word and a glance, more than with deeds; I’m passing... I won’t give a man rest... I... (Stops and laughs.) Did you really think that I was so evil?.. heh... heh... I did this on purpose, right? kidding! I’m simple, I’m a kind old man... And I’ll carry you in my arms (chorus), rock you in a cradle, tell you... (Kisses her hands.)
Gordey Karpych enters.
SCENE EIGHTH
Lyubov Gordeevna, Korshunov and Gordey Karpych.
Gordey Karpych. Oh, that’s where the son-in-law is! And we are looking for you. We started drinking champagne there. Let's go to the guests, without you we wouldn't even have a feast.
Korshunov. I feel good here too.
Gordey Karpych. Well, then we order you to serve it here, and then we’ll drink here with you. (Approaches the door.) Hey little guy! give me some wine! On a silver tray. (Sits down.) Well, son-in-law, what do you say?
Korshunov. Nothing.
Gordey Karpych. Like nothing?
Korshunov. Oh nothing.
Gordey Karpych. No, however? (Looks at him.) Can you understand me now?
Korshunov. How can you not understand?
Gordey Karpych. Now we’ve had a little fun, so tell me, what kind of person am I? Can I be assessed here?
Korshunov. Where can they evaluate it?
Gordey Karpych. No, tell me this: am I okay? In another place, a fine guy in a suit or a girl is serving at the table, but I have a waiter in thread gloves. This ficiant, he is a scientist, from Moscow, he knows all the rules: where to sit, what to do. What about others? They will gather in one room, sit in a circle, and the peasants will sing songs. It is, of course, fun, but I think that it is low, there is no tone. And they drink something, due to their lack of education! There are different liqueurs, cherry blossoms... but they don’t understand that there’s champagne for that! Oh, if I lived in Moscow or in St. Petersburg, I would, it seems, imitate every fashion.
Korshunov. Is it really all kinds?
Gordey Karpych. All sorts of things. As much as my capital would be enough, I wouldn’t lose myself. You, Lyubov, look at me, behave carefully, otherwise the groom, because he is from Moscow, will probably judge. You, my God, don’t even know how to walk, and you don’t understand where things should be.
Lyubov Gordeevna. I, darling, say what I feel; I didn't go to boarding school.
The waiter enters and serves wine to Korshunov and Gordey Karpych; puts the bottles on the table and leaves.
Gordey Karpych. That's right, son-in-law! So let them know what Gordey Karpych Tortsov is like!
Yegorushka enters.
Yegorushka. Uncle, Gordey Karpych, please come here, sir.
Gordey Karpych. What do you want?
Yegorushka. Please: the story is out, sir. (Laughs.)
Gordey Karpych (approaching). What's there?
Yegorushka. Yes, uncle, we love Karpych, we entered.
Gordey Karpych. Why were they allowed in?
Yegorushka. It must have gotten into their heads that there is no way we can stop them. (Laughs.)
Gordey Karpych. What is he doing?
Yegorushka. Disperses guests, sir. (Laughs.) You, he says, are glad to eat someone else’s bread... I, he says, am also the owner...
I say... (Laughs.)
Gordey Karpych. Shh... He took my head off! (Leaves with Yegorushka.)
Korshunov. What do they have there?
Lyubov Gordeevna. Don't know. The uncle must be doing something... Sometimes it comes over him.
Enter: Pelageya Egorovna, Razlyulyaev, Masha and Lisa.
SCENE NINE
Lyubov Gordeevna, Pelageya Egorovna, Korshunov, Razlyulyaev, Masha and Lisa.
Pelageya Egorovna (at the door). Where is brother?.. Where is Lyubim Karpych? What has he done? It’s a disaster!
Lyubov Gordeevna. He's not here, mommy.
Pelageya Egorovna leaves.
Razlyulyaev. That's it! Nice things Lyubim Karpych soaks! ha... ha... ha!.. It casts such bullets that only Lyuli!
Lisa. Not funny at all, just ignorance!
Masha. I just didn’t know where to go from shame. (They sit on the sofa.)
Lyubim Karpych enters.
SCENE TENTH
We love Karpych the same way.
Lisa. Oh, my God, again!
Masha. It's horrible!
Razlyulyaev. Ha, ha, ha!..
We love Karpych. Gurg, gurg, gurg... be, gurg, gurl!.. With a finger nine, with a cucumber fifteen!.. Buddy! (Extends his hand to Korshunov.) Ours to you, sir!.. We haven’t seen each other for a thousand years! How are you doing?
Korshunov. Oh, is it you, Love?
We love Karpych (blocking his face with his hands). I am not me, and the horse is not mine, and I am not the cab driver.
Korshunov. I remember you, brother: you walked around the city, collecting pennies.
We love Karpych. Do you remember how I collected penny by penny; Do you remember how you and I walked, autumn dark nights sat and flitted from the tavern to the cellar? Do you know who ruined me and sent me around the world with my bag?
Korshunov. Why were you yawning? After all, they didn’t pull you by the collar, my dear. It's my own fault.
We love Karpych. I’m a fool, but it’s not a great honor for you either! You exalted me so much, elevated me to such a rank that I didn’t steal anything, but it’s advisable to look people in the eye!
Korshunov. You're still the same joker! (Addressing Lyubov Gordeevna.) You have a funny uncle. Apparently, based on an old acquaintance, I should give him a virgin.
We love Karpych. Shh... It doesn't smell like rubbish here! Pay off your old debt, but for your niece, one million three hundred thousand!.. I won’t pay you back cheaper.
Korshunov (laughs). There will be no concessions?
We love Karpych. Not a penny!
Razlyulyaev. Oh yes, we love Karpych! Don't take less.
Gordey Karpych enters.
SCENE ELEVENTH
The same goes for Gordey Karpych.
Gordey Karpych. Oh, you're here! What are you doing to me? Get out now!
Korshunov. Wait, Gordey Karpych, don’t drive him! Let him break down and make a joke. Heh, heh, heh...
We love Karpych. This brother is joking that he is giving his daughter away for you, and I will make such a joke with you that it will upset your stomach!
Gordey Karpych. He doesn't belong here. Get out!
We love Karpych. Brother, wait, don’t drive me away! Do you think Lyubim Tortsov came to tell jokes, do you think Lyubim Tortsov is drunk? I came to tell you riddles. (To Korshunov.) Why does a donkey have long ears? Come on, give me the answer!
Razlyulyaev. That's the task!
Korshunov. How do I know?
We love Karpych. So that everyone knows that he is an ass. (To his brother.) Here’s a task for you: who are you giving your daughter to?
Gordey Karpych. It's none of your business! You don't dare ask me.
We love Karpych. But here’s another question for you: are you an honest merchant or not? If you're honest, don't hang around with the dishonest, don't rub yourself near the soot - you'll get dirty yourself.
Korshunov. And you joke, but don’t forget, my dear!.. Drive him out or tell him to shut up.
We love Karpych. This is about you!.. Apparently, you are as clean as a chimney sweep!
Gordey Karpych. Brother, leave with honor, or else go badly.
Lyubov Gordeevna (jumps up in fright). Uncle, stop it!
We love Karpych. I won't shut up! Now the blood has spoken!
All household and guests enter.
SCENE TWELVE
The same, Pelageya Egorovna, Anna Ivanovna, Guslin, guests, guests and servants.
We love Karpych. Listen, good people! They offend Lyubim Tortsov and drive him out. Why am I not a guest? Why are they persecuting me? I’m not dressed cleanly, but my conscience is clean. I’m not Korshunov: I didn’t rob the poor, I didn’t eat someone else’s life, I didn’t torture my wife with jealousy... They drive me away, but he’s the first guest, they put him in the front corner. Well, it’s okay, they’ll give him another wife: his brother is giving his daughter for him! Ha, ha, ha! (Laughs tragically.)
Korshunov (jumps up). Don’t believe him, he’s lying, he’s saying this out of anger at me, he’s drunk.
We love Karpych. What wickedness! I forgave you a long time ago. I am a small person, a crawling worm, the lowliest of lowlifes! Don't do harm to others.
Gordey Karpych (servant). Take him away!
We love Karpych (raising one finger up). Ss... Don't touch! It is good for him to live in the world who has no shame in his eyes!.. Oh people, people! We love Tortsov the drunkard, and better than you! Now I'll go myself. (Addressing the crowd.) Wider the road - Love Tortsov is coming! (He leaves and immediately returns.) Monster of nature! (Leaves.)
Korshunov (laughs forcedly). So this is how you have order in your house! You've started such fashions: drunken guests offend you! Heh, heh, heh. I, he says, will go to Moscow, they don’t understand me here. There are such fools in Moscow, they laugh at them there. Son-in-law, son-in-law! Heh, heh, heh! Dear father-in-law! No, you’re naughty, I won’t allow myself to be offended for nothing. No, now come to me and bow to me so that I can take your daughter.
Gordey Karpych. Shall I go and bow to you?
Korshunov. Come on, I know you. You need to have a wedding, even if it’s a no-brainer, just to surprise the whole city, but there are no suitors. This is your misfortune! Heh, heh, heh...
Gordey Karpych. After this, when you say such words, I don’t want to know you! I have never bowed to anyone since I was born. For that matter, I will give it for whomever I want! With the money that I give for it, every person will...
Mitya comes in and stops at the door.
SCENE THIRTEEN
Same with Mitya.
Mitya (addressing the crowd). What is that noise, sir?
Gordey Karpych. I'll give it for Mitka!
Mitya. What, sir?
Gordey Karpych. Shut up! Yes... I'll give it for Mitka... tomorrow. Yes, I’ll arrange such a wedding as you have never seen: I’ll order musicians from Moscow, I’ll go alone in four carriages.
Korshunov. We'll see. If you come and ask for forgiveness, you will come! (Leaves.)
SCENE FOURTEEN
The same, without Korshunov.
Pelageya Egorovna. For whom, Gordey Karpych, did you say?
Gordey Karpych. For Mitka... Yes! Look, you got cocky! I'm definitely worse than him! "You're going to bow down"! He's lying, I won't go bow! Out of spite, I’ll give it to him for Mitri.
Everyone is surprised.
Mitya (takes Lyubov Gordeevna by the hand and approaches Gordey Karpych). Why out of spite, Gordey Karpych? They don't do that kind of thing with evil. I don’t need spite, sir. I'd rather suffer all my life. If your grace is there, then you will bless us as we should - like a parent, with love. How we love each other, and even before this occasion we wanted to obey you... And I, instead of a son, that is, always with all my soul, sir.
Gordey Karpych. What, what with all your heart? You're really glad for the opportunity! How dare you think? What, is she your equal? Who are you talking to, remember!
Mitya. I know very well that you are my master and that, due to my poverty, I cannot be their equal; but, however, judge as you wish, I’m all here, sir: I loved your daughter with my soul, sir.
Lyubim Karpych enters and stands in the crowd.
SCENE FIFTEEN
We love Karpych the same way.
Gordey Karpych. How can you not love tea! Your lip is not stupid! After all, there’s a lot of money behind her, so you’re good for your hungry teeth.
Mitya. It’s so offensive for me to hear this from you that I have no words, sir. It's better to remain silent. (Leaves.) If you please, Lyubov Gordeevna, you speak, sir.
Lyubov Gordeevna. I, darling, did not contradict your will! If you want my happiness, give me for Mitya.
Pelageya Egorovna. What is this really, Gordey Karpych, you’re being capricious... yes! What really! I was already overjoyed, my heart was completely relieved, and you again did your part. Just say one thing, and then what it is... really. Either you say - for one, or for another. Why did you get it for an ordeal?
We love Karpych (from the crowd). Brother, give Lyubushka for Mitya.
Gordey Karpych. Are you here again? Do you understand what you did to me today? You embarrassed me all over the city! If you felt this, you wouldn’t even dare show your face to me, and yet you’re still meddling with advice! Let the person speak, but not you.
We love Karpych. Yes, bow down at the feet of Lyubim Tortsov, because he embarrassed you.
Pelageya Egorovna. Exactly, Darling, I need to bow at your feet... yes... exactly. You have removed a great sin from our souls; We shouldn’t beg him.
Gordey Karpych. So, what kind of monster am I in my family?
Pelageya Egorovna. The monster was not a monster, but he killed his daughter because of his own stupidity... Yes! I'll tell you from my simplicity. They don’t even give Afrikan Savich a match for old people, and even then they groan in grief.
We love Karpych. Let me go! (Sings.) Trum-too-toom, tom-too-toom! (Dances.) Look at me, here’s an example for you - We love Tortsov standing in front of you alive. He walked along this path - he knows what it is like! And I was rich and famous, I rode in carriages, did things that wouldn’t even occur to you, and then upside down. Look what a dandy I am!
Gordey Karpych. Whatever you tell me, I don’t want to listen to you, you are my enemy for life.
We love Karpych. Are you a man or a beast? Have pity on Lyubim Tortsov too! (Kneels down.) Brother, give Lyubushka for Mitya - he will give me a corner. I'm already cold and hungry. My summers are over, it’s hard for me to clown around in the cold just for a piece of bread; At least in my old age I can live honestly. After all, I deceived the people: I asked for alms, and I drank myself. They will give me a job; I will have my own pot of cabbage soup. Then I will thank God. Brother! and my tears will reach the sky! Why is he poor? Eh, if I were poor, I would be a man. Poverty is not a vice.
Pelageya Egorovna. Gordey Karpych, is there really no feeling in you?
Gordey Karpych (wipes away a tear). Did you really think not?! (Raises his brother.) Well, brother, thank you for pointing me to my mind, otherwise I was completely crazy. I don’t know how such a rotten fantasy came into my head. (Hugs Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna.) Well, children, say thank you to Uncle Lyubim Karpych and live happily.
Pelageya Egorovna hugs the children.
Guslin. Uncle, now can I do it too?
Gordey Karpych. It's possible, it's possible. Ask everyone who needs anything: now I have become a different person.
Guslin. Well, Annushka, you and I have waited too.
Anna Ivanovna. Well, now we’ll start dancing, just hold your hat.
Pelageya Egorovna. Let's dance, let's dance.
Ryazlyulyaev (approaches Mitya and hits him on the shoulder.) Mitya!.. For a friend... I sacrifice everything... I loved myself, but for you... I sacrifice. Give me your hand. (Hits his hand.) One word... take it, that means I’m sacrificing for you... I don’t regret anything for a friend! That's how it is with us, for that matter! (He wipes himself and kisses Mitya.) And he’s telling the truth: drunkenness is not a vice... I mean, poverty is not a vice... I’ll always lie!
Pelageya Egorovna. Ah, yes, that's all here! (To the girls.) Come on, girls, cheerful... yes, cheerful... Now we’ll celebrate the wedding to our liking, to our liking...
The girls begin to sing.
We love Karpych. Shh... Listen to the command! (Starts singing; the girls join in.)
We've got the job done...
Our hands have been hit,
To be a bachelorette party,
Being a girls' night out.
“A small clerk’s room; there is a door on the back wall, a bed in the corner to the left, a wardrobe to the right; there is a window on the left wall, a table near the window, a chair near the table; near the right wall there is a desk and a wooden stool; there is a guitar next to the bed; There are books and papers on the table and desk..."
Dedicated to Prov Mikhailovich Sadovsky
Characters
Gordey Karpych Tortsov, a rich merchant.
Pelageya Egorovna, his wife.
Lyubov Gordeevna, their daughter.
We love Karpych Tortsov, his brother, wasted.
African Savic Korshunov, manufacturer.
Mitya, Tortsov's clerk.
Yasha Guslin, nephew of Tortsov.
Grisha Razlyulyaev, a young merchant, the son of a rich father.
Anna Ivanovna, young widow.
Masha
Lisa
Yegorushka, boy, distant relative of Tortsov.
Arina, nanny of Lyubov Gordeevna.
Guests, guests, servants, mummers and others.
The action takes place in a provincial town, in the house of the merchant Tortsov, during Christmastide.
Act one
Small clerk's room; there is a door on the back wall, a bed in the corner to the left, a wardrobe to the right; there is a window on the left wall, a table near the window, a chair near the table; near the right wall there is a desk and a wooden stool; there is a guitar next to the bed; There are books and papers on the table and desk.
First appearance
Mitya walks back and forth around the room; Yegorushka sits on a stool and reads “Bova Korolevich.”
Yegorushka (is reading). “My lord, father, glorious and brave king, Kiribit Verzulovich, now I don’t have the courage to marry him, because when I was in my youth, King Guidon wooed me.”
Mitya. What, Yegorushka, are our houses?
Yegorushka (presses his finger on the place where he reads, so as not to make a mistake). Nobody here; went for a ride. Gordey Karpych is alone at home. (Is reading.)“That’s what Kiribit Verzulovich told his daughter...” (Pinches with his finger.) Only so angry that it’s a disaster! I’ve already left - everyone is arguing. (Is reading.)“Then the beautiful Militrisa Kirbitevna, calling to her servant Licharda...”
Mitya. Who is he angry with?
Yegorushka (squeezes again). To my uncle, to Lyubim Karpych. On the second holiday, Uncle Lyubim Karpych dined with us, during dinner he got drunk, and began to throw out different knees, but it’s funny like that. I’m funny, it’s painful, I couldn’t stand it, I burst into laughter, and that’s all, looking at me. Uncle Gordey Karpych took this as an insult and ignorance, became angry with him, and drove him away. Uncle Lyubim Karpych took it and, in retaliation against him, disobeyed him, went with the beggars and stood at the cathedral. Uncle Gordey Karpych says: he put the whole city to shame, he says. Yes, now he is angry with everyone indiscriminately who comes to hand. (Is reading.)“With the intention of coming under our city.”
Mitya (looking out the window). It seems that ours have arrived... So it is! Pelageya Egorovna, Lyubov Gordeevna, and the guests with them.
Yegorushka (hides the fairy tale in his pocket). Run upstairs. (Leaves.)
Second phenomenon
Mitya (one). What a melancholy, Lord!.. It’s a holiday on the street, everyone has a holiday in the house, and you sit within four walls!.. I’m a stranger to everyone, no relatives, no friends!.. And then there’s... Oh, come on! It’s better to get down to business, maybe the melancholy will pass. (Sits down at the desk and thinks, then starts singing.)
Her beauty cannot be described!..
Black eyebrows, cloudy eyes.
Yes, with drag. And just like yesterday in a sable coat, covered with a scarf, walking away from mass, so this... ah!.. I think so, such beauty has never been imagined! (Thinks, then sings.)
So where was this beauty born...
Well, work will come to mind here! I wish I could still think about her!.. My soul was tormented by melancholy. Oh you, woe-sorrower!.. (She covers her face with her hands and sits silently.)
Pelageya Egorovna enters, dressed for winter, and stops at the door.
The third phenomenon
Mitya and Pelageya Egorovna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Mitya, Mityenka!
Mitya. What do you want?
Pelageya Egorovna. Come and see us this evening, my dear. Play with the girls and sing songs.
Mitya. Very grateful. I will consider it my first duty, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna. Why should you sit in the office all alone? Not much fun! Will you come in, or what? Gordey Karpych will not be at home.
Mitya. Okay, sir, I'll definitely come in.
Pelageya Egorovna. He’ll leave again... yes, he’ll go there, to this, to his own... what’s his name?..
Mitya. To Afrikan Savich, sir?
Pelageya Egorovna. Yes Yes! I imposed myself, God forgive me!
Mitya (giving a chair). Sit down, Pelageya Egorovna.
Pelageya Egorovna. Oh, no time. Well, I’ll sit down a little. (Sits down.) So here you go... such a misfortune! Really!.. We became friends, so what? Yes! What a deal! What for? What's the point? Please tell me! He is a violent and drunk man, African Savich... yes!
Mitya. Maybe Gordey Karpych has something to do with Afrikan Savich.
Pelageya Egorovna. What's going on! There is no business. After all, he, Afrikan Savich, drinks everything with aglicin. There he has aglichin at the dilekhtor factory - and they drink it... yes! But ours has no trace with them. How can you talk to him? His pride alone is worth something! I, he says, have no one to keep company with here, everyone, he says, is a bastard, that’s all, you see, men, and they live like peasants; and that one, you see, is from Moscow, more everything is in Moscow... and rich. And what happened to him? But suddenly, my dear, suddenly! Still, he had some sense. Well, we didn’t live luxuriously, of course, but still in such a way that God forbid everyone; But last year I went on vacation and took it over from someone. I adopted it, I adopted it, they told me... I adopted all these things. Now everything Russian is not nice to him; I get along with one thing - I want to live in the present way, to be involved in fashion. Yes, yes! .. Put on a cap, he says! Ugh! Well, go with him! Yes! I haven’t drunk before... really... never, but now they’re drinking with African! He must be drunk (pointing to his head) and got confused. (Silence.) I really think it’s his enemy who’s confusing him! How to have no sense!.. Well, if only he was young: for a young man it’s all about dressing up, and all this is flattering; but he’s under sixty, dear, under sixty! Right! What is fashionable for you and what is current, I tell him, changes every day, but our Russian custom has lived on from time immemorial! The old people were no more stupid than us. But how can you even talk to him, given his cool character, my dear?
Mitya. What should I say! A strict man, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna. Lyubochka is now in a real time, it is necessary to settle her, but he gets along with one thing: there is no equal for her... no, no!
Mitya. Maybe Gordey Karpych wants to extradite Lyubov Gordeevna to Moscow.
Pelageya Egorovna. Who knows what's on his mind. He looks like a beast, he won’t say a word, as if I’m not his mother... yes, really... I don’t dare say anything to him; unless you talk to a stranger about your grief, cry, vent your soul, that’s all. (Rises.) Come in, Mitenka.
Mitya. I'll come, sir.
Guslin enters.
The fourth phenomenon
Same with Guslin.
Pelageya Egorovna. Well done again! Come, Yashenka, and sing songs with us upstairs with the girls, you’re a master, and grab a guitar.
Guslin. Well, sir, this is not difficult for us, but also, one might say, a pleasure, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, goodbye. Go take a nap for half an hour.
Guslin and Mitya. Farewell, sir.
Pelageya Egorovna leaves; Mitya sits down at the table, saddened; Guslin sits on the bed and takes the guitar.
Fifth appearance
Mitya and Yasha Guslin.
Guslin. What a crowd there was for skating!.. And there were yours. Why weren't you there?
Mitya. Why, Yasha, I was overcome with sadness and sadness.
Guslin. What kind of melancholy? What do you have to worry about?
Mitya. How can you not bother? Suddenly the following thoughts come to mind: what kind of person am I in the world? Now my parent is old and poor, I have to support her, but with what? The salary is small, from Gordey Karpych all the insults and abuse, and he reproaches everyone with poverty, as if it were my fault... but he does not increase the salary. I would look for another place, but where can you find him without meeting him? Yes, I must admit, I won’t go to any other place.
Guslin. Why don't you go? Life is good with the Razlyulyaevs - they are rich and kind people.
Mitya. No, Yasha, not a hand! I’ll endure everything from Gordey Karpych, I’ll be in poverty, but I won’t go. This is my plan!
Guslin. Why is this so?
Mitya (rises). Well, there is a reason for this. Yes, Yasha, I still have grief, but no one knows that grief. I didn’t tell anyone about my grief.
Guslin. Tell me.
Mitya (waving his hand). For what!
Guslin. Yes, tell me what is the importance!
Mitya. Talk, don’t talk, you won’t help!
Guslin. Why should we know?
Mitya (approaches Guslin). Nobody will help me. My head is gone! I fell in love with Lyubov Gordeevna painfully.
Guslin. What are you doing, Mitya?! How can this be?
Mitya. Yes, after all, it’s already done.
Guslin. Better, Mitya, get it out of your head. This thing will never happen, and it will never happen.
Mitya. Knowing all this, I can’t figure out my heart. “You can love a friend, you cannot forget!..” (Speaks with strong gestures.)“I fell in love with the beautiful maiden, more than my family, more than my tribe!.. Evil people don’t tell me, they tell me to quit, stop!”
Guslin. And even then you have to quit. Anna Ivanovna is my equal: she has nothing, I have nothing, and even then the uncle does not order me to get married. And you have nothing to think about. Otherwise you’ll get it in your head, and then it’ll be even harder.
Mitya (recites).
What in the world is most cruel? -
Love is beyond cruelty!
(Walks around the room.) Yasha, have you read Koltsov? (Stops.)
Guslin. I read it, but what?
Mitya. How he described all these feelings!
Guslin. Described it exactly.
Mitya. That's exactly what it is. (Walks around the room.) Yasha!
Guslin. What?
Mitya. I composed the song myself.
Guslin. You?
Mitya. Yes.
Mitya. Fine. Here you go. (Gives him the paper.) And I’ll write a little - there’s something to do: Gordey Karpych will ask. (Sits down and writes.)
Guslin takes the guitar and begins to pick out his voice; Razlyulyaev enters in harmony.
Appearance Six
Same with Razlyulyaev.
Razlyulyaev. Hello, brothers! (Plays harmony and dances.)
Guslin. Eco fool! What did you use to buy this harmony?
Razlyulyaev. We know what to play for. Like this… (Plays.)
Guslin. Well, important music... nothing to say! Stop it, they tell you.
Razlyulyaev. Well, I won’t give it up!.. If I want to, I’ll give it up... That’s the importance! Don't we have money? (He hits himself in the pocket.) They are ringing. Here we go for a walk - so go for a walk! (Throws out the harmony.)
One mountain is high
And the other is low;
One darling is far away
And the other one is close.
Mitya (hitting hits Mitya on the shoulder), and Mitya! Why are you sitting?
Mitya. There is a case. (Continues to study.)
Razlyulyaev. Mitya, and Mitya, and I’m walking, brother... really, I’m walking. Wow, go!.. (Sings: “One mountain is high,” etc.) Mitya, oh Mitya! I’ll be walking throughout the holiday, and then I’ll get down to business... My word! Well, don't we have any money? Here they are!.. And I’m not drunk... No, I’m just walking... having fun...
Mitya. Well, have fun.
Razlyulyaev. And after the holiday I’ll get married!.. Truly, I’ll get married! I'll take the rich one.
Guslin (Mitya). Well, listen, will it be okay?
Razlyulyaev. Sing, sing, I’ll listen.
Guslin (singing).
No, angrier, more hateful
Evil orphan's share,
More evil than fierce grief,
Harder than bondage.
Happy holiday to everyone in the world,
No fun for you!..
Is it a wild little head?
No wine hangover!
Youth is not happy
Beauty does not amuse;
Not a sweetheart girl -
Grief scratches his curls.
During all this time, Razlyulyaev stands rooted to the spot and listens with feeling; At the end of the singing, everyone is silent.
Razlyulyaev. Okay, it hurts good! It’s such a pity... It really grabs your heart. (Sighs.) Eh, Yasha! play a funny one, it’s too much of a hassle to drag it out - it’s a holiday today. (Sings.)
Play along, Yasha.
Guslin plays along.
Mitya. Stop fooling around. Let's sit down in a small group and sing a little song.
Razlyulyaev. OK! (They sit down.)
Guslin (sings; Mitya and Razlyulyaev join in).
You guys are young,
You are my friends...
Gordey Karpych enters; everyone gets up and stops singing.
Seventh Appearance
The same goes for Gordey Karpych.
Gordey Karpych. Why are you singing! They bawler like men! (Mitya.) And there you go! It seems that you don’t live in such a house, not with men. What a half-beer house! So that I don’t have this in the future! (He comes to the table and looks at the papers.) Why did you scatter papers!..
Mitya. I checked the accounts, sir.
Gordey Karpych (takes Koltsov’s book and a notebook with poems). What kind of nonsense is this?
Mitya. It’s me, out of boredom, on holidays, sir, who rewrite Mr. Koltsov’s poems.
Gordey Karpych. What tenderness in our poverty!
Mitya. Actually, I study for my own education, so that I can have a concept.
Gordey Karpych. Education! Do you know what education is?.. And he also talks there! If only you could sew a new fur coat! After all, when you come upstairs to us, there are guests... shame! Where do you put the money?
Mitya. I am sending it to my mother, because she is old and has nowhere to take it.
Gordey Karpych. You send it to your mother! You should have portrayed yourself first; The mother doesn’t know what she needs, she wasn’t brought up in luxury, she closed the tea sheds herself.
Mitya. It’s better if I endure it, but at least my mother doesn’t need anything.
Gordey Karpych. Yes, it's ugly! If you don’t know how to watch yourself with decency, then sit in your kennel; If there's a goal all around, then there's no point in dreaming about yourself! He writes poetry, wants to educate himself, but he walks around like a factory worker! Is this what education consists of, singing stupid songs? That's stupid! (Through clenched teeth and looking sideways at Mitya.) Fool! (Pause.) Don't you dare show yourself upstairs in that little fur coat. Do you hear me telling you! (To Razlyulyaev.) And you too! Your father, hey, is raking in money with a shovel, and he’s driving you around in this zip-up bag.
Razlyulyaev. What is this! It’s new... it’s French cloth, they ordered it from Moscow, through an acquaintance... twenty rubles arshin. Well, I don’t need to put on something like that, like Franz Fedorych’s, at the pharmacist’s... short-haired; That's how everyone teases him: stram coat! So what's good about making people laugh!
Gordey Karpych. You know a lot! Well, there’s nothing to collect from you! You yourself are stupid, and your father isn’t very smart... he’s been walking around with a greasy belly for a whole century; You live as unenlightened fools, and you will die as fools.
Razlyulyaev. Okay.
Gordey Karpych (strictly). What?
Razlyulyaev. Okay, please.
Gordey Karpych. You're ignorant and can't say anything worthwhile! Talking to you is just a waste of words; It’s all the same to the wall, so it is to you, fools. (Leaves.)
The eighth phenomenon
The same, without Tortsov.
Razlyulyaev. Gosh, how formidable! Look, you've lost yourselves! So they were scared of you... Well, keep your pocket!
Mitya (to Guslin). This is what my life is like! This is how sweet it feels for me to live in the world!
Razlyulyaev. Yes, from such a life - you will drink, you really will! Come on, don’t think about it. (Sings.)
One mountain is high
And the other is low;
One darling is far away
And the other one is close.
Enter: Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha and Lisa.
Appearance Ninth
The same ones, Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha and Lisa.
Anna Ivanovna. The world of honest company!
Razlyulyaev. You are welcome to our hut.
Mitya. Our respect-c! You are welcome!.. By what fate?..
Anna Ivanovna. But nothing, they just took it and came. Gordey Karpych left, and Pelageya Egorovna lay down to rest, so now it’s our will... Walk - I don’t want to!..
Mitya. Please sit down obediently.
Sit down; Mitya sits opposite Lyubov Gordeevna; Razlyulyaev is walking.
Anna Ivanovna. I'm tired of sitting silently, cracking nuts - let's go, I say, girls, to the guys, and the girls are happy.
Lyubov Gordeevna. What are you making up? We didn’t imagine coming here, you made it up.
Anna Ivanovna. How could it not be! Yes, you are the first... It’s a well-known fact that whoever needs what thinks about it: guys about girls, and girls about guys.
Razlyulyaev. Ha, ha, ha!.. That's what you, Anna Ivanovna, say exactly.
Lyubov Gordeevna. Never again!
Masha (Lisa). Oh, what a shame!
Lisa. This, Anna Ivanovna, you say is completely opposite.
Anna Ivanovna. Oh, modesty! I would have said a word, but it’s not good in front of guys... I was in girls myself, I know everything.
Lyubov Gordeevna. There's a difference between girl and girl.
Masha. Oh, what a shame!
Lisa. What you are saying is very strange even for us and, one might say, embarrassing.
Razlyulyaev. Ha, ha, ha!..
Anna Ivanovna. What was the conversation upstairs now? If you want, I’ll tell you!.. Well, talk, or what? What, calm down!
Razlyulyaev. Ha, ha, ha!..
Anna Ivanovna. You've got your mouth open! Not about you, I suppose!
Razlyulyaev. Hosha is not talking about me, however, maybe there are someone who is thinking about us. We know, we know! (Dances.)
Anna Ivanovna (approaches Guslin). What are you doing, bandura player, when you marry me?
Guslin (playing guitar). But when permission will be issued from Gordey Karpych. Where should we rush, it doesn’t rain on us. (Nods her head.) Come here, Anna Ivanovna, I need to tell you something.
She comes up to him and sits down next to him; he whispers in her ear, pointing to Lyubov Gordeevna and Mitya.
Anna Ivanovna. What are you saying!.. Really!
Guslin. This is true.
Anna Ivanovna. Well, okay, shut up! (They speak in a whisper.)
Lyubov Gordeevna. Mitya, will you come to us in the evening?
Mitya. I'll come, sir.
Razlyulyaev. And I will come. It hurts me to dance. (Becomes a freak.) Girls, someone love me.
Masha. Shame on you! What are you saying?
Razlyulyaev. What is this importance! I say - love me... yes... for my simplicity.
Lisa. They don't tell girls this. And you had to wait for them to love you.
Razlyulyaev. Yes, I’ll wait from you, of course! (Dances.)
How can you not love a hussar?
Lyubov Gordeevna (looking at Mitya). Maybe someone loves someone, but won’t say: you have to guess for yourself.
Lisa. What girl in the world can say that!
Masha. Certainly.
Anna Ivanovna (comes up to them and looks first at Lyubov Gordeevna, then at Mitya and begins to sing).
And as you can see,
When someone loves someone -
He sits opposite the dear one,
Sighs heavily.
Mitya. On whose account should this be accepted?
Anna Ivanovna. We already know whose.
Razlyulyaev. Stop, girls, I’ll sing you a song.
Anna Ivanovna. Sing, sing!
Razlyulyaev (sings drawn out).
Anna Ivanovna. What a tricky one!.. Just think about it! Well, girls, let's go.
The girls get up and get ready to go.
Guys, let's go.
Guslin and Razlyulyaev are getting ready.
Mitya. And I'll come later. I'll clean something up here.
Anna Ivanovna (while they are getting ready).
Girls' night
The evening is red,
In the evening the girls brewed beer.
Went to see the girls
I went to the Reds
An uninvited guest came to see the girls.
Anna Ivanovna lets everyone through the door, except for Lyubov Gordeevna, closes it and does not let her in.
The tenth phenomenon
Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna.
Lyubov Gordeevna (at the door). Stop it, don't be a fool.
There's a girlish laugh outside the door.
They don't let me in!.. Oh, what! (Moves away from the door). Pampered girls, really!..
Mitya (giving a chair). Sit down, Lyubov Gordeevna, talk for a minute. I am very glad to see you here.
Lyubov Gordeevna (sits down). I don’t understand what there is to be happy about.
End of introductory fragment.
Act one
First appearance
In a small room there are Mitya (Tortsov’s clerk) and Yegorushka (a distant relative of Tortsov).
Yegorushka reads “Bova Korolevich” aloud. Mitya periodically interrupts his reading with his questions.
Mitya asks if anyone is at home, to which Yegorushka replies that everyone has gone for a ride and no one is home except Gordey Karpovich, who stayed at home because of his grudge against his brother, Lyubim Karpovich. Some time before this, in Gordey's opinion, he behaved inappropriately - he got drunk and began to throw out knees. Yegorushka could not stand it and began to laugh, and then everyone laughed.
Gordey Karpych took the prank as a personal insult and kicked out his brother, but Lyubim did not remain in debt - he, along with all the beggars, began to stand near the church, which disgraced Gordey throughout the city. Because of this incident, everyone indiscriminately gets it from Gordey Karpovich. Household members return home. Yegorushka runs away with a book.
Second phenomenon
After Mitya is left alone, he begins to think about how bad it is to be alone in the world - all the people are celebrating, but he doesn’t even have anywhere to go. Mitya decides to get to work so that it won’t be so sad, but his work “isn’t going well” - Mitya sings a sad song, then covers his face with his hands and sits in silence. At this time Pelageya Egorovna enters the room.
The third phenomenon
Pelageya Egorovna came to invite Mitya to visit her in the evening - many girls would gather and Mitya could sing with them. Mitya agrees to Pelageya Egorovna’s invitation, since he likes such a pastime - he will be able to escape from sad thoughts.
Dear readers! We invite you to follow the play “The Thunderstorm” by A. Ostrovsky.
Pelageya Egorovna complains to Mitya about Gordey Karpych - she doesn’t like the friendship that has arisen between her husband and Afrikan Savich for some unknown reason.
According to Pelageya Egorovna, Afrikan Savich has a bad influence on Gordey Karpych - her husband, following the example of his new friend, began to drink and this worries her.
Pelageya Egorovna says that Gordey Karpych believes that there is no suitable husband for their daughter, but the woman does not agree with him - she is surprised that her husband is hiding something from her. Mitya tries to gently reassure Pelageya Egorovna, suggesting that Afrikan Savich and Gordey Karpych may be connected by some kind of joint business. He also thinks that Gordey wants to marry his daughter to one of the Muscovites. However, such assumptions do not work on a woman. Yasha Guslin, Tortsov’s nephew, enters the room
The fourth phenomenon
Pelageya Egorovna also invites Guslin to sing songs. The young man happily agrees. The woman goes away to take a nap for half an hour, and Yasha and Mitya remain in the room.
Fifth appearance
Guslin tells Mitya that there were a lot of people at the skating and asks why Mitya didn’t come. Mitya explains that he is not in the mood - he is overcome by sadness: his mother needs his help, but he cannot help her in any way, since his salary is too small, and you won’t hear much good from Tortsov - he constantly scolds Mitya, especially because he is very poor, but at the same time does not increase his salary. Mitya could go to work somewhere else, but he can’t leave - he fell in love with Tortsov’s daughter, Lyubov Gordeevna, and working for Tortsov - the only way see your beloved.
Yasha convinces Mitya that he urgently needs to get rid of thoughts about Lyubov Gordeevna from his head, even if their feelings are mutual, Tortsov will never agree to their marriage, because they are not equal. Yasha himself is in love with Anna, a poor widow, a relative of Tortsov. As Guslin himself says about his beloved, “she is empty and I am empty,” but even in this situation, Tortsov does not give the lovers permission to marry, and in the case of Mitya, there is nothing to hope for then. Mitya himself understands the absurdity of his situation, but he cannot command his heart.
Yasha offers to choose a melody for a song of his own composition, at that moment Razlyulyaev enters.
Appearance Six
Razlyulyaev is in a cheerful mood: he plays the harmonica and sings funny songs. He doesn’t understand Mitya’s sadness and tries to cheer him up. Razlyulyaev says that he will sing and have fun all the holidays, and then he will marry a rich woman.
Mitya sings her song to Razlyulyaev - she made a strong impression on the young man - Grisha stands rooted to the spot for a while, and then says that the song is very good, but too pitiful, on a holiday you need to have fun and therefore sings a cheerful song. At this time Gordey Karpych enters.
Seventh Appearance
Tortsov is very dissatisfied with the fact that the young people decided to sing - he believes that such behavior is only permissible in peasant houses. Then Gordey Karpych notices that Mitya’s papers on his desk are not in order - he criticizes him for this, and also scolds him for his poor suit - claiming that Mitya’s appearance in this form in Tortsov’s rooms is shameful. Tortsov was extremely dissatisfied with the fact that Mitya was sending money to his mother. Gordey Karpych believes that, first of all, a young man should take care of himself, and then about his mother, she is a simple woman and not accustomed to luxury, so she can get by smaller. Tortsov also scolds Mitya for his poetry, according to Gordey Karpych - this is unacceptable for such poor people as him. Grisha also gets his share of reproaches - Tortsov says that he is a fool, like his father.
The eighth phenomenon
Gordey Karpych leaves, Yasha, Mitya and Grisha remain in the room. Mitya sighs about his hard life, and Grisha says that it won’t take long to drink like this, but Mitya must hold on.
Lyubov Gordeevna, Masha, Lisa and Anna Ivanovna enter the room.
Appearance Ninth
The girls decided to come to Mitya’s room because they were sad upstairs. Gordey Karpych has gone to see Afrikan Savich, Pelageya Egorovna is resting in her room, and therefore young people can have fun without fear of anything. Anna Ivanovna behaves relaxed - she jokes willingly and a lot, and often intervenes in the conversation.
The woman asks when Guslin will finally marry her, to which the young man replies: as soon as he receives permission from Tortsov.
Guslin takes his beloved aside and tells her about the love of Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna. At this time, Grisha finds himself in the center of attention - he jokingly invites girls to fall in love with him, which causes discontent and reproaches for unworthy behavior. Anna Ivanovna initiates everyone’s departure from Mitya’s room. When everyone except Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna has left, Anna Ivanovna leaves the room, leaving the lovers alone.
The tenth phenomenon
Lyubov Gordeevna is at first lost, but then, at Mitya’s invitation, she sits down on a chair. Mitya tells the girl that he is very glad to see her in his room. He told his beloved that he had composed poems for her. Lyubov Gordeevna was very happy about this, but tried not to show it. She decides to write an answer to Mitya, but only on the condition that the young man will read it after she leaves. At the door, Lyubov Gordeevna runs into her uncle, Lyubimy Karpovich.
Appearance eleventh
Lyubov Gordeevna is frightened by surprise. However, Lyubim Karpych says that he will not tell anyone about her coming to Mitya. The girl quickly leaves.
Appearance Twelfth
Lyubim Karpych came to Mitya to spend the night secretly with him - after a quarrel, Gordey Karpych did not let him into the house. Compassionate Mitya allows Lyubim to spend the night. Lyubim Karpych tells the story of how he became such a beggar: after the death of his father, the brothers divided the property - Gordey took the establishment, and Lyubim got money and tickets.
Dear readers! We bring to your attention the author of which is Alexander Ostrovsky.
When Lyubim arrived in Moscow, due to his youth and stupidity, he could not resist city luxury - he dressed fashionably and spent money indiscriminately. Soon the funds ran out, and Lyubim began to “work” as a buffoon. One day he caught a bad cold and then decided to return to his brother. Proud received his brother unkindly - he was very dissatisfied. The poor brother spoiled Gordey's authority. Lyubim believes that Gordey does not appreciate Mitya’s kindness and talents, but he has already figured out how to teach his brother a lesson. Mitya took Lyubov Gordeevna’s letter and opened it with trembling hands - a declaration of love awaited the young man.
Act two
First appearance
The action takes place in Tortsov's living room.
Lyubov Gordeevna confesses to Anna Ivanovna her feelings for Mitya. Anna Ivanovna warns the girl and says that she needs to take a closer look at young man, but Lyubov Gordeevna assures that Mitya is kind and sincere. Mitya enters the living room, and Anna Ivanovna leaves unnoticed.
Second phenomenon
Mitya is confused after reading Lyubov Gordeevna’s letter; he doubts that it is true. However, the heroine of the play claims that this is not a joke, and she really loves Mitya. At this time, someone's steps are heard. Lyubov Gordeevna advises Mitya to leave quietly, and Arina and Egorka enter the room.
The third phenomenon
The maid says that Pelageya Egorovna has been looking for Lyubov Gordeevna for a long time. Arina is worried that Lyubov Gordeevna will not disgrace the family and looks around the room to see if there is anyone in it except Tortsova. Not finding anyone else, Arina gives the order to Yegorka to call the girls to sing songs.
The fourth phenomenon
Pelageya Egorovna enters the living room. She instructs Arina to bring various dishes - gingerbread, sweets, Madeira.
Then he invites Lyubov Gordeevna, Masha, Lisa, Anna Ivanovna, Razlyulyaev, Mita, Guslna and two of his friends into the room.
Fifth appearance
Everyone is located in the room. Songs and dances begin. Pelageya Egorovna recalls with regret the times of her youth - at that time she was the ringleader and always willingly took part in such entertainment. This was the custom in her family, however, her husband does not adhere to this position, which significantly upsets the woman. Arina and the maids bring treats, and Razlyulyaev pesters Arina and forces her to dance. Nanny fights him off. Anna Ivanovna stands up for the woman and invites Grisha to dance with her.
Appearance Six
The mummers arrive. Pelageya Egorovna orders them to be let in. The grandfather with the balalaika begins to sing and dance, the leader joins him, and then Yegorka joins him. Pelageya Egorovna and her friends are surprised by Egorka’s song and give him a gingerbread for his performance. At this time, Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna are whispering about something and kissing. Grisha notices this. Razlyulyaev, condemning Mitya for such behavior, he himself is going to woo Lyubov Gordeevna. Yasha stands up for Mitya, who reminds Grisha that they will have to walk in the dark, and it is unknown what might happen. The argument between the young people is interrupted by Arina, who reports that someone is knocking. This is Gordey Karpych returning.
Seventh Appearance
Gordey Karpych and Afrikan Savich enter the living room. Tortsov is clearly unhappy that Pelageya Egorovna invited the girls to sing. He orders his wife to drive them away, the situation is saved by Korshunov - he says that the girls will sing, and he and Gordey will listen to them. Tortsov publicly reproaches his wife for her simplicity and affection in Russian culture. He considers folk singing and merriment shameful. Tortsov orders his wife to light the candles so that the new furniture can be seen and serve the guest champagne. Pelageya Egorovna herself undertakes to carry out the assignment - her friends hastily leave the company.
The eighth phenomenon
Korshunov personally greets Lyubov Gordeevna and tries to kiss her. Anna Ivanovna stands up for the girl, but this does not save the situation - Gordey Karpych orders his daughter to kiss the guest. After this, Afrikan Savich invites all the girls to kiss him, but they try in every possible way to refuse this. Tortsov notices Mitya in the room - he is extremely dissatisfied that the young man is in the living room and drives him away. Grisha and Yasha leave with Mitya.
Appearance Ninth
Korshunov tells Lyubov Gordeevna that the girl does not love him, but this did not stop him from bringing gifts. He gives the girl earrings. Anna Ivanovna, Lisa and Masha look at them with interest and express admiration, but Tortsova remains dissatisfied - she is unpleasant about such attention from Afrikan Savich.
Korshunov guesses the reason for Lyubov Gordeevna’s dislike towards himself, but the girl does not reveal her true feelings. She tries to go to Pelageya Egorovna, but the father stops his daughter, ordering her to be in the room.
Korshunov kisses Tortsova’s hand and gives her a ring - Lyubov Gordeevna tries to return it to no avail. Pelageya Egorovna and the maids enter the room.
The tenth phenomenon
Gordey Karpych orders to receive Afrikan Savich as an important guest. He tells Pelageya Egorovna to bow to Korshunov. The girls sing songs and Korshunov gifts one of them with money. After Afrikan Savich tells Tortsov that it’s time to talk about the real reason their arrival. Gordey Karpych starts from afar - he talks about how it would be nice to live in another place, not in such a wilderness, where there are only fools and illiterate people - for example, in Moscow. Tortsov says that he is planning to move to Moscow, it will not be difficult, because in the city they will have their own man - son-in-law Korshunov.
The news of her daughter’s wedding to Korshunov plunges Pelageya Yegorovna into horror - she says that she will not give up her daughter. However, Korshunov and Tortsov have already agreed on everything, and now Afrikan Savich demands Tortsov to keep his word. Lyubov Gordeevna asks her father not to ruin her and not to make her unhappy for the rest of her life, but Gordey Karpych does not listen to her - he believes that her daughter herself does not understand her happiness. She will be able to live in luxury, which she never dared to dream of. Lyubov Gordeevna has no choice but to submit to her father’s will; she, sobbing, goes to her mother, and Tortsov orders the girls to sing a wedding song. The girls sing a sad song.
Act three
The action takes place in a small room in Tortsov's house
First appearance
The nanny Arina is sitting in the room - she sighs bitterly about the sad future of Lyubov Gordeevna. Such a marriage seems unfair to a woman. Arina recalls how recently they discussed the marriage of Lyubov Gordeevna and thought that her loved one would become her husband, but it turned out completely differently - Tortsova’s husband should become an old man with bad character.
Second phenomenon
Pelageya Egorovna enters the room, she orders Arina to clear the table, ordering a large samovar to be brought into the girls' room and to call Anna for help.
The third phenomenon
Pelageya Egorovna asks Anna to pour tea for the guests and gives her the keys to the closet. Mitya enters the room.
The fourth phenomenon
Mitya came to say goodbye to Pelageya Egorovna - he asked Gordey Karpych for leave for the weekend, but decided not to return. Tortsova was surprised by his decision, but did not interfere with Mitya’s desire. The young man says goodbye to Anna Ivanovna and wants to say goodbye to Lyubov Gordeevna - Anna goes to call the girl, and Mitya and Pelageya Egorovna remain in the room.
Fifth appearance
Pelageya Egorovna tells Mitya that she perceives the news of her daughter’s marriage as grief. The woman feels as if she is burying her daughter. Mitya does not understand why Tortsova does not interfere with her husband and agreed to such a marriage. There are only unpleasant rumors about Korshunov, so Tortsova’s fears are more than justified. Mitya confesses to Pelageya Egorovna that he is in love with her daughter, which upsets the woman even more. Tortsova is very good opinion about Mitya and she considers him best husband for your daughter.
Appearance Six
Mitya and Tortsova are crying. Pelageya Egorovna is also crying - she feels sorry for her young lovers. Mitya offers to run away together, but without his father’s blessing, Lyubov Gordeevna does not want to, believing that it is better to submit to his father’s will. Mitya accuses her of not loving her and leaves.
Seventh Appearance
Korshunov enters the room, he notices that the women are upset and tries to convince them that nothing terrible happened, on the contrary, Lyubov Gordeevna was very lucky. Such a marriage has more positive aspects than it may seem at first glance: the old man will not lead an idle life, other women will not fall in love with him, he will not leave his wife. Korshunov says that his first wife did not love him, and he did not love her. He married her only because she was very beautiful in appearance.
The eighth phenomenon
Gordey Karpych enters the room. He resides in in a great mood and euphoria about upcoming wedding.
Tortsov boasts to Korshunov about his level of culture and complains about the lack of decent society. He claims that he is ready to follow the most fashion trends and provide good life to his daughter.
Egorka enters the room and talks about the unexpected arrival of Lyubim Karpych and his tricks. Tortsov hastily leaves in search of his brother.
Appearance Ninth
Pelageya Egorovna is looking for Lyubim Karpych - she sees Lyubim Gordeevna, Masha, Liza and Razlyulyaev - the young people answer that they did not see where Lyubim went. Grisha was greatly amused by Lyubim Karpych's antics, but the girls, on the contrary, were confused and puzzled.
The tenth phenomenon
Lyubim Karpych and Afrikan Savich appear in the room. Korshunov, in a sarcastic manner, reminds Lyubim how he wandered and begged in Moscow. The conversation takes place as if in a comic form, which increasingly takes the form of an accusatory conversation.
Appearance eleventh
Gordey Karpych enters the room, at which time an argument ensues, during which Lyubim explains to those present the essence of Korshunov with the help of riddles: Why does a donkey need such long ears? - So that everyone knows that he is an ass. Lyubim's second riddle is more prosaic - he asks his brother about who he is giving his daughter in marriage to. He makes his brother think that African is not so good man, and that thanks to such friendship and kinship, Tortsov will sully his honor: if you rub near the soot, then you yourself will get dirty. However, Gordey Karpych stands his ground - Lyubim should not interfere in Gordey’s affairs and decide who Lyubov should marry.
Appearance Twelfth
Lyubim expresses surprise that he is driven away and not recognized as a guest simply because he is a poor man. He says that his clothes are not clean, but his conscience is clear, but in society this is not valued at all. Everyone is happy to see the deceiver Korshunov, and they serve him because he is a rich man, and the poor are persecuted like crazy. Lyubim talks about how African deceived him. In addition to personal grievances, other ones come up during the conversation. negative qualities Korshunov’s character - he harassed his wife, robbed the poor and made money by deception.
The heated Korshunov vents his anger at Gordeya - he says that because of such a disrespectful attitude, Tortsov will have to beg Korshunov not to cancel the wedding. Gordey Karpych is surprised by this behavior of Korshunov, he decides to cancel the wedding of African and Lyubov. Tortsov never bowed to anyone or begged for anything; for him such behavior is shameful.
Appearance thirteen
Mitya enters the room. He heard a noise, but does not yet know that the wedding has been cancelled. Gordey Karpych decides to give Love for Mitya to spite Afrikan Savich. Surprised Mitya cannot understand what is happening. Tortsov says that tomorrow he will celebrate a wedding, and it will be on an unprecedented scale. Afrikan Savich leaves in full confidence that Tortsov will come again to ask him for forgiveness and persuade him to marry Lyubov.
Appearance fourteen
Everyone present is surprised by Gordey Karpych’s decision. The heated Tortsov says that Korshunov is lying all the time, and he is not the kind of person to “bow.” Mitya says that there is no need to do anything - they love each other and want to become husband and wife, but they don’t want to do this without their father’s blessing.
Tortsov replies that Mitya has forgotten his place - he is no match for Lyubov. Mitya understands this very well and tries to convince them that love does not affect their feelings.
Appearance fifteenth
Lyubim Karpych appears in the room. Gordey Karpych does not believe in the sincerity of Mitya’s feelings and believes that the young man loves his daughter for money.
Mitya is offended to hear such words from Tortsov and he gives the floor to Lyubov. The girl supports Mitya and convinces her father that this marriage will bring her happiness. Pelageya Egorovna joins the conversation, dejected by another change of opinion. She also tries to convince Gordey that the marriage with Mitya will be successful.
It is Lyubima who finally convinces Tortsov of this: he lived in both luxury and poverty - so he realized that what is important in people is not their financial condition, but their humanity. Through joint efforts, Gordey Karpych changes his anger to mercy and blesses the young. Taking this opportunity, Anna Ivanovna and Yasha again ask Tortsov for permission to marry - Gordey Karpych gives the go-ahead. Razlyulyaev congratulates the newlyweds, he does not hold a grudge against Mitya, although he himself wanted to marry Tortsova. He understands the feelings of the lovers and sincerely rejoices at their happiness. Egorovna Girls sing a wedding song.
"Poverty is not a vice". A. Ostrovsky. Summary (by actions and phenomena)
5 (100%) 1 vote