Poverty is not a vice - Ostrovsky's play, which we met in class at school. The writer wrote it in 1853, and a year later the play was published a separate book. The play, like the book, was a success. Today we became acquainted with this work. Now let’s take a look at Ostrovsky’s work: Poverty is not a vice, having examined the problems that the writer raises.
Analysis of the play Poverty is not a vice
In the play, Ostrovsky raises various problems, including the confrontation between the environment and the individual. Very often a person is treated depending on his wealth. The richer he is, the more he is respected, but spiritual qualities and moral ones are not taken into account.
Studying Ostrovsky and his Poverty is not a vice, and analyzing his work in 9th grade, we see the influence of money on people’s destinies. The author showed us exactly how money can influence a person when a person begins to obey it and depend on it. Money comes to the fore, but caring for loved ones becomes secondary. But Ostrovsky could not allow the victory of money over human feelings and proved to readers that even wealth can be powerless. Proof of this was the love of the noblewoman Lyuba Gordeeva, whom her father wanted to marry a Moscow rich man, to the clerk Mitya. After going through trials, the loving hearts were finally reunited. And here not last role played by Tortsov's brother Gordey Lyubim. It was he who spoke about the approaching plans of the manufacturer Korshunov, for whom Gordey wanted to give his daughter, despite the fact that she loved someone else. Africanus ruined Lyubim, and now has his sights set on Gordey. As a result, Korshunov demands an apology, and Gordey, to spite the manufacturer, gives Lyuba in marriage to Mitya. Gordey softened and was grateful to his brother for guiding him to his senses and not allowing him to make a mistake.
So two hearts were reunited, love triumphed over wealth.
Making our brief analysis, we see that vices are punished, and goodness triumphs. The wedding of the heroes becomes proof that poverty cannot be a vice, but callousness and thirst for profit are the real shortcomings.
Year of writing:
1853
Reading time:
Description of the work:
The comedy Poverty is not a vice was written by Alexander Ostrovsky in 1853. Initially, the comedy had a different name - God Resists the Proud. The work was published as a separate publication in early 1854. The comedy consists of three acts.
The comedy premiered in Moscow on January 25, 1854, at the Maly Theater. And in St. Petersburg the comedy was staged that same year at the Alexandrinsky Theater.
We bring to your attention a brief summary of the comedy Pride is not a vice.
Act one
County town. Christmas time. Day. A small clerk's room in the house of the merchant Tortsov.
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 worries with Yasha: Mitya, the only son of an 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 men. 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 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 get married 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 poems 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 the answer (“Only I can’t write poetry, but it’s 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 way 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 take a little nap; 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 at the back wall, in front of the sofa round table and six chairs. 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 talks quietly with 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. Arina brings a dish covered with a towel - the girls will sing dishes and tell fortunes. The young ladies remove the rings and place them on a plate; the girls start singing. Razlyulyaev, in the words “There will be guests to you, suitors to me... Whoever gets it will come true,” takes out the ring and gives it to Lyubov Gordeevna.
Then the mummers come (an old man with a balalaika, a leader with a bear and a goat) and Yegorushka. The ceremonial songs are abandoned, the mummers are treated to wine, and they begin to amuse the guests: sing, dance, act out skits; Yegorushka dances with them. While the guests are looking at the mummers, Mitya quietly whispers something to Lyubov Gordeevna and kisses her. Razlyulyaev notices this, comes up and declares that he will tell everything to Pelageya Egorovna, that he himself wants to marry Lyubov Gordeevna, because his family has a lot of money, and Mitya in this case there is nothing to hope for. Guslin stands up for Mitya. Their argument is interrupted by a knock on the door - the owner has arrived.
Gordey Karpych and Korshunov enter the living room. Gordey Karpych rudely drives away the mummers (“What a bastard!”) and girls, fawns over Korshunov, and apologizes for the “lack of education” of his wife, who organized the evening “not in full shape.” But Korshunov, an old sensualist, on the contrary, likes the company of young girls. He sits down in a chair, chuckles, and favorably accepts the attention to his person. Tortsov is trying with all his might to produce an “effect”: he orders champagne to be served and candles to be lit in the living room to illuminate the new “nebel.” Pelageya Egorovna goes out to carry out her husband’s orders, followed by Arina and the old women guests.
Korshunov approaches the young ladies, Lyubov Gordeevna, giggles joyfully, hints at “Yuletide days” and offers to kiss. The young ladies are not happy and refuse. Gordey Karpych orders to obey, and Lyubov Gordeevna yields. While Korshunov is kissing the young ladies, Gordey Karpych notices Mitya and drives him away (“A crow flew into the high mansion!”), followed by Mitya in Guslin and Razlyulyaev.
Korshunov sits down next to Lyubov Gordeevna, chuckles voluptuously and presents an expensive gift - diamond earrings. Lyubov Gordeevna coldly answers Korshunov, who, without ceremony, grabs and kisses her hand, starts talking about love and his wealth. Lyubov Gordeevna is disgusted by this old man, she gets up to leave, but her father orders her to stay. She returns to her place, and Korshunov again grabs her hand, strokes it (“What a hand! Heh, heh, heh... velvet!”) and puts a diamond ring on her finger. Lyubov Gordeevna pulls out her hand, takes off the ring and gives it to Korshunov.
Pelageya Egorovna, Arina and Egorushka enter the living room with wine and glasses. Korshunov pretends to be an important guest: “Well, Gordey Karpych, treat me, and you girls, dignify me. I love honor." Gordey Karpych brings wine to Korshunov, orders his wife to bow, and the girls to sing a song of praise. After drinking, Korshunov sits down next to Lyubov Gordeevna, calls one of the girls, pats her on the cheek, chuckles and pours change into her apron. Then he orders Gordey Karpych to get down to business. The point is that Gordey Karpych intends to move from this city, where “there is only ignorance and lack of education,” to Moscow. Moreover, there will be his own person there - son-in-law Afrikan Savich. They have already agreed and shook hands.
Pelageya Egorovna is horrified and screams “My daughter! I won’t give it back!”; Korshunov harshly remarks to Tortsov: “I promised, so keep your word.” Lyubov Gordeevna rushes to her father and begs him to change his mind: “I will not take one step out of your will. Make me whatever you want, just don’t force me against my heart to marry someone I don’t like!” Gordey Karpych is relentless: “You fool, you yourself don’t understand your happiness. In Moscow you will live like a lord, you will ride in carriages... I order so.” And Lyubov Gordeevna humbly answers: “Your will, father!”, bows and goes to her mother. Satisfied Gordey Karpych orders the girls to sing the wedding song and invites the dear guest to go to another room. Lyubov Gordeevna cries in her mother’s arms, her friends surround her.
Act three
Morning. A small room crammed with very rich furniture in Tortsov’s house. This is something like the hostess's office, from where she manages the entire house and where she receives her guests. One door leads to the hall where guests dine, the other to the interior rooms. Arina is sitting in the room, with several maids with her. Pelageya Egorovna enters and dismisses them. Pelageya Egorovna is all in pre-wedding troubles, but her soul is heavy.
Anna Ivanovna enters, followed by Mitya. Barely holding back tears, he says that he came to say goodbye to his kind hostess: tonight he is leaving for his mother and will never return. Mitya bows at the feet of Pelageya Egorovna, kisses her and Anna Ivanovna. Then he notices that he should say goodbye to Lyubov Gordeevna. Pelageya Egorovna sends for her daughter, Anna Ivanovna sadly shakes her head and leaves.
Pelageya Egorovna complains to Mitya about her grief: against her will she gives her daughter to a bad man. Mitya, almost crying, reproaches her for not resisting her husband’s willfulness. Pelageya Egorovna is distressed and asks Mitya to have pity and not to reproach her. Mitya, in a fit of emotion, decides to open up and says that yesterday he and Lyubov Gordeevna agreed to ask for a blessing; and this morning this news... Pelageya Egorovna is amazed, she sincerely sympathizes with Mitya.
Lyubov Gordeevna enters, says goodbye to Mitya, and cries. Mitya, out of despair, invites Pelageya Yegorovna to bless them, and then secretly take Lyubov Gordeevna to her old mother and get married there. Pelageya Egorovna is horrified (“What did you, dissolute, come up with? Who dares to take such a sin on his soul...”). And Lyubov Gordeevna is against such a plan. She tells Mitya that she loves him, but she won’t get out of her parents’ will, “that’s how it’s been done since ancient times.” And let her suffer for her hateful husband, but know that she lives by the law, and no one will dare to laugh to her face. Mitya humbly accepts Lyubov Gordeevna’s decision, says goodbye and leaves.
Korshunov enters the room from the dining room, he asks Pelageya Egorovna to leave so that he can talk in confidence with the bride “about his affairs.” Korshunov sits down with the crying Lyubov Gordeevna and tells her about all the “benefits” of marriage with an old man (“The old man will give you a gift for love... and gold, and velvet...”, and the young husband “you look, and he’ll drag himself after someone... somewhere on the side... but your wife is drying up"), continuously kisses her hands and chuckles. Lyubov Gordeevna asks if his late wife loved Korshunov. Korshunov answers very harshly that she didn’t love her. In essence, Korshunov bought himself a wife: “You see, they needed money, they had nothing to live on: I gave, I didn’t 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 don’t blame anyone I don’t love!”
Gordey Karpych enters the room. He speaks obsequiously to Korshunov, boasts of his “culture”: “In another place, a fine guy in a blazer or a girl is serving at the table, but I have a waiter in thread gloves... Oh, if only I lived in Moscow or in St. Petersburg, I would, it seems, imitate any fashion.” Egorushka runs in and, laughing, says that Lyubim Karpych came and began to disperse the guests. Gordey Karpych gets angry and leaves with Yegorushka.
Razlyulyaev, Masha and Lisa enter, followed immediately by Lyubim Karpych. He makes fun of Korshunov; He seems to be joking, but at the same time he accuses Korshunov of ruining him: “You exalted me so much, elevated me to such a rank that I didn’t steal anything, but I’m ashamed to look people in the eye!” We love Karpych and demands that he pay off his old debt and for his niece, one million three hundred thousand.
Gordey Karpych enters, he drives his brother out of the house. But the determined Lyubim Karpych does not leave, he accuses Korshunov of dishonor and crimes (during a heated argument, all the household, guests and servants enter): “I am not Korshunov: I did not rob the poor, I did not eat someone else’s life, I did not torture my wife with jealousy... They chase me away, but he is the first guest, they put him in the front corner. Well, it’s okay, they’ll give him another wife...” Gordey Karpych orders his brother to be taken away, but Lyubim leaves himself. The wounded Korshunov declares: “You have started such fashions: your drunken guests are offended! 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... 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.” The offended Gordey Karpych exclaims: “...I don’t want to know you myself! 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 her, every person will... [here Mitya enters] ...that's what I'll give 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.” Everyone is surprised, the enraged Korshunov leaves.
Mitya takes Lyubov Gordeevna by the hand, they approach Gordey Karpych and admit that they have loved each other for a long time, and if Gordey Karpych decided to marry them, then let him bless them “like a parent, with love,” and not out of spite. Gordey Karpych begins to boil, again reproaches Mitya for being poor and no match for the Tortsov family. Pelageya Egorovna and Lyubov Gordeevna begin to persuade Gordey Karpych to change his anger to mercy. Lyubim Karpych enters and also asks for the young people, hinting that if it weren’t for him, Korshunov would have ruined Gordey Karpych like himself: “Look at me, here’s an example for you... And I was rich and famous, I rode in carriages. .. and then with the top end and down... Brother, give Lyubushka for Mitya - he will give me a corner... At least in my old age I can live honestly... Then I will thank God... That he is poor ! Eh, if I were poor, I would be a man. Poverty is not a vice." In response, Gordey Karpych emotionally wipes away a tear (“Well, brother, thank you for pointing me to my mind, otherwise I was completely crazy”), hugs and blesses Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna. Immediately Yasha Guslin asks permission to marry Anna Ivanovna, Gordey Karpych blesses him too. Razlyulyaev congratulates Mitya (“I loved you, but for you... I sacrifice”), Pelageya Egorovna asks the girls to sing a cheerful wedding song. The girls start singing and everyone leaves.
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CHARACTERS
Gordey Karpych Tortsov, rich merchant.
Pelageya Egorovna, his wife.
Lyubov Gordeevna, their daughter.
We love Karpych Tortsov, his brother, a squanderer.
African Savich Korshunov, manufacturer.
Mitya, Tortsov's clerk.
Yasha Guslin, Tortsov's nephew.
Grisha Razlyulyaev, young merchant, son of a rich father.
Anna Ivanovna, young widow.
Masha; Lisa, friends of Lyubov Gordeevna.
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.
Poverty is not a vice. Performance based on the play by A.N. Ostrovsky (1969)
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 (reads).“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). There is no one; went for a ride. Gordey Karpych is alone at home. (Reads.)“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. (Reads.)“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. (Reads.)“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.)
PHENOMENA SECOND
Mitya (one). What a melancholy, Lord!... There’s a holiday on the street, there’s a holiday in everyone’s house, and you sit within four walls!... I’m a stranger to everyone, no family, 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.)
Its 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!... (She covers her face with her 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 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! Why? 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!... After all, whatever he comes up with!... To seduce, or something, I should do all sorts of charms in my old age, I say! 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 still 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 can 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!... But there is!... But he still doesn’t have it... And what is this like for a mother’s heart!
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, doesn’t say a word, as if I’m not a 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’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.
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 (gets 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 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 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.
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.
SCENE SIX
Same with Razlyulyaev.
Razlyulyaev. Hello, brothers! (Plays the harmony and dances.)
Guslin. Eco fool! What did you use to buy this harmony?
Razlyulyaev. It is known what - play. 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 (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!... I promise, 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 (sings).
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 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... So it’s enough for the 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.)
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 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 goes to the table and looks at the papers.) What a scattering of 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 pictured 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! (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 (strictly). What?
Razlyulyaev. Okay, please.
Gordey Karpych. You're an ignoramus, and you know how to say something worthwhile! Talking to you is just a waste of words; It’s all the same to the wall, and so are 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 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!... It’s you, Anna Ivanovna, I’m telling you 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.)
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. (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,
He 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 is laughing,
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,
That 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 then! She came, sat and left, that’s not important. I'll probably leave now.
Mitya. Oh, no, don’t go, sir!... Why, sir!... (Takes paper out of his pocket.) Let me present you my work... as best I can, from the heart.
Lyubov Gordeevna. What is this?
Mitya. Actually, I composed poems for you.
Lyubov Gordeevna (trying to hide joy). Also, maybe some kind of stupidity... 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 here. (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.) If you please, 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 the 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 (gets up). Will you come upstairs with us?
Mitya. I’ll come... this minute, sir.
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. You are 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 in 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, living soul what line is this? Just listen and keep your head up. I was left behind after my father, you see, little one, with Kolomna verst, about twenty years old, stupid little girls. In my head, like in an empty attic, the wind is still 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. (Gets up.)“Drink under Prokop Lyapunov’s knife!” (Sits down.) With this kind of life 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 on the sides or on top. 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 items. 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 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 (gets 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 (beret). 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 me smart person money, he will 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!... just like my brother, and like me, the brute... (In a half-asleep voice.) Mitya, I’ll come spend the night with you.
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, he 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; there is a door in the side walls and a 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 ahead, 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... I really like him, 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, and 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. (Fits.) 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. 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 will. I will lay down my soul for you, Lyuba!
Lyubov Gordeevna (snuggling up 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. (It fits on his chest.) Well, if little darling doesn’t want our happiness, then what?
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'm a fool, who did I think of! (Lights candles.) After all, look, 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, ah, ah!... (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 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, Mama, 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 (sings).
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 the 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 (sings).
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.
Glory!
You will have guests
Suitors come to me.
Glory!
They will come to you in bast shoes,
To me in boots.
Glory!
To whom they sang -
Good for that.
Glory!
Who will take it out -
It will come true.
Glory!
Razlyulyaev rolls up his sleeves, takes out the ring, gives it to Lyubov Gordeevna.
Pelageya Egorovna. It's time, it's time.
Girls (they start singing).
Sparrow sits
On Bel-Gorod.
Glory!
On Bel-Gorod,
On a high wall.
Glory!
A sparrow is looking
To the other side.
Glory!
Who will take it out -
It will come true.
Glory!
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 thank you humbly for kind words yes for a treat. (Sings.)
Our fellows are so good,
At least goals and daring!
They weave cloth
Twelve hands.
They wove 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 (dances 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. Wow, what a great guy you are!...ah!
Pelageya Egorovna. Well, mother, from childhood, as best she can. After all, he’s still a child. Come here, Yegorushka.
Egorushka comes up.
You're wearing gingerbread... (Gives.)
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 (sings).
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 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? Why? 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. (Quiet.) 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 its entirety. 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 (strictly). 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 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. So I brought you a diamond, heh, heh... (Gives it away.)
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.) Is he 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, in silver!... (Takes hand.)
Lyubov Gordeevna (getting 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 his 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 (they start singing).
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 your 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 daughter.) My daughter! I won't give it up!
Gordey Karpych. Wife!
Pelageya Egorovna. Father, Gordey Karpych, don’t joke about your mother’s heart!... Stop it!... You’ve exhausted your whole soul.
Gordey Karpych. Wife, you know me!... You, Afrikan Savich, don’t worry: what’s said is done.
Korshunov. I promised, so keep my word. (He gets up, approaches the girls and speaks to them quietly.)
Lyubov Gordeevna (approaches 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.) You don’t want my unhappiness for the rest of my life!... Change your mind, dear!... Make me do whatever you want, just don’t force me against my heart to marry someone I don’t like!...
Gordey Karpych. I don't take back my word. (Gets up.)
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. Before we even had time to come to our senses!... What in the world is this happening! 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 it’s all wrong in my head... I need it there, I need it here, but I don’t know what to grab hold of... Really... yes... (Sits down thoughtfully.) What kind of groom is this, what kind of groom... ah, ah, ah!... Where can I expect love here!... Will she be flattered by wealth?... She is now a girl in her prime, her heart, too, like tea, beats sometimes. Now she would like to have at least a poor little thing and a dear friend... If only she could have life... if only she could have 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 left 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... I, Pelageya Egorovna, for all your kindness and for all your condescension, and even what, perhaps, I’m not worth... how, in my orphanhood, you did not leave me and instead of your mother... I... owe you be grateful all your life and always pray to God, sir. (Bows at his feet.)
Pelageya Egorovna. What are you saying, Mitya?
Mitya. Thank you for everything, sir. Farewell now, Pelageya Egorovna! (Gets up.)
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(shifting). 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, we lived in the same house... Either I’ll 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 his 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 give 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.) What a party you had... (Tears make it difficult to speak.)
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... what’s that!
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 what I was doing! 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! But 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 down) 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! (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. 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, it’s a shame... heh... heh... heh... So I’m older, but I don’t cry... (Looks at her shrewdly.) I know what I’m talking about: tea, would you like it for a young man? So this is it, my dear (takes hand and kisses) It's just girlish stupidity. Listen to what I’m going to tell you... I’m going to tell the truth, frankly, I don’t like to deceive, I have no reason to. Will you listen, eh?
Lyubov Gordeevna. Speak.
Korshunov. Okay, sir. 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 as a gift. So it’s good to love an old man... Here you go... And then here’s what happens with a young husband or a good one: after all, they are a flighty people - you see, and they will drag themselves after someone on the side, or into him Some lady will fall in love, but the wife will dry up... There will be reproaches and jealousy... And what is jealousy, eh? heh... heh... heh... Do you know, madam, what jealousy is?
Lyubov Gordeevna. No, I don't 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 coughing.) 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, yes, he would caress everyone, and kiss everyone’s hands... (Kisses.) Like this.
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 am that man’s enemy, it’s better to run out of my sight: I’ll get there with a word and a look, more than a deed; I’m passing... I won’t give the man rest... I... (Stops and laughs.) Did you really think that I was so angry?... heh... heh... I’m joking like that on purpose! I'm simple, I'm good old man... And I’ll carry you in my arms (chorus) rock in a cradle, say... (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 one! 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. So 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 came 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, he says... (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 my 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, gurgle, gurgle!... With a finger nine, with a cucumber fifteen!... Buddy! (Extends his hand to Korshunov.) Ours to you!... 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 I’m ashamed 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 the old debt, but for my niece one million three hundred thousand!... I won’t pay it off 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 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 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 are honest, don’t hang around with the dishonest, don’t rub yourself under 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 out, 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 (to the 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. Let's see, let's 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 it 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, please 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.) Thrum-thump-thump, thump-thump-thump! (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 live honestly in your old age. 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 my friend... I sacrifice everything... I loved myself, but for you... I sacrifice. Give me your hand. (Hits his hand.) One word... take, 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... that is, 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.
Comedy in three acts
Dedicated to Prov Mikhailovich Sadovsky.
Faces:
Gordey Karpych Tortsov, a rich merchant. Pelageya Egorovna, his wife. Lyubov Gordeevna, their daughter. We love Karpych Tortsov, his brother, wasted. African Savich Korshunov, manufacturer. Mitya, Tortsov's clerk. Yasha Guslin, Tortsov's nephew. Grisha Razlyulyaev, a young merchant, the son of a rich father. Anna Ivanovna, young widow.
Masha Lisa
friends of Lyubov Gordeevna.
Egorushka, a boy, 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 Christmas time.
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 (reads). “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). There is no one; went for a ride. Gordey Karpych is alone at home. (Reads.) “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. (Reads.) “Then the beautiful Militrisa Kirbitevna, calling her servant Licharda to her...” Mitya. Who is he angry with? Yegorushka (clamps 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 just looking at me, that’s all. 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. 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 family, 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, he walks from mass, so... 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.)
Included Pelageya Egorovna, 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... 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! Why? 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, here you 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 the enemy who’s confusing him! How can you not have any sense!.. Well, if only he was still young: for a young man it’s all about dressing up, and all this is flattering; and then he’s nearly sixty! Darling, nearly sixty! Right! What’s fashionable is yours and the current one, I tell him, it 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 can 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: she has no equal... 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.
The fourth phenomenon
The same goes for 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, looking sad. 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. You should look for another place, but where will 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 (gets 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. Well, no matter what, it’s already happened. Guslin. Better, Mitya, get it out of your head. This thing will never happen, and it will never be a joy. 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 my uncle doesn’t tell 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. Guslin. Let's find a voice and let's sing. 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 the harmony and dances.) Guslin. Eko, 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 any money? (He hits himself in the pocket.) They're 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 (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 (sings).No, angrier, more hateful
Evil orphan's share,
More evil than fierce grief,
Harder than bondage!
Happy holiday to everyone in the world,
It's 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 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 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 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 imagined yourself first; The mother doesn’t know what she needs, she wasn’t brought up in luxury, tea, she closed the barns 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! (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!.. the cloth is French, they ordered it from Moscow, through an acquaintance... twenty rubles arshin. Well, I 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 (sternly). What? Razlyulyaev. Okay, please. Gordey Karpych. You're ignorant and don't know how to say anything worthwhile! Talking to you is just a waste of words; It’s all the same to the wall, and so are you, fools. (Leaves.)The eighth phenomenon
The same, without Tortsov.
Razlyulyaev. Look, 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’ll drink, really, you’ll drink! 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.
Includes: Lyubov Gordeevna
Appearance Ninth
The same ones Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha and Lisa.
Anna Ivanovna. A 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 will love it. 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 (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’ve been around 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 what 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. Will you, Mitya, come to me 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?
And as you can see,
When someone loves someone -
He sits opposite the dear one,
He 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...
Ah, hit the board,
Remember Moscow!
Moscow wants to get married -
Take Kolomna.
And Tula is laughing,
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 thing is tricky. 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,
That 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. 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 then! She came, sat and left, that’s not important. I'll probably leave now. Mitya. Oh, no, don’t go, 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 this? Mitya. Actually, I composed poems for you. Lyubov Gordeevna (trying to hide 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 goes to the door; comes out of the door We love Karpych.
Appearance eleventh
The same And We love Karpych.
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, I put everything in a box, I’ll sort it out later, at my leisure. Lyubov Gordeevna. Farewell! (Leaves.)Appearance Twelfth
Mitya And We love Karpych.
We love Karpych. Mitya, welcome to you the merchant brother Lyubim Karpov, son of Tortsov. Mitya. You are 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 in 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, you living soul, what a line this is! 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 is still 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. (Gets up.)“Drink under Prokop Lyapunov’s knife!” (Sits down.) With this kind of life 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 sat down like a broke lob: 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, there was nothing between heaven and earth, neither from the sides nor from above. People are ashamed, you are hidden from the light, but you need to go out into the light of God: 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 thaler for this, but here good people beat us on the neck. 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 items. 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 - it was a cold winter, but 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, I was not drunk 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 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 (gets 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, if you please, is as much as you need. We love Karpych (beret). 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 a smart man money, he will do the job. I walked around Moscow, I saw everything, everything... Great science has happened! But you better not give money to a fool, otherwise he’ll break down... ugh, ugh, ugh, thrr!.. just like my brother, and like me, the brute...The famous play “Poverty is not a vice” was written by the wonderful writer Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky in 1953. And exactly a year later this work was published as a separate book. It is known that Ostrovsky’s comedy was a success, so in 1854 it was staged on the stages of the Moscow Maly and Alexandria theaters. The author himself did not expect such success. Let's briefly consider the features of this comedy.
History of the play
Alexander Ostrovsky planned to write his new work in mid-July 1853, but was able to fulfill his plan only at the end of August. The author conceived a plot in which there should have been only two acts. But during writing, Alexander Nikolaevich changed not only the structure of his book, but also the name. When its writing was finished, when reading it there was unexpected and huge success, which stunned even Ostrovsky himself.
Important! The original title of Ostrovsky’s work is “God Resists the Proud.”
Meaning of the name
The title of the play allows us to see that, despite the fact that there is no justice in the world in which the main characters live, love can still exist. The world of the Russian worker is beautiful, its holidays and rituals are beautiful. But at the same time, the Russian people are starving and live their lives in poverty, from which they cannot get out. The workers are completely dependent on their boss, who is rude and rude. First place comes not spiritual values, but wealth, and this major vice humanity.
Problems raised by Ostrovsky
The writer Ostrovsky raises many problems in the play “Poverty is not a vice,” but the main one is the confrontation between the individual and the environment.
If a person is poor, then often many of the values of this world pass him by. He turns out to be unhappy in love, and difficulties arise constantly on his way.
But money cannot bring happiness either. You cannot love for money or be friends, as this will still turn into hatred.
But relationships with a person often develop because of how rich he is. Unfortunately, mental and moral qualities fade into the background.
The idea of the play “Poverty is not a vice”
Alexander Nikolaevich in the play perfectly describes how money influences a person, how quickly he begins to obey it, putting it first, and forget about what surrounds him, even about his family and friends. But Ostrovsky shows that, having enormous power over people, they are still powerless. And this idea is proven in the story of Lyubov Gordeevna, who was able to defend her love, although both she and Mitya had to go through trials.
Plot feature
A feature of the plot as a whole is the disclosure of the main, main problem through the conflict of the play. According to the writer, the older generation is trying to completely subjugate adult children. They don't think about happiness younger generation, but only only trying to increase their wealth in. Love means nothing in their value system.
Important! Ostrovsky shows not only the conflict between generations, but also the tyranny of people who have money.
The comedy is structured as follows:
- The plot in which the young and poor clerk Mitya confesses his feelings to Lyuba.
- The climax in which Lyuba's father wants to marry his daughter to a rich manufacturer.
- The denouement in which the reader constantly hears Lyubim's monologue, and the lovers receive parental blessing.
Characteristics of the characters
Play Poverty is not a vice Ostrovsky
Ostrovsky has few characters, but all of them are necessary in order not only to understand the content, but the writer is trying to make fun of stupidity and ignorance of society, headed by money.
Characters:
- Tortsov Gordey Karpych, rich merchant.
- Pelageya Egorovna, wife of Tortsov.
- Lyuba, their daughter.
- We love Tortsov, the brother of a rich merchant.
- Korshunov Afrikan Savvich, manufacturer.
- Mitya, clerk.
Many expressions of Ostrovsky’s heroes have firmly entered our speech and become popular. And this happened because the language of the characters in Ostrovsky’s work is expressive, flexible, bright and rich. Matched to everything apt word or expression.
Lyubov Gordeevna: description and brief description
Ostrovsky created several female images in his literary essay“Poverty is not a vice,” denouncing people who have wealth. One of them is Lyuba, who grew up in merchant family, but suddenly unexpectedly fell in love with Mitya. The guy is poor and serves as a clerk for her father.
Pay attention! The girl herself is well aware that Mitya is not suitable for her as a groom, since he is not her equal in wealth and position in society.
And the father, Gordey Tortsov, had long ago chosen the groom he liked. Chance decides Lyuba's fate and gives her the opportunity to be happy with the one she loves. All the father's plans collapse, and the marriage with the unloved groom did not take place.
The first action takes place in Tortsov’s house, where Mitya is reading a book, and Yegorushka is telling him latest news. The clerk tried to work, but all his thoughts were about his beloved.
But then Pelageya Egorovna came, complaining about her husband. According to her, after a trip to Moscow, he stopped loving Russian and began to drink a lot. And he even conceived his own daughter to marry in Moscow give away.
And Mitya told his story to Yasha. He is forced to work in Tortsov's house, since his beloved lives here. But he is the only son of a poor mother, to whom he gives all his salary. And he could get more if he went to Razlyulyaev, but he cannot leave Lyubasha.
But soon the cheerful Razlyulyaev appears, with whom the young people begin to sing. Suddenly, right in the middle of the song, Tortsov appears in the room. He starts yelling at Mitya and then drives off again. After his departure, girls enter the room, among whom is Lyubov Gordeevna.
Soon Mitya and Lyuba Tortsova are left alone in the room. The clerk reads the poems he composed for her. After listening to the life story of Lyubim Tortsov, Mitya reads a note from Lyuba, where the girl confesses her love to him.
The second act takes the reader into the living room of Tortsov’s house, where it is already dark. Lyuba confesses to Anna Ivanovna that she loves Mitya. Soon the clerk appears and decides to confess his love. The young people decide to inform Tortsov about this tomorrow and ask for his blessing.
When Mitya leaves, girls appear, having fun, singing songs and telling fortunes. The mummers also appear. At this time, Mitya kisses Lyuba, but Razlyulyaev is dissatisfied, since he himself was going to marry the girl, because he had money. But then Tortsov unexpectedly appears again. He came home with Korshunov, whom he constantly fawns over. Having driven away the guests, he apologizes for his uneducated wife. Korshunov gives Tortsov’s daughter earrings with diamonds.
Tortsov informs the family that he is going from county town move to Moscow. After all, he had already found his son-in-law there, with whom they had already agreed on the wedding. Mother and Lyuba against such a decision of the father, they cry and ask not to destroy the young girl. But Tortsov doesn’t even want to hear anything.
The third act begins in the rooms where preparations for the daughter’s wedding have been underway since the morning. Mitya decided to go to his mother and came to say goodbye, but he himself could barely hold back his tears.
The young man, hearing that Pelageya Egorovna was against marriage with a bad person, reveals a secret that they are in love. Soon the girl appears. The hour of farewell comes when they both cry.
In desperation, Mitya offers to secretly bless them, and then they can go together to his mother, where they can get married in peace. But no one can go against their father’s will, because it is sinful. The young man, having accepted the girl’s decision, leaves sad.
Korshunov tries to explain to Lyubasha what happiness awaits her with a rich husband. But then Lyubim Karpych appears, who not only disperses the guests, but also demands that the old debt be returned. A scandal arises, and in a fit of anger Gordey Karpych, considering himself insulted, gives consent to the marriage of Mitya and Lyuba.
The play “Poverty is not a vice” - summary
Poverty is not Ostrovsky’s vice - analysis, content, plot
Conclusion
Ostrovsky ends his work with the triumph of good and the punishment of vice. It is the wedding of the main characters that proves the title that poverty cannot be a vice, and the main vice is callousness human souls and thirst for wealth.