Aphorisms from the play "At the Bottom". Gorky's play "At the Depths". Quotes from the play “At the Bottom At the Bottom” sayings onions about life

• The noise of death is not a hindrance. (Bubnov)
• (with pride) My body is poisoned by alcohol... (Actor)
• I'm tired, brother, of all human words... all our words are tired! I have heard each of them...probably a thousand times... (Satin)
• It turns out that on the outside, no matter how you paint yourself, everything will be erased... everything will be erased, yes! (Bubnov)
• Education is nonsense, the main thing is talent. (Actor)
• And talent is faith in yourself, in your strength... (Actor)
• Can kindness of heart be compared with money? Kindness is above all blessings. And your debt to me is indeed a debt! This means that you must compensate me for it... Your kindness to me, an old man, must be shown free of charge... (Kostylev)
• There are no better people in the world than thieves! (Satin)
• Make the work pleasant for me - maybe I will work... yes! May be! When work is pleasure, life is good! When work is a duty, life is slavery! (Satin)
• Where are they - honor, conscience? On your feet, instead of boots, you cannot put either honor or conscience... Those who have power and strength need honor and conscience... (Ash)
• What is conscience for? I'm not rich... (Bubnov)
• What kind of people are they? Ragged, golden company... (Mite)
• And whoever is drunk and smart has two lands in him... (Bubnov)
• ...every person wants his neighbor to have a conscience, but, you see, it’s not beneficial for anyone to have one... (Ash)
• I respect swindlers too, in my opinion, not a single flea is bad: all are black, all jump... that’s it. (Luke)
• ...where it’s warm, there’s homeland... (Luke)
• It’s not enough to know, you understand. (Natasha)
• No matter how you pretend, no matter how you wobble, but you were born a man, you will die a man... And I see that people are becoming smarter, more and more entertaining... and even though they live worse, but they want to, they become better... stubborn! (Luke)
• We are all wanderers on earth... (Luke)
• Nobility is like smallpox... and a person will recover, but the signs remain. (Luke)
• A pimple won't pop up without a reason. (Luke)
• All people on earth are superfluous... (Bubnov)
• He [a person] - no matter what he is - is always worth his price... (Luke)
• I drank away my soul, old man...I, brother, died...And why did I die? I had no faith... (Actor)
• Everyone (...) endures... everyone endures life in their own way... (Luke)
• What good is it if you forgot what you love? The beloved has all the soul. (Luke)
• Man can do anything...if only he wants to... (Luke)
• Death - it calms everything down... it is gentle for us... (Luke)
• ...if someone has not done good to someone, he has done something bad... (Luke)
• And...what do you really, badly need...think about it! She really might be a bitch for you... (Luke)
• Ash:...God exists? Luke: If you believe, it is; If you don’t believe it, no...What you believe in is what it is...
• People are still living... like wood chips floating down a river... building a house... and the wood chips are moving away... (Bubnov)
• Look - what am I? Bald...Why? From these very different women... (Luke)
• A woman must have a soul. (Ash)
• A person lives differently... as his heart is adjusted, so he lives... today he is good, tomorrow he is evil... (Luke)
• You have to love the living... the living... (Luke)
• You can't go anywhere in the carriage of the past. (Satin)
• I've always despised people who care too much about being fed (Satin)
• Man - that's the truth! Everything is in man, everything is for man! Only man exists, everything else is the work of his hands and his brain! Human! It's great! It sounds... proud! (Satin)
• Illness is afraid of words, but death is not... (Bubnov)
• Girl, someone needs to be kind...you need to feel sorry for people! Christ had pity on everyone and told us so... (Luke)
• We must respect the person! Don’t feel sorry... don’t humiliate him with pity... you need to respect him. (Satin)
• Lies are the religion of slaves and masters... Truth is the god of a free man! (Satin)

all statements about the truth of all the characters in M. Gorky's play "On the Demise". help) and got the best answer

Answer from Irina Robertovna Makhrakova[guru]
1. Luke. AND.. . what do you really need... think about it! She really might be a bitch for you...
2. Actor (stops, without closing the door, on the threshold and, holding the doorframes with his hands, shouts). Old man, hey! Where are you? I remembered.. . Listen. (Staggering, he takes two steps forward and, assuming a pose, reads.)
Gentlemen! If the truth is holy
The world doesn't know how to find a way -
Honor the madman who inspires
A golden dream for humanity!
3. Natasha. Apparently it's a lie... nicer than the truth...
4. Bubnov. Hmm yeah!. . And here I am... I can't lie! For what? In my opinion, tell the whole truth as it is! Why be ashamed?
5. Tick (suddenly jumps up again, as if burned, and screams). Which is the truth? Where is the truth? (Ruffles the rags on himself with his hands.) That’s the truth! No work... no power! That's the truth! Havens... there is no shelter! I need to breathe... here it is, the truth! Devil! On the.. . What do I need it for - really? Let me breathe... let me breathe! What is my fault? . Why do I need the truth? Living is the devil - you can’t live... here it is - the truth!. .
6. Tick (trembling with excitement). Speak here - right! You, old man, console everyone... I will tell you.. . I hate everyone! And this truth... Damn her, damn her! Understood? Understand! Damn her!
7. Luka (thoughtfully, to Bubnov). Here.. . you say it's true... It’s true, it’s not always due to a person’s illness... You can't always heal your soul with truth... There was approximately the following case: I knew one person who believed in a righteous land...
8. Kostylev. Yes. But what about? . What's happened.. . wanderer? A strange man.. . different from others.. . If he is truly strange... knows something... found out something... no one needs... maybe he found out the truth there... Well, not every truth is needed... Yes!
He - keep it to himself... and - shut up! If he's really... strange... he is silent!
9. Tick. He's right... I didn’t like it, old man... I rebelled very much against the truth... That's how it should be! True - what is the truth here? And without her, I can’t breathe... There's the prince... I crushed my hand at work... I'll have to saw off my hand completely, listen... these are the truth!
10. Satin... What is the truth? Man - that's the truth! He understood this... you - no! You are dumb as bricks... I know lies! Who is weak at heart... and those who live on other people's juices need lies... some she supports, others hide behind her... And who is his own boss... who is independent and does not eat other people’s things - why does he need lies? Lies are the religion of slaves and masters... Truth is the god of a free man!

Answer from 3 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: all the statements about the truth of all the characters in M. Gorky's play "On the Demise". Help)

The topic of this article is the play "At the Bottom". There are a lot of aphorisms in this work, because it is based on dialogues.

At the beginning of the 20th century, profound transformations took place in the country, from which ordinary people suffered. Some aphorisms from Gorky's play "At the Lower Depths" became quite popular during the Soviet era. "Man - that sounds proud!" - says Satin. In truth, there are images that allow one to doubt these words.

Satin

The author portrayed in the play people deprived of all social benefits. Deprived forever, completely. Satin spent several years in prison. Once he committed a murder, then he ended up in a shelter from which he was no longer destined to get out. "What is truth?" - Satin asks a question. And he himself answers: “Truth is a person.”

Aphorisms from Gorky's play "At the Lower Depths" are, first of all, the words of the mysterious inventor and sage Luka. Satin, in some way, is a continuator of the philosophy of the passportless tramp. All aphorisms from the play "At the Bottom" touch on such concepts as lies, mercy and faith, although it seems that these characters are talking about completely different things.

In one of the acts, Satin talks about lies. He calls it the religion of masters and slaves. Truth is the god of a free man. None of Gorky's heroes show strength. Everyone prefers to believe in Luke’s fairy tales and hope that everything will work out on its own.

Bubnov

This hero has never been to prison. He fled from home to the shelter so as not to accidentally kill his wife and her lover. Life here could not help but leave an imprint on his soul. He, like other characters, has no way back. “I was honest, but only in the spring before yesterday” - an aphorism from the play “At the Depths”. This phrase belongs to Bubnov. Applicable to any inhabitant of the shelter. Another statement by Bubnov is “It’s always better to leave on time.” There is no doubt about these words, however, from the lips of a person who finds himself trapped and does not accept any attempts to get out of there, they sound insincere.

Vaska Ash

The hereditary thief, unlike other characters in the play, does not see any particular tragedy in his stay in the shelter. Vaska Pepel knew no other life. He is a thief, his father was a thief. Although, of course, he would like to change something in his life. Luke gives him hope. However, the wanderer reassures all the inhabitants of the shelter. Ash's words did not become aphorisms. In the play "At the Bottom" this character seems to symbolize hopelessness. A person who learns to steal before speaking is unlikely to become a full-fledged member of society. This thought comes after reading Gorky’s work. The ashes end up in Siberia. But not with Natasha, as Luke predicted, but as a convict.

Actor

The fate of this character is a key moment in the plot, revealing the author’s attitude towards Luke. After all, he promised the Actor that he would certainly be cured. Supposedly there are clinics that provide free treatment for alcoholism. But such hospitals do not exist. The last of his strength leaves him, he commits suicide. "Talent is belief in one's strength!" - these words of the Actor could become an aphorism. In the play "At the Bottom" the fate of the Actor is perhaps the saddest storyline.

Luke

He who seeks will find. Luke, accidentally or intentionally, utters a Latin proverb, hinting to his new acquaintances that they need to believe in his fairy tales. After all, hope gives strength. quite controversial. His exact biography is unknown. Luka suddenly appears in the shelter and attracts the attention of all its inhabitants. He expresses himself in short phrases, aphorisms, and sometimes even allegories. He says almost nothing about himself. He says that his life “has crushed him a lot, that’s why he’s soft.”

Luka treats those around him kindly. He tries to calm everyone down with a kind word. He inspires hope in Ashes, and in the Actor, and in other sufferers. But later it turns out that all his words are lies.

Luke is the central character of the play. After all, the main storyline is a dispute about the truth. There is an opinion that Gorky himself was dissatisfied with this image. Initially, the writer allegedly wanted to show him in a more unsightly form. It is impossible to change your life if you do nothing but dream. And Luke seems to be preaching a lie. Perhaps the writer was too biased towards his hero. Luke talks about mercy. Satin is about action. These characters complement each other.

Gorky nevertheless puts forward the main accusation not to the crafty old man, but to the inhabitants of the shelter, unable to find the strength to fight the harsh reality. Dissatisfaction reality and a critical attitude towards it is a typical Russian trait. This is what often prevents us from changing reality for the better.

During their school years, many probably had the opportunity to become acquainted with the work of the respected Russian writer Maxim Gorky - the play “At the Lower Depths,” which without embellishment describes to all of us the familiar archetypes of people living in Russian realities.

Despite the fact that more than a century has passed since the publication of the drama, the situations that it touches on remain relevant today.

In this article we will analyze in detail the image of the character Luke from this play, get acquainted with his statements and talk about the attitude of other heroes of the work towards him.

In contact with

Where did the wanderer come from?

doesn't reveal the secret Luke's origins, only fleetingly speaks of his wandering life. The wanderer has neither a homeland nor any specific place of residence. He himself talks about it this way: "To the old man – Where it’s warm, there’s homeland.”

The residents of the shelter are also not interested in the old man’s past; they are preoccupied with their problems and attempts "go out into the public", and not drag out an existence “at the bottom” for the rest of your life.

Character Characteristics Analysis

Luke appears before us in the form a kind-hearted old man, preaching goodness, love, pity and the will of man to create his life as his heart dictates.

The hero really emanates an aura of peacefulness and understanding, which, of course, endears him to the characters in the play, making them believe that the future is not hopeless and there is a chance to improve their social situation, fulfill their dreams and desires.

To everyone who, willy-nilly, ended up in a shelter, Luka selects the right words, gives everyone hope and encourages them to believe in their dreams, no matter how funny they may seem to themselves and others.

But no matter how sweet and comforting the stranger’s words sounded, they were only empty sounds, distracting homeless people from everyday troubles, and not real support that gives strength to get out of poverty and ignominy.

Nevertheless, Luka is not a liar, he just sincerely feels sorry for those around him and encourages them, even if it is absolutely meaningless and useless.

Luke's relationship with other characters in the play "At the Lower Depths"

The characters relate to the old man in two ways:

• alone ( thief Vaska Ash, Actor, Anna, Nastya, Natasha) with relief they tell him about their life, confess and receive in response the necessary pity, sympathy and soothing statements;
• other ( card cap Bubnov, Satin, Baron, Klesch) do not trust a stranger too much and talk to him briefly and skeptically.

One thing is certain - no one remained indifferent to the appearance of such an extraordinary personality in such a dirty and doomed place.

After the sudden disappearance of the wanderer, the fate of some characters changed dramatically. The locksmith Kleshch's wife, Anna, died of tuberculosis, the Actor could not come to terms with the hopelessness of his life and hanged himself, Vaska Ash went to hard labor in Siberia because of an accidental murder, his dreams of an honest life with Natasha came to an end. The remaining heroes continued to while away their time in the shelter, but at the same time started to think about the meaning of one’s existence, one’s actions and the problems of others.

Parable of the Righteous Land

Luke's parable tells us about a man who endured all the hardships and suffering of earthly life, believing that there is a righteous land, where people live in excellent relationships, help each other and never lie. One day he went to a local scientist he knew and asked him to show the righteous land on a geographical map. He tried to find what he was looking for, but could not. Then the man got angry, hit the scientist, and then went home and hanged himself.

This parable seems to have predetermined the fatal fate of several characters - the death of Anna and the Actor, the imprisonment of the thief Vaska. They believed that their own righteous land would be found for them, that it was possible to get out of the bottom, poverty, but this did not happen. Luke soon left, and with him the hope that warmed the characters in the play went away.

Quotes

The play "At the Bottom" is rich thoughtful phrases and the statements of the characters, but, perhaps, the most significant of them are the words of Elder Luke.

Here are a few of his quotes that everyone who has read Gorky’s play “At the Lower Depths” should analyze and reflect on:

“And everyone is people! No matter how you pretend, no matter how you wobble, if you were born a man, you will die a man...”

"I don't care! I respect swindlers too, in my opinion, not a single flea is bad: all are black, all jump..."

“You, girl, don’t be offended... nothing! Where is it, where are we supposed to feel sorry for the dead? Eh, honey! We don’t feel sorry for the living... we can’t feel sorry for ourselves... where is it!”

“So, you’ll die, and you’ll be at peace... you won’t need anything else, and there’s nothing to be afraid of!”

“...it’s not the word that matters, but why the word is said? - that's the problem!"

Bottom line

Maxim Gorky's image of the wanderer Luke turned out to be very multifaceted and reflective main philosophical questions about life, love, principles and priorities of a person.

And not only Luke - all the characters in one way or another reflect those who we meet in real life.

The writer managed to reflect in his work entertaining philosophical and psychological ideas:

All of the above is important for a correct understanding of the work and simply situations happening to people around us, it teaches us to sympathize and correctly set life priorities.

ESSAY TOPICS:

The problems of the play “At the Lower Depths” and its connection with the social life of the 90s.

Dispute about man in M. Gorky’s play “At the Bottom.”

Dispute about truth in M. Gorky’s play “At the Depths.”

The truth of the "naked man".

The truth of Luke and the truth of Satin in M. Gorky’s play “At the Depths”.

The problem of true and false humanism in M. Gorky’s play “At the Depths.”

“The truth of a God-free man!” (based on the play “At the Bottom”).

Two truths (based on the play “At the Bottom”).

The ideological and moral ideal of M. Gorky (based on the play “At the Depths”).

Luke— wandering character.

The problem of humanism in the works of M. Gorky.

The Tick and the Actor.

Satin and Baron— former intelligent people.

Dramatic mastery of M. Gorky.

The problem of innovation in M. Gorky's play "At the Depths"

What is modern about M. Gorky’s play “At the Lower Depths”.

Man in the works of M. Gorky.

The problem of humanism in the works of M. Gorky.

Features of M. Gorky's dramaturgy.

At the heart of Maxim Gorky’s play “At the Depths” is a dispute about man and his capabilities. The heroes of the play are people who find themselves at the very “bottom” of life. What can help a person? Can anything really save him? In the debate about man in the play, three positions are especially important - Bubnov's, Luke's and Satin's.

Luke is the most complex character in the play. It is with this that the main philosophical question of the work is connected: “What is better: truth or compassion? Is it necessary to take compassion to the point of using lies, like Luke?”

Luke

Luk a. I don't care! I respect swindlers too, in my opinion, not a single flea is bad: they’re all black, they all jump... that’s it. Where can I fit in, my dear?

Luk a. We are all wanderers on earth... They say, I heard, that our earth is also a wanderer in the sky.

Luk a. They crushed it a lot, that’s why it’s soft... (Laughs with a rattling laugh.)

Luk a. What good is it if you forgot what you love? The beloved contains all the soul...

Luk a. What? You... get treatment! Nowadays there is a cure for drunkenness, hear! They treat them for free, brother... this is the kind of hospital built for drunkards... so that it means they can be treated for nothing... They recognized, you see, that a drunkard is also a person... and they are even glad when he wants to be treated! Well, here you go! Go...

Luk a. It's nothing! This is before death... little dove. Nothing, honey! You - hope... That means you will die, and you will be at peace... you won’t need anything else, and there’s nothing to be afraid of!

Luk a. And the good side is Siberia! Golden side! He who has strength and intelligence is like a cucumber in a greenhouse!

Luk a. What is there to understand? A person lives differently... as his heart is set, so he lives... today - good, tomorrow - evil... And if this girl seriously touched your soul... leave here with her, and it’s over... Otherwise, go alone... You’re young, you’ll end up as a woman acquire.

Luk a. You, girl, don’t be offended... nothing! Where are they... where are we to feel sorry for the dead? Eh, honey! We don’t feel sorry for the living... we can’t feel sorry for ourselves... where is it!

Luk a. Good, you say? Well... okay, if so... yes!

Behind the red wall a harmonica and a song sound quietly

Girl, someone needs to be kind... you need to feel sorry for people! Christ felt sorry for everyone and told us so... I’ll tell you - it’s time to feel sorry for a person... it can be good!

Satin

S a t i n. So... I'm tired, brother, of all human words... all our words are tired! I have heard each of them... probably a thousand times...

S a t i n. Was... (Smirking.) There are very good books... and a lot of interesting words... I was an educated person... you know?

S a t i n. Many people get money easily, but few part with it easily... Work? Make the work pleasant for me, and perhaps I will work... yes. May be! When work is pleasure, life is good! When work is a duty, life is slavery! (To the actor.) You, Sardanapalus! Let's go...

S a t i n. Give it up! People are not ashamed that you have a worse life than a dog... Think about it - you won’t work, I won’t... hundreds more... thousands, that’s it! - understand? everyone quits working! No one wants to do anything - what will happen then?

S a t i n (laughing). And in general... for many he was... like crumbs for the toothless...

S a t i n. What good is it to you if I feel sorry for you?..

S a t i n (hitting the table with his fist). Be silent! You are all brutes! Dubye... keep quiet about the old man! (Calm down.) You, Baron, are the worst of all!.. You don’t understand anything... and you’re lying! The old man is not a charlatan! What is the truth? Man - this is the Truth! He understood this... you don’t! You are dumb as bricks... I understand the old man... yes! He lied... but it was out of pity for you, damn you! There are many people who lie out of pity for their neighbors... I know! I read! They lie beautifully, inspiredly, stimulatingly!.. There are comforting lies, reconciling lies... lies justify the heaviness that crushed the worker's hand... and blame those dying of hunger... I know the lies! Those who are weak at heart... and those who live on other people's juices need lies... some are supported by it, others hide behind it... And who is his own master... who is independent and does not eat someone else's things - why does he need lies? Lies are the religion of slaves and masters... Truth is the god of a free man!

S a t i n. Why can’t a sharper sometimes speak well if decent people... speak like a sharper? Yes... I forgot a lot, but I still know something! Old man? He is a smart guy!.. He... acted on me like acid on an old and dirty coin... Let's drink to his health! Pour...

Nastya pours a glass of beer and gives it to Satin.

(Grinsing.) The old man lives from himself... he looks at everything with his own eyes. One day I asked him: “Grandfather! Why do people live? Behold, from them a carpenter is born... such a carpenter as the earth has never seen before - he has surpassed everyone, and he has no equal among carpenters. He gives the entire carpentry business its own appearance... and immediately moves the business forward twenty years... So do all the others... mechanics, there... shoemakers and other working people... and all the peasants... and even gentlemen - they live for the best! Everyone thinks that he lives for himself, but it turns out that he lives for the best! For a hundred years... and maybe more - they live for a better person!”

S a t i n. When I'm drunk... I like everything. N-yes... Is he praying? Wonderful! A person can believe or not believe... that's his business! Man is free... he pays for everything himself: for faith, for disbelief, for love, for intelligence - man pays for everything himself, and therefore he is free!.. Man is the truth! What is a person?.. It’s not you, not me, not them... no! - it’s you, me, them, the old man, Napoleon, Mago-met... in one! (He traces the figure of a man in the air with his finger.) Understand? This is huge! In this - everything began to end... Everything is in man, everything is for man! Only man exists, everything else is the work of his hands and his brain! Human! It's great! It sounds... proud! Human! We must respect the person! Don't feel sorry... don't humiliate him with pity... you must respect him! Let's drink to the man, Baron! (Rises..) It’s good... to feel like a human being!.. I am a prisoner, a murderer, a sharper... well, yes! When I walk down the street, people look at me like I’m a swindler... and they shy away and look back... and often tell me - “You bastard! Charlatan! Work!" Work? For what? To be full? (Laughs.) I've always despised people who care too much about being well-fed... That's not the point, Baron! Not in this case! Man is higher! Man is beyond satiety!..

S a t i n (softly). Eh, I ruined the song... fool!

Bubnov

B u b n o v. I've heard it... a hundred times! Well, he was... what importance!.. I was a furrier... I had my own establishment... My hands were so yellow - from the paint: I tinted the furs - such, brother, my hands were yellow - to the elbow! I already thought that I wouldn’t wash it until I die... so I’ll die with dirty hands... And now here they are, my hands... just dirty... yes!

B u b n o v. What is conscience for? I'm not rich...

B u b n o v. And whoever is drunk and smart is two mute lands...

B u b n o v. What was, was, but what remains is nothing but trifles... There are no gentlemen here... everything has faded away, only one naked man remains...

B u b n o v (calmly). You are superfluous everywhere... and all the people on earth are superfluous...

B u b n o v. Mm-yes!.. But I... I don’t know how to lie! For what? In my opinion, tell the whole truth as it is! Why be ashamed?

Before Luka’s forced departure, the well-being of the overnight campers noticeably improves: most of them have a growing belief in the possibility of living a better life, some are already taking the first steps towards gaining human dignity. This is first of all. Actor and Ash. Luke managed to inspire faith and hope in them, warming their souls with his sympathy.

Actor

A k t e r. (getting off the stove). It's harmful for me to breathe dust. (Proudly.) My body is poisoned by alcohol... (Thinks while sitting on the bunk.)

A k t e r (sits with his arms around his knees). Education is nonsense, the main thing is talent. I knew the artist... he read the roles according to the rules, but could play the characters in such a way that... the theater crackled and swayed from the delight of the audience...

A k t e r. Let's go, Nebuchadnezzar! I'll get drunk like... forty thousand drunkards...

A k t e r. Previously, when my body was not poisoned by alcohol, I, an old man, had a good memory... But now... it’s over, brother! It's all over for me! I always read this poem with great success... thunderous applause! You... don’t know what applause is... it’s, brother, like... vodka!.. It used to be that I’d go out and stand like this... (Strikes a pose.) I'll get up... and... (Mal-read.) I don’t remember anything... not a word... I don’t remember! Favorite poem... is that bad, old man?

A k t e r (stops, without closing the door, on the threshold and, holding the doorframes with his hands, shouts). Old man, hey! Where are you? I remembered... listen. (Staggering, he takes two steps forward and, assuming a pose, reads.)

Gentlemen! If the holy world does not know how to find the way to truth, - Honor to the madman who brings a golden dream to Humanity!

A k t e r. Look for a city... get treatment... Just leave... Ophelia... go to a monastery... You see, there is a hospital for organisms... for drunkards... An excellent hospital.. .Marble...marble floor! Light... cleanliness, food... everything - for free! And marble floor, yes! I will find her, I will be cured... I will be again... I am on the way to rebirth... as the king said... Lear! Natasha... on stage my name is Sverchkov-Zavolzhsky... no one knows this, no one! I don’t have a name here... Do you understand how offensive it is to lose a name? Even the dogs have nicknames...

Ash

P epel. So I say the same thing: the rich need honor and conscience, yes! And Kleshch scolds us: no, he says, we have a conscience...

P epel. And it’s boring... why is it boring for me? You live and live - everything is fine! And suddenly you’ll feel cold: it’ll become boring...

P epel. If you please, grandfather, I will respect you! Well done, brother! You lie well... you tell fairy tales nicely! Lie, nothing... not enough, brother, pleasant things in the world!

P epel. My path is marked for me! My parent spent his whole life in prison and ordered it for me too... When I was little, at that time they called me a thief, a thief's son...

P epel. I said - I'll quit stealing! Yo-bo-gu - I'll quit! If I said it, I’ll do it! I’m literate... I’ll work... So he says - I have to go to Siberia of my own free will... We’re going there, well?.. Do you think my life doesn’t disgust me? Eh, Natasha! I know... I see!.. I console myself with the fact that Others steal more than I do, but live in honor... but this doesn’t help me! This... is not it! I don’t repent... I don’t believe in conscience... But I feel one thing: I have to live... differently! We need to live better! I have to live like this... so that I can respect myself...

The play does not have a clear answer to the question: what is better - truth or compassion? Gorky expresses both confidence that only truth can save humanity, and an understanding of the importance of compassion in people’s lives.