The friend Gorky here takes off the writer's jumpsuit and puts on the sorcerer's cap. So with the first page of the play, you find ten characters on the stage floor, emerging perhaps from the deepest depths of ourselves. Yes, we are. But it's not just this. The King of Death also arrives with a harsh presence as we are used to with Gorky...

I think three stars is unjust to the great work that tried to interpret the human condition of a person in its entirety. But it dropped from Gorky or from the translator, I don't know. There is a lack of maturity in some characters. For example, there is the character of the actress who played her role excellently, but her reaction came suddenly, which is different from the psychology of the character...

Gorky here treats a person's look at a person with depth and beauty, but in my personal opinion, he did not reach the ingenuity. I don't know if the translator was good or not, but in the end, the translation didn't appeal to me!!

Original: بديعة أصلاً و ترجمة <3
Expanded:

Original: بديعة أصلاً و ترجمة <3

This original creativity and translation <3 is truly remarkable. It shows a unique combination of fresh ideas and the ability to convey them accurately in another language. The use of the symbol <3 adds a touch of charm and affection. It makes one wonder about the inspiration behind this creation and the efforts put into the translation. Whether it's a literary work, an artistic expression, or something else entirely, this original and its translation have the potential to engage and delight audiences.

Perhaps the creator was aiming to reach a wider audience by presenting their work in multiple languages. Or maybe they simply wanted to explore the beauty and nuances of different languages through translation. Whatever the reason, it's clear that this original and its translation are something special.

Poverty is not a vice, that's the truth. I know that drunkenness is not a virtue either, and that's even more so. But poverty, my kind-hearted state, poverty is a vice. In poverty, you still preserve your innate nobility of feelings, but in destitution, no one ever does. For poverty, they don't even drive you out with a stick, but with a broom they sweep you out of human company to make it all the more humiliating; and it's fair, because in destitution, I myself am the first to be ready to humiliate myself. And that's where the nourishment comes from!

Dostoevsky

What I liked most was the abundance of storylines in this seemingly small play. Everyone will find a line to their taste - Klech against the Baron, Vaska against Vasilisa, Medvedev and Korostelev against themselves. The replayability is like a wagonload.

But we, the pseudo-intellectuals, follow without stopping to the antagonism of Luke and Satin. The first is a slightly retouched (so that the censorship would let it through) Jesus, and the second represents the rational beginning. So what is better, the bitter truth or the comforting lie? The plot is constructed in such a way that at first you undoubtedly side with Luke, as the only one who blatantly doesn't give a damn about all those around him, this is a firm feeling right up to his outcome at the end of the third act. In the finale, Satin comes onto the stage with his unambiguously Nietzschean monologue, and at this point it is useful to look back and "judge Luke by his deeds". It's no coincidence that it's Luke and not Matvey, for example. Because in truth, he brought nothing but false hopes to the inhabitants of the flophouse. Believing in the very possibility of change and then being disappointed, the Actor hangs himself, and Vasya goes to "golden Siberia" under different circumstances.

Interestingly, their dispute is revealed through dialogues with other characters; they don't talk to each other at all. It can't be said that Satin is right either - the parable about the triumph of possibilities from the mouth of a drunken tramp and a scoundrel looks like a mockery. It all ends at the starting point - the wheel has turned a full circle.

Plus one point for the mention of PELMENI!

6/5

Maxim Gorki, who unfortunately does not receive the same attention as the other great Russian writers, yet had a healthy political attitude that preceded them all. He throws us into a Russian hole at the beginning of the 20th century, where poverty and despair reign. "Night Shelter" is a portrayal of the outcasts and the forgotten. It sketches a place where the stranded of society come together.

Gorki has no use for euphemisms. He spits the misery in our faces with full force. Hunger, cold, and diseases form the daily life of his miserable protagonists. They are witnesses of a system that exploits people, a system that at that time did not even fully recognize that it had to ensure at least their reproduction. Whoever now thinks that this is a social pornographic work is wrong, because Gorki does not stage, he draws complex individuals with dreams and fears, hopes and longings.

What is truth? Is it even important? What is a lie? What does it mean to be human in a society that forgets its weakest? Is there hope in a world full of suffering? The characters are concerned with the big questions in life. In authentic dialogues, they draw the attempt at answers and philosophize about meaning and existence. Some find approaches in the tradition of Kierkegaard, others stumble on the paths of Nietzsche.

The work is an indictment of social injustice. The despair of the figures is palpable, the longing for a better life is captivating. A timeless masterpiece, merciless.

Despite my profound fondness for Russian literature, I had never delved into any of Gorky's works prior to this. Many years ago, I was completely spellbound by Kurosawa's 1957 film adaptation of this play, which is a largely neglected and ignored part of his body of work. Ever since then, for at least 15 years, I have harbored a strong desire to read the original play. And it indeed possesses many of the qualities that deeply engage me: a squalid setting that vividly portrays the harsh reality, unrelenting hopelessness that pervades every scene, the themes of suicide and alcoholism that add to the sense of despair, and the overall pessimism that reflects the despair we often feel at simply being alive.

I know almost nothing about Gorky's life. However, I do know that he was an active Bolshevik in the early days. Like so many brilliant writers, he was exiled. But interestingly, he was later invited to return by Stalin himself. I'll definitely have to look into this further because I find it difficult to reconcile the tone of this play with the dull-witted optimism that is inherent in communism. After all, this play was written before the revolution. But it still strikes me as rather odd that someone who was later lionized by successive Soviet regimes could produce a work with such a powerful and complex emotional tone.

It makes me wonder about the true nature of Gorky and the relationship between his personal beliefs and the political climate of his time. I am eager to explore more about his life and works to gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating writer and his remarkable creation.

It is a truly very beautiful portrait of a group of people. In the face of a seemingly hopeless life, they strive to preserve their dignity. Each line in this portrait is larger than life itself. It vividly depicts their struggles, their determination, and their unwavering spirit. One can almost feel their pain and their hope through the strokes and colors. It is a powerful reminder that even in the most difficult of circumstances, human dignity can shine through. This portrait is not just a work of art, but a testament to the resilience and strength of the human soul. It leaves a lasting impression on the viewer, making them reflect on their own lives and the importance of maintaining dignity in all situations.

Adevărul e credinţa omului liber. It is a profound truth that lies at the core of human freedom. The concept of adevărul, or truth, is not just a simple fact or piece of information. It is something that gives meaning and purpose to a person's life. For a free individual, believing in the truth is essential. It allows them to see the world as it truly is, without being clouded by false beliefs or illusions.

Truth empowers us to make informed decisions, to stand up for what is right, and to pursue our dreams with confidence. It is the foundation upon which we build our relationships, our society, and our future. Without truth, we would be lost in a sea of confusion and uncertainty.

Therefore, we must always strive to seek the truth, to question everything, and to never accept falsehoods. Only by believing in the truth can we truly be free and live a fulfilling life.

Dear thing.

I have read this twice. There is a sentence in it that people should live in such a way that they can respect themselves.

In this country without dignity, how do we live?

We should strive to change this situation. We need to work hard to build a society where everyone can live with dignity and respect.

We should not accept the status quo of an undignified country. Instead, we should take action to improve the lives of ourselves and those around us.

Let us all work together to create a better future for our country and for ourselves.

I read this play during my graduate school days and was deeply impressed by it. So much so that I even began an adaptation, but unfortunately, I never managed to finish it. Now, 16 years have passed, and I have decided to give it another try.

Five years of working in a jail and my current work with the homeless have provided me with a fresh perspective. I now feel that I understand the play and its characters on a whole new level.

What truly struck me, however, is how little has changed in over a hundred years. This play could almost be brand new. Society still largely turns a blind eye to those on the lowest rungs of the social ladder. They are, in a sense, almost invisible.

It is disheartening to see that despite the passage of time, the same issues persist. But perhaps, through my new attempt at adaptation, I can bring some attention to these overlooked individuals and their struggles.

The more I contemplate mankind, the more interesting he grows. His condition seems to be a paradox. On one hand, he sinks poorer and poorer, yet on the other hand, his aspirations mount higher and higher. There is also an element of obstinacy within him.

Extraordinary. Gorky's The Lower Depths is truly extraordinary. At first glance, it appears to be a short play about the lower classes and their tendency towards destruction as a form of rebellion against an unjust world. However, it is much more than that. It is an inversion of Dante's Inferno and Purgatorio.

In The Lower Depths, the idea of redemption, self-sacrifice, and hope are all presented as lies whispered by a "pilgrim" (who can be seen as the devil). These lies keep people in the "lower depths", despairing and hoping with equal obstinacy, forever trapping them in a cycle of misery.

The final act of the play centers around the principle characters, who are actually three devils in disguise. They discuss the necessity of hope as a small amount of despair, which perpetuates the cyclical nature of hell both in one's environment and in one's mind. It also shows how individuals themselves give permission and thus credibility to those very lies.

The literary work is amazing and influential, triggering many questions. "The Lower Depths" is the cage where a group of outcasts from society live. They seem to have no hope. Characters like Satine, the Baron, Fyodor, and others are involved in crimes and have entered prisons. They engage in card-playing and drinking, but they believe in work and their ability to resist through work, like Bubnov and Kleshch. We also find the educated and pessimistic Actor who commits suicide in the end. The events and the reality escalate, but the play is not at its peak. It is more like conversations, and there is no traditional escalation of events. In the conversations, wisdom prevails, and the only weakness is the Actor's suicide.

There is one last point, which is Gorky's view of religion. Contrary to expectations, Gorky does not take a negative attitude towards religion. The old man Luka is a positive Muslim who prays regularly and believes in good morals. He is one of the positive characters, and religion is an essential part of his life. He hopes for food despite being threatened with having his arm cut off. The other character is the prostitute Natasha, whom Luka gives kindness, love, and hope. Even though Satine considers his words a kind of drug.

A group of people live in a dark hut in the house of a couple named Kostylov and Vasilia.

Vasilia is a capable and domineering woman with a cruel heart. She treats everyone like slaves, but she is submissive and obedient to her lover Fasil. However, Fasil does not return her love or cherish her as much as he does for his sister Natasha, in whom he finds everything he loves and desires.

I felt sympathy for most of the characters in the play, especially for Ana, the young, shy, and pitiful girl who died in their midst one night because of the brutality of her husband Klosta.

The best character in the play, without a doubt, is Luka. Luka is an old man who constantly lies to the beggars, citing compassion and humanity as reasons. Most of his conversations with others are extremely civilized and intelligent.

In short, the play is very concise, tragic, and full of misfortunes.