The dispute about the truth in the play "At the bottom" by M. Gorky

The genre of Maxim Gorky's play "At the bottom" can be defined as a philosophical drama. In this work, the writer managed to raise many problematic questions about the man and the meaning of his existence. However, the dispute about the truth in the play "At the bottom" became the key.

History of creation

The play was written in 1902. This time is characterized by a serious economic crisis, as a result of which, because of the closure of factories, the workers were out of work, and the peasants were forced to beg and beg. All these people, and with them the state, were at the very bottom of life. To reflect the entire degree of decline, Maxim Gorky made his heroes representatives of all walks of life. This is the Baron, who became an adventurer, a former actor, a prostitute, a locksmith, a thief, a shoemaker, a merchant, lodgers, a policeman.

And it is precisely this decline and poverty that sets the key eternal questions of life. And the basis of the conflict was a dispute about the truth in the play "At the bottom." This philosophical problem has long become unsolvable for Russian literature, Pushkin, Lermontov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov and many others took up for it. However, Gorky did not in the least frighten this state of affairs, and he created a work devoid of didacticism and moralizing. The spectator himself has the right to make his choice, having listened to the different points of view expressed by the heroes.

The dispute about the truth

In the play "At the bottom", as already mentioned above, Gorky did not simply depict a terrible reality, the main for the writer were the answers to the most important philosophical questions. And in the end, he manages to create an innovative work that was unrivaled in the history of literature. At first glance, the narrative seems fragmented, plotless and fragmented, but gradually all the pieces of the mosaic are formed, and a clash of heroes unfolds before the viewer, each of which is the bearer of its own truth.

Multifaceted, ambiguous and inexhaustible such a topic as a dispute about the truth in the play "At the bottom." A table that could be made for greater understanding of it would include three characters: Bubnov, Luka and Satin. It is these characters who lead heated discussions about the need for truth. Realizing the impossibility of an answer to this question, Gorky puts into the mouth of these heroes different opinions that are equivalent and equally attractive to the viewer. It is impossible to determine the position of the author himself, therefore these three images of criticism are interpreted in different ways, and there is still no consensus as to which viewpoint on the truth is true.

Bubnov

Entering into the dispute about the truth in the play "At the bottom", Bubnov holds the view that the key to everything is facts. He does not believe in the higher powers and high destiny of man. Man is born and lives only to die: "Everything is like that: they will be born, they live, they die. And I will die ... and you ... What to regret ... "This character hopelessly despaired of life and does not see anything joyous in the future. The truth for him is that a person can not resist the circumstances and cruelty of the world.

For Bubnov lie is unacceptable and incomprehensible, he believes that it is necessary to speak only the truth: "And why do people lie?"; "In my opinion, wipe out the whole truth, as it is!" He openly, without constraint expresses his opinion, without looking back at others. The philosophy of Bubnov is truthful and ruthless to man, he sees no sense in helping his neighbor and caring for him.

Luke

For Luke, the main thing is not truth, but consolation. Seeking to bring to the hopelessness of the daily life of the dwellers of the doss house at least some sense, he gives them a false hope. His help lies in lies. Luka understands people well and knows what everyone needs, proceeding from this and making promises. So, he tells the dying Anna that after her death she is waiting for peace, the actor inspires hope for a cure for alcoholism, he promises a better life in Siberia.

Luka appears as one of the key figures in such a problem as the dispute about the truth in the play "At the bottom". His replicas are full of sympathy, comfort, but there is no word of truth in them. This image is one of the most ambiguous in the drama. For a long time, literary critics assessed it only from the negative side, but today many see in Lukas' actions and positive moments. His lies consolate the weak, unable to resist the cruelty of the surrounding reality. The philosophy of this character in kindness: "A person can teach good ... As long as a man believed - he lived, but lost faith - and managed to amuse himself." Indicative in this regard is the story of how the elder saved two thieves when he treated them kindly. Luke's truth is in pity for man and the desire to give him hope, albeit illusory, for the possibility of a better one that would help to live.

Satin

Satina is considered the main opponent of Luke. It is these two characters who lead the main dispute about the truth in the play "At the bottom". Satin's quotes contrast sharply with Luka's statements: "Lie is a religion of slaves", "Truth is the god of a free man!"

For Satin, a lie is unacceptable, since in a person he sees strength, steadfastness and the ability to change everything. Pity and compassion are meaningless, people do not need them. It is this character who pronounces the famous monologue about the man-god: "There is only man, yet the rest is the work of his hands and his brain! It's great! It sounds - proudly! "

Unlike Bubnov, who also recognizes only the truth and denies the lie, Satin respects people, believes in them.

Conclusion

Thus, the dispute about the truth in the play "At the bottom" is a plot-forming. Gorky does not give a clear solution to this conflict, to determine who is right, should every spectator for himself. However, it should be noted that the final monologue of Satin is heard simultaneously as a hymn to man and a call to action aimed at changing the horrifying reality.