The Lower Depths

By Maksim Gorky and Maxim Gorky

Book Overview

Dive into the stark realities of pre-revolutionary Russia with Maksim Gorky's powerful drama, "The Lower Depths: A Drama in Four Acts." This landmark work of Russian theater plunges into the lives of those dwelling on the margins of society, offering a visceral portrayal of poverty and its corrosive effects on the human spirit.

Gorky's unflinching realism exposes the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by individuals struggling for survival in the depths of despair. More than just a play, "The Lower Depths" is a profound social commentary, inviting audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about inequality and the search for meaning amidst hardship. Experience this timeless exploration of the human condition, a cornerstone of Russian drama, in this meticulously prepared print edition.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023305313
• ISBN13: 9781023305310
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 68 Pages
• Weight: 0.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

The Truth Behind "The Lower Depths"

The central theme of "The Lower Depths" is not only the total aniquilation of human personality by misery,in the harsh struggle for life that,so many times takes Men to degrade themselves but also,a statement that that aniquilation never is complete and that the very "Ex-Men",like in another book Gorki will call them,still have a conscience,the dream to overcome misery itself,a human warmth capable of being shared and ease. A Must-read!

good Russian play

In a crowded dark room live the dregs of Russian society: a thief, a prostitute, her pimp, and several other criminals and outcasts. The general humdrum drama of their lives goes on as they get into fights, have disagreements, counsel one another over their losses, and so on. Luka, an idealistic spiritual sort, finds his way into the group, and starts to spread his message of hope and positive thinking. This spurs the plot along a bit, because many in the group are hard-bitten realists who have no truck with faith or hope.This is a fine play by Maxim Gorky. Gorky doesn't have the number of famous plays that someone like Henrik Ibsen or George Bernard Shaw does. In fact, he might be better known for his memoir of his childhood than for this play.Nevertheless, The Lower Depths is a great play. The gritty element described in the play makes it seem much more like a modern play than the 1902 publication date would indicate. The realistic dialogue and streetwise characters make it hard to put down.ken32