M. Gorky "At the bottom." The summary of the play

In the doss house, which belongs to Kostylev and his wife Vasilisa, there live the poor, downed "former people", as Gorky himself defined them. "At the bottom," the brief content of which we will continue to consider, with all the terrible truth speaks of them as those who already have neither faith nor hope. Mindlessness Human life, forcing these people to paint it, to entertain themselves with illusory illusions. But reality brutally breaks and destroys them.

M. Gorky "At the bottom." Summary of 1 act

The play begins with a flaring up quarrel between Kvashnya, the trade in ravioli, and Ticks, the husband of Anna dying here. Then the lodgers find out for a long time who should clean the room, because nobody wants to do this.

The actor, to avoid unplanned duty, suggests helping the choking Anna to go out into the passage, breathe air.

At this time, Kostylev appears in the doss house. He suspects that his young wife is twisting wolves with the thief Ashes and came to look for her. But Ashes drives the master away. To which Satin advises him to kill Kostylev and become the owner of this whole house.

Generous Ashes lends money to the Actor. To which the Tick tickles evil, that money is easily given to a thief, and he is a working man and is proud of it.

During this dispute, the hostess's sister, Natasha, brought a new guest to Luka. Immediately it becomes clear that the girl really likes Vaska Pepl. But it's dangerous. Jealous Vasilisa repeatedly beat her for it. And it is true, soon after the scene you can hear Vasilisa trying to kill Natasha.

M. Gorky "At the bottom." Summary of 2 acts

In the evening almost all of its inhabitants gathered in the doss house. Some play cards, others checkers, some sorrowfully sings.

Luke sits at the bedside of the unfortunate Anna. He comforts her, explaining that she will rest in the next world and will not know the troubles. At the same time, he also tells the actor about the amazing hospital for alcoholics, promising to later name the city in which it is located.

Ashes tries to find out from Medvedev whether Vasilisa has severely beaten Natasha, for which she hears threats from the policeman. At this moment Luka intervenes, suggesting that the thief himself go to Siberia, since it is good there for those who have a head on their shoulders.

A little later, Luke will overhear the conversation between Ashes and Vasilisa, in which she offered him to kill her husband for money, and then take Natasha and leave.

M. Gorky "At the bottom." Summary of 3 acts

Behind the house, in the wasteland, Nastya talks about her love with the Frenchman. It can be seen that the whole story will be drawn from novels, which she likes to read so much. She is not believed, she is offended, and Luke confirms that if the girl believes that love was, then it is.

In response to Natasha's question, why, he's a kind old man responds that in the world one must necessarily be someone like that, and tells a story with escaped convicts, whom he sheltered in the cold winter.

Ashes at Luka again asks Natasha to believe him and leave with him. The old man supports the guy and advises to run away together. All this overheard Vasilisa. And Kostylev, who appeared on the vacant lot, tells Luka to get out of the doss house.

Soon it becomes heard how Kostylevs beat Natasha. Ashes, standing up for her, in a fight accidentally kills the owner.

"At the bottom", Gorky, a short summary of 4 acts

In the turmoil that was at that time, Luke disappeared. Guests can not forget it. In addition, they say that Natasha, who had been boiled by that sister on that terrible day, had already left the hospital, and nothing more was heard of her. Ashes are under trial, and Vasilisa is sure to get out, she's cunning.

All are gloomy and depressed. Satin, trying to reconcile his neighbors with life, ardently says that everyone is free in his choice, and no one needs pity - one should only be respected. Gathered for the night lodgers want to sing all night. They tighten "The sun rises and sets ..", but at this time Bubnov runs in and screams that the actor hanged himself. There is a silence, and only Satin sighs that such a song is spoiled.

The play "At the Bottom" (Gorky), a brief account of the actions of which we have considered, is tragic, but very ambiguous, and in order to understand it, a thoughtful reading of the full text is necessary.