M. Gorky's play “At the Depths” raises many deep and philosophical themes. The characters show different points of view on the problems of existence. The main conflict is the collision of three different truths: fact, consolation and lies and faith.

First the truth - the truth of the fact - is represented by Bubnov. He prefers to express his thoughts directly and accurately, based on proven knowledge. Bubnov does not like people and is not going to feel sorry for them, but he believes that everyone has their own purpose. Human understanding, support or humanism are alien to him. His truth is straightforward and callous, since he is convinced that lying is pointless, because all people will die sooner or later. He will not choose his words, try to soften his speech so as not to offend the person. Bubnov's main principle is to tell it like it is.

Second truth- this is the truth of Luke. This person teaches others compassion, comfort, and the ability to accept and hear others. He helps people gain faith in God and themselves, survive difficult life situations, and cope with difficulties. He lies to almost all the residents of the shelter, but does it for the good. Luke is convinced that hope, even if false, will give people the strength to improve their lives. The truth is not always good for him, because it can hurt and completely deprive a person of the meaning of existence. Luke believes that without some lies, people may not withstand the trials of life. In addition, he is confident that it is faith, and not facts, that gives people strength.

Third the hero who expresses his opinion on this topic is Satin. It is his thoughts that are worth paying attention to Special attention, since Gorky expresses his thoughts through him. The basis of his thoughts is faith in man. Satin is convinced that man changes this world, creates new laws, and controls basic processes. For him, man is the highest being. He believes that the truth should be respected and expressed. For him, lies are the basis for the existence of the world of slaves and masters. At the same time, truth is necessary for free man. He argues with Luka, believing that a person should not be pitied, but respected.

The three truths in Gorky's play are three opposing points of view on the world. Bubnov is convinced of the power of straightforward facts, which must be expressed without embarrassment or fear. Luke advocates a soft approach and deception for the greater good, if it gives hope and faith in a bright future. Satin believes only in man, his strength and freedom. Such different points of view reveal the topic as deeply as possible and help the reader decide for himself which of the heroes to support.

Option 2

A. M. Gorky's play “At the Lower Depths” is one of the most powerful dramatic works of that time. This play concerns the main issues of the existence of humanity, its perception of the world.

The play describes episodes from the lives of people living in the same shelter. Each of them was once someone, and now they find themselves at the “bottom”. Some of them live in an illusory world, some simply go with the flow, but among them there are also those who are ready to defend their truth.

One day, out of nowhere, Luka appeared in the shelter, inconspicuous from the outside, but with his concept of life stirring the souls of people. He seems to be a kind and compassionate person, but it is impossible to understand what is in his soul; he talks little and reluctantly about himself, at the same time he tries to get into the soul of every person. He is interested in absolutely everything: why Nastya is crying over the book, and why Vasilisa behaves this way, he cares about everything. With his words, he tries to help, encourage, support, and calm everyone. This is his truth, Luke believes that his philosophy is necessary for people. He instilled faith in the future in the shelter's guests, made them look at life differently, and left as suddenly as he had appeared. And what did this give people? Bitter disappointment of unrealistic hopes, and the weak-willed Actor completely took his own life.

Bubnov has a different truth. Skeptical about everything, he denies everyone, including himself. Its truth is that social differences do not play any role, they are all washed off like paint from your hands, seemingly ingrained forever. Having sunk to the “bottom” of life, everyone becomes the same, just as they were born naked, they will die, no matter how hard they try to embellish themselves during life. Bubnov does not recognize any pity for anyone or anything; everyone around him is equal and superfluous, like himself.

The truth of Satin is to exalt a person, Luke’s pity is unacceptable for him, he believes that pity only humiliates a person, and in his concept: “Man sounds proud!” He admires a person as a strong and strong-willed person, capable of reshaping the whole world according to his own understanding. Satin is convinced that a person’s strength lies in himself, there is no need to rely on anyone or feel sorry for anyone, a proud person is capable of anything.

It is also true in his discussions about work, where Satin argues that if work brings pleasure to a person, then his life will be pleasant, and if you work out of obligation, you will again become a slave, slavery is humiliating, a proud and freedom-loving person should strive for achieving higher goals.

Gorky's play makes every person think about his own existence, and decide for himself how to live in this world. All three of these characters are right in their own way, which suggests that there is no single truth and cannot be. Each person is an individual, and each judges in his own way, assessing the truth of these heroes.

Of course, everyone should have kindness and philanthropy, compassion, but at the same time without humiliating human dignity, and have the strength to resist injustice and cruelty.

Essay 3

Maxim Gorky's play “At the Bottom” is a drama that tells about the lives of people who, for various reasons, find themselves at the very bottom of life. Once upon a time they had a decent job, a position in society, families... Now their life is survival in a shelter, in dirt and drunkenness, without money, among people like them. Each of the characters experiences this fall in their own way, but the most clearly expressed are the opinions of three characters, three truths colliding with each other.

The first is the truth of Bubnov, the former owner of a dyeing workshop, and now a cap-maker with debts. Due to a quarrel with his wife, who cheated on him, Bubnov was left with nothing, and this, undoubtedly, left an imprint on his attitude towards life. Lack of compassion for a person, lack of faith in people and in oneself, dry statement of facts, straightforwardness - these are his principles. Bubnov does not want the best in this life, because “Everything is like this: they are born, they live, they die. And I will die... and you...". For this person there is no meaning in life, having taken his place at the very bottom, he inevitably and calmly moves towards death.

The second truth belongs to the wanderer Luke, who appears briefly, illuminating the dark corners of the shelter with a ray of light, and again disappears into nowhere. The elder is kind to everyone without exception, he sincerely empathizes with each hero of the play in his misfortune. He tells the actor about the existence of a hospital where drunkenness is treated for free, Pepla calls on Vaska to move to Siberia, where life is good, he reassures the dying Anna that peace and tranquility await her in the afterlife, and supports Nastya’s romantic hopes of finding her betrothed. “I respect swindlers too, in my opinion, not a single flea is bad: they’re all black, they’re all jumping...” - here life principle Luke. It gives people a chance, allows them to believe in themselves in the most difficult situations. After all, every person deserves to feel self-respect and gain faith. Yes, it becomes clear to the reader of the play that Luke is lying, but this is a white lie. A lie that gave people hope.

Satin, a card sharper who was once an educated telegraph operator, has his own truth. He does not agree with Luka that people should be pitied. In his opinion, every person has the power with which he can achieve whatever he wants, change not only his life, but also the world around him. Satin’s words “Man sounds proud!” became famous for all time. Respect yourself, do not feel sorry for anyone, do not rely on anyone. This character does not accept lies, he tells people only the truth, no matter how cruel it may be. Alas, this truth does not bring people happiness, but only returns them from the illusions inspired by Luke to the mortal earth.

Gorky's play "At the Bottom" makes the reader think about who is right in this dispute, whose truth is true? Perhaps there is no clear answer to this question, because each hero is both right and wrong in his own way. Without a doubt, humanity and compassion are important in our world, without them people will become tough and bitter. But sincerity and honesty towards people plays an equally important role. It is important that in any life situation a person remains human.

In the play “At the Bottom,” M. Gorky strives not only to depict a terrible reality to draw attention to the plight of disadvantaged people. He created a truly innovative philosophical and journalistic drama. The content of the seemingly disparate episodes is a tragic collision of three truths, three ideas about life.
The first truth is Bubnov’s truth, it can be called the truth of fact. Bubnov is convinced that a person is born to die and there is no need to feel sorry for him: “Everything is like this: they are born, they live, they die. And I will die... and you... Why regret... You are superfluous everywhere... and all the people on earth are superfluous.” As we see, Bubnov completely denies himself and others; his despair is generated by unbelief. For him, the truth is a cruel, murderous oppression of inhumane circumstances.
Luke's truth is the truth of compassion and faith in God. Taking a closer look at the tramps, he finds words of consolation for each. He is sensitive and kind to those who need help, he instills hope in everyone: he tells the Actor about a hospital for alcoholics, advises Ash to go to Siberia, and talks to Anna about happiness in the afterlife. What Luke says is not simply a lie. Rather, it inspires the belief that there is a way out of any hopeless situation. “People are looking for everything, everyone wants what’s best, God give them patience!” - Luke says sincerely and adds: “Whoever seeks will find... You just need to help them...” Luke brings saving faith to people. He thinks that with pity, compassion, mercy, attention to a person, one can heal his soul, so that the lowest thief understands: “You have to live better! You have to live like this... so that you can... respect yourself... “
The third truth is Satin's truth. He believes in man as in God. He believes that a person can believe in himself and rely on his own strength. He sees no point in pity and compassion. “What good will it do you if I take pity on you?” - he asks Kleshch. And then he pronounces his famous monologue about man: “Only man exists, everything else is the work of his hands and his brain! Human! It's great! It sounds proud!” Satin is not just talking about a strong personality. He talks about a person who is capable of rebuilding the world at his own discretion, creating new laws of the universe - about a man-god.
Three truths in the play tragically collide, which determines exactly the ending of the play. The problem is that in every truth there is a part of a lie and that the very concept of truth is multidimensional. A striking example of this - and at the same time a moment of collision of different truths - is Satin's monologue about a proud man. This monologue is pronounced by a drunken, despondent man. And the question immediately arises: is this drunken, degenerate person the same one who “sounds proud”? A positive answer is doubtful, but if it is negative, then what about the fact that “only man exists? Does this mean that Satin, who is speaking this monologue, does not exist? It turns out that in order to perceive the truth of Satin’s words about a proud man, one must not see Satin, whose appearance is also true.
It's scary that an inhumane society kills and maims human souls. But the main thing in the play is that M. Gorky made his contemporaries feel even more acutely the injustice of the social system, made them think about man and his freedom. He says in his play: we must live without putting up with untruth and injustice, but not destroy our kindness, compassion, and mercy.

Essay on literature on the topic: Three truths in the play “At the Depth”

Other writings:

  1. “At the Bottom” is a complex, contradictory work. And, like any truly great creation, the play does not tolerate a one-line, unambiguous interpretation. Gorky gives in it two completely different approaches to human life, without clearly showing his personal relationship to any of them. Read More......
  2. The play “At the Bottom” is an allegory about a man for whom truth and life are polar opposites. The truth of a person and the truth about a person cannot possibly coincide among the characters in the play. For example, Nastya's. Bubnov and Baron laugh at the story she made up about Read More......
  3. What is this world based on? Why, in the most bitter, seemingly hopeless moments of our lives, suddenly a person appears who resurrects us, giving us new hope and love? But there are cases when someone else’s pity, someone else’s compassion humiliate proud, independent people. ,Read More......
  4. M. Gorky's play “At the Lower Depths” is staged in hundreds of theaters. Directors and actors are looking for new and new colors for Gorky's heroes, costumes and scenery are changing. But it takes your breath away when you realize that the play was written more than a hundred years ago. What has changed? Read More......
  5. M. Gorky entered Russian literature in an unusual way. His works shocked the Russian reader because they showed him a brave, strong, wonderful person. Romantic works of the young writer were completely opposite to everything that appeared in Russian literature in those years. One of the wonderful Read More......
  6. What is truth and what is lie? Humanity has been asking this question for hundreds of years. Truth and lies, good and evil always stand side by side, one simply does not exist without the other. The collision of these concepts is the basis of many world-famous literary Read More......
  7. Two truths that hate each other can give birth to thousands of types of lies. Vl. Grzegorczyk The play “At the Lower Depths” is the pinnacle of Maxim Gorky’s dramaturgy. The central idea of ​​the play is a dispute about a person, about what a person is, what he needs more - the truth, often cruel, or Read More ......
  8. In the recent past, Satin, “a representative of true humanism,” was contrasted with Luke, who was assigned the role of a supporter of “false humanism,” although Lunacharsky in the article “M. Gorky” brought the sermons of Luke and Satin closer together. These two figures really oppose, but on a different plane, and in the one where Read More......
Three truths in the play “At the Depth”

The play “At the Lower Depths” was written on June 15, 1902, and premiered on stage on December 31 of the same year. It changed many names during the development process and overcame many obstacles due to censorship in Russian theaters, but remains interesting to this day, because in it you can find the truth about life " former people”, that is, the social lower classes of society, hence its name, to which we are so accustomed.

You can talk a lot about why Gorky didn’t give it a title, for example, “Without the Sun” or “Nochlezhka,” but the most interesting thing, in my opinion, is to talk about the conflict of this play.

I want to start with the fact that in the play we can notice three “truths”, each of which is true in its own way, they are the ones that make up the conflict of the work.

The “truth” of the wanderer Luke is that if a person needs a lie in order to live, he needs to lie, for this will be a lie for the greater good. Without it, a person may not be able to withstand the difficult truth and die altogether, since everyone needs consolation to continue the fight against despondency. The hero's speech is aphoristic, and in it you can see him life position. For example, the hero believes that: “What you believe in is what it is.”

There is also a second “truth”, which is displayed in the image of Satin, who is a cheater and an alcoholic. In the past, he was a telegraph operator, but he dared to kill a man and went to prison, and so he ended up in a shelter, carrying his “truth” that lying is a religion of slaves and you can’t lie to anyone, anywhere. Satin believes that a person should be respected, and not humiliated with pity. According to Konstantin, a person should not despair and it is in his monologues that one observes author's position: “Truth is the god of a free man!”

The third “truth” is that you need to say everything straight, as it is, and this is Bubnov’s truth. He believes that there is no point in lying, since everyone will die sooner or later anyway.

Each person decides for himself which “truth” is closer to him, but the most difficult thing is to make the right choice, because the life of a person, or even hundreds of people, can depend on it. I believe that the truth proposed by Satin is closer to me, since I think that a person should always be aware of his worth and be respected. Lies will always exist, whether we want it or not, because without evil, as we know, there would be no good. However, it cannot be cultivated and turned into an idea, justifying it with an illusory good. Everyone has their own understanding of “good,” and if we begin to deceive each other in order to achieve a “higher” goal, then we will sow only evil. The dispute over whose truth is more truthful will be resolved by force, and there will no longer be time for respect and value of human life and personality.

Luka leaves, like abstract ideals under pressure real life. What can he, a tramp and a beggar, advise people? How can I help you? Only to instill destructive vain hope, which, when it leaves, will break a person into smithereens.

In conclusion, I want to write that an honest person is much stronger and kinder than a liar: he is not indifferent if he tries to find the truth and show it to you, and not hide it or “not notice” out of banal indifference to your fate. A liar irresponsibly and cold-bloodedly takes advantage of gullibility and betrays it, while an honest person has to break through the armor of mistrust and act directly for your good. He doesn't use you or fool you for fun. Luka was also neither calculating nor funny, but he was far from real life and immersed in his own illusions. Satin is a realist; he has seen more in his time. Kind of prodigal son I learned from my own experience how a person needs respect and truth, which, who knows, could warn him in due time from a fatal mistake.

Interesting? Save it on your wall!

In the play “At the Bottom,” M. Gorky strives not only to depict a terrible reality to draw attention to the plight of disadvantaged people. He created a truly innovative philosophical and journalistic drama. The content of the seemingly disparate episodes is a tragic collision of three truths, three ideas about life.

The first truth is Bubnov's truth, it can be called the truth of fact. Bubnov is convinced that a person is born to die and there is no need to feel sorry for him: “Everything is like this: they are born, they live, they die. And I will die... and you... Why regret it... You are superfluous everywhere... and all the people on earth are superfluous.” As we see, Bubnov completely denies himself and others; his despair is generated by unbelief. For him, the truth is a cruel, murderous oppression of inhumane circumstances.

Luke's truth is the truth of compassion and faith in God. Taking a closer look at the tramps, he finds words of consolation for each. He is sensitive and kind to those who need help, he instills hope in everyone: he tells the Actor about a hospital for alcoholics, advises Ash to go to Siberia, and talks to Anna about happiness in the afterlife. What Luke says is not simply a lie. Rather, it inspires the belief that there is a way out of any hopeless situation. “People are looking for everything, everyone wants what’s best, God give them patience!” - Luke says sincerely and adds: “Whoever seeks will find... You just need to help them...” Luke brings saving faith to people. He thinks that with pity, compassion, mercy, attention to a person, one can heal his soul, so that the lowest thief understands: “You have to live better! You have to live like this... so that you can... respect yourself..."

The third truth is Satin's truth. He believes in man as in God. He believes that a person can believe in himself and rely on his own strength. He sees no point in pity and compassion. “What good will it do you if I take pity on you?” - he asks Kleshch.. And then he pronounces his famous monologue about man: “Only man exists, everything else is the work of his hands and his brain! Human! It's great! It sounds proud!” Satin is not just talking about a strong personality. He talks about a person who is capable of rebuilding the world at his own discretion, creating new laws of the universe - about a man-god.

Three truths in the play tragically collide, which determines exactly the ending of the play. The problem is that in every truth there is a part of a lie and that the very concept of truth is multidimensional. A striking example of this - and at the same time a moment of collision of different truths - is Satin's monologue about a proud man. This monologue is pronounced by a drunken, despondent man. And the question immediately arises: is this drunk, degenerate person the same one who “sounds proud”? A positive answer is doubtful, but if it is negative, then what about the fact that “only man exists? Does this mean that Satin, who is speaking this monologue, does not exist? It turns out that in order to perceive the truth of Satin’s words about a proud man, one must not see Satin, whose appearance is also true.

It is scary that an inhumane society kills and maims human souls. But the main thing in the play is that M. Gorky made his contemporaries feel even more acutely the injustice of the social system, made them think about man and his freedom. He says in his play: we must live without putting up with untruth and injustice, but not destroy our kindness, compassion, and mercy.

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

History of creation

The play was written in 1902. This time is characterized by a serious situation in which, due to the closure of factories, workers were out of work, and peasants were forced to beg and beg. All these people, and with them the state, found themselves at the very bottom of their lives. To reflect the full extent of the decline, Maxim Gorky made his heroes representatives of all segments of the population. turned adventurer, former Actor, prostitute, locksmith, thief, shoemaker, merchant, rooming house keepers, policeman.

And it is in the midst of this decline and poverty that the key eternal questions of life are asked. And the conflict was based on a dispute about the truth in the play “At the Bottom.” This philosophical problem has long become insoluble for Russian literature; Pushkin, Lermontov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov and many others took on it. However, Gorky was not at all frightened by this state of affairs, and he created a work devoid of didacticism and moralizing. The viewer has the right to make his own choice after listening to the different points of view expressed by the characters.

Dispute about the truth

In the play “At the Lower Depths,” as mentioned above, Gorky not only depicted a terrible reality, the main thing for the writer was the answers to the most important philosophical questions. And in the end, he manages to create an innovative work that has no equal in the history of literature. At first glance, the narrative seems scattered, plotless and fragmented, but gradually all the pieces of the mosaic come together, and a clash of heroes unfolds before the viewer, each of whom is the bearer of his own truth.

A topic such as the dispute about truth in the play “At the Bottom” is multifaceted, ambiguous and inexhaustible. A table that could be compiled to better understand it would include three characters: Bubnova. It is these characters who lead heated discussions about the need for truth. Realizing the impossibility of answering this question, Gorky puts different opinions into the mouths of these heroes, which are of equal value 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 differently, and there is still no consensus as to whose point of view on the truth is correct.

Bubnov

Entering into a dispute about truth in the play “At the Bottom,” Bubnov is of the opinion that facts are the key to everything. He does not believe in higher powers and the high destiny of man. A person is born and lives only to die: “Everything is like this: they are born, they live, they die. And I will die... and you... Why regret it..." This character is hopelessly despairing of life and does not see anything joyful in the future. The truth for him is that man cannot resist the circumstances and cruelty of the world.

For Bubnov, lying is unacceptable and incomprehensible; he believes that only the truth should be told: “And why do people like to lie?”; “In my opinion, leave the whole truth as it is!” He openly, without hesitation, expresses his opinion on others. Bubnov’s philosophy is truthful and merciless to man; he sees no point in helping his neighbor and caring for him.

Luke

For Luke, the main thing is not truth, but consolation. Trying to bring hopelessness Everyday life The inhabitants of the shelter have at least some sense, he gives them false hope. His help lies in lies. Luka understands people well and knows what everyone needs, based on this he makes promises. Thus, he tells the dying Anna that peace awaits her after death, inspires the Actor with hope for a cure for alcoholism, and promises Ashes better life in Siberia.

Luka appears as one of the key figures in such a problem as the dispute about truth in the play “At the Bottom.” His remarks are full of sympathy and reassurance, but there is not a word of truth in them. This image is one of the most controversial in the drama. For a long time, literary scholars assessed him only from the negative side, but today many see positive aspects in Luke’s actions. His lies console the weak, unable to resist the cruelty of the surrounding reality. The philosophy of this character is kindness: “A person can teach goodness... As long as a person believed, he lived, but he lost faith and hanged 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 the person and the desire to give him hope, albeit illusory, for the possibility of something better, which would help him live.

Satin

Satin is considered Luke's main opponent. It is these two characters who are leading the main debate about the truth in the play “At the Bottom.” Satin's quotes contrast sharply with Luke's statements: “Lies are the religion of slaves,” “Truth is the god of a free man!”

For Satin, lies are unacceptable, since in a person he sees strength, resilience 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: “Only man exists, everything else is the work of his hands and his brain! It's great! It sounds proud!”

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

Conclusion

Thus, the dispute about truth in the play “At the Bottom” is plot-forming. Gorky does not give a clear resolution to this conflict; each viewer must determine who is right for himself. However, it should be noted that Satin’s final monologue is heard both as a hymn to man and as a call to action aimed at changing the terrifying reality.