The Power of Darkness by Leo Tolstoy (best reads of all time .TXT) š
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The Power of Darkness is a five-act drama that follows the downfall of the peasants AnĆsya and NikĆta as they succumb to a series of sordid temptations, from adultery and drunkenness to outright murder. Written in 1886 but suppressed by censors until 1902, the play is a realist portrayal of some of the darkest elements of Russian peasant life. Similar to some other late Tolstoy works, like Resurrection, the playās psychological exploration of human depravity is accompanied by a sharp social critique of the Russian Empire and its role in perpetuating poverty and ignorance among its lowest and most marginalized classes.
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- Author: Leo Tolstoy
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God willed it so. And whatās the matter with your life? You are richā āā ā¦
NikĆta
My life!ā āā ā¦ Itās only that I donāt wish to disturb the wedding feast, or Iād take this rope here takes hold of the rope on the straw and throw it across that rafter there. Then Iād make a noose and stretch it out, and Iād climb on to that rafter and jump down with my head in the noose! Thatās what my life is!
MarĆna
Thatās enough! Lord help you!
NikĆta
You think Iām joking? You think Iām drunk? Iām not drunk! Today even drink takes no hold on me! Iām devoured by misery! Misery is eating me up completely, so that I care for nothing! Oh, little MarĆna, itās only with you I ever lived! Do you remember how we used to while away the nights together at the railway?
MarĆna
Donāt you rub the sores, NikĆta! Iām bound legally now, and you too. My sin has been forgiven, donāt disturbā āā ā¦
NikĆta
What shall I do with my heart? Where am I to turn to?
MarĆna
Whatās there to be done? Youāve got a wife. Donāt go looking at others, but keep to your own! You loved AnĆsya, then go on loving her!
NikĆta
Oh, that AnĆsya, sheās gall and wormwood to me, but sheās round my feet like rank weeds!
MarĆna
Whatever she is, still sheās your wife.ā āā ā¦ But whatās the use of talking; youād better go to your visitors, and send my husband to me.
NikĆta
Oh dear, if you knew the whole businessā āā ā¦ but thereās no good talking!
Enter MarĆnaās husband, red and tipsy, and Nan.
MarĆnaās Husband
MarĆna! Missis! My old woman! are you here?
NikĆta
Thereās your husband calling you. Go!
MarĆna
And you?
NikĆta
I? Iāll lie down here for a bit! Lies down on the straw.
Husband
Where is she then?
Nan
There she is, near the barn.
Husband
What are you standing there for? Come to the feast! The hosts want you to come and do them honour! The wedding party is just going to start, and then we can go too.
MarĆna
Going towards her husband. I didnāt want to go in.
Husband
Come on, I tell you! Youāll drink a glass to our nephew Peterās health, the rascal! Else the hosts might take offence! Thereās plenty of time for our business. MarĆnaās husband puts his arm around her, and goes reeling out with her.
NikĆta
Rises and sits down on the straw. Ah, now that Iāve seen her, life seems more sickening than ever! It was only with her that I ever really lived! Iāve ruined my life for nothing! Iāve done for myself! Lies down. Where can I go? If mother earth would but open and swallow me!
Nan
Sees NikĆta, and runs towards him. Daddy, I say, daddy! Theyāre looking for you! Her godfather and all of them have already blessed her. Truly they have, theyāre getting cross!
NikĆta
Aside. Where can I go to?
Nan
What? What are you saying?
NikĆta
Iām not saying anything! Donāt bother!
Nan
Daddy! Come, I say! NikĆta is silent, Nan pulls him by the hand. Dad, go and bless them! My word, theyāre angry, theyāre grumbling!
NikĆta
Drags away his hand. Leave me alone!
Nan
Now then!
NikĆta
Threatens her with the rope. Go, I say! Iāll give it you!
Nan
Then Iāll send mother! Runs away.
NikĆta
Rises. How can I go? How can I take the holy icon in my hands? How am I to look her in the face! Lies down again. Oh, if there were a hole in the ground, Iād jump in! No one should see me, and I should see no one! Rises again. No, I shanāt goā āā ā¦ May they all go to the devil, I shanāt go! Takes the rope and makes a noose, and tries it on his neck. Thatās the way!
Enter MatryĆ³na. NikĆta sees his mother, takes the rope off his neck, and again lies down in the straw.
MatryĆ³na
Comes in hurriedly. NikĆta! NikĆta, I say! He donāt even answer! NikĆta, whatās the matter? Have you had a drop too much? Come, NikĆta dear; come, honey! The people are tired of waiting.
NikĆta
Oh dear, what have you done with me? Iām a lost man!
MatryĆ³na
But what is the matter then? Come, my own; come, give them your blessing, as is proper and honourable, and then itāll all be over! Why, the people are waiting!
NikĆta
How can I give blessings?
MatryĆ³na
Why, in the usual way! Donāt you know?
NikĆta
I know, I know! But who is it I am to bless? What have I done to her?
MatryĆ³na
What have you done? Eh, now heās going to remember it! Why, who knows anything about it? Not a soul! And the girl is going of her own accord.
NikĆta
Yes, but how?
MatryĆ³na
Because sheās afraid, of course. But still sheās going. Besides, whatās to be done now? She should have thought sooner! Now she canāt refuse. And his kinsfolk canāt take offence either. They saw the girl twice, and get money with her too! Itās all safe and sound!
NikĆta
Yes, but whatās in the cellar?
MatryĆ³na
Laughs. In the cellar? Why, cabbages, mushrooms, potatoes, I suppose! Why remember the past?
NikĆta
Iād be only too glad to forget it; but I canāt! When I let my mind go, itās just as if I heard.ā āā ā¦ Oh, what have you done with me?
MatryĆ³na
Now, what are you humbugging for?
NikĆta
Turns face downward. Mother! Donāt torment me! Iāve got it up to there! Puts his hand to his throat.
MatryĆ³na
Still it has to be done! As it is, people are talking. āThe masterās gone away and wonāt come; he canāt make up his mind to give his blessing.ā Theyāll be putting two and two together. As soon as they see youāre frightened theyāll begin guessing. āThe thief none suspect who walks bold and erect!ā But youāll be getting out of the frying-pan into the fire! Above
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