The Power of Darkness by Leo Tolstoy (best reads of all time .TXT) đ
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The Power of Darkness is a five-act drama that follows the downfall of the peasants AnĂsya and NikĂta 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 playâs 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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Interior of hut, full of people, some sitting round tables and others standing. In the front corner AkoulĂna and the Bridegroom. On one of the tables an Icon and a loaf of rye-bread. Among the visitors are MarĂna, her husband, and a Police Officer, also a Hired Driver, the Matchmaker, and the Best Man. The women are singing. AnĂsya carries round the drink. The singing stops.
The Driver If we are to go, letâs go! The church ainât so near. The Best Man All right; you wait a bit till the stepfather has given his blessing. But where is he? AnĂsya He is comingâ âcoming at once, dear friends! Have another glass all of you; donât refuse! The Matchmaker Why is he so long? Weâve been waiting such a time! AnĂsya Heâs coming; coming directly, coming in no time! Heâll be here before one could plait a girlâs hair whoâs had her hair cropped! Drink, friends! Offers the drink. Coming at once! Sing again, my pets, meanwhile! The Driver Theyâve sung all their songs, waiting here! The women sing. NikĂta and AkĂm enter during the singing. NikĂta Holds his fatherâs arm and pushes him in before him. Go, father; I canât do without you! AkĂm I donât likeâ âI mean what dâye call itâ ââ ⊠NikĂta To the women. Enough! Be quiet! Looks round the hut. MarĂna, are you there? The Matchmaker Go, take the icon, and give them your blessing! NikĂta Wait a while! Looks round. AkoulĂna, are you there? Matchmaker What are you calling everybody for? Where should she be? How queer he seems! AnĂsya Gracious goodness! Why, heâs barefoot! NikĂta Father, you are here! Look at me! Christian Commune, you are all here, and I am here! I amâ ââ ⊠Falls on his knees. AnĂsya NikĂta darling, whatâs the matter with you? Oh my head, my head! Matchmaker Hereâs a go! MatryĂłna I did say he was taking too much of that French wine! Come to your senses; what are you about? They try to lift him; he takes no heed of them, but looks in front of him. NikĂta Christian Commune! I have sinned, and I wish to confess! MatryĂłna Shakes him by the shoulder. Are you mad? Dear friends, heâs gone crazy! He must be taken away! NikĂta Shakes her off. Leave me alone! And you, father, hear me! And first, MarĂna, look here! Bows to the ground to her and rises. I have sinned towards you! I promised to marry you, I tempted you, and forsook you! Forgive me, in Christâs name! Again bows to the ground before her. AnĂsya And what are you drivelling about? Itâs not becoming! No one wants to know! Get up! Itâs like your impudence! MatryĂłna Oh, oh, heâs bewitched! And however did it happen? Itâs a spell! Get up! what nonsense are you jabbering? Pulls him. NikĂta Shakes his head. Donât touch me! Forgive me my sin towards you, MarĂna! Forgive me, for Christâs sake! MarĂna covers her face with her hands in silence. AnĂsya Get up, I tell you! Donât be so impudent! What are you thinking aboutâ âto recall it? Enough humbug! Itâs shameful! Oh my poor head! Heâs quite crazy! NikĂta Pushes his wife away and turns to AkoulĂna. AkoulĂna, now Iâll speak to you! Listen, Christian Commune! Iâm a fiend, AkoulĂna! I have sinned against you! Your father died no natural death! He was poisoned! AnĂsya Screams. Oh my head! Whatâs he about? MatryĂłna The manâs beside himself! Lead him away! The folk come up and try to seize him. AkĂm Motions them back with his arms. Wait! You lads, what dâye call it, wait, I mean! NikĂta AkoulĂna, I poisoned him! Forgive me, in Christâs name! AkoulĂna Jumps up. Heâs telling lies! I know who did it! Matchmaker What are you about? You sit still! AkĂm Oh Lord, what sins, what sins! Police Officer Seize him, and send for the Elder! We must draw up an indictment and have witnesses to it! Get up and come here! AkĂm To Police Officer. Now youâ âwith the bright buttonsâ âI mean, you wait! Let him, what dâye call it, speak out, I mean! Police Officer Mind, old man, and donât interfere! I have to draw up an indictment! AkĂm Eh, what a fellow you are; wait, I say! Donât talk, I mean, about, what dâye call it, âditements! Here Godâs work is being done.â ââ ⊠A man is confessing, I mean! And you, what dâye call itâ ââ ⊠âditements! Police Officer The Elder! AkĂm Let Godâs work be done, I mean, and then you, I mean, you do your business! NikĂta And, AkoulĂna, my sin is great towards you; I seduced you; forgive me in Christâs name! Bows to the ground before her. AkoulĂna Leaves the table. Let me go! I shanât be married! He told me to, but I shanât now! Police Officer Repeat what you have said. NikĂta Wait, sir, let me finish! AkĂm With rapture. Speak, my son! Tell everythingâ âyouâll feel better! Confess to God, donât fear men! Godâ âGod! It is He! NikĂta I poisoned the father, dog that I am, and I ruined the daughter! She
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