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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FĂ©dka MikĂshin? Besides, howâs this, that one maynât even have a bit of fun nowadays? And as for her, well, sheâs free to say anything she likes.
AkĂm
Ah, NikĂta, mind! A lie will out. Did anything happen?
NikĂta
Aside. How he sticks to it; itâs too bad. To AkĂm. I tell you, I know nothing more. Thereâs been nothing between us. Angrily. By God! and may I never leave this spot crosses himself if I know anything about it. Silence. Then still more excitedly. Why! have you been thinking of getting me to marry her? What do you mean by it?â âitâs a confounded shame. Besides, nowadays youâve got no such rights as to force a fellow to marry. Thatâs plain enough. Besides, havenât I sworn I know nothing about it?
MatryĂłna
To her husband. There now, thatâs just like your silly pate, to believe all they tell you. Heâs gone and put the lad to shame all for nothing. The best thing is to let him live as he is living, with his master. His master will help us in our present need, and give us ten roubles, and when the time comesâ ââ âŠ
Peter
Well, Daddy AkĂm, howâs it to be?
AkĂm
Looks at his son, clicking his tongue disapprovingly. Mind, NikĂta, the tears of one thatâs been wronged never, what dâyou call itâ ânever fall beside the mark but always on, whatâs nameâ âthe head of the man as did the wrong. So mind, donât what dâyou call it.
NikĂta
Sits down. Whatâs there to mind? mind yourself.
Nan
Aside. I must run and tell mother. Exit.
MatryĂłna
To Peter. Thatâs always the way with this old mumbler of mine, Peter IgnĂĄtitch. Once heâs got anything wedged in his pate thereâs no knocking it out. Weâve gone and troubled you all for nothing. The lad can go on living as he has been. Keep him; heâs your servant.
Peter
Well, Daddy AkĂm, what do you say?
AkĂm
Why, the ladâs his own master, if only he what dâyou call it.â ââ ⊠I only wish that, what dâyou call it, I mean.
MatryĂłna
You donât know yourself what youâre jawing about. The lad himself has no wish to leave. Besides, what do we want with him at home? We can manage without him.
Peter
Only one thing, Daddy AkĂmâ âif you are thinking of taking him back in summer, I donât want him here for the winter. If he is to stay at all, it must be for the whole year.
MatryĂłna
And itâs for a year heâll bind himself. If we want help when the press of work comes, we can hire help, and the lad shall remain with you. Only give us ten roubles now.â ââ âŠ
Peter
Well then, is it to be for another year?
AkĂm
Sighing. Yes, it seems, it what dâyou call itâ ââ ⊠if itâs so, I mean, it seems that it must be what dâyou call it.
MatryĂłna
For a year, counting from St. DimĂtryâs day. We know youâll pay him fair wages. But give us ten roubles now. Help us out of our difficulties. Gets up and bows to Peter.
Enter Nan and AnĂsya. The latter sits down at one side.
Peter
Well, if thatâs settled we might step across to the inn and have a drink. Come, Daddy AkĂm, what do you say to a glass of vĂłdka?
AkĂm
No, I never drink that sort of thing.
Peter
Well, youâll have some tea?
AkĂm
Ah, tea! yes, I do sin that way. Yes, teaâs the thing.
Peter
And the women will also have some tea. Come. And you, NikĂta, go and drive the sheep in and clear away the straw.
NikĂta
All right. Exeunt all but NikĂta. NikĂta lights a cigarette. It grows darker. Just see how they bother one. Want a fellow to tell âem how he larks about with the wenches! It would take long to tell âem all those storiesâ ââMarry her,â he says. Marry them all! One would have a good lot of wives! And what need have I to marry? Am as good as married now! Thereâs many a chap as envies me. Yet how strange it felt when I crossed myself before the icon. It was just as if someone shoved me. The whole web fell to pieces at once. They say itâs frightening to swear whatâs not true. Thatâs all humbug. Itâs all talk, that is. Itâs simple enough.
AkoulĂna
Enters with a rope, which she puts down. She takes off her outdoor things and goes into closet. You might at least have got a light.
NikĂta
What, to look at you? I can see you well enough without.
AkoulĂna
Oh, bother you!
Nan enters and whispers to NikĂta.
Nan
NikĂta, thereâs a person wants you. There is!
NikĂta
What person?
Nan
MarĂna from the railway; sheâs out there, round the corner.
NikĂta
Nonsense!
Nan
Blest if she isnât!
NikĂta
What does she want?
Nan
She wants you to come out. She says, âI only want to say a word to NikĂta.â I began asking, but she wonât tell, but only says, âIs it true heâs leaving you?â And I say, âNo, only his father wanted to take him away and get him to marry, but he wonât, and is going to stay with us another year.â And she says, âFor goodnessâ sake send him out to me. I must see him,â she says, âI must say a word to him somehow.â Sheâs been waiting a long time. Why donât you go?
NikĂta
Bother her! What should I go for?
Nan
She says, âIf he donât come, Iâll go into the hut to him.â Blest if she didnât say sheâd come in!
NikĂta
Not likely. Sheâll wait a bit and then go away.
Nan
âOr is it,â she says, âthat they want him to marry AkoulĂna?â
Re-enter AkoulĂna, passing near NikĂta to take her distaff.
AkoulĂna
Marry whom to AkoulĂna?
Nan
Why, NikĂta.
AkoulĂna
A likely thing! Who says it?
NikĂta
Looks at her and laughs. It seems people do say it. Would you
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