Drama & theatre · 1889
Vlastʹ tʹmy
ili kogotok uvi︠a︡z, vseĭ ptichki︠e︡ propastʹ : drama v pi︠a︡ti di︠e︡ĭstvii︠a︡kh
€90
One copy available · ships from the Netherlands within two working days
- First published
- 1887
- This copy printed
- 1889
- Language
- English
- Binding
- Paper wrappers
- Condition
- Fair — Well worn, a reading copy; any faults are described on request.
- Pages
- 106
About this work
<p><i>The Power of Darkness</i> is a five-act drama that follows the downfall of the peasants Anísya and Nikíta 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 <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/leo-tolstoy">Tolstoy</a> works, like <a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/leo-tolstoy/resurrection/louise-maude"><i>Resurrection</i></a>, the play’s 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.</p>
