Synopsis and Impressions of Gorky's Masterpiece "Dondoko" - The Soul Cries of People Living at the Bottom of the Hill

Gorky's "Dondoko" Synopsis - The Soul Cries of People Living at the Bottom

The Bottom of the Sea is a dramatic work written by Gorky in 1902.

I read "Dondoko" in Iwanami Bunko, translated by Nakamura Shiraha.

Let's take a quick look at the cover synopsis.

"Dawn is dark in prison. ...... I'd like to escape, but, eh, do it! The chains are unbroken." This chorus that floods the stage is the motif of the entire play, and the play realistically imprints the thickness and weight of the chains that connect the moaning people under the tsar's oppressive rule. This immortal masterpiece by Gorky (1868-1936) depicts the living sorrow of the people gathered in a blowhole like fallen leaves blown by the wind.

Iwanami Bunko, Gorky, cover of "Dondoko" translated by Nakamura Shiraha

As this synopsis on the cover alone gives you a vague sense, this work, like the Chekhov play, does not have a straightforward, tumultuous plot. However, this work also has an indescribable aftertaste, or the power of the dialogue. The commentary at the end of the book on this work was very clear, so I will quote from it

The Bottom of the Sea! Needless to say, this is an immortal masterpiece that ranks alongside Chekhov's other works, which are considered gems of modern theater worldwide in both voice and quality. The honor of the first performance of this masterpiece also belongs to the Moscow Art Troupe, as it is related to Chekhov, and the number of times it has been performed in countries all over the world until today is unaccountable to hundreds. (omitted).

Now, in our reading circles, it is widely known with the author's name, to the extent that it is said to be either Gorky's "Dondoko" or Gorky of "Dondoko" fame.

Iwanami Bunko, Gorky, Dondoko, translated by Nakamura Shiraha, p. 161-162

As we have mentioned in the past on this blog about Chekhov, his plays revolutionized the Russian theater world and were an explosive success. It is said that Gorky was so moved by his play "Uncle Vanya" that he wept.

Gorky was personally close to Chekhov, and it seems that the content of "Dondoko" was also influenced by Chekhov. The commentary also states the following.

As I wrote a bit earlier, Gorky suggested that Chekhov's andadvicecalmI began to write plays with the "I'm a writer," which was then called "Thesword drawingseagullIt is quite natural that Gorky was influenced by his senior, who dominated the new theater scene with masterpieces such as "Uncle Vanya," and whose fame was so great that the Moscow Art Theatre was called Chekhov's theater.

The imitation of this influence was unusually successful insofar as it was applied to "Bottom of the Sea". While Gorky's creative activities in the field of playwriting are generally considered to have been a failure, it is this one play, "Donsoko," that has made his name shine brightly for all time.

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, the subject matter was unique to the author, who was the most accomplished of all, and there was not a single gap between the author and his work, which I believe was the most powerful factor.

In terms of the density of the work itself, Chekhov(a) point(a) degreeThe film's depiction of individual characters is near-perfect, and the atmosphere of the basement, where the gruesome and the carefree live together in harmony, evokes the eternal state of life.

There is death, there is love, there is murder,suicide by hangingwillThere are, warmth, katou,tempting into crimeembryonicJealousy, scepticism and wiles,fabricationharshnessThe play has all the elements of life, and the structure of the play is no different.

However, "Dondoko" has neither a plot nor a protagonist. It is different from conventional plays, which is also in line with Chekhov's other works.

Thus, I believe that the general reader's interest in "Dondoko" lies in the deep and endless flavor of life that is common to all people, regardless of the particular circumstances of the characters in the book, and that this, in part, is the enduring strength of the book.
Some line breaks have been made.

Iwanami Bunko, Gorky, Dondoko, translated by Nakamura Shiraha, p. 166-167

This is a dramatic work. Moreover, as mentioned in this commentary, like Chekhov, there is no easy-to-understand plot. Therefore, it is difficult to grasp the flow of the play even if you read it as a book. I also could not understand it after reading it once, so I had to reread it many times.

Like Chekhov, I am sure that this work will have a tremendous impact when seen on stage as a play.

This piece is quite powerful. Chekhov's plays have a quiet atmosphere, but Gorky expresses the cries of the souls of those who are at rock bottom. The power of the words is tremendous. If you only read it in a book, it must be amazing to hear it on the stage. Since I have the opportunity, I would like to introduce a few of them here.

What is truth? Where is it? (Grinds the rags he wears with both hands.) See - this is the truth! I ain't got no job ...... I ain't got no power! This is the truth! I ain't got no place to ...... put myself! I have no choice but to die a slow death......This is the truth! You devil! What's that got to do with me? Let me take a breath ...... and rest! What the hell am I guilty of? What do I need this ...... truth for? I can't live - damn it - I can't live. ...... This is the truth! ......

Iwanami Bunko, Gorky, Dondoko, translated by Nakamura Shiraha, p. 103

Because what am I supposed to do? We have to live ......(raise your voice.) At least we have to have a place to put our bodies. ...... How about that? I don't have that,......I don't have anything! I'm all alone, I'm all alone, all I have is ...... this one body, and there's no help for it......

Iwanami Bunko, Gorky, Dondoko, translated by Nakamura Shiraha, p. 125

Man can believe or not believe. ...... It is up to each one of us! Man is free...... to keep his own account of everything - whether it be faith, unbelief, love, or wisdom. Man sets his own account for everything, and that is why man is free! ...... Human beings - this is the truth! What exactly is man? It's not you, it's not me, it's not them, it's not you, it's not me, it's not them, it's not you, it's not me, it's not them. ...... It's you, it's me, it's them, it's the old man, it's Napoleon, it's Mahomet, ...... it's all of them together! (Draws a human shape in the sky with his finger.) (Draws a human figure in the sky with his finger.) You see? It's that big! In it is the beginning and the end of everything, everything is in man! Everything is for man! Only man exists in this world, and everything else is the work of man's arms and head! Ni-in-ge-en! How's that for a good deal? It's a mighty cracking sound, isn't it? Nijin-geen! You've got to respect people! They ain't something to be pitied ...... and you shouldn't cheapen it by pitying them ......, you have to respect them! Come on, let's have one for the humans, Baron! (stands up). What a good thing to feel human, isn't it? I'm an ex-con, a murderer, a cheat! When I walk down the street, people stare at me like I'm a gawk. ...... I dodge them, they turn around and look at me. ...... And they often look at me like I'm a bastard. They would turn around and look back at me! You're a brigand! Work! He would say to me, "Work! Work? For what? To have your stomach flattened? (loud laughter) I always look down on people who are too busy eating their fill. That's not what's important, you baron! That's nothing! Human beings are something higher than that! Human beings are much more noble than a big belly!

Iwanami Bunko, Gorky, translated by Nakamura Shiraha, Dondoko, p. 150

Of the three words above, the last one is particularly powerful. And the fact that it was said not by a virtuous or great man, but by a man who was oppressed, who lived in the lowest world, and who sinned, adds to the weight of the words.

The last one, "I always look down on people who are too busy eating their fill. That's not the important thing, you baron! It's nothing like that! Human beings are something higher than that! Man is something much higher than a big, fat stomach! These words are from the French writer Emile Zola'sThe Stomach of Paris.The line "What a bunch of scoundrels these honest people are! The line is reminiscent of the famous line "What a scoundrel the honest people are!

In "The Stomach of Paris," Zola depicts a man who is "so busy eating that he can't even eat a single bite of his own food. Zola's response to their complacency and indifference to the oppressed was to say, "What scoundrels these honest people are! He said, "What scoundrels the decent people are!

In "Dondoko," we see people living at the bottom of the barrel. They do not live like this by choice. They want to live a "human" life. But they just can't seem to get out of it. Even if they wanted to work, there are no decent jobs. They have no money.

Gorky's feelings toward these people are depicted in this work.

I would love to see this work in theater.

The above is a synopsis of Gorky's masterpiece "Dondoko" - the cry of the souls of those living at rock bottom.

Next Article.

Click here to read the previous article.

Related Articles