"Theatrical departure after the presentation of a new comedy." Nikolai Gogol - theatrical patrol after the presentation of a new comedy

The canopy is empty.

Gogol's comedy "The Inspector General" evoked in Russian criticism many different responses - both positive and negative. But neither "praise" nor "accusations" seemed fair to Gogol: he saw that they were praising him and scolded by many because they did not understand the goals that he pursued while composing his comedy. Wanting to find out true meaning, Gogol wrote several explanations for The Inspector General: "The Inspector's Decoupling", "Addition to the Inspector's Decoupling", "Theatrical passing after the presentation of a new comedy."

In "Theatrical passing" Gogol responds to his critics, examining their accusations, partly praise. The accusations against "The Inspector General" boiled down to the following: 1) this play is not a comedy, but a farce; 2) it was not built according to the rules: there is no beginning and end, 3) there are no virtuous heroes in The Inspector General. 4) this comedy is a mockery of Russia, it is politically dangerous, since it undermines the "foundations" of Russian life. These accusations are expressed by the audience, who, at the “theatrical passing”, going down the theatrical stairs after the end of the performance, share their impressions from the theater.

N.V. Gogol. Portrait by F. Müller, 1841

To all accusations, immediately from the crowd, one can hear the answers, justifying the author and his work. One of the spectators speaks about the correctness of the construction of the play, about the great social significance of a serious comic composition. Another viewer refutes the opinion that Gogol's comedy is politically dangerous, referring to the words of one peasant who said about the comedy: “I suppose, the warlords were quick, and everyone turned pale as the tsarist punishment came.” From this exclamation, he draws the conclusion that the "Inspector" does not touch on the "foundations" of state life, and only respect for the vicious servants of the state is lost. The same viewer speaks of great moral significance comedy, inviting listeners to look into their hearts more attentively, to look there for those feelings and thoughts that are ridiculed by the author in his comedy.

At the end of The Theatrical Journey, Gogol puts into the mouth of one of his characters, the “author,” his thoughts on the great purifying meaning of “laughter”. He points out what tremendous spiritual power is hidden in laughter, everyone is afraid of him, even those "who are no longer afraid of anything in the world." Serious laughter is not idle talk. He deepens the subject, makes what would appear brightly that would have slipped through, without penetrating power, which the trifle and emptiness of life would not frighten a person so much; insignificant and despicable, by which a person passes indifferently every day? clarified and made understandable, thanks to the direction of the writer-humorist. His task and therefore boils down to teaching negative images, emphasizing and making fun of the ugliness of evil. Laughing at evil, he thereby elevates the ideal of good. That is why the humorist is not a gayer, not a clowning jester, but a doctor who heals human ailments, grieving at the same time over a fallen man. “In the depths of cold laughter,” Gogol says in the Theatrical Passage through the mouth of the “author” Gogol, “hot sparks of eternal, mighty love can be found, and whoever sheds often soulful, deep tears seems to laugh more than anyone else in the world.”

Current page: 1 (total of the book has 3 pages)

Nikolay Gogol
Theatrical departure after the presentation of a new comedy

The canopy of the theater. From one side are visible the stairs leading to the boxes and galleries, in the middle are the entrance to the chairs and the amphitheater; the other side is the exit. A distant hum of applause is heard.

The author of the song1
It goes without saying that the author of the play is an ideal person. It depicts the position of the comedian in society, the comedian, who has chosen the subject, ridicule of abuses in the circle of various classes and positions.

(going out).

Several decently dressed people are shown; one says, referring to the other:

Let's get out better now. A minor vaudeville will be played.

Both leave.

Two comme il faut2
Decent person (person as it should).

dense properties, descend the stairs.

First comme il faut. It would be good if the police hadn't driven my carriage far away. What is the name of this young actress, do you know?

The second is comme il faut. No, but very nice.

First comme il faut. Yes, not bad; but still something is not there. Yes, I recommend: new restaurant: yesterday we were served fresh green peas (kisses the ends of her fingers)- lovely! (Both leave.)

An officer runs, another holds his hand.

First officer. Let us stay!

Another officer. No, brother, you can't lure into vaudeville and roll. We know these songs, which are given as a snack: lackeys instead of actors, and women are ugly and ugly.

Leave.

A socialite, dapperly dressed (going down the stairs). The rogue tailor, despisingly made me trousers, all the time I was afraid to sit awkwardly. For this I intend to procrastinate him, and I will not pay my debts for two years. (Exits).

Also a secular person, denser (speaks with liveliness to another). Never, never, believe me, he will not sit with you to play. Robert does not play for less than one and a half hundred rubles. I know this well, because my brother-in-law, Pafnutiev, plays with him every day.

Middle-aged official (leaving with outstretched arms). It's just, the devil knows what it is! Such … sort of … It doesn't look like anything. (Gone).

Sir, somewhat light-hearted about literature (referring to another). After all, this, however, seems to be a translation?

Another. Sorry, what a translation! The action takes place in Russia, even our customs and ranks.

Sir, lighthearted about literature. I remember, however, there was something in French, not quite like that.

Both leave.

One of the two spectators (also going out). Now it is still impossible to know anything. Wait, what they say in the magazines, then you will find out.

Two bekesh (one the other). Well, how are you? I would like to know your opinion on comedy.

Another bekesha (making significant movements with the lips). Yes, of course, one cannot say that there was no such thing ... of its kind ... Well, of course, who is against this and stands against it again and ... where, so to speak … but by the way ... (lips squeezing affirmatively) Yes Yes.

Two officers.

First. I've never laughed like that before.

Second. I think it's a great comedy.

First. Well, no, let's see what they say in the magazines, you need to bring criticism to justice … Look look! (Pushes him by the arm).

Second. What?

First (pointing a finger at one of the two walking down the stairs). Writer!

Second (hastily). Which the?

First. This! shh! let's listen to what they say.

Second. And who else is with him?

First. Do not know; no one knows what kind of person.

Both officers step aside and give them a seat.

It is not known what kind of person. I cannot judge as to literary merit; but I think there are witty notes. Sharp, sharp.

Writer. Pardon me, what's so witty? What kind of low people were brought out, what kind of tone? The jokes are the flattest; simple, even greasy!

It is not known what kind of person. Ah, that's another matter. I also say: in regard to literary merit, I cannot judge; I just noticed that the song was funny, it was a pleasure.

Writer. And it’s not funny. Pardon me, what's so funny and what is the pleasure? The plot is incredible. All incongruities; no tie, no action, no consideration whatsoever.

It is not known what kind of person. Well, I’m not saying anything against that. In a literary sense, so in a literary sense, it is not funny; but in relation, so to speak, from the side it has …

Writer. What is there? Have mercy, and this is not even there! What kind of spoken language? Who says that in high society? Well, tell yourself, are we talking like that?

It is not known what kind of person. This is true; you very subtly noticed this. Exactly, I've been thinking about it myself: there is no nobility in conversation. All faces, it seems, as if they cannot hide their low nature - this is true.

Writer. Well, you still praise!

It is not known what kind of person. Who is praising? I am not praising. I myself now see that the song is nonsense. But suddenly

you can't find out about it; I cannot judge literally.

Both leave.

Another writer (he enters, accompanied by listeners, to whom he speaks, waving his arms). Trust me, I know this thing: disgusting writing! dirty, dirty song! There is not a single true face, all are caricatures! This is not in nature; Believe me, no, I know it better: I am a writer myself. They say: liveliness, observation … but it's all nonsense, it's all friends, friends praise, all friends! I have already heard that they almost shove him into the Fonvizins, and the play is simply unworthy even to be called a comedy. Farce, farce, and even the most unfortunate farce. The last, empty comedy of Kotzebue 3
August Kotzebue(1761–1819) - German playwright, author of vulgar sentimental plays, translated into Russian and constantly staged on stage in the first quarter of the 19th century.

In comparison with her, Mont Blanc in front of the Pulkovo mountain. I will prove it to all of them, I will prove it mathematically, like two and two. It's just that friends and acquaintances praised him too much, and so now, tea, he thinks of himself that he is almost Shakespeare. Our friends will always be overwhelmed. For example, here is Pushkin. Why is all of Russia talking about him now? All the friends shouted, shouted, and then, after them, the whole of Russia began to shout. (They leave with the audience).

Both officers move forward and take their places.

First. This is true, this is perfectly true: it is a farce; I said this before, a stupid farce, supported by friends. I confess that many things were even disgusting to look at.

Second. Why, you said you never laughed like that before?

First. And this is another matter again. You don't understand, you need to explain. What's in this song? Firstly, there is no plot, there is no action either, there is absolutely no consideration, everything is improbable and, moreover, everything is caricature.

The other two officers are behind.

One (to the other). Who is arguing this? One of yours, it seems?

Another, glancing sideways into the face of the reasoning man, waved his hand.

First. What, stupid?

Another. No, not that … He has a mind, but now after the publication of the magazine, and the book is late - and nothing in his head. But, nevertheless, let's go.

Leave.

Two art lovers.

First. I am not at all one of those who resort only to words: dirty, disgusting, bad taste and the like. It is almost a proven fact that such words for the most part come from the lips of those who themselves in a very dubious tone, talk about living rooms, and are allowed only into the halls. But we are not talking about them. I'm talking about the fact that there is definitely no tie in the play.

Second. Yes, if you take the set in the sense that it is usually accepted, that is, in the sense of a love affair, then it certainly does not exist. But it seems that it is time to stop relying so far on this eternal tie. It is worth looking closely around. Everything has changed long ago in the world. Now the striving to get a profitable place, to shine and overshadow, at all costs, another, to avenge for neglect, for ridicule, is more intensely tying up the drama. Do they not now have more electricity, money-capital, and a profitable marriage than love?

First. All this is good; but even in this respect I still do not see the plot in the play.

Second. Now I will not assert whether there is a plot in the play or not. I will only say that they are generally looking for a private tie and do not want to see a common one. People are innocently accustomed to these incessant lovers, without whose marriage the play cannot end. Of course, this is a tie, but what is the tie? - an exact knot on the charcoal of the scarf. No, comedy should be knitted by itself, with its entire mass, into one large, common knot. The tie should embrace all faces, and not one or two - to touch what excites, more or less, all the actors. Every hero is here; the flow and course of the play produces a shock to the whole machine: not a single wheel should remain as rusty and out of work.

First. Yet they cannot be heroes; one or two have to manage the others?

Second. Not to rule at all, but perhaps to prevail. And in the car, some wheels move more noticeably and stronger; they can only be called the main ones; but the idea, the thought, rules the song. Without it, there is no unity in it. And everything can tie up: the very horror, the fear of waiting, the thunderstorm of the law walking in the distance …

First. But it turns out to give comedy some kind of more general meaning.

Second. Isn't this its direct and real meaning? At the very beginning, comedy was a public, folk creation. At least, this is how her father himself, Aristophanes, showed her. After that, she already entered a narrow gorge of a private tie, made a love move, the same indispensable tie. But how weak this connection is with the best comedians, how insignificant are these theatrical lovers with their cardboard love!

Third (coming up and hitting him lightly on the shoulder). You are wrong: love, like other feelings, can also enter a comedy.

Second. I’m not saying that she couldn’t come in. But only love and all other feelings, more sublime, will only make a high impression when they are developed in all their depth. Having dealt with them, one must inevitably sacrifice everything else. All that is precisely the side of comedy will then pale, and the significance of public comedy will inevitably disappear.

Third. So, the subject of a comedy must necessarily be low? The comedy will come out already of a low genus.

Second. For someone who will look at the words, and not delve into the meaning, this is so. But can't positive and negative serve the same purpose? Can't comedy and tragedy express the same lofty thought? Doesn't everyone, to the smallest bend in the soul of a vile and dishonorable person, already paint the image of an honest person? Doesn't all this accumulation of baseness, deviations from laws and justice already make it clear what the law, duty and justice require of us? In the hands of a skilled physician, both cold and hot water treat the same diseases with equal success. In the hands of talent, everything can serve as an instrument for the beautiful, if only one is governed by the lofty thought of serving the beautiful.

Fourth (coming up). What can be beautiful? and what are you talking about?

First. We started an argument about comedy. We all talk about comedy in general, and no one has said anything about a new comedy yet. What do you say?

Fourth. But what I will say: talent is visible, observation of life, a lot of funny, true, taken from nature; but in general there is something missing in the whole play. Somehow you do not see either a tie or a denouement. It is strange that our comedians cannot do without the government. Without him, not a single comedy will be unleashed.

Third. This is true. However, on the other hand, this is very natural. We all belong to the government, we almost all serve; the interests of all of us are more or less connected with the government. Therefore, it is not surprising that this is reflected in the creations of our writers.

Fourth. So. Well, let this connection be heard. But the funny thing is that the play cannot end without the government. It will certainly appear, like an inevitable fate in the tragedies of the ancients.

Second. Well, you see: therefore, this is already something involuntary in our comedians. Therefore, this already constitutes some kind of distinctive character of our comedy. There is some kind of secret faith in the government in our bosom. Well? There is nothing wrong here: God forbid that the government always and everywhere hears its calling - to be the representative of providence on earth, and that we believe in it, as the ancients believed in fate that overtook crime.

Fifth. Hello gentlemen! I only hear the word "government". Comedy stirred up screams and rumors …

Second. Better talk about these rumors and shouts in my place than here, in the theatrical hallways.

Leave.

Several respectable and decently dressed people appear one after the other.

№ 1. So, so, I see: it is true that we have and happens in other places and worse; but for what purpose, to what point is it? - that's the question. Why are these performances? what is the use of them? that's what you allow me! What do I need to know that there are rogues in such and such a place? I just … I do not understand the need for such representations. (Exits).

№ 2. No, this is not a mockery of vices; this is a disgusting mockery of Russia - that's what. It means exposing the government itself in a bad shape, because to expose bad officials and abuses that occur in different classes means exposing the government itself. Simply, such representations should not even be allowed. (Exits).

Enter Mister A. and Mister B., people of no small rank.

Mr A. I'm not talking about that; on the contrary, we need to show abuse, we need to see our wrongdoing; and I do not in the least share the opinions of many overly heated patriots; but only it seems to me that there is not too much of something sad here …

Mr B. I would really like you to hear the comment of one very modestly dressed man who was sitting next to me in the chairs. … Ah, here he is!

Mr A. Who?

Mr B. It was this very modestly dressed man. (Addressing him). You and I did not end the conversation, which was so interesting to me at the beginning.

And I, I confess, am very happy to continue it. Now only I have heard rumors, namely: that this is all not true, that this is a mockery of the government, of our customs, and that this should not be imagined at all. This made me mentally recall and embrace the whole play, and I confess that the expression of comedy seemed to me even more significant now. In it, it seems to me, hypocrisy, a decent mask, under which is baseness and meanness, a rogue, writhing the face of a well-meaning person, is most strongly and deeply struck by laughter. I confess, I felt joy, seeing how ridiculous the well-meaning words in the mouth of a rogue are and how hilariously funny everyone, from the armchairs to the district, wearing a mask, became hilarious. And after that, there are people who say that you don't need to put this on stage! I heard one remark made, as it seemed to me, however, by a fairly decent person: "What will the people say when they see that we have the following abuses?"

Mr A. I confess, you will excuse me, but I myself also involuntarily presented myself with the question: what will our people say, looking at all this?

A very modestly dressed man. What will the people say? (Steps aside, two people pass by in army jackets).

Blue army jacket (to gray). Probably, they were nimble governors, and everyone turned pale when the tsar's reprisal came!

Both go out.

A very modestly dressed man. That's what the people will say, have you heard?

Mr A. What?

A very modestly dressed man. He will say: "Probably, the warlords were quick, and everyone turned pale when the tsarist reprisal came!" Can you hear how faithful a person is to natural instinct and feeling? How true is the simplest eye, if it is not clouded by theories and thoughts pulled from books, but draws them from the very nature of man! Isn't it obvious that after such a presentation the people will get more faith in the government? Yes, he needs such representations. Let him separate the government from the bad executors of the government. Let him see that the abuses do not come from the government, but from those who do not understand the requirements of the government, from those who do not want to answer to the government. Let him see that the government is noble, that its watchful eye is equally vigilant over everyone, that sooner or later it will overtake those who have betrayed the law, honor and holy duty of a person, that those who have an unclean conscience will pale before it. Yes, he should see these representations: believe me, if he happens to experience crimps and injustices on himself, he will come out consoled after such a performance, with firm faith in the awake, higher law. I also like the remark: "the people will get a bad opinion of their bosses." That is, they imagine that the people only here, for the first time in the theater, will see their leaders; that if at home some rogue headman squeezes him in his paw, he will not see this in any way, but as he goes to the theater, then he will see. They really think our people are more stupid than a log - stupid to such an extent that they can no longer tell which is a pie with meat and which is with porridge. No, now it seems to me that it is even good that an honest person has not been brought on stage. A person who is proud of himself: show him one good side with many bad sides, he will proudly leave the theater. No, it is good that only exceptions and vices have been exposed, which now pierce the eyes that they do not want to be their compatriots, they are even ashamed to admit that it can be.

Mr A. But do, however, do we have exactly such people?

A very modestly dressed man. Let me tell you this: I don't know why I feel sad every time I hear a question like this. I can speak frankly with you: in the features of your faces I see something that disposes me to frankness. A person first of all makes a request: "Do such people really exist?" But when it was seen that a person would ask such a question: "Am I myself completely clean of such vices?" Never never! Yes, that's what - I will speak to you frankly. I have a kind heart, there is a lot of love in my chest, but if you only knew what kind of mental efforts and upheavals I needed in order not to fall into many vicious inclinations, into which you involuntarily fall, living with people! And how can I say now that right now I do not have the very inclinations that everyone just laughed at ten minutes ago, and at which I myself laughed.

Mr. A. (after some silence). I confess that you will ponder over your words. And when I remember, I will imagine how proud our European upbringing made us, in general, how it hid us from ourselves, how haughty and with what contempt we look at those who have not received such external polish as we do, as each of us puts ourselves a little not to saints, but to talk about bad things forever in the third person - then, I confess, the soul involuntarily becomes sad … But, forgive my immodesty, you, however, are to blame for it yourself; let me know: with whom do I have the pleasure of talking?

A very modestly dressed man. And I am no more, no less, like one of those officials, in whose positions the faces of comedy were brought out, and the day before yesterday I just arrived from my town.

Mr B. I couldn't think that. And don't you think after that it is a shame to live and serve with such people?

A very modestly dressed man. Is it a shame? And I’ll tell you what I’ll tell you: I confess, I often had to lose my patience. In our town, not all officials are from an honest dozen; often you have to climb the wall to do some good deed. Several times already I wanted to quit the service; but now, just after this performance, I feel freshness and, at the same time, a new strength to continue my career. I am already consoled by the thought that meanness in our country does not remain hidden or condoned, that there, in the mind of all noble people, it is struck with ridicule, that there is a feather that will not obscure our low movements, although this does not flatter our national pride, and that there is a noble government that will allow it to be shown to all who should, in the eyes, and this alone gives me the zeal to continue my useful service.

Mr A. Let me make you one suggestion. I hold a fairly significant government position. I need truly noble and honest helpers. I offer you a place where you will have a vast field of action, where you will receive incomparably more benefits and will be in plain sight.

A very modestly dressed man. Let me thank you from the bottom of my heart and from the bottom of my heart for such an offer, and at the same time, let me reject it.

If I already feel that I am useful to my place, is it noble of me to leave it? And how can I leave him, not being firmly sure that after me some fellow will not sit down, who will begin to make crimps. If this offer was made by you as a reward, then let me tell you: I applauded the author of the play on an equal basis with others, but I did not summon him. What is his reward? I liked the play - praise her, but he - he just did his duty. It really came to this point in our country that not only on the occasion of some heroic deed, but simply, if only another does not screw up on anyone in life and in the service, then God knows what a virtuous person already; becomes seriously angry if they do not notice and do not reward him. “Have mercy,” he says: “I have lived honestly for a century, did almost nothing at all, - how come they don’t give me any rank or order?” No, for me, whoever is unable to be noble without encouragement - I do not believe his nobility, his mouse nobility is not worth a dime.

Mr A. At least you will not deny me your acquaintance. Forgive my obsession; you can see for yourself that it is a consequence of my sincere respect. Give me your adress.

A very modestly dressed man. Here is my address: but be sure that I will not allow you to use it, and tomorrow morning I will appear to you. Excuse me, I am not raised in the big world and I do not know how to speak … But to meet such generous attention in a statesman, such a desire for good … God forbid that every sovereign was surrounded by such people! (Hastily leaves).

Mr. A. (turning the card over in his hands). I look at this card and at this unknown surname, and somehow it becomes completely in my soul. This initially sad impression dissipated by itself. God bless you, our little known by us Russia! In the wilderness, in your forgotten corner, a similar pearl is hidden, and, probably, he is not alone. They, like sparks of gold ore, are scattered among its rough and dark granites. There is a deeply comforting feeling in this phenomenon, and my soul was illuminated after meeting with this official, as his own was illuminated after the presentation of a comedy.

Farewell! Thank you for bringing me this meeting. (Exits).

Mr. V. (going up to Mr. B.) Who was that with you? he seems to be a minister, huh?

Mr. P. (coming from the other side). Have mercy, brother, what is it, how is it really? ..

Mr B. What?

Mr P. Well, how can we deduce this?

Mr B. Why not?

Mr P. Well, judge for yourself: well, the same, right? All vices and vices; Well, what example does this set for the audience?

Mr B. Do they boast of vices? After all, they are also brought out to be ridiculed.

Mr P. Well, that's it, brother, whatever you say: respect … after all, through this, respect for officials and positions is lost.

Mr B. Respect is not lost either to officials or to posts, but to those who perform their posts badly.

Mr. V. But allow me, however, to note: all this is in some way already an insult, which more or less applies to everyone.

Mr P. Exactly. This is what I wanted to notice to him myself. It is precisely the insult that is spreading. Now, for example, they will bring out some titular adviser, and then … NS … perhaps they will withdraw … and a real state councilor 4
Active State Counselor- one of the highest ranks of the "table of ranks", civilian general.

…

Mr B. So what then? The person only has to be inviolable; and if I invented my own face and gave him some vices that happen between us, and gave him the rank that I thought of, even if only a real state councilor, and would say that this real state councilor is not what it should be : what's wrong with that? Doesn't a goose also come across among the actual state councilors?

Mr P. Well, brother, this is too much. How can a goose be a real state councilor? Well, let it be titular … Well, you're too much.

Mr. V. How to expose the bad, why not expose the good, worthy of imitation?

Mr B. What for? strange question: why? Many such “why” can be done. Why did one father, wanting to pull his son out of a disorderly life, did not waste words and instructions, but brought him to the infirmary, where terrible traces of a disorderly life appeared before him in all horror? Why did he do it?

Mr. V. But let me tell you: these are already in some way our social wounds that need to be hidden, not shown.

Mr P. This is true. I totally agree with that. With us, the bad must be hidden, not shown.

Mr B. If these words were spoken by someone else, and not you, I would say that they were driven by hypocrisy, and not true love for the fatherland. In your opinion, it would only be necessary to close, somehow heal from the outside these, as you call, social wounds, as long as they are not visible so far, and let the disease rage inside - there is no need for that. There is no need that it can explode and show itself with such symptoms, when any treatment is already late. There is no need for that. You do not want to know that without a deep heartfelt confession, without a Christian consciousness of our sins, without exaggerating them in our own eyes, we are not able to rise above them, we are not able to lift our souls higher than the despicable in life. You don't want to know this. Let a person remain deaf, let his life pass sleepily, let him not shudder, let him not cry in the depths of his heart, let him bring down his soul to such a state of sleep that nothing will shock it! No … forgive me. Cold selfishness moves the lips making such speeches, and not holy, pure love for humanity. (He leaves.)

Mr. P. (after some silence). Why are you silent? What? What did you not say, huh?

Mr. V. (silent).

Mr. P. (continuing). He can say to himself what he wants, but after all, these are our wounds, so to speak.

Mr. V. (aside). Well, these wounds fell on his tongue! He will talk about them both counter and transverse!

Mr P. That way, perhaps, I can say a bunch of everything, but what of this? .. But Prince N. Listen, prince, don't go!

Prince N. And what?

Mr P. Well, let's talk, stop! Well, how's the song?

Prince N. Yes, it's ridiculous.

Mr P. But, nevertheless, tell me: how to represent it? - what is it like …

Prince N. Why not imagine?

Mr P. Well, judge for yourself, well, how is this rogue suddenly on stage? because these are all our wounds.

Prince N. What kind of wounds?

Mr P. Yes, these are our wounds, our, so to speak, social wounds.

Prince N. (annoyed). Take them for yourself. Let them be yours, not my wounds! Why are you poking them at me, I have to go home. (Exits).

Mr. P. (continuing). And then again, what nonsense did he say here? He says a real state councilor can be a goose. Well, let it be titular, you can admit it …

Mr. V. However, let's go, fully interpret; I think that everyone passing by have already learned that you are a real state councilor. (To the side). There are people who have the art of mocking everything. Having repeated your thought, they know how to make it so vulgar that you yourself blush. Say nonsense; she might have slipped unnoticed - no, an admirer and a friend will be found who will certainly use her and make her even more stupid than she is. It's even annoying - really, as if he had planted it in the mud. (They leave.)

The military man and the civil servant go out together.

Statsky. After all, that's what you are, gentlemen of the military! You say it should be put on stage; you are ready to laugh enough at some state official, but touch the military in some way, say only that there are officers in such and such a regiment, not to mention vicious inclinations, but just say: there are officers of bad taste, with indecent tricks, - Yes, because of this alone, you are ready to go to the State Council itself with a complaint.

Military. Well, listen: who do you think I am? Of course, there are such Donkeyshots between us; but believe also that there are many truly judicious people who will always be happy if someone who discredits his title is brought out to universal ridicule. And what is the grievance here? Serve it, serve it to us! We are ready to watch every day.

Statsky (aside). That is how a person always shouts: serve! serve! and if you give it, he will get angry.

Leave.

Two bekes.

The first bekesha. The French, too, for example; but they have it all very nice. Well, you remember, in yesterday's vaudeville: he undresses, goes to bed, grabs a salad bowl from the table and puts it under the bed. It is, of course, immodest, but cute. You can look at all this, it does not offend … I have a wife and children at the theater every day. And here, well, what is it, right? some scoundrel, a peasant whom I would not have let in the hallway, collapsed with his boots, yawns or picks his teeth, well, what is that right? what does it look like?

After the presentation of the new comedy

Selected works

The canopy of the theater. On one side, stairs leading to the boxes and galleries are visible; in the middle is the entrance to the chairs and the amphitheater, on the other side - the exit. A distant hum of applause is heard.

Two comme il faut3, solid qualities, descend the stairs.

First comme il faut. It would be good if the police hadn't driven my carriage far away. What is the name of this young actress, do you know?

The second is comme il faut. No, but very nice.

First comme il faut. Yes, not bad; but still something is not there. Yes, I recommend: a new restaurant: yesterday we were served fresh green peas (kisses the ends of his fingers) - lovely! (Both leave.)

An officer runs, another holds his hand.

Another officer. Yes, we will stay.

First officer. No, brother, you can't lure into vaudeville and roll. We know these plays, which are given as a snack: lackeys instead of actors, and women are ugly and ugly. (Leaves.)

A socialite, dapperly dressed (going down the stairs). The rogue tailor, despisingly made me trousers, all the time I was afraid to sit awkwardly. For this I intend to procrastinate him, and I will not pay my debts for two years. (Leaves.)

Also a secular person, denser (speaks with liveliness to another). Never, never, believe me, he will not sit with you to play. Robert does not play for less than one and a half hundred rubles. I know this well, because my brother-in-law, Pafnutiev, plays with him every day.

Middle-aged official (leaving with outstretched arms). This is just the devil knows what it is! .. That is! .. that! .. It doesn’t look like anything. (Gone.)

Sir, somewhat light-hearted about literature (referring to another). After all, this, however, seems to be a translation?

Another. Sorry, what a translation! The action takes place in Russia, even our customs and ranks.

Mr. lighthearted about literature. I remember, however, there was something in French, not quite like that. (Both leave.)

One of the two spectators (also going out). Now it is still impossible to know anything. Wait, what they say in the magazines, then you will find out.

Two bekesh (one the other). Well, how are you? I would like to know your opinion on comedy.

Another bekesha (making significant movements with the lips). Yes, of course, one cannot say that there was no such thing ... of its own kind ... Well, of course, who is against this and stands against that again and ... where, so to speak ... but by the way. .. (Squeezing his lips in the affirmative.) Yes, yes! (They leave.)

Two officers.

One. I've never laughed like that before.

Another. I think it's a great comedy.

First. Well, no, let's see what they say in the magazines: criticism must be brought to justice ... Look, look! (Pushes him by the arm.)

Second. What?

First (pointing a finger at one of the two walking up the stairs). Writer!

Second (hastily). Which the?

First. This. Shh! let's listen to what they say.

Second. And who else is with him?

First. I don’t know: it’s not known what kind of person. (Both officers step aside and give them a seat.)

It is not known what kind of person. I cannot judge about literary merit; but I think there are witty notes. Sharp, sharp.

Writer. Pardon me, what's so witty? What kind of low people were brought out, what kind of tone? The jokes are the flattest; just even greasy!

It is not known what kind of person. Ah, that's another matter. I also say: in regard to literary merit, I cannot judge; I just noticed that the play was funny, it was a pleasure.

Writer. And it’s not funny. Pardon me, what's so funny and what is the pleasure? The plot is incredible. All the incongruities; no tie, no action, no consideration whatsoever.

It is not known what kind of person. Well, I’m not saying anything against that. In a literary sense, so in a literary sense, it is not funny; but in relation, so to speak, from the outside it has ...

Writer. What is there? Have mercy, and this is not even there! Well, what is the spoken language? Who says that in high society? Well, tell yourself, well, are we talking like that?

It is not known what kind of person. This is true; you very subtly noticed this. Exactly, I've been thinking about it myself: there is no nobility in conversation. All faces, it seems, as if they cannot hide their low nature - this is true.

Writer. Well, you still praise!

It is not known what kind of person. Who is praising? I am not praising. I myself now see that the play is nonsense. But all of a sudden it’s impossible to find out, I cannot judge from a literary point of view. (Both leave.)

Another writer (he enters, accompanied by listeners, to whom he speaks, waving his arms). Trust me, I know this thing: disgusting play, dirty, dirty play! There is not a single true person, all are caricatures! In nature, this is not, believe me, no, I know it better: I myself am a writer. They say: liveliness, observation ... but this is all nonsense, these are all friends, friends praise, all friends! I already heard that they almost shove him into the Fonvizins, and the play is simply unworthy even to be called a comedy. Farce, farce, and even the most unfortunate farce. The last empty comedy of Kotzebue4 in comparison with her is Mont Blanc in front of the Pulkovo Mountain. I will prove it to all of them, I will prove it mathematically, like two and two. Simply, friends and acquaintances praised him too much, so now he, tea, thinks of himself that he is almost Shakespeare. Our friends will always be overwhelmed. For example, here is Pushkin. Why is all of Russia talking about him now? All the friends: shouted, shouted, and then, after them, the whole of Russia began to shout. (He leaves with the audience.)

Both officers (move forward and take their places).

First. This is true, this is perfectly true: precisely, a farce; I said this before, a stupid farce, supported by friends. I confess that many things were even disgusting to look at.

Second. Why, you said you never laughed like that before?

First. And this is another matter again. You don't understand, you need to explain. What's in this play? First, there is no connection, there is no action either, there is absolutely no consideration; all the improbabilities and, moreover, all the cartoons.

The other two officers are behind.

One (to the other). Who is arguing this? One of yours, it seems?

Another, glancing sideways into the face of the reasoning man, waved his hand.

First. What, stupid?

Second. No, not that. He has a mind, but now after the publication of the magazine, and the book is too late - and nothing in his head. - But, nevertheless, let's go. (They leave.)

Two art lovers.

First. I am not at all one of those who resort only to words: dirty, disgusting, bad taste and the like. It is almost a proven fact that such words for the most part come from the lips of those who themselves have a very dubious tone, talk about living rooms and are allowed only into the halls. But we are not talking about them. I'm talking about the fact that the play, for sure, does not have a tie.

Second. Yes, if you take the set in the sense that it is usually accepted, that is, in the sense of a love affair, then it certainly does not. But it seems that it is time to stop relying so far on this eternal tie. It is worth looking closely around. Everything has changed long ago in the world. Now the striving to get a profitable place, to shine and overshadow, at all costs, another, to avenge for neglect, for ridicule, is more intensely tying up the drama. Do they not now have more electricity, money-capital, and a profitable marriage than love?

First. All this is good; but in this respect I still do not see the plot in the play.

Second. Now I will not assert whether there is a plot in the play or not. I will only say that they are generally looking for a private tie and do not want to see a common one. People are already innocently accustomed to these incessant lovers, without whose marriage the play cannot end. Of course, this is a tie, but what is the tie? - precise knot at the corner of the scarf. No, comedy should be knitted by itself, with all its mass, into one big common knot. The tie should embrace all faces, and not one or two - to touch what excites, more or less, all the actors. Every hero is here; the flow and course of the play produces a shock to the whole machine: not a single wheel should remain as rusty and irrelevant.

First. But everyone cannot be heroes; one or two have to manage the others.

Second. Not to rule at all, but perhaps to prevail. And in the car, some wheels move more noticeably and stronger, they can only be called the main ones; but the idea, the thought, rules the play: without it there is no unity in it. But everything can tie up: the very horror, the fear of waiting, the thunderstorm of the law going in the distance ...

First. But it turns out to give comedy some kind of more general meaning.

Second. Isn't this its direct and real meaning? Already at the very beginning, comedy was a public, folk creation. At least, this is how her father himself, Aristophanes, showed her. After that, she already entered a narrow gorge of a private tie, made a love move, the same indispensable tie. But how weak this connection is in the best comedians! how insignificant these theatrical lovers with their cardboard love!

Third (coming up and hitting him lightly on the shoulder). You are wrong: love, like other feelings, can also enter a comedy.

Second. I’m not saying that she couldn’t come in. But only love and all other feelings, more sublime, will only make a high impression when they are developed in all their depth. Having dealt with them, one must inevitably sacrifice everything else. All that is precisely the side of comedy will then pale, and the significance of public comedy will inevitably disappear.

Third. So, the subject of a comedy must necessarily be low? The comedy will come out already of a low genus.

Second. For someone who will look at the words, and not delve into the meaning, this is so. But can't positive and negative serve the same purpose? Can't comedy and tragedy express the same lofty thought? Doesn't everything, to the slightest bend in the soul of a vile and dishonorable person, already paint the image of an honest person? Doesn't all this accumulation of baseness, deviations from laws and justice already make it clear what the law, duty and justice require of us? In the hands of a skilled physician, both cold and hot water heals the same diseases with equal success: in the hands of talent, everything can serve as an instrument for the beautiful, if only one is governed by the lofty thought of serving the beautiful.

Fourth (coming up). What can be beautiful, and what are you talking about?

First. We started an argument about comedy. We all talk about comedy in general, and no one has said anything about a new comedy yet. What do you say?

Fourth. But what I will say: talent is visible, observation of life, a lot of funny, true, taken from nature; but in general there is something missing in the whole play. Somehow you do not see either a tie or a denouement. It is strange that our comedians cannot do without the government. Without it, you will not be able to unleash any comedy.

Third. This is true. However, on the other hand, this is very natural. We all belong to the government, we almost all serve; the interests of all of us are more or less connected with the government. Therefore, it is not surprising that this is reflected in the creations of our writers.

Fourth. So. Well, let this connection be heard; but the funny thing is that the play cannot end without a government. It will certainly appear, like an inevitable fate in the tragedies of the ancients.

Second. Well, you see: therefore, this is already something involuntary in our comedians. Therefore, this already constitutes some kind of distinctive character of our comedy. There is some kind of secret faith in the government in our bosom. Well? There is nothing wrong here: God forbid that the government always and everywhere hears its calling - to be the representative of providence on earth, and that we believe in it, as the ancients believed in fate that overtook crime.

Fifth. Hello gentlemen! I only hear the word "government". The comedy excited screams and rumors ...

Second. Better talk about these rumors and shouts in my place than here, in the theatrical hallways. (They leave.)

Several respectable and decently dressed people appear one after the other.

N 1. So; so, I see: this is true, we have it and it happens in other places and worse; but for what purpose, for what purpose should this be output? - that's the question! Why are these performances? What is the use of them? - that's what you will allow me! What do I need to know that there are rogues in such and such a place? I just ... I don't understand the need for such representations. (Leaves.)

No. 2. No, this is "not a mockery of vices; this is a disgusting mockery of Russia — that's what it is. It means putting the government itself in a bad shape, because to expose bad officials and abuses that occur in different classes means to expose the government itself. such representations should not be allowed. (Exit.)

Enter Mister A. and Mister B., people of not unimportant ranks.

Mr. A. I'm talking about this; on the contrary, we need to show abuse; we need to see our wrongdoings; and I do not at all share the opinions of many overly heated patriots; but only it seems to me that there is not too much of something sad here ...

Mr. B. I would very much like you to hear the remark of one very modestly dressed man who was sitting next to me in an armchair ... Ah, there he is!

Mr. A. Who?

Mr. B. It is this very modestly dressed man. (Turning to him.) You and I did not end the conversation, which was so interesting to me at the beginning.

A very modestly dressed man. And I, I confess, am very happy to continue it. Now only I have heard rumors, namely: that this is all untrue, that this is a mockery of the government, of our customs, and that this should not be imagined at all. This made me mentally recall and embrace the whole play, and I confess that the expression of the comedy seemed to me even more remarkable now. In it, it seems to me, hypocrisy, a decent mask, under which is baseness and meanness, a rogue, writhing the face of a well-meaning person, is most strongly and deeply struck by laughter. I confess, I felt joy, seeing how ridiculous the well-meaning words in the mouth of a rogue, and how hilariously ridiculous everyone, from armchairs to the district, wearing a mask, became hilarious. And after that, there are people who say that you don't need to put this on stage! I heard one remark made, as it seemed to me, however, by a fairly decent person: "And what will the people say when they see that we have such abuses?"

Mr. A. I confess, you will excuse me, but I myself also involuntarily presented myself with a question: what will our people say, looking at all this?

A very modestly dressed man. What will the people say? (He hesitates, two people in army jackets pass by.)

Blue army jacket to gray. Probably, they were nimble governors, and everyone turned pale when the tsar's reprisal came! (Both go out.)

A very modestly dressed man. That's what the people will say, have you heard?

Mr. A. What?

A very modestly dressed man. He will say: "Probably, they were nimble governors, and everyone turned pale when the tsarist reprisal came!" Can you hear how faithful a person is to natural instinct and feeling? How true is the simplest eye, if it is not clouded by theories and thoughts pulled from books, but draws them from the very nature of man! Isn't it obvious that after such a presentation the people will get more faith in the government? Yes, he needs such representations. Let him separate the government from the bad executors of the government. Let him see that the abuses do not come from the government, but from those who do not understand the demands of the government, from those who do not want to answer to the government. Let him see that the government is noble, that its watchful eye is equally vigilant over everyone, that sooner or later it will overtake those who have betrayed the law, honor and holy duty of a person, that those who have an unclean conscience will pale before it. Yes, he should see these representations; Believe me, if it happens to him to experience snags and injustice, he will come out consoled after such a performance with a firm faith in the awake supreme law. I also like the remark: "the people will get a bad opinion of their bosses." That is, they imagine that the people will only see their leaders here, for the first time, in the theater; that if at home some rogue headman squeezes him in his paw, he will not see this in any way, but as he goes to the theater, then he will see. They really think our people are more stupid than a log - to such an extent that they cannot tell which is a pie with meat and which is with porridge. No, now, it seems to me, it’s even good that an honest man has not been brought to the stage. A person who is proud of himself: show him one good side with many bad sides, he will proudly leave the theater. No, it is good that only exceptions and vices have been exposed, which now pierce the eyes that they do not want to be their compatriots, they are even ashamed to admit that it can be.

Mr. A. But do, however, do we have exactly such people?

A very modestly dressed man. Let me tell you this: I don't know why I feel sad every time I hear a question like this. I can speak frankly with you: in the features of your faces I see something that disposes me to frankness. A person first of all makes a request: "Do such people really exist?" But when was it seen that a person would ask such a question: "Am I myself completely clean of such vices?" Never never! Yes, that's what - I will speak to you frankly, - I have a good heart, there is a lot of love in my chest, but if you only knew what kind of mental efforts and shocks I needed in order not to fall into many vicious inclinations into which you fall unwittingly, living with people! And how can I say now that this very moment I do not have the very inclinations that everyone had just laughed at ten minutes ago, and at which I myself laughed?

Mr. A. (after some silence). I confess that you will ponder over your words. And when I remember, I will imagine how proud our European upbringing made us, in general, how it hid us from ourselves, how haughty and with what contempt we look at those who have not received such external polish as we do, as each of us puts ourselves a little not to saints, but to talk about bad things forever in the third person - then, I confess, the soul involuntarily becomes sad ... But forgive my immodesty - you, however, are to blame for it yourself - let me know: with whom do I have the pleasure of talking?

A very modestly dressed man. And I am no more, no less, like one of those officials, in whose positions the faces of comedy were brought out, and the day before yesterday I just arrived from my town.

Mr. B. I could not think that. And don't you think after that it is a shame to live and serve with such people?

A very modestly dressed man. Is it a shame? And I’ll tell you what I’ll tell you: I confess, I often had to lose my patience. In our town, not all officials are from an honest dozen; often you have to climb the wall to do some good deed. Several times already I wanted to quit the service; but now, just after this performance, I feel freshness and at the same time a new strength to continue my career. I am already consoled by the thought that meanness in our country does not remain hidden or condoned, that there, in the mind of all noble people, it is struck with ridicule, that there is a feather that will not obscure our low movements, although this does not flatter our national pride, and that there is a noble government that will allow it to be shown to all who should, in the eyes; and this alone gives me the zeal to continue my useful service.

Mr. A. Let me make you one suggestion. I hold a fairly significant government position. I need truly noble and honest helpers. I offer you a place where you will have a vast field of action, where you will receive incomparably more benefits and will be in plain sight.

A very modestly dressed man. Allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart and from the bottom of my heart for such an offer, and at the same time let me reject it. If I already feel that I am useful to my place, is it noble of me to leave it? And how can I leave him, not being firmly sure that after me some fellow will not sit down, who will begin to make crimps. If this offer was made by you as a reward, then let me tell you: I applauded the author of the play on an equal basis with others, but I did not summon him. What is his reward? I liked the play - praise her, but he - he just did his duty. It really has come down to us that not only on the occasion of some heroic deed, but simply, if only the other does not screw up on anyone, in life and in the service, then God knows what a virtuous person he is, he is seriously angry, if not notice and do not reward him. "Have mercy," he says, "I have lived honestly for a whole century, did almost nothing at all, - how can they not give me any rank or order?" No, for me who is unable to be noble without encouragement - I do not believe his nobility; not worth a penny his mouse nobility.

Mr. A. At least you will not deny me your acquaintance. Forgive my obsession; you can see for yourself that it is a consequence of my sincere respect. Give me your adress.

A very modestly dressed man. Here's my address; but rest assured that I will not allow you to use it, and tomorrow morning I will appear to you. Excuse me, I have not been brought up in the big world and I do not know how to speak ... But to meet such generous attention in a statesman, such a striving for good ... God forbid that every sovereign was surrounded by such people! (Hastily leaves.)

Mr. A. (turning the card over in his hands). I look at this card and at this unknown surname, and somehow it becomes completely in my soul. This initially sad impression dissipated by itself. God bless you, our little known by us Russia! In the wilderness, in your forgotten corner, a similar pearl is hidden, and, probably, he is not alone. They, like sparks of gold ore, are scattered among its rough and dark granites. There is a deeply comforting feeling in this phenomenon, and my soul was illuminated after meeting with this official, as his own was illuminated after the presentation of a comedy. Farewell! Thank you for bringing me this meeting. (Leaves.)

Mr. V. (going up to Mr. B.). Who was that with you? He seems to be a minister — huh?

Mr. P. (coming from the other side). Have mercy, brother, well, what is it, how is it really? ..

Mr. B. What?

Mr. P. Well, how can we deduce this?

Mr. B. Why not?

Mr. P. Well, judge for yourself: well, how, right? All vices, yes vices; well, what kind of example will set this for the audience?

Mr. B. Do vices really boast? After all, they are also brought out to be ridiculed.

Mr. P. Well, that's it, brother, whatever you say: respect ... because through this, respect for officials and positions is lost.

Mr. B. Respect is not lost either to officials or to positions, but to those who badly perform their positions.

Mr. V. But let me say, however, that all this in some way is already an insult, which more or less applies to everyone.

Mr. P. Exactly. This is what I wanted to notice to him myself. It is precisely the insult that is spreading. Now, for example, they will bring out some titular councilor, and then ... er ... perhaps they will bring out ... and a real state councilor ...

Mr. B. Well, so what? The person only has to be inviolable; and if I invented my own face, and gave him some vices that happen between us, and gave him the rank that I thought of, even a real state councilor, and would say that this real state councilor is not like it follows: what's wrong with that? Doesn't a goose also come across among the actual state councilors?

Mr. P. Well, brother, this is too much. How can a goose be a real state councilor? Well, let it be titular ... No, you're too much.

Mr. V. How to expose the bad, why not expose the good, worthy of imitation?

Mr. B. Why? strange question: "why?" You can do a lot of such "why". Why did one father, wanting to pull his son out of a disorderly life, did not waste words and instructions, but brought him to the infirmary, where terrible traces of a disorderly life appeared before him in all their horror? Why did he do it?

Mr. V. But let me tell you: these are already in some way our social wounds, which need to be hidden, not shown.

Mr. P. It's true. I totally agree with that. With us, the bad must be hidden, not shown.

Mr. B. If these words were spoken by someone else, and not you, I would say that they were driven by hypocrisy, and not true love for the fatherland. In your opinion, it would only be necessary to close, somehow heal from the outside these, as you call, social wounds, as long as they are not visible so far, and let the disease rage inside - there is no need for that. There is no need that it can explode and show itself with such symptoms, when any treatment is already late. There is no need for that. You do not want to know that without a deep heartfelt confession, without a Christian consciousness of our sins, without exaggerating them in our own eyes, we are not able to rise above them, we are not able to lift our souls higher than the contemptible in life. You do not want to know this1 Let the person remain deaf, let his life pass sleepily, let him not shudder, let him not cry in the depths of his heart, let him bring down his soul to such a state of sleep that nothing will shock it! No ... excuse me! Cold selfishness moves the lips making such speeches, and not holy, pure love for humanity. (Leaves.)

Mr. P. (after some silence). Why are you silent? What? What did you say, huh?

Mr. V. (is silent).

Mr. P. (continuing). He can say to himself what he wants, but after all, our wounds, so to speak.

Mr. V. (aside). Well, these wounds fell on his tongue! He will talk about them both counter and transverse!

Mr. P. That is, perhaps, I can say a bunch of everything, but what of this? .. But Prince N. Listen, Prince, don't go!

Prince N. And what?

Mr. P. Well, let's talk, stop! Well, how's the play?

Prince N. Yes, it's funny.

Mr. P. But, nevertheless, tell me: how to represent it? what is it like...

Prince N. Why not present?

Mr. P. Well, judge for yourself, well, how can it be: suddenly there is a rogue on the stage - after all, these are all our wounds.

Prince N. What wounds?

Mr. P. Yes, these are our wounds, our, so to speak, social wounds.

Prince N. (annoyed). Take them for yourself! Let them be yours, not my wounds! Why are you poking them at me? I must go home. (Leaves.)

Mr. P. (continuing). And then again, what nonsense did he say here? Says: a real state councilor can be a goose. Well, let it be titular, it can be admitted ...

Mr. V. Well, let's go, fully interpret; I think everyone passing by have already learned that you are a real state councilor. (Aside.) There are people who have the art of mocking everything. Having repeated your thought, they know how to make it so vulgar that you yourself blush. If you say stupidity, it might have slipped unnoticed - no, an admirer and friend will be found who will certainly use it and make it even more stupid than it is. It’s even annoyingly right: it’s as if he had planted it in the mud. (They leave.)

The military man and the civil servant go out together.

Statsky. After all, that's what you are, gentlemen of the military! You say, "it needs to be put on stage"; you are ready to laugh enough at some civilian official; but somehow touch the military, just say that there are officers in such and such a regiment, not to mention vicious inclinations, but just say: there are officers of bad taste, with indecent tricks - but because of this alone you are ready to climb with a complaint to the very state council.

Military. Well, listen, who do you think I am? Of course, there are such Donkeyshots between us, but believe also that there are many truly reasonable people who will always be happy if a defamatory title is brought out to everyone's ridicule. And what is the grievance here? Serve it, serve it to us! We are ready to watch every day.

Statsky (aside). This is how a person always shouts: "Serve! Serve!" and if you give it, he will get angry. (They leave.)

Two bekes.

The first bekesha. The French, too, for example; but they have it all very nice. Well, you remember, in yesterday's vaudeville: he undresses, goes to bed, grabs a salad bowl from the table and puts it under the bed. It is, of course, immodest, but cute. You can watch all this, it does not offend ... I have a wife and children at the theater every day. And here - well, what is it, right? - some scoundrel, a peasant whom I would not let into the hall, will fall apart with his boots, yawn or pick his teeth, - well, what is that, right? what does it look like?

Another bekesha. The French have a different matter. There societe, mon cher6, It is impossible with us. After all, our writers are absolutely without any education: all this was for the most part brought up in the seminary. He is inclined to wine, he is also a hooker. A certain writer also visited my lackey: where could he have any idea of ​​good society? (They leave.)

Secular lady (accompanied by two men: one in a tailcoat, the other in a uniform). But what kind of people, what kind of faces have been taken out! at least one attracted ... Well, why don't they write in our country the way the French write, for example, like Dumas and others? I do not demand exemplars of virtue; Bring me out a woman who would be mistaken, who would even cheat on her husband, who, let us say, surrendered to the most vicious and forbidden love; but imagine it fascinatingly, so that I was prompted by her participation, so that I fell in love with her ... But here all the faces are one more disgusting than the other.

A man in a uniform. Yes, trivial, trivial.

Secular lady. Tell me: why is it still so trivial here in Russia?

A man in a tailcoat. My soul, afterwards you will tell us why it is trivial: they are shouting our carriage. (They leave.)

Three men enter together.

First. Why not laugh? you can laugh; but what is the subject of ridicule - abuse and vice? What a mockery here!

Second. So what is there to laugh about? Is it over the virtues, over the dignity of man?

First. No; yes, this is not a subject for a comedy, my dear! This already concerns the government in some way. As if there are no other subjects to write about?

Second. What are the other items?

First. Well, but you never know all sorts of funny social events? Well, suppose, for example, I went for a walk to Aptekarsky Island, and the coachman suddenly brought me there to Vyborgskaya or to the Smolny Monastery. Aren't there any funny clutches?

Second. That is, you want to take away any serious meaning from comedy. But why issue an indispensable law? There are many comedies in exactly the taste you want. Why not allow the existence of two, three such as was played now? If you like the ones you are talking about, go only to the theater: there every day you will see a play where one hid under a chair, and the other pulled him out by the leg.

Third. Well, no, listen: that's not it. Everything has its limits. There are things that, so to speak, should not be laughed at, which in some way are already sacred.

Second (to himself, with a bitter grin). It is always like this in the world: laugh at the truly noble, at that which constitutes the highest sanctuary of the soul, no one will become an intercessor; laugh at the vicious, vile and vile - everyone will shout: "he laughs at the holy thing."

First. Well, you see, I see you are now convinced: do not say a word. Believe me, one cannot help but be convinced: this is the truth. I myself am an impartial person, and I am not saying that ... but, simply, this is not an author's business, this is not a subject for a comedy. (They leave.)

Second (to myself). I confess that I would never want to be in the place of the author. Please please! Choose unimportant secular occasions, everyone will say: "He writes nonsense, there is no deep moral purpose"; choose an object that has at least some serious moral purpose - they will say: "It's none of his business, write trifles!" (Leaves.)

A young lady of the big world, accompanied by her husband.

Husband. Our carriage must not be far away, we can leave soon.

Mr. N. (going up to the lady). What do I see! You have come to watch a Russian play!

Young lady. What's wrong with that? Am I not a patriot anymore?

Mr. N. Well, if so, then you are not very saturated with your patriotism. Are you scolding the play, right?

Young lady. Not at all. I find that a lot is very true: I laughed heartily.

Mr. N. Why were you laughing? Is it because you love to laugh at everything that is Russian?

Young lady. Because it was just funny. Because that meanness, meanness was brought out, which no matter what dress she dressed up in, even if she was not in the district town, but here, around us, - she "would have been the same meanness or meanness: that's why she laughed.

Mr. N. One very clever lady told me now that she also laughed, but that, for all that, the play made a sad impression on her.

Young lady. I don't want to know how your smart lady felt; but my nerves are not so sensitive, and I am always glad to laugh at what is internally funny. I know that there are some of us who are ready to laugh heartily at the crooked nose of a person and do not have the spirit to laugh at the crooked soul of a person.

(A young lady with her husband also appears in the distance.)

Mr. N. Ah, here comes your friend. I would like to know her opinion on comedy. (Both ladies shake hands.)

First lady. I saw from afar how you laughed.

Second lady. Who didn't laugh? everyone was laughing.

Mr. N. Didn't you feel any sad feeling?

Second lady. I confess, I was, for sure, sad. I know this is all very true; I myself also saw a lot of similar things, but for all that, it was hard for me.

Mr. N. So you didn't like the comedy?

Second lady. Well, listen, who's saying this? I tell you already that I laughed heartily, and even more than all the others; I think I was even mistaken for insane ... But I was sad that I would like to rest on at least one kind face. Ego excess and a lot of low ...

Mr. N. Speak, speak!

The husband of the first lady. But this is exactly what you should not advise. Ladies certainly want a knight, so that he immediately repeated to them for every word about nobility, even in the most vulgar syllable.

Second lady. Not at all. How little you know us! This is what belongs to you! You just love only one word and talk about nobility. I heard the judgment of one of you: one fat man shouted in such a way that, I think, he forced everyone to turn to himself - that this is slander, that such meanness and meanness are never done in our country. Who spoke? - The lowest and meanest person who is ready to sell his soul, conscience and whatever you want. I just don’t want to call him by name.

Mr. N. Well, tell me, who was it?

Second lady. Why do you need to know? Yes, he is not alone; I could hear incessantly shouting near us: "This is a disgusting mockery of Russia, a mockery of the government! But how to allow it? But what will the people say?" Why did they shout? Is it because you really thought and felt it? - Sorry. Because, in order to make a noise, so that the play was banned, because in it, perhaps, they found something similar to ourselves. Here are your real, not theatrical knights!

The husband of the first lady. O! yes, a little anger is already beginning to be born in you!

Second lady. Anger, namely anger. Yes, I'm angry, very angry. And one cannot help being evil, seeing how meanness appears under all sorts of guises.

The husband of the first lady. Well, yes: you would like the knight to jump out now, jump over some abyss, break his neck ...

Second lady. Sorry.

The husband of the first lady. Naturally: what does a woman need? - She absolutely needs to have a romance in her life.

Second lady. No no no! Two hundred times I’m ready to say no! This is a vulgar, old thought that you constantly impose on us. A woman has more true generosity than a man. A woman cannot, a woman is not able to do those mean things and nastiness that you do. A woman cannot be a hypocrite there, where you measure your face, she cannot turn a blind eye to the baseness that you are looking at. She has enough nobility in order to say all this without looking around, whether anyone will like it or not - because it is necessary to speak. What is despicable is despicable, no matter how you hide it and no matter what kind you give. This is despicable, despicable!

The husband of the first lady. Yes, I see you are angry in every way.

Second lady. Because I am frank and I cannot bear it when they tell a lie.

The husband of the first lady. Well, don't be angry, give me your pen! I was kidding.

Second lady. Here's my hand, I'm not angry. (Addressing Mr. N.) Listen, advise the author to bring a noble and honest man into a comedy.

Mr. N. But how can this be done? Well, if he brings out an honest man, and this honest man looks like a theatrical knight?

Second lady. No, if he feels strongly and deeply, then his hero will not be a theatrical knight.

Mr. N. Why, I think it is not so easy to do it.

Second lady. Just say better that your author does not have deep and strong heart movements.

Mr. N. Why is it so?

Second lady. Well, yes, he who laughs incessantly and forever cannot have too high feelings: he cannot be familiar with what only a tender heart feels.

Mr. N. That's good! So, in your opinion, the author should not be a noble person?

Second lady. Well, you see, you are now reinterpreting in the other direction. I am not saying a word about the comedian not having nobility and a strict notion of honor in the entire sense of the word. I only say that he could not ... shed a tear of heart, love something strongly, with all the depths of his soul.

The husband of the second lady. But how can you say it in the affirmative?

Second lady. I can because I know. All people who laughed or were mockers, they were all proud, almost all selfish; of course, noble egoists, but nevertheless egoists.

Mr. N. Consequently, you decisively prefer only that kind of writings in which only the lofty movements of a person operate?

Second lady. O, sure! I will always put them higher, and, I confess, I have more spiritual faith in such an author.

The husband of the first lady (referring to Mr. N). Well, can't you see - it turns out the same thing again? This is a feminine taste. For them, the most vulgar tragedy is higher than the best comedy, just because it is a tragedy ...

Second lady. Shut up, I'll be angry again. (Addressing Mr. N.) Well, tell me, was it not true that I said: after all, a comedian must have a cold soul?

The husband of the second lady. Or hot, because the irritability of character also excites to ridicule and satyrs.

Second lady. Well, or irritable. But what does this mean? - This means that the reason for such works was nevertheless bile, bitterness, indignation, perhaps even fair in all respects. But there is nothing that would show that this is generated by a high love for humanity ... in a word, love. Is not it?

Mr. N. It's true.

Mr. N. How can I tell you? I do not know him so briefly that I could judge his soul. But, realizing everything that I have heard about him, he, for sure, must be either an egoist or a very irritable person.

Second lady. Well, you see, I knew that well.

First lady. I don't know why, but I would not want him to be selfish.

The husband of the first lady. And here comes our footman, so the carriage is ready. Farewell. (Shaking the hand of the second lady.) You are here, aren't you? Do we drink tea with us?

First lady (leaving). Please!

Second lady. Certainly.

The husband of the second lady. It seems that our carriage is also ready. (They go after them.)

Two spectators come out.

First. Here's what you explain to me: why, analyzing separately every action, face and character, you see: all this is true, alive, taken from nature, but together it already seems to be something huge, exaggerated, caricature, so that, leaving the theater, you involuntarily ask : do such people really exist? And yet they are not exactly villains.

Second. Not at all, they are not villains at all. They are exactly what the proverb says: "not thin in soul, but simply a cheat."

First. And then one more thing: this enormous accumulation, this excess - isn't there already a lack of comedy? Tell me, where is there such a society that would consist of all such people, so that there would not be, if not half, then at least some part of decent people? If comedy is to be a picture and a mirror of our social life, then it must reflect it in all fidelity.

Second. First, in my opinion, this comedy is not a picture at all, but rather a frontispiece. You see, both the stage and the setting are perfect. Otherwise, the author would not have made obvious errors and anachronisms, would not have inserted even to other persons those speeches that, by their nature and the place occupied by persons, do not belong to them. Only the first irritability took for a personality that in which there is not even a shadow of personality and that belongs more or less to the personality of all people. This is a gathering place: everywhere, from different corners Russia, there have flocked here exceptions from truth, delusion and abuse, in order to serve one idea - to produce in the viewer a bright, noble aversion from many something low. The impression is even stronger because none of the above persons has lost their human image: the human is heard everywhere. That is why the heart shudder is even deeper. And laughing, the viewer involuntarily turns back, as if feeling that close to him is what he laughed at, and that every minute he must stand on guard so that it does not burst into his own soul. I think it’s the funniest thing to hear the author reproaches: “why are his faces and characters not attractive,” while he used everything to push them away. Yes, if even one honest person was placed in a comedy, and placed with all the fascination, then every one of them would have gone over to the side of this honest person and would have completely forgotten about those who so frightened them now. These images, perhaps, would not appear incessantly, as if they were alive, at the end of the performance; the viewer would not take away the sad feeling and would not say: "Do such people really exist?"

First. Yes. Well, this, however, will not suddenly be understood.

Second. Quite natural. The inner meaning is always comprehended after. And the more alive, the brighter the images in which he put on and into which he was fragmented, the more the general attention stops on the images. Only by putting them together, you will receive the result and the meaning of creation. But to disassemble and fold such letters quickly, read on top and suddenly - not everyone can; until then, they will see only letters for a long time. And you will see, here I am telling you this ahead: first of all, every uyezd town in Russia will get angry and will assert that this is an evil satire, a vulgar, base invention, aimed precisely at him. (They leave.)

One official. This is a vulgar, base fiction; this is satire, libel!

Another official. Now, then, there is nothing left. You don't need laws, you don't need to serve. The uniform I’m wearing — it means I need to abandon him: he’s a rag now.

Two young men are running.

One. Well, everyone got angry. I have heard so much talk that I can, by glancing, guess what everyone thinks of the play.

Another. Well, what does this one think?

First. Here's the one who puts on his overcoat in his sleeves?

Another. Yes.

First. This is what he thinks: “For such a comedy, you would go to Nerchinsk! ..” However, it seems, the upper population got under way; the vaudeville is apparently over. Now raznochintsy will rush in. Let's go! (Both leave.)

(The noise increases; there is a running up and down all the stairs. Army jackets, sheepskin coats, bonnets, German long-brimmed caftans of merchants are running. Triangular hats and sultans, overcoats of all kinds: frieze, military, second-hand and dandy - with beavers. The crowd pushes the gentleman putting on an overcoat in his sleeve ; the master hesitates and continues to put it on aside. Gentlemen and officials of all kinds and sorts appear in the crowd. Lackey in livery are clearing the way for the ladies.

A young official of an evasive nature (running up to the gentleman putting on an overcoat). Your Excellency, let me hold you!

The gentleman in the greatcoat. Hello! Are you here? Came to watch?

A young official. Yes, sir, your excellency, it’s funny.

The gentleman in the greatcoat. Nonsense! nothing funny!

A young official. It is true, Your Excellency: there is nothing at all.

The gentleman in the greatcoat. For such things you need to whip, not praise.

A young official. It is true, your excellency!

The gentleman in the greatcoat. Here, they let young people into the theater. They will endure a lot of useful things! Here you are: now, tea, will you come to the office, will you be blunt?

A young official. How can you, your excellency! .. Let me clear the way forward for you! (To the people, pushing both.) Hey, step aside, the general is coming! (Approaching, with extraordinary courtesy, two smartly dressed.) Gentlemen, please, let the general pass!

Well dressed, pushing back and making way.

First. Do you know which general? Should there be a famous one?

Second. I don't know, I've never seen him.

An official of a talkative nature (picking up from behind). Simply, state councilor, locally he is only listed in the fourth grade. What is happiness? At fifteen years of service, Vladimir, Anna, Stanislav, 3,000 rubles of salary, 2,000 canteens, and from the council, but from the commission, and even in the department.

The gentlemen are well dressed (one to the other). Let's go! (They leave.)

An official of a talkative nature. There must be mother's sons. Tea, they serve in the foreign board. I don't like comedies; I like tragedies more for my taste. (Leaves.)

OFFICER (making his way with the lady by the arm). Hey, you beards, what are you pushing? Can't you see - lady?

Merchant (with a lady by the arm). At themselves, father, lady.

The merchant's voice. It is, if you please see, it is more here, so to speak, from the maral side. Of course, there are, so to speak, all sorts of things, sir. Why, if you please judge that even an honest man, by chance it will be necessary ... And as for maralliness, this is the case with the nobles as well.

The two officers, who have recognized each other, are talking through the crowd.

First. Michelle, are you there?

Second. There.

First. Well, I'm there too.

An important-looking official. I would forbid everything. You don't need to print anything. Use enlightenment, read, not write. Books have already been written, no more is needed.

A handsome and dense gentleman (speaks with warmth to a nondescript and short). Morality, morality suffers, that's the main thing!

The gentleman is short and nondescript, but poisonous. Why, morality is a relative thing.

A handsome and tight gentleman. What do you mean by the name "relative"?

Nondescript, but noxious master. The fact that morality is measured by everyone in relation to himself. One calls it morality to take off his hat in the street; another calls it morality to turn a blind eye to how he steals; the third calls morality the services rendered to his mistress. After all, usually, as each of our brethren says to his subordinates? - Above he says: "Dear sir, try to fulfill your duty in relation to God, sovereign, fatherland," and you, they say, already have some understanding about what. However, this is only the case in the provinces; in capitals this does not happen, does it? Here, even if he appears at someone's two houses at three years old, why is that? It's all from honesty, isn't it?

Handsome and dense gentleman (aside). Bad as the devil, and the tongue is like a snake.

A nondescript, but poisonous master (pushing a completely unfamiliar person by the arm, says to him, nodding at the handsome gentleman). Four houses in one street; everything is next to one another, at the age of six they grew up! What is the effect of honesty on the vegetative force, huh?

Stranger (leaving hastily). Sorry, I didn't hear.

A nondescript, but poisonous person (pushing an unfamiliar neighbor by the arm). How has deafness spread in the city today, huh? This is what an unhealthy and damp climate means!

Unfamiliar neighbor. Yes, that's the flu too. All my children have been ill.

A nondescript, but poisonous person. Yes, flu and deafness; mumps in the throat too. (Lost in the crowd.)

Conversation in a group on the side.

First. And they say that a similar incident happened to the author himself: he was in a town in a prison for debts.

The gentleman on the other side of the group (picking up the speech). No, this is not in the prison, it was on the tower. This was seen by those who passed. They say it was something extraordinary. Imagine: the poet is on the highest tower, around the mountain, the location is amazing, and he reads poetry from there. Isn't it true that there is some special feature of the writer here?

Negative master. Not smart at all. I know he served, he was almost kicked out of the service: he could not write requests.

A simple liar. Lively, lively head! They didn't give him a place for a long time, so what do you think? He wrote a letter directly to the minister. Why, how I wrote it! —Quintillian manner8. Just the way he began: "my dear sir!" And then he went, and went, and went ... he rolled about eight pages around. The minister, as he read: "Well," he says, "thank you, thank you! I see you have many enemies. Be the head of the department!" And straight from the scribes he waved to the chiefs of the department.

The gentleman of the good-natured nature (referring to another person of the cold-blooded nature). The devil knows who to believe! I sat in prison and climbed the tower! And kicked out of the service, and the place was given!

A lord of cold-blooded nature. Why, this is all said impromptu.

A gentleman of good nature. How impromptu?

Mr. cold-blooded. So. After all, in two minutes they do not know themselves what they will hear from themselves. Their language, without the knowledge of the owner, suddenly blurts out the news, and the owner is glad - he returns home, as if he had eaten. And the next day he forgot what he had invented. It seems to him that he heard from others - and went to pass it around the city to everyone.

Good-natured gentleman. This, however, is shameless: to lie and not feel oneself.

Mr. cold-blooded. Yes, there are also sensitive ones. There are those who feel that they are lying, but they already consider it necessary for a conversation: red rye, and speech is a lie.

The lady of the middle world. But just what a wicked mocker this author must be! I confess that I would never want to catch his eye: that way he would suddenly notice something funny in me.

Mister with weight. I don't know what kind of person he is. This, this, this ... There is nothing sacred for this person; today he will say: such and such an adviser is not good, and tomorrow he will say that there is no God either. After all, there is only one step.

Second master. Make fun of! But you can't joke with laughter. It means destroying all respect - that's what it means. Why, after all this, everyone will beat me up in the street, say: "Why, they are laughing at you; but you have the same rank, so here's a crack for you!" This is what it means.

Third gentleman. Still would! This is a serious thing! They say: "trinket, trifles, theatrical performance." No, these are not simple trinkets; strict attention must be paid to this. They send people to Siberia for such things. Yes, if I had the power, the author would not have squealed at me. I would have planted him in such a place that he would not have seen the light of God.

A group of people appears, God knows what kind, however, noble appearance and decently dressed.

First. Better stand here while the crowd comes out. Well, what is it, right! To start a noise, applause, as if God knows what! A trinket, some empty theatrical play and raise such an alarm, shout, call the author - well, what is that!

Second. However, the play amused, entertained.

First. Well, yes, it amused me, as any trinket usually amuses. But why such screams and talk from this? They talk as if about some important thing, applaud ... Well, what is it! Well, I understand, if there were some singer or dancer - well, there I understand: there you are surprised at art, flexibility, agility, natural talent. Well, what about here? They shout: "Writer! Writer! Writer!" What is a writer? That sometimes a witty word will come across, but write something off from nature ... But what kind of work is there? What's wrong with that? After all, these are all fables - and nothing else.

Second. Yes, of course, the thing is not important.

First. Consider: well, a dancer, for example: there is still art, you can't do that, what he does. Well, if I want, for example: yes, my legs just won't rise. Well, if I do antrash, I won't do it for anything. But you can write without learning. I do not know who the author is, but they told me that he is a complete ignoramus, knows nothing: he seems to have been kicked out of somewhere.

Second. But, nevertheless, all the same, he must know something: without this it is impossible to write.

First. Yes, have mercy, what can he know? You yourself know what a writer is: an empty man! This is known to the whole world - it is not suitable for any business. They have already tried to use them, but abandoned them. Well, judge for yourself, well, what do they write? After all, these are all nonsense, fables! If you want, I'll write it this very hour, and you will write it, and he will write it, and everyone will write it.

Second. Yes, of course, why not write. Be just a drop of intelligence in your head, it’s so possible.

First. And the mind is not needed. Why is the mind here? After all, these are all fables. Well, if there were still, let’s say, some kind of scientific science, some subject that you do not yet know, but what is this? After all, every man knows this. You will see it on the street every day. Just sit by the window, and write down everything that is being done — that's the whole thing!

Third. This is true. How can you think of it, really, what nonsense they are using their time on!

First. Exactly, a waste of time is nothing more. Fables, trifles! It would just be necessary to forbid giving them a pen and ink in their hands. However, the people are coming out, let's go! Make noise, shout, encourage! but the matter is simply nonsense! Fables, trifles! fables! (They leave. The crowd is thinning, some stragglers are running.)
A good-natured official. And all, really, well, what would at least one honest person expose! All rogues, yes rogues!

One of the people. Hear you, wait for me at the crossroads! I'll run and get the mittens.

One of the gentlemen (looking at his watch). However, the hour is coming soon. I never left the theater so late. (Leaves.)

A lagging official. Only time is wasted! No, I will never go to the theater again. (He leaves. The canopy is empty.)

The author of the play (leaving). I heard more than I expected. What a motley bunch of gossip! Happiness is a comedian who was born among a nation, where society has not yet merged into one motionless mass, where it has not clothed with one crust of the old prejudice, which encloses the thoughts of everyone in the same form and measure, where is the person, then the opinion, where is everyone himself the creator of your character. What a variety in these opinions, and how this firm, clear Russian mind flashed everywhere! and in this noble aspiration of a statesman! and in this lofty self-sacrifice of an official huddled in the wilderness! and in the tender beauty of a generous female soul! and in the aesthetic sense of connoisseurs! and in the simple, faithful flair of the people. How many things a comedian needs to know even in these malevolent condemnations! What a living lesson! Yes, I am satisfied. But why does my heart become sad? It’s strange: I’m sorry that no one noticed the honest person who was in my play. Yes, there was one honest, noble person who acted in her throughout her entire continuation. This honest, noble face was - laughter. He was noble, because he decided to speak, despite the low importance that is given to him in the world. He was noble, because he decided to speak, despite the fact that he gave an insulting nickname to the comedian - the nickname of a cold egoist, and even made him doubt the presence of gentle movements of his soul. Nobody stood up for this laugh. I am a comedian, I served him honestly, and therefore I must become his intercessor. No, laughter is more significant and deeper than one thinks - not the kind of laughter that is generated by temporary irritability, bilious, painful disposition of character; not the same light laugh, which serves for the idle amusement and amusement of people; - but that laughter, which all flies out of the light nature of man, flies out of it because at the bottom of it "there is an ever-beating spring of it, which deepens the object, makes what would appear brightly that would have slipped, without the penetrating power of which is a trifle and the emptiness of life would not frighten a man so. The despicable and insignificant, past which he indifferently passes every day, would not have grown before him in such a terrible, almost caricatured strength, and he would not cry out, shuddering: "are there really such people", while , according to his own consciousness, people are worse. No, those are unjust who say that laughter is outraged. Outrage only that which is gloomy, and laughter is light. it already brings reconciliation to the soul. And the one who would incur vengeance against an evil person already almost reconciles with him, seeing the low movements of his soul mocked. Unjust are those who say that laughter does not work on those against whom it is directed, and that the rogue will be the first to laugh at the rogue brought onto the stage: the rogue-descendant will laugh, but the rogue-contemporary cannot laugh. He hears that everyone already has an irresistible image, that one low movement on his part is enough for this image to go to him in an eternal nickname; and even the one who is no longer afraid of anything in the world is afraid of ridicule. No, only one deeply kind soul can laugh with a kind, light laugh. But they do not hear the mighty force of such laughter: "what is funny is low," says the light; only that which is pronounced in a stern, tense voice is only given the name of the lofty one. But god! how many people pass every day for whom there is no high at all in the world! Everything that was created by inspiration is for them trifles and fables; Shakespeare's creation of fables for them; the holy movements of the soul are fables for them. No, it is not the insulted petty pride of the writer that makes me say this, not because my immature, weak creatures have now been called fables - no, I see my vices and see that I am worthy of reproaches; but my soul could not stand indifferently when the most perfect creations were honored with the names of trifles and fables, when all the luminaries and stars of the world were recognized as creators of nothing but trifles and fables! My soul whined when I saw how many there and then, in the midst of life itself, unrequited, dead inhabitants, terrible with the motionless cold of my soul and the barren desert of the heart; my soul ached when not even the ghost of expression on their insensitive faces flinched from what plunged a deeply loving soul into heavenly tears, and their tongue did not touch their eternal word: "fables!" Fables! .. And the centuries have passed, cities and peoples have been demolished and disappeared from the face of the earth, like smoke has carried away everything that was, and fables live and are repeated to this day, and wise kings, deep rulers, a beautiful old man and a young man full of noble aspirations heed them ... Fables! .. And the balconies and railings of theaters are groaning: everything shook from top to bottom, turned into one feeling, in an instant, into one person, all people met like brothers in one mental movement, and a grateful hymn thunders with friendly applause to the one that has not been in the world for five hundred years. Do his rotting bones hear it in the grave? Does his soul, which endured the harsh sorrow of life, respond? Fables! .. And yonder, among the same rows of the shocked crowd, came dejected with grief and the unbearable burden of life, ready to raise his hands desperately - and suddenly refreshing tears spilled out of his eyes, and he came out reconciled with life and again asks the sky for grief and suffering, just to live and burst into tears again from such fables. Fables! .. But the world would doze off without such fables, life would be shallower, souls would be covered with mold and mud. Fables! .. Oh, may the names of those who favorably listened to such fables be eternally holy in posterity: the wonderful finger of Providence was inseparably over the heads of their creators. In moments of even troubles and persecution, everything that was the noblest in the states became, first of all, their intercessor: the crowned monarch overshadowed them with his royal shield from the height of the inaccessible ceased. Cheer up on the road! And may the soul not be embarrassed by condemnation, but may it gratefully accept the indications of shortcomings, not being overshadowed even then, if they would have denied it high motions and holy love for humanity! The world is like a whirlpool: opinions and talk are eternally moving in it, but time grinds everything: like husks, false ones fly off, and, like hard seeds, immovable truths remain. What was recognized as empty may then appear armed with a strict meaning. In the depths of cold laughter, hot sparks of eternal mighty love can also be found. And why to know, perhaps, will be recognized later by everyone, that by virtue of the same laws, why a proud and strong person is insignificant and weak in misfortune, and the weak grows like a giant in the midst of troubles - by virtue of the same laws, who often sheds sincere, deep tears, it seems, laughs more than anyone in the world! ..

1 It goes without saying that the author of the play is an ideal person: he depicts the position of a comedian in society, a comedian who has chosen as the subject of ridicule abuses in the circle of various estates and positions. (Approx. Gogol.)
2 Vaudeville - small, for the most part a one-act theatrical play, of a cheerful character, with singing couplets. In the first half of the 19th century, the performance certainly ended with a vaudeville.
3 The French expression (literally - "as it should") is decent, decent; a person comme il faut - decent, in the sense of belonging to the wealthy top of society.
4 Kotzebue August (1761-1819) - German playwright, author of more than 200 plays that had great success in their time.
5 Aristophanes (444-380 BC) - the greatest dramatic writer of ancient Greece, bright representative political comedy; the fierce class and political struggle between the Athenian aristocracy and democracy was reflected in the work of Aristophanes.
6 Society, my dear.
7 Frontispiece - a page of a book with a picture in front of the title, or title, page.
8 Quintilian is an ancient Roman writer, the author of several works on the theory of eloquence.

Comedy is not a “low” genre, as was previously thought: “Already at the very beginning, comedy was a public, folk creation. At least, this is how her father himself, Aristophanes, showed her. After that she entered the narrow gorge of a private tie, made a love trick, the same indispensable tie. "

G. opposes the private tie to the general... At that time, vaudeville was popular on the stage => a love affair in a tie, and G. was reproached for not having a tie. But G. deliberately refuses the "eternal tie" - a love affair:

“Yes, if you take the set in the sense that it is usually accepted, that is, in the sense of a love affair, then it certainly does not. But it seems that it is time to stop relying so far on this eternal tie. It is worth looking closely around. Everything has changed long ago in the world. Now the striving to get a profitable place, to shine and overshadow, at all costs, another, to avenge neglect, for ridicule, is more intensely tying up the drama. Do not now have electricity more rank, money capital, profitable marriage, than love? "

He opposes a love affair with a common plot:

“Comedy should be knitted by itself, with all its mass, into one big common knot. The tie should embrace all faces, and not one or two - to touch what excites, more or less, all the actors. Every hero is here; the flow and course of the play produces a shock to the whole machine: not a single wheel should remain as rusty and irrelevant. "

Gogol understands the division into major and minor in a new way:

“- But everyone cannot be heroes; one or two have to manage the others.

- Do not rule at all, but perhaps prevail... And in the car, some wheels move more noticeably and stronger, they can only be called the main ones; but the idea, the thought, rules the play: without it there is no unity in it. But everything can tie up: the very horror, the fear of waiting, the thunderstorm of the law going in the distance ... "- the main thing - moral issues, idea.

Features of our comedy - constant reference to the topic of government and ridicule of it:

“The funny thing is that the play cannot end without the government. It will certainly appear, like an inevitable fate in the tragedies of the ancients.

Well, you see: therefore, this is already something involuntary in our comedians. Therefore, this already constitutes some kind of distinctive character of our comedy. There is some kind of secret faith in the government in our bosom. Well? There is nothing wrong here: God forbid that the government always and everywhere hears its calling - to be the representative of providence on earth, and that we believe in it, as the ancients believed in fate that overtook crime.

Taunt Item:

“You can laugh; but what is the subject of ridicule - abuse and vice? What a mockery here! Well, but you never know all sorts of funny social events? Well, suppose, for example, I went for a walk to the Aptekarsky Island, and the coachman suddenly took me there to Vyborgskaya or to the Smolny Monastery. Are there any funny clutches?

Second. That is, you want to take away any serious meaning from comedy. But why issue an indispensable law? There are many comedies in exactly the taste you want.

Second (to himself, with a bitter grin). It is always like this in the world: laugh at the truly noble, at that which constitutes the highest sanctuary of the soul, no one will become an intercessor; laugh at the vicious, vile and vile - everyone will shout: "he laughs at the shrine."

The main thing: comedy has social significance. Neither love nor other nonsense should interfere with its high social purpose:

In "Theatrical passing ..." there is a dialogue between two "art lovers". "The second" speaks for such a construction of the play, which includes all the characters: "not a single wheel should remain as rusty and irrelevant." The "first" objects: "But it turns out to give comedy some meaning more universal." Then the “second” art lover proves his point of view historically: “Isn't this her (comedy) direct and real meaning? At the very beginning, the comedy was public, people's creation. At least, this is how her father himself, Aristophanes, showed her. After that, she entered the narrow gorge of a private tie ... "The name of Aristophanes was also named by Gogol in the article" What finally is the essence of Russian poetry ... "- but in a slightly changed context. " Public comedy", Whose predecessor was Aristophanes, addresses" a whole host of abuses, against the deviation of the whole society from the straight road "(VIII, 400). (Mann)

Briefly:

Apparently, a theatrical patrol is presented after the screening of "The Inspector General". It starts with the fact that the author of the play is interested in the opinion of the audience and begins to listen to the conversations ("No, I would not want applause. I would like to move to the boxes, galleries, to the gallery and listen to what they say"). The conversations are very different, and here Gogol brilliantly selects the expressions inherent in this particular official, or a fashionable dandy, or a young lady or general.

The person comme il faut talks about the restaurant that served shiny peas, the socialite talks about the things he saw in the new shop, the officer says that here the actors are all lackeys, and women are a freak in freak (that is, he is not interested in the meaning, but in the actors ). Two viewers: "Wait, let's see what the magazines have to say and then we'll form our opinion." The writer ridicules the play, says that it has an incredible plot and nothing funny. He is listened to by a man who used to say that he liked it and it was very funny, but after the words of the writer, he changes his mind.

Then there is a conversation between two art lovers. One gives an argument, the other counter. Like, there is no tie, there is another for this - well, it depends on how to understand the tie * of their contradictions in fact - in the ticket itself, because. this is how the theory of comedy is presented. * Then others come up and they begin to discuss a new comedy. The graters are ordinary: no strings, no denouements, there can be no comedy without government, etc. etc. They decide that ridicule of the government is an integral part of Russian comedy. Then these are replaced by respectfully dressed faces NN1, etc. N2 says the play is an insulting mockery of Russia. Then the next gentlemen. A very modestly dressed person gives a positive assessment, he saw the real meaning, understood the author's idea. He praises the author for exposing the vices of those people who just do not want to agree with them. Those who go to the theater will see that it is not the government itself that is bad, but the people performing it. So it's good that there are so many flaws in comedy. Dr. he asks: "But do such people exist?", and he says that he himself, although all white and fluffy, but not without sin. Mr. A. agrees with a very modestly dressed man and asks who he is, actually. OSOCH - himself an official from some city, he wanted to quit the service, but after the performance he was overwhelmed with fresh inspiration and decided to stay. GA, a high official himself, amazed at the sincerity of this OSOCH offers a service. But OSOCH refuses, arguing that nobility does not require encouragement.

Another group (gentlemen of the BVP) argue about whether it is necessary to hide the vices or, conversely, show them. One gets excited, says that hiding social wounds and waiting for them to heal themselves is stupid and, seeing that the others do not understand him, leaves. The rest remember what kind of nonsense he was saying: No, okay, the titular councilor is a goose, but it’s a sin to joke over a civil servant. It turns out that one of them is a real state councilor.

The secular lady laments that they do not write in Russia the way Dumas and others do in France. She only needs a love story, an intrigue. "Eh, why is everything so trivial here in Russia?"

The next situation: The first gov-t, why laugh at vices. It's not funny. Aren't there few funny couplings in life? Well, suppose, for example, I went for a walk to Aptekarsky Island, and the coachman suddenly brought me there to Vyborgskaya or to the Smolny Monastery. Another tells him that there are a lot of such comedies, but if you laugh at the real vices, everyone will immediately yell: He laughs at the shrine!

Young lady gov-t, that was funny to her. Another - which is funny, but somewhat sad.

She says that the author should be advised to introduce at least one honest hero, otherwise it's sad. She says that she saw a man who shouted the loudest of all that this is a mockery of Russia and that she did not know him more vile in life. He probably found himself in comedy. They laugh at her, thinking that she needs a romance, a knight. “I’m ready to say two hundred times: no! This is a vulgar, old thought that you constantly impose on us. A woman has more true generosity than a man. A woman cannot, a woman is not able to do those mean things and nastiness that you do. A woman cannot be a hypocrite there, where you are a hypocrite, she cannot turn a blind eye to the baseness that you are looking at. She has enough nobility in order to say all this without looking around, whether anyone will like it or not - because it is necessary to speak. What is despicable is despicable, no matter how you hide it and no matter what kind you give. This is despicable, despicable! " Everything is reconciled, but the lady says that the author is a person who is not capable of heartfelt experiences of a gentle heart and that she prefers authors with a noble heart ...

Further, one viewer says that the individual types are good, but together they are very cumbersome, unlike the truth: "Tell me, where is there such a society, which would consist of all such people, so that at least some of the decent ones are not?" The second explains that this is only a collection place so that it was understandable general meaning... But all the same they will not understand and every county town will see itself in this.

Garderod. A young official helps the gentleman put on his greatcoat. Master: How is the play? Official: funny. H: What's funny here! Horror, not a play. CH: Yes, of course, Your Excellency, nothing funny. No comments.

Then everyone scolds the author that he is lying, that even bribes, for that matter, are not taken like that. Rumors that this happened to the author, that the author was kicked out of service, or, conversely, given a place, the author was in prison, then on the tower. News "ekspromtom", as one notes. “I don't know what kind of person the author is. This, this, this ... There is nothing sacred for this person; today he will say: such and such an adviser is not good, and tomorrow he will say that there is no God either. " The rumor is that it is so only in the provinces, in the capital, everything is not so. Blah blah blah…. One viewer says why everyone shouted so much, because this is not art, but so fables ... And everyone disperses. The official's last remark: "I will never go to the theater again."

The author's last monologue: “How glad I am that there are so many opinions, that our people are not homogeneous. Only it is a shame to me because they did not see one honest and noble person in the play that was. It was laughter. It seems to me that the one who sheds bitter, deep, soulful tears, just laughs more than anything in life. " All reproaches can be forgiven and even reproaches are useful to the comedian, but the fact that the works of Shakespeare, all the great writers, were called fables, is outrageous:

“My soul whined when I saw how many there and then, in the midst of life itself, unrequited, dead inhabitants, terrible with the motionless cold of my soul and the barren desert of the heart; my soul ached when not even the ghost of expression on their insensitive faces flinched from what plunged a deeply loving soul into heavenly tears, and their tongue did not touch their eternal word: "fables!" Fables! .. And the centuries have passed, cities and peoples have been demolished and disappeared from the face of the earth, like smoke has carried away everything that was, and fables live and are repeated to this day, and wise kings, deep rulers, a beautiful old man and a young man full of noble aspirations heed them ... Fables! .. But the world would doze off without such fables, life would be shallower, souls would be covered with mold and mud. Fables! .. Oh, may the names of those who favorably listened to such fables be eternally holy in posterity: the wonderful finger of Providence was inseparably over the heads of their creators. "