The image of Luke in Gorky's play “At the Bottom”. Which is better: the world of illusions or the bitter truth of life?

In the play by Maxim Gorky, “At the Bottom,” the question of truth and lies is the key. The work was written in 1902 just shortly before the revolutionary events. It fully illuminates the psychological and social truth about the "lower classes" of society. Each hero, sinking to the bottom, has its own story, a sad present and a tragic future.

How to hide from real life?

The image of Luke in Gorky's play “At the Bottom” is considered ambiguous, some writers characterize this hero from a negative point of view, while others find positive traits in him. Satin, Actor, Tick, Nastya - all these are desperate people who have no future. The past brought them to the very bottom, and they are forced to eke out a miserable existence. All the heroes do not believe in their strength, they hide from the realities of life, because they do not see anything good in them. Each of them came up with a beautiful fairy tale in which he prefers to stay.

All the dwellers are happy to meet a new guest who brings them a “saving” lie. The image of Luke in Gorky's play “At the Bottom” is the image of an elderly wanderer with rich life experience. The hero treats all people as miserable creatures, in need of condolences, but not able to fend for themselves. Luke is a comforter, a sower of illusions, he lies, but this is a lie for good.

A light in the end of a tunnel

Which is better: bitter truth or sweet lie? The author of the play “At the Bottom” is asking precisely this question. The image of Luke makes a double impression, all the heroes gladly meet him, because the wanderer gives them hope for a happy future, and everyone believes him. He gave the actor hope for getting rid of alcohol addiction. Mortally ill Anna Luca talks about how she will feel good in paradise. Vaska Peplu the wanderer says that in Siberia he will be able to start life from scratch. The image of Luke in Gorky's play “At the Bottom” cannot be called negative, because he instilled hope in so many desperate people, but you cannot call him positive either.

Which is better: to live in ignorance or to know the truth?

Everyone is drawn to the wanderer, because his lie helps people escape from the harsh truth of life, plunge headlong into the world of illusions. The image of Luke in Gorky's play “At the Bottom” distracts the heroes and allows them to at least for a short time believe in a better future. The wanderer himself does not believe that life can be changed, he only inspires the idea of ​​reconciling himself to slavish humility, saying that this is how the world works, and there is nothing to be done about it. As a result, the play “At the Bottom” tragically ended.

The image of Luke is ambiguous, and this hero did not bring happiness to any of the residents of the overnight stay. Their hopes very quickly and abruptly ended. Ashes went to jail, the actor hanged himself, Anna, who wanted to stay still in this world, dies in torment. The name of Luke indicates his cunning, he is the bearer of wisdom and truth, but certain, one that is beneficial to him. The sudden disappearance of the hero only speaks of his defeat. The “lie for salvation” did not work, because it only humiliate people, but did not exalt them. Faith in something can replace any truth, but is immersion in a world of illusions the only way out of a difficult situation?