Poverty is not a vice

Data
Title:	Poverty is not a vice
Original title:	Бедность не порок (Bednostʹ ne porok)
Genus:	comedy
Original language:	Russian
Author:	Alexander Ostrowski
Publishing year:	1854
Premiere:	January 25, 1854
Place of premiere:	Maly Theater , Moscow
Place and time of the action:	The action takes place during Christmas week in a district town in the house of the merchant Torzow.
people
Gordéj Kárpytsch Torzów , a wealthy merchant Pelagéja Jegórowna , his wife Ljubów Gordéjewna , their daughter Ljubím Kárpytsch Torzów , his brother Afrikán Ssáwitsch Kórschunow , manufacturer Mitja , employee at Torzów Jascha Gúslin , Torzów's nephew Grisha Rasljuljájew , a young merchant Anna Ivánowna , a young widow Mascha and Lisa , friends of Ljubów Gordéjewna Jegóruschka , a boy Arina , nanny of Ljubów Gordéjewna Guests, ladies and gentlemen, servants, masked persons and others

Poverty is not a vice ( Russian Бедность не порок , German also poverty is not a shame ) is a comedy in three acts by Alexander Ostrowski . It appeared in 1854 and was performed in both Moscow and St. Petersburg that same year.

content

first act

The wealthy merchant Gordej Torzow is an upstart who is perceived by his immediate surroundings as constantly in a bad mood and heartless. He does not even allow his nephew Guslin to marry his socially equal young widow Anna Ivanovna. When Mitja, who works for Torzow as a simple employee, confesses that he is in love with Torzow's daughter Lyubow, Guslin advises him to get this out of his head.

Mitja's feelings are also reciprocated by Lyubov: after he has read her a poem, she writes him a few lines, the content of which he learns at the end of the scene: "И я тебя люблю. Любовь Торцова. "(" I love you too. Lyubov Torzowa. ")

In an interview with Torzow's brother Lyubim, Mitja learns some of the background: After her father's death, Gordej took over the business, but Lyubim received money, papers and bills of exchange with which he moved to Moscow. The attempt to establish himself socially ended in bankruptcy due to his inexperience. He has also been betrayed by Afrikan Korschunow (a current partner of his brother Gordej). When he asked his brother for help in view of his hopeless situation, the latter turned him away. Therefore, the completely impoverished Lyubim has meanwhile made a fool of himself as a buffoon in order to earn at least a few kopecks.

Second act

After Lyubov and Mitya have convinced each other of their love, they decide to confess Lyubov's father. Christmas is now being celebrated in the house, some guests appear in disguise, music is being played and there is singing. Meanwhile, the rich young Rasljuljajew competes with Mitja by handing the surprised Lyubov a ring. When Lyubov again gets a kiss from Mitja a little later, Rasljuljajew comes on the scene, who scornfully says that because of his inherited wealth, he will vacate Lyubov the most promisingly.

Gordej Torzow enters and is angry about the tumult in the house. His companion Afrikan Korschunow, however, is enthusiastic. He is particularly interested in Torzow's daughter Lyubov and gives her earrings and a diamond ring, which she returns immediately. She doesn't want his presents and rejects him. But her marriage to Korschunow seems to be a done deal, her father shook hands on it. In addition, he and his family finally want to move from the provinces to Moscow, to which the marriage to Korschunov is a welcome incentive. Lyubov begs her father, however, to reconsider the decision.

Third act

Mitja speaks to Lyubov's mother, who is grieved and actually does not want to force her daughter to marry the poorly reputed Korschunov. When Lyubov arrives, he suggests acting against his father's will, but that is not an option for Lyubov's mother or herself. Mitja says goodbye.

In an interview with his promised bride Lyubov, Korschunow wants to convince her of the advantages of an old husband over a young one. Torzow is just basking in his happiness as a father who has found a rich husband for his daughter when suddenly his brother Ljubim shows up. He seems to be doing antics again, but insinuating that Korschunov is a dishonest businessman who destroyed other people's lives and drove his wife to her death through jealousy. Before he resigns for the time being, he describes Korschunow as "Изверг естества!" (About "expectoration of the human race").

When trying to save the situation, Korschunow gets spoiled with Torzow, who immediately removes his daughter's hand. In spite of this, he even reports that he will give his daughter to someone else as his wife, and when Mitja just joins the group again, he names Mitja as Lyubov's future husband. When Mitja then reveals that he and Lyubow love each other anyway, Torzow initially feels taken by surprise. But then he lets his family placate him. And everything will be fine: Torzow forgives his brother, who now has the prospect of staying with the soon-to-be-married Mitya and Lyubov, and Guslin and Anna Ivanovna are finally allowed to marry. Torzow himself thanks everyone for lifting his delusion.

Full text

• the comedy in the original Russian on Wikisource

expenditure

Alexander N. Ostrovsky: Poverty is not a vice. Comedy in three acts. In: A. N. Ostrowskij: Dramatic works in 4 volumes. Volume 1, pp. 103-165. Berlin: Aufbau-Verlag 1951.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Personal names based on the translation by Johannes von Guenther published by Aufbau-Verlag .