The file (Sukhovo-Kobylin)
| Data | |
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| Title: | The file |
| Original title: | Дело (Delo) |
| Genus: | drama |
| Original language: | Russian |
| Author: | Alexander Vasilyevich Sukhovo-Kobylin |
| Publishing year: | 1861 |
| Place and time of the action: | St. Petersburg, partly in the Muromskis' apartment, partly in the halls and representative rooms of an authority |
| people | |
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The Act ( Russian Дело ) is a five-act drama by Alexander Vasilyevich Sukhovo-Kobylin . It was published in 1861 and is the centerpiece of Sukhovo-Kobylin's trilogy of drama, which also includes the plays Kretschinski's Wedding (1854) and Tarelkin's Death (1869).
Directory of persons
The list of dramatis personae that precedes the play classifies the characters into five groups:
-
I. Начальства (Authorities)
A very important personality - The Prince -
II. Силы (Powers)
Varavin - Tarelkin - Zhivyets - Pararonov -
III. Подчиненности (Subordinate)
Chibissow - Ibissow - Shilo - Heart - Joke - Pain - Official Omega -
IV. Ничтожества, или частные лица (As good as zero and nothing - or private individuals)
Muromski - Atujewa - Lidotschka - Nelkin - Rasuwajew (apart from the latter, these are the characters from the previous play Kretschinski's wedding ) -
V. Не лицо (no person)
Tischka (also in the previous piece)
content
first act
Six years after Kretschinski's unsuccessful marriage with Lidotschka, Nelkin visits the Muromskis in their St. Petersburg apartment. They haven't seen each other for five years. The Atujewa now says that the family has been involved in a court case for the last five years, the file of which is so thick that it has to be driven from authority to authority in a wagon ("из присутствия в присутствие на ломовом возят"). The original title of the piece - 'Delo' - can mean both 'file' and 'process' in Russian. The family moved to St. Petersburg on the advice of court officials.
The proceedings concern the kidnapping of the diamond needle (in the first part of the trilogy) by Kretschinski and the sale of a fake of this needle to the usurer Beck. Lidotschka is accused of having been privy and helping Kretschinski. Although Kretschinski himself did not incriminate them, his confidante Raspljujew told the authorities what they wanted to hear, namely that there had been such a love affair, planned by Kretschinski and Lidotschka together. Nothing more could be learned from the Muromskis' servants, only the cook Petrushka also made incriminating statements. As a result, Lidotschka was suspected of complicity, as well as of an illegal connection with Kretschinski, and she was even accused of having an illegitimate child.
The longstanding process has devoured so much money that the Muromskis had to sell or pawn their goods and now live on their last savings. Every now and then men would introduce themselves who promised a certain sum to solve the problem. Among them is Tarelkin, a councilor who works in the authority where the procedure is located. Lidotschka herself refuses to petition and tries to ignore the proceedings, although she has felt the consequences (her reputation is badly damaged) and is emaciated. She now looks after her father herself and has withdrawn completely from the public except for going to church.
Over tea, Nelkin briefly talks about his time in Paris. Then Tarelkin rushes into the house, apparently just in time to flee from a believer. After he has put Tarelkin on the tooth, Muromski's estate manager Rasuwajew bribes him with some money, which he happily accepts. When Tarelkin left, Razuvayev tried to convince Muromsky that practically everyone was susceptible to bribery and expected it to be. He should try the same with Warrawin, Tarelkin's superior.
Second act
In the office, Tarelkin and a few colleagues are talking about the Muromski case. Shiloh argues that the alleged intrigue of Kretschinski and Lidotschka is pure conjecture. The others, however, have heard the opposite, and everything about the joint plan of the two is long and broad in the corresponding file.
When his superior Warrawin arrives, Tarelkin talks to him: Together they try to find out how much money can be made from the Muromski case and prepare to receive Muromskis. He comes and describes the case to Warrawin. The clear description (which corresponds to the plot in the first part of the trilogy) is, however, questioned by Warrawin in every detail and interpreted to the disadvantage of Lidotschka. Through the flower, Warrawin lets Muromski know how much bribe he is expecting.
In the subsequent conversation between Warrawin and Tarelkin, the two discuss their further strategy. You are preparing various options for the negotiation process, which will depend on Muromski's willingness to bribe. At the end of the act, Tarelkin asks his superior to bail him out financially, because his creditors are on his trail. However, Warrawin lets him down.
Third act
Muromski goes to the prince to ask for help. At first he returns without having achieved anything. It turns out that he gave the office messenger too little money and the latter then claimed that the prince was not receiving. Tarelkin is now accompanying Muromski so that he can also be admitted.
In conversation with the prince, who is not quite well and who is also completely disinterested and condescending, Muromski, who is shy at first, becomes more and more angry about the injustices of the proceedings, until the prince has him thrown out. After the scandal, the prince is feeling better and discusses the case with Warrawin. He decides to order a retrial, which would add several years to the trial. Warrawin and Tarelkin are dismayed by this because it means they cannot simply end the proceedings for the amount of bribe they have asked. They think about how they can still steal the money from him.
Fourth act
Lidotschka defends her father's actions, even if it has made her situation more hopeless. Razuvayev arrives with the news that the proceedings should be reopened with particular rigor. A medical examination of Lidotschka is also up for discussion, about which everyone is dismayed. The way out appears to be the bribery of Warrawin and Tarelkin. They scrape up all the money and collect jewelry to get the required amount. Muromski, Lidotschka and Atujewa make their way to Tarelkin together. Nelkin, who is left alone, swears vengeance.
Fifth act
Muromski arrives at the office. While he is bringing Warrawin the money, Tarelkin is supposed to get the economic executor Zhivyets at Warrawin's behest. After Muromski leaves, he is brought back and charged with attempting to bribe Warrawin in the presence of the economic executor. Muromski begins to delirious in the face of this deception and even demands to speak to the Tsar . The three clerks who begin to fight over the money want to have the old man brought home.
Then the important personality (who is also only referred to as such in the list of persons) appears accompanied by the prince. She asks for clarification of what has just happened. Warrawin and Shiwjez hypocritically describe the process to him and point out Muromski's insanity. The money that he left behind for bribes only amounts to a very small fraction that is given to the important personality. Muromski is dragged outside.
A short time later, Tarelkin returns and reports to Warrawin that Muromski died on the way home. Both are happy because it means the corrupt officials are spared an investigation into the case. When Tarelkin asks Warrawin for his share, however, the latter sharply rejects him, claims that he took no money at all, and threatens to destroy him. The piece ends with a desperate monologue by Tarelkin.
Full text
- the comedy in the original Russian on Wikisource
- Reading sample from the German translation by Regine Kühn