Poverty Is No Vice
2 hrs. 24 min.
Language
Russian
Author
Alexander Ostrovsky
Author
Alexander Ostrovsky
Narrator
Stanislav Ivanov
Narrator
Stanislav Ivanov
Description
The play by A. N. Ostrovsky “Poverty is No Vice” mocks human foolishness, elevates first love, teaches forgiving human weakness, and allows the audiobook listeners to look at people’s shortcomings from the outside.
Read on...
And that also helps us become better and wiser. How to distinguish real wealth—eternal wealth—from useless and disgusting things. And despite the play’s depth, it is written in the comedy genre, so it’s pleasant and easy to listen to.
The comedy is written in three acts. The first act catches us in the room of the young clerk Mitya, who serves Tortsov Gordey Karpych— a wealthy merchant—with faith and truth. After a conversation with Egorushka, Mitya remains alone, and it’s clear that sadness and longing are weighing on his heart. And they are caused by warm feelings for the young and beautiful merchant’s daughter—Lyubov Gordeyevna.
After the festivities, the entire Tortsov family returns home, and first Pelageya Yegorovna, the kind woman, visits Mitya and invites him for tea. Then young people come to him—girls and boys. Among them is Lyubov Gordeyevna. Mitya manages to remain alone with his beloved and whisper a few gentle words into her ear—something that doesn’t go unnoticed by his friends.
After the youth leaves, Lyubim Karpich arrives to Mitya—Gordey Tortsov’s brother—and tells the story of his life. After receiving an inheritance from his father, unlike his brother, he didn’t go into business; instead, he went to Moscow. There he squandered all his money in taverns, theatres, and shops. He returned with nothing and now has to live in poverty and listen to reproaches from his own brother.
In the second act, listeners are taken to the drawing room of the Tortsov home. Here Pelageya Yegorovna gathers the young, and real festivities begin. At this time Gordey Karpych returns with his new companion— Korshunov. This old, debauched rich man values honors and has a passion for young girls. In front of his guest from the capital, the homeowner tries to show his education and refinement—but it comes out awkward and forced.
During the visit to the Tortsovs, Korshunov shows strong attention to the young daughter of Gordey Tortsov. And from the conversation it becomes clear that the father has already promised his daughter to be given in marriage to the visiting rich man. He sees his daughter’s happiness in the idea that she will live like a lady, ride in carriages, and visit salons. He doesn’t understand that living with an unloved, old husband will make Lyuba unhappy. Besides, before that, she already explained everything to Mitya and opened her heart. The young people intended to get married.
Lyubov Gordeyevna’s character deserves respect. Even when her father announced his decision to give his daughter to Korshunov, she did not dare go against her parents’ will. Neither Mitya’s tears nor her own suffering could overcome what was decent and responsible within her. The girl accepted her father’s decision with sorrowful obedience.
In the third act, listeners find themselves in Pelageya Yegorovna’s study. The woman is busy preparing for the wedding. She understands she is giving her daughter to an unloved man, but she also doesn’t want to oppose her husband’s will. Mitya decides to leave the Tortsovs’ house and go to his sick mother. Before parting, he makes one last attempt to persuade Lyubov to run away with him, but the girl is unshakable. For her, her father’s will matters more than her own happiness.
When the young couple are saying goodbye, Gordey Karpych and Korshunov enter the room. At that moment, Lyubim Karpich appears, who exposes Korshunov for dishonesty. He is the one who many years ago stripped Lyubim Karpich in Moscow. In anger, Korshunov leaves the Tortsov house, offending both Gordey and Lyuba in his farewell.
Seeing Korshunov’s true face, proud Tortsov refused to give Lyubov to him. And at that time, Mitya confessed his feelings and asked for paternal blessing in love. Lyubim sided with the young, convincing his brother that poverty is no vice, and that a pure heart is much more important than money. Moved, Gordey Karpych blesses his daughter and Mitya.
The audiobook was narrated by the announcer Stanislav Ivanov, who isn’t the first time to delight listeners with quality performances of classic works. Each character succeeded for Stanislav, including the female roles. It’s pleasant to listen to the audiobook thanks to Stanislav Ivanov’s work, and useful thanks to A. N. Ostrovsky’s talent.
The comedy is written in three acts. The first act catches us in the room of the young clerk Mitya, who serves Tortsov Gordey Karpych— a wealthy merchant—with faith and truth. After a conversation with Egorushka, Mitya remains alone, and it’s clear that sadness and longing are weighing on his heart. And they are caused by warm feelings for the young and beautiful merchant’s daughter—Lyubov Gordeyevna.
After the festivities, the entire Tortsov family returns home, and first Pelageya Yegorovna, the kind woman, visits Mitya and invites him for tea. Then young people come to him—girls and boys. Among them is Lyubov Gordeyevna. Mitya manages to remain alone with his beloved and whisper a few gentle words into her ear—something that doesn’t go unnoticed by his friends.
After the youth leaves, Lyubim Karpich arrives to Mitya—Gordey Tortsov’s brother—and tells the story of his life. After receiving an inheritance from his father, unlike his brother, he didn’t go into business; instead, he went to Moscow. There he squandered all his money in taverns, theatres, and shops. He returned with nothing and now has to live in poverty and listen to reproaches from his own brother.
In the second act, listeners are taken to the drawing room of the Tortsov home. Here Pelageya Yegorovna gathers the young, and real festivities begin. At this time Gordey Karpych returns with his new companion— Korshunov. This old, debauched rich man values honors and has a passion for young girls. In front of his guest from the capital, the homeowner tries to show his education and refinement—but it comes out awkward and forced.
During the visit to the Tortsovs, Korshunov shows strong attention to the young daughter of Gordey Tortsov. And from the conversation it becomes clear that the father has already promised his daughter to be given in marriage to the visiting rich man. He sees his daughter’s happiness in the idea that she will live like a lady, ride in carriages, and visit salons. He doesn’t understand that living with an unloved, old husband will make Lyuba unhappy. Besides, before that, she already explained everything to Mitya and opened her heart. The young people intended to get married.
Lyubov Gordeyevna’s character deserves respect. Even when her father announced his decision to give his daughter to Korshunov, she did not dare go against her parents’ will. Neither Mitya’s tears nor her own suffering could overcome what was decent and responsible within her. The girl accepted her father’s decision with sorrowful obedience.
In the third act, listeners find themselves in Pelageya Yegorovna’s study. The woman is busy preparing for the wedding. She understands she is giving her daughter to an unloved man, but she also doesn’t want to oppose her husband’s will. Mitya decides to leave the Tortsovs’ house and go to his sick mother. Before parting, he makes one last attempt to persuade Lyubov to run away with him, but the girl is unshakable. For her, her father’s will matters more than her own happiness.
When the young couple are saying goodbye, Gordey Karpych and Korshunov enter the room. At that moment, Lyubim Karpich appears, who exposes Korshunov for dishonesty. He is the one who many years ago stripped Lyubim Karpich in Moscow. In anger, Korshunov leaves the Tortsov house, offending both Gordey and Lyuba in his farewell.
Seeing Korshunov’s true face, proud Tortsov refused to give Lyubov to him. And at that time, Mitya confessed his feelings and asked for paternal blessing in love. Lyubim sided with the young, convincing his brother that poverty is no vice, and that a pure heart is much more important than money. Moved, Gordey Karpych blesses his daughter and Mitya.
The audiobook was narrated by the announcer Stanislav Ivanov, who isn’t the first time to delight listeners with quality performances of classic works. Each character succeeded for Stanislav, including the female roles. It’s pleasant to listen to the audiobook thanks to Stanislav Ivanov’s work, and useful thanks to A. N. Ostrovsky’s talent.
