The Lower Depths Monologue by Maxim Gorky Essay Example For Students

The Lower Depths Monologue by Maxim Gorky Essay A monologue from the play by Maxim Gorky NOTE: This monologue is reprinted from The Moscow Art Theatre Series of Plays. Ed. Oliver M. Sayler. New York: Brantanos, 1922. NASTYA: At night he came into the garden. I had been waiting for him quite awhile. I trembled with fear and griefhe trembled, too . . . he was a white as chalkand he had the pistol in his hand . . . and he says to me in a dreadful voice: My precious darling My one and only love, he says, my parents, he says, refuse to give their consent to our weddingand threaten to disown me because of my love for you. Therefore, he says, I must take my life. And his pistol was hugeand loaded with ten bullets . . . Farewell, he says, beloved comrade! I have made up my mind for good and all . . . I can\t live without you . . . and I replied: My unforgettable friendmy Raouljoy of my life! My bright moon! I, too, I can\t live without youbecause I love you madly, so madlyand I shall keep on loving you as long as my heart beats in my bosom. But I saydon\t take your young life! Think how necessary it is to your dear parents whose only happiness you are. Leave me! Better that I should perish from longing for you, my life! I alone! Iahas such, such! Better that I should dieit doesn\t matter . . . I am of no use to the worldI have nothing, nothing at all Shut up, you bastards! Ahyou lousy mongrels! So help me Godit happened! It happened! He was a student, a FrenchmanGastotcha was his namehe had a little black beardand patent leathersmay God strike me dead if I\m lying! And he loved me somy God, how he loved me!