Enough Stupidity in Every Wise Man

Summary

The comedy «Enough Stupidity in Every Wise Man» by Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky tells the story of a young and ambitious man named Yegor Dmitrievich Glumov, who is determined to make a career in high society. He decides to use cunning and deceit to achieve his goals. Glumov keeps a diary where he records his thoughts and plans, as well as his true opinions about the people he deceives. Eventually, his diary falls into the hands of those he tried to deceive, and his plans unravel. The play mocks the hypocrisy and ambitions of people who seek power and wealth at any cost.

Main Ideas

• Critique of the bureaucratic system and officialdom, their hypocrisy and corruption.
• Contrast between true wisdom and pretentious cleverness.
• Depiction of social and moral vices of society.
• Theme of human foolishness and narrow-mindedness, despite outward education and intelligence.
• The idea that simplicity and sincerity often prove more valuable than cunning and deceit.

Historical Context and Significance

The play «Enough Stupidity in Every Wise Man» by Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky, written in 1868, is an important work of Russian drama. It explores themes of social hypocrisy, careerism, and human weaknesses, which remain relevant in modern society. Ostrovsky masterfully portrays the life and customs of officialdom, criticizing the vices and shortcomings of his time. The play had a significant impact on the development of Russian literature and theater, becoming a classic frequently performed on stage. It also contributed to the formation of critical realism in Russian literature, helping audiences and readers better understand and reflect on the social issues of their time.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Yegor Dmitrievich Glumov - the main character of the play, a young man striving for success and wealth at any cost. He is smart, cunning, and deceitful, using people for his own interests and manipulating them. Throughout the play, his true nature is revealed, leading to his exposure and downfall.
• Kleopatra Lvovna Mamaeva - a wealthy and influential lady, a widow who becomes the target of Glumov's manipulations. She trusts him and even falls in love with him, but by the end of the play, she realizes she has been deceived.
• Ivan Ivanovich Mamaev - Kleopatra Lvovna's husband, an official who also falls under Glumov's influence. He entrusts his affairs to him but ends up disappointed.
• Manefa Ivanovna Turusina - a wealthy widow who also becomes a victim of Glumov's intrigues. She trusts him and even plans to marry her niece to him, but her plans fall apart by the end of the play.
• Gordey Karpich Krutitsky - an old official who also falls under Glumov's influence. He entrusts his affairs to him but ends up disappointed.
• Meropia Davydovna - Glumov's aunt, who assists him in his intrigues. She is clever and cunning, but her plans also collapse by the end of the play.
• Sofya Ignatyevna - Turusina's niece, a young girl who becomes the object of Glumov's intrigues. She trusts him but realizes by the end of the play that she has been deceived.

Style and Technique

The comedy «Enough Stupidity in Every Wise Man» by Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky is written in the genre of social and domestic drama. The style of the work is characterized by realism and a satirical depiction of societal morals. Ostrovsky uses lively colloquial language, rich with proverbs, sayings, and aphorisms, which gives the characters' speech expressiveness and color. Literary devices include irony, sarcasm, and hyperbole, which help the author reveal the characters' personalities and their social roles. The structure of the play is classical, consisting of five acts, each divided into scenes. The action develops sequentially, with escalating conflicts and their resolution in the finale. Ostrovsky masterfully uses dialogues to reveal the inner world of the characters and their relationships, making the play dynamic and engaging.

Quotes

• Enough stupidity in every wise man.
• Glad to serve, but sick of servility.
• Live not as you want, but as God commands.

Interesting Facts

• The play is one of the most famous comedies by Alexander Ostrovsky and was first staged in 1868.
• The main character, Yegor Dmitrievich Glumov, is a typical representative of the 'superfluous people' in Russian literature, who strive for success at any cost.
• The play mocks societal vices such as hypocrisy, careerism, and the lust for power.
• The title of the play has become a proverbial expression, used to denote that even the wisest person can make mistakes.
• The play contains an element of satire aimed at mocking the officialdom and bureaucracy of the Russian Empire.

Book Review

Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky's play «Enough Stupidity in Every Wise Man» is one of the brightest satirical comedies in 19th-century Russian literature. Critics praise the author's skill in creating vivid and memorable characters, such as Glumov, who embodies cunning and hypocrisy. Ostrovsky skillfully shows how ambition and the pursuit of power can lead to moral downfall. The play also raises important social issues, such as corruption and hypocrisy in society. Critics highly appreciate Ostrovsky's sharp and relevant satire, as well as his ability to combine comedic elements with deep philosophical reflections on human nature.