The Gloomy River

Main Ideas

• The struggle of man against nature and himself: The main character, Prokhor Gromov, faces the harsh conditions of Siberia and internal conflicts in his pursuit of wealth and power.
• Moral decline and spiritual rebirth: The story shows how the desire for profit and power can lead to moral decline, but also the possibility of spiritual rebirth.
• Social and economic changes: The book reflects the changes in Russian society at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, including the development of capitalism and its impact on people.
• Family values and traditions: The important role of family and traditions in the lives of the characters, influencing their decisions and actions.
• The clash of old and new: The conflict between traditional values and new trends of the time, the struggle between generations.