The Lower Depths (play)

"The Lower Depths" is a play by Maxim Gorky that depicts the lives of impoverished and marginalized individuals living in a dilapidated Russian boarding house. Through their interactions, the play explores themes of despair, hope, human suffering, and social class. It reveals how these characters grapple with poverty, addiction, and hopelessness, yet also shows moments of compassion and resilience. Gorky uses this setting to critique societal neglect and prompt reflection on the conditions of the lower classes, emphasizing the universality of human vulnerability and the possibility of empathy amidst hardship.