The Power of Darkness

The Power of Darkness is a five-act drama written by Leo Tolstoy in 1886. Set in rural Russia, the play portrays the troubled lives of a peasant family and examines how greed, desire, and moral weakness can lead to terrible consequences.

The story centers on Nikita, a farm laborer who is involved in a secret relationship with Anisya, the wife of his wealthy employer. Their affair leads to deception, poisoning, and murder, drawing Nikita and those around him into an increasingly destructive chain of crimes.

As guilt begins to overwhelm him, Nikita is forced to confront the suffering caused by his actions. Through its stark depiction of poverty and corruption, the play explores the struggle between sin and conscience, while suggesting that confession and repentance may offer a path toward redemption.

"Peter Looking out of the window. The horses have got loose again. If we don’t look out they’ll be killing the colt. Nikíta! Hey, Nikíta! Is the fellow deaf? Listens. To the women. Shut up, one can’t hear anything.
Nikíta From outside. What?
Peter Drive the horses in.
Nikíta We’ll drive ’em in. All in good time."

This edition is based on the English translation by Louise Maude and Aylmer Maude, renowned translators of Tolstoy’s works.