Receiving by heredity the fierce, bull-like nature of his father plus
the passive indomitableness and groping spirit of his mother, Foma,
proud and rebellious, is repelled by the selfish, money-seeking
environment into which he is born. Ignat, his father, and Mayakin,
the godfather, and all the horde of successful merchants singing the
paean of the strong and the praises of merciless, remorseless laissez
faire, cannot entice him. Why? he demands. This is a nightmare,
this life! It is without significance! What does it all mean? What
is there underneath? What is the meaning of that which is
underneath?
"You do well to pity people," Ignat tells Foma, the boy, "only you
must use judgment with your pity. First consider the man, find out
what he is like, what use can be made of him; and if you see that he
is a strong and capable man, help him if you like. But if a man is
weak, not inclined to work--spit upon him and go your way. And you
must know that when a man complains about everything, and cries out
and groans--he is not worth more than two kopeks, he is not worthy of
pity, and will be of no use to you if you do help him.
Pages:
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218