"Truth is good, but happiness is better" by Alexander Ostrovsky, summary Automatic translate

"Truth Is Good, But Happiness Is Better" is a comedy play by Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky, written in 1876. The work vividly depicts the clash between the rigid patriarchal foundations of wealthy Moscow merchants and the sincere feelings of young people, where fate is decided not by fair calculation or honesty, but by a simple coincidence and the timely appearance of an old acquaintance. The comedy was first staged at the Maly Theater in 1876 and quickly gained popularity, becoming a classic of the theatrical repertoire.

Act One: Strict Orders and Secret Feelings

The events unfold in Moscow, in the garden of the wealthy home of merchant Amos Panfilich Baraboshev. Amos Panfilich himself is a widower in his forties, but the real power in the household lies with his mother, Mavra Tarasovna. A plump, domineering woman in her sixties, she terrorizes the entire household and demands unquestioning obedience. Her granddaughter, Polixena, a young woman, suffers from confinement at home, as her grandmother won’t let her go anywhere and vigilantly watches her every move.

The elderly nanny, Filitsata, who sincerely sympathizes with her charge, talks with the poor widow, Pelageya Grigoryevna Zybkina. It turns out that Polixena is secretly in love with Zybkina’s son, Platon. The young people find a way to see each other: Polixena sometimes climbs over the garden fence. Platon is described as an honest and straightforward young man who is completely incapable of deception. Because of his habit of telling the truth to his superiors, he can’t hold down a single job.

The Zybkin family owes the Baraboshevs two hundred rubles. The Baraboshevs’ clerk, Nikandr Mukhoyarov, a cunning and self-serving man, has his sights set on Polixena and her rich dowry. To eliminate his rival, Mukhoyarov persuades Amos Panfilich to demand immediate payment of the debt and, in the event of non-payment, to imprison Platon. Meanwhile, Platon and Polixena have a secret meeting in the garden. Platon frankly admits he hasn’t a penny to his name, but this doesn’t deter Polixena: she’s ready to love him even in poverty. The nanny, Filitsata, seeing the sincerity of their feelings, promises to help the lovers.

Act II: Debt Collection and the Old Soldier

The action shifts to the Zybkins’ modest, poor apartment. Platon returns home tired, but with money. To raise the necessary sum to pay off Baraboshev, he pawned absolutely all his belongings, including his watch. Soon, Filitsata arrives at the Zybkins’, accompanied by a retired non-commissioned officer, Sila Yerofeich Groznov. He is a seventy-year-old man in a loose uniform, his chest covered with medals for past military service. Groznov happened to be in Moscow and was staying with the Zybkins.

Filitsata treats the old soldier to some apples, and during their conversation, a startling fact from the past suddenly emerges. It turns out that many years ago, when Groznov was still young, he had a torrid affair with Mavra Tarasovna herself. Back then, she wasn’t yet a stern and domineering merchant woman. Groznov went on a campaign, and their paths diverged forever.

Upon hearing this story, the cunning Filitsata immediately devise a plan to save Platon and Polixena. She persuades Sila Yerofeich to accompany her to the Baraboshevs’ house and reveal himself as his former lover. At the same time, Mukhoyarov, the clerk, arrives at the Zybkins’, demanding immediate repayment of the debt. Platon hands him the two hundred rubles he’d saved with such difficulty. However, Mukhoyarov behaves insolently, and Platon, unable to bear his arrogance, accuses the clerk to his face of cheating and stealing the master’s money.

Act Three: Nighttime Incidents in the Merchant’s Garden

Evening falls, and the action returns to the Baraboshevs’ garden. Gardener Gleb Merkulych, complaining about the servants’ hard life, secretly steals the master’s apples. Mavra Tarasovna, hearing a suspicious noise in the garden, orders the thief to be tracked down and caught. Meanwhile, Platon sneaks into the garden for another secret rendezvous with Polyxena.

Suddenly, Baraboshev and Mukhoyarov appear in the garden. Amos Panfilich is very drunk, and the cunning clerk is taking advantage of his condition. Mukhoyarov slips counterfeit promissory notes to the drunken master to sign, intending to ruin him completely and seize the family fortune. Platon, hiding in the bushes, becomes an unwitting witness to this criminal transaction.

When Platon is finally spotted in the garden, Mukhoyarov immediately accuses him of stealing apples. A terrible uproar ensues. Platon desperately tries to tell the truth about the counterfeit bills and the clerk’s fraud, but no one believes his words. Mukhoyarov masterfully twists the situation, portraying Platon as a liar and a thief. Baraboshev, ignoring all excuses, decides to send Platon to debtors’ prison, ignoring the fact that the debt has already been paid. Horrified, Polyxena rushes to her beloved’s defense, openly quarrelling with her father and stern grandmother.

Act Four: Groznov’s Appearance and the Triumph of Chance

That morning, in the richly furnished dining room of the Baraboshevs’ house, Filitsata carries out her plan: she brings Sila Yerofeich Groznov directly to Mavra Tarasovna. The imperious merchant, suddenly seeing her old love, is initially terrified, mistaking him for a ghost. But upon confirming that the old soldier is alive, she softens considerably. Groznov touchingly reminds her of the days of their youth, and the touched Mavra Tarasovna promises to fulfill any of his requests. Groznov, as agreed with Filitsata, asks for forgiveness for Platon and permission to marry Polyxena.

Meanwhile, the truth about the clerk’s dealings finally comes to light. Platon and Filitsata manage to prove Mukhoyarov’s fraudulent dealings with forged promissory notes. Mavra Tarasovna realizes with horror that Mukhoyarov has been brazenly deceiving her dimwitted son for a long time and leading the family to complete ruin. She decisively throws the clerk out of the household and removes her son Amos from all business, threatening to put him in jail herself if he doesn’t learn to understand.

In the finale, Mavra Tarasovna officially blesses the marriage of Polyxena and Platon. Platon is delighted and proudly declares that his honesty and truth have ultimately triumphed. To this, the wise Mavra Tarasovna sarcastically replies that if not for the pure chance — the appearance of the old soldier Groznov — Platon and his vaunted truth would have long since rotted in prison. She utters the phrase that gives the play its title: "Truth is good, but happiness is better!" The comedy concludes with general reconciliation and loud congratulations from old Groznov to the happy newlyweds.