The Power of Darkness is a play by Leo Tolstoy, written in 1886. It is a tragedy about a peasant family in rural Russia, and the consequences of a young girl's pregnancy. The story follows the family of Prokhor, a peasant who lives with his wife, Akulina, and their two sons, Nikita and Stepan. When Akulina's brother, Timofey, comes to stay with them, he brings with him a young girl, Anisya, whom he has seduced and impregnated. Anisya is desperate to keep her pregnancy a secret, and Timofey and Akulina conspire to hide the truth from Prokhor. However, Prokhor eventually discovers the truth and is consumed with rage. He forces Anisya to marry his son, Nikita, and the two are married in a secret ceremony. The consequences of Anisya's pregnancy and the secret marriage are devastating for the family. Prokhor's rage leads to violence and tragedy, and the family is torn apart. In the end, Anisya and Nikita are left alone, struggling to survive in a world that has rejected them.
By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1886 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction · 8 chapters