The First Distiller

About this book

"The First Distiller" by graf Leo Tolstoy is a comedy in six acts written in the late 19th century. This play revolves around themes of temptation, human folly, and the consequences of vice, particularly focusing on the detrimental effects of alcohol. Set in a peasant community, Tolstoy explores the moral decline that follows the introduction of distillation and drinking among the villagers. In the play, a hardworking peasant is influenced by a mysterious Labourer, who is actually an imp from Hell, to engage in distilling spirits from his bountiful harvest. Initially innocent and good-hearted, the peasant becomes intoxicated and greedy, leading to strife between him and his family as well as with the village elders. The Labourer manipulates the villagers into drunkenness, showcasing their transformation from cooperative members of society into chaotic revelers, driven by base instincts and greed. The play serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of excess and the undermining of communal values through the allure of alcohol, ultimately highlighting the destructive power of temptation.