Note to A.N. Afinogenov (not earlier than April 2, 1933)

Comrade Afinogenov!

The idea of the play is rich, but the execution turned out poor. For some reason, all the Party members in your work came out as freaks — physical, moral, political freaks (Gorchakova, Viktor, Kulik, Seroshtanov). Even Ryadovoy looks at times like something unfinished, almost a miscarriage. The only person who pursues a consistent and thoroughly deliberate line (of duplicity) is Nakatov. He is the most "whole."

Why was Nina's gunshot needed? It only confuses matters and spoils the whole effect.

Kulik should be contrasted with another honest, irreproachable, and selflessly devoted worker (open your eyes and you will see that we do have such workers in the Party).

There should be a workers' meeting in the play where Viktor is exposed, Gorchakova is overturned, and the truth is restored. This is all the more necessary because in your play there are no actions at all, only conversations (if one does not count Nina's gunshot, which is senseless and unnecessary).

The types of the father and Nina's mother, in my opinion, came out well. But they are not fully developed, not fully sculpted.

Almost every character has their own style (of speech). But these styles are not fully developed; they are stilted, sloppily rendered. Evidently, you rushed to finish the play.

Why is Seroshtanov portrayed as a physical freak? Do you really think that only physical freaks can be devoted members of the Party?

The play cannot be released in this form.

Let us talk, if you wish.

Greetings!

I. Stalin

P.S. You go on at length about the "leader." This is not good, and indeed not proper. The point is not in the "leader" but in the collective leadership — in the CC of the Party.

I. St.

Vlast i khudozhestvennaya intelligentsiya. Dokumenty 1917–1953. P. 192.
RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 1. D. 5088. L. 118–118 ob.

Note: After the remarks were made, A.N. Afinogenov reworked the play and in November 1933 sent Stalin its new version, accompanied by the following letter: "Comrade Kirshon informed me that you were dissatisfied with the second version of the play 'The Ivanov Family' ('The Lie'). Before withdrawing the play, I would like to show you the results of the actors' work at the Moscow Art Theatre, First and Second Studios (in the first days of December of this year). If you find this unnecessary, I will immediately withdraw the play myself. I ask you to communicate your opinion on this matter." On the letter, Stalin wrote the resolution: "Comrade Afinogenov! I consider the play in its second version a failure. I. Stalin. November 10, 1933." (RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 1. D. 4591. L. 4).