'Woe from Wit [Горе от ума]' Summary

The play centers around the young and idealistic Chatsky, who returns to Moscow after three years abroad and is shocked by the superficiality and hypocrisy of the society he finds. He falls in love with the intelligent and independent Sophia, but she is engaged to the shallow and pompous Molchalin. Chatsky's attempts to expose Molchalin's true nature and to challenge the society's values lead to his isolation and eventual expulsion from Moscow. In the end, Chatsky is left disillusioned and bitter, while the society he criticizes continues on unchanged.