The Petty Bourgeois is a play by Maxim Gorky produced in Moscow in 1902.Maxim Gorky (1868-1936) was one of the greatest Russian writers. He inherited the best traditions of 19th century classical Russian literature and was at the same time the creator of a new art, socialist realism; he laid the foundations of the young Soviet Literature.In the early years of the 20th century Gorky came under the influence of Anton Chekhov and through him established contact with Konstantin Stanislavsky and Vladimir Nemirovish-Danchenko, the leading figures of the Moscow Art Theatre; for this theatre he wrote his plays Philistines and The Lower Depths. The Lower Depths made a triumphant tour of many European countries and brought the writer world fame.