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Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky
(Drama in five acts)
Characters
...
Savel Prokofich Dikoy, merchant, significant person in the city.
Boris Grigoryich, his nephew, is a young man, decently educated.
Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova (Kabanikha), rich merchant's wife, widow.
Tikhon Ivanovich Kabanov, her son.
Katerina, his wife.
Varvara, Tikhon's sister.
Kuligin, a tradesman, a self-taught watchmaker, looking for a perpetuum mobile.
Vanya Kudryash, a young man, Dikov’s clerk.
Shapkin, tradesman.
Feklusha, wanderer.
Glasha, a girl in Kabanova's house.
A lady with two footmen, an old woman of 70 years old, half crazy.
City dwellers of both sexes.
The action takes place in the city of Kalinov, on the banks of the Volga, in the summer.
Ten days pass between the third and fourth acts.
Act one
A public garden on the high bank of the Volga, a rural view beyond the Volga. There are two benches and several bushes on the stage.
First appearance
Kuligin sits on a bench and looks across the river. Kudryash and Shapkin are walking.
Kuligin (sings). “In the middle of a flat valley, at a smooth height...” (Stops singing.) Miracles, truly it must be said, miracles! Curly! Here, my brother, for fifty years I have been looking across the Volga every day and I still can’t get enough of it.
Curly. And what?
Kuligin. The view is extraordinary! Beauty! The soul rejoices.
Curly. Neshtu!
Kuligin. Delight! And you: “No way!” Have you looked closely, or don’t understand what beauty is spilled in nature.
Curly. Well, there’s nothing to talk about with you! You are an antique, a chemist!
Kuligin. Mechanic, self-taught mechanic.
Curly. It's all the same.
Silence.
Kuligin (pointing to the side). Look, brother Kudryash, who is waving his arms like that?
Curly. This? This is Dikoy scolding his nephew.
Kuligin. Found a place!
Curly. He belongs everywhere. He's afraid of someone! He got Boris Grigoryich as a sacrifice, so he rides it.
Shapkin. Look for another scolder like ours, Savel Prokofich! There's no way he'll cut someone off.
Curly. Shrill man!
Shapkin. Kabanikha is also good.
Curly. Well, at least that one is all under the guise of piety, but this one is like he’s broken loose!
Shapkin. There is no one to calm him down, so he fights!
Curly. We don’t have many guys like me, otherwise we would have taught him not to be naughty.
Shapkin. What would you do?
Curly. They would have given a good beating.
Shapkin. Like this?
Curly. Four or five of us in an alley somewhere would talk to him face to face, and he would turn into silk. But I wouldn’t even say a word to anyone about our science, I’d just walk around and look around.
Shapkin. No wonder he wanted to give you up as a soldier.
Curly. I wanted it, but I didn’t give it, so it’s all the same thing. He won’t give me up, he senses with his nose that I won’t sell my head cheap. He's the one who's scary to you, but I know how to talk to him.
Shapkin. Oh my!
Curly. What's here: oh! I am considered a rude person; Why is he holding me? Therefore, he needs me. Well, that means I’m not afraid of him, but let him be afraid of me.
Shapkin. It's as if he doesn't scold you?
Curly. How not to scold! He can't breathe without it. Yes, I don’t let it go either: he is the word, and I am ten; he will spit and go. No, I won’t slave to him.
Kuligin. Should we take him as an example? It's better to endure it.
Curly. Well, if you are smart, then teach him to be polite first, and then teach us too! It’s a pity that his daughters are teenagers, and none of them are older.
Shapkin. So what?
Curly. I would respect him. I'm too crazy about girls!
Dikoy and Boris pass. Kuligin takes off his hat.
Shapkin (Curly). Let's move to the side: he'll probably get attached again.
They are leaving.
Second phenomenon
The same, Dikoy and Boris.
Wild. What the hell are you, you came here to beat me up! Parasite! Get lost!
Boris. Holiday; what to do at home!
Wild. You will find a job as you want. I told you once, I told you twice: “Don’t you dare come across me”; you're itching for everything! Not enough space for you? Wherever you go, here you are! Ugh, damn you! Why are you standing there like a pillar! Are they telling you no?
Boris. I’m listening, what else should I do!
Wild (looking at Boris). Fail! I don’t even want to talk to you, the Jesuit. (Leaving.) I imposed myself! (Spits and leaves.)
The third phenomenon
Kuligin, Boris, Kudryash and Shapkin.
Kuligin. What is your business, sir, with him? We will never understand. You want to live with him and endure abuse.
Boris. What a hunt, Kuligin! Captivity.
Kuligin. But what kind of bondage, sir, let me ask you. If you can, sir, then tell us.
Boris. Why not say so? Did you know our grandmother, Anfisa Mikhailovna?
Kuligin. Well, how could you not know!
Boris. She didn’t like Father because he married a noble woman. It was on this occasion that my father and mother lived in Moscow. My mother said that for three days she could not get along with her relatives, it seemed very strange to her.
Kuligin. Still not wild! What can I say! You need to have a big habit, sir.
Boris. Our parents raised us well in Moscow; they spared nothing for us. I was sent to the Commercial Academy, and my sister to a boarding school, and both suddenly died of cholera; My sister and I were left orphans. Then we hear that my grandmother died here and left a will so that my uncle would pay us the portion that should be paid when we come of age, only with a condition.
Kuligin. With which one, sir?
Boris. If we are respectful to him.
Kuligin. This means, sir, that you will never see your inheritance.
Boris. No, that’s not enough, Kuligin! He will first break with us, scold us in every possible way, as his heart desires, but he will still end up not giving anything, or just some little thing. Moreover, he will say that he gave it out of mercy, and that this should not have been the case.
Curly. This is such an institution among our merchants. Again, even if you were respectful to him, who can stop him from saying that you are disrespectful?
Boris. Well, yes. Even now he sometimes says: “I have my own children, why would I give other people’s money? Through this I must offend my own people!”
Kuligin. So, sir, your business is bad.
Boris. If I were alone, it would be fine! I would give up everything and leave. I feel sorry for my sister. He was about to discharge her, but my mother’s relatives didn’t let her in, they wrote that she was sick. It’s scary to imagine what life would be like for her here.
Curly. Of course. Do they understand the appeal?
Kuligin. How do you live with him, sir, in what position?
Boris. Yes, not at all: “Live,” he says, “with me, do what they tell you, and pay whatever you give.” That is, in a year he will give it up as he pleases.
Curly. He has such an establishment. With us, no one dares say a word about salary, he’ll scold you for what it’s worth. “How do you know what’s on my mind,” he says? How can you know my soul? Or maybe I’ll be in such a mood that I’ll give you five thousand.” So talk to him! Only in his entire life he had never been in such a position.
Kuligin. What to do, sir! We must try to please somehow.
Boris. That's the thing, Kuligin, it's absolutely impossible. Even their own people can’t please him; where am I supposed to be!
Curly. Who will please him, if his whole life is based on swearing? And most of all because of the money; Not a single calculation is complete without swearing. Another is happy to give up his own, if only he would calm down. And the trouble is, someone will make him angry in the morning! He picks on everyone all day long.
Boris. Every morning my aunt begs everyone with tears: “Fathers, don’t make me angry! darlings, don’t make me angry!”
Curly. There's nothing you can do to protect yourself! I got to the market, that's the end! He will scold all the men. Even if you ask at a loss, you still won’t leave without scolding. And then he went for the whole day.
Shapkin. One word: warrior!
Curly. What a warrior!
Boris. But the trouble is when he is offended by such a person whom he does not dare to scold; stay home here!
Curly. Fathers! What a laugh it was! Once on the Volga, on a ferry, a hussar cursed him. He worked miracles!
Boris. And what a homey feeling it was! After that, everyone hid in attics and closets for two weeks.
Kuligin. What is this? No way, have the people moved on from Vespers?
Several faces pass at the back of the stage.
Curly. Let's go, Shapkin, on a revelry! Why stand here?
They bow and leave.
Boris. Eh, Kuligin, it’s painfully difficult for me here without the habit! Everyone looks at me somehow wildly, as if I’m superfluous here, as if I’m disturbing them. I don't know the customs here. I understand that all this is Russian, native, but I still can’t get used to it.
Kuligin. And you will never get used to it, sir.
Boris. From what?
Kuligin. Cruel morals, sir, in our city, cruel! In philistinism, sir, you will see nothing but rudeness and stark poverty. And we, sir, will never escape this crust! Because honest work will never earn us more than our daily bread. And whoever has money, sir, tries to enslave the poor so that he can make even more money from his free labors. Do you know what your uncle, Savel Prokofich, answered to the mayor? The peasants came to the mayor to complain that he would not disrespect any of them. The mayor began to tell him: “Listen,” he says, Savel Prokofich, pay the men well! Every day they come to me with complaints!” Your uncle patted the mayor on the shoulder and said: “Is it worth it, your honor, for us to talk about such trifles! I have a lot of people every year; You understand: I won’t pay them a penny per person, but I make thousands out of this, so that’s good for me!” That's it, sir! And among themselves, sir, how they live! They undermine each other's trade, and not so much out of self-interest as out of envy. They are at enmity with each other; They get drunken clerks into their high mansions, such, sir, clerks that there is no human appearance on him, his human appearance is hysterical. And they, for small acts of kindness, scribble malicious slander against their neighbors on stamped sheets. And for them, sir, a trial and a case will begin, and there will be no end to the torment. They sue and sue here, but they go to the province, and there they are waiting for them and splashing their hands with joy. Soon the fairy tale is told, but not soon the deed is done; they drive them, they drive them, they drag them, they drag them; and they are also happy about this dragging, that’s all they need. “I’ll spend it, he says, and it won’t cost him a penny.” I wanted to depict all this in poetry...
Boris. Can you write poetry?
Kuligin. In the old-fashioned way, sir. I read a lot of Lomonosov, Derzhavin... Lomonosov was a sage, an explorer of nature... But he was also from ours, from a simple rank.
Boris. You would have written it. It would be interesting.
Kuligin. How is it possible, sir! They will eat you, swallow you alive. I already get enough, sir, for my chatter; I can’t, I like to spoil the conversation! I also wanted to tell you about family life, sir; yes some other time. And there is also something to listen to.
Feklusha and another woman enter.
Feklusha. Blah-alepie, honey, blah-alepie! Wonderful beauty! What can I say! You live in the promised land! And the merchants are all pious people, adorned with many virtues! Generosity and many alms! I’m so happy, so, mother, completely satisfied! For our failure to leave them even more bounties, and especially to the Kabanov house.
They leave.
Boris. Kabanovs?
Kuligin. Prude, sir! He gives money to the poor, but completely eats up his family.
Silence.
If only I could find a mobile phone, sir!
Boris. What would you do?
Kuligin. Why, sir! After all, the British give a million; I would use all the money for society, for support. Jobs must be given to the philistines. Otherwise, you have hands, but nothing to work with.
Boris. Are you hoping to find a perpetuum mobile?
Kuligin. Absolutely, sir! If only now I could get some money from modeling. Farewell, sir! (Leaves.)
The fourth phenomenon
Boris (one). It's a shame to disappoint him! What a good man! He dreams for himself and is happy. And I, apparently, will ruin my youth in this slum. (Silence.) I’m walking around completely devastated, and then there’s still this crazy thing creeping into my head! Well, what's the point! Should I really start tenderness? Driven, downtrodden, and then foolishly decided to fall in love. Who! A woman with whom you will never even be able to talk. And yet she can’t be out of my head, no matter what you want... Here she is! She goes with her husband, and her mother-in-law with them! Well, am I not a fool? Look from the corner and go home. (Leaves.)
From the opposite side enter: Kabanova, Kabanov, Katerina and Varvara.
Fifth appearance
Kabanova, Kabanov, Katerina and Varvara.
Kabanova. If you want to listen to your mother, then when you get there, do as I ordered you.
Kabanov. How can I, Mama, disobey you!
Kabanova. Elders are not very respected these days.
Varvara (About myself). No respect for you, of course!
Kabanov. I, it seems, mummy, don’t take a step out of your will.
Kabanova. I would believe you, my friend, if I hadn’t seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears what kind of respect children show to their parents now! If only they remembered how many illnesses mothers suffer from their children.
Kabanov. I, mummy...
Kabanova. If a parent ever says something offensive, out of your pride, then, I think, it could be rescheduled! What do you think?
Kabanov. But when, Mama, have I ever been unable to bear being away from you?
Kabanova. The mother is old and stupid; Well, you, young people, smart ones, shouldn’t exact it from us fools.
Kabanov (sighing, aside). Oh, Lord! (Mother.) Dare we, Mama, to think!
Kabanova. After all, out of love your parents are strict with you, out of love they scold you, everyone thinks to teach you good. Well, I don’t like it now. And the children will go around praising people that their mother is a grumbler, that their mother does not allow them to pass, that they are squeezing them out of the world. And, God forbid, you can’t please your daughter-in-law with some word, so the conversation started that the mother-in-law was completely fed up.
Kabanov. No, mama, who is talking about you?
Kabanova. I haven’t heard, my friend, I haven’t heard, I don’t want to lie. If only I had heard, I would have spoken to you, my dear, in a different way. (Sighs.) Oh, a grave sin! What a long time to sin! A conversation close to the heart will go well, and you will sin and get angry. No, my friend, say what you want about me. You can’t tell anyone to say it: if they don’t dare to your face, they will stand behind your back.
Kabanov. Shut up your tongue...
Kabanova. Come on, come on, don't be afraid! Sin! I’ve seen for a long time that your wife is dearer to you than your mother. Since I got married, I don’t see the same love from you.
Kabanov. How do you see this, Mama?
Kabanova. Yes in everything, my friend! A mother cannot see with her eyes, but her heart is a prophet; she can feel with her heart. Or maybe your wife is taking you away from me, I don’t know.
Kabanov. No, mama! what are you saying, have mercy!
Katerina. For me, Mama, it’s all the same, like my own mother, like you, and Tikhon loves you too.
Kabanova. It seems like you could keep quiet if they don’t ask you. Don’t intercede, mother, I won’t offend you, I suppose! After all, he is also my son; don't forget this! Why did you jump out in front of your eyes to make jokes! So that they can see how much you love your husband? So we know, we know, in your eyes you prove it to everyone.
Varvara (About myself). I found a place for instructions to read.
Katerina. You are in vain saying this about me, Mama. Whether in front of people or without people, I’m still alone, I don’t prove anything of myself.
Kabanova. Yes, I didn’t even want to talk about you; and so, by the way, I had to.
Katerina. By the way, why are you offending me?
Kabanova. What an important bird! I'm really offended now.
Katerina. Who enjoys tolerating falsehoods?
Kabanova. I know, I know that you don’t like my words, but what can I do, I’m not a stranger to you, my heart aches for you. I have long seen that you want freedom. Well, wait, you can live in freedom when I’m gone. Then do what you want, there will be no elders over you. Or maybe you’ll remember me too.
Kabanov. Yes, we pray to God for you, mama, day and night, that God may give you health and all prosperity and success in business.
Kabanova. Well, that's enough, stop it, please. Maybe you loved your mother while you were single. Do you care about me, you have a young wife.
Kabanov. One does not interfere with the other, sir: the wife is on her own, and I have respect for the parent in itself.
Kabanova. So will you exchange your wife for your mother? I won't believe this for the life of me.
Kabanov. Why should I change it, sir? I love both of them.
Kabanova. Well, yes, yes, that's it, spread it! I see that I am a hindrance to you.
Kabanov. Think as you wish, everything is your will; Only I don’t know what kind of unfortunate person I was born into this world that I can’t please you with anything.
Kabanova. Why are you pretending to be an orphan? Why are you being so naughty? Well, what kind of husband are you? Look at you! Will your wife be afraid of you after this?
Kabanov. Why should she be afraid? It's enough for me that she loves me.
Kabanova. How, why be afraid! How, why be afraid! Are you crazy, or what? He won’t be afraid of you, and he won’t be afraid of me either. What kind of order will there be in the house? After all, you, tea, live with her in law. Ali, do you think the law means nothing? Yes, if you hold such stupid thoughts in your head, you should at least not chatter in front of her, and in front of your sister, in front of the girl; She should also get married: this way she will listen to enough of your chatter, and then her husband will thank us for the science. You see what kind of mind you have, and you still want to live by your own will.
Kabanov. Yes, Mama, I don’t want to live by my own will. Where can I live by my own will!
Kabanova. So, in your opinion, everything should be affectionate with your wife? How about shouting at her and threatening her?
Kabanov. Yes I am, mummy...
Kabanova (hot). At least get a lover! A! And this, perhaps, in your opinion, is nothing? A! Well, speak up!
Kabanov. Yes, by God, mummy...
Kabanova (completely cool). Fool! (Sighs.) What can you say to a fool! only one sin!
Silence.
I'm going home.
Kabanov. And now we will only walk along the boulevard once or twice.
Kabanova. Well, as you wish, just make sure I don’t wait for you! You know, I don't like this.
Kabanov. No, mommy! God save me!
Kabanova. That's the same! (Leaves.)
Appearance Six
The same, without Kabanova.
Kabanov. You see, I always get it from my mother for you! This is what my life is like!
Katerina. What is my fault?
Kabanov. I don’t know who is to blame.
Varvara. How would you know?
Kabanov. Then she kept pestering me: “Get married, get married, I would at least look at you, a married man!” And now he eats, he doesn’t let anyone pass – it’s all for you.
Varvara. So it’s not her fault! Her mother attacks her, and so do you. And you also say that you love your wife. It's boring for me to look at you. (Turns away.)
Kabanov. Interpret here! What should I do?
Varvara. Know your business - keep quiet if you don’t know anything better. Why are you standing - shifting? I can see in your eyes what’s on your mind.
Kabanov. So what?
Varvara. It is known that. I would like to go see Savel Prokofich and have a drink with him. What's wrong, or what?
Kabanov. You guessed it, brother.
Katerina. You, Tisha, come quickly, otherwise mamma will scold you again.
Varvara. You are faster, in fact, otherwise you know!
Kabanov. How could you not know!
Varvara. We also don’t have a great desire to accept abuse because of you.
Kabanov. I'll be there in a jiffy. Wait! (Leaves.)
Seventh Appearance
Katerina and Varvara.
Katerina. So, Varya, do you feel sorry for me?
Varvara (looking to the side). Of course it's a pity.
Katerina. So you love me then? (Kisses him firmly.)
Varvara. Why shouldn’t I love you!
Katerina. Well, thank you! You are so sweet, I love you to death.
Silence.
Do you know what came to my mind?
Varvara. What?
Katerina. Why don't people fly!
Varvara. I do not understand what you say.
Katerina. I say: why don’t people fly like birds? You know, sometimes I feel like I'm a bird. When you stand on a mountain, you feel the urge to fly. That's how she would run up, raise her hands and fly. Something to try now? (Wants to run.)
Varvara. What are you making up?
Katerina (sighing). How playful I was! I've completely withered away from you.
Varvara. Do you think I don't see?
Katerina. Was that what I was like? I lived, didn’t worry about anything, like a bird in the wild. Mama doted on me, dressed me up like a doll, and didn’t force me to work; I used to do whatever I want. Do you know how I lived with girls? I'll tell you now. I used to get up early; If it’s summer, I’ll go to the spring, wash myself, bring some water with me, and that’s it, I’ll water all the flowers in the house. I had many, many flowers. Then we’ll go to church with Mama, everyone and pilgrims - our house was full of pilgrims and praying mantises. And we’ll come home from church, sit down to do some work, more like gold velvet, and the wandering women will begin to tell us where they’ve been, what they’ve seen, different lives, or sing poetry. So time will pass until lunch. Here the old women go to sleep, and I walk around the garden. Then to Vespers, and in the evening again stories and singing. It was so good!
Varvara. Yes, it’s the same with us.
Katerina. Yes, everything here seems to be out of captivity. And to death I loved going to church! Exactly, it happened that I would enter heaven, and I didn’t see anyone, and I didn’t remember the time, and I didn’t hear when the service was over. Just like it all happened in one second. Mama said that everyone used to look at me, what was happening to me! You know, on a sunny day, such a light column goes down from the dome, and smoke moves in this column, like clouds, and I see, it used to be as if angels were flying and singing in this column. And sometimes, girl, I would get up at night - we also had lamps burning everywhere - and somewhere in a corner I would pray until the morning. Or I’ll go into the garden early in the morning, the sun is just rising, I’ll fall on my knees, pray and cry, and I myself don’t know what I’m praying for and what I’m crying about; that's how they'll find me. And what I prayed for then, what I asked for, I don’t know; I didn’t need anything, I had enough of everything. And what dreams I had, Varenka, what dreams! Either the temples are golden, or the gardens are some kind of extraordinary, and invisible voices are singing, and there is a smell of cypress, and the mountains and trees seem not to be the same as usual, but as if depicted in images. And it’s like I’m flying, and I’m flying through the air. And now I sometimes dream, but rarely, and not even that.
Varvara. So what?
Katerina (after a pause). I'll die soon.
Varvara. That's enough!
Katerina. No, I know that I will die. Oh, girl, something bad is happening to me, some kind of miracle! This has never happened to me. There is something so unusual about me. I’m starting to live again, or... I don’t know.
Varvara. What's the matter with you?
Katerina (takes her hand). But what, Varya, it would be some kind of sin! This is such a fear for me, this is such a fear for me! It’s as if I’m standing over an abyss and someone is pushing me there, but I have nothing to hold on to. (He grabs his head with his hand.)
Varvara. What happened to you? Are you healthy?
Katerina. Healthy... It would be better if I were sick, otherwise it’s not good. Some kind of dream comes into my head. And I won’t leave her anywhere. If I start to think, I won’t be able to gather my thoughts; I’ll pray, but I won’t be able to pray. I babble words with my tongue, but in my mind it’s not at all like that: it’s as if the evil one is whispering in my ears, but everything about such things is bad. And then it seems to me that I will feel ashamed of myself. What happened with me? Before trouble, before any of this! At night, Varya, I can’t sleep, I keep imagining some kind of whisper: someone speaks to me so affectionately, as if he were loving me, as if a dove was cooing. I no longer dream, Varya, of paradise trees and mountains as before; and it’s as if someone is hugging me so warmly, and leading me somewhere, and I follow him, I go...
Varvara. Well?
Katerina. Why am I telling you, you’re a girl.
Varvara (looking around). Speak! I'm worse than you.
Katerina. Well, what should I say? I'm ashamed.
Varvara. Speak, there is no need!
Katerina. It will become so stuffy for me, so stuffy at home, that I would run. And such a thought will come to me that, if it were up to me, I would now be riding along the Volga, on a boat, singing, or in a good troika, hugging...
Varvara. Not with my husband.
Katerina. How do you know?
Varvara. I wish I knew!..
Katerina. Ah, Varya, sin is on my mind! How much I, poor thing, cried, what I didn’t do to myself! I can't escape this sin. Can't go anywhere. After all, this is not good, because this is a terrible sin, Varenka, why do I love someone else?
Varvara. Why should I judge you! I have my sins.
Katerina. What should I do! My strength is not enough. Where should I go; Out of boredom I will do something about myself!
Varvara. What you! God be with you! Just wait, my brother will leave tomorrow, we’ll think about it; maybe it will be possible to see each other.
Katerina. No, no, don't! What you! What you! God forbid!
Varvara. Why are you so scared?
Katerina. If I see him even once, I will run away from home, I will not go home for anything in the world.
Varvara. But wait, we'll see there.
Katerina. No, no, don’t tell me, I don’t even want to listen!
Varvara. What a desire to dry out! Even if you die of melancholy, they will feel sorry for you! Well, just wait. So what a shame it is to torture yourself!
A lady enters with a stick and two footmen in three-cornered hats behind.
A. N. Ostrovsky was a prominent literary figure. He changed a lot in the production of plays, and his works are distinguished by realism, the views of which the writer adhered to. One of his most famous works is the play "The Thunderstorm", an analysis of which is presented below.
History of the play
The analysis of "The Thunderstorm" should begin with the history of its writing, because the circumstances of that time played an important role in the creation of the plot. The play was written in 1859 during Ostrovsky's travels around the Volga region. The writer observed and explored not only the beauty of nature and the sights of the Volga region cities.
He was no less interested in the people he met on his journey. He studied their characters, everyday life, and their life stories. Alexander Nikolaevich made notes, and then based on them he created his work.
But the story of the creation of Ostrovsky's "Thunderstorm" has different versions. For a very long time they were of the opinion that the writer took the plot for the play from real life. There lived a girl in Kostroma who, unable to withstand her mother-in-law’s oppression, threw herself into the river.
Researchers found many matches. This happened in the same year in which the play was written. Both girls were young and were married off at a very early age. Both were oppressed by their mothers-in-law, and their husbands were weak-willed. Katerina had an affair with the nephew of the most influential man in the city, and a poor Kostroma girl had an affair with a postal employee. It is not surprising that due to such a large number of coincidences, for a long time everyone believed that the plot was based on real events.
But more detailed studies have refuted this theory. Ostrovsky sent the play to print in October, and the girl dropped out a month later. Therefore, the plot could not be based on the life story of this Kostroma family. However, perhaps, thanks to his powers of observation, Alexander Nikolaevich was able to predict this sad end. But the story of the creation of the play also has a more romantic version.
Who was the prototype for the main character?
In the analysis of "The Thunderstorm" one can also point out that there were many disputes about who the image of Katerina was copied from. There was also room for the writer’s personal drama. Both Alexander Nikolaevich and Lyubov Pavlovna Kositskaya had families. And this served as an obstacle to the further development of their relationship.
Kositskaya was a theater actress, and many believe that she is the prototype of the image of Katerina in Ostrovsky's "The Thunderstorm". Later, Lyubov Pavlovna will play her role. The woman herself was from the Volga region, and the playwright’s biographers wrote that “Katerina’s Dream” was written down from Kositskaya’s words. Lyubov Kositskaya, like Katerina, was a believer and loved the church very much.
But "The Thunderstorm" is not only a drama about personal relationships, it is a play about the growing conflict in society. In that era there were already people who wanted to change the old order, but the ossified “Domostroevsky” society did not want to obey them. And this confrontation is reflected in Ostrovsky’s play.
The play takes place in the fictional Volga city of Kalinov. The inhabitants of this town are people accustomed to deception, tyranny, and ignorance. Several people from the Kalinovsky society stood out for their desire for a better life - these are Katerina Kabanova, Boris and Kuligin.
The young girl was married to the weak-willed Tikhon, whose stern and oppressive mother constantly oppressed the girl. Kabanikha established very harsh rules in her house, so all members of the Kabanov family did not like her and were afraid of her. During Tikhon's departure on business, Katerina secretly meets with Boris, an educated young man who came from another city to visit his uncle, Dikiy, a man of the same tough character as Kabanikha.
When her husband returned, the young woman stopped seeing Boris. She feared punishment for her action because she was pious. Despite all the persuasion, Katerina confessed everything to Tikhon and his mother. The boar began to tyrannize the young woman even more. Boris's uncle sent him to Siberia. Katerina, having said goodbye to him, rushed into the Volga, realizing that she could no longer live in tyranny. Tikhon accused his mother that it was because of her attitude that his wife decided to take such a step. This is a summary of "The Thunderstorm" by Ostrovsky.
Brief description of the characters
The next point in the analysis of the play is the characteristics of the heroes of Ostrovsky's "The Thunderstorm". All the characters turned out to be memorable, with bright characters. The main character (Katerina) is a young woman brought up in the house-building order. But she understood the rigidity of these views and strived for a better life, where all people would live honestly and do the right thing. She was devout and loved to go to church and pray.
Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova is a widow, a wealthy merchant. She adhered to the principles of house building. She had a bad temper and established tyrannical rules in the house. Tikhon, her son, a weak-willed man, loved to drink. He understood that his mother was unfair to his wife, but was afraid to go against her will.
Boris, an educated young man, came so that Dikoy would give him part of the inheritance. He is impressionable and does not accept the laws of Kalinov society. Dikoy is an influential man, everyone was afraid of him because they knew what a stern disposition he was. Kuligin is a tradesman who believes in the power of science. Tries to prove to others the importance of scientific discoveries.
This is a characteristic of the heroes of Ostrovsky's "The Thunderstorm", who played a significant role in the plot. They can be divided into two small societies: those who held the old views and those who believed that change was necessary to create better conditions.
Ray of light in the play
In the analysis of "The Thunderstorm" it is worth highlighting the main female character - Katerina Kabanova. It is a reflection of what tyranny and despotic attitudes can do to a person. The young woman, although she grew up in the “old” society, unlike the majority, sees the injustice of such orders. But Katerina was honest, she did not want and did not know how to deceive, and this is one of the reasons why she told her husband everything. And those people who surrounded her were accustomed to deceiving, fearing, and tyrannizing. But the young woman could not accept this; all her spiritual purity opposed it. Because of the inner light and the desire to live honestly, the image of Katerina from Ostrovsky’s “The Thunderstorm” was compared to “a ray of light in a dark kingdom.”
And the only joys in her life were prayer and love for Boris. Unlike all those who talked about faith, Katerina believed in the power of prayer, she was very afraid of committing a sin, so she could not meet with Boris. The young woman understood that after her act, her mother-in-law would torment her even more. Katerina saw that in this society no one wanted to change, and she could not live among injustice, misunderstanding and without love. Therefore, throwing herself into the river seemed to her the only way out. As Kuligin later said, she found peace.
Image of a thunderstorm
In the play, some of the important episodes are associated with a thunderstorm. According to the plot, Katerina was very afraid of this natural phenomenon. Because people believed that a thunderstorm would punish a sinful person. And all these clouds, thunder - all this only intensified the depressing atmosphere of the Kabanovs’ house.
In the analysis of "The Thunderstorm" it should also be noted that it is very symbolic that all the episodes with this natural phenomenon are connected with Katerina. This is a reflection of her inner world, the tension in which she was, the storm of feelings that raged inside her. Katerina was afraid of this intensity of feelings, so she was very worried when there was a thunderstorm. Also, thunderstorm and rain are a symbol of purification; when the young woman threw herself into the river, she found peace. Just like nature seems cleaner after rain.
The main idea of the play
What is the main meaning of Ostrovsky's "Thunderstorm"? The playwright sought to show how unfair society is structured. How they can oppress the weak and defenseless, leaving people no choice. Perhaps Alexander Nikolaevich wanted to show that society should reconsider its views. The meaning of Ostrovsky's "The Thunderstorm" is that one cannot live in ignorance, lies and rigidity. We must strive to become better, to treat people more tolerantly, so that their life does not resemble the “dark kingdom”, like Katerina Kabanova’s.
Personality conflict
The play shows the growth of Katerina's internal conflict. On the one hand - the understanding that it is impossible to live in tyranny, love for Boris. On the other hand, there is a strict upbringing, a sense of duty and a fear of committing a sin. A woman cannot come to one decision. Throughout the play, she meets with Boris, but does not even think about leaving her husband.
The conflict is growing, and the impetus for Katerina’s sad death was separation from Boris and increased persecution from her mother-in-law. But personal conflict does not occupy the most important place in the play.
Social issue
In the analysis of "The Thunderstorm" it should be noted that the playwright tried to convey the mood of society that was at that time. People understood that changes were needed, that the old system of society must give way to a new, enlightened one. But the people of the old order did not want to admit that their views had lost their strength, that they were ignorant. And this struggle between the “old” and the “new” was reflected in A. Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm”.
A public garden on the high bank of the Volga, a rural view beyond the Volga. There are two benches and several bushes on the stage.
Kuligin sits on a bench and looks across the river. Kudryash and Shapkin are walking. Kuligin (sings)."In the middle of a flat valley, on a smooth altitude..." "
(Stops singing.) Miracles, truly it must be said, miracles! Curly! Here, my brother, for fifty years I have been looking across the Volga every day and I still can’t get enough of it. Curly. And what? Kuligin. The view is extraordinary! Beauty! The soul rejoices. Curly. Nice! Kuligin. Delight! And you are “something”! Either you look closely or you don’t understand what beauty is spilled out in nature. Curly. Well, there’s nothing to talk about with you! You are an antique, a chemist. Kuligin. Mechanic, self-taught mechanic. Curly. It's all the same. Silence. Kuligin (points to the side). Look, brother Kudryash, who is waving his arms like that? Curly. This? This is Dikoy scolding his nephew. K u l i g i n. Found a place! Curly. He belongs everywhere. He's afraid of someone! He got Boris Grigoryich as a sacrifice, so he rides it. Shapkin. Look for another scolder like ours, Savel Prokofich! There's no way he'll cut someone off. Curly. Shrill man! Shapkin. Kabanikha is also good. Curly. Well, that one, at least, is all under the guise of piety, but this one has broken free! Shapkin. There is no one to calm him down, so he fights! Curly. We don’t have many guys like me, otherwise we would have taught him not to be naughty. Shapkin. What would you do? Curly. They would have given a good beating. Shapkin. Like this? Curly. Four or five of us in an alley somewhere would talk to him face to face, and he would turn into silk. But I wouldn’t even say a word to anyone about our science, I’d just walk around and look around. Shapkin. No wonder he wanted to give you up as a soldier. Curly. I wanted it, but I didn’t give it, so it’s all the same, nothing. Not he will give me away: he senses with his nose that I will not sell my head cheaply. He's the one who's scary to you, but I know how to talk to him. Shapkin. Oh? Curly. What's here: oh! I am considered a rude person; Why is he holding me? Therefore, he needs me. Well, that means I’m not afraid of him, but let him be afraid of me. Shapkin. It's as if he doesn't scold you? Curly. How not to scold! He can't breathe without it. Yes, I don’t let it go either: he is the word, and I am ten; he will spit and go. No, I won’t be a slave to him. Kuligin. Should we take him as an example? It's better to endure it. Curly. Well, if you are smart, then you should teach him to be polite first, and then teach us too. It’s a pity that his daughters are teenagers, and none of them are older. Shapkin. So what? Curly. I would respect him. I'm too crazy about girls! Dikoy and Boris pass, Kuligin takes off his hat. Shapkin (Curly). Let's move to the side: he'll probably get attached again. They are leaving. The same. Dikoy and Boris. Wild. What the hell are you doing here, why don't you come here? Parasite! Get lost! Boris. Holiday; what to do at home. Wild. You will find a job as you want. I told you once, I told you twice: “Don’t you dare come across me”; you're itching for everything! Not enough space for you? Wherever you go, here you are! Ugh, damn you! Why are you standing like a pillar? Are they telling you no? Boris. I’m listening, what else should I do! Wild (looking at Boris). Fail! I don’t even want to talk to you, the Jesuit 2. (Leaving.) I imposed myself! (Spits and leaves.) SCENE THREE Kuligin, Boris, Kudryash and Shapkin. Kuligin. What is your business, sir, with him? We will never understand. You want to live with him and endure abuse. Boris. What a hunt, Kuligin! Captivity. Kuligin. But what kind of bondage, sir, let me ask you? If you can, sir, then tell us. Boris. Why not say so? Did you know our grandmother, Anfisa Mikhailovna? Kuligin. Well, how could you not know! Curly. How not to know! Boris. She didn’t like Father because he married a noble woman. It was on this occasion that my father and mother lived in Moscow. My mother said that for three days she could not get along with her relatives, it seemed very strange to her. Kuligin. Still not wild! What can I say! You need to have a big habit, sir. Boris. Our parents raised us well in Moscow; they spared nothing for us. I was sent to the Commercial Academy, and my sister to a boarding school, but both suddenly died of cholera, my sister and I were left orphans. Then we hear that my grandmother died here and left a will so that my uncle would pay us the part that should be paid when We will come of age, only with a condition. What, sir? If we are respectful to him, sir, you will never see your inheritance. Kuligin! He will first break with us, abuse us in every possible way, as his heart desires, but he will still end up not giving anything, or just some little thing, and he will even begin to tell that he gave it out of mercy, that even this would not have happened. should. Kudryash. Uzd is such an institution in our merchants. Again, even if you were respectful to him, who would forbid him to say that you are disrespectful? Well, yes, he still says sometimes: “I have my own children, why would I give other people’s money? Through It's me I must offend my own!" Kuligin. So, sir, your business is bad. Boris. If I were alone, it would be fine! I would give up everything and leave. Otherwise, I feel sorry for my sister. He was about to write her out, but my mother’s relatives didn’t let me in, they wrote That she’s sick. What life would be like for her here, it’s scary. It goes without saying. How do you live with him, sir? “Live with me,” he says, “do what they tell you, and I’ll give you the salary in a year, as he pleases.” Don’t you dare utter a word about your salary, he’ll curse you out loud. “Why,” he says, “do you know what’s on my mind? How can you know my soul? Or maybe I’ll be in such a mood that I’ll give you five thousand.” So you talk to him! Only he’s never been in such a mood in his entire life. Kuligin. What can I do, sir! You have to try to please him somehow. Boris. That’s the thing, Kuligin, it’s impossible to please him, and how can I please him? life is based on swearing? And most of all, it’s because of money; not a single calculation can be made without swearing. Another is happy to give up on his own, but the trouble is, how will someone make him angry all day long? Every morning my aunt begs everyone with tears: “Fathers, don’t make me angry! Darlings, don't make me angry!" Curly. There's nothing you can do to protect yourself! He ended up at the market, that's the end! He scolds all the men. Even if you ask at a loss, he still won't leave without scolding. And then he went off for the whole day. Shapkin. One word: warrior! What a warrior! Boris. But the trouble is, when such a person does not dare to scold him! on On the Volga, the hussar swore at him while transporting him. He worked miracles! Boris. And what a homey feeling it was! After that, everyone hid in attics and closets for two weeks. Kuligin. What This? No way, have the people moved on from Vespers? Several faces pass at the back of the stage. Curly. Let's go, Shapkin, on a revelry!" Why stand here? They bow and leave. Boris. Eh, Kuligin, it’s painfully difficult for me here, without the habit. Everyone looks at me somehow wildly, as if I’m superfluous here, as if I’m in the way I don’t know the customs here. I understand that all this is Russian, but still I won’t get used to it, sir, Kuligin. sir, in our city, on a revelry (revelry), in a place where you can go out and drink, sir, you won’t see anything but rudeness and naked poverty. . And we, sir, will never escape this crust! Because honest work will never earn us more than our daily bread. And whoever has money, sir, tries to enslave the poor so that he can make even more money from his free labors. Do you know what your uncle, Savel Prokofich, answered to the mayor? The peasants came to the mayor to complain that he would not disrespect any of them. The mayor began to tell him: “Listen,” says Savel Prokofich, count on the men well! Every day they come to me with complaints!" Your uncle patted the mayor on the shoulder and said: "Is it worth it, your honor, for us to talk about such trifles! I have a lot of people every year; You understand: I won’t pay them a penny extra per person, I make thousands out of this, that’s how it is; I feel good!" That's how it is, sir! And among themselves, sir, how they live! They undermine each other's trade, and not so much out of self-interest as out of envy. They quarrel with each other; they bring drunks into their high mansions clerks, such, sir, clerks, that there is no sign of humanity on him, his human appearance is lost. And they, for a small favor, scribble malicious slander on stamped sheets against their neighbors. , and there is no end to the torment. They sue, they sue here and go to the province, and there they are waiting and splashing their hands with joy. Soon the fairy tale is told, but not soon the thing is done; They’re also happy about this dragging, that’s all they need. “I’ll spend it, and it won’t cost him a penny.” K u l i g n. In the old way, sir. I read a lot about Lomonosov, Derzhavin... Lomonosov was a sage, an explorer of nature. .. But also from ours, from a simple title. Boris. You would have written it. It would be interesting. Kuligin. How is it possible, sir! They will eat you, swallow you alive. I already get enough, sir, for my chatter; I can’t, I like to spoil the conversation! I also wanted to tell you about family life, sir; yes some other time. And there is also something to listen to. Feklusha and another woman enter. Feklusha. Blah-alepie, honey, blah-alepie! Wonderful beauty! What can I say! You live in the promised land! And the merchants are all pious people, adorned with many virtues! With generosity and many alms! I am so pleased, so, mother, up to my neck! For our failure to leave them even more bounties, and especially to the house of the Kabanovs. They leave. Boris. Kabanov? Kuligin. He’s giving money to the poor, but he’s completely silent. If only I could find a mobile phone, sir! What would you do? I would use all the money for society, to support the philistines. Otherwise, there are hands, but there’s nothing to work for. Do you hope to find a perpetuum mobile? Surely, sir! model to get some money. Goodbye, sir! (Leaves.)
Boris (one). It's a shame to disappoint him! What a good man! He dreams for himself and is happy. And I, apparently, will ruin my youth in this slum. I’m walking around completely devastated, and then there’s still this crazy thing creeping into my head! Well, what's the point! Should I really start tenderness? Driven, downtrodden, and then foolishly decided to fall in love. Who? A woman with whom you will never even be able to talk! (Silence.) K Still, she can’t be out of my head, no matter what you want. Here she is! She goes with her husband, and her mother-in-law with them! Well, Am I a fool? Look around the corner and go home. (Leaves.) From the opposite side Kabanova, Kabanov, Katerina and Varvara enter. “The Promised Land is, according to biblical myth, a country where God, fulfilling his promise, brought the Jews from Egypt. In a figurative meaning: a country, region or place abounding in wealth. Kabanova, Kabanov, Katerina and Varvara. Kabanova. If you want to listen to your mother, then when you get there, do as I ordered you. Kabanov. How can I, Mama, disobey you! Kabanova. Elders are not very respected these days. Varvara (About myself). No respect for you, of course! Kabanov. I, it seems, mummy, don’t take a step out of your will. Kabanova. I would believe you, my friend, if I didn’t see with my own eyes and gasp with my own ears, what kind of respect has become for parents from children now! If only they remembered how many illnesses mothers suffer from their children. Kabanov. I, mamma... Kabanova. If the parent does something when it’s offensive, By your pride, he will say, so, I think, it could be transferred! What do you think? Kabanov. “But when, Mama, did I not tolerate you? Kabanov. Mother is old, stupid; well, you, young people, smart, should not exact from us fools. Kabanov (sighing, aside). Oh, my God. (Mother.) Dare we, Mama, to think! Kabanova. After all, out of love your parents are strict with you, out of love they scold you, everyone thinks to teach you good. Well, I don’t like it now. And the children will go around praising people that their mother is a grumbler, that their mother does not allow them to pass, that they are squeezing them out of the world. And God forbid, you can’t please your daughter-in-law with some word, and so the conversation started that the mother-in-law 2 was completely fed up. Kabanov. No, mama, who’s talking about you? Kabanova. I haven’t heard, my friend, I haven’t heard, I don’t want to lie. If only I had heard, I would have spoken to you, my dear, in a different way. (Sighs.) Oh, a grave sin! What a long time to sin! A conversation close to your heart will go well, and you will sin and get angry. No, my friend, say what you want about me. You can’t tell anyone to say it: if they don’t dare to your face, they will stand behind your back. Kabanov. Let your tongue dry... Kabanova. Come on, come on, don't be afraid! Sin! I’ve seen for a long time that your wife is dearer to you than your mother. Since I got married, I don’t see the same love from you. Kabanov. How do you see this, Mama? Kabanova. Yes in everything, my friend! What a mother doesn’t see with her eyes, she has a prophetic heart,” she can feel with her heart. Or maybe your wife is taking you away from me, I don’t know. Kabanov. No, mama! What are you talking about! Katerina. For me, Mama, it’s all the same as your own mother, and Tikhon loves you too. You, it seems, could have kept quiet, if they don’t intercede, mother, I’m sure I won’t offend you! Don’t forget that! Why did you jump out to whine in your eyes, so that they can see how much you love your husband? So we know, we know, you prove it to everyone, Varvara. (About myself). I found a place for instructions to read. Katerina. You are in vain saying this about me, Mama. Whether in front of people or without people, I’m all alone, nothing I'm from I'm not proving myself. Kabanova. Yes, I didn’t even want to talk about you; and so, by the way, I had to. Katerina. By the way, why are you offending me? Kabanova. What an important bird! I'm really offended now. Katerina. Who enjoys tolerating falsehoods? Kabanova. I know, I know that you don’t like my words, but what can I do, I’m not a stranger to you, my heart aches for you. I have long seen that you want freedom. Well, wait, you can live in freedom when I’m gone. Then do what you want, there will be no elders over you. Or maybe you’ll remember me too. Kabanov. Yes, we pray to God for you, mama, day and night, that God may give you health and all prosperity and success in business. Kabanova. Well, that's enough, stop it, please. Maybe you loved your mother while you were single. Do you care about me: you have a young wife. Kabanov. One does not interfere with the other, sir: the wife is in itself, and I have respect for the parent in itself. Kabanova. So will you exchange your wife for your mother? I won't believe this for the life of me. Kabanov. Why should I change it, sir? I love both of them. Kabanova. Well, yes, that's it, spread it! I see that I am a hindrance to you. Kabanov. Think as you wish, everything is your will; Only I don’t know what kind of unfortunate person I was born into this world that I can’t please you with anything. Kabanova. Why are you pretending to be an orphan? Why are you being so naughty? Well, what kind of husband are you? Look at you! Will your wife be afraid of you after this? Kabanov. Why should she be afraid? It's enough for me that she loves me. Kabanova. Why be afraid? Why be afraid? Are you crazy, or what? He won’t be afraid of you, and he won’t be afraid of me either. What kind of order will there be in the house? After all, you, tea, live with her in law. Ali, do you think the law means nothing? Yes, if you hold such stupid thoughts in your head, you should at least not chatter in front of her, and in front of your sister, in front of the girl; She should also get married: this way she will listen to enough of your chatter, and then her husband will thank us for the science. You see what kind of mind you have, and you still want to live by your own will. Kabanov. Yes, Mama, I don’t want to live by my own will. Where can I live by my own will! Kabanova. So, in your opinion, everything should be affectionate with your wife? How about shouting at her and threatening her? Kabanov. Yes, I, mamma... Kabanova (hot). At least get a lover! A? And this, perhaps, in your opinion, is nothing? A? Well, speak up! Kabanov. Yes, by God, mamma... Kabanova (completely coolly). Fool! (Sighs.) What can you say to a fool! Only one sin! Silence. I'm going home. Kabanov. And now we will only walk along the boulevard once or twice. Kabanova. Well, whatever you want, just make sure I don’t wait for you! You know, I don't like this. Kabanov. No, mama, God save me! Kabanova. That's the same! (Leaves.)
The same, without Kabanova. Kabanov. You see, I always get it from my mother for you! This is what my life is like! Katerina. What is my fault? Kabanov. I don’t know who is to blame, Varvara. How would you know? Kabanov. Then she kept pestering me: “Get married, get married, I would at least look at you as if you were married.” And now he eats, he doesn’t let anyone pass - it’s all for you. Varvara. So is it her fault? Her mother attacks her, and so do you. And you also say that you love your wife. I'm bored looking at you! (Turns away.) Kabanov. Interpret here! What should I do? Varvara. Know your business - keep quiet if you don’t know anything better. Why are you standing and shifting? I can see in your eyes what’s on your mind. Kabanov. So what? Varvara. It is known that. I would like to go see Savel Prokofich and have a drink with him. What's wrong, or what? Kabanov. You guessed it, brother. Katerina. You, Tisha, come quickly, otherwise mamma will scold you again. Varvara. You are faster, in fact, otherwise you know! Kabanov. How could you not know! Varvara. We also have little desire to accept abuse because of you. Kabanov. I'll be there in a jiffy. Wait! (Leaves.)
Katerina and Varvara. Katerina. So, Varya, do you feel sorry for me? Varvara (looking to the side). Of course it's a pity. Katerina. So you love me then? (Firmly
kisses.) Varvara. Why shouldn’t I love you? 1 "Katerina. Well, thank you! You are so sweet, I love you to death. Silence. Do you know what came to my mind? Varvara. What? Katerina. Why don't people fly? Varvar A. I do not understand what you say. Katerina. I say, why don’t people fly like birds? You know, sometimes I feel like I'm a bird. When you stand on a mountain, you feel the urge to fly. That's how she would run up, raise her hands and fly. Something to try now? (Wants to run.) Varvara. What are you making up? Katerina (sighing). How playful I was! I've completely withered away from you. Varvara. Do you think I don't see? Katerina. Was that what I was like? I lived, didn’t worry about anything, like a bird in the wild. Mama doted on me, dressed me up like a doll, and didn’t force me to work; I used to do whatever I want. Do you know how I lived with girls? I'll tell you now. I used to get up early; If it’s summer, I’ll go to the spring, wash myself, bring some water with me and that’s it, I’ll water all the flowers in the house. I had many, many flowers. Then we’ll go to church with Mama, all the pilgrims, - our house was full of pilgrims; yes praying mantis. And we’ll come from church, sit down to do some work, more like gold velvet, and the wandering women will begin to tell: where they were, what they saw, different lives, or sing poetry 2. So until lunch time will pass. Then the old women will fall asleep, and I walk around the garden. Then to Vespers, and in the evening there were stories and singing again. It was so good with us, Katerina. I loved everything here as if from under captivity. go to church! It used to be that I would enter heaven and not see anyone, and I don’t remember the time, and I don’t hear when the service is over. Just like all this happened in one second, everyone used to look at me. What happens to me? Do you know: on a sunny day such a light pillar comes down from the dome, and smoke moves in this pillar, like a cloud, and I see that it was as if angels were flying and singing in this pillar. , I’ll get up at night - we also had lamps burning everywhere - and somewhere in a corner I’ll pray until the morning, or early in the morning I’ll go into the garden, the sun is just rising, I’ll fall on my knees, pray and cry, and I don’t know, oh. what I pray for and what I cry about; that's how they'll find me. And what I prayed for then, what I asked for, I don’t know; I didn’t need anything, I had enough of everything. And what dreams I had, Varenka, what dreams! Either the temples are golden, or the gardens are some kind of extraordinary, and everyone is singing invisible voices, and there is a smell of cypress, and the mountains and trees seem not to be the same as usual, but as if depicted in images. And it’s as if I’m flying, and I’m flying through the air. And now I sometimes dream, but rarely, and not even that. Varvara. So what? Katerina (after a pause). I'll die soon. Varvara. That's enough! Katerina. No, I know that I will die. Oh, girl, something bad is happening to me, some kind of miracle! This has never happened to me. There is something so unusual about me. I’m starting to live again, or... I don’t know. Varvara. What's the matter with you? Katerina (takes her hand). But here’s what, Varya: it’s some kind of sin! This is such a fear for me, this is such a fear for me! It’s as if I’m standing over an abyss and someone is pushing me there, but I have nothing to hold on to. (He grabs his head with his hand.) Varvara. What happened to you? Are you healthy? Katerina. Healthy... It would be better if I were sick, otherwise it’s not good. Some kind of dream comes into my head. And I won’t leave her anywhere. If I start to think, I won’t be able to gather my thoughts; I’ll pray, but I won’t be able to pray. I babble words with my tongue, but in my mind it’s not at all like that: it’s as if the evil one is whispering in my ears, but everything about such things is bad. And then it seems to me that I will feel ashamed of myself. What happened with me? Before trouble, before any of this! At night, Varya, I can’t sleep, I keep imagining some kind of whisper: someone is talking to me so affectionately, like a dove cooing. I don’t dream, Varya, as before, of paradise trees and mountains, but as if someone is hugging me so warmly and warmly and leading me somewhere, and I follow him, I go... Varvara. Well? Katerina. Why am I telling you: you are a girl. Varvara (looking around). Speak! I'm worse than you. Katerina. Well, what should I say? I'm ashamed. Varvara. Speak, there is no need! Katerina. It will become so stuffy for me, so stuffy at home, that I would run. And such a thought will come to me that, if it were up to me, I would now ride along the Volga, on a boat, singing, or on a good troika, hugging... Varvara. Not with my husband. Katerina. How do you know? Varvara. I wouldn't know. Katerina. Ah, Varya, sin is on my mind! How much I, poor thing, cried, what I didn’t do to myself! I can't escape this sin. Can't go anywhere. After all, this is not good, because this is a terrible sin, Varenka, why do I love someone else? Varvara. Why should I judge you! I have my sins. Katerina. What should I do! My strength is not enough. Where should I go; Out of boredom I will do something about myself! Varvara. What you! What happened to you! Just wait, my brother will leave tomorrow, we’ll think about it; maybe it will be possible to see each other. Katerina. No, no, don't! What you! What you! God forbid! Varvara. What are you afraid of? Katerina. If I see him even once, I will run away from home, I will not go home for anything in the world. Varvara. But wait, we'll see there. Katerina. No, no, and don’t tell me, I don’t even want to listen. Varvara. What a desire to dry out! Even if you die of melancholy, they will feel sorry for you! Well, just wait. So what a shame it is to torture yourself! The Lady enters with a stick and two footmen in triangular hats behind. The same and Barynya. Lady. What, beauties? What are you doing here? Are you expecting some good guys, gentlemen? Are you having fun? Funny? Does your beauty make you happy? This is where beauty leads. (Points to the Volga.) Here, here, in the deep end. Varvara smiles. Why are you laughing! Don't be happy! (Knocks with a stick.) You will all burn inextinguishably in fire. Everything in the resin will boil unquenchable. (Leaving.) Look, there's where beauty leads! (Leaves.)
Katerina and Varvara. Katerina. Oh, how she scared me! I’m trembling all over, as if she were prophesying something for me. Varvara. On your own head, old hag!" Katerina. What did she say, huh? What did she say? Varvara. It’s all nonsense. You really need to listen to what she’s saying. She prophesies like that to everyone. She’s sinned all her life from a young age. Ask- What will they tell about her? That’s what she’s afraid of dying. That’s what she’s afraid of, and that’s what scares others. Even all the boys in the city are hiding from her, threatening them with a stick and shouting at them. (mimicking):“You will all burn in fire!” Katerina (closing his eyes). Oh, oh, stop it! My heart sank. Varvara. There is something to be afraid of! Old fool... Katerina. I'm scared, I'm scared to death. She all appears in my eyes. Silence. Varvara (looking around). Why is this brother not coming, there’s no way, the storm is coming. Katerina (with fear). Storm! Let's run home! Hurry up! Varvara. Are you crazy or something? How will you show up home without your brother? Katerina. No, home, home! God bless him! Varvara. Why are you really afraid: the thunderstorm is still far away. Katerina. And if it’s far away, then perhaps we’ll wait a little; but really, it’s better to go. Let's go better! Varvara. But if something happens, you can’t hide at home. Katerina. But it’s still better, everything is calmer: at home I go to the icons and pray to God! Varvara. I didn't know you were so afraid of thunderstorms. I'm not afraid. Katerina. How, girl, not to be afraid! Everyone should be afraid. It’s not so scary that it will kill you, but that death will suddenly find you as you are, with all your sins, with all your evil thoughts. I’m not afraid to die, but when I think that suddenly I will appear before God as I am here with you, after this conversation, that’s what’s scary. What's on my mind! What a sin! It's scary to say! Oh! Thunder. Kabanov enters. Varvara. Here comes my brother. (To Kabanov.) Run quickly! Thunder. Katerina. Oh! Hurry, hurry! A room in the Kabanovs' house. Glasha (gathers her dress into knots) and Feklusha (enters). F e k l u sha. Dear girl, you are still at work! What are you doing sweetie? Glasha. I'm packing the owner for the trip. Feklusha. Al is going where is our light? Glasha. On his way. Feklusha. How long is it going, dear? Glasha. No, not for long. Feklusha. Well, good riddance to him! What, the mistress will howl or not? Glasha. I don’t know how to tell you. Feklusha. When does she howl with you? Glasha. I can’t hear something. Feklusha. I really love, dear girl, to listen , if someone howls well. Silence. And you, girl, look after the poor thing, Glasha, who will understand you, are you all slandering each other? It seems to you that life is not strange, but you are all quarreling and reproaching. You are not afraid of sin, Mother. We live in the world, dear girl. ordinary people, everyone is confused by one enemy, but to us, to whom there are six, to whom there are twelve; so it is difficult to overcome them all, dear girl! Why are there so many of you? , mother, the enemy is against us because we lead such a righteous life. But I, dear girl, am not absurd, I have no such sin, I know that I love to eat sweets. Well then! Because of my weakness, the Lord sends. Glasha. And you, Feklusha, have you walked far? Feklusha. No, honey. Due to my weakness, I did not walk far; and to hear - I heard a lot. They say that there are such countries, dear girl, where there are no Orthodox kings, and the Saltans rule the earth. In one land the Turkish saltan Makhnut sits on the throne, and in another - the Persian saltan Makhnut; and they carry out judgment, dear girl, on all people, and no matter what they judge, everything is wrong. And they, my dear, cannot judge a single case righteously, such is the limit set for them. Our law is righteous, but theirs, dear, is unrighteous; that according to our law it turns out this way, but according to them everything is the opposite. And all their judges, in their countries, are also all unrighteous; So, dear girl, they write in their requests: “Judge me, unjust judge!” And then there is also the land where all the people are with dog heads *, Glasha. Why is this so with dogs? Feklusha. For infidelity. I'll go, dear girl, By I’ll wander around to the merchants: will there be anything for poverty? Goodbye for now! Glasha. Goodbye! Feklusha leaves. Here are some other lands! There are no miracles in the world! And we sit here, we don’t know anything. It’s also good that there are good people: no, no, and you’ll hear what’s going on in this world; otherwise they would have died like fools. Katerina and Varvara enter. (Glasha). Take the bundle to the wagon, the horses have arrived. (Katerina.) They gave you away in marriage, you didn’t have to go out with the girls: your heart hasn’t left yet. Glasha leaves. Katerina. And it never leaves. Varvara. Why? Katerina. This is how I was born, hot! I was still six years old, no more, so I did it! They offended me with something at home, and it was late in the evening, it was already dark; I ran out to the Volga, “People with dog heads and.-- According to folk legends, traitors to the homeland turned into creatures with dog heads. I got into the boat and pushed it away from the shore. The next morning they found it, about ten miles away! Varvara. Well, did the guys look at you? Katerina. Why didn’t you love anyone? No, you didn’t love Tikhon. I love him very much! Varvara. No, you don’t. If you don’t love him, there’s no point in telling the truth. And it’s been a long time since I noticed that you love another person. (with fear). Why did you notice? Varvara. How funny you say! Am I little? Here's your first sign: when you see him, your whole face will change. Katerina lowers her eyes. You never know... Katerina (looking down). Well, who? Varvara. But you yourself know what to call it? Katerina. No, name it. Call me by name! Varvara. Boris Grigoryich. Katerina. Well, yes, him, Varenka, his! Only you, Varenka, for God's sake... Varvara. Well, here's another! Just be careful not to let it slip somehow. Katerina. I don’t know how to deceive, I can’t hide anything. Varvara. Well, you can’t live without it; remember where you live! Our house rests on this. And I was not a liar, but I learned when it became necessary. I was walking yesterday, I saw him, I talked to him. Katerina (after a short silence, looking down). Well, so what? Varvara. I ordered you to bow. It’s a pity, he says there’s nowhere to see each other. Katerina (looking down even more). Where can we meet? And why... Varvara. So boring. Katerina. Don't tell me about him, do me a favor, don't tell me! I don't even want to know him! I will love my husband. Silence, my darling, I won’t exchange you for anyone! I didn’t even want to think, but you’re embarrassing me. Varvara. Don’t think about it, who is forcing you? Katerina. You don't feel sorry for me! You say: don’t think, but you remind me. Do I really want to think about him? But what can you do if you can’t get it out of your head? No matter what I think about, he still stands before my eyes. And I want to break myself, but I just can’t. Do you know, the enemy confused me again this night. After all, I had left home. Varvara. You are some kind of tricky one, God bless you! But in my opinion: do what you want, as long as it’s safe and covered. Katerina. I don't want it that way. And what good! I’d rather be patient as long as I can. Varvara. If you can’t bear it, what will you do? Katerina. What will I do? Varvara. Yes, what will you do? Katerina. Whatever I want, I’ll do. Varvara. Do it, try it, they will eat you here. Katerina. What to me! I will leave, and I was like that. Varvara. Where will you go? You are a man's wife. Katerina. Eh, Varya, you don’t know my character! Of course, God forbid this happens! And if I get really tired of it here, they won’t hold me back by any force. I’ll throw myself out the window, throw myself into the Volga. I don’t want to live here, I won’t, even if you cut me! Silence. Varvara. You know what, Katya! As soon as Tikhon leaves, Let's sleep in the garden, in the gazebo. Katerina. Well, why, Varya? Varvara. Does it really matter? Katerina. I'm afraid to spend the night in an unfamiliar place, Varvara. What to be afraid of! Glasha will be with us. Katerina. Everything is somehow timid! Yes, I guess. Varvara. I wouldn’t even call you, but my mother won’t let me in alone, but I need it. Katerina (looking at her). Why do you need it? Varvara (laughs). We'll do magic with you there. Katerina. You must be joking? Varvara. Known, just kidding; is it really possible? Silence. Katerina. Where is Tikhon? Varvara. What do you need it for? K a t e rina. No, I am. After all, he's coming soon. Varvara. They are sitting locked with their mother. Now she sharpens it like rusting iron. Katerina. For what? Varvara. No way, it teaches wisdom. It will be two weeks on the road, that's a big deal. Judge for yourself! Her heart is aching because he walks around of his own free will. Now she gives him orders, one more menacing than the other, and then makes him swear to the image of m^Wri that he will do everything exactly as ordered. Katerina. And in freedom, he seems to be tied up. Varvara. Yes, so connected! As soon as he leaves, he’ll start drinking. Now he listens, and he himself thinks about how he can escape as quickly as possible. Enter Kabanova and Kabanov. The same, Kabanova and Kabanov. Kabanova. Well, you remember everything I told you. Look, remember! On cut your nose! Kabanov. I remember, mom. Kabanova. Well, now everything is ready. The horses have arrived. Just say goodbye to you, and to God. Kabanov. Yes, mama, it's time. Kabanova. Well! Kabanov. What do you want, sir? Kabanova. Why are you standing there, haven’t you forgotten the order? Tell your wife how to live without you. Katerina lowered her eyes. Kabanov. Yes, she knows it herself. Kabanova. Talk more! Well, well, give the order. So that I can hear what you order her! And then you’ll come and ask if you did everything right. Kabanov (standing up against Katerina). Listen to your mother, Katya! Kabanova. Tell your mother-in-law not to be rude, Kabanov. Do not be rude! Kabanova. So that the mother-in-law honors her as her own mother! Kabanov. Honor your mother, Katya, like your own mother. Kabanova. So that she doesn’t sit idly by like a lady. Kabanov. Do something without me! Kabanova. So that you don't stare at the windows! Kabanov. Yes, mamma, when will she... Kabanova. Oh well! Kabanov. Don't look out the windows! Kabanova. So that I don’t look at young guys without you. Kabanov. But what is this, Mama, by God! Kabanova (strictly). There's nothing to break! Must do what mother says. (With a smile.) It's getting better, just as ordered. Kabanov (confused). Don't look at the guys! Katerina looks at him sternly. Kabanova. Well, now talk among yourselves if you need to. Let's go, Varvara! They leave. SCENE FOUR Kabanov and Katerina (stands as if in a daze). Kabanov. Kate! Silence. Katya, aren't you angry with me? Katerina (after a short silence, shakes his head). No! Kabanov. What are you? Well, forgive me! Katerina (still in the same state, shaking his head). God be with you! (Hovering his face with his hand.) She offended me! Kabanov. If you take everything to heart, you will soon end up with consumption. Why listen to her? She needs to say something! Well, let her speak, and you turn a deaf ear, Well, goodbye, Katya! Katerina (throwing himself at her husband’s neck). Tisha, don't leave! For God's sake, don't leave! Darling, I beg you! Kabanov. You can't, Katya. If my mother sends me, how can I not go! Katerina. Well, take me with you, take me! Kabanov (freeing himself from her embrace). Yes, you can't. Katerina. Why, Tisha, is it not possible? Kabanov. What a fun place to go with you! You've really driven me too far here! I have no idea how to get out; and you still force yourself on me. Katerina. Have you really stopped loving me? Kabanov. Yes, you haven’t stopped loving, but with this kind of bondage you can run away from whatever beautiful wife you want! Just think: no matter what I am, I’m still a man; Living like this all your life, as you see, will run away from your wife. Yes, as I know now that there won’t be any thunderstorms over me for two weeks, there are no shackles on my legs, so what do I care about my wife? Katerina. How can I love you when you say such words? Kabanov. Words are like words! What other words can I say! Who knows you, what are you afraid of? After all, you are not alone, you are staying with your mother. Katerina. Don't tell me about her, don't tyrant my heart! Oh, my misfortune, my misfortune! (Cries.) Where can I, poor thing, go? Who should I grab hold of? My fathers, I am perishing! Kabanov. Yes, that's enough! Katerina (walks up to her husband and cuddles up to him). Quiet, my dear, if only you would stay or take me with you, how I would love you, how I would love you, my dear! (Caresses him.) Kabanov. I can’t figure you out, Katya! Either you won’t get a word from you, let alone affection, or you’ll just get in the way. Katerina. Silence, who are you leaving me with! There will be trouble without you! The fat is in the fire! Kabanov. Well, But it’s impossible, there’s nothing to do. Katerina. Well, that's it! Take some terrible oath from me... Kabanov. What oath? Katerina. This is this: so that without you I dare not, under any circumstances, speak to anyone else, or see anyone, so that I do not dare think about anyone but you. Kabanov. What's this for? Katerina. Calm my soul, do such a favor for me! Kabanov. How can you vouch for yourself, you never know what can come to mind. Katerina (Falling on knees). So that I won’t see either my father or my mother! Should I die without repentance if I... Kabanov (picking her up). What you! What you! What a sin! I don't even want to listen! Kabanova's voice: "It's time, Tikhon!" Enter Kabanova, Varvara and Glasha. The same ones, Kabanova, Varvara and Glasha." Kabanova. Well, Tikhon, it’s time. Go with God! (Sits down.) Sit down everyone! Everyone sits down. Silence. Well, goodbye! (He gets up and everyone gets up.) Kabanov (approaching mother). Goodbye, mummy! Kabanova (gesturing to the ground). To your feet, to your feet! Kabanov bows at his feet, then kisses his mother. Say goodbye to your wife! Kabanov. Goodbye Katya! Katerina throws herself on his neck. Kabanova. Why are you hanging around your neck, shameless thing! You are not saying goodbye to your lover! He is your husband - the head! Don't you know the order? Bow at your feet! Katerina bows at her feet. Kabanov. Goodbye sister! (Kisses Varvara.) Goodbye, Glasha! (Kisses Glasha.) Goodbye, mummy! (Bows.) Kabanova. Goodbye! Long farewells mean extra tears. Kabanov leaves, followed by Katerina, Varvara and Glasha. Kabanova (one). What does youth mean? It's funny even to look at them! If they weren’t their own, I’d laugh to my heart’s content: they don’t know anything, there’s no order. They don’t know how to say goodbye. It’s good that those who have elders in the house are the ones who hold the house together as long as they are alive. But also, stupid people, they want to do their own thing; but when they are released, they are confused to the obedience and laughter of good people. Of course, no one will regret it, but everyone laughs the most. But you can’t help but laugh: they’ll invite guests, they don’t know how to seat you, and, look, they’ll forget one of your relatives. Laughter, and that's all! This is how the old days come out. I don’t even want to go to another house. And when you get up, you’ll spit, but get out quickly. What will happen, how the old people will die, how the light will remain, I don’t know. Well, at least it’s good that I won’t see anything. Katerina and Varvara enter. Kabanova, Katerina and Varvara. Kabanova. You boasted that you love your husband very much; I see your love now. Another good wife, having seen her husband off, howls for an hour and a half and lies on the porch; but you, apparently, have nothing. Katerina. There's no point! Yes, and I can’t. Why make people laugh! Kabanova. The trick is not great. If I loved it, I would have learned it. If you don’t know how to do it properly, you should at least make this example; still more decent; and then, apparently, only in words. Well, I’m going to pray to God, don’t bother me. Varvara. I'll leave the yard. Kabanova (affectionately). What do I care? Go! Walk until your time comes. You'll still have enough to eat! They're leaving Kabanova and Varvara.
Katerina (alone, thoughtfully). Well, now silence will reign in your house. Oh, what boredom! If only I could reach someone's! Eco woe! I don’t have children: I would still sit with them and amuse them. I really like talking to children - they are angels. (Silence.) If only I had died as a little girl, it would have been better. I would look from heaven to earth and rejoice at everything. Otherwise she would fly invisibly wherever she wanted. She would fly out into the field and fly from cornflower to cornflower in the wind, like a butterfly. (Thinks.) But here’s what I’ll do: I’ll start some work as promised; I’ll go to the guest house,” I’ll buy some canvas, and I’ll sew linen, and then I’ll give it to the poor. They’ll pray to God for me. So we’ll sit down to sew with Varvara and won’t see how time passes; and then Tisha will arrive. Varvara enters. Katerina and Varvara. Varvara (covers his head with a scarf in front of the mirror). I’ll go for a walk now; and Glasha will make our beds in the garden, mamma allowed. In the garden, behind the raspberries, there is a gate, "Gostiny Dvor" - a specially built room, located in rows, where guests (as in the old days they called visiting - initially foreign - merchants) traded. her Mama locks it and hides the key. I took it away and put another one on her so she wouldn’t notice. Now, you might need it. (Gives the key.) If I see you, I’ll tell you to come to the gate. Katerina (pushing away the key in fear). For what! For what! Not no need, no need! Varvara. You don't need it, I will need it; take it, he won't bite you. Katerina. What are you up to, sinner! Is this possible? Have you thought! What you! What you! Varvara. Well, I don’t like to talk a lot, and I don’t have time. It's time for me to go for a walk. (Leaves.)
Katerina (alone, holding the key in her hands). Why is she doing this? What is she coming up with? Oh, crazy, really crazy! This is death! Here she is! Throw it away, throw it far away, throw it into the river so that it will never be found. He burns his hands like coal. (Thinking.) This is how our sister dies. Someone has fun in captivity! You never know what comes to mind. An opportunity arose, and another one was glad: so she rushed headlong. How can this be possible without thinking, without judging! How long does it take to get into trouble? And there you cry all your life, suffer; bondage will seem even more bitter. (Silence.) And bondage is bitter, oh, how bitter! Who doesn't cry from her! And most of all, we women. Here I am now! I live, I suffer, I don’t see any light for myself. Yes, and I won’t see it, you know! What's next is worse. And now this sin is still on me. (Thinks.) If only it weren’t for my mother-in-law!.. She crushed me... I’m sick of her and the house; the walls are even disgusting, (Looks thoughtfully at the key.) Leave him? Of course you have to quit. And how did it fall into my hands? To temptation, to my destruction. (Listens.) Ah, someone is coming. So my heart sank. (Hides the key in his pocket.) No!.. No one! Why was I so scared! And she hid the key... Well, you know, it should be there! Apparently, fate itself wants it! But what a sin is it if I look at it once, even from afar! Yes, even if I talk, it won’t matter! But what about my husband!.. But he himself didn’t want to. Yes, maybe such a case will never happen again in my entire life. Then cry to yourself: there was a case, but I didn’t know how to use it. What am I saying, am I deceiving myself? I could even die to see him. Who am I pretending to be!.. Throw in the key! No, not for anything in the world! He’s mine now... Whatever happens, I’ll see Boris! Oh, if only the night could come sooner!.. Street. The gate of the Kabanovs' house, there is a bench in front of the gate. Kabanova and Feklusha (sitting on the bench). F e k l u sha. The last times, Mother Marfa Ignatievna, the last, by all accounts the last. You also have paradise and silence in your city, but in other cities it’s just sodomy,” mother: noise, running around, incessant driving! People are just scurrying around, one here, another there. Kabanova. We have nowhere to rush, dear, We live slowly. Feklusha. No, mother, it’s because there’s silence in your city, because many people, for example, decorate themselves with virtues like flowers: that’s why everything is done coolly and orderly. Mother, what does that mean? After all, this is vanity! Just like in Moscow: people are running back and forth, no one knows why. That’s what vanity is, Mother Marfa Ignatievna, that’s what it seems to him. he’s in a hurry, poor thing, he doesn’t recognize people; he imagines that someone is beckoning him, but he comes to the place, but there’s nothing, just a dream, and the other one imagines that he’s catching up. someone familiar. From the outside, a fresh person now sees that there is no one; but to someone, everything seems like he is catching up with the fuss, because it seems like a fog. Here, on such a beautiful evening, rarely does anyone even come out to sit outside the gate; but in Moscow there are now festivals and games, and there is a roar and a groan in the streets. Why, Mother Marfa Ignatievna, they started harnessing the fiery serpent 2: everything, you see, for the sake of speed. Kabanova. I heard you, honey. Feklusha. And I, mother, saw it with my own eyes; wi- Of course, others don’t see anything because of the vanity, so it seems to them like a machine, they call it a machine, but I saw how it “With the House - according to biblical myth, a city destroyed by God for the sins of its inhabitants; in a figurative sense sodom - debauchery, disorder, turmoil. “The fiery serpent is a winged mythical monster that spewed flames while flying. Feklusha calls a railway train a fiery serpent. paws like this (spreads fingers) does. Well, that’s what people in a good life hear moaning too. Kabanova. You can call it anything, perhaps even call it a machine; People are stupid, they will believe everything. And even if you shower me with gold, I won’t go. Feklusha. What extremes, mother! God forbid from such a misfortune! And here’s another thing, Mother Marfa Ignatievna, I had a vision in Moscow. I’m walking early in the morning, I’m still a little light-headed, and I see someone standing on a tall, tall building, on the roof, with a black face.” You know who it is. And he does it with his hands, as if he’s pouring out something, but nothing’s pouring out. Then I realized that it was he who was scattering the tares, and that the people were in the bustle during the day and would invisibly pick them up. That’s why they run around like that, that’s why their women are all so thin, they can’t stretch their bodies, and it’s as if they’ve lost something or are looking for something: there’s sadness in their faces, even pity. Kabanova. Anything is possible, my dear! In our times, why be surprised! Feklusha. Hard times, Mother Marfa Ignatievna, hard. The time has already begun to diminish. Kabanova. How so, dear, in derogation? Feklusha. Of course, it’s not us, where can we notice in the bustle! But smart people notice that our time is getting shorter. It used to be that summer and winter drag on and on, you can’t wait for it to end; and now you won’t even see them fly by. The days and hours still seem to remain the same, but time, for our sins, is becoming shorter and shorter. That's what smart people say. Kabanova. And it will be worse than this, my dear. Feklusha. We just wouldn’t live to see this, Kabanova. Maybe we'll live. Dikoy enters. The same for Dikoy. Kabanova. Why are you, godfather, wandering around so late? Wild. And who will stop me! Kabanova. Who will ban! Who needs! “Someone is standing with a black face.” Fekdusha takes the chimney sweep for an “unclean” devil. 2 Tares are weeds growing in grain: according to religious legends, the devil sowed tares, that is, he scattered various temptations, sins among people, crimes, etc. Wild. Well, that means there’s nothing to talk about. I, under the command of, what, who? Why are you still here! What the hell kind of merman is there!.. Kabanova. Well, don't let your throat out too much! Find me cheaper! And I am dear to you! Go your way where you were going. Let's go home, Feklusha. (Rises.) Wild. Wait, godfather, wait! Do not be angry. You still have time to be at home: your home is not far off. Here he is! Kabanova. If you are at work, don’t yell, but speak plainly. Wild. There’s nothing to do, and I’m drunk, that’s what. Kabanova. Well, will you now order me to praise you for this? Wild. Neither praise nor scold. And that means I'm drunk. Well, that's the end of it. Until I wake up, this matter cannot be corrected. Kabanova. So go, sleep! Wild. Where am I going to go? Kabanova. Home. And then where! D i k o i. What if I don’t want to go home? Kabanova. Why is this, let me ask you? Wild. But because there is a war going on there. Kabanova. Who's going to fight there? After all, you are the only warrior there. Wild. So what if I'm a warrior? So what of this? Kabanova. What? Nothing. And the honor isn’t great, because you’ve been fighting with women all your life. That's what. Wildly and. Well, that means they must obey me. Otherwise, I’ll probably submit! Kabanova. I’m really amazed at you: you have so many people in your house, but they can’t please you alone. Wildly and. Here you go! Kabanova. Well, what do you need from me? Wild. Here's what: talk to me so that my heart will go away. You're the only one in the whole city who knows how to make me talk. Kabanova. Go, Feklushka, tell me to prepare something to eat. Feklusha leaves. Let's go to chambers! Wild. No, I won’t go to my chambers, I’m worse in my chambers. Kabanova. What made you angry? Wild. Ever since this morning. Kabanova. They must have asked for money. Wild. As if they had agreed, the damned ones; first one or the other pesters all day long. Kabanova. It must be necessary, if they pester you. Wild. I understand this; What are you going to tell me to do with myself when my heart is like this! After all, I already know what I have to give, but I can’t do everything with goodness. You are my friend, and I have to give it to you, but if you come and ask me, I will scold you. I will give, give, and curse. Therefore, as soon as you mention money to me, everything inside me will be ignited; It kindles everything inside, and that’s all; Well, in those days I would never curse a person for anything. Kabanova. There are no elders over you, so you are showing off. Wild. No, godfather, keep quiet! Listen! These are the stories that happened to me. I was once fasting about a great fast, but now it’s not easy and I slip a little man in: I came for money, I was carrying firewood. And it brought him to sin at such a time! I did sin: I scolded him, I scolded him so much that I couldn’t ask for anything better, I almost killed him. This is what my heart is like! After he asked for forgiveness, he bowed at his feet, that’s right. Truly I tell you, I bowed at the man’s feet. This is what my heart brings me to: here in the yard, in the mud, I bowed to him; I bowed to him in front of everyone. Kabanova. Why are you deliberately bringing yourself into your heart? This, godfather, is not good. Wild. How on purpose? Kabanova. I saw it, I know. If you see that they want to ask you for something, you will take one of your own on purpose and attack someone in order to get angry; because you know that no one will come to you angry. That's it, godfather! Wild. Well, what is it? Who doesn’t feel sorry for their own good! Glasha enters. Glasha. Marfa Ignatievna, a snack has been set, please! Kabanova. Well, godfather, come in. Eat what God sent you. Wild. Perhaps. Kabanova. Welcome! (He lets the Wild One go ahead and follows him.) Glasha stands with folded arms gate Glasha. No way. Boris Grigoryich is coming. Isn't it for your uncle? Does Al walk like that? He must be walking around like that. Boris enters. Glasha, Boris, then Kuligin. B o r i s. Isn't it your uncle? Glasha. We have. Do you need him, or what? Boris. They sent from home to find out where he was. And if you have it, let it sit: who needs it? At home, we are glad that he left. Glasha. If only our owner had been in charge of it, she would have stopped it soon. Why am I, fool, standing with you! Goodbye. (Leaves.) Boris. Oh, my God! Just take a look at her! You can’t enter the house: uninvited people don’t come here. This is life! We live in the same city, almost nearby, and you see each other once a week, and then in church or on the road, that’s all! Here, whether she got married, or whether she was buried, it doesn’t matter. Silence. I wish I wouldn’t see her at all: it would be easier! Otherwise you see it in fits and starts, and even in front of people; a hundred eyes are looking at you. It just breaks my heart. Yes, and you can’t cope with yourself. You go for a walk, and you always find yourself here at the gate. And why do I come here? You can never see her, and, perhaps, whatever conversation comes out, you will lead her into trouble. Well, I ended up in the town! Kuliga goes to meet him. K u l i g i n. What, sir? Would you like to go for a walk? Boris. Yes, I’m taking a walk, the weather is very good today. K u l i g i n. It’s very good, sir, to go for a walk now. Silence, excellent air, the smell of flowers from the meadows from across the Volga, the sky is clear... An abyss has opened up, the stars are full, The stars have no number, the abyss has no bottom." Let's go, sir, to the boulevard, there's not a soul there. Boris. Let's go Kuligin. That’s what a little town is like here, sir! They don’t just walk around on holidays, and they just pretend to be walking, but they go there to show off their clothes, and you’ll only meet a drunken clerk on their way home. The poor people have no time to walk, they have work day and night. And they sleep only three hours a day. Well, what do they do, it seems, so that they don’t walk and breathe fresh air? pet. All the gates, sir, have been locked for a long time, and the dogs have been let loose... Do you think they are doing something or praying to God? No, sir, and they are not locking themselves from thieves, but so that people do not see how they eat their family. Yes, the family is tyrannized. And what tears are flowing behind these locks, invisible and inaudible! What can I tell you, sir? And what, sir, is behind these locks of dark debauchery and drunkenness! PI everything is sewn and covered - no one sees or knows anything, only God sees! You, he says, look, I’m among people and on the street, but you don’t care about my family; for this, he says, I have locks, and constipations, and angry dogs. The family says it’s a secret, secret matter! We know these secrets! Because of these secrets, sir, only he is having fun, while the rest are howling like a wolf. And what's the secret? Who doesn't know him! Rob orphans, relatives, nephews, beat up his family so that they don’t dare make a peep about anything he does there. That's the whole secret. Well, God bless them! Do you know, sir, who is hanging out with us? Young boys and girls. So these people steal from sleep for an hour or two, and then walk in pairs. Yes, here's a couple! Kudryash and Varvara appear. They kiss. Boris. They kiss. K u l i g i n. We don’t need this. Kudryash leaves, and Varvara approaches her gate and beckons Boris. He comes up. Boris, Kulngin and Varvara. Kuligin. I, sir, will go to the boulevard. Why bother you? I'll wait there. Boris. Okay, I'll be right there. Kuligin leaves. Varvara (covering himself with a scarf). Do you know the ravine behind the Boar Garden? Boris. I know. Varvara. Come back there later. Boris. For what? Varvara. How stupid you are! Come and see why. Well, go quickly, they are waiting for you. Boris leaves. Not I found out! Let him think now. And I really know that Katerina won’t be able to resist, she’ll jump out. (He goes out the gate.)
Night. A ravine covered with bushes; upstairs --
Kabanovs' garden fence and gate; at the top there is a path. Curly (enters with guitar). There is no one. Why is she there! Well, Let's sit and wait. (Sits on a stone.) Let's sing a song out of boredom. (Sings.) Like a Don Cossack, the Cossack led his horse to water, Good fellow, he’s already standing at the gate. He stands at the gate, he himself is thinking, Dumu is thinking about how he will destroy his wife. Like a wife, a wife prayed to her husband, and quickly bowed her feet to him: “Are you, father, you, dear dear friend! Don’t hit me, don’t destroy me in the evening! Kill me, destroy me from midnight! let my little children, my little children, all my close neighbors go to sleep." Boris enters. Kudryash and Boris. Curly (stops singing). Look! Humble, humble, ah also went on a rampage. Boris. Curly, is that you? Curly. I, Boris Grigoryich! Boris. Why are you here? Curly. Me? Therefore, I need it, Boris Grigoryich, if I’m here. I wouldn't go unless necessary. Where is God taking you? Boris (looks around the area). Here's what, Kudryash: I would need to stay here, but I don't think you care, you can go to another place. Curly. No, Boris Grigoryich, I see, this is your first time here, but I already have a familiar place here and the path has been trodden by me. I love you, sir, and am ready for any service for you; and don’t meet me on this path at night, so that, God forbid, some sin does not happen. An agreement is better than money. Boris. What's wrong with you, Vanya? Curly. Why: Vanya! I know that I am Vanya. A you go your own way, that's all. Get one for yourself, and go for walks with her, and no one will care about you. Don't touch strangers! We don’t do that, otherwise the guys will break their legs. I’m for mine... Yes, I don’t even know what I’ll do! I'll cut your throat. Boris. You are in vain to be angry; It’s not even on my mind to take it away from you. I wouldn't have come here if I hadn't been told to. Curly. Who ordered it? Boris. I couldn't make it out, it was dark. Some girl stopped me on the street and told me to come here, behind the Kabanovs’ garden, where the path is. Curly. Who would this be? Boris. Listen, Curly. Can I have a heart-to-heart talk with you, won’t you babble? Curly. Speak up, don't be afraid! All I have is one that has died. Boris. I don't know anything here neither your orders, neither customs; but the thing is... Kudryash. Did you fall in love with someone? Boris. Yes, Curly. Curly. Well, that's okay. We are free about this. The girls go out as they please, father and mother don’t care. Only women are locked up. Boris. That's my grief. Curly. So did you really fall in love with a married woman? Boris. Married, Kudryash. Curly. Eh, Boris Grigoryich, stop annoying me! Boris. It's easy to say - quit! It may not matter to you; you will leave one and find another. But I can’t do this! If I fell in love... Curly. After all, this means you want to ruin her completely, Boris Grigoryich! Boris. Save, Lord! Save me, Lord! No, Curly as possible. Do I want to destroy her? I just want to see her somewhere, I don’t need anything else. Curly. How, sir, can you vouch for yourself! But what a people here! You know it yourself. They will eat it and hammer it into the coffin. Bori s. Oh, don't say that, Curly, please don't scare me! Curly. Does she love you? Boris. Don't know. K u d r i sh. Have you ever seen each other? Boris. I only visited them once with my uncle. And then I see in the church, we meet on the boulevard. Oh, Curly, how she prays, if only you would look! What an angelic smile she has on her face, and her face seems to glow. Curly. So this is young Kabanova, or what? Boris. She, Curly. Curly. Yes! So that's it! Well, we have the honor to congratulate you! Boris. With what? Curly. Yes, of course! It means things are going well for you, since you were told to come here. Boris. Was that really what she ordered? Curly. And then who? Boris. No, you're kidding! This can't be true. (He grabs his head.) Curly. What's wrong with you? B o r i s. I'll go crazy with joy. Curly. Bota! There is something to go crazy about! Just watch - don’t cause trouble for yourself, and don’t get her into trouble either! Let’s face it, even though her husband is a fool, her mother-in-law is painfully fierce. Varvara comes out of the gate. Same with Varvara, then Katerina. Varvara (sings at the gate). Beyond the river, beyond the fast one, my Vanya is walking, There my Vanya is walking... Kudryash (continues). Purchases goods. (Whistles.) Varvara (goes down the path and, covering his face with a scarf, approaches Boris). You, guy, wait. You'll wait for something. (Curly.) Let's go to the Volga. Curly. What took you so long? Still waiting for you! You know what I don't like! Varvara hugs him with one hand and leaves. Boris. It’s like I’m seeing a dream! This night, songs, dates! They walk around hugging each other. This is so new to me, so good, so fun! So I'm waiting for something! I don’t know what I’m waiting for, and I can’t imagine it; only the heart beats and every vein trembles. Now I can’t even think of what to say to her, it’s breathtaking, my knees are weak! That's when my stupid heart suddenly boils, nothing can calm it down. Here he comes. Katerina quietly walks down the path, covered with a large white scarf, her eyes cast down to the ground. Is it you, Katerina Petrovna? Silence. I don’t even know how I can thank you. Silence. If only you knew, Katerina Petrovna, how much I love you! (Wants to take her hand.) Katerina (with fear, but without raising his eyes). Don't touch, don't touch me! Ahah! Boris. Do not be angry! Katerina. Get away from me! Go away, you damned man! Do you know: I can’t atone for this sin, I can never atone for it! After all, it will fall like a stone on your soul, like a stone. Boris. Don't drive me away! Katerina. Why did you come? Why have you come, my destroyer? After all, I’m married, and my husband and I will live until the grave! Boris. You yourself told me to come... Katerina. Yes, understand me, you are my enemy: after all, to the grave! Boris. It would be better for me not to see you! Katerina (with excitement). After all, what am I cooking for myself? Where do I belong, you know? Boris. Calm down! (Takes her hand.) Sit down! Katerina. Why do you want my death? Boris. How can I want your death when I love you more than anything in the world, more than myself! Katerina. No, No! You ruined me! Boris. Am I some kind of villain? Katerina (shaking his head). Ruined, ruined, ruined! Boris. God save me! I'd rather die myself! Katerina. Well, how come you didn’t ruin me, if I, leaving home, come to you at night. Boris. It was your will. Katerina. I have no will. If only I had my own will, Not I would go to you. (Raises his eyes and looks at Boris.) A little silence. Your will is now over me, don't you see! (Throws herself at his neck.) Boris (hugs Katerina). My life! Katerina. You know? Now I suddenly wanted to die! Boris. Why die when we can live so well? Katerina. No, I can't live! I already know that I can’t live. Boris. Please don’t say such words, don’t sadden me... Katerina. Yes, you feel good, you are a free Cossack, and I!.. Boris. No one will know about our love. Surely I won’t regret you! Katerina. Eh! Why feel sorry for me, it’s no one’s fault—she went for it herself. Don't be sorry, ruin me 1 Let everyone know, let everyone see what I do! (Hugs Boris.) If I was not afraid of sin for you, will I be afraid of human judgment? They say that it is even easier when you suffer for some sin here on earth. Boris. Well, what to think about it, fortunately we are good now! Katerina. And then! I’ll have time to think and cry in my spare time. Boris. And I was scared; I thought you were going to send me away. Katerina (smiling). Drive away! Where else! Is it with our hearts? If you hadn’t come, it seems that I would have come to you myself. Boris. I didn't even know that you loved me. Katerina. I've loved you for a long time. It’s like it’s a sin that you came to us. As soon as I saw you, I didn’t feel like myself. From the very first time, it seems, if you had beckoned me, I would have followed you; If you went to the ends of the world, I would still follow you and wouldn’t look back. Boris. How long has your husband been gone? Katerina. For two weeks. Boris. Oh, so we'll take a walk! There's plenty of time. Katerina. Let's take a walk. And there... (thinks) As soon as they lock it up, that’s death! If they don’t lock you up, I’ll find a chance to see you! Kudryash and Varvara enter. The same ones, Kudryash and Varvara. Varvara. Well, did you manage? Katerina hides her face on Boris's chest. Boris. They worked it out. Varvara. Let's go for a walk, and we'll wait. When necessary, Vanya will shout. Boris and Katerina leave. Kudryash and Varvara sit on a stone. Curly. And you came up with this important thing, climbing into the garden gate. It is very capable for our brother. Varvara. All I. Curly. I'll take you on this. Will the mother not be enough? Varvara. Eh! Where should she go? It won't even hit her in the face. Curly. Well, what a sin? Varvara. Her first sleep is sound; In the morning, he wakes up like this. Curly. But who knows! Suddenly the difficult one will lift her up. Varvara. Well then! We have a gate that is locked from the yard from the inside, from the garden; knocks, knocks, and just like that it goes. And in the morning we will say that we slept soundly and did not hear. Yes, and Glasha guards; At any moment, she'll give a voice. You can't do it without danger! How is it possible! Just look, you'll get into trouble. Kudryash plays a few chords on the guitar. Varvara rests on the shoulder of Curly, who, not paying attention, plays quietly. Varvara (yawning). How can I find out what time it is? Curly. First. Varvara. How do you know? Curly. The watchman hit the board. Varvara (yawning). It's time. Give me a shout. Tomorrow we will leave early, so we can walk more. Curly (whistles and sings loudly). Everyone goes home, everyone goes home, But I don’t want to go home. Boris (behind the scenes). I hear you! Varvara (rises). Well, goodbye. (Yawns, then kisses him coldly, as if he had long since celebrated.) Tomorrow, look, come early! (Looks in the direction where Boris and Katerina went.) We'll say goodbye to you, we won't part forever, we'll see each other tomorrow. (Yawns and stretches.) Katerina runs in, followed by Boris. Kudryash, Varvara, Boris and Katerina. Katerina (Varvara). Well, let's go, let's go! (They go up the path. Katerina turns around.) Goodbye. Boris. Till tomorrow! Katerina. Yes, see you tommorow! Tell me what you see in your dream! (Approaches the gate.) Boris. Definitely. Curly (sings with guitar). Walk, young, for the time being, Until the evening until dawn! Ay cherished, for the time being, Until the evening until dawn. Varvara (at the gate). And I, young, for the time being, Until the morning until dawn, Oh, they cherished, for the time being, Until the morning until dawn! They leave. Curly. As the little dawn got busy, I went home... etc. In the foreground is a narrow gallery with the vaults of an ancient building that is beginning to collapse; here and there there is grass and bushes behind the arches - the shore and a view of the Volga. Several walkers of both sexes pass behind the arches. 1st. Is it raining, as if a thunderstorm is brewing? 2nd. Look, it will come together. 1st. It’s also good that there is somewhere to hide. Everyone enters under the vaults. I? e n s h i n a. Why are there so many people walking on the boulevard? It's a holiday, everyone has gone out. The merchants' women are so dressed up. 1 - i. They'll hide somewhere. 2nd. Look how many people are crowding here now! 1st (examining the walls). But here, my brother, someday it was planned. And now it still means in some places. 2nd. Well yes, of course! Of course, it was planned. Now, look, everything has been left empty,” fallen apart, overgrown. After the fire, they never repaired it. And you don’t even remember the fire, this one will be forty years old. 1st. Whatever it is, my brother, is here was it drawn? It’s quite difficult to understand. 2. This is hell 1. So, my brother, 2. And people of all ranks are going there. -y. And every rank. And the araps? And the araps. And this, my brother, what is this? 3. How Ours fought with Lithuania. 1st. What is this - Lithuania? 2 - i. So it is Lithuania. 1 - i. And they say, my brother, it fell on us from the sky. 2nd. I can't tell you. From the sky, from the sky. Woman. Explain again! Everyone knows what comes from heaven; and where there was some kind of battle with her, mounds were poured there for memory. 1-i. What about you, my brother! It's so accurate! Dikoy enters, followed by Kuligin without a hat. Everyone bows and assumes a respectful position. The same ones, Dikoy and Kuligin. Wild. Look, everything is soaked. (Kuligin.) Leave me alone! Leave me alone! (With heart.) Foolish man! Kuligin. Savel Prokofich, after all, this, your lordship, is a benefit for all ordinary people in general. Wild. Go away! What a benefit! Who needs this benefit? Kuligin. Yes, even for you, your lordship, Savel Prokofich. If only, sir, on the boulevard, in a clean place, and put it up. And what is the consumption of an empty one: a stone column. (shows with gestures the size of each item), a copper plate, so round, and a hairpin, here’s a straight hairpin (shows with a gesture) the simplest one. I’ll put it all together and cut out the numbers myself. Now you, your lordship, when you deign to go for a walk, or others who are walking, will now come up and see what time it is. And this place is beautiful, and the view, and everything, but it’s as if it’s empty. We, too, Your Excellency, have travelers who go there to look at our views, after all, it’s a decoration - it’s more pleasing to the eye. Wild. Why are you bothering me with all this nonsense! Maybe I don’t even want to talk to you. You should have first found out whether I am in the mood to listen to you, a fool, or not. What am I to you - even, or something! Look, what an important matter you found! So he starts talking straight to the snout. Kuligin. If I had minded my own business, then it would have been my fault. Otherwise I am for the common good, yours. degree. Well, what does ten rubles mean to society? You won't need more, sir. Wild. Or maybe you want to steal; who knows you. Kuligin. If I want to put my labors away for nothing, what can I steal, your lordship? Yes, everyone knows me here, no one will say anything bad about me. Wild. Well, let them know, but I don’t want to know you. Kuligin. Why, sir Savel Prokofich, would you like to offend an honest man? Wild. I'll give you a report or something! I don’t give an account to anyone more important than you. I want to think about you this way, and I think so. For others, you are an honest person, but I think that you are a robber, that’s all. Did you want to hear this from me? So listen! I say I’m a robber, and that’s the end of it! So, are you going to sue me or something? So you know that you are a worm. If I want, I will have mercy, if I want, I will crush. Kuligin. God be with you, Savel Prokofich! I, sir, am a small person; it won’t take long to offend me. And I’ll tell you this, your lordship: “And virtue is respected in rags!” “Wild. Don’t you dare be rude to me! Do you hear / Kuligin. I don’t do anything rude to you, sir; but I’m telling you because, Maybe you will decide to do something for the city someday. You, your lordship, have a lot of strength; if only we had the will to do a good deed, now we have frequent thunderstorms, and we won’t have thunder diversions 2. . Wild (proudly). Everything is vanity! Kuligin. But what’s the fuss when the experiments took place? Wild. What kind of lightning taps do you have there? K league p. Steel. Wild (with anger). Well, what else? K u l i g i n. Steel poles. Wild (getting more and more angry). I heard that poles, you kind of asp; and what else? Set up: poles! Well, what else? K u l i g i n. Nothing more. Wild. What do you think a thunderstorm is, huh? Well, speak. Kuligin. Electricity. Wild (stomping his foot). What other beauty there is! Well, how come you’re not a robber! A thunderstorm is sent to us as punishment, so that we can feel it, but you want to defend yourself, God forgive me, with poles and some kind of rods. What are you, a Tatar, or what? Are you Tatar? Oh, speak up! Tatar? Kuligin. Savel Prokofich, your lordship, Derzhavin said: I decay with my body in dust, I command thunder with my mind 3. Wild. And for these words, send you to the mayor, so he will give you a hard time! Hey, honorable ones, listen to what he says! Kuligin. There is nothing to do, we must submit! But when I have a million, then I’ll talk. (Waving his hand, he leaves.) Wild. Well, are you going to steal from someone? Hold it! Such a fake little man! What kind of person should be with these people? I really don't know. (Addressing the people.) Yes, you damned ones will lead anyone into sin! I didn’t want to get angry today, but he, as if on purpose, made me angry. May he fail! (Angrily.) Has it stopped raining? 1st. It seems he has stopped. Wild. Seems! And you, fool, go and have a look. And then - it seems! 1st (coming out from under the arches). Stopped! Dikoy leaves, and everyone follows him. The stage is empty for some time. Under Varvara quickly enters the vaults and, hiding, looks out. Varvara and then Boris. Varvara. It seems he is! Boris walks towards the back of the stage. Sssssssss Boris looks around. Come on here. (Beckons with his hand.) Boris enters. What should Katerina and I do? Please tell me! Boris. And what? Varvara. It’s a problem, and that’s all. My husband has arrived, do you know that? And they didn’t wait for him, but he arrived. Boris. No, I didn't know.; Varvara. She just didn't feel like herself! Boris. Apparently, I’ve only lived for ten days, so far! He was absent. Now you won't see her! Varvara. Oh, what are you! Yes, listen! She is trembling all over, as if she were suffering from a fever; so pale, rushing around the house, as if looking for something. Eyes like those of a madwoman! Just this morning the poster started crying. My fathers! what should I do with it? Boris. Yes, maybe she will get over it! Varvara. Well, hardly. She doesn’t dare raise her eyes to her husband. Mama began to notice this, she walks around and looks sideways at her, like a snake; and that makes her even worse. It's just painful to look at her! Yes, and I'm afraid. Boris. What are you afraid of? V a r v a r a. You do not know her! She's kind of weird here. Everything will happen from her! He will do such things that... Boris. Oh my god! What should we do? You should have a good talk with her. Is it really impossible to persuade her? Varvara. I tried it. And he doesn't listen to anything. It's better not to come near. Boris. Well, what do you think she can do? Varvara. Here's what: he'll knock at his husband's feet and tell him everything. That's what I'm afraid of. Boris (with fear). Could it be? Varvara. Everything can come from her. Boris. Where is she now? Varvara. Now my husband and I went to the boulevard, and my mother went with them. Go ahead too, if you want. No, it’s better not to go, otherwise she’ll probably be completely confused. A clap of thunder in the distance. No way, thunderstorm? (Looks out.) And it's raining. And so the people fell. Hide there somewhere, and I’ll stand here in plain sight so that they don’t think anything. Several persons of different ranks and gender enter. Different faces and then Kabanova, Kabanov, Katerina and Kuligin. 1st. The butterfly must be very afraid that it is in such a hurry to hide. Woman. No matter how you hide! If it’s destined for someone, you won’t go anywhere. Katerina (running in). Oh, Varvara! (He grabs her hand and holds her tightly.) Varvara. That's enough! Katerina. My death! Varvara. Come to your senses! Get your thoughts together! Katerina. No! I can not. I can't do anything. My heart really hurts. Kabanova (entering). That's it, you have to live in such a way that you are always ready for anything; For fear this wouldn't happen. Kabanov. But what, Mama, her sins can be special: they are all the same as the rest of us, and this is what she is naturally afraid of. Kabanova. How do you know? Someone else's soul in the dark. Kabanov (jokingly). Is there really anything without me, but with me, it seems, there was nothing. Kabanova. Maybe without you. Kabanov (jokingly). Katya, repent, brother, it’s better if you’ve sinned. After all, you can’t hide from me: no, you’re being naughty! I know everything! Katerina (looks into Kabanov’s eyes). My darling! Varvara. Well, why are you pestering! Can't you see that it's hard for her without you? Boris leaves the crowd and bows to Kabanov. Katerina (screams). Oh! Kabanov. Why are you scared? Did you think it was a stranger? This is a friend! Is uncle healthy? Boris. God bless! Katerina (Varvara). What else does he need from me?.. Or is it not enough for him that I am suffering so much. (Bowing towards Varvara, she sobs.) Varvara (loudly so the mother can hear). We are off our feet, we don’t know what to do with her; and then strangers are still creeping in! (He makes a sign to Boris, who goes to the very exit.) Kuligin (goes out to the middle, addressing the crowd). Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell! Now every grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, afraid, as if some kind of misfortune is coming! The thunderstorm will kill! This is not a thunderstorm, but grace! Yes, grace! It's all stormy! The northern lights will light up, you should admire and marvel at the wisdom: “the dawn rises from the midnight lands,” but you are horrified and think: this means war or pestilence. Whether a comet is coming, I wouldn’t take my eyes off it! Beauty! The stars are really Look closely, they’re all the same, but this is a new thing; well, I’d love to see it! And you’re afraid to look at the sky, you’ve made yourself tremble! Eh, people! Let's go, sir! Let's go! It's worse here! The same without Boris and Kuligin. Kabanova. Look what races he created 2. There is something to listen to, nothing to say! Now the times have come, some teachers have appeared. If an old man thinks like this, what can one demand from young people! “The dawn rises from the midnight lands...” - from M. V. Lomonosov’s ode “Evening Reflection.” 2 Breeding races is empty talk. Racea is a long instruction, teaching. Woman. Well, the sky has covered everything. Exactly with the cap, it covered it. 1st. Eco, my brother, it’s like a cloud is curling around like a ball, wondering what living things are tossing and turning in it. And so it crawls towards us, and crawls, like something alive! 2nd. Remember my words that this storm will not pass in vain! I tell you correctly; That's why I know. Either he will kill someone, or the house will burn down, you’ll see: because, look, what an unusual color \
Katerina (listening). What they're saying? They say he will kill someone. Kabanov. It is known that they make such a fuss, in vain, whatever comes to mind. Kabanova. Don't judge your older self! They know more than you. Old people have signs for everything. An old man will not say a word to the wind. Katerina (to my husband). Tisha, I know the corV will kill. Varvara (Katerina is quiet). At least keep quiet. K a b a n.o v a. How do you know? Katerina. It will kill me. Then pray for me. The Lady enters with the footmen. Katerina hides screaming. The same and Baryny. Lady. Why are you hiding? There's no need to hide! Apparently you’re afraid: you don’t want to die! I want to live! How could you not want to! - see how beautiful she is. Ha ha ha! Beauty! And you pray to God to take away the beauty! Beauty is our destruction! You will destroy yourself, you will seduce people, then rejoice in your beauty. You will lead many, many people into sin! Helipads go out to fights, stabbing each other with swords. Funny! Old, pious people forget about death and are seduced by beauty! And who will answer? You will have to answer for everything. It's better to be in the pool with beauty! Yes, hurry, hurry! Katerina is hiding. Where are you hiding, stupid? You can't escape God! You will all burn in unquenchable fire! (Leaves.)
Katerina. Oh! I'm dying! V a-r v a r a. Why are you really suffering? Stand to the side and pray: it will be easier. Katerina (walks to the wall and kneels, then quickly jumps up). Oh! Hell! Hell! Gehenna of fire! Kabanov, Kabanova and Varvara surround her. My whole heart burst! I can't stand it anymore! Mother! Tikhon! I am a sinner before God and before you! Wasn’t it I who swore to you that I wouldn’t look at anyone without you! Do you remember, do you remember? Do you know what I, dissolute, did without you? On the very first night I left home... Kabanov (confused, in tears, pulls her sleeve). Not must, don't, don't say! What you! Mother is here! Kabanova (strictly). Well, well, speak up now that you’ve already started.^ Katerina. And yet I walked for ten nights... (Sobbing.) Kabanov wants to hug her. Kabanova. Drop her! With whom? Varvara. She's lying, she doesn't know what she's saying. Kabanova. Shut up! That's it! Well, with whom? Katerina. With Boris Grigoryich. Thunderclap. Oh! (Falls unconscious into her husband’s arms.) Kabanova. What, son! Where will the will lead? She spoke I, so you didn't want to listen. That's what I've been waiting for! Decoration for the first act. Twilight. Kuligin (sitting on a bench), Kabanov (walking along the boulevard). Kuligin (sings). The skies were covered with night darkness. All the people have already closed their eyes for peace..." etc. (Seeing Kabanov.) Hello sir! How far are you? Kabanov. Home. Have you heard, brother, what we are doing? The whole family, brother, is in disarray. K u l i g i n. I heard, I heard, sir. Kabanov. I went to Moscow, you know? On the way, my mother read, gave me instructions, but as soon as I left, I went on a spree. I’m very glad that I broke free. And he drank all the way, and in Moscow he drank everything, so it’s a lot, what the heck! So that you can take a break for the whole year. I never even thought about the house. Even if I remembered, it wouldn’t even occur to me what was going on. Heard? K u l i g i n. I heard, sir. Kabanov. I'm an unhappy man now, brother! So I’m dying for nothing, not for a penny! K v l i g i n. Your mother is very cool. Kabanov. Well, yes. She is the reason for everything. And why am I dying, please tell me? I went to see Diky, well, we had a drink; I thought it would be easier, no, worse, Kuligin! What has my wife done against me? It can’t be worse... Kuligin. A wise thing, sir. It's wise to judge you. Kabanov. No, wait! What's worse than that? Killing her for this is not enough. So my mother says: she must be buried alive in the ground so that she can be executed! A. I love her, I’m sorry to lay a finger on her. I beat him a little, and even then my mother ordered me to. I feel sorry for looking at her, understand that, Kuligin. Mama eats her, and she, like some kind of shadow, walks around unresponsive. It just cries and melts like wax. So I'm dying looking at her. Kuligin. Somehow, sir, we can do something smoothly! You would forgive her, and never remember her. You yourself, tea, are also not without sin! Kabanov. What can I say! Kuligin. Yes, so as not to reproach even under a drunken hand. She would be a good wife for you, sir; look - better than anyone. Kabanov. Yes, understand, Kuligin: I would be fine, but mummy... how can you talk to her!.. Kuligin. It's time for you, sir, to live by your own mind. Kabanov. Should I burst apart or something? No, they say, it’s his own mind. And that means live as someone else’s. I’ll take the last one I have and drink it; Then let my mother babysit me like I’m a fool. Kuligin. Eh, sir! Things to do, things to do! Well, what about Boris Grigoryich, sir? Kabanov. And he, the scoundrel, is sent to Tyakhta, to the Chinese. His uncle sends him to some merchant he knows in the office. He is there for three years. Kulagin. Well, what is he, sir? Kabanov. He’s rushing about too , crying. Just now my uncle and I attacked him, we scolded him, scolded him, - he’s silent. He’s like a wild one with me, he says, do whatever you want, just don’t torture her! And he also has pity for her. K u l i g i n. He's a good man, sir. Kabanov. I'm completely ready, and the horses are ready. He's so sad, it's a disaster! I can already see that he wants to say goodbye. Well, you never know! It will be from him. He is my enemy, Kuligin! It needs to be told into parts so that he knows... Kuligin. You need to forgive your enemies, sir! Kabanov. Go ahead and talk to your mother and see what she will tell you about this. So, brother Kuligin, our whole family is now torn apart. Not just relatives, but definitely enemies to each other. Varvara’s mother sharpened and sharpened, but she couldn’t stand it, and she was like that - she just took it and left. Kuligin. Where did you go? Kabanov. Who knows? They say she ran away with Kudryash and Vanka, and they won’t find him anywhere either. This, Kuligin, I must say straight out, is from my mother; so she began to tyrannize her and lock her up. “Don’t lock it,” he says, “it will be worse!” That's how it happened. What should I do now, tell me? Will you teach me how to live now? I’m sick of the house, I’m ashamed of the people, I’m going to get down to business - my hands are falling off. Now I’m going home: am I going for joy, or what? Glasha enters. Glasha. Tikhon Ivanovich, father! Kabanov. What else? Glasha. We are not well at home, father! Kabanov. God! So it’s one to one! Tell me, what is it? Glasha. Yes, your hostess... Kabanov. Well? She died, or what? Glasha. No, father; she went somewhere, we won’t find her anywhere. The seekers were knocked off their feet. Kabanov. Kuligin, brother, we must run and look for her. Brother, do you know what I'm afraid of? As if she wouldn’t commit suicide out of sadness! He’s so sad, he’s so sad that oh! Looking at her, my heart breaks. What were you watching? How long has she been gone? Glasha. Not long ago, father! It’s our sin, we overlooked it. And even then, you can’t be on your guard at every hour. Kabanov. Well, why are you standing there, run? Glasha leaves. And we will go, Kuligin! They leave. The stage is empty for some time. Katerina comes out from the opposite side and walks quietly across the stage. Katerina (one)". No, not anywhere! What is he doing now, poor thing? I just have to say goodbye to him, and then... and then at least die. Why did I get him into trouble? After all, that wouldn’t make it any easier for me! It would have been better to die. me alone! Otherwise she ruined herself, she ruined him, dishonor to herself - eternal submission to him! 2 Yes! Dishonor to yourself - eternal submission to him. (Silence.) Should I remember what he said? How did he feel sorry for me? What words did he say? (Takes his head.) I don’t remember, I forgot everything. Nights, nights are hard for me! Everyone will go to bed, and I will go; nothing for everyone, but for me it’s like going to the grave. It's so scary in the dark! There will be some noise, and they will sing as if they are burying someone; only so quietly, barely audible, far, far away from me... You’ll be so glad for the light! But I don’t want to get up: again the same people, the same conversations, the same torment. Why are they looking at me like that? Why don't they kill people nowadays? Why did they do this? Before, they say, they killed. They would have taken it and thrown me into the Volga; I would be glad. “If you execute you,” they say, “then your sin will be removed, but you live and suffer from your sin.” I'm really exhausted! How much longer will I suffer? Why should I live now? Well, for what? I don’t need anything, nothing is nice to me, and God’s light is not nice! But death does not come. You call for her, but she doesn’t come. Whatever I see, whatever I hear, only here (points to heart) hurt. If only I had lived with him, perhaps I would have seen such joy... Well, it doesn’t matter, I’ve already ruined my soul. How I miss him! Oh, how I miss him! If I don’t see you, at least hear me from afar! Violent winds, bear my sadness and melancholy to him! Fathers, I'm bored, bored! (Approaches the shore and loudly, at the top of his voice.) My joy, my life, my soul, I love you! Respond! (Cries.) Boris enters. Katerina and Boris. Boris (without seeing Katerina). My God! It's her voice! Where is she? (Looks around.) Katerina (runs up to him and falls on his neck). I finally saw you! (Cries on his chest.) Silence. Boris. Well, we cried together, God brought us. Katerina. Have you forgotten me? Boris. How to forget that you are! Katerina. Oh, no, not that, not that! Are you angry at me? Boris. Why should I be angry? Katerina. Well, forgive me! I didn’t want to do you harm; Yes, I was not free in myself. I couldn’t remember what I said, what I did. Boris. That's enough! what you! Katerina. Well, how are you? How are you now? Boris. I'm going. Katerina. Where are you going? Boris. Far away, Katya, to Siberia. Katerina. Take me with you from here! Boris. I can't, Katya. I’m not going of my own free will: my uncle sends me, and the horses are ready; I just asked my uncle for a minute, I wanted to at least say goodbye to the place where we met. Katerina. Go with God! Don't worry about me. At first it will only be boring for you, poor thing, and then you will forget. Boris. What is there to talk about me! I am a free bird. How are you? What about mother-in-law? Katerina. Torments me, locks me away. She tells everyone and her husband: “Don’t trust her, she’s cunning.” Everyone follows me around all day and laughs right in my eyes. Everyone reproaches you at every word. Boris. What about your husband? Katerina. He is sometimes affectionate, sometimes angry, and drinks everything. Yes, he was hateful to me, hateful, his caress is worse to me than beatings. Boris. Is it hard for you, Katya? Katerina. It’s so hard, so hard that it’s easier to die! Boris. Who knew that we should suffer so much for our love with you! It would be better for me to run then! Katerina. Unfortunately, I saw you. I saw little joy, “but grief, what grief! And there’s so much more ahead! Well, why think about what will happen! Now I’ve seen you, they won’t take that away from me; and I don’t have anything else It’s just that I needed to fade away from you. Now I feel much better; it’s like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. And I kept thinking that you were angry with me, that you were cursing me... Boris. No, that’s not what I’m saying; that’s not what I wanted to say! I missed you, that’s what I saw... Boris. They wouldn’t have found us here, Katerina. I wanted to tell you... I forgot to say something! My head is all confused, I don’t remember anything. It’s time for me, Katerina! did you want? Katerina. I’ll tell you now. (Thinking.) Yes! You will go on your way, don’t let a single beggar pass by, give it to everyone and order them to pray for my sinful soul. Boris. Oh, if only these people knew what it’s like for me to say goodbye to you! My God! May God grant that someday it will be as sweet for them as it is for me now. Goodbye Katya! (Hugs and wants to leave.) You are the villains! Monsters! Oh, if only there was strength! Katerina. Wait, wait! Let me look at you one last time. (Looks into his eyes.) Well, it will be from me! Now God bless you, go. Go, go quickly! Boris (walks away a few steps and stops). Katya, something is wrong! Are you up to something? I'm exhausted, dear one, thinking about you. Katerina. Nothing, nothing. Go with God! Boris wants to approach her. Not necessary, not necessary, enough! Boris (sobbing). Well, God be with you! There is only one thing we need to ask God for: that she die as soon as possible, so that she does not suffer for a long time! Goodbye! (Bows.) Katerina. Goodbye! Boris leaves. Katerina follows him with her eyes and stands there thinking for a while. Katerina (one). Where to now? Should I go home? No, it doesn’t matter to me whether I go home or go to the grave. Yes, to home, to the grave!.. to the grave! It’s better in a grave... There’s a grave under a tree... how nice!.. The sun warms it, wets it with rain... in the spring the grass will grow on it, so soft... birds will fly to the tree, they will sing, they will bring out children, flowers will bloom: yellow, red, blue... all sorts (thinks) all sorts of things... So quiet, so good! I feel better! And I don’t even want to think about life. Live again? No, no, don't... not good! And people are disgusting to me, and the house is disgusting to me, and the walls are disgusting! I won't go there! No, no, I won’t go... You come to them, they walk, they say, but what do I need this for? Oh, It's getting dark! And they're singing somewhere again! What are they singing? You can’t understand... I wish I could die now... What are they singing? It’s all the same that death will come, or that it will come... but you can’t live! Sin! Won't they pray? Whoever loves will pray... Fold their hands crosswise... in a coffin? Yes, that's right... I remembered. And they’ll catch me and force me back home... Oh, hurry, hurry! (Approaches the shore. Loudly.) My friend! My joy! Goodbye! (Leaves.) Enter Kabanova, Kabanov, Kuligin and a worker with a lantern. Kabanov, Kabanova and Kuligin. Kuligin. They say they saw it here. Kabanov. Yes, it is true? Kuligin. They speak directly to her. Kabanov. Well, thank God, at least we saw something alive. Kabanova. And you got scared and burst into tears! Something to talk about. Not Don't worry: we'll be stuck with her for a long time. Kabanov. Who knew that she would come here! The place is so crowded. Who would even think of hiding here? Kabanova. See what she does! What a potion! How she wants to maintain her character! People with lanterns gather from different sides. One of the people. What, did you find? Kabanova. Something that is not. It's just gone wrong. Several voices. What a parable!" What an opportunity! And where could it go? One of the people. Yes, there will be! Another. How not to be found! The third. Look, she will come. Voices behind the stage: “Hey, boat!” Kuligin (from the shore). Who's screaming? What's there? Voice: “The woman threw herself into the water!” Kuligin and several people run away after him. The same, without Kuligin. Kabanov. Fathers, it’s her! (Wants to run.) Kabanova holds his hand. Mama, let me in, my death! I’ll get her out, otherwise I’ll do it myself... What do I need without her! Kabanova. I won’t let you in, don’t even think about it! To ruin myself because of her, is she worth it! It’s not enough that she’s caused us a lot of trouble, what else is she up to! Kabanov. Let me in! Kabanova. There is no one without you. I'll curse you if you go! Kabanov (falling to his knees). At least I should take a look on her! Kabanova. They pull it out and you’ll have a look. Kabanov (stands up to the people). What, my dears, is there anything you can see? 1st. It's dark below, you can't see anything. Noise behind the stage. 2nd. It's like they're shouting something, but you can't understand anything. 1st. Yes, this is Kuligina’s voice. 2nd. They're walking along the shore with a lantern. 1st. They're coming here. There they are carrying her too. Several people are returning. One of the returnees. Well done Kuligin! It’s close here, in a whirlpool, near the shore with a fire, and you can see it far into the water; He saw the dress and pulled it out. Kabanov. Alive? Another. Where is she already alive? She threw herself high: there was a cliff here, yes, she must have hit the anchor and hurt herself, poor thing! And sure enough, guys, it looks like it’s alive! There is only a small wound on the temple, and only one drop of blood. Kabanov starts to run; Kulagin and the people are carrying Katerina towards him.
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The drama “The Thunderstorm” by Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky, written by the author in 1859, is a very popular play that is played on many city theater stages. A distinctive feature of the work is that the heroes are clearly divided into oppressors and oppressed. The exploiters, depraved in their hearts, not only see nothing wrong with being rude to those who depend on them, but consider such behavior normal, even correct. However, to understand the essence of the play, you need to familiarize yourself with its summary.
The main characters of the play:
Savel Prokofievich Dikoy - an evil, greedy and very scandalous person, a merchant, ready to scold anyone who covets his goods.
Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova - a rich merchant's wife, a powerful and despotic woman who holds not only her son Tikhon, but also the entire family, under a tight rein.
Tikhon Kabanov – a weak-willed young man who lives according to his mother’s orders and has no opinion of his own. He just can’t decide who is more valuable – his mother, who must be obeyed unquestioningly, or his wife.
Katerina – The main character of the play, Tikhon's wife, suffers from the arbitrariness of her mother-in-law and from the actions of her husband, who dutifully obeys his mother. She is secretly in love with Dikiy’s nephew, Boris, but for the time being she is afraid to admit her feelings.
Boris- Dikiy’s nephew, under pressure from his tyrant uncle, who does not want to leave him his due inheritance and therefore finds fault with every little thing.
Varvara- Tikhon’s sister, a kind girl, still unmarried, sympathizes with Katerina and tries to protect her. Although circumstances sometimes force her to resort to cunning, Varya does not become bad. She, unlike her brother, is not afraid of her mother's anger.
Kuligin- a tradesman, a person who knows the Kabanov family well, a self-taught mechanic. He looks for a perpetuum mobile, tries to be useful to people, bringing new ideas to life. Unfortunately, his dreams were not destined to come true.
Vanya Kudryash- Dikiy’s clerk, with whom Varvara is in love. He is not afraid of the merchant, and, unlike others, he can tell the truth to his face. However, it is clear that the young man, just like his master, is accustomed to looking for profit in everything.
Act one: meeting the characters
The first appearance.
The tradesman Kuligin, sitting on a bench in a public garden, looks at the Volga and sings. “Here, my brother, for fifty years I’ve been looking across the Volga every day and I can’t see enough of everything,” he addresses the young man Vanya Kudryash. Suddenly they notice how the merchant Dikoy, for whom Ivan serves as a clerk, scolds his nephew Boris. Neither Vanya nor Kuligin are unhappy with the evil merchant, who finds fault with every little thing. The tradesman Shapkin joins the conversation, and now the conversation takes place between him and Kudryash, who boasts that he could, given the opportunity, pacify the Dikiy. Suddenly the angry merchant and Boris pass by them. Kuligin takes off his hat, and Kudryash and Shapkin prudently step aside.
The second phenomenon.
Dikoy loudly shouts at Boris, scolding him for his inaction. However, he shows complete indifference to his uncle’s words. The merchant leaves in anger, not wanting to see his nephew.
The third phenomenon
Kuligin is surprised that Boris still lives with Dikiy and tolerates his obnoxious character. The merchant's nephew replies that he is being held in nothing more than bondage and explains why this is happening. It turns out that his grandmother Anfisa Mikhailovna disliked his father because he married a noble woman. Therefore, Boris’s parents lived separately in Moscow, their son and daughter were not denied anything, but, unfortunately, they died of cholera. Grandmother Anfisa also died, leaving a will for her grandchildren. But they could only receive the inheritance if they were respectful to their uncle.
Boris understands that with his uncle’s picky character, neither he nor his sister will ever see an inheritance. After all, if their own people cannot please such a domestic tyrant, their nephew is even more so.
“It’s hard for me here,” Boris complains to Kuligin. The interlocutor sympathizes with the young man and admits to him that he knows how to write poetry. However, he is afraid to admit this because no one in the city will understand him: he already gets punished for chatting.
Suddenly the wanderer Feklusha enters and begins to praise merchant morals. Kuligin calls her a hypocrite who helps the poor, but mocks her own family.
In general, Kuligin has a cherished dream: to find a perpetuum mobile in order to subsequently financially support the society. He tells Boris about this.
The fourth phenomenon
After Kuligin leaves, Boris is left alone and, jealous of his comrade, laments his own fate. Falling in love with a woman with whom this young man will never be able to even talk causes sadness in his soul. Suddenly he notices her walking with her mother-in-law and husband.
Fifth appearance
The action begins with the merchant's wife Kabanova's instructions to her son. Or rather, she orders him, not tolerating any objections. But the weak-willed Tikhon does not dare to disobey. Kabanova expresses that she is jealous of his daughter-in-law: her son began to love her less than before, his wife is sweeter than his own mother. Her words show hatred for Katerina. She convinces her son to be stricter with her so that the wife will be afraid of her husband. Kabanov tries to insert a word that he loves Katerina, but the mother is adamant in her opinion.
The sixth phenomenon.
When Kabanikha leaves, Tikhon, his sister Varya and Katerina are left alone, and a not very pleasant conversation takes place between them. Kabanov admits that he is absolutely powerless before his mother’s autocracy. The sister reproaches her brother for being weak-willed, but he wants to quickly drink and forget himself, distracted from reality.
Seventh Appearance
Now only Katerina and Varvara are talking. Katerina remembers her carefree past, when her mother dressed her like a doll and did not force her to do any work. Now everything has changed, and the woman feels impending disaster, as if she is hanging over an abyss, and there is nothing to hold on to. The poor young wife laments, admitting that she loves someone else. Varvara advises meeting the one to whom your heart is drawn. Katerina is afraid of this.
The eighth phenomenon
Another heroine of the play enters - a lady with two footmen - and begins to talk about beauty, which only leads into the pool, frightening with an unquenchable fire in which sinners will burn.
Appearance Ninth
Katerina admits to Varya that the lady frightened her with her prophetic words. Varvara objects that the half-crazy old woman herself is afraid of dying, which is why she talks about fire.
Tikhon’s sister is worried that a thunderstorm is approaching, but her brother is not yet there. Katerina admits that she is very scared because of such bad weather, because if she suddenly dies, she will appear before God with unrepentant sins. Finally, to the joy of both, Kabanov appears.
Act two: farewell to Tikhon. Tyranny of Kabanova.
The first appearance.
Glasha, a maid in the Kabanovs' house, is packing Tikhon's things, getting him ready for the trip. The wanderer Feklusha begins to talk about other countries where sultans rule - and everything is unjust. These are very strange speeches.
The second phenomenon.
Varya and Katerina are talking to each other again. Katya, when asked if she loves Tikhon, replies that she feels very sorry for him. But Varya realizes that the object of Katerina’s true love is another person and admits that she talked with him.
Conflicting feelings overwhelm Katerina. Either she laments that she will love her husband and will not exchange Tisha for anyone, then suddenly she threatens that she will leave and that no force can hold her back.
The third phenomenon.
Kabanova admonishes her son before the journey and forces him to tell his wife how to live while he is away. The cowardly Tikhon repeats after his mother everything that Katerina needs to do. This scene is humiliating for the girl.
The fourth phenomenon.
Katerina is left alone with Kabanov and tearfully begs him either not to leave or to take her with him. But Tikhon objects. He wants at least temporary freedom - both from his mother and from his wife - and speaks about it directly. Katya has a presentiment that without him there will be trouble.
Fifth appearance
Before the road, Kabanova orders Tikhon to bow at her feet. Katerina, in a fit of emotion, hugs her husband, but her mother-in-law sharply denounces her, accusing her of shamelessness. The daughter-in-law has to obey and also bow at her husband’s feet. Tikhon says goodbye to everyone in his household.
Appearance Six
Kabanova, left alone with herself, argues that young people do not adhere to any order, they cannot even say goodbye to each other normally. Without the control of their elders, everyone will laugh at them.
Seventh Appearance
Kabanova reproaches Katerina for not crying for her husband who left. The daughter-in-law objects: “There’s no point,” and says that she doesn’t want to make people laugh at all. Varvara leaves the yard.
The eighth phenomenon
Katerina, left alone, thinks that now the house will be quiet and boring. She regrets that children's voices are not heard here. Suddenly the girl figures out how to survive the two weeks until Tikhon arrives. She wants to sew and give the things she makes with her own hands to the poor.
Appearance Ninth
Varvara invites Katerina to secretly meet with Boris and gives her the keys to the backyard gate stolen from her mother. Tikhon’s wife is afraid, indignant: “What are you up to, sinner?” Varya leaves.
The tenth phenomenon
Katerina, having taken the key, hesitates and does not know what to do. Left alone, she fearfully debates whether she will do the right thing if she uses the key or whether it is better to throw it away. In emotional distress, she decides to see Boris after all.
Act three: Katerina meets Boris
Scene one
Kabanova and Feklusha are sitting on the bench. Talking to each other, they talk about the bustle of city life and the silence of country life and that difficult times have come. Suddenly a drunken Dikoy enters the yard. He rudely addresses Kabanova, asking her to talk to him. In a conversation, Dikoy admits: he himself understands that he is greedy, scandalous and evil, however, he cannot help himself.
Glasha reports that she fulfilled the command and “a snack has been set.” Kabanova and Dikoy enter the house.
Boris appears, looking for his uncle. Having learned that he is visiting Kabanova, he calms down. Having met Kuligin and talked with him a little, the young man sees Varvara, who calls him to her and with a mysterious look suggests that he later approach the ravine, which is located behind the Kabanovs’ garden.
Scene two
Approaching the ravine, Boris sees Kudryash and asks him to leave. Vanya does not agree, thinking that he is trying to take his bride away from him, but Boris secretly admits that he loves the married Katerina.
Varvara approaches Ivan and they leave together. Boris looks around, dreaming of seeing his beloved. Having lowered her gaze, Katerina approaches him, but is very afraid of sin, which will fall like a stone on her soul if a relationship begins between them. Finally, after some hesitation, the poor girl can’t stand it and throws herself on Boris’s neck. They talk for a long time, declaring their love for each other, and then decide to meet the next day.
Act Four: Confession of Sin
The first appearance.
In the city, near the Volga, couples are walking. A thunderstorm is coming. People talk to each other. On the walls of the destroyed gallery it is possible to discern the outlines of paintings of fiery Gehenna, as well as an image of the battle of Lithuania.
The second phenomenon.
Dikoy and Kuligin appear. The latter persuades the merchant to help him in one good deed for people: to give money for the installation of a lightning rod. Dikoy says offensive words to him, insulting an honest man who tries for others. Dikoy does not understand what “electricity” is and why people need it, and gets even angrier, especially after Kuligin dared to read Derzhavin’s poems.
The third phenomenon.
Suddenly Tikhon returns from a trip. Varvara is at a loss: what should they do with Katerina, because she has become not herself: she is afraid to look up at her husband. The poor girl is burned with guilt before her husband. The storm is getting closer and closer.
The fourth phenomenon
People try to hide from the thunderstorm. Katerina sobs on Varvara’s shoulder, feeling even more guilty before her husband, especially at the moment she sees Boris emerging from the crowd and approaching them. Varvara makes a sign to him, and he moves away.
Kuligin appeals to people, convincing them not to be afraid of thunderstorms, and calling this phenomenon grace.
Fifth appearance
People continue to talk about the consequences of the thunderstorm. Some people think she will kill someone. Katerina fearfully assumes: it will be her.
Appearance Six
The lady who came in frightened Katerina. She also prophesies her imminent death. The girl is afraid of hell as retribution for sins. Then she can’t stand it and admits to her family that she walked with Boris for ten days. Kabanova is furious. Tikhon is at a loss.
Act five: Katerina throws herself into the river
The first appearance.
Kabanov talks with Kuligin, telling him what is happening in their family, although everyone already knows this news. He is in a confusion of feelings: on the one hand, he is annoyed at Katerina for sinning against him, on the other, he feels sorry for his poor wife, who is being chewed out by her mother-in-law. Realizing that he is also not without sin, the weak-willed husband is ready to forgive Katya, but only mother... Tikhon admits that he lives in someone else’s mind, and simply does not know how to do otherwise.
Varvara cannot stand her mother’s reproaches and runs away from home. The whole family was divided, becoming enemies to each other.
Suddenly Glasha comes in and sadly says that Katerina has disappeared. Kabanov wants to look for her, fearing that his wife might commit suicide.
Second phenomenon
Katerina cries while looking for Boris. She feels incessant guilt - now in front of him. Not wanting to live with a stone in her soul, the girl wants to die. But before that, meet your loved one again. “My joy, my life, my soul, I love you! Respond!” - she calls.
The third phenomenon.
Katerina and Boris meet. The girl finds out that he is not angry with her. The beloved announces that he is leaving for Siberia. Katerina asks to go with him, but she can’t: Boris is traveling on an errand from his uncle.
Katerina is very sad, complaining to Boris that it is incredibly difficult for her to endure the reproaches of her mother-in-law, the ridicule of others, and even Tikhon’s affection.
I really don’t want to say goodbye to my beloved, but Boris, although he is tormented by a bad feeling that Katerina doesn’t have long to live, still needs to go.
The fourth phenomenon
Left alone, Katerina understands that she now doesn’t want to return to her family at all: everything is disgusting - both people and home walls. Better to die. In despair, folding her hands, the girl throws herself into the river.
Fifth appearance
Relatives are looking for Katerina, but she is nowhere to be found. Suddenly someone shouted: “The woman threw herself into the water!” Kuligin runs away with several other people.
The sixth phenomenon.
Kabanov tries to pull Katerina out of the river, but her mother strictly forbids him to do this. When Kuligin pulls the girl out, it’s already too late: Katerina is dead. But it looks like it’s alive: one small wound only on the temple.
Seventh Appearance
Kabanova forbids her son to mourn Katerina, but he dares to blame his mother for his wife’s death. For the first time in his life, Tikhon is determined and shouts: “You ruined her!” Kabanova threatens to have a stern talk with her son at home. Tikhon, in despair, throws himself on the dead body of his wife, saying: “Why did I stay to live and suffer.” But it's' too late. Alas.
Our lesson today is dedicated to the work of N.A. Ostrovsky. We will reflect on the genre of the play "The Thunderstorm". What is this - drama or tragedy? To do this, we will turn to the history of the tragedy genre, find its signs in the play and try to determine the genre feature of the work.
It was immediately staged at the Moscow Maly Drama Theater and caused serious controversy and controversy. Not everyone could see the large-scale meaning of this play. Some perceived it simply as a family drama about how a dark, downtrodden, intimidated woman cheated on her pathetic husband. Such thoughts were expressed not only by conservatives, but even by such a revolutionary and radically minded literary critic as D. Pisarev (Fig. 2).
Rice. 2. D.I. Pisarev ()
In his article “Motives of Russian Drama,” he reproached Katerina for not leaving her husband, and generally believed that her behavior was ridiculous and stupid, and she should not have been put at the center of the play. But already in 1860, Dobrolyubov’s article was published in the Sovremennik magazine (Fig. 3).
Rice. 3. N.A. Dobrolyubov ()
It must be said that we are now reconsidering Dobrolyubov’s work and cannot agree with him on all points. But we must take into account that Ostrovsky himself liked Dobrolyubov’s article “A Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom” extremely. He repeatedly said that Dobrolyubov absolutely correctly understood the concept of his play.
What is the difference between drama and tragedy? First of all, the scale of the problem. The tragedy touches upon universal questions about life and death, about the world and the fate of man in it. The drama examines the issues in more detail, but perhaps in more detail: man and society, man and his social environment, man and his various social connections that a person establishes with the people around him. Dobrolyubov persistently called Ostrovsky’s play a tragedy:
"The Thunderstorm" is, without a doubt, Ostrovsky's most decisive work; the mutual relations of tyranny and voicelessness are brought to the most tragic consequences; and for all that, most of those who have read and seen this play agree that it produces a less serious and sad impression than Ostrovsky’s other plays...”
“There’s even something refreshing and encouraging about The Thunderstorm. This “something” is, in our opinion, the background of the play, indicated by us and revealing the precariousness and the near end of tyranny. Then the very character of Katerina, drawn against this background, also breathes on us with new life, which is revealed to us in her very death ... "
“The character of Katerina is a step forward not only in Ostrovsky’s dramatic activity, but also in all of our literature. It corresponds to a new phase of our national life..."
It is no coincidence that Dobrolyubov speaks of a new phase of people’s life. What happened in Russia at the end of the 50s? This is a difficult and critical time. The Crimean War has just ended (Fig. 4),
Rice. 4. Crimean War ()
which turned out to be a complete disgrace for Russia, Nicholas I died (Fig. 5),
Rice. 5. Emperor Nicholas I ()
and the conversation turned to reforms, the inevitability of which the country’s leadership understood. Already in 1857, the liberation of the peasants was announced (Fig. 6).
Rice. 6. Reading the manifesto on the liberation of the peasants ()
The archaic, inhumane, completely backward social system in Russia had to be completely broken. But here a large-scale question arose before society: are the people ready for these changes, will they be able to become a subject of history, move towards high goals, etc.? After all, several centuries of oppression and slavery could kill his will to independence and freedom. These questions were answered in different ways, there were intense debates in society, and it was at this moment that the play “The Thunderstorm” appeared, which is intended to answer this question as Ostrovsky understands it.
Thus, Ostrovsky is trying to find in his play a conscious or at least spontaneous heroic beginning in the thickness of people's life.
Tragedy- a play that depicts extremely acute, often insoluble contradictions in life. The plot is based on the irreconcilable conflict of the hero, a strong personality, with supra-personal forces (fate, state, elements, etc.) or with himself. In this struggle, the hero, as a rule, dies, but wins a moral victory. The purpose of the tragedy is to cause shock in the viewer by what they see, which, in turn, gives rise to sorrow and compassion in their hearts. This state of mind leads to catharsis.
Drama- a literary work written in the form of a dialogue between characters. Focused on spectacular expressiveness. The relationships between people and the conflicts that arise between them are revealed through the actions of the heroes and are embodied in a monologue-dialogue form. Unlike tragedy, drama does not end in catharsis.
Let us now turn to the history of the tragedy genre itself. Tragedy as a genre often appears in literature precisely at turning points in history. It helps to understand the global issues facing humanity. Tragedy was born in Ancient Greece and precisely at that moment when the man of Antiquity for the first time began to recognize himself not just as a member of a collective, tribe, state, but as a separate sovereign person. How should an individual behave, for example, in a single combat with power, if this power is omnipotent and unrighteous? Here are the problems of the famous tragedy of Aeschylus (Fig. 7)
“Prometheus chained” (Fig. 8).
Rice. 8. “Prometheus Chained” (P. Rubens, 1612) ()
How will a person behave when faced with inexorable fate? This is the problematic of the play “Oedipus the King” by Sophocles (Fig. 9, 10).
Rice. 9. Antigone leads blind Oedipus out of Thebes (C. Jalabert, 19th century) ()
Can a person resist the chaos of feelings raging in his own soul? This is the problematic of such famous tragedies of Euripides (Fig. 11),
like “Hippolytus” or “Medea” (Fig. 12).
Rice. 12. “Medea” (A. Feuerbach, 1870) ()
Shakespeare's tragedies (Fig. 13) also appeared at a turning point, when the harsh patriarchal world of the Middle Ages was becoming a thing of the past, but the world that replaced it was not pleasing, revealing the disunity of people, selfishness, greed, and evil passions.
Classicists in France of the 17th century showed great interest in the tragedy, who put the cult of reason and the state at the forefront, trying to normalize everything. At the same time, many scientific works were written about literature, about how to write, in particular tragedy. Tragedy was thought of as a high, standard genre, and therefore it was in it that a certain set of rules had to be observed. The greatest representatives of classic tragedy are Corneille and Racine. It seemed to the classicists that these requirements flowed directly from ancient Greek poetics and that this was exactly how plays were staged in ancient Greece. But it is not so. In ancient Greek plays the law of unity of time and place was not always observed. For example, in the famous “Oresteia” (Fig. 14) by Aeschylus, the duration of action is about ten years.
Rice. 14. “Clytemnestra hesitates before killing the sleeping Agamemnon” (P.-N. Guerin, 1817) ()
But, be that as it may, these laws were popular in both European and Russian literature of the 19th century. For example, in Griboyedov’s play (Fig. 15)
Rice. 15. A.S. Griboyedov ()
“Woe from Wit” actions begin early in the morning and end exactly the next morning.
What is unity of action? Here everything is more complicated. Firstly, the action should be limited to a small number of characters, 7-8. Secondly, there should be no side plot devices. And thirdly, there should be no characters who are not involved in the main course of the play. These rules were considered mandatory. In addition, one more thing was added to them: the main character of a tragedy - a high genre - can only be a high, significant historical figure. These could be gods, heroes, generals, kings, but not representatives of the third estate. As we see, Ostrovsky does not meet all these requirements. That is why, probably, he decided to subtitle his play “drama” in order to avoid misunderstandings, although, in fact, this is not entirely true. If we consider Ostrovsky's "Thunderstorm" from the point of view of the normative laws of classicism, then this is not a tragedy. The action lasts about ten days, the location also changes, and there are also heroes who are not related to the fate of the main character - Katerina (Fig. 16).
Rice. 16. Katerina ()
First of all, this is Feklusha, the wanderer (Fig. 17).
The description of the environment of the “dark kingdom” also occupies an unusual place. Katerina herself is a representative of the “dark kingdom”: a merchant’s wife, a merchant’s daughter, thus she is a person of the third estate. But the fact is that the laws developed by the classicists are quite formal, and they do not determine the essence of the genre. After all, Shakespeare did not obey these laws, but the tragedies “Hamlet”, “Macbeth” (Fig. 18), “Othello”, “King Lear” do not cease to be tragedies.
Rice. 18. “Lady Macbeth” (M. Gabriel, 1885) ()
A tragedy has three mandatory features, and if they are present in the work, then the genre can safely be called a tragedy, and if they are absent, then it is obviously a drama.
First. In a tragedy there must be a tragic hero, that is, a hero whose moral qualities are much higher than those around him.
Second. In a tragedy there must be a tragic conflict, that is, a global conflict that cannot be resolved by ordinary peaceful means. This conflict usually ends with the death of the main character.
Third. Tragedy needs catharsis, that is, cleansing. First of all, this concerns the surviving heroes. They become taller, better, cleaner, and learn some life lessons for themselves. The same applies to the audience.
We can find all these moments in Ostrovsky's play. Is there a tragic hero there? Yes, this is Katerina. No matter what unkind critics say, Katerina is clearly superior to those around her. They may object to us: she is superstitious, not educated enough, commits sinful acts, such as treason and suicide, and these, from the point of view of Christianity, are terrible sins. But in at least one point she is certainly superior to everyone around her. She hates lies and finds it impossible for herself to lie. Lies are what unites all residents of the city of Kalinov.
Dikoy lies (Fig. 19).
In addition to being stupid and cruel, his actions are also riddled with hypocrisy. For example, he knows that scolding workers on a holiday is a grave sin, nevertheless, he scolds them, does not pay them, and then humbly asks for their forgiveness. By the way, he is also cowardly: as soon as Kabanova rebuffs him, he immediately calms down.
Kabanova’s entire behavior is permeated with hypocrisy (Fig. 20): in front of the city she is virtuous, but with her family she is power-hungry and evil.
Rice. 20. Marfa Kabanova ()
In addition, she is a lover of form, and therefore despises content. It seems to her that she needs to live according to Domostroy. But she is interested in the external pattern of behavior: the main thing is to maintain the form. This is evil hypocrisy.
Her daughter Varvara (Fig. 21), who herself has learned to lie with passion, easily submits to someone else’s lies.
Varvara also has one more quality that does not decorate her: she is bored of sinning alone, because it is she who involves Katerina in sin, giving her the key to the gate so that she can see Boris.
Kudryash - at first glance, cheerful, cheerful, clearly opposed to the “dark kingdom” (Fig. 22).
But from the verbal skirmish with the Wild, we understand that there is no difference between them, and in a few years Curly will become another Wild.
Finally, the most oppressed person in this “kingdom” is Tikhon, who lies out of habit, always and everywhere (Fig. 23).
Rice. 23. Tikhon Kabanov ()
This is a man completely crushed by the situation.
Boris is not just a product of the “dark kingdom”; despite his education and ability to love, he behaves irrationally (Fig. 24).
He will be given an inheritance only on one condition: if he is respectful to his uncle Wild. It is known that uncle will not part with money under any circumstances, so there is nothing to respect him for. But Boris tries his best, he literally kowtows when communicating with Dikiy.
Finally, Kuligin is an old inventor, in whose speech we often see a reflection of the thoughts of Ostrovsky himself (Fig. 25).
He does not lie, but he has reconciled, he has neither the moral nor physical strength to resist the evil, lies and violence that reigns in the city. For example, Dikoy accuses him of being a robber because he wants to. And Kuligin silently presses his head into his shoulders and runs away. He's not a fighter.
Thus, everyone in this “dark kingdom” either lies and is a hypocrite themselves, or has come to terms with the lies and hypocrisy of others. Against this background, Katerina presents a sharp contrast with the other characters. From the very beginning we see that she does not want and cannot come to terms. Even with her unsuccessful family life, she can come to terms only as long as she feels at least some human warmth and affection for Tikhon. Once all this disappears, she will not remain in the family cage, because she is irresistibly attracted to freedom, which for her is inextricably linked with truth. The sincerity and purity of Katerina’s soul is emphasized by her very name, which translated from Greek means “pure.”
Now let's move on to the second point of our reasoning: is there a tragic conflict in Ostrovsky's play? Here it must be said that Ostrovsky made a colossal innovation compared to ancient Greek drama. Usually, among the ancient Greeks, the conflict was either external - a person and the entire world around him - or internal, when different elements in the human soul collide in an insurmountable struggle. Ostrovsky uses both conflicts in the play.
The external conflict is obvious: pure, truth-loving, sincere Katerina cannot get along in the terrible world of the city of Kalinov, riddled with cruelty, lies and hypocrisy.
Internal conflict: Katerina is a sincerely believing woman to whom angels appear in broad daylight in the middle of the temple. Saints experienced such visions. She believes in both sin and fiery hell; she is absolutely sure that her betrayal of her husband is a terrible sin that cannot be forgiven. But on the other hand, she cannot remain faithful to her husband, because he does not love her and does not respect her. He is truly worthy only of contempt. Already at the beginning of the play, he betrays her: when she asks him for help, he mockingly shrugs, refuses and leaves her alone with her difficulties and suffering. It is impossible to love and respect such a person, and therefore it is impossible to be a hypocrite by maintaining this hateful marriage. And so Katerina struggles in this morally insoluble situation for her: on the one hand, cheating on her husband is a terrible sin, perceived by her as a moral impossibility, and on the other hand, it is impossible to remain an honest married woman and continue this disgusting hypocritical life. She cannot give up her love for Boris, because in this love for her there is not only sensual passion, but a desire for truth, freedom, life. And only death can resolve this tragic collision.
Now the third moment: catharsis, cleansing. Does anyone in the play experience purification after Katerina's death? Yes, definitely. Firstly, Tikhon, who has always been quiet and submissive to his mother, finally finds his voice and shouts, uncontrollably blaming his mother for Katerina’s death: “You ruined her! You! You!" Thus, he regained his sight, perhaps not for long, but still rose above his grassy and inhuman state.
Kuligin also finds his voice, carrying out Katerina’s body and telling her tormentors: “Here is your Katerina. Do what you want with her! Her body is here, take it; but the soul is now not yours: it is now before a judge who is more merciful than you!” That is, he accuses the city of Kalinov of the fact that it can and knows primitive, harsh justice, but mercy is inaccessible to it. Thus, Kuligin’s voice merges in this case with the voice of Ostrovsky himself.
Some still reproach Katerina: how can this be, she is a suicide, a sinner, and according to Christian canons this is an unforgivable sin. But here we can say the following: it is not for nothing that we were given the Holy Testament, the Bible, in two books: the first is the Old Testament (Fig. 26),
Rice. 26. Old Testament (cover, modern edition) ()
the Bible itself, which teaches us justice, and the second is the New Testament (Fig. 27),
Rice. 27. New Testament (cover, modern edition) ()
The gospel that teaches us mercy. No wonder Christ said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden” (Fig. 28).
Rice. 28. Icon depicting Jesus Christ ()
He did not say that only those who are pure should come to him, he said that everyone should come. And we believe, together with Kuligin, that there is a judge who is more merciful than the city of Kalinov.
Thus, both in terms of the scale of the problem and the depth of the conflict, Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm” can safely be called a tragedy. But one difficulty remains: the play depicts the environment in great detail, so the final conclusion must be made as follows: Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm” is a tragedy with elements of drama.
Bibliography
- Sakharov V.I., Zinin S.A. Russian language and literature. Literature (basic and advanced levels) 10. - M.: Russian Word.
- Arkhangelsky A.N. and others. Russian language and literature. Literature (advanced level) 10. - M.: Bustard.
- Lanin B.A., Ustinova L.Yu., Shamchikova V.M. / ed. Lanina B.A. Russian language and literature. Literature (basic and advanced levels) 10. - M.: VENTANA-GRAF.
- Russian language ().
- Internet portal Otherreferats.allbest.ru ().
- Internet portal Referatwork.ru ().
Homework
- Write down the definitions of “drama” and “tragedy” from five sources.
- Make a comparative description of the dramatic and tragic elements in the play “The Thunderstorm”.
- *Write an essay-reflection on the topic: “The tragedy of the heroes of the play “The Thunderstorm.”
