Thunderstorm summary of actions. A.N. Ostrovsky. Storm. Act I - III. "Thunderstorm" characters
Main characters: Savel Prokofievich Dikoy - merchant, significant person in the city; Boris Grigorievich is his nephew, a young man, decently educated; Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova (Kabanikha) - a rich merchant's wife, widow; Tikhon Ivanovich Kabanov - her son; Katerina, his wife; Varvara, daughter of Kabanikha; 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.
Retelling plan
1. The characters discuss the morals of their city.
2. Relations in the Kabanov family.
3. Conversation between Katerina and Varvara.
4. Tikhon is leaving.
5. Varvara, having learned that Katerina likes Boris, arranges their meeting.
6. Dates between Katerina and Boris. Tikhon arrives.
7. Katerina’s public repentance.
8. The last date of Katerina and Boris.
9. Katerina dies. Tikhon blames his mother for his wife's death.
Retelling
Action 1
Public garden on the banks of the Volga.
Phenomenon 1
Kuligin is sitting on a bench, Kudryash and Shapkin are walking. Kuligin admires the Volga. They hear Dikoy scolding his nephew in the distance. They are discussing this. Kudryash says that Boris Grigorievich “got to be a sacrifice to Dikiy,” complains about the obedience of the townsfolk, that there is no one to “suffer” Dikiy in a dark alley “like four or five of us.” Shapkin notes that, in addition to the “scold-wild,” “Kabanikha is also good,” who does the same thing, but under the guise of piety. He adds that it was not for nothing that Dikoy wanted to give Kudryash as a soldier. Kudryash replies that Dikoy is afraid of him, because he understands that he “will not give up his head cheaply.” He regrets that Dikiy does not have adult daughters, otherwise he would “respect” him.
Phenomenon 3
Boris talks about his family and home circumstances. Boris's grandmother (the mother of Dikiy and Boris's father) disliked "daddy" because he married a "noble" woman. The daughter-in-law and mother-in-law did not get along, as the daughter-in-law “felt very wild here.” We moved to Moscow, where we raised our children without denying them anything. Boris studied at the Commercial Academy, and his sister studied at a boarding school. My parents died due to cholera. A grandmother in the city of Kalinov also died, leaving her grandchildren an inheritance, which their uncle must pay them when they come of age, but only on the condition that they are respectful to him.
Kuligin notes that neither Boris nor his sister will see an inheritance, since nothing will stop Dikiy from saying that they were disrespectful: “Cruel morals, sir, in our city, cruel!” Boris does “what he is ordered to do,” but does not receive a salary—they will pay him back at the end of the year, as Dikiy wishes. All the household are afraid of the Wild One - he scolds everyone, but no one dares to answer him. Kudryash recalls how Dikoy was scolded by a hussar on the ferry, to whom he could not respond in kind, and how Dikoy then took his anger out on his family for several days. Boris says that he can’t get used to the local order.
The wanderer Feklusha appears: “Bla-alepie, dear, blah-alepie! Wonderful beauty! What can I say! You live in the promised land! Feklusha blesses the “pious people,” and especially the “house of the Kabanovs.” Kuligin says about Kabanikha that she is a “hypocrite”, “she gives money to the poor, but she completely eats up her family.” Then he adds that for the general benefit he is looking for a perpetuum mobile ( perpetual motion machine), wondering where to get money for a model.
Phenomenon 4
Boris (alone) says about Kuligin that he good man, “he dreams for himself and is happy.” He grieves that he will have to waste his youth in this wilderness, that he is “driven, downtrodden, and yet he foolishly decided to fall in love.”
Phenomenon 5
Katerina, Varvara, Tikhon and Kabanikha appear. The boar nags her son: his wife is dearer to him than his mother, try the mother-in-law, “you can’t please your daughter-in-law with some word, so the conversation started that the mother-in-law is completely fed up.” Tikhon tries to dissuade her. Katerina enters into the conversation: “You’re talking about me, Mama, in vain. Whether in front of people or without people, I’m still alone, I don’t prove anything of myself.” Kabanikha interrupts her and blames Tikhon for not keeping his wife at bay. Tikhon replies: “Why should she be afraid of me? It’s enough for me that she loves me.” Kabanova reproaches her son for “deciding to live by his own will.” He replies: “Yes, Mama, I don’t want to live by my own will. Where can I live by my own will?” Kabanova notes that if you don’t keep your wife in fear, she can take a lover.
Phenomenon 6
Tikhon reproaches Katerina that he always gets it from his mother because of her. Left unattended by Kabanikha, Tikhon goes to the tavern.
Phenomenon 7
Katerina and Varvara. Katerina: " Why do people don't 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 away, raise her arms and fly...” She remembers that golden time when she lived with her parents: watering flowers, embroidering, going with her mother, pilgrims and praying men to church. She had extraordinary dreams in which “invisible voices” sang, she smelled of cypress... Katerina tells Varvara that she feels as if she is standing in front of an abyss, sensing trouble. She admits that she has sin on her mind: “It’s as if I’m starting to live again, or... I don’t know anymore...” Varvara promises that after Tikhon leaves, she will come up with something. Katerina shouts: “No! No!"
Phenomenon 8
A half-crazy lady appears with two lackeys, shouts that beauty leads to the abyss, to the pool, points to the Volga, threatens fiery hell.
Phenomenon 9
Katerina is scared. Varvara calms her down, says that the lady “has sinned all her life from a young age... that’s why she’s afraid to die.” Thunderstorm, it starts to rain. Katerina gets scared, she and Varvara run away.
Act 2
A room in the Kabanovs' house.
Phenomenon 2
Katerina tells Varvara about how she was offended in some way as a child and she ran out to the Volga, got into a boat, and in the morning she was found about ten miles away. “I was born this way, hot...” Then he confesses to Varvara that he loves Boris. Varvara says that he also likes Katerina, but it’s a pity that he has nowhere to see each other. Katerina gets scared and screams that she won’t trade her Tisha for anyone. She says about herself: “I don’t know how to deceive, I can’t hide anything.” Varvara argues with her: “In my opinion, do whatever you want, as long as it’s safe and covered.” Katerina: “I don’t want it that way. And what good!.. If I get tired of here, they won’t hold me back with any force... I’ll throw myself out the window, throw myself into the Volga...” Varvara notices that as soon as Tikhon leaves, she will sleep in the gazebo, calling Katerina with me.
Phenomenon 3
Kabanikha and Tikhon enter, getting ready to go on the road. Kabanikha tells him to tell his wife how to live without him: “Tell her not to be rude to her mother-in-law. So that the mother-in-law honors her as her own mother! So that you don’t stare at the windows!” Tikhon repeats her words almost verbatim, but they sound not like an order, but like a request. Kabanikha and Varvara leave.
Phenomenon 4
Katerina asks Tikhon not to leave. He replies: “If my mother sends me, how can I not go!” Katerina then asks to take her with her. Tikhon refuses: that he needs a break from scandals and everyone at home. Katerina begs her husband to take a terrible oath from her, falls to her knees in front of him, he picks her up, doesn’t listen, says that it’s a sin.
Phenomenon 5
Kabanikha, Varvara and Glasha arrive. Tikhon leaves, Katerina throws herself on her husband’s neck, and Kabanova reproaches her: “Why are you hanging on your neck, shameless one! You are not saying goodbye to your lover. Bow down at your feet!”
Phenomenon 6
The boar is alone. He complains that the old days show that there is no longer the former respect for the elderly. Young people, in her opinion, don’t know how to do anything, but they also want to live by their own will.
Phenomenon 7
Kabanikha reproaches Katerina for not saying goodbye to her husband properly. “Another good wife, having seen her husband off, howls for an hour and a half and lies on the porch, but you, apparently, are doing nothing.” Katerina replies that she doesn’t know how and doesn’t want to make people laugh.
Phenomenon 8
Katerina alone complains that she has no children. She regrets that she did not die in childhood, dreams of peace, at least in a cemetery.
Phenomenon 9
Varvara tells Katerina that she asked to sleep in the garden, where there is a gate, the key to which Kabanikha usually hides, then adds that she took away this key and put another one in its place. Gives this key to Katerina. Katerina shouts: “Don’t! No!”, but he takes the key.
Phenomenon 10
Katerina is tormented, argues with herself, wants to throw the key, but then hides it in her pocket: “Even if I die, I can see him... Whatever happens, I’ll see Boris!” Oh, if only the night could come sooner!..”
Act 3
The street at the gate of the Kabanovs' house.
Phenomenon 1
Feklusha tells Kabanikha that the last times have come, that in other cities there is “sodom”: noise, running around, incessant driving. He says that in Moscow everyone is in a hurry, that they are “harnessing a fiery serpent,” etc. Kabanova agrees with Feklusha and declares that she will never go there under any circumstances.
Phenomenon 2
Dikoy appears. Kabanova asks why he’s wandering around so late? Dikoy is drunk, argues with Kabanikha, who rebuffs him: “Don’t let your throat loose!” Dikoy asks her for forgiveness, explains that he was angry in the morning: the workers began to demand payment of the money owed to them. He complains about his temper, which gets him so bad that he then has to ask for forgiveness “from the very last guy.” Leaves.
Phenomenon 3
Boris sighs about Katerina. Kuligin appears, admires the weather, the beautiful places, then adds that “the town is lousy,” that “they made a boulevard, but they don’t walk.” The poor have no time to walk, but the rich sit behind closed gates, dogs guard the house so that no one sees how they rob orphans, relatives, and nephews. Kudryash and Varvara appear and kiss. Kudryash leaves, followed by Kuligin.
Phenomenon 4
Varvara makes an appointment for Boris in the ravine behind the Kabanovs’ garden.
Phenomena 1, 2
Night, ravine behind the Kabanovs’ garden. Kudryash plays the guitar and sings a song about a free Cossack. Boris appears and tells Kudryash that he loves a married woman, who, when she prays in church, looks like an angel. Kudryash guesses that this is “young Kabanova,” says that “there is something to congratulate,” remarks: “Even though her husband is a fool, her mother-in-law is painfully fierce.”
Phenomenon 3
Varvara arrives, she and Kudryash go for a walk. Boris and Katerina are left alone. Katerina: “Get away from me!.. I can’t forgive this sin, I’ll never forgive it!” She accuses Boris of ruining her and is afraid of the future. Boris urges her not to think about the future: “It’s enough that we feel good now.” Katerina admits that she loves Boris.
Scenes 4 and 5
Kudryash and Varvara come and ask if the lovers have gotten along. Curly praises the idea of climbing through the garden gate. After some time, Boris and Katerina return. Having agreed on a new date, everyone leaves.
Act 4
A narrow gallery of a building that has begun to collapse, on the walls of which scenes of the Last Judgment are depicted.
Phenomena 1, 2
It's raining, people running into the gallery and discussing the images on the walls. Kuligin and Dikoy appear. Kuligin tries to persuade Dikiy to donate money to install a sundial on the boulevard and to make a lightning rod. He swaggers over Kuligin: “If I want, I’ll have mercy, if I want, I’ll crush him.” Kuligin leaves with nothing, muttering to himself that he must submit.
Phenomenon 3
Boris and Varvara are discussing the latest news - Tikhon has arrived. Varvara reports that Katerina “simply became not herself... She’s trembling all over, as if she had a fever; so pale, rushing around the house, as if looking for something. The eyes are like those of a madwoman!” Varvara is afraid that she will “thump at her husband’s feet and tell everything.” The storm starts again.
Phenomenon 4
Kabanikha, Tikhon, Katerina and Kuligin appear. Katerina is frightened by the thunderstorm, considering it God's punishment that must fall on her. She notices Boris, gets even more scared, and is taken away. Kuligin addresses the crowd: a thunderstorm is not punishment, but grace, there is no need to be afraid of it. Boris comes out and takes Kuligin away with the words: “Come on, it’s scary here.”
Phenomenon 5
Katerina hears people remarking that the thunderstorm is not without reason and that it will definitely kill someone. She is sure that he will kill her and asks to pray for her.
Phenomenon 6
A crazy lady appears with two footmen. He calls on Katerina not to hide, not to be afraid of God’s punishment, to pray that God will take away her beauty: “into the pool with beauty!” Katerina imagines fiery hell, she tells her family everything and repents. Kabanikha triumphs: “This is what the will leads to!”
Action 5
Decoration for the first act. Twilight.
Phenomenon 1
Kuligin is sitting on a bench. Tikhon appears and says that he went to Moscow, drank all the way, “so that he could take a break for a whole year,” but never remembered about home. He complains about his wife’s betrayal, says that it’s not enough to kill her, it is necessary, as his mother advises, to bury her alive in the ground. Then he admits that he feels sorry for Katerina - “he beat me a little, and even then my mother ordered it.” Kuligin advises him to forgive Katerina and never mention her betrayal. Tikhon reports that Dikoy is sending Boris to Siberia for three years, supposedly on business, and says that Varvara ran away with Kudryav. Glasha appears and reports that Katerina has disappeared somewhere.
Phenomenon 2
Katerina appears. She wants to see Boris to say goodbye to him. She grieves that she “put him and herself into trouble,” that human justice is hard, that it would be easier for her if she were executed. Boris enters.
Phenomenon 3
Boris reports that he is being sent to Siberia. Katerina asks to take her with him, says that her husband drinks, that he hates her, that for her his caresses are worse than beatings. Boris looks around, afraid: “As if they might find us here,” he replies: “I can’t, Katya! I’m not eating of my own free will: my uncle sends me.” Katerina understands that her life is over, turns to Boris: “You go dear, don’t let a single beggar pass by; Give it to everyone, and order them to pray for my sinful soul.” Boris replies that it is also difficult for him to part with Katerina. Leaves.
Phenomenon 4
Katerina doesn’t know where to go: “Why go home, what to the grave!.. It’s better in the grave... And people are disgusting to me, and the house is disgusting to me, and the walls are disgusting! I won’t go there!” Approaches the shore: “My friend! My joy! Goodbye!"
Phenomenon 5
Kabanikha, Tikhon and Kuligin appear. Kuligin claims that they “saw” Katerina here. Kabanikha turns Tikhon against his wife. People from the shore are screaming: a woman has thrown herself into the water. Kuligin runs to the rescue.
Phenomenon 6
Tikhon tries to run after Kuligin, Kabanikha does not let him in, says that he will curse him if he goes. Kuligin and his people bring dead Katerina: she threw herself from a high bank and crashed.
Phenomenon 7
Kuligin: “Here’s 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!” Tikhon envies his deceased wife: “Good for you, Katya! Why did I stay to live and suffer!..”
"Storm"- a play in five acts by Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky.
Ostrovsky "The Thunderstorm" read in abbreviation should only be done if you do not have enough time to read the entire drama. "Thunderstorm" in abbreviation will not be able to convey all the small details from the life of the heroes, will not immerse you in the atmosphere of that time.
"Storm" summary by chapter or action is presented below
"Thunderstorm" summary by chapter
"Thunderstorm" characters
- Savel Prokofich Dikoy, merchant, significant person in the city. The man is evil and stingy.
- Boris, his nephew, a young man, decently educated. In itself, not bad, but weak in character and will.
- Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova (Kabanikha), rich merchant's wife, widow. A powerful, cruel, very limited woman.
- Tikhon Ivanovich Kabanov, noble son. He is completely subservient to his mother and is afraid of her.
- Katerina, the main character, wife of Tikhon Kabanov. Smart, beautiful in body and soul. She has a lively, life-loving soul, but Kabanikha’s cruelty, Tikhon’s lack of will and Boris’s cowardice push her towards suicide.
- Varvara, sister of Tikhon. An indifferent and cold girl, she acts only for selfish purposes.
- Kuligin, a peasant, a self-taught watchmaker, searching for a perpetuum mobile.
- Vanya Kudryash, a young man, Wild's clerk.
- Shapkin, tradesman.
- Feklusha, wanderer.
- Glasha, a girl in Kabanikha’s house.
- Lady with two footmen, an old woman of seventy years old, half crazy.
- City residents of both sexes (m/f), as well as guests from the city of Novovolzhye (m/f)
The unenviable fate of young girls who married not out of love, but out of duty, is reflected in the image of Katerina from Ostrovsky’s play. At that time in Russia, society did not accept divorce, and unfortunate women, forced to obey the norm, quietly suffered from a bitter fate.
Act one
Public garden on the banks of the Volga.
Sitting on a bench, tradesman Kuligin admires the Volga. Kudryash and Shapkin, who are walking, hear the merchant Dikoy scolding his nephew and discuss this. Kudryash sympathizes with Boris Grigorievich, believes that Dikiy needs to be properly frightened so that he does not mock people.
Shapkin recalls that Dikoy wanted to give Kudryash as a soldier. Kudryash assures that Dikoy is afraid of him; Kudryash regrets that the merchant does not have a daughter, otherwise he would have fun with her.
Boris obediently listens to Dikiy’s scolding and leaves.
Grandmother disliked Boris's father because he married a noble woman. Gregory's wife also quarreled with her mother-in-law all the time. The young family had to move to Moscow. When Boris grew up, he entered the Commercial Academy, and his sister entered a boarding school. Their parents died of cholera. If the children are respectful to their uncle, he will pay them the inheritance left by their grandmother. Kuligin believes that Boris and his sister will not receive any inheritance. Dikoy scolds everyone at home, but they cannot answer him. Boris tries to do everything he is ordered, but then still does not receive money. If Diky is contradicted by someone to whom he cannot answer, then he takes his anger out on his family.
The wanderer Feklusha blesses the Kabanovs' house and the entire Russian land. The boar gave the stranger a gift. She always gives to the poor, and does not care about her relatives at all.
Kuligin dreams of finding money for a model and creating a perpetual motion machine.
Boris envies Kuligin's dreaminess and carefree nature. Boris has to ruin his life, he is in a hopeless situation, and has also fallen in love.
Tikhon tries to dissuade his mother that his wife is dearer to him than her. When Katerina enters the conversation, Kabanikha says that Tikhon must keep his wife at bay. Tikhon does not agree with his mother; it is enough for him that his wife loves him. Kabanikha says that if he does not have strict power over his wife, Katerina will take a lover.
Tikhon always gets it from his mother because of Katerina, he asks his wife to be more restrained. Tikhon goes to Dikiy’s for a drink before his mother returns.
Katerina tells Varvara how she lived with her parents and regrets that people cannot fly like birds. Katerina senses trouble; admits to Varvara that she loves someone else, not her husband. Varvara, accustomed to lies, promises Katerina to somehow facilitate her dates with her chosen one, but fear of sin makes the “husband’s wife” resist.
A half-crazed lady, who appeared accompanied by two lackeys, shouts that beauty leads to the abyss and threatens fiery hell.
Katerina is very frightened by the lady’s words. Varvara calms her down. When a thunderstorm begins, Katerina and Varvara run away.
Act two
A room in the Kabanovs' house.
Glasha tells Feklusha that everyone is constantly quarreling, but should live in peace. Feklusha replies that there are no ideal people, she herself is a sinner: she loves to eat. The Wanderer talks about other countries, the people who live and rule in them. All these stories are extremely far from the truth and resemble a confused fairy tale. Trusting Glasha believes that if it were not for the wanderers, people would not know anything about other countries, but they enlighten them. Feklusha is the image of a superstitious woman who lives by the most wild and backward ideas about the world. However, everyone believes her - even if she talks about people with “dog heads”.
Katerina tells Varvara that she cannot stand it when they offend her and tries to immediately disappear somewhere. She admits that she loves Boris, who is also not indifferent to her. Varvara regrets that they have nowhere to see each other. Katerina does not want to betray Tikhon. Varvara objects to her that if no one finds out, then you can do whatever you want. Katerina tells Varvara that she is not afraid of death and can commit suicide. Varvara announces that she wants to sleep in the gazebo, in the fresh air, and invites Katerina with her.
Tikhon and Kabanikha join Katerina and Varvara. Tikhon leaves and, following his mother’s instructions, tells his wife how she should live without him.
Left alone with her husband, Katerina asks him to stay. But he cannot help but go, since his mother sent him. He also refuses to take her with him, because he wants to take a break from the horror of home life. Katerina falls to her knees in front of her husband and asks her to take an oath of fidelity.
When saying goodbye to her husband, Katerina has to bow at his feet according to Kabanikha’s instructions.
Left alone, Kabanikha regrets that there is no former respect for old people, that young people don’t know how to do anything, but want to live independently.
Katerina believes that chasing after her husband who has left and howling on the porch only makes people laugh. Kabanikha scolds her for not doing this.
Katerina is worried about Tikhon’s departure and regrets that they still don’t have children. She says that it would be better if she died as a child.
Varvara went to sleep in the garden, took the key to the gate, gave Kabanikha another, and gave this key to Katerina. At first she refused, then she accepted.
Katerina hesitates. Then she decides to see Boris, and then she won’t care. She keeps the key.
Act three
The street at the gate of the Kabanovs' house.
Feklusha tells Kabanikha about Moscow: it’s noisy, everyone is in a hurry, running somewhere. Peace is dear to Kabanova, she says she will never go there.
Dikoy comes up to the house and scolds Kabanikha. Then he apologizes, complaining about his hot temper. He says that the reason for this is the workers’ request to pay wages, which he cannot voluntarily give due to his character.
Boris came to pick up Dikiy. He complains that he cannot talk to Katerina. Kuligin complains that there is no one to talk to, no one walks along the new boulevard: the poor have no time, the rich are hiding behind closed gates.
Kudryash and Varvara kiss. Varvara makes an appointment with Boris in a ravine behind the garden, intending to bring him together with Katerina.
Night, ravine behind the Kabanovs’ garden.
Kudryash plays the guitar and sings a song about a free Cossack.
Boris doesn't like the meeting place, he quarrels with Kudryash. Kudryash realizes that Boris loves Katerina; talks about the stupidity of her husband and the anger of her mother-in-law.
Varvara and Kudryash go for a walk, leaving Katerina alone with Boris. Katerina first drives Boris away, says that it is a sin, and accuses him of ruining her. Then she confesses her love to him.
Kudryash and Varvara see that the lovers have agreed on everything. Kudryash praises Varvara for her idea with the key to the gate. Having agreed on a new date, everyone goes their separate ways.
Act four
A narrow gallery with paintings of the Last Judgment on the walls.
People walking are hiding from the rain in the gallery, discussing the paintings.
Kuligin and Dikoy run into the gallery. Kuligin asks Dikiy for money for a sundial. Dikoy refuses. Kuligin convinces him that the city needs lightning rods. Dikoy shouts that lightning rods will not save the city and people from God’s punishment, which is a thunderstorm. Kuligin leaves without achieving anything. The rain is stopping.
Varya tells Boris that after her husband’s arrival, Katerina became not herself, like crazy. Varvara fears that in this state Katerina might confess everything to Tikhon. The thunderstorm resumed.
On stage are Katerina, Kabanikha, Tikhon and Kuligin.
Katerina considers the thunderstorm to be God's punishment for her sins. Noticing Boris, she loses her composure. Kuligin explains to the people that a thunderstorm is not God’s punishment, that there is nothing to be afraid of, that rain nourishes the earth and plants, and people themselves invented everything and are now afraid. Boris takes Kuligin away, saying that it is worse among people than in the rain.
People say that this thunderstorm is not without reason, it will kill someone. Katerina asks to pray for her, because she believes that they should kill her, since she is a sinner.
The half-crazy lady tells Katerina to pray to God and not be afraid of God’s punishment. Katerina confesses to her family that she has committed sin. Kabanikha says that she warned everyone, foresaw everything.
Act five
Public garden on the banks of the Volga.
Tikhon tells Kuligin about his trip to Moscow, that he drank a lot there, but never remembered his home. Reports about his wife's infidelity. He says that it’s not enough to kill Katerina, but he took pity on her, only beat her a little on mother’s orders. Tikhon agrees with Kuligin that Katerina must be forgiven, but mother ordered to remember and punish her wife all the time. Tikhon is pleased that Dikoy is sending Boris to Siberia on business. Kuligin says that Boris must also be forgiven. After this incident, Kabanikha began to lock Varvara with a key. Then Varvara ran away with Kudryash. Glasha reports that Katerina has disappeared somewhere.
Katerina came to say goodbye to Boris. She scolds herself for bringing trouble to Boris, saying that it would be better if she was executed.
Boris arrives. Katerina asks to take her to Siberia. She says she can no longer live with her husband. Boris is afraid that someone will see them. He says that it is hard for him to part with his beloved, and promises to give to the poor so that they will pray for her. Boris does not have the strength with which to fight for their happiness.
Katerina does not want to go home - both the house and the people are disgusting to her. He decides not to return, approaches the shore, says goodbye to Boris.
Kabanikha, Tikhon and Kuligin arrive. Kuligin says that Katerina was last seen here. Kabanikha insists that Tikhon punish Katerina for treason. Kuligin runs to the screams of people near the shore.
Tikhon wants to run after Kuligin, but Kabanikha, threatening with a curse, does not let him in. People bring dead Katerina: she threw herself from the shore and crashed.
Kuligin says that Katerina is now dead, and they can do whatever they want with her. Katerina's soul is on trial, and the judges there are more merciful than the people. Tikhon blames his mother for his wife's death. He regrets that he remained alive, now he will only have to suffer.
Ostrovsky made his heroine of the play “The Thunderstorm” a woman of high morals, spiritual, but so airy and dreamy that she was simply unable to survive in the environment prepared for her by fate. "Storm!" This fatal name is fraught with several meanings. It seems that everything is to blame for the thunderstorm that frightened the already guilty Katerina. She was very pious, but life with an indifferent husband and a tyrant mother-in-law forced her to rebel against the rules. She paid for this. But one might wonder if her fate would have ended this way if there had not been this thunderstorm. Considering Katerina’s natural inability to lie, the betrayal would still have been revealed. And if she had not given herself over to love, she would simply have gone crazy.
The husband, crushed by his mother’s authority, treated Katerina indifferently. She was anxiously looking for love. She initially felt that this would lead her to death, but could not resist her feelings - she had lived in captivity for too long. She was ready to run after Boris to Siberia. Not from Great love, but from these disgusting walls, where she could not breathe freely. But the lover turns out to be as weak in spirit as her unloved husband.
The result is tragic. Disappointed in life and in men, childless and unhappy Katerina is no longer kept on earth. Her last thoughts are about saving her soul.
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The events take place in the first half of the 19th century, in the fictional Volga region town of Kalinov. The first action takes place in a public garden on the high bank of the Volga. Local self-taught mechanic Kuligin talks with young people - Kudryash, the clerk of the rich merchant Dikiy, and the tradesman Shapkin - about the rude antics and tyranny of Dikiy. Then Boris, Dikiy’s nephew, appears, who, in response to Kuligin’s questions, says that his parents lived in Moscow, educated him at the Commercial Academy and both died during the epidemic. He came to Dikoy, leaving his sister with his mother’s relatives, in order to receive part of his grandmother’s inheritance, which Dikoy must give to him according to the will, if Boris is respectful to him. Everyone assures him: under such conditions, Dikoy will never give him the money. Boris complains to Kuligin that he can’t get used to life in Dikiy’s house, Kuligin talks about Kalinov and ends his speech with the words: “Cruel morals, sir, in our city, cruel!”
The Kalinovites disperse. Together with another woman, the wanderer Feklusha appears, praising the city for its “blah-a-lepie”, and the Kabanovs’ house for its special generosity to wanderers. "Kabanovs?" - Boris asks: “A prude, sir, he gives money to the poor, but completely eats up his family,” explains Kuligin. Kabanova comes out, accompanied by her daughter Varvara and son Tikhon and his wife Katerina. She grumbles at them, but finally leaves, allowing the children to walk along the boulevard. Varvara lets Tikhon go out for a drink in secret from his mother and, left alone with Katerina, talks with her about domestic relationships and about Tikhon. Katerina talks about her happy childhood in her parents’ house, about her fervent prayers, about what she experiences in the temple, imagining angels in a ray of sunshine falling from the dome, dreams of spreading her arms and flying, and finally admits that “something wrong” is happening to her. something". Varvara guesses that Katerina has fallen in love with someone and promises to arrange a date after Tikhon leaves. This proposal horrifies Katerina. A crazy lady appears, threatening that “beauty leads into the deep end,” and prophesies hellish torment. Katerina is terribly frightened, and then “ storm comes in,” she hurries Varvara home to the icons to pray.
Second action taking place in the house Kabanovs, begins with a conversation between Feklushi and the maid Glasha. The wanderer asks about the Kabanovs' household affairs and conveys fabulous stories about distant countries, where people with dog heads "for infidelity", etc. Katerina and Varvara appear, preparing Tikhon for the trip, continue the conversation about Katerina's hobby, Varvara calls the name of Boris, conveys He bows to him and persuades Katerina to sleep with her in the gazebo in the garden after Tikhon’s departure. Kabanikha and Tikhon come out, the mother tells her son to strictly tell his wife how to live without him, Katerina is humiliated by these formal orders. But, left alone with her husband, she begs him to take her on a trip, after his refusal she tries to give him terrible oaths of fidelity, but Tikhon does not want to listen to them: “You never know what comes to mind...” The returning Kabanikha orders Katerina to bow at my husband's feet. Tikhon leaves. Varvara, leaving for a walk, tells Katerina that they will spend the night in the garden and gives her the key to the gate. Katerina doesn’t want to take it, then, after hesitating, she puts it in her pocket.
The next action takes place on a bench at the gate of the Kabanovsky house. Feklusha And Kabanikha talking about the “last times”, Feklusha says that “for our sins” “the time has begun to come to humiliation”, talks about railway(“they began to harness the fiery serpent”), about the bustle of Moscow life as a devilish obsession. Both are expecting even worse times. Dikoy appears with complaints about his family, Kabanikha reproaches him for his disorderly behavior, he tries to be rude to her, but she quickly stops this and takes him into the house for a drink and a snack. While Dikoy is treating himself, Boris, sent by Dikoy’s family, comes to find out where the head of the family is. Having completed the assignment, he exclaims with longing about Katerina: “If only to take a look at her with one eye!” The returned Varvara tells him to come at night to the gate in the ravine behind the Kabanovsky garden.
The second scene represents a night of youth, Varvara comes out on a date with Kudryash and tells Boris to wait - “you’ll wait for something.” There is a meeting between Katerina and Boris. After hesitation and thoughts of sin, Katerina is unable to resist awakened love. “Why feel sorry for me - no one is to blame - she went for it herself. Don’t feel sorry, ruin me! Let everyone know, let everyone see what I do (hugs Boris). If I wasn’t afraid of sin for you, will I be afraid of human judgment ?".
The entire fourth action, taking place on the streets of Kalinov - in the gallery of a dilapidated building with the remains of a fresco representing fiery Gehenna, and on the boulevard - takes place against the backdrop of a gathering and finally breaking thunderstorm. It begins to rain, and Dikoy and Kuligin enter the gallery, who begins to persuade Dikoy to give money to install a sundial on the boulevard. In response, Dikoy scolds him in every possible way and even threatens to declare him a robber. Having endured the abuse, Kuligin begins to ask for money for a lightning rod. At this point, Dikoy confidently declares that it is a sin to defend against a thunderstorm sent as punishment “with poles and some kind of furrows, God forgive me.” The stage empties, then Varvara and Boris meet in the gallery. She reports on Tikhon's return, Katerina's tears, Kabanikha's suspicions and expresses fear that Katerina will confess to her husband of treason. Boris begs to dissuade Katerina from confessing and disappears. The rest of the Kabanovs enter. Katerina waits with horror that she, who has not repented of her sin, will be killed by lightning, a crazy lady appears, threatening with hellish flames. Katerina can no longer hold on and publicly confesses to her husband and mother-in-law that she was “walking” with Boris. Kabanikha gloatingly declares: “What, son! Where will the will lead; [...] So I’ve waited!”
The last action is again on the high bank of the Volga. Tikhon complains to Kuligin about his family grief, about what his mother says about Katerina: “She needs to be buried alive in the ground so that she can be executed!” “And I love her, I’m sorry to lay a finger on her.” Kuligin advises to forgive Katerina, but Tikhon explains that under Kabanikha this is impossible. Not without pity, he also speaks about Boris, whom his uncle sends to Kyakhta. The maid Glasha enters and reports that Katerina has disappeared from the house. Tikhon is afraid that “out of melancholy she might kill herself!”, and together with Glasha and Kuligin he leaves to look for his wife.
Katerina appears, she complains about her desperate situation in the house, and most importantly, about her terrible longing for Boris. Her monologue ends with a passionate spell: “My joy! My life, my soul, I love you! Respond!” Boris enters. She asks him to take her with him to Siberia, but understands that Boris’s refusal is due to the truly complete impossibility of leaving with her. She blesses him on his journey, complains about the oppressive life in the house, about her disgust for her husband. Having said goodbye to Boris forever, Katerina begins to dream alone about death, about a grave with flowers and birds that “will fly to the tree, sing, and have children.” "Live again?" - she exclaims with horror. Approaching the cliff, she says goodbye to the departed Boris: “My friend! My joy! Farewell!” and leaves.
The stage is filled with alarmed people, including Tikhon and his mother in the crowd. A cry is heard behind the stage: “The woman threw herself into the water!” Tikhon tries to run to her, but his mother does not let him in, saying: “I’ll curse you if you go!” Tikhon falls to his knees. After some time, Kuligin brings in Katerina’s body. “Here is your Katerina. Do with her what you want! Her body is here, take it; but her soul is now not yours; it is now before a judge who is more merciful than you!”
Rushing to Katerina, Tikhon accuses his mother: “Mama, you ruined her!” and, not paying attention to Kabanikha’s menacing shouts, falls on his wife’s corpse. “Good for you, Katya! Why did I stay in the world and suffer!” - with these words from Tikhon the play ends.
Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky is a great Russian writer and playwright. His work had a huge influence on the development of Russian theater. One of his most important plays, “The Thunderstorm,” was written in 1859. The characters in the work are divided into two groups: tyrants and those who obey them. Tyrants do not see anything wrong with their rude attitude towards others, but, on the contrary, believe that they are doing everything right. Because of this, many contradictions develop between the heroes, which ultimately lead to a tragic outcome of events. The much-wise Litrekon has compiled a brief but detailed retelling of the play, action by action, which will help you understand the plot and main events of the work presented in the abbreviation.
Kalinov city, summer, bank of the Volga River. A conversation about nature begins between the self-taught watchmaker Kuligin, the clerk Dikiy Kudryash and the tradesman Shapkin. Kuligin is enchanted by the beautiful view, but Kudryash remains indifferent to nature. They are interrupted by the merchant Savel Prokofievich Dikoy, who is not far from them quarreling with his nephew Boris. The topic of conversation changed to a discussion of the Wild One's behavior.
Savel Prokofievich enters with his nephew. He also continues to scold Boris, reproach him for parasites and parasites, after which he leaves.
Kuligin asks Boris why he tolerates such attitude towards himself from his uncle. Boris says that he has a younger sister. After they were orphaned, the only family they had left was their uncle. Although the late grandmother left them an inheritance, they can only receive it if they treat Dikiy with respect and helpfulness. Kudryash, having known Savel Prokofievich for a long time, is sure that with such “impossible” conditions Boris will never see money in his life. Dikoy will always find something to find fault with.
Kudryash and Shapkin leave. Kuligin and Boris continue to discuss Dikiy’s tyranny. Kuligin also mentions the merchant's wife Kabanikha, saying that she is a real tyrant.
The topic of conversation changes again. Kuligin talks about his dream - a perpetuum mobile. He dreams of finding him, but he has no opportunities.
Boris is left alone. He complains about his wasted youth and laments that he foolishly fell in love with a married lady. Then he leaves.
The Kabanov family appears. Kabanikha scolds her adult son Tikhon for disobedience and teaches him how to treat his wife Katerina. Having cursed enough, she goes home.
Tikhon attacks his wife with accusations, claiming that she is the reason for his mother’s anger. His sister Varvara protects Katerina, and he goes to Dikiy for another glass.
Left alone with Varya, Katya complains to her about her life, telling her how wonderful her life was before. She also confesses that she is in love with someone else. Varvara consoles her, invites her to wait for the moment when Tikhon leaves the city, then they will come up with something.
A lady comes and threatens the girls that beauty and youth will destroy them, while pointing to the Volga. Katerina takes this lady’s words too literally, and Varvara rushes to reassure her again. Meanwhile, a thunderstorm is approaching, which Katerina is very afraid of.
Tikhon returns from Dikiy, and they all head home together.
Act Two: Setup
Kabanov's house. The maid Glasha packs Tikhon’s things for the journey, and the wanderer Feklusha shares with her stories about foreign lands that she herself has never visited, but has heard a lot about them, and then leaves.
Varvara and Katerina appear. Varvara instructs Glasha to take the luggage to the arriving carriage.
The girls, left alone, again raise the topic of Katerina’s feelings. Varvara suspects who she is partial to, and Katya confirms her guesses. The subject of her sighs turns out to be Boris. Varya warns Katerina not to tell anyone her secret. Katya, in turn, claims that she does not know how to lie at all and will continue to endure as long as possible. Varvara, surprised by such a statement, wonders what she is going to do if she gets tired of such pretense. Katerina answers without a shadow of a doubt:
“And if I get really tired of being 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!”
Varya has a proposal. She wants to sleep in the garden with Katya in the absence of her brother, since her mother will not allow her to do it alone. Kabanikha and her son enter. She forces him to give punishments to his wife, as she is obliged to behave during his departure. Marfa Ignatievna literally dictates notations to him, and he repeats them to Katerina without reproach. Tikhon punishes his wife to obey and honor his mother, not to idle and not look at other people’s men. The satisfied Kabanikha leaves with Varya, leaving the husband and wife alone to say goodbye.
Kabanov begins to apologize to Katya. She begs not to leave her alone and asks to take her with you. But Tikhon refuses. Katya has a presentiment that her husband’s departure will not end well. She asks him to take an oath from her that she will remain faithful to him. The husband is surprised by his wife’s mood.
Kabanova enters, hurrying her son on the road. Tikhon begins to say goodbye to his family. Here too, Kabanikha shows him what to do, forcing him to bow at her feet. Later he swears at Katerina for hugging her husband and not bowing to him. As soon as Tikhon leaves, the Merchant's wife begins to scold Katya that she is wrong to accompany her husband on a long journey.
Left alone, Katya is annoyed that she does not have children, they would brighten up her loneliness. To prevent bad thoughts from filling her head, she decides to sew linen for the poor.
Varvara arrives with the key to the gate in the backyard. Kabanikha always carefully hides it, but Varya managed to steal it and replace it with another. Leaving for a walk, she says that if she meets Boris, she will ask him to come to this very gate in the evening. Katerina is frightened by this proposal, she wants to throw the key away as far as possible. Katya is thinking about whether to throw away the key or hide it. The temptation to meet Boris overcomes her, and she dares to leave the key.
Act Three: Developing the Action
At her house, Marfa Ignatievna and Feklusha discuss the pace of life in Moscow and Kalinov. Feklusha believes that the capital is too hectic and hasty, and praises the completely opposite Kalinov.
A tipsy Dikoy arrives. At first, he exchanged a couple of “courtesy notes” with Kabanikha, but then, coming to his senses, he began to make excuses, claiming that the reason for his crappy mood was the workers who came to him early in the morning to ask for their well-deserved salary. After that, they go into the house to continue feasting.
Boris appears, looking for his uncle. Having made sure that he is visiting Kabanikha, Boris is sad that he very rarely sees Katerina. Kuligin walks past him. He complains that in this city, despotism, debauchery and drunkenness are hidden behind the high fences of the estates. During the conversation, they see young people kissing. This is Varya and Kudryash. Kuligin hurries to leave, and Varvara, approaching Boris, invites him to come to the gate at night.
Approaching the appointed meeting place at sunset, Boris meets the singing Kudryash there. Things get tight between them verbal altercation, because Kudryash at first thought that Boris had come to his beloved. But he admits to Kudryash that he is not going to take the lady of his heart away from him, he loves Katerina. Curly tries to convince him that it is better for him to leave the married lady, otherwise he will completely ruin her.
Varvara appears, takes Kudryash and goes to the river. Katerina silently descends along the path, covered with a scarf. Boris immediately confesses his love to her. She rushes about, first scolds Boris, tries to drive him away, but then gives in under the pressure of her feelings. She reports that her husband will be away for two weeks, and they will be able to see each other every night during this time.
Varya and Kudryash return. Varvara is glad that her plan for a date was a success. Couples in love, having agreed on the next meetings, separate.
Act Four: Climax
10 days have passed. Residents of the city are walking not far from the Volga, but the rain begins to bother them, and they have to hide from it under the arches of an ancient building. Among them are Dikoy and Kuligin. Kuligin asks the merchant for materials for a clock that he wants to install on the boulevard so that everyone can know the time. Dikoy, as usual, is dissatisfied and swears. Then Kuligin decides to ask for funds for lightning rods. Savel Prokofievich gets even angrier, claiming that thunderstorms are sent to people as punishment from the sky, and no lightning rod is needed. The rain stops and the people disperse.
Varya arrives. Immediately after her, Boris appears. Varvara stuns him with the news: her brother unexpectedly returned home a little earlier than planned. Because of this, Katerina “became not herself.” Kabanova began to guess about something, and Varya worries that Katya herself won’t tell them everything.
The clouds are starting to gather again. More and more people appear under cover, among them the entire Kabanov family. Katya, gripped by fear because of the approaching bad weather and the current situation, is tormented by the torment of her conscience. The husband is trying to calm her down, but Kabanikha is only egging her on. Noticing Boris, Katerina trembles and is overcome with even greater fear. Kuligin appears and also tries to calm the girl down, then leaves with Boris.
People are talking. One of them carelessly throws out the phrase that this thunderstorm will definitely kill someone. Katya is convinced that she will be this person. An elderly lady appears, Katerina is frightened of her and hides. The same woman again begins to rave about the fact that it is beauty that will cause the death of the young girl. Katerina loses control over her feelings, she can no longer stand the tension and repents of what she has done to her family. Tikhon tries to calm her down, Varya does her best to justify Katya, and Kabanova only sneers and gloats: now she can grumble to her heart’s content.
Act Five: Denouement
Kuligin, relaxing in a public garden, meets Tikhon. A conversation ensues about a recent incident. From their conversation it turns out that Tikhon is both angry and feels pity for his wife. The situation in the house is also darkened thanks to Kabanikha. She is beside herself about what happened. Kabanov admits that he beat Katya for what he did, but only at the behest of his mother. He says that she herself would have buried Katerina alive.
Kuligin thinks that Kabanov needs to start thinking with his own head and not be led by Marfa Ignatievna. But Tikhon himself does not want to take on any responsibility; it’s more convenient for him to live this way:
“No, they say, it’s just 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.”
During their conversation, it turns out that Dikoy is escorting Boris to the north for three years as punishment. Kabanov also talks about his sister’s escape from her mother’s tyranny. Apparently Varya ran away with her beloved Kudryash, and no one can find him anywhere either. Glasha arrives with the news of Katerina's disappearance. The men rush to find her.
Katerina appears. She is confused and is looking for Boris. The thought of death again creeps into her mind. Boris arrives and informs her of his departure. She wants to escape from this ill-fated and dark place with him, but Boris claims that this is unacceptable. Katerina cries about her current life in the family, which has become absolutely unbearable and painful. She begs her lover on the way not to miss a single beggar, to help everyone and ask them to pray for her. It's time to say goodbye. Boris, seeing how his beloved is suffering, reflects on her death:
“We only need to ask God for one thing: that she die as soon as possible, so that she does not suffer for a long time!”
The girl is alone again. She is completely at a loss, has no idea how to continue to exist. She has no desire to return:
“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 the grave..."
Katya runs away in tears. Kabanikha, Tikhon and Kuligin enter, looking for Katerina. Some of the people in the distance shout that a woman has rushed into the Volga. Kuligin quickly rushes to the rescue. Kabanov also tries to run to the river, but, as always, his mother stops him, and he barely resists. Kuligin fishes the already dead Katerina out of the water. Tikhon rushes to the lifeless body. Kabanikha, without a hint of grief or regret, quips that “it’s a sin to cry about her.” Kabanov boldly attacks her with accusations, shouting that it was she who killed Katya. She moves away so as not to hear this, and Tikhon, sitting above Katerina, laments:
“Good for you, Katya! Why did I stay in the world and suffer!”
The play takes place in fictional city on the Volga - Kalinov (). In the very first act, you can see a gloomy picture of morals and life in this place: the rich merchant Dikoy scolds his nephew Boris, who came from Moscow, the local intellectual Kuligin pronounces his main monologue about the cruel morals in the city (on this topic). And, of course, here comes the appearance of the wealthy widow of the merchant Kabanikha, her son Tikhon and his wife Katerina.
To Varvara, Kabanikha’s daughter, the main character Katerina (here is her) opens her soul. We immediately notice her dreaminess and sincerity thanks to the monologue “Why don’t people fly like birds?” The girl also talks about life in her parents’ house, and it is clear to the naked eye that Katerina is suffering in her marriage. She is not comfortable with a husband who does not object to her mother and an ignorant mother-in-law. The husband does not protect his wife from his mother’s attacks, but goes to a tavern to rest. In addition, during a conversation with Varvara, Katerina reveals her secret to her and admits her feelings for Boris, Dikiy’s nephew from Moscow.
The well-constructed plot is interrupted by an old merchant's wife with threats (here she is). And now the time comes for the first thunderstorm.
Act II
The second act of the play is opened by the worker Glasha and the wanderer Feklusha, who tells fables. In the meantime, Tikhon says goodbye to his mother and wife and leaves for a while, but Kabanikha does not waste time - all she does is teach and reproach. She makes her daughter-in-law cry and scream in public in order to prove that she loves her husband. Katerina reluctantly obeys.
Having warmed to Katerina, Varvara (her characterization) gives her the key to the gate so that she can meet with Boris at night. However, Katerina doubts the necessity and correctness of this idea. We must not forget that the heroine is very God-fearing, and marriage is not an empty phrase for her, so it is not so easy for her to agree to such meetings.
Act III
If at the beginning of the play Kuligin (his characterization) nevertheless talked about the beauty of nature, then closer to the key moment the patriarchal merchants of the city come to the fore, and in a conversation with Boris Kuligin utters his second monologue, “That’s what our little town is like, sir!” . There he denounces the old residents of the city and their vices: tyranny, greed and malice (their collective image).
Boris tells Kudryash about Katerina and her “angelic smile,” and notices that when she prays, “her face seems to glow.”
And Varvara had already invited Boris on a date with Katerina, and by the end of the third act of the drama, the meeting of the heroes had already taken place.
Act IV
Ten days have passed. Kuligin tells Dikoy about his desire to make a clock and a lightning rod for the city, but Dikoy only becomes indignant in response to his proposal. He believes that lightning and thunderstorms are the consequences of Elijah the Prophet riding across the sky in a chariot. Kuligin objects that this is electricity.
Tikhon returns, but Katerina does not find a place for herself because of her betrayal. Varvara even decides to tell Boris about Katerina’s experiences. Simultaneously with the climax of the drama, a thunderstorm comes again in Kalinov.
And on the boulevard, Katerina still can’t stand it and confesses to Tikhon of treason, and even does it in the presence of Kabanikha, who, unlike her son, is incapable of forgiveness.
Act V
Towards the end of the play, Tikhon reveals himself to the readers. He openly feels sorry for his wife; he even admits to Kuligin that he loves her very much and is killed by looking at her. But it is too difficult for him to resist his mother.
Katerina comes to Boris, but he, on his uncle’s orders, leaves far to Siberia. The girl asks Boris to take her with him, but he refuses her, fearing his uncle’s wrath. So, Katerina finds herself in complete despair: she does not know where to go, because there is no way home. So she comes to the decision that she will be better off in the grave.
An active search for Katerina begins, and the news is announced that “The woman threw herself into the water!” The reader understands that Katerina could not stand this condition, and really chose death. Tikhon sat next to his dead wife and, as if not believing what was happening, had already managed to rebuff his mother, claiming that it was she who had killed her. It’s amazing that Tikhon even envied Katerina, not understanding why he “remained to live in the world and suffer?”
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