It is no coincidence that authors add characters to their works. Each of them plays a certain role, without which readers would not understand the completeness of the plot, the life situation described, and the behavior of other characters. A good example of this literary type is the characterization of the image of the Wild in “The Thunderstorm”. Alexander Ostrovsky gave the merchant a negative role, which he coped with perfectly.
Brief description of the Wild
Savel Prokofievich Dikoy is a true reflection of tyranny. He is a rich merchant, an influential man in the city of Kalinov, who is distinguished by his grumpy and scandalous character. Every day, due to his whim and ignorance, scandals and quarrels arise. If for some reason he cannot fight back another person, then he takes out his anger on his household - his wife and 2 minor daughters. Often those around him, including ordinary workers, suffer from his unbridled anger.
Dikoy is a greedy person who will insult and humiliate anyone who comes to him for money. He doesn't even care that he has to pay. A striking example and victim of his arbitrariness, arbitrariness and bad character is his nephew Boris, who came to his uncle to receive a legal inheritance. But Savel Prokofievich is in no hurry to give his relative the allotted part of the property, believing that his nephew should behave respectfully towards him. Their interaction is well characterized in the quotation description of the play:
“...my grandmother died here and left a will so that my uncle would pay us the part that should be when we come of age, only on the condition <...> If we are respectful to him...”
The outrageous nature of the Dikiy is also manifested in relation to workers who are constantly left without wages or wait for a long time for it.
It also happens that a merchant realizes that his anger and tyranny are evil, but he cannot pacify his temper. He tearfully asks for forgiveness from his family, but after some time everything repeats itself again.
Speech characteristics of the Wild.
“The Thunderstorm” was published in 1859. Its historicism lies in the conflict itself, the irreconcilable contradictions reflected in the play. In “The Thunderstorm” there is no idealization of the merchants, there is only sharp satire, which indicates that Ostrovsky has largely overcome his Slavophile views. He expresses himself sincerely. Tries to teach others, while showing the conservative worldview at its worst. One of the most prominent representatives of the outgoing class of merchants is Dikoy.
It seems to him that if he recognizes over himself the laws of common sense, common to all people, then his importance will greatly suffer from this, although Dikoy realizes that he is absurd. In a conversation with Kuligin, he refuses to give money for “thunderous taps”, while calling him a “robber”, “a fake little man”.
For others you are an honest person, but I
I think you are a robber... What a fake
little man...
Dika’s entire conversation emphasizes her importance, her independence from anyone, and especially from Kuligin.
I'll give you a report or something! Me and
I don’t give an account to anyone more important than you.
Although Kuligin says that “the expense is empty,” Dikoy still stands his ground, denying even the possibility of fulfilling the request. Although quite recently he went to Kabanikha and told her about his unrighteous deeds.
I was fasting about a great fast, and then
Not easy and slip the peasant: for
He came with money and carried firewood... He did sin:
scolded...
Dikoy differs from other characters in the drama with his uncontrollable character, but when he calms down, he is ready to admit that he is wrong.
Truly I tell you, I bowed at the man’s feet.
Dikoi and Kabanikha are very similar. Only one can admit that he is wrong, citing his good “heart,” while the other is sure that she is always right. The merchants as a whole completely deny progress. New states can be built in the world, new lands can open up, the face of the planet can change, and in the city of Kalinov on the Volga River, time will flow slowly and measuredly, as if it never happened. All news reaches them very late, and even then very distorted. In unknown countries, people walk around with “dog heads.” The merchants have achieved a lot: they are rich, they have privileges, they are dependent peasants. Because of this, they do not want to move into the new era, for fear of being left out. That's why they wanted to push it back at least a few years. At the same time, understanding that progress is inevitable, it is always present in human society.
Nuances of the image
The characterization of the Wild One from the play “The Thunderstorm” is completely negative: he is ignorant and rude. There is no event in the work that would characterize it on a positive side. To briefly describe it, the image consists of the following characteristics:
- Doesn't hesitate. Savel Prokofievich is satisfied with his fate and life. He lives for his own pleasure and often does not notice the influence he has on others.
- Doesn't strive for anything. A merchant can be called a consumer. He is only interested in money and ways to save it.
- Doesn't think about what he did. Dikoy often does bad things. But he is never entertained by the thought that his actions are harmful to anyone.
- Very self-confident.
- Ignorant and stupid. Even if a person appears who tries to correct the character or guide him on the right path, Savel only begins to swear and scold.
Only rudeness can fully portray his character. He often does not think about what he says, uses rude and abusive words in communication, which offends others. The only way of communication available to him is insults and humiliation. His stupidity and lack of any manners shows in his aggression.
Savel Dikiy is not interested in anything. Knowledge of politics or science is a waste of time for him. However, he is devoted to signs and prejudices and is very afraid of them. An example is the scene where Kulagin comes to the merchant and asks for help with the construction of a lightning rod. To which he, of course, receives a refusal. Since Savel believes that a thunderstorm is a sign from God, and there is no point in fighting it.
What he really loves is money. When they get to him, Savel will do everything not to part with them. Most often, he saves on peasants who have not been able to receive their wages for a long time.
The interaction of the merchant with people in the lower social stratum is characterized by the following quotes from the play:
- “...He has such an establishment. With us, no one dares say a word about salary, he’ll scold you for what it’s worth...”
- “...And most of all because of the money; not a single calculation is complete without swearing..."
Reflex Rage
Manipulating a person through fear is his comfortable state, which he is embarrassed to say openly. (Out loud he says: “My heart is like that!”) The image of the Wild One from the play “The Thunderstorm” is a dangerous type of person who receives material gain while being in an inadequate state, bordering on schizophrenia.
It is in a state of consciousness altered by rage that he creates things that he often cannot explain later. Let us at least remember his story to his godfather Marfa Kabanova about the unfortunate little peasant petitioner who was almost “knocked to death.”
The episode when Dikaya talks about her uncontrollable rage in Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm” attracts attention. The characterization he gave of himself is disingenuous. Everything is understandable: his fits of rage are initially selfish, they bring him money. After all, when he underpays hired people for work with a humiliating cry, then the principle works in his favor: “money saved is money earned!” Daily attacks guarantee daily extra profits.
Merchant family
Very little is mentioned in the play about the Wild's relatives. However, even a small mention is enough for the reader to understand that the wife and daughters are experiencing genuine fear. Quotes from the work describe the merchant’s family as follows:
- Wife. Her morning begins with Dikiy’s wife asking everyone not to bother her husband. Otherwise, one cannot do without swearing and quarrels from which the family suffers.
- 2 minor daughters. Ostrovsky practically does not remember them during the course of the plot. Occasionally you can find references to the pity of others for them. Mostly, residents complain about their age, which prevents girls from finding a worthy spouse and escaping from their ignorant father.
- Nephew Boris. He came to Kalinov to receive the inheritance that he received from his deceased grandmother. However, the merchant does not seek to quickly pay his relative.
Savel Dikoy is a significant and high-ranking person in the city. He has quite a lot of savings due to which most of the residents depend on him. This concerns not only peasants, but also most of the townspeople. Thanks to tangible power and impunity, the merchant pursues a cruel and rude policy. Everyone is subject to his aggression. But as soon as someone who does not fall under the influence of the Wild appears in the city, it is the family that suffers from the merchant’s aggression. After meeting such people, he returns home, where he lashes out at his household, making them fear him.
Specifics of the image of the merchant Wild
The image of the Wild One in the play “The Thunderstorm” is typical of Russian society. This is a man who “made” a huge fortune, rising from the very bottom. The author does not give us a direct comment on this matter, but a thoughtful reader will discover this. According to the psychotype of a merchant. Let us explain our version. There was once a proverb among the people: “There is no worse lord for his Ivan.” The image of the Wild One in the play “The Thunderstorm” is a clear illustration of the validity of this idea. Savel Prokofievich, even having become the main tycoon of the city of Kalinov, cannot stop in his inertia of a kind of cyborg to make money by any means.
Relationships with actors
There are several main characters in the work of Alexander Ostrovsky. With each of them, the Wild One develops different relationships, which are based on the wealth and social status of the characters. There are several main characters in the play: Kabanikha and her family, Dikiy’s relatives, Kuligin and Feklusha.
Kabanikha family
Kabanova Marfa Ignatievna or, as she is called in the play, Kabanikha. Their images of the merchant are quite similar. She is the head of her family, has a despotic character, and puts pressure on everyone. The characters of both are so similar that they have an excellent relationship. Savel Prokofievich even believes that only the merchant’s wife understands him.
Katerina. The young wife of Kabanikha's son. She is smart, gentle and quite developed, but she also tends to make mistakes. The girl falls in love with Boris, Dikiy’s nephew, which caused discontent among society. She gives in to passion, which leads to betrayal, which she cannot hide from her husband. As a result, Katerina throws herself into the pool. At first, there is a neutral relationship between the characters. But after Katerina went against the grain and fell in love with the wrong person, Savel begins to despise her.
Tikhon Ivanovich Kabanov. He can be called a weak and weak-willed little man who obeys his mother Kabanikha in everything. Because of this, his attitude towards his wife is often unfair. But Dikoy treats him like a son, trying to convey to him his qualities - ignorance and stupidity. Savel is delighted when he sees that Tikhon is following Kabanikha's instructions . Occasionally, a young guy makes attempts to escape from the tyranny of his mother, but they end in failure.
Other characters
Nephew Boris Grigorievich. He is a kind and shrewd young man, but his lack of experience prevents him from making strong-willed decisions. There is an obstacle between relatives - an inheritance, which the merchant does not want to part with, so their communication and relationships mainly consist of swearing and swearing.
Kuligin. A sincere and original person, a tradesman. He develops in various directions, due to which his behavior and attitude towards others is based on common sense. Dikoy is afraid of the tradesman. The merchant feels Kuligin's superiority, so he cannot swear or scold him like he does with the others. The tradesman is characterized by verbosity, which prevents Savel from expressing his opinion.
Feklusha. A wanderer without education, but all her actions only benefit Kabanikha and Wild. She tries to convince everyone that if any of the city residents leave from under the wing of Kabanikha and Savel or move from Kalinov, a wrong life awaits them. According to her, happiness can only be found in this town. Her false speeches are significant to the merchants, so they treat her favorably.
Why is the image of the Wild One presented sporadically?
A man terrorizing the city... The image of the Wild One in Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm” is deliberately revealed by Ostrovsky in a non-systematic manner. During the course of the action, he appears only three times before the viewer of the play. And this is understandable. It is quite risky even for a classic to denounce his contemporaries - the powers that be.
What traits, not revealed by the author, may be inherent in Savel Prokofich? Most adult readers can easily imagine such a characteristic themselves. Let us provide only two key thoughts to this argument. Is it typical for modern people in power to have the psychotype of the chief merchant of the city of Kalinov? Does the average modern citizen have real rights in court?...
The role of Savel Prokofievich
Dikoy considers himself the master of the entire city. Reading about how the merchant communicates with the peasants and how they speak about him, one can notice boundless rudeness and rudeness. But they end when Savel meets someone who can fight back. This is a direct indication of the cowardice of the hero, who cannot say a word against the one who has more money.
The play was written at a time when rich and ignorant tyrants had dominance over everyone. Money elevated such people to a special class that believed that everything was accessible and permitted to them. Such types have always been ridiculed by talented authors of Russian literature. In comparison with rich individuals, ordinary peasants were always used, who, despite the lack of money, were considered more developed and intelligent people.
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