Persons
Savel Prokofievich Dikoy , merchant, significant person in the city.
Boris Grigorievich, his nephew
Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova (Kabanikha) , rich merchant's wife, widow.
Tikhon Ivanovich Kabanov, her son.
Katerina, his wife.
Varvara, Tikhon's sister.
Kuligin, tradesman, self-taught watchmaker, looking for perpetuum mobile.
Vanya Kudryash, a young man, Dikiy'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.
All the faces, except Boris, are dressed in Russian. (Note by A.N. Ostrovsky.)
The action takes place in the city of Kalinov, on the banks of the Volga, in the summer. 10 days pass between actions 3 and 4.
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 Kudryash and Shapkin are walking
Kuligin ( singing). “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 . Nice!
Kuligin . Delight! And you are “something”! 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 ( points 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, 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. 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?
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 ( to Curly). Let's move to the side: he'll probably get attached again.
They are leaving.
Second phenomenon
The same . Dikoy and Boris .
Wild . Did you come here to beat up, or what? 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!
Dikoy (looking at Boris). Fail! I don’t even want to talk to you, the Jesuit. (Leaving.) I imposed myself! (Spits and leaves.)
Summary of the play “The Thunderstorm” by Ostrovsky
First action
I phenomenon
Local residents are talking in a garden on the banks of the Volga. Inventor Kuligin admires the view of the embankment and the river. Nearby, Savel Dikoy scolds his nephew.
Kudryash, the merchant's employee, assures that he could calm his boss by lying in wait and beating him quietly, but he needs guys as strong as him. Curly is reminded that Dikoy can send him to the army.
II phenomenon
Dikoy yells at his nephew for catching his eye and not being busy with anything at all. Boris explains that there is nothing to do now because of the holiday. The merchant leaves, spitting.
III phenomenon
Kuligin asks why the young man tolerates such treatment. It turned out that after the death of their parents and grandmother, all the money of Boris and his sister remained with their uncle. Upon reaching adulthood, the merchant must give money to the orphans - subject to respectful attitude towards him. But no one can please him, everyone is afraid of him, so the orphan may not receive money.
Kuligin feels sorry for the young man:
“Cruel morals, sir, in our city! In the philistinism you will see nothing but rudeness and stark poverty. And whoever has money, sir, tries to enslave the poor so that he can make even more money from his free labors.”
The praying mantis Feklusha walks by and praises the merchant Kabanova for her generosity. Kuligin explains that Kabanikha has completely bullied her family, and in public she wants to appear good.
Boris asks Kuligin not to give up the search for a “perpetual motion machine.”
IV phenomenon
Boris, alone, scolds himself for having tender feelings for a stranger whom he has seen several times. And now he watches from afar as she and her family return from a church service. The subject of his interest is Katya, Kabanova’s daughter-in-law.
V phenomenon
The Kabanovs return home. The merchant's wife scolds her son for his love for his wife, which manifests itself more than love for his mother. She also complains that the wife does not respect her husband because she is not afraid of him.
Katerina also gets it for taking the child away from her mother. Kabanova assures that she scolds her family with the best intentions. She believes that they speak badly of her behind her back and generally wait for her to die in order to live her life. The son, daughter and daughter-in-law are trying to convince Kabanova that they respect her. The merchant's wife goes home, Tikhon and his wife and Varya stay for a walk.
VI phenomenon
Tikhon is ashamed of Katya: it is because of her that her mother is swearing and angry. Varya stands up for Katya. Varvara understands that her brother is drawn to drink, and tells him not to stay long at a party, so that his mother does not scold them. Tikhon leaves, promising to return quickly.
VII phenomenon
Katerina gratefully kisses and hugs Varya for treating her with pity and understanding. She tells what she was like before and how she withered away in the Kabanovs’ house. She wants to leave this place:
“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 I would run up, raise my hands and fly.”
The girls are opening up. Katerina repents that she has sinful thoughts. She fell in love with one person, and she knows that she will pay for it with her life. Varya advises Katya not to suffer, but to arrange a date when Tikhon leaves on business. It turns out that Varya noticed long ago that Katya was suffering in this marriage.
VIII phenomenon
A strange woman passes by the girls. She predicts death and hellish torment for girls for their beauty and love desires. Katya is horrified by what was said.
IX phenomenon
Varya calms Katya down. It turns out that this crazy old woman is scaring everyone with punishment in hell.
A thunderstorm is approaching, and Katerina is in a hurry to be home quickly, even without her husband. She is afraid to die from a thunderstorm and not have time to pray away her sinful thoughts. Varya consoles frightened Katya. A tipsy Tikhon returns, and everyone runs home.
Second act
I phenomenon
The wanderer Feklusha asks the maid Glasha about the Kabanovs: how long will Tikhon’s trip last, will the wife howl (cry) from parting with her husband.
The praying mantis tells Glasha about states with unrighteous laws and terrible rulers who are far from Orthodox. He also claims that there are lands where people were punished for infidelity with dog heads.
Feklusha goes for alms, Varya and Katya enter.
II phenomenon
The girls are talking about Katya's marriage. Varya assures that someday Katerina’s heart will calm down. The perspicacious Varya sees that Katya does not feel love for her husband, she only regrets. She has long known that Katya likes Boris Grigorievich, Dikiy’s nephew. The girl offers to live for your own pleasure and love whoever you want.
Varya invites Katerina to spend the night in the garden gazebo, since she is scared alone.
Kabanova gives instructions to her son before a long trip.
III phenomenon
Tikhon and mother-in-law come to see the girls. Kabanova demands that Tikhon give instructions to his wife on how to behave while he is away. Tikhon refuses, but his mother forces him to repeat the decrees after her. Katerina is told to work, honor her mother and not pay attention to other men.
IV phenomenon
The husband and wife are left alone. Tikhon apologizes for his mother’s behavior and asks her to ignore her abuse.
Katerina begs to take her with you or not to leave - this way she will be protected from sin. But Tikhon wants to break away from his mother’s skirt because he is tired of scolding and control.
Katerina is ready to make some terrible promise to her husband, but Tikhon does not need this. The farewell is over, the woman is in despair.
V phenomenon
The mother-in-law, the maid and Varvara enter. Everyone is forgiven according to customs under the supervision of Kabanova. Tikhon bows at the feet of his mother, the wife bows to her husband.
VI phenomenon
Kabanova grumbles that young people do not follow the rules, have not learned to do anything on their own, which means they must listen to the old people.
VII phenomenon
The mother-in-law reprimands Katerina for not crying or grieving after seeing her husband off - at least for show. Katerina doesn’t want to feign grief. Varya asks to go for a walk, her mother kindly lets her go.
VIII phenomenon
Katya thinks about her life path. She would like children, but she doesn’t have any yet. The girl thinks: she should have died while she was a child.
Katya wants to keep herself busy with work while her husband travels on business.
IX phenomenon
Varvara gives Katerina the key to the garden gate stolen from Kabanova. Katya wants to throw it away; she has a presentiment of sin.
X phenomenon
Katya is tormented by conflicting thoughts. She is afraid of sin, but she also wants to live for herself, in joy, and not in melancholy and bondage. She decides to see Boris Grigorievich.
Third act
Scene one
I phenomenon
Sitting near the house, Kabanova talks with Feklusha about the vanity of the world and the transience of time, because of which people have become sad and thin. The praying mantis talks about a frightening innovation - cars that people drive in Moscow. Women come to the conclusion that harsh, sinful times have come.
II phenomenon
Dikoy walks by. He drank a little because his mood had worsened, because they had again turned to him for financial help. Dikoy asks Kabanova to calm his irritation and calm him down. The merchant's wife believes that Savel Prokofievich's temper is to blame. Kabanova invites Dikiy to a late dinner. The merchant's nephew is approaching the house - he was sent to find out where his uncle is.
III phenomenon
Having found out that Dikoy is visiting a neighbor, Boris is about to leave. The young man is sad that he can only see Katerina in church.
Kuligin passing by calls him to the boulevard for a walk.
He again complains about the order in the families of the wealthy classes:
“They don’t lock themselves away from thieves, but so that people don’t see them eating their own family and tyrannizing their family. And what tears flow behind these constipations, invisible and inaudible! And behind these castles there is dark debauchery and drunkenness! And everything is sewn and covered - no one sees or knows anything, only God sees.”
Suddenly Boris is beckoned to Varvara’s house.
IV phenomenon
Varya explains to Boris where he will need to go at night. The young man guesses that there he will finally see his beloved.
Scene two
I phenomenon
Kudryash is waiting for his love, Varvara Kabanova, at the appointed place. He sings a song with a guitar about a Cossack who decides how to punish his wife.
II phenomenon
Boris discovers Kudryash in the indicated place. He makes it clear that he will not tolerate competitors and will not allow the girl to be taken away from him. But Boris explains that he is in love with another woman - Tikhon’s wife. Kudryash gives advice to forget this love or to be extremely careful, because feelings for a married woman are condemned by society. Kudryash explains: since the girl invited him herself, it means she likes Boris.
III phenomenon
Varvara takes Kudryash for a walk. Boris is happy, anticipating the date. An embarrassed Katerina comes out, Boris almost immediately tells her about love. Katerina tries to maintain prudence and drive Boris away, but it’s hard for her to resist her feelings. The woman decides: come what may, she is ready to sin out of love and stand before the judgment of people. Katya reveals that she fell in love a long time ago, from the first minute.
IV phenomenon
Varya and her boyfriend return, now the other couple goes for a walk. Kudryash praises Varya for her cleverly arranged date. The girl explains that you have to be careful with such a mother. But she knows well that Kabanov will not be enough. Around one o'clock in the morning it is time to say goodbye.
V phenomenon
Boris has difficulty parting with Katya until tomorrow. They promise to share what each of them dreams about. Kudryash and Varya hum along with the guitar.
Act Four
I phenomenon
Ten days later, people walk along the boulevard in honor of the holiday. A thunderstorm begins, so everyone gathers under the roof of an old building. An ancient painting has been preserved on the walls; it shows sinners being sent to hell. Residents discuss the painting. Savel Prokofievich and Kuligin enter.
II phenomenon
The inventor asks the merchant for money for the benefit of the townspeople. He wants to make a big clock on the alley, and also install lightning rods, because thunderstorm activity worries people. Dikoy curses science and Kuligin, calling him a thief, a fake, a swindler.
Kuligin retreats and confidently declares: when he becomes a millionaire, Dikoy will treat him differently. The rain subsides for a while, and the residents disperse.
II phenomenon
The inventor asks the merchant for money for the benefit of the townspeople. He wants to make a big clock on the alley, and also install lightning rods, because thunderstorm activity worries people. Dikoy curses science and Kuligin, calling him a thief, a fake, a swindler.
Kuligin retreats and confidently declares: when he becomes a millionaire, Dikoy will treat him differently. The rain subsides for a while, and the residents disperse.
III phenomenon
Varvara enters the same building, and then Boris Grigorievich. Varya reports: Tikhon unexpectedly returned from a trip, and Katya immediately lost heart. She is pale and sad, behaves incomprehensibly, does not look at her husband, and arouses the suspicion of her mother-in-law. Varvara is afraid that Katerina will not dare to talk about the betrayal. Boris hopes that this will pass and everything will end well.
IV phenomenon
In the same building, the Kabanov family is in a hurry to take shelter from the thunderstorm. Katerina’s fear of the elements is superimposed on her feeling of guilt for betrayal; she is doubly afraid. Tikhon laughs at his wife’s fears, only Varvara understands how bad the girl is.
Boris approaching increases Katerina’s despair, she cries bitterly.
Kuligin convinces us that we need to be afraid of people’s morals, and not of natural phenomena.
V phenomenon
Katya hears rumors that a thunderstorm will cause someone's death.
The woman perceives this as a prophecy and asks for prayers for her soul.
VI phenomenon
The lady who frightened Katerina last time enters, promising her torment in hell. Katya hides, but the old woman directly tells her that she will die. Unable to withstand the pressure, the woman confesses to her family that she is infatuated with Boris Grigorievich and faints. Kabanova slanderes and scolds her daughter-in-law.
Fifth act
I phenomenon
Tikhon returns home and meets Kuligin. They discuss his wife’s actions and the complete discord in the family. Tikhon feels sorry for Katerina because he loves her, but her mother demands that she be “buried alive in the ground so that she can be executed.” Tikhon is so tired that he is ready to drink his mind away: “let my mother then babysit me like I’m a fool.”
Kabanov reports: Varvara ran away from her mother with her boyfriend, Boris is sent to Siberia to work.
Glasha comes and reports disturbing news: Katerina has left the house, she has been gone for a long time. Tikhon goes in search.
II phenomenon
Katerina walks the streets in lonely despair. She would like to see her beloved, but this seems impossible. The woman feels that it is easier for her to die than to endure condemnation and pangs of conscience. She is sorry that this story will ruin Boris's future. Katya loudly calls for her lover, and suddenly he appears.
III phenomenon
The lovers are glad that they had a chance to see each other before parting forever. The girl asks Boris for forgiveness, but he does not blame her. It’s hard for him to leave his beloved, but there is no way to take her with him. Both are crying and trying to tell each other the most important things. It's time for Boris to leave, and with a heavy heart he leaves Katya, realizing that it is better for her to die than to return home.
IV phenomenon
Katerina imagines that she will have to go home and endure her mother-in-law’s bullying and her husband’s drunkenness. She decides that it is better to die, and the grave -
this is peace and relief from torment. Katerina goes to the Volga.
V phenomenon
On the embankment are the mother and son Kabanovs, Kuligin and the people. They are discussing that a fugitive has been seen somewhere here. Tikhon is scared and crying, and his mother scolds him for showing feelings for his wife.
Kuligin sees the body of a woman in the water and calls people for help.
VI phenomenon
Tikhon feels that this is his wife, but his mother does not even let him look, she threatens that she will curse her son. Even at such a moment, Kabanova continues to slander her.
Residents take out the drowned woman and bring her to the shore. She's just like alive.
VII phenomenon
Kuligin leaves the body of the unfortunate woman to Kabanov. He sympathizes with her: “Here is your Katerina. Do whatever 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!”
Kabanov rushes to his wife’s body, cries, and blames his mother for her death. Kabanova does not regret what happened: she will organize lynching at home.
Tikhon bitterly addresses his dead wife: “Good for you, Katya! Why did I stay in the world and suffer!”
