Time and place of the plot
The play immerses us in the realities of the Russian province on the eve of the great reforms of Alexander II. The events take place in the late 50s of the 19th century on the banks of the Volga. The scene of the action was the provincial merchant town of Kalinov - a fictional settlement. The characteristic features of the Central Russian province of that period were expressed. Several Volga region cities, including Kostroma, lay claim to the role of Kalinov’s geographical prototype.
It is noteworthy that the real story of the Kostroma bourgeois Alexandra Klykova is intertwined with the content of the play “The Thunderstorm”. True, it happened almost immediately after the playwright finished his work, and therefore could not be the primary source.
This “coincidence” only means that Alexander Nikolaevich surprisingly accurately felt the atmosphere of the era and area that he depicted. He created a plot that could well have taken place in reality; the widely publicized “Klykovo Affair” is proof of this. But in the depths of the Russian outback there lived many women whose fate turned out to be similar to the story of Katerina. What is this story about? Let's move on to a brief summary of the contents of the work.
Summary
Action 1
Kudryash and Kuligin talk about the beauty of nature, but their opinions are different. For Kudryash, landscapes are nothing, but Kuligin is delighted by them. From afar, the men see Boris and Dikiy, who is actively waving his arms. They begin to gossip about Savl Prokofievich. Dikoy approaches them. He is unhappy with the appearance of his nephew, Boris, in the city and does not want to talk to him. From Boris’s conversation with Savl Prokofievich, it becomes clear that besides Dikiy, Boris and his sister have no other relatives left.
In order to receive an inheritance after the death of his grandmother, Boris is forced to establish good relations with his uncle, but he does not want to give the money that Boris’s grandmother bequeathed to her grandson.
Boris, Kudryash and Kuligin discuss the difficult character of Dikiy. Boris admits that it is difficult for him to be in the city of Kalinovo, because he does not know the local customs. Kuligin believes that it is impossible to earn money here by honest work. But if Kuligin had money, the man would spend it for the benefit of humanity by collecting a perpeta mobile. Feklusha appears, praising the merchants and life in general, saying: “We live in the promised land...”.
Boris feels sorry for Kuligin; he understands that the inventor’s dreams of creating mechanisms useful to society will forever remain just dreams. Boris himself does not want to waste his youth in this outback: “driven, downtrodden, and even foolishly decided to fall in love...” with someone with whom he was unable to even talk. This girl turns out to be Katerina Kabanova.
On stage are Kabanova, Kabanov, Katerina and Varvara.
Kabanov speaks to his mother. This dialogue is shown as a typical conversation in this family. Tikhon is tired of his mother’s moralizing, but he still fawns over her. Kabanikha asks his son to admit that his wife has become more important to him than his mother, as if Tikhon will soon stop respecting his mother altogether. Katerina, present at the same time, denies the words of Marfa Ignatievna. Kabanova begins to slander herself with redoubled force so that those around her will convince her otherwise. Kabanova calls herself an obstacle to married life, but there is no sincerity in her words. Within a moment, she takes control of the situation, accusing her son of being too soft: “Look at you! Will your wife be afraid of you after this?”
This phrase shows not only her imperious character, but also her attitude towards her daughter-in-law and family life in general.
Kabanov admits that he has no will of his own. Marfa Ignatievna leaves. Tikhon complains about life, blaming his oppressive mother for everything. Varvara, his sister, replies that Tikhon himself is responsible for his life. After these words, Kabanov goes to have a drink with Dikiy.
Katerina and Varvara have a heart-to-heart talk. “Sometimes it seems to me that I am a bird,” is how Katya characterizes herself. She completely withered in this society. This can be seen especially well against the background of her life before marriage. Katerina spent a lot of time with her mother, helped her, went for walks: “I lived, didn’t worry about anything, like a bird in the wild.” Katerina feels death approaching; admits that she no longer loves her husband. Varvara is concerned about Katya’s condition, and in order to improve her mood, Varvara decides to arrange a meeting for Katerina with another person.
The Lady appears on the stage, she points to the Volga: “This is where beauty leads. Into the deep end." Her words will turn out to be prophetic, although no one in the city believes her predictions. Katerina was frightened by the words spoken by the old woman, but Varvara was skeptical about them, since the Lady sees death in everything.
Kabanov returns. At that time, married women were not allowed to walk around alone, so Katya had to wait for him to go home.
Act 2
Varvara sees the reason for Katerina’s suffering in the fact that Katya’s heart “hasn’t gone away yet,” because the girl was married off early. Katerina feels sorry for Tikhon, but she has no other feelings for him. Varvara noticed this a long time ago, but asks to hide the truth, because lies are the basis of the existence of the Kabanov family. Katerina is not used to living dishonestly, so she says that she will leave Kabanov if she can no longer be with him.
Kabanov urgently needs to leave for two weeks. The carriage is already ready, things are collected, all that remains is to say goodbye to your family. Tikhon orders Katerina to obey her mother, repeating Kabanikha’s phrases: “tell her not to be rude to her mother-in-law... so that her mother-in-law respects her as her own mother,... so she doesn’t sit idly by,... so she doesn’t look at young guys!” This scene was humiliating for both Tikhon and his wife. Words about other men confuse Katya. She asks her husband to stay or take her with him. Kabanov refuses his wife and is embarrassed by his mother’s phrase about other men and Katerina. The girl senses impending disaster.
Tikhon, saying goodbye, bows at his mother’s feet, fulfilling her will. Kabanikha doesn’t like that Katerina said goodbye to her husband with a hug, because the man is the head of the family, and she has become an equal with him. The girl has to bow at Tikhon’s feet.
Marfa Ignatievna says that the current generation does not know the rules at all. Kabanikha is unhappy that Katerina does not cry after her husband leaves. It’s good when there are elders in the house: they can teach. She hopes not to live to see the time when all the old people die: “I don’t know where the light will stand…”
Katya is left alone. She likes the silence, but at the same time it scares her. Silence for Katerina becomes not rest, but boredom. Katya regrets that she doesn’t have children, because she could be a good mother. Katerina is thinking about flying and freedom again. The girl imagines how her life could turn out: “I will start some work as promised; I’ll go to the guest house, buy some canvas, and sew linen, and then give it to the poor. They will pray to God for me.” Varvara goes for a walk, saying that she has changed the lock on the gate in the garden. With the help of this little trick, Varvara wants to arrange a meeting with Boris for Katerina. Katerina blames Kabanikha for her misfortunes, but nevertheless does not want to succumb to the “sinful temptation” and secretly meet with Boris. She does not want to be led by her feelings and violate the sacred bonds of marriage.
Boris himself also does not want to go against the rules of morality, he is not sure that Katya has similar feelings for him, but still wants to see the girl again.
Act 3
Feklusha and Glasha talk about moral principles. They are glad that Kabanikha’s house is the last “paradise” on earth, because the rest of the city’s residents have a real “sodom”. They also talk about Moscow. From the point of view of provincial women, Moscow is too fussy a city. Everything and everyone there seems to be in a fog, which is why they walk around tired, and there is sadness in their faces.
A drunk Dikoy comes in. He asks Marfa Ignatievna to talk to him to ease his soul. He is unhappy that everyone is constantly asking him for money. Dikiy is especially annoyed by his nephew. At this time, Boris passes near the Kabanovs’ house, looking for his uncle. Boris regrets that, being so close to Katerina, he cannot see her. Kuligin invites Boris for a walk. Young people are talking about rich and poor. From Kuligin’s point of view, the rich close themselves in their homes so that others do not see their violence against relatives.
They see Varvara kissing Curly. She also informs Boris about the place and time of the upcoming meeting with Katya.
At night, in a ravine under the Kabanovs’ garden, Kudryash sings a song about a Cossack. Boris tells him about his feelings for a married girl, Ekaterina Kabanova. Varvara and Kudryash go to the bank of the Volga, leaving Boris to wait for Katya.
Katerina is frightened by what is happening, the girl drives Boris away, but he calms her down. Katerina is terribly nervous and admits that she doesn’t have her own will, because “now Boris’s will is over her.” In a fit of emotion, she hugs the young man: “If I was not afraid of sin for you, will I be afraid of human judgment?” The young people confess their love to each other.
The hour of parting is near, as Kabanikha may wake up soon. The lovers agree to meet the next day. Unexpectedly, Kabanov returns.
Act 4
(events take place 10 days after the third act)
City residents walk along the gallery overlooking the Volga. It is clear that a thunderstorm is approaching. On the walls of the destroyed gallery one can discern the outlines of a painting of fiery Gehenna and an image of the battle of Lithuania. Kuligin and Dikoy are talking in raised voices. Kuligin enthusiastically talks about a good cause for everyone and asks Savl Prokofievich to help him. Dikoy refuses quite rudely: “So know that you are a worm. If I want, I’ll have mercy, if I want, I’ll crush.” He does not understand the value of Kuligin’s invention, namely a lightning rod with which it will be possible to generate electricity. Everyone leaves, the stage is empty. The sound of thunder is heard again.
Katerina increasingly has a presentiment that she will soon die. Kabanov, noticing his wife’s strange behavior, asks her to repent of all her sins, but Varvara quickly ends this conversation. Boris comes out of the crowd and greets Tikhon. Katerina turns even more pale. Kabanikha may suspect something, so Varvara signals Boris to leave.
Kuligin calls not to be afraid of the elements, because it is not she who kills, but grace. Nevertheless, residents continue to discuss the impending storm, which “will not go away in vain.” Katya tells her husband that a thunderstorm will kill her today. Neither Varvara nor Tikhon understand Katerina’s internal torment. Varvara advises to calm down and pray, and Tikhon suggests going home.
The Lady appears and turns to Katya with the words: “Where are you hiding, stupid? You can't escape God! ...it's better to be in the pool with beauty! Hurry up!” In a frenzy, Katerina confesses her sin to both her husband and mother-in-law. All those ten days when her husband was not at home, Katya secretly met with Boris.
Action 5
Kabanov and Kuligin discuss Katerina's confession. Tikhon again shifts part of the blame onto Kabanikha, who wants to bury Katya alive. Kabanov could forgive his wife, but he is afraid of his mother’s anger. The Kabanov family completely fell apart: even Varvara ran away with Kudryash.
Glasha reports Katerina missing. Everyone goes in search of the girl.
Katerina is alone on stage. She thinks that she has ruined both herself and Boris. Katya sees no reason to live on, asks for forgiveness and calls her lover. Boris came to the girl’s call, he was gentle and affectionate with her. But Boris needs to go to Siberia, and he cannot take Katya with him. The girl asks him to give alms to those in need and pray for her soul, convincing him that she is not planning anything bad. After saying goodbye to Boris, Katerina throws herself into the river.
People are shouting that some girl has thrown herself from the shore into the water. Kabanov realizes that it was his wife, so he wants to jump after her. Kabanikha stops her son. Kuligin brings Katerina's body. She is as beautiful as she was in life, only a small drop of blood appeared on her temple. “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!”
The play ends with Tikhon’s words: “Good for you, Katya! But for some reason I remained to live in the world and suffer!”
Retelling very briefly
The play “The Thunderstorm” is a work about failed love; in fact, it is a family story, presented by the author’s talent as a socio-psychological drama. The main character of the play, Katerina, lives in a family with her mother-in-law and her unloved husband. Her mother-in-law, nicknamed Kabanikha, constantly pushes her around, trying to maintain the old regime in the family, which neither her son, nor her daughter, nor her daughter-in-law like, but they do not dare to object to them. Katerina falls in love with Boris, the nephew of the merchant Savel Prokopievich Dikiy.
When the husband of the main Katerina Tikhon leaves for the capital for a while, the lovers begin to meet secretly. The heroine is happy with Boris, but she is happy only for the short time while her husband is absent. Love becomes so strong that a woman cannot hide it. She confesses to her husband, and both her mother-in-law and Boris’s uncle find out about it. Dikoy sends his nephew away from home - to Siberia. The story ends tragically - Katerina throws herself into the Volga from a cliff.
Main characters
Katerina is a young girl, the wife of Tikhon Kabanov. Modest, pure, correct. She acutely feels the injustice of the world around her.
Boris , a young man, “decently educated,” came to visit his uncle, Savl Prokofievich Diky. In love with Katerina.
Kabanikha (Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova) is a rich merchant’s wife, a widow. A powerful and despotic woman, she subjugates people to her will.
Tikhon Kabanov is the son of Kabanikha and Katerina’s husband. He acts as his mother pleases and has no opinion of his own.
Images of the characters in the play and their brief descriptions
The action takes place in a merchant and bourgeois environment. There are twelve characters in the play in total, and the author intended several “extras” in the scenes on the street and on the banks of the Volga. There are six main characters - these are members of the Kabanova and Dikiy families.
Main characters
Characteristics of Katerina
Dobrolyubov, characterizing Katerina, called her “a ray of light in a dark kingdom.” The Dark Kingdom is the old regime of a provincial town, which lives in boredom and gossip; Katerina’s freedom-loving character clearly did not fit in here.
Katerina
In accordance with the ideological concept of the play, Ostrovsky highlights in her those features that do not allow her to come to terms with the lies, cynicism and deception that reign in the environment of not only her family, but the entire city, and, by implication, the entire society of that time.
The author deliberately idealizes his heroine, giving her such traits as love of freedom, integrity, and sincerity. But Katerina’s religiosity and desire to act within the framework of Christian morality bring her nature into conflict with her feelings and thoughts. This will be the reason for the tragic ending.
Katerina becomes unbearable to live not only because of the condemnation of others; true love easily overcomes this condemnation, but because of internal doubts.
Katerina is capable of bold deeds and decisive actions. When she finds out that Boris is being sent from the city to Siberia, she is ready to go with him to be with her loved one.
Dobrolyubov, in his famous article “A Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom,” wrote that Katerina’s character “is selfless in the sense that death is better for him than life under those principles that are disgusting to him... In Katerina we see a protest against Kabanov’s concepts of morality, a protest , brought to the end, proclaimed... over the abyss into which the poor woman threw herself.”
The historical prototype that served as the basis for the collection of the image of Katerina is sometimes called actress Lyubov Kositskaya. She was one of the first to play this role on the theater stage.
Characteristics of Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova (Kabanikha)
Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova is a wealthy merchant’s wife, a widow living with two adult children. She is a domestic tyrant, it’s not for nothing that she was nicknamed Kabanikha. Marfa Ivanovna loves everything to be done according to her rules: everyone in the house must live according to the laws that she established in her family. Kabanikha’s despotism grows not only because of the waywardness of her character. Her views and actions are determined by the laws of Domostroy.
Kabanikha
At the same time, the family clearly lacks love, respect and trust for each other. When Tikhon is getting ready for a trip, he says: “for two weeks there will be no thunderstorm over me, there are no shackles on my legs.” He calls his mother Thunderstorm. If his own son speaks like that about his mother, then what is it like for Katerina?
Characteristics of Tikhon Ivanovich Kabanov
Tikhon
Tikhon is the son of Kabanikha, a rich merchant's wife. He has a sister and a wife. He is a timid, insecure person, accustomed to living according to his mother's orders. When he marries, he cannot take the side of his wife and protect her from her mother, because he himself is afraid of her.
Other characters in the play describe Tikhon as a stupid person, for example: “It’s time for you, sir, to live by your own mind.” Discussing Katerina’s actions, Kudryash says: “Even though her husband is a fool, her mother-in-law is painfully fierce.”
Tikhon is a contradictory image. He is kind, but spineless; he feels sorry for his wife Katerina, but cannot stand up for her. Like a weak-willed person, when he leaves the city, away from his mother’s care, he starts drinking. In act five, in a conversation with Kulibin, he speaks about himself like this: “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 all the time...”
The author does not indicate the hero’s age, but no matter how old he is, he remains a “mama’s boy” and helpless in situations where he needs to make an independent decision, for example, to leave the house in which he is deeply unhappy. When his wife dies, he blames his mother for everything, without feeling any sin behind him.
Characteristics of Barbara
Varvara and Katerina
Varvara is Tikhon’s sister and daughter of Marfa Ignatievna. She, like Tikhon, became a “victim” of her mother’s cruel nature; she endures her reproaches and humiliation. But unlike Tikhon, she is cunning, has learned hypocrisy and resourcefulness, and does not indulge her mother.
A. N. Ostrovsky “Thunderstorm”. Main content. Text analysis. Literary criticism. Essays
Action 1
Public garden on the banks of the Volga.
Yavl. 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, 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.
Yavl. 2
Dikoy and Boris appear. Dikoy scolds Boris, he obediently listens, Dikoy leaves.
Yavl. 3
Boris tells those present 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 at the 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 will be 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. 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. Kuligin replies: “Cruel morals, sir, in our city... In the philistinism, sir, you will see nothing 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 those who have money, sir, try to enslave the poor so that he can make even more money from his free labors...” Kuligin recalls that Dikoy answered the mayor when he came to him based on complaints from workers that they were being paid incorrectly: “I won’t pay enough.” They only get a penny per person, but I get thousands out of this, so that’s good for me!”
Feklusha appears with another woman. Feklusha says that there is “splendor” all around, that “you live in the promised land,” and blesses the “pious people,” and especially the “house of the Kabanovs.” They leave.
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 he can get money for a model.
Yavl. 4
Boris (alone) says about Kuligin that he is a good person - “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.”
Yavl. 5
Katerina, Varvara, Tikhon and Kabanikha appear. The boar nags her son that his wife is dearer to him than his mother, that if you 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 a conversation, but Kabanikha interrupts her and complains to Tikhon that he does not keep his wife at bay. Tikhon replies: “Why should she be afraid? 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.
Yavl. 6
Tikhon reproaches Katerina that he always gets it from his mother because of her. Left without his mother’s supervision, Tikhon wants to go to Diky’s for a drink. Leaves.
Yavl. 7
Katerina and Varvara are left alone.
Katerina: “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 arms and fly...” Katerina recalls the time when she lived with her parents - she went to get water, watered flowers, then with “mama”, pilgrims and pilgrims went to church - “I loved going to church to death walk! As if I were going to enter heaven...” She had extraordinary dreams in which “invisible voices” sang, the smell of cypress, etc. Katerina tells Varvara that she feels as if she is standing in front of an abyss, sensing trouble. “If it were up to me, I would now ride along the Volga, on a boat, singing, or in a good three-wheeler...” She admits that she has sin on her mind. Varvara says that after Tikhon leaves, she will come up with something. Katerina shouts: “No! No!"
Yavl. 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.
Yavl. 9
Katerina is scared. Varvara calms her down, says that the lady “has sinned all her life from a young age... and that’s why she’s afraid to die.” Thunderstorm, it starts to rain. Katerina gets scared, she and Varvara run away.
Brief summary of the play in detail by actions
Action 1
The first scene begins with a dialogue between Kuligin and Kudryash. The conversation about nature, which the first admires, and the second expresses indifference to it, turns to a discussion of the personality of Savel Prokopievich, spotted in the distance. Here readers or viewers get to know Dikiy and learn the story of Boris. A noble merchant expresses dissatisfaction with the appearance of his nephew, for whom he remains the only relative. The grumpy tyrant is not eager to share with Boris the money bequeathed to him by his grandmother.
Boris complains about how hard it is for him in Kalinov, because he does not know the local orders and customs. Young people “wash” the bones of Uncle Dikiy. Kuligin talks about how difficult it is to get a fortune honestly and shares his plans and ideas aimed at the benefit of humanity. He finds understanding with Boris, who is sorry to “rot” in this outback in his young years. Boris talks about his love for Katerina.
In the second scene Kabanikha and Tikhon and Varvara and Katerina appear
The mother “scolds” her son, saying that “his wife has become dearer to him than his mother,” and he does not behave correctly with her. Would a wife be afraid and obey such a brat? Tikhon is tired of Kabanikha’s instructions, but he continues to listen to them. One feels that the hero is torn between his mother and wife.
Contents by chapter
The events of the drama take place in the mid-19th century, in the city of Kalinov. It is located next to the Volga River. The work is divided into several chapters.
The shortest retelling of actions:
- In Act 1, the city residents heard about the evil and greedy merchant Diky. He scolds his nephew Boris. The young man admits that he tolerates his uncle for the sake of his inheritance. Boris likes Katerina Kabanova, who married Tikhon. At this time, the merchant Kabanikha went for a walk with her daughter, son and daughter-in-law. She reproaches Tikhon for the fact that when he got married, his mother faded into the background. He calms his mother down, and she goes home, and Tikhon goes to visit Dikiy. When the girls are left alone, Katerina admits that she secretly loves another person and considers this a great sin.
- Tikhon is going to leave for the city for 15 days, and Katerina asks him to stay at home or take her with him. When they say goodbye, Tikhon leaves. Varvara is trying with all her might to help Katerina so that she can meet Boris. She contrives and steals the gate keys from her mother. Katerina was brought up in strictness and does not want to deceive her husband, but she has a great desire to meet Boris.
- The merchant Dikiy comes to visit Kabanikha. He wants to talk it out. The merchant admits that he feels sorry for giving money to employees, even when they earned it honestly. Boris secretly approaches Kabanikha's house to see Katerina. Varvara tells him that the girl is waiting for him near the ravine. When the young man arrives at the intended place, he sees Katerina. Young people confess to each other that they love each other.
- After 10 days, Varvara meets Boris and tells him that Tikhon returned home earlier. At this time, Kabanikha, Tikhon and Katerina are walking around the city and meet Boris. When a girl sees her lover, she begins to cry. Varvara hints to Boris that it is better for him to leave. People on the street warn that a strong thunderstorm will soon begin, which could lead to a fire. When Katerina hears these words, she tells her husband that today the thunderstorm will kill her. A woman passes nearby who calls the girl a sinner, and she admits that she went to Boris for 10 nights.
- Tikhon meets with Kulagin and talks about the news. Varvara runs away from home with Kudryash, Boris is sent to another city for 3 years. Kuligin advise Tikhon to forgive his wife, but the merchant’s wife is against it. The maid announces that Katerina has left home. The girl meets Boris on the street, who says goodbye to her and leaves for Siberia. Tikhon sees his wife in the river and wants to save her, but his mother forbids him to do so. Katerina's body is carried ashore, Tikhon blames his mother for the death of his wife.
This is a summary of the drama "The Thunderstorm" by action. But to fully understand the meaning of the play, it is worth reading it in full.
Criticism
The play was well received by critics and staged almost immediately after it was written, which indicated its topicality.
The “plot” of the Thunderstorm has an enduring relevance. More than a century and a half has passed, but the personal and social problems raised in the work have not been exhausted. The tyranny of the rich and mama's boys have not gone away even today.
“The Thunderstorm,” wrote Dobrolyubov, is without a doubt Ostrovsky’s most decisive work; the mutual relations of tyranny and voicelessness are brought in it to the most tragic consequences ... "
I. A. Goncharov characterized the play as follows: “In ... the drama, a broad picture of national life and customs has settled down, with unparalleled artistic completeness and fidelity. Every person in a drama is a typical character, snatched directly from the environment of folk life...”
