The thunderstorm is a retelling of actions. Features of compositional construction

The cross-cutting theme of Ostrovsky's dramaturgy is patriarchal life and its collapse, as well as personality changes in connection with this. Ostrovsky exposes and poetizes traditional way of life and in the tragedy “The Thunderstorm”, created in 1859. Here is a brief summary of the play THE THORMON based on the actions.

CHARACTERS :

• Savel Prokofievich Dikoy- merchant, significant person in the city.
• Boris Grigorievich- 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- Tikhon's sister.
• Kuligin- a tradesman, a self-taught watchmaker, looking for a perpetuum mobile.
• Vanya Kudryash- a young man, Dikov’s clerk.
• Shapkin- tradesman.
• Feklusha- wanderer.
• Glasha- a girl in Kabanova's house.
• Lady with two footmen- an old woman of seventy years old, half crazy.

Thunderstorm - summary.

ACT ONE.

The action takes place in the city of Kalinov, on the banks of the Volga, in the summer. Community garden on high bank, beyond the Volga, a rural view. Kuligin sits on a bench and looks across the river. Kudryash and Shapkin are walking.

Kuligin sings " In the middle of a flat valley, at a smooth height... ." Stops singing and admires the beauty of the Volga. Talking to Kudryash. Not far away, Dikoy scolds his nephew, waving his arms. Both characterize him negatively: a scolder who would cut a person off for nothing, Boris Grigorievich was his victim. They immediately talk about Kabanikha - that she does such things under the guise of piety, but Dikoy has broken loose and there is no one to calm him down. Kudryash expresses the idea that Diky needs to be taught a lesson: to talk in the alley face to face, so that he becomes silken. “No wonder he wanted to give you up as a soldier ", notes Shapkin.

“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... he’s the word, and I’m the ten; he will spit and go. No, I won’t slave to him,”

answers Kudryash. Kuligin notes that it’s better to endure it. Dikoy and Boris pass by, Kuligin takes off his hat. Shapkin says to Kudryash: “Let’s move to the side: he’ll probably get attached.” They are leaving. They pass by. Dikoy calls his nephew a parasite; this weekend he keeps getting under his feet. Dikoy leaves, Boris remains in place. Kuligin asks why Boris lives with his uncle and endures his abuse.

Boris says: his grandmother disliked his father because he married a noble woman, so they lived in Moscow. Then the grandmother died and left a will so that the uncle would pay his nephews their share only on the condition that they would be respectful to him. Kuligin notes that with such a condition, an inheritance will never be seen. Boris agrees, but he feels sorry for his sick sister who remains in Moscow. He does any work for his uncle, but he doesn’t know how much he will be paid. Dikoy finds fault with everyone, and when he is offended by a person to whom he does not dare answer, he takes it out on his family.

Several people from the evening service pass by. Kudryash and Shapkin bow and leave. Boris complains to Kuligin that he will never get used to local customs. Kuligin replies that he will never get used to it, the morals in the city are cruel, poverty and rudeness.

Feklusha and another woman enter. Feklusha tells the woman about the generosity of the merchants, especially Kabanova. Boris asks Kuligin about Kabanova and hears in response: “Prude, sir! He gives money to the poor, but completely eats up his family.” After a pause, Kuligin tells Boris that he wants to invent perpetual motion machine, sell it to the British, and use the money to give the philistines work.

Boris, left alone, reflects on his interlocutor and thinks about the woman with whom he fell in love. Immediately he sees her. The Kabanov family is walking: Kabanikha, Tikhon, Katerina and Varvara.

Kabanikha is strict with her son, he is completely in her will, agrees with everything. His sister Varvara grumbles to herself about her mother. Kabanova says that parental strictness comes from love, but children and daughters-in-law do not understand. He accuses his son that his wife is dearer to him than his mother, and takes him away from Kabanikha. Katerina tells her that she honors her as my own mother, to which the mother-in-law replies that if she is not asked, there is no need to jump out. Katerina is offended, and Kabanikha continues to scold her son. He is also upset. To this the mother declares that the wife will not be afraid of such a husband, and if so, then she will not be afraid of the mother-in-law. With your wife you need not affection, but shouting - she teaches Tikhon. Otherwise, the wife will have a lover. And Tikhon shouldn’t give it to his sister either. negative example, she's a girl. Calling her son a fool, Kabanikha goes home, and the young people walk around a little more. Tikhon begins to reprimand his wife that because of her, he got hurt by his mother. At first Kabanikha pestered him about getting married, but now she won’t let him through because of his wife. Varvara stands up for Katerina, says that Tikhon and her mother are only attacking her, and the brother himself is only thinking about having a drink with Dikiy. Tikhon admits that his sister guessed right. Varvara lets him go to the merchant, Katerina and Varvara are left alone. Katerina asks Varvara if she feels sorry for her, if she loves her. Having heard an affirmative answer, he opens up with her:

“You know, what came to my mind?.. 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 up, raise her hands and fly. Anything to try now?

Katerina remembers her life before marriage: she lived without worries, her mother dressed her up, the house was full of praying prayers, they went to church, listened to lives, sang poems. Varvara tells her that they have the same thing. But Katerina objects: in Kabanikha’s house she feels forced, she rarely even dreams, and not the same ones, but before she dreamed that she was flying. Katerina thinks that she will soon die, because she feels something extraordinary, as if she is starting to live again; she is afraid of something, as if she is standing over an abyss and is being pushed there, but there is nothing to hold on to. Varvara is worried whether Katerina is healthy, to which Katerina answers that it would be better if she were sick. She dreams of heated conversations, of other people's embraces, she loves another. Varvara does not blame her. On the contrary, he promises tomorrow, as soon as Tikhon leaves, to help Katya meet a man.

A lady enters with a stick and two footmen in triangular hats behind. The lady tells the girls that beauty leads to a pool and everyone will boil in tar. Leaves. Katerina is scared. Varvara says that it’s all nonsense, the lady herself sinned, and now she’s scaring everyone. But Katerina does not calm down, but panics even more from the approaching thunderstorm. She is afraid that she will be killed and that she will appear before God after such a conversation with all evil thoughts, and hurries home to pray. Kabanov comes up and is being hurried to go home.

ACT TWO

In the Kabanovs' house, Glasha is collecting Tikhon's things into bundles. Feklusha enters. In a conversation with a servant, he frightens her with punishment for her sins, says that only here the law is righteous, while others are not righteous, frightens her with the land, where all the people have dog heads, because they are punished for infidelity. Having spoken, Feklusha leaves.

Katerina and Varvara enter. Varvara orders the things to be taken to the tent, left alone with Katerina, and talks to her. Katerina talks about what she was like as a child:

“This is how I was born, hot! I was still six years old, no more, so I did it! They offended me with something at home, and it was late in the evening, it was already dark; I ran out to the Volga, got into the boat, and pushed it away from the shore. The next morning they found it, about ten miles away!

Varvara tells her that she does not love Tikhon, Katerina feels sorry for him, but pity is not love. Varvara guesses who she is in love with, because she has seen more than once how Katerina’s face changes when she sees Boris Grigoryich. Varvara bows to him and teaches: don’t give yourself away, learn to lie, that’s what the house stands on. Katerina replies that she didn’t want to think about him, she will love her husband, but Varvara confuses her and reminds her about Boris. At night Katerina " confused by the enemy “I even wanted to leave the house. Varvara believes that you can do whatever you want, just in secret, Katerina does not see anything good in this and decides to endure as long as she can. And if he can’t stand it, he’ll leave. " Where will you go? You are my husband's wife ", Varvara tells her.

“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 do this, even if you cut me!” -

Katerina answers. After a short silence, Varvara suggests that after Tikhon leaves, they sleep in the garden, in the gazebo. In response to Katerina’s indecisiveness, she says that she needs that too.

Meanwhile, Tikhon is again being instructed by his mother. Even outside the house, he is tied hand and foot, all he can think about is how to quickly escape from his mother’s care and drink. Before leaving, Kabanova tells her son to order his wife to obey her mother-in-law, not to be rude, to honor her like her own mother, not to sit like a lady with folded arms, not to stare out the windows and not to look at young guys. Kabanov, embarrassed, repeats everything. Katerina looks at him sternly. Kabanova and her daughter leave. Katerina stands as if in a daze. Tikhon speaks to her and asks for forgiveness. Shaking her head, Katerina says that her mother-in-law offended her, throws herself on her husband’s neck and asks him not to leave. Kabanov cannot disobey his mother, and he himself wants to get out of the house as quickly as possible, even from his wife:

“Yes, as I know now that there won’t be any thunderstorms over me for two weeks, there are no shackles on my legs, so what do I care about my wife?”

Katerina is looking for support in her husband, a means to escape temptation, but he says that she has nothing to worry about if she stays with her mother. The wife asks Tikhon to take a terrible oath of fidelity from her, but Tikhon does not understand her.

Enter Kabanova, Varvara and Glasha. Tikhon has time to go. He says goodbye to Kabanikha - she orders him to bow at her feet. Saying goodbye to Katerina, she throws herself on Tikhon’s neck. Kabanikha orders to maintain order and bow at the feet of the head of the family. Kabanov kisses Varvara and Glasha, leaves, followed by Katerina, Varvara and Glasha.

Kabanova, left alone, thinks aloud about stupid youth, not knowledgeable about order, and about the antiquity on which the light rests. Katerina and Varvara enter her. The mother-in-law continues to teach Katerina:

“You boasted that you love your husband very much; I see your love now. Another good wife, having seen her husband off, howls for an hour and a half and lies on the porch; but apparently it’s nothing to you.”

Varvara leaves the yard, Kabanikha goes to pray, Katerina thinks. She would like to have children, she regrets that she did not die young, she is thinking about how to pass the time until her husband arrives. With a promise, he decides to sew linen and distribute it to the poor. Then Varvara appears again, getting ready to go for a walk. She tells Katerina that her mother allowed her to sleep in the garden, and there is a locked gate behind the raspberry tree, Varvara changed the key to it, and now Katerina can meet Boris. Varvara gives the key to Katerina, she is confused, wants to throw the key, and then reasons that looking at Boris and talking to him is not a sin, maybe such an opportunity will not happen again. She decides not to deceive herself - she admits that she really wants to see Boris.

ACT THREE

Kabanova and Feklusha are sitting on a bench in front of the gate near the Kabanovs’ house. They are talking. Feklusha glorifies the “virtue” of the hostess, complaining about human vanity and walks of life. She condemns the appearance of the train; for her it is a fiery serpent, which seems like a machine to vain people; only the righteous see it in its true form. Time, according to Feklushi, becomes shorter due to human sins. Kabanova says it will be even worse. Dikoy approaches. He begins to argue with Kabanikha, who puts him down, not wanting to argue, and gets ready to go home. Then Dikoy asks her to stay and talk in order to calm down, he has been angry since the morning. Those to whom he owes money are pestering him, and this gets him going, and everyone at home is in fear. Kabanikha invites him to her place for dinner, and they leave.

Glasha remains at the gate and notices Boris. He comes up and asks about his uncle. Glasha answers and leaves, and Boris suffers that he cannot enter the house uninvited and look at Katerina: “ What I got married, what I buried - it’s all the same " Towards Suitable for Boris Kuligin, calling to the boulevard. Kuligin argues that the boulevard is empty, the poor have no time to walk, but the rich sit at home, tyrannizing their families:

“Everything is sewn and covered - no one sees or knows anything, only God sees! You, he says, look at me in people and on the street, but you don’t care about my family; for this, he says, I have locks, and constipations, and angry dogs. The family says it’s a secret, secret matter! We know these secrets!.. Rob orphans, relatives, nephews, beat up family members so that they don’t dare make a peep about anything he does there. That's the whole secret." .

They see Kudryash and Varvara, they go and kiss. Then Kudryash leaves, and Varvara goes to her gate and calls Boris. He comes up.

Kuligin goes to the boulevard. Varvara invites Boris to the ravine behind Kabanikha’s garden. He follows Kuligin.

At night, Kudryash comes up to a ravine covered with bushes with a guitar, sits on a stone and sings. Boris arrives. Kudryash is waiting for Varvara and does not understand what Boris needs here. He admits that he fell in love with a married woman. Kudryash warns: for this, his sweetheart, if they find out, will be driven into a coffin.

“Make sure you don’t cause trouble for yourself, and don’t get her into trouble either! Let’s face it, even though her husband is a fool, her mother-in-law is painfully fierce.”

Varvara comes out of the gate, sings, Kudryash answers her with a song. Varvara goes down the path and, covering her face with a scarf, approaches Boris and tells him to wait.

The couple hugs and leaves for the Volga. Boris seems to be in a dream, his heart is beating, he is waiting for Katerina: she is quietly walking down the path, covered with a large white scarf.

Boris tells her about love and wants to take her hand. Katerina gets scared and asks him not to touch her, and chases him away. Katerina tells Boris that he ruined her, she submits only to his will, she no longer has power over herself, she throws herself on his neck. Lovers hug. Now Katerina just wants to die, Boris calms her down, but she thinks about retribution for sin, about human judgment. Finally he decides: come what may, we’ll go for a walk before my husband arrives, and if they lock him up later, there will still be an opportunity to see him,

Kudryash and Varvara return, send them out for a walk, and sit down on a stone themselves. Kudryash is afraid that Kabanikha will miss them. Varvara says that even if she wakes up, she won’t be able to go into the garden, it’s locked. And Glasha is on guard, and as soon as she raises her voice. Curly plays the guitar quietly. It's time to go home, it's one o'clock in the morning. Curly whistles at Boris. They say goodbye and agree to meet tomorrow.

ACT FOUR

On the banks of the Volga there is a narrow gallery with the arches of an ancient building that is beginning to collapse. Several walking men and women pass behind the arches, talk about a thunderstorm, and hide under the arches. They examine the painted walls: fiery Gehenna is depicted, where people are going “ every title and every rank ", Battle of Lithuania. Dikoy enters followed by Kuligin, everyone bows and assumes a respectful position. Kuligin persuades Savel Prokofich to donate ten rubles for the benefit of society; he wants to put it on the boulevard sundial. Dikoy is dissatisfied, angry, brushes off his interlocutor, calls him a robber. When Kuligin suggests using a lightning rod to escape a thunderstorm, Dikoy says that a thunderstorm is sent as punishment and you can’t defend yourself from it with a lightning rod. The rain is passing. Dikoy and everyone else leave. After a while, Varvara quickly enters under the arches and, hiding, looks out for someone. Boris passes, she beckons him with her hand. The girl reports that Tikhon arrived ahead of time and Katerina cries all the time and does not look up at him. Kabanikha looks sideways at her, and this makes her even worse; Varvara suspects that Katerina will tell everything to her husband. Boris is scared. Thunder rumbles in the distance.

Kabanova, Kabanov, Katerina and Kuligin are walking along the boulevard. Hearing thunder, Katerina gets scared, runs under the arches and grabs Varvara’s hand. Kabanova notes that “ you have to live in such a way that you are always ready for anything; For fear this wouldn't happen " Tikhon protects his wife: she has no more sins than anyone else, and she is naturally afraid of thunder. Kabanova says that he cannot know all his wife’s sins, Tikhon laughs it off, and Katerina is ready to confess, but Varvara breaks off the conversation.

Boris comes out of the crowd and bows to Kabanov, Katerina screams. Tikhon calms her down. Varvara makes a sign to Boris, who goes to the very exit. Kuligin goes to the middle and addresses the crowd. And the thunderstorm, and the northern lights, and comets, in his opinion, are a blessing, not a threat:

“Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell! Now every grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, afraid, as if some kind of misfortune is coming! Out of everything, you have created a scare for yourself. Eh, people! I'm not afraid. Let's go, sir! -

he turns to Boris. " Let's go! It's scarier here! “- answers Boris. They leave.

Kabanikha grumbles displeasedly at Kuligin. People look at the sky and talk about its unusual color, and conclude that the thunderstorm will kill someone. Katerina tells her husband that the thunderstorm will kill her. A lady enters with footmen. Katerina hides screaming. The lady laughs at her:

“You’re obviously afraid: you don’t want to die! I want to live! How could you not want to! - see how beautiful she is... Beauty is our destruction! You will destroy yourself and seduce people, then rejoice in your beauty. You will lead many, many people into sin... And who will be responsible? You will have to answer for everything. It's better to be in the pool with beauty! Hurry, hurry!”

Katerina hides in horror, Varvara advises her to stand in a corner and pray, Katerina moves away, kneels down, sees an image of fiery hell on the wall and screams. Kabanov, Kabanova and Varvara surround her. Katerina confesses everything in fear and falls unconscious into her husband’s arms.

ACT FIVE

Kuligin sits on a bench at dusk and sings. Tikhon is walking along the boulevard. He approaches Kuligin and begins to complain: “I’m an unhappy man now, brother! So I’m not dying for anything, not for a penny!” Tikhon considers his mother to be the reason for everything that happened. He loves his wife, he beat him a little on his mother’s orders, but it’s a pity to look at her. Kabanikha says that Katerina “We must bury her alive in the ground so that she can be executed! ", eats it as a meal. Tikhon, if not for his mother, would have forgiven his wife. Looking at Katerina, she is killed and sees that Boris also feels sorry for her. Boris himself is sent by his uncle to Siberia for three years. The Kabanov family " fell apart ": Varvara ran away with Kudryash as soon as her mother began to lock her up. Tikhon was sick of the house.

Glasha comes in and says that Katerina has run away and cannot be found. Kabanov is afraid that she will commit suicide out of sadness. Everyone leaves to look for her.

Katerina walks along the boulevard. She looks for Boris to say goodbye to him, but he is nowhere to be found. She regrets that she got him into trouble, complains about difficult nights and difficult days, wants her to be executed and thrown into the Volga. He calls Boris, he follows the voice. They hug and cry together. Katerina asks him to take her with him, but Boris cannot, the horses are already ready and his uncle sends him away. Katerina complains about her tormenting mother-in-law, about reproaches. Tikhon's caress is worse than a beating for her. Katerina asks Boris to give to the poor on the way and order them to pray for her sinful soul. They say goodbye. Boris, suspecting something was wrong, asks if she is up to something.

Katerina calms him down and sends him home. Boris, leaving, sobs: “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!”

Katerina follows him with her eyes and ponders where to go: “ It doesn’t matter to me whether I go home or go to the grave... It’s better in the grave... “Thinks about death as getting rid of a boring life in a nasty house, in a nasty family. He approaches the shore and loudly says goodbye to Boris.

Kabanova, Kabanov, Kuligin are looking for Katerina, approaching the place where people saw her. WITH different sides people gather with lanterns. They are shouting from the shore that a woman has jumped into the water. Kuligin and several people run away after him. Kabanov wants to run, but his mother holds his hand. Tikhon asks to let him go: “ I’ll get her out, otherwise I’ll do it myself... What would I do without her! “Kabanova doesn’t let him in, threatening him with a curse; he only allows him to approach the body when they pull him out.

Kuligin pulls out the body. Tikhon still hopes that she is alive, but Katerina, having hit her temple on an anchor, died. Kabanov runs, Kuligin and the people are carrying Katerina towards him.

“Here is your Katerina. Do what you want with her! Her body is here, take it; but the soul is now not yours: it is now before a judge who is more merciful than you!” -

Kuligin says to Kabanov, puts the body on the ground and runs away. Kabanov rushes to Katerina, crying for her: “ Mama, you ruined her, you, you, you... "Kabanova tells him: " What you? Don't you remember yourself? Forgot who you're talking to?.. Well, I'll talk to you at home " He bows low to the people and thanks them for their service. They bow to her.

« Good for you, Katya! Why did I stay in the world and suffer!” - says Tikhon and falls on his wife’s corpse.

I hope the short content of the play “The Thunderstorm” helped you prepare for the Russian literature lesson.

Which is no better than the Wild one. After which Dikoy himself and Boris appear. The merchant, as usual, scolds his nephew, reproaching him for constantly catching his eye. Dikoy leaves, and Kuligin asks Boris why, given such treatment, he still lives with Dikoy. Boris talks about the death of his parents from cholera, with whom he lived in Moscow. He himself graduated from the Commercial Academy, but after a misfortune he was forced to move to Dikoy, hoping to receive his share of his grandmother’s inheritance. But according to the will, Boris will only be able to receive money if he is respectful to his uncle. Kuligin advises Boris to try to please Dikiy, but Boris replies that even his family cannot please him, and complains that he feels like a stranger in Kalinov and extra person To which Kuligin complains: “And you will never get used to it, sir... Cruel morals... in our city, cruel!”

Kuligin makes a disappointing conclusion that the residents of Kalinov are mainly driven by enmity and envy, so they constantly slander even their loved ones. Feklusha appears before the company along with a certain woman who praises the city and the Kabanovs. This fact surprises Boris, and Kuligin explains this with Kabanikha’s hypocrisy - “He gives money to the poor, but completely eats up his family.” Kuligin himself wants to invent a perpetual motion machine and sell it to the British for a million, which he will spend for the benefit and development of society.

Kabanikha appears along with her daughter Varvara, son Tikhon and daughter-in-law Katerina. Kabanova reproaches her son for his weak character, considering him a weakling, and his wife should be afraid of him. Then she leaves, and soon Tikhon goes to visit. Katerina, left alone with Varvara, begins to talk about how good she was in parental home“But it’s the same with us,” Varvara tries to argue. Katerina does not agree and replies that “Everything here seems to be from under captivity.” Then she shares her experiences of going to church and talks about her dreams in which she flew through the air. Katerina regrets that now she has such dreams less and less often. It seems to her that something bad is happening to her, that she seems to be standing over an abyss and feels that she will soon die. Finally, Katerina admits that she is disgusted with her husband and loves someone else. Varvara does not blame Katerina for anything, but, on the contrary, promises to help her arrange a date as soon as Tikhon leaves. Varvara’s words frighten Katerina. Kabanikha appears and begins to threaten his daughter-in-law: “Look, that’s where beauty leads... Into the deep end.” A thunderstorm begins, which scares Katerina even more. She explains to Varvara that death is not scary for her, but she is afraid to appear before the Lord with her sinful thoughts.

Act two

The action begins with a conversation between Glasha and Feklushi. The main topic The conversation turns to the relationship between family members in Kabanova's house. Glasha complains that relatives constantly suspect each other of something and conflict with each other. Feklusha replies that it is impossible to live in the world without sin and begins to talk about distant states, where “Saltans rule the earth... and no matter what they judge, everything is wrong...” and the earth, “where all the people have dog heads... for infidelity "

Katerina and Varvara enter. Varvara tells Katerina that she got married too early, and she replies that her warm heart is to blame for everything, and as an example she cites a situation from childhood, when she, offended, sailed on a boat far to the Volga. Then Katerina calls the name of the person she secretly loves - it turns out to be Boris. Varvara bows to him, but this situation frightens Katerina, and she begins to assure that she will only love her husband. Varvara replies that you can do whatever you want - the main thing is that no one finds out. She begins to persuade Katerina to spend the night with her in the gazebo in the garden after Tikhon leaves. Kabanova and Tikhon appear. In connection with the departure of her son, Kabanikha begins to give instructions to her daughter-in-law, and Tikhon only quietly repeats them after his mother. Katerina is humiliated by these instructions. But when she and her husband are left alone, she begins to ask to take her on a trip with him. But Tikhon refuses her, citing the fact that he dreams of breaking free, and his wife will only be a burden. Katerina asks her to take an oath of allegiance and falls to her knees in front of him. Tikhon picks her up. Kabanikha, Varvara and Glasha appear.

Tikhon says goodbye, and Kabanikha scolds his daughter-in-law for hanging on her husband and orders her to bow at Tikhon’s feet. Kabanikha is dissatisfied with Katerina’s behavior after her husband’s departure, believing that loving wife“After seeing my husband off, he howls for an hour and a half and lies on the porch.” Katerina replies that she doesn’t want to make people laugh. Varvara, getting ready for a walk, tells Katerina that they will spend that night in the garden, and hands her the key to the gate. Katerina at first thinks of throwing the key into the river, but then decides not to deceive herself and see her love. “Whatever happens, I’ll see Boris!” she says to herself. ­

Act three

The action begins with a scene on the street at the gate of Kabanov's house. Kabanova and Feklusha are sitting on the bench. The latter makes a prediction. the end is near light, talking about the “roar” going through the cities, that “they began to harness the fiery serpent,” implying railway. A drunken Dikoy appears, who initially argues with Kabanikha, but, having received a harsh answer, asks her not to be angry. Dikoy complains about his family, says that people make him angry, demanding legitimate money. And his character is such that he does not know how to part with money well. Kabanikha replies that he gets wound up on purpose, because he knows that when he is angry, no one will bother him. The boar takes Diky away for a bite to eat. Boris appears and wants to find out where his uncle is. Having learned that Dikoy is with Kabanikha, he begins to dream about Katerina, with whom he is also in love, but usually sees her only once a week. He meets Kuligin, with whom he goes to the boulevard. Kuligin is surprised: “What a town, sir, they made a boulevard, but they don’t walk around.” Kuligin continues his monologue, in which he reproaches the townspeople for locking themselves in their homes and tyrannizing their loved ones: “and what tears are flowing behind these locks, invisible and inaudible! What can I tell you, sir! You can judge for yourself.” Only couples walk. He sees Varvara and Kudryash - they are kissing. Curly leaves, and Varvara calls Boris. Kuligin leaves. Varvara tells Boris to come to the ravine behind Kabanov’s garden.

Night. Kudryash is waiting for a date with Varvara. Boris appears, tears out his comrade's soul and talks about his love for married woman. Kudryash guesses that he means Katerina, but recommends that he abandon her, since this could end badly for Katerina. Varvara comes out and advises Boris to wait. Varvara and Kudryash leave, and finally Katerina appears. A conversation takes place between them, and Katerina, overwhelmed by feeling, throws herself on Boris’s neck. “Don't be sorry, destroy me! If I was not afraid of sin for you, will I be afraid of human judgment?” Varvara and Kudryash return. A date is set for tomorrow. Then everyone says goodbye. ­

Act four

The action takes place in a narrow gallery of an ancient building that is beginning to collapse with images on the walls that represent fiery Gehenna. The action then moves to the boulevard, where a thunderstorm begins. So, it begins to rain, and Dikoy and Kuligin appear in the gallery. The latter tries to persuade Dikiy to give money to install a sundial on the boulevard. Dikoy refuses and says that he does not trust Kuligin. Then Kuligin suggests installing a lightning rod. Dikoy replies that “a thunderstorm is being sent to us as punishment.” The rain stops. Dikoy and everyone else leave. Varvara appears and calls Boris as he passes by. She tells him about Tikhon’s arrival and that Katerina has become like a madman. Varvara is afraid that Katerina will “thump at her husband’s feet and tell everything.” Boris asks to dissuade Katerina from this confession. The remaining members of the Kabanov family and Kuligin appear. Katerina sees Boris and begins to cry, she is afraid that lightning will become punishment for her sins and will kill her. Boris and Kuligin leave. A crazy lady with servants appears, Katerina, frightened, hides. The lady scolds Katerina for this, saying: “You will have to answer for everything. You can’t escape God!” Katerina can no longer hold on and in front of everyone tells her husband and Kabanikha that she “walked for ten nights” with Boris. Kabanikha replies: “Wherever the will leads! I said...”

Act five

Scenery for the first act. Tikhon, seeing Kuligin sitting on a bench, begins a conversation with him. At first we're talking about about his trip to Moscow, where he drank all the time in order to take a year off. Then he begins to talk about his relationship with Katerina, that “mama says: she must be buried alive in the ground.” By order of Kabanikha, Tikhon even beat his wife a little, but, in fact, he loves and pities Katerina. Kuligin says Katerina needs to be forgiven because better than wife he can't find it. Tikhon himself would be glad to forget about everything, but this is impossible only with his mother. Tikhon also feels sorry for Boris, whose uncle for a long time sent to work in Siberia. Glasha appears and reports that Katerina has disappeared. This news greatly frightens Tikhon, as he suspects that Katerina may commit suicide. Everyone present goes in search of her. Katerina appears, dreaming of meeting Boris and wanting to say goodbye to him. She is very worried that Boris suffered because of her. Her complaints end with the following words: “My joy! My life, my soul, I love you! Respond!” Boris appears. Katerina wants them to go to Siberia together, but Boris is not strong enough to take her with him. Then Katerina asks him to give to the poor on the way so that they pray for her. They say goodbye, after which Katerina begins to think about death and the birds that will sing, build a nest, and have chicks. She doesn’t want to think about life, because she’s disgusted with the house, the walls, and the people. She approaches the cliff and says goodbye forever to her departed loved one: “My friend! My joy! Goodbye!".

The stage is filled with people, including Kabanikha and Tikhon. Kabanova tells her son that there is no need to worry about Katerina: they will suffer with her for a long time. A cry is heard: “The woman threw herself into the water!” Tikhon is eager to see his wife, but Kabanikha tries to hold him back: “I’ll curse you if you go!” Kuligin appears, holding the dead Katerina in his arms with his assistants. He says: “Here is your Katerina. Do what you want with her! Her body is here, take it; but the soul is now not yours; she is now before a judge who is more merciful than you!” Tikhon rushes to Katerina’s body, blaming her mother for her death. Kabanova threatens her son by talking at home. The work ends with Tikhon’s words: “Good for you, Katya! Why did I stay in the world and suffer!”

Ostrovsky wrote a drama called “The Thunderstorm” after a trip to the cities of the Volga region. He reflected in the work the morals, life and customs of the inhabitants of many provinces.

The drama was written in 1859. During this period it was canceled serfdom. But the author does not mention this event. The main emphasis is on the conflict that arose in the mid-19th century.

Many people like the drama “The Thunderstorm” by Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky. The author is a major cultural figure. His work is forever enshrined in literature.

He made an invaluable contribution to development. The play “The Thunderstorm” was written after a long trip along the Volga.

Thanks to the Maritime Ministry, a trip was organized with Ostrovsky. The main task ethnographic expedition was to study the customs and morals of the population of the Russian Federation.

Prototype of the city of Kalinov - many Volga region settlements. They are similar to each other, but they also have unique features.

Ostrovsky is an experienced researcher, and he recorded his observations and thoughts in his own diary.

He paid special attention to the life of the Russian provinces and the character of the people. Based on these recordings, the drama “The Thunderstorm” was written.

Pay attention! Long time people believed that the story of the drama was based on real events.

In 1859, when Ostrovsky wrote his book, a native resident of Kostroma disappeared. Early in the morning she left home, and then she was taken from the Volga.

The investigation found that there was a tense situation in the family. The girl had a tense relationship with her mother-in-law, and her husband could not resist his mother, so he did not help defuse the situation.

In Kostroma, the work “The Thunderstorm” was published as a separate book. During the production, the actors tried to get into character as much as possible in order to be like the main characters - the Klykovs.

Local residents tried to determine the place from which the girl jumped into the water. S.Yu. Lebedev is famous researcher literature, so he found the same matches.

Brief description of the characters for the reader's diary

There are not many main characters described in Ostrovsky's story.

Important! It is important for readers to familiarize themselves with the characteristics of each character for reader's diary to write an essay correctly and make a brief analysis.

Consider:

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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The drama “The Thunderstorm” by Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky, written by the author in 1859, is a very popular play that is played on many city theater stages. Distinctive feature The work lies in the fact that the heroes are clearly divided into oppressors and the oppressed. The exploiters, depraved in their hearts, not only see nothing wrong with being rude to those who depend on them, but consider such behavior normal, even correct. However, to understand the essence of the play, you need to familiarize yourself with its summary.

The main characters of the play:

Savel Prokofievich Dikoy - evil, greedy and very scandalous man, a merchant, ready to scold anyone who covets his goods.

Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova - a rich merchant's wife, a powerful and despotic woman who holds not only her son Tikhon, but also the entire family, under a tight rein.

Tikhon Kabanov – a weak-willed young man who lives according to his mother’s orders and has no opinion of his own. He just can’t decide who is more valuable – his mother, who must be obeyed unquestioningly, or his wife.

Katerina – The main character of the play, Tikhon's wife, suffers from the arbitrariness of her mother-in-law and from the actions of her husband, who dutifully obeys his mother. She is secretly in love with Dikiy’s nephew, Boris, but for the time being she is afraid to admit her feelings.

Boris- Dikiy’s nephew, under pressure from his tyrant uncle, who does not want to leave him his due inheritance and therefore finds fault with every little thing.

Varvara- Tikhon’s sister, a kind girl, still unmarried, sympathizes with Katerina and tries to protect her. Although circumstances sometimes force her to resort to cunning, Varya does not become bad. She, unlike her brother, is not afraid of her mother's anger.

Kuligin- tradesman, man, good family knowledgeable Kabanov, self-taught mechanic. He looks for a perpetuum mobile, tries to be useful people, bringing new ideas to life. Unfortunately, his dreams were not destined to come true.

Vanya Kudryash- Dikiy’s clerk, with whom Varvara is in love. He is not afraid of the merchant, and, unlike others, he can tell the truth to his face. However, it is clear that the young man, just like his master, is accustomed to looking for profit in everything.

Act one: meeting the characters

The first appearance.

Tradesman Kuligin, sitting on a bench in community garden, looks at the Volga and sings. “Here, my brother, for fifty years I’ve been looking across the Volga every day and I can’t get enough of it,” he addresses young man Vanya Kudryash. Suddenly they notice how the merchant Dikoy, for whom Ivan serves as a clerk, scolds his nephew Boris. Neither Vanya nor Kuligin are unhappy with the evil merchant, who finds fault with every little thing. The tradesman Shapkin joins the conversation, and now the conversation takes place between him and Kudryash, who boasts that he could, given the opportunity, pacify the Dikiy. Suddenly the angry merchant and Boris pass by them. Kuligin takes off his hat, and Kudryash and Shapkin prudently step aside.
The second phenomenon.
Dikoy loudly shouts at Boris, scolding him for his inaction. However, he shows complete indifference to his uncle’s words. The merchant leaves in anger, not wanting to see his nephew.
The third phenomenon
Kuligin is surprised that Boris still lives with Dikiy and tolerates his obnoxious character. The merchant's nephew replies that he is being held in nothing more than bondage and explains why this is happening. It turns out that his grandmother Anfisa Mikhailovna disliked his father because he married a noble woman. Therefore, Boris’s parents lived separately in Moscow, their son and daughter were not denied anything, but, unfortunately, they died of cholera. Grandmother Anfisa also died, leaving a will for her grandchildren. But they could only receive the inheritance if they were respectful to their uncle.

Boris understands that with his uncle’s picky character, neither he nor his sister will ever see an inheritance. After all, if their own people cannot please such a domestic tyrant, their nephew is even more so.

“It’s hard for me here,” Boris complains to Kuligin. The interlocutor sympathizes with the young man and admits to him that he knows how to write poetry. However, he is afraid to admit this because no one in the city will understand him: he already gets punished for chatting.

Suddenly the wanderer Feklusha enters and begins to praise merchant morals. Kuligin calls her a hypocrite who helps the poor but mocks own family.

In general, Kuligin has cherished dream: to find a perpetuum mobile in order to subsequently financially support the society. He tells Boris about this.

The fourth phenomenon
After Kuligin leaves, Boris is left alone and, jealous of his comrade, laments his own fate. Falling in love with a woman with whom this young man will never be able to even talk causes sadness in his soul. Suddenly he notices her walking with her mother-in-law and husband.

Fifth appearance
The action begins with the merchant's wife Kabanova's instructions to her son. Or rather, she orders him, not tolerating any objections. But the weak-willed Tikhon does not dare to disobey. Kabanova expresses that she is jealous of his daughter-in-law: smaller son I began to love her more than before, my wife is dearer than my own mother. Her words show hatred for Katerina. She convinces her son to be stricter with her so that the wife will be afraid of her husband. Kabanov tries to insert a word that he loves Katerina, but the mother is adamant in her opinion.

The sixth phenomenon.

When Kabanikha leaves, Tikhon, his sister Varya and Katerina are left alone, and a not very pleasant conversation takes place between them. Kabanov admits that he is absolutely powerless before his mother’s autocracy. The sister reproaches her brother for being weak-willed, but he wants to quickly drink and forget himself, distracted from reality.

Seventh Appearance

Now only Katerina and Varvara are talking. Katerina remembers her carefree past, when her mother dressed her like a doll and did not force her to do any work. Now everything has changed, and the woman feels impending disaster, as if she is hanging over an abyss, and there is nothing to hold on to. The poor young wife laments, admitting that she loves someone else. Varvara advises meeting the one to whom your heart is drawn. Katerina is afraid of this.

The eighth phenomenon
Another heroine of the play enters - a lady with two footmen - and begins to talk about beauty, which only leads into the pool, frightening with an unquenchable fire in which sinners will burn.

Appearance Ninth
Katerina admits to Varya that the lady frightened her with her prophetic words. Varvara objects that the half-crazy old woman herself is afraid of dying, which is why she talks about fire.

Tikhon’s sister is worried that a thunderstorm is approaching, but her brother is not yet there. Katerina admits that she is very scared because of such bad weather, because if she suddenly dies, she will appear before God with unrepentant sins. Finally, to the joy of both, Kabanov appears.

Act two: farewell to Tikhon. Tyranny of Kabanova.

The first appearance.
Glasha, a maid in the Kabanovs' house, is packing Tikhon's things, getting him ready for the trip. The wanderer Feklusha begins to talk about other countries where sultans rule - and everything is unjust. These are very strange speeches.

The second phenomenon.
Varya and Katerina are talking to each other again. Katya, when asked if she loves Tikhon, replies that she feels very sorry for him. But Varya guesses that the object true love Another person appears to Katerina and admits that she was talking with him.

Conflicting feelings overwhelm Katerina. Either she laments that she will love her husband and will not exchange Tisha for anyone, then suddenly she threatens that she will leave and that no force can hold her back.

The third phenomenon.
Kabanova admonishes her son before the journey and forces him to tell his wife how to live while he is away. The cowardly Tikhon repeats after his mother everything that Katerina needs to do. This scene is humiliating for the girl.

The fourth phenomenon.
Katerina is left alone with Kabanov and tearfully begs him either not to leave or to take her with him. But Tikhon objects. He wants at least temporary freedom - both from his mother and from his wife - and speaks about it directly. Katya has a presentiment that without him there will be trouble.

Fifth appearance
Before the road, Kabanova orders Tikhon to bow at her feet. Katerina, in a fit of emotion, hugs her husband, but her mother-in-law sharply denounces her, accusing her of shamelessness. The daughter-in-law has to obey and also bow at her husband’s feet. Tikhon says goodbye to everyone in his household.

Appearance Six
Kabanova, left alone with herself, argues that young people do not adhere to any order, they cannot even say goodbye to each other normally. Without the control of their elders, everyone will laugh at them.

Seventh Appearance
Kabanova reproaches Katerina for not crying for her husband who left. The daughter-in-law objects: “There’s no point,” and says that she doesn’t want to make people laugh at all. Varvara leaves the yard.

The eighth phenomenon
Katerina, left alone, thinks that now the house will be quiet and boring. She regrets that children's voices are not heard here. Suddenly the girl figures out how to survive the two weeks until Tikhon arrives. She wants to sew and give the things she makes with her own hands to the poor.
Appearance Ninth
Varvara invites Katerina to secretly meet with Boris and gives her the keys to the backyard gate stolen from her mother. Tikhon’s wife is afraid, indignant: “What are you up to, sinner?” Varya leaves.

The tenth phenomenon
Katerina, having taken the key, hesitates and does not know what to do. Left alone, she fearfully debates whether she will do the right thing if she uses the key or whether it is better to throw it away. In emotional distress, she decides to see Boris after all.

Act three: Katerina meets Boris

Scene one


Kabanova and Feklusha are sitting on the bench. Talking to each other, they talk about the bustle of city life and the silence of village life and the fact that hard times. Suddenly a drunken Dikoy enters the yard. He rudely addresses Kabanova, asking her to talk to him. In a conversation, Dikoy admits: he himself understands that he is greedy, scandalous and evil, however, he cannot help himself.

Glasha reports that she fulfilled the command and “a snack has been set.” Kabanova and Dikoy enter the house.

Boris appears, looking for his uncle. Having learned that he is visiting Kabanova, he calms down. Having met Kuligin and talked with him a little, the young man sees Varvara, who calls him to her and with a mysterious look suggests that he later approach the ravine, which is located behind the Kabanovs’ garden.

Scene two
Approaching the ravine, Boris sees Kudryash and asks him to leave. Vanya does not agree, thinking that he is trying to take his bride away from him, but Boris big secret admits that he loves married Katerina.

Varvara approaches Ivan and they leave together. Boris looks around, dreaming of seeing his beloved. Having lowered her gaze, Katerina approaches him, but is very afraid of sin, which will fall like a stone on her soul if a relationship begins between them. Finally, after some hesitation, the poor girl can’t stand it and throws herself on Boris’s neck. They talk for a long time, declaring their love for each other, and then decide to meet the next day.

Act Four: Confession of Sin

The first appearance.
In the city, near the Volga, couples are walking. A thunderstorm is coming. People talk to each other. On the walls of the destroyed gallery it is possible to discern the outlines of paintings of fiery Gehenna, as well as an image of the battle of Lithuania.

The second phenomenon.
Dikoy and Kuligin appear. The latter persuades the merchant to help him in one good deed for people: to give money for the installation of a lightning rod. Dikoy speaks to him offensive words, insulting honest man who tries for others. Dikoy does not understand what “electricity” is and why people need it, and gets even angrier, especially after Kuligin dared to read Derzhavin’s poems.

The third phenomenon.
Suddenly Tikhon returns from a trip. Varvara is at a loss: what should they do with Katerina, because she has become not herself: she is afraid to look up at her husband. The poor girl is burned with guilt before her husband. The storm is getting closer and closer.

The fourth phenomenon


People try to hide from the thunderstorm. Katerina sobs on Varvara’s shoulder, feeling even more guilty before her husband, especially at the moment she sees Boris emerging from the crowd and approaching them. Varvara makes a sign to him, and he moves away.

Kuligin appeals to people, convincing them not to be afraid of thunderstorms, and calling this phenomenon grace.

Fifth appearance
People continue to talk about the consequences of the thunderstorm. Some people think she will kill someone. Katerina fearfully assumes: it will be her.

Appearance Six
The lady who came in frightened Katerina. She also prophesies to her imminent death. The girl is afraid of hell as retribution for sins. Then she can’t stand it and admits to her family that she walked with Boris for ten days. Kabanova is furious. Tikhon is at a loss.

Act five: Katerina throws herself into the river

The first appearance.

Kabanov talks with Kuligin, telling him what is happening in their family, although everyone already knows this news. He is in a confusion of feelings: on the one hand, he is annoyed at Katerina for sinning against him, on the other, he feels sorry for his poor wife, who is being chewed by her mother-in-law. Realizing that he is also not without sin, the weak-willed husband is ready to forgive Katya, but only mother... Tikhon admits that he lives in someone else’s mind, and simply does not know how to do otherwise.

Varvara cannot stand her mother’s reproaches and runs away from home. The whole family was divided, becoming enemies to each other.

Suddenly Glasha comes in and sadly says that Katerina has disappeared. Kabanov wants to look for her, fearing that his wife might commit suicide.

Second phenomenon
Katerina cries while looking for Boris. She feels constant guilt - now in front of him. Not wanting to live with a stone in her soul, the girl wants to die. But before that, meet your loved one again. “My joy, my life, my soul, I love you! Respond!” - she calls.

The third phenomenon.
Katerina and Boris meet. The girl finds out that he is not angry with her. The beloved announces that he is leaving for Siberia. Katerina asks to go with him, but she can’t: Boris is traveling on an errand from his uncle.

Katerina is very sad, complaining to Boris that it is incredibly difficult for her to endure the reproaches of her mother-in-law, the ridicule of others, and even Tikhon’s affection.

I really don’t want to say goodbye to my beloved, but Boris, although he is tormented by a bad feeling that Katerina doesn’t have long to live, still needs to go.

The fourth phenomenon
Left alone, Katerina understands that she now doesn’t want to return to her family at all: everything is disgusting - both people and home walls. Better to die. In despair, folding her hands, the girl throws herself into the river.

Fifth appearance
Relatives are looking for Katerina, but she is nowhere to be found. Suddenly someone shouted: “The woman threw herself into the water!” Kuligin runs away with several other people.

The sixth phenomenon.
Kabanov tries to pull Katerina out of the river, but her mother strictly forbids him to do this. When Kuligin pulls the girl out, it’s already too late: Katerina is dead. But it looks like it’s alive: one small wound only on the temple.

Seventh Appearance
Kabanova forbids her son to mourn Katerina, but he dares to blame his mother for his wife’s death. For the first time in his life, Tikhon is determined and shouts: “You ruined her!” Kabanova threatens to have a stern talk with her son at home. Tikhon, in despair, rushes to dead body wife, saying: “Why did I stay to live and suffer.” But it's too late. Alas.

“The Thunderstorm” – play by A.N. Ostrovsky. Summary

» Ostrovsky

Drama in five acts

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 smells 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 ideal people It doesn’t happen, 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 weren’t 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, on fresh air, and calls Katerina with him.

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 what a thunderstorm is. 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’s 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 last time Katerina was 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 stayed alive, now he will only have to suffer.