The meaning of the name of the drama "The Thunderstorm"
The title of Ostrovsky’s drama “The Thunderstorm” plays a big role in understanding this play. The image of a thunderstorm in Ostrovsky's drama is unusually complex and multi-valued. On the one hand, the thunderstorm is a direct participant in the action of the play, on the other hand, it is a symbol of the idea of this work. In addition, the image of a thunderstorm has so many meanings that it illuminates almost all facets of the tragic conflict in the play.
The thunderstorm is playing important role in the composition of drama. In the first act the plot of the work: Katerina tells Varvara about her dreams and hints at her secret love. Almost immediately after this, a thunderstorm approaches: “... the storm is just setting in...”
At first fourth act a dream is also gathering, foreshadowing a tragedy: “Remember my words that this storm will not pass in vain...”
And a thunderstorm breaks out only in the scene of Katerina’s confession at the climax of the play, when the heroine speaks about her sin to her husband and mother-in-law, not ashamed of the presence of other townspeople.
The thunderstorm is directly involved in the action as a real natural phenomenon. It influences the behavior of the characters: after all, it is during a thunderstorm that Katerina confesses her sin. They even talk about the thunderstorm as if it were alive (“The rain begins to fall, as if a thunderstorm were not going to gather?”, “And so it creeps on us, and creeps, as if alive!”).
But the thunderstorm in the play also has figurative meaning. For example, Tikhon calls the swearing, swearing and antics of his mother a thunderstorm: “But as I now know that there won’t be any thunderstorm over me for two weeks, there are no shackles on my legs, so what do I care about my wife?”
Another noteworthy fact is that Kuligin is a supporter of the peaceful eradication of vices (he wants to ridicule bad morals in the book: “I wanted to depict all this in poetry...”). And it is he who suggests that Dikiy make a lightning rod (“copper tablet”), which serves here as an allegory, because gentle and peaceful opposition to vices by exposing them in books is a kind of lightning rod.
In addition, the thunderstorm is perceived differently by all characters. So, Dikoy says: “A thunderstorm is being sent to us as punishment.” Dikoy declares that people should be afraid of thunderstorms, but his power and tyranny are based precisely on people’s fear of him. Evidence of this is the fate of Boris. He is afraid of not receiving the inheritance and therefore submits to the Wild One. This means that the Wild One benefits from this fear. He wants everyone to be afraid of the thunderstorm, just like him.
But Kuligin treats the thunderstorm differently: “Now every blade of grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, afraid, as if some kind of misfortune!” He sees a life-giving force in a thunderstorm. It is interesting that not only the attitude towards thunderstorms, but also the principles of Dikiy and Kuligin are different. Kuligin condemns the lifestyle of Dikiy, Kabanova and their morals: “ Cruel morals, sir, in our city, they are cruel!..”
Thus, the image of a thunderstorm is connected with the revelation of the characters in the drama.
Katerina is also afraid of thunderstorms, but not as much as Dikoy. She sincerely believes that the thunderstorm is God's punishment. Katerina does not talk about the benefits of a thunderstorm; she is afraid not of punishment, but of sins. Her fear is connected with deep, strong faith and tall moral ideals. Therefore, in her words about the fear of thunderstorms, there is no sound of complacency, like Dikiy’s, but rather of repentance: “It’s not so scary that it will kill you, but that death will suddenly find you as you are, with all your sins, with all your evil thoughts.” ...”
The heroine herself also resembles a thunderstorm. Firstly, the theme of the thunderstorm is connected with Katerina’s experiences and state of mind. In the first act, a thunderstorm gathers, as if a harbinger of tragedy and as an expression of the heroine’s troubled soul. It was then that Katerina confesses to Varvara that she loves someone else, not her husband.
The thunderstorm did not bother Katerina during her date with Boris, when she suddenly felt happy. A thunderstorm appears whenever storms rage in the soul of the heroine herself: the words “With Boris Grigorievich!” (in the scene of Katerina’s confession) and again, according to the author’s remark, a “thunderclap” is heard.
Secondly, Katerina’s confession and her suicide was a challenge to the forces of the “dark kingdom” and its principles (“secretly hidden”). Love itself, which Katerina did not hide,
her desire for freedom is also a protest, a challenge that thundered over the forces of the “dark kingdom” like a thunderstorm. Katerina’s victory is that rumors will spread about Kabanikha, about her role in her daughter-in-law’s suicide, and it will not be possible to hide the truth. Even Tikhon begins to weakly protest. “You ruined her! You! You!" he shouts to his mother.
So, Ostrovsky’s “The Thunderstorm” produces, despite its tragedy, a refreshing, encouraging impression, which Dobrolyubov spoke about: “... the end (of the play)... seems gratifying to us, it’s easy to understand why: it presents a terrible challenge to tyrant power. ..”
Katerina does not adapt to Kabanova’s principles, she did not want to lie and listen to other people’s lies: “You are in vain saying this about me, mamma...”
A thunderstorm is also not subject to anything or anyone; it happens in both summer and spring, not limited to the time of year, like precipitation. It is not without reason that in many pagan religions the main god is the Thunderer, the lord of thunder and lightning (thunderstorms).
As in nature, a thunderstorm in Ostrovsky’s play combines destructive and creative forces: “The thunderstorm will kill!”, “This is not a thunderstorm, but grace!”
So, the image of a thunderstorm in Ostrovsky’s drama is multi-valued and multi-sided: while symbolically expressing the idea of the work, it is at the same time directly involved in the action. The image of a thunderstorm illuminates almost all facets of the tragic conflict of the play, which is why the meaning of the title becomes so important for readers’ understanding of the play.
So what is this symbol that Ostrovsky puts in the title - a thunderstorm?
For people XIX centuries, ignorant of electricity and physical laws, a thunderstorm was a terrible, frightening action. Lightning flashed in the sky, sometimes they flew to the ground and killed people, burned buildings and trees. There was an indescribable roar everywhere. However, even now thunderstorms on earth are exactly the same as 150 years ago. Only they are no longer so scary, because we know how they happen. But our ancestors endowed this natural phenomenon with a mysterious meaning.
So, on the one hand, the belief about the wrath of God was associated with the thunderstorm. It falls on people to scare and remind them of the day doomsday, in which sinners will pay for their crimes against God. On the other hand, thunderstorms are a harbinger of renewal, since they are mainly associated with the onset of spring. Heavy rains with thunder clear the air, wash the ground and foliage. Before a thunderstorm it is usually stuffy, but after it it becomes easy and fun to breathe. The fear passes and a joyful renewal sets in. Nature and people begin to live again, but only in a clean world.
Thus, a thunderstorm in a person’s mind is associated with both a positive beginning, becoming a symbol of new life, and with a negative one. In the second case, the thunderstorm becomes the embodiment of a fair, deserved and terrible punishment.
In his play, Ostrovsky masterfully uses both of these meanings. He introduces into the text of the narrative both the thunderstorm itself as part of nature, and its symbolic expression Katerina, who plays the role of a cleansing force in the life of the inhabitants of the city of Kalinov.
But why can Katerina be called a thunderstorm? What did this fragile girl do that could be compared with a strong natural phenomenon?
This image receives full compliance with its symbolic sound at the end of the play. The death, or rather, suicide of the heroine was a truly terrible event for the city. It stirred the hearts of people, turned their familiar world upside down and made them think. No wonder Tikhon, Katerina’s husband, standing over his wife’s lifeless body, will reproach his mother for being the one to blame for this terrible death. He will reproach his mother, whom he previously could not say a word against. This is truly a breakthrough. And it was Katerina’s death, her self-sacrifice and liberation that gave rise to this breakthrough.
It is no coincidence that the critic Dobrolyubov called Katerina Kabanova “a ray of light in a dark kingdom.” But a ray of light is, perhaps, lightning?..
But, as was said, there is another meaning of this symbol - well-deserved punishment. Katerina has nothing to do with this. She is not a tool, but a cause. This means that the thunderstorm itself appeared here as a natural phenomenon. actor, which reminded the heroine of her crime - cheating on her husband.
It is also necessary to say that Katerina and the thunderstorm have another similarity. According to the author's idea, they play the role of an antithesis in relation to the reality around them. The heroine confronts the stuffy society of the city of Kalinov, and a thunderstorm destroys the stuffiness of the air.
In the text of the work, a thunderstorm like rain with lightning and thunder and the thunderous meaning of Katerina’s suicide coincide in a strong climax. Ostrovsky puts an end to the conflict of the play. With one movement of the pen, he resolves the problem of the confrontation between Katerina and Kabanikha, instantly makes the girl a winner and punishes those responsible for what happened.
This is how the title of Ostrovsky’s play contained the problems, the theme, and the idea of the work, and also explained the meaning of the image of the main character.
Thunderstorms are also present in the lives of other city residents. For Kabanova and Wild thunderstorm appears in the person of Kuligin and Katerina. These heroes indicate that changes are approaching, which Kalinov’s inert people refuse to accept.
A.N. Ostrovsky is not just a playwright. He is rightfully considered the father of Russian drama. After all, before him in the literature of the 19th century performing arts developed very poorly. Ostrovsky's plays were new, fresh and interesting. It was thanks to this author that people flocked to theaters again. One of the most famous plays- "Storm".
History of creation
A.N. Ostrovsky was sent on a special mission to central Russia. Here the writer was able to see provincial life In his best. Like any other writer, Ostrovsky first of all paid attention to the life and way of life of the Russian merchants, townspeople, and noble people of the province. He was looking for characters and plots. As a result of the trip, the play "The Thunderstorm" was written. And a little later in one of them there was similar case. Ostrovsky was able to predict events that happened in the future. Characteristics of the play "The Thunderstorm" as whole work shows that the author is not just an insightful person, but also a talented playwright.
The artistic originality of the drama
The play has a number of artistic features. It should be said that Ostrovsky was both a novelty in dramaturgy and a supporter of tradition. To understand, it is necessary to analyze the genre, the main characters, the conflict and the meaning of the title of the play “The Thunderstorm”.
Genre
There are three dramatic tragedy and drama. Of these, comedy is the oldest, followed by comedy, but drama as a genre appears only in the 19th century. Its founder in Russia was A.N. Ostrovsky. The play "The Thunderstorm" fully corresponds to his canons. In the center of the image - ordinary people, not historical figures, not These are people with their own shortcomings and merits, in whose souls feelings, attachments, likes and dislikes develop. The situation is also common. However, there is an acute life conflict, most often unresolvable. Katerina (the main character of the drama) falls into such life situation from which there is no way out. The meaning of the title of the play “The Thunderstorm” is multifaceted (this will be discussed below), one of the interpretation options is the inevitability of something, the predetermination and tragedy of the situation.
Main characters
The main characters of the play: Kabanikha, her son Tikhon, Katerina (Kabanova’s daughter-in-law), Boris (her lover), Varvara (Tikhon’s sister), Dikoy, Kuligin. There are other characters, each of which has its own meaning.
Kabanikha and Dikoy personify everything negative that exists in the city of Kalinov. anger, tyranny, the desire to lead everyone, greed. Tikhon Kabanov is an example of resigned worship of his mother; he is spineless and stupid. Varvara is not like that. She understands that her mother is wrong in many ways. She also wants to free herself from under her pressure and does it in her own way: she simply deceives her. But such a path is impossible for Katerina. She cannot lie to her husband; betrayal for her is a great sin. Compared to others, Katerina looks more thinking, feeling and alive. Only one hero stands aside - Kuligin. He plays the role of a reasoning hero, that is, a character into whose mouth the author puts his attitude to the situation.
The meaning of the title of the play "The Thunderstorm"
A symbolic name is one way to express ideological plan works. There is a huge meaning in one word, it is multi-layered.
Firstly, thunderstorms happen twice in the city of Kalinov. Each character reacts differently. Kuligin, for example, sees a thunderstorm as a physical phenomenon, so it doesn’t cause him much fear. Of course, the meaning of the title of the play “The Thunderstorm” is not only that this phenomenon is present in the text. The symbol of a thunderstorm is closely connected with the main character - Katerina. For the first time, this natural phenomenon catches the heroine on the street when she is talking with Varvara. Katerina was very scared, but not of death. Her horror is justified by the fact that lightning can kill suddenly, and she will suddenly appear before God with all her sins. But she has one most serious sin - falling in love with Boris. Upbringing and conscience do not allow Katerina to completely surrender to this feeling. Having gone on a date, she begins to experience enormous torment. The heroine also makes a confession during a thunderstorm. Hearing the thunderclap, she cannot stand it.
Depends on the level of interpretation. On a formal level, this is the beginning and culmination of the drama. But on a symbolic level, this is the fear of God’s punishment, of retribution.
We can say that a “thunderstorm” hung over all the inhabitants of the city. Purely outwardly, these are attacks from Kabanikha and Wild, but on the existential level it is the fear of answering for one’s sins. Perhaps that is why she causes horror not only in Katerina. Even the word “thunderstorm” itself is pronounced in the text not only as a name natural phenomenon. Tikhon leaves home, rejoicing that his mother will no longer bother him, that she will no longer order him around. Katerina is not able to escape from this “thunderstorm”. She found herself backed into a corner.
Katerina's image
The heroine commits suicide, and because of this, her image is very contradictory. She is devout, afraid of “fiery Gehenna,” but at the same time she commits such a grave sin. Why? Apparently, moral suffering, moral torment is stronger than her thoughts about hell. Most likely, she simply stopped thinking about suicide as a sin, seeing it as a punishment for her sin (cheating on her husband). Some critics see it exclusively strong personality, which challenged society, the “dark kingdom” (Dobrolyubov). Others believe that voluntary death is not a challenge, but, on the contrary, a sign of weakness.
It is impossible to say with certainty how to evaluate this act of the heroine. The meaning of the title of the play “The Thunderstorm” emphasizes that in the society that has developed in Kalinov, such cases are not surprising, because this is an ossified, backward city, ruled by tyrants such as Dikoy and Kabanikha. As a result, sensitive natures (Katerina) suffer without feeling support from anyone.
Conclusions. Features and meaning of the title of the play "The Thunderstorm" (briefly)
1. The drama became a vivid example of the life of provincial cities, exposing one of the main problems of Russia - tyranny.
2. The drama corresponds to the canons of the genre (there is a hero-reasoner, there is negative characters), but at the same time it is innovative (it is symbolic).
3. “Thunderstorm” in the title of the play is not just compositional element, this is a symbol of God's punishment, repentance. The meaning of the title of the play "The Thunderstorm" by Ostrovsky takes the play to a symbolic level.
Where are you, thunderstorm - a symbol of freedom?
A. S. Pushkin
Play by A.N. Ostrovsky’s “The Thunderstorm” was written under the writer’s impression of a trip in 1856 along the Volga River. When the play was published and staged in the theater, contemporaries saw in it a call for renewal of life, for freedom, because it was published in 1860, when everyone was waiting for the abolition of serfdom.
At the center of the play is an acute conflict between the masters of life, representatives of the “dark kingdom,” and their victims. On the background beautiful landscape Ostrovsky paints an unbearable life common people. Ostrovsky often correlates the state of nature with the state of soul of the heroes. At the beginning of the play, nature is quiet, calm and serene, this is how life seems to us merchant family Kabanov. But gradually nature becomes different: clouds roll in, thunder is heard somewhere. A thunderstorm is approaching, but is it only in nature? No. A thunderstorm is also expected in society, in this kingdom of despotism. What is a thunderstorm in Ostrovsky?
This name has multiple meanings. Kabanikha’s son Tikhon is the first to speak about the thunderstorm: “There won’t be any thunderstorm over me for two weeks.” Tikhon is afraid and does not love his mother, he is also an unhappy person. The heroes perceive the thunderstorm as a punishment; they fear it and wait for it at the same time, because then it will become easier. “A thunderstorm is sent to us as punishment,” Dikoy teaches Kuligina. The power of this fear extends to many of the characters in the drama and does not even pass by Katerina.
The image of Katerina is the most bright image in Ostrovsky's play "The Thunderstorm". ON THE. Dobrolyubov, analyzing in detail the image of Katerina, called her “a ray of light in a dark kingdom.” Katerina is very sincere, real, and freedom-loving. She believes in God, so she considers her love for Boris a sin. She sincerely thinks that she deserves punishment and must repent: “I didn’t know that you were so afraid of thunderstorms,” Varvara tells her. “How, girl, not to be afraid! - Katerina answers. - Everyone should be afraid. It’s not so scary that it will kill you, but that death will suddenly find you as you are, with all your sins.”
If in nature a thunderstorm has already begun, then in life it is only approaching. A thunderstorm is a symbol of liberation from the “dark kingdom” that has already begun. The mind is shaking the old foundations and common sense inventor Kuligin; Katerina protests, albeit unconsciously, but she does not want to put up with such living conditions and decides her own fate. She rushes into the Volga to preserve her right to freedom in life and in love. This is how she wins a moral victory over the “dark kingdom.” In all this lies the main meaning of a realistic symbol - the symbol of a thunderstorm.
However, it is not only positive. There is something elemental and natural in Katerina’s love for Boris, just like in a thunderstorm. Love should bring joy, but for Katerina this is not the case, because she is married.
The thunderstorm also manifests itself in the very character of the heroine - she is not subject to any conventions or restrictions. She herself says that as a child, when someone offended her, she ran away from home and sailed alone in a boat along the Volga. Dreamy, honest, sincere, kind Katerina takes the oppressive atmosphere of bourgeois society especially hard. Her act, just like the thunderstorm, disturbed the peace of the provincial town and brought freedom and renewal of life.
Contemporaries saw in the play a protest against the oppression of the individual under serfdom; social implications were important to them. However, the meaning of the name is deeper. Ostrovsky protests against any insult to the individual, against the suppression of freedom.
The topical meaning of the drama is gone, but the play “The Thunderstorm” remains relevant today, because the image of Katerina undoubtedly evokes sympathy among readers and spectators.
The meaning of the title of A. N. Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm”
N. Ostrovsky is the largest playwright of the second half of the 19th century. "Thunderstorm" is one of his the brightest works. It was written in 1859, during the fundamental changes taking place in Russian society. He was one of the first to give a broad description of the merchants in Russia. Alexander Nikolaevich wrote his drama “The Thunderstorm” under the impression of a trip along the Volga. And it is no coincidence that he chose exactly this title for his play.
The word “thunderstorm” has a huge meaning. A thunderstorm is not only a natural phenomenon, but it is also a symbol of change in the “dark kingdom”, including way of life, which existed for several centuries in Russian life.
At the center of the play is the conflict between representatives of the “dark kingdom” and their victims. Against the backdrop of beautiful, calm nature, the unbearable life of people is depicted. And the main character - Katerina - cannot stand the oppression, the humiliation of her human dignity. This is also evidenced by changes in nature: the colors deepen, a thunderstorm approaches, the sky darkens. You can feel a thunderstorm approaching. All this is a harbinger of some terrible events.
The word “thunderstorm” is heard for the first time in the scene of farewell to Tikhon. He says: “...For two weeks there will be no thunderstorm over me.” Tikhon really wants to escape, at least for a little while, from the atmosphere of his parents’ house, to escape from the power of his mother Kabanikha, to feel free, to “take a break for the whole year.” By “thunderstorm” he means the mother’s oppression, her omnipotence, fear of her, as well as fear of retribution for sins committed. “A thunderstorm is sent to us as punishment,” says Dikaya Kuligina. And this fear of retribution is inherent in all the characters in the play, even Katerina. She is religious and considers her love for Boris a great sin, but she can’t help herself.
The only one who was not afraid of the thunderstorm was the self-taught mechanic Kuligin. He even tried to resist this natural phenomenon by building a lightning rod. Kuligin saw in a thunderstorm only a majestic and beautiful spectacle, a manifestation of the strength and power of nature, and not a danger to humans. He says to everyone: “Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell? Now every grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, afraid, as if some misfortune is coming! Eh, people. I’m not afraid.”
So, in nature, the thunderstorm has already begun. What is happening in society? Not everything is calm there either - some changes are brewing. The thunderstorm in this case is an omen of the coming conflict and its resolution. Katerina is no longer able to live according to Domostroev’s rules, she wants freedom, but she no longer has the strength to fight with those around her. It is no coincidence, by the way, that a crazy lady appears on stage, which is accompanied by thunderclaps. She predicts the main character's imminent death.
Thus, the thunderstorm is the impetus for the outbreak of the conflict. Katerina was very frightened by the lady’s words and thunderclaps, taking them as a sign “from above.” She was a very emotional and religious person, so she simply could not live with sin in her soul - the sin of love for a stranger. Katerina threw herself into the abyss of the Volga, unable to withstand the terrible, difficult, forced existence that fettered the impulses of her hot heart, unable to come to terms with the hypocritical morality of the tyrants of the “dark kingdom.” These were the consequences the thunderstorm had for Katerina.
It should be noted that the thunderstorm is also a symbol of Katerina’s love for Boris, Dikiy’s nephew, because there is something elemental in their relationship, just like in a thunderstorm. Just like a thunderstorm, this love does not bring joy to either the heroine or her lover. Katerina - married woman, she has no right to cheat on her husband, because she took an oath of fidelity before God. But the marriage was completed, and no matter how hard the heroine tried, she could not fall in love with her legal husband, who was not able to either protect his wife from the attacks of her mother-in-law or understand her. But Katerina thirsted for love, and these impulses of her heart found a way out in her affection for Boris. He was the only inhabitant of the city of Kalinov who did not grow up in it. Boris was more educated than others; he studied in Moscow. He was the only one who understood Katerina, but could not help her, since he lacked determination. Obviously, this was not such a strong feeling for which one could sacrifice everything. This is also evidenced by the fact that he leaves Katerina completely alone in the city, advising her to submit to fate, foreseeing that she will die. Boris exchanged his love for Dikiy's inheritance, which he will never receive. Thus, Boris is also part of Kalinov’s world.
Ostrovsky in his work was able to show the changes that took place in Russian society in the second half of the 19th century. This is evidenced by the title of the play “The Thunderstorm”. But if in nature after a thunderstorm the air becomes cleaner, a discharge occurs, then in life after a “thunderstorm” it is unlikely that anything will change; most likely, everything will remain in place.
It was first staged in 1859. The writer wrote his work in the era of realism, when all phenomena and objects were endowed with symbolic meaning. The drama was no exception. Let's decide what the meaning and symbolism of the title of Ostrovsky's play is.
The meaning of the name of the drama Thunderstorm
When you read a playwright’s play, you involuntarily highlight main character Katerina. But the writer does not name the work in honor of Katerina, he chooses symbolic name Thunderstorm, and for a reason.
In the play, a thunderstorm is presented as a natural phenomenon, where various events are accompanied by frequent bad weather, and the residents of Kalinov live in anticipation of the elements. But not only does the thunderstorm appear as a natural phenomenon, here it is also an active character. It became a challenge to the established order, where the writer denounces tyranny in everyday life and shows the protest that should have arisen.
The thunderstorm is also a characteristic of individual characters in the drama. This is how we see Kabanikha, whose character is like thunder. Everyone is afraid of her and does not dare to contradict her. She is also a representative of the old order.
A storm is also raging in the soul of Katerina, who protests against the established foundations and cannot come to terms with them. She begins to fight injustice and throws herself into the river, freeing her living soul, choosing death. So it turns out that the meaning of the drama’s title is much broader than showing people’s lives in anticipation of this natural phenomenon. The point is to show change and turning points, which are caused by rejection of rules, foundations, morals and loss of morality.
Symbolism of the play Groz Ostrovsky
Getting acquainted with Ostrovsky's drama, we can notice the different symbolism that the writer uses in his work. First of all, this is a thunderstorm, which is both a symbol of God's punishment and punishment for sins, and a symbol of change and rebellion. It is also a symbol of the new, the future.
Katerina often remembers birds and dreams of becoming one of them. Here the birds symbolize freedom, independence, lightness, which the heroine dreamed of getting, freed from the swampy swamp of life.
The writer also symbolically uses the river in his work. She is like the border between two lives. On one side of Kalinov, where the old foundations and dark kingdom. On the other side - ideal life. It is different for everyone, but it is special, the kind in which everyone would like to be. At the same time, the Volga also becomes a symbol of death, although this sounds strange. After all, water in its essence is life. But on the other hand, by jumping into the river, Katerina found the very freedom that she had so dreamed of. She freed herself from the dark kingdom.
