Why did N.A. Dobrolyubov call Katerina “a strong Russian character”? Why did Dobrolyubov call Katerina’s character “Russian strong character”

12.04.2019

Why N.A. Did Dobrolyubov call Katerina’s character a “strong Russian” character?

The play “The Thunderstorm”, written by A.N. Ostrovsky in 1859, became the object of controversy among many critics, whose opinions were both positive and negative. But the classical interpretation of this work is considered to be the critical article by N.A. Dobrolyubov’s “A Ray of Light in a Dark Kingdom,” in which he deftly parried the attacks of other critics, answered many questions of interest to readers and analyzed the images of the characters in the drama.

Special attention Nikolai Alexandrovich devoted to the characteristics of Katerina, the main character of the work. After all, she, a fragile, defenseless girl, was so alone in the “dark kingdom” of the Wild and Kabanovs. But why in his analysis did he call Katerina’s character a “strong Russian” character?

According to Dobrolyubov, Katerina is very unique. There is nothing external or alien in her character, everything comes out from within; any impression is processed in him and grows organically with him. She does not act on conviction or logical reasoning. She is driven by nature. Katerina loves everything around her: nature, the sun, the church, her home with wanderers, the beggars whom she helps, showing responsiveness, hospitality and boundless kindness. From everything that exists, she chooses only that which does not contradict her nature. Her soul is much wider and deeper than that of other people, it is free, liberated and harmonious.

Dobrolyubov compares Katerina to a high-water river: she flows as she demands

natural property. It bubbles not because the water suddenly wanted to make noise, but because it needs it for its further flow. So it is in the character of Katerina: we know that he will endure himself, despite any obstacles; and when there is not enough strength, he will die, but will not betray himself.

Katerina did not love her husband. But you can't blame her for that. “She simply did not have a particular desire to get married, but there was also no aversion to marriage; there was no love in her for Tikhon, but there was no love for anyone else either.” She didn't care. But when she met Boris, new feelings appeared in her - passion and love. And in these feelings her whole life began to lie, the whole strength of her nature. She was drawn to Boris not only because she liked him, but also by the need for love, the mortal melancholy of her monotonous life and the desire to be free, free. It was for freedom that Katerina was ready to fight and achieve it at all costs: this is where the strength of her character manifested itself.

I believe that N.A. Dobrolyubov called Katerina’s character “Russian” and “strong”, because with such a character a person is able to love so much, is able to sacrifice so much, endure all the hardships and hardships, while remaining himself. Katerina had a character that the “dark kingdom” could not change.

The drama “The Thunderstorm” by A. N. Ostrovsky shows the complex, tragic process of emancipation of the reviving soul. Here darkness fights with light, ups give way to downs, and the vitality of the morality of the “dark kingdom” and its vulnerability are vividly depicted. All those heroes of the play, who can conventionally be called victims of the “dark kingdom,” are clearly aware that the order of life in the city or in their family is vicious. But are they capable of protest? No, they only find the strength to adapt to life: Varvara lies because she knows that she can do everything, as long as it’s “safe and covered”; Tikhon, sympathizing with his wife, prefers to do his mother’s will and drink bitter drinks; Kuligin does not argue with Dikiy, but only talks about possible transformations. And only Katerina not only understands that life in the city does not proceed according to normal human laws, but also does not intend to put up with it. Katerina's loneliness among the characters in the play is emphasized by the composition of the work. She is the only hero who does not have a pair (compare with such pairs as Kabanova - Dikoy, Tikhon - Boris, Varvara - Kudryash, Kuligin - Feklusha). Katerina's monologues prevail over her dialogues with other characters. Katerina, even by her origin, is a stranger in Kalinov. A. N. Ostrovsky portrays her as an original Russian character. She is a folk heroine, whose image was undoubtedly inspired by the author with images of Russian poetry. Let us remember what she says about her childhood: “I lived, did not worry about anything, like a bird in the wild.” It is captivity that becomes the reason that protest begins to brew in Katerina’s soul. “...I’m so stuffy, so stuffy at home, that I would run,” she says to Varvara. But Katerina was brought up on religious ideas about morality and duty. Therefore, she only needs to realize that she loves someone else to begin to feel guilty. And the theme of sin appears in the play, which is also understood differently by all the characters in the play. Katerina's first meeting with her beloved is deeply tragic. There's a motive here folk song- motive of imminent death (“You kill, ruin me from midnight...”): “Why did you come? Why have you come, my destroyer?” “Why do you want my death?”; “You ruined me!” How strong her feeling must be if she goes to certain death in his name! “Don’t be sorry, destroy me!” - she exclaims, surrendering to this feeling. And gradually Katerina comes to the conclusion: “If I get tired of it here, they won’t hold me back by any force. I’ll throw myself out the window, throw myself into the Volga.” The beauty of Katerina’s character lies not only in her poetry, but also in her amazing love of freedom. But her upbringing, typical of patriarchal Rus', leads to a conflict brewing in her soul with herself, because, on the one hand, she considers her dreams of happiness to be sinful, and on the other, the need for love and freedom becomes the only thing that occupies her mind. all her thoughts. In the first scene, listening to the dialogue between Kuligin and Tikhon, we imagine Katerina as a submissive victim, a person with a broken will and a trampled soul. “Mama eats her, but she walks around like a shadow, unresponsive. She just cries and melts like wax,” Tikhon says about his wife. And here she is in front of us. No, she's not a victim. She is a person with a strong, decisive character, with a lively, freedom-loving heart. She ran away from home to say goodbye to Boris, without fear of punishment for this act. She not only does not hide, does not hide, but “loudly, at the top of her voice” calls her beloved: “My joy, my life, my soul, I love you! Respond!” No, she does not feel like a slave, on the contrary, she is free, if only because she has lost everything, that she has nothing else to value, not even her life: “Why should I live now, well, for what?” Boris says about himself: “What can you talk about me! I am a free bird.” In the dating scene, Katerina envies him: “You are a free Cossack.” But, in fact, which of the two is freer? Let’s dwell on Boris’s remarks in the farewell scene: “I can’t, Katya. I’m not eating of my own free will: my uncle sends me... They wouldn’t find me here!” Boris is shackled with fear. Katerina’s last monologue depicts her inner victory over the forces of the “dark kingdom.” “Live again? No, no, don’t... not good!” The word “bad” is characteristic here: living under the yoke of Kabanikha, from Katerina’s point of view, is immoral. “And they will catch me and force me back home...” How scary this word sounds here - they will catch me, as if not about the man is walking speech! At the thought of the violence that will be committed against her, Katerina exclaims: “Oh, quickly, quickly! “The thirst for liberation also triumphs over dark religious ideas. Katerina becomes convinced of her right to freedom of feeling, to the freedom to choose between life and death. “It’s all the same that death will come, that it will... but you can’t live!” - she reflects on suicide, which, from the point of view of the church, is one of the most terrible sins. And then she questions this idea: “Sin! Won't they pray? He who loves will pray...” The thought of love is stronger than the fear of religious prohibitions, and Katerina’s dying words are not addressed to God and do not express repentance for her sins - they are addressed to her beloved: “My friend! My joy! Goodbye!" Just as a thunderstorm on a hot summer day brings relief to people, so after the death of Katerina, even if only for a short time, the victims of the “dark kingdom” develop a desire to break free from the power of tyrants. Varvara and Kudryash flee Kalinov. Kuligin addresses the people gathered on the shore with bitter reproach. Even the ever-submissive Tikhon throws an accusation in his mother’s face: “You ruined her! You! You!" But is any of them capable of defending their freedom at the cost of their lives? Ostrovsky is sure that no, because submissiveness is still strong in people. And in death, Katerina is as lonely as in life. This is probably why the insightful Russian critic N.A. Dobrolyubov called Katerina “a strong Russian character.” A woman who goes to the end in her protest must be, according to the critic, truly heroic self-sacrifice.

What is a “Russian strong character” according to Dobrolyubov using the example of Katerina’s character

Play by A.N. Ostrovsky's “The Thunderstorm” is one of his best works. The fighter against the “dark kingdom” is main character plays - Katerina. In the image of Katerina, Ostrovsky showed a decisive and integral Russian character.

Katerina's character is unique. Dobrolyubov said about it this way: “There is nothing external, alien in him, but everything somehow comes out from within him, every impression is processed in him and then grows organically with him.” Katerina is never capricious, never flirts, she doesn’t want to stand out or show off. On the contrary, she lives very peacefully and is ready to submit to everything, unless it is contrary to her nature. But while recognizing and respecting others, she demands the same respect for herself. The environment in which Katerina lives requires her to lie and deceive.

The play repeatedly repeats an image that helps to understand the main thing in Katerina’s character - the image of a bird. The bird is a symbol of will. From here permanent epithet"free Bird". “I lived, didn’t worry about anything, like a bird in the wild,” Katerina recalls about how she lived before the wedding. “Why don’t people fly like birds? - she says to Varvara. “You know, sometimes I feel like I’m a bird.” But the free bird Katerina ended up in an iron cage. The mother-in-law does not like Katerina and always reproaches her for all sorts of little things. But we note that Katerina’s character is not like that, and this is confirmed by the words: “Eh, Varya, you don’t know my character! Of course, don't let this happen! And if I’m 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, even if you cut me!”

The denouement of the entire play occurs when Katerina confesses to her husband that she has been unfaithful. She does this because she does not want and does not know how to lie. She had no love for her husband, but only pity. And she cheated on him with the man she loved. She is perplexed because she sees the hatred and suspicion of the “dark kingdom.” And she found a way out of this impasse in the decision to die. But in these last minutes she does not blame anyone, does not complain about anyone; on the contrary, she thinks that she herself is to blame for everyone.

Dobrolyubov said this: “Sad, bitter is such liberation; but what to do when there is no other way out. It’s good that the poor woman found the determination to at least take this terrible way out. That’s the strength of her character!”

Indeed, a person who was not afraid to admit to treason, who was not afraid to challenge the “dark kingdom” and was not even afraid of death, has a strong character.

Why did N.A. Dobrolyubov call Katerina’s character a “strong Russian” character? The play "The Thunderstorm", written by A. N. Ostrovsky in 1859, became the object of controversy among many critics, whose opinions were both positive and negative. But the classic interpretation of this work is considered to be the critical article by N. A. Dobrolyubov, “A Ray of Light in a Dark Kingdom,” in which he deftly parried the attacks of other critics, answered many questions of interest to readers and analyzed the images of the characters in the drama. Nikolai Alexandrovich paid special attention to the characterization of Katerina, the main character of the work. After all, she, a fragile, defenseless girl, was so alone in the “dark kingdom” of the Wild and Kabanovs. But why in his analysis did he call Katerina’s character a “strong Russian” character? According to Dobrolyubov, Katerina is very unique.

There is nothing external or alien in her character, everything comes out from within; any impression is processed in him and grows organically with him. She does not act on conviction or logical reasoning. She is driven by nature. Katerina loves everything around her: nature, the sun, the church, her home with wanderers, the beggars whom she helps, showing responsiveness, hospitality and boundless kindness. From everything that exists, she chooses only that which does not contradict her nature. Her soul is much wider and deeper than that of other people, it is free, liberated and harmonious.

While in captivity, Katerina is not capricious, does not blame anyone, lives very peacefully and is ready to submit to everything that is not contrary to her nature. But, recognizing and respecting the aspirations of others, she demands the same respect for herself, and any constraint deeply outrages her. She cannot withstand any more humiliation and decides to fight for her rights, but being unable to stand up for herself, she goes the opposite way - she herself runs away from destroyers and offenders, just so as not to contradict herself. Dobrolyubov compares Katerina to a high-water river: she flows as her Natural property requires. It bubbles not because the water suddenly wanted to make noise, but because it needs it for its further flow. So it is in the character of Katerina: we know that he will endure himself, despite any obstacles; and when there is not enough strength, he will die, but will not betray himself.

Katerina did not love her husband. But you can't blame her for that. “She simply did not have a particular desire to get married, but there was also no aversion from marriage; there was no love in her for Tikhon, but there was no love for anyone else either.” She didn't care. But when she met Boris, new feelings appeared in her - passion and love. And in these feelings her whole life began to lie, the whole strength of her nature. She was drawn to Boris not only because she liked him, but also by the need for love, the mortal melancholy of her monotonous life and the desire to be free, free. It was for freedom that Katerina was ready to fight and achieve it at all costs: this is where the strength of her character manifested itself.

A. N. Ostrovsky's play “The Thunderstorm” is one of his best works. The main character of the play, Katerina, is a fighter against the “dark kingdom”. In the image of Katerina, Ostrovsky showed a decisive and integral Russian character.
Katerina's character is unique. Dobrolyubov said about it this way: “There is nothing external, alien in him, but everything somehow comes out from within him, every impression is processed in him and then grows organically with him.” Katerina is never capricious, never flirts, she doesn’t want to stand out or show off. On the contrary, she lives very peacefully and is ready to submit to everything, unless it is contrary to her nature. But while recognizing and respecting others, she demands the same respect for herself. The environment in which Katerina lives requires her to lie and deceive.
The play repeatedly repeats an image that helps to understand the main thing in Katerina’s character - the image of a bird. The bird is a symbol of will. Hence the constant epithet “free bird”. “I lived, didn’t worry about anything, like a bird in the wild,” Katerina recalls about how she lived before the wedding. “Why don’t people fly like birds? - she says to Varvara. “You know, sometimes I feel like I’m a bird.” But the free bird Katerina ended up in an iron cage. The mother-in-law does not like Katerina and always reproaches her for all sorts of little things. But we note that Katerina’s character is not like that, and this is confirmed by the words: “Eh, Varya, you don’t know my character! Of course, don't let this happen! And if I get really tired of it 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, even if you cut me!”
The denouement of the entire play occurs when Katerina confesses to her husband that she has been unfaithful. She does this because she does not want and does not know how to lie. She had no love for her husband, but only pity. And she cheated on him with the man she loved. She is perplexed because she sees the hatred and suspicion of the “dark kingdom.” And she found a way out of this impasse in the decision to die. But in these last minutes she does not blame anyone, does not complain about anyone; on the contrary, she thinks that she herself is to blame for everyone.
Dobrolyubov said this: “Sad, bitter is such liberation; but what to do when there is no other way out. It’s good that the poor woman found the determination to at least take this terrible way out. That’s the strength of her character!”
Indeed, a person who was not afraid to admit to treason, who was not afraid to challenge the “dark kingdom” and was not even afraid of death, has a strong character.

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Why did Dobrolyubov call Katerina’s character “Russian” strong character”