The Dark Kingdom and its victims based on the play by An Ostrovsky Groz. Is Katerina an original Russian character or a victim of the “Dark Kingdom”? Home building for lesson

03.11.2019

In the atmosphere of the “dark kingdom”, under the yoke of tyrant power, living human feelings fade and wither, the will weakens, the mind fades. If a person is endowed with energy and a thirst for life, then, adapting to the circumstances, he begins to lie, cheat, and dodge.

Under the pressure of this dark force The characters of Tikhon and Varvara develop. And this power disfigures them - each in its own way.

Tikhon is depressed, pitiful, impersonal. But even Kabanikha’s oppression did not completely kill the living feelings in him. Somewhere in the depths of his timid soul there glimmers a flame - love for his wife. He does not dare to show this love, he does not understand the complex spiritual life of Katerina and is glad to leave even her, just to escape from his home hell. But the fire in his soul does not go out. Confused and depressed, Tikhon shows love and pity for his wife who cheated on him. “And I love her, I feel sorry for laying a finger on her...” he confesses to Kuligin.

His will is paralyzed, and he does not even dare to help his unfortunate Katya. However, in last scene love for his wife overcomes fear of his mother, and a man awakens in Tikhon. Over Katerina’s corpse, for the first time in his life, he turns to his mother with accusations. Here before us is a man in whom, under the influence of terrible misfortune, the will has awakened. The curses sound all the more menacing because they come from the most downtrodden, the most timid and weak person. This means that the foundations of the “dark kingdom” are really crumbling and Kabanikha’s power is wavering, if even Tikhon spoke like that.

Traits different from those in Tikhon are embodied in the image of Varvara. She does not want to endure the power of tyrant force, she does not want to live in captivity. But she chooses the path of deception, cunning, dodging, and this becomes habitual for her - she does it easily, cheerfully, without feeling any remorse. Varvara claims that it is impossible to live without lies: their whole house rests on deception. “And I was not a liar, but I learned when it became necessary.” Her everyday philosophy is very simple: “Do whatever you want, as long as it’s safe and covered.” However, Varvara was cunning while she could, and when they began to lock her up, she ran away from home. And again the old Testament ideals of Kabanikha are crumbling. The daughter “disgraced” her house and broke free from her power.

The weakest and most pathetic of all is Dikiy’s nephew, Boris Grigorievich. He speaks about himself: “I’m walking around completely dead... Driven, beaten...” This is a kind, cultured person standing out from the background merchant environment. However, he is not able to protect either himself or the woman he loves; in misfortune, he only rushes about and cries and is unable to respond to abuse.

In the scene of his last date with Katerina, Boris evokes contempt in us. He is afraid to run away with the woman he loves, like Kudryash. He is afraid to even talk to Katerina (“They wouldn’t find us here”). This is exactly the case, according to the proverb, from weakness to meanness there is only one step. Boris’s powerless curses sound submissively and cowardly: “Oh, if only these people knew what it’s like for me to say goodbye to you! My God! May God grant that they may someday feel as sweet as I do now. Goodbye, Katya!.. You are villains. Monsters! Oh, if only there was strength!

He does not have this power... However, in the general chorus of protesting voices, even this powerless protest is significant.

Among the characters in the play, contrasted with the Wild and Kabanikha, he most clearly and sensibly judges " dark kingdom"Kuligin. This self-taught mechanic has a bright mind and a broad soul, like many talented people from the people. It is no coincidence that the very name of Kuligin resembles the name of the remarkable self-taught inventor from Nizhny Novgorod, Kulibin.

Kuligin condemns the possessive instincts of the merchants, cruelty towards people, ignorance, and indifference to everything truly beautiful. Kuligin's opposition to the “dark kingdom” is especially expressive in the scene of his confrontation with Dikiy.

When asking for money for a sundial, Kuligin is not concerned about himself, he is interested in “the benefits for all ordinary people in general.” But Dikoy won’t even understand what we’re talking about, the very concept of public interests is so alien to him. The interlocutors seem to speak different languages. Dikoy often simply does not understand Kuligin’s words, especially when he quotes his favorite poets of the 18th century. Dikoy reacts to Kuligin’s respectful remarks, decorated with quotes, in a very unique way: “Don’t you dare be rude to me!” - and scares Kuligin with the mayor.

Kuligin is an extraordinary person. But it was not he who was called by Dobrolyubov “a ray of light in a dark kingdom.” Why? Yes, because Kuligin is powerless, weak in his protest. Just like Tikhon, like Boris, Kuligin is afraid of tyrant power and bows before it. “There is nothing to do, we must submit!” - he says humbly. Kuligin teaches others to be obedient. So, he advises Kudryash: “It’s better to endure it.” He recommends the same to Boris: “What should we do, sir? We must try to please somehow.”

Only in the fifth act, shocked by the death of Katerina, Kuligin rises to open protest. A harsh accusation sounds in his last words: “Here is your Katerina. Do what you want with her! Her body is here, take it; but her soul is now not yours: she is now before a judge who is more merciful than you!” With these words, Kuligin not only justifies Katerina’s suicide, which freed her from oppression, but also blames the merciless judges for her death, who killed their victim.

1. Story line drama "The Thunderstorm".
2. Representatives of the “dark kingdom” - Kabanikha and Dikoy.
3. Protest against the foundations of sanctimonious morality.

Imagine that this same anarchic society was divided into two parts: one reserved the right to be mischievous and not know any law, and the other was forced to recognize as law every claim of the first and meekly endure all its whims and outrages.

N. A. Dobrolyubov The great Russian playwright A. N. Ostrovsky, the author of wonderful plays, is considered a “singer merchant life" Image of the world of Moscow and provincial merchants second half of the 19th century century, which N. A. Dobrolyubov called the “dark kingdom”, and is the main theme of the work of A. N. Ostrovsky.

The play "The Thunderstorm" was published in 1860. Its plot is simple. The main character Katerina Kabanova, not finding a response to her feminine feelings in her husband, fell in love with another person. Not wanting to lie, tormented by remorse, she confesses her offense publicly, in church. After this, her existence becomes so unbearable that she throws herself into the Volga and dies. The author reveals to us a whole gallery of types. Here are tyrant merchants (Dikoy), and guardians of local morals (Kabanikha), and pilgrim pilgrims telling fables, taking advantage of the lack of education of the people (Feklusha), and home-grown scientists (Kuligin). But with all the variety of types, it is not difficult to see that they all diverge along two sides, which could be called: “the dark kingdom” and “victims of the dark kingdom.”

The “Dark Kingdom” is represented by people in whose hands the power is. These are the ones who influence public opinion in the city of Kalinov. Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova comes to the fore. She is respected in the city, her opinion is taken into account. Kabanova constantly teaches everyone how they “did it in the old days,” whether it concerns matchmaking, seeing off and waiting for a husband, or going to church. Kabanikha is the enemy of everything new. She sees him as a threat to the established course of things. She condemns young people for not having “due respect” for their elders. She does not welcome enlightenment, because she believes that learning only corrupts minds. Kabanova says that a person should live in fear of God, and a wife should also live in fear of her husband. The Kabanovs’ house is full of praying mantises and pilgrims, who are well fed here and who receive other “favors”, and in return they tell what they want to hear from them - tales about lands where people with dog heads live, about “crazy” people in large cities inventing all sorts of innovations like the steam locomotive and thereby bringing the end of the world closer. Kuligin says about Kabanikha: “Prudence. He gives money to the poor, but completely eats up his family...” Indeed, Marfa Ignatievna’s behavior in public differs from her behavior at home. The whole family is in fear of her. Tikhon, absolutely suppressed by his domineering mother, lives with only one simple desire - to get out, even if only for a short time, from the house to have fun. He is so oppressed by his home situation that neither the requests of his wife, whom he loves, nor his work can stop him if even the slightest opportunity is given to go away somewhere. Tikhon’s sister Varvara also experiences all the hardships family life. But she, compared to Tikhon, has more strong character. She has the courage, even if secretly, to disobey her mother’s harsh temper.

The head of another family shown in the play is Dikoy Savel Prokofievich. He, unlike Kabanikha, who covers up her tyranny with hypocritical reasoning, does not hide his wild disposition. Dikoy scolds everyone: neighbors, workers, family members. He gives up and doesn’t pay the workers: “I know that I have to pay, but I still can’t…”. Dikoy is not ashamed of this; on the contrary, he says that each of the workers is missing a penny, but “for me, this makes thousands.” We know that Dikoy is the guardian of Boris and his sister, who, according to the will of their parents, should receive their inheritance from Dikoy “if they are respectful to him.” Everyone in the city, including Boris himself, understands that he and his sister will not receive an inheritance. After all, nothing and no one will stop the Wild One from declaring that they were disrespectful to him. Dikoy directly says that he is not going to part with the money, since he “has his own children.”

Tyrants rule the city behind the scenes. But this is the fault not only of the representatives of the “dark kingdom” itself, but also of its “victims”. None of them dare to openly protest. Tikhon strives to escape from home. Tikhon’s sister Varvara dares to protest, but her philosophy of life is not much different from the views of representatives of the “dark kingdom.” Do what you want, “as long as everything is sewn and covered.” She secretly goes on dates and also lures Katerina. Varvara runs away from home with Kudryash, but her escape is just an attempt to escape from reality, like Tikhon’s desire to break out of the house and run into a “tavern”. Even Kuligin, a completely independent person, prefers not to get involved with Dikiy. His dreams of technological progress, oh better life barren and utopian. He only dreams of what he would do if he had a million. Although he does nothing to earn this money, he turns to Dikiy for money to carry out his “projects”. Of course, Dikoy does not give money and drives Kuligin away.

And in this suffocating atmosphere of resourcefulness, lies, and rudeness, love arises. It’s probably not even love, but its illusion. Yes, Katerina fell in love. I fell in love as only strong, free natures can love. But she found herself in all alone. She doesn’t know how to lie and doesn’t want to, and she can’t bear to live in such a nightmare. No one protects her: neither her husband, nor her lover, nor the townspeople who sympathize with her (Kuligin). Katerina blames only herself for her sin; she does not reproach Boris, who does nothing to help her.

Katerina's death at the end of the work is natural - she has no other choice. She does not join those who preach the principles of the “dark kingdom,” but she cannot come to terms with her situation. Katerina’s guilt is only a guilt before herself, before her soul, because she darkened it with deception. Realizing this, Katerina does not blame anyone, but understands that it is impossible to live with a pure soul in the “dark kingdom”. She doesn’t need such a life, and she decides to part with it. Kuligin speaks about this when everyone was standing over Katerina’s lifeless body: “Her body is here, but her soul is now not yours, it is now before a judge who is more merciful than you!”

Katerina’s protest is a protest against the lies and vulgarity of human relationships. Against hypocrisy and sanctimonious morality. Katerina's voice was lonely, and no one was able to support and understand her. The protest turned out to be self-destructive, but it was the free choice of a woman who did not want to obey the cruel laws that a hypocritical and ignorant society imposed on her.

And what tears flow behind these constipations,

invisible and inaudible.

A. N. Ostrovsky

Tyranny and despotism, suppressing the dream of freedom and independence in those around them, inevitably give rise to intimidated and downtrodden people who do not dare to live by their own will. Such victims of the “dark kingdom” include Tikhon and Boris in the drama “The Thunderstorm”.

Since childhood, Tikhon has become accustomed to obeying his mother in everything, so accustomed that in adulthood he is afraid to act against her will. He endures all Kabanikha’s bullying meekly, not daring to protest. “How can I, Mama, disobey you!” - he says and then adds: “Yes, Mama, I don’t want to live by my own will. Where can I live by my own will!”

Tikhon's only cherished desire is to escape, at least for a short time, from under the care of his mother, drink, go on a spree, go on a spree so as to be off for a whole year. In the farewell scene, Kabanikha’s despotism reaches the extreme and Tikhon’s complete inability not only to protect, but also to understand Katerina is revealed. Kabanikha, with her instructions, brought him to complete exhaustion, and he, maintaining a respectful tone, is impatiently waiting for this torture to end.

Tikhon understands that by fulfilling his mother’s will, he is humiliating his wife. He feels ashamed of her and feels sorry for her, but he cannot disobey his mother. And so, under his mother’s dictation, he teaches Katerina, trying at the same time to soften the rudeness of his words and the harshness of his mother’s intonations. Powerless to protect his wife, forced to play the pathetic role of a tool in the hands of Kabanikha, Tikhon does not deserve respect. Katerina’s spiritual world is incomprehensible to him, a person who is not only weak-willed, but also narrow-minded and simple-minded. “I can’t figure you out, Katya! You won’t get a word from you, much less affection; “otherwise you climb on your own,” he tells her. He also did not understand the drama brewing in his wife’s soul. Tikhon involuntarily becomes one of the culprits of her death, since he refused to support Katerina and pushed her away at the most critical moment.

According to Dobrolyubov, Tikhon is “a living corpse - not one, not an exception, but a whole mass of people subject to the corrupting influence of the Wild and Kabanovs!”

Boris, Dikiy's nephew, in terms of his level of development is significantly higher than his environment. He received a commercial education and is not devoid of “a certain degree of nobility” (Dobrolyubov). He understands the savagery and cruelty of the morals of the Kalinovites. But he is powerless, indecisive: material dependence puts pressure on him and turns him into a victim of his tyrant uncle. “Education took away from him the strength to do dirty tricks... but did not give him the strength to resist the dirty tricks that others do,” notes Dobrolyubov.

Boris sincerely loves Katerina, is ready to suffer for her, to ease her torment: “Do with me what you want, just don’t torture her!” He is the only one among everyone who understands Katerina, but is unable to help her. Boris is a kind, gentle person. But Dobrolyubov was right, who believed that Katerina fell in love with him “more in solitude,” in the absence of a more worthy person. Material from the site

Both of them, Tikhon and Boris, failed to protect and save Katerina. And both of them were doomed by the “dark kingdom”, which turned them into weak-willed, downtrodden people, to “live and suffer.” But even people as weak, weak-willed, resigned to life, and driven to extremes as the inhabitants of Kalinov are capable of condemning the despotism of tyrants. Katerina’s death pushed Kudryash and Varvara to search for a different life and forced Kuligin to turn to the tyrants for the first time with a bitter reproach. Even the unfortunate Tikhon leaves his mother’s unconditional submission and regrets that he did not die with his wife: “Good for you, Katya! Why did I stay in the world and suffer!” Of course, the protest of Varvara, Kudryash, Kuligin, Tikhon has a different character than that of Katerina. But Ostrovsky showed that the “dark kingdom” was beginning to loosen, and Dikoy and Kabanikha showed signs of fear of incomprehensible new phenomena in the life around them.

HOSTS AND
VICTIMS OF THE “DARK KINGDOM”

Action
drama “The Thunderstorm” takes place in a provincial
the city of Kalinov, located on the shore
Volga. Residents of Kalinov live in that closed
and a life alien to public interests,
what characterizes the life of the deaf
provincial towns to old ones,
pre-reform times (the play was written in 1859
G.). They live in complete ignorance of what
takes place in this world. But behind the surface
the serenity of life hides the harsh ones,
gloomy morals. The central figures of this
“dark kingdom” of ignorance and arbitrariness
appear in the drama Dikoy and Kabanikha.

Wild -
merchant tyrant. He's used to unquestioning
obedience to others who go to any lengths
anything, just not to anger him. Especially
it's hard for the family who
escaping his rage all day long
hiding in attics and closets. In the end
Dikoy hounded his nephew, Boris,
knowing that he is in complete control of him
material dependence. Thanks to
money he holds in his hands all
disenfranchised mass of ordinary people and mocks
above them.

Holds back
he expresses his character only in front of those in whom he sees
I am my equal, including Kabanikha.
Despotism, unbridled arbitrariness,
ignorance, rudeness - these are the traits of “cruel
morals” that characterize the image
tyrant Dikiy, a typical representative of the “dark
kingdoms."

Kabanikha
first of all a hypocrite. She covers and
justifies all his actions with ideals
patriarchal, church, domostroevskaya
antiquity. She wants to force everyone to live the old fashioned way.
and does not tolerate anyone around him
manifestations of “one’s will.” Her despotism
home life is even harder than despotism
Wild. The boar is tormenting, pursuing her
victims day after day, torturing them
cold-bloodedly, importunately. She brings her family
until complete collapse. She took her to the grave
Katerina, because of her Varvara left home, and
Tikhon, essentially kind, although weak-willed,
a man who has lost all ability to think
and live independently.

Kabanikha,
along with Wild, is harsh
guardian of the foundations of the “dark kingdom”.

Central
in the drama “The Thunderstorm” is the image of Katerina.
Poetic and dreamy nature,
impressionable, with character
predominantly “loving, ideal”, according to
according to Dobrolyubov, Katerina has
at the same time ardent and passionate soul. She
struggles between two feelings: love for
Boris and the awareness of the “illegality” of this
love. Katerina is capable of not only
bold actions, but also a complete break with
disgusted with her environment and life. After
parental home paradise Katerina
finds himself in an environment that blows
deadening cold and soullessness. Attempts
Katerina finds a response in her husband’s heart
are broken into slavish humiliation and
near Tikhon. Love for Boris became
the only meaning of her existence.
Katerina is ready to do anything for her beloved
person, overstepping even those concepts of
sin and virtue

,
which were sacred to her. Internal
purity and truthfulness do not allow her to lie
in love, to deceive. Katerina does not want and does not
may be hiding his “sin”. She's in public
on the city boulevard, repents to her husband and
commits suicide by throwing himself into
water. By this she showed her desperate, though
and powerless protest against the “dark
kingdoms." According to Dobrolyubov, in her
tragic end “given a terrible challenge
tyrant force...”

Light
a ray in the “dark kingdom” can be called
Kuligina. This is a poor watchmaker, a self-taught mechanic,
dreaming of finding eternal
engine. Kuligin does not think about his personal
benefit, but about the improvement of his native city,
about the situation of the poor, etc. Kuligin, poet,
romantic, alone in the city with his
enthusiastic attitude towards nature. Kuligin
and Katerina, each in their own way, illuminate
heavy darkness over the dead “dark kingdom”.

To the victims of the “dark”
kingdoms” in the play include Tikhon and Boris.
Since childhood, Tikhon has been accustomed to obeying in everything
to his mother. The only cherished
Tikhon's desire is to escape, at least
for a while, from under her care, to go on a spree,
to take a break for the whole year. Tikhon in his own way
loves his wife. He feels sorry for her with all his heart and
wants to ease her plight. But
He is not only a weak-willed person, but also
limited, rustic. Soulful world
Katerina is too tall and incomprehensible for him.
By refusing to support her at the most critical
moment of her life, he involuntarily becomes
one of the culprits of her death.

Boris
sincerely, truly loves Katerina,
ready to suffer for her, to ease her torment.
He is truly the only one among all
understands Katerina, but he lacks
determination to defend his love, he is not in
able to help her. So the “dark kingdom”
turning them into weak-willed, downtrodden people,
unable to fight for their happiness,

doomed
both to “live and suffer.”

In his
Ostrovsky staged the play, one of
the most important issues of that time -
liberation of women from family slavery,
her emancipation.

Victims of the “dark kingdom”

A. N. Ostrovsky's play “The Thunderstorm” was written in 1859. In the same year, it was staged in theaters in Moscow and St. Petersburg and for many years now has not left the stages of all theaters around the world. During this time, the play underwent many interpretations, which were sometimes strikingly different from each other. This, it seems to me, is explained by the depth and symbolism of the play.

The plot of the play centers on the conflict between the feelings of Katerina, the main character, and the way of life of the city of Kalinov. But Dobrolyubov also pointed out that readers think “not about a love affair, but about their whole life.” This means that the accusatory notes touched on a variety of aspects of Russian life. The drama pronounces a verdict on the “dark kingdom” and, consequently, on the socio-political system that it supported.

The drama takes place in the provincial town of Kalinov, located on the banks of the Volga River. In this place, everything is so monotonous and stable that even news from other cities and from the capital does not reach here. Residents in the city are closed, distrustful, hate everything new and blindly follow the Domostroevsky way of life, which has long since become obsolete. Ostrovsky calls adherents of the old way of life the “dark kingdom,” to which Dikoy and Kabanikha belong. Another group of characters includes Katerina, Kuligin, Tikhon, Boris, Kudryash and Varvara. These are victims of the “dark kingdom”, oppressed, equally feeling the influence of the Wild and Kabanikha, but expressing their protest against them in different ways.

Dikoy is a prominent representative of the first group; Ostrovsky applies the definition of “tyrant” to him. The behavior of the Wild One is guided by unbridled arbitrariness and stupid stubbornness. He demands the unquestioning obedience of those around him, who will do anything to avoid angering him. The most important thing for Dikiy is money. For their sake, he is ready to do anything - both deception and fraud: “I have a lot of people every year... I won’t pay them an extra penny per person, but I make thousands out of this, so it’s for me.” Fine!" Dikoy gives in only to those who are able to fight back. While being transported across the Volga, he did not dare contact the passing hussar, but after that he again took out his anger at home, dispersing everyone to attics and closets. The qualities of his character are also manifested in his speech. Dikoy uses rude and offensive expressions: robber, worm, parasite, fool, etc. Despotism, ignorance, rudeness are the traits that characterize the image of this hero, a typical representative of the “dark kingdom.” But Dikoy restrains his temper in front of Kabanikha, his godfather.

Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova is another supporter of the “dark kingdom”, she is even worse than her husband. Kuligin describes her this way: “Prude, sir! He gives money to the poor, but completely eats up his family.” Kabanikha skillfully covers up her immoral actions with the ideals of patriarchal antiquity. She observes all the customs and orders established by the house-building. The new order seems absurd and even funny to her. She wants to force everyone to live the old fashioned way and does not tolerate manifestations of her will or initiative in anyone around her. Kabanikha is trying to give the impression of a pious and superstitious woman. But she is harsh and cruel towards her family. A woman ruins her family: Katerina voluntarily dies; Varvara leaves the house; Tikhon, a kind and gentle person, loses the ability to think and live independently. An enemy of everything new, Kabanikha nevertheless has a presentiment that the old days are coming to an end, that difficult times are coming for her. Kabanova’s speech contains both proverbs and phrases folk speech. All this makes her language peculiar, but does not hide the essence of her “dark” soul.

Tyranny and despotism, suppressing freedom and independence in those around them, inevitably give rise to opportunistic people who are afraid to live by their own minds and therefore submit to the oppressors. Such victims of the “dark kingdom” in the play include Tikhon, Varvara and Boris. Since childhood, Tikhon has become accustomed to obeying his mother in everything, and in adulthood he is afraid to act against her will. He endures all of Kabanikha’s bullying meekly, not daring to protest: “How can I, Mama, disobey you! Yes, Mama, I don’t want to live by my own will.”

Boris Grigorievich, Dikiy’s nephew, in terms of his level of development is significantly higher than his environment. The education he received in Moscow does not allow him to get along among wild animals and wild boars. But he does not have enough character to break out from under their power. Both of them - Tikhon and Boris - failed to protect and save Katerina. And both of them were doomed to “live in the world and suffer.”

Central character In the play, “a ray of light in a dark kingdom” is Katerina. She stands out sharply from the environment in which she was born. A dreamy, impressionable, gentle nature, Katerina at the same time had an ardent and passionate soul: “I was born so hot!” she says about herself. The girl was distinguished not only by her passionate, but also by her strong character. She is capable of a complete break with the environment that has bored her. The conflict between the “dark kingdom” and the bright spiritual world of Katerina ended tragically. Without receiving support from Boris, the girl commits suicide during a thunderstorm!

Having pitted the “dark kingdom” and the “light ray” against each other, Ostrovsky expressed his protest against everything old. “It’s better not to live than to live like this!” - that’s what Katerina’s suicide meant. Before The Thunderstorm, Russian literature did not yet know a verdict on society expressed in such a tragic form. Yes, the light did not conquer the darkness, but where there is a ray, the sun will soon appear and eclipse the darkness.

And what tears flow behind these constipations,

invisible and inaudible.

A. N. Ostrovsky

Since childhood, Tikhon has become accustomed to obeying his mother in everything, so accustomed that in adulthood he is afraid to act against her will. He endures all of Kabanikha’s bullying meekly, not daring to protest. “How can I, mamma, disobey you!” - he says and then adds: “Yes, Mama, I don’t want to live by my own will. Where can I live by my own will!”

According to Dobrolyubov, Tikhon is “a living corpse - not one, not an exception, but a whole mass of people subject to the corrupting influence of the Wild and Kabanovs!”

Boris sincerely loves Katerina, is ready to suffer for her, to ease her torment: “Do with me what you want, just don’t torture her!” He is the only one among everyone who understands Katerina, but is unable to help her. Boris is a kind, gentle person. But Dobrolyubov was right, who believed that Katerina fell in love with him “more in solitude”, in the absence of a more worthy person. Material from the site

In many of his dramas, Ostrovsky depicted social injustice, human vices and negative aspects. Poverty, greed, an uncontrollable desire to be in power - these and many other themes can be traced in the plays “We Will Be Numbered,” “Poverty is Not a Vice,” “Dowry.” “The Thunderstorm” should also be considered in the context of the above works. The world described by the playwright in the text was called the “dark kingdom” by critics. It seems like a kind of swamp from which it is impossible to find a way out, which sucks a person in more and more, killing his humanity. At first glance, there are very few such victims “” in “The Thunderstorm”.

First victim " dark kingdom" - Katerina Kabanova. Katya is a frequent and honest girl. She was married off early, but she never managed to fall in love with her husband. Despite this, she still tries to find positive aspects in him in order to maintain an established relationship and the marriage itself. Katya is terrorized by Kabanikha, one of the brightest representatives of the “dark kingdom”. Marfa Ignatievna insults her daughter-in-law, trying with all her might to break her.

However, it is not only the confrontation of characters that makes Katerina a victim. This, of course, is the circumstances. In the "dark kingdom" honest life a priori impossible. Everything here is built on lies, pretense and flattery. The one who has money is strong. Power in Kalinov belongs to the rich and merchants, for example, Dikiy, whose moral standard is very low. Merchants deceive each other, steal from ordinary residents, seeking to enrich themselves and increase their influence. The motive of lying is often found when describing everyday life. Varvara tells Katya that only lies hold the Kabanov family together, and Boris is surprised by Katya’s desire to tell Tikhon and Marfa Ignatievna about their secret relationship. Katerina often compares herself to a bird: the girl wants to escape from this place, but there is no way. "" will find Katya anywhere, because it is not limited to the boundaries of a fictional city. No exit. Katya makes a desperate and final decision: either live honestly or not at all. “I live, I suffer, I don’t see any light for myself. And I won’t see it, you know!” The first option, as mentioned earlier, is impossible, so Katya chooses the second. The girl commits suicide not so much because Boris refuses to take her to Siberia, but because she understands: Boris turned out to be the same as the others, and a life full of reproaches and shame cannot continue. “Here is your Katerina. 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!” – with these words, Kuligin gives the girl’s body to the Kabanov family. In this remark, the comparison with the supreme judge is important. It makes the reader and viewer think about how rotten the world of the “dark kingdom” is, that even Last Judgment turns out to be more merciful than the court of “tyrants”.

Tikhon Kabanov also turns out to be a victim in “The Thunderstorm”. The phrase with which Tikhon appears in the play is very noteworthy: “How can I, Mama, disobey you!” His mother's despotism makes him a victim. Tikhon himself is kind and, to some extent, caring. He loves Katya and feels sorry for her. But the mother’s authority is unshakable. Tikhon is a weak-willed mama's boy, whom Marfa Ignatievna's excessive care has made him sick and spineless. He doesn’t understand how one can resist Kabanikha’s will, have his own opinion, or so on. “Yes, Mama, I don’t want to live by my own will. Where can I live by my own will!” - this is how Tikhon answers his mother. Kabanov is used to drowning his melancholy in alcohol (he often drinks with Dikiy). His character is emphasized by his name. Tikhon is unable to understand the strength of his wife’s internal conflict and cannot help her, however, Tikhon has a desire to break out of this cage. For example, he is glad that he is leaving for a short 14 days, because all this time he has a chance to be independent. There will be no “thunderstorm” over him in the form of a controlling mother. Tikhon’s last phrase suggests that the man understands: it is better to die than to live such a life, but Tikhon cannot decide to commit suicide.

Kuligin is shown as a dreaming inventor who advocates for the public good. He constantly thinks about how to improve the life of the city, although he perfectly understands that none of the residents of Kalinov need this. He understands the beauty of nature, quotes Derzhavin. Kuligin is more educated and higher than ordinary people, however, he is poor and lonely in his efforts. Dikoy only laughs at him when the inventor talks about the benefits of a lightning rod. Savl Prokofievich does not believe that money can be earned honestly, so he openly mocks and threatens Kuligin. Perhaps Kuligin understood the true motives for Katya’s suicide. But he is making attempts to soften the contradictions and find a compromise. He has no choice either this way or not at all. The young man does not see an active way to resist the “tyrants.”

The victims in the play “The Thunderstorm” are several characters: Katerina, Kuligin and Tikhon. Boris cannot be called a victim for two reasons: firstly, he came from another city, and secondly, in fact, he is just as deceitful and two-faced as the rest of the inhabitants of the “dark kingdom”.

The given description and list of victims of the “dark kingdom” can be used by 10th grade students when writing an essay on the topic “Victims of the dark kingdom in the play “The Thunderstorm””.

Home building for lesson

1. Collect material to characterize Varvara, Kudryash, Boris, Tikhon, Kuligin.
2. Be able to give an oral description.

One of the particular manifestations of the conflict in the play is the clash of characters. Of course, the antithesis is found in the characters of Katerina and her mother-in-law, but we will talk about this a little later. The characters of Katerina and Tikhon also turn out to be contrasting.

Tikhon

Exercise

Describe Tikhon.

Answer

Close-minded, spineless, weak-willed, kind; suppressed by his mother's despotism; tragic death Katerina causes a timid protest.

Exercise

Provide evidence from the text.

Answer

Tikhon appears in the play with the words: “How can I, Mama, disobey you!” D.I, yavl. V. Page 231 (give all Kabanov’s words).

Conclusion

Everything human is crushed in him by the despotism of his mother, he becomes a submissive executor of her will, in him we see the living embodiment of the goal towards which the rulers of the “dark kingdom” strive. They would be completely calm if they made all people just as downtrodden and weak-willed. Thanks to the efforts of “mama,” Tikhon is so saturated with fear and humility that he does not even dare to think about living with his own mind and his own will. “Yes, Mama, I don’t want to live by my own will. Where can I live by my own will!” - he assures his mother.

His resignation is emphasized by his name. He is unable to truly comprehend the extent of his wife’s suffering and aspirations, unable to penetrate her spiritual world. Moreover, he cannot come to her aid.

Question

Does Tikhon's character correspond to his surname Kabanov?

Answer

Tikhon is by nature a good person. He is kind, sympathetic, sincerely loves and pities Katerina, and is alien to any selfish aspirations. He has both the ability for sound judgment and the desire to break free from the clutches in which he finds himself.

Exercise

Provide evidence from the text

D.V, book I, p.275 (I went to Moscow...)

And only in the finale does this depressed but internally contradictory man rise to open condemnation of his mother’s tyranny.

D.V, yavl. VI, pp. 282–283, 284

Katerina's tragedy forces even the submissive Tikhon to raise his voice of protest. If Tikhon’s first words in the play are: “How can I, Mama, disobey you!”, then at the end of it he desperately throws a passionate, angry accusation into his mother’s face: “You ruined her! You! You!”

Boris

Boris is no less opposed to the character of the rebellious Katerina. The unbearable life under the yoke of Kabanova, the longing for freedom, the desire for love and devotion - all this, which did not find a response in Tikhon, was the reason for the emergence of Katerina’s feelings for Boris.

Exercise

Let's characterize this character.

Answer

Boris is not like the other inhabitants of Kalinov. He is mentally soft and delicate, simple and modest, and besides, thanks to his appearance, education, manners, and speech, he seems like a person from another world. Like Katerina, he is also oppressed, and this gives the young woman hope of finding in him a kindred spirit who can respond to her ardent feelings.

Question

Does Boris love Katerina?

Answer

Loves. D.III, scene I, scene III, p.2. D.III, scene II, scene II, pp.260–261.

D.III, scene II, scene III, pp. 262–263 (read by role).

Question

Do you think Katerina has really found her soul mate?

Answer

Katerina was bitterly deceived in Boris. This is a weak-willed man who is in slavish dependence on his uncle.

Question

Analyze his behavior while saying goodbye to Katerina.

Answer

D.V, yavl. III, p. 279.

Even during his last meeting with Katerina, when he clearly sees that his beloved woman is dying, Boris cannot get rid of the cowardly thought: “They wouldn’t find us here!” This calculated caution completely reveals Boris’s insignificance.

Question

Who do you think looks more mentally attractive in the play, Boris or Tikhon?

Answer

Boris only outwardly seems better than Tikhon, but in reality he is worse than him. Like Tikhon, Boris does not have his own will and meekly submits to all the whims of the Dikiy. But if Tikhon has been downtrodden since childhood and does not suspect the possibility of another life, then Boris, who received an education and lived in cultural environment, deliberately submits himself to a tyrant for the sake of the faint hope of receiving at least an insignificant share of the inheritance due to him. Selfish calculation forces Boris to endure humiliation and is the reason for his cowardice. He, like Tikhon, actually becomes an accomplice of tyrants, an accomplice in their crimes; but for Boris this is more unforgivable, since he understands the whole crime of despotism.

Varvara

Story tragic love Katerina is shown next to Varvara’s “promenade” drawn in parallel.

Question

What kind of character is this?

Answer

Barbara means "rough" in Greek. Brave and decisive. She is not superstitious, she is not afraid of thunderstorms, unlike Katerina. Does not consider strict adherence to established customs obligatory.

D.I, appearances VI–VII, p.234, appearance. X, p.239.

D.II, yavl. II, page 243

The exceptionally truthful Katerina is opposed by the moral unpretentiousness of Varvara. Brought up on a false, ostentatious morality, Varvara adheres to the rule: “Do what you want, as long as it’s safe and covered.” She sympathizes with Katerina, despises her brother’s spinelessness, and is indignant at her mother’s heartlessness. But Katerina’s spiritual impulses are incomprehensible to her.

Exercise

Find pages dedicated to the date between Varvara and Kudryash. Analyze the behavior of lovers.

Answer

D.III, iv.IV, p.265

The bright poetry, reverent sublimity, and emotionality of Katerina’s experiences in the night date scene contrasts with the too earthly, monotonously tired, crudely erotic, somewhat insincere meeting between Varvara and her dashing clerk Kudryash. They kiss “coldly” and yawn repeatedly.

Question

Does Varvara belong to the “dark kingdom”? What is her relationship with his representatives?

Varvara adapted to the laws of the “dark kingdom.” Due to her position, she cannot openly speak out in defense of her rights and is forced to be cunning and deceive. To Katerina’s words that she doesn’t know how to hide anything, Varvara replies: “Well, you can’t live without it! Remember where you live! Our house is based on that. And I wasn’t a liar, but I learned when it became necessary."

Varvara’s escape, which Tikhon mentions (p. 277), is contrasted with the finale of Katerina’s fate.

Curly

Exercise

Give a description of Kudryash.

Answer

He grew up in Kalinov's environment. Like other Kalinovites, he does not understand Kuligin’s admiration for the beauty of nature. In my own way cultural level he is no different from the inhabitants of the city.

Question

What do you think, is Kudryash a victim or the master of life?

Answer

He knows well the customs of the merchant environment. (pp.227–228). Freedom-loving. He not only condemns the despotism of the Wild and Kabanikha, but also knows how to stand up for himself. No matter how tyrannical Dikoy may be, Kudryash defended an independent position for himself. “We don’t have enough guys like me, otherwise we would have taught him not to be naughty.” (p.224). He is more the master of life than the victim.

Exercise

Watch Kudryash's remarks when he learns about Katerina's relationship with Boris.

Answer

(D. III, scene II, scene II, pp. 260–261)

Question

How does he feel about Varvara?

Answer

Curly loves Varvara passionately and sincerely: “I’m for mine... and I don’t even know what I’ll do! I’ll rip my throat out!” (D.III, scene II, scene II, p. 259).

And, unlike Boris, he does not stop before fleeing with Varvara from Kalinov and starting a new life.

Kuligin

Question

How is it different from the residents of the city of Kuligin?

Answer

An educated person, a self-taught mechanic - his surname resembles the surname Kulibin. Feels the beauty of nature. Aesthetically he stands above other heroes: he sings songs, quotes Lomonosov. He advocates for the improvement of the city, tries to persuade Diky to give money for a sundial and a lightning rod. Tries to influence residents, educate them, explaining the thunderstorm as a natural phenomenon. Thus, Kuligin personifies the best part of the city’s residents, but he is alone in his aspirations, so he is considered an eccentric. (The eternal motive of grief from the mind.)

Question

Which character can Kuligin be compared to?

Answer

With Katerina. Both of them enrich the lyrical beginning of the play. Kuligin, like Katerina, personifies “another life, with different beginnings” in the “dark kingdom.” (Dobrolyubov).

Question

What is the difference in the actions of Katerina and Kuligin?

Answer

Unlike the rebellious Katerina, Kuligin is a supporter of mitigating the contradictions between predators and their victims, a preacher of patience and humility.

Exercise

Illustrate this idea with examples from the play.

Answer

In response to decisive measures against Dikiy, proposed by Kudryash, Kuligin objects: “What, let’s take him as an example! It’s better to endure it.” And to the Wild’s growl he reacts like this: “There’s nothing to do, you have to submit!” Active method He doesn’t see himself standing up to the unruly tyrants.

In revealing the characters of the play, Ostrovsky applied the principle of contrast. In this way, he managed to clearly show their complexity, highlight their essential features and bring all the characters of his drama together.

Homework

Write a letter about life in the city of Kalinov on behalf of Boris (in class as test work, finish at home).