The image of Catherine in Ostrovsky's work "The Thunderstorm". The essay “Katerina’s strength of character and the tragic severity of her conflict with the “dark kingdom” in the drama of A. n. Ostrovsky "thunderstorm". the image of Katerina in N.’s assessment A. Dobrolyubova

2. The image of Katerina in the play “The Thunderstorm”

Katerina is a lonely young woman who lacks human participation, sympathy, and love. The need for this draws her to Boris. She sees that outwardly he does not look like other residents of the city of Kalinov, and, not being able to recognize him inner essence, considers him a man from another world. In her imagination, Boris seems to be a handsome prince who will take her from the “dark kingdom” to fairy world, existing in her dreams.

In terms of character and interests, Katerina stands out sharply from her environment. Katerina's fate, unfortunately, is bright and typical example the fates of thousands of Russian women of that time. Katerina is a young woman, the wife of the merchant son Tikhon Kabanov. She recently left her home and moved into her husband’s house, where she lives with her mother-in-law Kabanova, who is the sovereign mistress. Katerina has no rights in the family; she is not even free to control herself. With warmth and love, she remembers her parents' home and her girlhood life. There she lived at ease, surrounded by the affection and care of her mother. The religious upbringing she received in the family developed in her impressionability, daydreaming, belief in the afterlife and retribution for man's sins.

Katerina found herself in completely different conditions in her husband’s house. At every step she felt dependent on her mother-in-law, endured humiliation and insults. From Tikhon she does not meet any support, much less understanding, since he himself is under the power of Kabanikha. Out of her kindness, Katerina is ready to treat Kabanikha as her own mother. "But Katerina's sincere feelings do not meet with support from either Kabanikha or Tikhon.

Life in such an environment changed Katerina's character. Katerina’s sincerity and truthfulness collide in Kabanikha’s house with lies, hypocrisy, hypocrisy, and rudeness. When love for Boris is born in Katerina, it seems like a crime to her, and she struggles with the feeling that washes over her. Katerina's truthfulness and sincerity make her suffer so much that she finally has to repent to her husband. Katerina's sincerity and truthfulness are incompatible with the life of the “dark kingdom”. All this was the cause of Katerina’s tragedy.

"Katerina's public repentance shows the depth of her suffering, moral greatness, and determination. But after repentance, her situation became unbearable. Her husband does not understand her, Boris is weak-willed and does not come to her aid. The situation has become hopeless - Katerina is dying. It is not Katerina's fault one specific person. Her death is the result of the incompatibility of morality and the way of life in which she was forced to exist. The image of Katerina was of great importance for Ostrovsky’s contemporaries and for subsequent generations. educational value. He called for a fight against all forms of despotism and oppression human personality. This is an expression of the growing protest of the masses against all types of slavery.

Katerina, sad and cheerful, compliant and obstinate, dreamy, depressed and proud. So different states of mind are explained by the naturalness of every mental movement of this simultaneously restrained and impetuous nature, the strength of which lies in the ability to always be itself. Katerina remained true to herself, that is, she could not change the very essence of her character.

I think that the most important character trait of Katerina is honesty with herself, her husband, and the world around her; it is her unwillingness to live a lie. She does not want and cannot be cunning, pretend, lie, hide. This is confirmed by the scene of Katerina’s confession of treason. It was not the thunderstorm, not the frightening prophecy of the crazy old woman, not the fear of hell that prompted the heroine to tell the truth. “My whole heart was exploding! I can’t stand it anymore!” - this is how she began her confession. For her honest and integral nature, the false position in which she found herself is unbearable. Living just to live is not for her. To live means to be yourself. Its most precious value is personal freedom, freedom of the soul.

With such a character, Katerina, after betraying her husband, could not stay in his house, return to a monotonous and dreary life, endure constant reproaches and “moral teachings” from Kabanikha, or lose freedom. But all patience comes to an end. It is difficult for Katerina to be in a place where she is not understood, her human dignity is humiliated and insulted, her feelings and desires are ignored. Before her death, she says: “It’s all the same whether you go home or go to the grave... It’s better in the grave...” It’s not death that she desires, but life that is unbearable.

Katerina is a deeply religious and God-fearing person. Since, according to the Christian religion, suicide is a great sin, by deliberately committing it, she showed not weakness, but strength of character. Her death is a challenge" dark force”, the desire to live in the “bright kingdom” of love, joy and happiness.

The death of Katerina is the result of a collision of two historical eras. With her death, Katerina protests against despotism and tyranny, her death indicates the approaching end of the “dark kingdom.” The image of Katerina belongs to the best images Russian fiction. Katerina - new type people of Russian reality in the 60s of the 19th century.

In the drama "The Thunderstorm" Ostrovsky created a very complex psychologically image - the image of Katerina Kabanova. This young woman charms the viewer with her huge, pure soul, childish sincerity and kindness. But she lives in the musty atmosphere of the “dark kingdom” merchant morals. Ostrovsky managed to create a bright and poetic image of a Russian woman from the people. Main storyline plays are tragic conflict the living, feeling soul of Katerina and the dead way of life of the “dark kingdom”. Honest and touching Katerina turned out to be a powerless victim of cruel orders merchant environment. No wonder Dobrolyubov called Katerina “a ray of light in a dark kingdom.” Katerina did not accept despotism and tyranny; Driven to despair, she challenges the “dark kingdom” and dies. This is the only way she can save her inner world. According to critics, for Katerina “it is not death that is desirable, but life that is unbearable. To live for her means to be herself. Not to be herself means for her not to live.”

The image of Katerina is built on a folk-poetic basis. Her pure soul is fused with nature. She presents herself as a bird, the image of which in folklore is closely connected with the concept of will. “I lived, didn’t worry about anything, like a bird in the wild.” Katerina, who ended up in Kabanova as if in a terrible prison, often remembers her parents’ home, where she was treated with love and understanding. Talking to Varvara, the heroine asks: “...Why don’t people fly like birds? You know, sometimes it seems to me that I’m a bird.” Katerina breaks free from the cage, where she is forced to remain until the end of her days.

High feelings, religion aroused a surge of joy and reverence in her. The beauty and fullness of the heroine’s soul were expressed in prayers to God. “On a sunny day, such a light pillar goes down from the dome, and smoke moves in this pillar, like clouds, and I see that it used to be as if angels were flying and singing in this pillar. And then, it happened... I’d get up at night... and somewhere in corner and pray until the morning. Or early in the morning I’ll go into the garden, the sun is still rising, I’ll fall on my knees, pray and cry.”

Katerina expresses her thoughts and feelings poetically vernacular. The heroine's melodious speech is colored by love for the world, the use of many diminutive forms characterizes her soul. She says “sunshine”, “voditsa”, “grave”, often resorts to repetitions, as in songs: “on a good three”, “and people are disgusting to me, and the house is disgusting to me, and the walls are disgusting.” Trying to throw out the feelings boiling in her, Katerina exclaims: “Violent winds, bear with him my sadness and melancholy!”

Katerina's tragedy is that she does not know how and does not want to lie. And in the “dark kingdom” lies are the basis of life and relationships. Boris tells her: “No one will know about our love...”, to which Katerina replies: “Let everyone know, let everyone see what I do!” These words reveal the courageous, integral nature of this woman, who risks challenging ordinary morality and confronting society alone.

But, having fallen in love with Boris, Katerina enters into a struggle with herself, with her beliefs. She, married woman, feels like a great sinner. Her faith in God is not the hypocrisy of Kabanikha, who covers up her anger and misanthropy with God. Awareness of her own sinfulness and pangs of conscience haunt Katerina. She complains to Varya: “Oh, Varya, sin is on my mind! How much I, poor thing, cried, what I didn’t do to myself! I can’t get away from this sin. I can’t go anywhere. After all, this is not good, because this is a terrible sin, Varenka, why do I love someone else? Katerina does not think about the fact that she was violated by marrying someone she didn’t love. Her husband, Tikhon, is glad to leave home and does not want to protect his wife from her mother-in-law. Her heart tells her that her love is the greatest happiness, in which there is nothing bad, but the morality of society and the church does not forgive the free expression of feelings. Katerina struggles among unsolvable questions.

The tension in the play increases, Katerina is afraid of a thunderstorm, hears terrible prophecies of a crazy lady, sees a picture on the wall depicting doomsday. In a darkened state of mind, she repents of her sin. Repentance from a pure heart, according to religious laws, necessarily requires forgiveness. But people have forgotten the kind, forgiving and loving God, they still have a God who punishes and punishes. Katerina does not receive forgiveness. She doesn’t want to live and suffer, she has nowhere to go, her loved one turned out to be as weak and dependent as her husband. Everyone betrayed her. The church considers suicide a terrible sin, but for Katerina it is an act of despair. It is better to end up in hell than to live in the “dark kingdom”. The heroine cannot harm anyone, so she decides to die herself. Throwing herself off a cliff into the Volga, at the last moment Katerina thinks not about her sin, but about love, which illuminated her life with great happiness. Last words Katerina addressed Boris: “My friend! My joy! Farewell!” One can only hope that God will be more merciful to Katerina than people.

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> Folk-poetic and religious in the image of Katerina Kabanova (based on the play “The Thunderstorm” by A. N. Ostrovsky)
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In the drama “The Thunderstorm,” Ostrovsky created a very psychologically complex image - the image of Katerina Kabanova. This young woman charms the viewer with her huge, pure soul, childish sincerity and kindness. But she lives in the musty atmosphere of the “dark kingdom” of merchant morals. Ostrovsky managed to create a bright and poetic image of a Russian woman from the people. The main storyline of the play is the tragic conflict between the living, feeling soul of Katerina and the dead way of life of the “dark kingdom”. Honest and touching Katerina turned out to be a powerless victim of the cruel orders of the merchant environment. No wonder Dobrolyubov called Katerina “a ray of light in a dark kingdom.” Katerina did not accept despotism and tyranny; Driven to despair, she challenges the “dark kingdom” and dies. This is the only way she can save her inner world from harsh pressure. According to critics, for Katerina “it is not death that is desirable, but life that is unbearable. Living for her means being yourself. Not being herself means not living for her.”
The image of Katerina is built on a folk-poetic basis. Her pure soul is fused with nature. She presents herself as a bird, the image of which in folklore is closely connected with the concept of will. “I lived, didn’t worry about anything, like a bird in the wild.” Katerina, who ended up in Kabanova’s house as if in a terrible prison, often remembers her parents’ home, where she was treated with love and understanding. Talking to Varvara, the heroine asks: “...Why don’t people fly like birds? You know, sometimes I feel like I’m a bird.” Katerina breaks free from the cage, where she is forced to remain until the end of her days.
Religion evoked high feelings, a surge of joy and reverence in her. The beauty and fullness of the heroine’s soul were expressed in prayers to God. “On a sunny day, such a light column goes down from the dome, and smoke moves in this column, like clouds, and I see it as if angels are flying and singing in this column. And then, it happened... at night I would get up... and somewhere in the corner and pray until the morning. Or I’ll go into the garden early in the morning, when the sun is still rising, I’ll fall on my knees, pray and cry.”
Katerina expresses her thoughts and feelings in poetic folk language. The heroine's melodious speech is colored by love for the world, the use of many diminutive forms characterizes her soul. She says “sunshine”, “voditsa”, “grave”, often resorts to repetitions, as in songs: “on a good three”, “and people are disgusting to me, and the house is disgusting to me, and the walls are disgusting.” Trying to throw out the feelings boiling in her, Katerina exclaims: “Violent winds, bear with him my sadness and melancholy!”
Katerina's tragedy is that she does not know how and does not want to lie. And in the “dark kingdom” lies are the basis of life and relationships. Boris tells her: “No one will know about our love...”, to which Katerina replies: “Let everyone know, let everyone see what I do!” These words reveal the courageous, integral nature of this woman, who risks challenging ordinary morality and confronting society alone.
But, having fallen in love with Boris, Katerina enters into a struggle with herself, with her beliefs. She, a married woman, feels like a great sinner. Her faith in God is not the hypocrisy of Kabanikha, who covers up her anger and misanthropy with God. Awareness of her own sinfulness and pangs of conscience haunt Katerina. She complains to Varya: “Oh, Varya, sin is on my mind! How much I, poor thing, cried, what I didn’t do to myself! I can't escape this sin. Can't go anywhere. After all, this is not good, this is a terrible sin, Varenka, why do I love someone else?” Katerina does not think about the fact that she was violated by marrying someone she didn’t love. Her husband, Tikhon, is glad to leave home and does not want to protect his wife from her mother-in-law. Her heart tells her that her love is the greatest happiness, in which there is nothing bad, but the morality of society and the church does not forgive the free expression of feelings. Katerina struggles among unsolvable questions.
The tension in the play increases, Katerina is afraid of a thunderstorm, hears the terrible prophecies of a crazy lady, and sees a picture on the wall depicting the Last Judgment. In a darkened state of mind, she repents of her sin. Repentance from a pure heart, according to religious laws, necessarily requires forgiveness. But people have forgotten the kind, forgiving and loving God; they are left with a punishing and punishing God. Katerina does not receive forgiveness. She doesn’t want to live and suffer, she has nowhere to go, her loved one turned out to be as weak and dependent as her husband. Everyone betrayed her. The church considers suicide a terrible sin, but for Katerina it is an act of despair. It is better to end up in hell than to live in the “dark kingdom.” The heroine cannot harm anyone, so she decides to die herself. Throwing herself off a cliff into the Volga, at the last moment Katerina thinks not about her sin, but about love, which illuminated her life with great happiness. Katerina’s last words are addressed to Boris: “My friend! My joy! Goodbye!" One can only hope that God will be more merciful to Katerina than people.

KATERINA'S IMAGE

(BASED ON THE PLAY “THUNDERSTORM” BY A.N. OSTROVSKY)

"Thunderstorm" is, without a doubt, the most decisive work Ostrovsky..."
– wrote N.A. Dobrolyubov in his article “A Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom”, and
he would be right. A.N. Ostrovsky, as a very sensitive playwright, managed to
reveal with extraordinary clarity the conflict of tyranny with voicelessness and
show how close the end of the triumph of false positions is. Katerina,
the main character of the play "The Thunderstorm", very different from the others
characters in the drama. According to N.A. Dobrolyubov, “...the character of Katerina
corresponds to the new phase of our folk life, he has long demanded his
implementation in literature...", in it "... consciousness of truth and right, sound
meaning…". In her image there is a “decisive, integral Russian character.” Katerina –
this is the embodiment of all living Russian nature, in its protest - “...the most
a strong protest that rises from the chests of the weakest and
patient." Using her example, A.N. Ostrovsky shows the difficult situation
women in nineteenth-century society. At that time representatives
the weaker sex had no right to express their thoughts freely,
openly protest against this attitude towards oneself. Everything there is
in your soul, you had to keep it to yourself or earn everyone’s disapproval
and constant, albeit silent, reproaches.

Katerina also found herself in such conditions when she married Tikhon Kabanov. But
she didn't retreat, she didn't give up. Why? Because she wasn't like that
character formed long before marriage. Katerina the girl and
Katerina is a married woman, they are different, although they are all the same
freedom-loving, open, independent nature.

Before marriage, Katerina’s life was similar to the life of a free bird: “I
lived, didn’t worry about anything...” she says. Conditions in which
Katerina was brought up, and made her character so unique, complete
vital force, and its nature - surprisingly holistic and multifaceted.

Katerina’s youth is the morning of nature, the solemn beauty of the sun
sunrise, bright hopes and joyful prayers. She's poetic all the time
compares himself first with a bird, sometimes with a butterfly, dreams of flying away from earthly
worries together with the angels, she constantly has wonderful dreams. Religiosity
Katerina absorbs all the beauty of nature: both the expanse of the Volga and the dewy
grass in the flowering Trans-Volga meadows, and butterflies fluttering from flower to
flower. Katerina experiences the joy of life in the temple. “Exactly, it used to be in heaven
I go in and don’t see anyone, and I don’t remember the time, and I don’t hear when the service is
will end,” she recalls. And how she prays! "What's on her face
the smile is angelic, but the face seems to glow.”

Katerina's love of freedom, her independence and determination began
appear early. Proof of this is Varvara’s story about the incident
childhood: “I was born this way, hot! I was still six years old, no
more, so I did it! They offended me with something at home, but it was evening,
it's already dark; I ran out to the Volga, got into the boat, and pushed it away from
shores. The next morning they found it about ten miles away! But this act
Katerina is completely consistent with her soul, the soul of a Russian person. In this
freedom-loving impulse - leaving untruth and evil in the land of light and goodness,
an attempt to find protection from the great Mother Volga.

Dreaminess, religiosity, kindness and love of freedom - these are the features
character of unmarried Katerina. But then she got married. How is she
changed?

Once in the Kabanov family, a real “dark kingdom,” Katerina “withered
completely,” but her rebellious soul remained the same. Everything seems to be left
the same thing, but “...as if from under captivity...” Katerina no longer dreams of
beautiful dreams that she had as a girl, she does not experience such
boundless happiness upon entering the temple. Wherever she goes, no matter what
did, she always feels vigilantly watching over her, nothing
Kabanikha’s never-missing gaze. “Was I like that!” - Katerina sighs, with
sadly remembering the carefree days of her girlhood. But she doesn't give up
does not agree to suppress thoughts that Kabanikha dislikes. At first
her protest is heard only in conversations, in her answers to her mother-in-law: “Why
Are you offending me?”, “Who enjoys tolerating lies!” But already
It is now clear that this cannot continue for long. And, indeed,
Katerina's protest soon develops into an open clash with
representatives of the “dark kingdom” and their “house-building”. In this kingdom where
all living things wither and dry up, the heroine is overcome by longing for the lost
harmony. Having fallen in love with Boris, she, even if unconsciously, proved that
she cannot be locked up, she cannot be prevented from doing anything. Her love is akin
the desire to raise your hands and fly. She tried to turn this feeling into
his fly Tikhon, but he pushed her away, not understanding what she was experiencing
suffering. This is especially clear in the scene of their farewell. "Well, take me with
take it with you!” - asks Katerina. “What fun it is to travel with you! you me
We've already stopped here completely. I have no idea how to escape, but you still
“You’re forcing yourself on me,” Tikhon answers. Katerina is attracted to Boris
the need for love, the offended feeling of a wife and woman, mortal
the melancholy of her monotonous life, finally. But Boris is not a match for Katerina - fate
brought together people who are incommensurable in their moral depth
sensitivity. Boris lives only for the present day and does not think about
the consequences of their actions. Already after their love with Katerina
has ceased to be a secret, it doesn’t even occur to him to help somehow
Katerina, at least take her with you. “Who knew what kind of love we have?
ours to suffer so much with you!” - he says, forgetting that about retribution
Kudryash and Katerina herself told him for this love, who even with
when saying goodbye to Boris, he doesn’t think about himself, but only asks him for forgiveness for
the troubles caused to him. The contrast of the fullness of free love is striking
Katerina and Boris’s mental flabbiness.

But what is the reason that prompted Katerina to publicly confess to her husband
perfect sin? Was she afraid of thunderstorms like other residents?
Kalinova, due to superstition? No, the true source of her repentance is in her
sensitive conscience. It's not the thunderstorm itself that she's afraid of. Die restless
coming before God with all her sins is what scares her. Fear
Katerina is the inner voice of her conscience. She couldn't live with
such a sin, pretending to be a respectable and faithful wife.

But even after repentance, Katerina does not calm down. She knows that life is hers
will now become more terrible than before: “Live again? No, no, don't... not good!
And people are disgusting to me, and the house is disgusting, and the walls are disgusting!” She can't
to submit to the soulless Kabanikha and other inhabitants of the “dark kingdom” is not
such is her character. The only way out for her is death. But
Katerina dies morally purified, having gone through thunderstorm trials,
she leaves this world calm. Her death is the last flash
spiritual love for God's world.

So was Katerina “a ray of light in a dark kingdom,” as he called her
N.A. Dobrolyubov? No, she was a candle that warmed the people around her
even living light. This is not a beam of light, cold, merciless, never
going out is precisely a candle that has been extinguished with one’s breath
residents of the “dark kingdom” reaching out to her from all sides.

So why did A.N. Ostrovsky introduce the image of Katerina into the play? I think on
Through the example of this heroine, he wanted to show that the decisive protest of the people,
the embodiment of which Katerina became, is inevitable. There are still few like
she, they have no support, they are not understood. But over time these people
there will be more of them, there will be a majority, and they will defeat the “dark kingdom.”
By continuing Katerina's work, they will bring it to the end. And instead of "dark"
kingdom" there will be a "bright kingdom" where all people will be kind,
sincere and sympathetic - in a word, the way Katerina was.

I admire the purity of Katerina, the originality of her character,
love of freedom, kindness, dreaminess - all inherent in her
qualities. One can only regret that even in our modern
Society rarely meets such integral natures, such “candles” as
Katerina. Surprisingly, A.N. Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm” is still
almost a century and a half later, everything is as relevant as at the time of its
writing.

Ostrovsky's play "The Thunderstorm" was written a year before the abolition of serfdom, in 1859. This work stands out among the playwright's other plays due to its character main character. In “The Thunderstorm,” Katerina is the main character through whom the conflict of the play is shown. Katerina is not like other residents of Kalinov; she is distinguished by a special perception of life, strength of character and self-esteem. The image of Katerina from the play “The Thunderstorm” is formed due to a combination of many factors. For example, words, thoughts, environment, actions.

Childhood

Katya is about 19 years old, she was married off early. From Katerina's monologue in the first act, we learn about Katya's childhood. Mama “doted on her.” Together with her parents, the girl went to church, walked, and then did some work. Katerina Kabanova remembers all this with bright sadness. Varvara’s phrase that “we have the same thing” is interesting. But now Katya doesn’t have a feeling of ease, now “everything is done under duress.” In fact, life before marriage was practically no different from life after: the same actions, the same events. But now Katya treats everything differently. Then she felt supported, felt alive, and had amazing dreams about flying. “And now they dream,” but only much less often. Before marriage, Katerina felt the movement of life, the presence of certain higher powers in this world, she was devout: “she loved going to church!” From the very early childhood Katerina had everything she needed: her mother’s love and freedom. Now, by force of circumstances, she is cut off from loved one and deprived of freedom.

Environment

Katerina lives in the same house with her husband, her husband's sister and mother-in-law. This circumstance alone is no longer conducive to happy family life. However, the situation is worsened by the fact that Kabanikha, Katya’s mother-in-law, is a cruel and greedy person. Greed here should be understood as a passionate desire for something, bordering on madness. Kabanikha wants to subjugate everyone and everything to her will. One experience with Tikhon was successful, the next victim is Katerina. Despite the fact that Marfa Ignatievna was looking forward to her son’s wedding, she is unhappy with her daughter-in-law. Kabanikha did not expect that Katerina would be so strong in character that she could silently resist her influence. The old woman understands that Katya can turn Tikhon against her mother, she is afraid of this, so she tries in every possible way to break Katya in order to avoid such a development of events. Kabanikha says that his wife has long become dearer to Tikhon than his mother.

“Kabanikha: Or maybe your wife is taking you away from me, I don’t know.
Kabanov: No, mama! What are you saying, have mercy!
Katerina: For me, Mama, everything is the same as my own mother, as you, and Tikhon loves you too.
Kabanova: It seems like you could have kept quiet if they didn’t ask you. Why did you jump out in front of your eyes to make jokes! So that they can see how much you love your husband?

So we know, we know, in your eyes you prove it to everyone.
Katerina: You are in vain saying this about me, Mama. Whether in front of people or without people, I’m still alone, I don’t prove anything of myself.”

Katerina's answer is quite interesting for several reasons. She, unlike Tikhon, addresses Marfa Ignatievna on a personal level, as if putting herself on an equal footing with her. Katya draws Kabanikha’s attention to the fact that she is not pretending or trying to seem like someone she is not. Despite the fact that Katya fulfills the humiliating request to kneel before Tikhon, this does not indicate her humility. Katerina is insulted by false words: “Who likes to endure falsehoods?” - with this answer Katya not only defends herself, but also reproaches Kabanikha for lying and slander.

Katerina’s husband in “The Thunderstorm” appears to be a gray man. Tikhon looks like an over-aged child who is tired of his mother’s care, but at the same time does not try to change the situation, but only complains about life. Even his sister, Varvara, reproaches Tikhon for the fact that he cannot protect Katya from the attacks of Marfa Ignatievna. Varvara is the only person who is at least a little interested in Katya, but still she persuades the girl that she will have to lie and squirm in order to survive in this family.

Relationship with Boris

In "The Thunderstorm" the image of Katerina is revealed through love line. Boris came from Moscow on business related to receiving an inheritance. Feelings for Katya flare up suddenly, as do the girl’s reciprocal feelings. It's love at first sight. Boris is worried that Katya is married, but he continues to look for meetings with her. Katya, realizing her feelings, tries to abandon them. Treason is contrary to the laws of Christian morality and society. Varvara helps the lovers meet. For ten whole days, Katya secretly meets with Boris (while Tikhon was away). Having learned about Tikhon's arrival, Boris refuses to meet with Katya; he asks Varvara to persuade Katya to remain silent about their secret meetings. But Katerina is not that kind of person: she needs to be honest with others and herself. She is afraid of God's punishment for her sin, so she regards the raging thunderstorm as a sign from above and talks about betrayal. After this, Katya decides to talk to Boris. It turns out that he is going to leave for Siberia for a few days, but cannot take the girl with him. It is obvious that Boris does not really need Katya, that he did not love her. But Katya didn’t love Boris either. More precisely, she loved, but not Boris. In “The Thunderstorm,” Ostrovsky’s image of Katerina endowed her with the ability to see the good in everything, and endowed the girl with a surprisingly strong imagination. Katya came up with the image of Boris, she saw in him one of his features - non-acceptance of Kalinov's reality - and made it the main one, refusing to see other sides. After all, Boris came to ask Dikiy for money, just like other Kalinovites did. Boris was for Katya a man from another world, from the world of freedom, the one that the girl dreamed of. Therefore, Boris himself becomes a kind of embodiment of freedom for Katya. She falls in love not with him, but with her ideas about him.

The drama "The Thunderstorm" ends tragically. Katya rushes into the Volga, realizing that she cannot live in such a world. And there is no other world. The girl, despite her religiosity, commits one of the most terrible sins of the Christian paradigm. To decide to take such an action you need enormous strength will. Unfortunately, the girl had no other choice in those circumstances. Surprisingly, Katya maintains inner purity even after committing suicide.

Detailed disclosure of the image of the main character and description of her relationships with others actors The play will be useful for 10th graders in preparing for an essay on the topic “The Image of Katerina in the play “The Thunderstorm”.”

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