The play is a thunderstorm full content by action. A.N

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The events take place in the first half of the 19th century, in the fictional town of Kalinovo on the Volga. The first act is in a public garden on the high bank of the Volga. The local self-taught mechanic Kuligin talks with young people - Kudryash, the clerk of the rich merchant Diky, and the tradesman Shapkin - about the rude antics and tyranny of Diky. Then Boris, Diky's nephew, appears, who, in response to Kuligin's questions, says that his parents lived in Moscow, educated him at the Commercial Academy, and both died during the epidemic. He came to Dikoy, leaving his sister with his mother's relatives, in order to receive part of the grandmother's inheritance, which Dikoy must give him according to the will, if Boris is respectful to him. Everyone assures him: under such conditions, Dikoy will never give him money. Boris complains to Kuligin that he can't get used to life in Dikoy's house, Kuligin talks about Kalinov and ends his speech with the words: "Cruel morals, sir, in our city, cruel!"

Kalinovtsy disperse. Together with another woman, the wanderer Feklusha appears, praising the city for "bla-a-lepie", and the house of the Kabanovs for their special generosity towards wanderers. "Kabanovs?" - Boris asks again: “The hypocrite, sir, clothes the poor, but completely ate at home,” explains Kuligin. Kabanova comes out, accompanied by her daughter Varvara and son Tikhon with his wife Katerina. She grumbles at them, but finally leaves, allowing the children to walk along the boulevard. Varvara releases Tikhon secretly from his mother to drink at a party and, left alone with Katerina, talks with her about domestic relations, about Tikhon. Katerina talks about a happy childhood in her parents' house, about her fervent prayers, about what she experiences in the temple, imagining angels in a sunbeam falling from the dome, dreams of spreading her arms and flying, and, finally, admits that “something is wrong” with her something". Varvara guesses that Katerina has fallen in love with someone, and promises to arrange a meeting upon Tikhon's departure. This proposal horrifies Katerina. A crazy lady appears, threatening that “beauty leads to the very whirlpool”, and prophesies hellish torments. Katerina is terribly frightened, and then “a thunderstorm sets in”, she hurries Varvara home to pray for the icons.

The second act, which takes place in the Kabanovs' house, begins with Feklusha's conversation with the maid Glasha. The wanderer asks about the household affairs of the Kabanovs and conveys fabulous stories about distant countries, where people with dog heads “for infidelity”, etc. Katerina and Varvara, who have appeared, gathering Tikhon on the road, continue the conversation about Katerina's hobby, Varvara calls the name of Boris, conveys a bow from him and persuades Katerina to sleep with her in the gazebo in the garden after Tikhon's departure. Kabanikha and Tikhon come out, the mother tells her son to strictly punish his wife, how to live without him, Katerina is humiliated by these formal orders. But, left alone with her husband, she begs him to take her on a trip, after his refusal she tries to give him terrible oaths of fidelity, but Tikhon does not want to listen to them: “You never know what comes to mind ...” The returned Kabanikha orders Katerina to bow to her husband in legs. Tikhon leaves. Varvara, leaving for a walk, informs Katerina that they will spend the night in the garden, and gives her the key to the gate. Katerina does not want to take it, then, after hesitating, she hides it in her pocket.

The next action takes place on a bench at the gate of the boar's house. Feklusha and Kabanikha talk about “the last times”, Feklusha says that “for our sins” “time began to come down”, talks about the railway (“they began to harness the fiery serpent”), about the bustle of Moscow life as a devilish obsession. Both are waiting for even worse times. Dikoy appears with complaints about his family, Kabanikha reproaches him for his erratic behavior, he tries to be rude to her, but she quickly stops this and takes him to the house to drink and eat. While Dikoy is eating, Boris, sent by Dikoy's family, comes to find out where the head of the family is. Having completed the assignment, he exclaims with longing about Katerina: “If only to look at her with one eye!” The returned Varvara tells him to come at night to the gate in the ravine behind the boar garden.

The second scene represents the nightly festivities of the youth, Varvara comes out on a date with Kudryash and tells Boris to wait - "you'll wait for something." There is a date between Katerina and Boris. After hesitation, thoughts about sin, Katerina is unable to resist the awakened love. “What to feel sorry for me - no one is to blame, - she herself went for it. Don't be sorry, kill me! Let everyone know, let everyone see what I'm doing (hugs Boris). If I was not afraid of sin for you, will I be afraid of human judgment?

The entire fourth act, which takes place on the streets of Kalinov - on the gallery of a dilapidated building with the remains of a fresco representing fiery Gehenna, and on the boulevard - takes place against the backdrop of a gathering and finally bursting thunderstorm. It starts to rain, and Dikoy and Kuligin enter the gallery, who begins to persuade Dikoy to give money to install a sundial on the boulevard. In response, Dikoy scolds him in every possible way and even threatens to declare him a robber. Having endured the scolding, Kuligin begins to ask for money for a lightning rod. At this point, Dikoy confidently declares that it is a sin to defend against the thunderstorm “with some kind of poles and horns, God forgive me, God forgive me.” The stage is empty, then Varvara and Boris meet in the gallery. She reports the return of Tikhon, Katerina's tears, Kabanikh's suspicions, and expresses fear that Katerina will confess to her husband of treason. Boris begs to dissuade Katerina from confessing and disappears. The rest of the Kabanovs enter. Katerina waits with horror that she, who has not repented of her sin, will be killed by lightning, a crazy lady appears, threatening hellish flames, Katerina can no longer strengthen herself and publicly admits to her husband and mother-in-law that she “walked” with Boris. The boar gloatingly declares: “What, son! Where will the will lead? […] So I waited!”

The last action is again on the high bank of the Volga. Tikhon complains to Kuligin about his family grief, about what his mother says about Katerina: “She must be buried alive in the ground so that she will be executed!” "But I love her, I'm sorry to touch her with my finger." Kuligin advises to forgive Katerina, but Tikhon explains that this is impossible under Kabanikh. He speaks not without pity about Boris, whom his uncle sends to Kyakhta. The maid Glasha enters and reports that Katerina has disappeared from the house. Tikhon is afraid that “she wouldn’t kill herself out of boredom!”, And together with Glasha and Kuligin he leaves to look for his wife.

Katerina appears, she complains about her desperate situation in the house, and most importantly, about her terrible longing for Boris. Her monologue ends with a passionate incantation: “My joy! My life, my soul, I love you! Reply!" Boris enters. She asks him to take her to Siberia with him, but she understands that Boris's refusal is caused by a really complete impossibility to leave with her. She blesses him on his way, complains about the oppressive life in the house, about disgust for her husband. After saying goodbye to Boris forever, Katerina begins to dream alone of death, of a grave with flowers and birds that “fly up a tree, sing, have children.” "To live again?" she exclaims in horror. Approaching the cliff, she says goodbye to the departed Boris: “My friend! My joy! Goodbye!" and leaves.

The scene is filled with alarmed people, in the crowd and Tikhon with his mother. A cry is heard behind the scenes: “A woman threw herself into the water!” Tikhon tries to run to her, but his mother does not let him in with the words: “I’ll curse you if you go!” Tikhon falls to his knees. After some time, Kuligin brings in Katerina's body. "Here's your Katherine. Do with her what you want! Her body is here, take it; and the soul is not yours now; she is now before a judge who is more merciful than you!”

Rushing to Katerina, Tikhon accuses his mother: “Mother, you ruined her!” and, ignoring the menacing cries of the Kabanikh, falls on the corpse of his wife. “Good for you, Katya! Why am I left to live in the world and suffer!” - with these words of Tikhon the play ends.

The play "Thunderstorm", which by genre conceived as a comedy, was written by A. N. Ostrovsky in 1859. The work at first did not imply a tragic denouement, but in the process of writing, in addition to the conflict of an individual, a socially accusatory orientation was clearly manifested. As Ostrovsky wrote the play "Thunderstorm", we bring to your attention a summary of the actions.

In contact with

Characteristics of the work

  1. What literary genre (story or short story) does the work "Thunderstorm" belong to?
  2. How many actions are in the play "Thunderstorm"?
  3. Briefly: what formed the basis of the plot of the drama "Thunderstorm"?

"Thunderstorm" is a play in five acts, according to the definition of the author - a drama, but with a genre originality:

  • it's a tragedy, since the conflict situation leads to tragic consequences;
  • present comic elements(ignorant reasoning of the characters in the play);
  • the drama of events is enhanced by the everyday routine of what is happening.

The place where the main actions of the play unfold was not chosen by Ostrovsky by chance. City of Kalinov- this is a collective image of the Volga cities and villages, the beauty of which was fascinated by the playwright.

But the magnificence of endless expanses of water, the discreet charm of nature cannot overshadow the cruelty, indifference, hypocrisy, ignorance and tyranny that reign behind the facades of elegant houses.

The work, as it is now customary to say, based on real events". In the wealthy Moscow merchant family of the Klykovs, the daughter-in-law committed suicide by throwing herself into the Volga, unable to withstand the reproaches and harassment from her mother-in-law, not finding protection from her husband and suffering from secret love to another man.

It is this tragedy of action that is main storyline works. However, if Ostrovsky had only limited himself to the ups and downs in the life of a young woman, the work would not have had such a resounding success and would not have caused such a resonance in society. Here outlined and denounced conflict between old traditions and new trends, ignorance and progress, freedom-loving and savagery of the petty-bourgeois world.

Getting to know the characters

The author wrote a story about dramatic events in the form of a play for stage performance. And any scenario begins with a description of the characters.

main characters

  • Katerina is a young woman of pleasant appearance, God-fearing and meek disposition, with a quivering soul and pure thoughts. Daughter-in-law in the family of merchants Kabanovs.
  • Boris, an educated young man who was brought up in a different environment, came to the maintenance and work of his uncle. Suffering from the surrounding reality. Secretly in love with Katerina.
  • Kabanikha (Marfa Ignatievna Kabanova) is a wealthy widowed merchant's wife. Powerful and despotic woman, sanctimoniously covering up her tyranny by honoring her elders.
  • Tikhon Kabanov - Katerina's husband and Kabanikh's son - soft-bodied, weak-willed person completely subservient to the will of the mother.

Characters

  • Varvara is the sister of Tikhon, the daughter of Kabanikhi. The girl is “on her own mind”, living on the principle of “if only everything was sewn and covered”. However, good to Katherine.
  • Curly - Varvara's boyfriend.
  • Wild Savel Prokofievich is an influential merchant in the city. Main character traits rudeness, rudeness and bad manners especially to subordinates.
  • Kuligin is a local craftsman who dreams of bringing progressive ideas to the city.
  • Feklusha is a stranger dark and uneducated.
  • The lady is a crazy old woman who sends curses to women.
  • Glasha - servant at the Kabanovs.

Of no small importance in the play is such a figurative concept as a thunderstorm - harbinger of a cleansing storm for some and God's warning for others.

Important! It should be remembered that the play was written by Ostrovsky in the pre-reform years (1861 - year). The spirit of upsurge reigned, the expectation of cardinal changes, and it was at this time that the playwright wrote about the awakening of the personality, in which Dobrolyubov would later see "something refreshing and encouraging."

For a more detailed acquaintance with the intricacies of the storylines of each action of Ostrovsky's play "Thunderstorm", their summary is presented below.

Action 1

Volga bank, public garden in the foreground. Kuligin is delighted with the opening views. Curly is slowly walking nearby with a friend. The swearing of the Wild is muffled, which does not surprise anyone - this is commonplace. This time he scolds his nephew Boris. Curly sympathizes with the unenviable fate of his relative Diky, who is forced to endure the oppression of his uncle, a tyrant. He himself is one of the few who can repulse the rude man: “He is the word, and I am ten; spit, let it go."

The swearing is heard more and more clearly - Savel Prokofievich and his nephew are approaching those present. Taking his soul away, shouting, Dikoy leaves. Boris explains the reason for his forced humility: he and his sister after the death of their parents left orphans. The grandmother in Kalinovo wrote off the inheritance to her grandchildren upon reaching the age of majority, and they will get it on the condition of respectful and respect for uncle. Kuligin assures, they say, this is a utopia: no one will appease the Wild. Boris despondently agrees: and so he works for his uncle for free, but there is no use. It is wild and stuffy for him in Kalinovo - not at all the same upbringing and education was given to his sister and Boris by their parents, who previously lived in the capital.

Feklusha enters with a townswoman. Bogomolka praises the beauties of the city, extolling the decency and virtues of the merchant class, noting the Kabanov family. After the departure of the women, Kuligin commemorates the glorified Kabanikha with an unkind word for her hypocrisy and domestic tyranny. He shares with Boris his thoughts on the invention of the "perpetum mobile". For a perpetual motion machine they give a lot of money that can be used for the benefit of society. But there are no funds for details - such a vicious circle. Boris, left alone, sympathizes with Kuligin, but, remembering his ill-fated lot, he also leaves the garden.

Kabanikha appears with his family: son Tikhon with his wife Katerina and Varvara Kabanova. Merchant harasses son with accusations in his excessive love for his wife and disrespect for his mother. The words are intended for Tikhon, but are clearly directed against the daughter-in-law. Tikhon justifies himself in every possible way, wife tries to support him, which causes a storm of indignation of the mother-in-law and a new wave of accusations against Tikhon, they say, he cannot keep his wife in strictness, and not far from his lover.

After the departure of his mother, Tikhon pounces on Katerina, accusing her of accusations Mother. Not wanting to listen to his wife's objections, he goes to Dikoy to pour vodka into his troubles.

Offended woman complains to her sister-in-law difficult life with mother-in-law, recalls how well, cleanly and freely she lived with her mother: “in the summer I go to the spring, wash myself, bring water and that’s all, water all the flowers in the house.”

There was a solid splendor - embroidery with gold, church prayers, stories of wanderers.

It's not the same in the husband's house. Katya admits to Varvara that bad, sinful thoughts visit her, which she cannot drive away with any prayers. BUT in her heart she has thoughts of one person.

Then an abnormal lady appears, who showers the girls with curses, promising them hellish torment for their sinful beauty. Thunder is heard, a thunderstorm is approaching, and the girls hastily run away.

Action 2

Act 2 begins in the Kabanovs' house. Feklusha and Glasha settled down in the room. The wanderer, watching the work of the maid, tells her what is happening in the world. And even though her story replete with lies and ignorance, Glasha listens attentively and with interest to the stories of Feklusha, for her this is the only source of information.

Katerina and Varvara appear. They help equip Tikhon for a week-long business trip to another city. Feklusha has already left, Varvara sends the maid with things to the horses. Katerina recalls an old childhood story, when she ran away to the river from resentment for something, sailed away in a boat and then found her ten miles away. This testifies to decisiveness of her character- despite the meekness of the girl, she endures insults for the time being. Varvara asks Katerina who is the person for whom her heart aches. This is Boris Grigorievich - nephew of Savel Prokofievich. Varya assures Katerina that the man also has feelings for the young woman, and after her husband leaves, she needs to arrange a meeting for lovers. The woman is frightened and resolutely denies this proposal.

Kabanikha and his son come in. She continues to instruct Tikhon how to behave in the city, what instructions to give to his wife in her absence: listen to the mother-in-law, do not argue with her in anything, do not sit like a lady without work, do not exchange glances with young guys. Tikhon, embarrassed, pronounces these instructions after his mother. Then they are left alone. Catherine, as if anticipating trouble, asks Tikhon not to leave her alone or take her to the city with him. But Tikhon, exhausted by his mother's chicanery, is glad to break free at least briefly, at least for a short while.

Farewell scene. Katerina hugs her husband, which causes dissatisfaction with her mother-in-law, they say, she doesn’t know how to say goodbye, as it should.

Then Kabanikha talks for a long time about the fact that after the departure of the old people - the last zealots of antiquity, it is not known how the white light will stand.

Left alone, Katya, instead of calming down, comes to full confusion and thoughts. No matter how much she loaded herself with work, her heart was out of place.

Here Varvara pushes her to meet with Boris. Having changed the key to the garden gate, Varya hands it to Katerina. She tries to resist these actions, but then gives up.

Action 3

Kabanova and Feklusha on a bench in front of the merchant's house. They grumble at the vanity of life in big cities, rejoice at the silence and tranquility in their own town. Appears wild, he is drunk. According to his habit, inflamed, begins be rude Kabanikhe, but she quickly upsets him. Wild is justified by the fact that the workers upset him in the morning, demanding a calculation, and it is for him that a knife is sharp in the heart. Having cooled down in a conversation with Kabanikha, he leaves.

Boris has not seen Katerina for a long time and saddened by this circumstance. Kuligin stands nearby, reflecting on the plight of the poor, who are not up to the beauties of nature - they are in need, but in work, and the rich are surrounded by high fences with dogs, and they are thinking how to rob orphans and poor relatives. Kudryash and Varvara approach. They hug and kiss. The girl informs Boris about the upcoming meeting with Katerina and determines a place in the hollow.

At night, having arrived at the place of rendezvous, Boris meets Kudryash playing the guitar and asks him to give way to him, but Kudryash resists, arguing that this place has long been “warmed up” for meetings with his girlfriend.

Then Boris confesses that he has an appointment with a married lady here. Curly guess what there is a speech and warns Boris, because married women are forced.

Varvara comes and takes Kudryash away. The lovers are alone.

Katerina tells Boris about the ruined honor, about God's punishment, but then they both surrender to the power of feelings. Ten days of absence of a husband are spent in unity with a loved one.

Action 4

Partially destroyed gallery, its walls are painted with pictures of the Last Judgment. Here people hide from the rain. Kuligin begs Savel Prokofevich to make donations for the installation of a tower clock in the garden and a lightning rod. Wild swears, calling names Kuligin an atheist, for a thunderstorm is the punishment of the Lord and no piece of iron can be saved from it.

After Tikhon returns home, Katerina is in complete disarray. Barbara tries to reason with her and teaches her not to show any kind. She herself has long become adept at tricks and deceptions. Having not achieved what she wanted, Varya reports to Boris about Katya's condition.

Thunder rumbles are heard. The Kabanov family comes out in full force. Tikhon, noticing wife's weird condition, jokingly asks her to repent of her sins. Noticing how pale Katerina is, the sister cuts off her brother's joke. Boris approaches them. Katya on the verge of fainting. Varya signals the young man to leave.

Then the Lady appeared and began to frighten the pullets for secret sins, and Katerina could not stand it - in a frenzy admits to having a secret relationship with another man throughout all ten days. The scene of repentance of the main character is the culmination of the play.

Action 5

Again the embankment of the Volga, the city garden. It's getting dark. Tikhon approaches Kuligin, who is sitting on a bench. He crushed by Katerina's confession and sends to her the wishes of a fierce death, then begins to feel sorry for her.

The boar sharpens her daughter-in-law at home, like rust, but Katya wordless and unresponsive wanders around the house like a shadow. Everything is wrong in the Kabanov family, even Varya and Kudryash ran away from home.

But Tikhon hopes for a favorable outcome- after all, the lover, at the behest of his uncle, refers to three whole years in Siberia. Glasha comes and says that Katerina is missing.

Katerina is alone, quietly wandering, talking to herself. She is already decided to end my life though it is a great sin. One thing keeps her - the desire to finally see her beloved and receive forgiveness from him for bringing misfortune on him. Boris comes to the call of his beloved. He is affectionate with her, says that he does not hold a grudge against her, but fate separates them, and he has no right to take someone else's wife with him. Katerina cries and asks Boris to distribute alms to the poor on the way to remember her soul. She walks towards the shore.

Kuligin, Kabanikha and Tikhon watch the search for the missing Katerina. People with lanterns search the shore. Tikhon is confused by terrible assumptions, The boar blames the daughter-in-law wanting to draw attention to yourself. Voices are heard from the coast: “The woman threw herself into the water!” Tikhon tries to run there, but mother does not let him, promising to curse. They bring a drowner. Katerina beautiful after death. Kabanov blames his mother for the death of his wife.

Ostrovsky A N - Thunderstorm summary

Thunderstorm.A.N.Ostrovsky (brief analysis)

under the curtain

After the first production of the play on the stage of the Maly Theater the audience was delighted, the press was full of laudatory notes, the plot of the drama amazed the sophisticated audience. Well-known critics did not fail to reflect the work in their reviews. So the critic Apollon Grigoriev, writing a letter to I.S. Turgenev, described the plot of the drama as " denunciation of the tyranny of our life, and this is the significance of the author, his merit as an artist, this is the strength of his influence on the masses.

"Thunderstorm", act 2 - summary

Barbara, noticing Katerina's secret passion, promises to arrange a meeting with Boris for her when Tikhon leaves for a few days on a trip on merchant business. Katerina initially rejects this plan with horror. Before Tikhon leaves, she throws herself on his neck with tears and asks him to take her with him. Tikhon refuses: he goes not so much on business as to get drunk without maternal supervision, and his wife will only interfere with him in this. Then Katerina gives her surprised husband a “terrible oath”: “under no circumstances speak or see anyone else” in his absence.

Kabanikha forces Tikhon to read Katerina a strict and humiliating notation before leaving: “Don’t stare out the windows without me, don’t look at the guys!” She reproaches Katerina for not immediately rushing to “howl” at her husband who left.

Katerina stands in despair from the undeserved nit-picking of her mother-in-law. Varvara comes and thrusts into her the key stolen from her mother to the far gate of the garden, where they will spend the night together these days, away from Kabanikha. Through this gate, Varvara is going to arrange meetings with Boris for Katerina. Katerina initially wants to throw the key, saying that it "burns her hands like coal" (see her monologue). But remembering with pain the cruelty of her mother-in-law and the coldness of her husband, who did not want to take her with him, she still puts the key in her pocket ...

"Thunderstorm", act 3 - summary

Varvara, seizing a moment during the party along the boulevard, secretly calls Boris Grigoryevich and invites him to come tonight in the ravine behind the Kabanovs' garden. At the appointed time, Boris is there.

Varvara comes out of the far gate of the garden, going for a walk on the Volga with her lover, the guy Kudryash. Then Katerina appears, trembling with excitement. Boris rushes to her and says that he loves her more than life itself. Unable to contain her passion, Katerina throws herself on his neck ...

The dates of both couples are repeated on the following nights.

"Thunderstorm", act 4 - summary

The holiday is coming soon. Residents of Kalinov go for a walk on the boulevard. Suddenly, a violent thunderstorm begins to gather. In a covered gallery on the banks of the Volga, Varvara and Boris meet, as if hiding from the rain. Varvara tells about the misfortune at their home: Tikhon returned from a trip a few days ahead of schedule, and Katerina, seeing her husband, fell into terrible excitement. All the last days she walks around the house not herself, now and then starting to cry. Tikhon marvels at the strange behavior of his wife, and Kabanikha looks at her with suspicion. Varvara is afraid that Katerina would fall at her husband's feet and tell about her betrayal.

Kabanikha, Tikhon, Katerina and other people are just approaching the gallery to hide from the rain. People gossip that thunder is God's punishment and lightning often kills sinners. The mechanic Kuligin is trying in vain to explain to superstitious countrymen that thunderstorms have natural causes, and Lomonosov wrote about this.

Exhausted by mental anguish, Katerina, seeing Boris among the people, suddenly says to her husband: “Tisha, I know who the storm will kill. Me. Pray for me then." As a misfortune, a local crazy lady appears. Having a turbulent youth behind her, she now wanders around the city with two lackeys and prophesies the severe punishments of the Almighty to all beauties who "introduce men into sin." “In the pool is better with your beauty! - unexpectedly shouts the mistress to Katerina. “You will burn unquenchable in fire!”

Unable to bear the terrible shock, Katerina kneels before her husband and mother-in-law and repents that “I spent ten nights walking with Boris Grigorievich ...”

"Thunderstorm", act 5 - summary

The incident with Katerina makes a lot of noise in Kalinovo. The boar at home "eats" the daughter-in-law, even advises "to bury her alive in the ground." Katerina listens to these reproaches in silent anguish, walking like an unanswered shadow. Tikhon indulges in drunkenness. His uncle Savyol Dikoy is going to send Boris to Tyakhta, on the Chinese border. The compassionate Kuligin advises Tikhon to forgive Katerina. Tikhon himself is not against this, but his evil, stern mother opposes forgiveness.

Suddenly, the news spreads that Katerina has disappeared from the house. The family goes to look for her. Ostrovsky draws a poignant picture of how Katerina, wandering along the street in a semi-consciousness, utters a monologue that she does not want to live. She is gnawed by a passionate desire to see Boris for the last time - and she suddenly sees him.

Katerina rushes to Boris. He says that he is being sent to Siberia. "Take me with you!" - Katerina pleads, but the weak-willed Boris refuses, referring to the will of his uncle. “Well, go with God! says Katerina. - Don't worry about me. Well, at least I said goodbye to you. Let me look at you one last time!"

» Ostrovsky

Drama in five acts


Act one

Public garden on the banks of the Volga.

Sitting on a bench, the tradesman Kuligin admires the Volga. Curly and Shapkin, strolling along, hearing the merchant Dikoy scolding his nephew, discuss this. Kudryash sympathizes with Boris Grigorievich, believes that Diky needs to be properly scared so that he does not mock people.

Shapkin recalls that Dikoy wanted to give Kudryash to the soldiers. Curly assures that Dikoy is afraid of him; Curly regrets that the merchant does not have a daughter, otherwise he would have fun with her.

Boris dutifully listens to Dikoy's scolding and leaves.

Grandmother disliked Father Boris because he married a noble woman. Gregory's wife also quarreled with her mother-in-law all the time. The young family had to move to Moscow. When Boris grew up, he entered the Commercial Academy, and his sister went to a boarding school. Their parents died of cholera. If the children are respectful to their uncle, he will pay them the inheritance left by their grandmother. Kuligin believes that Boris and his sister will not receive any inheritance. Dikoy scolds everyone at home, but they can’t answer him anything. Boris tries to do everything that he is ordered, but then he still does not receive money. If someone to whom he cannot answer rereads the Wild One, he takes out his anger at the household.

The wanderer Feklusha blesses the house of the Kabanovs and the whole Russian land. The boar gave the stranger a gift. She always gives to the poor, and does not care about her relatives at all.

Kuligin dreams of finding money for a model and creating a perpetual motion machine.

Boris is jealous of Kuligin's dreaminess and carelessness. Boris, on the other hand, has to ruin his life, he is in a hopeless situation, he also fell in love.

Tikhon tries to dissuade his mother that his wife is dearer to him than her. When Katerina enters into the conversation, Kabanikha says that Tikhon must keep his wife at bay. Tikhon does not agree with his mother, it is enough for him that his wife loves him. Kabanikha says that if he doesn't have tough power over his wife, Katerina will have a lover.

Tikhon always gets from his mother because of Katerina, he asks his wife to be more restrained. Tikhon goes to Diky to have a drink before his mother returns.

Katerina tells Varvara how she lived with her parents, regrets that people cannot fly like birds. Katerina smells trouble; admits to Varvara that she loves another, not her husband. Barbara, accustomed to lies, promises Katerina to somehow help her meet her chosen one, but the fear of sin makes the "husband's wife" resist.

The half-mad lady, who appeared accompanied by two lackeys, shouts that beauty leads to the abyss, threatens fiery hell.

Katerina is very frightened by the words of the mistress. Barbara comforts her. When a thunderstorm starts, Katerina and Varvara run away.

Action two

A room in the Kabanovs' house.

Glasha tells Feklusha that everyone is constantly quarreling, but should live in peace. Feklusha replies that there are no ideal people, she herself is a sinner: she loves to eat. The wanderer talks about other countries, the people who live and rule in them. All these stories are extremely far from the truth, reminiscent of a confused fairy tale. The gullible Glasha believes that if it were not for the wanderers, then people would not know anything about other countries, and those enlighten them. Feklusha is the image of a superstitious woman who lives by the wildest and most backward ideas about the world. However, everyone believes her - even if she talks about people with “dog heads”.

Katerina tells Varvara that she cannot stand it when they offend her, she tries to disappear somewhere right away. She admits that she loves Boris, who is also not indifferent to her. Varvara regrets that they have nowhere to see each other. Katerina does not want to betray Tikhon. Varvara objects to her that if no one finds out, then you can do whatever you want. Katerina tells Varvara that she is not afraid of death and can commit suicide. Varvara announces that she wants to sleep in the gazebo, in the fresh air, and invites Katerina to come with her.

Tikhon and Kabanikha join Katerina and Varvara. Tikhon leaves and, following the instructions of his mother, punishes his wife how she should live without him.

Left alone with her husband, Katerina asks him to stay. But he cannot help but go, because his mother sent him. He also refuses to take her with him, as he wants to take a break from the horror of home life. Katerina falls on her knees in front of her husband, asks to take an oath of allegiance from her.

When parting with her husband, Katerina has to bow at his feet on the instructions of Kabanikh.

Left alone, Kabanikha regrets that there is no former respect for the old people, that young people do not know how, but want to live independently.

Katerina believes that killing herself for her husband who has left and howling on the porch is only to make people laugh. The boar scolds her for not doing it.

Katerina is experiencing the departure of Tikhon, regrets that they still do not have children. He says that it would be better if he died in childhood.

Varvara went to sleep in the garden, took the key to the gate, putting another one to Kabanikha, and gave this key to Katerina. She initially refused, then accepted.

Katherine hesitates. Then she decides to see Boris, and then she won't care. She keeps the key.

Act Three

Street at the gates of the Kabanovs' house.

Feklusha tells Kabanikha about Moscow: it is noisy, everyone is in a hurry somewhere, they are running. Peace is dear to Kabanova, she says that she will never go there.

Dikoy comes up to the house and scolds the Boar. Then he apologizes, complaining about his quick temper. He says that the reason for this is the request of workers to pay wages, which he cannot voluntarily pay, because of his character.

Boris came to pick up Wild. He complains that he cannot talk to Katerina. Kuligin complains that there is no one to talk to, no one walks along the new boulevard: the poor have no time, the rich hide behind closed gates.

Curly and Varvara are kissing. Varvara makes an appointment to meet Boris in the ravine behind the garden, intending to introduce him to Katerina.

Night, the ravine behind the Kabanovs' garden.

Curly plays the guitar, sings a song about a free Cossack.

Boris does not like the meeting place, he quarrels with Kudryash. Curly guesses that Boris loves Katerina; speaks of the stupidity of her husband and the anger of her mother-in-law.

Varvara and Kudryash go for a walk, leaving Katerina alone with Boris. Katerina first drives Boris away, says that it is a sin, accuses him of ruining her. Then she confesses her love to him.

Curly and Varvara see that the lovers have agreed on everything. Curly praises Varvara for her venture with the key to the gate. Having agreed on a new date, everyone disperses.

act four

A narrow gallery with paintings of the Last Judgment on the walls.

Walkers are hiding in the gallery from the rain, discussing the paintings.

Kuligin and Dikoy run into the gallery. Kuligin asks Diky for money for a sundial. Wild refuses. Kuligin convinces him that the city needs lightning rods. Wild shouts that lightning rods will not save the city and people from God's punishment, which is a thunderstorm. Kuligin leaves without achieving anything. The rain is ending.

Varya tells Boris that after the arrival of her husband, Katerina became not herself, like crazy. Varvara fears that in this state Katerina may confess everything to Tikhon. The storm has resumed.

Katerina, Kabanikha, Tikhon and Kuligin are on stage.

Katerina considers the storm God's punishment for her sins. Noticing Boris, she loses her composure. Kuligin explains to the people that a thunderstorm is not God's punishment, that there is nothing to be afraid of, that rain nourishes the earth and plants, and people themselves have invented everything and are now afraid. Boris takes Kuligin away, saying that among people it is more terrible than in the rain.

People say that this thunderstorm is not accidental, it will kill someone. Katerina asks to pray for her, because she believes that she should be killed, since she is a sinner.

The half-mad lady tells Katerina to pray to God and not be afraid of God's punishment. Katerina is recognized by her relatives in sin. The boar says that she warned everyone, foresaw everything.

Act Five

Public garden on the banks of the Volga.

Tikhon tells Kuligin about his trip to Moscow, that he drank a lot there, but he never remembered his home. Reports about the betrayal of his wife. He says that it’s not enough to kill Katerina, but he took pity on her, only beat her a little at the order of his mother. Tikhon agrees with Kuligin that Katerina should be forgiven, but her mother ordered her to remember and punish her wife all the time. Tikhon is pleased that Dikoy sends Boris to Siberia on business. Kuligin says that Boris must also be forgiven. After this incident, Kabanikha began to lock Varvara with a key. Then Varvara ran away with Kudryash. Glasha reports that Katerina has disappeared somewhere.

Katerina came to say goodbye to Boris. She scolds herself for having brought trouble to Boris, says that it would be better if she was executed.

Boris arrives. Katerina asks to take her to Siberia. She says she can no longer live with her husband. Boris is afraid that someone will see them. He says that it is hard for him to part with his beloved, he promises to give to the poor so that they pray for her. Boris does not have the strength with which to fight for their happiness.

Katerina does not want to go home - both the house and the people are disgusting to her. Decides not to return, approaches the shore, says goodbye to Boris.

Kabanikha, Tikhon and Kuligin arrive. Kuligin says that Katerina was last seen here. Kabanikha insists that Tikhon punish Katerina for treason. Kuligin runs to the screams of people near the shore.

Tikhon wants to run after Kuligin, but Kabanikha, threatening with a curse, does not let him go. People bring the dead Katerina: she threw herself from the shore and crashed.

Kuligin says that Katerina is now dead, and they can do whatever they want with her. Katerina's soul is on trial, and the judges there are more merciful than people. Tikhon blames his mother for the death of his wife. He regrets that he remained alive, now the gmu will only have to suffer.

First half of the 19th century Fictional Volga town Kalinov. Public garden on the high bank of the Volga. The local self-taught mechanic Kuligin talks with young people - Kudryash, the clerk of the rich merchant Diky, and the tradesman Shapkin - about the rude antics and tyranny of Diky. Then Boris, Diky's nephew, appears, who, in response to Kuligin's questions, says that his parents lived in Moscow, educated him at the Commercial Academy, and both died during the epidemic. He came to Dikoy, leaving his sister with his mother's relatives, in order to receive part of the grandmother's inheritance, which Dikoy must give him according to the will, if Boris is respectful to him. Everyone assures him: under such conditions, Dikoy will never give him money. Boris complains to Kuligin that he can't get used to life in Dikoy's house, Kuligin talks about Kalinov and ends his speech with the words: "Cruel morals, sir, in our city, cruel!"

Kalinovtsy disperse. Together with another woman, the wanderer Feklusha appears, praising the city for "bla-a-lepie", and the house of the Kabanovs for their special generosity towards wanderers. "Kabanovs?" - Boris asks again: “The hypocrite, sir, clothes the poor, but completely ate at home,” explains Kuligin. Kabanova comes out, accompanied by her daughter Varvara and son Tikhon with his wife Katerina. She grumbles at them, but finally leaves, allowing the children to walk along the boulevard. Varvara releases Tikhon secretly from his mother for a drink at a party and, left alone with Katerina, talks with her about domestic relations, about Tikhon. Katerina talks about a happy childhood in her parents' house, about her fervent prayers, about what she experiences in the temple, imagining angels in a sunbeam falling from the dome, dreams of spreading her arms and flying, and, finally, admits that “something is wrong” with her something". Varvara guesses that Katerina has fallen in love with someone, and promises to arrange a meeting upon Tikhon's departure. This proposal horrifies Katerina. A crazy lady appears, threatening that “beauty leads to the very whirlpool”, and prophesies hellish torments. Katerina is terribly frightened, and then “a thunderstorm sets in”, she hurries Varvara home to pray for the icons.

The second act, which takes place in the Kabanovs' house, begins with Feklusha's conversation with the maid Glasha. The wanderer asks about the household affairs of the Kabanovs and conveys fabulous stories about distant countries, where people with dog heads “for infidelity”, etc. Katerina and Varvara, who have appeared, collecting Tikhon on the road, continue the conversation about Katerina’s hobby, Varvara calls the name of Boris, transmits a bow from him and persuades Katerina to sleep with her in the gazebo in the garden after Tikhon's departure. Kabanikha and Tikhon come out, the mother tells her son to strictly punish his wife, how to live without him, Katerina is humiliated by these formal orders. But, left alone with her husband, she begs him to take her on a trip, after his refusal she tries to give him terrible oaths of allegiance, but Tikhon does not want to listen to them either: “You never know what comes to mind ...” The returned Kabanikha orders Katerina to bow husband's feet. Tikhon leaves. Varvara, leaving for a walk, informs Katerina that they will spend the night in the garden, and gives her the key to the gate. Katerina does not want to take it, then, after hesitating, she hides it in her pocket.

The next action takes place on a bench at the gate of the boar's house. Feklusha and Kabanikha talk about “the last times”, Feklusha says that “for our sins” “time began to come down”, talks about the railway (“they began to harness the fiery serpent”), about the bustle of Moscow life as a devilish obsession. Both are waiting for even worse times. Dikoy appears with complaints about his family, Kabanikha reproaches him for his erratic behavior, he tries to be rude to her, but she quickly stops this and takes him to the house to drink and eat. While Dikoy is eating, Boris, sent by Dikoy's family, comes to find out where the head of the family is. Having completed the assignment, he exclaims with longing about Katerina: “If only to look at her with one eye!” The returned Varvara tells him to come at night to the gate in the ravine behind the boar garden.

The second scene represents the nightly festivities of the youth, Varvara comes out on a date with Kudryash and tells Boris to wait - "you'll wait for something." There is a date between Katerina and Boris. After hesitation, thoughts about sin, Katerina is unable to resist the awakened love. “What to feel sorry for me - no one is to blame, - she herself went for it. Don't be sorry, kill me! Let everyone know, let everyone see what I'm doing (hugs Boris). If I was not afraid of sin for you, will I be afraid of human judgment?

The entire fourth act, which takes place on the streets of Kalinov - on the gallery of a dilapidated building with the remains of a fresco representing fiery Gehenna, and on the boulevard - takes place against the backdrop of a gathering and finally bursting thunderstorm. It starts to rain, and Dikoy and Kuligin enter the gallery, who begins to persuade Dikoy to give money to install a sundial on the boulevard. In response, Dikoy scolds him in every possible way and even threatens to declare him a robber. Having endured the scolding, Kuligin begins to ask for money for a lightning rod. At this point, Dikoy confidently declares that it is a sin to defend against the thunderstorm “with some kind of poles and horns, God forgive me, God forgive me.” The stage is empty, then Varvara and Boris meet in the gallery. She reports the return of Tikhon, Katerina's tears, Kabanikh's suspicions, and expresses fear that Katerina will confess to her husband of treason. Boris begs to dissuade Katerina from confessing and disappears. The rest of the Kabanovs enter. Katerina waits with horror that she, who has not repented of her sin, will be killed by lightning, a crazy lady appears, threatening hellish flames, Katerina can no longer strengthen herself and publicly admits to her husband and mother-in-law that she “walked” with Boris. The boar gloatingly declares: “What, son! Where will the will lead? That's what I've been waiting for!"

The last action is again on the high bank of the Volga. Tikhon complains to Kuligin about his family grief, about what his mother says about Katerina: “She must be buried alive in the ground so that she will be executed!” "But I love her, I'm sorry to touch her with my finger." Kuligin advises to forgive Katerina, but Tikhon explains that this is impossible under Kabanikh. He speaks not without pity about Boris, whom his uncle sends to Kyakhta. The maid Glasha enters and reports that Katerina has disappeared from the house. Tikhon is afraid that “she wouldn’t kill herself out of boredom!”, And together with Glasha and Kuligin he leaves to look for his wife.

Katerina appears, she complains about her desperate situation in the house, and most importantly, about her terrible longing for Boris. Her monologue ends with a passionate incantation: “My joy! My life, my soul, I love you! Reply!" Boris enters. She asks him to take her to Siberia with him, but she understands that Boris's refusal is caused by a really complete impossibility to leave with her. She blesses him on his way, complains about the oppressive life in the house, about disgust for her husband. After saying goodbye to Boris forever, Katerina begins to dream alone of death, of a grave with flowers and birds that “fly up a tree, sing, have children.” "To live again?" she exclaims in horror. Approaching the cliff, she says goodbye to the departed Boris: “My friend! My joy! Goodbye!" and leaves.

The scene is filled with alarmed people, in the crowd and Tikhon with his mother. A cry is heard behind the scenes: “A woman threw herself into the water!” Tikhon tries to run to her, but his mother does not let him in with the words: “I’ll curse if you go!” Tikhon falls to his knees. After some time, Kuligin brings in Katerina's body. "Here's your Katherine. Do with her what you want! Her body is here, take it; and the soul is not yours now; she is now before a judge who is more merciful than you!”

Rushing to Katerina, Tikhon accuses his mother: “Mother, you ruined her!” and, ignoring the menacing cries of the Kabanikh, falls on the corpse of his wife. “Good for you, Katya! Why am I left to live in the world and suffer!” - with these words of Tikhon the play ends.

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