With the advent of A. N. Ostrovsky, much has changed in Russian literature, and the main changes occurred in drama: the writer discovered a new conflict in Russian life, a new environment - the merchant class, which brought its heroes and a new meaning to the plays, therefore, fundamentally new titles of works. These changes are clearly visible in A. N. Ostrovsky's play "Thunderstorm".
Why did the author name his drama that way? After all, it is not about a natural phenomenon at all.
This question can be answered by considering the play itself, the conflict in it. The main character of “Thunderstorm”, Katerina, lives in the city of Kalinovo, on the banks of the Volga, where a patriarchal way of life reigns, where everything is ruled by tyrant merchants: Wild, Kabanikha and the like. The inhabitants of Kalinov live in a special state of the world - crisis, catastrophic. The foundation supporting the old order is collapsing, and with it the established way of life.
The first action introduces us into the pre-stormy atmosphere of life. Outwardly, everything is still calm, but the crisis is still ahead. The carelessness of people only increases the tension that prevails in nature and life. A thunderstorm is moving towards Kalinov...
At the beginning of the play, we get to know some of the inhabitants of Kalinovo and the main character, who lives in the Kabanikhi family and suffers from oppression, “bondage” of the patriarchal world, from humiliation and pressure from the mother of the family, the merchant’s wife. The storm is advancing not only on the city, in the soul of Katerina, too, its approach is felt. The heroine is in disarray, realizing that she does not love her husband, but another person, Boris, and is tormented: her duty to her husband makes her suffer and is torn in her choice. She realizes that she will commit a sin if she goes to meet Boris, and the punishment for this sin will come sooner or later. But Katerina decides to go on a date with her lover, walks for ten days without thinking about anything, and comes to her senses due to the unexpected arrival of her husband. She begins to repent of her deed, she is overcome by fear of the coming punishment and pangs of conscience. The heroine feels the approach of a thunderstorm and something terrible: “How ... not to be afraid! Everyone should be afraid. It’s not that it’s scary that it will kill you, but that death will suddenly find you ... with all your sins, with all your evil thoughts ... A thunderstorm is sent to us as a punishment so that we feel ...”
The situation in the play heats up because of the experiences of Katerina, because of the feeling of something inevitable. The clouds are thickening more and more, thunder is already heard. The heroine cannot stand the tension and suffering, she can no longer live in a lie, and in the midst of a natural disaster (thunderstorm), she publicly confesses everything to Kabanikh and her husband. The indignation of others is like a thunderstorm.
Katerina cannot live on, she is sick of her husband, the world, her family. She is superfluous here, because no one understands her, in this society there is no place for love. Boris is afraid to break out and take his beloved from the “dark kingdom”, since he himself is under his rule. Katerina decides to commit suicide: for her in the grave is better than at home.
Thus, society (Kalinovtsy), with its “pious” and “righteous” judgment, dooms the heroine to death, because she violated the usual foundations. The inhabitants of Kalinov do not want to notice the approaching collapse of the patriarchal world, its disintegration. It is doomed to destruction, since the real goals and values that formed its basis have sunk into the past.
A. N. Ostrovsky noticed in time the doom of the patriarchal world and decided to show it to the reader in his play. He depicted the gradual destruction of the old, familiar foundations as a thunderstorm, slowly approaching and flaring up in full force. She sweeps away everything in her path. The thunderstorm represents changes in life and society, which is why the title of the work is ambiguous and symbolic. The word "thunderstorm" is the key to the play.
“Thunderstorm” is one of the brightest works of A. N. Ostrovsky. It was written in 1859, during the fundamental changes taking place in Russian society. And it is no coincidence that Ostrovsky chose just such a title for his play.
The word "thunderstorm" has a huge meaning. A thunderstorm is not only a natural phenomenon, but it is also a symbol of change in the "dark kingdom", in the way of life that has existed for several centuries in Russian life.
In the center of the play is the conflict between the representatives of the “dark kingdom” and their victims. Against the backdrop of beautiful calm nature, the unbearable life of people is drawn. And the main character - Katerina - can not stand the oppression, the humiliation of her human dignity. This is evidenced by changes in nature: the colors are thickening, a thunderstorm is approaching, the sky is darkening. Feels like a thunderstorm is coming. All this is a harbinger of some terrible events.
For the first time the word "thunderstorm" sounds in the scene of farewell to Tikhon. He says: "... There will be no thunderstorm over me for two weeks." Tikhon really wants to escape at least for a while from the musty atmosphere of his parents' house, to escape from the power of his mother Kabanikha, to feel free, so to speak, "to take a walk for the whole year." Under the “thunderstorm” he understands the oppression of the mother, her omnipotence, fear of her, as well as fear of retribution for committed sins. “The storm is sent to us as punishment,” says Dikoy Kuligin. And this fear of retribution is inherent in all the heroes of the play, even Katerina. After all, she is religious and considers her love for Boris a great sin, but she cannot help herself.
The only one who did not become afraid of a thunderstorm was the self-taught mechanic Kuligin. He even tried to resist this natural phenomenon by building a lightning rod. Kuligin saw in a thunderstorm only a majestic and beautiful sight, a manifestation of the strength and power of nature, and not a danger to man. He tells everyone: “Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell? Now every grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, we are afraid, just what kind of misfortune! .. You are all in a thunderstorm! .. You have made yourself a scarecrow out of everything. Eh, people. I'm not afraid."
So, in nature, a thunderstorm has already begun. But what happens in society? In society, too, not everything is calm - some changes are brewing. Thunderstorm in this case is an omen of the coming conflict, its resolution. Katerina is no longer able to live according to the house-building rules, she wants freedom, but she no longer has the strength to fight with those around her. It is no coincidence, by the way, the appearance of a crazy lady on the stage, which is accompanied by thunderclaps. She predicts the main character's imminent death.
Thus, the thunderstorm is the impetus for the denouement of the conflict. Katerina was very frightened by the words of the mistress, the thunderclaps, mistaking them for a sign “from above”. She was a very emotional and believing nature, so she simply could not live with sin in her soul - the sin of loving a stranger. Katerina threw herself into the abyss of the Volga, unable to endure a terrible, difficult, forced existence, which fettered the impulses of a hot heart, not reconciled with the hypocritical morality of the tyrants of the “dark kingdom”. These were the consequences of the storm for Katerina.
It should be noted that the thunderstorm is also a symbol of Katerina's love for Boris, Dikiy's nephew, because there is something spontaneous in their relationship, just like in a thunderstorm. Just like a thunderstorm, this love does not bring joy to either the heroine or her lover. Katerina is a married woman, she has no right to cheat on her husband, because she took an oath of allegiance before God. But the marriage was completed, and no matter how hard the heroine tried, she could not love her lawful husband, who was neither able to protect his wife from the attacks of her mother-in-law, nor to understand her. But Katerina longed for love, and these impulses of her heart found an outlet in affection for Boris. He was the only inhabitant of the city of Kalinov who did not grow up in it. Boris was more educated than others, he studied in Moscow. He was the only one who understood Katerina, but could not help her, because he lacked determination. Did Boris really love Katerina? Most likely no. Obviously, this was not such a strong feeling, for the sake of which it was possible to sacrifice everything. This is also evidenced by the fact that he leaves Katerina all alone in the city, advises her to submit to fate, foreseeing that she will die. Boris traded his love for the inheritance of the Wild, which he will never receive. Thus, Boris is also the flesh of the flesh of the Kalinovsky world, he is taken prisoner by this city.
Ostrovsky in his work was able to show the changes that took place in Russian society in the middle and second half of the 19th century. This is evidenced by the title of the play “Thunderstorm”. But if in nature, after a thunderstorm, the air becomes cleaner, a discharge occurs, then in life after a “thunderstorm” it is unlikely that anything will change, most likely, everything will remain in its place.
Ostrovsky can rightfully be called a great Russian playwright. In his works, he first showed the life and way of life of the merchant class. In the play "Thunderstorm" the writer described the state of provincial society in Russia on the eve of reforms. The playwright considers such issues as the position of a woman in the family, the modernity of Domostroy, the awakening in a person of a sense of personality and dignity, the relationship between the “old”, oppressive, and “young”, mute.
The main idea of “Thunderstorm” is that a strong, gifted and courageous person with natural aspirations and desires cannot live happily in a society dominated by “cruel morals”, where Domostroy reigns, where everything is based on fear, deceit and submission .
The name "Thunderstorm" can be considered from several positions. A thunderstorm is a natural phenomenon, and nature plays an important role in the composition of the play. So, it complements the action, emphasizes the main idea, the essence of what is happening. For example, a beautiful night landscape corresponds to a date between Katerina and Boris. The expanses of the Volga emphasize Katerina's dreams of freedom, a picture of cruel nature opens up when describing the suicide of the main character. Then nature contributes to the development of action, as if pushing events, stimulates the development and resolution of the conflict. So, in the scene of a thunderstorm, the elements induce Katerina to public repentance.
So, the name “Thunderstorm” emphasizes the main idea of the play: self-esteem awakening in people; the desire for freedom and independence begins to threaten the existence of the old order.
The world of Kabanikhi and the Wild comes to an end, because in the “dark kingdom” a “beam of light” appeared - Katerina is a woman who cannot put up with the oppressive atmosphere that prevails in the family, in the city. Her protest was expressed in love for Boris, in an unauthorized departure from life. Katerina preferred death to existence in a world where she was “sick of everything”. She is the first lightning of that thunderstorm that will soon break out in society. The clouds over the "old" world have been gathering for a long time. Domostroy has lost its original meaning. Kabanikha and Dikoi use his ideas only to justify their tyranny and tyranny. They failed to convey to their children the true faith in the inviolability of their rules of life. Young people live according to the laws of their fathers as long as they can achieve a compromise through deceit. When oppression becomes unbearable, when deceit saves only partially, then a protest begins to awaken in a person, he develops and is able to break out at any moment.
Katerina's suicide woke up a man in Tikhon. He saw that there is always a way out of the current situation, and he, the most weak-willed of all the characters described by Ostrovsky, who unquestioningly obeyed his mother all his life, accuses her of the death of his wife in public. If Tikhon is already able to declare his protest, then the "dark kingdom" really does not have long to exist.
The storm is also a symbol of renewal. In nature, after a thunderstorm, the air is fresh and clean. In society, after the thunderstorm that began with Katerina's protest, renewal will also come: the oppressive and subjugating orders will probably be replaced by a society of freedom and independence.
But the storm occurs not only in nature, but also in Katerina's soul. She committed a sin and repents of it. Two feelings struggle in her: fear of the Boar and fear that “death will suddenly find you, as you are, with all your sins...” In the end, religiosity, fear of retribution for sin prevail, and Katerina publicly admits in sin. None of the inhabitants of Kalinovo can understand her: these people, like Katerina, do not have a rich spiritual world and high moral values; they do not feel remorse, because their morality is - if only everything was “covered”. However, recognition does not bring relief to Katerina. As long as she believes in Boris's love, she is able to live. But, realizing that Boris is no better than Tikhon, that she is still alone in this world, where everything is “embarrassing” to her, she finds no other way out than to rush into the Volga. Katerina broke the religious law for the sake of freedom. The storm also ends in renewal in her soul. The young woman completely freed herself from the shackles of the Kalinovsky world and religion.
Thus, the thunderstorm that occurs in the soul of the main character turns into a thunderstorm in society itself, and all the action takes place against the backdrop of the elements.
Using the image of a thunderstorm, Ostrovsky showed that a society that has become obsolete, based on deceit, and the old order, which deprives a person of the opportunity to manifest the highest feelings, is doomed to destruction. It is as natural as the purification of nature through a thunderstorm. Thus, Ostrovsky expressed the hope that renewal in society would come as soon as possible.
"Thunderstorm" was the pinnacle of A.N. Ostrovsky. In terms of artistic expressiveness, "Thunderstorm" can be compared with other large and significant works of Russian and world literature.
Great artists sometimes have a desire when creating their main work, as it were, to go beyond the designated topic. So, for example, when Gogol was working on "Dead Souls", he wanted to portray "all of Rus', at least from one side." This is nothing more than an attempt to go beyond the boundaries of a narrow topic. In the same way, in The Thunderstorm, Ostrovsky, perhaps involuntarily, turned to a question that, in its essence, goes far beyond the scope of the events depicted.
The playwright turned to the question of how a person should behave in "stormy" conditions, what should he do if he feels the presence of bright spiritual forces in himself, if he wants to join something pure, perfect, especially when he is endowed with character and does not tolerate humiliation. How can he live in this world, where cruel customs, lies and humility prevail? Here is the question posed by Ostrovsky. He, as we know, did not find an answer to it, and this is not his fault. But the merit of Ostrovsky as a playwright is that he showed the drama of the tragic inconsistency of spiritual purity, conscience, beauty with the heavy force of human tyranny, lies and moral oppression.
In the play, everything is subordinated to the disclosure of this drama not as a particular case, but as an event that has a deep moral, psychological and social meaning.
The name of the play is symbolic - "Thunderstorm". This is primarily a thunderstorm within human social relations. One goes against the other, and all against one. This society is dominated by the law of the jungle - every man for himself. No one really cares about what's going on around. People begin to be interested in others only if what is happening in one way or another concerns them.
Almost in front of the entire boulevard, Kabanikha swears with his son and daughter-in-law, shouts at the whole street, unfairly accusing them of almost all mortal sins. And no one really cares about that. In Tikhon's house, his mother runs everything, and he himself does not dare to set foot or speak against her. Almost the same situation is observed in the house of the Wild, who tyrannizes not only his relatives, but also employees. Therefore, the symbol of a thunderstorm acquires a second meaning here - it is also a thunderstorm of family life. Indeed, Katerina's life in her husband's house is filled with a sense of impending disaster. Even before she met Boris, Katerina felt that she would not stay long in this world, that thunderstorms would touch her, that clouds were gathering over her head.
Finally, the third meaning of the title of the play. A thunderstorm is also a symbol of punishment for an unrighteous, with a private violation of moral laws, life. In addition, this is Katerina's punishment for the sin she committed. After all, whatever you say, betrayal of marital duty has always been considered a sin in Rus'. And Katerina is also very religious. Therefore, she is very tormented by her act, which constitutes a genuine and insoluble drama.
Of course, we fully understand the impulse of a young woman, an attempt by a bright personality to break through to a bright beginning. Katerina is trying to find herself in love with Boris and through this state to feel at least a piece of happiness. But this attempt by a strong personality to defend itself leads to sin.
Oppression from the cruel human environment gives rise to gifted natures desire to overcome oppression, to defend their right to happiness. However, the ways to achieve it turn out to be false. This is exactly the position that Katerina found herself in.
The key to unraveling the character of Katerina, and with it the symbol of the thunderstorm, is given to us by the seventh appearance of the first act. Here the exposition is still taking place, the very beginning of the drama.
Let's remember Katerina's famous monologue ("Why don't people fly...") and all further conversation with Varvara. This episode reveals Katerina as a poetic, beautiful nature, which is in no way consistent with the outside world. And we understand that trouble awaits such an exalted soul one way or another. It's like a foretaste of a thunderstorm. This feeling is strengthened in us after Katerina's meeting with the lady who has lost her mind.
Katerina is already aware of all the sinfulness of her love, and then this madwoman begins to accuse her of human debauchery, of vulgarizing beauty ... Of course, we understand that her words do not refer specifically to Katerina, and earlier this scene was perceived as a characteristic of a dark , ignorant environment. But at the same time, the symbolic meaning of the words of the old woman was also obscured.
Beauty as a means of satisfying personal interests is not only a sin, but also the destruction of a person. Such beauty is soulless and leads to a tragic denouement.
As for Katerina, she perceives the old woman as the personification of the dark side of fate. And so the girl decides to commit suicide before she suffers retribution. She wanted to be cleansed, and she saw purification in drawing closer to God.
It may seem strange that Katerina dared such an act - after all, suicide is no less a sin than treason. But it seems to me that a soul that loves and suffered a lot in this life deserves forgiveness. And it turned out that with her resolute movement, the desire to go to the court, the heroine partially atoned for her sin.
Hence another meaning of the name: a thunderstorm is not only a punishment, it is also a purification. After all, after a thunderstorm, the air becomes fresher, the earth is cleaner. This means that Katerina's impulse did not go unnoticed. Perhaps he will make some of the inhabitants of Kalinov think. And with them and us.
A.N. Ostrovsky is not just a writer-playwright. He is rightfully considered the father of Russian drama. After all, before him in the literature of the 19th century, theatrical art developed very poorly. Ostrovsky's plays were new, fresh and interesting. It was thanks to this author that people again reached out to theaters. One of the most famous plays is "Thunderstorm".
History of creation
A.N. Ostrovsky was sent on a special mission to central Russia. Here the writer was able to see provincial life in all its glory. Like any other writer, in the first place, Ostrovsky paid attention to the life and life of the Russian merchants, petty bourgeois, noble people of the province. He was looking for characters and plots. As a result of the trip, the play "Thunderstorm" was written. And a little while later, a similar incident occurred in one of them. Ostrovsky was able to predict the events that took place in the future. The characterization of the play "Thunderstorm" as a holistic work shows that the author is not just an insightful person, but also a talented writer-playwright.
Artistic originality of drama
The play has a number of artistic features. It should be said that Ostrovsky was at the same time a novelist in dramaturgy and supported the tradition. To understand, it is necessary to analyze the genre, the main characters, the conflict and the meaning of the title of the play "Thunderstorm".
Genre
There are three dramaturgic tragedy and drama. Of these, the oldest - then comedy follows, but drama as a genre appears only in the 19th century. Its founder in Russia was A.N. Ostrovsky. The play "Thunderstorm" is fully consistent with its canons. In the center of the image are ordinary people, not historical figures, not people with their own shortcomings and virtues, in whose souls feelings, affections, likes and dislikes develop. The situation is also common. However, there is an acute life conflict in it, most often unresolvable. Katerina (the main character of the drama) finds herself in a life situation from which there is no way out. The meaning of the name of the play "Thunderstorm" is multifaceted (this will be discussed below), one of the interpretation options is the inevitability of something, the predestination and tragedy of the situation.
Main characters
The main characters of the play: Kabanikha, her son Tikhon, Katerina (Kabanova's daughter-in-law), Boris (her lover), Varvara (Tikhon's sister), Wild, Kuligin. There are other characters, each of which has its own semantic load.
Kabanikha and Wild personify everything negative that is in the city of Kalinov. malice, tyranny, the desire to lead everyone, greed. Tikhon Kabanov is an example of resigned worship of his mother, he is spineless and stupid. Barbara is not like that. She understands that her mother is wrong in many ways. She, too, wants to free herself from her pressure, and she does it in her own way: she simply deceives her. But such a path is impossible for Katerina. She cannot lie to her husband, cheating for her is a big sin. Katerina, against the background of others, looks more thinking, feeling and alive. Only one hero stands aside - Kuligin. He plays the role of a reasoning hero, that is, a character into whose mouth the author puts his attitude to the situation.
The meaning of the title of the play "Thunderstorm"
The symbolic title is one of the ways to express the ideological intent of the work. One word has a huge meaning, it is multilayered.
Firstly, a thunderstorm occurs twice in the city of Kalinov. Each character reacts differently. Kuligin, for example, sees physical phenomena in a thunderstorm, so it does not cause much fear in him. Of course, the meaning of the title of the play "Thunderstorm" is not only that this phenomenon is present in the text. The symbol of a thunderstorm is closely connected with the main character - Katerina. For the first time, this natural phenomenon catches the heroine on the street when she is talking to Varvara. Katerina was very frightened, but not of death. Her horror is justified by the fact that lightning can kill suddenly, and she will suddenly appear before God with all her sins. But she has one gravest sin - falling in love with Boris. Education, conscience do not allow Katerina to completely surrender to this feeling. Going on a date, she begins to experience great torment. The heroine also makes a confession during a thunderstorm. Hearing a thunderclap, she can't stand it.
Depends on the level of interpretation. On a formal level, this is the beginning and climax of the drama. But on a symbolic level, this is the fear of the punishment of the Lord, retribution.
We can say that the "thunderstorm" hung over all the inhabitants of the city. Outwardly, these are the attacks of Kabanikh and Dikiy, but on the existential level, this is the fear of answering for one's sins. Perhaps that is why she causes horror not only in Katerina. Even the word "thunderstorm" is pronounced in the text not only as the name of a natural phenomenon. Tikhon leaves home, rejoicing that his mother will no longer bother him, that she will no longer order him. Katerina is not able to get away from this "thunderstorm". She was cornered.
The image of Katerina
The heroine commits suicide, and because of this, her image is very contradictory. She is pious, she is afraid of "gehena fiery", but at the same time she commits such a grave sin. Why? Apparently, moral suffering, moral torment is stronger than her thoughts about hell. Most likely, she simply stopped thinking about suicide as a sin, seeing it as a punishment for her sin (betrayal to her husband). Some of the critics see in her an exceptionally strong personality who challenged society, the "dark kingdom" (Dobrolyubov). Others believe that voluntary death is not a challenge, but, on the contrary, a sign of weakness.
How to regard this act of the heroine, it is impossible to say unambiguously. The meaning of the title of the play "Thunderstorm" emphasizes that in the society that has developed in Kalinovo, such cases are not surprising, because it is a ossified, backward city, it is ruled by petty tyrants, such as Dikoi and Kabanikha. As a result, sensitive natures (Katerina) suffer without feeling support from anyone.
Conclusions. Features and meaning of the name of the play "Thunderstorm" (briefly)
1. The drama has become a vivid example of the life of provincial cities, exposing one of the main problems of Russia - tyranny.
2. The drama corresponds to the canons of the genre (there is a reasoning hero, there are negative characters), but at the same time it is innovative (it is symbolic).
3. The "thunderstorm" in the title of the play is not just a compositional element, it is a symbol of God's punishment, repentance. The meaning of the title of the play "Thunderstorm" by Ostrovsky brings the play to a symbolic level.
A. N. Ostrovsky called his play "Thunderstorm". Today, we understand the word "thunderstorm" primarily as "an atmospheric phenomenon - a stormy storm with thunder and lightning." The word "thunderstorm" is also used when it comes to "something that terrifies, inspires great fear." In the 20th century, V.I. Dal published the Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, four years after the creation of Thunderstorm. In the dictionary, such a meaning of the word “thunderstorm” was given - “threat, warning”, further - “danger or misfortune, disaster”; "strictness, strict supervision, fear in the sense of punishment, punishment"; "strict, angry person, punisher"; "thunder and lightning, a cloud with a thunderstorm, with thunder, lightning and rain or hail."
As you can see, in the days of Dahl and Ostrovsky, the word "thunderstorm" was understood much more broadly. It is easy to see that words with the root - prose are found in the speech of characters with different shades of meaning. For the first time it sounds in the play in the speech of Kabanova: “So, in your opinion, you need everything with your wife? Don’t even shout at her and threaten her? she turns to her son.
Here the root -thunderstorms- appears in the meaning of "strict guest, strict supervision, fear." This remark reflects Kabanova's view of intra-family relations.
Everything in the same meaning of “punishment, punishment” sounds the root of thunderstorms in the lips of Varvara, who calms the frightened appearance of the insane mistress Katerina: “It’s all nonsense ... What she herself is afraid of, that scares others. Even all the boys in the city are hiding from her, threatening them with a stick and shouting: “You will all burn in fire!”
The word "threatening" is a harbinger of a real atmospheric thunderstorm. And although Varvara speaks of a really impending thunderstorm, her remarks take on an unexpected shade - threats, punishments: “What is this brother not coming, out, the storm is coming in anyway.” Barbara seems to be hinting at subsequent events.
This is also felt in her other statement: “Yes, what are you really afraid of: the storm is still far away.” Finally, the theme of fear, punishment is clearly heard in the words: “I didn’t know that you were so afraid of thunderstorms. I'm not afraid." The action ends with a thunderclap.
In the first act, the meaning of the word "thunderstorm" - "punishment, punishment" is used by the author to express the views of representatives of the "dark kingdom" on marital relations. In the fourth act, the same meaning of the word manifests itself on a completely different social level. Before us are people who are not related by kinship: Dikoy and Kuligin.
Wild. Yes, a thunderstorm, what do you think, huh? Well, speak up.
Kuligin. Electricity.
Wild (stomping his foot). What else there elestrichestvo! Well, how are you not a robber! A thunderstorm is sent to us as a punishment so that we feel, and you want to defend yourself with some kind of poles, God forgive me. What are you, a Tatar, or what? Are you Tatar? Ah, speak!
Wild is well aware that he will not convince Kuligin, but during their conversation there are witnesses from the townspeople, and this outburst of anger is addressed to them. It is useless to argue with Kuligin. He will say: “There is nothing to do, we must submit!”, But he will add: “But when I have a million, then I will talk.” Those who heard Kuligin's "heresy" must remain in obedience, in fear of a thunderstorm, in front of punishment for misconduct. Therefore, Wild deliberately distorts the word “electricity”, calls Kuligin a robber, energetically attracts the attention of listeners: “Hey, respectable ones, listen to what he says!”, But not so that they listen to the opinion Kuligin, and to listen to him, Savel Prokofievich, Kuligin's sentence for "free-thinking."
In the second act, we find another word with the root -thunder-. “Now she is giving him orders,” says Varvara about her mother, “one more menacing than the other.” Here the word "formidable" means "threat, wit."
The level of family relations in the Kabanovs’ house is even more clearly emphasized by Tikhon’s remark, which he utters after a conversation with his mother: “But how do I know now that there will be no prose over me for two weeks ... so am I up to my wife?” The word "thunderstorm" in this case can, of course, be attributed to Kabanova.
For Katerina, as well as for Tikhon, Kabanova is a thunderstorm at home. It is interesting that Ostrovsky does not put such a definition of mother-in-law into the mouth of the heroine, with her words he draws the atmosphere that is developing in the family: “It will make me so stuffy at home that I would run away”; "Well, now silence reigns in our house." Silence and stuffiness are observed before a thunderstorm in nature. This skillfully uses Ostrovsky to characterize the characters. Calling Kabanova a "thunderstorm" only once in Tikhon's remark, the playwright confirms in various ways that the word was not uttered by chance.
The word "thunderstorm" acquires even greater significance when characterizing Wild. After all, if Kabanova is the thunderstorm of the family, then the thunderstorm of all Kalinov is Wild. “And the trouble is, how in the morning someone will make him angry! The whole day he finds fault with everyone! ”- says about Wild Curly.
The word "thunderstorm" is replaced by a synonym for "trouble". In addition, both Kabanova, and Kudryash, and Shapkin persistently call the Wild Warrior. It is clear that the word is used ironically; this is a nickname that evaluates certain qualities of a character: his desire to prevail in everything, to subdue, to command. In this case, the word "warrior" approaches the word "thunderstorm" in the meaning of "a strict, angry person, a punisher."
Finally, for the heroes of the play, Wild causes associations with natural phozoy - an atmospheric phenomenon. Just as a person is afraid of a lightning strike during a thunderstorm, so Shapkin is frightened by the approaching Wild, hastily suggesting to Curly: "Let's move to the side: perhaps he will become attached." Boris recalls how, on the Volga, on the ferry, Diky scolded the hussars: “After that, for two weeks everyone hid in attics and closets.”
The first appearance of Dikoy on stage creates an atmosphere of anxiety, tension, similar to what people experience before a thunderstorm. His approach is noticed even from afar. His very first remark resembles a peal of thunder: “Did you come here to beat? Parasite! Get lost!”
So, in Ostrovsky's play there are three real thunderstorms: Kabanova - for her family, Wild - for all Kalinov and, finally, a thunderstorm in nature, which is perceived differently by the actors: for some (Wild, Kabanova) - this is a heavenly punishment , punishment; for others (Kuligin) - grace, joy. It is through Kuligin's attitude to the thunderstorm that the author's point of view is manifested in the play. “Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell! Every grass now, every flower rejoices, but we hide, we are afraid, just what kind of misfortune! The storm will kill! This is not a thunderstorm, but blessing! - Kuligin addresses Kalinovtsy.
If we expand the symbolic title of the play even more, then we can attribute the word "thunderstorm" to the death of Katerina. Her suicide sounded "like a challenge to Kaban's notions of" morality ", shocked the inhabitants of the city, so this can also be called a thunderstorm - a shock.
The strength of Ostrovsky's talent made it possible to expand the concept of the word "thunderstorm" and thereby deepen the ideological and artistic meaning of the play.
The figurative ambiguity of the word “thunderstorm” helped to succinctly and accurately express the conflict state of Russian society understood by Ostrovsky in the early 60s of the XX century, made it possible to reveal the complex, contradictory and intense struggle of different worldviews, veiling under the mask of an atmospheric phenomenon acute the social orientation of the play.
"Thunderstorm" - the greatest work of A.N. Ostrovsky. It was founded in 1859, during a period of cardinal changes in Russian society. Therefore, it is not surprising that the author gave this name to his work. The word "thunderstorm" has several meanings in the play. Firstly, this is a natural phenomenon, and secondly, a symbol of impending changes in the "dark kingdom" - the centuries-old social order in Russia.
Conflict in the work
The work is based on the conflict between conservatives and innovators. In the bosom of beautiful nature, Ostrovsky draws the unbearable life of the townspeople of Kalinov. Katerina, the main character, cannot withstand the oppression, which is expressed in changes in nature - clouds are gathering, thunder is heard. Some terrible changes are coming.
Tikhon is the first to pronounce the word "thunderstorm", calling it the atmosphere of fear and despotism in his own house. Wild, speaking of a thunderstorm, recalls such a concept as punishment. The fear of divine retribution terrifies all the heroes, including the religious Katerina, who is aware of the sinfulness of her connection with Boris.
Only the mechanic Kuligin is not afraid of a thunderstorm, perceiving it as some kind of majestic spectacle, a manifestation of the power of the elements, and not a danger to people.
Thunderstorm in society
So, the storm in society has already begun. Katerina is no longer able to live according to the old house-building principles, she longs for freedom, but she no longer has the strength to fight the system. Thunder rolls predict the heroine's imminent death. The prediction of the crazy lady was the impetus for the denouement of events.
Katerina is scared because she is a deeply religious person. She could not bear the burden of sin in her heart, could not come to terms with the structure of society, its rules, so she threw herself into the arms of the Volga.
Thunderstorm as a sign of love
A thunderstorm is also a sign of love between Katerina and Boris. Their relationship is a real element that does not bring joy to either him or her. Boris was the only one who understood the tragedy of Katerina, but could not help her in any way, because he lacked determination. Did he really love the girl? I don't think so. Otherwise, he would have easily sacrificed everything for her well-being. He exchanged his feelings for an inheritance, which he will not receive anyway.
