One of the most prominent Russian playwrights is Alexander Ostrovsky. “Profitable place” (a summary of the work will be the subject of this review) is a play that occupies a prominent place in his work. It was published in 1856, however, before being staged in the theater, it was admitted only seven years later. There are several well-known stage productions of the work. One of the most popular is the work of M. Zakharov with A. Mironov in one of the main roles.
Time and place
Old Moscow was chosen by the playwright Ostrovsky by the action of some of his famous works. “Profitable place” (a brief summary of the play should begin with a description of the morning of the main characters, since it is in this scene that the reader gets to know them and finds out about their characters and social status) - a work that was no exception.
You should also pay attention to the time of events - the first years of the reign of Emperor Alexander II. This was a time when serious changes were brewing in society in the economic, political and cultural spheres. This circumstance should always be remembered when analyzing this work, since the author reflected this spirit of change in the narrative.
Introduction
The real master of description and depiction of everyday life and life of the middle class is Ostrovsky. “Profitable place” (the summary of this new work of the writer must be divided into several semantic parts for the convenience of understanding the composition) - a play in which the basic creative principles of the playwright are reflected.
At the beginning, the reader gets acquainted with the main characters of this story: Vyshnevsky, an old, sickly man, and his young attractive wife Anna Pavlovna, who is somewhat flirtatious. From their conversation it becomes clear that the relationship of the spouses leaves much to be desired: Anna Pavlovna is cold and indifferent to her husband, who is very dissatisfied with this. He convinces her of his love and devotion, but his wife still does not pay any attention to him.
The plot of intrigue
Ostrovsky skillfully combined witty social criticism with subtle humor in his plays. “Profitable place”, the brief content of which must be supplemented by an indication of what served as an impetus for the development of the plot, is a work that is considered one of the best in the work of the author. The beginning of the development of the action can be considered the receipt by Anna Pavlovna of a love letter from a middle-aged man, who, however, was already married. A cunning woman decides to teach an unlucky fan a lesson.
The appearance of other characters
Ostrovsky’s plays are distinguished by the dynamic development of the plot, with an emphasis on ridiculing social vices of middle-class people. In this work, the reader gets acquainted with typical representatives of the city bureaucracy, which are represented by subordinates of Vyshnevsky, Yusov and Belogubov.
The first one is already old for years, so he is experienced in clerical work, although his studies are obviously not something outstanding. However, he enjoys the confidence of the boss, which is very proud. The second is directly subordinate to him. He is young and somewhat inexperienced: for example, Belogubov himself admits that he is not very good at reading and writing. Nevertheless, the young man intends to arrange his life well: he marks in the capitals and wants to get married.
In the scene under consideration, the official asks Yusov to pat about his promotion, and he promises him his protection.
Characteristic Zhadova
Ostrovsky’s plays are known in Russian literature for the fact that they present a whole gallery of portraits of the contemporary playwright of the era. The author’s image of Vyshnevsky’s nephew turned out to be especially colorful.
This young man lives in his uncle's house, serves with him, but intends to achieve independence, as he despises the lifestyle of his family and environment. In addition, from his very first appearance, Belogubov was ridiculed for his poor knowledge of literacy. The reader also learns that the young man does not want to do the black clerical work under the leadership of Yusov.
For such an independent position, the uncle wants to drive his nephew out of the house so that he himself tries to live for a small salary. Soon it becomes clear and the reason for this behavior: Zhadov tells his aunt that he intends to marry and live his work.
Uncle quarrel with nephew
“Profitable Place” is a play based on the idea of confronting the younger and older generations. The author outlined this idea already in the first part of the work, when he outlined the fundamental difference in the life positions of Zhadov and his uncle's employees.
So, Yusov expresses dissatisfaction with his work and expresses the hope that Vyshnevsky will dismiss him for his neglect of service. This emerging confrontation reaches its final point in the scene of an open conflict between his uncle and his nephew. The first does not want Zhadov to marry a poor girl, but the young man, of course, does not want to concede. Between them there is a violent quarrel, after which Vyshnevsky threatens his nephew to break off family relations with him. He learns from Yusov that the bride of Zhadov is the daughter of a poor widow, and convinces the latter not to marry her daughter for him.
New heroes
Ostrovsky masterfully depicted the clash of the old orders and new trends in his works. “Profitable place” (an analysis of the play can be offered to schoolchildren as an additional assignment on the play of the playwright, since it is a landmark in his creative career) - a work in which this thought passes through the narrative as a red thread. Before the second act, she is directly voiced by Yusov, who expresses fear because of the courage and audacity of modern youth and praises Vyshnevsky’s lifestyle and actions.
In the second act, the author introduces the reader to new characters - the widow of Kukushkina and her daughters: Yulenka, engaged to Belogubov, and Polina, beloved Zhadov. Both girls are thoughtless, too naive, and their mother thinks only about the financial situation of future spouses.
In this scene, the author brings heroes together for the first time, and from their conversation we learn that Polina sincerely loves Zhadov, but this does not stop her from thinking about money. Zhadov, on the other hand, dreams of an independent life and prepares for material difficulties, which he is trying to teach the bride to do.
Description of the Kukushkins
The author portrayed Kukushkin as a practical woman: she is not afraid of the freethinking of the protagonist. She wants to attach her daughters-in-law and assures Yusov, who warned her of the wedding, that Zhadov is acting impudently because he is single, but marriage, they say, will correct him.
The venerable widow in this respect thinks in a very everyday way, obviously, based on her own experience. Here, one should immediately note the fundamental difference between the two sisters: if Julia does not love Belogubov and deceives him, then Polina is sincerely attached to her fiance.
The fate of the heroes in a year
The main character of Ostrovsky's comedy "Profitable Place" Zhadov married in love for a woman whom he adored, but who was inferior in development to him. Polina wanted to live in satiety and contentment, but in marriage she knew poverty and poverty. She was not ready for such a life, which, in turn, disappointed Zhadov.
We learn about this from the scene in the tavern, where a year later the main characters of the play converge. Belogubov and Yusov come here, and from their conversation the reader learns that the first things are going well, as he does not disdain to take bribes for his services. Yusov praises his ward, and Zhadov is laughed at because he did not stand out in people.
Belogubov offers him money and patronage, but Zhadov wants to live honest work, and therefore, with contempt and indignation, rejects this offer. However, he himself is very ill from the unsettled life, he drinks, after which the sex drive him out of the tavern.
Family life
A true description of the philistine lifestyle is present in the play "Profitable Place". Ostrovsky, the plot of whose works is distinguished by the reliability of the image of the characteristic phenomena of social reality of the mid-nineteenth century, very expressively conveyed the spirit of his era.
The fourth action of the play is devoted mainly to the family life of the Zhadovs. Pauline feels miserable in a wretched environment. She senses her poverty more acutely because her sister lives in abundance, and her husband spoils her in every possible way. Kukushkina advises her daughter to demand money from her husband. There is a quarrel between her and the returning Jadov. Then Polina, following the example of her mother, begins to demand money from her husband. He urges her to endure poverty, but to live honestly, after which Polina runs away, but Zhadov returns her back and decides to go to her uncle to ask herself a place.
The final
Suddenly a happy ending ends the play "Profitable Place". Ostrovsky, whose genre is primarily a comedy, was able even in humorous sketches to show the social vices of our time. In the last, fifth, action, Zhadov humiliatedly asks his uncle for work, but in response the latter, together with Yusov, begin to ridicule him for betraying his principles by living independently and honestly, without stealing and not taking bribes. Pissed off, the young man claims that there are honest people among his generation, gives up his intention and announces that he will no longer show weakness.
Polina puts up with him, and the couple leave Vyshevsky’s house. The latter, meanwhile, is experiencing a family drama: the affair of Anna Pavlovna is revealed, and the offended spouse arranges a scene for her. In addition, he goes bankrupt, and Yusov faces dismissal. The work ends with a blow from Vyshnevsky from the misfortunes that befell him.
So, Alexander Ostrovsky (“Profitable Place” is a vivid example) in his works skillfully combined historical realities and acute satire. The play retold by us can be offered to schoolchildren for a more in-depth study of the writer's work.