A. Ostrovsky is a magnificent Russian playwright. His immortal works to this day are put on the stage of theaters, and quotes from comedies have become winged expressions. “Our people - let's count”, “Forest”, “Not all cats are Pancake week”, “Dowry” - the works of A. Ostrovsky will make up a very long list.
Ostrovsky’s most famous drama is The Storm. She tells about the events in a small town. The playwright resorted to an amazing reception, where participation in human lives takes on a natural phenomenon that embodies the main idea of the work. That is why Ostrovsky called the "Thunderstorm" a thunderstorm, and this fact needs special attention.
Summary of the drama "Thunderstorm"
"Thunderstorm" was written in 1859, in the pre-reform period of Ostrovsky's work. The action takes place in a small provincial town Kalinov. The story tells of a family that lives under the leadership of an authoritarian Kabanikh. Her son Tikhon married Katerina, who does not love him. Her heart belongs to Boris, the nephew of the Wild. Boris Dikoy should give an inheritance, but Dikoy is distinguished by such qualities as aggressiveness, cruelty and greed. Barbara, the daughter of Kabanikh, arranges a date with Katerina Boris. She is afraid at first, but the woman is not able to resist love. She cheats on her husband Tikhon, who was away.
Tikhon is returning. Katerina is not able to keep everything in herself, she admits to treason. Wild exiles Boris to Siberia. Katerina understands that she will have to stay and live still suffering the humiliation of Kabanikh. As a result, she does not stand up, jumps from the shore into the water and dies.
Such a tragic love story! So why did Ostrovsky call the Storm a thunderstorm? Because all actions are accompanied by a thunderstorm. At first it gathers, clouds cover the sky, and at the climax, a thunderstorm falls on Kalinov. If you think about why Ostrovsky called the drama "The Storm", and nothing else, it becomes clear that the thunderstorm in the work is not just a natural phenomenon. It has a deep symbolism and a hidden meaning.
Thunderstorm in Katerina’s soul
If we analyze the composition of the drama (the plot, the development of events, the climax), it becomes clear why Ostrovsky called the "Thunderstorm" a thunderstorm. At first, when Katerina shares her feelings for Boris with Barbara, in the sky "there’s no way the thunderstorm ..." However, there is no thunderstorm itself yet. When Katerina goes on a date with Boris, the text again mentions a thunderstorm. But the thunderstorm itself is gone again.
A thunderstorm comes into full force only when Katerina cannot stand the torment of conscience and shame. Katerina’s husband returned and still loves her, Kabanikha is still gloating. No one noticed Katerina’s betrayal, everything could get away with it. But suddenly a severe thunderstorm broke out, and Katerina was frightened of her as God's punishment. Katerina was brought up correctly, and treason was a serious sin for her. So why did Ostrovsky call the Storm a thunderstorm? Because the thunderstorm that erupted in Katerina’s soul and the thunderstorm in heaven at the climax of the drama merge into one, and at that moment the girl’s secret is revealed. Katerinin's sin becomes known to all Kalinov.
Thunderstorm for Kuligin
Against the background of other characters, the image of Kuligin stands out. A self-taught mechanic, a kind of dreamer, he becomes a witness to all events. Kuligin lives in Kalinov and sees his darkness and vices. The patriarchal way of life of the family is destroyed, it's time to move on to a new one, but Kabanikh and Wild continue to live according to the old rules.
Kuligin is trusted by most characters. He is not afraid of the power of Kabanikh and Wild and is able to boldly express his opinion. "Here is your Katerina, do what you want with her!" - he throws the boar after the death of a woman. He is a goodie, and we understand why. Ostrovsky called the work "The Storm", and the storm became a life-giving, new force that gave Kalinov a ray of light. Kuligin is not afraid of her, but, on the contrary, rejoices: “Every blade of grass is now, every flower is happy, and we are hiding, afraid, as if some kind of misfortune”. Kuligin suggested Wild put lightning rods in the city, and this is a kind of allegory: how easily a lightning rod removes thunderstorms from the city, so Kuligin gently resists human vices.
Thunderstorm for tyrants
When answering the question why Ostrovsky called the play "The Storm", it is worth paying attention to how Wild feels about it. Wild - a person who subjugates others through fear. He perceives the storm as a punishment, it must be feared. Although Wild himself is also a thunderstorm for households and servants.
The second "thunderstorm" of the city of Kalinov - Kabanikh. Tikhon calls a thunderstorm her power, abuse and constant control.
Thus, it becomes clear why Ostrovsky called the play "The Storm" and nothing else. The thunderstorm in the work is a creative destructive force. If Ostrovsky gave the drama a different name, then most likely the readers would not have caught the main meaning of the work.