A summary of Ostrovsky’s “Without Guilty Guilty” will let you know the main events of this play, without even reading it in its entirety. It was completed in 1883, becoming a model of classical melodrama. In this article we give the plot of the work, talk about its characters, the main idea.
Making a play
A summary of Ostrovsky’s “no fault of the guilty” will help to understand what the author wanted to say, what was his plan. The playwright began working on the play in mid-1881. Then he briefly left for the Caucasus, and having returned a month later, he continued to work.
The work was completed in December 1883. Ostrovsky himself wrote that the play is expensive for him, even though he has already counted dozens of dramatic works. He noted that he spent a lot of energy and labor.
Premiere
The audience was able to first get acquainted with this work in the Maly Theater. The premiere took place on January 15th. The main role was played by actress Nadezhda Nikulina.
Five days later, the audience of the Alexandrinsky Theater saw the premiere of the melodrama. The production is still in demand among modern directors. Ostrovsky’s play “Guilty Without Guilt” was repeatedly filmed.
main idea
Acquainted with the summary of Ostrovsky’s “Without Guilty Guilty”, we can talk about the presence of intragenre synthesis in this work. The structure of the work combines the features of comedy, psychological and everyday drama.
In this case, the main remains a melodramatic setting. The plot of the play "Guilty Without Guilt" Ostrovsky unfolds around the suffering main character. Her motives are the death of a child, miserable motherhood and the betrayal of a loved one. Another characteristic feature of melodrama is the change of names, which, according to tradition, Ostrovsky speaks last names. Finally, the ending of the play is happy.
When analyzing Ostrovsky’s “Without Guilty Guilty”, critics noted that the author focused on the character of a strong-willed and strong woman who is able to spiritually resurrect after any trials. For many years she lived with inner pain, but managed to survive, despite all the misfortunes.
Tie
A summary of Ostrovsky’s “no fault of the guilty” will help you refresh the memory of the main events of the work in preparation for the exam or standings. The duration of the play is the second half of the 19th century. The main character of Ostrovsky’s “no fault of guilty” is Lyubov Otradina. She lives on the outskirts of a small provincial city.
From a conversation with the maid, you can find out that the father of her child by the name of Murov does not set a date for the wedding. Women also discuss the imminent arrival of their friend Otradina Shelavina, who suspiciously received a huge inheritance from an elderly gentleman.
Murov appears, who admits that he did not dare to tell his mother about his plans to marry a dowry. To her three-year-old boy, he is indifferent. The child lives on the education of the bourgeois Galchikha. During this conversation Shelavina arrives. To the surprise of Otradina, Murov is hiding in the bedroom.
Shelavina shows her friend a photo of the groom, in which the main character recognizes the father of her child. After the departure of her friend, she drives the man out of the house. Another blow is the appearance of Galchikha, who is struck by the news that Grisha is dying.
After years
The second action of the play “Guilty Without Guilt” by A. N. Ostrovsky takes place in a hotel after 17 years. A wealthy landowner Dudukin is waiting for actress Elena Kruchinin, who was on tour. Premier Korinkina talks about the conflict between the young actor Neznamov and the rich man Mukhoboev, which arose due to the artist's evil and sharp language.
Kruchinina, who returns, reports that she asked the governor for Neznamov so that he would not expel the artist from the city. From Dudukina she learns that Grigory is an illegitimate child, brought up in a foster family in Siberia. But after the death of his father, his stepfather began to oppress the boy, and he fled. He was returned by the stage, after which Gregory could hardly issue a residence permit. Now she constantly fears that he would not be sent to the stage again.
Kruchinina tells how she herself lost a child. Seeing a dying baby, she fell ill with diphtheria and fell ill for several weeks. Readers understand that this is Otradina, who changed her name. A relative came out with a sick protagonist, after which she remained in the house as a rooter. After her death, having received a small inheritance, she went to the theater. Due to the fact that she never saw her son in the coffin, it seems to her that he can be alive.
Meeting with Neznamov
The actors of Shmaga and Neznamov come to the hotel. Even in the short content of Ostrovsky’s “Without Guilty Guilty,” readers can follow the relationship between the characters. Artists reproach Kruchinin for intercession, which no one asked for. Neznamov laments that his comrades will now reproach him. He is embittered, does not believe that people can have good motives.
Kruchinina tries to convince him, assuring herself that she continues to believe people, although this does not always end in good. Neznamov is touched.
A crazy beggar appears, in which you can recognize Galchikha. Kruchinina asks to show her the grave of her son, but the old woman begins to claim that the boy has recovered. She sold it to a wealthy married couple, having received cash from Murov for this.
Third action
In the theater restroom of Korinkina, the next action of Ostrovsky’s play “Guilty Without Guilt” unfolds. By the short content, as well as by the text itself, it is possible to trace how events are developing.
Korinkina tells her lover Milovzorov that Kruchinina’s talent conquers everyone, and less and less she is noticed. Retelling the fate of her colleague, she cynically interprets the biography, presenting it in the form of the story of a woman of free character. She proposes to her lover to set Neznamov against her rival, having drunk the young man.
Dudukin arrives, whom she advises that evening to arrange a dinner in honor of the premiere. Comes actor Shmaga. He, like everyone else, admires the main character. Next comes Neznamov, with whom Korinkina flirts, persuading him to go to Dudukin for the evening. When the young artist and Milovzorov are left alone, the latter recognizes the acting talent of Kruchinina, but at the same time refuses her positive qualities, retelling her biography in the version of Korinkina. Neznamov becomes desperate, while doubting whether this is true.
Mystery of the son
Arriving Kruchinina is taken to the best restroom, in which Murov soon appears, who suspects that she is Otradina. The actress confirms this, demanding to say where her son is. Murov is forced to admit that he was adopted by a wealthy merchant. In parting, he put on him a gold medallion, once presented by Otradina.
After that, he says that his own family life was not happy, having become a widow, he inherited a respectable fortune. Having met Kruchinin after so many years, he realized that he had lost. He offers to marry him. Kruchinin replies that he will not give an answer until he sees his son.
The appeared Shmaga and Neznamov retell the gossip heard from Milovzorov. Gregory now believes in everything, then doubts. He suspects that the whole thing is undercover games, but Shmaga strengthens him in distrust of Kruchinina. Both go to the inn.
Denouement
The last action takes place in the estate Dudukina. Milovzorov begins to solder Neznamov. At this time, Kruchinina tells Dudukin everything she learned from Galchikha. He complains that everything is completely lost.
Appearing Murov says that he made inquiries. He claims that their son died many years ago from an illness with his adoptive father. But Kruchinin does not believe, since the story is confused, Murov is lying awkwardly. Then her ex-fiancé insists that she leave the city without casting a shadow on his reputation because of his quest. Otherwise, he threatens her with troubles. The main character declares that she is not afraid of anything, she will still look further.
Dinner begins. Upset Kruchinina is about to leave for the hotel, but she is persuaded to drink finally champagne. Korinkina warns Shmagu and Neznamov so that they do not start a conversation about children with the main character. Gregory realizes that the stories about the famous actress were true, begins to make a toast "about adults." After a sublime speech and her response, in which the actress shares her success with colleagues, Gregory offers a toast to mothers who leave their children. The following is a pathetic monologue in which he describes the ridicule and need that the children left by their parents have to endure. Moreover, he recalls that some still leave the child a golden trinket so that it constantly reminds him of his home.
Kruchinina rushes to the young man, taking a locket from his chest. After that, she loses consciousness. Shocked Gregory promises not to avenge anyone for this intrigue, asking the awakened actress who his real father is. Kruchinina, looking at Murov, replies that his father is not worth looking for. The main character promises him that he will learn to be an actor and give him a good education.
Neznamov, who knew of his origin, for the first time experiences the power of love. By all laws of melodrama, in the finale, kindness is rewarded, and vice is punished.