The image of Katerina in the play “The Storm” contrasts perfectly with the gloomy realities of Russia in the pre-reform period. At the epicenter of the unfolding drama is a conflict between a heroine who seeks to defend her human rights and a world in which strong, rich and powerful people rule the world.
Katerina as the embodiment of a pure, strong and bright folk soul
From the very first pages of the work, the image of Katerina in the play “Thunderstorm” cannot but attract attention and make her feel sympathetic. Honesty, the ability to feel deeply, the sincerity of nature and a penchant for poetry - these are the features that distinguish Katerina herself from the representatives of the "dark kingdom". In the main character Ostrovsky tried to capture the beauty of a simple folk soul. The girl expresses her emotions and feelings unpretentiously and does not use distorted words and expressions common in the merchant's environment. This is not difficult to notice, Katerina’s speech itself is more reminiscent of a melodious chorus, she is replete with diminutive words and expressions: “sun”, “grass”, “rain”. The heroine shows incredible warm-heartedness when she talks about her free life in her father’s house, among the icons, quiet prayers and flowers, where she lived “like a bird in the wild”.
The image of a bird - an accurate representation of the heroine’s state of mind
The image of Katerina in the play “Thunderstorm” perfectly matches the image of a bird, which in folk poetry symbolizes freedom. Speaking with Barbara, she repeatedly turns to this analogy and claims that she is "a free bird that fell into an iron cage." In captivity, she is sad and painful.
Katerina’s life in the Kabanovs’ house. Love Katerina and Boris
In the Kabanovs' house, Katerina, who is characterized by dreaminess and romance, feels completely alien. The humiliating reproaches of the mother-in-law, accustomed to keeping all household members at bay, the atmosphere of tyranny, lies and hypocrisy oppress the girl. However, Katerina herself, who is a strong, whole person by nature, knows that there is a limit to her patience: “I don’t want to live here, I won’t do it, even though you cut me!” Barbara’s words that one cannot survive in this house without cheating cause Katerina’s sharp rejection. The heroine confronts the "dark kingdom", his orders did not break her will to live in it, fortunately, did not force her to become like other residents of the Kabanovs' house and begin to hypocrite and lie at every step.
The image of Katerina in the play “Thunderstorm” is revealed in a new way, when the girl makes an attempt to break away from the “disgusting” world. She does not know how and does not want to love the way the inhabitants of the “dark kingdom” do it; freedom, openness, and “honest” happiness are important to her. While Boris convinces her that their love will remain a secret, Katerina wants everyone to know about it, for everyone to see.
The girl is unfaithful to Tikhon, her husband, but the bright feeling awakened in her heart seems to her a
mortal sin. And just at that moment, the reader is confronted with the tragedy of the
female soul, its suffering and torment. From this moment, Katerina’s conflict occurs not only with the outside world, but also with herself. It is difficult for her to make a choice between love and duty, she tries to forbid herself to love and be happy. However, the struggle with their own feelings is beyond the power of the fragile Katerina.
The way and laws prevailing in the world around the girl put pressure on her. She seeks to repent of her deeds, to purify her soul. Seeing the picture “The Last Judgment” on the wall in the church, Katerina cannot stand it, falls to her knees and begins to repent publicly of sin. However, even this does not bring the girl the desired relief. Other heroes of the drama "Thunderstorm" Ostrovsky are not able to support her, even a loved one. Boris responds with a refusal to Katerina’s requests to take her from here. This person is not a hero, he is simply not able to protect himself or his beloved.
Katerina’s death - a ray of light that illuminates the "dark kingdom"
From all sides, evil falls upon Katerina. Constant persecution from the mother-in-law, throwing between duty and love - all this ultimately leads the girl to a tragic ending. Having managed to learn happiness and love during her short life, she simply is not able to continue living in the Kabanovs' house, where such concepts do not exist at all. The only way out is seen in her suicide: the future scares Katerina, and the grave is perceived as a salvation from mental anguish. However, the image of Katerina in the drama "Thunderstorm", despite everything, remains strong - she did not choose a wretched existence in the "cage" and did not allow anyone to break her living soul.
Nevertheless, the death of the heroine was not in vain. The girl won a moral victory over the "dark kingdom", she managed to dispel a little darkness in the hearts of people, to induce them to action, to open her eyes. The life of the heroine herself became a "ray of light", blazing in the darkness and for a long time leaving her glow over the world of madness and darkness.