The meaning of the name and symbolism of the drama thunderstorm. Symbolism and motives of the play “The Thunderstorm” by A.N. Ostrovsky, artistic preliminaries

A. N. Ostrovsky's drama "The Thunderstorm" shows us life in the city of Kalinov, which is disrupted every now and then various manifestations thunderstorms The image of this natural phenomenon in drama is very multifaceted: it is both the character of the play and its idea.

One of the most striking manifestations of the image of a thunderstorm is the characterization of the characters in the drama. For example, we can say with confidence that Kabanikha’s character is quite similar to the sound of thunder: she also frightens the people around her, and can even destroy her. Let us remember Tikhon’s words before leaving: “As I know now that there won’t be any thunderstorms over me for two weeks, there are no shackles on my legs, so what do I care about my wife?” The native son, speaking of a thunderstorm, means tyranny in the house. A similar situation reigned in Dikiy’s house. He got angry, swore, and sometimes even assaulted him over all sorts of little things. Curly said about him: “A shrill man!” - and for sure, the character of the Wild can pierce anyone, like an electric shock.

But the thunderstorm in the work characterizes not only the “cruel morals” in Kalinov. It is noticeable that the most bright moments bad weather coincides with Katerina’s mental torment. Let us remember when Katerina admitted to Varvara that she loved someone else, a thunderstorm began. But Katerina’s soul was also restless; her impulsiveness made itself felt: even without having done anything wrong, but only thinking not about her husband, Katerina began talking about imminent death, running away from home and terrible sins. Upon Kabanov’s return, hurricanes raged in Katerina’s soul, and at the same time, peals of thunder were heard on the streets, frightening the townspeople.

Also, the image of a thunderstorm appears before readers as punishment for sins committed. Katerina said about the thunderstorm: “Everyone should be afraid. It’s not so scary that it will kill you, but that death will suddenly find you as you are, with all your sins, with all your evil thoughts.” We can understand that a thunderstorm for the townspeople is only suffering. This same idea is confirmed by the words of Dikiy: “A thunderstorm is sent to us as punishment, so that we can feel it, but you want to defend yourself, God forgive me, with poles and some kind of rods.” This fear of a thunderstorm-punishment characterizes the Wild as an adherent of old mores, if we consider the thunderstorm in its following image: a symbol of change.

The thunderstorm as a symbol of the new is clearly shown in Kuligin’s monologue: “This is not a thunderstorm, but grace!” Kuligin, being a hero-reasoner, reveals to readers the point of view of Ostrovsky himself: change is always for the better, one cannot be afraid of it.

Thus, it becomes obvious that A. N. Ostrovsky, skillfully using the image of a thunderstorm in its various manifestations, showed all aspects of life in a typical Russian provincial town, starting with the tragedy of “cruel morals” and ending with the personal tragedy of everyone.

The realistic method of writing enriched literature with images and symbols. Griboedov used this technique in the comedy “Woe from Wit.” The essence is that objects are endowed with a certain symbolic meaning. Symbolic images can be end-to-end, that is, repeated several times throughout the text. In this case, the meaning of the symbol becomes significant for the plot. Particular attention should be paid to those images-symbols that are included in the title of the work. That is why emphasis should be placed on the meaning of the name and figurative symbolism drama "The Thunderstorm".

To answer the question of what the symbolism of the title of the play “The Thunderstorm” contains, it is important to know why and why the playwright used this particular image. The thunderstorm in the drama appears in several forms. The first is a natural phenomenon. Kalinov and its inhabitants seem to live in anticipation of thunderstorms and rain. The events that unfold in the play take place over approximately 14 days. All this time, phrases are heard from passers-by or from the main characters that a thunderstorm is approaching. The violence of the elements is the culmination of the play: it is the thunderstorm and the clap of thunder that force the heroine to admit to treason. Moreover, thunderclaps accompany almost the entire fourth act. With each blow the sound becomes louder: Ostrovsky seems to be preparing readers for highest point intensity of the conflict.

The symbolism of a thunderstorm includes another meaning. "Thunderstorm" is understood different heroes differently. Kuligin is not afraid of a thunderstorm, because he does not see anything mystical in it. Dikoy considers the thunderstorm a punishment and a reason to remember the existence of God. Katerina sees in a thunderstorm a symbol of rock and fate - after the loudest thunderclap, the girl confesses her feelings for Boris. Katerina is afraid of thunderstorms, because for her it is equivalent Last Judgment. At the same time, the thunderstorm helps the girl decide to take a desperate step, after which she becomes honest with herself. For Kabanov, Katerina’s husband, the thunderstorm has its own meaning. He talks about this at the beginning of the story: Tikhon needs to leave for a while, which means he will lose his mother’s control and orders. “For two weeks there will be no thunderstorm over me, there are no shackles on my legs...” Tikhon compares the riot of nature with the incessant hysterics and whims of Marfa Ignatievna.

One of the main symbols in Ostrovsky’s “The Thunderstorm” can be called the Volga River. It’s as if she separates two worlds: the city of Kalinov, “ dark kingdom"and that one perfect world, which each of the characters came up with for themselves. The words of Barynya are indicative in this regard. Twice the woman said that the river is a whirlpool that draws in beauty. From a symbol of supposed freedom, the river turns into a symbol of death.

Katerina often compares herself to a bird. She dreams of flying away, breaking out of this addictive space. “I say: why don’t people fly like birds? You know, sometimes I feel like I'm a bird. When you stand on a mountain, you feel the urge to fly,” says Katya to Varvara. Birds symbolize freedom and lightness, which the girl is deprived of.

The symbol of the court is not difficult to trace: it appears several times throughout the work. Kuligin, in conversations with Boris, mentions the trial in the context of the “cruel morals of the city.” The court appears to be a bureaucratic apparatus that is not called upon to seek the truth and punish violations. All he can do is waste time and money. Feklusha talks about refereeing in other countries. From her point of view, only Christian court and court according to the laws of the economy can judge righteously, while the rest are mired in sin.
Katerina speaks about the Almighty and human court when he tells Boris about his feelings. For her, Christian laws come first, not public opinion: “If I was not afraid of sin for you, will I be afraid of human judgment?”

On the walls of the dilapidated gallery, past which residents of Kalinov walk, scenes from the Holy Letter are depicted. In particular, pictures of fiery Gehenna. Katerina herself remembers this mythical place. Hell becomes synonymous with mustiness and stagnation, which Katya fears. She chooses death, knowing that this is one of the most terrible Christian sins. But at the same time, through death, the girl gains freedom.

The symbolism of the drama “The Thunderstorm” is developed in detail and includes several symbolic images. With this technique, the author wanted to convey the severity and depth of the conflict that existed both in society and within each person. This information will be useful for 10th graders when writing an essay on the topic “The meaning of the title and symbolism of the play “The Thunderstorm”.”

Work test

The meaning of the title of A. Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm”

The purpose of the lesson :

Trace the implementation of the thunderstorm metaphor through its image (thunderstorm state of society,

thunderstorm in people's souls);

Help students prepare for a miniature essay “The meaning of the title...”;

Cultivate interest in the work of N. Ostrovsky

DURING THE CLASSES

How did you miss the thunderstorm in the poster? After all, she is also a character.

We can't find names - what does that mean? This means that the idea of ​​the play is not clear; that the plot is not properly covered... that the very existence of the play is not justified; Why was it written, what new does the author want to say?

(A.N. Ostrovsky)

I. Organizational moment. Subject message.

– Re-read the topic of the lesson. What are we going to talk about?

II. Working with epigraphs.

What are the key words in the formulation of the lesson topic? (The thunderstorm is the protagonist.) So, we will talk about the thunderstorm as acting person plays. This is not enough. What new does the author want to say? (Thunderstorm - idea - plot).

III. Goal setting.

So, it is necessary to find out what the meaning of the title of the play is; learn to analyze dramatic text; prepare for the essay “The meaning of the title of A. Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm”.

– Where should we start the conversation? (From the definition of the word “thunderstorm”.)

IY. « Let's talk about meaning"

1. Personal message

– What is the meaning of the word “thunderstorm” according to V.I. Dahl’s dictionary? (Fear, noise, anxiety, disruption, crush, thunder, natural phenomenon, threat, threaten, tragedy, cleansing.)

– In what meaning does “thunderstorm” appear in the play? (In the first meaning - “threat”, “sarcasm”, “scold”.)

2 . “We draw conclusions.” Work in groups.

1 group

– What images is associated with the metaphor of a thunderstorm in the exhibition? (Almost all the characters.)

– What meaning of “thunderstorm” predominates in the exhibition? (Fear, threat, threaten.)

Conclusion No. 1. All exposition associated with the meaning of the word “thunderstorm”. Ostrovsky universally implements the metaphor of a thunderstorm.

2nd group

– What drama images symbolize the thunderstorm from below? (Dikoy, Kabanova.)

– What is the threat of the Wild? (Money – power – fear.)

– What is Kabanova's threat? (Money is power under the guise of godliness - fear.)

Conclusion No. 2. For Kalinovites, the storm is “from above” and “from below.” Above is God’s punishment, below is the power and money of the possessor.

3 group

– Why do they need fear in society? (Keep power.)

– Are only Dikoy and Kabanova experiencing the intoxication of power? (Analyze the monologue

Kuligin in the 1st act.)

Conclusion No. 3. The goal of the “warrior” Wild is the lawless rapture of power. Kabanova is a more complex version of tyranny: her goal is the legitimate intoxication of power (under the guise of piety).

4 group

– When does a thunderstorm appear as a natural phenomenon? (At the end of the 1st act.)

– Consider the meaning of this scene. Why did Ostrovsky introduce it? half-crazy lady? Who is she talking to? What does he prophesy? What is her prophecy based on? (“I’ve sinned all my life from a young age.”)

– What is Varvara’s reaction to her hysteria? (Smiles.)

– What is Katerina's reaction? (“I’m scared to death…”)

Conclusion No. 4. Ostrovsky, in a detailed composition, needed to show that the order of the merchant town, whose roots were Old Believer, rests on fear.

Kabanikha’s siege war, just like the wild attacks of the Wild One, comes from uncertainty and anxiety. The Wild One’s anxiety is vague and unconscious, Kabanikha’s fear is conscious and far-sighted: something is not going well, something is broken in the mechanism of power and subordination.

Thus, the metaphor of a thunderstorm - fear, intoxication with power, threat, threaten - runs through the entire exhibition.

Group 5

– What scares Katerina? (Death will find you with sinful and evil thoughts.)

– How can you confirm that this scene did the author define it as a plot? (Rolls of thunder sound twice. Katerina’s fear intensifies.)

Thus, in beginning The action involves a thunderstorm.

Conclusion No. 5. Varvara has common sense; she ironically accepts centuries-old traditions. This is her protection. Varvara needs calculation and common sense against fear. Katerina has a complete lack of calculation and common sense, increased emotionality.

3. “Troubles, but not from the barrel.”

1 block of questions.

– What a shock Katerina experienced in the scene of Tikhon’s farewell before leaving for

Moscow? (Shocked by the humiliation.)

– Prove it with text. Pay attention to the stage directions. (D.2, appearance 3,4.)

– “ To foretell a bad outcome” is another meaning of the word “thunderstorm”. How is this meaning

played out in this scene?

– “ Tisha, don’t leave...” - “Well, take me with you...” - “Fathers, I’m dying...” - “... take me

oath..." (D. 2, appearance 4.)

– Is Tikhon capable of protecting Katerina? What Domostroy norms does Katerina violate?

(Throws himself on Tikhon’s neck. – Doesn’t howl: “Why make people laugh.”)

2 block of questions.

– How does the metaphor of a thunderstorm break into Katerina’s monologue after the farewell scene?

(“...she crushed me...”) Analyze Katerina’s monologue (D.2, appearance 4).

– How does Kudryash warn Boris about Katerina’s possible death? (“Only women

they are locked up.” - “So you want to ruin her completely.” - “They will eat you, they will hammer you into the coffin.”)

The theme of the coffin, the grave, bursts in, and from that moment on, it sounds stronger.

– Is Boris able to protect Katerina? Who is trying to protect the heroine? (Kuligin.)

– How? (He suggests installing a lightning rod.)

– Why do you think Dikoy was so angry in his conversation with Kuligin about

lightning rod? (“A thunderstorm is being sent to us as punishment...”)

Lightning rod against the Wild One himself. They feel the fear of God before the Wild One himself, they are afraid of punishment from the Wild One himself. Kabanikha has the same role; Having escaped from her, Tikhon rejoices that “there will be no thunderstorm over him for two weeks.” Tyranny is associated with fear for one’s power, so it requires constant confirmation and testing.

3 block of questions.

– When is the second time a thunderstorm as a natural phenomenon breaks into a play? Analyze this

stage. Find frightening, warning phrases of those present (“thunderstorm

it won’t go in vain”, “...crawls, covered with a cap”).

– Why does Katerina hide screaming when the lady appears?

– Who is the crazy lady turning to? Find frightening, key phrases in the lady’s speech (“...I don’t want to die...” - “...Beauty is death after all...” - “...into the pool with beauty...” - “...you can’t escape from God...”).

– Name the combination of circumstances that intensify the tragedy in Katerina’s soul and lead to recognition. (Conversations of those present, a crazy lady with her prophecy, a fiery hyena.)

And Katerina’s confession sounds like a clap of thunder.

For Katerina, a thunderstorm (as for the Kalinovites) is not a stupid fear, but a reminder to a person of responsibility to higher powers goodness and truth. “... the heavenly thunderstorm... only harmonizes with the moral thunderstorm even more terrible. And the mother-in-law is a thunderstorm, and the consciousness of a crime is a thunderstorm.” (M. Pisarev.)

Thus, there is also a thunderstorm in the climax scene.

The thunderstorm brings cleansing. Katerina's death, like a thunderclap, a lightning discharge, brings purification: an awakening sense of personality and a new attitude towards the world.

4 block of questions.

– In which of the heroes does the personality awaken under the influence of Katerina’s death? (Varvara and Kudryash ran away. - Tikhon accuses his mother publicly for the first time: “you ruined her.” - Kuligin: “... the soul is not yours now, it is before a judge who is more merciful than you!”)

So, A.N. Ostrovsky universally implemented the metaphor of a thunderstorm in the play. The title of the play is an image that symbolizes not only the elemental power of nature, but also the stormy state of society, the storm in the souls of people. The thunderstorm passes through all the elements of the composition (everything is connected with the image of the thunderstorm important points plot). Ostrovsky used all the meanings of the word “thunderstorm” indicated in V. Dahl’s dictionary.

- Why were we looking for the meaning of the title of Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm?”

Y. Making a plan.

Joint formulation of the introduction, thesis, conclusion, and the children work on the main part at home.

Rough plan.

I. The meaning of the word “thunderstorm” according to V. Dahl’s dictionary.

II. Ostrovsky universally implements the metaphor of a thunderstorm in his drama.

1. Dikoy and Kabanikha are a “thunderstorm” for the Kalinovites, an example of tyranny.

2. Katerina’s premonition of misfortune and fear after the first thunderclap.

3. Katerina is shocked by the humiliation in the scene of Tikhon’s farewell before leaving for Moscow.

4. Kuligin suggests installing a lightning rod.

5. Against the background of a thunderstorm, Katerina admits to treason.

6. Katerina is a victim “ internal thunderstorm”, “thunderstorms of conscience”.

III. Katerina's death, like a thunderstorm, brings purification.

VI. Homework: learn by heart a passage of your choice (Kuligin “ Cruel morals We have sir...” 1 act., yavl. 3,

Katerina “I say: why don’t people fly...” 1 act., yavl. 7).

The title of the play alone contains all the main motives for its understanding. The thunderstorm is the ideological symbol of Ostrovsky's work. In the first act, when Catherine made a hint to her mother-in-law about her secret love, a thunderstorm began to approach almost immediately. The approaching thunderstorm - this commemorates the tragedy in the play. But it breaks out only when main character tells her husband and mother-in-law about her sin.

The image of a thunderstorm-threat is closely related to the feeling of fear. “Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell! Now every grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, afraid, as if some kind of misfortune is coming! The thunderstorm will kill! This is not a thunderstorm, but grace! Yes, grace! It's a storm for everyone!" - Kuligin shames his fellow citizens who tremble at the sounds of thunder. Indeed, a thunderstorm as a natural phenomenon is as necessary as sunny weather. Rain washes away dirt, cleanses the earth, promotes better growth plants. A person who sees a thunderstorm as a natural phenomenon in the cycle of life, and not as a sign of divine wrath, does not experience fear. The attitude towards the thunderstorm in a certain way characterizes the heroes of the play. The fatalistic superstition associated with thunderstorms and widespread among the people is voiced by the tyrant Dikoy and the woman hiding from the thunderstorm: “The thunderstorm is sent to us as punishment, so that we feel...”; “No matter how you hide! If it’s destined for someone, you won’t go anywhere.” But in the perception of Dikiy, Kabanikha and many others, fear of a thunderstorm is something familiar and not a very vivid experience. “That’s it, you have to live in such a way that you are always ready for anything; “For fear this wouldn’t happen,” Kabanikha coolly notes. She has no doubt that the thunderstorm is a sign of God's wrath. But the heroine is so convinced that she is leading the right lifestyle that she does not experience any anxiety.

In the play, only Katerina experiences the most lively trepidation before a thunderstorm. We can say that this fear clearly demonstrates her mental discord. On the one hand, Katerina longs to challenge her hateful existence and meet her love halfway. On the other hand, she is not able to renounce the ideas instilled in the environment in which she grew up and continues to live. Fear, according to Katerina, is an integral element of life, and it is not so much the fear of death as such, but the fear of future punishment, of one’s spiritual failure: “Everyone should be afraid. It’s not so scary that it will kill you, but that death will suddenly find you as you are, with all your sins, with all your evil thoughts.”

In the play we also find a different attitude towards the thunderstorm, towards the fear that it supposedly must certainly evoke. “I’m not afraid,” say Varvara and the inventor Kuligin. The attitude towards a thunderstorm also characterizes the interaction of one or another character in the play with time. Dikoy, Kabanikha and those who share their view of the thunderstorm as a manifestation of heavenly displeasure are, of course, inextricably linked with the past. Internal conflict Katerina comes from the fact that she is neither able to break with ideas that are a thing of the past, nor to keep the precepts of “Domostroy” in inviolable purity. Thus, she is at the point of the present, in a contradictory, turning point time, when a person must choose what to do. Varvara and Kuligin are looking to the future. In the fate of Varvara, this is emphasized due to the fact that she leaves her home to an unknown destination, almost like heroes of folklore going in search of happiness, and Kuligin is constantly in scientific search.

M.Yu. Lermontov (Hero of our time)

/ / / Symbolism in Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm”

Texts written in the style of realism always contain some special images. They are needed in order to create a certain atmosphere of the work. A.N. Ostrovsky uses various symbols in natural landscapes, in natural phenomena, in the images of the main and minor characters. He even makes the title of his play “” symbolic. And in order to understand everything that the author wanted to tell us, we must unite and combine all artistic images.

An important symbol is the image of birds, which are compared with freedom. The girl often dreams of how she could flutter from tree to tree, from flower to flower. She so wanted to fly away from the hated estate, in which an unbearable mother-in-law and an unloved husband lived.

The image of the Volga plays a special meaning, because it conventionally divides the surrounding space into two worlds. That world was on the other side of the river, it was quiet and calm, and this world was despotic, cruel and filled with tyrants. How often Katerina peered into the distance of the river! She recalled her childhood years, which passed carefree and happily. Volga has another image. This is the image of freedom that the girl found for herself. She jumped off a cliff into deep waters and committed suicide. After this, the stormy river also becomes a symbol of death.

Particularly symbolic is the image of a thunderstorm, which is interpreted differently by the main characters of the play. Kuligin considers the thunderstorm to be only electricity, then calls it grace. Dikoy perceives bad weather as God’s wrath, which is a warning from the Almighty.

We discover the symbol of hypocrisy and secrecy in the monologues of the main characters. says that in home environment, not in the public eye, rich people are tyrannical and despotic. They oppress their family and all serving persons.

Reading the lines of the play, we understand and discern the image of injustice that manifests itself in judicial institutions. Cases are delayed and decided in favor of rich and wealthy people.

They made a special impression on me last words, who notes that Katerina was able to find strength in herself and free herself from such a painful life! He himself did not have the courage to end his life like his beloved.

This is the number of symbols and images used by A.N. Ostrovsky in his play. It was symbolism that helped him create such an exciting, emotional drama, which made a huge impression on me.