Ostrovsky thunderstorm explains the meaning of the name. What is the symbolic meaning of the drama of Ostrovsky's "thunderstorm"

The play “The Thunderstorm” appeared in print in 1859, when all of Russia was expecting the abolition of serfdom. Contemporaries of the work saw in it a certain call for renewal of life. In his play A.N. Ostrovsky was an innovator in the choice of plot and characters of the work. He was one of the first to address the problems of the patriarchal “dark kingdom.” Dobrolyubov said this about Ostrovsky’s drama: “...The Thunderstorm” is, without a doubt, the most decisive work Ostrovsky... There is something refreshing and encouraging in The Thunderstorm. This “is something, in our opinion, the background of the play, indicated by us and revealing the precariousness and the near end of tyranny...” Central location The work is occupied by the conflict between representatives of the “dark kingdom” and their victims.

The title of the play - "The Thunderstorm" - is certainly very symbolic. Almost the entire fourth act of the work is devoted to this natural phenomenon. For the first time, the word “thunderstorm” flashed in the scene of farewell to Tikhon. He says: “...For two weeks there will be no thunderstorm over me.” Tikhon, leaving for the fair, strives to get rid of fear, powerlessness and dependence.

Thunderstorm, normal a natural phenomenon, causes natural, wild horror among the residents of Kalinov. This is fear driven by tyrants, fear of retribution for sins. The Kalinovites consider the thunderstorm to be something supernatural, given to them as a punishment. And only one self-taught mechanic, Kuligin, is not afraid of thunderstorms. He tries to reason with the crowd, says that there is nothing supernatural in this phenomenon: “Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell! Now every grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, afraid, as if some misfortune is coming! Eh, people. I’m not afraid.” To avoid accidents, Kuligin suggests that the townspeople make a lightning rod. But he himself understands perfectly well that the residents of Kalinov simply will not hear him - they are too accustomed to being afraid and looking for a threat and danger to themselves in everything. Dikoy expresses the opinion of all residents of the city: “A thunderstorm is sent to us as punishment, so that we feel, but you want to defend yourself with poles and some kind of rods, God forgive me. What are you, a Tatar, or what?”

Everyone in the city has their own thunderstorm. And Katerina is terrified of a thunderstorm, expecting it as a just punishment from God. In her opinion, the thunderstorm was a harbinger of the highest retribution for her sins: “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...”

Having fallen in love with Boris and cheating on her husband, Katerina, as a deeply religious person, cannot find peace. Unable to withstand the pressure own conscience and the oppression of those around her, she decides to commit the most serious sin - suicide.

Boris, Dikiy's nephew, sincerely fell in love with Katerina. In him, as in his beloved, there is spiritual purity. But, as a person who has come to terms with his spiritual slavery, this hero is not capable of active action. And Katerina, like a bright, dreamy soul, cannot exist in a dark, suffocating, alien society. In my opinion, even if Boris had taken Katerina away from Kalinov, her fate would have been tragic. She could not live under the weight of her sin.

Thunderstorms are also present in the lives of other city residents. For Kabanova and Wild thunderstorm appears in the person of Kuligin and Katerina. These heroes indicate that changes are approaching, which Kalinov’s inert people refuse to accept. Dikoy and Kabanikha do not know how to hide from the thunderstorm, subconsciously fearing the coming changes. Kabanikha is the embodiment of despotism and hypocrisy. She eats her neighbors and pesters them with complaints and suspicions.
Kabanikha does not hide the fact that she wants to have unlimited and complete power over them. Everything old is good for her, everything young and new is bad for her. It seems to Marfa Kabanova that if the old foundations collapse, the end of the world will come: “I don’t know what will happen, how the old people will die, how the world will stand.”
Dikoy in the play is portrayed as a limited tyrant who rushes at everyone like a dog. The constant scolding of this hero is a form of his self-affirmation, and, in addition, defense from everything hostile and incomprehensible.

I think that it is impossible to exist on earth for a long time with such ideas about the world as the Kalinovites had. Only in an ignorant, dark, uneducated society could the wanderer Feklusha with her tales about wonderful countries in the world, “where all the people with dog heads ... for infidelity ...”, enjoy respect and honor.
This heroine is the intercessor of the “dark kingdom”. Feklusha guesses the desire of the strong and flatteringly asserts: “No, mother,” says Feklusha to Kabanikha, “the reason you have silence in the city is that many people, for example, you, are decorated with virtues, like flowers; That’s why everything is done coolly and orderly.”

Tikhon Kabanov's life has its own storm: strong pressure and fear of his mother, betrayal and death of his wife. Love, filial and maternal feelings do not exist in " dark kingdom“Kalinova, they are poisoned by arbitrariness and hypocrisy, callousness. And only at Katerina’s corpse does Tikhon dare to contradict his mother and even blame her for his wife’s death.

I believe that the title of this play gives a lot to understand the tragic nature of “The Thunderstorm”. The thunderstorm symbolically expresses the idea of ​​the work and directly participates in the actions of the drama as a very real natural phenomenon. Each character in the play has his own moral “thunderstorm”. Changes are coming. They are inevitable, because they are required by time and new people who have become cramped in the stuffy “dark kingdom” of tyrants.

With the advent of A. N. Ostrovsky, much has changed in Russian literature, and the main changes have occurred in drama: the writer discovered new conflict in Russian life, a new environment - the merchant class, which brought its heroes and new meaning plays, therefore, fundamentally new names of works. These changes are clearly visible in A. N. Ostrovsky’s play “The Thunderstorm”.
Why did the author name his drama this way? After all, we are not talking about a natural phenomenon at all.
This question can be answered by examining the play itself and the conflict in it. The main character of “The Thunderstorm,” Katerina, lives in the city of Kalinov, on the banks of the Volga, where a patriarchal way of life reigns, where tyrant merchants rule everything: Dikoy, Kabanikha and the like. The inhabitants of Kalinov live in special condition world - crisis, catastrophic. The foundation that supports the old order is collapsing, and with it the established way of life.
The first action introduces us to the pre-storm atmosphere of life. Outwardly everything is still calm, but the crisis is still ahead. The carelessness of people only increases the tension that reigns in nature and life. A thunderstorm is heading towards Kalinov...
At the beginning of the play, we meet some of the inhabitants of Kalinov and the main character, who lives in the Kabanikha family and suffers from oppression, “captivity” patriarchal world, from humiliation and pressure from the mother of the family - the merchant's wife. The thunderstorm is coming not only to the city, Katerina’s soul also feels its approach. The heroine is in confusion, realizing that she loves not her husband, but another person, Boris, and is tormented: her duty to her husband makes her suffer and torn in choice. She realizes that she will commit a sin if she goes to meet Boris, and the punishment for this sin will come sooner or later. But Katerina decides to go on a date with her lover, walks for ten days without thinking about anything, and comes to her senses due to the unexpected arrival of her husband. She begins to repent of what she has done, she is overcome by the fear of future punishment and pangs of conscience. The heroine feels the approach of a thunderstorm and something terrible: “How... not to be afraid! Everyone should be afraid. It’s not scary that it will kill you, but that death will suddenly find you... with all your sins, with all your evil thoughts... A thunderstorm is sent to us as punishment, so that we feel...”
The situation in the play is heating up due to Katerina’s experiences, due to the feeling of something inevitable. The clouds are getting thicker and thunder is already heard. The heroine cannot withstand the stress and suffering, she can no longer live in a lie and in the midst of a natural disaster (thunderstorm) publicly confesses everything to Kabanikha and her husband. The indignation of others is like a thunderstorm.
Katerina cannot live any longer, she is disgusted with her husband, the world, and her family. She is superfluous here because no one understands her, there is no place for love in this society. Boris is afraid to break free and take his beloved away from the “dark kingdom,” since he himself is under his power. Katerina decides to commit suicide: for her, a grave is better than at home.
Thus, society (Kalinovtsy), with its “pious” and “righteous” judgment, condemns the heroine to death, because she violated the usual foundations. Residents of Kalinov do not want to notice the approaching collapse of the patriarchal world, its disintegration. It is doomed to destruction, since the real goals and values ​​that formed its basis have sunk into the past.
A. N. Ostrovsky noticed in time the doom of the patriarchal world and decided to show it to the reader in his play. He depicted the gradual destruction of old, familiar foundations as a thunderstorm, slowly approaching and flaring up in full force. She destroys everything in her path. A thunderstorm represents changes in life and society, which is why the title of the work is ambiguous and symbolic. The word “thunderstorm” is key to the play.

“The Thunderstorm” is one of the brightest works of A. N. Ostrovsky. It was written in 1859, during a time of fundamental changes taking place in Russian society. And it is no coincidence that Ostrovsky chose exactly this name for his play.
The word “thunderstorm” has a huge meaning. A thunderstorm is not only a natural phenomenon, but it is also a symbol of change in the “dark kingdom”, including way of life, which existed for several centuries in Russian life.
At the center of the play is the conflict between representatives of the “dark kingdom” and their victims. Against the backdrop of beautiful, calm nature, the unbearable life of people is depicted. And the main character - Katerina - cannot stand the oppression, the humiliation of her human dignity. This is also evidenced by changes in nature: the colors deepen, a thunderstorm approaches, the sky darkens. You can feel a thunderstorm approaching. All this is a harbinger of some terrible events.
The word “thunderstorm” is heard for the first time in the scene of farewell to Tikhon. He says: “...For two weeks there will be no thunderstorm over me.” Tikhon really wants to escape, at least for a short time, from the musty atmosphere of his parents’ house, to escape from the power of his mother Kabanikha, to feel free, so to speak, “to take a break for the whole year.” By “thunderstorm” he means the mother’s oppression, her omnipotence, fear of her, as well as fear of retribution for sins committed. “A thunderstorm is sent to us as punishment,” says Dikaya Kuligina. And this fear of retribution is inherent in everyone to the characters of the play, even Katerina. She is religious and considers her love for Boris a great sin, but she can’t help herself.
The only one who was not afraid of the thunderstorm was the self-taught mechanic Kuligin. He even tried to resist this natural phenomenon by building a lightning rod. Kuligin saw in a thunderstorm only a majestic and beautiful spectacle, a manifestation of the strength and power of nature, and not a danger to humans. He says to everyone: “Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell? Now every grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, afraid, as if some misfortune is coming! Eh, people. I’m not afraid.”
So, in nature, the thunderstorm has already begun. What is happening in society? Not everything is calm in society either - some changes are brewing. The thunderstorm in this case is an omen of the coming conflict and its resolution. Katerina is no longer able to live according to Domostroev’s rules, she wants freedom, but she no longer has the strength to fight with those around her. It is no coincidence, by the way, that a crazy lady appears on stage, which is accompanied by thunderclaps. She predicts the main character's imminent death.
Thus, the thunderstorm is the impetus for the outbreak of the conflict. Katerina was very frightened by the lady’s words and thunderclaps, taking them as a sign “from above.” She was a very emotional and religious person, so she simply could not live with sin in her soul - the sin of love for a stranger. Katerina threw herself into the abyss of the Volga, unable to withstand the terrible, difficult, forced existence that fettered the impulses of her hot heart, unable to come to terms with the hypocritical morality of the tyrants of the “dark kingdom.” These were the consequences the thunderstorm had for Katerina.
It should be noted that the thunderstorm is also a symbol of Katerina’s love for Boris, Dikiy’s nephew, because there is something elemental in their relationship, just like in a thunderstorm. Just like a thunderstorm, this love does not bring joy to either the heroine or her lover. Katerina - married woman, she has no right to cheat on her husband, because she took an oath of fidelity before God. But the marriage was completed, and no matter how hard the heroine tried, she could not fall in love with her legal husband, who was not able to either protect his wife from the attacks of her mother-in-law or understand her. But Katerina thirsted for love, and these impulses of her heart found a way out in her affection for Boris. He was the only inhabitant of the city of Kalinov who did not grow up in it. Boris was more educated than others; he studied in Moscow. He was the only one who understood Katerina, but could not help her, since he lacked determination. Did Boris really love Katerina? Most likely no. Obviously it wasn't like that strong feeling, for which one could sacrifice everything. This is also evidenced by the fact that he leaves Katerina completely alone in the city, advising her to submit to fate, foreseeing that she will die. Boris exchanged his love for Dikiy's inheritance, which he will never receive. Thus, Boris is also flesh and blood of the Kalinovsky world; he was taken prisoner by this city.
Ostrovsky in his work was able to show the changes that took place in Russian society in the middle and second half of the 19th century. This is evidenced by the title of the play “The Thunderstorm”. But if in nature after a thunderstorm the air becomes cleaner, a discharge occurs, then in life after a “thunderstorm” it is unlikely that anything will change, more likely, everything will remain in its place.

Ostrovsky can rightfully be called a great Russian playwright. In his works, he for the first time showed the life and way of life of the merchant class. In the play “The Thunderstorm,” the writer characterized the state of provincial society in Russia on the eve of reforms. The playwright examines such issues as the position of women in the family, the modernity of “Domostroy”, the awakening in a person of a sense of personality and self-worth, the relationship between the “old”, oppressive, and the “young”, voiceless.
The main idea of ​​“The Thunderstorm” is that the strong, gifted and brave man with natural aspirations and desires cannot live happily in a society where “ cruel morals”, where “Domostroy” reigns, where everything is based on fear, deception and submission.
The name “Thunderstorm” can be viewed from several perspectives. A thunderstorm is a natural phenomenon, and nature plays an important role in the composition of the play. So, it complements the action, emphasizes the main idea, the essence of what is happening. For example, wonderful night landscape corresponds to the date between Katerina and Boris. The vastness of the Volga emphasizes Katerina’s dreams of freedom, a picture of cruel nature is revealed when describing suicide main character. Then nature contributes to the development of action, pushes events, as it were, stimulates the development and resolution of the conflict. Thus, in the thunderstorm scene, the elements prompt Katerina to publicly repent.
So, the title “The Thunderstorm” emphasizes the main idea of ​​the play: a sense of self-worth awakening in people; the desire for freedom and independence begins to threaten the existence of the old order.
The world of Kabanikha and the Wild One is coming to an end, because a “ray of light” has appeared in the “dark kingdom” - Katerina - a woman who cannot put up with the oppressive atmosphere reigning in the family and the city. Her protest was expressed in her love for Boris, in her unauthorized death. Katerina chose death over existence in a world where she was “sick of everything.” She is the first lightning of the storm that will soon break out in society. Clouds have been gathering over the “old” world for a long time. Domostroy has lost its original meaning. Kabanikha and Dikoy use his ideas only to justify their tyranny and tyranny. They couldn't pass it on to the children true faith into the inviolability of their rules of life. Young people live according to the laws of their fathers as long as they can achieve a compromise through deception. When oppression becomes unbearable, when deception only partially saves, then protest begins to awaken in a person, it develops and is capable of breaking out at any moment.
Katerina's suicide awakened the man in Tikhon. He saw that there is always a way out of this situation, and he, the most weak-willed of all the characters described by Ostrovsky, who unquestioningly obeyed his mother all his life, blames her for the death of his wife in public. If Tikhon is already able to declare his protest, then the “dark kingdom” really does not have long to exist.
The thunderstorm is also a symbol of renewal. In nature, after a thunderstorm, the air is fresh and clean. In society, after the storm that began with Katerina’s protest, there will also be a renewal: the oppressive and subjugating orders will probably be replaced by a society of freedom and independence.
But a thunderstorm occurs not only in nature, but also in Katerina’s soul. She committed a sin and repents of it. Two feelings are fighting in her: fear of Kabanikha and fear that “death will suddenly find you as you are, with all your sins...” In the end, religiosity and fear of retribution for sin prevail, and Katerina publicly confesses in the sin committed. None of the residents of Kalinov can understand her: these people, like Katerina, do not have a rich spiritual world and high moral values; they do not feel remorse, because their morality is that everything is “sewn and covered.” However, recognition does not bring relief to Katerina. As long as she believes in Boris's love, she is able to live. But, realizing that Boris is no better than Tikhon, that she is still alone in this world, where she is “sick of everything,” she finds no other way out but to throw herself into the Volga. Katerina broke religious law for the sake of freedom. The thunderstorm ends with renewal in her soul. The young woman was completely freed from the shackles of the Kalinov world and religion.
Thus, the thunderstorm occurring in the soul of the main character turns into a thunderstorm in society itself, and the whole action takes place against the backdrop of the elements.
Using the image of a thunderstorm, Ostrovsky showed that a society that has become obsolete, based on deception, and the old order, depriving a person of the opportunity to express the highest feelings, are doomed to destruction. This is as natural as the purification of nature through a thunderstorm. Thus, Ostrovsky expressed the hope that renewal in society would come as soon as possible.

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

“The Thunderstorm” is one of the brightest works of A. N. Ostrovsky. It was written in 1859, during a time of fundamental changes taking place in Russian society. And it is no coincidence that Ostrovsky chose exactly this name for his play.

The word “thunderstorm” has a huge meaning. A thunderstorm is not only a natural phenomenon, but it is also a symbol of changes in the “dark kingdom”, in the way of life that existed for several centuries in Russian life.

At the center of the play is the conflict between representatives of the “dark kingdom” and their victims. Against the backdrop of beautiful, calm nature, the unbearable life of people is depicted. And the main character - Katerina - cannot stand the oppression, the humiliation of her human dignity. This is also evidenced by changes in nature: colors become thicker; a thunderstorm is approaching, the sky is darkening. You can feel a thunderstorm approaching. All this is a harbinger of some terrible events.

The word “thunderstorm” is heard for the first time in the scene of farewell to Tikhon. He says: “...For two weeks there will be no thunderstorm over me.” Tikhon really wants to escape, at least for a short while, from the musty atmosphere of his parents’ house, to escape from the power of his mother Kabanikha, to feel free, so to speak, “to take a break for the whole year.” By “thunderstorm” he means the mother’s oppression, her omnipotence, fear of her, as well as fear of retribution for sins committed. “A thunderstorm is being sent to us as punishment,” says Dikoy to Kuligin. And this fear of retribution is inherent in all the characters in the play, even Katerina. She is religious and considers her love for Boris a great sin, but she can’t help herself.

The only one who was not afraid of the thunderstorm was the self-taught mechanic Kuligin. He even tried to resist this natural phenomenon by building a lightning rod. Kuligin saw in a thunderstorm only a majestic and beautiful spectacle, a manifestation of the strength and power of nature, and not a danger to humans. He says to everyone: “Well, what are you afraid of, pray tell? Now every grass, every flower is rejoicing, but we are hiding, afraid, as if some misfortune is coming! Eh, people. I’m not afraid.”

So, in nature, the thunderstorm has already begun. What is happening in society? Not everything is calm in society either - some changes are brewing. The thunderstorm in this case is an omen of the coming conflict and its resolution. Katerina is no longer able to live according to Domostroev’s rules, she wants freedom, but she no longer has the strength to fight with those around her. It is no coincidence, by the way, that a crazy lady appears on stage, which is accompanied by thunderclaps. She predicts the main character's imminent death.

Thus, the thunderstorm is the impetus for the outbreak of the conflict. Katerina was very frightened by the lady’s words and thunderclaps, taking them as a sign “from above.” She was a very emotional and religious person, so she simply could not live with sin on her Soul - the sin of love for a stranger. Katerina threw herself into the abyss of the Volga, unable to withstand the terrible, difficult, forced existence that fettered the impulses of her hot heart, unable to come to terms with the hypocritical morality of the tyrants of the “dark kingdom.” These were the consequences the thunderstorm had for Katerina.

It should be noted that the thunderstorm is also a symbol of Katerina’s love for Boris, Dikiy’s nephew, because there is something elemental in their relationship, just like in a thunderstorm. Just like a thunderstorm, this love does not bring joy to either the heroine or her lover. Katerina is a married woman, she has no right to cheat on her husband, because she took an oath of fidelity before God. But the marriage was completed, and no matter how hard the heroine tried, she could not fall in love with her legal husband, who was not able to either protect his wife from her mother-in-law’s attacks or understand her. But Katerina thirsted for love, and these impulses of her heart found a way out in her affection for Boris. He was the only inhabitant of the city of Kalinov who did not grow up in it. Boris was more educated than others; he studied in Moscow. He was the only one who understood Katerina, but could not help her, since he lacked determination. Did Boris really love Katerina? Most likely no. Obviously, this was not such a strong feeling for which one could sacrifice everything. This is also evidenced by the fact that he leaves Katerina completely alone in the city, advising her to submit to fate, foreseeing that she will die. Boris exchanged his love for Dikiy's inheritance, which he will never receive. Thus, Boris is also flesh and blood of the Kalinovsky world; he was taken prisoner by this city.

Ostrovsky in his work was able to show the changes that took place in Russian society in the middle and second half of the 19th century. This is evidenced by the title of the play “The Thunderstorm”. But if in nature after a thunderstorm the air becomes cleaner, a discharge occurs, then in life after a “thunderstorm” it is unlikely that anything will change; most likely, everything will remain in place.

What is symbolic meaning title of the play "The Thunderstorm".
Ostrovsky wrote the play “The Thunderstorm” in 1859 at a time when a change in social foundations was imminent in Russia, on the eve of the peasant reform. Therefore, the play was perceived as an expression of spontaneous revolutionary sentiments masses. It was not for nothing that Ostrovsky gave his play the name “The Thunderstorm”. A thunderstorm occurs not only as a natural phenomenon, the action unfolds to the sounds of thunder, but also as an internal phenomenon - the characters are characterized through their attitude to the thunderstorm. For each hero, a thunderstorm is a special symbol, for some it is a harbinger of a storm, for others it is purification, the beginning of a new life, for others it is a “voice from above” that predicts some important events or warns against any actions.
In Katerina’s soul there is, to no one, an invisible thunderstorm, a thunderstorm for her is heavenly punishment, “the hand of the Lord,” which should punish her for betraying her husband: “It’s not so scary that it will kill you, but that death will suddenly overtake you with all your thoughts.” wicked." Katerina is afraid and waits for a thunderstorm. She loves Boris, but this depresses her. She believes that she will burn in “fiery hell” for her sinful feelings.
For mechanic Kuligin, a thunderstorm is a crude manifestation of natural forces, consonant with human ignorance, which must be fought. Kuligin believes that by introducing mechanization and enlightenment into life, one can achieve power over “thunder,” which carries the meaning of rudeness, cruelty and immorality: “I decay with my body in dust, I command thunder with my mind.” Kuligin dreams of building a lightning rod to rid people of the fear of thunderstorms.
For Tikhon, a thunderstorm is anger, oppression on the part of his mother. He is afraid of her, but as a son he must obey her. Leaving home on business, Tikhon says: “How can I know that there won’t be any thunderstorms over me for two weeks, I don’t have these shackles on my legs.”
Dikoy believes that it is impossible and sinful to resist lightning. For him, a thunderstorm means submission. Despite his wild and evil disposition, he obediently obeys Kabanikha.
Boris fears human thunderstorms more than natural ones. That's why he leaves, abandons Katerina alone and not with people's rumors. "It's scarier here!" - says Boris, running away from the place of prayer of the entire city.
The thunderstorm in Ostrovsky's play symbolizes both ignorance and anger, heavenly punishment and retribution, and purification, insight, and the beginning of a new life. This is evidenced by a conversation between two townspeople of Kalinov; changes began to occur in the residents’ worldview, and their assessment of everything that was happening began to change. Perhaps people will have a desire to overcome their fear of thunderstorms, to get rid of the oppression of anger and ignorance that reigns in the city. After terrible rumbles of thunder and lightning strikes, the sun will shine above our heads again.
N.A. Dobrolyubov, in the article “A Ray of Light in a Dark Kingdom,” interpreted the image of Katerina as “a spontaneous protest brought to the end,” and suicide as a force of freedom-loving character: “such liberation is bitter; but what to do when there is no other.”
I believe that Ostrovsky's play "The Thunderstorm" was timely and contributed to the fight against the oppressors.

The title of a work very often reflects either its essence or gives the reader at least a little understanding of what will be discussed. This does not apply to texts of the late XX and beginning of the XXI century, but this position can be fully applied to the texts of the era of realism. For example, in “Poor People” by F. Dostoevsky it really talks about poor people, and in “Childhood. Adolescence. Youth" by L. Tolstoy shows precisely these stages of a person’s life. The same can be said for plays. One of Ostrovsky’s dramas, which will be discussed, was written in 1859, during the acute social contradictions. The meaning of the title of the play “The Thunderstorm” is not limited to the characteristics of a natural phenomenon.

In order to most accurately answer the question of why Ostrovsky called the drama “The Thunderstorm,” we need to take a closer look at this image.

As you know, sentimentalists introduced the image of nature into literature, conveying the feelings and emotions of heroes using the landscape. Thunder and lightning in Ostrovsky's play perform the same functions. Initially, the author describes the pre-storm time. This concerns not only the weather (some characters notice that it may soon start to rain), but also the social situation. Before a thunderstorm it is usually very stuffy - the same is true in the city of Kalinov. People who don't like lies and hypocrisy find it impossible to breathe in such an environment. Money talk, drinking and judgment become concentrated to the point where disaster becomes inevitable. In order for this state of affairs to change, a push, a blow, a catalyst was needed, which in the text of the play is thunder and thunder.

Thunderstorm is one of the main characters in the fourth act, namely in the scene of a walk along the embankment. Kuligin draws attention to the gathering rain, admiring the power of nature. He thinks that a lightning rod would be useful to all residents of the city, but Dikoy does not share his ideas. In act No. 4, the author's remarks that a clap of thunder is heard are repeatedly repeated. These sounds become the auditory design of the climactic scene, increasing the semantic load and enhancing the severity of the unfolding tragedy. It is the thunderstorm that frightens Katerina, makes her nervous and weak. The girl, hearing the rumble of thunder, confesses to betraying her husband and Kabanikha, and with the next lightning strike she falls unconscious.

As already indicated earlier, the title of the play “The Thunderstorm” has several meanings. There is one more aspect that needs to be considered in more detail. The thunderstorm appears before the reader not only as a manifestation of the elements, but also as separate character. The thunderstorm seems like a fate that hangs over all the heroes. It is no coincidence that Tikhon, before leaving, says that “there will be no thunderstorms over him for two weeks.” By the word “thunderstorm,” Kabanov means the entire unhealthy atmosphere that reigns in their family. This mainly concerns Marfa Ignatievna’s moral teachings, because for two whole weeks the mother will not interfere in her son’s life.
Kuligin, for example, is not afraid of thunderstorms. On the contrary, he calls on residents to come to their senses from causeless anxiety: “it’s not the thunderstorm that kills!

...kills grace! Perhaps Kuligin is the only character who does not have an internal feeling of a thunderstorm. There is no premonition of impending misfortune. Dikoy believes that “a thunderstorm is sent as punishment.” The merchant thinks that people should be afraid of thunderstorms, even though it scares the Wild One himself. Katerina considers the thunderstorm to be God's punishment. The girl is also afraid of her, but not as much as Dikoy. There is a significant difference between the concepts of “punishment” and “punishment”: punishment is rewarded only for sins, but you can punish just like that. Katerina considers herself a sinner because she betrayed her husband. In her soul, just like in nature, a thunderstorm begins. Doubts accumulate gradually, Katerina is torn between the desire to live her life and control her own destiny and stay in her familiar surroundings, trying to forget about her feelings for Boris. There can be no compromise between these contradictions.

Another meaning of the name of the drama “The Thunderstorm” can be called a plot-forming factor. The thunderstorm becomes the impetus for the conflict to end. How internal contradiction the main character, and the conflict between the representatives of " dark kingdom"and educated people XIX century. Katerina was frightened by the words of the crazy Lady about beauty, which certainly leads to the whirlpool, but only after a clap of thunder did Katerina admit to treason.

The relationship between Boris and Katya can also be compared to a thunderstorm. There is a lot of decisive, passionate, spontaneous things in them. But, like a thunderstorm, this relationship would not last long.
So, what is the meaning of the title of the play “The Thunderstorm” by Ostrovsky? The thunderstorm appears as a natural phenomenon, framing the work with an auditory frame; as a separate image; as a symbol of fate and punishment; as a kind of generalized reflection of the social catastrophe that hangs over Russia XIX century.

The given versions of the title of Ostrovsky’s drama are intended to answer the popular question “why was the thunderstorm called a thunderstorm?” This information can help 10th grade students in revealing the relevant topic in the essay “The meaning of the title of the play “The Thunderstorm” by Ostrovsky.”

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