Ostrovsky, "Guilty Without Guilt": a summary, analysis of the work and the main idea of the play

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

A summary of Ostrovsky's "Guilty Without Guilt" will allow you to find out the main events of this play without even reading it in its entirety. It was completed in 1883, becoming a classic melodrama. In this article, we will give the plot of the work, talk about its characters, the main idea.

Creating a play

A summary of Ostrovsky's "Guilty Without Guilt" will help you figure out what the author wanted to say, what his intention was. The playwright began working on the play in mid-1881. Then he left for the Caucasus for a short time, and returning a month later, he continued to work.

The work was completed in December 1883. Ostrovsky himself wrote that the play was dear to him, even though he already had several dozen dramatic works to his credit. He noted that he spent a lot of energy and labor.

Premier

The audience was able to get acquainted with this work for the first time at the Maly Theatre. The premiere took place on January 15. The main role was played by actress Nadezhda Nikulina.

After five days, 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

Having got acquainted with the summary of Ostrovsky's "Guilty Without Guilt", we can talk about the presence of an intra-genre synthesis in this work. The structure of the work combines the features of comedy, psychological and everyday drama.

At the same time, the melodramatic setting remains the main one. The plot of the play "Guilty Without Guilt" by Ostrovsky revolves around the suffering main character. Her motives are the death of a child, unhappy motherhood and the betrayal of a loved one. Another characteristic feature of the melodrama is the change of names, according to tradition, Ostrovsky has speaking surnames. Finally, the play ends happily.

When analyzing Ostrovsky's Guilty Without Guilt, critics noted that the author's focus was on the character of a strong-willed and strong woman who is capable of spiritually resurrecting after any trials. For many years she lived with inner pain, but managed to survive, despite all the adversity.

Ties

A summary of Ostrovsky's "Guilty Without Guilt" will help you refresh your memory of the main events of the work in preparation for an exam or test. Time of actionplays - the second half of the XIX century. The main character in Ostrovsky's "Guilty Without Guilt" is Lyubov Otradina. She lives on the outskirts of a small provincial town.

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 wedding date in any way. The women are also discussing 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. He is indifferent to her three-year-old boy. The child lives in the upbringing of the petty bourgeois Galchikha. During this conversation, Shelavina arrives. To Otradina's surprise, Murov hides 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 kicks the man out of the house. Another blow is the appearance of Galchikha, who is shocked by the news that Grisha is dying.

Years later

The second act of the play "Guilty Without Guilt" by A. N. Ostrovsky takes place in a hotel 17 years later. We althy landowner Dudukin is waiting for actress Elena Kruchinina, who was on tour. Premiere Korinkina talks about the conflict between the young actor Neznamov and the rich man Mukhoboev, which arose because of the artist's evil and sharp tongue.

Returning Kruchinina, reports that she asked the governor for Neznamov, so that he would not expel the artist from the city. She learns from Dudukin that Grigory is illegitimate.child, was brought up in a foster family in Siberia. But after the death of his father, the stepfather began to oppress the boy, and he fled. He was returned by stage, after which Grigory could hardly get a residence permit. Now he is constantly afraid that he will not be sent to the stage again.

Kruchinina tells how she herself lost a child. Seeing the dying baby, she fell ill with diphtheria and fell ill for several weeks. Readers understand that this is Otradina, who changed her last name. The sick main character was left by a relative, after which she remained in the house as a host. 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 may be alive.

Meeting with Neznamov

The actors Shmaga and Neznamov are coming to the hotel. Even from the summary of Ostrovsky's "Guilty Without Guilt", readers can follow the relationship between the characters. The artists reproach Kruchinina for intercession, which no one asked her for. Neznamov laments that his comrades will now reproach him. He is angry, does not believe that people can have good intentions.

Kruchinina tries to convince him, assuring that she herself continues to believe in people, although this does not always end in good. Neznamov is touched.

A crazy beggar appears, which can be recognized as Galchikha. Kruchinina asks to see her son's grave, but the old woman begins to claim that the boy has recovered. She sold it to a we althy couple, receiving cash from Murov as well.

Third act

The next action of Ostrovsky's play "Guilty Without Guilt" unfolds in Korinkina's theatrical dressing room. By the summary, as well as by the text itself, one can trace how events unfold.

Korinkina tells her lover Milovzorov that Kruchinina's talent conquers everyone, and she herself is noticed less and less. Retelling the fate of her colleague, she cynically interprets the biography, presenting it as the story of a free-spirited woman. She offers her lover to set Neznamov on her rival by getting the young man drunk.

Dudukin arrives, whom she advises to arrange a dinner in honor of the premiere that same evening. The actor Shmaga arrives. He, like everyone around, 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 Kruchinina's acting talent, but at the same time denies her positive qualities, retelling her biography in Korinkina's version. Neznamov despairs, doubting whether this is true.

Mystery of the son

The arrived Kruchinina is taken to the best restroom, in which Murov soon appears, who suspects that she is Otradina. The actress confirms this, demanding to know where her son is. Murov is forced to admit that he was adopted by a we althy merchant. In parting, he put on him a gold medallion, once presented by Otradina.

After that, he reveals that his own family life was not happy,widowed, he inherited a substantial fortune. Having met Kruchinina after so many years, he realized that he had lost. He proposes to marry him. Kruchinina replies that she will not give an answer until she sees her son.

Shmaga and Neznamov appear and retell the gossip they heard from Milovzorov. Gregory now believes everything, then doubts. He suspects that the whole thing is in undercover games, but Shmaga strengthens him in distrust of Kruchinina. Both go to the inn.

Decoupling

The last action takes place in Dudukin's estate. Milovzorov begins to solder Neznamov. At this time, Kruchinina tells Dudukin everything she learned from Galchikha. Complains that all is lost.

Murov, who appeared, says that he made inquiries. He claims that their son died many years ago from an illness along with his adoptive father. But Kruchinina does not believe, since the story turns out to be confused, Murov lies awkwardly. Then her ex-fiance insists that she leave the city without tarnishing his reputation with her search. Otherwise, he threatens her with trouble. The main character declares that she is not afraid of anything, she will still look further.

Dinner is starting. Upset, Kruchinina is about to leave for a hotel, but she is persuaded to drink champagne in the end. Korinkina warns Shmagu and Neznamov not to start talking about children in front of the main character. Grigory realizes that the stories about the famous actress were true, and begins to make a toast "about adults". After a sublime speech and her response speech, into which the actress shares her success with colleagues, Gregory proposes a toast to mothers who leave their children. This is followed by a pathetic monologue in which he describes the ridicule and the need that children have to endure, abandoned by their parents. Moreover, he recalls that some still leave a golden trinket for a child to constantly remind him of his home.

Kruchinina rushes to the young man, pulling a medallion from his chest. After that, she loses consciousness. Shocked Grigory promises not to take revenge on anyone for this intrigue, asking the awakened actress who his real father is. Kruchinina, looking at Murov, replies that her father is not worth looking for. The main character promises him that she will learn to become an actor, give him a good education.

Neznamov, who did not know about his origin, experiences the power of love for the first time. By all the laws of melodrama, in the finale, kindness is rewarded, and vice is punished.