"Dowryless". Ostrovsky A. A play about money, about love, about a troubled soul

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

Ostrovsky devoted his play "Dowry" to the image of provincial businessmen and nobles who have adapted to the European lifestyle. The drama shows the specific conditions that have developed historically - the generation of businessmen of a new formation. Ogudalova Larisa Dmitrievna becomes the center of their interests, her fate does not bother them, they solve it "in between". The social stratum of the society in which the girl lived did not interest her in terms of practicality, her only interest was love.

Ostrovsky reflects complex life dialectics in the play. "Dowry" (analysis of the work) indicates the dramatic personality in a cruel society. The triumph of "idols" with a wolf's grip is striking in its vulgarity without a drop of shyness.

The main line of the work is the struggle of several men for one girl, and they only need her as a trophy.

Ostrovsky's "Dowry" begins with a playful dialogue between Ivan and Gavrila, which gives the reader a clear idea not only about one city, but also about the post-reformperiod of the country as a whole.

Followed by businessmen Knurov and Vozhevatov, from whose conversation it turns out that Larisa was going to marry Karandyshev, a worthless person. The reason for this decision of the girl was the unbearable constant presence in the house of crowds of suitors, who are constantly invited by her prudent mother.

But no one is attracted to a dowry. Ostrovsky tells the reader about Knurov's desire to see Larisa as his kept woman. Next, the writer introduces us to the brilliant young master Paratov, who courted Larisa for about two months, and then disappeared. The girl in love with him rashly and decided to accept a proposal for marriage from the first comer. It turned out to be a beggar, self-satisfied, but painfully loving Karandyshev, whom Larisa is ashamed of.

With such initial events, Ostrovsky tries to arouse a sense of anxiety in the reader. "Dowry" (analysis of the play) causes intrigue with an unusual heroine and fear for her fate. The cannon shot increases the alarm, frightening Larisa and announcing the arrival of Sergei Sergeyich Paratov. Having learned about the upcoming marriage of his former passion, being engaged to the "gold mines", the young man expresses a desire to visit the Ogudalovs.

At the dinner in honor of the engagement of Larisa and Karandyshev, a series of events take place that contribute to the dramatic continuation of the play. Ostrovsky's "Dowry" tells how the initially respectful Paratov turns into an impulsive and proud person, who by no means wants tofail.

The reception hosted by Karandyshev turns into a farce. The groom gets drunk, everyone makes fun of him, the dowry feels like a laughingstock. Ostrovsky offers a new twist to the reader's judgment. Paratov is trying to lure Larisa for a walk along the Volga. The guests persuade the girl to sing, Karandyshev, trying to show power over her, categorically forbids performing the song. It is his pathetic word “I forbid” that becomes fatal, unlike the groom, Larisa not only sings, but also runs away with the whole company.

After spending the night with Paratov on the ship, the failed bride finds out that the young man is not free. Knowing about the shameful position of Larisa, Knurov and Vozhevatov decide her fate by playing "toss". Ownership of the girl goes to the first, and he offers to become her generously paid kept woman. She became a thing - the dowry understands. Ostrovsky ends the play tragically - wanting to take revenge, Karandyshev kills Larisa with a shot. Before she dies, she thanks her fiancé for putting her out of her misery.