Katerina: characterization of the heroine of A. Ostrovsky's novel

According to one of the versions, A. Ostrovsky wrote "The Storm" at a time when he was in love with one of the actresses of the Maly Theater. Her name was Love Kositskaya, the writer devoted her work to her. However, his feeling was unrequited, and the girl gave her heart to another person, because of which she became poor and suddenly died. The actress, who played the part of Katerina, practically played herself, predetermining her real destiny on the stage. For her, Katerina is a characteristic of her own inner world, her own sufferings and experiences. The production was liked not only by the general public, but also by the emperor himself.

Katerina: a characteristic of the society of the XIX century

In the "Thunderstorm" Ostrovsky shows alldrama, the whole tragedy of women's life in Russia. In the 19th century, the female half of the population was restricted in rights, all young girls, marrying, had to obey unquestioningly a man and follow the rules of family life. Most of the marriages were based on calculation, so the couple were deprived of love and understanding, but did not dare even think about divorce. Because of the high position in society and material well-being, parents could issue their daughter even for an elderly person. So was the fate of Katerina, who became the wife of a prosperous merchant Tikhon Kabanov. Comparative characteristics of Katerina with other characters of Russian classical literature give the reader to understand the exclusivity and uniqueness of this heroine. When reading "Thunderstorms" it is necessary to pay attention to the features of the historical period and the restructuring of the established centuries-old way of life in society. Against this background, the resilience of the character of Katerina is even more impressive and causes true respect.

Childhood and youth

The girl's personality was influenceddegree of her childhood. Her young years were happy and carefree: she was happy with life, was free in her deeds, enjoyed freedom and lapped in the warmth and care of her close people. Katerina, whose description seems almost ideal from the first pages of the novel, visited the church from an early age, was very moral and pious, kept God's covenants, during services, she seemed to go to a "different world", her face became spiritualized and sublime. Furious faith in many ways and became a prerequisite for the personal catastrophe of Katerina, because it was in the church she met her lover Boris. In the parental home the girl learned to be honest, open, learned to experience love, grew kind and affectionate.

Married life of Katerina and tyranny of Kabanihi

In the Kabanikhi family, where the atmosphere of despotism prevailed andaggression, the meek temper of Catherine has undergone numerous changes. Being vulnerable to attacks and insults from her mother-in-law who introduced a "dictatorship regime" in the house, Katerina felt her dependence on relatives, but was absolutely deprived of her husband's support, felt oppressed and unhappy. But by nature full of light, kindness and cheerfulness, Katerina could not patiently exist in this chaos, in this world, full of evil and cruelty. She began to openly oppose the despotism of the Kabanikha.

Katerina: characterization of the heroine in the climax of the play

The girl has made a strong act, having grown fond ofanother person when Tikhon was away. She herself perceives this as a terrible crime, reproaches herself and suffers, religious canons and conscience do not allow the girl to treat treason easily and dispassionately. The realization of sin forced Catherine to make public repentance and confess her actions. The culmination of the play was marked by a thunderstorm in nature and in a society that condemned the girl unanimously and ruthlessly. The heroine herself perceives the cataclysm as God's punishment, runs for support and protection to her husband and lover. But Tikhon was frightened by the spiteful and merciless nature of his mother, Boris was too weak to save the unfortunate from shame. Disappointed in their loved ones, Katerina desperately decided on the only acceptable way for her to escape-suicide. After killing herself, the girl becomes free from the yoke of her mother-in-law, while her spirit remains free and disobedient.

The role of Catherine in Russian literature

The image of Katerina, as well as her death, is"a ray of light in a dark kingdom," it destroys the realm of Kabanikha. All members of the Kabanova family rebel against her. Katerina is a real protest against the traditional ways of Russian society, which stands on the brink of collapse and destruction.