The theme of the poor girl in the play is dowry. Analysis of the play "Dowry" (A.N.

"Dowry" analysis of the work - the theme, idea, genre, plot, composition, heroes, problems and other issues are disclosed in this article.

Russian playwright Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky created a whole galaxy of Russian characters. Mostly they were merchants: sedate, with a bushy beard. And if in some plays of the playwright one can meet real "tyrants", then there are works where Ostrovsky continued the traditions of Turgenev in depicting female characters. The "Turgenev" girl is resolute, she can be the first to confess her feelings and will never give up her words.

In Ostrovsky's plays "Hot Heart", "Thunderstorm", "Snow Maiden" images of such heroines are created - resolute and courageous, but with a tragic fate. Even among such bright girls with a "hot heart", one can be singled out - Larisa Ogudalova, the main character of the play "Dowry". An outstanding personality, she stands out from her surroundings and is strikingly different from her mother, who is trying to find benefits in everything.

She, Kharita Ignatievna Ogudalova, can be understood: she alone raised three daughters. Yes, only the two elders, married, had an unfortunate fate: the first Caucasian husband stabbed to death out of jealousy, the second was at the mercy of a cheater. Larisa is her mother's last hope: she sings beautifully, performs Russian romances, plays music, and dances. And the mother hopes that she will be able to marry such a talented and beautiful daughter well, so that she lives like Christ in her bosom. Therefore, she teaches: "It is better to humiliate yourself from a young age, so that later you can live like a human being."

In the view of a woman with a gypsy name Harita, humanly, this is when there are many men in the house, wine flows like water, compliments sound. It is no coincidence that Larisa's current fiancé, a poor official, Julius Kapitonych Karandyshev, compares life in the Ogudalovs' house with a camp. Only all the tricks of the mother are in vain, because Larisa is a dowry. And in the society that surrounds the girl, there is only money. The new masters of life, unlike the heroes of "Thunderstorm", are no longer petty tyrants: their power is based on money. “I have nothing cherished; I will find a profit, so I will sell everything, ”says another hero of the play, Sergei Sergeyich Paratov,“ a brilliant gentleman, ”in the author’s assessment.

And this is true: Paratov, whom Larisa fell in love with so much that she “almost died of grief”, easily exchanged her for a “millionth” bride - the daughter of the owner of gold mines. Having left her without explanation a year ago, now, when Larisa decides to marry the “first comer” Karandyshev, Paratov, having appeared again, accuses Larisa of treason. At a meeting, he reproachfully says that he would like to know “whether a passionately loved person is soon forgotten: on the next day after parting with him, in a week or a month ...”

And Larisa, who has already told her fiancé that "Sergei Sergeyich is the ideal of a man," loses her head again. She forgives her beloved, who disappeared unexpectedly a year ago, and "not a single letter." Larisa is a romantic person, therefore she does not notice the obvious things. She proudly tells Karandyshev how a year ago Paratov shot in cold blood at the watch she was holding in her hand. But this fact, rather, suggests that Larisa does not mean anything to him. In addition, Paratov is vindictive: having barely met Karandyshev, he manages to hurt the pride of a poor official, but insists that it is Julius Kapitonich who apologizes to him, the master of life. And then, at a dinner party, he gets him drunk in order to once again humiliate him in front of people who measure everything with money.

It just so happened in Ostrovsky's plays: against the backdrop of resolute and courageous heroines, men turn out to be lethargic and lifeless. In the play "Thunderstorm", the husband of Katerina Kabanova depends on her mother in everything, which as a result leads to a tragedy: his young wife voluntarily passes away.

In "Dowry" the situation is similar: out of desperation, agreeing to marry Karandyshev, she begs him to leave for the village to start a new life, little reminiscent of the former camp. But the petty official, who endured ridicule in the hope of waiting for reciprocity from Larisa, is now "spreading his wings." He wants to wipe out the representatives of the upper class, and he gives a dinner in honor of Larisa Dmitrievna to say: she chose the most worthy man for her suitors - him, Yuli Kapitonych. This is his revenge for the envy that he had to experience every time he saw Larisa's beautiful and successful fans.

But by this act, he even more causes contempt from those who are used to drinking champagne in the morning and having lunch in a restaurant. After all, he, a poor official, has enough money only for cheap liquor, the bottles from which are carefully sealed with labels from expensive wine. And if Larisa, in response to accusations of treason by Paratov, says that her fiancé has the most important advantage - he loves her, then in the final she is disappointed in him. She disgustedly tells her ex-fiance, kneeling before her: “You are too insignificant for me,” and then bitterly admits: “I was looking for love and did not find it.”

It is difficult to find love in a society where everything is just bought and sold. Paratov is selling his favorite ship, the Lastochka, because he has found a profit - a bride with a million dollar dowry. But he commits a much more vile act: having humiliated her fiancé in the eyes of Larisa, he gives hope for the future and, taking advantage of the situation, seduces the poor girl, and then confesses that he is engaged - he has “golden chains”. That's when the epiphany comes to the heroine. She understands that everyone around her, even her own mother, looks at her as a thing, for fun.

She does not have the courage to commit suicide, as Katerina did in The Thunderstorm, but she finds the strength to admit that no one has ever tried to look into her soul, she has not seen sympathy from anyone, has not heard a warm word. Larisa passes a terrible sentence to herself: "I did not find love, so I will look for gold." And she is really ready to take a ride to an exhibition in Paris with the middle-aged merchant Knurov, who won her in the "toss" from a younger rival, she is ready to become his kept woman, that is, to sell herself at a higher price, because the only consolation remains for her: if you really are a thing, then very expensive.

The finale of this psychological play is a foregone conclusion. Sobered up, but rejected, Karandyshev shoots Larisa, and for her this becomes a salvation. Now she cannot be bought or sold - she remains free and truly happy. She dies with words of forgiveness on her lips. Thus, the author shows that death is a tragic way out of the insoluble moral contradictions of the time, a sentence to a society that is unable to preserve the treasure of a spiritual personality, beauty and talent.

A.N. Ostrovsky created an amazing gallery of Russian characters. Representatives of the merchant class became the main characters - from "domostroevsky" tyrants to real businessmen. The playwright's portrayals of women were no less vivid and expressive. Some of them looked like the heroines of J.S. Turgenev: they were just as brave and resolute, had warm hearts and never gave up their feelings. Below is an analysis of Ostrovsky's "Dowry", where the main character is a bright personality, different from the people who surrounded her.

History of creation

The analysis of Ostrovsky's "Dowry" should begin with the history of its writing. In the 1870s, Alexander Nikolayevich was an honorary judge in one county. Participation in lawsuits and familiarity with various cases gave him a new opportunity to search for topics for his works.

Researchers of his life and work suggest that the plot for this play was taken from his judicial practice. It was a case that made a lot of noise in the county - the murder of a local resident of his young wife. Ostrovsky began writing the play in 1874, but progress was slow. And only in 1878 the play was completed.

Actors and their brief description

The next point in the analysis of Ostrovsky's "Dowry" is a small description of the characters in the play.

Larisa Ogudalova is the main character. A beautiful and impressionable noblewoman. Despite her sensitive nature, she is a proud girl. Its main disadvantage is poverty. Therefore, her mother tries to find a rich groom for her. Larisa is in love with Paratov, but he leaves her. Then, out of desperation, she decides to marry Karandyshev.

Sergey Paratov is a nobleman who is over 30 years old. An unprincipled, cold and calculating person. Everything is measured in money. He is going to marry a rich girl, but does not tell Larisa about it.

Julius Kapitonych Karandyshev is a petty official who has little money. Vain, his main goal is to win the respect of others and impress them. Jealous of Larisa to Paratov.

Vasily Vozhevatov is a young rich merchant. I've known the main character since childhood. A cunning person without any moral principles.

Moky Parmenych Knurov is an elderly merchant, the richest man in the city. He likes the young Ogudalova, but he is a married man. Therefore, Knurov wants her to become his kept woman. Selfish, he cares only for his own interests.

Harita Ignatievna Ogudalova - Larisa's mother, widow. Cunning, she tries to profitably give her daughter in marriage so that they do not need anything. Therefore, he believes that any means are suitable for this.

Robinson is an actor, mediocrity, a drunkard. Friend of Paratov.

One of the points in the analysis of Ostrovsky's "Dowry" is a brief description of the plot of the play. The action takes place in the Volga city of Bryakhimov. In the first act, the reader learns from the conversation between Knurov and Vozhevatov that Sergei Paratov, a wealthy gentleman who loves to appear spectacularly in society, is returning to the city.

He left Bryakhimov so hastily that he did not say goodbye to Larisa Ogudalova, who was in love with him. She was in despair because of his departure. Knurov and Vozhevatov say that she is beautiful, smart and performs romances incomparably. Only her suitors shun her, because she is a dowry.

Realizing this, her mother constantly keeps the doors of the house open, in the hope that a rich groom will marry Larisa. The girl decides to marry a petty official, Yuri Kapitonych Karandyshev. During the walk, the merchants inform them of Paratov's arrival. Karandyshev invites them to a dinner party in honor of his fiancee. Julius Kapitonych arranges a scandal for the bride because of Paratov.

Meanwhile, Paratov himself, in a conversation with the merchants, says that he was going to marry the daughter of the owner of the gold mines. And Larisa is no longer interested in him, but the news of her marriage makes him think.

Larisa quarrels with her fiancé because she wants to leave with him for the village as soon as possible. Karandyshev, despite the constraint on funds, is going to give a dinner party. Ogudalova is having an explanation with Paratov. He accuses her of cheating and asks if she loves him. The girl agrees.

Paratov decided to humiliate Larisa's fiancé in front of the guests. He gets him drunk at dinner, and then persuades the girl to go on a boat trip with him. After spending the night with her, he tells her that he has a fiancee. The girl realizes that she is disgraced. She agrees to become the kept woman of Knurov, who won her in a dispute with Vozhevatov. But Yuri Karandyshev shot Larisa out of jealousy. The girl thanks him and says that she is not offended by anyone.

The image of Larisa Ogudalova

In the analysis of Ostrovsky's "Dowry" one should also consider the image of the main character. Larisa appeared before the reader as a beautiful, educated noblewoman, but without a dowry. And, finding herself in a society where the main measure is money, she was faced with the fact that no one takes her feelings seriously.

Possessing an ardent soul and a warm heart, she falls in love with the treacherous Paratov. But because of his feelings, he cannot see his true character. Larisa feels lonely - no one even tries to understand her, everyone uses her like a thing. But despite the subtle nature, the girl has a proud disposition. And just like all heroes, she is afraid of poverty. Therefore, she feels even more contempt for her fiancé.

In the analysis of Ostrovsky's "Dowry" it should be noted that Larisa does not have great fortitude. She does not decide to commit suicide or start living the life she wants. She accepts the fact that she is a thing and refuses to fight any further. Therefore, the groom's shot brought her peace, the girl was glad that all her suffering was over, and she found peace.

The image of Yuri Karandyshev

In the analysis of the play "Dowry" by Ostrovsky, one can also consider the image of the heroine's fiancé. Julius Kapitonych is shown to the reader as a small person who is important to earn the recognition of others. For him, a thing has value if rich people have it.

This is a proud person who lives for show and causes only contempt from others because of his pathetic attempts to be like them. Karandyshev, most likely, did not like Larisa: he understood that all men would envy him, because she was the dream of many. And he hoped to get the public recognition he so desired after their wedding. Therefore, Julius Kapitonich could not come to terms with the fact that she left him.

Comparison with Katerina

Comparative analysis of "Thunderstorm" and "Dowry" by Ostrovsky helps to find not only similarities, but also differences between the works. Both heroines are bright personalities, and their chosen ones are weak and weak-willed people. Katerina and Larisa have warm hearts and fall in love with men who match their imaginary ideal.

Both heroines feel lonely in society, and the internal conflict is heating up more and more. And this is where the differences come in. Larisa did not have the inner strength that Katerina had. Kabanova could not come to terms with life in a society where tyranny and despotism reigned. She rushed into the Volga. Larisa, realizing that for everyone she is a thing, cannot decide on such a step. And the girl does not even think about the fight - she just decides to live now like everyone else. Perhaps that is why the viewer immediately liked the heroine Katerina Kabanova.

Stage productions

In the analysis of Ostrovsky's drama "Dowry", it can be noted that, contrary to expectations, the performances failed. The viewer seemed bored with a story about a provincial girl who was deceived by a fan. Critics also did not like the acting: for them it was too melodramatic. And only in 1896 the play was staged again. And even then the audience was able to accept and appreciate it.

An analysis of Ostrovsky's work "Dowry" allows us to show what a serious psychological subtext the play has. How detailed the characters are. And, despite the sentimental scenes, the play belongs to the genre of realism. And her characters have replenished the gallery of Russian characters, masterfully described by A.N. Ostrovsky.

So, at the center of his narrative, Ostrovsky puts the heroine - Larisa Ogudalova. According to N. Skatov, “the titles of Ostrovsky's plays are, as a rule, symbolic. A terrible symbol sounds - "Dowry". The best of the best is a dowry."

- Prove the accuracy of the characteristic given by Nikolai Skatov to Larisa Ogudalava - "the best of the best."

Here Vozhevatov, talking over morning "tea" with Knurov, says about Larisa: "The young lady is pretty, plays various instruments, sings, circulation is free." Knurov gladly supports: “It’s nice to see her alone more often, without interference .... this woman is made for luxury.”

Vasily Danilych, who has known Larisa since childhood, notes the most important thing that distinguishes her from her mother, Harita Ignatievna Ogudalova: necessary". Knurov clarifies: “That is the truth?”

Moky Parmenych Knurov does not exaggerate at all when he assures Harita Ignatievna that in Larisa "there is no earthly, this worldly thing", that she is "created for brilliance."

Larisa, who dreams of “getting out of here as soon as possible”, “getting out of here”, honestly admits: “Every word that I myself say and that I hear, I feel.” And with heartache, the heroine realizes the worst: “Everyone loves themselves! When will someone love me! .. I see that I am a doll for you; you play with me, break it and throw it away.

Larisa Ogudalova: a richly gifted person; endowed with a bright, unique character; distinguished by sensitivity, impressionability; it is characterized by gullibility, sincerity, straightforwardness; love lives in the heart of the heroine; the soul of the heroine is like a bird, etc.

Noting that the soul of Larisa is like a bird, one of the writer's features of the playwright should be emphasized - the use of a "direct" etymology, that is, the correspondence of the initial meaning of the name to the main qualities of the heroine's character. Larisa in Greek means "seagull".

- Name the characters in the play surrounding Larisa. Name the nature of the heroine's attitude to this person.

Harita Ignatievna Ogudalova. The relationship of an obedient, understanding daughter.

Julius Kapitonych Karandyshev. The heroine hopes that Karandyshev will take her away from here, save her from a vulgar, low life.

Vasily Danilych Vozhevatov. Larisa has known this young man since childhood, she believes that they have friendly relations.

Moky Parmenych Knurov. He sees devotion, support of the elder in this respectable person.

Sergei Sergeyevich Paratov. Larisa loves him.
What do these actors have in common? What is the difference?

The first reaction of students is surprise: what do absolutely different characters have in common?

But even in Ostrovsky’s text we read how Karandyshev is surprised: “Well, why am I worse than Paratov?” Larisa remarks to this question: "The comparison will not be in your favor." Karandyshev demands proof. Let us also turn to the estimates given by Paratov and
Karandysheva by those who know them, saw and met them in various situations.

According to Larisa, Paratov is the “ideal man”, because he has some kind of special courage. What she witnessed remained in the heart and memory of the heroine: “I myself saw how he helped the poor, how he gave away all the money that was with him.”

Everyone in the city of Bryakhimov knows Sergey Sergeyevich. To the question of Kharita Ignatievna, who arrived, the gypsy Ilya replies: “Such a gentleman, we can’t wait: we’ve been waiting for a year - that’s what a gentleman is.”

“Well, what is Karandyshev!” - Mokiy Parmenych is perplexed, indignant at the fact that it is precisely this insignificant person that Larisa Dmitrievna is marrying. Vozhevatov calls him an eccentric: “He should get married as soon as possible and leave for his little estate, while the conversations subside ... and he drags Larisa to the boulevard, walks arm in arm with her, raised his head so high that, just look, he will stumble upon someone. Yes, I put on glasses for some reason, but I never wore them. Bows, hardly nods; what a tone he took: before it was not even heard, but now it’s all “I, yes I, I want, I want.”

“... from nothing, but hit people” - this is the opinion of Kharita Ignatievna Ogudalova.
We note the differences in the summary: Paratov is a brilliant gentleman, charming, good-looking; everyone knows; Larissa loves him.

Karandyshev is a petty official; insignificant, we humiliate everyone; nobody knows; Larisa does not love him. Here, perhaps, is all that distinguishes these heroes.

Karandyshev - a victim? Yes. Unhappy person? Undoubtedly. Scoundrel? In a certain sense, certainly. And Julius Kapitonych is cunning, and dodges, and everything in his behavior, especially in the presence of Larisa and Paratov, indicates that he can make a scandal at the first opportunity, and aims for aristocrats ... Isn't Paratav's pride so wounded by this circumstance that in a happy rival - an insignificant little man Karandyshev - he sees himself as in a mirror!

Let us turn to the interpretation of the names of these actors of the "Dowry". Most likely, the playwright formed the surname Paratava from the dialect word flogged, which means "brisk, strong, hefty." Such an explanation is given in Dahl's dictionary. In some
reference books also have such an explanation of the surname: paraty is a dexterous, predatory beast. But the name of Yulia Kapitonych Karandyshev according to Dahl is “short, undersized, undersized person.”

- Give examples of statements by Paratov and Karandyshev that could be called key, that is, characterizing their life positions.

Paratav: “What is “sorry”, I don’t know this, I have ... there’s nothing cherished, know the benefit, so I’ll sell everything, anything.”

Karandyshev: “I suffered many, many injections for my pride, my pride was offended more than once; now I want and have the right to be proud and magnify. Well, why am I worse than Paratov?

Both characters are getting married. What does marriage mean for each of them?

Both heroes marry in order to improve their situation: neither Paratava has anything (he simply squandered everything), nor Karandyshev “And the master, I heard, he completely squandered, he sold the last steamboat,” Julius Kapitonych explains the turmoil that has risen in the city. — Who came? A squandered reveler, a depraved person. Paratov himself says this to Kharita Ignatievna about the reason for his unexpected disappearance a year ago: “My stewards and stewards reduced my house into a nutshell without me, sir. With their operations, my steamboats and all movable and immovable property were brought to auction sale ... a decent gap remained.

Paratov is going to solve such a problem in the following way: “I am marrying a very rich girl, I take gold mines as a dowry ... I have to say goodbye to my freedom ... the father of my bride is an important bureaucratic gentleman; the old man is strict: he cannot hear about gypsies, about revelry and other things, ”

- How can one explain this situation of Paratov and Karandyshev?

Paratov and Karandyshev are deprived of business acumen, the ability to think and act sensibly, to curb their emotions, to humble their desires. In a small provincial town where everyone knows each other, the business qualities of the most petty official are thoroughly known, but there is not a word about the ability to conduct any business by the Karandyshevs or Paratovs.

- How do Paratov and Karandyshev relate to Larisa?

Sergey Sergeyevich is frank with his friends: “After all, I almost married Larisa - if only I would make people laugh! Yes, I played the fool. Sergey Sergeyevich long ago chose a beautiful life beyond his means, mindlessly squandering money that he does not know how to earn himself, and in the end he sells himself.

Remembering how the girl in love “couldn’t look at him enough”, Paratov, having arrived in Bryakhimov, is going to spend his last single days as cheerfully as possible, for which, with a clear conscience, he takes Larisa away from the dinner party. When Larisa Dmitrievna asks for an answer, who is she to him, wife or not, she shows the engagement ring: “These are the chains with which I am bound for life.”

It is no coincidence that the playwright builds the scene of explanation in this way: Paratov makes a terrible confession for the heroine not alone with Larisa, but when Knurov and Vozhevatov appear from the coffee shop: the “brilliant gentleman” leaves his victim to be torn to pieces by other predators.

Julius Kapitonych Karandyshev represents the type of "little man" in the drama "Dowry". It is important to remember that this play was created in 1878, the ideas of individualism associated with the cult of the great Napoleon also affected the worldview of a petty official.

Here Karandyshev invites Knurov and Vozhevatov to dinner, speaks of the desire to see Larisa Dmitrievna surrounded only by selected people. And a few minutes later, in a conversation with Larisa, he calls Vozhevatov an empty, stupid boy.

Reproaching Larisa for the simplicity of communicating with people, undemandingness, Karandyshev, at the same time, is eager to join the world of the strong with all his might, dreams of a beautiful, luxurious life for show, so that others would envy him.

He has destroyed everything human in himself and with a fatal shot puts an end to it: this woman should belong to him! Otherwise - "don't get it to anyone!". The cruel morals prevailing in the city of Bryakhimov completely corrupted the petty official.

An entry appeared in the abstract reflecting what Paratov and Karandyshev had in common: they get married in order to improve their financial situation; deprived of business acumen and the ability to think and act sensibly, to curb their emotions; completely inhuman towards Larisa; virtues turn out to be imaginary, and so on.

The next stage in compiling the abstract is the analysis of issues related to the images of Vozhevatov and Knurov. The surname of Mokiya Parmenych Knurov is derived from the word knur - “boar, laid boar, boar” (according to Dahl).

The surname Vozhevatova comes from zhevevaty, vozhevatenky, that is (again according to Dahl) this is the one “who knows how to get along with people, a courteous, polite, affable, entertaining interlocutor”, in combination vozhevaty people are cheeky, shameless.

Compiling a description of the images of Knurov and Vozhevatov, students talk about how these merchants differ from Wild, that is, the merchant depicted in the drama Thunderstorm, explain how the merchants relate to each other and to Larisa. As a result - an entry in the abstract: a new type of merchants; complete disregard for public opinion; wariness and distrust of each other; cold prudence and callousness.

One more, the last link, closing the circle of indifference and cruelty, beyond which the “hot heart” of the heroine of the drama “Dowry” is torn. This is Harita Ignatievna Ogudalova, mother of Larisa Dmitrievna.

The characterization of this character, who is number one on the list of characters, A.N. Ostrovsky begins with a name in which all three constituent parts (first name, patronymic, surname) speak volumes.

So, the name Harita comes from the Greek word charis, which means "grace, charm, beauty." Every gypsy was called Ignat in Moscow at the time of the playwright.

The surname Ogudalova is formed from the verb “ogudat”, which is interpreted as follows: to deceive.

Let's combine everything into a single whole and get the following: in front of the audience is not just a middle-aged widow, but a charming gypsy who dresses elegantly and, unlike her daughter, boldly and beyond her years.

- What is the opinion of the influential merchants of the city of Bryakhimov about Kharita Ignatievna?

Moky Parmenych Knurov calls Kharita Ignatievna a “brisk woman,” with which Vasily Danilych Vozhevatov fully agrees, who, meanwhile, suggests: “She. must not be Russian ... very agile.” And the addition “she loves to live happily herself” explains a lot in her cold, prudent nature.

Did she think about the happiness of her eldest daughter, giving in marriage to some highlander, a Caucasian prince, who stabbed his young wife out of jealousy on the way, without taking her to the Caucasus?

It is hard to believe in the naivety and simplicity of Kharita Ignatievna, who seemed to be unable to discern in a rogue, posing as a foreigner, an ordinary cheater.

What are the life principles of this woman?

“You won’t live in the world without cunning” - that’s what she inspires her daughter in the first place. This principle is a direct, literal roll call with the surname: to bawl, that is, to deceive. And Harita Ignatievna is convinced of one more thing: “We are poor people, we have to humiliate ourselves all our lives. So it's better to be humiliated from a young age. then to live like a human being." She presents her life position to her daughter. (In the abstract we enter these two statements of Harita Ignatievna.)

- How does Harita Ignatievna feel about her daughter?

Harita Ignatievna cannot understand the desire of her daughter, who dreams of leaving Bryakhimov for the village as soon as possible after the wedding. What is going on in Larisa's soul, she has no idea.

Kharita Ignatievna has a lot in common with Knurov, Vozhevatov and other persons included in this circle. But the main thing is that they all look at Larisa as a thing.

- Based on the provisions indicated in the summary, show the main features of the play "Dowry".

A.N. Ostrovsky placed the heroine in the center of the play “Dowry”, because in the conditions of Russian post-reform reality, the playwright did not find a hero endowed with high moral qualities, capable of performing such acts that would clearly speak of his desire to fight the evil reigning in the world. Successful businessmen, if they did some good, it was only a beautiful gesture, the purpose of which is to attract attention, and not a sincere desire to do good.
The play "Dowry" is a psychological drama, since all attention is focused on the feelings, movements of the heroine's soul, and not on actions. “The line of struggle,” we read in the article by A.I. Zhuravleva “The Millennium Monument of Russia”, which opens the collection of selected works of the writer “Theater and Life”, “passes through the soul of Larisa herself, her personality is devoid of integrity, and she herself is a battlefield between the elemental the desire for purity and false ideas about life values. Thus, at the center of the play is a contradictory nature, and the psychological drama turns out to be the most suitable genre for embodying such a character.

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Literature is a clear example of the development of the nature of human relations, an opportunity to comprehend life situations from the outside. “Dowry” is what happens in society every day. Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky is, of course, one of the most significant Russian playwrights of the 19th century, because his plays reflect the social problems of modern reality.

Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky drew ideas for his works from court cases - in 1843, at the request of his father, he got a job as a scribe in the Moscow Conscience Court. Then for some time he had to be in the role of a magistrate of the Kineshma district. Watching various legal proceedings, Alexander Nikolayevich was inspired by the most acute domestic and social conflicts.

Alexander Ostrovsky was a theatrical playwright, so he wrote all the plays in a relatively short time. However, the play "Dowry", the idea of which the author conceived on November 4, 1874, was fully completed only by October 17, 1878. In parallel with the "Dowry" A.N. Ostrovsky wrote several more plays: "Wolves and Sheep", "Rich Brides", "The Truth is Good, but Happiness is Better", "The Last Victim".

The meaning of the play's title is obvious. Larisa Ogudalova is a girl who came from a noble but not rich family. Larisa does not have a dowry at all in order to find herself a “worthy” and rich groom. However, Larisa's talents distinguish her from the rest, so representatives of the "high society" do not mind getting to know the main character.

The author considered his fortieth, anniversary, play the best work he had ever written. But "Dowry" was met very coldly. Critics and longtime admirers of Alexander Ostrovsky were rather disappointed with the play - it was considered ordinary and boring, moreover, with a banal plot. For many years, the "Dowry" was forgotten.

Genre, direction, conflict

The play "Dowry" was written in the genre of psychological drama. The main characters of the work are depicted in actions, collisions. There is a sharp conflict in the play, depicted against the backdrop of society.

"Dowry" refers to such a literary movement as realism. The play reflects reality, there is a social determination of the personality - the character of the characters is determined by the social environment. There is a deep psychologism in the drama, Ostrovsky introduces into the work the type of "little man" (Karandyshev), the type of "extra person" (Larisa Ogudalova).

There are several collisions in the play. Julius Kapitonovich Karandyshev and Larisa Ogudalova appear in the play as heroes who are in opposition to society. Only Larisa is in the role of an "extra person", who finds it difficult to exist in the era of bourgeois society due to her unique, deep personality. While Yuly Karandyshev takes on the role of a "little man", who is hopelessly trying to prove his significance and importance to society, which only mocks him. The hopelessness of the situation is one of the reasons why he decides to marry Larisa. Poverty does not allow both characters to realize themselves - the conflict between the material and the spiritual can be traced throughout the play.

essence

The play "Dowry" tells about the fate of a young girl - Larisa Ogudalova. She grew up with her mother Harita Ignatievna Ogudalova. Her mother was a hospitable, "light", cunning woman who held dinners in honor of Larisa. On noisy evenings, she was nimble and organized the bride of her sophisticated, talented daughter, thus "pulling" money from all potential suitors who came to see the girl and enjoy her singing.

However, Larisa was the opposite of her mother - she did not like the constant evenings, the pretense with which she was obliged to smile at everyone, close assessments from the outside. She did not need luxury and wealth, she wanted a peaceful quiet life somewhere in a remote village. But Harita Ignatievna wished for herself a “worthy”, carefree life, therefore she used the external and internal beauty of her daughter, constantly looking for her a rich groom.

The only reason why Larisa had to suffer and subsequently die was that she was a dowry. Society admired her, but at the same time repelled her. No one wanted to marry a dowry. In those days, women did not work, but could only manage the household, therefore, they could not financially help their future family.

Main characters and their characteristics

The image of the city and citizens. The play presents the bourgeois era. The action takes place in the city of Bryakhimov, located on the Volga. The main type of townspeople is a privileged layer, which is represented by merchants dressed in European costumes, leading a secular lifestyle. However, each hero of the play has developed "conflict" relations with the city - he oppresses everyone, depresses. For example, Vozhevatov and Knurov dream about Paris throughout the play and dream of leaving, Larisa wants to escape to a remote village, away from everyone.
The image and characteristics of Larisa. Ostrovsky portrayed the main character as a sophisticated, intelligent girl, with a rich inner world and various talents. Larisa grew up in a family that was not at all rich, but "high society" perceives her as her equal: Knurov believes that she is worthy of a luxurious life, and Vazhevatov presents her with gifts. But, despite her intelligence and nobility, Larisa appears completely unsophisticated and open. She does not hide the fact that she is located to someone, she does not wear masks. With regard to Paratov, Larisa was completely sincere, trustingly followed him, being connected with Karandyshev.
The image and characteristics of Harita Ignatievna. Larisa's mother appears to the reader as the exact opposite of her daughter. Harita Ignatievna does not shy away from taking money from young people who come to look at Larisa, she constantly arranges evenings in honor of her daughter. Vozhevatov describes Harita Ogudalova as not without cunning, a nimble woman who can benefit from everything. However, potential "suitors" are not repelled by the fact that they have to pay money and give gifts to the Ogudalov family - everyone likes the company of Harita Ignatievna, they feel easy and at ease with her. The female images in the play make it clear that bourgeois society spoils the fair sex, constantly forcing it to sell itself at a higher price. Either the young lady gives up and becomes a cunning and unprincipled Harita, or becomes a victim of tragic circumstances - Larisa.
The image of Paratov. This is a typical gentleman with the manners of a rich and cheerful landowner. In his veins flows the blood of well-born nobles, accustomed to life in a big way. However, the hero himself did not inherit the largest fortune. Accustomed to idleness, brought up in laziness and lordship, he also experiences a personal tragedy that became public at that time. The nobility replaced the merchants, because people with a noble origin only reveled and spent money, but did not know how to earn it, unlike the same merchants. So Paratov squandered everything and was forced to marry by calculation, to sell himself no worse than Larisa.
The image of Karandyshev. As already mentioned, this is a small person who seeks to assert himself in a bourgeois society, where only money is the measure of significance. For a man there are no other virtues, and Julius Kapitonych suffers from the realization of his insignificance. He has a painful self-importance, which he tries in every possible way to establish in society with the Ogudalovs. All his remarks, one way or another, urge other heroes to pay attention to him. It is selfishness that pushes him to marry more than love. He again wants to assert himself, showing that a beautiful woman, desired by everyone, chose him. This ruins his marriage.
Knurov- a model of the new aristocracy, a rich merchant. He is married, but constantly looking for pleasure in the company of ladies. Everything, in his opinion, is bought and sold, he does not know and does not see other relations and values, because he is well aware that his people perceive him as a money bag, no more, but no less. This is a very sober and down to earth person who lives for pleasure.
Vozhevatov- comes from a simple family. His ancestors served with the Ogudalovs, but now the world has turned upside down, and the noblewoman is already currying favor with the rootless merchant. Vasily became a rich man, but he also remembered the price of success, therefore he was a prudent and tight-fisted person. He greatly appreciated his position and was afraid of losing it.

Topics and issues

The main theme of the play- Deformed relations in society. People develop relationships based on trade: if the “goods” have a decent appearance, then they buy it, if not, then they are excluded from society. They did the same with Larisa: everyone perceived her as a high-quality “goods”, so they were ready to pay for her and give gifts. Knurov and Vozhevatov “would have gone to Paris with her”, Harita Ogudalova takes money for her daughter’s bride, Karandyshev uses Larisa as a way to rise in society and acquire useful connections.
Love does not exist in such a world. When Larisa falls in love with Sergei Paratov, she will be disappointed. Sergei Sergeyevich hardly had mutual feelings for the girl: he left her without warning of her departure, and without giving the slightest promise. In turn, Larisa was ready to rush after Paratov, she retained her feelings for the man for a whole year. The girl loves Paratov so much that she calls it “courage” that he, without flinching, shot her with a pistol.
Dishonor becomes the norm. Paratov managed to profitably get engaged and receive "half a million" dowry. Sergey Sergeyich Paratov represents the type of person who feels comfortable in this type of society. He sells himself, looks for wealthy brides, compares the best options. He was not afraid to lie to Larisa, promising her mutual love, only to humiliate Karandyshev.
moral issues are present in every hero of the "Dowry". Despite all the positive characteristics of Larisa Ogudalova, the heroine gives herself the right to escape from Karandyshev, her fiancé. Such an act can be explained by love for Sergei Paratov, but he does not justify her actions. As mentioned earlier, Karandyshev rejoices in a profitable marriage, Harita Ignatievna literally lives off her daughter, and Vozhevatov and Knurov toss a coin in order to choose who gets Larisa. Cynicism and indifference have become the basis of interpersonal relationships, where money has replaced people. This is the problem with drama.

Main idea

Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky showed how much the importance of money and wealth in society is exaggerated. The material “eats away” everything spiritual, everything human that should be present in people. Incorrectly placed priorities of society lead to irreparable tragedies. Larisa suffers because of her poverty, because of a society that has elevated money as the main value. This is the meaning of her tragedy. The heroine has no right to sincerity - she is immediately used, she has no right to love - no one needs her without a dowry. A girl exists in such a society only due to external and internal qualities. Here Larisa Ogudalova is like a beautiful toy - everyone gives her gifts, offers their patronage. However, no one is in a hurry to marry her.

Circumstances force Larisa to marry the funny, pitiful Karandyshev, who does not notice his comedy. This makes Larisa feel even more humiliated, she cannot come to terms with the role of a material thing. At the end of the play, the desperate Larisa agrees to be a doll, to live for the sake of material wealth, to entertain high society with her personality. An accident saves her from such a life - she is grateful to Karandyshev that, in a fit of jealousy, he shoots Ogudalova. Larisa dies happy, she feels delivered from the oppression of circumstances, from humiliation and falsehood. The main idea of the finale is the joy of getting rid of a humiliating deal, to which the powers that be forced the girl.

Criticism

Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky considered his fortieth play to be the best. But how did his contemporaries respond to The Dowry?

When the play was published, the author did not receive as many accolades as he had originally hoped. As is known from his diaries, he read the play in Moscow five times, among the audience were those people who were "hostile" to Ostrovsky. But, to the great joy of the writer, the audience appreciated the play and praised it.

Ostrovsky was determined to succeed, having staged The Dowry in the theater. However, after theatrical productions, a flurry of criticism fell upon Alexander Nikolaevich. The Russian theater historian Sergei Vasilyevich Flerov called the play "a banal, old, uninteresting story", and dubbed Larisa a "stupid, seduced girl" who was not worth wasting time on.

For the theater and literary critic V.P. Burenin's "Dowry" aroused "serious interest", according to him, the play "touches one of the most burning wounds."

1. Calculation and feelings, their role in the development of the plot.
2. The image and fate of Larisa Ogudalova.
3. Representatives of the business world in the play.
4. Drama of injured pride: Julius Karandyshev.

In the play "Dowry" A. N. Ostrovsky clearly demonstrated that the main driving force in society is money. It is they who give a person the opportunity to manage others, to feel confident and independent: successful businessmen Knurov and Vozhevatov are respected people in the city, all doors are open to them, and they themselves are fully aware of all the advantages of their position: “Yes, you can do business with money, you can . Well, Vasily Danilych, who has a lot of money. There is no such “goods” that could not be purchased for money: the squandered nobleman Paratov sells his “volushka” for them, Larisa’s mother fishes them out from rich guests with various tricks, for money Larisa herself, disappointed in love, is ready to go with Knurov, who is not averse to having fun. The cunning swindler, the actor Schastlivtsev, is trying to extract all the material benefits from his acquaintance with rich people, having incurred debts at their expense, and the petty official Karandyshev is trying his best to catch up with the rich, whom he secretly envies. Thus, we see that, to one degree or another, money influences the behavior of all the characters in the play.

And what role do feelings play in the development of the plot, primarily love? Larisa, the main character of the play, is constantly in the spotlight, they talk about her, admire her. However, only she experienced true love from all the characters: “I was looking for love and did not find it. They looked at me and look at me as if they were fun. No one ever tried to look into my soul, I didn’t see sympathy from anyone, I didn’t hear a warm, heartfelt word, ”Larisa comes to this conclusion. In fact, who from her environment is capable of high feelings? “No, somehow I, Mokiy Parmenych, don’t notice this at all in myself,” says the young merchant Vozhevatov about love. “What is “sorry”, I don’t know. I, Moky Parmenych, have nothing cherished; I’ll find a profit, so I’ll sell everything, anything ”- this is the true essence of Paratov, who for a long time seemed to Larisa the “ideal man”. And this man shamelessly lied to Larisa: “... There is no innate huckstering in me; noble feelings still stir in my soul. Knurov is at least honest: "... I am ready to offer you such an enormous content that the most evil critics of someone else's morality will have to be silent and gape in surprise." Yes, and Karandyshev, who declares that he loves Larisa, treats her the same way as everyone else - as a thing, believing that he has the right to control her fate, her life: “So don’t get you to anyone!”

The internal conflict of the play lies in the fact that with significant attention from those around her, Larisa is actually immensely lonely. Not only that, its concepts and aspirations do not fit into the system of values prevailing in society. Larisa is alien to calculation and pretense, and this becomes the cause of her mental suffering. But she, with all her high merits, does not know how to evaluate people. She takes the external brilliance of Paratov for the true breadth of the soul; she believes this man even after he has disappeared, having previously spoken beautiful words about his love. Since there is no lie in Larisa, she does not see it in others either; indignant that "everyone loves himself", that everyone thinks only of themselves, she also, in essence, does not see those around her, measures them by her own standards. Her decision to marry Karandyshev is an extremely unreasonable decision: even before the wedding it is clear that she, sensitive, vulnerable and proud, will not get along with this man, in whom the base possessive instinct is extremely developed and self-esteem is painfully aggravated. And Larisa does not want and does not know how to look soberly at her fiancé, as well as at her loved one - she fences herself off from the real Karandyshev with ghostly pictures of a future family life in which the girl hopes to find peace of mind. But is it possible to find spiritual harmony, being in the company of a person whom you do not love and even respect? “... You are too petty, too insignificant for me,” but is this true only in relation to Karandyshev? And Paratov? After all, he, too, with all his brilliance, which Karandyshev so lacks, does not deserve respect.

In the play "Dowry", Ostrovsky masterfully showed not only the character of the main character, but also the people around her. The hereditary merchants Knurov and Vozhevatov, despite the cynicism with which they cast lots on who to take Larisa for maintenance, nevertheless turn out to be more honest than the nobleman Paratov. “Honest merchant's word” still has value in the views of Knurov and Vozhevatov: “... Having given your word, hold on; and not giving, be strong! The honesty of these practical people, albeit not burdened by high spiritual ideals, distinguishes them favorably from Paratov, whose immoral and cruel lies become one of the reasons for the death of Larisa.

Ostrovsky also shows other characteristic features of successful businessmen: the arrogance of Knurov, who talks only to a select few, the witty hypocrisy of Vozhevatov, who drinks champagne as if it were tea in order to avoid unnecessary gossip.

Clever businessmen secretly laugh at Paratov, who pays too much attention to secular gloss, loves to spend money, not counting why he squandered. Ostrovsky shows the shift in value priorities that has taken place in society: if before the nobleman was more respected than the representatives of the merchant class (this theme sounds, for example, in the play “Our people - let's get along”), now the merchants allow themselves to make fun of noble inexperience, ostentatious chic: “ ... Where is he! This is not a bar business. Here you will find a benefit if you buy something cheap. ”

In stark contrast to self-confident entrepreneurs and the brilliant gentleman Paratov is the image of Yuli Karandyshev, Larina's fiancé. The desire to "magnify" exposes this person in a pitiful, ridiculous way. The main misfortune of Karandyshev is not even in his insignificant income, but in the fact that he tries to become on friendly footing with the rich, forgetting the ancient wisdom: "A goose is not a comrade to a pig." This person has a painfully heightened self-esteem - deep down, aware of his own insignificance, Karandyshev suffers painfully from jealousy. He is ready to be jealous of Larisa for anyone; wanting to somehow raise his own importance in her eyes, he gets into conversations with inappropriate remarks, tries to tell Larisa how she should behave, reproaches her for her behavior that is wrong, from his point of view. But all these miserable attempts to appear smart and significant suffer a crushing collapse - Karandyshev increasingly reveals his personal inconsistency. The murder of Larisa is the highest manifestation of base emotions that cover Karandyshev.

Summarizing the above, we can say that Ostrovsky not only skillfully recreated the features of life in certain circles of society, showed the tragic discrepancy between the world of a chistogan and the desire of the human soul for selfless love, but also showed the characters that, with minor changes, still exist in society. .