Dobrolyubov's article "A ray of light in a dark kingdom": a summary and abstracts

In the article by Dobrolyubov entitled "The Ray of Light in the Dark Realm," the summary of which is set out below, we are talking about the product of Ostrovsky's "Thunderstorm", which became a classic of Russian literature. The author (his portrait is presented below) in the first part says that Ostrovsky deeply understood the life of the Russian people. Further, Dobrolyubov analyzes the articles written by other critics about Ostrovsky, while noting that they do not have a direct look at the main things.

The concept of drama, which existed in the time of Ostrovsky

Nikolay Alexandrovich further compares "Thunderstorms" with the standards of drama adopted at that time. In the article "The ray of light in the dark kingdom," the brief content of which we are interested in, he considers, in particular, the principle established in literature about the subject of drama. In the struggle of duty with passion, usually the unfortunate end takes place when passion overcomes, and the happy one in case of victory of duty. Drama, in addition, was, according to the existing tradition, to represent a single action. At the same time, writing it followed a literary, beautiful language. Dobrolyubov notes that under the concept of drama "Thunderstorm", thus, does not fit.

Why "Storm" can not be considered a drama, according to Dobrolyubov?

Works of this kind must certainly make readers feel respect for duty and expose a passion that is considered harmful. However, the main character is not described in gloomy and dark colors, although she is, according to the rules of the drama, a "criminal". Thanks to Ostrovsky's pen (his portrait is presented below), we are imbued with compassion for this heroine. The author of "Thunderstorms" was able to express vividly how beautifully speaking and suffering Katerina. This heroine we see in a very gloomy environment and because of this we begin to involuntarily justify the defect, speaking out against the torturers of the girl.

Drama, as a consequence, does not fulfill its purpose, its main meaning does not carry. Somehow, the action itself in the work flows slowly and insecurely, the author of the article "The Ray of Light in the Dark Realm" says. Its summary is continued as follows. Dobrolyubov says that there are no bright and stormy scenes in the work. To "lethargy" the work leads to the accumulation of actors. The language does not stand up to any criticism.

Nikolai Aleksandrovich in his article "The Ray of Light in the Dark Realm" gives a specially comparative analysis of the play of interest to its compliance with the accepted standards, since it comes to the conclusion that the standard, ready-made idea of what the work should be does not allow to reflect the actual state of affairs. What would you say about a young man who, after meeting a pretty girl, tells her that, compared with Venus, Milo, her mill is not so good? Dobrolyubov poses the question in this way, arguing about the standardization of the approach to works of literature. The truth lies in life and truth, and not in various dialectical attitudes, as the author of the article "The ray of light in the dark kingdom" believes. The summary of his thesis is that one can not say that man is by nature evil. Therefore, in a book, it is not necessary to win good, but to lose is evil.

Dobroliubov notes the importance of Shakespeare, as well as the opinion of Apollon Grigoriev

Dobrolyubov ("Ray of Light in the Dark Realm") also says that for a long time writers have not paid much attention to the movement towards the primordial beginnings of man, to his roots. Recalling Shakespeare, he notes that this author was able to raise a new level of human thought. After that, Dobrolyubov goes on to other articles devoted to the "Thunderstorm." Reference, in particular, Apollon Grigoriev, who noted Ostrovsky's main merit in the fact that his work was popular. Dobrolyubov tries to answer the question about what this "nationality" is. He says that Grigoriev does not explain this concept, therefore the very statement of it can not be seriously considered.

Ostrovsky's works are "plays of life"

Arguments then that the works of Ostrovsky can be called "the plays of life," Dobrolyubov. "The Ray of Light in the Dark Realm" (the summary only notes the main points) - an article in which Nikolai Aleksandrovich says that Ostrovsky views life as a whole, without trying to make the righteous happy or punish the villain. He evaluates the general state of things and makes the reader either deny or sympathize, but leaves no one indifferent. Those who are not involved in the intrigue can not be considered superfluous, since without them it would not be possible, which is noted by Dobrolyubov.

"Ray of Light in the Dark Realm": Analysis of the Sayings of Secondary Characters

Dobrolyubov in his article analyzes statements of secondary persons: Curly, Glasha and others. He tries to understand their world, their inner state, how they look at the reality that surrounds them. All the features of the "dark kingdom" are noted by the author. He says that these people have so limited life that they do not notice that there is another reality, except their own closed world. The author analyzes, in particular, Kabanov's concern about the future of the old order and traditions.

What is the novelty of the play?

"Thunderstorm" - the most resolute work of the author, as noted further Dobrolyubov. "A ray of light in a dark kingdom" - an article that says that the tyranny of the "dark kingdom", the relationship between its representatives brought Ostrovsky to tragic consequences. The whiff of novelty, which was noted by all those familiar with the "Thunderstorm", lies in the general background of the play, in people "unnecessary on the stage," and also in everything that speaks about the imminent end of old customs and tyranny. Katerina's death is a new beginning on this background.

Image of Katerina Kabanova

Dobrolyubov's article "The Ray of Light in the Dark Realm" goes on to say that the author goes on to analyze the image of Katerina, the main character, giving him quite a lot of space. Nikolai Aleksandrovich describes this image as a shaky, indecisive "step forward" in literature. Dobrolyubov says that life itself requires the emergence of active and determined heroes. For the image of Katerina is characterized by an intuitive perception of the truth and its natural understanding. Dobrolyubov ("Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom") about Katerina says that this heroine is selfless, since she prefers to choose death rather than existence under the old orders. Mighty power of character lies in this heroine in its integrity.

Motives of Catherine's actions

Dobrolyubov, in addition to the very image of this girl, considers in detail the motives for her actions. He notes that Katerina is not a rebel by nature, she does not show discontent, does not require destruction. Rather, she is a creator who craves love. This explains her desire to refine her actions in her own mind. The girl is young, and the desire for love and tenderness is natural for her. However, Tikhon is so hammered and fixated that these desires and feelings of his wife can not understand, which he tells her directly.

Katerina embodies the idea of the Russian people, believes Dobrolyubov ("Ray of Light in the Dark Realm")

The theses of the article are supplemented by another statement. Dobrolyubov eventually finds in the image of the main character that the author of the work embodied the idea of the Russian people in her. He speaks about this quite abstractly, with a broad and even river comparing Katerina. It has a flat bottom, it gently flows around the stones encountered on the way. The river itself makes noises because it corresponds to its nature.

The only true decision of the heroine, according to Dobrolyubov

Dobrolyubov finds in the analysis of the actions of this heroine that the only true solution for her is to escape with Boris. A girl can escape, but dependence on the relative of his lover shows that this hero is essentially the same as the husband of Katerina, only more educated.

Final of the play

The final of the play is both gratifying and tragic. The main idea of the work is to get rid of the shackles of the so-called dark kingdom at any cost. Life in its environment is impossible. Even Tikhon, when the corpse of his wife is pulled out, shouts that she is now well and asks: "But what about me?" The final of the play and the very cry give an unambiguous understanding of the truth. Tikhon's words make one look at Catherine's act not as a love affair. Before us opens a world in which the living envy the dead.

This concludes the article by Dobrolyubov "A ray of light in a dark kingdom." We have singled out only the main points, briefly describing its brief content. However, at the same time, some details and remarks of the author were missed. "The ray of light in the dark kingdom" is better to read in the original, because this article is a classic of Russian criticism. Dobrolyubov gave a good example of how to analyze the work.