An article by Dobrolyubov entitled “A ray of light in the dark kingdom”, a brief summary of which is described below, deals with the work of Ostrovsky's The Storm, which has become a classic of Russian literature. The author (his portrait is presented below) in the first part says that Ostrovsky deeply understood the life of a Russian person. Further, Dobrolyubov analyzes the articles that other critics wrote about Ostrovsky, noting that they do not have a direct look at the main things.
The concept of drama that existed during the time of Ostrovsky
Nikolai Alexandrovich further compares Thunderstorm with the drama standards adopted at that time. In the article "Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom", a brief summary of which we are interested in, he considers, in particular, the principle established in the literature on the subject of drama. In the struggle of debt with passion, usually an unfortunate end occurs when passion conquers, and happy in the event of victory victory. The drama, moreover, was, according to the existing tradition, to represent a single action. In this case, it should be written in a literary, beautiful language. Dobrolyubov notes that under the concept of the drama "Thunderstorm", therefore, does not fit.
Why can “Thunderstorm” 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, according to the rules of the drama, is 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 clearly express how beautifully Katerina speaks and suffers. We see this heroine in a very gloomy environment and because of this we begin to involuntarily justify the vice by speaking out against the tormentors of the girl.
As a result, the drama does not fulfill its purpose; it does not carry its main semantic load. The action itself in the work somehow hesitates and slowly, the author of the article "Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom" believes. A brief summary of it continues as follows. Dobrolyubov says that in the work there are no bright and stormy scenes. To "lethargy" the work leads to a heap of characters. Language does not stand up to criticism.
Nikolai Aleksandrovich in his article “The ray of light in the dark kingdom” gives a specially comparative analysis of the play he is interested in for compliance with accepted standards, as he concludes that the standard, ready-made idea of what should be in the work does not allow reflecting the actual state of things. What could you say about a young man who, after meeting a pretty girl, tells her that her camp is not so good compared to Venus de Milo? Dobrolyubov poses the question in this way, arguing about the standardization of the approach to literary works. The truth lies in life and truth, and not in various dialectical settings, as the author of the article "Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom" believes. A brief summary of his thesis is that it cannot be said that man is by its very nature evil. Therefore, in the book it is not necessary to win the good, and lose - the evil.
Dobrolyubov notes the importance of Shakespeare, as well as the opinion of Apollo Grigoriev
Dobrolyubov ("Ray of light in the dark kingdom") also says that for a long time, writers did not pay much attention to movement to the original principles of man, to his roots. Remembering Shakespeare, he notes that this author was able to raise human thought to a new level. After that, Dobrolyubov goes on to other articles devoted to the Storm. Mentioned, in particular, Apollon Grigoriev, who noted the main merit of Ostrovsky in that his work was folk. Dobrolyubov is trying to answer the question of what this "nationality" is. He says that Grigoriev does not explain this concept, therefore the statement itself cannot be taken seriously.
Ostrovsky's works - "plays of life"
He then argues that Ostrovsky’s works can be called "plays of life," Dobrolyubov. “A ray of light in the dark kingdom” (a brief summary notes only the main points) - an article in which Nikolai Alexandrovich says that Ostrovsky considers life as a whole, without trying to make the righteous happy or punish the villain. He evaluates the general state of affairs and makes the reader either deny or sympathize, but leaves no one indifferent. Those who are not involved in the intrigue themselves cannot be considered redundant, since without them it would not have been possible, which Dobrolyubov notes.
Ray of Light in the Dark Realm: An Analysis of the Sayings of Minor Characters
Dobrolyubov in his article analyzes the statements of minor persons: Curls, Glasha and others. He is trying to understand their world, their internal state, the way they look at the reality surrounding them. All features of the "dark kingdom" are noted by the author. He says that these people have such a limited life that they do not notice that there is a reality other than their own closed world. The author analyzes, in particular, Kabanova’s concern with the future of the old orders and traditions.
What is the novelty of the play?
Thunderstorm is the most decisive work created by the author, as Dobrolyubov further notes. "Ray of light in the dark kingdom" - an article that says that 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 who are "unnecessary on the stage", as well as in everything that indicates the imminent end of old foundations and tyranny. The death of Katerina is a new beginning against this background.
The image of Katerina Kabanova
Dobrolyubov's article “Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom” continues further with the fact that the author goes on to analyze the image of Katerina, the main character, giving him a lot of space. Nikolai Aleksandrovich describes this image as a shaky, indecisive "step forward" in literature. Dobrolyubov says that life itself requires the appearance of active and decisive heroes. The image of Katerina is characterized by an intuitive perception of truth and its natural understanding. Dobrolyubov ("Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom") about Katerina says that this heroine is selfless, as she prefers to choose death than existence under the old order. The mighty strength of character lies with this heroine in her integrity.
Motives for Katerina’s actions
Dobrolyubov, besides the very image of this girl, considers in detail the motives of her actions. He notes that Katerina is not a rebel by her nature, she does not show discontent, does not require destruction. Rather, she is a creator who craves love. That is what explains her desire to ennoble 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 clogged and obsessed that he cannot understand these desires and feelings of his wife, which he tells her directly.
Katerina embodies the idea of the Russian people, says Dobrolyubov ("Ray of light in the dark kingdom")
Abstracts are supplemented by another statement. Dobrolyubov finally finds in the image of the main character that the author of the work embodied in her the idea of the Russian people. He talks about this quite abstractly, comparing Katerina with a wide and even river. It has a flat bottom, it smoothly flows around the stones encountered on the way. Because the river itself is only noisy, that this corresponds to its nature.
The only right decision of the heroine, according to Dobrolyubov
Dobrolyubov finds in the analysis of the actions of this heroine that the only right decision for her is to escape with Boris. A girl can run, but dependence on a relative of his lover shows that this hero is essentially the same as Katerina’s husband, only more educated.
Finale of the play
The ending of the play is encouraging and tragic at the same time. The main idea of the work is to get rid of the shackles of the so-called dark kingdom at all costs. Impossible is life in his midst. Even Tikhon, when his spouse pulls out the corpse, shouts that she is now well and asks: "But what about me?" The ending of the play and this cry itself give an unambiguous understanding of the truth. Tikhon's words make one look at Katerina’s act not as a love affair. Before us opens a world in which the living envy the dead.
This concludes Dobrolyubov’s article “Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom”. We highlighted only the main points, briefly describing its brief content. However, some details and comments of the author were missed. “Ray of Light in the Dark Kingdom” is best read in the original, as this article is a classic of Russian criticism. Dobrolyubov gave a good example of how to analyze the work.