A.N. Ostrovsky created in 1859 the play "The Storm" - a work in which touched upon the difficult issues of a turning point in public life, a change in social foundations. Alexander Nikolaevich penetrated into the essence of the contradictions of his time. He created the colorful characters of tyrants, described their manners and way of life. Two images are opposed to tyranny - this is Kuligin and Katerina. Our article is devoted to the first of them. “The image of Kuligin in the play“ Thunderstorm ”is a topic that interests us. Portrait of A.N. Ostrovsky is presented below.
Brief description of Kuligin
Kuligin is a self-taught mechanic, a tradesman. In a conversation with Kudryash (first act), he appears before the reader as a poetic connoisseur of nature. This hero admires the Volga, miraculously calls the unusual appearance that has opened to him. The image of Kuligin in the play by A.N. Ostrovsky "Thunderstorm" can be supplemented with the following details. A dreamer by nature, nevertheless this hero understands the injustice of the existing system, in which the brute power of money and power is everything. He tells Boris Grigoryevich that there are "cruel morals" in this city. After all, whoever has the money seeks to enslave the poor in order to capitalize even more on his labors. The hero himself is not at all like that. The characterization of the image of Kuligin in the drama "Thunderstorm" is exactly the opposite. He dreams of well-being for the whole people, seeks to do good deeds. Let us present in more detail the image of Kuligin in the play "Thunderstorm".
Kuligin's conversation with Boris
Boris meets the character we are interested in on an evening walk in the third action. Kuligin again admires nature, silence, air. However, at the same time, he complains that the boulevard has not yet been made in the city, and people are not walking in Kalinov: everyone has a locked gate. But not from thieves at all, but to prevent others from seeing how they tyrannize their family. There are a lot of “drunkenness” and “dark debauchery” behind these castles, as Kuligin says. The hero is indignant at the foundations of the "dark kingdom", but immediately says after an angry speech: "Well, God be with them!", As if backing away from the words spoken.
His protest remains almost dumb; he expresses himself only in objections. The image of Kuligin in Ostrovsky’s play “The Storm” is characterized by the fact that this character is not ready for an open challenge, like Katerina. Kuligin exclaims on the proposal to write poetry, which Boris makes him that he will be "swallowed alive", and laments that he already gets his speech.
The request addressed to the Wild
It is worth paying tribute to Kuligin for the fact that with persistence and at the same time courtesy, he asks Wild to give money for materials. He needs them to set a sundial on the boulevard “for the common good”.
Kuligin, unfortunately, stumbles only on ignorance and rudeness on the part of this person. Then the hero tries to persuade Savely Prokofich at least on thunder bends, since thunderstorms are a frequent occurrence in the city. Not having achieved success in this matter, Kuligin can do nothing else but to leave with a wave of his hand.
Kuligin is a man of science
The hero we are interested in is a man of science, respectful of nature, feeling delicately its beauty. In the fourth act, he turns to the crowd in a monologue, trying to explain to people that he should not be afraid of a thunderstorm and any other natural phenomena. Need to admire them, admire. However, the residents of the city do not want to listen to him. They live according to old customs, continue to believe that this is God's punishment, that a thunderstorm is certainly in trouble.
The knowledge of people that Kuligin shows
The image of Kuligin in the play "Thunderstorm" is characterized by the fact that this hero is well versed in people. He is able to empathize and give good, right advice. The hero showed these qualities, in particular, in a conversation with Tikhon. He tells him that enemies must be forgiven and that one should live with one’s mind.
It was this hero who pulled the dead Katerina from the water and brought her to the Kabanovs, saying that they can take her body, but the soul does not belong to them. She now appeared before the Judge, who is much more merciful than the Kabanovs. Kuligin runs away after these words. This hero in his own way experiences the grief that has happened and is not able to share it with people who are responsible for the suicide of this girl.
White crow
In Kalinov, the hero we are interested in is the white crow. The image of Kuligin in Ostrovsky’s play “Thunderstorm” is characterized by the fact that this character’s thinking differs significantly from the way of thinking of other residents. He has other aspirations and values. Kuligin realizes that the foundations of the "dark kingdom" are unfair, trying to fight them, striving to make a better life for ordinary people.
The hero we are interested in dreams of Kalinov's social reorganization. And probably, if he had found material support and like-minded people, he would have managed to significantly improve this city. The desire for the well-being of the people is perhaps the prettiest feature, which, together with others, is the image of Kuligin in the play "Thunderstorm".