One of Ostrovsky 's most famous works is the play The Storm. It contains unforgettable female images - the formidable Boar, sincere Katerina, the cunning Barbara. All these characters deserve special attention, because each of them is unique in his own way. But in this article we will talk about the most poorly studied of them - Barbara.
Barbara and Katerina
Barbara (The Storm), the characterization of which will be described below, does not occupy a leading position in the system of images of the play. However, this character also plays a significant role in the work. In Thunderstorm, her image constantly sets off the sincerity and spiritual beauty of another protagonist. After all, it’s easiest to compare Barbara in this play with Katerina. Both girls live in the same house and, apparently, are of the same age. They spend a lot of time together, it is with Varvara Katerina who shares her memories and emotional experiences. Both girls have something sincere and vibrant. However, Barbara sensibly looks at life. “I'm worse than you,” she openly declares to Katerina. The girl does not flatter herself at all, and this speaks of her sharp mind and sober self-esteem. But why is she worse than the main character?
Barbarian in love
Barbara ("Thunderstorm"), the characterization of which deserves special attention, is, like Katerina, in love. However, even to the subject of her feelings - Kudryashu - she discovers some indifference. There is no fiery passion in her, and this is clearly manifested in the scene of her meeting with her lover. Instead of the deep emotional experiences inherent in Katerina, Barbara shows coldness and indifference. However, her lover also does not suffer from heartaches. Ostrovsky repeatedly points out this in his remarks: "Barbara is resting on the shoulder of Kudryash, who, without paying attention, plays quietly." During conversations with her lover, Barbara constantly yawns. Everything in relations with Kudryash seems familiar and ordinary to her. But maybe this is a feigned indifference, and the girl just hides her true feelings?
Life philosophy of the heroine
The fact is that Varvara (The Storm), whose characterization is of great importance for revealing the main idea of the work, has a different type of consciousness than Katerina. She dutifully accepts the conditions of her life and passively adapts to them. The girl does not like unnecessary conversations, and all her thoughts are focused on the level of everyday problems, everyday relationships and the rules adopted in her environment. The image of Barbara ("Thunderstorm") is the personification of a person who does not need creative insight and love torment. All these irrational emotional impulses are even funny for a girl. “Someone wise,” she says about Katerina and does not understand her at all. Her ordinary mind is guided by common sense, and she considers the main character's daydreaming a kind of weakness. Even if Barbara had wings, she would hardly have flown them for no good reason. “Wandering in the clouds” is absolutely not characteristic of her. Therefore, love for her is just an everyday duty, colored by seductive adventurism.
Relationship with mother
Kabanova Varvara in the play "The Storm" is the sister of Tikhon and the daughter of Kabanikh. In principle, she can also be called a victim of the "dark kingdom", because the upbringing of a domineering mother in the house finally crippled her morally. Inwardly, patriarchal laws that are imposed on her from childhood are alien to Barbara, but life has taught her to hide genuine feelings. The girl has a strong character, and she could openly uphold her beliefs, but she does not want to do this. It is much easier for her to exist on the principle: do what you want, but so that no one will know about it. Probably, the upbringing of the despotic Kabanikha could not lead to another result. Clever and cunning, Barbara knows how to adapt to generally accepted orders: she easily deceives, masterfully pretends and, in the end, does everything in her own way. The mother’s hypocritical behavior taught her that it was impossible to live otherwise. Everyone around is lying, so why should she be sincere? Only when the girl was put under house arrest did she decide to run away from home. Thus, she dealt a crushing blow to her mother.
The uniqueness of the heroine
Barbara ("Thunderstorm"), the characteristic of which cannot be unambiguous, is unique in its own way. She is far from stupid, witty, has a strong character and arouses a certain sympathy among readers. For example, unlike the reverent Katerina, she is not at all afraid of a thunderstorm. In addition, she does not at all consider it obligatory to observe the patriarchal customs adopted in her midst. Despite her upbringing, she knows how to distinguish good from bad, and sympathizes with Katerina. But she does not want to share her tragic fate. Barbara has one hope - to find a suitable husband and break out of the captivity of the "dark kingdom". She leaves home when she realizes that her plans may fail. This girl, without a doubt, is a type of strong personality, able to independently think and make decisions.
Now you know that not only Katerina can cause interest in the play "Thunderstorm" (Ostrovsky). Barbara is no less bright character, which, however, is constantly in the shadow of the main character. But her image embodies the emergence of a new type of Russian woman - free from the gloomy prejudices of antiquity and capable of defending her own independence.