Consider the play of Alexander Vampilov, written in 1968, describe its brief content. "Duck Hunt" - a work whose action takes place in one of the provincial cities.
Zilov Victor Alexandrovich wakes up from a phone call. He picks up the phone with difficulty. However, there is only silence. Zilov slowly gets up, then opens the window. The weather is rainy. Viktor Alexandrovich drinks beer and begins physical exercises with a bottle in his hands. The phone rings again and silence again. So begins Vampilov’s play “Duck Hunt”. A photo of its author is presented below.
Conversation with the waiter Dima
Zilov decides to call himself. He dials the waiter’s number Dima, with whom he agreed to go hunting, and is very surprised when he asks him if he will go. Viktor Alexandrovich is interested in the details of the scandal that erupted yesterday. Dima committed it in a cafe. Zilov vaguely remembers the details. He is particularly concerned about who hit him in the face yesterday.
Funeral wreath
As soon as he finishes a telephone conversation, there is a knock on the door. A boy comes in who is holding a large funeral wreath. There is an inscription on it, which means that this wreath is from friends and is intended for Zilov, who burned out prematurely at work. Zilov is annoyed at such a gloomy joke. He sits on the couch and begins to imagine how everything could happen if he died in reality. Then the last days of life pass before his eyes.
Remembering a housewarming celebration
First memory In Zilov’s favorite place, in the Forget-Me-Not Cafe, he and Sayapin, his friend, meet with Kushak, the chief of work, in order to mark a major event - getting a new apartment. Suddenly Vera, his mistress, enters. Zilov asks their relationship not to advertise, takes everyone to the table, and Dima brings kebabs and wine. Zilov reminds Kushak that the housewarming celebration is scheduled for the evening. He agrees, somewhat flirting. Zilov is forced to invite Vera, who really wants to come. To the boss who recently spent his wife south, he presents her as a classmate. Vera inspires some hope in Kushaku with her uninhibited behavior.
We continue to describe the summary. Duck Hunt is a play whose further events are as follows. Zilov’s friends gather for a housewarming party in the evening. His wife, Galina, in anticipation of the guests, dreams of making everything between them again the same as in the beginning, when the couple loved each other. Among the gifts brought hunting equipment: a bandoleer, a knife and several wooden birds, which are used for replanting on a duck hunt. This occupation is Viktor Alexandrovich's biggest passion, except for women. However, he has not yet been able to kill a single duck. The main thing for him, as Galina says, is conversations and fees. Zilov does not pay attention to ridicule.
"Lipa" on the modernization of production, acquaintance with Irina
Second memory. Zilov and Sayapin at work urgently need to prepare information regarding the modernization of production. Zilov invites him to present the project made for the porcelain factory, as already implemented. They decide for a long time whether to do it or not. And although Sayapin is afraid of a possible exposure, the linden is still being prepared. Zilov here reads a letter from his old father, who lives in another city. He had not seen him for 4 years. He writes that he is sick and wants to see each other. However, Zilov, the hero of the play "Duck Hunt", is indifferent to this. Analyzing his reaction, we can say that he does not believe his father. In addition, he still does not have time for this, since he is going on vacation for duck hunting. He does not want and cannot miss her. Irina suddenly appears in the room, an unfamiliar girl who confused their office with the newspaper. Zilov plays it out by posing as a newspaper employee. This joke is finally exposed by the chief who entered. Zilov has an affair with Irina, which Vampilov notes.
"Duck Hunt": the content of the matrimonial scene
Third memory. Zilov returned home in the morning. His wife is not sleeping. Zilov ("Duck Hunt") complains that a lot of work, says that he was unexpectedly sent on a business trip. However, Galina says bluntly that she does not believe in this, since a neighbor saw him in the city last night. Zilov is trying to accuse his wife of excessive suspicion, but this does not affect her. She suffered for too long and can no longer bear the lies of her husband. Galina says that she was at the doctor's office, that she had an abortion. Spouse depicts indignation. He reproaches her for the fact that his wife did not consult with him. Zilov is trying to soften his wife, remembering the evening when they became close for the first time. It happened six years ago. First, Galina protests, but then succumbs to the charm of this memory - until the spouse can not remember any words that are very important to her. She cries, sitting down in a chair.
The death of father Zilov, meeting in "Forget-Me-Not" with his wife
The next recollection of the protagonist. In the room of Sayapin and Zilov, Kushak appears at the end of the working day. He is angry and demands to explain himself about the brochure containing information about the alleged reconstruction at the porcelain factory. Barring Sayapin, since he should soon get an apartment, Zilov takes full responsibility. Only Sayapin’s wife, who suddenly appeared, manages to extinguish the storm. She takes football to the simple-minded Kushak. Zilov at this moment receives a telegram, which refers to the death of his father. He decides to fly immediately in order to be able to attend the funeral. Zilov’s wife wants to go with him, but he refuses. Zilov before leaving comes to drink in the Forget-Me-Not. In addition, he made an appointment here for Irina. Galina accidentally becomes a witness to their meeting. Zilov's wife came here in order to bring her husband a briefcase and a raincoat for the trip. Zilov is forced to inform his mistress that he is married. He postpones his departure for tomorrow and orders dinner.
Galina goes to relatives
We present to your attention the following memory, which the main character of the work "Duck Hunt" sees. Its contents are as follows.
Galina wants to go to another city with relatives. As soon as the wife leaves, Zilov calls Irina and invites her to her. Suddenly Galina returns and says that she is leaving him forever. Her husband is discouraged, trying to stop her, but Galina locks the door with a key. Once in a trap, Zilov uses his eloquence to convince his wife that she is still dear to him. He even says that he will take her to hunt. However, his explanation is heard not by Galina, but by the approaching Irina, who perceives all that has been said.
Zilov's drunken speeches in Forget-Me-Not
The last memory. In anticipation of friends invited on the occasion of duck hunting and vacation, Zilov drinks in Forget-Me-Not. When his comrades gather, he is already quite drunk, he begins to tell them various nasty things. Zilov is inflamed more and more with every minute. This leads to the fact that everyone leaves, including Irina, whom he also insults undeservedly. Zilov, left alone, calls the waiter's lackey Dima. He hits him in the face. "Disconnected", falling to the floor, Zilov, the hero of the work "Duck Hunt". The heroes of the play, Sayapin and Kuzakov, return after a while. They pick up Zilov and bring him home.
Decision to commit suicide
We will tell you about the terrible act that Zilov decided to do. The following episode can be described only briefly, as we are compiling a summary. Duck Hunt is a play in which Zilov’s terrible decision is the culmination. The fact is that, having suddenly remembered everything, he decides to commit suicide. Now this hero of Duck Hunt is no longer playing. Analysis of this episode shows that he is quite serious. Zilov writes a suicide note, after which he charges the gun, takes off his shoes and gropes the trigger with his big toe.
The work "Duck Hunt" continues by the fact that suddenly a phone rings. After this, Kuzakov and Sayapin appear imperceptibly, who notice the preparations of their comrade and take away the gun, attacking him. Zilov drives them away, screaming that he does not believe anyone. However, they still hesitate to leave him alone. Zilov finally manages to expel Kuzakov and Sayapin.
Zilov decides to go on a duck hunt
He walks around the room with a gun. After that, Zilov rushes to the bed and it is not clear whether he is sobbing or laughing. He gets up after two minutes and dials Dima's number. He informs him that he is ready to go hunting.
This concludes the summary. "Duck Hunt", like all plays, is a work of small volume. You can read it in the original in about 2 hours. A brief summary does not disclose all the details of the story described. "Duck Hunt" will become clearer and closer to you if you decide to read the text of the work.