On January 25, 1854, at the Maly Theater of St. Petersburg, the premiere of the comedy by Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky took place. It was written in 1853. The author dedicated this work to the artist of this theater, Sadovsky Prov Mikhailovich, who often participated in the productions of the plays of his talented friend. The comedy “Poverty is not a vice”, a brief summary of which you will read in this article, is written in three actions. All events take place in one of the county towns.
Action 1At the very beginning of the comedy, the reader ends up in the house of the formidable merchant Gordey Karpich Tortsov. Here, in one of the rooms, the clerk Mitya and the relative of the owner Yegorushka are sitting. The latter reads a book and informs his interlocutor that there is no one in the house except the brother of the merchant Lyubim Karpych. After some time, the wife of the owner Pelageya Egorovna and their daughter Lyubov Gordeevna arrive. In the comedy "Poverty is not a vice", a brief summary of which is given here, Spouse Tortsova complains that her husband contacted the Moscow businessman Korshunov and became simply unbearable. She also reports that now a rich merchant wants to give his daughter away without fail for some manufacturer from Moscow. For Mitya, this is terrible news. After all, he is secretly in love with Lyubov Gordeevna. This became clear a little later, when the clerk read his love poems to the chosen one. She answered him that she was also in love with him. But the young man regrets that he is very poor, that he must support his mother for his small salary. He realizes that the merchant Tortsov will never bless their unequal marriage with his daughter. In this work, Alexander Ostrovsky very brightly highlighted the theme of material and spiritual values . “Poverty is not a vice” - the brief summary of the play is given here - confirmation of how everything in our world is imperfect.
Action 2
In the next action, the owner himself appears in the house with his Moscow guest Korshunov. At this time, all households gather in the living room. The day before, Mitya explained himself to Lyubov Gordeevna and directly told her about her love. A young couple decides to ask for the blessings of Gordey Karpich for their marriage. But as soon as the merchant appeared in the house, he banishes Mitya. His daughter is upset, and Korshunov is trying to win her favor by caring for her and alluding to matchmaking. This old man disgusts the girl. In tears, she begs her father not to marry her. However, Tortsov is adamant. He is pleased that he has embraced his daughter for the Moscow manufacturer and reports to everyone about the imminent marriage. This ends the second action of the comedy "Poverty is not a vice." The summary of the work does not allow us to convey the fullness of the feelings experienced by the heroes.
Action 3
The next day in the Tortsovs' house was not joyful. Everyone is busy with the upcoming wedding. But this event is desirable only for Gordey Karpich and Korshunov. Lyubov Gordeevna agreed with her father’s will, but was very depressed. Her mother is worried about this. At this time, pale Mitya enters their room and informs everyone that he decided to leave for his mother. In a conversation with his beloved, he offers her to run away, but receives a refusal. After him, Korshunov comes to the young bride and paints her with all the charms of marriage with him. The merchant Tortsov is very pleased with his future son-in-law. And soon in the play "Poverty is not a vice", the brief content of which you are reading now, a character appears who flashed only in the first action - the owner’s brother Lyubim Karpych. He insults Korshunov and offers him to leave the house. The Moscow businessman is angry with this appeal and leaves with resentment, breaking the engagement. At this time, Mitya enters the room and, not being afraid of the merchant’s fierce disposition, asks for his daughter’s hands. Tortsov is getting wild, but those present begin to persuade him to give a blessing on the marriage of lovers. He agrees.
The comedy “Poverty is not a vice”, a very brief summary of which is given above, is one of the masterpieces of the great master. We hope that this article will prompt you to read this work in full.