The play of the same name and Ostrovsky. Ostrovsky's works: a list of the best

Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky; Russian Empire, Moscow; 03/31/1823 - 06/02/1886

One of the greatest playwrights of the Russian Empire is considered to be A.N. Ostrovsky. He left behind a significant contribution not only to Russian, but also to world literature. Plays by A. N. Ostrovsky enjoy great success even now. This allowed the playwright to take a high place in our rating, and his works to be presented in other ratings of our site.

A N Ostrovsky biography

Ostrovsky was born in Moscow. His father was a priest, and his mother was the daughter of a sexton. But, unfortunately, Alexander's mother passed away when he was only 8 years old. The father remarried the daughter of a Swedish nobleman. The stepmother turned out to be a good woman and devoted a lot of time to her adopted children.

Thanks to his father's large library, Alexander became addicted to literature at an early age. The father wanted his son to be a lawyer. That is why, immediately after graduating from the gymnasium, Ostrovsky went to study at the law faculty of Moscow University. But he did not finish the university, because of a quarrel with a teacher, but went to court as a clerk. It was here that Ostrovsky saw many episodes from his first comedy - "Insolvent Debtor". Subsequently, this comedy was renamed into "Own people - let's settle."

This debut work of Ostrovsky was scandalous, as it represented the merchant class quite badly. Because of this, the life of A.N. Ostrovsky became much more complicated, although such writers as highly appreciated this work. Since 1853, reading Ostrovsky has become more and more popular, his new works are staged at the Maly and Alexandrinsky theaters. Since 1856, Ostrovsky can be read in the Sovremennik magazine, where almost all of his works are published.

In 1960, Ostrovsky's Thunderstorm appeared, which you can read on our website. This work deserves the most rave reviews from critics. Subsequently, the author receives more and more respect and recognition. In 1863 he was awarded the Uvarov Prize and elected a member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. The year 1866 of the life of A. N. Ostrovsky also becomes special. This year he founded the Artistic Circle, of which many other famous writers are members. But, despite this, Alexander Nikolayevich does not stop there, and works on new works, until his death.

Plays by A.N. Ostrovsky on Top Books website

Ostrovsky got into our rating with the work "Thunderstorm". This play is considered one of the best works of the author, so it is not surprising that Ostrovsky's Thunderstorm is loved to be read, despite the age of the work. At the same time, interest in the play is quite stable, which only a truly significant work can achieve. You can get acquainted with the works of Ostrovsky in more detail below.

All works by A. N. Ostrovsky

  1. family picture
  2. unexpected case
  3. Morning of a young man
  4. poor bride
  5. Do not sit in your sleigh
  6. Don't live the way you want
  7. Hangover in someone else's feast
  8. Plum
  9. Festive sleep before dinner
  10. Did not get along
  11. pupil
  12. an old friend is better than two new ones
  13. Their dogs are biting, don't pester someone else's
  14. Balzaminov's marriage
  15. Kozma Zakharyich Minin-Sukhoruk
  16. hard days
  17. Sin and trouble on whom does not live
  18. Governor
  19. Jokers
  20. In a lively place
  21. abyss
  22. Dmitry Pretender and Vasily Shuisky
  23. Tushino
  24. Vasilisa Melentyeva
  25. Enough simplicity for every sage
  26. Warm heart
  27. crazy money
  28. Every day is not Sunday
  29. There was not a penny, but suddenly Altyn
  30. 17th century comedian
  31. Late love
  32. labor bread
  33. Wolves and sheep
  34. rich brides
  35. Truth is good but happiness is better
  36. Belugin's marriage
  37. Last victim
  38. Good sir
  39. savage
  40. The heart is not a stone
  41. Slaves
  42. Shines but does not heat
  43. Guilty without guilt
  44. talents and fans
  45. handsome man
  46. Not of this world

The purpose of the lesson. A.N. Ostrovsky Drama "Dowry". At first glance, the first two phenomena are exposition. The symbolic meaning of names and surnames. Paratov Sergey Sergeevich. Usually the name of Ostrovsky's plays is sayings, proverbs. Karandyshev. Creative ideas of A.N. Ostrovsky. Characters. Discussion of the image of L.I. Ogudalova. Analysis of the drama "Dowry". What do we learn about Paratov.

"Heroes of the Snow Maiden" - Songs. Cold creature. Huge strength. Snow Maiden. What heroes are just fabulous. A.N. Ostrovsky. Lely's image. Morning of love. Heroes. Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov. Winter fairy tale. Opera finale. Characters. Shepherd's horn. author's ideals. Scene. Love. Elements of Russian folk rituals. The power and beauty of nature. Respect for the cultural traditions of the people. V.M.Vasnetsov. Kupava and Mizgir. Father Frost.

"The play" Dowry "" - The final scene. "Dowry". But after all, the ability to get carried away and prodigality does not at all reject a sober calculation. The relationship between Larisa and Paratov is reminiscent of the relationship between predator and prey. Former merchants are turning into millionaire entrepreneurs. Katerina is a truly tragic heroine. Like Katerina, Larisa belongs to women with a “hot heart”. Like a steamship of unprecedented speed, like a luxurious villa.

"Ostrovsky's play" Thunderstorm "" - Read expressively Katerina's monologue in the scene of repentance. What are the rules in the city? (Substantiate your answer with text). Tikhon is kind, sincerely loves Katerina. What is the heroine struggling with: with a sense of duty or with the "dark kingdom"? Did Katerina have any other choice but death? Why is Katerina left alone with her grief? Prove the validity of the words of N. Dobrolyubov. Under what conditions? Kabanova Marfa Ignatievna - the embodiment of despotism, covered with hypocrisy.

"Heroes of the Thunderstorm" - Features of Ostrovsky's style. Ostrovsky's portrait. Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky. The play "Thunderstorm" was written in 1859. N.A. Dobrolyubov. Social activities of A.N. Ostrovsky. A discourse on the perception of the play. The main theme is Thunderstorms. The meaning of the title. The behavior is hypocritical. National Theatre. Acceptance of contrast. The most famous plays by A.N. Ostrovsky. Curly. Monument to A.N. Ostrovsky. Catherine's protest. Dictionary.

"Ostrovsky's play" Dowry "" - Poetic lines. Expression skills. A sad song about a dowry. Problem questions. What is Karandyshev. Love for Larisa. What kind of person is Paratov. Analysis of the play. Acquisition of text analysis skills. Bridegroom of Larisa. What gives the gypsy song to the play and the film. Ostrovsky. Karandyshev shot. The mystery of Ostrovsky's play. Romance. Cruel romance. Does Larisa Paratova need it? Gypsy song.

“Columbus of Zamoskvorechye”, the author of plays that turned Russian drama into “real” literature, is A. N. Ostrovsky, whose works from the middle of the 19th century became the main ones in the repertoire of the Maly Theater in Moscow. Everything that he wrote was done not for reading, but for staging on stage. The result of 40 years was the original (about 50), co-authored, revised and translated plays.

Sources of inspiration"

All Ostrovsky's works are based on constant observations of the life of various classes, mainly merchants and the local nobility.

The childhood and youth of the playwright were spent in Zamoskvorechye - the old district of Moscow, which was mainly inhabited by the townspeople. Therefore, Ostrovsky was well acquainted with their way of life and the peculiarities of intra-family and By the middle of the 19th century, more and more so-called "dealers" appeared here - they would enter the new merchant class.

Very useful was the work in the office of the Moscow where Alexander Nikolayevich entered in 1843. 8 years of observation of numerous lawsuits and quarrels between merchants and relatives made it possible to accumulate valuable material, on the basis of which Ostrovsky's best works will be written.

In the work of the playwright, it is customary to distinguish 4 main periods. Each was marked by a special approach to depicting reality and the appearance of vivid plays.

1847-1851 years. First experiences

Essays written in the spirit of the "natural school" and in accordance with the traditions laid down by Gogol, brought the novice writer the title of "Columbus of Zamoskvorechye". But pretty soon they were replaced by plays that completely supplanted the epic genres.

Ostrovsky's first work is "The Family Picture", read for the first time by the author at the evening at S. Shevyrev's. However, fame brings "Bankrut", later renamed "Our people - let's settle!" The response to the play was immediate. Censorship immediately banned it (it was written in 1849, hit the stage only in 1861), and V. Odoevsky put it on a par with "The Undergrowth", "Woe from Wit" and "The Inspector General". For several years, the work was successfully read in circles and at literary evenings, providing the young author with universal recognition.

1852-1855 years. "Moscow" period

This is the time when Ostrovsky joined the "young editorial board" of the magazine, which preached the ideas of pochvenism and had an interest in the merchant class. Representatives of the social class, not associated with serfdom and not cut off from the people, could become, according to A. Grigoriev, a new force capable of influencing the development of Russia. Only 3 works by Ostrovsky belong to this period, one of which is “Poverty is not a vice”.

The plot is based on the image of relations in the family of the merchant Tortsov. The domineering and despotic father, Gordey, plans to marry off his daughter, who is in love with a poor clerk, for the clever and rich Korshunov. a new generation that will never miss its own. Lyubim manages to convince his tyrant brother - prone to drunkenness, not amassing a fortune, but in everything following moral laws. As a result, the matter is resolved successfully for Lyuba, and the playwright asserts the victory of Russian and traditions over European ones.

1856-1860 years. Rapprochement with Sovremennik

The works of this period: "Profitable place", "Hangover in someone else's feast" and, of course, "Thunderstorm" - were the result of a rethinking of the role of the patriarchal merchants in the life of the country. It no longer attracted the playwright, but more and more acquired the features of tyranny and desperately tried to resist everything new and democratic (the result of the influence of the raznochintsy from Sovremennik). This "dark kingdom" was most clearly shown in the playwright's only tragedy, The Thunderstorm. Here there are young people who do not want to put up with the house-building laws.

Analyzing the works created in the 40-50s, he called A. N. Ostrovsky a truly “folk poet”, which emphasized the scale of the paintings he depicted.

1861-1886 years. Mature creativity

During the 25 post-reform years of his activity, the playwright wrote vivid works, diverse in genre and subject matter. They can be combined into several groups.

  1. A comedy about the life of the merchants: “True is good, but happiness is better”, “Not everything is Shrovetide for a cat”.
  2. Satire: "Wolves and Sheep", "Mad Money", "Forest", etc.
  3. “Pictures of Moscow life” and “prices from the outback” about “little” people: “Hard days”, “An old friend is better than two new ones”, etc.
  4. Chronicles on a historical theme: “Kozma Zakharyich Minin-Sukhoruk”, etc.
  5. Psychological drama: "The Last Victim", "Dowry".

The play-tale "The Snow Maiden" stands apart.

The works of recent decades are acquiring tragic and philosophical and psychological features and are distinguished by artistic perfection and a realistic approach to depiction.

Founder of the National Theater

Centuries pass, but the works of Ostrovsky Alexander Nikolayevich still collect full houses on the leading stages of the country, confirming the phrase of I. Goncharov: "... after you, we ... can proudly say: we have our own Russian national theater." “Poor bride” and “Don’t get into your sleigh”, “Balzaminov’s marriage” and “Heart is not a stone”, “There wasn’t a penny, but suddenly Altyn” and “Enough simplicity for every wise man” ... This list with the names of Ostrovsky’s plays known to every theatergoer can be continued for a long time. Thanks to the skill of the playwright, a special world came to life on stage, filled with problems that will always worry humanity.

The work of Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky is deservedly the pinnacle of Russian drama in the mid-19th century. It is familiar to us since school years. And despite the fact that Ostrovsky's plays, the list of which is very long, were written in the century before last, they remain relevant even now. So what is the merit of the famous playwright and how did the innovation of his work manifest itself?

short biography

Alexander Ostrovsky was born on March 31, 1823 in Moscow. The childhood of the future playwright passed in Zamoskvorechye, a merchant district of Moscow. The playwright's father, Nikolai Fedorovich, served as a court lawyer and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps. Therefore, Ostrovsky studied law for several years and after that, at the behest of his father, he entered the court as a scribe. But even then Ostrovsky began to create his first plays. Since 1853, the playwright's works have been staged in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Alexander Ostrovsky had two wives and six children.

General characteristics of creativity and themes of Ostrovsky's plays

Over the years of his work, the playwright created 47 plays. "Poor Bride", "Forest", "Dowry", "Snow Maiden", "Poverty is not a vice" - all these are Ostrovsky's plays. The list can go on for a very long time. Most of the plays are comedies. Not without reason Ostrovsky remained in history as a great comedian - even in his dramas there is a funny beginning.

The great merit of Ostrovsky lies in the fact that it was he who laid down the principles of realism in Russian dramaturgy. His work reflects the very life of the people in all its diversity and naturalness, the heroes of Ostrovsky's plays are a variety of people: merchants, artisans, teachers, officials. Perhaps, the works of Alexander Nikolayevich are still close to us precisely because his characters are so realistic, truthful and so similar to ourselves. Let's analyze this with specific examples of several plays.

Early work of Nikolai Ostrovsky. "Own people - let's get along"

One of the debut plays that gave Ostrovsky a universal celebrity was the comedy “Own people - let's get it right”. Its plot is based on real events from the playwright's legal practice.

The play depicts the deception of the merchant Bolshov, who declared himself bankrupt so that he would not have to pay his debts, and the reciprocal swindle of his daughter and son-in-law, who refused to help him. Here Ostrovsky depicts the patriarchal traditions of life, the characters and vices of Moscow merchants. In this play, the playwright sharply touched on a theme that ran through all his work in red lines: this is the theme of the gradual destruction of the patriarchal way of life, transformation and human relations themselves.

Analysis of Ostrovsky's play "Thunderstorm"

The play "Thunderstorm" became a turning point and one of the best works in the works of Ostrovsky. It also shows the contrast between the old patriarchal world and a fundamentally new way of life. The action of the play takes place on the banks of the Volga in the provincial town of Kalinov.

The main character Katerina Kabanova lives in the house of her husband and his mother, the merchant's wife Kabanikhi. She suffers from constant pressure and oppression from her mother-in-law, a bright representative of the patriarchal world. Katerina is torn between a sense of duty towards her family and an overwhelming feeling for another. She is confused because she loves her husband in her own way, but she cannot control herself and agrees to dates with Boris. After the heroine repents, her desire for freedom and happiness collides with established moral principles. Katerina, incapable of deceit, confesses her deed to her husband and Kabanikh.

She can no longer live in a society where lies and tyranny reign and people are not able to perceive the beauty of the world. The heroine's husband loves Katerina, but cannot, like her, rise up against his mother's oppression - he is too weak for that. Beloved, Boris, is also unable to change anything, since he himself cannot free himself from the power of the patriarchal world. And Katerina commits suicide - a protest against the old way of life, doomed to destruction.

As for this play by Ostrovsky, the list of heroes can be divided into two parts. The first will be representatives of the old world: Kabanikha, Wild, Tikhon. In the second - heroes symbolizing a new beginning: Katerina, Boris.

Heroes of Ostrovsky

Alexander Ostrovsky created a whole gallery of a wide variety of characters. Here officials and merchants, peasants and nobles, teachers and artists - many-sided, like life itself. A remarkable feature of Ostrovsky's drama is the speech of his characters - each character speaks his own language, corresponding to his profession and character. It is worth noting the skillful use of folk art by the playwright: proverbs, sayings, songs. As an example, one can cite at least the title of Ostrovsky's plays: "Poverty is not a vice", "Our people - we will get along" and others.

The Significance of Ostrovsky's Dramaturgy for Russian Literature

The dramaturgy of Alexander Ostrovsky served as a significant stage in the formation of the national Russian theater: it was he who created it in its present form, and this is the undoubted innovation of his work. Ostrovsky's plays, a list of which was briefly given at the beginning of the article, confirmed the triumph of realism in Russian drama, and he himself went down in history as a unique, original and brilliant master of the word.

Born March 31 (April 12), 1823 in Moscow, grew up in a merchant environment. His mother died when he was 8 years old. And my father remarried. There were four children in the family.

Ostrovsky was educated at home. His father had a large library, where little Alexander first began to read Russian literature. However, the father wanted to give his son a legal education. In 1835, Ostrovsky began his studies at the gymnasium, and then entered the Faculty of Law at Moscow University. Due to his passion for theater and literature, he never completed his studies at the university (1843), after which he worked as a scribe in court at the insistence of his father. Ostrovsky served in the courts until 1851.

Creativity Ostrovsky

In 1849, Ostrovsky's work “Our people - we will settle!” Was written, which brought him literary fame, he was highly appreciated by Nikolai Gogol and Ivan Goncharov. Then, despite the censorship, many of his plays and books were released. For Ostrovsky, writings are a way to truly depict the life of the people. The plays "Thunderstorm", "Dowry", "Forest" are among his most important works. Ostrovsky's play "Dowry", like other psychological dramas, non-standard describes the characters, the inner world, the torment of the characters.

Since 1856, the writer has been participating in the issue of the Sovremennik magazine.

Ostrovsky Theater

In the biography of Alexander Ostrovsky, theatrical work occupies an honorable place.
Ostrovsky founded the Artistic Circle in 1866, thanks to which many talented people appeared in the theater circle.

Together with the Artistic Circle, he significantly reformed and developed the Russian theater.

Famous people often visited Ostrovsky's house, including I. A. Goncharov, D. V. Grigorovich, Ivan Turgenev, A. F. Pisemsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky, P. M. Sadovsky, Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin, Leo Tolstoy, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, M. N. Ermolova and others.

In a brief biography of Ostrovsky, it is worth mentioning the appearance in 1874 of the Society of Russian Drama Writers and Opera Composers, where Ostrovsky was chairman. With his innovations, he achieved an improvement in the lives of theater actors. Since 1885, Ostrovsky headed the theater school and was the head of the repertoire of theaters in Moscow.

Writer's personal life

It cannot be said that Ostrovsky's personal life was successful. The playwright lived with a woman from a simple family - Agafya, who had no education, but was the first to read his works. She supported him in everything. All their children died at an early age. Ostrovsky lived with her for about twenty years. And in 1869 he married the actress Maria Vasilievna Bakhmeteva, who bore him six children.

last years of life

Until the end of his life, Ostrovsky experienced financial difficulties. Hard work greatly depleted the body, and health increasingly failed the writer. Ostrovsky dreamed of reviving the theater school, which could teach professional acting, but the death of the writer prevented the implementation of long-planned plans.

Ostrovsky died on June 2 (14), 1886 at his estate. The writer was buried next to his father, in the village of Nikolo-Berezhki, Kostroma province.

Chronological table

Other biography options

  • Ostrovsky knew Greek, German and French from childhood, and at a later age he also learned English, Spanish and Italian. All his life he translated plays into different languages, thus improving his skills and knowledge.
  • The creative path of the writer covers 40 years of successful work on literary and dramatic works. His work influenced the whole era of theater in Russia. For his work, the writer was awarded the Uvarov Prize in 1863.
  • Ostrovsky is the founder of modern theatrical art, whose followers were such prominent personalities as Konstantin Stanislavsky and Mikhail Bulgakov.
  • see all