The Storm (Ostrovsky)/Act 4
Short Summary
In a Russian provincial town, during a gathering at an old gallery overlooking the Volga River, townspeople discussed ancient frescoes depicting hell and historical battles. As a storm approached, the merchant Dikoy argued with Kuligin, a local inventor who proposed installing lightning rods and a sundial. When Dikoy left, Boris met secretly with Varvara to discuss Katerina's deteriorating mental state since her husband's return.
As thunder rumbled, Katerina arrived with her husband Tikhon and mother-in-law. Terrified by the storm and overcome with guilt about her affair with Boris, she became increasingly agitated. When a mad lady appeared preaching about beauty leading to damnation, Katerina's distress peaked.
Ah! Hell! Hell! Fiery gehenna! My heart is torn apart! I can't bear it anymore! Mother! Tikhon! I have sinned before God and before you!
Despite her husband's attempts to stop her, Katerina publicly confessed to her ten-night affair with Boris during Tikhon's absence. She collapsed unconscious after her confession, while her mother-in-law triumphantly reminded Tikhon that this was the result of giving his wife too much freedom.
Detailed Summary by Scenes
Scene 1. Storm Clouds Gather
The scene opened in an old gallery near the Volga River. As rain began to fall, several townspeople took shelter under the arches, discussing the approaching storm and examining old frescoes depicting hell and historical battles. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Dikoy and Kuligin.
Kuligin attempted to convince Dikoy to fund a sundial for the public boulevard, but Dikoy responded with characteristic rudeness. When Kuligin suggested installing lightning rods, Dikoy became even more agitated.
The storm is sent to us as punishment, so that we would feel it, but you want to defend against it with some poles and spikes, Lord forgive me. What are you, a Tatar or something?
Scene 2-3. Secret Meeting
After everyone left, Varvara appeared and met with Boris. She informed him about Katerina's deteriorating state since her husband's return. Katerina had become extremely agitated, pale, and tearful.
Scene 4-5. The Storm Breaks
As the storm approached, Katerina arrived with her husband Tikhon and mother-in-law Kabanova. Katerina appeared terrified of the storm, leading to a discussion about guilt and fear.
That's why one must live in such a way as to always be prepared for everything; then there wouldn't be such fear... And how do you know? Another's soul is darkness.
Scene 6. Katerina's Confession
A mad lady appeared and frightened Katerina with prophecies about beauty leading to destruction. Her words deeply affected Katerina.
Beauty is our doom! You'll destroy yourself, tempt people, then you can rejoice in your beauty. You'll lead many, many people into sin!
Unable to bear her guilt any longer, Katerina broke down and publicly confessed to her affair with Boris during her husband's absence. She revealed that she had met with Boris for ten nights while Tikhon was away.
My heart is torn apart! I can't bear it anymore! Mother! Tikhon! I have sinned before God and before you! Didn't I swear to you that I wouldn't look at anyone without you!
The confession shocked everyone present. Tikhon tried to stop her, but his mother Kabanova insisted that Katerina continue. After naming Boris as her lover, Katerina fainted as thunder struck. Kabanova triumphantly addressed her son about the consequences of too much freedom.
Well, son! See where freedom leads! I told you, but you wouldn't listen. Now you've got what you deserved!
The act concluded with Katerina unconscious in her husband's arms, while thunder continued to roll overhead, symbolizing both the natural storm and the emotional tempest that had just broken within the family. Kabanova's triumph over her daughter-in-law's downfall marked a dark turning point in the drama, setting the stage for the tragic events to follow.