The Storm (Ostrovsky)/Act 2
Short Summary
In a merchant's house in 19th century Russia, preparations were underway for Tikhon's departure on a business trip. His mother Kabanova insisted he give strict instructions to his wife before leaving, forcing him to make her promise not to look at young men and to obey his mother.
Katerina begged her husband not to leave or to take her with him, but he refused. She then desperately asked him to make her take a terrible oath of faithfulness, which he declined. After Tikhon's departure, his sister Varvara gave Katerina a key to the garden gate, suggesting the possibility of a secret meeting.
I'd rather die than not see him. Who am I pretending for!.. Throw away the key! No, never in this world! It's mine now... Come what may, I will see Boris!
Initially, Katerina tried to resist temptation and considered throwing the key away. However, after an intense internal struggle, she finally decided to keep it, accepting the possibility of meeting Boris in secret. The act ended with her eagerly anticipating nightfall.
Detailed Summary by Scenes
Scenes 1-3: Preparations for Departure
In a room of the Kabanovs' house, Glasha was packing clothes for the master's journey when Feklusha entered. They discussed the upcoming departure of Tikhon, and Feklusha inquired whether his wife would wail, as was customary. The wandering pilgrim then shared stories about distant lands with strange rulers and people with dogs' heads.
Katerina and Varvara entered, discussing Tikhon's imminent departure. Varvara observed that Katerina was married too young to enjoy her maidenhood, suggesting this was why her heart remained restless. Katerina shared a story from her childhood, revealing her passionate nature.
I was only six years old when I did something! Someone offended me at home, it was evening already, dark; I ran to the Volga, got into a boat and pushed off from the shore.
Scenes 4-6: Confrontations and Farewells
Varvara confronted Katerina about her feelings for Boris, which Katerina initially denied but then admitted. Varvara suggested they sleep in the garden while Tikhon was away, giving Katerina a key to the garden gate. Katerina was torn between her duty and her feelings.
What is she doing? What is she thinking up? Oh, she's mad, truly mad! Here's ruin! Here it is! Throw it away, throw it far, throw it in the river.
Kabanova and Tikhon entered, with the mother giving her son final instructions before his departure. She forced him to command his wife in front of her, making him tell Katerina to obey her mother-in-law, not to be idle, and not to look at other men. This humiliating scene deeply upset Katerina.
Scenes 7-10: Inner Turmoil and Final Decision
Left alone with her husband, Katerina begged him not to leave or to take her with him. When he refused, she desperately asked him to make her take an oath of faithfulness.
Take some terrible oath from me... that I wouldn't dare speak or meet with anyone while you're gone, that I wouldn't dare even think about anyone else.
Tikhon refused to take her oath, saying one cannot guarantee what might come to mind. When Kabanova called him, everyone gathered for the farewell. She insisted on proper ceremony, making Katerina bow to the ground instead of embracing her husband. After Tikhon's departure, Kabanova remained alone, lamenting the decay of old traditions and proper order.
Left alone, Katerina struggled with her feelings. She wished for children to occupy her thoughts, imagining how she would care for them. She considered doing charitable work to keep busy until Tikhon's return. However, when Varvara gave her the key to the garden gate, suggesting the possibility of meeting Boris, Katerina's internal conflict intensified.
Oh, how bitter is captivity, how bitter! Who doesn't cry from it! And we women most of all. Take me now! I live, I suffer, I see no light ahead. And I never will, it seems!
The act concluded with Katerina's soliloquy, revealing her deep inner turmoil. Despite her initial resistance to temptation, she finally decided to keep the key, accepting the possibility of meeting Boris. She rationalized her decision by telling herself that she might never get such a chance again, and ultimately admitted her desperate desire to see him, regardless of the consequences.
I don't know how to deceive, I can't hide anything... Oh, what misfortune! Where can I, poor thing, go? Who can I turn to? Oh my, I'm perishing!
This internal struggle between duty and desire, tradition and passion, set the stage for the tragic events to follow, as Katerina found herself unable to resist the pull of her feelings despite her awareness of the potential consequences.