The Storm (Ostrovsky)/Act 3
Short Summary
A small Russian town, 1860s. Late one night, two women sat on a bench outside the Kabanovs' house discussing the moral decay of modern times. Inside, a drunken merchant quarreled with the house mistress before calming down to share his troubles.
Meanwhile, Boris waited outside hoping to catch a glimpse of his beloved Katerina.
Through a secret garden gate, Katerina came to meet Boris. Though initially resistant and tormented by guilt over her adultery, she ultimately embraced their forbidden love.
I have no will of my own. If I had my own will, I wouldn't have come to you. Why pity me, no one is to blame - I chose this myself. Don't pity me, ruin me!
With her husband away for two weeks, Katerina and Boris arranged to meet again the following night. Another couple kept watch while they walked together, and all four parted ways after agreeing to return earlier the next evening for a longer rendezvous.
Detailed Summary by Scenes
Scene titles are conditional.
Scene 1. Conversations and Secret Plans
Outside the Kabanovs' house, Marfa Kabanova sat on a bench with Feklusha, discussing the state of the world.
These are the last times, Mother Marfa Ignatievna, the last times by all signs. Your town is still paradise and peace, but in other towns it's pure Sodom: noise, running around, constant traffic!
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Dikoy, who appeared drunk and argumentative. He admitted to Kabanova that she was the only person who could calm him down when he was in such a state.
Meanwhile, Boris appeared looking for his uncle. After Dikoy and Kabanova went inside, Boris met Kuligin, who invited him for a walk on the boulevard. During their conversation, Kuligin described the dark nature of life behind closed doors in their town.
And what tears flow behind these locks, unseen and unheard! And what dark debauchery and drunkenness behind these locks! And everything is hushed up - no one sees or knows anything.
Varvara appeared and secretly arranged a meeting between Boris and Katerina. She told Boris to come to the ravine behind Kabanov's garden later that night.
Scene 2. Night Meeting in the Ravine
In the ravine behind Kabanov's garden, Kudryash waited with his guitar. Boris soon joined him, and they discussed their respective romantic situations. Kudryash was meeting Varvara, while Boris confessed his love for Katerina.
When Katerina arrived, she was initially torn between her feelings and her sense of duty. She expressed both her love for Boris and her fear of sin.
Don't send me away! I am married, I must live with my husband until death! Try to understand me, my enemy: until death!
Despite her initial resistance, Katerina gave in to her feelings for Boris. She acknowledged that she had lost her will to resist and belonged to him now.
I've loved you for so long. It's as if you came to us for sin. From the moment I saw you, I was no longer myself. From the very first time, if you had beckoned me, I would have followed you.
Varvara and Kudryash provided cover for the lovers' meeting, keeping watch and agreeing to warn them if needed. They discussed practical arrangements for future meetings, as Katerina's husband would be away for two weeks. Varvara had arranged access through the garden gate and enlisted the help of their servant Glasha to keep watch.
As the night grew late, Varvara called for them to end their meeting. Before parting, Katerina and Boris arranged to meet again the next evening. Despite the joy of their reunion, there was an undercurrent of tragedy in Katerina's words as she spoke of death and her willingness to face public shame for their love. The scene ended with the couples separating, their future meetings planned but their fates uncertain.
Your will is over me now, can't you see! You know what? Now I suddenly want to die! No, I cannot live! I already know that I cannot live.
The act concluded with Kudryash singing a folk song about love and separation, while the two couples made their way back through the darkness. The song's melancholy tone echoed the underlying tragedy of their situation, particularly Katerina's moral struggle between her marriage vows and her passionate love for Boris. The night meeting in the ravine marked a point of no return for all involved, setting in motion events that would have far-reaching consequences for everyone in the household.