Without a Dowry
| Without a Dowry | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Aleksandr Ostrovsky |
| Date premiered | 10 November 1878 |
| Place premiered | Maly Theatre in Moscow |
| Original language | Russian |
| Genre | Realistic drama |
Without a Dowry (Russian: Бесприданница) is a play by Alexander Ostrovsky premiered on November 10, 1878 on the Maly Theater stage and first published in the January 1879 issue of Otechestvennye zapiski. Met with relative indifference by contemporary critics later it’s gained the status of the Russian theater's classics.[1] Eldar Ryazanov had it adapted into a popular 1983 film.
History
According to the author's note, the play's idea was born on November 4, 1874, in Moscow. On October 1, 1876, informing actor F.A.Burdin of the way his work on Truth is Good But Happiness Better play was going on, he wrote: "Now my attention and energy are focused on my next large play which I was working upon continuously since last year... I intend to finish it this year and am going to polish it with the utmost care for it will be my 40th original work." The play's manuscript has been marked by the author as "Opus 40".[2]
For the second time Ostrovsky mentioned the play in the February 3, 1878, letter to Burdin, writing: "Now I am busy with a large original play. I'd like to finish it in winter before the new season starts so as to have more spare time in the summer". This last intention remained unfulfilled. He continued to work upon the play all through the summer and autumn in Shchelykovo, all the while negotiating terms for future stage. On October 16, 1878 the play was finished (the date on the manuscript was October 17). On the 26th it was sent to Burdin, on the 28th – approved by the Theater and Literature Committee for stage production.[2]
Burdin, whom Ostrovsky suggested should play Knurov, appeared to be unhappy with the role which looked to him as "an accessory one". He also suggested that the text should be considerably cut. Ostrovsky wrote back: "I've read the play in Moscow five times, there were people whom I could not call my friends in the audinces, but everybody in a single voice were saying that Without a Dowry was the best play I've ever written. Cutting anything in the text hasn't crossed not a single mind. But you there - do cut whatever you will, I won't dispute it".[2]
Without a Dowry was premiered in Moscow's Maly Theater on November 10, 1878, as a benefice for actor Nikolai Muzil (who played Robinson). Larisa was played by G.N.Fedotova, Paratov by A.P.Lensky, Karandyshev by M.P.Sadovsky, Knurov by I.V.Samarin. In a few days time the play was performed for the second time, as a benefice for Sadovsky, when M.N.Ermolova was engaged in the role of Larisa. Ostrovsky wrote to Burdin about the "great success" these two shos had. In Saint Petersburg Without a Dowry was performed for the first time on November 22, in Alexanriisky Theater as a benefice for Burdin. Maria Savina played Larisa and it was her inspired performance that drew all the attention. Otherwise the critical response was rather lukewarm.
In the beginning of the 1890s Without a Dowry was successfully revived on stage by Vera Komissarzhevskaya who created her own, unique version of the Larisa character. In the Soviet times the play has been staged in numerous theaters, and in 1948 made a return to the Maly Theater repertoire.[2]
Synopsis
After a hard year spent in desperation, devastated by the abrupt (and unexplained) end of her romance with a rich man Paratov whom she was in love with and almost worshipped, Larisa decides to marry the first man who'd approach her. Karandyshev, a petty state official, proves to be silly, obnoxious and vain person, but Larisa doesn't care much for that, wishing only to finally get away from it all and go to live to the country. Suddenly Paratov arrives to Bryakhimov [described as a "large city on the bank of Volga River"] and causes a stir both in the local community and in the girl’s heart. It turns out he's about to marry a rich woman and now enjoys his last bachelor spree, selling ships he owns to get money to burn. He finds out Larisa still loves him and feels strong for her too.
Karandyshev, just to show off, throws a party, inviting among others a young man Vozhevatov (Larisa's childhood friend), local millionaire Knurov (who'd earlier suggested to Larisa's mother he’d be willing to become her daughter 'sponsor' and take her to Paris should she feel that way; mother receives the offer benignly) and Paratov himself. Paratov, to punish Karandyshev (who's been rather impolite with him, in a silly way) and make Larisa see the brat for what he was, stages a kind of practical joke. Using his alcoholic actor friend's drinking prowess he makes the young man go drunk and totally expose himself, making guests laugh at him openly. Leaving Karandyshev back, Paratov, Knurov and Vozhevatov take Larisa our for a nightly picnic.
As the party ends, Larisa approaches Paratov with the question and gets the straight answer: no, he won't marry her after all, for he is betrothed to that other woman. Larisa feels humiliated, betrayed and compromised. Feeling now unable to return home and face her fiancée she now hates, she thinks of suicide. Knurov and Vozhevatov discuss her position among themselves too; they end up tossing a coin to decide whose luck it will be to take her on to a romantic trip to Paris, and the older man wins, but Larisa rejects his offer. Drunk Karandyshev appears with one of the Turkish pistols from his collection and implores Larisa to return home. She bluntly refuses, declaring it was nothing but contempt that she was now feeling towards him. Desperate, he draws the pistol out and shoots her. Reaching out for the pistol, she tries to make out she'd made it with her own hand. She thanks her murderer. "You all are... good people and... I love you all", such are her last words.
References
- ↑ Lakshin, Vladimir (1982). "Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky". Iskusstvo Publishers, Moscow. Life in Art series. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Revyakin, A.I. "Without a Dawry (Бесприданница).". Commentaries. The Complete Alexander Ostrovsky. Vol. VIII. Plays 1877-1881. Khudozhestvennaya literature Publishers. Moscow, 1950. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
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