Who is the main character in the story is a horse surname. "Horse surname" characterization of heroes

In the person of Gordey Tortsov's wife, Pelageya Yegorovna, Ostrovsky brought out a simple kind Russian woman in the play "Poverty is not a vice" (see its full text, a summary and more detailed contents of individual actions: 1st, 2nd and 3rd) , sane, living in the old days. Her husband cannot even force her to wear fashionable caps - she loves Russian life with all her heart, Russian customs and customs and will not change them: “I, mother,” she says, “I love the old way, the old way ... ours, in Russian ... Yes, to regale, but to sing songs to me. " “Your fashionable, but current,” she says to her husband, “changes every day, but our Russian custom has been living since time immemorial! The old people were no more stupid than we were. "

Ostrovsky. Poverty is not a vice. Performance, 1969

In her relationship to people, daughter and servants, that patriarchal complacency, which is the bright legacy of the Domostroy antiquity, is reflected.

She is afraid of her husband and cannot fight him, since she has no "will", not only because of a lack of this quality, but also because she is faithful to old traditions. "Oh, not my will!" - she complains, seeing that her daughter has been betrothed against her wishes. “If I had my will, I didn’t give it up for a shtob! .. I looked through everything, I was looking at her! If only now to get a good look at her, in reserve. Exactly, I'm going to bury her! .. Well, I! .. Here weep - our business! "

The daughter of Gordey Tortsov, Lyubov, and the clerk Mitya, who grew up in their house, were brought up in the same spirit of obedience. Both of them dearly love each other, but weakly fight for their rights to personal happiness. A shout from Gordey is enough for the daughter to yield to him without further struggle, saying: "Your will, father! .."

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After the release of the play "Poverty is not a vice", there was a sensation in society - the criticism of the work was not unambiguous. There were those who praised the play and those who expressed bewilderment and scolded, but were not indifferent. According to the author's idea, the play was to be published under a different title - "God resists the proud." It should include two acts. But in the process of working on the piece, both the theme changed (the author chose a more prosaic connotation) and plans for the volume of the play.

The plot of the play is quite simple - a merchant wants to marry his daughter against her will to an old but wealthy factory owner. A wedding with an old man does not attract a girl, the presence of her lover increases her dislike for the wedding - as a result of the conflict that has developed, the merchant's daughter marries for love to a person who is unsightly in financial situation.

The main characters of the play

Gordey Karpych

The play begins at Gordey Karpych Tortsov's estate. This is where the main array of events, depicted in the work, takes place. This is a "rich merchant", his age is not specified exactly, the author limited himself to only a vague mention of "under sixty." His father was not of noble birth, but his son managed to achieve more in life - he significantly improved the financial situation of his family, and now one can hardly imagine that "we had a little man." Tortsov is a person with a complex character.

“But unless you can talk to him,” they say about him. He does not want to reckon with anyone's opinion, of course, if this is not the opinion of a wealthy person who held a higher position in society than him.

He doesn’t have to deal with others (both servants and family members). Not better attitude from him and to his impoverished brother - the feeling of shame for such a state of affairs in front of people of the highest rank takes its toll. It would be natural in this case to help the brother change the level of his existence, but he does not want to. Gordey Karpych is interested in life in Moscow, everything new and unusual: “I want to live like this, to deal with fashions,” he says.

Tortsov sees the only way for his daughter to improve her social status - it is profitable to get married, and he does not care much whether it will be good for his daughter to live with this man or not. After the quarrel and the cancellation of the wedding of Afrikan Savich and his daughter, Gordey Karpych becomes softer and more accommodating, he understands that listening to the opinions of others, even if they are below you in status and financial position, is not so bad.

Lyubov Gordeevna

The second most important character is Lyubov Gordeevna - the daughter of Gordey Karpych. She is very beautiful, but poorly educated because “she did not study at the boarding school,” but she is sincere and kind, guided by the urges of her heart: “I say what I feel”.

The girl believes that the race for wealth is absurd, she sincerely believes that it is not high society, rank or money that makes people happy. Lyubov Gordeevna obediently fulfills the will of her father, having learned about her father's intention to marry her, she does not oppose his will, but nevertheless asks her father not to marry her off to Afrikan Savich.


Love for Mitya overwhelms her and this feeling is mutual, but the hope for a successful outcome of their love is very small - her father does not look at her request. He thinks that it is better to live richly - it is impossible to achieve happiness in poverty.

We love Karpych

We love Karpych- brother of Gordey Karpych. Like his brother, Lyubim worked hard and was able to accumulate decent capital for himself. He lived well, often drank and led an idle life, but did not go to extremes until the moment when Afrikan Savich took on him. Loved he became a beggar, he had to wander and beg for alms, which he also did not always spend wisely - he drank. Returning to his brother, he realized his mistakes and decided to “live honestly at least in old age”, but not everything is so simple - his brother is busy with noble guests and plans to move further up the social ladder, he has no time for a beggar brother. Lyubima is surprised that his brother puts material values ​​above moral values ​​and prefers communication with rich deceivers, and ordinary people who live according to the laws of morality does not admit to themselves. However, Lyubim Karpych hopes that everything will still work out in his life. He does not stand aside when he finds out about the wedding of his niece - Lyubim cannot allow such a misfortune in the life of Lyubov and Mitya (who treats him very well and often helps him in difficult financial situations) - the scandal he has arranged not only allows him to avoid an unnecessary wedding, but also decides questions about the relationship in the Tortsov family.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with summary plays by A. Ostrovsky, which highlights the problems associated with unequal marriage.

African Savich Korshunov Is a wealthy factory owner living in Moscow. That is why he is an excellent husband for Lyubov Gordeevna.

Afrikan Savich is a lover of drinking and taking a walk, when drunk he behaves extremely violently and ill-mannered, but at the same time he considers himself a kind person: "I am a good man, cheerful", "simple, I am a kind old man."

He is cruel to his enemies, so the surest solution for those who fell into his disgrace would be to run away. Although his attitude towards close people is no better - he tortured his first wife with jealousy. And, in general, about him "nothing good, except bad, do not hear."

Mitya

Mitya- "clerk Tortsov". He has practically few relatives - only his mother, and even then he lives away from him. Mitya helps her financially, so she often deprives herself of even the necessary things. Gordey Karpych will always find something to complain about - this upsets the impressionable Mitya very much. Tortsov reproaches him for squandering, that Mitya walks in an old frock coat and thus disgraces him in the eyes of visitors. The young man is calm by nature, kind and sympathetic, so those around him have a good opinion of him. He did not receive good education and now trying to achieve desired result by their own efforts. He understands perfectly well that he cannot be the groom that Gordey Karpych will approve of - a difficult financial situation, his poverty became a significant obstacle to the desired action, but he is not in power to order his heart to forget Tortsov's daughter.

Secondary characters of the play

Pelageya Egorovna

Pelageya Egorovna is the wife of Gordey Karpych Tortsov. Despite the fact that she, as a mother, should take an active part in the life of her daughter, and therefore actively act in the play, Ostrovsky does not endow her with such powers, she is a minor character in the play.


In general, this is a sweet, kind and warm woman. The people around her love her. In her youth, the woman loved to dance and sing, she happily took up these activities. Now she has grown old and her ardor has subsided. In addition, a not entirely successful marriage has done its insidious deed. She considers herself deeply unhappy, her husband does not appreciate her, and in fact does not consider herself a person “I dare not tell him anything; unless you talk to a stranger about your grief, cry, take your soul away, that's all. " For many years of married life, Pelageya Yegorovna has come to terms with this attitude, therefore, even in critical situations, such as, for example, with her daughter's marriage, she does not reread her husband and does not try to point out his delusion, although she clearly sees that this marriage will bring a lot of misfortune to her daughter ...

Yasha Guslin

The next acting character is Yasha Guslin... He is also related to Tortsov (Gordey's nephew). He is honest good person, but, unfortunately, poor, so his uncle does not indulge in attention and praise. Pelageya Yegorovna loves him for his kind disposition and love of music, she invites him to her place so that he sings and plays the guitar. Yasha is friends with Mitya and helps him in difficult situations: intercedes for him before Grisha, helps to meet Lyubov Gordeevna. He himself is in love with the poor widow Anna, but it is not possible to marry a woman - his uncle does not want to give permission to the lovers for a wedding.

Anna Ivanovna

Beloved Guslin is a dowager woman, as poor as Yasha himself. Her name is Anna Ivanovna... She is a friend of the Tortsov family, but this does not help her but persuade her to agree to Gordey Karpych's wedding .. At the end of the play, everything changes and Anna and Yasha receive the long-awaited permission.

Grisha Razlyulyaev

Grisha Razlyulyaev- a young merchant, a wealthy heir. His father, like he himself, does not pursue fashion and does not seek to join new trends, which causes extreme disapproval of Gordey Karpych Tortsov does not have a high opinion of Grisha, reads him as a man of an extraordinary mind. Razlyulyaev is a cheerful and good-natured person. He values ​​his friendship with Mitya.

Thus, in Nikolai Ostrovsky's play "Poverty is not a vice", two opposing camps were formed. On the one hand, Gordey Karpych and Afrikaniy Savych, who are ready, in the pursuit of wealth and position in society, to step over moral prohibitions and foundations, to sacrifice anything. On the other hand, Lyubim Karpych, Lyubov Gordeevna, Pelageya Egorovna, Mitya, Yasha, Anna and Grisha. They sincerely believe that there should be good in the world, and that the main thing is to live honestly, decently and according to conscience. As a result, goodness wins - Gordey changes his views, realizes the erroneousness of his actions - this allows him to avoid the tragedies of life of almost all the characters in the play. Ostrovsky shows us on the example of Tortsov that you don't need to chase after something ghostly and distant - you need to look for happiness nearby and appreciate those who are trying to bring at least a little happiness to you.

Ostrovsky pushes the love line into the background. It is important for him to portray the existence of true family values, the desire to break out into high society at any cost, ignoring personal qualities and desires, the perseverance of patriarchal traditions, which is why the play will acquire new meaning Is not just a story with a good ending, but a way to point out the flaws of society in a comic form.

County town. Christmastide. Day. A small clerk's room in the house of the merchant Tortsov.

Mitya walks around the room; Yegorushka sits on a stool and reads "Bova the Korolevich", then stops and tells Mitya that all the family members have gone for a drive. Only Gordey Karpych remained, he was terribly angry with his brother, Lyubim Karpych. The day before, at a festive dinner, Lyubim Karpych got drunk, began throwing out different knees and made all the guests laugh. Gordey Karpych considered it an insult, got angry and drove his brother away. In retaliation, Lyubim Karpych was upset: he stood up with the beggars at the cathedral. Gordey Karpych has dispersed more than ever and is now angry at everyone indiscriminately.

There is a noise outside the windows - Pelageya Yegorovna, Lyubov Gordeevna and guests have arrived. Yegorushka grabs the book and runs away. Mitya is left alone, he complains about life ("I am a stranger to everyone here, no relatives or friends!"), Sits down at the desk and tries to work. But the work is not progressing, all Mitya's thoughts are occupied by his beloved.

Pelageya Yegorovna enters the room, stops at the door and tenderly invites Mitya to come to visit them in the evening. She notices that Gordey Karpych will not be at home, he will go to his new friend, the manufacturer Afrikan Savich Korshunov. Pelageya Yegorovna complains about Korshunov, a violent man who often drinks in the company of his English director. Previously, Tortsov was distinguished by his prudence, but as he went to Moscow last year, everything Russian was not nice to him. Now he wants to live in a foreign way, became proud: “I have no one to lead a company with here, all the bastards, men, and live like a peasant,” and made an acquaintance with the “Moscow” rich Korshunov, who simply gets a new friend drunk. The imperious Tortsov does not react to the reproaches of his wife; and his daughter, Lyubov Gordeevna, wants to marry off exclusively in Moscow: in this city she has no equal.

At the end of Pelageya Yegorovna's monologue, Yasha Guslin, Tortsov's nephew, enters. He is also invited to visit in the evening, and Yasha gladly agrees. When Pelageya Yegorovna leaves, Mitya shares her concerns with Yasha: Mitya, the only son of an old and poor mother, must support her with his small salary; from Gordey Karpych he sees only offense, abuse and reproaches of poverty; Mitya could have gone over to the Razlyulyaevs, but Tortsov's heart is kept by a sweetheart - Lyubov Gordeevna. Yasha advises Mitya to put this love out of her head, because Gordey Karpych will never bless their unequal marriage: “Here Anna Ivanovna is my equal: she is empty, I have nothing, and even then my uncle will not order to marry. And you have nothing to think about. "

Razlyulyaev enters the room with a harmonica, he is cheerful and carefree, plays and sings, declares that he will be walking for the whole holiday, and then marries, yes, a rich woman. He sits down next to Guslin, listens to the song he has written. Mitya offers to sing, and everyone sings. In the middle of the song comes Gordey Karpych Tortsov; all at once become silent and get up. Tortsov, with angry reproaches, pounces on Mitya: “It seems that you do not live in such a house, not with peasants. What a half-beer! That you scattered the papers! ... ”. He notices the book of poems by Koltsov, which Mitya is reading, and a new portion of reproaches follows: “What tenderness in our poverty! Do you know what education is? ... You should have sewed a new frock coat! After all, you go upstairs to us ... Shame! ". In response, Mitya justifies himself, says that he sends all the money to his elderly mother. Gordey Karpych remarks: “Mother doesn't know what she needs, she was not brought up in luxury, she closed the sheds herself. Is this education something to sing about stupid songs? Don't you dare show yourself up in this frock coat! " Then it goes to Razlyulyaev: “And you too! Father, tea, rakes in money with a shovel, and he leads you in a sort of zipunishka. But what, there is nothing to collect from you! You yourself are stupid, and your father is not painfully clever ... he walks with a greasy belly for a whole century; You live as unenlightened fools, and you will die as fools. " And after this angry tirade Gordey Karpych leaves.

After Gordey Kapych leaves for Korshunov, Lyubov Gordeevna, Anna Ivanovna, Masha and Liza enter Mitya's room. They are bored of sitting upstairs, and they began to look for interesting company. Anna Ivanovna behaves very freely; Mitya, Lyubov Gordeevna and her friends, on the contrary, are constrained and awkward. Anna Ivanovna openly asks Guslin when he will marry her. Guslin replies that he will marry as soon as he receives permission from Gordey Karpych; then with a gesture he beckons Anna Ivanovna and whispers in her ear, pointing to Lyubov Gordeevna and Mitya. At this time, Razlyulyaev amuses the girls: “It hurts to dance a lot. Girls, somebody love me ... for my simplicity. " The girls answer that such words are not spoken to girls, and Lyubov Gordeevna adds, looking at Mitya: "Maybe someone loves someone, but he won't say: you have to guess yourself." Anna Ivanovna, having finished her meeting with Guslin and looking ambiguously now at Lyubov Gordeevna, now at Mitya, invites everyone to go upstairs. She opens the door and lets everyone in, and slams in front of Lyubov Gordeevna. Lyubov Gordeevna knocks and asks to be released; the girls outside the door are having fun.

Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna are left alone, and Mitya timidly says that he has composed poetry for her. Lyubov Gordeevna, trying to hide her joy, asks Mitya to read them. Mitya sits down near the table, Lyubov Gordeevna moves very close to him. Mitya reads: "... The guy is wasting his heart in vain, That the guy loves an uneven girl ..." on the condition that Mitya will read it later, when Lyubov Gordeevna leaves. She is about to leave and in the doorway runs into her uncle, Lyubim Karpych. He is having fun, seeing the fright of his niece, then assures that he will not say anything to his brother. Lyubov Gordeevna runs away.

Lyubim Karpych goes into the room and asks Mitya to shelter him for a while: after that dinner party, his brother does not let him on the threshold. Lyubim Karpych tells Mitya the story of his life: when his father died, Lyubim Karpych was twenty years old. The brothers divided the inheritance: Gordey took over the establishment, and gave it to his brother in money and promissory notes. Lyubim Gordeich went to Moscow to receive money on tickets and plunged headlong into the Moscow beautiful life: dressed as a dandy, dined at taverns, went to theaters; he made many friends. And after a while, almost all of the inheritance was spent. What was left, Lyubim Gordeich entrusted his friend, Afrikan Korshunov, who deceived him. Lyubim Gordeich remained with nothing. He figured out how to live on and, since the path to his father's house was ordered, he stayed in Moscow, began to walk around like a buffoon: how what merchant would arrive, Lyubim jumps out, makes merry, tells jokes, and then who will give what. That winter Lyubim Gordeich caught a bad cold, they took him to the hospital; it was there that the enlightenment of the mind found on Lyubimaya. When he recovered, he decided to go to God to pray and go back to his brother. Only his brother received him unkindly, began to be ashamed, to blame: “You see, how I live: who can notice that we had a little man? This shame is enough for me, or else to impose you on your neck. " And after the notorious dinner Lyubim Gordeich took an offense, he decided to teach his arrogant brother a lesson ("... He has this bone very thick. [Shows his forehead.] He, a fool, needs science").

Lyubim Gordeich settles down on Mitya's bed to take a nap; asks him for money. Mitya refuses nothing to Lyubim Gordeich, and he thanks Mitya and threatens his brother: “Brother does not know how to appreciate you. Well, I'll do a trick with him. " Mitya is about to go upstairs, he comes to the door, remembers the letter. With trembling hands, he takes it out and reads: “And I love you. Lyubov Tortsova ". Mitya grabs his head and runs away.

Second action

Evening. Living room in Tortsov's house. There is a sofa against the back wall, in front of the sofa there is a round table and six armchairs. Several doors open into the living room. There are mirrors on the walls, under them are small tables. The living room is dark; only light from the door to the left. Lyubov Gordeevna and Anna Ivanovna enter this door. Lyubov Gordeevna tells how much she loves Mitya. Anna Ivanovna warns her against rash acts, then leaves.

Mitya enters. He asks Lyubov Gordeevna if her confession is not a joke. Lyubov Gordeevna replies that everything written in the note is true and requires reciprocal assurances of love. At first she pretends that she does not believe Mitya (“I thought you loved Anna Ivanovna”), but then she admits that she just wanted to joke. But Mitya has no time for jokes, he is too worried about the fate of their love. Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna decide the next day to throw themselves at Gordey Karpych's feet and declare their love, and then come what may. They hug. When someone's footsteps are heard, Mitya quietly leaves.

Nurse Arina enters the living room with a candle and sends Lyubov Gordeevna to her mother. Yegorushka runs into the room, and Arina asks him to call the girls-servants of the neighborhood to sing Christmas songs. Yegorushka rejoices at the upcoming fun and the fact that, perhaps, there will be mummers, and runs away.

Pelageya Yegorovna enters the living room, she gives Arina instructions, then invites everyone else to go: Lyubov Gordeevna, Masha, Liza, Anna Ivanovna, Razlyulyaeva, Mitya, Guslin and her two elderly friends. The old women and Pelageya Yegorovna sit down on the sofa; Anna Ivanovna and Guslin sit down on chairs and talk quietly, Mitya stands beside them; Masha, Lyubov Gordeevna and Liza walk around the room, embracing each other; Razlyulyaev follows them. The girls dive merrily with Razlyulyaev, the old women talk, looking at them, and then invite Guslin to sing a song. While Guslin is singing, Arina enters with drinks and treats, treats the young ladies with sweets, and serves Madeira to the old women. Anna Ivanovna quietly talks to Pelageya Egorovna, Razlyulyaev picks up Arina and starts dancing, Arina fights back. Anna Ivanovna stands up for Arina and volunteers to dance with Razlyulyaev herself.

Neighbor girls enter, they are warmly welcomed, seated. Arina brings a dish covered with a towel - the girls will sing sub-dish songs and guess. The young ladies take off the rings and put them on the dish; the girls are singing. Razlyulyaev in the words "There will be guests for you, Grooms for me ... Whoever is forced to - Tom will come true" takes out the ring and gives it to Lyubov Gordeevna.

Here come the mummers (an old man with a balalaika, a leader with a bear and a goat) and Yegorushka. The subversive songs are left, the mummers are treated to wine, and they begin to amuse the guests: singing, dancing, acting out scenes; Yegorushka dances with them. While the guests are looking at the mummers, Mitya quietly whispers something to Lyubov Gordeevna and kisses. Razlyulyaev notices this, approaches and declares that he will tell everything to Pelageya Yegorovna, that he himself wants to marry Lyubov Gordeevna, because his family has a lot of money, and Mitya is this case there is nothing to hope for. Guslin stands up for Mitya. Their argument is interrupted by a knock on the door - the owner has come.

Gordey Karpych and Korshunov enter the living room. Gordey Karpych rudely chases away the mummers ("What a bastard!") And girls, fawns at Korshunov, apologizes for the "lack of education" of his wife, who arranged the evening "not in all shape". But Korshunov, an old voluptuary, on the contrary, likes the company of young girls. He sits down in a chair, heheets, graciously takes attention to his person. Buttsov is struggling to produce an "effect": he orders to serve champagne, light candles in the living room to light up a new "nebel". Pelageya Yegorovna goes out to fulfill her husband's orders, Arina and the old guests follow her.

Korshunov goes up to the young ladies, to Lyubov Gordeevna, heheets happily, hints at "Christmas days" and invites them to kiss. The young ladies are not happy, they refuse. Gordey Karpych orders to obey, and Lyubov Gordeevna concedes. While Korshunov is kissing the young ladies, Gordey Karpych notices Mitya and chases him away ("A crow flew into the high mansion!"), Guslin and Razlyulyaev leave after Mitya.

Korshunov sits down next to Lyubov Gordeevna, hehets voluptuously and hands over an expensive gift - diamond earrings. Lyubov Gordeevna coldly replies to Korshunov, the same, without ceremony, grabs and kisses her hand, starts a conversation about love and about his wealth. Lyubov Gordeevna is disgusting with this old man, she gets up to leave, but her father orders her to stay. She returns to her seat, and Korshunov again grabs her hand, strokes her ("What a hand! Heh, heh, heh ... velvet!") And puts a diamond ring on her finger. Lyubov Gordeevna pulls out her hand, takes off the ring and gives it to Korshunov.

Pelageya Yegorovna, Arina and Yegorushka enter the living room with wine and glasses. Korshunov pretends to be an important guest: “Well, Gordey Karpych, treat me, and you girls, dignify me. I love honor. " Gordey Karpych brings wine to Korshunov, orders his wife to bow, and to the girls to sing the majestic one. After drinking, Korshunov sits down next to Lyubov Gordeevna, calls one of the girls, pats her on the cheek, hehets and pours a change into her apron. Then he orders Gordey Karpych to get down to business. The point is that Gordey Karpych intends to move from this city, where "there is only one ignorance and lack of education," to Moscow. Moreover, there will be a man there - son-in-law Afrikan Savich. They have already conspired and shook hands.

Pelageya Yegorovna is horrified, shouts “My daughter! Will not give it back!"; Korshunov harshly notes Tortsova: "I promised, so keep your word." Lyubov Gordeevna rushes to her father and begs him to change his mind: “I will not take a step out of your will. What do you want to force me, just do not force me to marry against my heart to go to the unwelcome one! " Gordey Karpych is relentless: “You, fool, do not understand your happiness yourself. In Moscow you will live like a lord, you will ride in carriages ... I order that. " And Lyubov Gordeevna humbly replies: "Your will is my father!", Bows and departs to her mother. Satisfied Gordey Karpych orders the girls to sing the wedding ceremony and invites the dear guest to move to another room. Lyubov Gordeevna cries in the arms of her mother, her friends surround her.

Act three

Morning. A small room, crowded with very rich furniture, in Tortsov's house. This is something like the hostess's office, from where she manages the whole house and where she receives her guests. One door leads to the dining room, the other to the inner rooms. Arina is sitting in the room, with her several maids. Pelageya Yegorovna enters and lets them go. Pelageya Yegorovna is all in the pre-wedding chores, but her soul is hard.

Anna Ivanovna enters, followed by Mitya. Barely holding back his tears, he says that he has come to say goodbye to the good mistress: tonight he is leaving for his mother and will never return. Mitya bows at the feet of Pelageya Yegorovna, kisses her and Anna Ivanovna. Then he notices that it would be necessary to say goodbye to Lyubov Gordeevna. Pelageya Yegorovna sends for her daughter, Anna Ivanovna shakes her head sadly and leaves.

Pelageya Yegorovna complains to Mitya about her grief: against her will she gives her daughter to a bad person. Mitya, almost crying, reproaches her for not resisting her husband's willfulness. Pelageya Yegorovna laments, asks Mitya to regret and not reproach her. Mitya, in a fit of feelings, decides to open up and tells that yesterday he and Lyubov Gordeevna agreed to ask for a blessing; and in the morning such news ... Pelageya Yegorovna is amazed, she sincerely sympathizes with Mitya.

Lyubov Gordeevna enters, she says goodbye to Mitya, weeps. Out of despair, Mitya invites Pelageya Yegorovna to bless them, and then secretly take Lyubov Gordeevna to her old mother and get married there. Pelageya Yegorovna is horrified ("What are you, dissolute, invented something! But who would dare to take such a sin on his soul ..."). And Lyubov Gordeevna is against such a plan. She tells Mitya that she loves him, but she will not come out of her parental will, “this is how it has been since ancient times”. And let her suffer for her hateful husband, but to know that she lives by the law, and no one dares to laugh in the eyes. Mitya humbly accepts Lyubov Gordeevna's decision, says goodbye and leaves.

Korshunov enters the room from the dining room, he asks Pelageya Yegorovna to come out in order to talk in secret with the bride "about her business." Korshunov sits down next to the crying Lyubov Gordeevna and tells her about all the "benefits" of marriage with an old man ("The old man for love and a gift ... and gold and velvet ..." somewhere on the side ... and the wife, then get dry "), continuously kisses her hands and hehekets. Lyubov Gordeevna asks if Korshunov was loved by his late wife. Korshunov answers very harshly that she did not love. In fact, Korshunov bought himself a wife: “You see, they needed money, they had nothing to live on: I gave, I didn’t refuse; but I now need to be loved. Well, am I free to demand it or not? I paid money for that. It is a sin to complain about me: whoever I love - that is good to live in the world; and whom I don’t love, so don’t blame! ”

Gordey Karpych enters the room. He obsequiously speaks to Korshunov, boasts of his “culturedness”: “Elsewhere, a fellow in a jersey or a girl is serving at the table, and I have a fiitsian in cotton gloves ... Oh, if I could live in Moscow, or in St. Petersburg, I would, it seems, imitate any fashion. " Yegorushka runs in and, laughing, says that Lyubim Karpych came and began to disperse the guests. Gordey Karpych gets angry and leaves with Yegorushka.

Enter Razlyulyaev, Masha and Liza, followed immediately by Lyubim Karpych. He scoffs at Korshunov; he seems to be joking, but at the same time he accuses Korshunov of ruining him: "You have exalted me so much, to such a rank that I have not stolen anything, but I am ashamed to look people in the eyes!" Lyubim Karpych demands to pay off the old debt and for his niece a million three hundred thousand.

Gordey Karpych enters, he drives his brother out of the house. But the resolutely minded Lyubim Karpych does not leave, he accuses Korshunov of dishonor and crimes (during a stormy dispute all the household, guests and servants enter): “I am not Korshunov: I didn’t rob the poor, I didn’t eat someone else’s century, I didn’t torture my wife with jealousy .. They drive me away, and he is the first guest, they put him in the front corner. Well, nothing, they'll give him another wife ... ”Gordey Karpych orders to take his brother away, but Lyubim himself leaves. The wounded Korshunov declares: “You have started such fashion: you have drunken guests offending! Heh, heh, heh. I, he says, will go to Moscow, they don't understand me here. In Moscow, such fools have turned up, they laugh at them ... No, you are naughty, I will not allow myself to offend for nothing. No, now come to me and bow down so that I can take your daughter. " The offended Gordey Karpych exclaims: “... I myself do not want to know you! I never bowed to anyone when I was born. I, for that matter, whoever I like, will give it up for that! With the money that I will give for her, every person will ... [Mitya enters here] ... here for Mitka, and I will give it back! Tomorrow. Yes, I will set up such a wedding that you have never seen: I will dismiss the musicians from Moscow, I will go alone in four carriages ”. Everyone is surprised, the enraged Korshunov leaves.

Mitya takes Lyubov Gordeyevna by the hand, they go up to Gordey Karpych and admit that they have long loved each other, and if Gordey Karpych has decided to marry them, then let him bless them “like a parent, with love,” and not out of spite. Gordey Karpych begins to boil, again reproaches Mitya for being poor and not equal to the Tortsov family. Pelageya Yegorovna and Lyubov Gordeevna begin to persuade Gordey Karpych to change his anger to mercy. Lyubim Karpych enters and also asks for the young, hints that if it were not for him, then Korshunov would have ruined Gordey Karpych as well as himself: “Look at me, here's an example for you ... And I was rich and glorious, I went in carriages. .. and then with the top end down ... Brother, give Lyubushka for Mitya - he will give me a corner ... At least in old age, let me honestly live ... Then I will thank God ... That he is poor ! Eh, if I were poor, I would be a man. Poverty is not a vice". In response, Gordey Karpych emotionally wipes away a tear (“Well, brother, thank you for putting me on your mind, otherwise it was completely crazy”), hugs and blesses Mitya and Lyubov Gordeevna. Immediately Yasha Guslin asks permission to marry Anna Ivanovna, Gordey Karpych blesses him too. Razlyulyaev congratulates Mitya ("I loved it myself, but for you ... I sacrifice"), Pelageya Yegorovna asks the girls to sing a cheerful wedding song. The girls are singing, everyone leaves.