Alexander Ostrovsky’s "The Snow Maiden," a summary Automatic translate

Alexander Ostrovsky’s play "The Snow Maiden" is a fairy tale in four acts with a prologue, written in 1873. The work draws on Slavic mythology and folklore. The plot centers on the daughter of Frost and Spring, who strives to understand human life and love, despite her parents’ warnings about the mortal danger of the feelings awakened by the sun’s warmth.

One spring night, Father Frost and Spring-Krasna meet on Krasnaya Gorka near Berendey Posad. They share a daughter, Snegurochka, whom they hide in the forest thickets to escape the wrath of the sun god Yarilo. Spring asks her husband to let his daughter live among the humans in the Berendey settlement, as Snegurochka is bored in the forest and is drawn to human songs. Father Frost agrees, sensing trouble, but nevertheless entrusts her to the Leshy and places her in the care of the childless Bobyl Bakula and Bobylikha. At this time, the shepherd Lel appears in the forest. His songs enchant Snegurochka, and she resolves to leave the cold forest forever for the world of humans.

Snegurochka’s life in the village proves difficult. She attracts the attention of all the young men with her extraordinary beauty, but her heart remains cold — she doesn’t know how to love. Bobyl and Bobylikha, hoping to get rich from their adopted daughter’s suitors, are disappointed by her behavior. The girl withdraws from everyone, even from Lel, who sings his songs to her but quickly loses interest due to her coldness. Lel prefers the company of other girls, which causes Snegurochka an incomprehensible sadness and melancholy.

A wealthy merchant, Mizgir, appears in the village. He has come to marry his fiancée, Kupava, but upon seeing Snegurochka, he falls passionately in love with her and abandons Kupava. Insulted and abandoned, the girl, in despair, attempts to drown herself, but is saved by Lel. Kupava resolves to seek justice from Tsar Berendey.

In the palace, Tsar Berendey is concerned about the coldness in his kingdom for fifteen years. He attributes this to Yarilo’s wrath for the cooling of love in the hearts of the Berendeys. The Tsar listens to Kupava’s complaint and orders Mizgir to be found. At the trial, Mizgir does not deny his guilt and justifies himself by claiming he could not resist Snegurochka’s beauty. Upon seeing her, Tsar Berendey is astonished, but simultaneously understands the reason for the coldness in his kingdom. He declares that if Mizgir can rekindle love in Snegurochka’s heart before the dawn of Yarilo’s Day, he will be forgiven and may marry her. Otherwise, he faces exile.

Mizgir pursues Snegurochka in the forest, begging her for love and offering riches, but she remains adamant and is frightened by his pressure. The Leshy protects the girl, misleading Mizgir with illusions. In the forest, Snegurochka sees Kupava and Lel, who have found happiness with each other. This sight awakens in her a deep longing for tenderness and a desire to love. In despair, she calls for her mother, Spring-Beauty.

Spring emerges from the lake, surrounded by flowers. Snegurochka begs her mother to grant her the gift of love, even knowing it will bring her death. Spring places a wreath of magical flowers on her daughter’s head, awakening ardent human feelings within her. The transformed Snegurochka returns and meets Mizgir. This time, she reciprocates his feelings with all her passion. The lovers await dawn to appear before Tsar Berendey.

Yarilo’s Day arrives. The Berendeys gather on the mountain to greet the sun. Snegurochka appears with Mizgir. She confesses to everyone that she has fallen in love and thanks Mother Spring for this gift. At this moment, the first rays of the rising sun fall upon Snegurochka. From the ardent feeling of love and the sun’s warmth, she begins to melt. Snegurochka bids everyone farewell, saying that she does not regret her fate, for she has known the sweetness of love.

She disappears like spring snow. The shocked Mizgir, having lost his beloved, despairingly throws himself into the lake from Mount Yarilo. Tsar Berendey calms the people. He explains that the deaths of Snegurochka and Mizgir are the fulfillment of a just judgment. With her disappearance, Frost’s interference has ceased, and now Yarilo will once again be merciful to the Berendeys. Life will continue in harmony and warmth. Lel sings a song of praise to the Sun, and all the people join in, praising Yarilo and asking for a warm summer and a bountiful harvest. The fog clears, and the bright image of the god Yarilo appears over the mountain.