A summary of Alexander Ostrovsky’s "Hard Days"

This comedy is a logical continuation of the famous play "A Hangover at Someone Else’s Feast," written in 1863. The plot once again revolves around the family of the despotic merchant Tit Titych Bruskov. Moscow life is depicted through the prism of the clash between the old patriarchal order and the new urban order.

Secrets of the Kremlin Garden

The action begins on a clear day in the Kremlin Garden. Vasily Dmitrich Dosuzhev is leisurely strolling in front of a grotto. A former civil servant, he left government service for private practice. Dosuzhev meets a young man. His friend inquires about his new occupation. Dosuzhev wryly recounts his descent to the very bottom of Moscow life. He studies the customs of people who believe in the earth resting on three fishes and heal themselves with sympathy. Soon, Basilisk Pertsov approaches them. This retired civil servant leads an idle life. Pertsov terrifies the peaceful townspeople with his constant scandals.

Dosuzhev takes Pertsov aside. They have a tense conversation. Pertsov demands the return of an important document. The swindler had previously forged his sister’s signature on a promissory note. Dosuzhev bought the counterfeit document. Now the former official keeps a tight rein on the troublemaker. Pertsov complains of his fateful necessity and the blows of fate. The swindler justifies his crime by citing a lack of money. Dosuzhev refuses to return the promissory note. The document serves as a reliable weapon against Pertsov’s violent temper. Intimidated, Pertsov is forced to retreat.

A merchant’s son, Andrei Titych Bruskov, appears at the grotto. The young man appears extremely depressed. Andrei complains to Dosuzhev about his father’s tyranny. Tit Titych forces his son to travel around the city looking for brides. The matchmaking regularly devolves into loud scandals. The merchant quarrels with the girls’ parents over the dowry. Andrei confesses his secret love for Alexandra Petrovna Kruglova. The young man describes in detail the story of their rapprochement. One day, Andrei was assigned to accompany the Kruglovas home. Alexandra herself spoke to him about her feelings. At the gate, the timid Andrei unexpectedly kissed the girl. Dosuzhev praises his friend for his courage.

Soon, Alexandra Petrovna and her maid appear in the garden. Dosuzhev tactfully retreats to the grotto. Andrei rushes to his beloved. The young man speaks of his utter despair. Bruskov threatens to resort to all means of life without hope of marriage. Alexandra tenderly reassures the young man. The girl bluntly confesses her love to him. Inspired, Andrei returns to Dosuzhev. The friends go to Gurin’s tavern to celebrate their successful declaration of love.

Commotion in a merchant’s house

The second act transports the audience to the Bruskov merchants’ living room. Nastasya Pankratyevna Bruskova is drinking tea with Natalya Nikanorovna Kruglova. The mistress of the house complains about the heavy burden of wealth. Large sums of money force one to constantly consider the opinions of others. The conversation gradually shifts to the topic of superstition. The elderly attorney, Kharlampy Gavrilych Mudrov, joins in the conversation. This man, with an air of importance, feeds Nastasya Pankratyevna’s fears.

Mudrov discusses the dangers of reading secular novels. The lawyer frightens women with the hidden meanings of ordinary words. He cites the word "metal" as an example. Mudrov pronounces, "The verb of the times, the ringing of metal." Nastasya Pankratyevna begins to tremble with fear. The mistress of the house is deeply worried about her husband. Monday is traditionally considered a difficult day. Tit Titych ignored the folk omens. The merchant went to court on an important matter.

A frightened Andrey runs into the house. The young man reports catastrophic news. Tit Titych has successfully won the lawsuit. Overjoyed, the merchant takes the court officials to a tavern. After dinner, the group moves to Maryina Roshcha. Bruskov orders a case of champagne and invites some gypsies. The court officials begin to rock Tit Titych in their arms. They accidentally drop the merchant to the ground. Enraged, Bruskov attacks an unknown gentleman who happens to be nearby. Tit Titych beat the man. The man who was beaten turns out to be a troublemaker. He is demanding colossal compensation. The claim amounts to three hundred thousand rubles.

Lawyer Mudrov immediately appreciates the advantage of the situation. He advises Tit Titych to hide from the police. Mudrov suggests the merchant hide in a tarantass and travel between towns in the Moscow region. For his representation of the case, the lawyer demands five thousand rubles in advance.

While the elders quarrel, Andrei secretly communicates with Alexandra. The young man shares good news with her. During their trip, Tit Titych approved of their marriage. The merchant promised to provide the newlyweds with a substantial sum from the money recovered from the lawsuit. The lovers begin planning their life together. Alexandra dreams of a raspberry-colored velvet fur coat. Their idyll is interrupted by the return of the gloomy Bruskov.

Tit Titych disgracefully throws Mudrov out of the house. The merchant refuses to pay the solicitor. Tit Titych decides to take his advice for free. He orders the tarantass to be pawned. Andrei tries to remind his father about the wedding permit. The enraged merchant forbids his son from even thinking about marriage. Andrei promises to bring a savior. This man will spare the family from trial. Tit Titych obediently goes to hide in the carriage.

Payback and reconciliation

The third act unfolds in a merchant’s parlor. Nastasya Pankratyevna and the maid Lusha gaze out the window with bated breath. The women shudder at the sight of every passerby. They mistake an ordinary policeman for a policeman. Tit Titych sits alone in a tarantass in the middle of the courtyard. Soon, Andrei brings Dosuzhev. Nastasya Pankratyevna begs him to save her husband. She promises to find him the best bride. The former official asks to see the beaten master.

Vasilisk Pertsov and an unknown man in a uniform frock coat arrive at the house. The unknown man begins to threaten Nastasya Pankratyevna with strict justice. He offers to settle the conflict peacefully. The man hints at the possibility of reducing the debt by half, provided immediate payment. Dosuzhev emerges from the next room. The unknown companion quickly disappears. Pertsov is left alone with his enemy.

Dosuzhev reminds the swindler of the counterfeit promissory note. Pertsov realizes the utter hopelessness of the situation. Dosuzhev dictates harsh terms to the troublemaker. Pertsov must sign an official receipt declaring no claims against the Bruskov family. The compensation for the beating is reduced to one hundred rubles. Cornered, Pertsov signs the paper. He calls Dosuzhev a noble man and hurries away.

Andrei rejoices at his father’s rescue. Dosuzhev refuses to hand over the receipt without a reason. He demands consent to Andrei and Alexandra’s marriage. Andrei calls his father from the carriage. Tit Titych returns to the house. The old merchant tries to salvage the last vestiges of his dignity. He orders Dosuzhev to sit down. Bruskov asks his rank. Dosuzhev identifies himself as a provincial registrar of the fifteenth class.

Bruskov demands to be acquitted without amicable settlements. Dosuzhev shows the stubborn old man Pertsov’s receipt. The former official explains the true state of affairs to the merchant. He will keep the document until he receives his parents’ blessing for Andrei’s marriage to Kruglova. Tit Titych realizes his impotence. Pride prevents the merchant from admitting defeat. Bruskov loudly declares his own decision to marry his son. The old man denies any influence on his actions.

Tit Titych summons the entire family. He orders Andrei to immediately gather for his bride. Bruskov solemnly thanks Dosuzhev for his assistance. The merchant offers his savior any amount of money for the work done. Dosuzhev flatly refuses any financial reward. He accepts a glass of champagne. The former official proposes a short toast. Dosuzhev wishes the Bruskovs life, prosperity, quarrels, and reconciliation. The comedy ends with a general reconciliation.