Summary of the play by A.N. Ostrovsky "Dowry"

The work "Bride" was written in 1878. The events of the dramatic play unfold in a city on the Volga, the name of which was invented by the author.

The main character Larisa Ogudalova is beautiful, smart and romantic. She has many wealthy fans, because the girl’s mother - Harita Ignatievna is a very clever and cunning woman. Being a representative of an impoverished nobility and remaining a widow, she quite often arranges receptions in her house. These meetings are attended by people of different classes, but most of them are far from being poor, as an example: the young merchant Vasily and the elderly rich man Knurov. All this clever woman does "allegedly" for the good of her daughter. Mother has a specific goal - to successfully marry Larisa.

The girl sincerely and, as she mistakenly thought mutually, fell in love with Sergey Sergeyevich Paratov. This man was handsome. He was a hereditary nobleman, he was very prudent and cruel, despite the fact that his age was "slightly over thirty." Knowing full well that the sweet, naive girl was crazy about him, he nevertheless left, leaving her in ignorance and expectation.

Larisa was surrounded by many admirers. One of them - Julius Kapitonovich Karandyshev had strong feelings for the girl. But this poor, overly self-confident and stupid person, for a long time, being in their house, caused the main character only pity and compassion. After all, he constantly became the object of ridicule from their high-ranking guests. But after Sergei’s sudden disappearance and long absence, she nevertheless agreed to marry Julia.

The unlucky “groom” decided to arrange a dinner in honor of the upcoming wedding, at which Sergey Sergeyevich suddenly appeared. It was not easy for Larisa to communicate with her lover, who for so long left her to the mercy of fate, and at the same time, was ashamed of her future husband. He demonstrated a "nonexistent" luxury, while treating everyone with cheap alcohol.

Larisa sang a soulful romance, which made everyone present admire her talent and attractiveness once again. Meanwhile, the cunning Paratov spoiled Julia Kapitonovich and persuaded the girl and two wealthy guests to go on a picnic. He succeeded.

After a short affair, the young nobleman wanted to get rid of Larisa and send her back to her future husband. However, Larisa still hopes to become the wife of her beloved man. He, in turn, admits that he has a bride with a millionth dowry, which he intends to marry in the near future. The heroine is in despair.

An elderly rich man Knurov offers the girl to go with him to Paris. She is determined to end her life, to throw herself off a cliff. The girl is humiliated and feels offended and rejected, because her lover "trampled" her sincere feelings, did not live up to expectations.

Karandyshev soon spotted the "fugitives." But his bride was not at all happy about this. She clearly understands that she made a huge mistake by agreeing to become the wife of this miserable and unpleasant person. Julius Kapitonovich was very aggressive and furious. He shot Larisa after her confession that the future husband was disgusting to her. When dying, the main character asks to give her weapons so that people decide that she committed suicide.

The unfortunate girl causes sympathy and admiration, because she knew how to love and respect people. Her environment, consisting of cruel, heartless and selfish people - deserves only the hostility and condemnation of readers.