THE GENRE OF DRAMA IN THE WORKS OF A.N. OSTROVSKY

Most literary dictionaries define “drama” as a play unfolding in social settings where the conflict does not have a tragic ending. Tragedy unlike drama was formed as a genre full of large-scale public and social conflicts which ended with a catastrophic demise of the main character. Ostrovsky sees drama as a genre where it is possible to encompass elements of drama and tragedy but in such a way that dramatic episodes do not overshadow the plot as they lack catastrophic undertones. Tragic ending of plays symbolize the fact that the characters are exempt from their passions and tribulations. Ostrovsky’s dramas show complex relationships of people, their interaction, behaviour, variety of character types. He demonstrates reality full of dynamism, various events, emotions and psychological dramas. The article also discloses the process of evolution of this genre and main modifications of dramas. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12731/2218-7405-2013-3-22