A Profitable Position

Summary

The play «A Profitable Position» by Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky explores corruption and moral decay in 19th-century Russian society. The main character, a young official named Zhadov, faces a choice between honesty and material well-being. Zhadov refuses to take bribes and strives to live by his conscience, despite pressure from those around him, including his fiancée Polina and her father Vyshnevsky, who believe that success is impossible without bribery. Ultimately, Zhadov remains true to his principles but finds himself isolated and impoverished, highlighting the tragedy of his situation and critiquing societal norms.

Main Ideas

• Critique of the bureaucratic system and corruption in 19th-century Russian society.
• Depiction of the moral decay and cynicism of officials seeking personal gain.
• Contrast between honest and sincere individuals and corrupt, hypocritical characters.
• The issue of moral choice and personal responsibility for each individual.
• Social inequality and injustice as a consequence of a corrupt system.
• The influence of public opinion and pressure on personal beliefs and actions.

Historical Context and Significance

Written by Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky in 1856, «A Profitable Position» is a significant work in Russian drama. It unveils social issues and moral dilemmas related to corruption and careerism in 19th-century Russian society. Ostrovsky critically portrays the bureaucratic system and the moral decay of officials, making the play relevant even today. «A Profitable Position» had a considerable impact on the development of Russian literature and theater, contributing to the formation of the realist movement in drama. The work also stimulated public discussions on the need for reforms and the fight against corruption, underscoring its historical and cultural significance.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Vasily Nikolayevich Zhadov - the main character, a young man striving for an honest and just life. At the beginning of the play, he is an idealist who believes in the possibility of earning a living honestly. However, when faced with reality, he must choose between his principles and material well-being.
• Yulia Pavlovna Tyurina - Zhadov's wife, who supports his pursuit of an honest life but gradually begins to doubt the correctness of this path. Her internal conflict between love for her husband and the desire for material comfort becomes one of the central points of the play.
• Polina Ivanovna Kukushkina - a wealthy widow who offers Zhadov a «profitable position», attempting to seduce him with money and power. She symbolizes the corrupt and cynical side of society.
• Akim Akimovich Vyshnevsky - an official who embodies the careerist and opportunist. He is willing to do anything for his own well-being and serves as a contrast to Zhadov's idealistic views.
• Ivan Ivanovich Belovodov - a friend of Zhadov, who also strives for an honest life, but unlike Zhadov, he is more pragmatic and willing to make compromises.

Style and Technique

In «A Profitable Position», Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky employs a realistic style characterized by precise and detailed depictions of the characters' lives and circumstances. The language of the work is rich with lively dialogues that convey the speech patterns of various social strata. Literary devices include irony, satire, and grotesque, allowing the author to critically examine societal vices such as corruption and hypocrisy. The structure of the play is traditional for Ostrovsky's dramaturgy: it consists of several acts, each divided into scenes. The conflict in the play develops gradually, intensifying towards the finale, emphasizing the drama and social significance of the theme.

Interesting Facts

• The play was written in 1856 and is one of Ostrovsky's most famous works critiquing corruption and bureaucracy in Russian society.
• The main character, Zhadov, faces a moral choice between honesty and material well-being, reflecting dilemmas still relevant in modern society.
• The play was banned from performance by censorship in 1857 but was later permitted and staged in 1863.
• Ostrovsky uses numerous satirical elements in the play to highlight societal vices such as bribery and hypocrisy.
• The characters in the play represent typical images of officials and employees of the time, making the work an important social document of the era.

Book Review

«A Profitable Position» by Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky is a socially critical comedy that exposes the flaws and shortcomings of the bureaucratic apparatus of the Russian Empire. At the center of the plot is a young official, Zhadov, who strives to maintain his honesty and principles in a world where bribery and corruption thrive. Ostrovsky masterfully depicts the conflict between idealism and reality, showing how difficult it is to remain incorruptible in a society where material goods are valued above moral values. Critics note the deep psychological portrayal of characters and the relevance of the theme, which, despite the historical context, remains pertinent today. The play provokes reflection on morality, honesty, and personal responsibility, making it an important work in Russian drama.