It's a Family Affair - We'll Settle It Ourselves

Summary

The comedy «It's a Family Affair - We'll Settle It Ourselves» by Alexander Ostrovsky tells the story of the Podkhalyuzin merchant family, who decide to enrich themselves through deceit and manipulation. The main character, Lazar Podkhalyuzin, marries the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Bolshov, named Lipochka, to gain access to his wealth. Trusting his son-in-law, Bolshov hands over the management of his business to him, but Podkhalyuzin deceives his father-in-law and embezzles his money. As a result, Bolshov ends up in debt, while Podkhalyuzin and Lipochka enjoy their newfound wealth. The play mocks greed, hypocrisy, and moral decay within the merchant class.

Main Ideas

• Critique of the merchant class and its morals
• Depiction of hypocrisy and greed in family and business relationships
• The issue of moral choice and responsibility
• Conflict between old and new values
• The influence of money on human relationships
• Irony and satire as tools to expose societal vices

Historical Context and Significance

The play «It's a Family Affair - We'll Settle It Ourselves» by Alexander Ostrovsky, written in 1849, is an important work in Russian literature that critically portrays the morals and customs of the merchant class. It was Ostrovsky's first play to gain him recognition and laid the foundation for his future work. The play exposes the greed, hypocrisy, and moral decay of the merchant class, which sparked widespread public reaction. Its influence on culture lies in its contribution to the development of critical realism in Russian drama and theater, as well as its impact on shaping public opinion about the need for social reforms.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Samson Silych Bolshov — a wealthy merchant and head of the family. At the beginning of the play, he is portrayed as greedy and cunning, willing to engage in any scheme for personal gain. However, his greed and avarice lead to the downfall of his business and loss of fortune.
• Lipochka (Olympiada Samsonovna Bolshova) — the daughter of Samson Silych. She dreams of a high-society life and a profitable marriage. Initially, she is spoiled and capricious, but eventually faces reality and disappointment.
• Lazar Yelizarych Podkhalyuzin — Bolshov's clerk, who is in love with Lipochka. At first, he appears to be a loyal and faithful servant, but gradually reveals his true nature — cunning and deceitful. In the end, he deceives Bolshov and marries Lipochka, becoming the master of his fortune.
• Ustinya Naumovna — a matchmaker who assists Podkhalyuzin in his schemes. She is depicted as a crafty and greedy woman, willing to use any trick for her own benefit.
• Rispolozhensky — a lawyer who helps Bolshov with his affairs. He also turns out to be dishonest and greedy, ready to deceive for money.

Style and Technique

The comedy «It's a Family Affair - We'll Settle It Ourselves» by Alexander Ostrovsky is written in the genre of domestic drama with elements of satire. The style of the work is characterized by realism and precision in depicting the life of the merchant class. Ostrovsky uses lively colloquial language, rich with proverbs, sayings, and idioms, which gives the characters' speech color and authenticity. Literary devices include irony, sarcasm, and hyperbole, which the author uses to expose societal vices such as greed, hypocrisy, and immorality. The structure of the play is traditional for drama: it consists of four acts, each divided into scenes. The conflict develops gradually, reaching a climax in the third act and resolving in the fourth. Ostrovsky skillfully constructs dialogues that not only reveal the characters' personalities but also advance the plot.

Interesting Facts

• The play was the first in Ostrovsky's career to bring him widespread fame and recognition.
• The work was censored and banned from stage performance for several years after it was written.
• The play is a satire on the merchant lifestyle and morals, mocking the greed and hypocrisy of this class.
• The main character, Lazar Podkhalyuzin, is a typical representative of the 'new Russian' merchants, willing to engage in any scheme for enrichment.
• The title of the play «It's a Family Affair - We'll Settle It Ourselves» has become a proverbial expression, denoting mutual settlements and agreements between people.

Book Review

Alexander Ostrovsky's play «It's a Family Affair - We'll Settle It Ourselves» is a vivid example of critical realism in 19th-century Russian literature. At the center of the plot is the story of a merchant family, where deceit, greed, and hypocrisy reign. The main characters, Lipochka and Podkhalyuzin, embody the vices of society at that time. Critics praise Ostrovsky's skill in creating lively and memorable characters, as well as his ability to convey the atmosphere of merchant life. The play exposes moral vices and social issues such as greed and immorality, making it relevant even today. Ostrovsky uses satire and irony to depict the degradation of human relationships in the pursuit of material wealth. Overall, «It's a Family Affair - We'll Settle It Ourselves» is considered one of Ostrovsky's best plays, showcasing his talent as a playwright and deep understanding of human nature.