The Concept of ‘Thunderstorm’ in the Plays “The Thunderstorm” by A. N. Ostrovsky and Cao Yu

The article is devoted to the concept of ‘thunderstorm’ in the classical plays of Russia and China — “The Thunderstorm” by A. N. Ostrovsky and “The Thunderstorm” by Cao Yu. It analyzes the influence of the ‘thunderstorm’ concept on plot development and its connection with the thunder-related culture and the religious views of the playwrights. The author concludes that in the works of Ostrovsky and Cao Yu, the literal and figurative meanings of the ‘thunderstorm’ concept are manifested to varying degrees. The concept of ‘thunderstorm’ in both works, besides its literal meteorological meaning of a thunderstorm with lightning and rain, also alludes to the catastrophic fate of the female protagonists, Katerina and Si Feng. Moreover, its inherent semantic features of intensity and turbulence reflect the restless and agitated psychological state of the characters. In both works, ‘thunderstorm’ not only indicates the weather conditions of the natural environment but also symbolizes the thunderous storm of social upheaval and transformation, hinting at the collapse of the old society and the arrival of a new era. It shows the shared cultural connotations of the thunder god in Russian and Chinese traditions, embodying the functions of divine judgment, the upholding of justice and morality, and the execution of punishment. ‘Thunderstorm’ serves as a pivotal connection between the plot within the text and the authors’ religious philosophies beyond it. It is closely related to Ostrovsky’s polytheistic and Christian ideas, as well as Cao Yu’s Confucian, Buddhist, and Christian influences. Although the authors share similar critical attitudes toward social ills, these are expressed differently in the texts.