Duck hunting, Vampilov Alexander Valentinovich. “Duck Hunt” Summary of the work “Duck Hunt”

(Play in three acts)

Characters

Zilov.
Kuzakov.
Sayapin.
Sash.
Galina.
Irina.
Faith.
Valeria.
Waiter.
Boy.

Act one.
Picture one.
Zilov wakes up with difficulty, sees rain outside the window and calls Dima, the waiter. He says he doesn’t remember anything and is upset that the rain will ruin the hunt. A boy comes and brings him a large wreath with paper flowers, as if for a dead person. He says that they asked him to give it to Zilov. Tom doesn't like this joke. The boy leaves, and Zilov looks at one point and his imagination appears on the stage. Someone doesn’t believe that he died, his wife and Irina are crying, hugging each other, and are going to be friends, the waiter is collecting money for a wreath. Zilov calls Vera at the store, but they say that she is busy. The light goes out, it begins
First memory: Zilov and Sayapin in the Forget-Me-Not cafe are talking with the waiter Dima about the hunt, which is still a month and a half away. They came to have lunch and treat their boss Kushak, who gave the apartment to Zilov. He invites the waiter to his place today for a housewarming party. Vera, Zilov’s former girlfriend, arrives and calls everyone “Alika.” She asks to join them for company and for a housewarming party. Kushak comes, during dinner he liked Vera, and his wife went south to rest. At home, Galina and Zilov are preparing to welcome guests, but they only have one chair. Having learned that Ku-shak and his friend would come to them, Galina was against it, but Zilov persuaded her. Galina says that she received a letter from a childhood friend, with whom she broke up when they were 12 years old. He is still single. Sayapin and his wife Valeria arrive. She immediately went to carefully examine all the rooms. Sayapin was jealous of his comrade, but Kushak also promised him an apartment soon. Kushak comes and asks about Vera, Zilov privately advises him not to be shy, to be more active with her. Vera comes and gives her a big plush cat. Kuzakov brought a garden bench as a gift, Galina was very happy, it was placed on the table. Sayapin asks you to guess the gift: “What do you love most?” and Zilov cannot remember until he was told that he was hunting, then Zilov rejoices at the gifts. Everyone drinks to the housewarming party. When the guests leave, Vera asks Zilov if she should go with Kushak, he: “Do what you want.” Kuzakov is also interested in Vera, but Zilov says that she is “not at all who she says she is.” Kushak asks Zilov how he should behave with Vera, but while he is gathering his courage, Vera left with Kuzakov, Kushak was upset. Galina tells Zilov that she wants a child, but he doesn’t need anything. The flashback ends with Zilov drinking beer on the windowsill, and then throwing the stuffed cat into the corner.

Picture two.
Zilov calls his friends, but they are not at work. His second memory begins: Zilov at work with Sayapin. They need to submit a report on the work completed, but they decided to hand over the project because the work was not done. Zilov signs these documents and persuades Sayapin to sign too, but he is afraid of losing his apartment. Zilov received a letter from his father, who writes that he is dying and calls his son to come. But Zilov says that he often sends out such letters to everyone so that all his relatives will come together, and Zilov is planning to go hunting in September during his vacation. Irina comes to them, looking for an editor, Zilov likes her, he chats her up. Kushak comes in, scolds his workers for not submitting the report, and sends Irina out. After he leaves, Zilov gets dressed and gets ready to leave work to pick up Irina. Sayapin tries to detain him with a report, they throw a coin, it comes out to sign and not confess. Galina calls, Zilov asks Sayapin to detain Irina at the entrance. Galina reports that she is expecting a child and wants to see him, and Zilov indifferently congratulates her and says that he has a lot of work. The memory ends, Zilov looks at the funeral wreath.

Act two.
Picture one.
Zilov calls the weather bureau and asks when the rain will stop. His third memory begins: Zilov returns home early in the morning, and Galina sleeps at the table among school notebooks. He lies to her that he just returned from a business trip, called her at school to warn her, but she was in class. Galina does not answer him, and then says that he was seen in the city in the evening. Zilov is indignant and makes excuses, sucks up to Galina, but she pushes him away and says that they will not have a child. Zilov seems to be indignant, but more so because she didn’t ask him, but he quickly calms down. Galina coldly tells him that everything has passed, nothing remains of the past. Zilov promises to return everything to her. He invites her to remember how they met: when he entered, where she was sitting, where she was looking, who said what. Gradually, Galina gets involved in this memory game, but at the very climax, he cannot remember what he said then, but for Galina this is very important and she interrupts their memories and cries.

Picture two.
Zilov calls Dima the waiter and tells him that his friends sent him a funeral wreath as a joke. He says that Dima is his only friend and it’s good that they are going hunting with him. The fourth memory begins: Zilov with Sayapmny in the office. End of the working day. Sayapin dreams of an apartment and is going to go to football. Zilov is waiting for a call, Irina calls him, and he invites her to the Forget-Me-Not cafe at 6 pm. Sayapin: “I can’t understand - have you fallen in love or are you making fun of her?” Then their boss Kushak enters, he noticed the deception and is trying to find out who is to blame for it. Zilov is naive, Kushak puts the question bluntly: if only Zilov is to blame, he will be fired, if both, then Sayapin will not get an apartment. Valeria appears at the door, invisible to everyone, and hears the entire conversation. Zilov takes all the blame upon himself. Valeria lures Kushak and offers, instead of punishment, to go to football with her instead of her husband, and for Zilova to delay her vacation for a week, and takes Kushak with her. Sayapin is proud of his wife and reassures Zilov that no one will fire him. They bring a telegram to Zilov that his father has died. He calls his wife, asks her to bring money - he is going to his father’s funeral today. Kuzakov arrives with Vera, Zilov snaps at them, insults Vera, she tries to be offended, but they show her a telegram. The memory continues in the cafe. Galina accompanies Zilov, wants to go with him, but he drives her home, saying that he wants to be alone. Galina tells him that every day she receives letters from her childhood friend, who writes that he loves her. Zilov gives her a little scandal: “Do you understand what you have come to? And that I should bring such a woman to my father’s grave?” He literally kicks his wife out, but quickly calms down and says in a calm voice: “Okay... I freaked out, sorry... My nerves are getting the better of me.” He sends Galina out, even kisses her goodbye. Dima sits down with him and talks about preparing for fishing. Zilov says that he has already agreed on everything, but he has a misfortune, shows the telegram. Dima sympathizes. Zilov: “It’s bad, Dima... I was a lousy son to him. In 4 years I have never visited him…” Zilov pays the waiter, and then Irina enters. She cheerfully tells how guys accosted her on the street. Zilov says he is leaving for a week. Irina promises to wait for him. Galina enters with a raincoat and briefcase, looks at them, puts her things on the nearest chair and quickly leaves. Zilov tells Irina that this is his wife. She is amazed. Zilov says rude things to her, drives her away, but she quietly replies that “this doesn’t change anything.” Zilov hugs her, kisses her hands, calls the waiter and orders dinner. He says he will go tomorrow.

Picture three. Zilov calls the institute to find out if Irina has been accepted, they promise to call him back in 20 minutes. The fifth memory begins: In the Zilovs’ apartment, Galina is getting ready to go on vacation to her relatives. They both calmly say that it is better for them to leave and rest separately from each other, peacefully say goodbye, and kiss. As soon as she leaves, Zilov calls Irina and invites her to his place, since his wife has left. As soon as he hung up, Galina came in and said that she was leaving for good to visit her childhood friend. Zilov is outraged, but Galina stops him: “Stop pretending... And don’t pretend that you care. You don't care about anything, everything in the world. You don't have a heart, that's the thing. There is no heart at all...” Zilov forcibly takes her into the next room, sits her on a chair and shouts from the balcony for the driver to bring her things. At this time, Galina runs out of the apartment and locks it from the outside. Zilov knocks on the door, threatens - Galina cries, and then quietly leaves. Zilov begins to gently persuade her. At this time, Irina arrives, and Zilov speaks affectionately, thinking that it is Galina, invites her to hunt with him, and Irina answers him. He asks to open the door, she turns the key, he is amazed when he sees who he is talking to, but quickly finds himself. She asks if it’s true that he loves her as much as he just said. Zilov: “Of course!” Irina asks when they will go hunting, and Zilov laughs and does not answer. The memory is over. The phone rings, and Zilov is informed that Irina did not pass the competition, took the documents and left.

Act three.
Zilov can’t wait at home for the rain to stop. He calls Dima that he will go alone right now. He asks if he hit him yesterday, but he doesn’t remember anything. He begins to get dressed, but they bring him a telegram. He reads it and tears it up. Text of the telegram: “Dear Alik... we express our deepest condolences regarding the untimely death of our best friend Viktor Aleksandrovich Zilov... A group of comrades...” The sixth, final memory begins: Zilov in a formal black suit sits at the head of the table in the Forget-Me-Not cafe and says to the waiter that now his friends will come, whom he does not want to see. He talks to Dima that he will soon be hunting, and he explains that in order not to miss the mark when shooting while hunting, you need to act absolutely calmly, without nerves, but Zilov cannot do that. He says his wife has left, but he lives with his fiancée, whom he plans to marry. Dima grins, and Zilov is angry with him. Kuzakov and Vera arrive, she greets Dima, Kuzakov is jealous of her, and Zilov mockingly advises him to marry Vera. And he seriously replies that he will do so, which surprises Zilov. Sayapin and his wife and Kushak came. Zilov announces that his bride will come now and everyone will drink. Everyone is a little surprised. A cheerful Irina arrives in a light dress, and Zilov greets her gloomily: “Where have you been?”, and then ceremoniously introduces her to everyone. Zilov offers to drink only for hunting and drinks alone. The rest do not drink or eat, and do not agree with him. And Zilov seems to say to Irina that everyone has gathered here to teach him how to live. That everyone is so decent that they are ashamed to sit next to him, especially Vera. He insults her, and Kuzakov and Sayapin try to intercede for her, but Vera holds them back. Irina tries to stop Zilov, but he does not pay attention to her and tells Kushak that he came because... he “needs a girl.” A waiter appears and tries to prevent a scandal, but Zilov shouts that Kushak can choose any woman: even Vera, even Valeria... The guests get up and leave, and Zilov shouts after him that they can take Irina too, saying, “she’s the same rubbish, exactly the same.” same." The waiter stands up for the girl, she stands in complete shock, and Zilov shouts to her: “Why are you staring at me like that? What do you want from me?”, and calls the waiter “lackey.” Dima silently hits him hard in the face. Kuzakov and Sayapin return, with difficulty bring Zilov to his senses and drag him home. Kuzakov calls the drunkard a corpse, and Sayapin figured out how to arrange a similar “surprise” for Zilov the next day. After this, the First Memory is repeated word for word, accompanied by funeral music, and everyone passes in a funeral procession, the last one being the boy with the wreath. The memories are ending.
Zilov stands in front of the window for a long time, then calls Dima that he is not going hunting, but invites him to his funeral. Then he calls Sayapin, says that he liked their joke and invites him to his funeral right now. Zilov takes off his shoes, loads the gun and positions himself as if to shoot himself. He is interrupted by a phone call, but no one speaks. Kuzakov and Sayapin come and watch him from the door, Zilov does not notice them, and is again about to shoot. Friends rush to him, take the gun, and unload it. Zilov is dissatisfied that he was interrupted, kicks out his friends, but they do not leave, but try to calm him down, find out why he is so upset. Sayapin tries to shift the conversation to something else, says that it’s time to do renovations in the apartment, and Zilov says that he is glad of his death and is already laying claim to his apartment. Both friends are trying to reason with him, he doesn’t listen to anyone. Dima arrives, they show him a suicide note, he reloads the gun and says that the rain has stopped, and in an hour they will go hunting. The waiter was about to leave and asked if he could take Zilov’s boat. Zilov gives everything to everyone, but immediately shouts at them with anger: “I’m still alive, and you’re already here? Have you already arrived? Is yours not enough for you? There’s not enough room for you on earth?.. Little bastards!..” Then he snatches the gun from them and drives everyone out. Left alone, he throws himself on the bed and either cries or laughs. The phone rings for a long time, he doesn’t answer. Then he gets up with a calm face and calls Dima that everything is over, he’s ready to go hunting, he’s leaving now...

Year of writing:

1970

Reading time:

Description of the work:

Apartment of Viktor Zilov, one of the characters in the play. The main action takes place there. On a rainy morning, friends Sayapin and Kuzakov joke about Zilov, they joke quite daringly. Zilov feels that he urgently needs to communicate with one of his friends, and he tries to call Vera, Irina... Without getting through, Zilov begins to remember his past...

Read the summary of "Duck Hunt".

Summary of the play
Duck hunting

The action takes place in a provincial town. Viktor Aleksandrovich Zilov is awakened by a phone call. Having difficulty waking up, he picks up the phone, but there is silence. He slowly gets up, touching his jaw, opens the window, and it’s raining outside. Zilov drinks beer and begins physical exercises with a bottle in his hands. Another phone call and again silence. Now Zilov is calling himself. He talks to the waiter Dima, with whom he was going hunting together, and is extremely surprised that Dima asks him if he will go. Zilov is interested in the details of yesterday’s scandal, which he caused in a cafe, but which he himself remembers very vaguely. He is especially concerned about who hit him in the face yesterday.

He barely hangs up when there is a knock on the door. A boy enters with a large mourning wreath, on which is written: “To the unforgettable Viktor Aleksandrovich Zilov, who burned out untimely at work, from inconsolable friends.” Zilov is annoyed by such a dark joke. He sits down on the ottoman and begins to imagine how things might have been if he had actually died. Then the life of the last days passes before his eyes.

First memory. In the Forget-Me-Not cafe, Zilov’s favorite place to hang out, he and his friend Sayapin meet with their work boss Kushak during their lunch break to celebrate a big event - he has received a new apartment. Suddenly his mistress Vera appears, Zilov asks Vera not to advertise their relationship, seats everyone at the table, and the waiter Dima brings the ordered wine and kebabs. Zilov reminds Kushak that a housewarming celebration is scheduled for that evening, and he, somewhat flirtatiously, agrees. Zilov is forced to invite Vera, who really wants this. He introduces her to the boss, who has just escorted his legal wife south, as a classmate, and Vera, with her very relaxed behavior, inspires Kushak with certain hopes.

In the evening, Zilov's friends gather for a housewarming party. While waiting for guests, Galina, Zilov's wife, dreams that everything between her and her husband will be like at the very beginning, when they loved each other. Among the gifts brought were items of hunting equipment: a knife, a cartridge belt and several wooden birds used in duck hunting for decoys. Duck hunting is Zilov's greatest passion (except for women), although so far he has not yet managed to kill a single duck. As Galina says, the main thing for him is getting ready and talking. But Zilov does not pay attention to the ridicule.

Memory two. At work, Zilov and Sayapin must urgently prepare information about the modernization of production, the flow method, etc. Zilov proposes to present it as an already implemented modernization project at a porcelain factory. They toss a coin for a long time, what to do or not to do. And although Sayapin is afraid of exposure, they are nevertheless preparing this “linden”. Here Zilov reads a letter from his old father, living in another city, whom he has not seen for four years. He writes that he is sick and calls to see him, but Zilov is indifferent to this. He doesn’t believe his father, and he doesn’t have time anyway, since he’s going duck hunting on vacation. He cannot and does not want to miss her. Suddenly, an unfamiliar girl, Irina, appears in their room, confusing their office with the editorial office of a newspaper. Zilov plays a prank on her, introducing himself as a newspaper employee, until his joke is exposed by the boss who comes in. Zilov begins an affair with Irina.

Memory three. Zilov returns home in the morning. Galina is not sleeping. He complains about the abundance of work, about the fact that he was sent on a business trip so unexpectedly. But his wife directly says that she does not believe him, because last night a neighbor saw him in the city. Zilov tries to protest, accusing his wife of being excessively suspicious, but this has no effect on her. She has endured for a long time and no longer wants to endure Zilov’s lies. She tells him that she went to the doctor and had an abortion. Zilov feigns indignation: why didn’t she consult with him?! He tries to somehow soften her, remembering one of the evenings six years ago when they first became close. Galina protests at first, but then gradually succumbs to the charm of memory - until the moment when Zilov cannot remember some very important words for her. She finally sinks into a chair and cries.

The memory is as follows. At the end of the working day, an angry Kushak appears in Zilov and Sayapin’s room and demands an explanation from them about a brochure with information about reconstruction at the porcelain factory. Shielding Sayapin, who is about to get an apartment, Zilov takes full responsibility upon himself. Only Sayapin’s wife, who suddenly appears, manages to extinguish the storm by taking the simple-minded Kushak to football. At this moment, Zilov receives a telegram about his father’s death. He decides to fly urgently to make it to the funeral. Galina wants to go with him, but he refuses. Before leaving, he stops at Forget-Me-Not for a drink. In addition, he has a date with Irina here. Galina accidentally witnesses their meeting and brings Zilov a cloak and briefcase for the trip. Zilov is forced to admit to Irina that he is married. He orders dinner, postponing his flight until tomorrow.

The memory is as follows. Galina is going to visit relatives in another city. As soon as she leaves, he calls Irina and invites her to his place. Galina unexpectedly returns and announces that she is leaving forever. Zilov is discouraged, he tries to detain her, but Galina locks him with a key. Finding himself in a trap, Zilov uses all his eloquence, trying to convince his wife that she is still dear to him, and even promising to take her hunting. But it is not Galina who hears his explanation, but the appearance of Irina, who perceives everything said by Zilov as relating specifically to her.

The last memory. While waiting for friends invited on the occasion of the upcoming vacation and duck hunting, Zilov drinks at Forget-Me-Not. By the time his friends gather, he is already quite drunk and begins to say nasty things to them. Every minute he diverges more and more, he is carried away, and in the end everyone, including Irina, whom he also undeservedly insults, leaves. Left alone, Zilov calls the waiter Dima a lackey, and he hits him in the face. Zilov falls under the table and “passes out.” After some time, Kuzakov and Sayapin return, pick up Zilov and take him home.

Having remembered everything, Zilov actually suddenly gets the idea of ​​committing suicide. He doesn't play anymore. He writes a note, loads the gun, takes off his shoes and feels for the trigger with his big toe. At this moment the phone rings. Then Sayapin and Kuzakov appear unnoticed, who see Zilov’s preparations, pounce on him and take away the gun. Zilov drives them away. He screams that he doesn't trust anyone, but they refuse to leave him alone. In the end, Zilov manages to drive them out, he walks around the room with a gun, then throws himself on the bed and either laughs or sobs. Two minutes later he gets up and dials Dima’s phone number. He is ready to go hunting.

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The action takes place in a provincial town. Viktor Aleksandrovich Zilov is awakened by a phone call. Having difficulty waking up, he picks up the phone, but there is silence. He slowly gets up, touching his jaw, opens the window, and it’s raining outside. Zilov drinks beer and begins physical exercises with a bottle in his hands. Another phone call and again silence. Now Zilov is calling himself. He talks to the waiter Dima, with whom he was going hunting together, and is extremely surprised that Dima asks him if he will go. Zilov is interested in the details of yesterday’s scandal, which he caused in a cafe, but which he himself remembers very vaguely. He is especially concerned about who hit him in the face yesterday. He barely hangs up when there is a knock on the door. A boy enters with a large mourning wreath, on which is written: “To the unforgettable Viktor Aleksandrovich Zilov, who burned out untimely at work, from inconsolable friends.” Zilov is annoyed by such a dark joke. He sits down on the ottoman and begins to imagine how things might have been if he had actually died. Then the life of the last days passes before his eyes. First memory. In the Forget-Me-Not cafe, Zilov’s favorite place to hang out, he and his friend Sayapin meet with their work boss Kushak during their lunch break to celebrate a big event - he has received a new apartment. Suddenly his mistress Vera appears. Zilov asks Vera not to advertise their relationship, seats everyone at the table, and the waiter Dima brings the ordered wine and kebabs. Zilov reminds Kushak that a housewarming celebration is scheduled for that evening, and he, somewhat flirtatiously, agrees. Zilov is forced to invite Vera, who really wants this. He introduces her to the boss, who has just escorted his legal wife south, as a classmate, and Vera, with her very relaxed behavior, inspires Kushak with certain hopes. In the evening, Zilov's friends gather for a housewarming party. While waiting for guests, Galina, Zilov's wife, dreams that everything between her and her husband will be like at the very beginning, when they loved each other. Among the gifts brought were items of hunting equipment: a knife, a cartridge belt and several wooden birds used in duck hunting for decoys. Duck hunting is Zilov's greatest passion (except for women), although so far he has not yet managed to kill a single duck. As Galina says, the main thing for him is getting ready and talking. But Zilov does not pay attention to the ridicule. Memory two. At work, Zilov and Sayapin must urgently prepare information about the modernization of production, the flow method, etc. P. Zilov proposes to present the modernization project at the porcelain factory as already completed. They toss a coin for a long time, what to do or not to do. And although Sayapin is afraid of exposure, they are nevertheless preparing this “linden”. Here Zilov reads a letter from his old father, living in another city, whom he has not seen for four years. He writes that he is sick and calls to see him, but Zilov is indifferent to this. He doesn’t believe his father, and he doesn’t have time anyway, since he’s going duck hunting on vacation. He cannot and does not want to miss her. Suddenly, an unfamiliar girl, Irina, appears in their room, confusing their office with the editorial office of a newspaper. Zilov plays it out, introducing himself as a newspaper employee, until his joke is exposed by the boss who comes in. Zilov begins an affair with Irina. Memory three. Zilov returns home in the morning. Galina is not sleeping. He complains about the abundance of work, about the fact that he was sent on a business trip so unexpectedly. But his wife directly says that she does not believe him, because last night a neighbor saw him in the city. Zilov tries to protest, accusing his wife of being excessively suspicious, but this has no effect on her. She has endured for a long time and no longer wants to endure Zilov’s lies. She tells him that she went to the doctor and had an abortion. Zilov feigns indignation: why didn’t she consult with him?! He tries to somehow soften her, remembering one of the evenings six years ago when they first became close. Galina protests at first, but then gradually succumbs to the charm of memory - until the moment when Zilov cannot remember some very important words for her. She finally sinks into a chair and cries. The memory is as follows. At the end of the working day, an angry Kushak appears in Zilov and Sayapin’s room and demands an explanation from them about a brochure with information about reconstruction at the porcelain factory. Shielding Sayapin, who is about to get an apartment, Zilov takes full responsibility upon himself. Only Sayapin’s wife, who suddenly appears, manages to extinguish the storm by taking the simple-minded Kushak to football. At this moment, Zilov receives a telegram about his father’s death. He decides to fly urgently to make it to the funeral. Galina wants to go with him, but he refuses. Before leaving, he stops at Forget-Me-Not for a drink. In addition, he has a date with Irina here. Galina accidentally witnesses their meeting and brings Zilov a cloak and briefcase for the trip. Zilov is forced to admit to Irina that he is married. He orders dinner, postponing his flight until tomorrow. The memory is as follows. Galina is going to visit relatives in another city. As soon as she leaves, he calls Irina and invites her to his place. Galina unexpectedly returns and announces that she is leaving forever. Zilov is discouraged, he tries to detain her, but Galina locks him with a key. Finding himself in a trap, Zilov uses all his eloquence, trying to convince his wife that she is still dear to him, and even promising to take her hunting. But it is not Galina who hears his explanation, but the appearance of Irina, who perceives everything said by Zilov as relating specifically to her. The last memory. While waiting for friends invited on the occasion of the upcoming vacation and duck hunting, Zilov drinks at Forget-Me-Not. By the time his friends gather, he is already quite drunk and begins to say nasty things to them. Every minute he diverges more and more, he is carried away, and in the end everyone, including Irina, whom he also undeservedly insults, leaves. Left alone, Zilov calls the waiter Dima a lackey, and he hits him in the face. Zilov falls under the table and “passes out.” After some time, Kuzakov and Sayapin return, pick up Zilov and take him home. Having remembered everything, Zilov actually suddenly gets the idea of ​​committing suicide. He doesn't play anymore. He writes a note, loads the gun, takes off his shoes and feels for the trigger with his big toe. At this moment the phone rings. Then Sayapin and Kuzakov appear unnoticed, who see Zilov’s preparations, pounce on him and take away the gun. Zilov drives them away. He screams that he doesn't trust anyone, but they refuse to leave him alone. In the end, Zilov manages to drive them out, he walks around the room with a gun, then throws himself on the bed and either laughs or sobs. Two minutes later he gets up and dials Dima’s phone number. He is ready to go hunting.

Let's look at one famous play and analyze it. "Duck Hunt" (Vampilov A.V.) was created between 1965 and 1967. This time was extremely important, turning point, eventful and bright in the life of the playwright. This was his birth as an artist. At this time, Vampilov fully felt his own poetic power (“Duck Hunt”). The analysis summarized in this article will help you better understand this difficult play.

Three layers in the work

The work is complex, original, and its structure is sophisticated. This is a play in memory. The technique of using them as a special form of dramatic storytelling was very common in the 60s. As analysis shows, “Duck Hunt” (Vampilov) consists of three layers: the layer of the present, memories and the intermediate, borderline layer of visions.

In the layer of memories there are several rather intense storylines. The main character starts an affair with a girl who falls in love with him. Having discovered the betrayal, the wife leaves. When, it seems, nothing prevents Zilov from reuniting with his young lover, he suddenly gets heavily drunk and makes a scandal, insulting the girl and his friends.

At the same time, another plot is developing. Zilov gets a new apartment. He sets up his boss with his ex-girlfriend. At the same time, this girl begins an affair with another friend of Zilov. The main character has troubles at work - he slipped a fake report to his superiors. He shied away from responsibility for what he did. As you can see, this layer is full of events. Nevertheless, it does not carry much drama.

The plot of the memoirs is unusually varied in everyday details. The hero’s father, whom he had not seen for a long time, dies; Zilov’s wife ends up having an affair with her former classmate. Finally, the main character dreams of duck hunting.

Another layer of action is the layer of visions of the hero, who is wondering how his colleagues, friends, and girlfriends will react to the news of his death. At first he imagines it, and then it seems inevitable to him. This layer consists of 2 interludes. Their text, except for two or three phrases, is almost completely identical verbally. However, in terms of emotional sign they are completely opposite. In the first case, the death scene that the hero imagines is of a comic nature, and in the second, there is not a shadow of a smile in its tone or mood. The drama thus develops between a half-joking plan to commit suicide, which was inspired by the “original” gift from Kuzakov and Sayapin, and an attempt to carry out this plan seriously.

Confessional nature of the play

Let's continue the analysis. “Duck Hunt” (Vampilov) is a work that has a confessional character. The work is structured as a confession that lasts throughout the entire play. It presents the hero's life in retrospective sequence - starting from the events of two months ago and ending with the present day. The conflict in the work is not external, but internal - moral, lyrical. The tragedy intensifies as the hero's memories and awareness of them in the present get closer in time.

Zilov's memories constitute a complete, comprehensive, integral picture. They lack a cause-and-effect relationship, despite their coherence. They are motivated by external impulses.

Main character

The main character is Viktor Zilov in the play "Duck Hunt" (Vampilov). is largely based on the worldview of this hero. We observe the events of the play precisely through the prism of Zilov’s memories. A lot of them happen in 1.5 months of his life. Their apogee is the funeral wreath, which was presented by friends to the “hero of his time”, who “burned out untimely” at work.

The meaning of remarks

The work is expressed through stage directions. This is traditional for dramaturgy. Vampilov’s remarks are quite common. They place a qualitative emphasis, as, for example, in the case of Irina: the main feature in the heroine is sincerity. Directions indicate to the director how to interpret a particular character.

The role of dialogues in expressing the author's position

An analysis of A. V. Vampilov’s play “Duck Hunt” would be incomplete if we did not note the significance of the dialogues. They also show the author's attitude towards the characters. The assessment characteristics here are mainly given by Zilov. This cynic and unpredictable frivolous citizen is allowed a lot, just as jesters were allowed at all times. It’s not for nothing that even his closest friends joke and laugh at Zilov, sometimes very angrily. Those around him have various feelings for this hero, but not friendly ones. This is jealousy, hatred, envy. And Victor deserved them exactly as much as any person can deserve.

Zilov mask

When guests ask Zilov what he loves most, he does not know what to answer. However, friends (as well as the state, party, society) know better than him - most of all, Zilov loves hunting. One emphasizes the tragicomic nature of the situation (the entire play is replete with such details). Until the end of the memories, Zilov does not take off his hunting accessories, like a mask. This is not the first time that the leitmotif of a mask appears in the work of this author in “Duck Hunt.” We see a similar technique in earlier plays ("The Story with the Master Page", "The Eldest Son"). Vampilian characters often resort to labels, since labeling them frees them from thoughts and the need to make decisions.

Duck hunting in the life of the main character

For Victor, duck hunting is the embodiment of freedom and dreams. It is collected already a month before the cherished day and awaits the hunt as the beginning of a new life, deliverance, a period of respite. On the one hand, this is an introduction to nature, which is so valuable for modern man. At the same time, hunting is one of the most monstrous symbols of murder, which culture does not take into account. This is a murder legalized by civilization, which has been elevated to the rank of entertainment, and respectable one at that. The double essence of hunting is communion with the pure, eternal natural principle, purification through it, and murder is realized in the play. The theme of death permeates the entire action.

For Zilov, hunting is the only moment in the life of the spirit. This is an opportunity to break away from everyday life, everyday life, vanity, laziness, lies, which he cannot overcome on his own. This is the world of an ideal dream, high and not compromised anywhere. In this world, his poor, nasty, lied to soul feels good, it straightens up and comes to life, uniting in a bright and united harmony with all living things.

Vampilov constructs the action of the play in such a way that Zilov’s guide, his constant companion into this world, is the Waiter. His figure deprives Zilov’s utopia of meaning, high poetry, and purity.

"Heroes of their time"

The work that interests us tells about the values ​​of the “thaw” generation, or rather, about their collapse. Let's analyze Vampilov's play "Duck Hunt" from the point of view of the characters. The tragicomic existence of the heroes of the work - the Sayapins, Gali, Kushak, Kuzakov, Vera - speaks of their lack of self-confidence and the fragility of the surrounding reality, seemingly determined by society forever. In the character system there is no division into positive and negative. There is Dima, self-confident, Zilov, suffering from the injustice of life, defiant Vera and Sash, in eternal fear. There are unhappy people whose lives for some reason did not work out.

When analyzing the play “Duck Hunt” by Vampilov, one should take into account the personality of the author. Vampilov is the last romantic of Russian drama of the Soviet period. He developed as a personality in the second half of the 50s. At this time, the goals, slogans, ideals, aspirations of society, quite humane in themselves, seemed to be about to begin to connect with real life, to acquire meaning and weight in it. Vampilov worked when processes of demarcation between the values ​​proclaimed everywhere and real life began in society. The terrible thing was not that the meaning of ideals was destroyed in this way, but that the meaning of morality as such was destroyed. Vampilov was the son of the time that gave birth to him. He longed to know where a person should go, how he lives, how he should live. He needed to give answers to these questions for himself, and he was the first of the playwrights to see that life had come to its final limit. And behind it, these questions no longer have the usual answer.

Vampilov is a master of open endings. An analysis of Vampilov's play "Duck Hunt" shows that this work also ends ambiguously. We never know whether the main character is laughing or crying in the last scene.

Truth of the times

We are accustomed to using the expression “truth of character,” meaning that the writer did not falsify anything, did not hide anything, and depicted a certain social type that developed in reality. Reading the play that he created (“Duck Hunt”), analyzing it, one can feel pity for the person whose “truth” turned out to be too defenseless. As a rule, conversations about morality are boring. The author of the work did not know how to be boring. All of his plays, including Duck Hunt, are characterized by the intensity of the protagonist. The work makes us think about life itself, and not just about art and literature. The author wanted to understand the basic laws called the truth of time. Let us note one more thought to complete the analysis. “Duck Hunt” (Vampilov) is a work that gave birth to the rhythm of time. He lives inside, and not outside, each of us, so the appearance of “heroes of their time” is natural.

This concludes the analysis of Vampilov’s play “Duck Hunt”. A short work - but so much meaning! We can talk about this play for quite a long time, discovering more and more of its features.

A small provincial town, of which there are so many in Russia. Early morning. Viktor Aleksandrovich Zilov woke up from a phone call. He picked up the phone, but no one answered him. Zilov slowly stood up and opened the window. Rain on the street. Zilov drank beer and began lazily doing exercises. The bell rang again. And again no one answered him - there was silence on the phone.

Zilov decided to call his friend a waiter named Dima. The day before they were going hunting.

Zilov was very surprised, because Dima asked him if he would go hunting. Zilov remembered that the day before there had been a scandal in the cafe, the initiator of which was himself. However, Zilov somehow did not remember the details of the scandal. Viktor Aleksandrovich also remembered that someone hit him in the face yesterday. However, who did it, he could not answer. This question is of great interest to Zilov.

After talking with Dima, Zilov hung up. Before he could do anything else, there was a knock on the door. Not expecting anything bad, Zilov opened the door. A boy came in. In his hands was a funeral wreath with the inscription: “To the unforgettable Viktor Aleksandrovich Zilov, who was untimely burned out at work, from inconsolable friends.” Zilov understands that this is a cruel and “black” joke. He's angry. At the same time, Zilov thought about what would happen if he really died. He begins to remember recent events in his life.

So, the first memory. Zilov likes to spend time in a cafe called Forget-Me-Not. One day, here he and his friend Sayapin met with their boss Kushak to celebrate an important event - getting a new apartment. Kushak is a respectable man, about 50 years old. Outside the institution, he is unsure of himself and fussy. Suddenly Vera, Victor’s mistress, appeared. Zilov did not expect her arrival. He asked her not to advertise their relationship. All those present sat down at the table.

Zilov told Kushak that a housewarming celebration would take place in the evening. Viktor Alexandrovich invited Kushak. He agreed, although not immediately. Zilov also invited Vera, because he had no choice but to do it. And that’s all Vera needed.

Kushak's wife left for the south. Zilov introduced Vera to his boss as a classmate. Vera behaves freely, even somewhat defiantly, so Kushak has very definite intentions towards her.

In the evening, as planned, a celebration is expected. Galina, the wife of Viktor Aleksandrovich Zilov, is waiting for guests. While preparations are underway, Galina thinks about how good it would be if the relationship between her and her husband became the same as before, when there was ardent love. Guests bring a variety of gifts, including those required for hunting: a knife, a bandoleer and several wooden birds, which are used for bait in duck hunting.

More than anything else, Zilov loves duck hunting. He generally loves entertainment, loves female attention, and does not miss beautiful women. However, hunting is much more important to him. In fact, in his entire life, Zilov was not able to kill a single duck. Galina says that for Victor the process of getting ready is important, as well as conversations about hunting. For Zilov himself, ridicule has no meaning.

Second memory. Zilov and Sayapin work together. They urgently need to prepare documentation that concerns the modernization of production, the flow method, etc. Zilov puts forward a proposal to present the modernization project as already existing. Sayapin and Zilov think for a long time whether to do or not to do this. They even throw lots - a coin. Of course, there is a possibility of exposure. And Sayapin understands this very well. However, they prepared false documentation. Zilov also recalls reading a letter from his old father. The old man lives in another city and hasn’t seen his son for four years.

Father writes to Victor that he is sick and asks him to come and see him. However, Zilov does not pay attention to his father’s request. He doesn't care what he writes. In addition, Victor thinks that during his vacation he will go hunting again, which means there is no time to visit his father. Suddenly a stranger appeared in the room. Her name is Irina. She was looking for the newspaper editorial office, but got confused and ended up in the office where Zilov and Sayapin work.

Zilov tells Irina that he is an employee of the newspaper. The girl believed him. However, a boss who accidentally appeared exposed Zilov’s lies. Then Zilov and Irina began a romantic relationship.

Third memory. Victor returned home in the morning. His wife was awake. Zilov explained his morning return as an unexpected business trip. However, Galina stated that a neighbor had seen him in the city the night before, which means there was no business trip. Zilov tries to justify himself, saying that Galina has become too suspicious and suspicious. But she says she's tired of the constant lies. Galina said that she had an abortion. Victor tries to look outraged because his wife did not consult him. He tries to appease his wife, reminds her of the moment of first intimacy. It was six years ago, it would seem not so long ago. Zilov's wife at first tries to ignore his tricks. However, little by little she thaws and begins to remember the past. Everything could have ended well for Zilov. But he could not remember words that were very important to his wife. As a result, Viktor Alexandrovich only ruined an already bad relationship with his memories. Galina sat down on a chair and burst into tears.

Another memory. End of the working day. The enraged boss Kushak entered the room where Zilov and Sayapin were working. He demands that they explain everything about the factory renovation brochure. Sayapin is waiting for an apartment, he should get it soon. Therefore, Zilov takes responsibility and protects his friend.

The situation is complicated. Suddenly Sayapin's wife appeared. She took Kushak to football, which saved her unlucky friends. Just at this time, Zilov received a telegram that his father had died. Victor is going to fly to the funeral. Galina intends to go with him. However, he refuses. Before departure, Zilov went to his favorite cafe “Forget-Me-Not” for a drink. Here a meeting was scheduled with Irina.

Galina saw this meeting by chance. She brought a briefcase and a raincoat for her husband's trip. Victor was forced to tell Irina that he was married. Zilov postponed his flight the next day and ordered dinner.

Another memory. Zilov’s wife was going to another city, to visit relatives. She left, and Victor called Irina and invited her to his place. Suddenly the wife returned. She said she would leave forever. Zilov is dumbfounded, he tries to stop his wife. However, she locked it with a key. Zilov uses all his charm to force his wife to change her mind. He says he still treasures her. Zilov even promises to take Galina hunting. However, these explanations were heard not by his legal wife, but by Irina. The girl thought that all the words referred to her.

And finally, the last memory. Zilov is waiting for his friends, who should come to celebrate the upcoming hunt and the beginning of their vacation. Zilov drank in a cafe. When his friends arrived, he was already quite drunk. Victor couldn't help himself and started a scandal. He can't stop. Zilov insults everyone, even Irina. As a result, everyone left. Zilov was left alone. But even here he did not stop his antics. He called the waiter Dima a lackey, for which he hit him in the face.

Zilov fell under the table and forgot. After some time, two friends took the drunken Zilov home.

When Victor remembered all this, he had the idea of ​​committing suicide. It was no longer a game. Zilov’s soul is very heavy. He wrote a note and loaded the gun. Then he took off his shoes and began to feel for the trigger with his toe.

Suddenly the phone rang. Zilov’s friends Sayapin and Kuzakov followed, completely unexpectedly. They saw that Zilov was about to pull the trigger. Kuzakov pounced on Zilov and grabbed the gun.

Zilov is trying to drive away his friends. He shouts that he doesn't trust anyone anymore. However, the friends are not going to leave. True, Zilov still managed to drive them out. After his friends leave, he walks around the room with a gun, like a madman. Victor sobs and laughs at the same time. Then he pulled himself together and dialed the number of Dima, the waiter. “Are you leaving?.. Great...<...>Yes, I’m leaving now,” says Zilov. He is ready to go hunting.

The inner world of the main character of A. Vampilov’s play “Duck Hunt” (based on the article by B. Lakshin “The Living Soul”)

“Duck Hunt” is Vampilov’s most bitter and desolate play. In the eyes of the main character of the work, Zilov, there is negligence, boredom, and early mental fatigue.

Zilov is not satisfied with the way of life in which people live around him; he is overwhelmed by cynicism and hypocrisy. Another would live without thinking about the meaning of life, but Zilov cannot do that. His nature cannot be called petty; a reserve of strength is discernible in the hero, but he destroyed this reserve. Zilov is superior to his surroundings, but, not finding anything to live for, the hero becomes indifferent and loses himself.

The only joy for the hero of the play is hunting. He didn't kill a single duck, but that doesn't matter. Hunting for Zilov is valuable in itself; it is a substitute for active life. The author is concerned with the question: how can a person not become worn out or break down when entering a complex life?