One of the most famous works of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is "Taras Bulba". A description of events that took place over more than two centuries is one of the main motives of this story. And all of them are reflected in the fate of one character.
Creation of a story, reflection of historical events
In his work “Taras Bulba,” Nikolai Vasilievich touches on the past of the country, when a person detached himself from everyday life and became capable of committing heroic and patriotic acts. When Gogol wrote this story, he often turned to many historical sources.
Nevertheless, in the center of the narrative of the story "Taras Bulba" there is no description of any particular historical event. The author devoted his work to the whole era when the Ukrainian people waged a national liberation struggle. I tried to reveal their heroic characters, attitude to their native land.
A plausible description of the events of the era
We are talking about events related to the struggle of Ukraine against the Lithuanian and Polish invaders, when the main character Taras Bulba, whose character description is quite interesting, together with other Cossacks created the Zaporizhzhya Sich and began their struggle against the gentry.
Nikolai Vasilievich does not resort to methods of softening or embellishing the events of that era. On the contrary, it quite vividly and credibly recreates the pictures of the past related to the war. Gogol chose such a moment in the life of the Ukrainian people when his patriotic spirit was at the very peak of its upsurge. And it was precisely this heroism that the writer was able to capture in his work.
The main character of the story and its main features
To clearly imagine the main character, you need to delve into the description of the character of Taras Bulba. First of all, the man he was very heavy. This is evidenced by the whole way of his life. Starting from living conditions (decorating a room, or rather, its absence) and ending with relationships with loved ones - spouse or children, as well as comrades. Particular attention must be paid to the behavior of this character in battle.
Taras is a Cossack colonel with great combat experience. And he believes that he is always and in everything right. Wise by life experience, he requires unconditional submission. His whole life is devoted to dangers and difficulties, the Cossack is filled with a thirst for justice. It is not created for family comfort, its real element is Sich.
The relationship of the main character with his sons
Taras Bulba, whose character description is mainly based on solid, somewhere even excessively harsh, is a person who is not without sentimentality. Somewhere you can see how he shed a tear, seeing the care of his wife or remembering his young years and comrades. Taras is used to being a father not only to his two sons, but to all Cossacks who believe him. These are those whom he commands, and whose lives are in his hands.
People trusted him, and he must be an example to them. At first glance, it is impossible to notice any special love and affection in relations with sons, but nevertheless there is some severe tenderness. The father hopes that his children will become worthy Cossacks and defenders of the Fatherland. Do not shame his name.
The main differences between the two sons of the protagonist
Where can I start the description of the sons of Taras Bulba? Probably with their differences. The eldest, Ostap, is represented by the author as the embodiment of courage. He, like Taras, loves his homeland, people and is devoted to the Cossack fraternity. His appearance is menacing and filled with tremendous inner strength. He is a real warrior who must continue the hard work of his father.
Andriy is softer and more tender. The features of a hot-tempered youth are noticeable in it. He does not tend to reason and ponder his actions. His life is spontaneous and subject to the influence of feelings, not reason. Even in battle, he committed such acts that Ostap, having a cold-blooded character, would never have decided.
The attitude of the author to the sincere feeling of Andria
Nikolai Vasilievich in his story "Taras Bulba" describes Andriy with the image of his older brother. Of course, he emphasized the whole sincerity of love of this gentle, impressionable young man to a Polish girl, but did not hide the fact that Andriy could not rise above the level of an ordinary person.
The author condemned him for neglecting the young man and his father and brother, as well as his love for the motherland and his people, and forgot about them for personal feelings. Nikolai Vasilevich emphasizes in the images of the brothers the contradictions of their characters. On the one hand, Ostap, filled with courage and courage, on the other, Andrius, absorbed in his own individualism.
His image is opposed to the whole character of the people, and his death was a necessary retribution for the betrayal of common aspirations. Description of the sons of Taras Bulba is of great importance, because it allows you to reveal the meaning of the action of the protagonist. The murder of a son.
Manifestation of a harsh character, or Revenge for betrayal
The description of the story "Taras Bulba" would not be complete without discussing the scene of the murder of the main character of his own son. Why did the father decide on such a terrible act? The laws of the Cossacks were very strict. For theft and murder punished brutally. There was no question of cowardice and betrayal , because it was believed that such could not be among the Cossacks.
When Andriy fell in love with the little girl, he forgot all the oaths he had made. For the sake of his love, the young man was capable of anything: to kill a comrade, to betray his homeland. Taras understands that between a sense of duty to the Fatherland and his own emotions, his son makes a choice in favor of love. He commits an act that cannot be called masculine. And here there can be no excuse for him. And Andriy himself understands this. He dies at the hands of his father in silence, only quietly uttering the name of his beloved.
Another loss of an elderly Cossack
The trouble, as you know, does not come alone. The second son of Taras is captured. Description Ostap from "Taras Bulba" from the first pages of this work is constantly filled with the most heroic features. He embodies the era itself, described by Nikolai Vasilevich. Not only in battles Ostap showed his courage - and in captivity he did not lose his dignity.
A young Cossack went through many tortures, but retained courage and honor. Even in the face of death, he looks through the eyes of his father to show that he did not betray his people and their homeland. He remained faithful to Cossack traditions and did not shame the memory of his ancestors. So important was the opinion of Taras Bulba, who was always an example for him.
So Taras lost both of his sons. Like a madman, he fights on the battlefield, wanting to avenge Ostap's death. Poles paid dearly for catching a desperate Cossack. Taras Bulba dies as courageously as he fought and lived. Until the last minute, he remembered his comrades and his beloved Fatherland.
"Taras Bulba". Description of the steppe, or the Image of Ukrainian open spaces
There is a wonderful description of Ukrainian nature in the story. The author draws it at the moment when Taras goes with his sons to his comrades. Everyone is busy with their thoughts. Father recalls his young years, reflects on how time flies, sad about his dead friends. Ostap is busy with thoughts about his mother’s excitement, which very touched the heart of a young Cossack. Andriy dreams of a beautiful Polish girl, who has settled in his heart.
And here Nikolai Vasilievich begins in his work ("Taras Bulba") a description of the steppe. Paying attention to the beauty of Ukrainian nature, the heroes forget about their own thoughts - they were so captured by the boundless expanses of their native land. They plunge headlong into the atmosphere of the steppe life, hear its every sound, merge with the surrounding nature.
Grasshopper crackling, grass rustling, gophers screaming ... Heroes watch the sunset and enjoy the fabulous colors that fill the earth. In this description, Gogol’s love for his Motherland and its endless fields is felt. It was in this part of the work that Nikolai Vasilievich put in a special piece of soul and warmth, trying to convey his emotions and feelings for his native land.