The story "Taras Bulba": description of the main character and his sons

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

One of the most famous works of Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol - "Taras Bulba". The 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.

Creating a story, reflecting historical events

In his work "Taras Bulba" Nikolai Vasilyevich touches on the past of the country, when a person broke away from everyday life and became capable of committing heroic and patriotic deeds. When Gogol wrote this story, he often turned to many historical sources.

However, in the center of the narrative of the story "Taras Bulba" there is no description of any specific historical event. The author dedicated his work to the entire era when the Ukrainian people waged a national liberation struggle. I tried to reveal their heroic characters, their attitude to their native land.

Believable description of the events of the era

We are talking about events related to the struggle of Ukraine against the Lithuanian andPolish invaders, when the main character Taras Bulba, whose character description is quite interesting, together with other Cossacks created the Zaporozhian 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, he quite vividly and plausibly recreates the pictures of the past associated with the war. Gogol chose a moment in the life of the Ukrainian people when their patriotic spirit was at the very peak of its rise. And it was this heroism that the writer was able to capture in his work.

The main character of the story and his main features

To clearly imagine the main character, you need to delve into the description of the character of Taras Bulba. First of all, he was a very difficult person. The whole way of his life speaks about it. Starting from living conditions (room decoration, 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 right in everything. Wise by life experience, he demands unconditional obedience. His whole life is devoted to dangers and difficulties, the Cossack is filled with a thirst for justice. It was not created for family comfort, its real element is the Sich.

The relationship of the main character with his sons

Taras Bulba, whose character description is mainly based on solid features, somewhere evenexcessively rigid, - a person not devoid of 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 the Cossacks who believe him. These are the ones he commands and whose lives are in his hands.

People trusted him, and he must be an example for them. At first glance, in relations with sons it is impossible to notice any special love and affection, but nevertheless there is some kind of harsh tenderness. The father hopes that his children will become worthy Cossacks and defenders of the Fatherland. They will not shame his name.

Main differences between the two sons of the protagonist

Where can I start describing the sons of Taras Bulba? Probably because of their differences. The eldest, Ostap, is presented by the author as the embodiment of courage. He, like Taras, loves his homeland, people and is devoted to the Cossack brotherhood. His appearance is menacing and filled with great inner strength. He is a real warrior who must continue the difficult work of his father.

Andriy is softer and more gentle. It shows the features of a hot-tempered young man. He does not tend to reason and think about his actions. His life is spontaneous and subject to the influence of feelings, not reason. Even in battle, he did things that Ostap, having a cold-blooded character, would never have dared to do.

Author's attitude to Andriy's sincere feeling

Nikolai Vasilyevich in his story "TarasBulba "opposes Andriy's description to the image of his older brother. Of course, he emphasized the sincerity of this tender, impressionable young man's love for the 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 love for the Motherland and his people, forgot about them for the sake of 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 - Andriy, 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. The 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.

The manifestation of a tough character, or Revenge for betrayal

Description of the story "Taras Bulba" will not be complete without discussing the scene of the murder of the protagonist's own son. Why did the father decide to do such a terrible thing? The laws of the Cossacks were very strict. Theft and murder were severely punished. There was no talk of cowardice and betrayal, because it was believed that there could not be such among the Cossacks.

When Andriy fell in love with the lady, he forgot all the oaths he took. 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 emotionshis son makes a choice in favor of love. He performs an act that cannot be called masculine. And here he can not be justified. And Andrew himself understands this. He dies at the hands of his father in silence, only quietly saying the name of his beloved.

Another loss of an elderly Cossack

Trouble, as you know, does not come alone. The second son of Taras is captured. The description of Ostap from "Taras Bulba" from the first pages of this work is constantly filled with the most heroic features. He embodies the very era described by Nikolai Vasilevich. Ostap showed his courage not only in battles - and in captivity he did not lose his dignity.

A young Cossack went through many tortures, but retained his courage and honor. Even in the face of death, he looks for his father's eyes to show that he did not betray his people and Motherland. He remained faithful to the Cossack traditions and did not shame the memory of his ancestors. The opinion of Taras Bulba, who was always an example for him, was so important to him.

So Taras lost both of his sons. Like a madman, he fights on the battlefield, wanting to avenge the death of Ostap. The Poles paid dearly for catching the desperate Cossack. Taras Bulba dies as courageously as he fought and lived. Until the last minute, he remembered his comrades-in-arms and his beloved Fatherland.

"Taras Bulba". Description of the steppe, or the Image of Ukrainian expanses

There is a wonderful description of Ukrainian nature in the story. The author draws it at the moment whenTaras goes with his sons to his comrades-in-arms. Everyone is busy with their own thoughts. The father recalls his young years, reflects on how time flies, mourns for his dead friends. Ostap is busy thinking about his mother's excitement, which touched the heart of the young Cossack very much. And Andriy dreams of a beautiful Polish woman who has settled in his heart.

And here Nikolai Vasilievich begins his description of the steppe in his work ("Taras Bulba"). Paying attention to the beauty of Ukrainian nature, the heroes forget about their own thoughts - they were so captivated by the boundless expanses of their native land. They plunge headlong into the atmosphere of steppe life, hear its every sound, merge with the surrounding nature.

The crackling of a grasshopper, the rustle of grass, the screams of gophers… The heroes watch the sunset and enjoy the fabulous colors that filled the earth. In this description, one can feel Gogol's love for his Motherland and its endless fields. It was in this part of the work that Nikolai Vasilievich put a special piece of soul and warmth, trying to convey his emotions and feelings for his native land.