The works of Nikolai Gogol introduce the reader into the mysterious world of a human being, his soul, into comic and tragic situations from the life of an individual and an entire nation. The writer's characters are always harmonious - external features echo internal qualities. This is how it is shown in the outstanding work of the author "Taras Bulba", a story about the defenders of the land and the national character, about the glorious times of the Cossacks on the example of one person and his family. How does the appearance of Taras Bulba reflect the internal features of the Cossack and how is it described in the story?
The character and appearance of the hero
A real Cossack is distinguished by courage and loy alty to camaraderie. The interests of the troops and powers are higher than their own happiness. This was Bulba Sr. - the head of the family and the regiment. Gogol deliberately gave a few lines to the description of the appearance of the hero. And all these qualities somehow indicate the character of the hero. So,stateliness, fatness indicate the position of Taras in the society of the Cossacks as a warrior, to whom the army is equal, his authority. In addition, this is an indicator of the comfortable existence of his family (wife and two sons).
The age of Bulba is average. He has a large mustache and an even posture - unequivocal signs of confidence, pride of the hero, an example for others. The character of Taras is the character of a typical Cossack. He wears bloomers, keeps well in the saddle and does not let go of his smoking pipe. Without these elements, it is difficult to imagine a Cossack. It is by this that Gogol emphasizes that Taras is primarily a Cossack, which means that all Cossack attributes of appearance are characteristic of him.
A sharp look, stately figure, confident and precise movements indicate his age and social status. Other external features are secondary in relation to the internal content of the hero's image.
Description of the appearance of Taras Bulba
Taras wears the usual clothes for a Cossack - wide trousers, a hat. Hairstyle - a classic sedentary (forelock) Cossack. The character of Bulba is reflected in his attitude towards appearance. He does not tolerate excesses, does not see the point in embellishing his appearance, calling it "lordly manners." For example, the hero's bloomers are always stained with tar.
Taras carried a saber, pistols, a matchlock with him, in the saddle he showed all his stamina and confidence. On horseback, he was straight and very fond of horseback riding.
In general, the description of the appearance of Taras Bulba can be represented as follows: a man of medium(closer to advanced) years, medium height, stocky, broad-shouldered, with muscular arms, full. His head is shaved, but there is a settler who has turned gray over the years and from the hardships he has endured. He does not wear a beard, but grows a mustache. There are many scars on the face and body (the consequences of the battles). Dressed in the usual Cossack clothes, carries weapons, smokes a pipe and often rides a horse.
Taras Bulba's appearance: quotes
The appearance of the hero can be judged by several descriptions, short and succinct. His strong, he althy body is described as "extremely heavy and fat", with a "he althy flush" on his face. The physical strength and majestic appearance of Taras Bulba are shown as "mighty shoulders", "stout Cossack", "strong arm". Many quotes point to the hero's gray hair and his advanced age: "drooped his gray head", "silvered head" and others.
In each phrase of the work one can see not so much the appearance of Taras Bulba as his character: "proudly ran his hand over his mustache", the scars make his appearance "imperious", "gloomy eyes", "strong as oak".
The Cossacks themselves admit that there is no more valiant person than him in their army. He is a commander merciless to enemies and wise in the circle of brothers. Activity, severity and justice are read in the description of the hero's courageous features and camp.
Collection of the image
It becomes clear to readers that it is not so important how Taras Bulba looked. The most important thinglies in the fact that personifies his image. Courage, unpretentiousness, devotion to the ideals of the army and civic duty are the qualities that can be seen behind a superficial description of the main character's appearance. Taras Bulba with his classic bloomers, sedentary, powerful figure, proud posture and confident, bold look becomes a kind of ideal image of a Cossack.
Those few lines in which Gogol collected a description of Taras Bulba's appearance are enough to understand: a real defender does not need an expressive appearance. His essence is in valor and readiness to give his life for the people's ideals. Bogdan Stupka brilliantly embodied the image of this cult character in the film "Taras Bulba", filmed in 2008 by Vladimir Bortko.
