In 1842, from the pen of N. V. Gogol, a story came out that still delights readers with its plot and characters. The character of Taras Bulba, the main character of the work, we will consider in our article. We will find out if he changed as the story progressed or just revealed to us. We will also consider the images of the sons of the old Cossack, we will study the character of Andriy from Taras Bulba and Ostap. What did the writer try to convey to us while working on the story and studying ancient materials?
Storyline
We will consider the character of Taras Bulba a little later, and first of all we will acquaint the reader with the plot of the story. Gogol depicted the life of Ukraine at the time of its dependence on Poland. The gentry strongly violated the rights and freedoms of the common people, forced them to work for themselves, and severely punished them for disobedience. It's not worth talking aboutthat people dreamed of throwing off the yoke. Therefore, Taras Bulba had a character born of time. His whole life was devoted to one holy cause - the fight against foreign invaders.
At the beginning of the story, the sons return from school to Taras. Not allowing them to be with their mother for a long time, the old ataman takes the lads to the Zaporizhzhya Sich, and from there they immediately set out on a campaign. In the battles, the guys showed themselves well, and the father was proud of them. But during the siege of the city of Dubno, the youngest son falls in love with a Polish lady and joins the enemy, betraying his homeland, his father and his comrades. Having learned about the betrayal of his youngest son, the old Cossack orders to capture him and kills him with his own hands. At that time, Ostap fell into Polish captivity, and Taras, with pain in his heart, sees the execution of his eldest son. Wanting to take revenge on the enemy, Bulba leads his army and instills fear in all of Poland. At the end of the story, he is also captured and dies a terrible death.
Two sons, two destinies: Andriy
The character of Andriy from "Taras Bulba" cannot be described in a few words. The young man was young, handsome, sensitive. He studied with pleasure, and in battle showed himself as a true Cossack. But his heart could not resist the charming lady. Realizing that he is betraying the Fatherland, his parents, brother and all his former friends, he stands up for his beloved and saves her. But at the moment of his execution, he does not dare to contradict his father, whom he deeply respects, loves and even fears, he does not try to escape, does not ask for mercy and accepts death without regretting what he did.
ValiantOstap
The eldest son, who was brought up by Taras Bulba, was completely different. The characters are completely opposite. Ostap did not want to go to the Bursa, but he went because he knew that without training his father would not take him to the Sich. And that was his dream. Straightforward, resolute, firm and courageous, the young Cossack resembled Taras. Until the last drop of blood, he fought for his homeland, patiently endured torture, and, without tarnishing his honor, accepted death. By sacrificing himself, he, like his father, considers it a fair price for the public good. He believes that his homeland will be free and contributes to its fate.
Taras Bulba's character traits
As we have already said, the old Cossack was born to fight with enemies. The wife, the mother of his children, saw her husband very rarely. Taras lived modestly, without luxury, like all his friends in the Sich. The house was decorated only with weapons, and he himself was ready to go on a campaign at any moment. In everything, Taras Bulba showed a character born of time. And the time was then restless, military. Therefore, the main character lived in war and was a brave, daring, talented warrior, as well as a prudent strategist and a talented military leader.
In his heart lived one great love - for the Motherland. But there was also room for love for sons. When Andriy betrayed what Taras fought for, he remained true to himself. For him there were two sides: white and black, good and evil, his own and enemies. The younger son became an enemy and got shot, but his father mourns him all the same. And he could not do otherwise either before the Cossacks, or before hisconscience. This is another trait of the protagonist: the inability to compromise with conscience.
Life with dignity, death with dignity
The character of Taras Bulba is gradually revealed to the reader as the plot develops. The hero, having executed the youngest son, tries to save the eldest. But all efforts are in vain. When Ostap utters the last cry to his father, he responds. He felt that it would be easier for his son to die when he knew that his father was proud of him. But he does not risk his warriors in vain, does not try to interrupt the execution, because he understands that they will lay down their lives in vain. At the same time, Taras took care in advance not to fall into the hands of the Poles, and takes his comrades away. The revenge of the old Cossack will be terrible. All of Poland trembled and washed with blood, and small detachments of Cossacks always managed to escape. But it couldn't go on like this for long, the forces were too unequal.
Elite detachments of the gentry were sent to capture Taras Bulba and his lads. Eventually they fall into a trap. Desperately resisting, the Cossacks are forced to retreat. Knowing that the Poles need him, Taras decides to save his comrades (but how else?). Already tied to a tree, near which the enemies built a huge fire, he does not think about himself. His eyes go to the river, where he spots boats. With his last strength, the ataman orders his friends to seek salvation there and not think about him. Mourning in the depths of their souls for their commander, the Cossacks fulfill his last will, not daring to object to her. Courageous Taras, without a single breath, meets death, whichdelayed and came after the fiery tongues and puffs of smoke.
A few words in conclusion
The character of Taras Bulba is solid, fully formed, without contradictions. We can say that the writer painted the ideal image of a warrior for freedom. This is a collected portrait of people who did not think about themselves and completely devoted themselves to their homeland. The hero's death describes a tragic page in the history of the Ukrainian people. However, despite all the drama, it gives hope. After all, as long as there are people like Taras, Ostap and their comrades, this land can be calm for its future. This means that such heroes will stop at nothing until they liberate their Motherland. And, probably, this is the main idea that the great Gogol tried to convey to us in his work.
