In 1842, a novel was released from the pen of N.V. Gogol, which even now delights readers with its plot and characters. The character of Taras Bulba, the protagonist of the work, we will consider in our article. We will find out whether it changed as the plot developed or only revealed itself to us. We will also look at the images of the sons of the old Cossack, and study the character of Andria from Taras Bulba and Ostap. What did the writer try to convey to us, working on a story and studying ancient materials?
Story plot
We will consider the character of Taras Bulba a little later, and first of all we will familiarize the reader with the plot of the story. Gogol depicted the life of Ukraine during its dependence on Poland. The gentry greatly violated the rights and freedoms of the common people, forced them to work for themselves, and severely punished them for disobedience. Needless to say, people dreamed of dropping their yokes. 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, sons come back to study from Taras. Having prevented them from being with their mother for a long time, the old chieftain takes the lads to the Zaporizhzhya Sich, and from there they immediately set off on a campaign. In battles, the guys showed themselves well, and father was proud of them. But during the siege of the city of Dubno, the youngest son falls in love with the Polish panel and adjoins the enemies, betraying his homeland, father and his comrades. Upon learning of 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 throughout Poland. At the end of the story, he is also captured and dies a terrible death.
Two sons, two fates: Andriy
The character of Andria 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 to be a true Cossack. But his heart could not resist the charming little panel. Realizing that he is betraying the Fatherland, parents, brother and all his former friends, he stands up for his beloved and saves her. But at the time of his execution, he does not dare to argue with his father, whom he deeply respects, loves, and even fears, he does not try to run away, does not ask for mercy and accepts death, not regretting what was perfect.
Valiant Ostap
The eldest son, who was raised by Taras Bulba, was completely different. The characters of the heroes are completely opposite. Ostap did not want to go to Bursa, but he went, because he knew that without training his father would not take him to Sich. And that was his dream. Straightforward, decisive, firm and courageous, the young Cossack resembled Taras. To the last drop of blood, he fought for his homeland, patiently endured torture, and, without tarnishing his honor, he died. Sacrificing himself, he, like his father, considers this a fair price for the public good. He believes that his homeland will be free, and contributes to its fate.
Traits of Taras Bulba
As we have already said, the old Cossack was born to fight enemies. The wife, the mother of his children, saw her husband very rarely. Taras lived modestly, without luxury, like all his friends in Sich. The house was decorated only with weapons, and at any moment he himself was ready to go camping. In everything Taras Bulba showed a character born of time. And then the time was turbulent, military. Therefore, the main character lived in war and was a brave, daring, talented warrior, as well as a rational strategist and a talented military leader.
In his heart lived one great love - for the Fatherland. But there was a place for the love of sons. When Andriy betrayed what Taras was fighting for, he remained true to himself. For him there were two sides: white and black, good and evil, ours and enemies. The youngest son became an enemy and received a bullet, but his father mourns him anyway. And he could not act otherwise before the Cossacks, or before his conscience. This is another feature of the protagonist: the inability to compromise with conscience.
Worthy of life, worthy of death
The character of Taras Bulba is gradually revealed to the reader as the plot develops. The hero, having executed the youngest son, is trying to save the eldest. But all efforts are in vain. When Ostap utters his 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 soldiers in vain, does not try to interrupt the execution, because he realizes that they will lay down their heads in vain. At the same time, Taras took care in advance not to fall into the hands of the Poles, and took his comrades away. The old Cossack's revenge will be terrible. All Poland trembled and washed with blood, and small detachments of Cossacks always managed to hide. But this could not continue for a long time, the forces were too unequal.
Elite gentry units were thrown to capture Taras Bulba and his lads. In the end, they fall into the trap. Fiercely resisting, the Cossacks are forced to retreat. Knowing that the Poles need him, Taras decides to save his comrades (and how else?). Already attached to a tree, in which the enemies made a huge bonfire, he does not think about himself. His gaze rushes to the river, where he notices boats. Of the last forces, the ataman tells his friends to seek salvation there and not think about it. Mourning in the depths of the soul of their commander, the Cossacks carry out his last will, not daring to object to it. Courageous Taras, without a single sigh, encounters death, which did not stop and came after fiery tongues and puffs of smoke.
A few words in conclusion
The character of Taras Bulba is integral, fully formed, without contradictions. We can say that the writer painted the ideal image of a warrior for freedom. This is a compiled portrait of people who did not think about themselves and completely gave themselves to their homeland. The death of the hero describes a tragic page in the history of the Ukrainian people. However, she, despite all the drama, 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 not stop at anything until they liberate their homeland. And, probably, this is the main idea that the great Gogol tried to convey to us in his work.