The character of Taras Bulba. The image of Taras Bulba

In 1842, from the pen of NV Gogol came a story, which now admires 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 has changed as the plot develops or has only revealed itself to us. Also we will 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 the ancient materials?

The plot of the story

We will look at the character of Taras Bulba a little later, but first of all we will acquaint the reader with the plot of the story. Gogol depicted the life of Ukraine in times of its dependence on Poland. The nobility 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 losing their yoke. Therefore, Taras Bulba also 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 return to Taras. Not allowing them to stay with their mother for a long time, the old ataman takes the lads to Zaporizhzhya Sich, and from there they immediately march on. In the battles the boys showed themselves well, and the father was proud of them. But during the siege of the city of Dubno, the younger son falls in love with the Polish pannochku and adheres to the enemies, betraying his homeland, father and his comrades. Learning about the betrayal of his youngest son, the old Cossack orders him to take it and kills himself with his own hands. At that time Ostap came to the Polish captivity, and Taras saw with pain in his heart the execution of his eldest son. Wanting to take revenge on the enemy, Bulba leads his army and leads fear to the whole of Poland. At the end of the story, he also falls into captivity and perishes by a terrible death.

Two sons, two fates: Andriy

The character of Andriy from "Taras Bulba" can not be described in a few words. The young man was young, handsome, sensitive. He enjoyed studying with great pleasure, but showed himself as a true Cossack in battle. But his heart could not resist the charming pannochke. Realizing that he betrays the Fatherland, his parents, his brother and all his former friends, he clings to his beloved and saves her. But at the time of his execution, he does not dare to contradict his father, whom he deeply respects, loves and even fears; he does not try to flee, he does not ask for mercy and accepts death, not regretting what has been done.

Valorous Ostap

The elder son, whom Taras Bulba brought up, was quite different. The characters of the characters are completely opposite. Ostap did not want to go to the seminary, but went because he knew that without training the father would not take him to the Sich. And this was his dream. Straight, resolute, firm and manly, the young Cossack reminded Taras. Until the last drop of blood, he fought for his homeland, patiently endured torture, and, without staining his honor, he 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 her fate.

Character traits of Taras Bulba

As we have already said, the old Cossack was born to fight the enemies. His 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 he himself was ready to march at any time. Throughout Taras Bulba showed character born of time. And the time was then restless, military. Therefore, the protagonist lived a war and was a brave, talented, talented warrior, as well as a sensible strategist and a talented military leader.

In his heart lived a great love - to the Motherland. But there was a place for love of sons. When Andrius betrayed the one for which Taras fought, he remained true to himself. For him there were two sides: white and black, good and evil, his own and his enemies. The younger son became an enemy and received a bullet, but the father mourns him anyway. But he could not do otherwise than Cossacks or his conscience. This is another feature of the main character: the inability to compromise with conscience.

Worthy life worthy of death

The character of Taras Bulba is gradually revealed to the reader as the plot develops. The hero, having executed his youngest son, tries to save the elder. But all efforts are in vain. When Ostap gives 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 fold their heads in vain. At the same time, Taras took care in advance about not getting into the hands of the Poles, and leads his comrades away. The revenge of the old Cossack will be terrible. All Poland trembled and washed in blood, and small detachments of Cossacks always managed to escape. But it could not continue for so long, the forces were too unequal.

Elite detachments of nobility were cast to catch Taras Bulba and his lads. In the end they fall into a trap. Desperately resisting, the Cossacks are forced to retreat. Knowing that he needs the Poles, Taras decides to save his comrades (and how is it different?). Already tied to a tree, whose enemies were building a huge fire, he does not think of himself. His gaze rushes to the river, where he notices the boats. Of the last forces, the ataman tells his friends to seek salvation there and not think about it. Lamenting in the depths of his commander's soul, the Cossacks are fulfilling his last will, not daring to object to it. Courageous Taras meets a death without a single sigh, which did not linger and came after the fiery tongues and clubs of smoke.

A few words in conclusion

The character of Taras Bulba is one-piece, fully formed, without contradictions. We can say that the writer drew the ideal image of a warrior for freedom. This is a collected portrait of people who did not think about themselves and completely gave themselves to the fatherland. 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 stop at nothing until they release their country. And, probably, this is the main idea that the great Gogol tried to convey to us in his work.