What period of Ukrainian life is the story dedicated to? How does the writer characterize the creation of this work?
N.V. Gogol was very interested in the history of his native Ukraine, he admired the folk heroes - the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks, who in the 16th-17th centuries selflessly fought against the oppressors of the Ukrainian and Russian peoples - the Polish gentry. The writer looked in the past for great deeds and heroic characters, opposing them to the petty worries and petty characters of his contemporaries. The creation of the story characterizes N.V. Gogol as a patriot,
Who was proud of the glory of the Cossacks, the heroic history of their homeland.
Do you find the beginning of the story a good one? Why?
The beginning of the story seems to us, its readers, not just successful, but the only possible one: literally from the first lines, the color of the era is recreated, tragic in its essence, but with comic situations in the life and behavior of the characters. The author introduces the reader to the family of an old Cossack, acquaints him with unique manners, customs, relationships, combining heroics and humor in the characters and behavior of his heroes.
What thoughts and feelings of Gogol are expressed in the words: “But are there such fires, torments and such a force in the world that would overpower the Russian force!”? How do they relate to the content of the story?
Gogol's story is dedicated to the events of the liberation movement in Ukraine, the struggle of the Cossacks with the Polish invaders, the Turks and the Tatar hordes. These words express the writer's admiration for the courage and greatness of the people who fought for the freedom and happiness of their fatherland and gave their lives for it.
What qualities of Taras Bulba as a folk hero are embodied in the story? Make a plan for the characteristics of Taras Bulba.
Taras is a wise Cossack and an experienced warrior, respected by his comrades and elected as their chief chieftain; a brave, courageous and stern man who gave his life to the defense of the fatherland.
Performance plan
Taras is a father and husband. Bulba is a man of the Sich. The main values of his life are the struggle for the Christian faith and fellowship, the highest rating for him is “a good Cossack”. Taras Bulba is a warrior. Attitude towards fellowship. A character born of time. Greatness and tragedy of Taras. Why, when reading the story, "... you are surprised at him, and horrified, and laugh at him"?
The character of the protagonist of the story is very multifaceted. Taras is surprised by the unrestraint and rudeness of his nature, combined with devotion and tenderness, we laugh at his spontaneity, simplicity and cheerfulness, we are horrified by his cruelty and ruthlessness.
Make a comparative description of Ostap and Andriy, paying attention to the following questions: what impression does the first acquaintance with the brothers leave? What made them different during their studies at the bursa? What is the difference between the behavior of Ostap and Andriy in the Zaporozhian Sich, in battle? How did the brothers die? Using the material of previous answers and recommendations for comparative characteristics, compare the brothers Ostap and Andriy.
Sample Plan
Similarities between Ostap and Andriy:
A) one family
B) education;
C) training in the bursa;
D) the environment in the Sich.
Brothers difference:
A) appearance, character;
B) attitude towards people;
C) perception of nature and beauty;
D) attitude towards war, behavior in battle;
D) the death of brothers.
Find lyrical digressions in the text. How are they related to the main narrative and why are they introduced into the story?
Gogol introduces a number of lyrical digressions into the narrative, creating an emotional and artistic subtext of the story, expressing the author's feeling for the depicted, correlating the pictures of nature with the fate of the characters.
Can Taras Bulba be called a historical story? Are there genuine historical figures, facts, correlation with a specific historical time in this work?
In "Taras Bulba" there is no depiction of true historical facts, real historical figures. The time depicted in the story can only be determined with approximate accuracy: XV-XVII centuries. There is not a single definite historical fact in the story, that is, Gogol did not set himself the goal of reliably telling about specific historical events, he was not going to recreate a picture of the historical past. The historical background in the story is rather arbitrary. Gogol set himself not so much historical as epic tasks, therefore Taras Bulba is not a historical story, but a heroic epic. Jacques in folklore works reflect the ideals of life born in the minds of the people, and ideal human characters are recreated in Gogol's story.
At what moments did the greatness of the spirit of Taras Bulba especially manifest itself? What was his last feat?
The greatness of the spirit of Taras Bulba manifested itself in the most dramatic moments of his life and the life of the Cossacks: here he reminds his comrades-in-arms of what partnership is, and finds the words that were needed, poured new courage into the Cossacks; here he is executing a traitor son; here, risking his life, he supports his second son, the hero Ostap, before the death; now, when the fire has already licked his feet, he thinks not about himself, not about how to save himself, but about how to save his comrades from certain death.
How does the author characterize Taras Bulba and his sons? How does he express his attitude towards them? What role does the description of the Ukrainian steppe play in the story? Why is this description interesting? How is the life and customs of the Zaporozhian Sich shown? Why are the images of the Cossacks attractive? Why did the Cossacks choose Taras Bulba as the chief ataman? Do you consider them a good choice? How did the sons of Taras perceive the life and customs of the Zaporozhian Sich? Why did Ostap immediately find his place among the Cossacks, while it was more difficult for Andriy to get close to them? How and why did Andriy become a traitor? Do you admit that such a fate could befall Ostap? How is the heroism of the Cossacks shown in the battles near the city of Dubno? Is the author's voice heard here? How did the second battle near Dubno end for Taras and his sons? What feelings did the story about the death of Andriy at the hands of his father evoke in you? Did this episode change your previous opinion about them? How did Ostap die? Why does he call his father before he dies? What lines of the story express its main idea?
- Gogol's story "Taras Bulba" is part of the cycle "Mirgorod". There are two editions - 1835, and 1842. Gogol was against the publication of the second version without agreement ...
- CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 "PORTRAIT" CHAPTER 2 "DEAD SOULS" CHAPTER 3 "SELECTED PLACES FROM CORRESPONDENCE WITH FRIENDS" § 1 "Woman in the Light" § 2 "About ...
- Continue the comparative description of Ostap and Andriy, noting how the brothers showed themselves in the first battles. What was their behavior in battle? Ostap discovers the "inclinations of the future leader",...
- I Taras Bulba meets his sons, who studied in the Kyiv bursa and have now come home to their father. They were two burly fellows, strong and healthy. Taras...
- In the story of Nikolai Gogol "Taras Bulba" there are several semantic centers. The historical past, a fragment from the life of the Zaporizhzhya Sich and the fate of the three main characters - Taras, Andriy ...
- TARAS BULBA Historical opera in five acts (seven scenes) Libretto by M. Staritsky Characters: Taras Bulba, Colonel of the Cossack army in Ukraine, later appointed ataman of Zaporozhye...
- Everything gave him an edge over others: advanced years, and the ability to move his Army, and the strongest hatred of all enemies. N. Gogol. Taras Bulba Central...
- Both have a different nature, and they look at the same thing with different eyes. N. Gogol. Taras Bulba The story of N.V. Gogol reflects the national liberation struggle...
- An interesting literary work always has several storylines, several storylines and, of course, memorable colorful characters. Gogol's story "Taras Bulba" reflects not ...
- The novel "Quiet Flows the Don" by Sholokhov is a monumental work of Russian literature of the twentieth century. The book depicts the life of the Don Cossacks during the First World War, the revolution of 1917...
- The story "Taras Bulba" is one of the most perfect creations of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. The work is dedicated to the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people for national liberation, freedom and equality....
- Gogol described his each character with great love and zeal. He was a real artist who managed to embody a visual image in a word. Each character is bright and...
Nikolai Gogol was born in the Poltava province. There he spent his childhood and youth, and later moved to St. Petersburg. But the history and customs of his native land continued to interest the writer throughout his entire career. "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka", "Viy" and other works describe the customs and mentality of the Ukrainian people. In the story "Taras Bulba" the history of Ukraine is refracted through the lyrical creative consciousness of the author himself.
The idea of "Taras Bulba" came to Gogol around 1830. It is known that the writer worked on the text for about 10 years, but the story never received a final revision. In 1835, the author's manuscript was published in the Mirgorod collection, but already in 1842 another edition of the work was published. It should be said that Gogol was not very pleased with the printed version, not considering the amendments made as final. Gogol rewrote the work about eight times.
Gogol continued to work on the manuscript. Among the significant changes, one can notice an increase in the volume of the story: three more chapters were added to the original nine chapters. Critics note that in the new version, the characters have become more textured, vivid descriptions of battle scenes have been added, and new details from life in the Sich have appeared. The author proofread every word, trying to find the combination that would most fully reveal not only his talent as a writer and the characters of the characters, but also the uniqueness of the Ukrainian consciousness.
The history of the creation of "Taras Bulba" is really interesting. Gogol responsibly approached the task: it is known that the author, with the help of newspapers, turned to readers with a request to give him previously unpublished information about the history of Ukraine, manuscripts from personal archives, memoirs, and so on. In addition, among the sources one can name the “Description of Ukraine” edited by Beauplan, “The History of the Zaporizhian Cossacks” (Myshetsky) and lists of Ukrainian chronicles (for example, the chronicles of Samovydets, G. Grabyanka and Velichko). All the information gathered would look unpoetic and unemotional without one incredibly important component. The dry facts of history could not fully satisfy the writer, who sought to understand and reflect in the work the ideals of the past era.
Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol greatly appreciated folk art and folklore. Ukrainian songs and thoughts became the basis for creating the national color of the story and the characters of the characters. For example, the image of Andriy is similar to the images of Savva Chaly and the apostate Teterenka from the songs of the same name. Everyday details, plot moves and motifs were drawn from the thoughts. And, if the orientation to historical facts in the story is beyond doubt, then in the case of folklore, some clarification needs to be given. The influence of folk art is noticeable not only at the narrative, but also at the structural level of the text. So, in the text you can easily find vivid epithets and comparisons (“like a grain ear cut with a sickle ...”, “black eyebrows, like mourning velvet ...”).
The appearance of trinity, characteristic of fairy tales, in the text of the work is associated with trials, as in folklore. This can be seen in the scene where, under the walls of Dubno, Andriy meets a Tatar woman who asks a young Cossack to help a lady: she may die of hunger. This is receiving a task from an old woman (in the folklore tradition, usually from Baba Yaga). The Cossacks have eaten everything cooked, and his brother is sleeping on a bag of supplies. Kozak tries to pull the bag out from under the sleeping Ostap, but he wakes up for a moment. This is the first test, and Andriy passes it with ease. Further tension increases: Andria and the female silhouette are noticed by Taras Bulba. Andriy stands "neither dead nor alive", and his father warns him against possible dangers. Here Bulba Sr. simultaneously acts both as an opponent of Andriy and as a wise adviser. Without answering his father's words, Andriy moves on. The young man must overcome another obstacle before meeting his beloved - to walk through the streets of the city, seeing how the inhabitants are dying of hunger. It is characteristic that Andrii also meets three victims: a man, a mother with a child, and an old woman.
In the pannochka's monologue, there are also rhetorical questions that are often found in folk songs: “Am I not worthy of eternal regrets? Is not the mother who gave birth to me unhappy? Did not the bitter share fall on me? The stringing of sentences with the union "and" is also characteristic of folklore: "And she lowered her hand, and put the bread, and ... looked into his eyes." Thanks to the songs, the artistic language of the story itself becomes more lyrical.
It is no coincidence that Gogol refers to history. Being an educated person, Gogol understood how important the past is for a particular person and people. However, Taras Bulba should not be regarded as a historical story. Fantasy, hyperbole and idealization of images are organically woven into the text of the work. The history of the story "Taras Bulba" is notable for its complexity and contradictions, but this in no way detracts from the artistic value of the work.
Artwork test
One of the most famous works of Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol "Taras Bulba". The description of the events taking place in this story are connected with historical events that took place over more than two centuries. And all of them are combined in one work and are reflected in the fate of one character.
Creating a story, reflecting historical events
In his work "Taras Bulba" Nikolai Vasilievich touches on the past of the country, when an ordinary person broke away from everyday life and became capable of committing heroic and patriotic deeds.
When Gogol created this story, he often turned to many historical sources.
And, nevertheless, 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 Earth.
A believable description of the events of the era
It describes the events associated with the struggle against the Lithuanian and Polish invaders. When the main character Taras Bulba himself, whose character description is quite interesting, together with other patriotic residents of Ukraine, created the Zaporozhian Sich and began their struggle against the knights. Nikolai Vasilievich does not resort to methods of softening or embellishing the events of this era.
On the contrary, he quite vividly and believably recreates the pictures of the harsh life 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 he was able to capture in his work.
The main character of the story and his main features
In order to clearly present the image of the main character, it is necessary 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: decorating a room, or rather, its absence, and ending with relationships with loved ones. With his wife or children, as well as with comrades. Particular attention must be paid to his behavior in battle.
Taras is a Cossack colonel with vast experience in military battles. 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 even excessively harsh, nevertheless, is a person not without 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 also 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. He hopes that his children will become worthy Cossacks and defenders of the fatherland. Do not shame his name.
The main differences between the two sons of the protagonist
Where can one begin the description of 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 clearly 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.
Nikolai Vasilyevich in his story "Taras Bulba", contrasts Andriy's description with 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, for the sake of personal feelings. Nikolai Vasilevich very clearly emphasizes the contradictory qualities of characters in the images of the brothers. 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 the common aspiration. The description of the sons of Taras Bulba is important enough 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" would be impossible without the scene of the murder of his own son by the protagonist. Why did the father decide to do this? The laws among the Cossacks were very strict. The punishment for theft and murder was severe. 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 about all the oaths that 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 emotions, his 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 under the hand of his father in silence, only quietly pronouncing the name of his beloved.
Another loss of an elderly Cossack
Trouble, as usual, 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 that embody the very era described by Nikolai Vasilevich. Ostap showed his courage not only in battles, but also 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 has always been an example for him, was so important to him.
So Taras lost both of his sons. Like a madman now, 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 Russian expanses
There is a wonderful description of nature in the story. Taras goes with his sons to his comrades-in-arms. Everyone is busy with their own thoughts. Father reminisces about his youth. He thinks about how time flies, about lost friends. Ostap recalls his mother's worries, which touched the heart of the young Cossack. And Andriy is busy thinking about the beautiful Polish girl who has settled in his heart.
The gray and inexpressive reality of life in Ukraine in the first half of the 19th century did not at all inspire the imagination of the great talent that seethed in the soul of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. The writer, a Ukrainian at heart, was more interested in the past. He was completely embraced by the times when Ukraine lived a stormy life filled with historical events. These were the hours of the birth of the free Ukrainian Cossacks, when the life of every Cossack was completely overwhelmed with the struggle for freedom, fatherland and faith in Christ.
Thus, the idea of writing a small but capacious epic work from the life of the Ukrainian Cossacks at the end of the 15th century arose. Gogol writes a vivid historical narrative "Taras Bulba". The whole essence of the artistic images and characters depicted on the pages of the work is real, almost epic Cossack heroes, elevating the soul of the reader.
Gogol - researcher of Ukrainian antiquity
Being an artist and poet, Gogol, like no one else, managed to be inspired by the chants and legends of the people of Ukraine. It was this environment that influenced the formation of the spirit of the Ukrainian Cossacks. On the other hand, Gogol can be fully called a historian-researcher of the Ukrainian “long time ago”. And this activity was very organic for him. Even the youthful historical experiences of the writer Gogol show how deeply and penetratingly he was interested in the almost mystical images of the same Pan Danila in the story "Terrible Revenge" or Pan Chub in the fairy tale "The Night Before Christmas".
Being an educated man of his time, Gogol conscientiously studied all the primary sources that told about the great past. And these were the works of scientists, and folk works, and records of contemporaries. But, first of all, he was interested in Zaporizhzhya Sich. This is the source for the historical, heroic and artistic understanding of the past of their homeland. Gogol, a romantic at heart, could not ignore such a deep historical theme.
The idea of writing a story
According to Gogol himself, the idea of writing "Taras Bulba" arose overnight. Shortly before this, Nikolai Vasilyevich finished writing "Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka" - a programmatic ethnic work about the life of ordinary people in Ukraine dear to him. After that, he takes up writing a historical cycle called "Mirgorod". Part one of this epic just consisted of two narratives - "Taras Bulba" and "Old World Landowners". They were printed in 1835. Such is the historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba".
The main character of the conceived story is an already elderly Cossack, the father of two beautiful sons, the colonel of the Zaporozhian army - Taras Bulba. It is in it that the author embodies the best qualities of the Zaporizhzhya Cossack of the late 15th century. The story itself is, without a doubt, a historical work. It contains a wide variety of both domestic and battle scenes with a description of a huge number of characters.
The plot of the story
The historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba" is confirmed by the very plot of this literary masterpiece. The story begins merrily and beautifully. Two former students come to their parents' house. The father of the Bursaks, an experienced Cossack Taras Bulba, immediately arranges a test for his adult sons, checking their behavior in battle. Being a real Cossack, the father strives for his sons to adopt courage and militancy from him. Therefore, immediately upon the arrival of their sons, they all go together to the Zaporizhzhya Sich, despite the prohibitions of the mother.
Reading and rereading the scenes of the movement of Taras Bulba and his sons to the Sich, you understand that Gogol simply rested his soul when he wrote this work. What a colorful description of the steppe, nature, life, life and mood of the Cossack community! The scope of Gogol's creative vein in this short story is grandiose. In the images of the characters in the story, the author managed to embody the entire epoch-making moment of the war and the history of the entire people of Ukraine.
Fortress siege
The historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba" is quite accurately revealed in the episodes that describe the siege of the Dubno fortress. It is in these plots that the historical peculiarity of "Taras Bulba" and the main characters of the story are verified. At first, Taras Bulba, together with his sons, fight bravely. The offspring behave very boldly, but the main test of their characters is already on the way. The glorious Cossack Taras is proud of his sons. Yes, and he himself is faithful to his main mission as a defender of his native land and the Orthodox faith.
The image of Taras Bulba
Taras Bulba in the history of the Zaporozhye Cossacks is very organic. He is endowed with specific historical features and fully corresponds to the essence of the hero of the era of the Hetmanate in Ukraine. The historical events in the story "Taras Bulba" reveal all the features of the character of this extraordinary Cossack. In the constant and intense struggle and in the actions of Bulba, as in a mirror, the times of the glorious past of Ukraine are reflected.
Cossack colonel Taras Bulba. Historical figures like him came to the fore at a time when fierce liberation wars were going on throughout the Dnieper region. It was a grandiose time when the fight against the insatiable Poles and the irresistible Mongol-Tatars was waged by one Ukrainian Cossacks - the main military and spiritual force of the Hetmanate.
The image of the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks
The artistic dominant of the story is the way of life of the Zaporozhye Cossacks romanticized by Gogol. From this point of view, the very historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba" is called into question. But this is far from true. Historical penetration into the plot of the story leads to the realization that Gogol in this case acts as the compiler of a new original epic about the unique characters and glorious deeds of our distant Cossack ancestors.
The spiritual basis of the image of Taras Bulba is majestic, first of all, with its deep and conscious sacrifice. Taras is destined to carry a quarter sacrifice for the honor of his Cossack family, which in its magnitude flows into a sacrifice for the nation and faith. The plot essence of this sacrifice is very cruel: the father kills his son Andrei, who committed treason, with his own hand. The same father accepts the heroic death of another heroic son, Ostap, and then the death of his dear wife and mother of his sons. Before our eyes, the father, husband and warrior Taras turns into that spirit that with all its strength opposes the enemies of the native land and faith.
Historical figures
Gogol did not set himself the goal of describing specific historical figures in the story. He was fascinated not by them, but by the general image of the heroes of the liberation movement of Ukraine at the end of the 15th century. The author emphasizes the historical basis of the story Taras Bulba in chapter twelve: “the young, but strong-willed hetman Ostranitsa led all the countless Cossack strength.”
It is in the lines of the narrative of "Taras Bulba" that the powerful and unrestrained desire of the people of Ukraine to defend their independence and will is reflected. Through historical centuries, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol addresses all the Slavic brothers from the pages of his immortal story.
Taras Bulba is a true patriot of his land
The real spirit of patriotism pervades the whole story, emphasizing the dramatic events. Taras Bulba is a hero who is not characterized by hesitation. He is a patriotic warrior and considers it his highest duty to serve his homeland. He is a courageous and fearless defender of his land and faith. Even the last moments of Taras' life are overflowing with true love for his brothers in struggle and faith.
Gogol truthfully draws the hatred of the people for foreign invaders, feudal oppressors, shows the historical reasons that led to the formation of the Zaporizhzhya Sich - the glorious "nest" of the Cossack "liberty". The story quite accurately characterizes the balance of power in southeastern Europe at the end of the 15th century: the expansive claims of the more economically developed Commonwealth and the courageous resistance of the Cossacks, who made up for their economic weakness with solidarity and loyalty to the fighting national-patriotic traditions. It is significant that Gogol persistently emphasizes the democratism of the self-government of the Sich, bringing it closer to the republic. With the keen eye of a historian, Gogol also penetrated the life of Catholic panorama Poland, although it is shown as if in sketches - let us recall the description of the gentry army, the image of a young Pole, whom Andriy became interested in, the siege of Dubno.
The publication of Mirgorod provoked fierce attacks from reactionary critics (Northern Bee, Moscow Observer, etc.). Belinsky spoke in defense of Gogol and his satires. In the article “On the Russian story and the stories of Mr. Gogol” (“Telescope”, 1835), he defined the originality of Gogol’s narrative style: “... Simplicity of fiction, nationality, the perfect truth of life, originality and comic animation, always overcome by a deep feeling of sadness and despondency” . As a special merit, Belinsky noted the further deepening of social themes in Gogol's work. Subsequent works of the writer confirmed these conclusions. Gogol's satire is becoming more diverse and sharper, the methods of psychological analysis are being improved, and the thematic range of works is expanding.
The story "Taras Bulba", dedicated to the heroic life of the people, is directed against servility, social passivity, no matter in what historical conditions they manifest themselves. The pathos of Gogol's work is in the glorification of patriotism, the high moral qualities of a person, the beauty of a feat in the name of the freedom of the fatherland. The democratic basis of the story was also reflected in its close connection with the traditions of poetic folk art. Gogol makes extensive use of extended comparisons, repetitions, and lyrical epithets used in works of folklore. In the rhythm of the narration, the influence of the epic speech warehouse is felt. The behavior of Taras Bulba, individual traits of his character evoke images of the famous heroes of the folk epic. With the story "Taras Bulba" Gogol consolidated the line of genuine historicism that comes from "Boris Godunov" and "The Captain's Daughter" by Pushkin.