The historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba". The real historical events underlying the story

The main feature of the art work on a historical theme is that the author organically combines in it a story about events that took place in reality, with literary techniques and author's invention. The story of N.V. Gogol "Taras Bulba" is somewhat unusual in this connection: the historical events in it are not concretized, moreover, when reading it is sometimes difficult to determine at what time the actions unfold - in the 15th, 16th or 17th century. Besides, none of the heroes is a historical person, including Taras himself. Despite this, since the appearance of the work he is considered to be epic novels, sometimes called a novel. What is the strength and scope of "Taras Bulba"?

History of the creation of the story

The writer's appeal to the subject of the Cossacks was not accidental. A native of the Poltava province, he had heard from childhood about the heroic heroic deed of the people during the struggle against numerous foreign invaders. Later, when Gogol was already writing, he was particularly interested in such brave and devoted people as Taras Bulba. There were many of them in the Sich. Often the Cossacks became former serf peasants - they found a home here and comrades.

N.V. Gogol studied many sources devoted to this issue, including manuscripts of Ukrainian chronicles, historical studies of Boplan and Myshetsky. Not satisfied with what he read (in his opinion, they contained scant information, which was not enough to understand the soul of the people), Gogol turned to folklore. Historical songs and dumas dedicated to national heroes, talked about the features of the characters, customs and way of life of the Cossacks. They gave the writer a magnificent "live" material, which was an excellent addition to scientific sources, and some story lines in a revised form entered the story.

The historical basis of the story

"Taras Bulba" is a book about free people who inhabited the territory of the Dnieper region in the 16th-17th centuries. Their center was Zaporizhzhya Sich - its name is due to the fact that it was fortified on all sides by a fence of fallen trees - notches. It had its way of life and management. Subject to frequent attacks from the Poles, Turks, Lithuanians, the Cossacks had a very strong, well-trained army. Most of the time they spent in battles and military campaigns, and the captured trophies became the main means of survival. It is not by chance that the description of Taras Bulba and the light in the house where his wife lived alone includes numerous signs of the host's marching life.

1596 became fatal for the Ukrainian people, which at that time was under the rule of Lithuanians and Poles. Rzeczpospolita adopted a union to unite under the authority of the Pope two Christian religions: Orthodox and Catholic. The decision made further complicated the difficult relations between the Poles and the Cossacks, which resulted in open military confrontations. Gogol devoted his story to this period.

Picture of Zaporizhzhya Sich

The main school for the education of persistent, courageous warriors was a special way of life and management, and the teachers were experienced Cossacks who had shown their valor in battle more than once. One of them was Colonel Taras Bulba. His biography is a story about the formation of a true patriot, for which the interests and freedom of the fatherland are above all.

Zaporozhye Sich resembled a large republic, based on the principles of humanism and equality. Koshevoy was chosen by the general decision, usually from among the most worthy. During the battle the Cossacks had to obey him unconditionally, but in peacetime it was his duty to care for the Cossacks.

In the Sich all was arranged to ensure the life and military campaigns of its inhabitants: all sorts of workshops and smithies worked, bred cattle. All this will be seen by Ostap and Andriy when they are brought here by Taras Bulba.

The history of the short life of the Zaporozhye republic has shown a new way of organizing people's lives, based on brotherhood, unity and liberty, and not on the oppression of the weak by the strong.

The main school for the Cossack is a battle brotherhood

About how the formation of young soldiers, it can be judged by the example of the sons of Taras, Ostap and Andriy. They finished their studies in the seminary, after which their way lay in Zaporozhye. The father meets his sons after a long separation, not with hugs and kisses, but with a test on their fists with their strength and skill.

The life of Taras Bulba was unpretentious, as evidenced by the feast in honor of the arrival of the sons ("drag ... all the ram, goat ... and burner more" - with such words the old Cossack turns to his wife) and sleep in the open air.

Not even a day had Ostap and Andrii stayed at home, as they had already set off for Sich, where they had the best partnership in the world and glorious feats for their country and religion. Their father was convinced that a real school for them could only be participation in combat battles.

Zaporozhets

Approaching Sech, Taras and his sons saw a Cossack sleeping in the middle of the road picturesquely. It stretched like a lion, and caused general admiration. Broad trousers, like a sea, proudly thrown out the forelock (it was invariably left on the shaved head), a good horse-that was the way a real Cossack looked. It is no accident that the main character of the story appeals to his sons with an appeal to immediately replace their "demonic" clothes (in which they came from the bursa) to another, worthy Cossack. And they really changed immediately in morocco boots, wide trousers, scarlet Cossacks and mutton hats. The image was supplemented by a Turkish pistol and the sharpest saber. Admiration and pride were caused by the stalwarts of the glorious stallions at their father's side.

The historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba" obliged the author to treat the Cossacks impartially. With all due respect to them and their valor, Gogol truthfully says that sometimes their behavior caused condemnation and misunderstanding. This refers to the rampant and drunken life that they led in between battles, excessive cruelty (for the murder of the criminal buried in the grave with the victim alive) and low cultural level.

The power of partnership

The main advantage of the Cossacks was that at the moment of danger they could quickly mobilize and act as a single army against the enemy. Their dedication, partiotism, courage and devotion to the common cause had no boundaries. In the story, Taras Bulba himself proved this many times. The biography of other prominent warriors, among them experienced Tovkach, Kukubenko, Pavel Gubenko, Mosiah Shiloh and young Ostap, also emphasizes this.

It was good to talk about unity and the main purpose of the Cossacks in his speech on the eve of the decisive battle of Bulba: "There is no bondage to the fellowship!" His speech is an expression of great wisdom and a holy belief that he and his brethren are defending a just cause. At a difficult moment Taras's words encourage the Cossacks, remind them of their sacred duty to protect their comrades, always remember the faith of the Orthodox and devotion to their homeland. The most terrible thing for a Cossack was betrayal: it was not forgiven anyone. Taras kills his own son, learning that because of his love for the beautiful Polish, he preferred personal interests to the public. So the bonds of brotherhood were more important than the bonds of the blood. The fact that this fact corresponded to reality is evidenced by the historical basis of the story.

Taras Bulba - the best representative of the Cossacks

Colonel with a harsh character, past a glorious battle path. A glorious ataman and comrade who could support with an encouraging word and give good advice in a difficult moment. He had a burning hatred for the enemy who infringed on the Orthodox faith, and did not spare his own life for the sake of saving the homeland and his fellow-soldiers in arms. Accustomed to free life, content with a clean field and was absolutely unpretentious in everyday life. This depicts Gogol the main character. All his life he spent in battles and always found himself in the most dangerous place. The weapon, smoking pipe and the glorious horse of Taras Bulba constituted his main wealth. At the same time he could joke and poblagurit, was satisfied with life. Disillusioned in his younger son, the hero experienced great pride in Ostap. At the risk of his life, Bulba came to the place of execution to see him for the last time. And when Ostap, staunchly enduring deadly torments, called him at the last minute, he in one word, making the entire square start, expressed his pride, approval and support not only to his son, but to his fellow-spirit and comrade-in-arms. Until the end of life, Taras will grieve over his son and take revenge for his death. The experience will add to it cruelty and hatred of the enemy, but will not break his will and strength of spirit.

In the story there is no description of Taras Bulba, which is customary for the hero, since it is not so important. The main thing is that he has such qualities, thanks to which it was possible to survive at that cruel time.

Taras's hyperbolization in the execution scene

Characterization of the hero is complemented by the description of his death, largely ridiculous. The hero is captured because he bends down to pick up the fallen pipe - even he does not want to give it to the damned enemy. Here Taras reminds the people's hero: a dozen or three people could hardly overcome him.

In the last scene, the author describes not the pain from the fire that the hero was experiencing, but his anxiety for the fate of the brothers floating on the river. At the time of death, he behaves with dignity, remaining faithful to the main principles of comradeship. The main thing was that he was sure that he had lived his life in vain. This was the real Cossack.

The significance of the work today

The historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba" is the liberation struggle of the people against the invaders, encroaching on his country and faith. Thanks to such a strong spirit, people like Taras Bulba, his son and comrades, managed to defend independence and freedom more than once.

The work of N.V. Gogol and his heroes for many became a model of masculinity and patriotism, therefore it will never lose its relevance and significance.