Taras Bulba, and Other Tales

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gogol, Nikolai Vasilevich, 1809-1852

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Taras Bulba and Other Tales" by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol is a collection of stories written in the early 19th century. The titular tale, "Taras Bulba," centers on the life and exploits of Taras, a fierce Cossack leader, and his two sons who have returned from their education. This narrative is set against the backdrop of the turbulent Ukrainian landscape during a time of conflict and showcases themes of bravery, loyalty, and cultural pride amid the conflicts between different factions in Eastern Europe. At the start of the tale, Taras Bulba greets his sons, Ostap and Andrii, in a boisterous and confrontational manner that reflects both his warrior spirit and paternal affection. Their reunion quickly turns into a humorous yet rough initiation as Taras playfully pummels them in a test of strength. He expresses disdain for their academic pursuits and instead chides them to embrace their heritage as Cossacks. The family's dynamics, particularly the struggle between Taras' rugged, martial values and his wife's tender maternal concerns, hint at the struggles of adhering to traditional masculine norms in a changing world, setting the stage for exploration of deeper themes as the story unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Taras Bulba

St. John's Eve

The Cloak

How the Two Ivans Quarrelled

The Mysterious Portrait

The Calash.

Credits:

Produced by John Bickers, and David Widger

Notes:

Reading ease score: 77.6 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 1998-02-01