Lessons 26 · 1 lessons · M. E. Rozhnova, U. T. Yaminova. Russian Language, Grade 8 (textbook for general secondary schools with Uzbek and other languages of instruction), 2nd revised edition. “Uzbekistan” Publishing and Printing Creative House, Tashkent, 2019
26
N. V. Gogol: life. The tale «Тарас Бульба»
Textbook: pp. 89–97
GoalLearn about N. V. Gogol’s life; retell the excerpts from the historical tale «Тарас Бульба»; find the devices used to depict the characters.
New words
историческая повесть · tarixiy qissaказак · kazakСечь · sichпротивопоставление · qarama-qarshi qo‘yish
Explanation
N. V. Gogol was born in 1809 in the village of Sorochintsy near Poltava and grew up on his parents’ estate. He studied at the “gymnasium of higher sciences” in Nezhin, finished in 1828, moved to Petersburg and served as a clerk. In 1831–1832 «Вечера на хуторе близ Диканьки» appeared, in 1835 the collection «Миргород» with the historical tale «Тарас Бульба», and in 1842 volume one of «Мёртвые души». Gogol died in 1852. «Тарас Бульба» shows the daily life of the Zaporozhian Cossacks against the historical events of the 15th–17th centuries. The main hero Taras is shown with his two sons, Ostap and Andrii; Ostap perishes, Andrii becomes a traitor, Taras kills him and finally dies himself. The author draws the characters with epithets, comparisons and contrast.
Worked examples
Excerpt 1: the two sons, students of the Kyiv bursa, come home. Taras laughs at their long gowns, the elder son answers sharply, and they end up fist-fighting while the mother tries to stop them. Taras decides to take his sons to the Zaporozhian Sich — “that is the real school”. The mother’s grief is stressed.
Excerpts 2 and 3: in the square where Ostap is executed, Taras stands in the crowd; in his last agony Ostap calls “Father, where are you? Do you hear me?” and Taras answers “I hear!” and slips away. Later Taras takes revenge across Poland and Potocki besieges him on the Dniester. He is caught while looking for his pipe; even tied to the tree to be burned, he shouts to the Cossacks to escape in boats — and they get away.
Class activity
“What is Taras like?” In groups pupils describe Taras, Ostap and the mother from their actions in the excerpts.
Practice
1
Where was Gogol born and where did he study?
In Sorochintsy near Poltava; at the “gymnasium of higher sciences” in Nezhin.
2
Which collection includes «Тарас Бульба», and what kind of work is it?
The collection «Миргород» (1835); a historical tale.
3
Whom does Ostap call at his execution and how does Taras answer?
Ostap calls his father; Taras answers «Слышу!» — “I hear!”.
4
Why does Taras worry about his Cossacks even at the point of death?
He puts their safety above his own life: he shouts the escape route and rejoices when they get away.