(288 words) This story Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol devoted to the struggle of the Cossacks for identity. The Polish principality imposed its charter, their faith, its customs on them, but the small and proud people opposed expansion to the last drop of blood. The author showed the fate of his brightest representatives, Taras Bulba and his sons, Ostap and Andriy, who died in this battle.
Ostap, the eldest son, dies as a hero. The young man was distinguished by courage and courage, considered it his duty to become avenging Polish attacks and defending the fatherland and original way of life. In one of the battles, Ostap was captured, and then tortured in the square in front of his father. During torture, he did not utter a word, accepting trials with dignity, thereby inspiring respect even from the enemy. We can say that Ostap died a heroic death, remaining faithful to his homeland to the end.
The youngest son, Andrius, was certainly a brave young man, but more circumspect and secretive. He studied diligently and did not see the point in the endless drill of the Cossack village. Together with a love for a girl, he chooses a different way of life - civilization, luxury and the settled life of Poles. For the sake of a dream of a new peaceful home, the young man switched to the enemy side, and from that moment he fought on the battlefield against his brothers in arms. Taras Bulba does not forgive his son for betrayal and kills him with the words: "I gave birth to you, I will kill you." At the same time, the hero does not resist the execution, he voluntarily accepts it, realizing guilt and paying for his choice. He also dies with dignity, not repenting and not asking for mercy.
Taras Bulba dies last. Enemies tie Bulba to oak with a chain and light a fire. The governor does not think about death; instead, he dictates to his soldiers a plan of salvation. His business lives in them, which means that he remains alive. Only his body burns at the stake, and the story ends. His death is an example of a real feat in the name of the Motherland.
