Biographies Characteristics Analysis

Comparative characteristics of Ostap and Andria. The difference between Ostap and Andriy in the work “Taras Bulba Several interesting essays

The purpose of the lesson: to give a comparative description of the heroes, to see how the characters of the brothers manifest themselves in different situations.

What would a Cossack not be? Disappeared, disappeared ingloriously, like a vile dog!

Ostap, it seemed, was destined for the path of battle, the difficult knowledge of carrying out military affairs.

During the classes:

Organizing time.

Work on the topic of the lesson.

Listening to music that characterizes the characters.

Which of the proposed melodies characterizes Andria?

Which Ostapa?

Why did you decide so?

2. Working with epigraphs for the lesson.

How do epigraphs reflect the characters' personalities?

Why are they so different? Aren’t the heroes related?

3. Are there any similarities between the brothers?

Both are from a family of native Cossacks;

Received the same education at the Bursa;

Both were keen on the fighting life;

Both are young, distinguished by courage and dexterity.

How did it happen that their paths diverged? Let's follow the short life path of the heroes.

4. As work progresses, fill out the table.

1. Arrival at home.

Student message. (Read out the main points).

When and what differences does Gogol make in his depiction of the brothers?

How do the brothers react to their father's ridicule?

2. Study at the bursa.

How did the brothers study? Why?

3. Life in the Sich.

What qualities did the Sich develop in heroes?

Honesty and justice, courage and bravery, courage and endurance, the ability to shoot accurately, cut furiously with a saber, have no mercy for the enemy, be loyal to comrades, take care of Cossack honor.

Did the Sich develop these qualities in Ostap and Andria? Student message.

4. Combat campaign. Battle of Dubno.

Why did Andriy go over to the enemy’s side?

How could a Polish woman outshine both her family and her homeland?

How does Gogol show us Ostap’s military and human qualities through a comparison of the two brothers?

5. The last day of the heroes' lives.

Which brother is kinder, why did you decide that?

Is cruelty towards the enemy a necessary quality of a Cossack?

Why didn’t Andriy, the bravest of the Cossack knighthood, become its glory and pride?

How did Ostap die?

Working with illustrations.

Why does Ostap want to see his father at the last moment of his life? Read out.

6. Conclusion on the topic of the lesson: Gogol condemns Andriy for treason to the Motherland. Andriy dies, according to the author, “ingloriously, like a vile dog.” Ostap evokes the author's deep sympathy and love. Gogol paints him as an epic hero, a defender of the Motherland, compares him to a lion, and says that “the path of battle and the difficult knowledge of carrying out military affairs were written in his family.” Like Taras Bulba, Ostap embodies the best traits of a Russian man, ready to die for his Motherland.

5. Lesson summary.

6. Homework. Answer one of the proposed questions in writing.

Why do we call Taras Bulba a “folk hero”.

2. What character traits does Taras display in the fight for his homeland?

The work of N.V. Gogol “Taras Bulba” reflects not only the historical past, but also shows the personal drama of the Cossack Taras Bulba and his sons - Ostap and Andriy. On the one hand, the two brothers are different, but on the other, they are very similar. Therefore, it is quite interesting to compare them.

Review of the story “Taras Bulba”

A review of the story will allow you to understand how it happened that, having grown up in the same family and raised the same way, Taras’s children - Ostap and Andriy - are brothers and enemies. Taras Bulba loved his native Ukraine with all his soul. A lively, restless Cossack, it was as if he was created for a violent battle. A clean field and a good horse are all that his soul asks for.

Merciless towards the enemy, gentle towards his comrades, Taras protects the oppressed and disadvantaged. His whole life is connected with the Zaporozhye Sich. He devoted himself completely to serving his native land. The main thing for him is the freedom and independence of his people. An experienced and wise leader of the Cossack army, Taras led a simple life and was no different from his comrades.

Stern and unyielding, devoted to his homeland, he sent his sons to the Sich as soon as they returned home from Kyiv, where they studied military science. Taras Bulba proudly told all his friends that Ostap and Andriy would become real Cossacks. The brothers and their father go to the Sich.

On the way, they were more silent, worried about the imminent separation from their mother and home. The Sich greeted them with real revelry. Bulba is making efforts to raise an army on a campaign against Poland. Soon the Cossacks attacked the city of Dubno, where, as they believed, there were many rich inhabitants and gold. The Cossacks won the first battle, but were unable to enter the city.

Decisive battle

They set up camp near the walls of Dubno and prepare for the second battle. Taras Bulba is proud of his sons. Ostap and Andriy fight with dignity. The eldest son is elected ataman of the Uman kuren. A born Cossack, in battle Ostap shows bravery and courage, acts calmly and boldly. The younger Andriy fights enthusiastically and bravely. With his characteristic ardor, he commits actions that a reasonable Ostap would not dare to undertake.

At night, the maid of his beloved makes her way to Andriy. Andriy abandons his army and goes over to the enemy’s side. In the second battle, Bulba saw his son Andriy leaving the city gates with the Polish knights. The father cannot stand Andriy's betrayal. Having lured him into a trap, Taras kills his son.

In this battle, the Cossack army suffered heavy losses. Ostap was captured, where he died under torture. The father tried to save his son, but could not. Bulba lost both sons, but bravely continued to fight. The battle lasted four days. Taras fell behind his army and was overtaken by the Haiduks. They tied him to an oak tree and lit a fire under him. And in his last minutes he thinks about his comrades, about his native land.

Two brothers - two destinies

Comparative characteristics of Ostap and Andriy will help to put together a complete image of the heroes and understand their actions and behavior. But first, let’s look at how their childhood went and the peculiarities of their upbringing.

Ostap and Andriy grew up next to each other, playing the same games. Their favorite place was the meadow behind the house. The father was often not at home; the mother was involved in raising the sons. The youngest son was his mother's joy. From an early age, Ostap strove to be like his father in everything. The brothers received the same education. Taras understood that they had to study and sent them to the Kyiv Bursa. Already there the brothers showed themselves differently.

They both dreamed of exploits and battles. When, upon their return, the father said that his sons would go with him to the Zaporozhye Sich, both were delighted. Sich is the place where they will become real Cossacks. On the way, each of them thought about his own. Ostap - about military exploits, about the fact that he is in no way inferior to his illustrious father. Andriy - about his beloved Polish beauty.

The author describes the appearance of Ostap and Andriy in general terms. Apparently, in order to note how close they are to each other. Two strong young men. The faces are covered with the first fuzz of hair, which is still unknown to the razor. Both have long forelocks, for which any Cossack could tear them out. A little later, the author describes their faces, barely tanned. This is why their young black mustaches highlight the healthy color of youth even more brightly.

After the brothers arrived in Sich, they matured within a month. The barely fledged chicks became Cossacks. The youthful softness in his facial features gave way to confidence and determination.

Older brother Ostap

Ostap's strong-willed character manifested itself in childhood. He didn’t like studying and buried his primer four times. He ran away from the bursa and stayed to study only under the threat of his father. When he was punished, he endured everything in silence. He lay down under the rod himself and never asked for mercy, never betrayed anyone. Ostap was a faithful comrade, and his friends responded in kind. After his father's order, Ostap made every effort and became the best in his studies.

Ostap is a reliable comrade and an impeccable fighter. He is calm, silent and reasonable. Ostap honors the traditions of his grandfathers and fathers. He does not face the problem of choosing between his feelings and duty. Comparative characteristics of Ostap and Andriy will help to better and deeper understand both brothers.

Despite the fact that Ostap is a man of duty, the death of his brother hurts him painfully. Good by nature, it is very difficult for him to look at his mother’s tears. But he tries not to show it. He loved his parents with all his heart, but he and his father were united by the desire to serve the Ukrainian people and their native land.

An integral nature, Ostap unconditionally accepts the life, ideals and principles of the Cossacks from the Sich. At twenty-two years old, he is cool-headed and looks at many things soberly. He lived his short life with dignity. Always respectful, but knows boundaries - Ostap's respect does not turn into servility.

He respects the opinion of the Cossacks, but he is categorically not interested in the opinion of foreigners. Ostap was never at a loss in battle or embarrassed. The Cossacks appreciated his strength and dexterity, courage and bravery in battle. Father Taras proudly said that he would make a good colonel.

The author notes that his body breathed strength and the knightly qualities of the young man acquired the strength of a lion. For a young Cossack, the world is harsh, but everything in it is simple: there are enemies - there are friends, there are friends - there are strangers. Ostap is not interested in politics, he is just a warrior - a brave, stern, loyal and straightforward Cossack. He remains faithful to his duty and his homeland to the end. In captivity he was subjected to terrible torture, Ostap did not say a word.

When the captured Cossacks are led to the scaffold, Ostap goes ahead of everyone. He looks proudly at the Poles and turns only to the Cossacks, so that they do not say a word to the Poles and do not disgrace the Cossack glory. Not a scream, not a single groan escaped from his chest. He died as a proud and loyal son of his land.

Taras's youngest son - Andriy

Comparative characteristics of Ostap and Andriy will answer many questions. It is noticeable that the author devotes more space to Andria in the story. His appearance is described in more detail. And, besides, this is the only hero of the story with whom the lyrical line is connected - the story of his love for the lady. But first things first.

While studying at the bursa, Bulba's youngest son showed himself to be a lively, developed, intelligent and inventive person. He liked to study, and knowledge came easily to him. Andriy was the ringleader in “dangerous enterprises,” but skillfully got away with it. Easy-going and decisive, he could find a way out of any situation. And he managed to avoid punishment. His father was sure that in the future Andriy would become a glorious Cossack.

The need to love arose in him early. What he was ashamed to admit to his brother and comrades. Sensitive by nature, he loved to walk the streets of Kyiv and enjoy the beauty of the gardens. When he saw the beautiful lady, his heart was filled with warmth, and he could not forget it.

A few years later he meets this girl again. She has matured, changed and seems even more beautiful to Andriy. He tells her everything he feels, hugs her reverently and understands that he does not want to part with her. Not only the comparative characteristics of Ostap and Andriy, but also the description of the brothers’ appearance make it clear that they are completely different.

In describing the appearance of his older brother, the author focuses only on his strength. Unlike Ostap, more attention is paid to the description of Andriy: a handsome young man, a velvet eyebrow is arched, his eyes sparkle with clear firmness, his cheeks glow with a bright fire and his black mustache shines like silk.

Andriy loves nature and misses his mother a lot. But he cannot be called weak-willed. He understands that he has committed a terrible crime - he betrayed his father and comrades in arms. And he knew what the consequences of his action would be. But he tries to remain himself to the end, fights for his own happiness.

Two extremes coexist in him - a subtle, sensitive nature and a brave warrior who is not afraid to look death in the face. He throws bread to a hungry man, but in battle his hand does not waver. The feelings of the young Cossack, which have not faded over several years, confirm how strong his love for the lady was. And the girl answered him the same.

To meet with the lady, Andriy enters a strange city. But first he enters the Catholic Church. It doesn’t bother him that this is a temple of a faith alien to him. He looks in amazement at the play of light and listens to the organ. This episode perfectly shows that he has access to the beauty of an alien religion, the suffering and sadness of a warring people. But Andriy’s spiritual beauty fades when he stands “against his own people,” fiercely and decisively, like a young greyhound dog.

Ostap and Andriy - brothers and enemies

The author introduces the reader to the brothers when they return home from school. The father made fun of their ridiculous outfit. Ostap was offended by these words, and he wanted to resolve the dispute with his fists. The father plays along with his son to see if he really will stop at anything. Andriy is indifferent and does not show himself in any way in this episode.

At dinner the conversation turns to studying, the father starts talking about punishment with rods. The eldest son does not want to talk about this topic, but the youngest is determined to strike back. From this scene it becomes clear that Ostap is reasonable and calm, Andriy is a hot young man who longs for exploits.

Ostap, who studied at the seminary without much pleasure, ran away from there several times. On his fifth escape, his father warned that he would send Ostap to a monastery. His father's words influenced the young man, and thanks to his willpower and perseverance, he becomes one of the best students. He took part in many pranks, but did not betray his comrades. He steadfastly endured punishment with rods.

Andriy studied with pleasure. Just like his brother, he participated in various adventures. But thanks to his resourcefulness, he successfully avoided punishment. Like all his comrades, Andriy dreamed of glory and exploits, but the feeling of love occupied a special place in his thoughts. Already in the Sich, when the lady’s maid finds him, under pain of death, he pulls out a bag of food from under his sleeping brother in order to save his beloved from hunger in the besieged city.

In battle, Andriy, without hesitation, rushed into the center of the battle, doing what other Cossacks could not do. Ostap, on the contrary, acted judiciously: he assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy before taking action. Both brothers were highly respected by the Cossacks.

Two brothers - Ostap and Andriy - two destinies, two characters, two deaths. One brother dies heroically, like a glorious son of his people. Taras takes revenge for the execution of Ostap by burning cities and war. The second brother shamefully dies for apostasy and betrayal of his people at the hands of his father. Taras does not bury his son according to Cossack customs, he says that they will bury him without him.

Taras taught both of his sons to love his people, land and freedom. And he wanted them to become worthy defenders of their native land and sincerely serve their people. That is why the betrayal of Andriy’s youngest son outgrew the scale of the family drama and became a conflict between two worlds. For Taras, his whole life was in the struggle for justice. The younger son chose love for a girl over his father’s values. The eldest remains faithful to everything his father taught him to the end.

The heroes of the work “Taras Bulba” are Ostap and Andriy. They are blood brothers, grew up together, received the same upbringing, but have completely opposite characters. The mother was mainly involved in raising the boys, since the father did not have time.

Taras Bulba, being constantly at war, understood that his sons needed education. He had enough funds, so he sent them to study in Bursa.

Ostap- a wonderful warrior, a devoted comrade, strived to be like his father in everything. By nature, he is kind, sincere, but at the same time serious, firm, and courageous. Ostap observes and honors the traditions of the Zaporozhye Sich. He is convinced that his duty is to protect the Motherland. Ostap is responsible, respects the opinions of the Cossacks, but never accepts the views of foreigners. He divides people into enemies and friends. Risking his own life, Ostap is ready to help his friend. It was difficult for Ostap to study; he repeatedly ran away from the bursa. I even buried my primer. But after his father's severe punishments, he continues to study excellently.

Andriy- completely different, not like his brother. Andriy has a well-developed sense of beauty and refinement. It is softer, more flexible, sensitive, and has a delicate taste. But, despite this, he shows courage in battle and another important quality inherent in Andriy - freedom of choice. Studying was easy for Andriy. Even if something went wrong, he always got out of the situation and avoided punishment.

After graduating from the seminary, the brothers and their father went to the Zaporozhye Sich. The Cossacks accepted them as equals. In battle, Andriy showed himself to be fearless, completely immersed in the battle. He enjoyed the fight, the whistle of bullets, the smell of gunpowder. Ostap was cold-blooded, but reasonable. In battle he fought like a lion. Taras Bulba was proud of his sons.

The siege of the city of Dubno changed the lives of the heroes once and for all. Andriy went over to the enemy side. The fact is that the Pole turned the Cossack’s head. Andriy gave up everything he had: parents, brother, friends. He was soft and sensitive, so he strove for beauty.

The meaning of Ostap’s life was his parents, Motherland, and comrades. He will not exchange them for any valuables. That's why he was elected chieftain. Ostap became his father’s pride, but Andiy became a traitor. Ostap fought to the end with the foreigners, but the forces were unequal, the hero is captured.

Ostap and Andriy died a cruel death. Ostap was executed by his enemies. His death is the death of a hero. Not the slightest cry or groan escaped his lips. He endured all the trials and torments that fate had in store for him. A sense of patriotism and love for friends helped him. He made all his father's wishes and hopes come true. Andria was killed by his own father for betrayal. Taras Bulba took the death of people close to him hard, his dear sons. The death of Ostap - a true warrior, loyal to his father and people, and the death of Andriy - a traitor and traitor.

Two brothers who had identical upbringings had different worldviews, values, and outlooks on life.

Comparative characteristics of Andriy Ostap in the story Taras Bulba

Cossacks are a widespread movement that includes camaraderie, support of friends, protection and loyalty to their native Ukraine. As a rule, the Cossacks did not disobey the orders of their elders and followed the path that their parents passed on to them, but there were exceptions.

So Gogol in his work “Taras Bulba” depicted two brothers who were raised the same, in equal conditions, but in the end they faced different fates. Andriy grew up affectionate and had a good relationship with his mother, and his brother Ostap took after his father - he did not tolerate a woman’s business. Already at school, the difference in character was noticeable: Ostap did not like to study, but Andriy worked hard. Ostap famously fought with his fists and could beat anyone who went against him, his parents or his homeland. So, when he met his father, he started a fight - he wasn’t afraid. Then they both are tested in battle, Ostap immediately acted clearly according to plan, and his brother completely surrendered to emotions, but was also a brave warrior.

Gogol shows in his story how Andriy falls in love with a girl who professes a completely different faith and is considered his enemy. He brings her bread while everyone is sleeping so that she does not die of hunger, and stays with her, thereby abandoning his relatives and his native country. Ostap bravely dies in captivity of enemies. Andria is killed by his father for treason.

From the very beginning it is clear that the brothers are completely different in character, and then in their actions. They have one thing in common - courage. Andriy’s courage manifests itself in hidden help to the girl he loves, while Ostap shows courage in battle and in attacking the enemy. Their differences are that they have different opinions about honor and love, therefore each has their own death. Ostap decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, adhering to old nomes and customs, Andria was led by feelings to which he succumbed.

There is no doubt that each hero had his own positive and negative qualities, like every person

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Ostap and Andriy Bulbenki are the sons of the Zaporozhye ataman Taras Bulba, the hero of the book of the same name by Nikolai Gogol.

“These were two strapping young men, still looking from under their brows, like recently graduated seminarians. Their strong, healthy faces were covered with the first fluff of hair that had not yet been touched by a razor.”

The sons have different characters from each other. The eldest, Ostap, is a cool and firm guy. He is selflessly devoted to his father, Zaporozhye, and never changes his decisions. He studied admirably, but only in order to quickly free himself from

hated bursa and get to Zaporozhye. His character is hardened by the constant scoldings of his teachers. Girls are not interested in Ostap, although he is not devoid of human feelings.

“Ostap was always considered one of the best comrades. He rarely led others in daring enterprises - to rob someone else's garden or vegetable garden, but he was always one of the first to come under the banner of an enterprising student, and never, under any circumstances, betrayed his comrades. No amount of whips or rods could force him to do this. He was harsh towards motives other than war and riotous revelry; at least never about anything else

Did not think. He was straightforward with his peers. He had kindness in a form in which it could only exist with such a character and at that time. He was spiritually touched by the poor mother’s tears, and this alone embarrassed him and made him lower his head thoughtfully.”

The second son, Andriy, is a softer person and more sensitive than Ostap. His features express more tenderness. Like his brother, he was not very interested in studying at the bursa and sciences divorced from life. He is more cunning than Ostap, his pride is more painful, and its outbursts can lead to acts of insane courage, such as an attempt to get into the garden of a beautiful Polish girl.

“His younger brother, Andriy, had feelings that were somewhat more lively and somehow more developed. He studied more willingly and without the tension with which a difficult and strong character is usually accepted. He was more resourceful than his brother; more often he was the leader of a rather dangerous enterprise and sometimes, with the help of his inventive mind, he knew how to evade punishment, while his brother Ostap, putting aside all care, threw off the scroll and lay down on the floor, not at all thinking of asking for mercy. He was also seething with a thirst for achievement, but along with it his soul was accessible to other feelings.

The need for love flared up vividly in him when he passed eighteen years of age. The woman began to appear more often in his hot dreams; He, listening to philosophical debates, saw her every minute, fresh, black-eyed, tender. Her sparkling, elastic breasts, her tender, beautiful, completely naked hand constantly flashed before him; the very dress, clinging around her virgin and at the same time powerful limbs, breathed in his dreams some kind of inexpressible voluptuousness. He carefully hid these movements of his passionate youthful soul from his comrades, because in that age it was shameful and dishonorable for a Cossack to think about a woman and love without having tasted battle...”

The passion for the Polish woman that gripped Andriy, the chivalrous feelings for the girl suffering in a town dying of hunger, made him a traitor to his father and brother. He abandons his family and fights against them. The feelings of his mother, father and brother do not interest him: he is obsessed with winning the girl’s hand. Andriy goes over to the camp of yesterday’s enemy as easily as during his studies he gathered a gang in someone else’s garden: he doesn’t care what he is fighting for, and the battle for the interests of a girl with the prospect of possessing her attracts him more than the battle in his father’s camp.

Taras kills his son as a traitor, but until the very end Andriy feels love and passion not for his family, not for his homeland, but only for a charming girl... Everything else has become alien to him.

“And he saw in front of him only one terrible father... Andriy didn’t know anything to say and stood with his eyes fixed on the ground...! Obediently, like a child, he dismounted from his horse and stopped neither alive nor dead in front of Taras... Andriy was as pale as a sheet; you could see how quietly his lips moved and how he pronounced someone’s name; but it was not the name of the fatherland, or mother, or brothers - it was the name of a beautiful Pole... Even in death he was beautiful: his courageous face, recently filled with strength and a charm invincible for wives, still expressed wonderful beauty...”

“What would a Cossack not be? - said Taras, - and tall, and black-browed, and had a face like a nobleman, and his hand was strong in battle! Disappeared, disappeared ingloriously, like a vile dog!”

Ostap Bulba feels sorry for his brother, does not condemn, but does not justify either. He suggests burying him not as a traitor, but as a knight. But for Ostap personally, betrayal of his comrades is unthinkable. He is one of those who rushes to the aid of his own in battle, trying to win a minute to save those over whom the ax has already been raised.

The captured Ostap is executed in Poland. His brother dies in dull fear of his father. Ostap, on the contrary, calls on his father to support his spirit, to console him upon his death. He deliberately sets an example of stoicism in the face of the torture of executioners:

“Ostap endured torment and torture like a giant. Neither a scream nor a groan was heard even when they began to break the bones in his arms and legs... when the panyan women turned away their eyes - nothing resembling a groan escaped from his lips, his face did not tremble....”

Alas, both brothers die young in a military meat grinder, this is the sad similarity of their destinies. The death of both was called shameful: Andriy’s death was such for his relatives, and Ostapov’s for his opponents who led him to the scaffold. Still, for those close to him, Ostap’s death was a glorious feat, and Andriy disappeared for nothing. It is unknown whether his beautiful Pole cried for him at least once, whether the hussars, for whose sake he cut down his compatriots with a saber, remembered him with a kind word.


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Based on historical events of the past, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol writes the story “Taras Bulba”, the central characters of which are the two sons of the old Cossack Taras Bulba: Ostap and Andriy, outwardly similar to each other, but with different, somewhat opposite characters.

“Two strapping young men, still looking from under their brows, like recently graduated seminarians. Their strong, healthy faces were covered with the first fluff of hair that had not yet been touched by ... a razor.”

The brothers had different attitudes to their studies: Ostap, the eldest, “... in the first year (from the Kyiv bursa) he ran away. They returned him, flogged him terribly and put him in front of a book. Four times he buried his primer in the ground, and four times, having torn it inhumanely, they bought him a new one.” Taras Bulba threatened to leave his son as a monastery servant if he did not learn all the sciences, only after that Ostap began to study. Andriy, on the contrary, “studied more willingly and without stress”, “was more inventive than his brother.”

The brothers have a strong character, but Ostap “was always considered one of the best comrades... never, under any circumstances, betrayed his comrades... was stern towards motives other than war and riotous revelry... was straightforward with equals, had kindness...”. Andriy, having more lively and developed feelings, “more often was the leader of a rather dangerous enterprise and sometimes, with the help of his inventive mind, knew how to evade punishment.” Ostap dreams of becoming a real Cossack and going to the Zaporozhye Sich. The younger brother, wanting to accomplish a feat, loved to dream and wander alone through the streets of Kyiv.

The elder brother fought the battle calmly, “could measure out all the danger”, “the inclinations of the future leader could not help but be noticeable in him”, “it seemed to him that the battle path and the difficult knowledge of carrying out military affairs were written in his family.” During the battle, Andriy was completely immersed in the “charming music of bullets and swords. He didn’t know what it meant to think about, or calculate, or measure in advance his own and others’ strengths.” Until the last minute of his life, Ostap remained a true comrade, devoted to the common cause, because, just like for his father, for him there was no “holier bond than comradeship.” Andriy, seeing poverty, hunger, the suffering of the people of the besieged city, the misfortune of his beloved girl, betrayed his comrades. Ostap’s life was given to the Cossacks, therefore, just like his father, he dreams of happiness in the Zaporozhye Sich, on the battlefield. Andriy’s whole life is a dream of personal and family happiness. Therefore, he is closer to his mother, more affectionate with her, because he understands her worries and sorrows.

Thus, both sons of Taras Bulba have a difficult fate, and it is impossible to clearly determine the correctness of their chosen path.

(Option 2)

The sons of old man Bulba differ from each other not only in appearance, but also in character, and their fates are different. Sometimes they are given general characteristics, more often - different ones.

In the bursa they showed themselves in different ways: Ostap ran away in the first year, buried his primer in the ground, they mercilessly flogged him, but they could not achieve any sense. He calmed down only after Taras threatened to leave him at the academy for twenty years and not let him into Zaporozhye.

After that, Ostap sat down to books and became one of the best students. Even at school, he was known as a good friend: “he never, under any circumstances, betrayed his comrades. No whips or rods could force him to do this.”

Andriy studied willingly, led dangerous forays, and dodged punishments. Ostap thought about battles and feasts, Andriy was also “seething with a thirst for achievement,” but also had a need for love. At the very beginning of the story, “they were two strapping young men, still looking from under their brows, like recently graduated seminarians. Their strong, healthy faces were covered with the first fluff of hair that had not yet been touched by a razor. They were embarrassed... and stood motionless with their eyes on the ground.”

Ostap cannot stand his father’s ridicule of himself, showing his proud disposition: “I will not look at anyone for an insult and will not respect anyone.” The first tests of “being a Cossack” for Ostap were his father’s ridicule and a fist fight with him. At first, Andriy seems to Taras like a beybas and a little bastard, but already in the table conversation the Cossack’s prowess was revealed: “Just now let someone catch on. Now let some Tatar woman turn up, she will know what kind of thing a Cossack saber is!” Going with his sons to the Sich, Taras dressed them up. “The students suddenly changed... they were good...”.

Farewell to their mother embarrassed both sons, and again they were given a general description: “The young Cossacks rode vaguely and held back their tears, fearing their father...” Farewell to their mother also became a farewell to childhood. Leaving home for Zaporozhye, everyone thought about their own: Ostap was touched by his mother’s tears, Andriy remembered the beautiful Polish girl he met in Kyiv.

In the Sich, “Ostap and Andriy were little involved in military school,” there was no business. They went to the steppes to shoot birds, deer and goats, went out to lakes and streams to fish, shot quickly and accurately, and swam across the Dnieper against the current. They were distinguished from others by “outright prowess and luck in everything.”

But then came the real deal: “In one month, the newly fledged chicks matured and were completely reborn and became men. Their facial features... have now become menacing and strong.” Ostap seemed to be a born warrior; he had composure in battle, “almost unnatural for a twenty-two-year-old.” Taras believed that he “would be a good colonel, and one that could put daddy in his belt.” Ostap did not disappoint his father's expectations. Andriy did not think in battle, “he saw mad bliss and rapture in battle,” he went for something “that a cold-blooded and reasonable person would never dare to do.” As Taras said, “not Ostap, but a kind, kind warrior.” During the siege of the city of Dubno by the Cossacks, Andriy again met his Pole, dying of hunger, but even more beautiful. Making his way into the city with bread, Andriy ran into his brother and father. In fear, he threatened the half-asleep Ostap with death, and from his father he heard prophetic words: “The women will not bring you to any good.” Andriy’s soul has access to impressions that his brother and father would laugh at: he can admire the beauty of a summer night, be amazed by organ music. The second meeting with the Polish woman became fatal for Andriy: “What is my father, comrades and homeland to me?.. The homeland is what our soul is looking for, what is dearer to it than anything else. My homeland is you!... And I will sell, give away, and destroy everything that I have for such a homeland!” Andriy remained in the enemy camp.

The fate of Ostap was different. The Uman people chose him during the battle to be their chieftain and were not mistaken, since he showed not only courage, but also wisdom: “Here is a new chieftain, but he leads the army as if he were an old one!”

Andriy went into battle at the head of a hussar regiment against his own, but he did not distinguish between his own or those of others, he saw nothing, only “long curls, and a chest like a river swan, and a snowy neck, and shoulders, and everything that was created for crazy kisses." Only the father could stop Andriy; his son silently and resignedly accepts death at his hand, whispering the name of his beloved. The father punished one son for betrayal, the other was captured before his eyes.

Miraculously surviving this battle, Taras makes his way to Warsaw and is present at the execution of Ostap. Just as at school, under the rods, Ostap did not betray his comrades, so among his enemies, under torture, he did not make a sound. And, as in battle, looking at his son’s valor, Taras repeated approvingly: “Good, son, good!” His second son did not let him down, Taras could proudly look at the people and, risking his life, answered Ostap’s heartfelt cry: “Father! where are you? Can you hear? - “I hear you!”