Short Fiction · Chapter
III explained
Taras Bulba, dissatisfied with the idle life in the Setch, conspires to stir up the Cossacks for war.
What happens
Taras Bulba, dissatisfied with the idle life in the Setch, conspires to stir up the Cossacks for war. He provokes a revolt against the Koschevoi, who refuses to break a peace treaty with the Sultan, and orchestrates the election of a new leader. Meanwhile, Ostap and Andrii adapt to the wild, revelrous atmosphere of the Setch, where young Cossacks learn war through experience and spend their time in carousing and storytelling.
Themes in this chapter
War and Cossack Identity
Taras Bulba's drive to engage in war reflects the Cossack ethos of active military service as essential to honor and purpose.
Social Class and Bureaucracy
The political maneuvering to depose the Koschevoi and the assembly's role in electing leaders illustrate the Setch's unique governance.
Characters to notice
- Taras Bulba
Plots to stir up the Setch for war and orchestrates the removal of the Koschevoi.
- Koschevoi
Refuses Taras's request to break the peace with the Sultan, leading to his ouster.
- Ostap
Adapts to the Setch's lifestyle, learning war through experience and revelry.
- Andrii
Joins Ostap in the Setch's carousing and informal martial training.
- Kukubenko
Proposed as a candidate for the new Koschevoi during the assembly.
Key passages
“He reflected incessantly how to stir up the Setch to some bold enterprise, wherein a man could revel as became a warrior.”
Taras constantly thought about how to provoke the Setch into a daring military campaign where a man could enjoy himself like a true warrior.
Highlights Taras's restless ambition for war.
“The whole of the Setch presented an unusual scene: it was one unbroken revel; a ball noisily begun, which had no end.”
The entire Setch was a continuous celebration, a noisy party that never stopped.
Describes the perpetual carousing that defined life in the Setch.