# III explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Nikolai Gogol.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_40_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters