# Ostap — Short Fiction character guide

> Ostap in Short Fiction by Nikolai Gogol.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ostap Bulba, Bulba

**First appearance:** 0012-taras-bulba

## Snapshot

Taras Bulba's elder son, hardened by the rod and by logic, who never betrays a comrade and never lets his father down.

## Who they are

Ostap Bulba begins as a runaway schoolboy buried in theology and beatings, and emerges with the firmness that marks a true Cossack. He holds himself aloof from his fellows yet is first to join any daring venture, and neither prison nor blows can make him name a friend. Where Andrii feels everything, Ostap feels quietly and endures, and that steadiness makes him the son Taras can rely on as the war begins.

## Relationships

### [Taras Bulba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/taras_bulba)

_family_

Ostap is the elder son of Taras Bulba, a loyal Cossack who dies a heroic death, deeply mourned by his father.

### [Taras Bulba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/taras_bulba)

_family_

Ostap is the elder son of Taras Bulba, a loyal Cossack who dies a heroic death, deeply mourned by his father.

### [Taras Bulba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/taras_bulba)

_family_

Ostap is the elder son of Taras Bulba, a loyal Cossack who dies a heroic death, deeply mourned by his father.

## In the story

### [Taras Bulba](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/taras-bulba)

Taras's elder son, who follows his father to the Setch and participates in the siege of Dubno.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/i)

Elder son, thoughtful and observant of his father's character.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/ii)

The elder son, who initially struggled at the Kiev academy but later excelled; he is hardened by discipline and remains loyal to his comrades.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/iii)

Adapts to the Setch's lifestyle, learning war through experience and revelry.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/v)

Shows natural leadership and composure in battle; praised by Taras as a future leader.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/vii)

Chosen as hetman of the Oumantzi kurén; leads the Cossacks in battle and is praised by the Koschevoi.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/ix)

Fights bravely, wrenches linstocks from cannoneers, witnesses his brother's death, and is eventually captured.

### [Taras's Grief and the Journey to Warsaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/x)

Taras's son, captured by the Lyakhs; his fate drives Taras's actions.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/xi)

Led to execution first among the Cossacks, Ostap endures torture silently but calls for his father in his last moment.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/chapters/xii)

Taras's son, whose death Taras avenges through massacres and burnings.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters/ostap
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_40_se/characters