Tag Archives: RKS literature

RKS Literature: A New Russian Czar Will Spring Forth! (Nikolai Gogol)

“So you thought you caught us, you damn Poles. Do you think there is a single thing in this world that will frighten a Cossack? Just wait, the time will come when you will understand the meaning of the Russian Orthodox faith. Word has already spread through every nation. A Russian Czar will spring forthContinue reading “RKS Literature: A New Russian Czar Will Spring Forth! (Nikolai Gogol)”

RKS Literature: Execution by the Poles of Cossacks: Entertainment (Nikolai Gogol)

“The square on which the execution was to take place was not hard to find: the whole town was streaming there from all directions. In that grim bygone era an execution was considered one of the most engaging spectacles, not only for the masses but also for the aristocracy. Devout old women, matrons and timidContinue reading “RKS Literature: Execution by the Poles of Cossacks: Entertainment (Nikolai Gogol)”

RKS Literature: Tarus Bulba on Women and Vodka (Nikolai Gogol)

“Enough! Enough whining, old woman. Cossacks aren’t Cossacks so they can hobnob with women! Given half a chance you’d hide them under your skirt and sit on them like a hen. Off with you, quick, and get the table ready. Lay out everything we have. No need for fritters  and poppyseed cakes, or any otherContinue reading “RKS Literature: Tarus Bulba on Women and Vodka (Nikolai Gogol)”

RKS Literature: Tarus Bulba’s Thoughts on a Seminary Education (Nikolai Gogol)

“You’re a milksop, I see!” Bulba said. “Don’t listen to your mother, my boy. She’s a woman, she knows nothing! What do you need sweetness for? An open field and a good horse, that’s all the sweetness that you need. You see this saber. This saber is your mother! They’ve been filling your heads withContinue reading “RKS Literature: Tarus Bulba’s Thoughts on a Seminary Education (Nikolai Gogol)”

RKS Literature: Newly Married Copperfield in Marital Bliss (Charles Dickens)

“It seemed such an extraordinary thing to have Dora always there. It was so unaccountable not to be obliged to go out and see her, not to have any occasion to be tormenting myself about her, not to have to write to her, not to be scheming and devising any opportunities of being alone withContinue reading “RKS Literature: Newly Married Copperfield in Marital Bliss (Charles Dickens)”

RKS Literature: The Importance of Earnestness (Dickens)

“I have always been thoroughly in earnest. I have never believed it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard-working qualities, and hope to gain its end. There is no such thing as fulfillment on this earth. Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, mayContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Importance of Earnestness (Dickens)”

RKS Literature: Attributes of My Success (Dickens)

“….I will only add, to what I have already written of my perseverance at this time of my life, and of a patient and continuous energy which then began to be matured within me, and which I know to be the strong part of my character, if it have any strength at all, that there,Continue reading “RKS Literature: Attributes of My Success (Dickens)”

RKS Literature: Master Copperfield is Head Over Heels

“I had no intention of saying (and had been studying the best form of words for three miles) that I thought them beautiful before I saw them so near her. But I couldn’t manage it. She was too bewildering. To see her lay the flowers against her little dimpled chin, was to lose all presenceContinue reading “RKS Literature: Master Copperfield is Head Over Heels”

RKS Literature: Being on the “Right Side” of the Family (Charles Dickens)

‘Miss Trotwood’ he remarked. ‘is very firm no doubt, and not likely to give way to opposition. I have an admiration for her character, and I may congratulate you, Copperfield, on being on the right side. Differences between relations are much to be deplored-but they are extremely general-and the great thing is, to be onContinue reading “RKS Literature: Being on the “Right Side” of the Family (Charles Dickens)”

RKS Literature: A Twit Pontificates on Aristocratic Blood (Charles Dickens)

‘Oh you know, deuce take it’ said this gentleman, looking round the board with an imbecile smile,’ we can’t forego Blood, you know. We must have Blood, you know. Some young fellows, you know, may be a little behind their station, perhaps, in point of education and behaviour, and may be a little wrong, youContinue reading “RKS Literature: A Twit Pontificates on Aristocratic Blood (Charles Dickens)”