Didactic directions for the theme “Freedom of thought, speech and information”

Bulgarian language and literature

 

Theme: A nation’s way from slavery to freedom. (“Under the Yoke” from Ivan Vazov)

 

Contents

Thesis: “Under the Yoke” tells about what is happening inside the Bulgarian society before, during and after the April Revolt of 1876.  As the title shows, the accent  is on the life of the Bulgarian people immediately before the revolt. Through various characters and events, born by the author’s creative imagination, is shown the spiritual growth of the nation getting ripe for freedom. Vazov masterly managed to introduce all that, by showing the changes, which came into the manner and the way of life of the average Bulgarian, how he accepts the changes and the new significant idea. The metaphor for this spiritual and moral upsurge is the “drunkenness” of the nation, ripe and ready for revolt.

 

Interpretation

1. The national culture and tradition is the basic theme of the novel; it is the grounds that the revolutionary enthusiasm of the whole Bulgarian society is based on.

According to the author the idea of freedom is born by the well-kept through the centuries Bulgarian traditions and culture. On the other hand, education is another aspect which comes of great significance for preserving Bulgarian spirit and for the moral supremacy of the Bulgarian people over their Ottoman oppressor.

The basic values of the nation lead the social spirit in the small town of Byala cherkva. In Ganko’s café the Turkish supporters argue with their political opponents, the ones who love the Russians, and the word freedom does not sound strange to them.

2. A change of heart in the quiet patriarchal people.

-At the time of the annual school examination the concept of freedom becomes a matter of common knowledge.

-The revolutionary song acted out at the theatric performance raises the spirits of the town.  Everybody sang Chintulov’s song sincerely and impulsively, expressing the struggle for freedom of the Bulgarian national reviver.

- The main character, Boicho Ognyanov  – the man who impels the people to accept the concept of fighting for their own freedom,  leads them to revolt.

- The long years of exile to Turkish jails haven’t crippled his struggle for freedom. For him death is just a path to immortality and organizing the rebellion is the meaning of life.

- Binding representatives of diverse social groups together as they prepare for the rebellion in the matter of indicating the majesty of this deed.

-Master Marko’s new prayer, which he uses to pray for Bulgaria: “The insane ones, the insane ones  – long they may live”

 

3. Freedom is a synonym of self-denial. All take part in the preparation of  the rebellion and do their best, they forget about their homes and their work in the fields, just to get to the madness and the ”drunkenness”, in which they will find the truth about greatness and immortality.

 

-          Despite being brutally defeated the average Bulgarian is obsessed by the idea of freedom, which is like intoxication, and is unable to go back to the darkness of  slavery.

-          The “drunkenness” of the spirit is a special kind of madness, expressing the growth of the nation and its self-respect.

-          The death is a suffered  decision – there is no way back. This act of heroism sounds like a requiem about the greatness of spirit, dared to face its own fear, and later – the five-century slavery.

 

Conclusion: 

The drunkenness of a nation converts into self-denial in the name of freedom, it is a triumph of spirit.

 

←