ENG: Tetyana Sulima: A Tale of a Real-Life Heroine

Vivid Realism: The author (who was Yakov Kukharenko’s niece) had an intimate understanding of life in a Ukrainian village. The play offers detailed descriptions of rituals, evening gatherings, and family squabbles, making the text almost an ethnographic document—yet one that feels very much alive.
Comic situations: Many scenes are built around disguises or eavesdropping. Laughter here serves as a weapon against the greed of parents who want to marry their daughter off for “money” rather than for a person.
The characters’ language: This is a veritable treasure trove of folk gems. The dialogues are dynamic, sharp-tongued, and filled with the characteristic peasant flavor of the time.
A woman’s perspective: Unlike many male authors of the time, Sulima emphasizes a woman’s inner strength, her right to choose her own destiny, and her ability to outmaneuver men on their own turf.