In Nikolai Gogol s short story May Night, or the Drowned Maiden, a single night ends up changing the lives of many. Young Levko is the son of the head of a Ukrainian village and madly in love with a maiden named Hanna. To Levko s dismay, his father attempts to break off the romance in secret. What follows is a night during which both the alive and dead seek vengeance. In this tale wrapped in mysterious folktale, family ties are put to the test and characters are faced with a lesson or two. The story was adapted into two operas in the late 19th century and a Soviet film in 1952.Ukrainian-born writer and dramatist Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) is considered one of the most prominent figures in Russian literature. His unconventional works are often touched by folklore or a hint of the unusual, providing the reader with surprising turns and characters. Gogol has been attached to a range of different literary styles, including Russian literary realism and even surrealism. His stories include the short story The Nose and the famous satirical novel Dead Souls. Gogol s works have inspired numerous stage, film and television adaptations including the movie Inspector General (1949), based loosely on his play with the same name.
