Considering the way it was carried out by his enemies, do you feel that the death of Taras Bulba was a reference to the crucifixion of Christ?

My view is that Gogol intentionally made his death resemble that of Christ. My reasoning is due to the unique way his death was carried out within the context of a skirmish scene; one would generally expect something less elaborate, although no less barbaric. Instead, what follows is the familiar scene of a leader being nailed to something, in this case, a tree.