Poem " Dead Souls", as Gogol himself called this work (we remember - the poem is something else, if we talk about literary genres), created a real sensation in the literary community.
For example, the great Russian critic Herzen said that the work of Nikolai Vasilyevich is almost the most amazing book, which shocked all of Russia. IN " Dead souls ah" there are a lot of images, real realistic heroes that can be found in Everyday life, and such surnames as “Plyushkin”, “Manilov” and “Korobochka” became common nouns for some individuals in modern society. But it is not these colorful characters that the reader remembers the work.
The main “highlight” of the poem is considered to be Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov - a real robber and gallant adventurer.
Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, according to Gogol, is “a terrible and vile force.” As they say, there are devils in still waters. But it is not worth saying that Pavel Ivanovich is the central character of the poem: no, he is only a small part of the reality that is happening in the world.
Absolutely unremarkable in appearance, Chichikov (“neither young nor old, not handsome, but not bad-looking either, not too fat and one cannot say thin”) was a very multifaceted figure. Gogol did not describe his facial features, so we can assume that a person with Chichikov’s character can be anything in appearance. But Nikolai Vasilyevich paid special scrupulous attention to the manners of this hero: he tried to be very delicate, for example, he politely bowed his head when greeting and was very polite:
“Our hero answered everyone and everyone and felt some kind of extraordinary dexterity: he bowed to the right and left, as usual, somewhat to the side, but completely freely, so that he charmed everyone.”
But on the other hand, his gallant behavior was not always reflected in everyday life, for example, Gogol described how Chichikov blew his nose very loudly. That is, in a society that was beneficial to him, our hero tried to create the most favorable impression, from which the ladies literally went crazy.
Thanks to his hypocritical grace and correctly delivered speech, Chichikov easily manipulated people, for example, Manilov noted that this man simply had an excellent education.
In general, if we talk about Chichikov’s talents, he, like a chameleon, accepted the most advantageous behavior, thanks to which the interlocutors revealed their secrets to the landowner, for example, with the “sugar” Manilov, Chichikov was extremely kind, but in his thoughts he considered him stupid.
It was good manners and mention of the legality of the deal that helped Pavel Ivanovich get the cherished dead souls. And there can be no talk of any friendship: Chichikov’s character is pure hypocrisy and deception.
In 1846, Belinsky, known for his critical insight, noted that Chichikov “as an acquirer no less, if not more than Pechorin, is a hero of our time.” Chichikov can acquire “dead souls”, railway shares, he can collect donations for charities. It doesn't matter what type of activity he is engaged in.
One thing is certain: Chichikov is an immortal type. You can meet him everywhere, he belongs to all countries and all times: he only accepts various shapes, according to the conditions of place and time. The action in the poem “Dead Souls” begins with the reader meeting the main character. Who is he? Neither this nor that, the golden mean: “not handsome, but not bad-looking, neither too fat nor too thin; I can’t say that I’m old, but I can’t say that I’m too young.” How does the venerable collegiate adviser Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov begin his stay in the new city? From visits: to the governor, vice-governor, prosecutor, police chief, tax farmer, head of state-owned factories, etc. Behaving like a completely well-intentioned person, Chichikov “in conversations with these rulers ... very skillfully knew how to flatter everyone”: he praised the governor for the “velvet roads” of his province, the police chief “said something very flattering about the city guards,” twice mistakenly called the vice-governor and chairman of the chamber “your excellency.”
He paid the governor a compliment, “quite decent for a middle-aged man with a rank neither too high nor too low,” and called himself “an insignificant worm of this world,” complaining that he had experienced a lot in his life, “suffered in the service for the truth, had many enemies who even attempted his life.”
A characteristic feature of Chichikov is his ability to carry on a conversation: “Whether there was a conversation about a horse factory, he also talked about a horse factory; did they talk about good dogs, and here he made very sensible remarks... But it’s remarkable that he knew how to dress it all up with some kind of sedateness, he knew how to behave well. He spoke neither loudly nor quietly, but absolutely as he should.” As we see, Chichikov learned to wear the mask of vulgarity and imaginary decency masterfully, but the true content of his thoughts and actions is hidden under this mask of a completely decent, decent gentleman. In the first chapter, the author only indirectly, allegorically expresses his attitude towards the hero and his actions. And the hero himself, in his discussions about the world of fat and thin, gives some hint of his true vision of the world around him: “Fat people know how to manage their affairs in this world better than thin people. The thin ones serve more on special assignments or are just registered and wander here and there.”
Chichikov is attributed by the author to the world of fat people who sit securely and firmly in their places. Thus, confirming the appearance of Chichikov, who he seems to be, the author begins preparations to expose him, to “reveal” the truth about him. The first success (the deal with Manilov) strengthens Chichikov’s confidence in the ease and safety of the scam he is carrying out. Inspired by this success, the hero is in a hurry to conclude new deals. On the way to Sobakevich, Chichikov meets Korobochka, who showed Chichikov that his enterprise requires not only persistence, but also subtlety, and most importantly, caution. The lesson, however, did not serve him well. Chichikov hurries to Sobakevich, but meets Nozdryov and goes to him. Among Nozdryov’s qualities, perhaps the main one is “the passion to spoil one’s neighbor, sometimes for no reason at all.” And Chichikov unwittingly falls for this bait: in the end, he reveals the true purpose of acquiring “dead souls.” This reveals the weakness and frivolity of the hero. Of course, Chichikov subsequently scolded himself for acting carelessly in talking to Nozdryov about such a delicate matter. As we see, perseverance and determination in cases where they go too far turn into a disadvantage. Finally, Chichikov arrives at Sobakevich, who, being resourceful and persistent in the pursuit of his own benefit, most likely guesses why Chichikov needs “dead souls”. He bargains shamelessly, and even praises dead peasants: “And Eremey Sorokoplekhin, this guy alone will stand for everyone, he traded in Moscow, brought one rent for five hundred rubles. After all, this is what people are like! This is not something that some Plyushkin will sell you.” Chichikov’s enterprise ends with a deal with Plyushkin, for whom even the money goes out of circulation, having been placed “in one of the boxes, where, most likely, they are destined to be buried until... he himself is buried.” Chichikov is at his best: the papers are all signed and in the eyes of ordinary people he turns into a “millionaire.” As you know, “millionaire” is a magic word that opens all roads and “has an effect on scoundrel people, and on people who are neither this nor that, and on good people - in a word, it has an effect on everyone.”
However, soon the triumph of Chichikov the “millionaire” ends with Nozdryov’s revelation: “Ah! Kherson landowner, Kherson landowner!.. What? did you sell a lot of dead people? After all, you don’t know, Your Excellency... he’s trading dead souls!” There is commotion and confusion in the city, as well as in the minds of the reader. After all, the author saved the true biography of the hero for the finale of the poem. Chichikov seemed decent and virtuous, but under this guise there was a different essence. The son of a semi-poor nobleman, his face did not even resemble either his father or his mother. “Life at the beginning,” Gogol writes, “looked at him somehow sourly and unpleasantly, through some cloudy window covered with snow: neither a friend nor a comrade in childhood!” Suddenly, one fine day, the father decided to send the boy to the city school. There were no tears at parting, but an important and intelligent fatherly instruction was given: “Look, Pavlusha, study, don’t be stupid and don’t hang around... please your teachers and bosses... And most of all, take care and save a penny: this thing is more reliable than anything in the world.”
The lonely and unsociable Pavlusha accepted this instruction with all his heart and was guided only by it all his life. In the school classes, he quickly grasped the spirit of his superiors and realized what his behavior should be. During lessons, Chichikov sat as quietly as water, lower than the grass, and as a result, having no special abilities or talents, upon graduation he received “a certificate and a book with golden letters for exemplary diligence and trustworthy behavior.” After graduating from college, Pavlusha plunged into the reality of life: his father died, leaving him as an inheritance only “four irretrievably worn sweatshirts, two old frock coats” and an insignificant amount of money. It is noteworthy that at the same time another event occurs that reveals the true qualities of the future swindler. The teacher, who so loved the meek student Chichikov, was fired from the school and disappeared without a piece of bread in a forgotten kennel. Former rebellious and arrogant students collected money for him, and only Pavlusha limited himself to a nickel, citing his extreme poverty.
No, Chichikov was not stingy, but “he imagined a life ahead of him in all comforts, with all sorts of prosperity: carriages, a well-appointed house, delicious dinners.” For this, Chichikov was ready to go hungry and do “hot” work. He soon realized that honest work would not bring him what he wanted. In search of new opportunities to improve his position, he begins to court the daughter of his boss, but having received a long-awaited promotion, he completely forgets about his virtue. Bribes and scams - this is the path Pavlusha took. Gradually, he achieved some visible prosperity, but a military man, a strict one, into whose trust Chichikov could not ingratiate himself, was appointed to replace the former boss.
He moves to another city, where serendipity becomes a customs official and enters into “commercial” relations with smugglers. After some time, this criminal conspiracy was exposed, and the perpetrators, including Chichikov, were brought to justice - this is exactly how the hero “suffered in the service.” Taking care of his descendants (“Such a sensitive subject!”), Chichikov decides on a new scam, which we witness in “Dead Souls.”
Page 1 ] The figure of the main character of “Dead Souls” Chichikov stands out among other characters for its complexity and versatility. In the image of Chichikov appears extraordinary personality striving to achieve success in life by any means available. Having failed in his previous adventures, the character decides to implement a new cunning plan to buy up dead peasants who are formally considered alive. Chichikov intends to pawn them as if they were alive and earn capital from it. To this end, he goes on a journey, visiting various landowners.
You will notice that when visiting provincial town NN Chichikov first of all pays visits to officials vested with power:
“In conversations with these rulers...” - the hero communicates with those in power.
At the same time, Chichikov manages to win the favor of government officials and people with considerable capabilities:
“In a short time he completely managed to charm them.”
Likewise, throughout the entire narrative, Chichikov prefers to communicate with government officials, as well as people with significant weight and influence in society:
“He finally joined the fat ones, where he met almost all the familiar faces,” the hero joins people with weight in society.
Chichikov is driven by the “most inspired thought” of buying up dead peasants. The meaning of all further actions of the hero lies in the implementation of this plan:
“This strange plot was formed in the head of our hero... For, no matter what you say, if this thought had not occurred to Chichikov, this poem would not have been born.”
Chichikov very thoroughly delves into the meaning of what is happening around him in order to successfully implement his plan:
“He also thought and thought, but his thoughts were positive, not so unaccountable, and even partly very thorough,” the hero soberly reflects on the current situation.
When communicating with landowners, Chichikov strives to ensure that they realize that concluding a profitable deal has its own meaning:
“Now take into account only this...” - the character’s arguments presented to Korobochka are convincing.
A very fatal role in the fate of the hero is played by the fleeting love that flared up in him for the young daughter of the governor:
“It is impossible to say for sure whether the feeling of love has truly awakened in our hero - it is even doubtful.”
Chichikov also sometimes gives in to the impulse of friendly love:
“Here Nozdryov and Chichikov kissed,” the hero reciprocates the emotional impulse of his interlocutor.
Thus, Chichikov has a desire for power, meaning and love. At the same time, the hero does not always achieve what he wants, as a result of which he feels his own powerlessness. Sometimes Chichikov commits unconscious actions. Sometimes he succumbs to outbursts of anger. Note that the heroes of Pushkin’s works have similar features: “Boris Godunov”, “Scene from Faust”, the fairy tale “The Groom”.
Among other things, Chichikov is well aware that he is powerless to force the landowners to agree to a dubious deal, and therefore tries to gain their favor and interest them in something:
“An insignificant person, and nothing more,” the hero emphasizes the limitations of his capabilities in a conversation with Manilov.
Despite all his efforts, Chichikov is powerless to realize his plans, and he suffers a crushing fiasco:
“Without trial, without investigation, throw me in prison, take everything away from me: things, a box... there is money, there is all my property... Save, benefactor, save!” - the adventurer arrested by the authorities helplessly cries out for salvation.
At some moments Chichikov commits unconscious actions. For example, the hero does not realize what he is doing when he embarks on a legal battle with his accomplice, who helped him in customs fraud:
“The devil confused both officials... They came to their senses after a while and saw with horror what they had done,” the officials thoughtlessly destroyed their careers.
Chichikov does not realize that he is committing a thoughtless act by visiting the tyrant Nozdryov:
“I’m just a fool,” the hero scolds himself for getting involved with the landowner.
Sometimes Chichikov is overcome by fits of anger. So, he almost curses Korobochka for her intractability:
“Go and have fun with her! She broke into a sweat, the damned old woman,” the hero scolds the landowner: “Chichikov completely went beyond the limits of all patience, in his heart slammed a chair on the floor and promised her the devil.”
It is symbolic that the dishonest Chichikov at some point began to hate himself:
“You are my holy mother! How disgusting I have become,” the character is disgusting to himself.
Like Pushkin's characters, Chichikov is distinguished not only by a certain set of aspirations, but also by ways of achieving his goals.
Chichikov strives to make capital by any means possible, using all his capabilities. The hero has truly enormous potential and is capable of achieving a lot:
“He decided to get busy in his service, to conquer and overcome everything. ... We must do justice to the irresistible force of his character,” notes Chichikov’s remarkable potential.
In an effort to achieve his goal, Chichikov often manipulates people:
“Here he lied, albeit casually,” the character lies to Korobochka in order to achieve the desired result.
The character carries out illegal operations, while assuring others that he is completely subject to the law:
“Duty is a sacred matter for me, the law - I am dumb before the law,” Chichikov assures Manilova of her law-abidingness.
Trying to convey to the landowners the essence of his advantageous offer, Chichikov strives, at all costs, to convince them to conclude a deal:
“After such strong convictions, Chichikov had almost no doubt that the old woman would finally give in,” the hero spends a long time convincing Korobochka.
Meanwhile, many landowners doubt that they should accept such a strange offer from the guest:
“Perhaps you have any doubts?” - Chichikov notices Manilov’s uncertainty.
Indulging in feelings, Chichikov is so absorbed in communicating with the ladies that he forgets about the rules of decency:
“Chichikov was so busy talking with the ladies... that he forgot to fulfill his duty of decency and approach the hostess first of all.”
However, most of all Chichikov is absorbed in himself:
“The newcomer showed such attentiveness to the toilet, which is not even seen everywhere,” the hero is concerned about his own appearance.
Not experiencing sincere love for people, Chichikov sometimes involuntarily alienates himself from society:
“Chichikov suddenly became alien to everything that was happening around him,” - what was happening around him was alien to the character.
Note that society eventually becomes alienated from Chichikov himself, so that he is forced to hastily leave the city:
“Well, if it comes to that,” he thought to himself, “there’s no point in dawdling anymore, we need to get out of here as quickly as possible.”
Chichikov has the makings of a self-actualizing personality capable of development. Having started to “go to classes,” he diligently tried to master new fields for himself:
“Look, Pavlusha, study, don’t be stupid and don’t act out,” the father teaches young Chichikov.
In this sense, the following detail is quite indicative that, as a child, Chichikov teaches various tricks to the mouse:
“For two months he fussed around in his apartment without resting around the mouse... and finally got to the point where the mouse stood on its hind legs, lay down and stood up when ordered.”
Possessing creative abilities, Chichikov sometimes shows remarkable ingenuity:
“He was not afraid of the persecution and turned it at that very hour to his advantage, thus showing directly Russian ingenuity,” the enterprising hero.
Chichikov sometimes perceives what is happening around him as a game:
“It seemed like she was all like some kind of toy,” - the hero seems like a toy young daughter governor.
Chichikov is prone to self-expression. Often the hero cannot restrain the rush of feelings that wash over him:
“He seemed to be in a mood for heartfelt outpourings. ... Here he even wiped away a tear that rolled out with a handkerchief,” Chichikov became emotional during a conversation with Manilov.
Chichikov is no stranger to aesthetic experiences. So, he involuntarily turns his gaze to the picturesque appearance of the governor’s daughter:
“A fresh blonde with thin and slender features, ... with a charmingly round oval face, the kind an artist would take as a model.”
Chichikov knows his way around the most difficult situations. For example, he relies on his instincts when choosing those who may be useful to him:
“He did not randomly turn to every landowner, but chose people more to his liking,” the hero has a good understanding of people.
Thus, Chichikov has creative needs: in play, self-expression, orientation, aesthetic needs, as well as the desire for self-actualization.
Note that Chichikov is familiar with the feeling of creative exhilaration. Thus, the character already in his youth sets himself up to achieve his goals:
“He decided to get busy in his service, to conquer and overcome everything. And indeed, he showed unheard-of self-sacrifice, patience and limitation of needs,” the hero intends to achieve success in life.
A beautiful stranger Chichikov meets by chance captivates him for a while:
“All this about her was so sweet that our hero looked at her for several minutes, not paying... attention to the chaos that was happening,” the hero was fascinated by the beauty of the young girl.
In moments of inspiration, Chichikov has promising ideas:
“Our hero was struck by the most inspired thought that has ever entered a human head,” the character was inspired by the thought.
Chichikov is trying to create favorable conditions for the implementation of his plans:
“The activity never died in his head; everyone there wanted to build something and was only waiting for a plan,” a very creative character.
Gogol believes in the possibility of transforming his hero:
“Everything quickly turns into a person... Blessed is he who has chosen for himself the most beautiful passion of all; his immeasurable bliss grows and multiplies tenfold with every hour and minute,” is capable of changing to better person, according to the author.
Meanwhile, Chichikov’s feeling of creative upsurge is sometimes replaced by a state of creative decline:
Indeed, sometimes things don’t go as he would like for Chichikov, which is why he gets very upset:
“Our hero complained and cried,” the character said limply, experiencing failure.
Chichikov had a lot of hopes for his entrepreneurial spirit, but in the end he was deeply disappointed:
“He was in grief, annoyed, grumbled to the whole world, angry at the injustice of fate, indignant at the injustice of people,” the character is disappointed with his fate.
Sometimes Chichikov is overcome by depressive moods. For example, having stolen in the service, the character has sunk to a low position:
“Once again, from purity and a decent position, he sank into dirt and base life.”
At some point, Chichikov destroys his career with his own hands:
“The devil confused both officials; the officials, speaking in vain, became enraged and quarreled over nothing. ... A ton of disasters fell on his head,” the character’s life was broken.
The life of Chichikov, who embarks on ever new adventures, leads the hero to ever greater moral degradation:
“Everything quickly turns into a person; before you have time to look back, a terrible worm has already grown inside, autocratically turning all the juices of life to itself,” the human personality is capable of degrading.
Thus, Chichikov reveals the creative side of his nature. At the same time, the character is characterized by both states of creative upsurge and creative decline.
The analysis of Chichikov’s character shows that he is characterized by a certain set of inclinations that distinguish the characters in Pushkin’s works: “Boris Godunov”, “Scene from Faust”, the fairy tale “The Groom”. Like Pushkin’s heroes, Gogol’s Chichikov is characterized by characteristic ways of achieving his goals, associated with character traits.
Chichikov strives to gain the favor of influential people in power. In achieving his goals, he often manipulates others. However, the character strives to show everyone that he obeys the law. As a result, the hero finds himself powerless to carry out his planned adventure.
The meaning of Chichikov’s actions lies in the desire to make capital. At some moments he commits unconscious actions. The hero wants to convince the landowners to make a deal with him, but almost all of them, one way or another, have doubts about the legality of such an operation.
Love in Chichikov's life does not occupy such a significant place. Perhaps the character is more familiar with outbursts of anger. At the same time, succumbing to the feeling of falling in love, Chichikov turns out to be so absorbed in his experiences that for some time he is alienated from what is happening.
It should also be noted that Chichikov reveals himself as a creative person. The character is familiar with both the feeling of creative upsurge and the experience of creative decline.
Chichikov has the makings of a self-actualizing personality capable of development. However, having directed his energy to carrying out adventures, the character is increasingly degraded. Meanwhile, the author does not exclude the possibility of transforming the character.
Chichikov perceives life as a game that he must win. The hero tries to create conditions for the realization of his plans, but life always destroys his plans.
Chichikov is prone to self-expression. Sometimes he gets inspired by promising ideas. At the same time, the character is sometimes overcome by depressive moods.
Chichikov is no stranger to aesthetic experiences. For some time he is enchanted by a beautiful stranger. At the same time, the hero often suffers bitter disappointments.
Chichikov knows his way around people well. From his youth, he sets himself up to achieve success in life. At the same time, things don’t always work out for the hero in the best possible way, which makes him very upset.
conclusions
A characterological analysis of the characters in “Dead Souls” allows us to draw the following conclusions.
1. As in the works of Pushkin, Gogol’s “Dead Souls” describes seven types of characters. Each of the heroes has a certain set of aspirations that act as a motivating factor.
2. The heroes of “Dead Souls” and the characters of Pushkin’s cycles of works have similar aspirations and character traits.
3. Each of the six characters in Dead Souls has three types of aspirations that distinguish them from other heroes. At the same time, Gogol’s heroes are characterized by similar needs: for love, power and the search for meaning. Thus, the structure of the needs of the considered characters of Gogol and Pushkin is similar and corresponds to the known systematizations of personality needs.
4. The main character of Dead Souls, Chichikov, has creative aspirations, which distinguishes him from other characters. At the same time, during the course of the action, the hero is both in a state of creative upsurge and in a state of creative decline.
5. Like Pushkin’s characters, Gogol’s heroes differ not only in the types of aspirations, but also in the ways of achieving their goals, associated with character traits.
The compositional basis of Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” is Chichikov’s travels through the cities and provinces of Russia. According to the author’s plan, the reader is invited to “travel all over Rus' with the hero and bring out many different characters.” In the first volume of Dead Souls, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol introduces the reader to a number of characters who represent “ dark kingdom", familiar from the plays of A. N. Ostrovsky. The types created by the writer are relevant to this day, and many proper names have become common nouns over time, although in Lately V colloquial speech are used less and less. Below is a description of the characters in the poem. In Dead Souls, the main characters are landowners and the main adventurer, whose adventures form the basis of the plot.
Chichikov, main character“Dead Souls”, travels around Russia, buying documents for dead peasants who, according to the audit book, are still listed as alive. In the first chapters of the work, the author tries in every possible way to emphasize that Chichikov was a completely ordinary, unremarkable person. Knowing how to find an approach to every person, Chichikov was able to achieve favor, respect and recognition in any society he encountered without any problems. Pavel Ivanovich is ready to do anything to achieve his goal: he lies, impersonates another person, flatters, takes advantage of other people. But at the same time it seems to readers completely charming person! Gogol masterfully showed the multifaceted human personality, which combines depravity and the pursuit of virtue.
Another hero of Gogol’s “Dead Souls” is Manilov. Chichikov comes to him first. Manilov gives the impression of a carefree person who does not care about worldly problems. Manilov found a wife to match himself - the same dreamy young lady. Servants took care of the house, and teachers came to their two children, Themistoclus and Alcidus. It was difficult to determine Manilov’s character: Gogol himself says that in the first minute one might think “what an amazing person!”, a little later one might be disappointed in the hero, and after another minute one would become convinced that they couldn’t say anything about Manilov at all. There are no desires in it, no life itself. The landowner spends his time in abstract thoughts, completely ignoring everyday problems. Manilov easily gave the dead souls to Chichikov without asking about the legal details.
If we continue the list of characters in the story, then the next one will be Korobochka Nastasya Petrovna, an old lonely widow who lives in a small village. Chichikov came to her by accident: the coachman Selifan lost his way and turned onto the wrong road. The hero was forced to stop for the night. External attributes were an indicator of the landowner’s internal state: everything in her house was done efficiently and firmly, but nevertheless there were a lot of flies everywhere. Korobochka was a real entrepreneur, because she was used to seeing in every person only a potential buyer. Nastasya Petrovna was remembered by the reader for the fact that she did not agree to the deal. Chichikov persuaded the landowner and promised to give her several blue papers for petitions, but until he agreed next time to definitely order flour, honey and lard from Korobochka, Pavel Ivanovich did not receive several dozen dead souls.
Next on the list was Nozdryov- a carouser, a liar and a merry fellow, a playmaker. The meaning of his life was entertainment; even two children could not keep the landowner at home for more than a few days. Nozdryov often found himself in various stories, but thanks to his innate talent for finding a way out of any situation, he always got away with it. Nozdryov communicated easily with people, even with those with whom he managed to quarrel; after a while he communicated as if with old friends. However, many tried not to have anything in common with Nozdryov: the landowner hundreds of times came up with various fables about others, telling them at balls and dinner parties. It seemed that Nozdryov was not at all bothered by the fact that he often lost his property at cards - he certainly wanted to win back. The image of Nozdryov is very important for characterizing other heroes of the poem, in particular Chichikov. After all, Nozdryov was the only person, with whom Chichikov did not make a deal and generally did not want to meet with him anymore. Pavel Ivanovich barely managed to escape from Nozdryov, but Chichikov could not even imagine under what circumstances he would see this man again.
Sobakevich was the fourth seller of dead souls. to his appearance and his behavior resembled a bear, even the interior of his house and household utensils were huge, inappropriate and bulky. From the very beginning, the author emphasizes Sobakevich’s thriftiness and prudence. It was he who first suggested that Chichikov buy documents for the peasants. Chichikov was surprised by this turn of events, but did not argue. The landowner was also remembered for raising prices on the peasants, despite the fact that the latter were long dead. He talked about their professional skills or personal qualities, trying to sell documents at a higher price. high price, than Chichikov proposed.
Surprisingly, this particular hero has a much greater chance of spiritual rebirth, because Sobakevich sees how small people have become, how insignificant they are in their aspirations.
This list of characteristics of the heroes of “Dead Souls” shows the most important characters for understanding the plot, but do not forget about coachman Selifane, and about servant of Pavel Ivanovich, and about good-natured landowner Plyushkin. Being a master of words, Gogol created very bright portraits heroes and their types, which is why all the descriptions of the heroes of “Dead Souls” are so easy to remember and immediately recognizable.
Work test
Speaking surname Chichikova
The surname "Chichikov" is telling. According to one version, it is similar to the chirping of a sparrow and reflects such qualities of the hero as dexterity and the ability to adapt. And his name - Paul - correlates with such a well-known image in Christianity as the image of the Apostle Paul, who first persecuted Christ and then converted to Christianity.
This suggests that Gogol probably also planned changes in Chichikov’s soul in better side, his moral revival, cleansing from those unclean, base deeds that he was engaged in throughout the first volume.
Chichikov's appearance
Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov is the main character of N.V. Gogol's poem "Dead Souls", a collegiate adviser. Chichikov’s appearance can already tell a lot about him, a dexterous and cunning man who is liked by literally everyone: he is a plump, middle-aged man, not a real handsome man, but pleasant to look at, with a friendly voice, and smells good because he wears cologne.
Character, image, origin of Chichikov
Chichikov comes from a family of poor nobles, but despite this, he is well educated. Chichikov's character is as follows: he is a reasonable, polite person, but very cunning, deceitful, hypocritical, who manages numbers and money well, and saves a lot. He is cold-blooded and purposeful, always going towards his goal, using the dirtiest methods to achieve this. For him, the end always justifies the means. But Chichikov knows how to hide all his shortcomings in order to achieve his goal; he easily charms those around him and misleads them with his external courtesy and pleasantness. Chichikov is smart and calculating, well versed in human psychology and can find an approach to almost anyone. the main objective his life - get as much as possible more money, and for this he is ready to do anything.
Effective preparation for the Unified State Exam (all subjects) - start preparing
Updated: 2018-03-03
Attention!
Thank you for your attention.
If you notice an error or typo, highlight the text and click Ctrl+Enter.
By doing so, you will provide invaluable benefit to the project and other readers.
