"Dead Souls" image by Nozdryov
Description of the hero A plump, about thirty, broken-hearted fellow, dark-skinned, noisy, always cheerful, fresh, with pitch-black sideburns. This frivolous reveler and braggart is bursting with health, he exudes simple-minded narcissism and reckless prowess.
The meaning of the name Surname Nozdrev is a metonymy of the nose (“to stick your nose into someone else’s business”, “to keep your nose to the wind”, “to stay with your nose”). Metonymically, Gogol compares Nozdryov with his own barrel organ, or rather with a restless pipe. The pipe (nostril) in Nozdryov’s barrel organ absolutely accurately repeats the essence of the owner, his senselessly provocative disposition: “Nozdryov had already stopped spinning a long time ago, but in the barrel organ there was one very lively pipe, which did not want to calm down, and for a long time afterwards it whistled alone.”
Portrait of the landowner Nozdryov - a great lover of entertainment, balls and revelry. Nozdryov has a bright appearance, which emphasizes his violent character. Nozdryov is a dashing gentleman with a ruddy and fresh face. Nozdryov looks young and cheerful, despite his 35 years and drinking habits. He was of average height, a very well-built fellow with full rosy cheeks, teeth white as snow and jet-black sideburns. It was fresh, like blood and milk; health seemed to be dripping from his face..."
Details of the furnishings Nozdryov's things reflect the character of their owner: chaos, disorder, passion for exaggeration. A stable where most of the stalls are empty, a pond where fish of unprecedented size used to be found, a field where Nozdryov caught a hare hind legs. Nozdryov's office: sabers, guns, Turkish daggers. The pipe in the barrel organ, which never wanted to stop, reflects his nature. Even the fleas in Nozdryov’s house are especially aggressive.
The meaning of the image Gogol, portraying Nozdryov, created a colorful and easily recognizable character. The hero is a typical braggart, reckless driver, talker, debater, rowdy, reveler. He doesn't mind drinking at all and loves to play. However, despite all the “typicality”, some details and individual little things give the character individuality.
In the first half of the 19th century, many writers assigned a huge role to the theme of Russia in their work. At that time, a ruthless tyranny of landowners and officials reigned, and the life of the peasants was unbearably difficult. The life of serf Russia is reflected in many works. One of them was the novel-poem written by N.V. Gogol, “Dead Souls.” The image of Nozdryov, as well as Chichikov, Manilov and other heroes, is very vivid and outlines the attitude to reality of all representatives of the aristocracy of that time. The author in his work tried to convey to readers the immorality that reigned at that time in all its manifestations.
General sentiments in Russia at the beginning of the 19th century
Domestic government system at that time developed with an emphasis on serfdom. Important moral values were relegated to the background, and position in society and money were considered priorities. People did not strive for the best; they were not interested in science or art. They did not try to leave descendants absolutely nothing cultural heritage. In achieving his goal - wealth - a person stops at nothing. He will deceive, steal, betray, sell. The current situation could not but worry thinking people, those who were far from indifferent to the fate of the Fatherland.
Representatives of the aristocracy in the work
The name "Dead Souls" was not chosen by chance by the author. It is very symbolic and perfectly reflects the mood of serf Russia. The author did not spare paint, depicting a whole gallery of faces, showing the spiritual decline that threatens the fatherland. At the beginning of the story, the reader is introduced to Manilov - an idle dreamer, a visionary. The series of portraits ends with the image of Plyushkin. This representative of the nobility appeared as “a hole in humanity.” In the work "Dead Souls" the image of Nozdryov appears approximately in the middle. In him you can see something from Plyushkin, something from Manilov.
Characteristics of Nozdryov's image
For the first time in the work he appears in the city of NN. The reader does not learn anything special about him except that he was a card sharper. His whole being was somehow absurd: he was ridiculous, he spoke nonsense, without thinking about the consequences of his statements. The author himself, depicting the image of Nozdryov, speaks of him as a “broken guy.” Actually, this is true, and all the hero’s actions emphasize this. Nozdryov got used to thinking little about the future. So, for example, he exchanged his winnings at cards for absolutely unnecessary items and things, which he lost to other, more successful players the very next day. All this, according to Gogol himself, was due to some kind of nimbleness, liveliness and restlessness of the character of the hero. This “energy” forced Nozdryov to commit other actions, most of them rash and spontaneous.
Hero's Vices
Everything that Nozdryov has - purebred dogs, horses - is all the best. But the hero’s boasting often has no basis. Despite the fact that his possessions border on someone else's forest, he speaks of it as his own. Illustrating the image of the landowner Nozdryov, it is impossible not to mention all the situations in which he found himself. Either he is taken out of a noble meeting, or he takes part in a fight. One of distinctive features character is his tendency to do nasty things to people. Moreover, the closer he got to the person, the stronger his desire to annoy him. So, Nozdryov upsets weddings and trade deals. However, he himself perceived his actions as mischief, not considering them offensive. Moreover, Nozdryov was even sincerely surprised if he heard that one of his acquaintances was offended by him.
Main features of the hero
Revealing the image of Nozdryov, the author depicts vulgarity in a kind of deceitfully impudent form. Its origins can be traced to the comedies of Aristophanes and Plautus. However, there is a lot in the character that is originally Russian and national. Nozdrev's main traits are boasting, arrogance, a tendency to rowdy, unpredictability, and energy. As the author himself notes, people of this type are, as a rule, “reckless, revelers, talkers,” and in their faces you can always see something direct, daring, open. Among other things, they love to go for walks and are avid gamers. They are distinguished by sociability, combined with unceremoniousness. Sometimes it seems that friendship with them can last a very long time, but such people can fight with a “new acquaintance” at a party that same evening.
Contrast between internal and external in a character
The description of Nozdryov’s image in the work is quite clear. When portraying the hero, the author spares no artistic means. The character's portrait is expressive. Outwardly, he is a man of average height, well built, with ruddy, full cheeks, snow-white teeth and tar-colored sideburns. He was a fresh, healthy fellow who had physical strength. In the episode of the poem, the reader can trace the tradition of Russian heroism. However, the image of Nozdryov - comic reflection epic motifs. The contrast between his internal and external features is very noticeable. Nozdryov’s lifestyle is the direct opposite of his actions epic heroes. Everything that the character in the poem does makes no sense, and his “exploits” do not extend beyond a fight at a fair or card cheating. The image of Nozdryov comically reflects the motif of a “broad soul”, “daring revelry” - primordially Russian traits. The whole appearance of the character is only the appearance of that national “breadth” in in a good way. The hero not only cannot claim “spiritual breadth”, but also shows absolutely opposite qualities. Nozdryov is a drunkard, impudent and a liar. At the same time, he is cowardly and completely insignificant.
Character's household
Depicting the landscape present in the episode of Chichikov’s visit to Nozdryov, the author points out the owner’s carelessness. His economy was in a very disorganized state and completely fell into disrepair. This, again, indicates a lack of orderliness and thoughtfulness in Nozdryov’s lifestyle. In his stable, the stalls were empty, the house was neglected, and it was in disarray. The only place, kept in proper condition, was a kennel. On it, the landowner felt like a “father of the family.” According to a number of critics, the hero himself is somewhat like a dog: he can bark and cuddle at the same time. Nozdryov’s character traits are also reflected in the interior of the house. There are no papers or books in his office. However, the walls are hung with sabers, guns, Turkish daggers and various pipes. The barrel organ is symbolic in this interior. There is one trumpet in this subject that just didn’t want to calm down. This detail was a kind of symbol of the character’s character. It shows the irrepressible energy, restlessness and agility of the hero.
Nozdryov's behavior
The hero's energy pushes him to various feats. So, for example, having a tendency to exchange, everything that he has is instantly exchanged for something else. The hero immediately spends the money that appears at the fair, buying all sorts of completely smoking candles, clamps, pistols, pots, tobacco, raisins, and so on. But all purchased items are rarely delivered home, since he can lose everything on the same day. Despite the disorder of his life in general, Nozdryov shows consistency that is surprising to him when making a deal with Chichikov. The landowner is trying to sell everything he can: dogs, a stallion, a barrel organ. Afterwards, Nozdryov starts a game of checkers and an exchange of chaises. But Chichikov notices the trickery and abandons the game. Nozdryov’s manners are also peculiar. His speech is always emotional, varied in composition, he speaks loudly, often screaming. But the image of Nozdryov is static in the sense that he appears to the reader as already fully formed. The hero's backstory is closed, and no internal changes occur to the character during the course of the story.
Conclusion
Gogol, portraying Nozdryov, created a colorful and easily recognizable character. The hero is a typical braggart, reckless driver, talker, debater, rowdy, reveler. He doesn't mind drinking at all and loves to play. However, despite all the “typicality”, some details and individual little things give the character individuality. The entire story is permeated with a fair amount of humor. However, the work depicts the heroes, their characters, manners, actions and behavior, reporting on a rather serious problem of that time - the loss of morality and spirituality. Gogol's novel-poem is “laughter through tears.” The author created the work, tormented by the question of what if people don’t come to their senses and start changing.
Nozdryov’s characterization fits perfectly into a brief formulation: a frantic landowner.
The adjective in this case must be understood in all the richness of meanings recorded by Vladimir Ivanovich Dal in his explanatory dictionary.
The image and characteristics of Nozdryov in the poem “Dead Souls”
The author created a character without a name and considered his middle name unimportant for the reader. And the surname sounds like a dog’s name (in Rus', livestock were often named after the owner’s surname).
Its origin is eloquent: part of the nose - a very characteristic element, popularly associated with the genital area. The first impression is confirmed upon closer acquaintance.
Nozdryov is characterized as a “historical” person because he always gets involved in or provokes stories: scandalous, ugly and obscene, with gendarmes, fights and drunkenness. He is also a master of inventing unprecedented stories without any need: he will lie so much that he himself is no longer comfortable.
This is a “multilateral” person - in the sense of a “jack of all trades”: he can change everything for anything, go anywhere, join any project. Why not a young, restless, lively and nimble dog jumping from side to side?
The character’s actions and inner content are quite dog-like: enthusiastic rushing towards someone he barely knows, sudden mood swings, passion for the game, desire to win at any cost, public fights, a nose for merry gatherings. The desire to be a leader: he has the very best (two people can barely pull a giant fish out of his pond, a stallion in his stall costs at least ten thousand, etc.).
Nozdrev's behavior is devoid of any consciousness or direction. Even beatings do not enlighten him, his memory is so short: he soon fraternizes with those who pushed him out.
As befits a well-born hound, the character is accompanied by a biography: 35 years old, was married, had two children, buried his wife, among family members he is more interested in a pretty nanny, is rarely at home, constantly running away to all sorts of public gatherings, which he senses with his sensitive nose for several dozen verst.
Nozdryov, although a well-born creature, is devoid of the noble qualities of its prototype: in many mythologies, a dog is a protector of heroes, a guide to the kingdom of the immortals, a conqueror of monster enemies of man and the universe. The landowner from “Dead Souls” looks more like a wandering, lascivious dog, hanging around taverns and looking for all sorts of rubbish.
Description of the portrait of Nozdryov
The image of the dog also organizes the presentation of the character’s portrait. At the first meeting, he is a dark-haired, well-built fellow, fresh and full-blooded, of medium height, with luxurious dark hair and tar-colored sideburns.
People like Nozdryov are open-minded, direct and daring. Well done laughter awakens the sleeping person dead asleep, exposes all the sugar-white teeth, making the cheeks tremble and jump like a laughing bulldog.
It is not without reason that the appearance of the landowner emphasizes the abundance of hair: thick sideburns, disheveled thick hair, under a robe on a naked body - a chest covered with some kind of beard. He seems to be a picturesque young man, but his essence is revealed by the dog hair covering his body.
Nozdryov’s attractiveness is physical, animalistic, even in some ways devilish. Appearance splashes with health, which does not kill, constant brawls and carousing. Even the ruddy cheeks-jowls are endowed with magical plant power: the sideburns on them miraculously grow back better than the old ones, torn out in the next fight.
Character traits, demeanor and speech
An analysis of the hero’s statements shows that the “dog” demeanor is inseparable from Nozdryov’s speech - in highest degree expressive and expressive.
Monologues and remarks are distinguished by an abundance of exclamation marks and superlative adjectives.
The vocabulary jumps from enthusiastic and affectionate words to swearing and barracks expressions. He constantly swears and curses, and the affectionate “soul” and “brother” are replaced by abusive “scum”, “fattyuk”, “scoundrel” and “scammer”.
Moreover, curses are also suitable for friendly address: he would even like to hang a fussing one in a friendly manner.
Likes to get involved in conversation foreign word– just because of its sound, without understanding the meaning. Sometimes the speech of the reveler reeks of soldierly naturalism; in polite society such expressions are not thrown around.
A dispute with a businessman about ransoming dead souls is reminiscent of a conversation between a person and barking dog– Nozdrev’s remarks are so abrupt and increasingly aggressive: “You’re lying!”, “Scoundrel!” and so on.
Life goals
None. Nozdryov is just a big fan of going for a walk. Drink and try your luck at cards, winning and immediately squandering money and things.
Play for the sake of playing, win, win and win: at any cost - the most bizarre lies, a marked deck, rearrangement of playing checkers on the board and even fists. This is a stupid, unconscious desire for some kind of victory over everyone and everything.
So Chichikov again miscalculated: the plan was to beg for nothing dead Souls the lost, desperate landowner was doomed to failure from the start.
Description of the village and estate of Nozdryov
The hospitable host led the guests around his estate for more than two hours - but there is no more or less definite description of the Nozdrev village in the book.
Only the impression of neglect, untidiness and abandonment.
The gentleman is not welcome at home: two men are whitewashing the ceiling in the dining room to the tune of a mournful song. In the stable there are two mares and an unsightly stallion with a goat wandering nearby - the rest of the stalls are empty. Nozdryov boasts of a wolf cub on a leash - the future “perfect beast.”
Wildness threatens to engulf culture in Nozdryov's kingdom: harrowed lands alternate with abandoned ones, swampy lowlands and sticky mud and forest in the distance.
The following detail succinctly characterizes the brave landowner: having reached the border of his property, the owner swears that the forest in the distance and beyond the forest is also his. Dog territoriality in action.
At the kennel, the handsome young man actually looks like the father of the family: the dogs are numerous, happy, well-groomed and kind.
The interior of the manor house is represented only by an office. Where there are no books or paper, but around there are sabers, two guns, pseudo-Turkish daggers, all kinds of smoking pipes. Objects of male military culture are randomly scattered, and among them is an extremely unnecessary organ, which always leads to a comic march.
By the way, Chichikov, who had hoped for free money, slept poorly in this house. All night he was itching because of the unbearably painful biting small, persistent insects.
Attitude to the economy
Absent. In his own home, he is truly concerned with three passions: dogs, hunting, hunting territory. He doesn’t give Chichikov what he wants because he smells something unclean with his nose. And he also wants to drive the businessman at any cost - to catch him in a lie.
Nozdryov's attitude towards others
Intractable logical explanation, unconscious, distinguished, however, by the passion to “spoil one’s neighbor.” He spreads gossip about his closest friends and upsets their weddings or business deals.
At the next meeting, he reproaches that the person spat upon does not come to visit (at the same time the address is “Scoundrel”). Even after seeing his son-in-law off, he immediately says nasty things about him to Chichikov.
Nozdryov, like a dog, bites his hands playfully.
Favorite hobby
Let’s summarize what the hero of “Dead Souls” likes to do:
- All kinds of games - especially card games - awaken all the feelings with frantic force in the handsome man. Manic obsession with victory: he does not disdain a marked deck, for which he often gets beaten. By inciting him to play, he becomes as if possessed by a demon (as Chichikov thought to himself).
- Hyperbolic stories about their possessions, victories, premonitions, dishes served, and so on.
- Disputes and bets without pursuing even some kind of gain: after all, Nozdryov knows very well that his possessions end behind the mark - but he argues with his son-in-law that he has already bought the territory behind it. But he doesn’t even think about the inevitable loss and its price.
- Hunting and dogs. He understands animals: what a nose, ears, ribs should be like. Replenishes the domestic flock with new breeds. He takes better care of his own children: he orders him to comb out the puppy’s fleas, admires him, and checks his condition.
- Drunkenness. Among the treats for guests is a variety of alcohol: port wine, Madeira diluted with rum or aqua regia, a bottle of bourgoignon and champagne together, rowan trees spreading fusel.
- Attending fairs and other public gatherings.
Why is Nozdryov a dead soul?
The main conclusion after analyzing the character: for all his attractiveness, this is just a shell of a person. But even through it the animal essence of the landowner breaks through.
Illogicality, unconsciousness, wildness and unpredictability - these are main characteristic all his speeches and actions.
Nozdryov is a beast that never became a man, not inspired by the highest human properties: reason, conscience and kindness. He doesn’t even have devotion to his own home.
Quote from Nozdryov
Nozdryov's character, behavior and life are like the dinner he treats his guests to. The dishes are not prepared for the human stomach. Something complex and shapeless, with burnt and uncooked fragments.
“It is clear that the cook was guided more by some kind of inspiration and put in the first thing that came to hand: if there was pepper near him, he sprinkled pepper, if he found cabbage, he put in cabbage, stuffed milk, ham, peas - in a word, roll and roll, it would be hot, but some kind of taste would probably come out.”
Here is a micro-image of Nozdryov’s essence: the wealth of matter – but disorder, formlessness, disorganization, inconsistency, aimlessness.
Conclusion
The image of the frantic Nozdryov fits well into the devilish mystery of Dead Souls. Having left the symbolic coffin - Korobochka's estate - he was carried away from the tavern by the hellhound and forcibly carried his feet away from it. Next he will meet with Cerberus Sobakevich.
In the image of Nozdryov, Gogol presents us with “a deceitful and impudent variety of vulgarity.” Origins this image go into the comedies of Aristophanes and Plautus, into Western European literature. However, there is a lot in this image that is purely Russian and national. A similar type was already noted by Pushkin in the novel “Eugene Onegin”.
My cousin, Buyanov,
In down, in a cap with a visor
(As you know him, of course)...
The main character traits of Nozdryov are arrogance, boasting, a tendency to rowdy, energy and unpredictability. Gogol notes that people of this type are always “talkers, revelers, reckless drivers”, in their faces you can always see “something open, direct, daring”, they are desperate players, lovers of taking a walk. They are sociable and unceremonious, “they will make friends, it seems, forever; but it almost always happens that the person who has made friends will fight with them that same evening at a friendly party.”
Revealing the image of Nozdryov, Gogol masterfully uses various artistic media. First of all, the portrait of the hero itself is expressive. “He was of average height, a very well-built fellow with full rosy cheeks, teeth as white as snow and jet-black sideburns. It was fresh, like blood and milk; his health seemed to be dripping from his face.”
It is characteristic that Nozdryov has an attractive appearance, physical strength, he laughs “with that ringing laugh that only a fresh, healthy person bursts into.” Here the motif of Russian heroism appears in the poem. "Historical, folklore and literary tradition absorbed one of the leading motives of “Dead Souls” - Russian heroism, which plays the role of a positive ideological pole in the poem,” wrote E. A. Smirnova. The portrait of the heroes “in the light of the motive of Russian physical heroism, both in its literal and travesty sense” was noted by V. A. Nedzvetsky.
And in Nozdryov’s depiction we observe a comic reduction of this motive. The contrast between his appearance and its internal appearance is enormous: the hero’s life is meaningless, the “exploits” of this “hero” do not go further than card cheating or a fight committed at a fair.
The very motive of “daring revelry”, “broad Russian soul”, present in Gogol throughout the entire narrative, is comically reduced in the image of Nozdryov. As a pre-revolutionary researcher notes, Nozdryov is only “the appearance of a broad nature. He can least of all claim to be recognized as a “broad person”: he is impudent, a drunkard, a liar, he is at the same time a coward and a completely insignificant person.”
The landscape that frames the episode of Chichikov’s visit to the landowner is also characteristic. “Nozdryov led his guests through a field, which in many places consisted of hummocks. The guests had to make their way between fallow fields and armored fields... In many places their feet squeezed out the water under them, the place was so low. At first they were careful and stepped carefully, but then, seeing that it was of no use, they walked straight on, not distinguishing where there was more and where there was less dirt.” This landscape speaks of the disturbed economy of the landowner and at the same time symbolizes Nozdryov’s carelessness.
Thus, the hero’s lifestyle is already devoid of any order. The landowner's economy fell into complete decline. There are empty stalls in his stable, a watermill without flutter, and the house is in disorder and neglect. And only his kennel is in good condition. “Among dogs, Nozdryov...is just like a father among a family,” notes Gogol. This comparison sets the theme of the hero’s “slander” in the story. As S. Shevyrev notes, Nozdryov “is very similar to a dog: for no reason at the same time he barks, nibbles, and caresses.”
The hero is prone to lies, deception, and empty chatter. He can easily slander, slander a person, spread gossip about him, “a fable that is more stupid than it is difficult to invent.” It is characteristic that Nozdryov lies for no apparent reason, “out of love for art.” So, having come up with a story about the governor’s daughter, he continues to lie further, involving himself in this story. The reason for this is simple: Nozdryov understood that “he could have caused trouble in this way, but he could no longer hold his tongue. However, it was difficult, because such interesting details presented themselves of their own accord that it was impossible to refuse...”
The tendency to deceit and trickery manifests itself in him even during card game. That’s why the game often ends in a fight: “they beat him with their boots, or they gave him a hard time on his thick and very good sideburns...”
The character of the hero, his interests and lifestyle are reflected in the interior of his house. There are no books or papers in Nozdryov’s office, but there are sabers, guns, Turkish daggers and pipes hanging various kinds- “wooden, clay, meerschaum, smoked and unsmoked, covered with suede and not covered.” In this interior, one object is symbolic - a barrel organ, in which there is “one pipe, very lively, which did not want to calm down.” This expressive detail symbolizes the character of the hero, his restlessness, and irrepressible energy.
Nozdryov is unusually “active”, energetic, his nimbleness and liveliness of character push him to new and new “undertakings”. So, he loves to change: a gun, a dog, horses - everything instantly becomes an object of exchange. If he has money, then at the fair he immediately buys “all sorts of things”: clamps, smoking candles, raisins, tobacco, pistols, herrings, paintings, pots, etc. However, purchased items are rarely delivered to the house: on the same day he can lose everything.
Nozdryov is very consistent in his behavior during the purchase and sale of dead souls. He immediately tries to sell Chichikov a stallion, dogs, a barrel organ, then starts an exchange of chaises and a game of checkers. Noticing Nozdryov's trickery, Chichikov refuses to play. And then the “historical” man causes a scandal, a fight, and only the appearance of the police captain in the house saves Chichikov.
Nozdryov’s speech and manners are also characteristic. He talks loudly, emotionally, often screaming. His speech is very colorful and varied in composition.
In addition, it is worth noting the static nature of this image. Gogol gives the character of Nozdryov as already formed, ready-made; the background of this character is closed to the reader; throughout the narrative, no internal changes occur to the hero. However, as K. Aksakov notes, such “immobility” of the image is natural for an epic work.
Thus, the character created by Gogol - a braggart, a talker, a reckless driver, a reveler, a gambler, a rowdy and argumentative person, a lover of drinking and making up something - is colorful and easily recognizable. The hero is typical, and at the same time, thanks to a number of details, special little things, the writer was able to emphasize his individuality.
The role of the episode in the poem by N.V. Gogol's "Dead Souls" "Chichikov at Nozdryov's"
History of creation:
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol worked on the poem “Dead Souls” abroad. The first volume was published in 1841. The writer planned to write a poem in three parts. His task in this work was to show Rossi from the negative side, as he himself said - “from one side.”
This poem shows a separate landowner Chichikov, Russian society, Russian people, economy (economy of landowners).
The title “Dead Souls”, I think, has a double meaning. On the one hand, N.V. Gogol included in the title the souls of the dead peasants, about whom so much is said in the poem. On the other hand, these are the “Dead Souls” of landowners. The writer showed here all the callousness, the emptiness of the soul, the idleness of life, all the ignorance of the landowners.
The story about Captain Kopeikin shows the attitude of officials towards to the common people, the fact that the state does not respect people who gave their health, and in many cases, their lives for it; that the state for which they fought in the War of 1812 does not fulfill its promises, does not care about these people.
There are many episodes in this poem. I think they can even be divided into groups. One group is the episodes of Chichikov’s visits to landowners. I think this group is the most important in the poem. I want to describe, perhaps even comment on, one episode from this group - this is the episode when Chichikov visits the landowner Nozdryov. The action took place in the fourth chapter.
After visiting Korobochka, Chichikov stopped at the tavern for lunch and to give the horses a rest. He asked the owner of the tavern about the landowners, and, as was his custom, Chichikov began asking the owner about her family and life. As he talked and ate, he heard the sound of the wheels of an approaching carriage. Nozdryov and his companion, son-in-law Mezhuev, got out of the chaise.
Then we went to the office. There they had a quarrel due to our hero’s reluctance to play cards. Before the quarrel, Chichikov offered to buy “dead souls” from Nozdryov. Nozdryov began to set his own conditions, but Chichikov did not accept any of them.
After the conversation, Chichikov was left alone with himself.
The next day they began to play checkers on the condition: if our hero wins, then his soul; if he loses, then “there is no trial.” The author characterizes Nozdryov as follows: “He was of average height, a very well-built fellow, with full pleasant cheeks, teeth white as snow and jet-black sideburns. It was fresh, like blood and salt; his health seemed to be dripping from his face.”
Nodryov joined our hero, told about the fair, that he was blown to smithereens there. Then Chichikov, Nozdryov and Mezhuev’s son-in-law went to Nozdryov’s. After dinner, Mezhuev’s son-in-law left. Chichikov and Nozdryov, as usual, began to “cheat.” Chichikov noticed this and became indignant, after which a quarrel ensued and they began waving their hands at each other. Nozdryov called his servants Pavlusha and Porfiry and began shouting to them: “Beat him, beat him!” Chichikov turned pale, his soul “sank to his feet.” And if it weren’t for the police captain, who entered the room to announce to Nozdryov that he was in custody for inflicting a personal insult with rods while drunk on the landowner Maximov; be our hero severely crippled. While the captain was announcing the notice to Nozdryov, Chichikov quickly took his hat, went downstairs, got into the chaise and ordered Selifan to drive the horses at full speed.
I think the theme of this episode was to show and characterize a person who played an important role in the life of our hero. In my opinion,
N.V. Gogol also wanted to show with this episode all the “recklessness” of the young landowners, including Nozdryov. Here the writer showed how young landowners like Nozdryov, and in principle like all landowners, do nothing more than “hang around” at balls and fairs, play cards, drink “ungodly,” think only about themselves and how to be mean to others.
Episode Role :
This episode played big role in the poem, Nozdryov, annoyed with Chichikov when he visited him, betrayed him at the governor’s ball. But Chichikov was saved by the fact that everyone knew Nozdryov as a liar, a hypocrite, a bully, so his words were perceived as “the ravings of a madman,” as a joke, as a lie, whatever, but not as the truth.
While reading this episode, my impressions varied from beginning to end. At the beginning of the episode, the actions were not very interesting for me: this is when Chichikov met Nozdryov, how they were driving to his house. Then I gradually began to be indignant at Nozdryov’s boorish behavior - this is when, after dinner, Chichikov offered to buy “dead souls” from him, and Nozdryov began to wonder why he needed this. All of Chichikov’s attempts to pull the wool over Nozdryov’s ears were thwarted by him. Nozdryov said that Chichikov was a big swindler and that if he were his boss, he would have hanged him from the first tree. While reading, I was outraged by Nozdryov’s behavior towards Chichikov; after all, Chichikov is his guest.
Then exciting actions took place, this is when the next day after Chichikov arrived at Nozdryov’s, they began to play checkers. I have already stated this point. I was worried about the situation that became tense during the game of checkers; things were heading towards a quarrel, a fight.
There were a lot of things that happened in this episode, but those were the actions that stayed with me.
Artistic details :
First, let's see how the author describes the tavern: “A darkened wooden, narrow, hospitable canopy on carved wooden posts, similar to ancient church candlesticks; the tavern was something like a Russian hut, several in large size, carved patterned cornices made of fresh wood around the windows and under the roof sharply and vividly dazzled its dark walls; jugs of flowers were painted on the shutters; narrow wooden staircase, wide canopy. The interior of the tavern: a frost-covered samovar, scraped walls, a three-coal cabinet with teapots and cups in the corner, gilded porcelain eggs in front of images hanging on blue and red ribbons, a recently fallen cat, a mirror showing four eyes instead of two, and some kind of face instead flatbread; finally, bunches of fragrant herbs and carnations were stuck near the images, dried to such an extent that those who wanted to smell them only sneezed, and nothing more.”
Let's move on to the description of Nozdryov's household: in the house there were wooden trestles in the middle of the dining room. In the stable there were two mares, one dappled gray, the other a brown stallion, empty stalls; a pond, a water mill, where there was not enough flutter; forge. Nozdryov’s office: “There were no visible traces of books or paper in it, only sabers and two guns hung.” This suggests that Nozdryov was not interested in anything, did not take care of his farm, everything was neglected.
The hero's inner world in this episode:
Let's pay attention to inner world our hero in this episode. Here Chichikov at some points did not know what to answer Nozdryov to his annoying questions. It was in moments like this when Nozdryov asked him: “Why do you need them (dead souls)?”
In this episode, Chichikov, I think, felt awkward because of Nozdryov’s boorish behavior: he is offended by him, since our hero’s pride was affected. After Chichikov quarreled with Nozdryov after dinner because he did not play cards with him, he remained in the most unfavorable mood. The author describes his thoughts and feelings this way: “He was internally annoyed with himself for visiting them and wasting his time. But he scolded himself even more for talking to Nozdryov about the matter, acting carelessly, like a child, like a fool: for the matter was not at all of the kind that should be entrusted to Nozdryov. Nozdryov is a rubbish person, Nozdryov can lie, add, spread rumors and the devil knows what kind of gossip, it’s not good, it’s not good. “I’m just a fool,” he said to himself.”
I think that in this episode Chichikov behaved tolerantly and restrained, despite Nozdryov’s boorish behavior. But this is understandable, because our hero wants to achieve his goal at any cost.
In my opinion, the author wanted to show with this episode that not everything in life is as simple as one would like. That if everything turned out fine with Korobochka, then with Nozdryov everything went very abnormally - in life there are both white and black stripes.
I also think that this episode teaches us that we need to know a person very well, study him carefully before trusting him. After all, what happened with Chichikov: he trusted Nozdryov about the “dead souls,” and Nozdryov betrayed him by telling everyone about this matter.
But I repeat, Chichikov was saved by the fact that everyone considered Nozdryov a liar, no one believed him. Such luck may not happen in life.
