The poem “Dead Souls” was conceived by Gogol as a grandiose panorama of Russian society with all its features and paradoxes. The central problem of the work is the spiritual death and rebirth of representatives of the main Russian estates that time. The author exposes and ridicules the vices of the landowners, the corruption and destructive passions of the bureaucrats.
The title of the work itself has a double meaning. “Dead souls” are not only dead peasants, but also other actually living characters in the work. By calling them dead, Gogol emphasizes their devastated, pitiful, “dead” souls.
History of creation
“Dead Souls” is a poem to which Gogol devoted a significant part of his life. The author repeatedly changed the concept, rewrote and reworked the work. Initially, Gogol conceived Dead Souls as a humorous novel. However, in the end I decided to create a work that exposes the problems of Russian society and will serve its spiritual revival. This is how the POEM “Dead Souls” appeared.
Gogol wanted to create three volumes of the work. In the first, the author planned to describe the vices and decay of the serf society of that time. In the second, give its heroes hope for redemption and rebirth. And in the third I intended to describe further path Russia and its society.
However, Gogol only managed to finish the first volume, which appeared in print in 1842. Until his death, Nikolai Vasilyevich worked on the second volume. However, just before his death, the author burned the manuscript of the second volume.
The third volume of Dead Souls was never written. Gogol could not find the answer to the question of what will happen next to Russia. Or maybe I just didn’t have time to write about it.
Description of the work
One day, in the city of NN a very interesting character, who stands out greatly from the background of other old-timers of the city - Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. After his arrival, he began to actively get acquainted with important persons of the city, attending feasts and dinners. A week later, the newcomer was already on friendly terms with all the representatives of the city nobility. Everyone was delighted with the new man who had suddenly appeared in town.
Pavel Ivanovich goes out of town to pay visits to noble landowners: Manilov, Korobochka, Sobakevich, Nozdryov and Plyushkin. He is polite to every landowner and tries to find an approach to everyone. Natural resourcefulness and resourcefulness help Chichikov to gain the favor of every landowner. In addition to empty talk, Chichikov talks with the gentlemen about the peasants who died after the audit (“ dead Souls") and expresses a desire to buy them. The landowners cannot understand why Chichikov needs such a deal. However, they agree to it.
As a result of his visits, Chichikov acquired more than 400 " dead souls“and was in a hurry to finish things quickly and leave the city. The useful contacts Chichikov made upon his arrival in the city helped him resolve all issues with documents.
After some time, the landowner Korobochka let slip in the city that Chichikov was buying up “dead souls.” The whole city learned about Chichikov's affairs and was perplexed. Why would such a respected gentleman buy dead peasants? Endless rumors and speculation have a detrimental effect even on the prosecutor, and he dies of fear.
The poem ends with Chichikov hastily leaving the city. Leaving the city, Chichikov sadly recalls his plans to buy dead souls and pledge them to the treasury as living ones.
Main characters
Qualitatively new hero in Russian literature of that time. Chichikov can be called a representative of the newest class, just emerging in serf Russia - entrepreneurs, “acquirers”. The hero’s activity and activity distinguishes him favorably from other characters in the poem.
The image of Chichikov is distinguished by its incredible versatility and diversity. Even by the appearance of the hero it is difficult to immediately understand what kind of person he is and what he is like. “In the chaise sat a gentleman, not handsome, but not of bad appearance, neither too fat nor too thin, one cannot say that he is old, but not that he is too young.”
It is difficult to understand and embrace the nature of the main character. He is changeable, has many faces, is able to adapt to any interlocutor, and give his face the desired expression. Thanks to these qualities, Chichikov easily finds mutual language with landowners, officials and wins the desired position in society. Ability to charm and win over the right people Chichikov uses it to achieve his goal, namely receiving and accumulating money. His father also taught Pavel Ivanovich to deal with those who are richer and to treat money with care, since only money can pave the way in life.
Chichikov did not earn money honestly: he deceived people, took bribes. Over time, Chichikov's machinations become increasingly widespread. Pavel Ivanovich strives to increase his fortune by any means, without paying attention to any moral norms and principles.
Gogol defines Chichikov as a person with a vile nature and also considers his soul dead.
In his poem Gogol describes typical images landowners of that time: “businessmen” (Sobakevich, Korobochka), as well as not serious and wasteful gentlemen (Manilov, Nozdrev).
Nikolai Vasilyevich masterfully created the image of the landowner Manilov in the work. By this one image, Gogol meant a whole class of landowners with similar features. The main qualities of these people are sentimentality, constant fantasies and lack of active activity. Landowners of this type let the economy take its course and do nothing useful. They are stupid and empty inside. This is exactly what Manilov was - not bad at heart, but a mediocre and stupid poser.
Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka
The landowner, however, differs significantly in character from Manilov. Korobochka is a good and tidy housewife; everything goes well on her estate. However, the landowner's life revolves exclusively around her farm. The box does not develop spiritually and is not interested in anything. She understands absolutely nothing that does not concern her household. Korobochka is also one of the images by which Gogol meant a whole class of similar narrow-minded landowners who do not see anything beyond their farm.
The author clearly classifies the landowner Nozdryov as an unserious and wasteful gentleman. Unlike the sentimental Manilov, Nozdrev is full of energy. However, the landowner uses this energy not for the benefit of the farm, but for the sake of his momentary pleasures. Nozdryov is playing and wasting his money. Distinguished by its frivolity and idle attitude towards life.
Mikhail Semenovich Sobakevich
The image of Sobakevich, created by Gogol, echoes the image of a bear. There is something of a large wild animal in the appearance of the landowner: clumsiness, sedateness, strength. Sobakevich is not concerned about the aesthetic beauty of the things around him, but about their reliability and durability. Behind his rough appearance and stern character lies a cunning, intelligent and resourceful person. According to the author of the poem, it will not be difficult for landowners like Sobakevich to adapt to the changes and reforms coming in Rus'.
The most unusual representative of the landowner class in Gogol's poem. The old man is distinguished by his extreme stinginess. Moreover, Plyushkin is greedy not only in relation to his peasants, but also in relation to himself. However, such savings make Plyushkin a truly poor man. After all, it is his stinginess that does not allow him to find a family.
Bureaucracy
Gogol's work contains a description of several city officials. However, the author in his work does not significantly differentiate them from each other. All officials in “Dead Souls” are a gang of thieves, crooks and embezzlers. These people really only care about their enrichment. Gogol literally describes in a few outlines the image of a typical official of that time, rewarding him with the most unflattering qualities.
Analysis of the work
The plot of “Dead Souls” is based on an adventure conceived by Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. At first glance, Chichikov's plan seems incredible. However, if you look at it, the Russian reality of those times, with its rules and laws, provided opportunities for all sorts of fraud associated with serfs.
The fact is that after 1718 in Russian Empire A capitation census of peasants was introduced. For every male serf, the master had to pay a tax. However, the census was carried out quite rarely - once every 12-15 years. And if one of the peasants ran away or died, the landowner was still forced to pay a tax for him. Dead or escaped peasants became a burden for the master. This created fertile ground for various types of fraud. Chichikov himself hoped to carry out this kind of scam.
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol knew perfectly well how it worked Russian society with its serf system. And the whole tragedy of his poem lies in the fact that Chichikov’s scam absolutely did not contradict the current Russian legislation. Gogol exposes the distorted relationships of man with man, as well as man with the state, and talks about the absurd laws in force at that time. Because of such distortions, they become possible events, which contradict common sense.
"Dead Souls" - classic, which, like no other, is written in the style of Gogol. Quite often, Nikolai Vasilyevich based his work on some anecdote or comical situation. And the more ridiculous and unusual the situation, the more tragic the real state of affairs seems.
The main characters of the poem “Dead Souls” personify the society of past centuries.
"Dead Souls" main characters
The figurative system of the poem is built in accordance with three main plot-compositional links: landowner, bureaucratic Russia and the image of Chichikov.
The main character of "Dead Souls" Chichikov. This is a former official (retired collegiate councilor), and now a schemer: he is engaged in buying up so-called “dead souls” (written information about peasants who have died since the last audit) in order to mortgage them as living ones, in order to take out a loan from a bank and gain weight in society. Dresses smartly, takes care of himself even after a long and dusty Russian road manages to look like it came only from a tailor and barber. His name became a household name for people - nosy careerists, sycophants, money-grubbers, outwardly “pleasant”, “decent and worthy”
Manilov— A pleasant, but boring and lazy middle-aged man. He doesn't do much about his estate. There are 200 in his village peasant huts. The peasants of Manilov are lazy, like the owner himself. Manilov likes to sit in his office and dream all day, smoking a pipe. A romantic and sensitive man who loves his family.
Box- old widow. She - good hostess, a thrifty and thrifty, stupid and suspicious old woman. There are only 80 souls in her village. The peasants of Korobochka work properly, and the farm is well organized. The huts and buildings in the Korobochki estate are intact and strong. Korobochka sells goods produced by its peasants. This is “one of those mothers, small landowners who cry about crop failures, losses and keep their heads somewhat to one side, and meanwhile, little by little they collect money in colorful bags placed in dresser drawers.” Watercolor portrait Korobochki is represented by a good-natured old woman of small stature, wearing a cap and hood, and funny knitted shoes. The round, soft figure of Nastasya Petrovna, with some kind of rag tied around her neck, surprisingly resembles a tightly stuffed sack or sack - an important attribute of a homely landowner.
Nozdryov— Young widower, 35 years old. Lively, cheerful and noisy. Likes to have fun and get drunk. Cannot sit at home for more than one day. He cares little about his estate and the peasants. Doesn't take care of his two children. He keeps a whole pack of dogs and loves them more than his children.
Sobakevich- a wealthy landowner 40-50 years old. Married. Outwardly similar to a bear. Healthy and strong. Clumsy, rude and straightforward. He takes good care of his estate. His peasants have strong and reliable huts. Loves to eat well.
Plyushkin- A rich landowner. He has about 1000 souls. He has many dead and fugitive souls. Plyushkin lives like a beggar: he wears cast-offs and eats breadcrumbs. He doesn't throw anything away. Its peasants live in old, dilapidated houses. He inflates prices and does not sell goods to merchants, so the goods rot in storerooms.
The work of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol “Dead Souls” is one of the most bright works author. This poem, the plot of which is related to the description of Russian reality of the 19th century, is of great value for Russian literature. It was also significant for Gogol himself. No wonder he called it a “national poem” and explained that in this way he tried to expose the shortcomings of the Russian Empire, and then change the appearance of his homeland for the better.
The birth of the genre
The idea for Gogol to write “Dead Souls” was suggested to the author by Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. At first, the work was conceived as a light humorous novel. However, after work began on the work “Dead Souls,” the genre in which the text was originally intended to be presented was changed.
The fact is that Gogol considered the plot to be very original and gave the presentation a different, more deep meaning. As a result, a year after the start of work on the work “Dead Souls,” its genre became more extensive. The author decided that his brainchild should become nothing more than a poem.
Main idea
The writer divided his work into 3 parts. In the first of them, he decided to point out all the shortcomings that took place in his contemporary society. In the second part, he planned to show how the process of correcting people takes place, and in the third - the lives of heroes who have already changed for the better.
In 1841, Gogol completed writing the first volume of Dead Souls. The plot of the book shocked the entire reading country, causing a lot of controversy. After the release of the first part, the author began work on a continuation of his poem. However, he was never able to finish what he started. The second volume of the poem seemed imperfect to him, and nine days before his death he burned the only copy of the manuscript. Only drafts of the first five chapters have been preserved for us, which today are considered a separate work.
Unfortunately, the trilogy remained unfinished. But the poem “Dead Souls” should have had significant meaning. Its main purpose was to describe the movement of the soul, which went through a fall, purification, and then rebirth. The main character of the poem, Chichikov, had to go through this path to the ideal.
Plot
The story told in the first volume of the poem “Dead Souls” takes us to the nineteenth century. It tells the story of a journey across Russia undertaken by the main character, Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, to acquire so-called dead souls from landowners. The plot of the work provides the reader with full picture morals and life of the people of that time.
Let's look at the chapters of "Dead Souls" with their plot in a little more detail. This will give general idea about a brilliant literary work.
Chapter first. Start
Where does the work “Dead Souls” begin? The topic raised in it describes the events that took place at a time when the French were finally expelled from Russian territory.
At the beginning of the story, Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, who held the position of collegiate adviser, arrived in one of the provincial cities. When analyzing “Dead Souls,” the image of the main character becomes clear. The author shows him as a middle-aged man with an average build and good appearance. Pavel Ivanovich is extremely inquisitive. Situations arise when one can even talk about his intrusiveness and annoyingness. So, from the tavern servant he is interested in the owner’s income, and also tries to find out about all the city officials and the most noble landowners. He is also interested in the state of the region to which he arrived.
A collegiate advisor does not sit alone. He visits all officials, finding the right approach to them and choosing words that are pleasant for people. That is why they treat him just as well, which even slightly surprises Chichikov, who has experienced many negative reactions towards himself and even survived an assassination attempt.
The main purpose of Pavel Ivanovich’s visit was to find a place for peaceful life. To do this, while attending a party in the governor’s house, he meets two landowners - Manilov and Sobakevich. At a dinner with the police chief, Chichikov became friends with the landowner Nozdryov.
Chapter two. Manilov
The continuation of the plot is connected with Chichikov’s trip to Manilov. The landowner met the official on the threshold of his estate and led him into the house. The road to Manilov's home lay among gazebos on which signs were posted indicating that these were places for reflection and solitude.
When analyzing “Dead Souls,” one can easily characterize Manilov based on this decoration. This is a landowner who has no problems, but at the same time is too cloying. Manilov says that the arrival of such a guest is comparable to a sunny day and the happiest holiday. He invites Chichikov to dinner. Present at the table are the mistress of the estate and the two sons of the landowner - Themistoclus and Alcides.
After a hearty lunch, Pavel Ivanovich decides to talk about the reason that brought him to these parts. Chichikov wants to buy peasants who have already died, but their death has not yet been reflected in the audit certificate. His goal is to draw up all the documents, supposedly these peasants are still alive.
How does Manilov react to this? He has dead souls. However, the landowner is initially surprised by this proposal. But then he agrees to the deal. Chichikov leaves the estate and goes to Sobakevich. Meanwhile, Manilov begins to dream about how Pavel Ivanovich will live next door to him and what kind of good friends they will be after he moves.
Chapter three. Getting to know the Box
On the way to Sobakevich, Selifan (Chichikov’s coachman) accidentally missed the right turn. And then it began to rain heavily, and Chichikov fell into the mud. All this forces the official to look for accommodation for the night, which he found with the landowner Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka. Analysis of “Dead Souls” indicates that this lady is afraid of everything and everyone. However, Chichikov did not waste time and offered to purchase the deceased peasants from her. At first the old woman was intractable, but after the visiting official promised to buy everything from her lard and hemp (but next time), she agrees.
The deal was completed. The box treated Chichikov to pancakes and pies. Pavel Ivanovich, having eaten a hearty meal, moved on. And the landowner began to worry very much that she did not take enough money for the dead souls.
Chapter Four. Nozdryov
After visiting Korobochka, Chichikov drove onto the main road. He decided to visit a tavern he came across along the way to have a little snack. And here the author wanted to give this action some mystery. He does lyrical digressions. In “Dead Souls” he reflects on the properties of appetite inherent in people like the main character of his work.
While in the tavern, Chichikov meets Nozdryov. The landowner complained that he lost money at the fair. Then they follow to Nozdryov’s estate, where Pavel Ivanovich intends to make good money.
By analyzing “Dead Souls,” you can understand what Nozdryov is like. This is a person who really loves all kinds of stories. He tells them everywhere he goes. After a hearty lunch, Chichikov decides to bargain. However, Pavel Ivanovich can neither beg for dead souls nor buy them. Nozdryov sets his own conditions, which consist of an exchange or purchase in addition to something. The landowner even suggests using dead souls as bets in the game.
Serious disagreements arise between Chichikov and Nozdrev, and they postpone the conversation until the morning. The next day the men agreed to play checkers. However, Nozdryov tried to deceive his opponent, which was noticed by Chichikov. In addition, it turned out that the landowner was on trial. And Chichikov had no choice but to run when he saw the police captain.
Chapter five. Sobakevich
Sobakevich continues the images of landowners in Dead Souls. It is to him that Chichikov comes to him after Nozdryov. The estate he visited was a match for its owner. Just as strong. The owner treats the guest to dinner, talking during the meal about city officials, calling them all swindlers.
Chichikov talks about his plans. They did not frighten Sobakevich at all, and the men quickly moved on to concluding the deal. However, here troubles began for Chichikov. Sobakevich began to bargain, talking about the most best qualities already deceased peasants. However, Chichikov does not need such characteristics, and he insists on his own. And here Sobakevich begins to hint at the illegality of such a deal, threatening to tell anyone about it. Chichikov had to agree to the price offered by the landowner. They sign the document, still fearing a trick from each other.
There are lyrical digressions in “Dead Souls” in the fifth chapter. The author ends the story about Chichikov’s visit to Sobakevich with discussions about the Russian language. Gogol emphasizes the diversity, strength and richness of the Russian language. Here he points out the peculiarity of our people to give everyone nicknames associated with various offenses or the course of circumstances. They do not leave their owner until his death.
Chapter six. Plyushkin
Very interesting hero is Plyushkin. "Dead Souls" shows him as a very greedy person. The landowner does not even throw away his old sole that has fallen off his boot and carries it into the already quite decent pile of similar rubbish.
However Plyushkin dead sells souls very quickly and without haggling. Pavel Ivanovich is very happy about this and refuses the tea with crackers offered by the owner.
Chapter seven. Deal
Having achieved his initial goal, Chichikov is sent to the civil chamber to finally resolve the issue. Manilov and Sobakevich had already arrived in the city. The chairman agrees to become the attorney for Plyushkin and all other sellers. The deal took place, and champagne was opened for the health of the new landowner.
Chapter eight. Gossip. Ball
The city began to discuss Chichikov. Many decided that he was a millionaire. Girls began to go crazy for him and send love messages. Once at the governor's ball, he literally finds himself in the arms of the ladies. However, his attention is attracted by a sixteen-year-old blonde. At this time, Nozdryov comes to the ball, loudly inquiring about the purchase of dead souls. Chichikov had to leave in complete confusion and sadness.
Chapter Nine. Profit or love?
At this time, the landowner Korobochka arrived in the city. She decided to clarify whether she had made a mistake with the cost of dead souls. The news about the amazing purchase and sale becomes the property of the city residents. People believe that dead souls are a cover for Chichikov, but in fact he dreams of taking away the blonde he likes, who is the daughter of the governor.
Chapter ten. Versions
The city literally came to life. News appears one after another. In them we're talking about about the appointment of a new governor, about the presence of supporting papers about false banknotes, about an insidious robber who escaped from the police, etc. Many versions arise, and they all relate to Chichikov’s personality. The excitement of people negatively affects the prosecutor. He dies from the blow.
Chapter Eleven. Purpose of the event
Chichikov does not know what the city is talking about about him. He goes to the governor, but he is not received there. In addition, the people he meets on the way shy away from the official in different directions. Everything becomes clear after Nozdryov arrives at the hotel. The landowner tries to convince Chichikov that he tried to help him kidnap the governor’s daughter.
And here Gogol decides to talk about his hero and why Chichikov buys dead souls. The author tells the reader about his childhood and schooling, where Pavel Ivanovich already showed the ingenuity given to him by nature. Gogol also talks about Chichikov’s relationships with his comrades and teachers, about his service and work in the commission located in a government building, as well as about his transfer to serve in customs.
The analysis of “Dead Souls” clearly indicates the inclinations of the protagonist, which he used to complete his deal described in the work. After all, in all his places of work, Pavel Ivanovich managed to make a lot of money by concluding fake contracts and conspiracies. In addition, he did not disdain working with smuggling. In order to avoid criminal punishment, Chichikov resigned. Having switched to work as an attorney, he immediately formed an insidious plan in his head. Chichikov wanted to purchase dead souls in order to pawn them, as if they were alive, in the treasury in order to receive money. Next, his plans were to buy a village in order to provide for future offspring.
In part, Gogol justifies his hero. He considers him the owner, who with his mind has built such an interesting chain of transactions.
Images of landowners
These heroes of Dead Souls are especially vividly presented in five chapters. Moreover, each of them is dedicated to only one landowner. There is a certain pattern in the placement of chapters. The images of the landowners of “Dead Souls” are arranged in them according to the degree of their degradation. Let's remember who was the first of them? Manilov. “Dead Souls” describes this landowner as a lazy and dreamy, sentimental and practically unadapted person to life. This is confirmed by many details, for example, a farm that has fallen into disrepair and a house standing in the south, open to all winds. The author, using the amazing artistic power of the word, shows his reader the deadness of Manilov and the worthlessness of his life path. After all, behind external attractiveness there is a spiritual emptiness.
What other vivid images were created in the work “Dead Souls”? The heroic landowners in the image of Korobochka are people who are focused only on their farm. It is not without reason that at the end of the third chapter the author draws an analogy between this landowner and all aristocratic ladies. The box is distrustful and stingy, superstitious and stubborn. In addition, she is narrow-minded, petty and narrow-minded.
Next in terms of degree of degradation comes Nozdryov. Like many other landowners, he does not change with age, not even trying to develop internally. The image of Nozdryov represents a portrait of a reveler and a braggart, a drunkard and a cheater. This landowner is passionate and energetic, but all of him positive traits are wasted. The image of Nozdryov is as typical as that of previous landowners. And this is emphasized by the author in his statements.
Describing Sobakevich, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol resorts to comparing him with a bear. In addition to clumsiness, the author describes his parodically inverted heroic power, earthiness and rudeness.
But the extreme degree of degradation is described by Gogol in the image of the richest landowner in the province - Plyushkin. During his biography, this man went from a thrifty owner to a half-crazy miser. And it was not social conditions. Plyushkin's moral decline provoked loneliness.
Thus, all landowners in the poem “Dead Souls” are united by such traits as idleness and inhumanity, as well as spiritual emptiness. And he contrasts this world of truly “dead souls” with faith in the inexhaustible potential of the “mysterious” Russian people. It is not for nothing that at the end of the work the image of an endless road along which a trio of birds rushes appears. And in this movement the writer’s confidence in the possibility of the spiritual transformation of humanity and in the great destiny of Russia is manifested.
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Gogol's poem "Dead Souls" is not without a significant number of active characters. All heroes, according to their significance and the time period of action in the poem, can be divided into three categories: main, secondary and tertiary.
The main characters of "Dead Souls"
As a rule, in poems the number of main characters is small. The same tendency is observed in Gogol’s work.
Chichikov
The image of Chichikov is undoubtedly the key one in the poem. It is thanks to this image that the episodes of the narrative are connected.
Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov is distinguished by his dishonesty and hypocrisy. His desire to get rich by deception is discouraging.
On the one hand, the reasons for this behavior can be explained by the pressure of society and the priorities operating in it - a rich and dishonest person is more respected than an honest and decent poor person. Since no one wants to eke out their existence in poverty, the financial question and the problem of improving their material resources is always relevant and often borders on the norms of morality and integrity, which many are ready to cross.
The same situation happened with Chichikov. He, being a simple person by origin, he was actually deprived of the opportunity to make his fortune in an honest way, so he solved the problem that arose with the help of ingenuity, ingenuity and deception. The stinginess of “dead souls” as an idea is a hymn to his mind, but at the same time exposes the dishonest nature of the hero.
Manilov
Manilov became the first landowner to whom Chichikov came to buy souls. The image of this landowner is ambiguous. On the one hand, he creates a pleasant impression - Manilov is pleasant and well-mannered person, but let’s immediately note that he is apathetic and lazy.
Manilov is a person who always adapts to circumstances and never expresses his real opinion on this or that matter - Manilov takes the most favorable side.
Box
The image of this landowner is, perhaps, generally perceived as positive and pleasant. Korobochka is not smart, she is a stupid and, to some extent, uneducated woman, but at the same time she was able to successfully realize herself as a landowner, which significantly elevates her perception as a whole.
Korobochka is too simple - to some extent, her habits and habits resemble the lifestyle of peasants, which does not impress Chichikov, who aspires to aristocrats and life in high society, but it allows Korobochka to live quite happily and quite successfully develop her farm.
Nozdryov
Nozdryov, to whom Chichikov comes, after Korobochka, is perceived completely differently. And this is not surprising: it seems that Nozdryov was unable to fully realize himself in any field of activity. Nozdryov is a bad father who neglects communication with his children and their upbringing. He is a bad landowner - Nozdryov does not take care of his estate, but only wastes all his funds. Nozdryov’s life is the life of a man who prefers drinking, partying, cards, women and dogs.
Sobakevich
This landowner is controversial. On the one hand, he is a rude, manly person, but on the other hand, this simplicity allows him to live quite successfully - all the buildings on his estate, including the peasants' houses, are made to last - you won't find anything leaky anywhere, his peasants are well-fed and quite happy . Sobakevich himself often works together with peasants as equals and does not see anything unusual in this.
Plyushkin
The image of this landowner is perhaps perceived as the most negative - he is a stingy and angry old man. Plyushkin looks like a beggar, since his clothes are incredibly thin, his house looks like ruins, as do the houses of his peasants.
Plyushkin lives unusually frugally, but he does this not because there is a need for it, but because of a feeling of greed - he is ready to throw away a spoiled thing, but not to use it for good. That is why fabric and food rot in its warehouses, but at the same time its serfs walk around with their heads and tatters.
Minor characters
Minor characters There is also not much in Gogol's story. In fact, all of them can be characterized as significant figures in the county, whose activities are not related to landownership.
The Governor and his family
This is perhaps one of the most significant people in the county. In theory, he should be insightful, smart and reasonable. However, in practice everything turned out to be not quite so. The governor was a kind and pleasant man, but he was not distinguished by his foresight.
His wife was also a nice woman, but her excessive coquetry spoiled the whole picture. The governor's daughter was a typical cutesy girl, although in appearance she was very different from the generally accepted standard - the girl was not plump, as was customary, but was slender and cute.
That it was true that, due to her age, she was too naive and gullible.
Prosecutor
The image of the prosecutor defies significant description. According to Sobakevich, he was the only decent person, although, to be completely honest, he was still a “pig.” Sobakevich does not explain this characteristic in any way, which makes it difficult to understand his image. In addition, we know that the prosecutor was a very impressionable person - when Chichikov’s deception was discovered, due to excessive excitement, he dies.
Chairman of the Chamber
Ivan Grigorievich, who was the chairman of the chamber, was a nice and well-mannered man.
Chichikov noted that he was very educated, unlike most significant people in the district. However, his education does not always make a person wise and far-sighted.
This happened in the case of the chairman of the chamber, who could easily quote works of literature, but at the same time could not discern Chichikov’s deception and even helped him draw up documents for dead souls.
Chief of Police
Alexey Ivanovich, who performed the duties of police chief, seemed to have become accustomed to his work. Gogol says that he was able to ideally comprehend all the intricacies of the work and it was already difficult to imagine him in any other position. Alexey Ivanovich comes to any shop as if it were his own home and can take whatever his heart desires. Despite such arrogant behavior, he did not cause indignation among the townspeople - Alexey Ivanovich knows how to successfully get out of a situation and smooth out the unpleasant impression of extortion. So, for example, he invites you to come over for tea, play checkers, or watch a trotter.
We suggest following in Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls”.
Such proposals are not made spontaneously by the police chief - Alexey Ivanovich knows how to find in a person weakness and uses this knowledge. So, for example, having learned that a merchant has a passion for card games, then immediately invites the merchant to a game.
Episodic and tertiary heroes of the poem
Selifan
Selifan is Chichikov's coachman. Like most ordinary people, he is an uneducated and stupid person. Selifan faithfully serves his master. Typical of all serfs, he likes to drink and is often absent-minded.
Parsley
Petrushka is the second serf under Chichikov. He serves as a footman. Parsley loves to read books, however, he does not understand much of what he reads, but this does not prevent him from enjoying the process itself. Parsley often neglects the rules of hygiene and therefore it gives off an incomprehensible smell.
Mizhuev
Mizhuev is Nozdryov's son-in-law. Mizhuev is not distinguished by prudence. At his core, he is a harmless person, but he loves to drink, which significantly spoils his image.
Feodulia Ivanovna
Feodulia Ivanovna is Sobakevich’s wife. She is a simple woman and in her habits resembles a peasant woman. Although, it cannot be said that the behavior of aristocrats is completely alien to her - some elements are still present in her arsenal.
We invite you to read Nikolai Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls”
Thus, in the poem Gogol presents to the reader broad system images And although most of them are collective images and in their structure they are an image characteristic types individuals in society still arouse the reader's interest.
Characteristics of the heroes of the poem “Dead Souls”: list of characters
4.8 (96.36%) 11 votesImage of Chichikov “Dead Souls”
Chichikov is outwardly neat, loves cleanliness, dressed in a good fashionable suit, always carefully shaved; He always wears clean underwear and fashion clothes“brown and reddish shades with sparkle” or “the color of Navarino smoke with fire.” But Chichikov’s external neatness and cleanliness contrasts strikingly with the hero’s internal dirt and dishonesty. With the image of Chichikov, the author emphasized the typical traits of a predator, a scoundrel and a hoarder. In the eleventh chapter, the author talks in detail about life path the hero from birth until the moment when he began acquiring dead souls. How was Chichikov's character formed? What vital interests, formed under the influence of the external environment, guided his behavior?
Even as a child, his father taught him: “... most of all, please teachers and bosses... communicate with those who are richer, so that in some cases they will be useful to you, and most of all, save a penny, this thing is the most useful in the world... You will do everything and break through the world a penny." These father's advice formed the basis of Chichikov's relationships with people since school years. While still at school he achieved good attitude teachers, successfully saved money. Service in various institutions developed his natural abilities - a practical mind, ingenuity, hypocrisy, patience, the ability to “understand the spirit of the boss,” to find a weak spot in a person’s soul and the ability to influence him for selfish reasons. Chichikov directed all his skills to achieve the desired enrichment. He knew how to bewitch and provincial town, and estates. Chichikov knows how to find an approach to someone, clearly calculating his every step and adapting to the character of the landowner. The reader notices the difference in the manner of his communication with each of the landowners.
Gogol satirically exposes his hero “scoundrel”, a representative of those predators of whom many appeared in the 30s years XIX Art., when bourgeois-capitalist forces had already begun to develop within the framework of the feudal-serf order.
Image of Manilov
The image of Manilov opens a gallery of landowners. He is a little reminiscent of Chichikov with his “sweet” neatness and sophistication of clothes and movements. Her life is empty and worthless. Manilov even gives exceptional names to his sons - Themistoclus and Alcides. The landowner spends his life in complete inactivity. He has withdrawn from any work and does not even read anything. Manilov decorates his idleness with groundless dreams and “projects” that make no sense. Instead of real feeling, Manilov has a “pleasant smile”, sweet courtesy; instead of thoughts - meaningless judgments; instead of activity - empty dreams.
Concerning main goal Chichikov's visit, Manilov does not even know how many peasants he has died, and shows complete indifference to this.
Image of the Box
Nastasia Petrovna Korobochka appears before us as a parody of a person, the embodiment of the same spiritual emptiness as Manilov. A small landowner (owns 80 souls), she is a housewife, but her worldview is extremely limited. The author emphasizes her stupidity, lack of education, superstitiousness, and desire for profit. You can't always trust first impressions. Chichikov is deceived by Korobochka's external simplicity, naive patriarchal speech, which indicates that she has always lived in the village, among the peasants, has not received any education, and is in the city for the sole purpose of finding out about the prices of certain goods. Chichikov calls Korobochka “club-headed,” but this landowner is no stupider than him; like him, she will never miss her advantage. She knows well what is being done on her farm, at what price and what products are sold, how many serfs she has, whose names are and how many died when.
Image of Nozdryov
The type of “living dead” is represented by Nozdryov. This is the complete opposite of both Manilov and Korobochka. He has "irrepressible liveliness and belligerence of character." He is a reveler, a scoundrel and a liar. Even without understanding the essence of Chichikov’s scam, he recognizes him as a scoundrel. Nozdryov has completely abandoned his farm; only the kennel is well maintained, since he loves hunting.
Image of Sobakevich
Sobakevich is a new step in the moral decline of man. He is an adherent of the old feudal forms of farming, is hostile to the city and education, and ardently strives for profit. The thirst for enrichment pushes him to dishonest acts. This landowner knows how to run a farm. Wealth gives him self-confidence and makes him independent in his judgment. He knows well how rich other landowners and high officials in the province have become and deeply neglects them. Sobakevich, in addition to corvée, also uses a monetary system. His serfs die due to inhuman living conditions, since he behaves cruelly with them, despite their talents and abilities. And his peasants are truly talented: the skilled carriage maker Mikheev, the carpenter Stepan Probka, the Tsegelnik Milushkin, the shoemaker Maxim Telyatnikov and others.
Chichikov’s request to sell “dead souls” does not surprise Sobakevich, since he is convinced that money can be made from anything. The author emphasizes the broad generalizing meaning of this image.
Image of Plyushkin
“A hole in humanity,” Plyushkin is the complete opposite of Sobakevich. He has lost so much of his human semblance that Chichikov at first considers him the housekeeper. Undoubtedly, he has income, and considerable one: over a thousand souls of serfs, barns full of all sorts of goods. However, his extreme stinginess turns the wealth earned for him by the hard work of the serfs into dust and rot. Is there anything dear to him in life? Plyushkin forgot why he lives in the world. His serfs suffer from their master's stinginess and "die like flies." According to Sobakevich, he starved all the people to death. Everything human died in him; this is in the full sense of the word “dead soul”. This landowner has no human qualities; even his father’s things are more valuable to him than people whom he considers thieves and swindlers. The image of Plyushkin embodies with particular strength and satirical sharpness the shameful desire for accumulation at any cost, born of society.
It is no coincidence that Gogol completes the gallery of landowners with the image of Plyushkin. The author shows what can happen to each of them. Gogol is offended by the desecration of man as the likeness of God. He says: “And could a person reach such insignificance, pettiness, disgusting? Could it have changed so much! and does this seem true? Everything seems to be true, anything can happen to a person...”
