“All of Rus' will appear in it,” N.V. Gogol said about his work “Dead Souls.” Sending his hero on the road across Russia, the author strives to show everything that is characteristic of the Russian national character, everything that forms the basis of Russian life, the history and modernity of Russia, tries to look into the future... From the height of his ideas about the ideal, the author judges “all the terrible “, the amazing mud of little things that entangle our lives,” Gogol’s penetrating gaze explores the life of Russian landowners, peasants, and the state of people’s souls. The broad typification of the poem's images became the prerequisite for the fact that the names of many of Gogol's heroes became household names. And yet Gogol could be considered a genius if only for creating the image of the “dearest man” Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. What kind of person is this Chichikov? The author emphasizes that the time of virtuous heroes has passed, and therefore shows us... a scoundrel.
The origin of the hero, as the author says, is “dark and modest.” His parents are impoverished nobles, and his father, sending Pavlush to a city school, can leave him only “half a copper” and a wise order: to please the Teachers and superiors and, most importantly, to save and save a penny. Even as a child, Pavlusha reveals great practicality. He knows how to deny himself everything, just to save at least a small amount. He pleases teachers, but only as long as he depends on them. After graduating from college, Pavlusha no longer considers it necessary to help the drunken teacher.
Chichikov convinces himself that he has no “attachment to money for money’s sake.” Money is a means to achieve a life of “all pleasures.” The author notes with bitter irony that the hero of the poem would sometimes even like to help people, “but only so that it does not involve a significant amount.” And so gradually the desire for hoarding obscures the most important moral principles for the hero. Deception, bribery, meanness, fraud at customs - these are the means by which Pavel Ivanovich tries to ensure a decent existence for himself and his future children. It is not surprising that it is precisely such a hero who conceives a fantastic scam: the purchase of “dead souls” with the aim of pawning them in the treasury. He has long been no longer interested in the moral aspect of such transactions; he completely justifies himself by the fact that he “takes advantage of the surplus,” “takes where everyone would take.”
We must give the hero his due. He does not enjoy patronage, there are not enough stars in the sky; everything he achieves is the result of hard work and constant hardship. Moreover, every time the contours of luck appear on the horizon, another disaster befalls the hero. Gogol pays tribute to the “irresistible strength of his character,” for he understands how difficult it is for a Russian person to “throw a rein on everything that would like to jump out and walk free.”
Chichikov is not only tireless in inventing cunning plans. His entire appearance is already adapted to make it easier to “save a penny.” There are no striking features in his appearance, he is “not too fat, not too thin,” “not handsome, but not bad-looking either.” Chichikov knows people very well and speaks to everyone in a language understandable to the interlocutor. He captivates officials with “the pleasantness of his secular address”, he charms Manilov with his sugary tone, he knows how to intimidate Korobochka, and with Nozdryov he plays Checkers for the souls of dead peasants. Even with Plyushkin, who avoids communicating with people, Chichikov finds a common language.
Chichikov represents a new type of businessman-entrepreneur for Russian reality. But this does not mean that Gogol excludes him from a number of literary associations. Sometimes Pavel Ivanovich resembles a romantic secular hero, who “... was ready to give an answer, probably no worse than those given in fashionable stories...”. Secondly, Pavel Ivanovich has something of the image of a romantic robber (according to rumors, he breaks into Korobochka “like Rinald Rinaldina”). Thirdly, city officials compare him to Napoleon, who was “released” from Helena. Finally, Chichikov is even identified with the Antichrist. Of course, such associations are parodic. But not only. The worst thing, according to Gogol, is that the appearance of such a hero means that vice has ceased to be majestic, and evil has ceased to be heroic. Chichikov is an anti-hero, an anti-villain. He embodies only the prose of adventurism for the sake of money.
Of course, it is no coincidence that officials compare Chichikov with Captain Kopeikin. Within the framework of the plot, this comparison is comical (the postmaster does not pay attention to the fact that Chichikov’s arms and legs are in place), but for the writer it is of great importance, it is not for nothing that even the surname of the noble captain is consonant with Chichikov’s “save a penny.” The hero of the War of 1812 personifies the romantic era of the recent past, but now time has finally shrunk, and the Chichikovs have become his heroes. And the worst thing is that in life they are perceived by people the same way as in the poem. They are called interesting, everyone is happy with them. Therefore, Gogol considers it necessary to look deeper into their souls, to discover their “innermost thoughts,” that which “eludes and hides from the light.”
But nevertheless, it is Chichikov in the poem who is one of the few “people of the path” who, according to Gogol, were destined to be reborn. Yes, the hero’s goal is petty, but movement towards it is better than complete immobility. However, the second volume of the poem, in which the hero was supposed to come to the purification of the soul, was never published.
The social soil on which the Chichikovs flourished has long been destroyed. And the evil of hoarding continues to entangle humanity. Is this why the image of Chichikov can be considered Gogol’s brilliant discovery?
Among the heroes of Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls,” Chichikov occupies a special place. From the point of view of plot and composition, this figure is central in the poem and until the last chapter of the first volume is a mystery to everyone. His past is unknown, the purpose of his stay in the city of NN is unknown.
In addition, the author deprives Pavel Ivanovich of his originality, memorable features; he does not have his own “face”. The individualized images of landowners are extremely bright, and against their background the figure of Chichikov looks colorless, vague, and elusive. Therefore it is possible
Discover in the hero’s speech behavior that he, not having his own “face,” does not have his own “voice.”
It is facelessness and colorlessness that allow Chichikov to transform beyond recognition when the “interests of the case” require it. An excellent psychologist and a brilliant imitator, he knows how to resemble his interlocutor with magical artistry. In every situation, he says what they would like to hear from him, which can be in his favor.
So with Manilov, Pavel Ivanovich is cloyingly amiable, pompous and flattering. With Korobochka he is patronizingly affectionate and patriarchally pious, holding on
He is free with her, “does not stand on ceremony.” Instead of flowery phrases, colloquial and sometimes rude expressions now come from his lips.
Chichikov is a magnificent actor, for the sake of his goal he gives each landowner a performance according to his taste. He could not play only the role that was kind to Nozdryov. This means that the issue here is not a talented transformation. Maybe Chichikov is a far-sighted psychologist, capable of seeing all the curves of the human soul?
But then he would not have awakened Korobochka’s miserly suspicion, would not have deceived Nozdryov, would not have provoked the jealousy of the provincial ladies. What allows Chichikov to adapt so quickly and successfully to each of his interlocutors?
Let's take a closer look at the image of Chichikov in those moments when he is left alone with himself. He has no need to disguise himself and change himself to fit in. Here Chichikov is looking around the city of N: “On the way, he tore off a poster nailed to a post so that when he came home, he could read it thoroughly,” and after reading, “he folded it neatly and put it in his little chest, where he used to put everything he came across.”
This collection of unnecessary things, careful storage of trash is reminiscent of Plyushkin’s habits.
Chichikov, at a meeting with the police chief, daydreamed in a completely Manilov spirit, although Sobakevich was next to him: “Chichikov never felt in such a cheerful mood, he already imagined himself as a real Kherson landowner, talked about various improvements: about a three-field farm, about the happiness and bliss of two shower - and began to read to Sobakevich a message in verse from Werther to Charlotte, to which he batted his eyes.”
Communication with the arrogant and unceremonious Nozdrev is torment for Chichikov, because Pavel Ivanovich does not tolerate “familiar treatment.” However, he does not even think of interrupting his dialogue with the landowner: he is rich, which means there is the prospect of a profitable deal ahead. Following his proven method, Chichikov strives with all his might to become like Nozdryov. He addresses him as “you”, adopts his familiar manners and boorish tone.
It is much easier for Chichikov to find a common language with Sobakevich - after all, both are united by zealous service to the “penny”. Even Plyushkin, who had long ago lost contact with the outside world and forgotten the elementary norms of politeness, was able to win over Pavel Ivanovich. For this landowner, Chichikov plays the role of an impractical and generous idiot - a “motishka”, who is ready, at his own loss, to save a casual acquaintance from the need to pay taxes for dead peasants.
Who is Chichikov? What kind of person is he? Among the many fantastic versions about Chichikov put forward by officials of the city of NN, the version about the Antichrist deserves special attention.
The Antichrist of the New Testament “Revelation” precedes the onset of the Last Judgment and appears at the end of time. Why exactly does Chichikov become a sign of the “last times” in Gogol, a symbol of the coming catastrophe?
From Gogol's point of view, the evil personified in Chichikov is the main evil of our time. Everyday and insignificant evil is more terrible than literary and majestic evil, Gogol shows. Gogol wants to understand the psychological nature of the new phenomenon.
This is served by the biography of Chichikov, which explains the genesis of the character depicted in the poem. The hero's dull, sad childhood - without comrades, without dreams, without parental love - largely predetermined the hero's future fate. Having deeply assimilated the parental instructions, Pavlusha Chichikov develops energy, will and perseverance, with which he strives towards his only goal in life - wealth.
At first, his actions are naive and straightforward: Pavlusha slavishly pleases the teacher and becomes his favorite. Having matured, Chichikov manipulates people with much greater skill, but the results of his efforts are now more significant. He promised to marry the daughter of his boss and thereby gets himself a position as a police officer. While serving at customs, Pavel Ivanovich convinces his superiors of his incorruptibility and thus makes a huge fortune from a large consignment of smuggled goods.
The biography of Gogol’s “acquirer” is marked by a strange pattern: Chichikov’s brilliant victories turn out to be zero every time. The process of enrichment turns into something valuable, self-sufficient - after all, it is always a process without a result.
Chichikov's biography makes us at the same time remember about sinners who overcame their sinfulness and subsequently became holy ascetics. According to the writer’s assumption, in the next volumes of the poem there should have been an awakening of the hero’s soul and his spiritual resurrection. It is no coincidence that the evils of the time, Gogol said, are so concentrated and intensified in Chichikov, because the resurrection of the “hero of the time” would serve as the beginning of the resurrection of the entire Russian society.
The happiness of this hero is based not on love, but on money. Gogol notes in Chichikov the absence of Plyushkin’s dull automatism: “He had no attachment to money for the sake of money, he was not possessed by miserliness and stinginess. No, it was not they who moved him; he imagined a life ahead of him with all its pleasures.
So that, finally, later, over time, you will definitely taste all this, that’s why the penny was saved...”
Chichikov's dedication and patience constantly allow him to be reborn. Even the “mass of disaster” will not bury him. It is very difficult to combine in Gogol’s assessment the verdict on Chichikov, classifying him as a “dead soul,” with the consciousness that the unspiritual type of bourgeois businessman is practical and very viable.
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Poem "Dead Souls" occupies a special place in Gogol's work. The writer considered this work to be the main work of his life, the spiritual testament of Pushkin, who suggested to him the basis of the plot. In the poem, the author reflected the way of life and morals of different layers of society - peasants, landowners, officials. The images in the poem, according to the author, “are not at all portraits of insignificant people; on the contrary, they contain the features of those who consider themselves better than others.” The poem shows landowners, owners of serf souls, “masters” of life, in close-up. Gogol consistently, from hero to hero, reveals their characters and shows the insignificance of their existence. Starting with Manilov and ending with Plyushkin, the author intensifies his satire and exposes the criminal world of landowner-bureaucratic Russia.
The main character of the work is Chichikov- until the last chapter of the first volume remains a mystery to everyone: both for officials of the city of N and for readers. The author reveals the inner world of Pavel Ivanovich in scenes of his meetings with landowners. Gogol draws attention to the fact that Chichikov is constantly changing and almost copies the behavior of his interlocutors. Talking about Chichikov’s meeting with Korobochka, Gogol says that in Russia a person talks differently to the owners of two hundred, three hundred, five hundred souls: “... even if you reach a million, there will be all shades.”
Chichikov has studied people well, knows how to find a benefit in any situation, and always says what they would like to hear from him. So, with Manilov, Chichikov is pompous, amiable and flattering. He talks to Korobochka without any special ceremony, and his vocabulary is in tune with the style of the hostess. Communication with the arrogant liar Nozdryov is not easy, since Pavel Ivanovich does not tolerate familiar treatment, “...unless the person is of too high a rank.” However, hoping for a profitable deal, he does not leave Nozdryov’s estate until the last moment and tries to become like him: he addresses himself as “you,” adopts a boorish tone, and behaves familiarly. The image of Sobakevich, personifying the thoroughness of a landowner's life, immediately prompts Pavel Ivanovich to conduct as thorough a conversation as possible about dead souls. Chichikov manages to win over the “hole in the human body” - Plyushkin, who has long lost contact with the outside world and forgotten the norms of politeness. To do this, it was enough for him to play the role of a “motishka”, ready, at a loss to himself, to save a casual acquaintance from having to pay taxes for dead peasants.
It is not difficult for Chichikov to change his appearance, because he has all the qualities that form the basis of the characters of the depicted landowners. This is confirmed by the episodes in the poem where Chichikov is left alone with himself and does not need to adapt to those around him. While examining the city of N, Pavel Ivanovich “teared off a poster nailed to a post so that when he came home, he could read it thoroughly,” and after reading it, “he folded it neatly and put it in his little chest, where he used to put everything he came across.” This is reminiscent of the habits of Plyushkin, who collected and stored various kinds of rags and toothpicks. The colorlessness and uncertainty that accompany Chichikov until the last pages of the first volume of the poem make him similar to Manilov. That is why officials of the provincial city are making ridiculous guesses, trying to establish the true identity of the hero. Chichikova's love for neatly and pedantically arranging everything in his little chest brings him closer to Korobochka. Nozdryov notices that Chichikov looks like Sobakevich. All this suggests that in the character of the main character, as in a mirror, the traits of all landowners were reflected: Manilov’s love for meaningless conversations and “noble” gestures, and Korobochka’s pettiness, and Nozdryov’s narcissism, and Sobakevich’s rudeness, and Plyushkin’s hoarding.
And at the same time, Chichikov differs sharply from the landowners shown in the first chapters of the poem. He has a different psychology than Manilov, Sobakevich, Nozdrev and other landowners. He is characterized by extraordinary energy, business acumen, and determination, although morally he does not rise at all above the owners of serf souls. Many years of bureaucratic activity left a noticeable imprint on his demeanor and speech. Evidence of this is the warm welcome given to him in the provincial “high society”. Among officials and landowners, he is a new person, an acquirer who will replace the Manilovs, Nozdrevs, Sobakeviches and Plyushkins.
Chichikov's soul, just like the souls of landowners and officials, became dead. The “brilliant joy of life” is inaccessible to him; he is almost completely devoid of human feelings. In order to achieve his practical goals, he pacified his blood, which “played strongly.”
Gogol sought to understand the psychological nature of Chichikov as a new phenomenon, and for this, in the last chapter of the poem he talks about his life. Chichikov's biography explains the formation of the character revealed in the poem. The hero's childhood was dull and joyless, without friends and maternal affection, with constant reproaches from his sick father, and could not but affect his future fate. His father left him an inheritance of half a copper and a covenant to study diligently, please teachers and bosses, and, most importantly, save a penny. Pavlusha learned his father’s instructions well and directed all his energy towards achieving his cherished goal - wealth. He quickly realized that all lofty concepts only interfere with the achievement of his goal, and began to make his own way. At first, he acted childishly and straightforwardly - he pleased the teacher in every possible way and thanks to this he became his favorite. As he grew up, he realized that you can find a special approach to each person, and began to achieve more significant success. Promising to marry his boss's daughter, he received a position as a military officer. While serving at customs, he managed to convince his superiors of his integrity, and later established contacts with smugglers and made a huge fortune. All of Chichikov’s brilliant victories ultimately ended in failure, but no failures could break his thirst for profit.
However, the author notes that in Chichikov, unlike Plyushkin, “there was no attachment to money for the sake of money, he was not possessed by miserliness and stinginess. No, it was not they who moved him - he imagined life ahead in all its pleasures, so that finally later, over time, he would certainly taste all this, that’s why the penny was saved.” Gogol notes that the main character of the poem is the only character capable of manifesting the movements of the soul. “Apparently the Chichikovs also turn into poets for a few minutes,” says the author, when his hero stops “as if stunned by a blow” in front of the governor’s young daughter. And it was precisely this “human” movement of the soul that led to the failure of his promising venture. According to the author, sincerity, sincerity and selflessness are the most dangerous qualities in a world where cynicism, lies and profit reign. The fact that Gogol transferred his hero to the second volume of the poem suggests that he believed in his spiritual revival. In the second volume of the poem, the writer planned to spiritually “cleanse” Chichikov and put him on the path of spiritual resurrection. The resurrection of the “hero of the time,” according to him, was supposed to be the beginning of the resurrection of the entire society. But, unfortunately, the second volume of “Dead Souls” was burned, and the third was not written, so we can only guess how Chichikov’s moral revival took place.
All topics in the book “Dead Souls” by N.V. Gogol. Summary. Features of the poem. Essays":
Summary of the poem “Dead Souls”:
Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov is the main character of the poem “Dead Souls” by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol.
Chichikov in a poem of middle age. Born into a poor family. The parents did not want such a life for their son, so they raised him, instilling in him the ability to make money. When sending his son to study, his father ordered Pavel to please the teachers, save every penny and deny himself many things. Don't make friends like that. how they are of no use, and only be friends with the rich, who will benefit them.
Pavel Ivanovich did just that and completed his studies with good recommendations from his teachers. He played tricks on his classmates: he made them share them with him, and then sold them these things. Chichikov was a very capable young man, smart. One day he made a wax figurine and sold it, got a mouse, started training it and also sold it for good money. He could quickly do arithmetic in his head and had a penchant for mathematical sciences.
Outwardly, Chichikov was attractive. A little full, but in moderation. He really liked his face, especially his chin.
Pavel Ivanovich really wanted to get rich. But he didn’t want wealth just to have it. He wanted to enjoy these benefits with all his heart and live a luxurious life. I wanted to provide for my future children and leave them an inheritance. After studying he entered the service. He pleased his superiors in every possible way, which endeared them to him. Having gotten used to it, he began to take bribes, which they found out about, and Chichikov had to leave the service. He managed to save a lot of money, but nothing came of it either.
But even after this, Chichikov did not give up and decided on a new adventure: to buy up dead souls, and then sell them for good money, as if they were alive. He had well-developed psychological qualities. Because of his ability to please people, Pavel Ivanovich learned the psychology of people and knew how to find an approach to everyone. He carefully studied the habits of gentlemen from high society and learned to apply them to himself. He also knew how to masterfully dissemble in order to achieve his own benefit, posing as an honest and noble person. The fact that Chichikov was from the common people was revealed only by his ignorance of French.
Despite his qualities, inherent only to vile people, Pavel Ivanovich also had ordinary ones. He was a compassionate man and always gave coins to the poor. He did not hang out with women, because he knew that it would not lead to good things. Chichikov completely lacked romantic inclinations. The thought, other than that the woman is beautiful, did not develop further in him.
If you look at the poem carefully, you will notice that Chichikov has the same qualities as the people from whom he bought souls. This explains the fact that he quickly found a common language with them.
The writer’s famous poem is one of those unforgettable works of art that represent a generalization in the form of artistic scales aimed at solving the problems of human life. The emptiness in the spiritual worldview of people is hidden not only in the conditions of society, but also in the characteristics of the personality.
In a special way, the author of one of these representatives, Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, clearly showed. The lack of interest in the life of this character is emphasized by the fact that there are no changes in his spiritual actions, he is all in some kind of vanity. His chaise does not leave some vicious circle for a long time. All life is subordinated to one goal - enrichment for the sake of achieving good conditions. This simple dream fuels his energy. The main character does not forget his father’s advice that he needs to take care of every coin. Chichikov ceases to sympathize with people. This can be seen from his life. He abandons the teacher, who is completely drunk, commits betrayal against his superior, indulges in the joy of the high mortality rate of the peasants, but can please everyone, especially high-ranking officials.
While studying at the school, Chichikov, thanks to his neatness and diligence, becomes one of his favorite students. In the service he also seeks recognition from his superiors. Arriving in the city of NN, he also continues to speak flattering words to local officials. From every conversation Pavel Ivanovich takes some benefit for himself. Even Gogol, depicting his image, emphasizes some uncertainty in his appearance. So, talking with Manilov, he appears to us as a young man, endlessly admiring everything, and in a conversation with Plyushkin sits an important gentleman who has seen a lot in life. Straightforwardness is alien to Chichikov. He is happy only because he is making a profitable deal. Chichikov even hums after he successfully acquired dead souls from Plyushkin. We see that even the speech is filled with vulgar words, especially in the conversation with Nozdryov about the beautiful blonde. Chichikov is forced to flee the city, but this time he has achieved his goal, he has moved one step closer to his happy moments, and everything else is not important to him.
Chichikov is considered mainly around whom the plot of the poem is set. This can be understood from the first pages, when the author begins to describe the character of the hero and his environment. Gogol himself was not sure that readers would like Chichikov. Such a statement seems absurd only until the moment Pavel Ivanovich shows his true nature.
Initially, Gogol shows the positive sides of Chichikov: his ability to conduct a conversation, direct it in the right direction, the ability to stop in time or, conversely, to notice many details with just one well-aimed word. This all shows the character’s experience, good manners, noble behavior and intelligence. Everyone with whom the hero communicated noted various positive qualities of his character. This suggests that Pavel Ivanovich masterfully knew how to select the keys to communicating with completely different people, both in age and status.
Gogol considers it important to show a biography in the image of the hero, during the narration of which he notes why the character became what he is now. The construction of Chichikov’s existing appearance began in childhood, when his father explained to the little boy simple truths, such as the fact that every penny should be saved. As a result, this led to the fact that Pavel Ivanovich learned to find benefits in many ways. There are even words that Chichikov made a living by creating and selling wax and beautifully painted bullfinches.
As he gets older, the character learns to understand people. Having learned well from his institute authorities, he easily found ways to communicate. As a result, he was given a good certificate with a mark of proper behavior. Thinking about what would happen to him next, it was easiest for Chichikov to imagine himself in the role of a rich and accomplished person.
The hero’s bad character is especially evident during his service in various organizations. Through bribes and fraud, the character quickly becomes rich. But wrong behavior is noticed, it is quickly exposed and the result of all affairs is complete failure. After several failures, Chichikov decides: he needs to acquire dead souls.
Chichikov knew that the audit and taxes paid by landowners during its implementation hit the owners of souls painfully in their wallets. It works out much cheaper if we count those who died during the break between revisions as alive.
That is why the hero ends up in the provincial city. His target is dead souls. As soon as he was in the city, he had to act. He intensively attended city events, visited officials, got to know them and flattered them. Chichikov tried to find out who could provide him with dead souls. This suggests that there is a place for cold-blooded prudence in the image.
It was not difficult for Chichikov to make friends here. He skillfully built the connections he needed even with such individuals whose quirks are not easy to come to terms with and understand. Showing his qualities as a dreamer, Pavel Ivanovich received dead souls from Manilov for free; he also received them from Sobakevich and from Korobochka.
“Scoundrel” - that’s what his author says about Chichikov.
And indeed, no matter how much lively and interesting things are added to the image of Pavel Ivanovich, his negative qualities do not remain aside. This “bad” side of him completely covers up all the good that could be observed. Selfishness, reluctance to take someone else's side, the desire to get a high income and non-participation in public affairs - this is what Gogol's hero Chichikov Pavel Ivanovich mainly combines. And the existing manifestations of a condescending attitude and understanding in rare cases, the ability to have fun are only qualities that show a living person.
Gogol very skillfully emphasized the uncertainty in the image of Chichikov; outwardly, his character is neither fat nor thin, neither handsome nor ugly. The character's character is quite complex; it is sometimes difficult to understand him. Gogol, carefully examining the actions and thoughts of the hero, leads the reader to the idea that there is some justice in Chichikov’s reasoning, but at the same time calls him a scoundrel.
The main subject of attention in “Dead Souls” was the new type of “owner, acquirer” in Russian literature. The purpose of depicting this hero is “to stare at him with an inquisitive gaze, to probe him to the original causes” and to remove the veneer of external decency:
Everything was reflected in him that is needed for this world: pleasantness in turns and actions, and agility in business affairs...
The newcomer somehow knew how to find his way around everything and showed himself to be an experienced socialite. Whatever the conversation was about, he always knew how to support it... He argued, but somehow extremely skillfully, so that everyone saw that he was arguing, and yet he was arguing pleasantly. He never said: “you went,” but “you deigned to go,” “I had the honor to cover your deuce,” and the like. He spoke neither loudly nor quietly, but absolutely as he should. In a word, no matter where you turn, he was a very decent person.
But it is not only the ability to hide his vices under the guise of virtue that distinguishes Chichikov from other heroes. “We must do justice to the irresistible force of his character,” writes Gogol. Energy, enterprise, and business acumen seem to lift Chichikov above the frozen world of “dead souls.” It was with the image of Chichikov that Gogol’s plans for the spiritual resurrection and rebirth of man were connected. Echoes of these ideas can already be heard in the first volume, although Gogol wrote it on the model of Dante’s “Divine Comedy”, and Chichikov plays the role of Virgil, a guide to “hell” of “dead souls”.
“Living” and “dead” are closely intertwined in Chichikov. The hero needs money not as a goal, but as a means. And although Gogol is ironic about Chichikov’s concern for non-existent descendants, nevertheless, dreams of home and family are deeply significant for the author. And if Plyushkin destroys his family with his stinginess, then Chichikov, as soon as he has funds, starts a house and begins to look after the owner. The desire for family happiness also determines the attention paid to the governor’s daughter. Chichikov’s thoughts about the fate of the girl echo the author’s thoughts about “initial causes”, about the conditions for the formation of characters:
She is now like a child, everything about her is simple, she will say whatever she wants, laugh wherever she wants to laugh. You can make anything out of her, she can be a miracle, or she can turn out to be rubbish, and she will turn out to be rubbish1.. Where does the pout and primness come from, she will begin to toss and turn according to the established instructions, she will begin to rack her brains and figure out with whom, and how, and how much you need to say how to look at someone, every minute she will be afraid, so as not to say more than necessary, she will finally get confused herself, and will end up lying all her life, and it will just come out like God knows what!
Chichikov is the only hero whose life is presented not in separate episodes, but sequentially, step by step. True, in the poem itself Chichikov appears and acts as an already established character, but in the exposition (Chapter 11) his formation is shown.
Analyzing chapter 11, pay attention to how Chichikov mastered the “science of life”, highlight the main stages of character development:
Origin (“The origin of our hero is dark and modest. His parents were nobles, but whether they were important or personal, God knows”);
Childhood (“At the beginning, life looked at him somehow sourly and unpleasantly, no friend, no comrade in childhood!”);
Father’s instructions (“Look, Pavlusha, study, don’t be stupid and don’t hang around, but most of all please your teachers and bosses.. Don’t hang out with your comrades, they won’t teach you any good; and if it comes to that, hang out with those who are richer , so that on occasion they can be useful to you... and most of all, take care and save a penny, this thing is more reliable than anything in the world... a penny will not give you away, no matter what trouble you are in");
Studying at school (“He suddenly realized and understood the matter and behaved in relation to his comrades in exactly the same way that they treated him, and he not only never, but sometimes even hid the received treat and then sold it to them”);
Service in the treasury chamber;
Work at customs;
The idea of buying up “dead souls” (“Yes, if I bought all these who died out, have not yet submitted new revision tales, buy them, let’s say, a thousand, yes, let’s say, the guardianship council will give two hundred rubles per soul: that’s two hundred thousand capital1")
Complete the examples provided with analysis from Chapter 11.
Does it typify the psychology of Chichikov - the “acquirer”? Compare his statements with the reasoning of officials in “The Inspector General”:
Who is yawning in office now? - everyone buys. I didn’t make anyone unhappy: I didn’t rob the widow, I didn’t let anyone go around the world, I used the excess, I took where anyone would take; If I hadn't used it, others would have.
What side of Chichikov's character is revealed in the episode with the governor's daughter? Refer to the text of Chapter 8, consider the hero’s behavior at the ball. Why does Chichikov retreat from his role of “pleasing all people without exception,” because he “very skillfully knew how to flatter everyone”?
Pay attention to the details (speech, forms of behavior), which not only prove Chichikov’s ability to “flatter everyone,” but show the hero’s transformation, the ability to speak with everyone in his language:
Farewell to Manilov:
“Here,” he put his hand on his heart, “yes, here will be the pleasure of the time spent with you. And believe me, there would be no greater bliss for me than to live with you, if not in the same house, then at least in the immediate neighborhood... Oh, it would be a heavenly life! Farewell, most respected friend!
Conversation with Sobakevich:
Just give me a receipt.
Okay, give me the money here!
What's the money for? I have them in my hand! As soon as you write a receipt, you will take them that very minute.
Excuse me, how can I write a receipt? First you need to see the money!
About the conversation with Korobochka:
Here Chichikov completely went beyond the limits of all patience, slammed his chair on the floor in his heart and promised her the devil.
What episodes of the poem does Gogol refer the reader to in explaining the character of the hero? Does Chichikov have anything in common with such “acquirers” as Korobochka and Sobakevich? Is it only on the “environment” that the author places the blame for the “scoundrel” hero? Compare thoughts about human passions with discussions about the path of man, about youth and old age, remember what Gogol calls young people to. What features of Chichikov can be the key to a possible resurrection? How do environment, man, “heaven” relate in Gogol’s world?) Answer the questions based on the analysis of Chichikov’s image:
It is fairer to call him: owner, acquirer. Acquisition is the fault of everything; because of him, things were born that the world calls not very pure... Human passions are as countless as the sands of the sea, and all are different from one another, and all of them, low and beautiful, are all at first submissive to man, and then become his terrible rulers... And, perhaps, in this same Chichikov, the passion that attracts him is no longer from him, and in his cold existence lies what will later drive a person to dust and to his knees before the wisdom of heaven.
“What a huge, what an original plot! What a varied bunch! All Rus' will appear in it!” - Gogol wrote to Zhukovsky. How much did the writer manage to complete the task) How fully “all Rus'” appeared in “Dead Souls”) Compare the image of Russia in the epic narrative and lyrical digressions.
And nameless suffering...
Mayakovsky's work cannot be called unambiguous. Quite conventionally, creativity can be divided before the revolution and after the revolution. After moving to Moscow from Georgia, he falls under the influence of members of the RSDLP
Mikhei Andreevich Tarantiev first appears in Oblomov’s house at the very beginning of the novel. Almost nothing is known about his background. The reader only knows that the village of Tarantiev
This work was created by V.M. Garshin in 1884. Literary scholars believe that the impetus for writing the story was an incident that occurred during the concert of A.G. Rubinstein.
In the fall of 1835, Gogol began working on the poem “Dead Souls,” the plot of which was suggested to him by Pushkin. Gogol had long dreamed of writing a novel about Russia, and was very grateful to Pushkin for the idea. “In this novel I want to show at least one side of all of Rus',” the writer admitted to Pushkin. In the poem, the author reflected the way of life and morals of different strata of society - landowners, officials, peasants. Explaining the concept of “Dead Souls,” Gogol wrote that the images of the poem are “in no way portraits of insignificant people; on the contrary, they contain the features of those who consider themselves better than others.” Landowners are depicted in close-up in the poem. Moreover, the sequence of their introduction to the reader was not chosen by Gogol by chance. Starting from Manilov and ending with Plyushkin, the author intensifies the bitter accusatory satire, shows the landowners on the principle of their increasingly strong impoverishment and moral decline. The dreamer living in the world of his dreams, Manilov is replaced by the “club-headed” Korobochka, the careless liar and sharper Nozdryov - the clumsy economic S
obakevich. This gallery of landowners is completed by Plyushkin - a greedy miser, “a hole in humanity” - that’s what Chichikov calls Plyushkin.
Among the variety of interesting characters, an amazing character stands out - Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. The image of Chichikov is unifying and collective; it combines different qualities of landowners. We learn about the origin and formation of his character from the eleventh chapter of the poem. Pavel Ivanovich belonged to a poor noble family. Chichikov's father left him an inheritance of half a copper and a covenant to study diligently, please teachers and bosses and, most importantly, take care and save a penny. In his will, the father said nothing about honor, duty and dignity. Chichikov quickly realized that lofty concepts only interfere with achieving his cherished goal. Therefore, Pavlusha makes her way in life through her own efforts. At school, he tried to be a model of obedience, politeness and respect, was distinguished by exemplary behavior, and received praise from teachers. After finishing his studies, he enters the government chamber, where he does his best to please the boss and even looks after his daughter. Finding yourself in any new situation, in a new environment,
he immediately becomes “one of our own.” He has comprehended the “great secret of being liked,” he speaks with each of the characters in their language, discusses topics close to the interlocutor. This hero’s soul is still alive, but every time, drowning out the pangs of conscience, doing everything for his own benefit and building happiness on the misfortunes of other people, he kills it. Insult, deception, bribery, embezzlement, fraud at customs - Chichikov’s tools. The hero sees the meaning of life only in acquisition, accumulation. But for Chichikov, money is a means, not an end: he wants prosperity, a decent life for himself and his children. Chichikov is distinguished from other characters in the poem by his strength of character and determination. Having set himself a specific task, he stops at nothing and shows tenacity, perseverance and incredible ingenuity to achieve it.
He is not like the crowd, he is active, active and enterprising. Manilov's dreaminess and Korobochka's innocence are alien to Chichikov. He is not greedy, like Plyushkin, but also not prone to careless revelry, like Nozdryov. His entrepreneurial spirit is not like Sobakevich’s rude efficiency. All this speaks of his obvious superiority.
A characteristic feature of Chichikov is the incredible versatility of his nature. Gogol emphasizes that people like Chichikov are not easy to unravel. Appearing in the provincial town under the guise of a landowner, Chichikov very quickly wins everyone's sympathy. He knows how to show himself as a secular, comprehensively developed and decent person. He can carry on any conversation and at the same time speaks “neither loudly nor quietly, but absolutely as it should.” He knows how to find his own special approach to each person in whom Chichikov is interested. While flaunting his goodwill towards people, he is only interested in taking advantage of their location. Chichikov “reincarnates” very easily, changes his behavior, but at the same time never forgets about his goals.
In a conversation with Manilov, he looks almost exactly like Manilov himself: he is just as courteous and sensitive. Chichikov knows very well how to make a strong impression on Manilov, and therefore does not skimp on all kinds of emotional outpourings. However, when talking with Korobochka, Chichikov does not show any particular gallantry or spiritual gentleness. He quickly unravels the essence of her character and therefore behaves cheekily and unceremoniously. You can’t get through the box with delicacy, and Chichikov, after many attempts to reason with her, “completely went beyond the boundaries of all patience, slammed his chair on the floor in his heart and promised her the devil.” When meeting Nozdryov, Chichikov flexibly adapts to his unbridled behavior. Nozdryov recognizes only “friendly” relations, speaks to Chichikov on a first-name basis, and he behaves as if they were old bosom buddies. When Nozdryov boasts, Chichikov remains silent, as if not doubting the veracity of what he heard. When meeting Sobakevich, Chichikov's directness and spontaneity completely disappear. To the dog
Vich is not touched by discussions on lofty topics. And then Chichikov enters into a gambling bargaining with him, in which each strives to outdo the other. “You can’t knock him down, he’s stubborn!” - Sobakevich thinks to himself. Chichikov has a different approach to Plyushkin: he plays the role of a generous well-wisher who wants to help a lonely and defenseless old man.
With his poem N.V. Gogol introduced the concept of “dead souls” into literature. The dead were not only those who became the subject of Chichikov’s trades with the landowners. A. I. Herzen spoke about it this way: “This title itself carries something terrifying. And he couldn’t call it any other way; not the audit dead souls, but all these Nozdryovs, Manilovs and all the others - these are dead souls, and we meet them at every step.”
Of course, Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” is one of the greatest works of the 19th century. Belinsky called the poem “a truly national work.” Gogol was able to show that serfdom cripples not only peasants, making them dumb slaves, but also landowners, turning them into parasites living at the expense of others. The images created by Gogol have transcended time. The enormous power of satirical exposure of the ugliness of the possessive world contained in the writer’s works has not lost its relevance today.
