Many people hear about the landowners in Dead Souls, whom Nikolai Gogol portrayed so vividly, but not everyone knows why these characters were created, and how they can be characterized.
So, landowners in Dead Souls - positive or negative characters? IN poem The Dead souls Nikolai Gogol depicted what Russian landowners are like, with the help of five characters.
The image of the landowner Manilov in Dead Souls
The first one to whom Chichikov turns with his vague proposal to buy dead Souls, is the suave Manilov. With luscious speeches, memorized over many years of empty existence, he attracted a new acquaintance.
The insensitive Manilov loved to indulge in dreams that led nowhere. He lived in his own serene world, in a world without problems and passions.
The image of the landowner Korobochka in Dead Souls
Further, the road led Chichikov to Korobochka, a very thrifty elderly landowner. This is a very interesting character. She does business with intelligence and petty wastefulness, so the village is in good condition. However, at the same time, Korobochka is slowly thinking, afraid of change: the time in her house seems to have stood still.
All this did not give Chichikov the opportunity to immediately agree on a deal. The landowner Korobochka was terribly afraid to sell too cheap, because she could not understand the purpose of buying dead souls.
The image of the landowner Nozdryov in Dead Souls
The next one who was offered to get rid of them was the landowner Nozdryov. This crazy person is full of energy, passion, but directs his stormy stream in the wrong direction.
And again Nikolai Gogol makes the reader wonder at the worthlessness of the landowner's life, because the lies and boasting of the landowner Nozdryov have no limit or meaning.
Although this and other landowners in Gogol's Dead Souls are very vivid characters, they are united by one thing - spiritual emptiness.
The image of the landowner Sobakevich in Dead Souls
The image of the landowner Plyushkin in Dead Souls
Perhaps the most terrifying image in the poem is that of the landowner Plyushkin. A man who once led a bright, full-fledged life has turned into a fanatical collector, striving to rule over everything that comes his way. The surname Plyushkin speaks of an unhealthy passion to have every little thing, considering it a kind of bun, that is, useful.
Because of such a blasphemous attitude, the peasants suffer greatly: they have to look at the mountains of rotting grain when they themselves have nothing on their plate.
As a result, the landowners in Gogol's Dead Souls are very bright characters that cannot be confused. But all of them have one thing in common - spiritual emptiness.
We also bring to your attention summary poems by Gogol
The meaning of the names and surnames of the heroes in the poem by N.V. Gogol's "Dead Souls"
The names and surnames of heroes often have a certain meaning in works of art, carry a certain semantic load, clarifying the author's position, the idea of \u200b\u200bthe work, asking the problems and motives. For example, the literature of classicism was characterized by "speaking" surnames that echoed the internal appearance of the characters. So, D. Fonvizin's negative characters in the comedy "The Minor" are Mrs. Prostakova, her brother Skotinin, Mitrofanushka. Positive heroes - Starodum, Pravdin. Let's try to consider the meaning of names and surnames in N.V. Gogol's "Dead Souls".
The names of the heroes in the poem carry a certain semantic load. So, the surname “Manilov” is associated with the words “to lure”, “to lure”, “alluring distance”. So the author emphasizes the dreaminess of the hero, his complete isolation from real life.
The surname "Sobakevich" reminds of the animal world. And Gogol emphasizes the animal nature of the character (the sin of gluttony), comparing him to a bear.
Critics associate the name "Korobochka" with a trap for the hero and Chichikov's box. Thus, V. Ermilov notes that Pavel Ivanovich came to Korobochka, and “he had no way out of the box,” that is, the hero, without suspecting it, ensured the complete collapse of his business. After all, if the gossip of Nozdryov was not particularly believed in the finale, then the appearance in the city of Korobochka turned out to be one of the decisive impulses (along with Chichikov's clearly discovered interest in the governor's daughter and the hero's ignorance of the rest of the ladies of the city) in the collapse of Chichikov's reputation.
A. Bely correlates the landowner's surname with Chichikov's casket. The hero's casket looks like a labyrinth; there is a "hidden box" in it. It was he who managed to see Korobochka, that is, the landowner "figured out" Chichikov's plans. However, we can correlate the hero's box with the character of the landowner herself, which turned out to be a real labyrinth for Chichikov. Korobochka's nature also turns out to be a kind of "hidden box" - stubbornness and unexpected determination (a trip to the city).
The surname "Nozdrev", according to N.L. Stepanov, is associated with the popular nickname "nostril", meaning a person with large, conspicuous nostrils. The same noticeable, "outstanding" character trait of the hero is his impudence and scandalousness.
The surname "Plyushkin" reminds of something flattened that has lost its original shape. Indeed, Gogol's hero lost his inner appearance. The writer tells us about this, passing the story of Plyushkin's life.
The surnames of officials are not indicated in Gogol, their names are often repeated: Ivan Antonovich, Ivan Ivanovich. Quite often the writer attaches some strange nickname to the character's name: Ivan Antonovich - "jug snout". All this, of course, conveys the author's attitude to the heroes, and also contributes to the general depersonalization of the world of officials in the poem. Gogol seeks to create here a common, collective portrait, without individualizing the characters.
Remembering the main character, Chichikov, let us note the symbolic meaning of his name - Pavel. Critics have repeatedly noted the correspondence between the image of Gogol's hero and the image of the Evangelical Apostle Paul, who was at first one of the persecutors of Christ, and then converted to Christianity. It is known that Gogol was also going to present his hero to us as morally revived, who managed to cleanse himself of base thoughts and unclean deeds.
Thus, all the names and surnames of the characters contribute to the development of the general idea of \u200b\u200bthe work, express the author's attitude towards the heroes.
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The poem "Dead Souls" was conceived by Gogol as a grandiose panorama of Russian society with all its peculiarities and paradoxes. The central problem of the work is spiritual death and rebirth of representatives of the main Russian estates of that time. The author denounces and ridicules the vices of the landowners, venality and pernicious passions of the bureaucracy.
The title of the work itself has a double meaning. "Dead Souls" are not only deceased peasants, but also other actually living characters of the work. 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 has repeatedly changed the concept, rewritten 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 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 your heroes hope for redemption and rebirth. And in the third he intended to describe the further path of Russia and her society.
However, Gogol managed to finish only 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 an answer to the question of what will happen next with Russia. Or maybe he just didn't have time to write about it.
Description of the work
Once, a very interesting character appeared in the city of NN, which stands out strongly against the background of other old residents of the city - Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. After his arrival, he began to actively get acquainted with the important persons of the city, attended feasts and dinners. A week later, the visitor was already on "you" with all the representatives of the city nobility. Everyone was delighted with the new man who suddenly appeared in the city.
Pavel Ivanovich goes out of town to pay visits to the noble landowners: Manilov, Korobochka, Sobakevich, Nozdrev and Plyushkin. With every landowner, he is kind, trying to find an approach to everyone. Natural resourcefulness and resourcefulness help Chichikov to get the favor of every landowner. In addition to empty talk, Chichikov talks with the gentlemen about the peasants who died after the revision ("dead souls") and expresses a desire to buy them. The landlords 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 faster and leave the city. Useful acquaintances made by Chichikov upon arrival in the city helped him to settle all the issues with documents.
After a while 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 from 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.
main characters
Qualitatively new hero in Russian literature of that time. Chichikov can be called a representative of the newest, newly emerging class in serf Russia - entrepreneurs, "acquirers". The activity and activity of the hero distinguishes him favorably against the background of other characters in the poem.
The image of Chichikov is distinguished by its incredible versatility, versatility. Even by the appearance of the hero, it is difficult to immediately understand what a person is and what he is. "In the chaise sat a gentleman who was not handsome, but not bad-looking, neither too fat, nor too thin, one cannot say that he was old, but not so that he was too young."
It is difficult to understand and grasp the nature of the main character. He is changeable, multifaceted, able to adapt to any interlocutor, to give his face the desired expression. Thanks to these qualities, Chichikov easily finds mutual language with landowners, officials and gains the necessary position in society. Ability to charm and have to yourself the right people Chichikov uses to achieve his goal, namely the receipt and accumulation of money. His father also taught Pavel Ivanovich to deal with those who are richer and take care of money, 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 are gaining in scope. Pavel Ivanovich strives to increase his condition by any means, not paying attention to any moral norms and principles.
Gogol defines Chichikov as a man with a mean nature and also considers his soul to be dead.
In his poem, Gogol describes typical images of landowners of that time: "business executives" (Sobakevich, Korobochka), as well as not serious and wasteful gentlemen (Manilov, Nozdrev).
Nikolai Vasilievich masterfully created the image of the landowner Manilov in the work. By this image alone, Gogol meant a whole class of landowners with similar features. The main qualities of these people are sentimentality, constant fantasies and lack of vigorous activity. The landlords of such a warehouse let the economy run its course, do not do anything useful. They are stupid and empty inside. This was exactly what Manilov was - not a 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 mistress; everything in the estate is going well with her. However, the landowner's life revolves exclusively around her economy. The box does not develop spiritually, is not interested in anything. She does not understand absolutely nothing that does not concern her economy. The box is also one of the images by which Gogol meant a whole class of such limited landowners who do not see anything beyond their household.
The author unambiguously classifies the landowner Nozdryov as a non-serious and wasteful gentleman. Unlike sentimental Manilov, energy boils in Nozdryov. However, the landowner uses this energy not for the good of the economy, but for the sake of his momentary pleasures. Nozdryov is playing, wasting money. It is distinguished by its frivolity and idle attitude to life.
Mikhail Semenovich Sobakevich
The image of Sobakevich, created by Gogol, echoes the image of a bear. There is something of a large wild beast in the appearance of the landowner: sluggishness, gravity, strength. Sobakevich is not concerned with the aesthetic beauty of the things around him, but with their reliability and durability. Behind a rude appearance and a stern character hides a cunning, smart and resourceful person. According to the author of the poem, it will not be difficult for landowners like Sobakevich to adapt to the upcoming changes and reforms in Russia.
The most unusual representative of the landlord 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 person. After all, it is his stinginess that does not allow him to find a family.
Bureaucracy
Gogol has a description of several city officials in his work. 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 own 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 made it possible for all sorts of machinations associated with serfs.
The fact is that after 1718, a capitation census of peasants was introduced in the Russian Empire. For every male serf, the master had to pay tax. However, the census was carried out quite rarely - once every 12-15 years. And if one of the peasants fled or died, the landowner was forced to pay tax for him anyway. The dead or escaped peasants became a burden for the master. This created fertile ground for various kinds of fraud. Chichikov himself hoped to carry out such a scam.
Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol knew very well how Russian society with its feudal system was organized. And the whole tragedy of his poem lies in the fact that Chichikov's scam absolutely did not contradict the current Russian legislation. Gogol denounces the distorted relations between man and man, as well as between man and the state, and speaks of the absurd laws in force at that time. Because of such distortions, events become possible that are contrary to common sense.
"Dead Souls" - classic, which like no other is written in the style of Gogol. Quite often, Nikolai Vasilievich laid some kind of anecdote or a comic situation as the basis of his work. And the more ridiculous and unusual the situation, the more tragic the real state of affairs is.
Gogol offers a whole gallery of images of Russian landowners. In each character, the author finds something typical and special.
In general, the images of landowners in the poem "Dead Souls" convey the features of those who filled Russia and did not allow her to follow the path of development.
Manilov
The first landowner does not have a name, only a surname - Manilov. The landowner tried to create a semblance of a foreign country in the Russian outback, but his desires remained a hint of the architecture of sophistication and thoughtfulness of real masters. The essence of character is empty idleness. Manilov is immersed in dreams, building unrealizable projects. He creates underground passages, high towers, beautiful bridges. At this time everything around is decaying and crumbling. The peasants are destitute, the rooms in the manor house are empty, the furniture is becoming unusable. The landowner lives without worries and work. Outwardly, in the estate, everything goes on as usual, nothing changes from inaction, but everything is not eternal and nothing can appear from laziness. Manilov is not unique. Such landowners can be found in any city. The first impression is a pleasant person, but almost immediately it becomes boring and unbearable with him. The concept of "manilovism" began to exist after the release of the poem. This word was used to explain an idle, meaningless way of life, without a goal and real action. Such landowners lived in dreams. They devoured what they inherited, spent the labors of the peasants who passed on to them. The gentlemen were not interested in the economy. They believed that they lived with a rich inner strength of the mind, but laziness consumed their minds, and they gradually moved away from the real business, the soul was dead. Perhaps this can explain why the classic chose Manilov in the first way. The "dead" soul of a living person is worth less than those who have lived their lives in labor, even after death they are useful to people like Manilov. They can "flatter" the scoundrels Chichikovs with their help.
Box
Chosen next classic female character... Landowner Korobochka. This is a cudgel-headed woman who sells everything she has. The landowner is named Nastasya Petrovna. There is some resemblance to Russian fairy tales, but it is in the name that the character is typical for the Russian hinterland. The “speaking” surname is again played up by Gogol. Everything in the estate is hidden in a box, accumulated. The landowner puts money in bags. How many are there? Can not imagine. But what are they for, what is the purpose of accumulation, for whom? Nobody will give an answer. Accumulation for the purpose of accumulation. The scary thing is that for Nastasya Petrovna it's all the same what to trade: living souls (serf girls), dead people, hemp or honey. The woman, who was created by God for the continuation of the human race, found her purpose in the sale, hardened and became indifferent and indifferent to everything except money. The main thing for her is not to sell too cheap. The author compares the image to a swarm of flies that flock to the mud to profit. It is also dangerous that they multiply quickly. How many boxes are there in the country? More and more.
Nozdrev
The drunkard, player, and brawler Nozdryov is the next character. The essence of his character is meanness. He is ready to "shit" anyone, indiscriminately, sense. Nozdryov does not set specific goals for himself. He is messy, unstable, and cheeky insolent. Everything around the landowner is the same: in the stable there are horses and a goat, in the house there is a wolf cub. He is ready to play checkers for the dead, sells and changes. There is no honor and honesty in character, only lies and deceit. Communication with Nozdryov often ends in a fight, but this is if the person is weaker. The strong, on the contrary, beat the landlord. The landowner did not change love. Probably she was not there. Sorry for the troublemaker's wife. She quickly died, leaving two children with no interest. The children have a nanny, according to the description she is "pretty", Nozdryov brings her gifts from the fair. The author hints at the relationship between the landowner and the nanny, since one can hardly count on disinterestedness and respect from him. The brawler takes more care of the dogs than of his loved ones. Gogol warns the reader that the Nozdrevs will not leave Russia for a long time. The only good thing is that the cunning Chichikov could not buy dead souls from Nozdryov.
Sobakevich
The landowner is a fist, a bear, a stone. The name of the landowner cannot be different - Mikhailo Semyonitch. Everyone in the Sobakevich breed is strong: his father was a real hero. He went to the bear alone. It is interesting that the classic gives a description of his wife - Feodulia Ivanovna, but says nothing about the children. As if there is nothing to talk about. There are children, they are as strong as everything in the landowner's breed. Probably, they live independently somewhere separately from their father. It becomes clear that everything is similar in their estates. Another interesting detail - the master was never sick. Sobakevich at first perception is somewhat different from the previous characters. But gradually you realize that there is no soul in him either. She hardened and died. There was clumsiness and a dead grip. He raises the price of the product, without even thinking about the essence of the subject of sale. The rude master rules the estate. He sees no good in anyone, all swindlers and deceivers. The irony comes through in the words of the classic when Sobakevich finds one decent person in the city and calls him a pig. In fact, Sobakevich himself is exactly what he represents people. He takes a trot when trading begins, and calms down when the goods are profitably sold.
Plyushkin
The image of this landowner can be considered a masterpiece of the genius author. What will Manilov's mismanagement lead to? What will become of the Box, keen on hoarding? How will the drunken brawler Nozdryov live? All characters are reflected in Plyushkin. Even outwardly completely incomparable with him Sobakevich lives in the hero. One can imagine how the devastation of Plyushkin's soul began - with frugality. One landowner is more vulgar and "more terrible" than the other, but Plyushkin is the result. His life is a series of meaningless days, even the fabulous Koschey, languishing over gold, does not cause such disgust as a still living person. Plyushkin does not understand why he needs all the rubbish that he collects, but he can no longer refuse such an occupation. The pages describing the meeting of the landowner with his daughter and her children evoke special feelings. The grandfather allows his grandchildren to sit on his lap, play with a button. The hero's spiritual death is evident. The father has no affection for loved ones. He is stingy and greedy so much that he even starves himself. A stale cake, a dirty drink, a pile of rubbish against the background of huge heaps of rotting grain, bins full of flour, spoiled rolls of cloth. The absurdity of reality and the decay of personality is the tragedy of Russian life.
Serfdom leads to the loss of humanity in Russian landowners. It is scary to realize how dead their souls are. Dead peasants look livelier. The images of the landlords appear one by one before the readers. Their vulgarity, licentiousness scares. There is a degeneration of the nobility and a flourishing of vices.
The first, with whom the author introduces us, in chapter 2 of the poem - Manilov. He is described as a pleasant but boring and lazy man in his 30s and 40s. Gogol did not even honor this character with a name, only the surname is mentioned. Manilov leads a boring life, but in his dreams he wants to make "foreign mansions" out of his estate. The character builds many underground passages, erects towers and bridges. All this luxury leads to the impoverishment of the peasants and Manilov himself. In pursuit of the beauty of foreign standards, he forgets to look after his home, the peasants. He is married, has 2 children, who were given a very unusual names - Themistoclus and Alcides. This fact shows that he does not think about the future of children, for him the main imitation of the Europeans. The main character of the poem - Chichikov, at the first meeting with him saw in him a delicate person immersed in himself. Manilov, because of his romantic nature, it was easy to lead on an adventure with the sale of dead souls. The author believes that the landowner already has a dead soul, so he can easily sell his own kind.The image of the landowner Korobochka
Chapter 3 of the poem "Dead Souls" is devoted to an acquaintance with feminine the landowner - the widow Korobochka. This woman is notable for her economy. Nastasya Petrovna owns only 80 souls of peasants, however, under clear leadership, her economy is flourishing, houses are strong, and the peasants are distinguished by remarkable strength. The greatest fear of the landowner is not to get too cheap.Even when selling "dead souls" she feared that she would give Chichikov the souls at a low cost. It doesn't matter for her what she sells - flour, honey or dead people, the main goal of such landowners is to sell profitably. Gogol compares the Box to a flock of flies that have flocked to the mud.
Characteristics of the landowner Nozdryov
After meeting Korobochka, the author invites us to take a look at the active and cheerful Nozdryov. We know that he is 35 years old and he lost his wife, but this does not prevent him from leading an active life. He loves to walk, go to the bathhouse and fight. It's hard for him to do the housework, so he doesn't do it. Nozdrev spends all his money on visiting taverns and balls. Often left without money and impudently asks for a loan, considering it a normal phenomenon. The landowner has two children, whom he also does not care about, but he loves dogs more than anyone else, and takes care of them even more than about children. We see Nozdryov as a scandalous person who often lies for his own benefit. Chichikov fails to buy dead souls from this character.Gogol says that such Nozdrevs are often found in Russia and will live for a long time.
The image of the landowner Sobakevich
Used by speaking surname - indeed, Sobakevich can be compared with an animal, but not with a dog, but with a bear. Gogol's description bore a resemblance to the appearance of this animal. Sobakevich was wearing a "bear-colored" coat; the peasants called the owner Mikhail Semyonovich. Sobakevich was awkward and did not differ in manners. In the estate of the landowner, too, everything is awkward, large and clumsy. The peasants are tough, but stupid and rude people. Sobakevich could not refuse Chichikov's offer, and without a twinge of conscience sold his souls.For him, only money is important, and of the entire gallery of images of landowners, Sobakevich is the most “dead” of them. For him, all decent people are pigs.
Characteristics of the landowner Plyushkin
Plyushkin becomes the apogee of the portraits of landowners. All other heroes are only a small part of what is hidden in Plyushkin. He absorbed the character traits of Manilov, Korobochka, Nozdrev, and even Sobakevich.Important! Plyushkin personifies all the vices of the landowners. He is characterized by avarice, greed, rudeness, indifference to people, he is only interested in the accumulation of property, which rot in warehouses, like his soul.Plyushkin stores everything he can. However, he does not even spend his wealth on himself - he walks in an old dressing gown, which is embarrassing to look at, he practically does not eat. He treats the peasants in the same way - he constantly reproaches them and starves them. Some can't stand it - they run away from him. The degradation of Plyushkin's soul is well represented in communication with his son: when he lost at cards, he sent him a curse instead of money and never saw him again.
Important! The images of landowners in the poem "Dead Souls" show how inhuman a person can be. Against the background of these Gogol sketches, the dead souls of the peasants become "alive."In N.V. Gogol's poem, we see how degraded the nobility is, and only the simple Russian people are able to spiritually resurrect Russia, raise it from its knees, if it does not resemble Chichikov, Sobakevich, Manilov, Korobochka and Plyushkin. If there are no such vices in their souls, then they will be able to live like real people - in harmony with themselves and the surrounding reality, because the most important value of a person is his soul. For a complete picture of the images quotation characteristics characters, see the video below.