The image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General"

“In“ The Inspector General, ”I decided to put together everything that was bad in Russia that I knew then, all the injustices and laugh at everything at once” - this is the main goal that Gogol set for himself. Being in continuity with the drama of Fonvizin, Griboyedov, Pushkin, the comedy "The Inspector General" was distinguished by the scale of its artistic generalization and the volume of problems. With the help of laughter, "which all flies out of the light nature of man," the writer from the height of a creative genius reflected "the evil of his time."

Gogol warned more than once: Khlestakov is the most difficult character in the play. Let's see what this hero is. Khlestakov is a petty official, an insignificant person, condemned by everyone. Even his own servant Osip despises him, his father can drag him away by the whirlwinds. He is poor and unable to work in such a way as to ensure himself at least a tolerable existence. He is deeply dissatisfied with his life, even subconsciously despises himself. But emptiness and stupidity do not allow him to comprehend his troubles, to try to change his life. It seems to him that if only a chance is presented, everything will change, he will be transferred “from rags to riches”. This allows Khlestakov to feel so easily and naturally that he is a significant person.

The world in which Khlestakov lives is incomprehensible to him. He is unable to comprehend the connection between things, to imagine what the ministers are actually doing, how he behaves and what his “friend” Pushkin writes. For him, Pushkin is the same Khlestakov, but happier, more successful. It is interesting that both the mayor and his entourage, who cannot but be recognized as smart people, knowing life, in their own way, are not at all embarrassed by Khlestakov's lies. They also think that the whole point is in the case: lucky - and you are the director of the department. No personal merit, work, mind and soul is required. You just need to help the occasion, to hook someone. The only difference between them and Khlestakov is that the latter is frankly stupid and lacks even practical sense. Had he been smarter, if you had immediately understood the delusion of the city elite, he would have begun to consciously play along. And would undoubtedly fail. A cunning, a thought-out lie would not have deceived an attentive mayor. He would have found a weak spot in a previously created invention, Anton Antonovich is not without reason proud: “I have been living in the service for thirty years; ... cheated swindlers on scammers. He deceived three governors! " The governor could not imagine only one thing in Khlestakov - sincerity, inability to deliberately, deliberately lie.

And yet this is one of the main features of Khlestakov, making him the hero of a "mirage" intrigue. The inner emptiness makes his behavior completely unpredictable: at any given moment, he behaves the way he “turns out”. He was starved to death in the hotel, the threat of arrest hung over him - and he flatteringly begged the servant to bring at least something to eat. Dinner is being carried - and he jumps on a chair with delight and impatience. At the sight of a bowl of soup, Khlestakov forgets how humiliatingly begging for food a minute ago. He has already entered the role of an important master. "Well, master, master ... I don't care about your master!" Mann, a researcher of Gogol's work, quite rightly comments on the essence of this image: “He, like water, takes the form of any vessel. Khlestakov has extraordinary adaptability: the whole structure of his feelings, psyche is easily and involuntarily rebuilt under the influence of place and time. "

Khlestakov is woven from contradictions. Khlestakov's insane, illogical lies, in fact, deeply correspond to the time of fundamental illogism. Khlestakov is a universal human figure, but this type reached its apogee in the Nikolaev era, adequately and fully illustrates it, revealing the deep-seated vices of that time. Officials perfectly see that he is stupid, but the height of the rank overshadows any human qualities.

There is a lot of Khlestakovism in each of the characters in the play. This is the author's intention. Because Khlestakov is also the main character, that his features are inherent in every person to one degree or another. They are comical, only put together and exhibited on stage. The most striking illustration is the mayor's dreams of a future life as the father-in-law of a great man. Both he and Anna Andreevna imagine not just a luxury, but such a luxury that their present life, their present acquaintances, humiliates. Anton Antonovich paints a picture: "... You go somewhere - couriers and adjutants will gallop everywhere ... Heh, heh, heh, that's what the channel is, it's tempting!" Thus, we see that the ideas of Khlestakov and Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky about the luxurious life basically coincide. After all, Khlestakov's "thirty-five thousand couriers alone" are no different from couriers and adjutants who, in the mayor's dreams, "will ride everywhere." And most importantly, Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky is also happy to advance over the small fry and the mayor, presenting himself as a general.

So, the image of Khlestakov was a brilliant artistic generalization of Gogol. The objective sense and significance of this image consists in the fact that it is an indissoluble unity of “significance” and insignificance, grandiose claims and inner emptiness. Khlestakov represents the concentration of the features of the era in one person. That is why the life of the era was reflected in The Inspector General with great force, and the images of Gogol's comedy became those artistic types that make it possible to more clearly understand the social phenomena of that time.

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We are accustomed to the fact that, basically, life presents us with surprises in the form of troubles and difficulties. This is probably why stories with a reverse course of circumstances are perceived by us as something out of the ordinary. Such situations seem somewhat ironic. The story told in Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol's story "The Inspector General", in addition to being inherently a gift of fate, is also based on a grain of absurdity. This combination makes the piece unique and attractive.

Biography of Khlestakov

Naturally, when reading a work, we first of all pay attention to the main character. So, Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is a young landowner, a nobleman who once found himself in an awkward situation.

He had a chance to seriously lose at cards. In order to improve his situation a little, he goes to his parents in the estate.

Since his path is long, he, in spite of the lack of finances, stops at a hotel in the city of N. Here, then luck smiles at him.

He is mistaken for the long-awaited auditor from Moscow. Impudent behavior and demeanor in society leave no doubt to officials - in their opinion, only an auditor can behave this way.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the story of the same name by N.V. Gogol

Since in the city of N. the situation was not ideal, and the officials continually deviated from their duties, of course not in favor of the residents of the city, but in favor of their own pockets, the problems associated with checking their work cannot be avoided in an honest way. None of them wants to lose their hot spot, so all as one they go to Khlestakov and hand him bribes - a guarantee that they will remain in office and avoid problems.

At first Khlestakov was at a loss, but then decided to take full advantage of the situation. With money in his pocket, he successfully retreated from the city. News of his fictitiousness as an auditor became known too late - blaming Khlestakov and demanding the return of money from him is a stupid business. In this case, it would be necessary to admit the fact of bribery, and this would be the collapse of the career of officials.

Khlestakov's appearance

Like most rogues and scoundrels, Khlestakov has pleasant, trusting features. He has auburn hair, a "cute nose" and quick eyes that make even determined people embarrassed. He is not tall. His complexion is far from graceful and physically developed young men - he is too thin.

Such physical data significantly spoil the impression made by him. But the cunning Khlestakov finds a clever way to rectify the situation - an expensive and well-groomed suit.

Ivan Aleksandrovich understands that the first impression of him is always formed on the basis of his appearance, therefore he cannot afford to make a mistake here - clothes are made of expensive fabrics, sewn based on fashion trends. Always cleaned to a shine - such an external factor significantly distracts the attention of society from the inner essence of a person.

Khlestakov family, education

How did you have to look and how to behave in order to pass for an auditor in the first half of the 19th century?

First of all, you had to be born an aristocrat. For a person of common descent, it is extremely difficult to create the appearance of belonging to a high society.

The manner of speaking, the plasticity of movements, gestures - this had to be learned for many years. For people of noble origin, this style was common, they adopted it from their parents, their friends who came to visit.

Ivan Alexandrovich was not a luminary of high society, but he was still a nobleman by birth. His parents own the Podkatilovka estate. Little is known about the state of affairs and the importance of the estate - the fact that parents sent money to their son says that the estate was not unprofitable, it brought enough income to provide the life of the whole family with at least the most essential.

Nothing is known about Khlestakov's education. It is likely that he received a “secondary” education in terms of quality. Such a conclusion can be made based on the position he occupies. Khlestakov works as a collegiate registrar. This type of civil service was at the very bottom of the Table of Ranks list. If Khlestakov's parents were wealthy people, they would be able to provide their son with a better position with the help of connections or money. Since this did not happen, it is inappropriate to talk about the family's large income or their importance against the background of the aristocracy.

Now let's summarize all the data: financial instability was always inherent in the Khlestakovs, their income was never high (if they were ever rich, they could acquire connections or acquaintances during the period of the material take-off of their family), which means they send their son to study abroad or they had no money to hire highly qualified teachers.

Service attitude

The exact age of Khlestakov is not specified. Gogol limits it to a little over 23-24 years old. Basically, people of this age are full of enthusiasm and desire to realize themselves. But this is not the case of Khlestakov. Ivan Aleksandrovich is rather frivolous about his work, he is little interested in promotions and career opportunities. His work is not difficult and consists in rewriting papers, but Khlestakov is too lazy to be zealous in the affairs of the service. Instead of working, he goes for a walk, or plays cards.

His such carelessness is connected, first of all, with the fact that Khlestakov does not suffer from a shortage of money. Yes, he lives in a poor apartment, which is located on the fourth floor, but, apparently, this state of affairs does not bother Ivan Alexandrovich. It is likely that he is not used to living in luxurious apartments and therefore does not seek to improve the current housing situation. For Khlestakov, the values ​​of life are contained in other things - leisure and clothing. But the situation changes dramatically when Khlestakov needs to stay in an unfamiliar city - here he stays only in the best apartments. It is likely that such a move is associated with Khlestakov's desire to create the impression of a person so rich that everyone around him, who does not know the present state of affairs, began to envy him. It is possible that the calculation is placed not only on the feeling of envy, with the help of which Ivan Aleksandrovich asserts himself, but also on the opportunity to receive some bonuses from local officials or the hotel owner.

Added to this fact is the fact that Khlestakov is not able to compete with the rich of Petersburg, in which he lives and works most of the time. Renting cheap housing allows him to save money on those things that would set him apart from the same state as he is - for the attributes of appearance. After all, he does not have to invite everyone to his home or spread unnecessarily about the location of his home, but the condition and cheapness of the suit can give him a bad reputation. Since life for show is important for Khlestakov, in the manner of very wealthy aristocrats, he has no choice but to save on permanent housing.

Parents of Ivan Alexandrovich are discouraged by the lack of promotion of their son in the service. Apparently, they were betting heavily on his ability. The father periodically expresses his indignation on this score, but the son always finds an excuse - not all at once. The promotion must be earned for a long time. In fact, such an excuse is a lie to hide the true state of affairs.

Life in St. Petersburg

Ivan Alexandrovich cannot imagine his life without St. Petersburg. It is in this place that everything that is so dear to his heart is collected - the opportunity to spend time in a variety of pleasures. He eagerly goes to the theater every day, does not deny himself the pleasure of playing cards. By the way, he finds those who want to play always and everywhere, but not everyone and not always Khlestakov succeeds in winning - staying with his nose is a habitual thing for him.

Ivan Aleksandrovich loves gourmet cuisine and does not deny himself the pleasure of a tasty and satisfying meal.

Personality characteristic

First of all, Khlestakov stands out in society for his ability to lie beautifully and gracefully - for a person who prefers to live the illusion of wealth, to create the appearance of a significant person, this is a necessity.

Ivan Aleksandrovich is aware of his gaps in knowledge, but he is in no hurry to eradicate them - the fictitious success created by his lies, arrogant and pompous appearance, inspire him.

Nevertheless, from time to time he reads books and even tries to write something on his own, but judging by the fact that there are no reviews about his work from other characters, we can conclude that these attempts were unsuccessful.

Khlestakov loves to be praised and admired, this is another reason to invent something about his life. He loves to be in the spotlight - such success is difficult to achieve in St. Petersburg, but in the provinces, where even his manner of speaking in a metropolitan manner evokes a storm of positive emotions, it is an easy matter.

Khlestakov is not distinguished by courage, he is not ready to answer for his actions. When officials visit him in his hotel room, his heart is filled with fear of the possibility of being arrested. In essence, he is a rag, but he is a good actor - he knows how to create the appearance of a significant and very intelligent person, although in fact neither the first nor the second corresponds to the true state of affairs.

Khlestakov's attitude towards women

Gogol is silent about Khlestakov's relationship with women in St. Petersburg, but actively describes the behavior of Ivan Alexandrovich with female representatives in the provinces.

Khlestakov knows how to play to the audience and evoke a feeling of sympathy in people - this applies not only to indicators of good manners and ostentatious aristocracy. Khlestakov is a skillful seducer and seducer. He is pleased with the company of women and their attention.

It is unlikely that he sets himself the goal of getting a wife. For Khlestakov, love interests are a peculiar way of playing, manipulating people.

Arriving in the city of N and having met the wife and daughter of the governor, he does not miss the opportunity to flirt with both women. First, he confesses his daughter's love, but after a couple of minutes he swears his mother's love. Khlestakov is not at all embarrassed by this fact. In addition, when Marya Antonovna (the governor's daughter) becomes an accidental witness to Khlestakov's tenderness towards his mother, Ivan Alexandrovich, taking advantage of the stupidity of women and their feeling of falling in love with him, turns the whole situation in favor of a wedding with Marya Antonovna - at the same time neither mother nor daughter understands their humiliating position and do not feel offended. Leaving the city, Khlestakov realizes that his matchmaking was a game only for him, everyone else, including Marya Antonovna, takes everything at face value. He is not worried about the further fate of the young girl and the possibility of traumatizing her with his act - he leaves the city with a calm soul.

Thus, Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is a typical villain, capable of bringing grief and trouble to other people for the sake of his pleasure. He does not appreciate the care of himself on the part of his parents and is in no hurry to respond to others for the kindness rendered to him in kind. Most likely, on the contrary - he deftly uses the credulity and innocence of those around him.

Characteristics of the image of Khlestakov in quotes

Gogol's character appears as the central character of the famous Gogol text. Moreover, Khlestakov has already become a household name, because the "father" of the character - Nikolai Gogol - managed to create one of the most successful, bright and capacious literary types. For example, here is how the creator describes Khlestakov:

Khlestakov, a young man of about twenty-three, thin, thin; somewhat silly and, as they say, without a king in his head, - one of those people who are called empty in the offices. Speaks and acts without consideration. He is not able to stop constant attention on any thought. His speech is abrupt, and the words fly out of his mouth completely unexpectedly. Moreover, the one performing this role will show sincerity and simplicity, the more he will win. Dressed in fashion ...

Remark about the place of Khlestakov's image in the plot of Gogol's text
The hero finds himself in one of the small, provincial towns of the Russian Empire by accident. And just as accidentally Khlestakov generates a whirlwind of errors around him. The man constantly stumbles and stumbles. However, at first the events were going well for Khlestakov. The arrival of the hero almost coincides with the arrival in the city of an auditor - a strict Russian official who intended to check the affairs of the town. And so: the inhabitants of the city are awaiting the arrival of the official, and they take our hero for him.

Khlestakov manages to successfully mimic the guise of an auditor. Over time, Gogol's hero reveals his true essence. Our hero is a rake and a gambler, a spender of parental money. A man loves female society, craves power, influence and money. Khlestakov treats the inferior, serfs, servants emphatically disdainful. The hero calls the peasants scoundrels, swindlers, idlers and fools. It also goes to the faithful servant of Khlestakov.

At the same time, Khlestakov seems to be very naive. Money is brought to the hero as a bribe, while the man perceives these "offerings" as a loan, exclaiming:

Lend me, lend me, I will pay off the innkeeper at once ...

How to evaluate the image of Khlestakov?

Of course, literary scholars were puzzled as to how to correctly assess the image of Khlestakov - in a positive or negative way. No, Gogol did not intend to present his character as a vicious bandit, a swindler, a cunning schemer or a rogue. Moreover, there is so little cunning in our hero that Osip, the hero's servant, sometimes shows much more wisdom in his actions than his master.

Khlestakov is a victim of circumstances, a cycle of random events. The hero evokes general sympathy, because the image of Khlestakov is characterized by such traits as a sweet appearance, courtesy, charm (especially everyone is bewitched by a man's smile), as well as good manners. The hero belonged to an aristocratic family, but showed the same unsuitability for life, where he had to earn his own living, like all nobles. The soul of a man longed for Petersburg life.

Gogol evaluates Khlestakov as neutral as possible. The writer presents the hero as a young man of about twenty-three to twenty-four years of age. The hero was distinguished by his cunning and thinness, the posture of the hero was beautiful, thin, slender. However, the young man was "somewhat silly and, as they say - without a king in his head, - one of those people who are called empty in the offices."

"Passport of a Hero", according to Gogol's text

1. Completely Gogol's hero was called Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov. The governor emphasizes the "nondescript", that is, the smallness, short stature of the hero, who did not at all resemble a powerful auditor. However, the very appearance of Khlestakov is "not bad", the young man clearly arouses the interest of the ladies, the favor of mature beauties and young girls.

2. Before the hero arrived in the provincial regions, Khlestakov served in the St. Petersburg chancellery with the rank of collegiate registrar. This is the lowest rank, according to the Russian Table of Ranks:

It would have been good indeed, something worthwhile, otherwise the simple little girl! ..

However, in the Saratov region, Khlestakov had his own village, which was called Podkatilovka. It was there that Gogol's hero was heading until, through the fault of a coincidence, he stopped in the city of N. In St. Petersburg, Khlestakov occupies a small apartment located on the top floor. Verkhotury then was occupied by people who did not boast of a tight wallet:

... How do you run up the stairs to your fourth floor ...

3. It seems that the hero's heart did not lie in service. Therefore, instead of proper and honest work, the young man spends his life in entertainment establishments:

... he is not engaged in business: instead of being in office, he goes for a walk along the prospectus, plays cards<…>“No, my father demands me. The old man got angry that until now he had not served anything in Petersburg. He thinks that he has arrived like this, but now they will give you Vladimir in your buttonhole ... "

So, the Russian writer emphasizes that Khlestakov loved to lead a loose lifestyle, indulge in various pleasures, spend money on little things and amusements. Saving Khlestakov was not given in any way, so the hero periodically found himself completely "broke" and begged for money from the parental savings:

“I got a lot of money, my dear, now he sits with his tail tucked in, and does not get excited. And it would be, and it would be very much for runs; no, you see, you need to show yourself in every city! .. "<…>"... Father will send money, how to hold them back - and where to! .. went to a party: he rides in a cab, every day you get a ticket to the keiatr, and then a week later, lo and behold - and sends a new coat to sell ..."

4. Khlestakov is characterized by a love of luxury. Therefore, the hero does not deny himself anything, he cannot afford to live, buys the most expensive things, prefers delicious kitchen delights, theatrical performances, gambling, in which he more often lost than won:

“And I, I confess, do not like death to deny myself the road, and why? Is not it?.."<…>"... Hey, Osip, go see the room, the best one, but ask the best dinner: I can't eat a bad dinner, I need a better lunch ..."<…>"I like to eat. You live for that to pick flowers of pleasure "<…>"I - I confess, this is my weakness, - I love good cuisine"<…>"Please tell me if you have any entertainment, society, where you could, for example, play cards? .."<…>"... sometimes it's very tempting to play ..."<…>"... He gets to know a passing person, and then in a game of cards - here's the game for you! .."<…>“Yes, if I hadn’t taken a drink in Penza, it would have been money to get home. The infantry captain faked me a lot: the shtos are amazing, beast, she cuts off. He sat for only a quarter of an hour and robbed everything. And for all that, fear would like to fight it again. The case just did not lead ... "

5. Khlestakov is inclined to lie. The character's drama is that the hero sometimes invents an alternative reality that he believes in. For example, according to the pseudo-auditor, he loves writing, writes literary texts, publishing stories and articles of his own production in magazines. Khlestakov, as the hero says, often reads books. However, even the reader has sympathy for the careless Gogol character; nevertheless, Khlestakov is a swindler. Let the fraudulent nature of Gogol's character be casual, yet Gogol does not justify Khlestakov, but depicts the image of a young man objectively.

The image of Khlestakov in Nikolai Gogol's comedy "The Inspector General"

Laughter is often a great mediator.

in distinguishing truth from falsehood ...

V. G. Belinsky

Khlestakov is the main character in Nikolai Gogol's comedy "The Inspector General" (1836). He is not only the central figure of the comedic action, but also represents the typical character. "Anyone, even for a minute, if not for a few minutes," said Gogol, "was or is being made by Khlestakov .... And a clever guard officer will sometimes turn out to be Khlestakov, and a statesman ... and our brother is a writer ..." It is this hero who is most complete expresses that combination of extreme ambition and spiritual insignificance, arrogance and narcissism, which was characteristic of high-ranking officials. Khlestakov became the personification of a high-ranking official-auditor by mistake, but by mistake it was natural. His resemblance to the envoy of the "top" was striking, and that is why he misled such an experienced person as the mayor was, and all his entourage.

The governor did not notice any differences in Khlestakov from those numerous auditors and high-ranking persons with whom he had met before. Of course, fear overshadowed his eyes and mind, but he must have experienced the same fear during other visits of "big" people. Consequently, the point here is not only fear, but also that Khlestakov could really be mistaken for an auditor.

It was not by chance that Gogol brought a man living in St. Petersburg and an employee of a department onto the stage in the role of an imaginary inspector. Khlestakov was born of the bureaucratic aristocratic Petersburg, He absorbed, like a sponge, all those negative phenomena that filled the capital's society.

The son of a poor Saratov landowner, Khlestaov, serving in the department as a minor official ("elistress"), wants to live on a grand scale, indulge in fun, diligently imitating a secular dandy, pick flowers of pleasure. “Father will send money, how to hold them back - and where to! .. He went to a party ... instead of being in office, and he goes for a walk along the avenue, playing cards,” says the servant Osip about him.

Khlestakov, insignificant both in origin and in position, should play the role of a respectable official. The main character traits of this character are irresponsibility and bragging. Having spent all the money and spent a lot on the road, he, nevertheless, imagines how nice it would be to drive up to the house in a smart carriage, and dress up the servant Osip in livery, and as if everyone was drawn to the string only at the mention of his name - Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov from St. Petersburg.

Even courting the tavern servant, begging for lunch from him, Khlestakov behaves arrogantly. Paying nothing for the hotel, he makes claims to the owner, who does not want to understand that this is not an ordinary person in front of him: “You tell him seriously what I need to eat. .. He thinks that like him, the peasant, nothing if not to eat for a day, and others too. News!" Having hardly achieved an extension of the loan from the owner of the hotel, he begins to behave even more impudently: he does not like the food, and all around are swindlers and thieves.

Khlestakov's warlike ardor fades away as soon as he learns of the arrival of the mayor. He fears that the head of the city will send him straight to prison. However, the shyness of the mayor in front of the imaginary inspector strengthens Khlestakov's impudence: “What right do you have? How dare you? Yes, here I am ... I serve in St. Petersburg ... "He suddenly realizes that Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky is not going to put him in prison, but, on the contrary, intends to render him all kinds of services, mistaking him for" a bird of high flight. "

The image of the mayor receives its brilliant completion in the fifth act of the comedy, and here Gogol uses the principle of abrupt switches, moving from the defeat of the hero to his triumph, and then from triumph to the debunking of the hero. In an atmosphere of universal admiration, Khlestakov literally flourishes. In the third act of the comedy, he is shown at the moment of his take-off. With rapture Khlestakov draws pictures of his imaginary life in front of the shocked listeners. He is not lying for any clear motive or clear purpose. Lightness in thought does not allow him to make serious calculations about the consequences of his actions. He lies out of empty vanity, lies in order to boast of his "high" position, lies because he is at the mercy of his imagination. He reveals his dream to the heroes of the comedy and to the audience, which he would like to achieve, but he himself passes it off as reality.

Khlestakov has already made everyone believe that he is an important person, and therefore he takes a warm welcome for granted. At first, he does not even know that he is being mistaken for some important person. After the officials began to supply him with money, he began to realize that he was being mistaken for another person. However, this does not prevent Khlestakov from continuing to enjoy everything that happens.

In the fourth act of the comedy, Gogol shows how Khlestakov arranges a fundraiser, receives gifts from officials and merchants, and examines complaints from the townspeople. Nothing bothers Khlestakov: he feels neither fear nor remorse. Apparently, for this person it is not difficult to commit any meanness, any deception. Without a shadow of embarrassment, he performs the functions of an important official and is ready to mindlessly decide the fate of people.

With extraordinary ease Khlestakov switches from the "state" sphere to the lyrical plane. As soon as the visitors disappeared from his field of vision, he immediately forgets about them. The arrival of Marya Antonovna immediately tunes Khlestakov into a romantic mood. And here he acts, not realizing where his events will lead him, “Lyrical” scenes reveal the character of the hero from a new angle. In his explanations with Marya Antonovna and Anna Andreevna, Khlestakov appears as a man who uses a wretched set of vulgar methods, banal sayings. The hero's amorous explanations emphasize his lack of living human feelings.

It was not without reason that Gogol, giving instructions on how to play his hero, emphasized that he should turn out to be a liar, a coward and a clicker in all respects.

The objective sense and significance of this image consists in the fact that it is an indissoluble unity of "significance" and insignificance, huge claims and inner emptiness.

It is also very significant that the image of Khlestakov is in close contact with the images of other heroes of the play. The mayor, Zemlyiki, and Lyapkin-Tyapkin also have Khlestakov qualities. They are expressed in the complete absence of moral foundations, in exorbitant claims, in the desire to play the role of a person of a rank higher than his own, in the ability to commit any meanness.

I. S. Turgenev saw in the image of Khlestakov "the triumph of poetic truth." He said that "... the name of Khlestakov loses its chance and becomes a common noun". Khlestakovism is a manifestation of conceit, frivolity, inner emptiness, irresponsibility and deceit. This phenomenon has acquired a wide social and psychological meaning. The image of Khlestakov belongs to such - found and guessed phenomena of life.

N. V. Gogol in his plays wanted to show the real "Russian character". And "The Inspector General" was one of the first such works. The protagonist of the play, Khlestakov, reflects the worst features inherent in the officials of his time. These are bribery, embezzlement, extortion and other properties.

Meet the character

It is not difficult to compose a short image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General". Khlestakov is a young man who almost constantly suffers from a lack of funds. Moreover, he is a rogue and a swindler. The main characteristic feature of Khlestakov is constant lies. Gogol himself has repeatedly warned theatrical actors: Khlestakov, despite his seeming simplicity, is the most complex character in the entire play. He is absolutely insignificant and despised by everyone. Even his own servant, Osip, does not respect Khlestakov.

Empty hopes and stupidity

Acquaintance with the brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General" reveals other facets of this character. The main character is not able to earn money to purchase the most necessary things. He unconsciously despises himself. However, his own narrow-mindedness does not allow him to comprehend the causes of his troubles, to make any attempts to change his life. It constantly seems to him that some lucky chance should happen that will make his existence comfortable. It is this empty hope that allows Khlestakov to feel like a significant person.

Good luck in understanding Khlestakov

Preparing material about the brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General", the student can note: the universe in which Khlestakov lives is an absolute mystery for him. He has no idea what the ministers are doing, how his "friend" Pushkin behaves. The latter is for him the same Khlestakov - except that he is more successful. It is interesting to note that the mayor, together with those close to him, although they are smart people, were not embarrassed by the arrogant lies of the protagonist. It also seems to them that everything is decided by his Majesty by chance.

Someone was lucky and he became the director of the department. For this, they believe, no mental or mental merit is required. All one has to do is help the occasion to come true; as is usually the case in the bureaucratic lobbies, to pick on your own colleague. And the difference between these people and Khlestakov is that the main character is downright stupid. If he was even one iota smarter, he would be able to recognize the delusion of those around him, begin to consciously play along with them.

The unpredictability of the hero's line of behavior

In the short image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General", the student can note that one of the main features of this character is the unpredictability of his behavior. In each specific situation, this hero behaves "as it turns out." He is starved to death in an inn, threatened with arrest - and flatters the servant, begging him to bring him something to eat. Dinner is brought in - he starts jumping on his chair with impatience. At the sight of a plate of food, he completely forgets about how he begged for food from the owner. Now he turns into an important master: "I didn't give a damn about your master!" These words can be used in the quotation characteristics of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General". The character constantly behaves arrogantly. Its main features are bragging, irresponsibility.

Coarseness

Characteristics of the image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General" may contain information about the rudeness of this character. In this hero, ostentatious lordship constantly makes itself felt. He uses the word "man" with contempt, as if talking about something unworthy. He does not spare Khlestakov and the landowners, calling them "pentuhi". He even calls his father "old horseradish." Only when the need comes, completely different intonations wake up in the speech of this hero.

Khlestakov's trickery

To briefly prepare the image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General", it is necessary to give a short description of the main features of this character. One of its key features, as indicated, is prodigality. This hero is constantly wasting his last money. He thirsts for entertainment, wants to give himself pleasure - to rent the best apartments, to receive the best food. Khlestakov does not hesitate to play cards, he loves to visit the theater every day. He seeks to impress the residents of the city, to make a splash.

The image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General" in brief: the character's lies

Khlestakov's lies know no bounds. N. V. Gogol skillfully described his hero. Khlestakov first speaks, and only after that begins to think. Finally mired in a lie, the main character begins to believe in his own importance. His speech is fragmentary, inconsistent. In conversations with others, he constantly makes the reservation that he has nothing to pay for his housing. However, no one listens to Khlestakov. For example, during his conversation with Khlestakov, the mayor does not hear at all what he is trying to tell him about. The governor is only concerned with how to give a bribe and cajole the "important guest". One gets the impression that the more truthfully Khlestakov speaks, the less faith in him on the part of others.

Khlestakov and Khlestakovism in Gogol's comedy "The Inspector General" are two inseparable concepts that name phenomena that at one time went beyond the traditional idea of ​​a rogue hero in literature and theater. There was no deliberate deception or even an attempt at it in the minds of the young clerk from St. Petersburg. This deception was built by provincial bureaucratic horror - the inspector could destroy the bribery world order and punish for real offenses that everyone tried to hide. Gogol denied Khlestakov all the uplifting feelings - he did not feel either love or hatred, he was neither kind nor evil, no moral storms disturbed his heart, there was only an incessant struggle against lack of money, playing cards with random acquaintances and irrepressible smartness.

Khlestakov is a man-emptiness, a man who can play any role and replace himself in any place. Inner cowardice makes him brave and make claims, and flattery causes in him a stream of boasting and a colossal play of the imagination, where his own significance takes on monstrous proportions, incomparable with anything. Khlestakov willingly accepts all kinds of "courtship" - bribes, tricks, humble pleas for patronage, the favor of gentle silly ladies, - claiming that he loves the truthfulness in the speeches of the beggar: “I myself, too - I do not like two-faced people. I really like your frankness and hospitality, and I, I confess, would not demand anything more, as soon as you show me devotion and respect, respect and devotion. "

These words are addressed to the mayor when he obsequiously offers a room in his dwelling. Note that respect and loyalty is required by the frightened debtor Khlestakov, not yet an auditor - before getting used to the role. Khlestakov is a kindly empty creature, but with a pretense of reverence, carriages and pretty noble daughters.

Khlestakovism, that is, empty burning of life, unintentional lies of universal proportions, insignificant hypocrisy, the illusion of a human figure, in which the absence of content seems almost infernal - manifests itself most vividly at the moment Khlestakov plays the role of auditor. This role was imposed on him from the outside, the servant Osip prompted him to enter it, and Khlestakov unconsciously reached for the benefit. Lying has become not so much a way to expose oneself in the most beneficial light, as the rule of the game into which the whole society was drawn. Khlestakov lies selflessly and non-stop. He is a tall nobleman, in whose service there are several thousand couriers, soup is brought to him from Paris, watermelons are served to the table at seven hundred rubles a piece, every day they are gladly invited to the palace. brother Pushkin is with him on a short leg. According to Khlestakov, he is indispensable everywhere, and in this he is right, since empty vessels are really needed in order to be able to chastely preserve social filth. Nobody even tries to stop this flow of untruth, because everyone has their own, and everyone knows about this personal untruth and cowards immensely. Fear, even more than ignorance, paralyzes the will of a person to have any reasonable thoughts. People become vessels of lies and horror, which makes them tremble whenever the conscience is unclean.

In the comedy "The Inspector General" Khlestakov and Khlestakovism become some kind of images-symbols that can be read not only in the context of bureaucracy, but also of the entire Russian people in general, ready to deceive and grovel in front of the strongest. Khlestakovism pours its poison into everyone, everyone becomes infected with it - from the governor and his family to the carved widow of a non-commissioned officer, whose dignity was outraged. She does not require any moral retribution, the offender must be punished, but the damage is measured exclusively in money. As a person, she does not consider herself to be anything, but the rank of her late husband is offended - she demands compensation. In general, the correlation of oneself with a position or function in society is not only a sign of Khlestakovism, however, this correlation in its composition has the specifics of imaginary and forgery. Chin is as fantastic as admiration for him.

It is impossible to fully understand who exactly in the system of power Khlestakov represented himself, because the signs have grown too much: he is a nobleman, and a commander-in-chief, and a head of a department, and almost the second person after the emperor. This closeness to imperial power forced Nicholas I himself after the premiere to admit that everyone got it, and he himself was more than others. Khlestakovism is an original generalization, bringing to an absurd peak that part of the vices that (unfortunately) in the then Russian society was considered understandable and permissible for everyone. The little pranks of the young dandies were looked upon with delicate condescension, if not sympathetic. No one even suspected the colossal danger that Khlestakovism conceals in the neighborhood of something, poisoning everything around, and, mainly, endowed with power. Her cunning is also hidden in the innocence, unintentionalness of its bearer.

Gogol managed to bring Khlestakovism out of the very atmosphere of Russian life, where it was not identified as something hostile, and subject it to laughter. Laughter itself, which was served in conjunction with bitterness and grotesque, became the image of a positive character, which alone is opposed to everything bad, as a life-giving principle of the world and man.

This material will be useful for 8th grade students during the preparation of an essay on the topic "Khlestakov and Khlestakovism in Gogol's comedy" The Inspector General ".

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