Characteristics of landowners from dead souls. H. V. Gogol. "Dead Souls". Images of landlords. Human types

Compositional basis Gogol's poem "Dead Souls" is Chichikov's journey through the cities and provinces of Russia. As conceived by the author, the reader is invited to "travel with the hero all over Russia and bring out many of the most diverse characters." In the first volume of Dead Souls, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol introduces the reader to a number of characters that represent “ dark kingdom", Familiar from the plays of A. N. Ostrovsky. The types created by the writer are relevant to this day, and many proper names eventually became common nouns, although in recent times v colloquial speech are used less and less. Below is a description of the heroes of the poem. In Dead Souls, the main characters are landowners and the main adventurer, whose adventures are the basis of the plot.

Chichikov, the main character"Dead Souls" travels across Russia, buying documents for dead peasants, who are still listed as living according to the auditor's book. In the first chapters of the work, the author tries in every possible way to emphasize that Chichikov was a completely ordinary, unremarkable person. Knowing how to find an approach to each person, Chichikov was able to achieve location, respect and recognition without any problems in any society he had to deal with. Pavel Ivanovich is ready for anything to achieve his goal: he lies, pretends to be another person, flatter, uses other people. But at the same time, he seems to readers to be an absolutely charming person! Gogol masterfully showed a multifaceted human personality that combines depravity and the pursuit of virtue.

Another hero of the work "Dead Souls" by Gogol is Manilov... Chichikov comes to him first. Manilov gives the impression of a careless person who does not care about worldly problems. Manilov found his wife to match - the same dreamy young lady. The house was occupied by the servants, and the teachers came to their two children, Themistoclus and Alcides. It was difficult to determine Manilov's character: Gogol himself says that at the first minute one might think "what an amazing person!" There are no desires in him, there is no life itself. The landowner spends his time in abstract reflections, completely ignoring everyday problems... Manilov easily gave Chichikov the dead souls without asking about the legal details.

If we continue the list of heroes of the story, then the next will be Korobochka Nastasya Petrovna, an old lonely widow who lives in a small village. Chichikov came to her by accident: the coachman Selifan lost his way and turned on the wrong road. The hero was forced to stay for the night. External attributes were an indicator internal state landowners: everything in her house was done sensibly, firmly, but nevertheless there were many flies everywhere. Korobochka was a real entrepreneur, because in every person she was used to seeing only a potential buyer. Nastasya Petrovna was remembered by the reader for the fact that she never agreed to a deal. Chichikov persuaded the landowner, and promised to give her several blue papers for petitions, but until the next time he agreed to order flour, honey and bacon from Korobochka, Pavel Ivanovich did not receive several dozen dead souls.

The next on the list was Nozdryov- a reveler, a liar and a merry fellow, a playboy. The meaning of his life was entertainment, even two children could not keep the landowner at home for more than a few days. Nozdryov often got into various stories, but thanks to his innate talent to find a way out of any situation, he always got out of the water. Nozdryov communicated with people easily, even with those with whom he managed to quarrel, after a while he communicated as with old friends. However, many tried not to have anything in common with Nozdryov: the landowner hundreds of times invented various tales about others, telling them at balls and dinner parties. It seemed that Nozdrev was not at all worried about the fact that he often lost his property at cards - he certainly wanted to win back. The image of Nozdrev is very important for characterizing other heroes of the poem, in particular Chichikov. After all, Nozdryov was the only person with whom Chichikov did not make a deal, and indeed did not want to meet with him anymore. Pavel Ivanovich barely managed to escape from Nozdrev, but Chichikov could not even imagine under what circumstances he would see this man again.

Sobakevich was the fourth seller of dead souls. His appearance and his behavior resembled a bear, even the interior of his house and household utensils were huge, irrelevant and unwieldy. From the very beginning, the author focuses on the thrift and prudence of Sobakevich. It was he who first offered Chichikov to buy documents for the peasants. Chichikov was surprised by this course of events, but did not argue. The landowner was also remembered for the fact that he raised the price of the peasants, despite the fact that the latter were long dead. He talked about their professional skills or personal qualities, trying to sell documents at a higher price than Chichikov offered.

Surprisingly, this particular hero has a much better chance of spiritual revival, after all, Sobakevich sees how people have been crushed, how insignificant they are in their aspirations.

This list of characteristics of the heroes of "Dead Souls" contains the most important characters for understanding the plot, but do not forget about the coachman Selifane, and about servant of Pavel Ivanovich, and about the good-natured landowner Plyushkin... Being a master of words, Gogol created very vivid portraits of heroes and their types, so all descriptions of the heroes of "Dead Souls" are so easy to remember and immediately recognizable.

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In 1841 N.V. Gogol amazes his contemporaries with his prose poem "Dead Souls". There is still controversy among critics and readers. Someone like P.A. Vyazemsky believes that the novel was conceived as an analogue of Dante's Divine Comedy in three volumes. Others are of the opinion that Gogol wrote the Russian Odyssey. But everyone unanimously recognizes the work as a genius.

The images of the landowners are the key theme of the novel. Each of these heroes is unique in its own way. And they all personify certain human vices. N.V. It is as if Gogol has a gallery of images specially arranged for the reader. From the most harmless in his vulgarity Manilov. To Plyushkin, terrifying in its degradation.

Manilov is perhaps the most beloved by the reader. This is a character with a very Russian character. His speech is sweet, flattering, and his dreams beckon. The estate is located on a hill, but it's not easy to get to it. Instead of the promised 15 versts in a straight line, you have to drive more than 40 along a winding road.

The manor is in disrepair, peasant households and farms are in decline. The landowner does not personally do business, entrusting the manager to the drunkard. Servants are involved in raising children. The furniture is covered with expensive and fashionable cloth, but not enough for everything. The Manilovs are very fond of each other and always hand-feed tidbits. At first glance, everything is beautiful and sweet. But after spending half an hour in the estate, I want to escape.

The hero's speech is sweet and cloying. He is lazy. All he does is that he makes unrealistic plans for the future, which will not exist. On his desk is a dusty book, always open to the same page.

Manilov is surprised by the unusual offer of Chichikov for sale dead peasants... At first, he thinks that he misunderstood, because he considers the interlocutor to be much smarter than himself. He does not know how many souls he has died, the clerk also does not know the exact number. Out of fear of the authorities, he inquires about the legality of the enterprise. After that, he does not take money for the soul and is ready to take all the costs of completing the transaction on himself. He is pleased to render a service to Chichikov, such a pleasant person.

Further, a greedy and old Korobochka appears to the reader's eyes. The widow is economic and stingy. All that interests her is profit and savings. She trades in goods produced by the peasants. Therefore, all the talk is about hemp and lard. The estate is small, only 80 souls. Korobochka knows for sure that died 18. The owner is suspicious, she definitely needs to know why dead souls are needed. After all, they can come in handy herself. Chichikov spends a lot of time on persuasion before making a deal.

Nozdryov is a very unpleasant person, a petty dirty trick. At 35, he is already a widower. Revelry, drunkenness and gambling- these are the favorite pastimes of the landowner. He is not involved in the household. As well as raising two children. Keeps a live wolf cub at home instead of a dog, which he loves very much. Easily agrees to a deal if Chichikov plays with him. Naturally, the avid gambler cheats. And the main character is left without a trophy.

Sobakevich is a rude, overweight middle-aged man. All the furniture in the house is massive and rough, as if shouting: "And I, too, Sobakevich." He rarely spoke flatteringly of someone. Practical landowner and businessman. He tries to get as much benefit from the deal as possible. Sells to Chichikov one woman among dead souls- Elizabeth Sparrow. Specifically substituting a solid sign for the name. According to the documents, only male souls were considered.

And finally, this gallery of images is completed by Plyushkin. At first glance, it is difficult to understand even if this is a man or a woman. He always wears a greasy, worn-out robe, more like the rags of a beggar on the porch. Even local men call it "patched", and the author and critics call it "a hole in humanity." It was once a practical host. But after the death of his wife, avarice took possession of him completely. Readily sells dead souls for 30 kopecks apiece. There are 78 of them in total. Rejoices at the profit. And even treats the guest with a biscuit.

Plyushkin is a symbol of a person's spiritual death. The rest of the landlords are not so hopeless. But everyone has their own vices.

Landowners in the poem Dead Souls

Dead Souls is a poem written by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol in the second half of the 19th century, while the genre of his work was determined by the writer himself. Today we will look at the heroes of this work.

Manilov

He is a charming, attractive person, but very lazy, with whom it is rather boring to communicate. He has two hundred huts with peasants at his disposal, but he has been working on the estate recently. The peasants are just as lazy as their master, doing their job reluctantly and slowly. Ordinary he sits at home and dreamily smokes a pipe. This hero is not devoid of romance, sensitive, gentle in communication, compliant.

Box

The box is old woman, having lost her husband, she is distinguished by her thrift, excellent housekeeping, watching over the estate. She's in order at the estate. However, among the minuses, one can single out suspicion and stupidity. She has only 80 peasants at her disposal. They work quite well, build relatively strong buildings, and also produce goods, which the hostess herself subsequently trades in.

Nozdrev

This hero is 35 years old and a widower. Nozdryov is different cheerful disposition, it's loud and a little cocky. Can't sit still, prefers to have fun and drink all the time, hanging around here and there. On the estate, he practically does not spend his time and does not look after the peasants, and also does not pay much attention to his own children. He likes dogs more, of which he has a whole flock.

Sobakevich

Sobakevich is about 45 years old and is married. Outwardly, he is somewhat similar to a huge bear, not inferior to that in health and strength. He speaks directly in the forehead what he thinks, is often rude, and is also distinguished by its awkwardness and imprudence. He provided his wards with well-built, strong houses, but sometimes he is strict with them. This hero loves to eat well and is considered a well-to-do person. Loves and cares for his family.

Plyushkin

This is a rich man who has about 1000 peasants. However, not all of them are "real": some of them are dead souls or the souls of fugitive peasants. He is a terribly greedy, stingy person, even on himself and his own needs, will never spend an extra penny on anything. Of his clothes he has only rags and old clothes, he eats stale bread. This landowner never throws anything into the trash. His peasants also suffer from his stinginess: their houses are old and about to fall apart. It turns out to write to sell his goods, from which all his "wealth" only deteriorates in the storerooms and "disappears".

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Lesson 3 N.V. Gogol “Dead Souls2 System of images of the poem. Images of landowners (Manilov, Korobochka)

Goals: to give students an idea of ​​the system of images of the poem "Dead Souls"; to acquaint students with the images of landowners using the example of Manilov and Korobochka; to formulate the skills and abilities to build an answer to the question of a work of art based on theoretical and literary knowledge; improve the skills of analytical work with prosaic text; promote aesthetic and moral education students; foster a culture of reading perception.

Equipment : textbook, text of the poem "Dead Souls", handouts, table, illustrative material on the topic of the lesson.

Lesson type : lesson - analysisartwork

Predicted Results : students knowabout the system of images of the poem by N.V. Gogol

"Dead Souls", know how to characterize the characters of the poem, analyze the text, retell individual episodes in description form, participate in a conversation, develop their point of view on work of fiction in accordance with author's position and the historical era.

During the classes

I ... Organizational stage

II... Updating basic knowledge

Conversation (analysis of the first chapter)

Tell us what you learned from what you read about the main character of the work.

What was the purpose of his visit to the provincial town?

Find in the text and read portrait description Chichikova. Why do you think the writer makes him stand out with his faceless appearance? Justify your answer. With what words does the author express his attitude to the character?

III... Motivation learning activities

The poem was conceived by Gogol as a broad epic canvas, in which the author wanted to truthfully reflect, as in a clear mirror, living modernity.
The poem reflected Russia first third of XIX century - Russia at the time when the tsarist government, having dealt with the Decembrists, with dreams the best people countries on the introduction of republican rule, strenuously created a bureaucratic-bureaucratic apparatus, when the energetic Chichikovs - businessmen-acquirers capable of making money from anything - went up the hill.
The poem is built in the form of a journey and allows the reader to look into all the details that interest him. The subject of attention is "lord middle hand

System of images. Figurative system the poem is built in accordance with three main plot-compositional links: landlord, bureaucratic Russia and the image of Chichikov. The peculiarity of the system of images lies in the fact that the contrast to the characters shown in the real plan of the poem makes up an ideal plan, where the author's voice is present and the image is created.

The first chapter of the poem can be defined as a kind of introduction. The action has not yet begun, and the author is only in general outline outlines the heroes. The reader begins to guess that Chichikov came to the provincial town with some intentions, which are clarified later.

IV ... Working on the topic of the lesson

1. introduction teachers.

Creating images of landowners, Gogol not only shows us different types of owners of serf souls: dreamy idlers (Manilov) who are absolutely indifferent to the serfs entrusted to him; skuperdyaev (Sobakevich), who will not miss anything in life; "cudgel-headed" boxes, bogged down in small subsistence farming, where every piece of land, every piece, every box and casket is registered; senseless bully (Nozdryov), who rages more at fairs and on neighboring estates than is at home; and finally, phenomenal buns from all sides. The author creates a whole system of images, very realistic and at the same time clearly satirical. He shows us the "heroes" from all sides, using three types of description: portrait, landscape of the estate, interior of the landlord's house.

2. Teamwork to compile reference circuit- synopsis "System of images of the poem" (writing on the board and in a notebook)

Poem image system

3. Analytical conversation"Reflecting, discussing"

a) Analysis of the first chapter

Which of the landowners does Chichikov visit first?

When does the first meeting between Chichikov and Manilov take place?

What is the leading detail in the description of the hero?

Tell us who Manilov is. What impression did he make on you?

What was the landlord busy with? How does he feel about his estate?

Find in the text and read the description of the interior of Manilov's house. - Expressively read how Manilov reacted to Chichikov's offer to sell "dead souls". How does this scene characterize Manilov?

Argument your answer

Explain the term "manilovism"

Please comment on the assessment of this chapter given by V.A. Zhukovsky: "It's funny and painful."

b) Analysis of the third chapter

What artistic means does the author use to reveal the image of the Box? Examples from the text.

Find in the text and read the characteristics of the Box. What the hell is Korobochka leading? Examples from the text.

- Read expressively how Korobochka reacted to Chichikov's offer to sell “dead souls”. How does this scene characterize Box?

Think about whether this image can be called typical? Why?

Which artistic device enhances the author's generalization? Examples from the text.

4. Collective work on compiling the table “Heroes of N.V. Gogol "Dead Souls"

“The heroes of the poem by N.V. Gogol "Dead Souls"

5. Comparative work

Analysis of the images of Manilov and Korobochka (in pairs)

V ... Reflection. Lesson summary

The generalizing word of the teacher

Gogol's heroes were not fictional, bookish characters for Boklevsky. He lived for many years in the Ryazan province and easily recognized the customs of the Russian province well known to him in the officials and landowners of city N.

Boklevsky completely refuses to reproduce everyday details and furnishings. His the main task- to convey the intellectual scarcity, moral squalor of the Gogol types. Therefore, the artist is limited only to portraits of heroes, concentrates on the image of their faces.

Manilov is represented by the artist as having a rest in the afternoon. Having unbuttoned his tie, unbuttoned his waistcoat, with an invariable pipe with a long shank, he is basking in a soft armchair. Manilov is a delicate, educated gentleman. Therefore, down jackets dispose him to dreaminess. He turned his eyes, threw back his head - he was carried away with his imagination under the clouds. However, he does not rise from the pillows, he is in complete idleness, and it is clear to the viewer that Manilov's fantasies are as ephemeral as the smoke coming out of his pipe.

Korobochka is "one of those mothers, small landowners who cry for crop failures, losses and keep their heads a little to one side, and meanwhile they are gaining a little bit of money in variegated bags placed on the drawers of the dressers." The watercolor portrait of Korobochka represents a good-natured little old woman in a cap and a bonnet, in funny knitted shoes. The round, soft figure of Nastasya Petrovna, with some kind of rag tied around her neck, surprisingly resembles a tightly packed sack or sack - an important attribute of a homely landowner. Boklevsky often gives Gogol's characters an appearance similar to one or another animal. This creates additional associations for the viewer that contribute to a better understanding of the essence of the image. So, it is no coincidence that Sobakevich looks like a bear, and Chichikov looks like a cunning fox. Boklevsky's box makes you think about one of the small rodents, caring, homely animals that drag everything they see into their burrow. Indeed, she has round, surprised eyes, a triangle-raised upper lip, exposing the incisors, and, finally, short arms, ingenuously folded over the protruding abdomen, just like the legs of a mouse.

VI . Homework

1. Prepare quotation material to the images of Nozdrev, Sobakevich, Plyushkin.

2. Individual task. To prepare for role-playing game

3. Leading task. Prepare a verbal response to problematic issue: "For what purpose does Chichikov visit landowners over the course of five chapters?"

Images of landowners and their comparison with Chichikov ("Based on the poem" Dead Souls ")

"Dead Souls" is one of the brightest projects in Russian and world literature, the pinnacle of thinness. mastery of Gogol. One of the main topics in Gogol's TV-ve is yavl. the topic of the Russian landlord class, the Russian nobility as the ruling class, its fate and role in public life. It is characteristic that the main method of depicting landowners in Ggol's works is. satire. The images of the landowners reflect the process of gradual degradation of the landlord class, and all of its failures and shortcomings are revealed. Gogol's satire is colored with irony and
"It hits right in the forehead." The poem is constructed as the story of the adventure of Chichikov, an official who buys up "dead souls".
The composition of the poem allowed the author to tell about different landowners and their villages. Gogol creates five characters, five portraits that are so different from each other, and at the same time appear in each of them typical features Russian landowner. Our acquaintance begins with Manilov and ends with Plyushkin. This sequence has its own logic: from one landowner to another, the process of impoverishment deepens. human personality, is developing more and more scary picture decomposition of feudal society

He opens the portrait gallery of the landowners Manilov (Chapter I). His character is already manifested in the surname itself. The description begins with a picture of the village of Manilovka, which "could have lured few with its location." With irony the author describes the manor's yard, with a claim to "an English garden with an overgrown pond", sparse bushes and with a pale inscription "Temple of secluded reflection". Speaking about Manilov, the author exclaims: "God alone could have said what Manilov's character was." He is kind by nature, polite, courteous, but all this took on his ugly forms. Manilov is beautiful-hearted and sentimental to the point of cloying. Relationships between people seem to him idyllic and festive. Manilov did not know life at all, reality was replaced with empty fantasy. He loved to reflect and dream, sometimes even about things useful to the peasants. But his searchlight was far from the demands of life. He did not know and never thought about the real needs of the peasants (or M. lives in an illusory world, and the very process of fantasizing gives him great pleasure, he is a sentimental dreamer, incapable of practical action)
Manilov imagines himself to be a bearer of spiritual culture. Once in the army, he was considered the most educated person. The author speaks ironically about the atmosphere at home
Manilov, in whom "there was always something lacking," about his corny relationship with his wife. At the time of the conversation about dead souls, Manilov was compared to an overly clever minister. In comparison with other landowners, Manilov really seems to be an enlightened person, but this is only one appearance.

The third chapter of the poem is devoted to the image of the Box, which Gogol refers to as those "small landowners who complain of crop failures, losses and keep their heads a little to one side, and meanwhile collect a little bit of money in variegated bags placed on the drawers of the chest of drawers!" (or M. and Korobochka are in some way antipodes: Manilov's vulgarity is hidden behind high phases, behind discussions about the welfare of the Motherland, while Korobochka's spiritual scarcity appears in its natural form. high culture: in all its appearance, a very unpretentious simplicity is emphasized. This is emphasized by Gogol in the appearance of the heroine: he indicates her shabby and unattractive appearance. This simplicity reveals itself in relationships with people. The main goal of her life is to consolidate her wealth, continuous hoarding. It is no coincidence that Chichikov sees traces of skillful management on the estate. This household reveals its inner insignificance.
She has no feelings besides the desire to acquire and benefit. Confirmation is the situation with the "dead souls". Korobochka trades in peasants with such efficiency as he sells other items of his farm. For her, there is no difference between an animate and an unanimated being. In a sentence
Chichikova scares her only one thing: the prospect of missing something, not taking what can be bailed out for “dead souls.” The box is not going to yield them to Chichikov on the cheap. Gogol awarded her with the epithet "clubhead.") This money is obtained from the sale of a wide variety of products. households.
Korobochka understood the benefits of trade and, after much persuasion, agrees to sell such an unusual product as dead souls

When switching to the image of Nozdryov, Gogol emphasizes the contrast between him and the box. In contrast to the motionless landowner, Nozdryov is distinguished by her courage and "wide scope of nature." He is mobile, ready to do any business, not thinking about what, but all his activity is devoid of ideas and goals. Therefore, all his impulses end as easily as they begin, without any positive results: "Everything ends either with trifles or with all kinds of stories." ... His activity is aimed at burning life. He was a reveler and a reckless driver. Nozdryov finds himself wherever the pleasures of life can await him. Unlike Korobochka, Nozdryov is not inclined to petty hoarding. His ideal is people who always know how to have a fun life, not burdened with any worries. In the chapter about Nozdryov, there are few details that reflect the life of his serfs, but the description of the landowner itself gives comprehensive information about this, since for Nozdryov serfs and property are equivalent concepts. Both are the source of the burning of life. Wherever Nozdryov appears, there is a mess, a scandal. In the understanding of Nozdryov, his life is filled with meaning. In this respect, he resembles Manilov, but differs in that he likes to lie, to embellish. In a conversation with Chichikov, he boasts of absolutely everything: a stallion, a pond, a dog, and in his lies he simply cannot be exhausted. Lie for the lie itself. In relations with people, Nozdryov is free from any norms and principles. He easily converges with people, but does not remain true to his word, not to anyone else. In the desire of Nozdryov to bring discord in someone else's life, one feels the desire to spoil everyone. As a result, all the versatility of the hero is devoid of any positive principle.
He called Nozdrev “a historical person.” (“Nozdryov was in some respects a historical person.”) Not a single meeting where he was was without stories.

Unlike Nozdrev, Sobakevich cannot be counted as people in the clouds. This hero stands firmly on the ground, does not indulge himself with illusions, soberly evaluates people and life, knows how to act and achieve what he wants.
With the character of his life, Gogol notes thoroughness and fundamentalness in everything. These are natural features of Sobakevich's life. On him and on the furnishings of his house there is a stamp of awkwardness and ugliness. Physical strength and clumsiness appears in the guise of the hero himself. "He looked like a medium-sized bear," Gogol writes about him. Animal nature predominates in Sobakevich. He is devoid of any spiritual needs, far from dreaminess, philosophizing and noble impulses of the soul. The meaning of his life is to nourish his stomach. He himself has a negative attitude towards everything connected with culture and education: "Enlightenment is a harmful invention." It is the place where the local existence and the storehouse coexist. Unlike Korobochka, he well understands the environment and understands the time in which he lives, knows people. Unlike other landowners, he immediately understood the essence
Chichikova. Sobakevich is a cunning rogue, an arrogant businessman who is difficult to deceive. He assesses everything around him only from the point of view of his own benefit. His conversation with Chichikov reveals the psychology of a kulak who knows how to make the peasants work for themselves and derive the maximum benefit from it. He is straightforward, rather rude and does not believe in anything. Unlike Manilov, in his perception all people are robbers, scoundrels, fools. (Everything in Sobakevich's house surprisingly reminded him of himself. Each thing seemed to say: "And I, too, Sobakevich."
The last landowner that Chichikov visits, Plyushkin, is similar in aspirations to K. and S., but the desire for hoarding takes on the character of an all-embracing passion. The only goal his life is an accumulation of things. As a result, he does not distinguish between the important, the necessary from the little things, the useful from the unimportant. Everything that comes to his hand is of interest. Plyushkin becomes a slave to things. The thirst for hoarding pushes him on the path of all kinds of restrictions. But he himself does not experience any unpleasant sensations from this. Unlike other landowners, the story of his life is given in full. She reveals the origins of his passion. The more the thirst for hoarding becomes, the more insignificant his life becomes. At a certain stage of degradation, Plyushkin ceases to feel the need to communicate with people. He began to perceive his children as robbers of his property, feeling no joy at meeting them. As a result, he ended up in all alone... Gogol dwells in detail on the description of the situation of the peasants of this richest landowner. ************************************** ****************************
****** Chichikov

In "M.D." Gogol typifies the images of Russian landowners, officials and peasants. The only person to stand out from the overall picture Russian life- this is Chichikov. Revealing his image, the author tells about his origin and the formation of his character. Chichikov is a character whose life story is given in every detail. We learn from the eleventh chapter that
Pavlusha belonged to a poor noble family. His father left him a legacy of half a copper and a covenant to study diligently, to please teachers and bosses and, most importantly, to save and save a penny. Chichikov quickly realized that all lofty concepts only hinder the achievement of the cherished goal. He makes his way in life by his own efforts, not relying on anyone's patronage. He builds his well-being at the expense of other people: deception, bribery, embezzlement, fraud at the customs - the main character's tools. No amount of failure can break his greed for profit. And every time, committing unseemly acts, he easily finds excuses for himself.

With each chapter, we see more and more new opportunities for Chichikov: with Manilov he is cloyingly amiable, with Korobochka he is petty-persistent and rude, with Nozdrev he is assertive and cowardly, he bargains with Sobakevich insidiously and relentlessly, Plyushkina conquers with his “generosity”.

But let us pay special attention to those moments of the poem where Chichikov does not need to disguise himself and change himself for the sake of adaptation, where he remains alone with himself. While inspecting the city of N, our hero “tore off a poster nailed to a post so that when he came home he could read it well,” and after reading it, “he rolled it up neatly and put it in his little chest, where he used to put everything that came across.” This collection of unnecessary things, careful storage of trash is vividly reminiscent of Plyushkin's habits. WITH
Manilov Chichikov is brought together by uncertainty, because of which all assumptions on his account are equally possible. Nozdryov notes that Chichikov looks like Sobakevich: “… no straightforwardness, no sincerity! Perfect Sobakevich ". In the character of Chichikov there is a Manilov love for the phrase, and the pettiness of Korobochka, and narcissism.
Nozdryov, and gross stinginess, Sobakevich's cold cynicism, and greed
Plyushkin. It is easy for Chichikov to turn out to be a mirror of any of these interlocutors, because he has all those qualities that make up the foundations of their characters. Nevertheless, Chichikov differs from his counterparts in estates, he is a man of modern times, a businessman and a purchaser, and has all necessary qualities: "... and pleasantness in turns and actions, and agility in business games", but he is also a "dead soul", because the joy of life is inaccessible to him.

Chichikov knows how to adapt to any world, even his appearance is such that he is suitable for any situation: "not handsome, but not bad-looking", "not too fat, not too thin", "middle-aged man" - everything in him is vague , nothing stands out.

The idea of ​​success, entrepreneurial spirit, practicality obscure all human impulses in him. "Selflessness", patience and strength of character of the protagonist allow him to constantly revive and show tremendous energy to achieve this goal.
Chichikov is forced to flee the city, but this time he achieved his goal, approached one more step to his faceless "happiness", and everything else is no longer important for him.

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In the poem Dead Souls, Gogol created a picture of contemporary Russia, extraordinary in scope and breadth, depicting it in all its grandeur, but at the same time with all its vices. He managed to plunge the reader into the depths of the souls of his heroes with such power that the work does not cease to make an amazing impression on readers for many years. At the center of the narrative of the poem is feudal Russia, a country in which all the land with its riches, its people belonged to the ruling noble class. The nobility occupied a privileged position and was responsible for the economic and cultural development of the state. Representatives of this class are landowners, "masters" of life, owners of serf souls.

The gallery of images of landowners is opened by Manilov, whose estate is called the front facade of landlord Russia. At the first meeting, this hero makes a pleasant impression of a cultured, delicate person. But even in this cursory author's description, one cannot fail to notice the irony. In the guise of this hero, a sugary sweetness is clearly visible, as evidenced by the comparison of his eyes with sugar. Further, it becomes clear that an empty soul is hidden under the pleasantly courteous treatment of people. Many people are represented in the image of Manilov, about whom, according to Gogol, one can say: “people are so-so, neither this nor that, not in the city of Bogdan, nor in the village of Selifan”. They live in the village, have a tendency to refined, flowery turns of speech, as they want to seem enlightened and highly educated people, they look at everything with a calm gaze, and, smoking a pipe, dream of doing something good, for example, building a stone bridge over a pond and making there are benches on it. But all their dreams are meaningless and impracticable. This is evidenced by the description of the Manilov estate, which is at Gogol the most important technique characteristics of landowners: according to the state of the estate, one can judge the character of the owner. Manilov is not in charge of the household: everything with him "went somehow by itself"; and everything was reflected in his dreamy inaction, in the description of the landscape an indefinite, light gray color prevails. Social events Manilov visits because other landowners visit them. The same is the case in family life and in the house. The spouses love to kiss, give cases for a toothpick, and do not show much concern for the improvement: there is always some flaw in their house, for example, if all the furniture is upholstered with nifty fabric, there will certainly be two chairs covered with canvas.

Manilov's character is expressed in his speech and in the way he behaves during the deal with Chichikov. When Chichikov offered Manilov to sell him dead souls, he was confused. But, even realizing that the guest's offer clearly contradicts the law, he could not refuse such a pleasant person, and only started thinking about whether "this negotiation would not be in accordance with civil regulations and further types of Russia?" The author does not hide the irony: a person who does not know how many peasants have died, who does not know how to establish his own economy, shows concern for politics. The surname Manilov corresponds to his character and was formed by the author from dialect word"Beckoned" - the one who beckons, promises and deceives, a flattering saint.

A different type of landowner appears before us in the form of a Box. Unlike Manilov, she is economic and practical, knows the price of a “penny”. The description of her village suggests that she taught everyone to order. A net on fruit trees and a cap on a scarecrow confirm that the hostess can reach everything and nothing is lost in her household. Examining Korobochka's house, Chichikov notices that the wallpaper in the room is old, the mirrors are old. But with all individual characteristics she is distinguished by the same vulgarity and "dead-watering" as Manilov. Selling Chichikov an unusual product, she is afraid to sell too cheap. After bargaining with Korobochka, Chichikov "was covered in sweat, like in a river: everything that was on him, from shirt to stockings, everything was wet." The hostess killed him with her cudgel-headedness, stupidity, avarice and a desire to postpone the sale of unusual goods. “Perhaps the merchants will come in large numbers, and I will apply to the prices,” she says to Chichikov. She looks at dead souls in the same way as at lard, hemp or honey, thinking that they may also be needed on the farm.

On the big road, in a wooden tavern met Chichikov Nozdrev - “ historical person”, Whom he met while still in the city. And it is in the tavern that you can most often find such people, of whom, according to the author's remark, there are many in Russia. Speaking about one hero, the author at the same time gives a description of people like him. The author's irony lies in the fact that in the first part of the sentence he characterizes the nostrils as "good and loyal comrades", and then adds: "... and with all that, they are very painfully beaten." This type of people is known in Russia under the name of the "broken fellow". From the third time they say "you" to their acquaintance, at fairs they buy whatever comes into their heads: clamps, smoking candles, a stallion, a nanny's dress, tobacco, pistols, etc., thoughtlessly and easily spend money on carousing and card games, love to lie and for no reason to "screw up" a person. The source of his income, like that of other landowners, is the serfs. Such qualities of Nozdryov, as impudent lies, boorish attitude towards people, dishonesty, thoughtlessness, are reflected in his fragmentary, quick speech, in the fact that he constantly jumps from one subject to another, in his offensive, abusive, cynical expressions: "," You piggy for this "," such rubbish. " He is constantly looking for adventure and does not do the housework at all. This is evidenced by the unfinished repairs in the house, empty stalls, a faulty organ, a lost chaise and the miserable situation of his serfs, from which he knocks out everything that is possible.

Nozdryov gives way to Sobakevich. This hero represents a type of landowners, for whom everything is distinguished by good quality and strength. The character of Sobakevich helps to understand the description of his estate: an awkward house, full-bodied and thick logs from which a stable, a barn and a kitchen are built, dense huts of men, portraits in rooms that depict "heroes with thick thighs and unheard of mustaches", a nut bureau on ridiculous four legs. In a word, everything looks like its owner, whom the author compares with a "medium-sized bear", emphasizing its animal nature. When describing the image of Sobakevich, the writer makes extensive use of the method of exaggeration; it is enough to recall his monstrous appetite. Landowners like Sobakevich are vicious and cruel feudal landowners who never missed their advantage. “The soul of Sobakevich seemed to be covered with such a thick shell that everything that turned and turned at its bottom did not produce absolutely any shock on the surface,” says the author. His body became incapable of expressing emotional movements. In bargaining with Chichikov, it is revealed main feature character Sobakevich - his irrepressible desire for profit.

At the end of the gallery of persons with whom Chichikov concludes deals, the landowner Plyushkin - "a hole in humanity." Gogol notes that such a phenomenon is rare in Russia, where everything loves to turn around rather than shrink. Acquaintance with this hero is preceded by a landscape, the details of which reveal the soul of the hero. Dilapidated wooden buildings, dark old logs on huts, roofs resembling a sieve, windows without glass, stuffed with rags, reveal Plyushkin as a bad owner with a dead soul. But the picture of the garden, although deaf and deaf, creates a different impression. When describing him, Gogol used more joyful and lighter colors - trees, "the correct marble sparkling column", "air", "cleanliness", "neatness" ... And through all this the life of the owner himself can be seen, whose soul has died out, like nature in the wilderness this garden.

In Plyushkin's house, too, everything speaks of the spiritual decay of his personality: heaped furniture, a broken chair, a dried-up lemon, a piece of rag, a toothpick ... And he himself looks like an old housekeeper, only gray eyes, like mice, run from under high-grown eyebrows. Everything dies, rots and collapses around Plyushkin. The story of the transformation of an intelligent person into a "hole in humanity", which the author introduces to us, leaves an indelible impression. Chichikov quickly finds mutual language with Plyushkin. Only one thing worries the "patched" master: as if during the execution of the deed of the fortress not to incur losses.

However, in the chapter devoted to revealing the character of Plyushkin, there are many details that have a positive meaning. The chapter begins with a lyrical digression about youth; the author tells the story of the hero's life, the description of the garden is dominated by light colors; Plyushkin's eyes have not yet gone out. On the hero's wooden face, you can still see the "flashed joy" and "warm ray". All this suggests that Plyushkin, unlike other landowners, still has the possibility of moral revival. Plyushkin's soul was once pure, which means it can still be reborn. It is no coincidence that the "patched" master completes the gallery of images of "old-world" landowners. The author tried not only to tell about the history of Plyushkin, but also to warn readers that anyone can follow the path of this landowner. Gogol believed in the spiritual revival of Plyushkin, as he believed in the strength of Russia and its people. This is confirmed by numerous lyrical digressions filled with deep lyricism and poetry.