Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol (birth name Yanovsky, from 1821 - Gogol-Yanovsky; March 20, 1809, Sorochintsy, Poltava province - February 21, 1852, Moscow) - Russian prose writer, playwright, poet, critic, publicist, recognized as one of the classics Russian literature. Came from ancient noble family Gogol-Yanovskikh.

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is one of the most original Russian writers, his fame went far beyond the borders of Russian cultural space. His books are interesting throughout his life, each time he manages to find new facets in them, almost new content. His life was not abundant external events. She was all in intense work, in an in-depth internal analysis of her actions and thoughts. For Gogol, the work of a writer was inextricably merged with the public, educational role art became a creative feat for him. Having revealed “all of Rus'” to the world, first of all its funny, sad, dramatic sides - but not only these, but also heroic ones - prophetically speaking about its wonderful future, Gogol created books that were a true discovery in artistic culture, had a great influence on the development of Russian literature and art in general. Gogol's books actively exist in the spiritual life of our time. Artistic word Gogol is perceived today as prophetic. Gogol is not just a writer, but an exceptional person, tragic fate, a thinker and prophet who stood on the threshold of a true solution to the historical destinies of Russia, whose fate in one way or another reflected the fate of literature and social thought of that time. Gogol - the beginning new era in the artistic consciousness of Russia in the 19th century.

N.V. Gogol, the great Russian writer, created his own art world, in which several generations of Russian readers have already lived. None of the Russian classics had as many common characters as Gogol. Gogol's Gorodnichy, Khlestakov and Chichikov, Taras Bulba and Akaki Akakievich - all these characters, by the creative imagination of a brilliant prose writer, are perceived by us as historical or really existing personalities.

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol was born on March 20 (April 1), 1809 in the town of Velikiye Sorochintsy, Mirgorod district, Poltava province (Ukraine).

Gogol's father, Vasily Afanasyevich Yanovsky-Gogol, served at the Little Russian Post Office, from where he retired with the rank of collegiate assessor. Served as secretary to a distant relative, former minister, district representative of the nobility, D.P. Troshchinsky. Vasily Afanasyevich loved art, he himself wrote poetry and comedies in Ukrainian.

Gogol's mother, Maria Ivanovna, née Kosyarovskaya, was, according to legend, the first beauty in the Poltava region. She came from a family of landowners. She married Yanovsky-Gogol at the age of 14 and gave birth to six children.

According to legend (the information is not confirmed), the second part of the surname - Gogol - was added to his (Yanovsky) by Nikolai Vasilyevich’s grandfather. This was done to prove the origin of the family from Colonel Ostap Gogol, who became famous in Ukraine in the 17th century.

The Gogol family was very religious, which undoubtedly left its mark on the worldview of the future writer. Special attention The mother devoted spiritual education to the children.

1818 - 1819 - Nikolai Gogol, together with his brother Ivan, studied at the Poltava district school.

1820 - 1821 - Gogol takes lessons from Poltava teacher Gabriel Sorochinsky.

1821 – 1828 – studying at the gymnasium of higher sciences in Nizhyn.

The Nizhyn Gymnasium of Higher Sciences was a kind of analogue of the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum; children of provincial nobles studied here. At the gymnasium, Gogol studied music, painting, and participated in theatrical productions. The first ones date back to this time literary experiments Nikolai Vasilievich, who initially worked with different genres: wrote tragedies, elegies, stories. At the same time, the first satire, which has not survived, “Something about Nezhin, or the law is not written for fools,” was written. When the time came to choose a specialty, Nikolai Gogol chose jurisprudence - he wanted to “prevent injustice.” 1828 - 1829 - in December 1828, Gogol goes to St. Petersburg. He failed to get a job. Trying to make money literary work ended unsuccessfully: only two works were published, the poem “Italy” and the “idyll in pictures” “Hanz Küchelgarten”. The latter, published under the pseudonym “V. Alov" caused condescending ridicule from critics. Gogol burns the unsold edition of the book and, disappointed, leaves for Germany (July 1829).

End of 1829 - Nikolai Vasilyevich returns to St. Petersburg. This time, his search for work was successful, and Gogol managed to get a job as a scribe in the department of state economy and public buildings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The service was monotonous and boring, the only outlets were painting and literature classes. Another positive point from the “public service” is that it provided the writer with a wealth of material for future works. 1830 – Gogol’s story “Basavryuk” was first published in the journal Otechestvennye zapiski. Later the story was revised by the author, after which it received the title “The Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala.” The same year, December - in the almanac “Northern Flowers” ​​(published by Delvig), a chapter from historical novel Gogol "Hetman". The first work published with real name author, became the story “Woman”. After his first publications, Nikolai Vasilyevich was accepted into the circle of St. Petersburg writers. He becomes close to Delvig, Pushkin, Zhukovsky. Lives in Pavlovsk, among other things, carries out assignments for the publication of Pushkin’s “Tales of Belkin”. Critics claim that it was Alexander Sergeevich who gave Gogol the ideas for such works as “The Inspector General” and “ Dead Souls" During this period, Gogol earned money by giving private lessons, and soon became a history teacher at the Patriotic Institute.

1831 – 1832 – “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka” was written and published. It was this work that brought Gogol real popularity. 1832 - Gogol comes to Moscow already famous writer. He is working on his first comedy, “Vladimir of the 3rd Degree,” but does not finish it. 1834 - Nikolai Vasilyevich strives to work at the department general history at the newly opened Kiev University, but all attempts end in failure. The writer was accepted as an adjunct professor at the Department of General History at St. Petersburg University. Studying the history of his native Ukraine, Gogol develops the idea of ​​the work “Taras Bulba”. Secretly from everyone, he writes stories for the collections “Mirgorod” and “Arabesques”. The same year, “The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich” was published in the book “Housewarming.” 1835 - Gogol leaves the university to devote himself entirely to literature. In the same year, he completed and published the collections “Mirgorod” (including “Old World Landowners”, “Viy”, “Taras Bulba”, etc.), “Arabesques”. In addition, in 1835 the "Inspector General" was started. In the same year, 1835, work began on the first volume of the poem “Dead Souls.” The idea, as mentioned above, was given by Pushkin. He became the first to whom Gogol read several chapters. Alexander Sergeevich approved of the writer, but at the same time the poem upset him. January 1836 - at an evening with Zhukovsky, in the presence of Pushkin, Gogol reads “The Inspector General”. April 19, 1836 – premiere of “The Inspector General” in Alexandrinsky Theater. May 25, 1836 – premiere of “The Inspector General” at the Maly Theater. The first reviews of the comedy were negative. Unfortunately, Nikolai Vasilyevich read exactly them, and after that he no longer had the desire to open others.

The writer goes abroad. The same year - Gogol lives first in Switzerland, then in Paris. All this time he continues to work on " Dead souls" 1837 - Gogol comes to Rome. 1839 - 1840 - Gogol spends several months in Russia. In Moscow and St. Petersburg he reads 6 chapters “ Dead souls" May 1840 - M.Yu. is present at a gala dinner in honor of Nikolai Vasilyevich’s name day. Lermontov, who reads his new poem"Mtsyri". A few days later Gogol leaves for Rome. Along the way he stops in Rome to complete the long-begun drama “For a Shaved Mustache” - a sketch from Zaporozhye history. However, the manuscript was burned. It was in Vienna that Gogol was first overtaken by a severe nervous illness. 1840 - 1841 - work on the first volume of Dead Souls was completed in Rome. October 1841 - Gogol comes to Russia to publish Dead Souls. V.G. helps him. Belinsky. The censorship allowed the poem to pass, but with the condition that for the book edition “The Tale of Captain Kopeikin” should be removed and the name changed.

May 1842 - the book “The Adventures of Chichikov, or Dead Souls” was published. Beginning of 1843 - “The Works of Nikolai Gogol” was published in four volumes. Second half of the 1840s - Nikolai Vasilyevich experiences spiritual crisis. It got to the point that the writer doubted the meaning and effectiveness fiction and was ready to renounce his works. End of June 1845 - Gogol burns the manuscript of the second volume of the poem “Dead Souls”. The reason was the writer’s state of mind, to put it modern language, long-term depression. Later, Nikolai Vasilyevich explained his action in the work “Four Letters to to different persons regarding “Dead Souls” - selected places”: in the second volume, “paths and roads” to the ideal were not sufficiently indicated. 1847 - Gogol publishes Selected Passages from Correspondence with Friends. Belinsky is extremely dissatisfied with this circumstance, especially the religious and mystical ideas of the writer sounded in “Correspondence...”.

April 1848 - Gogol visits the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, after which he finally returns to Russia. Lives in Odessa, St. Petersburg and Moscow, all this time working on the second volume of Dead Souls. The writer's health is deteriorating. As for spiritual sentiments, mysticism and religion continue to occupy his thoughts. Spring 1850 - Gogol proposes marriage to A.M. Vielgorskaya, but is refused. 1852 - Nikolai Vasilyevich regularly meets and talks with Archpriest Matvey Konstantinovsky, a fanatic and mystic. Night from February 11 to 12, 1852 - Gogol burns the now white manuscript of the second volume of Dead Souls. There is a version that Konstantinovsky persuaded the writer to do this. February 21, 1852 - Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol dies in Moscow. Initially he was buried in the cemetery of the St. Daniel Monastery. In 1931, Gogol's ashes were buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.

Gogol Nikolay Vasilievich(1809-1852) - Russian prose writer, playwright, poet, critic, publicist, recognized as one of the classics of Russian literature.
Gogol's tales are varied both in their motives and in the events described in them. Take at least the most famous ones: “”, “”, “”, “”, “”, “”, “”, “” - each has its own heroes, its own miracles and its own events.

Fairy tales Gogol Nikolai Vasilievich
"Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka"

Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka

One of the most mystical and unusual writers Russia throughout its history has undoubtedly been Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol- how elegant, simple and, at the same time, fantastic and amazingly beautiful Fairy tales Gogol Nikolai Vasilyevich “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka” by Gogol, his stories, short stories, plays and comedies...

And indeed, it is hardly possible to find another author who could write with unsurpassed accuracy and skill not only about everyday things (like the life of a Ukrainian village), but also describe mystical phenomena and phenomena (like evil spirits, flights to St. Petersburg on the line, stealing the moon, etc.).

Tales of Gogol- some of his best works, in which all the author’s love for Little Russia, for the Ukrainian people and traditions, for the life of ordinary peasants, their beliefs, holidays, and customs was revealed. Almost all of Nikolai Vasilyevich’s works devoted to this topic were included in the collection “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka.” They were written by the author over three years, and were published in 1831 (the first volume of Gogol's fairy tales) and 1832 (the second volume).

A kind of “geographical center” of Gogol’s fairy tales collected in “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka”, as can be seen from the name itself, became the same Dikanka from Nikolai Vasilyevich’s childhood - the place of his birth and life. Another remarkable fact is that all the works from the collection are connected by the so-called “framing plot”, since according to the author’s idea, these tales and legends were allegedly collected and written down by the Ukrainian beekeeper Rudy Panko from the words of his Cossack grandfather Foma Grigorievich.

Gogol's tales are varied both in their motives and in the events described in them. Take at least the most famous ones: “”, “”, “”, “”, “”, “”, “”, “” - each has its own heroes, its own miracles and its own events. But all these fairy tales are united by one thing - they depict in all their glory the glorious, kind, hardworking and honest Ukrainian people with their beliefs, traditions and even legends. After all, beautiful girls and brave, pure-hearted boys in the work are opposed by mystical, semi-pagan otherworldly forces. However, goodness still wins in these fairy tales, justice triumphs, and evil spirits leave with nothing. So the author contrasts spirituality, light and grace human soul darkness of the other world.

Gogol's fairy tales are still loved in all corners of both Russia and Ukraine. They are studied in school, children and adults read them. And the reason for this is not only the sensational mysticism of these works, but also sparkling humor, charismatic characters, and a talented depiction of the life of the Ukrainian village.

“To be in the world and not have anything to indicate your existence - it seems terrible to me.” N.V. Gogol.

Genius of classical literature

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is known to the world as a writer, poet, playwright, publicist and critic. A man of remarkable talent and an amazing master of words, he is famous both in Ukraine, where he was born, and in Russia, to which he eventually moved.

Gogol is especially known for his mystical heritage. His stories, written in a unique Ukrainian language, which is not literary in the full sense of the word, convey the depth and beauty of Ukrainian speech, known throughout the world. Viy gave Gogol his greatest popularity. What other works did Gogol write? We will look at the list of works below. These are sensational stories, often mystical, and stories from school curriculum, and little famous works author.

List of works by the writer

In total, Gogol wrote more than 30 works. He continued to complete some of them, despite publication. Many of his creations had several variations, including Taras Bulba and Viy. Having published the story, Gogol continued to reflect on it, sometimes adding or changing the ending. Often his stories have several endings. So, next we will consider the most famous works of Gogol. The list is in front of you:

1. "Hanz Küchelgarten" (1827-1829, under the pseudonym A. Alov).
2. “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka” (1831), part 1 (“Sorochinskaya Fair”, “Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala”, “Drowned Man”, “Missing Letter”). Its second part was published a year later. It included the following stories: “The Night Before Christmas”, “Terrible Revenge”, “Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and His Aunt”, “Enchanted Place”.
3. "Mirgorod" (1835). Its edition was divided into 2 parts. The first part included the stories “Taras Bulba” and “Old World Landowners”. The second part, completed in 1839-1841, included “Viy” and “The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich.”
4. "The Nose" (1841-1842).
5. "Morning business man" It was written, like the comedies “Litigation”, “Excerpt” and “Lackey”, in the period from 1832 to 1841.
6. "Portrait" (1842).
7. “Notes of a Madman” and “Nevsky Prospekt” (1834-1835).
8. "The Inspector General" (1835).
9. The play "Marriage" (1841).
10. "Dead Souls" (1835-1841).
11. Comedies "The Players" and "Theatrical Tour after the Presentation of a New Comedy" (1836-1841).
12. "The Overcoat" (1839-1841).
13. "Rome" (1842).

These are published works that Gogol wrote. The works (list by year, more precisely) indicate that the heyday of the writer’s talent occurred in 1835-1841. Now let’s take a little look at the reviews of the most famous stories Gogol.

"Viy" - Gogol's most mystical creation

The story of “Viy” tells about the recently deceased lady, the centurion’s daughter, who, as the whole village knew, was a witch. The centurion, at the request of his beloved daughter, makes the funeral student Khoma Brut read over her. The witch, who died due to Khoma’s fault, dreams of revenge...

Reviews of the work “Viy” are complete praise for the writer and his talent. It is impossible to discuss the list of Nikolai Gogol’s works without mentioning everyone’s favorite “Viy”. Readers note bright characters, original, unique, with their own characters and habits. All of them are typical Ukrainians, cheerful and optimistic people, rude but kind. It is impossible not to appreciate Gogol's subtle irony and humor.

The writer’s unique style and his ability to play on contrasts are also highlighted. During the day, the peasants walk and have fun, Khoma also drinks so as not to think about the horror of the coming night. With the arrival of evening, a gloomy, mystical silence sets in - and Khoma again enters the circle outlined in chalk...

A very short story keeps you in suspense until the last pages. Below are stills from the 1967 film of the same name.

Satirical comedy "The Nose"

“The Nose” is an amazing story, written in such a satirical form that at first it seems fantastically absurd. According to the plot, Platon Kovalev, a public person and prone to narcissism, wakes up in the morning without a nose - his place is empty. In a panic, Kovalev begins to look for his lost nose, because without it you won’t even appear in decent society!

Readers easily saw the prototype of Russian (and not only!) society. Gogol's stories, despite the fact that they were written in the 19th century, do not lose their relevance. Gogol, whose list of works can mostly be divided into mysticism and satire, felt very subtly modern society, which has not changed at all over the past time. Rank and external polish are still held in high esteem, but no one is interested in the inner content of a person. It is Plato’s nose, with an outer shell, but without internal content, that becomes the prototype of a richly dressed man, intelligently thinking, but soulless.

"Taras Bulba"

"Taras Bulba" is a great creation. When describing Gogol's works, the most famous, the list of which is provided above, one cannot fail to mention this story. The plot centers on two brothers, Andrei and Ostap, as well as their father, Taras Bulba himself, a strong, courageous and extremely principled man.

Readers especially highlight the small details of the story, which the author focused on, which enliven the picture and make those distant times closer and understandable. The writer spent a long time studying the details of everyday life of that era, so that readers could more vividly and vividly imagine the events taking place. In general, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, always attached special importance to little things.

The charismatic characters also made a lasting impression on readers. Tough, merciless Taras, ready to do anything for the sake of the Motherland, brave and courageous Ostap and romantic, selfless Andrey - they cannot leave readers indifferent. In general, the famous works of Gogol, the list of which we are considering, have interesting feature- a surprising but harmonious contradiction in the characters’ characters.

"Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka"

Another mystical, but at the same time funny and ironic work by Gogol. The blacksmith Vakula is in love with Oksana, who promised to marry him if he gets her slippers like the queen herself. Vakula is in despair... But then, quite by chance, he comes across evil spirits having fun in the village in the company of a witch. It is not surprising that Gogol, whose list of works includes numerous Mystic stories, this story involved a witch and a devil.

This story is interesting not only because of the plot, but also because of the colorful characters, each of whom is unique. They, as if alive, appear before the readers, each in their own image. Gogol admires some slight irony He admires Vakula, and teaches Oksana to appreciate and love. Like a caring father, he chuckles good-naturedly at his characters, but it all looks so soft that it only evokes a gentle smile.

The character of the Ukrainians, their language, customs and foundations, so clearly described in the story, could only be described in such detail and lovingly by Gogol. Even making fun of the “Moskalyama” looks cute from the lips of the characters in the story. This is because Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, loved his homeland and spoke of it with love.

"Dead Souls"

Sounds mystical, don’t you agree? However, in fact, Gogol this work did not resort to mysticism and looked much deeper - into human souls. Main character Chichikov seems like a negative character at first glance, but the more the reader gets to know him, the more positive traits notices in him. Gogol makes the reader worry about the fate of his hero, despite his unpleasant actions, which already says a lot.

In this work, the writer, as always, is an excellent psychologist and a true genius of words.

Of course, these are not all the works that Gogol wrote. The list of works is incomplete without the continuation of Dead Souls. It was its author who allegedly burned it before his death. Rumor has it that in the next two volumes Chichikov was supposed to improve and become a decent person. Is it so? Unfortunately, now we will never know for sure.

Years of life: from 03/20/1809 to 02/21/1852

Outstanding Russian writer, playwright, poet, critic, publicist. The works are included in the classics of domestic and world literature. Gogol's works had and still have a huge influence on writers and readers.

Childhood and youth

Born in the town of Velikie Sorochintsy, Mirgorod district, Poltava province, in the family of a landowner. The writer's father, V. A. Gogol-Yanovsky (1777-1825), served at the Little Russian Post Office, in 1805 he retired with the rank of collegiate assessor and married M. I. Kosyarovskaya (1791-1868), according to legend, the first beauty in the Poltava region. The family had six children: in addition to Nikolai, son Ivan (died in 1819), daughters Marya (1811-1844), Anna (1821-1893), Lisa (1823-1864) and Olga (1825-1907). Gogol spent his childhood years on the estate of his parents Vasilyevka (another name is Yanovshchina). As a child, Gogol wrote poetry. The mother showed great concern for the religious education of her son, and it is her influence that is attributed to the religious and mystical orientation of the writer’s worldview. In 1818-19, Gogol, together with his brother Ivan, studied at the Poltava district school, and then, in 1820-1821, took private lessons. In May 1821 he entered the gymnasium of higher sciences in Nizhyn. Here he is engaged in painting, participates in performances - as a decorative artist and as an actor. Tries himself in various literary genres(writes elegiac poems, tragedies, historical poem, story). At the same time he writes the satire “Something about Nezhin, or the law is not written for fools” (not preserved). However, he does not think about a literary career; all his aspirations are connected with “public service”; he dreams of a legal career.

The beginning of a literary career, rapprochement with A.S. Pushkin.

After graduating from high school in 1828, Gogol went to St. Petersburg. Experiencing financial difficulties, unsuccessfully fussing about a place, Gogol made his first literary attempts: at the beginning of 1829 the poem “Italy” appeared, and in the spring of the same year, under the pseudonym “V. Alov”, Gogol published the “idyll in pictures” “Ganz Küchelgarten”. The poem evoked very negative reviews from critics, which increased the difficult mood of Gogol, who throughout his life experienced criticism of his works very painfully. In July 1829, he burned unsold copies of the book and suddenly made a short trip abroad. Gogol explained his step as an escape from a love feeling that unexpectedly took possession of him. At the end of 1829, he managed to decide to serve in the department of state economy and public buildings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (first as a scribe, then as an assistant to the chief clerk). His stay in the offices caused Gogol deep disappointment in the “public service,” but it provided him with rich material for future works. By this time, Gogol was devoting more and more time to literary work. Following the first story “Bisavryuk, or the Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala” (1830), Gogol published a series works of art and articles. The story "Woman" (1831) was the first work signed with the author's real name. Gogol meets P. A. Pletnev. Until the end of his life, Pushkin remained an indisputable authority for Gogol both in art and in morally. By the summer of 1831, his relations with Pushkin's circle became quite close. Gogol’s financial position is strengthened thanks to his teaching work: he gives private lessons in the houses of P.I. Balabin, N.M. Longinov, A.V. Vasilchikov, and from March 1831 became a history teacher at the Patriotic Institute.

The most fruitful period of life

During this period, “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka” (1831-1832) was published. They aroused almost universal admiration and made Gogol famous. 1833, the year for Gogol, was one of the most intense, full of painful searches for a further path. Gogol writes his first comedy, “Vladimir of the 3rd Degree,” however, experiencing creative difficulties and foreseeing censorship complications, he stops working. During this period, he was seized by a serious craving for the study of history - Ukrainian and world. Gogol is trying to occupy the department of world history at the newly opened Kiev University, but to no avail. In June 1834, however, he was appointed an associate professor in the department of general history at St. Petersburg University, but after conducting several classes he left this job. At the same time, in deep secret, he wrote the stories that made up his two subsequent collections - “Mirgorod” and “Arabesques”. Their harbinger was “The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich” (first published in the book “Housewarming” in 1834). The publication of “Arabesque” (1835) and “Mirgorod” (1835) confirmed Gogol’s reputation as outstanding writer. The work on the works that later formed the cycle “Petersburg Tales” also dates back to the early thirties. In the fall of 1835, Gogol began writing “The Inspector General,” the plot of which (as Gogol himself claimed) was suggested by Pushkin; the work progressed so successfully that on January 18, 1836 he read the comedy at an evening with Zhukovsky, and in the same year the play was staged. Along with the resounding success, the comedy also caused a number of critical reviews, the authors of which accused Gogol of slandering Russia. The controversy that erupted had an adverse effect on state of mind writer. In June 1836, Gogol left St. Petersburg for Germany and the writer’s almost 12-year period of stay abroad began. Gogol begins to write Dead Souls. The plot was also suggested by Pushkin (this is known from the words of Gogol). In February 1837, in the midst of work on Dead Souls, Gogol received the shocking news of Pushkin's death. In a fit of “inexpressible melancholy” and bitterness, Gogol feels the “present work” as the poet’s “sacred testament.” At the beginning of March 1837 he came to Rome for the first time, which later became one of the writer’s favorite cities. In September 1839, Gogol arrived in Moscow and began reading chapters of Dead Souls, which evoked an enthusiastic reaction. In 1940, Gogol left Russia again and at the end of the summer of 1840 in Vienna, he suddenly suffered one of the first attacks of a severe nervous illness. In October he comes to Moscow and reads the last 5 chapters of “Dead Souls” in the Aksakovs’ house. However, in Moscow, censorship did not allow the novel to be published, and in January 1842 the writer forwarded the manuscript to the St. Petersburg Censorship Committee, where the book was approved, but with a change in title and without “The Tale of Captain Kopeikin.” In May, “The Adventures of Chichikov, or Dead Souls” was published. And again Gogol’s work caused a flurry of the most controversial responses. Against the background of general admiration, sharp accusations of caricature, farce, and slander are heard. All this controversy took place in the absence of Gogol, who went abroad in June 1842, where the writer was working on the 2nd volume of Dead Souls. Writing is extremely difficult, with long stops.

Last years of life. Creative and spiritual crisis of the writer.

At the beginning of 1845, Gogol showed signs of a new mental crisis. A period of treatment and moving from one resort to another begins. At the end of June or early July 1845, in a state of sharp exacerbation of the disease, Gogol burns the manuscript of the 2nd volume. Subsequently, Gogol explained this step by the fact that the book did not show the “paths and roads” to the ideal clearly enough. An improvement in Gogol’s physical condition began only in the fall of 1845; he began work anew on the second volume of the book, however, experiencing increasing difficulties, gets distracted by other things. In 1847, “Selected Passages from Correspondence with Friends” was published in St. Petersburg. The release of Selected Places brought a real critical storm upon its author. Moreover, Gogol also received critical reviews from his friends, V.G. was especially harsh. Belinsky. Gogol takes criticism very seriously, tries to justify himself, and his spiritual crisis deepens. In 1848 Gogol returned to Russia and lived in Moscow. In 1849-1850 he reads individual chapters of the 2nd volume of Dead Souls to his friends. The approval inspires the writer, who now works with renewed energy. In the spring of 1850, Gogol makes the first and last attempt to organize his family life- makes an offer to A. M. Vielgorskaya, but is refused. January 1, 1852 Gogol reports that the 2nd volume is “completely finished.” But in last days month, signs of a new crisis were clearly revealed, the impetus for which was the death of E. M. Khomyakova, a person spiritually close to Gogol. He is tormented by a premonition near death, aggravated by newly intensified doubts about the beneficialness of his writing career and the success of the work being carried out. At the end of January - beginning of February, Gogol meets Father Matvey (Konstantinovsky) who arrived in Moscow; the content of their conversations remained unknown, however, there is an indication that Father Matvey advised to destroy part of the chapters of the poem, motivating this step by the “harmful influence” that they would have. The death of Khomyakova, the conviction of Konstantinovsky and, perhaps, other reasons convinced Gogol to abandon his creativity and begin fasting a week before Lent. On February 5, he saw off Konstantinovsky and since that day he eats almost nothing and stops leaving the house. At 3 a.m. from Monday to Tuesday, February 11-12, 1852, Gogol woke up his servant Semyon, ordered him to open the stove valves and bring a briefcase with manuscripts from the closet. Taking a bunch of notebooks out of it, Gogol put them in the fireplace and burned them (only 5 chapters, relating to various draft editions, were preserved in incomplete form). On February 20, a medical council decided to compulsorily treat Gogol, but the measures taken did not produce results. On the morning of February 21, N.V. Gogol died. Last words The writer was: “Stairs, quickly, give me the stairs!”

Information about the works:

At the Nizhyn gymnasium, Gogol was not a diligent student, but had an excellent memory, prepared for exams in a few days and moved from class to class; he was very weak in languages ​​and made progress only in drawing and Russian literature.

It was Gogol, in his article “A few words about Pushkin,” who was the first to call Pushkin the greatest Russian national poet.

The morning after the burning of the manuscripts, Gogol told Count Tolstoy that he wanted to burn only some things that had been prepared in advance, but he burned everything under the influence of an evil spirit.

A bronze cross was installed on Gogol’s grave, standing on a black tombstone (“Golgotha”). In 1952, instead of Golgotha, they installed on the grave new monument, Golgotha, as unnecessary, was in the workshops for some time Novodevichy Cemetery, where she was discovered by the widow of E. S. Bulgakov. Elena Sergeevna bought the tombstone, after which it was installed over the grave of Mikhail Afanasyevich.

The 1909 film Viy is considered the first Russian “horror film.” Yes, the film has not survived to this day. And the film adaptation of the same Viy in 1967 is the only Soviet “horror film”.

Bibliography

Poems

Hanz Küchelgarten (1827)

Cycles of stories and novellas

First Book (1831)
1. Sorochinskaya fair
2. The evening before Ivan Kupala
3. May Night, or the Drowned Woman
4. Missing certificate
Second Book (1832)
1. The Night Before Christmas
2. Terrible revenge
3. Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and his aunt
4. Enchanted place

First part:
1. Old world landowners
2. Taras Bulba
Second part:
1. Viy
2. The story of how Ivan Ivanovich quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich

Nevsky Prospekt (1833-1834)
Nose (1832-1833)
Overcoat (1839-1840)
Notes of a Madman (1834)
Portrait (1833-1834)
Carriage (1835)

Not included in cycles
Rome (1839-1842)
Dead Souls (1909) dir. P. Chardynin, short film
The Night Before Christmas (1913) dir. V. Starevich
Portrait (1915) dir. V. Starevich
Viy (1916) dir. V. Starevich
How Ivan Ivanovich quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich (1941) dir. A. Kustov
May Night, or the Drowned Woman (1952) dir. A. Rowe
The Inspector General (1952) dir. V. Petrov
The Overcoat (1959) dir. A. Batalov
Dead Souls (1960) dir. L. Trauberg
Evenings on a farm near Dikanka (1961) dir. A. Rowe
Viy (1967) dir. K. Ershov
Marriage (1977) dir. V. Melnikov
Incognito from St. Petersburg (1977) dir. L. Gaidai, based on the play The Inspector General
The Nose (1977) dir. R. Bykov
Dead Souls (1984) dir. M. Schweitzer, serial
The Inspector General (1996) dir. S. Gazarov
Evenings on a farm near Dikanka (2002) dir. S. Gorov, musical
The Case of “Dead Souls” (2005) dir. P. Lungin, television series
The Witch (2006) dir. O. Fesenko, based on the story by Viy
Russian Game (2007) dir. P. Chukhrai, based on the play Players
Taras Bulba (2009) dir. V. Bortko
Happy Ending (2010) dir. J. Chevazhevsky, modern version based on the story Nose

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol - great Russian writer, author immortal works“The Inspector General”, “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka”, “Taras Bulba”, “Viy”, “Dead Souls” and many others.

Nikolai Gogol was born on March 20, 1809 in the town of Velikiye Sorochintsy, Mirgorod district, Poltava province, into the family of a poor landowner. My childhood was spent on my parents’ estate Vasilievka, near the village of Dikanka, the land of legends, beliefs, historical legends. His father, Vasily Afanasyevich, a passionate admirer of art, a theater lover, and the author of poetry and witty comedies, played a certain role in the upbringing of the future writer.

After home education, Gogol spent two years at the Poltava district school, then entered the Nizhyn Gymnasium of Higher Sciences. Here he learns to play the violin, takes up painting, takes part in plays, playing comic roles.

After graduating from high school in 1828, the writer went to St. Petersburg with the hope of starting a broad career. But the first literary attempts were unsuccessful.

In 1830, Gogol’s first story “Basavryuk” appeared in the journal “Otechestvennye zapiski”, which was later revised into the story “The Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala”. In December, Delvig's almanac "Northern Flowers" published a chapter from the historical novel "Hetman". Gogol becomes close to Delvig, Zhukovsky, Pushkin, friendship with whom was great importance for development public views and the literary talent of young Gogol. Pushkin introduced him into his circle, where Krylov, Vyazemsky, Odoevsky, the artist Bryullov were, and gave him plots for The Inspector General and Dead Souls.

Gogol's literary fame was brought to him by "Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka" (1831 - 32), the stories "Sorochinskaya Fair", "May Night" and others. In 1833 he decided to devote himself to scientific and pedagogical work and in 1834 he was appointed associate professor in Department of General History at St. Petersburg University. The study of works on the history of Ukraine formed the basis of the plan for "Taras Bulba". In 1835 he left the university and devoted himself entirely to literary creativity. In the same year, collections of stories "Mirgorod" were published, which included "Old World Landowners", "Taras Bulba", "Viy", etc., and "Arabesques" (on themes of St. Petersburg life). “The Inspector General” was written in 1835 and staged in Moscow in 1836 with the participation of Shchepkin.

On February 11, 1852, being in a difficult mental state, the writer burned the manuscript of the second volume of the poem “Dead Souls.” On the morning of February 21, Gogol died in his apartment on Nikitsky Boulevard.

Gogol was buried in the cemetery of the Danilov Monastery in Moscow. After the revolution, Gogol's remains were moved to the Novodevichy cemetery.