Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a great Russian writer. His works are immortal: the typicality of Gogol's characters goes far beyond the time in which the writer lived and worked. One of these “eternal” works is the play “The Inspector General”.
In the comedy, Gogol decided to laugh at what is “really worthy of universal ridicule.” In his play, he managed to “collect in one pile everything bad in Russia” that he knew then, all the injustices. The theme of “The Inspector General” itself was of an acute political nature. But the most important thing that Gogol wanted to show was not the vices of individual people, but the false concepts of responsibilities inherent in most officials of that time. Thanks to this, a small provincial town, where arbitrariness reigns, where there is not even police order, where the authorities form a group of swindlers and robbers, is perceived as a symbol of the entire Nikolaev system.
Many admit that no matter how many times they watched The Inspector General, they were always captivated by the ending, amazing in beauty, in the power of emotions, in the unusualness and complete surprise of the plot. Gogol as a playwright achieved what auditorium at the end of the play “I was shocked by one shock.” What kind of shock is this?
Gogol gave great importance final scene, which begins after the gendarme’s stunning phrase about the arrival of the “new” auditor. This news will shock the officials of the city of N, while at the same time worrying readers and viewers. The "Silent Scene" is one of the climactic moments in the play. The degree of shock of the heroes after the message that “an official who has arrived by personal order from St. Petersburg demands you to come to him this very hour” is impossible to express better than by stunned silence. Silence because disgraced officials who have driven themselves into a trap have nothing to say in such a situation.
The plot of the comedy is quite simple: in a provincial town, a passing man (Khlestakov) was mistaken for an auditor, who was expected by his superiors just at that time. Until the end of the comedy, the development of the plot is based on the frightened psychology of officials. At the same time, the clearer and more obvious Khlestakov’s game becomes, the more the mayor and officials are convinced that he is the St. Petersburg auditor. They mistake obvious deception for a subtle disguise by the inspection authorities. The fact that Khlestakov “doesn’t pay for anything” forces us to misinterpret every step, every word of the hero: this means a high rank!
The plot of “The Inspector General” is also chosen to be unusually convenient. The news about the auditor, touching everyone's nerves, immediately exposes each official as one of the participants in the rogue company. Their subsequent conversation and mutual reproaches create an unsightly picture of general fraud, bribery and arbitrariness. All of them are the product of a centuries-old bureaucratic system, none of them feels civic duty, everyone is busy with their own insignificant interests. Spiritual and moral level theirs is extremely low. But these are the people in whose hands lies the fate of the people, the fate of all of Russia!
Now that we see what the playwright wanted to show us in his work, let's return to final scene. It is symbolic in nature, emphasizing the idea of imminent retribution, which is presented as “a thunderstorm in the distance of the advancing law.”
The poses of each character in this scene are very eloquent. The most expressive poses of the mayor (“in the middle in the form of a pillar with outstretched arms and head thrown back”), as if calling out to God. The mayor at this moment understands that it was not Khlestakov who deceived him, but he himself was deceived. And, undoubtedly, he is the main character in the silent scene. His wife and daughters stand “with the movement of their whole bodies rushing towards him.” Who else will they rush to for protection?.. The poses of the other characters express either a question, or shock, or confusion. The postmaster turns into a question mark, Luka Lukic has a lost expression on his face. The author specially put Zemlyanika, the judge, Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky on left side from him to show who he trusted during Khlestakov’s entire stay. In a silent scene there are only people who have been deceived in some way. Therefore, there is no Khlestakov in it - the false “auditor”.
Gogol uses the word “petrified” in a silent scene. People are inactive, frozen from the realization that they were treated so vilely. If their conscience were clear, they would certainly find something to answer to the offender, but what if they themselves are mired in bribery, deception, and tyranny? All that remains is to remain silent...
Now we see that a silent scene is not only an effective emotional impact, this scene contains the main meaning of the work. Could Gogol have ended the comedy “The Inspector General” differently? I think not. The numbness will pass, the Governor will probably find a way to get out of this situation, but that’s another story. The main thing is that deception is revealed sooner or later and it does not matter with what help: the truth or another deception.
/ / / The meaning of the silent scene in Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General”
An exciting comedy by N.V. Gogol's "" opens and exposes for the first time social problems, without affecting at all love relationship. Using comedic techniques, the author laughs at the surrounding officials and people who are simply overcome with fear of being punished and losing their ranks. But this laughter is so bitter, because it reveals to the reader the truth of life in those days.
The main character, , was mistaken by residents of city N for an auditor. But, at the end of the comedy, when all the circumstances have become clear, we are introduced to the episode with a silent scene.
The news about the fake auditor shook and excited all the residents of the city of N. Against the backdrop of these events, all the heroes completely forgot that the real auditor should also arrive. And so, this event happened. From this news, the heroes simply turn to stone and turn into silent pillars. They are overcome by a feeling of indescribable horror, not only from the inspection, but also from the fact that all these actions need to be experienced again, with a new auditor. Residents of the city are completely unprepared to meet the inspector.
At the center of unexpected events is the mayor, because he was the main swindler and thief in the city. He threw his head up and seemed to be turning to the sky with questions: “Why did all this fall on his shoulders?”
The silent scene episode is very important, because it is in it that we can get acquainted with true characters main characters. Without replicas or verbal expressions, the reader observes the behavior of officials and residents of the city. Lukich Luka looked simply lost, Zemlyankin tried to tilt his head to the side. He wanted to hear at least one idea on how to get out of this situation. Lyapkin-Tyapkin, the chief judge of the city, sat down closer to the ground. He was very frightened, because he had many sins behind him. The characters of Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky were portrayed quite funny and absurdly by N.V. Gogol. They opened their mouths and bulged their eyes. Their figures froze in horror at such news. Each of the heroes of the comedy “The Inspector General” had their own sins, and they were afraid to reveal them to everyone.
It is the silent scene that allows us, the readers, to understand the horror into which the characters of the city of N have fallen. At the very end of the comedy, it gives each of us the opportunity to finish the work according to our own conjectures, because nothing is known about the results of the test. Perhaps all the thieves and villains are getting their well-deserved punishment, or maybe the audit will go quietly and smoothly. The author does not write anything about this. I believe that the very thought of punishment, which so excited the city, is a good shake-up for all the heroes.
Same room.
Phenomenon I
Gorodnichy, Anna Andreevna and Marya Antonovna.
Mayor. What, Anna Andreevna? A? Have you thought anything about this? What a rich prize, channel! Well, admit it frankly: you never dreamed of just some mayor’s wife and suddenly... wow, you rascal!.. what a devil you became related to! Anna Andreevna. Not at all; I've known this for a long time. This is strange to you, because you are a simple person, you have never seen decent people. Mayor. I myself, mother, am a decent person. However, really, just think about it, Anna Andreevna, what kind of birds you and I have become now! huh, Anna Andreevna? High flying, damn it! Wait, now I’ll give all these hunters a reason to submit requests and denunciations. Hey, who's there?The quarterly enters.
Oh, it's you, Ivan Karpovich! Call the merchants here, brother. Here I am, channel them! So complain about me? Look, you damned Jewish people! Wait, my dears! Before, I only fed you up to your mustache, but now I’ll feed you up to your beard. Write down everyone who just came to attack me, and most of all these scribblers, the scribblers who twisted their requests. Yes, announce to everyone so that they know: what, what honor has God sent to the mayor, that he is marrying off his daughter, not just to some common man, and for something that has never happened in the world, that can do everything, everything, everything, everything! Announce it to everyone so everyone knows. Shout to all the people, ring the bells, damn it! When it's a celebration, it's a celebration!
The quarterly leaves.
So that’s how it is, Anna Andreevna, huh? What will we do now, where will we live? here or in St. Petersburg?
Anna Andreevna. Naturally, in St. Petersburg. How can you stay here! Mayor. Well, in St. Petersburg it’s like that in St. Petersburg; but it would be good here too. Well, I think, to hell with mayorism then, huh, Anna Andreevna? Anna Andreevna. Naturally, what kind of urbanism! Mayor. After all, as you think, Anna Andreevna, now you can achieve a great rank, because he is friends with all the ministers and goes to the palace, so he can do such a thing that in time you will become a general. What do you think, Anna Andreevna: is it possible to become a general? Anna Andreevna. Still would! Of course you can. Mayor. Damn it, it's nice to be a general! The cavalry will be hung over your shoulder. Which cavalry is better, Anna Andreevna: red or blue? Anna Andreevna. Of course, blue is better. Mayor. Eh? look what you wanted! good and red. After all, why do you want to be a general? because, it happens, you will go somewhere couriers and adjutants will gallop ahead everywhere: “Horses!” And there at the stations they won’t give it to anyone, everything is waiting: all these titular officers, captains, mayors, but you don’t give a damn. You're having lunch somewhere with the governor, and there - stop, mayor! Heh, heh, heh! (He bursts into tears and dies with laughter.) That's what, the channel, it's tempting! Anna Andreevna. You like everything so rough. You must remember that your life needs to be completely changed, that your acquaintances will not be like some dog breeder judge with whom you go to poison hares, or Strawberry; on the contrary, your acquaintances will have the most subtle address: counts and all secular... Only I, really, am afraid for you: sometimes you will utter such a word that you will never hear in good society. Mayor. Well? after all, the word does not harm. Anna Andreevna. Yes, it was good when you were a mayor. But life there is completely different. Mayor. Yes, they say there are two fish there: vendace and smelt, such that your mouth will start to flow as soon as you start eating. Anna Andreevna. All he wants is fish! I really want our house to be the first in the capital and for my room to have such an aroma that you can’t enter and you just have to close your eyes this way. (Closes his eyes and sniffs.) Oh, how good!Phenomenon II
The same are the merchants.
Mayor. A! Hello, falcons! Merchants (bowing). We wish you good health, father! Mayor. Well, my dears, how are you? How is your item going? What, samovar makers, arshinniks, should complain? Archpluts, proto-beasts, worldly swindlers! complain? What, did you take a lot? So, they think, that’s how they’ll put him in prison!.. Do you know, seven devils and one witch are in your teeth, that... Anna Andreevna. Oh, my God, what words you let out, Antosha! Mayor (with displeasure). Ah, no time for words now! Do you know that the very official to whom you complained is now marrying my daughter? What? A? what do you say now? Now I... you!.. are deceiving the people... Will you make a deal with the treasury, cheat it out of a hundred thousand by supplying rotten cloth, and then donate twenty arshins, and give you another reward for this? Yes, if they knew, so would you... And his belly thrusts forward: he is a merchant; don't touch him. “We, he says, will not yield to the nobles.” Yes, a nobleman... oh, you mug! A nobleman studies science: even though he gets whipped at school, he gets to work so that he knows something useful. What about you? you start with tricks, the owner beats you because you don’t know how to deceive. Even as a boy, you don’t know the Our Father, let alone measure it; and as soon as he opens your belly and fills your pocket, he becomes so self-important! Wow, what an incredible thing! Because you blow sixteen samovars a day, that’s why you’re so self-important? Yes, I don’t care about your head and your importance! Merchants (bowing). Blame, Anton Antonovich! Mayor. Complain? And who helped you cheat when you built a bridge and painted wood worth twenty thousand, when there wasn’t even one worth a hundred rubles? I helped you, goat beard! Have you forgotten it? Having shown this to you, I could also send you to Siberia. What do you say? A? One of the merchants. Blame God, Anton Antonovich! The evil one has misled me. And let's stop complaining. Whatever satisfaction you want, just don’t get angry! Mayor. Don't be angry! Now you are lying at my feet. From what? because mine took; but if I were even a little on your side, you, the rascal, would trample me into the very mud, and even pile me up with a log on top. Merchants (bow at their feet). Don't destroy me, Anton Antonovich! Mayor. Don't destroy it! Now: don’t destroy it! And before that? I would... (Waving his hand.) Well, God forgive me! full! I am not memory-bearing; just keep your eyes open now! I’m not marrying my daughter off to some simple nobleman: so that there would be congratulations... you understand? It’s not like you should be afraid of some kind of balychk or a head of sugar... Well, go with God!The merchants are leaving.
Scene III
The same, Ammos Fedorovich, Artemy Filippovich, then Rastakovsky.
Ammos Fedorovich (still at the door). Should we believe the rumors, Anton Antonovich? Has extraordinary happiness come to you? Artemy Filippovich. I have the honor to congratulate you on your extraordinary happiness. I was heartbroken when I heard. Anna Andreevna! (Approaching Marya Antonovna’s hand.) Marya Antonovna! Rastakovsky (enters). Congratulations to Anton Antonovich. May God prolong the life of you and the new couple and give you numerous offspring, grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Anna Andreevna! (Approaches Anna Andreevna’s hand.) Marya Antonovna! (Approaches Marya Antonovna’s hand.)Phenomenon IV
The same ones, Korobkin and his wife, Lyulyukov.
Korobkin. I have the honor to congratulate Anton Antonovich! Anna Andreevna! (Approaches Anna Andreevna’s hand.) Marya Antonovna! (Approaches her hand.) Korobkin's wife. I sincerely congratulate you, Anna Andreevna, on your new happiness. Lyulyukov. I have the honor to congratulate you, Anna Andreevna! (He approaches the pen and then, turning to the audience, clicks his tongue with an air of daring.) Marya Antonovna! I have the honor to congratulate you. (He approaches her hand and addresses the audience with the same daring.)Phenomenon V
Many guests
in frock coats and tailcoats, they first approach Anna Andreevna’s hand, saying: “Anna Andreevna!” then to Marya Antonovna, saying: “Marya Antonovna!”Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky push through.
Bobchinsky. I have the honor to congratulate you! Dobchinsky. Anton Antonovich! I have the honor to congratulate you! Bobchinsky. Happy accident! Dobchinsky. Anna Andreevna! Bobchinsky. Anna Andreevna!Both come up at the same time and bump heads.
Dobchinsky. Marya Antonovna! (Approaches the handle.) I have the honor to congratulate you. You will be in great, great happiness, walking around in a golden dress and eating various delicate soups; You will have a very fun time. Bobchinsky (interrupting). Marya Antonovna, I have the honor to congratulate you! May God give you all the wealth, chervonets and a son like this little one over there (shows with his hand), so that you can put it on your palm, yes, sir! The boy will all shout: wow! wow! wow!..Scene VI
A few more guests
, approaching the hands, Luka Lukich with his wife. Luka Lukic. I have the honor... Luka Lukic's wife(runs forward). Congratulations, Anna Andreevna!They kiss.
And I was really happy. They tell me: “Anna Andreevna is giving away her daughter.” "Oh my god!" I think to myself, and I was so happy that I said to my husband: “Listen, Lukanchik, this is Anna Andreevna’s happiness!” “Well, I think to myself, thank God!” And I tell him: “I am so delighted that I am burning with impatience to express it personally to Anna Andreevna...” “Oh, my God! “I think to myself, “Anna Andreevna was precisely expecting a good match for her daughter, but now this is fate: it happened exactly as she wanted,” and, truly, she was so happy that she could not speak. I cry, I cry, I just sob. Already Luka Lukich says: “Why are you crying, Nastenka?” “Lukanchik, I say, I don’t even know myself, the tears are flowing like a river.”
Mayor. I humbly ask you to sit down, gentlemen! Hey, Mishka, bring more chairs here.The guests sit down.
Scene VII
The same, private bailiff and quarterly.
Private bailiff. I have the honor to congratulate you, your honor, and wish you prosperity for many years to come! Mayor. Thank you, thank you! Please sit down, gentlemen!The guests are seated.
Ammos Fedorovich. But please tell me, Anton Antonovich, how it all started, the gradual progress of everything, that is, the case. Mayor. The course of the matter is extraordinary: he deigned to personally make an offer. Anna Andreevna. Very respectfully and in the most subtle way. Everything was extremely well spoken. He says: “I, Anna Andreevna, out of sheer respect for your merits...” And so beautiful, well-mannered person, the most noble rules! “Believe me, Anna Andreevna, my life is a penny; I do it only because I respect your rare qualities.” Marya Antonovna. Ah, mummy! after all, it was he who told me. Anna Andreevna. Stop it, you don’t know anything and don’t interfere in your own business! “I, Anna Andreevna, am amazed...” He poured out such flattering words... And when I wanted to say: “We don’t dare hope for such an honor,” he suddenly fell to his knees and in the most noble way: “Anna Andreevna, don’t make me miserable! agree to respond to my feelings, otherwise I will end my life with death.” Marya Antonovna. Really, mama, he said that about me. Anna Andreevna. Yes, of course... it was about you too, I don’t deny any of that. Mayor. And he even scared me: he said that he would shoot himself. “I’ll shoot myself, I’ll shoot myself!” says. Many of the guests. Tell me please! Ammos Fedorovich. What a thing! Luka Lukic. Truly, fate had it that way. Artemy Filippovich. Not fate, father, fate turkey: merit led to this. (To the side.) Such a pig always has happiness in his mouth! Ammos Fedorovich. I, perhaps, Anton Antonovich, will sell you the male dog that was traded. Mayor. No, I have no time for male dogs now. Ammos Fedorovich. Well, if you don’t want to, we’ll settle for another dog. Korobkin's wife. Oh, how, Anna Andreevna, I am glad for your happiness! you can't imagine. Korobkin. Where now, may I ask, is the eminent guest? I heard that he left for some reason. Mayor. Yes, he went for one day on a very important matter. Anna Andreevna. To his uncle to ask for blessings. Mayor. Ask for blessings; but tomorrow... (Sneezes.)Congratulations merge into one roar.
Much appreciated! But tomorrow and back... (Sneezes.)
Private bailiff. We wish you good health, your honor! Bobchinsky. One hundred years and a sack of chervonets! Dobchinsky. God extend it for forty forty! Artemy Filippovich. May you disappear! Korobkin's wives. Damn you! Mayor. Thank you most humbly! I wish the same for you. Anna Andreevna. We now intend to live in St. Petersburg. And here, I admit, such an air... too rustic!.. I confess, it’s a big nuisance... Here is my husband... he will receive the rank of general there. Mayor. Yes, I admit, gentlemen, I, damn it, really want to be a general. Luka Lukic. And God forbid you get it! Rastakovsky. From man it is impossible, but from God everything is possible. Ammos Fedorovich. big ship great swimming. Artemy Filippovich. According to merit and honor. Ammos Fedorovich (to the side). He'll do something crazy when he actually becomes a general! That's who the generalship is like a saddle for a cow! Well, brother, no, the song is still far from that. There are better people here than you, but they are still not generals. Artemy Filippovich(to the side) . Eka, damn it, he’s already trying to become a general! What good, maybe he will become a general. After all, he has importance, the evil one would not take him, enough. (Turning to him.) Then, Anton Antonovich, don’t forget us either. Ammos Fedorovich. And if something happens, for example, some kind of business need, don’t leave your patronage! Korobkin. Next year I will take my son to the capital for the benefit of the state, so do me a favor, show him your protection, take the place of a father for an orphan. Mayor. I am ready for my part, ready to try. Anna Andreevna. You, Antosha, are always ready to promise. First of all, you won't have time to think about it. And how and why should one burden oneself with such promises? Mayor. Why, my soul? sometimes you can. Anna Andreevna. You can, of course, but not every small fry can be patronized. Korobkin's wife. Have you heard how she interprets us? Guest . Yes, she has always been like this; I know her: sit her down at the table, she and her legs...Scene VIII
The same postmaster in a hurry, with a printed letter in his hand.
Postmaster. Amazing thing, gentlemen! The official whom we took for an auditor was not an auditor. All . Why not an auditor? Postmaster. Not an auditor at all, I learned this from the letter... Mayor. What do you? what do you? from which letter? Postmaster. Yes, from his own letter. They bring me a letter in the mail. I looked at the address and saw: “To Pochtamtskaya Street.” I was so dumbfounded. “Well, I think to myself, that’s right, I found a disturbance in the post office and notified the authorities.” I took it and printed it out. Mayor. How are you?.. Postmaster. I don’t know, it was an unnatural force that prompted me. He had already called for a courier in order to send him with the baton, but curiosity overcame him such as he had never felt before. I can't, I can't! I hear that I can’t! it pulls, it pulls! In one ear I hear: “Hey, don’t print it out! you will disappear like a chicken"; and in another, it’s as if some demon is whispering: “Print, print, print!” And how the sealing wax was pressed through the veins by the fire, and sealed open by the frost, by God it was frost. And my hands are shaking, and everything is blurry. Mayor. How dare you print a letter from such an authorized person? Postmaster. That's the thing, he's not authorized and not a person! Mayor. What do you think he is? Postmaster. Neither this nor that; God knows what it is! Mayor (passionately). No matter what? How dare you call him neither this nor that, and God knows what? I'll put you under arrest... Postmaster. Who? You? Mayor. Yes I! Postmaster. Short arms! Mayor. Do you know that he will marry my daughter, that I myself will be a nobleman, that I will caulk all the way to Siberia? Postmaster. Eh, Anton Antonovich! what about Siberia? Siberia is far away. It’s better if I read it to you. Gentlemen! let me read the letter! All . Read, read! Postmaster (reads). “I hasten to notify you, soul Tryapichkin, what miracles are happening to me. On the road, an infantry captain robbed me all around, so that the innkeeper was about to throw me in prison; when suddenly, judging by my St. Petersburg physiognomy and suit, the whole city took me for the governor general. And now I live with the mayor, I chew, I drag myself recklessly after his wife and daughter; I just haven’t decided where to start, I think, first with my mother, because it seems that she is now ready for all services. Do you remember how you and I were in poverty, dined on our rim, and how once the pastry chef grabbed me by the collar about the pies we had eaten at the expense of the income of the King of England? Now it's a completely different turn. Everyone lends me as much as they want. The originals are terrible. You'd die laughing. You, I know, write articles: put them in your literature. First of all: the mayor is as stupid as a gray gelding...” Mayor. Can't be! It's not there. Postmaster (shows letter). Read for yourself. Mayor (reads). “Like a gray gelding.” Can't be! you wrote it yourself. Postmaster. How would I start writing? Artemy Filippovich. Read! Luka Lukic. Read! Postmaster (continuing reading). “The mayor is as stupid as a gray gelding...” Mayor. Oh my gosh! needs to be repeated! as if it wasn’t even there anyway. Postmaster (continuing reading). Hmm... hmm... hmm... hmm... “gray gelding. Postmaster too a kind person...» (Leaving to read.) Well, here he also spoke indecently about me. Mayor. No, read it! Postmaster. Why?.. Mayor. No, damn it, when you have to read, read! Read everything! Artemy Filippovich. Let me read it. (Puts on glasses and reads.)“The postmaster is exactly the departmental watchman Mikheev; The scoundrel must also be drinking bitter.” Postmaster (to the audience). Well, he's a bad boy who needs to be whipped; nothing else! Artemy Filippovich (continuing reading). “Overseer of a godly institution...and...and...and...” (Stutters.) Korobkin. Why did you stop? Artemy Filippovich. Yes, a fuzzy pen... however, it is clear that he is a scoundrel. Korobkin. Let me! I think I have better eyes. (Takes the letter.) Artemy Filippovich (without giving a letter). No, you can skip this part, but the rest is legible. Korobkin. Yes, let me, I already know. Artemy Filippovich. I’ll read it myself; further, really, everything is legible. Postmaster. No, read everything! after all, everything has been read before. All . Give me back, Artemy Filippovich, give me the letter! (To Korobkin.) Read! Artemy Filippovich. Now. (Gives the letter.) Here, let me... (Closes it with his finger.) Read it from here.Everyone starts to join him.
Postmaster. Read, read! nonsense, read everything! Korobkin (reading). “The overseer of the charitable establishment Strawberry is a perfect pig in a yarmulke.” Artemy Filippovich(to the audience). And not witty! Pig in a yarmulke! where does a pig wear a yarmulke? Korobkin (continuing reading). “The superintendent of the schools is rotten through with onions.” Luka Lukic (to the audience). By God, I never put onion in my mouth. Ammos Fedorovich (to the side). Thank God, at least not about me! Korobkin (reading). "Judge..." Ammos Fedorovich. Here you go! (Aloud.) Gentlemen, I think the letter is long. And what the hell is in it: reading such rubbish. Luka Lukic. No! Postmaster. No, read it! Artemy Filippovich. No, read it! Korobkin (continues). “Judge Lyapkin-Tyapkin is extremely bad manners...” (Stops.) Must be a French word. Ammos Fedorovich. And the devil knows what it means! It’s still good if he’s just a fraudster, and maybe even worse. Korobkin (continuing reading). “However, the people are hospitable and good-natured. Goodbye, soul Tryapichkin. I myself, following your example, want to take up literature. It’s boring, brother, to live like this; Do you finally want food for the soul? I see that I definitely need to do something high. Write to me in the Saratov province, and from there to the village of Podkatilovka. (Turns the letter over and reads the address.) To His Honor, the gracious Sovereign, Ivan Vasilyevich Tryapichkin, in St. Petersburg, on Pochtamtskaya Street, in the house number ninety-seven, turning into the courtyard, on the third floor to the right.” One of the ladies. What an unexpected reprimand! Mayor. That's when he stabbed him, he stabbed him like that! Killed, killed, completely killed! I don't see anything. I see some pig snouts instead of faces, but nothing else... Turn it back, turn it back! (Waves his hand.) Postmaster. Where to turn! As if on purpose, I ordered the caretaker to give me the best three; The devil has managed to give an order ahead. Korobkin's wife. That's for sure, what an unprecedented embarrassment! Ammos Fedorovich. However, damn it, gentlemen! he borrowed three hundred rubles from me. Artemy Filippovich. I also have three hundred rubles. Postmaster (sighs). Oh! and I have three hundred rubles. Bobchinsky. Pyotr Ivanovich and I have sixty-five in banknotes, yes, yes. Ammos Fedorovich (spreads his arms in bewilderment). How is this, gentlemen? How did we really make such a mistake? Mayor (hits himself on the forehead). How am I no, how am I, old fool? Survived, stupid sheep, out of your mind!.. I’ve been in the service for thirty years; no merchant or contractor could carry out; He deceived swindlers upon swindlers, swindlers and rogues such that they were ready to rob the whole world, he cheated on them. He deceived three governors!.. What a governor! (waved his hand) there’s nothing to say about governors... Anna Andreevna. But this cannot be, Antosha: he got engaged to Mashenka... Mayor (in hearts). Got engaged! Kukish with butter now you are engaged! He's getting into my eyes with a betrothal!.. (In a frenzy.) Look, look, the whole world, all of Christianity, everyone, look how the mayor has been fooled! Fool him, fool him, the old scoundrel! (Threatens himself with his fist.) Oh, you fat nose! Mistaken an icicle or a rag for important person! There he is now singing bells all over the road! Will spread the story around the world. Not only will you become a laughing stock, but there will be a clicker, a paper maker, who will put you in the comedy. That's what's offensive! Rank and title will not be spared, and everyone will bare their teeth and clap their hands. Why are you laughing? Laughing at yourself!.. Eh, you!.. (Knocks his feet on the floor in anger.) I would scribble all these papers! Oh, clickers, damned liberals! damn seed! I would tie you all up in a knot, I would grind you all into flour and the hell out of you! put it in his hat!.. (Shoves his fist and hits the floor with his heel. After some silence.) I still can’t come to my senses. Now, truly, if God wants to punish, he will first take away the mind. Well, what was there in this helipad that looked like an auditor? There was nothing! It’s just that there wasn’t even a half-little finger like it and suddenly that’s it: an auditor! auditor! Well, who was the first to let out that he was an auditor? Answer! Artemy Filippovich (spreading his arms). For the life of me, I cannot explain how this happened. It was as if some kind of fog had stunned me, the devil had confused me. Ammos Fedorovich. Who released it? That’s who released it: these guys are great! (Points to Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky.) Bobchinsky. Hey, not me! I didn't even think... Dobchinsky. I'm nothing, nothing at all... Artemy Filippovich. Of course, you. Luka Lukic. Of course. They came running like crazy from the tavern: “He’s here, he’s here, and he’s not spending any money...” They found an important bird! Mayor. Naturally, you! city gossips, damned liars! Artemy Filippovich. Damn you and your auditor and your stories! Mayor. You just roam around the city and confuse everyone, you damned rattles! Sow gossip, short-tailed magpies! Ammos Fedorovich. Damn bastards! Artemy Filippovich. Short-bellied morels!Everyone surrounds them.
Bobchinsky. By God, it’s not me, it’s Pyotr Ivanovich. Dobchinsky. Eh, no, Pyotr Ivanovich, you are the first... Bobchinsky. But no; you were the first.The last phenomenon
The same goes for the gendarme.
Gendarme. An official who arrived by personal order from St. Petersburg demands you to come to him this very hour. He stayed at a hotel.The spoken words strike everyone like thunder. The sound of amazement unanimously emanates from the ladies' lips; the whole group, having suddenly changed their position, remains petrified.
Silent scene
The mayor is in the middle in the form of a pillar, with outstretched arms and his head thrown back. By right side his wife and daughter with the movement of their whole body rushing towards him; behind them is the postmaster, who has turned into question mark, addressed to the audience; behind him is Luka Lukic, lost in the most innocent way; behind him, at the very edge of the stage, are three ladies, guests, leaning against one another with the most satirical expression on their faces, directly related to the mayor’s family. On the left side of the mayor: Strawberry, tilting his head slightly to one side, as if listening to something; behind him is a judge with outstretched arms, crouching almost to the ground and making a movement with his lips, as if he wanted to whistle or say: “Here’s St. George’s Day for you, grandma!” Behind him is Korobkin, who addressed the audience with a narrowed eye and a caustic allusion to the mayor; behind him, at the very edge of the stage, Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky with their hands moving towards each other, their mouths agape and their eyes bulging at each other. The other guests remain just pillars. For almost a minute and a half, the petrified group maintains this position. The curtain falls.This work has entered the public domain. The work was written by an author who died more than seventy years ago, and was published during his lifetime or posthumously, but more than seventy years have also passed since publication. It may be freely used by anyone without anyone's consent or permission and without payment of royalties.
The last, silent scene in the comedy "The Inspector General" was very important for Gogol himself.
He paid a lot of attention to it and considered it key in understanding general meaning comedies. The characters remain on stage in a frozen state for a very long time - “almost a minute and a half”, which allows the viewer to get a good look at everyone individually, as well as get a general impression of the situation.
Through the series of various events occurring in the play, it is not always possible to grasp the individual traits inherent in the characters. And the silent scene leaves the viewer alone with each character.
At the end of the comedy, all the characters who acted earlier appear on stage, with the exception of Khlestakov.
Everyone gathers to offer congratulations to the mayor’s family, after which the blows of fate begin to fall on them one after another. First, the postmaster appears on the scene, bringing news that astonishes everyone. After reading the letter, a period of general indignation and indignation ensues, which is suddenly interrupted by a message about the arrival of a real auditor.
“The spoken words strike everyone like thunder, ... the whole group, suddenly changing their position, remains petrified.”
This remark, referring to a silent scene, allows us to understand a lot about the author's intention. Firstly, the expression “like thunder,” in my opinion, creates the impression of a higher, divine punishment.
The fact that Gogol wanted to create the impression of petrification in the viewer of the comedy is also of interest. This not only allows the reader and viewer to observe the first reaction of the characters, but also makes them think about the “petrification” of people’s souls, about the falsity of their feelings.
If you pay attention to the poses in which the heroes of the comedy freeze, their unnaturalness and comicality immediately catches the eye. Moreover, despite this, all the poses perfectly express the mood of the characters and their behavior throughout the play. The posture of the mayor and his meaning are very important for the play.
Luka Lukich, “lost in the most innocent way,” was “lost” in the same way while communicating with the other characters, especially with Khlestakov. The postmaster, who is constantly afraid to express his own opinion and always asks more questions than he claims, in the end of the play simply turns into “a question mark.”
“Helpful and fussy” Strawberry, whom Gogol characterizes at the very beginning of the play as a weasel and a rogue, seems to be listening to something, as if he wants to find a loophole so that Once again somehow avoid trouble.
In addition to this, other characters also participate in the silent scene - Korobkin, three ladies, guests, who here openly express their mockery of someone else's comical situation, whereas throughout the entire play they carefully hid it.
Thus, the silent scene is probably the most truthful scene in all comedy. She personifies emotional dependence heroes and thereby suggests to the viewer the idea of the work.
The heroes do not have the opportunity to say anything, moreover, they do not move, forced to freeze at the moment of their first reaction. Thus, being unable to lie, they inevitably appear truthful.
Essentially this is climax works
What role does the “silent scene” play in comedy?
Gogol himself attached great importance to the “silent scene”. Actors in the first productions of The Inspector General rarely fulfilled the content of the stage directions relating to last scene, the curtain almost always fell immediately, and the audience could not see the petrified characters. Therefore, Gogol wrote and spoke about the last scene more than once. Here are a few of his comments, in addition to the large remark in the text of the play itself.
“The last scene of The Government Inspector should be especially cleverly played. The situation of many people is almost tragic.” And further about the mayor: “To be deceived so rudely to one who knew how to carry out smart people and even skilled rogues! The announcement of the arrival at last of a real auditor is a thunderclap for him. He was petrified. His outstretched arms and thrown back head remained motionless, around him the entire active group formed in an instant a petrified group in different positions. The picture should be set almost like this: in the middle is the mayor, completely numb and dumbfounded... The curtain should not fall for two or three minutes...
The last scene will not succeed until it is understood that this is just a silent picture representing a petrified group... The fright of each hero is not similar to the fright of the other, just as the degree of fear and fear of each is dissimilar.”
Explain why Gogol wrote so many additional materials that accompany this play. This includes “Theatrical travel after the presentation of a new comedy,” and a number of other materials: “An excerpt from a letter written by the author shortly after the presentation of “The Inspector General” to a writer,” “A warning for those who would like to play “The Inspector General” properly.”
The first performance of the comedy “The Inspector General” at the Alexandrinsky Theater on April 16, 1836 did not please Gogol, but caused resentment at the lack of understanding of his play and the deafness of the audience and actors. The comedy was perceived as a funny adventure of an imaginary inspector, characters they were funny, funny, pleasant, and only the horror of the “silent stage” was not comprehended by anyone. Khlestakov, in the grip of the actor Duras, appeared before the audience as a funny liar. “The Inspector General” has been played, - wrote Gogol, - but my soul is so vague, so strange... the main role disappeared... Dur didn’t understand by a hair’s breadth what Khlestakov was... He became just an ordinary liar...”
And Gogol felt the need to reveal to the actors and those who would stage the play his understanding of the roles he created. Hence a lot of materials dedicated to “The Inspector General”.
Gogol wrote that actors must first of all “try to understand the universal expression of the role, they must consider why this role is called upon.” And he reveals in detail in his articles what Khlestakov is, points out his typicality (it is no coincidence that the hero’s phrase is given: “I am everywhere, everywhere”). Gogol notes in “Excerpt from a Letter...”: “Everyone, at least for a minute, if not for a few minutes, was or is becoming Khlestakov... And a clever guards officer will sometimes turn out to be Khlestakov, and a statesman will sometimes turn out to be Khlestakov, and our brother, the sinful writer, will sometimes turn out to be Khlestakov. In short, it’s rare that someone won’t be one at least once in their life...”
Gogol was not particularly bothered by the role of the mayor: the actors Sosnovsky ( Alexandrinsky Theater) and Shchepkin (Maly Theater) completely satisfied him; the comments concerned only the transition of the mayor’s feelings in the last act. Gogol paid attention to how Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky should be played. But his main concern is Khlestakov and the “silent stage”. He saw that the “Notes for Gentlemen Actors” and the lengthy stage directions for the “silent scene” were not enough.
In “Theater Road Trip...” Gogol addresses positive hero comedy - laughter.
As you can see, Gogol was very concerned about the performance of roles in his comedy - he wanted the actors to “grab the soul of the role, not the dress,” so that the directors would understand ideological plan comedy and the author's position.
In “The Inspector General,” Gogol later recalled, I decided to collect in one pile everything bad in Russia that I knew then, all the injustices that are done in those places and in those cases where justice is most required from a person, and behind one ...
They stood in the same poses, In silent strange silence. Their feelings cannot be described in lines, Their thoughts are somewhere in the depths. Everyone has their own thoughts. But everyone is afraid of one thing - That their insidious deeds can no longer be hidden for anything. Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky laments: “A fraudster...
The mayor is depicted by the author in the comedy as a serious person, smart in his own way, cunning, and experienced in life’s circumstances. True, his idea of an intelligent person is very unique, it is associated with the justification of bribery (from Chmykhov’s letter: “you ...
In 1839, in an article about “Woe from Wit,” having condemned Griboedov’s comedy “from an artistic point of view” (which, as he wrote in a letter to V.P. Botkin dated December 11, 1840, was the hardest thing for him to remember), Belinsky enthusiastically greeted the "Inspector". His...