Traditionally " Dead Souls“Gogol is considered at school from the position of V. G. Belinsky as a satirical and socially accusatory work. During the lessons, the characteristics of Manilov, Korobochka, Nozdryov, Sobakevich, Plyushkin are compiled according to plan: a description of the house, village, owner, dinner, deal, since chapters 2-6 are distinguished by their general composition.
The general conclusions boil down to the fact that in the images of landowners Gogol showed the history of impoverishment human soul. Freaky landowners emerge: “a head of sugar, not a man” Manilov; “club-headed” Box; “historical man” and spendthrift Nozdryov; a parody of the hero, “all cut down from wood” Sobakevich; “a hole in humanity” Plyushkin.
This way of studying under certain conditions may be appropriate and advisable. But, looking at the poem from the perspective modern literary criticism, we will try to comprehend it with schoolchildren hidden meaning in a different way, adding to the traditional path interpretations new to the school. Following Gogol’s plan - and his heroes follow the path “hell - purgatory - heaven” - let’s try to look at the world that was before him.
Considering himself a prophet. Gogol sincerely believed that it was he who should point out to humanity its sins and help get rid of them. So what sins entangled our heroes? What evil do they preach? To answer these questions, you can teach the lesson “These Insignificant People” using a group form of work. The class is divided into five groups (according to the number of chapters devoted to the description of landowners) and, as part of educational research, looks for parallels between the heroes of Gogol and “ Divine Comedy» Dante.
The book by E. A. Smirnova “Gogol’s Poem “Dead Souls”” will help you complete these tasks.
L., 1987. 1st group. Manilov (chapter 2) According to E.A.
Smirnova, the landscape of the Manilov estate fully corresponds to the description of the first circle of hell - Limbo. In Dante: a green hill with a castle - and Manilov’s house on a hill; twilight lighting of Limbo - and in Gogol “the day... is either clear or gloomy, but of some light gray color”; the pagans living in Limbo - and the bizarre Greco-Roman names of Manilov's children.
Students may notice that there is a lot of smoke in Manilov’s house, since the owner constantly smokes a pipe, and in the description of his office there are piles of ash. And smoke and ash are associated with demonism.
This means that the devil has already entered the hero’s soul and it requires cleansing. When Chichikov leaves, Manilov draws his attention to the clouds, trying to distract the guest from completing his planned journey. But even as one descends into the underworld, the darkness grows! However, already in the scene of purchase and sale, Chichikov’s words contain the author’s hope for the resurrection of even the most lost and “trashy” soul. Manilov claims that dead souls are an insignificant commodity, and Chichikov objects and defends the dead, speaking about them: “Not very rubbish!” 2nd group. Box (chapter 3) There is an assumption that Chichikov’s visit to Korobochka’s house is a visit to the second circle of hell.
Dante describes it this way: “Moaning, the circle of Shadows rushed, driven by an undefeatable blizzard.” In Gogol’s words, “the darkness was such that you could poke out your eyes.” And Korobochka confirms: “It’s such a turmoil and blizzard.” Where does the blizzard come from during a thunderstorm? In the underworld, everything is possible, and Dante’s third circle of hell was generally the circle of rain.
Korobochka's home resembles the Witch's cave: mirrors, a deck of cards, paintings with birds. These objects are difficult to see, since the room is twilight, and Chichikov’s eyes are sticking together. In the buying and selling scene, Korobochka does not scold his deceased peasants, like Manilov, but expresses the hope that the dead “will somehow be needed on the farm.” Thus, Gogol’s innermost thought begins to acquire more distinct contours. The idea of resurrection is also embedded in Korobochka’s name - Anastasia - “resurrected”. 3rd group. Nozdryov (chapter 4) The third circle of hell is gluttony (gluttony). Therefore, it is no coincidence that Chichikov ends up in a tavern from Korobochka.
IN in this case An analysis of the episode “In the Inn” is appropriate. “The Fat Old Woman” continues the theme of Korobochka. The whole story with Nozdryov corresponds to the fourth circle of hell, where stingy and wasteful souls are tormented. And Nozdryov, a reckless reveler, stupidly squandering his fortune, is a wasteful person. His passion for playing checkers emphasizes his gambling, and he invites the guest to play.
The barking of dogs is an important detail in the episodes in the chapter about Nozdryov. Nozdryov's dogs are associated with the hellish dog Cerberus, fulfilling his mission. The transaction scene can be interpreted this way. If in the previous chapters the methods of saving the soul are depicted allegorically, then Nozdryov’s method is a dishonest deal, swindle, deception, an attempt to get into the Kingdom of Heaven undeservedly, like a king. 4th group. Sobakevich (chapter 5) Antibogatyr Sobakevich is also ready for resurrection.
In the buying and selling scene, he seems to resurrect his dead peasants with praise. The “method of revival” here is not fraud, like Nozdryov’s, and not digging out of the ground, like Korobochka’s, but the desire for virtue and valor. An analysis of the episode will allow us to conclude that the salvation of the soul comes at a price - it is bought by a life full of work and dedication. That’s why the owner “signs up” everyone “with commendable qualities.” Next comes the “heroic” parallel. The exploits of Russian heroes and the “exploits” of Sobakevich.
Sobakevich is a hero at the table. When analyzing the episode “Lunch at Sobakevich’s,” you can pay attention to the exposure of such a human vice as gluttony. This sin appears again in the poem close up: Gogol considered it especially difficult. 5th group. Plyushkin (chapter 6) Plyushkin is the last, fifth in the gallery of images of landowners.
We know that Gogol wanted to make Plyushkin, like Chichikov, a character in the second volume, to lead him to moral regeneration. That is why the author tells us in detail about the past of Stepan Plyushkin, drawing the story of the impoverishment of the human soul. What method of saving the soul is “offered” to Plyushkin? He found it right away, but didn’t understand it.
Stepan Plyushkin saves things, lifting everything in his path, but we need to lift souls, save them. After all main idea“Dead souls” - the idea of the spiritual rebirth of a fallen person, “resurrection”, revival of his soul. Plyushkin says goodbye to Chichikov: “God bless you!” Plyushkin is ready for rebirth, he just needs to remember that it is not things that need to be raised, but the soul. After the groups' presentations, the following questions can be discussed: 1. All landowners, as we have seen, are not alike; each of them is an individual.
What brings them together? 2. Why does Chichikov begin his journey with a visit to Manilov, and end it with a visit to Plyushkin? 3. Chapter 4 contains Gogol’s thoughts about Nozdrev. For what purpose were they introduced by the writer? What's bothering him? 4. Why does the chapter about Plyushkin begin with a lyrical digression? 5. Plyushkin is not deader, but more alive than others, is this true? Manilov lives among the flowering lilac bushes, therefore, in May. The box is harvested at this time, which means in September. It’s summer at Plyushkin’s place, the heat all around is unbearable (only it’s cold in the house), and in provincial town- winter. Why is this so? Chichikov comes to Korobochka when there is a blizzard in the yard and the pig is eating in the yard watermelon rinds. Is this a coincidence? Each landowner lives, as it were, in his own closed world. Fences, wattle fence, gates, “thick wooden bars”, boundaries of the estate, a barrier - everything closes the life of the heroes, cuts it off from outside world. Here the wind blows, the sky, the sun blows, peace and comfort reign, there is a kind of drowsiness and stillness here. Everything here is dead. Everything stopped. Everyone has their own time of year. This means that there is no reality of time inside these circle worlds. Thus, the heroes of the poem live, adapting time to themselves. The heroes are static, that is, dead. But each of them can save their soul if they want.
Many people have heard about the landowners in Dead Souls, whom Nikolai Gogol so vividly portrayed, but not everyone knows why these characters were created and how they can be characterized.
So, the landowners in Dead Souls are positive or negative characters? IN poem Dead souls Nikolai Gogol depicted what Russian landowners are like with the help of five characters.
The image of the landowner Manilov in Dead Souls
The first person Chichikov turns to with his vague proposal to buy dead souls is the courteous Manilov. With sugary speeches, memorized over many years of empty existence, he endeared himself to his new acquaintance.
The insensitive Manilov loved to indulge in dreams that led nowhere. He lived in his own serene world, in a world without problems and passions.
The image of the landowner Korobochka in Dead Souls
Further, the road led Chichikov to Korobochka, a very thrifty elderly landowner. This is very interesting character. She conducts business with intelligence and petty extravagance, so the village is in good condition. However, at the same time, Korobochka is slow to think, afraid of change: time in her house seems to have stood still.
All this did not give Chichikov the opportunity to immediately agree on a deal. The landowner Korobochka was terribly afraid of selling herself too cheap, because she couldn’t understand the purpose shopping dead shower.
The image of the landowner Nozdryov in Dead Souls
The next person who was offered to get rid of them was the landowner Nozdryov. This crazy man is full of energy and passion, but he directs his torrent in the wrong direction.
And again Nikolai Gogol makes the reader wonder at the worthlessness of the landowner’s life, because the lies and boasting of the landowner Nozdryov have neither limit nor meaning.
Although this and other landowners in Gogol's Dead Souls are very bright characters, they are united by one thing - spiritual emptiness.
The image of the landowner Sobakevich in Dead Souls
The image of the landowner Plyushkin in Dead Souls
Perhaps the most terrifying image in the poem is that of the landowner Plyushkin. A man who once led a bright, fulfilling life has turned into a fanatical collector, seeking to dominate everything that catches his eye. The surname Plyushkin speaks of an unhealthy passion to have every little thing, considering it a kind of bun, that is, useful.
Because of this blasphemous attitude, the peasants suffer greatly: they have to look at mountains of rotting grain when they themselves have nothing on their plate.
As a result, the landowners in Gogol's Dead Souls are very bright characters who cannot be confused. But they all have one thing in common - spiritual emptiness.
We also bring to your attention summary Gogol's poems
N.V. Gogol’s work “Dead Souls” has rightfully earned recognition throughout world literature. In it, the author vividly presents us with a whole gallery psychological portraits. Gogol reveals the characters of people by depicting their words and actions.
The writer reveals the human essence of his heroes using the example of landowners county town N. This is where he comes main character poems by Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov to realize his plan - buying up dead audit souls.
Chichikov visits the landowners in a certain sequence. It is no coincidence that the first on his path is the landowner Manilov. There is nothing special about Manilov, he is, as they say, “neither fish nor fowl.” Everything about him is sterile, vague, even the features of his face lack concreteness.
The first impression of pleasantness that Manilov made on Chichikov turns out to be deceptive: “This pleasantness seemed to have too much sugar in it. In the first minute of conversation with him you can’t help but say: “What a pleasant and kind person!” The next minute you won’t say anything, and the third you’ll say: “The devil knows what it is!” - and move away; If you don’t leave, you will feel mortal boredom.”
Things, interior, Manilov’s home, description of the estate characterize its owner. In words, this landowner loves his family and peasants, but in reality he does not care about them at all. Against the background of the general disorder of the estate, Manilov indulges in sweet dreams in the “temple of solitary reflection.” His pleasantness is nothing more than a mask that covers spiritual emptiness. Idle daydreaming with apparent culture allows us to classify Manilov as an “idle unshakable” who gives nothing to society.
Next on Chichikov's path is the collegiate secretary Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka. She is completely mired in petty interests in life and hoarding. Korobochka's indifference combined with stupidity looks funny and absurd. Even in selling the dead She is afraid of being deceived, of being cheapened: “... I’d better wait a little, maybe the merchants will come, but I’ll adjust the prices.”
Everything in this landowner’s house is like a box. And the very name of the heroine - Korobochka - conveys her essence: limitations and narrow interests. In a word, this is the heroine - “club-headed,” as Chichikov himself called her.
In search of the landowner Sobakevich, Chichikov ends up in Nozdryov’s house. Nozdryov is the complete opposite of the stingy Korobochka. This is a reckless nature, a player, a reveler. He is endowed amazing ability lie unnecessarily, cheat at cards, exchange for anything and waste everything. All his activities have no purpose, his whole life is pure revelry: “Nozdryov was in some respects a historical person. Not a single meeting where he attended was complete without a story.”
At first glance, Nozdryov may seem like a lively, active person, but in fact he turns out to be empty. But there is one feature in both him and Korobochka that unites these people, different in nature. Just as the old woman hoards her wealth senselessly and uselessly, Nozdryov squanders his fortune just as senselessly and uselessly.
Next Chichikov gets to Sobakevich. In contrast to Nozdryov, who is on friendly terms with everyone, Sobakevich seems to Chichikov to be like “a medium-sized bear” with characteristic feature- scold everyone and everything. Sobakevich is a strong master, a “kulak”, suspicious and gloomy, going ahead. He doesn't trust anyone. This is clearly evidenced by the episode in which Chichikov and Sobakevich transfer money and lists of dead souls into each other’s hands.
Everything that surrounded Sobakevich “was solid, awkward in of the highest degree and had some strange resemblance to the owner of the house himself... Every chair, every object seemed to say: “And I, too, Sobakevich!” It seems to me that, at his core, Sobakevich is a petty, insignificant, clumsy person with an inner desire to step on everyone’s toes.
And the last one on Chichikov’s path is the landowner Plyushkin, whose stinginess is taken to the extreme, to the last line of human degradation. He is “a hole in humanity”, representing the complete disintegration of personality. Having met Plyushkin, Chichikov could not even think that he had met the owner of the estate; at first he mistakes him for the housekeeper.
The five landowners are the first in a row of “dead souls.” They are not capable of any high movement of the soul. They are limited and primitive in their aspirations. They are vulgar people because their interests are also vulgar in their materiality. Spiritual world the landowners are petty and insignificant. Things express their inner essence. Why have people fallen so low? Not only personal life is the reason for this, but also social conditions led to this.
Landowners are not specific people, they are also types that characterize entire groups of their own kind. Gogol talks bitterly about man, about his fate in modern world, about the absurdity of the state, where the owners are “Sobakevichs” and “Plyushkins”.
One of the representatives of this layer is Manilov. Manilov's characterization is negative. The author's detail and irony helps to understand this. He “was a distinguished man, his facial features were not devoid of pleasantness, but this pleasantness seemed to have too much sugar in it... he smiled enticingly, was fair-haired, with blue eyes.” “At home he spoke very little and mostly reflected and thought...” Considering himself an educated man, he wants to “follow this kind of science so that it would stir the soul in such a way, would give, so to speak, this kind of guy...” Gogol makes it clear that Manilov’s thoughts do not have no reason: “In his office there was always some kind of book, bookmarked on page fourteen, which he had been constantly reading for two years.” The surrounding things, the whole way of life, thoughts, feelings and actions of this hero clearly indicate that Manilov is a “so-so” person, neither this nor that, neither in the city of Bogdan, nor in the village of Selifan.
Korobochka is also a representative of the landowners. Gogol does not like Korobochka. He is also annoyed by the “old dress”, put away just in case; and clocks hissing like snakes, old wallpaper and an abundance of flies. Time in Korobochka's house froze forever. It makes you feel sleepy and the windows look out onto the barnyard. The hostess has merged with her household and turned into a part of it. “Korobochka” is not just a surname, it is a way of life and thoughts. It is not for nothing that from the lips of Chichikov, the active and active person, the word “club-headed” sounds. The box cannot think differently than it is used to. She's afraid of it. To her, “club-headedness” means fear of the unusual and stupidity.
In the story, the author ironically talks about all landowners. Among them is Nozdryov, a lively and restless person. So why is he also a dead soul? In Nozdrev’s character, Gogol highlights his aimless activity, his constant readiness to do something: “... he invited you to go anywhere, even to the ends of the world, to enter into any enterprise you want, to exchange whatever you have for whatever you want.” But Nozdryov does not complete a single task he has started, since all his undertakings are aimless. This reckless driver simply, without any shame, brags and deceives everyone who meets him. According to him, in his stable there is a bay stallion, “for which Nozdryov is afraid that he paid ten thousand.” But the field of “Russians is so dead that you can’t see the ground,” he even caught one himself “by the hind legs.” Nozdryov is a man without principles. His appearance always speaks of an impending scandal: “Not a single meeting where he was present was complete without a story. Some kind of story would certainly happen: either the gendarmes would lead him out of the hall by the hand, or his own friends would force him to do so. If this doesn’t happen, then something will happen that won’t happen with others.” The author ironically calls Nozdryov a “historical man.”
Talking about dead souls, Gogol leads readers to the idea that real “ dead souls“are the souls of landowners who have long stopped dreaming about something lofty, who only care about their own existence and enrichment in any way. So is Sobakevich. He is rude and clumsy. His appearance is frightening: when Chichikov glanced sideways at Sobakevich, this time he seemed very similar to a medium-sized bear... his tailcoat was completely bear-colored... he walked at random and constantly stepped on other people’s feet.” Approaching the village of Sobakevich, Chichikov drew attention to the solid buildings. The owner does not care about beauty, but everything in the house is stable. Each thing is clumsy and seems to say: “And I, too, are Sobakevich!” In a conversation with Chichikov, he expresses anger towards those around him. Everyone, in his opinion, is a swindler: “They’ll kill you for a penny.” The author is disgusted by both heroes. Each of them wants to deceive the other and is afraid that he will be deceived. Sobakevich, unlike previous heroes associated with economic activity. He is a cunning man, but Gogol constantly exposes him, devoting special attention his values. Sobakevich's interests are limited. The goal of his life is material enrichment and a hearty lunch. With all this, Sobakevich is a good owner, his men live well. Whether he was born a bear or whether his life was “bear-shaped” is more a disaster than a hero’s fault.
Each landowner encountered in the poem, due to some of his shortcomings, catches the reader's eye. So the landowner Stepan Plyushkin surprises us with the management of his farm. In the sixth chapter, Gogol describes the death of his soul. All the possessions of this hero are imbued with melancholy. Chichikov immediately noticed “some kind of special disrepair on all the village buildings.” The description of the estate emphasizes the desolation of the landowner's soul. Everything here is lifeless. Plyushkin's space cannot be seen with one glance. Everything opens up for the main character and readers gradually, even the house “in some places one floor, in others two... looked like some kind of decrepit invalid... long, exorbitantly long.” The landowner’s room also emphasizes his nature: “It was impossible to say that a living creature lived in this room.” But once upon a time Plyushkin “was a thrifty owner.” He had a wife and children. So what happened to him? The fact is that his wife died, eldest daughter and the son left, and soon the youngest daughter died. And the man, left alone, lost control of himself. He was overcome by a thirst for enrichment. Now things no longer belong to him, but he belongs to them and depends on them. He distanced himself forever from his children, friends, and even the peasants around him. Plyushkin considers them swindlers, lazy people: “After all, every year I have, they run away,” Plyushkin complains. “The people are painfully gluttonous, out of idleness they have acquired the habit of chattering, but I have nothing to eat.” And in the end, Gogol says that this landowner “turned... into some kind of hole in humanity.” So, in Plyushkin we see a greedy, stingy person, but at the same time we feel sorry for him. The hero’s whole life was formed thanks to the once unfortunate events that happened. Through the image of Plyushkin, the reader understands that the thirst for accumulation only leads to poverty. Plyushkin turned into a stingy beast, an animal, and even lost external signs of gender.
In the poem “Dead Souls,” Gogol created a picture of contemporary Russia that was extraordinary in scope and breadth, depicting it in all its grandeur, but at the same time with all its vices. He managed to immerse the reader into the depths of the souls of his heroes with such force that the work has not ceased to make a stunning impression on readers over the years. At the center of the narrative of the poem is feudal Rus', a country in which the entire 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 states. 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 landowner Russia. At first meeting, this hero produces pleasant experience cultured, delicate person. But already in this runaway author's description one cannot help but notice the irony. In the appearance of this hero, a sugary sweetness clearly appears, as evidenced by the comparison of his eyes with sugar. Further, it becomes clear that under the pleasantly courteous behavior with people lies an empty soul. In the image of Manilov, many people are represented, about whom, according to Gogol, one can say: “people are so-so, neither this nor that, neither in the city of Bogdan nor in the village of Selifan.” They live in the countryside, have a penchant for refined, florid turns of speech, because they want to seem enlightened and highly educated people, look at everything with a calm gaze, and, smoking a pipe, dream of doing something good, for example, building a stone bridge across a pond and starting a there are benches on it. But all their dreams are meaningless and unrealizable. This is also evidenced by the description of Manilov’s estate, which is Gogol’s most important method of characterizing landowners: by the state of the estate one can judge the character of the owner. Manilov is not involved in farming: everything “went somehow by itself” for him; and his dreamy inaction is reflected in everything; an indefinite, light gray color predominates in the description of the landscape. Manilov attends social events because other landowners attend them. The same is true in family life and in the house. The spouses love to kiss, give toothpick cases, and do not show much concern for landscaping: there is always some kind of drawback in their house, for example, if all the furniture is upholstered in dandy fabric, there will definitely be two chairs covered in canvas.
Manilov's character is expressed in his speech and in the way he behaves during the deal with Chichikov. When Chichikov suggested that Manilov sell him dead souls, he was at a loss. But, even realizing that the guest’s offer was clearly contrary to the law, he could not refuse such a pleasant person, and only began to think about “whether this negotiation would not be in accordance with civil regulations and future views of Russia?” The author does not hide the irony: a man who does not know how many peasants have died, who does not know how to organize his own economy, shows concern for politics. The surname Manilov corresponds to his character and was formed by the author from the dialect word “manila” - the one who beckons, promises and deceives, a flattering pleaser.
A different type of landowner appears before us in the image of Korobochka. Unlike Manilov, she is economical and practical, she knows the value of a penny. The description of her village suggests that she brought order to everyone. The net on the fruit trees and the cap on the scarecrow confirm that the housewife has her hands on everything and nothing goes to waste in her household. Looking around Korobochka's house, Chichikov notices that the wallpaper in the room is old and the mirrors are antique. But in front of everyone individual characteristics she is distinguished by the same vulgarity and “deadness” as Manilov. When selling an unusual product to Chichikov, she is afraid of selling it too cheap. After bargaining with Korobochka, Chichikov “was covered in sweat, like in a river: everything he was wearing, from his shirt to his stockings, was all wet.” The owner killed him with her cudgel-headedness, stupidity, stinginess and desire to delay the sale unusual goods. “Perhaps merchants will come in large numbers, and I’ll adjust the prices,” she says to Chichikov. She looks at dead souls the same way as at lard, hemp or honey, thinking that they too might be needed on the farm.
On high road, in a wooden tavern I met Chichikov Nozdryov, a “historical man” whom he had met back in the city. And it is in the tavern that you can most often meet such people, of whom, as the author notes, there are many in Rus'. Speaking about one hero, the author at the same time gives characteristics to people like him. The irony of the author lies in the fact that in the first part of the phrase he characterizes the Nozdrevs as “good and faithful comrades,” and then adds: “... and for all that, they can be beaten very painfully.” This type of people is known in Rus' under the name of the “broken fellow.” The third time they say “you” to an acquaintance, at fairs they buy everything that comes to mind: collars, smoking candles, a stallion, a dress for a nanny, tobacco, pistols, etc., thoughtlessly and easily spend money on carousing and card games, they like to lie and “mess up” a person for no reason. The source of his income, like that of other landowners, are serfs. Such qualities of Nozdryov as blatant lies, boorish attitude towards people, dishonesty, thoughtlessness, are reflected in his fragmentary, fast speech, in the fact that he constantly jumps from one subject to another, in his insulting, abusive, cynical expressions: “a kind of cattle breeder “,” “You’re a jerk for this,” “such rubbish.” He is constantly looking for adventure and does not do housework at all. This is evidenced by the unfinished repairs in the house, empty stalls, a faulty barrel organ, a lost britzka and the pitiful situation of his serfs, from whom he beats everything possible.
Nozdryov gives way to Sobakevich. This hero represents the type of landowners for whom everything is distinguished by good quality and durability. The character of Sobakevich helps to understand the description of his estate: an awkward house, full-weight and thick logs from which the stable, barn and kitchen are built, dense peasant huts, portraits in the rooms depicting “heroes with thick thighs and unheard-of mustaches,” a walnut bureau on absurd four legs. In a word, everything looks like its owner, whom the author compares to a “medium-sized bear,” emphasizing its animal essence. When depicting the image of Sobakevich, the writer widely uses the technique of hyperbolization; just remember his monstrous appetite. Landowners like Sobakevich are evil and cruel serf owners who never missed their profits. “Sobakevich’s soul seemed to be covered with such a thick shell that whatever was tossing and turning at the bottom of it 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 discovered main feature Sobakevich's character is his uncontrollable desire for profit.
The gallery of persons with whom Chichikov enters into transactions is completed by the landowner Plyushkin - “a hole in humanity.” Gogol notes that such a phenomenon is rare in Rus', where everything likes to unfold rather than shrink. The 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 the huts, roofs resembling a sieve, windows without glass, covered with rags, reveal Plyushkin as a bad owner with a deadened soul. But the picture of the garden, although dead and deaf, creates a different impression. When describing it, Gogol used happier and lighter colors - trees, “a regular sparkling marble column”, “air”, “cleanliness”, “neatness”... And through all this one can see the life of the owner himself, whose soul has faded away, like nature in the wilderness this garden.
In Plyushkin’s house, too, everything speaks of the spiritual disintegration of his personality: piled-up furniture, a broken chair, a dried lemon, a piece of rag, a toothpick... And he himself looks like an old housekeeper, only his gray eyes, like mice, dart from under his high eyebrows. Everything dies, rots and collapses around Plyushkin. The story of the transformation of a smart person into a “hole in humanity,” which the author introduces us to, leaves an indelible impression. Chichikov quickly finds common language with Plyushkin. The “patched” master is only concerned about one thing: how to avoid incurring losses when making a deed of sale.
However, in the chapter devoted to revealing Plyushkin’s character, 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; light colors predominate in the description of the garden; Plyushkin's eyes have not yet dimmed. On the hero’s wooden face you can still see “a flicker of joy” and a “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 sought not only to tell the story of Plyushkin, but also to warn readers that anyone could follow the path of this landowner. Gogol believed in the spiritual revival of Plyushkin, just as he believed in the strength of Russia and its people. This is confirmed by numerous lyrical digressions, filled with deep lyricism and poetry.