All images of dead souls. Landlord Rus' in the poem by N.V. Gogol's "Dead Souls"

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

"Dead Souls" is one of the brightest works of Russian and world literature, the pinnacle of art. Gogol's mastery. One of the main themes in Gogol's TV is Yavl. theme about the Russian landowner class, about the Russian nobility as the ruling class, about its fate and role in public life. It is characteristic that the main way of depicting landowners in Ggol is yavl. satire. The images of landowners reflect the process of gradual gradation of the landowner class, revealing all its faults and shortcomings. Gogol’s satire is colored with irony and “hits right in the forehead.” Gogol’s laughter seems good-natured, but he spares no one, every phrase has a deep, hidden meaning, subtext. The poem is structured as the story of the adventures of Chichikov, an official who buys up “dead souls.” The composition of the poem allowed the author to talk about different landowners and their villages. Gogol creates five characters, five portraits that are so different from each other, and at the same time in each of them appear typical features Russian landowner. Our acquaintance begins with Manilov and ends with Plyushkin. This sequence has its own logic: from one landowner to another the process of impoverishment deepens human personality, an increasingly terrible picture of the decomposition of feudal society is unfolding

Manilov (I chapter) opens a portrait gallery of landowners. His character is already evident in his surname itself. The description begins with a picture of the village of Manilovka, which “could lure few with its location.” The author ironically describes the master's courtyard, with the pretense of an "English garden with an overgrown pond", sparse with bushes and with a pale inscription "Temple of Solitary Reflection." Speaking about Manilov, the author exclaims: “God alone could say what Manilov’s character was.” He is kind by nature, polite, courteous, but all this took on ugly forms in him. Manilov is beautiful-hearted and sentimental to the point of cloying. Relations between people seem to him idyllic and festive. Manilov did not know life at all; reality was replaced by empty fantasy. He loved to think and dream, sometimes even about things useful for the peasants. But his spotlight was far from the demands of life. He did not know and never thought about the real needs of the peasants. (or M. lives in an illusory world, and the process of fantasy itself gives him great pleasure, he is a sentimental dreamer, incapable of practical action)
Manilov considers himself a bearer of spiritual culture. Once in the army he was considered the most educated man. The author speaks ironically about the situation in Manilov’s house, in which “something was always missing,” and about his sugary relationship with his wife. While talking about dead souls ah Manilov was compared to an overly smart minister. In comparison with other landowners, Manilov indeed seems to be an enlightened person, but this is only one appearance

The third chapter of the poem is devoted to the image of Korobochka, which Gogol classifies as one of those “small landowners who complain about crop failures, losses and keep their heads somewhat to one side, and meanwhile little by little collect money in colorful bags placed in dresser drawers!” (or M. and Korobochka are in a way antipodes: Manilov’s vulgarity is hidden behind high phases, behind discussions about the good of the Motherland, and in Korobochka spiritual poverty appears in its natural form. Korobochka does not pretend to be a high culture: in its entire appearance a very unpretentious simplicity. This is emphasized by Gogol in the appearance of the heroine: he points out her shabby and unattractive appearance. This simplicity reveals itself in her relationships with people - the strengthening of her wealth, it is no coincidence that Chichikov sees traces of skillful management in her estate. This economy reveals her inner insignificance. She has no feelings other than the desire to acquire and benefit. Korobochka trades with peasants with the same efficiency with which she sells other items of her household. the difference between an animate and an inanimate being. In Chichikov’s proposal, only one thing frightens her: the prospect of missing something, not taking what can be obtained for “dead souls.” Korobochka is not going to give them up to Chichikov on the cheap. Gogol awarded her the epithet “club-headed.”) This money comes from the sale of a wide variety of nat products. households Korobochka understood the benefits of trading and after much persuasion agrees to sell such unusual product like dead souls

When moving to the image of Nozdryov, Gogol emphasizes the contrast between him and the box. In contrast to the immobile landowner, Nozdryov is distinguished by his daring and “broad scope of nature.” He is mobile, ready to do any business, without thinking about what, but all his activity is devoid of ideas and goals. Therefore, all his impulses end as easily as they begin, without any positive results: “Everything ends either in trifles, or in all kinds of stories.” . His activity is aimed at burning life. He is a carouser and a reckless driver. Nozdryov finds himself everywhere where the pleasures of life can await him. Unlike Korobochka, Nozdryov is not prone to petty hoarding. His ideal is people who always know how to have fun through life, unencumbered by any worries. In the chapter about Nozdryov there are few details reflecting the life of his serfs, but the description of the landowner itself provides comprehensive information about this, since for Nozdryov serfs and property are equivalent concepts. Both are a source of burning life. Wherever Nozdryov appears, there is chaos, a scandal. In Nozdryov’s understanding, his life is filled with meaning. In this respect, he resembles Manilov, but differs in that he likes to lie and embellish. In a conversation with Chichikov, he brags about absolutely everything: a stallion, a pond, a dog, and he simply does not exhaust himself in his lies. A lie for the sake of the lie itself. In relations with people, Nozdryov is free from any norms and principles. He gets along with people easily, but does not stay true to his word or anyone else's. In Nozdryov’s desire to cause discord in someone else’s life, one can feel the desire to harm everyone. As a result, all the versatility of the hero is devoid of any positive beginning. Gogol called Nozdryov a “historical man.” (“Nozdryov was in some respects a historical man”) Not a single meeting where he was present was complete without stories.

Unlike Nozdryov, Sobakevich cannot be considered a person with his head in the clouds. This hero stands firmly on the ground, does not indulge himself with illusions, soberly evaluates people and life, knows how to act and achieve what he wants. When characterizing his life, Gogol notes the thoroughness and fundamental nature of everything. These are natural features of Sobakevich’s life. He and the furnishings of his house bear the stamp of clumsiness and ugliness. Physical strength and clumsiness appear in the appearance of the hero himself. “He looked like a medium-sized bear,” Gogol writes about him. The animal nature predominates in Sobakevich. He is devoid of any spiritual needs, far from daydreaming, philosophizing and noble impulses of the soul. The meaning of his life is to satiate his stomach. He himself has a negative attitude towards everything related to culture and education: “Enlightenment is a harmful invention.” A local existence and a hoarder coexist in it. Unlike Korobochka, he understands the environment well and understands the time in which he lives, knows the people. Unlike the other landowners, he immediately understood the essence of Chichikov. Sobakevich is a cunning rogue, an arrogant businessman who is difficult to deceive. He evaluates everything around him only from the point of view of his own benefit. His conversation with Chichikov reveals the psychology of a kulak who knows how to force peasants to work for themselves and extract maximum benefit from it. He is straightforward, quite rude and does not believe in anything. Unlike Manilov, in his perception all people are robbers, scoundrels, fools. (In Sobakevich’s house everything surprisingly resembled him. Every thing seemed to say: “And I, too, Sobakevich”
The last landowner whom Chichikov visits, Plyushkin, is similar in aspirations to K. and S., but his desire for hoarding takes on the character of a comprehensive passion. His only purpose in life is to accumulate things. As a result, he does not distinguish the important, the necessary from the trifles, the useful from the unimportant. Everything he comes across is of interest. Plyushkin becomes a slave to things. The thirst for hoarding pushes him along the path of all sorts of restrictions. But he himself does not experience any unpleasant sensations from this. Unlike other landowners, his life story is given in full. She reveals the origins of his passion. The greater the thirst for hoarding becomes, the more insignificant his life becomes. At a certain stage of degradation, Plyushkin ceases to feel the need to communicate with people. He began to perceive his children as plunderers of his property, not experiencing any joy when meeting them. As a result, he ended up in all alone. Gogol dwells in detail on the description of the situation of the peasants of this rich landowner. *************************************** **********************************Chichikov

In "M.d." Gogol typifies the images of Russian landowners, officials and peasants. The only person who stands out big picture Russian life- This is Chichikov. Revealing his image, the author talks about his origin and the formation of his character. Chichikov is a character whose life story is given in every detail. From the eleventh chapter we learn that Pavlusha belonged to a poor noble family. His father left him an inheritance of half a copper and a covenant to study diligently, please teachers and bosses and, most importantly, to take care and save a penny. Chichikov quickly realized that all lofty concepts only interfere with achieving his cherished goal. He makes his way in life through his own efforts, without relying on anyone’s patronage. He builds his well-being at the expense of other people: deception, bribery, embezzlement, fraud at customs - the main character’s tools. No setbacks can break his thirst for profit. And every time he commits unseemly acts, he easily finds excuses for himself.
With each chapter we see more and more new possibilities for Chichikov: with Manilov he is cloyingly amiable, with Korobochka he is petty-insistent and rude, with Nozdryov he is assertive and cowardly, with Sobakevich he bargains insidiously and relentlessly, Plyushkina conquers with his “generosity.”
But let's reverse Special attention to those moments of the poem where Chichikov does not need to disguise himself and change himself for the sake of adaptation, where he is left alone with himself. While inspecting the city of N, our hero “teared off a poster nailed to a post so that when he got home he could read it thoroughly,” and after reading it, “folded it neatly and put it in his little chest, where he used to put everything he came across.” This collection of unnecessary things, careful storage of rubbish vividly resembles Plyushkin’s habits. Chichikov and Manilov are brought together by uncertainty, due to which all assumptions about him turn out to be equally possible. Nozdryov notices that Chichikov is similar to Sobakevich: “No straightforwardness, no sincerity! Perfect Sobakevich.” In Chichikov’s character there is Manilov’s love for phrases, Korobochka’s pettiness, Nozdrev’s narcissism, and the rude tight-fistedness, cold cynicism of Sobakevich, and Plyushkin’s greed. It is easy for Chichikov to turn out to be a mirror of any of these interlocutors, because he has all the qualities that form the basis of their characters. Still, Chichikov differs from his counterparts on the estates, he is a man of the new time, a businessman and acquirer, and has all the necessary qualities: “He is pleasant in turns and actions, and smart in business games,” but he is also a “dead soul,” because he the joy of life is inaccessible.
Chichikov knows how to adapt to any world, even his appearance is such that he will suit any situation: “not handsome, but not bad-looking either,” “not too fat, not too thin,” “middle-aged man” - everything about him is vague , nothing stands out.
The idea of ​​success, enterprise, and practicality overshadow all human motives in him. The "selflessness", patience and strength of character of the protagonist allow him to constantly be reborn and show enormous energy to achieve his goal.
Chichikov is forced to flee the city, but this time he achieved his goal, moved one step closer to his faceless “happiness”, and everything else is no longer important to him.

MANILOV. “...The landowner... is not yet an old man at all...” “...He smiled enticingly, was blond, with blue eyes...” Eyes “sweet as sugar.” The expression on his face was “not only sweet, but even cloying...” “...his facial features were not devoid of pleasantness, but this pleasantness seemed to have too much sugar in it...” “His wife... however, they were completely happy with each other. Despite the fact that more than eight years had passed of their marriage, each of them still brought the other a piece of an apple, or a piece of candy, or a nut and spoke in a touchingly tender voice, expressing perfect love..." Sons - Alcides and Themistoclus: "Themistoclus!" said Manilov, turning to the elder..." "The younger one, Alcides, he is not so fast..." "...Manilov will be more delicate than Sobakevich..." "...In the first minute of conversation with him you can’t help but say : “What a nice and a 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.” “...God alone could have said what Manilov’s character was like. There is a kind of people known by the name: so-so people, neither this nor that, neither in the city of Bogdan, nor in the village of Selifan, according to the proverb. Maybe Manilov should join them...” “You won’t get any lively or even arrogant words from him, which you can hear from almost anyone if you touch an object that bothers him. Everyone has their own enthusiasm [...] in a word, everyone has their own, but Manilov had nothing." "At home he spoke very little and mostly reflected and thought, but what he was thinking about was also unknown to God. “Manilov is “hard of hearing,” he writes beautifully (“It’s nicely written... there’s no need to rewrite it...” (Chichikov about Manilov). “It’s impossible to say that he was involved in farming, he never even went to the fields, farming went on like - of course..." "Of course, one could notice that there are many other things to do in the house, besides long kisses and surprises, and many different requests could be made, for example, why is it stupid and useless to cook in the kitchen? is the pantry empty? why is the housekeeper thief? why are the servants unscrupulous and drunk? there was beautiful furniture upholstered in smart silk fabric, which was probably quite expensive; but there wasn’t enough for two chairs, and the chairs were simply upholstered in matting; however, for several years the owner always warned his guest with the words: “Don’t sit on these chairs, they are not ready yet.” “In another room there was no furniture at all, although it was said in the first days after the marriage: “Darling “Tomorrow we’ll have to work hard to put furniture in this room, at least temporarily,” he tells his wife..” “In his office there was always some kind of book, bookmarked on page 14, which he had been constantly reading for two years.” Attitude to the peasants: “When a man came to him and, scratching the back of his head with his hand, said, “Master, let me go away to work, earn some tax.” “Go,” he said, smoking a pipe, and it didn’t even occur to him that the man was going out to drink. " Mr. Manilov is a hospitable, cordial host: “... As the chaise approached the porch, his eyes became more cheerful and his smile widened more and more. .." Attitude towards people: "... in his techniques and turns there was something ingratiating favor and acquaintance..." BOX "... Collegiate secretary [...] Nastasya Petrovna..." "an elderly woman , in some kind of sleeping cap, put on hastily, with a flannel around her neck..." "...One of those mothers, small landowners who cry about crop failures, losses and keep their heads somewhat to one side, and meanwhile gain a little money in motley bags placed in the drawers of the chest of drawers..." Housewife: "...Your pancakes, mother, are very tasty, - said Chichikov..." "... the landowner did not keep any notes or lists, but knew almost everyone by heart..." (peasants)." About “dead” souls - to Chichikov: “... Maybe you, my father, are deceiving me, but they... they are somehow worth more...” “... I’d better wait a little, maybe the merchants will come , yes, I’ll apply it to the prices..." "...What a clubhead!” Chichikov said to himself. “...She saw that the deal certainly seemed to be profitable, but it was just too new and unprecedented; and therefore she began to be very afraid that this buyer would somehow cheat her..." She believes in both God and evil spirits: “... The power of the cross is with us! What passions are you talking about! - said the old woman, crossing herself...” “... yes, apparently, God sent him as a punishment. I saw such an ugly one; and the horns are longer bull..." (Thought about the devil).

In the following chapters the reader gets acquainted with Nozdrev, Sobakevich and Plyushkin.

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, the author’s hope for the resurrection of even the most lost and “trashy” soul is heard in Chichikov’s words. 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 spendthrift. 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 that? 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.

IMAGES
LANDSCAPE IN THE POEM N.V. GOGOL “DEAD SOULS”