Description of Chichikov from the poem Dead Souls. Brief description of Chichikov? Purchasing “dead souls” from Sobakevich

Every book is told by someone. It's so obvious that we almost never remember it. Meanwhile, the one who tells, narrates, expounds is always in front of the reader. He can come close to the author, merge with him, or he can completely separate from him, become a completely different person.

You've probably heard how different people tell the same story. In this case, the story not only sounds different, but in each new retelling it acquires new meaning. The plot (see) is preserved - the tone is updated. And the narrator, the narrator, is the bearer of tone.

Russian classic writers revealed a wide range of narrator possibilities: from the “framing” conventional narrator of I. S. Turgenev to the grimacing masks of N. V. Gogol; from the simple-minded Pyotr Andreevich Grinev (“ Captain's daughter") to the nervous, bile-choking "paradoxalist" ("Notes from the Underground" by F. M. Dostoevsky), from the coldness of Pechorin's passionate "magazine" ("Hero of Our Time") to the epic in its simplicity of the narrative of Ivan Severyanych Flyagin ("Enchanted Wanderer " N. S. Leskova). Next to these virtuosos I. A. Goncharov, L. N. Tolstoy, A. P. Chekhov at first glance seem completely indifferent to the problem of the narrator, but this is a false impression: they also have the image of a narrator, and this, perhaps, more subtle and complex cases. The didactic, mentoring principle of Tolstoy and the educational principle of Chekhov create the effect of a direct conversation with the reader. It seems that they, like Turgenev in many cases, neglect shades artistic meaning, arising from the interaction of the narrator’s image with the images of the heroes of the work. But they do not neglect at all, but completely absorb and subordinate these shades, thus creating a multi-layered, deep semantic perspective of the work. Vivid image The narrator appears before the readers in L. N. Tolstoy’s trilogy: “Childhood”, “Adolescence”, “Youth”. Chekhov, being a great and subtle master of the “objective” story, left us examples of narration entrusted to the narrator, unsurpassed in its classical clarity: “A Boring Story”, “Ariadne”, “The Man in a Case”, “The House with a Mezzanine”.

Choosing between a first-person or third-person story is the first step for any writer. It is known that Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment was first begun as an internal monologue of Raskolnikov and the transition to a third-person narrative gave the story a new meaning. It’s no coincidence that Dostoevsky’s narrators are not active acting characters plot, but, as a rule, third-party witnesses to what is happening. True, each of the main characters at least once has to act as a narrator, a kind of author of inserted plots, as a rule, ideologically meaningful and artistically completed. Let us at least remember Myshkin’s stories about death penalty and about poor Marie, “The Legend of the Grand Inquisitor” by Ivan Karamazov, Versilov’s dream about the golden age... But still, the main narrative load is borne by the hero-storyteller. The narrator's input methods are varied (diaries, letters, memoirs, notes, tales, etc.).

All sorts of “found” manuscripts, letters, notes, diaries bring us closer to documentary, archival, non-fictional (imaginary, of course), like air needed by the writer to create an impression of authenticity, truthfulness of what is depicted and told. Sometimes it is necessary to create just the opposite impression: mystery, ambiguity of what is being told (this is achieved, for example, by R. L. Stevenson in “The Master of Balantre”). Sometimes the narrator is simple-minded, naive, and the meaning of his own story is not entirely clear to him. As a result, the reader himself is involved in the process of comprehension. He is forced by the creative will of the author not to passively perceive, but to actively participate in the event of storytelling. This method is often used in detective stories.

Creating the image of a narrator involves the use of such stylistic forms as skaz and stylization, using the so-called verbal mask (for example, N.V. Gogol has Rudy Panko in “Evenings...”, M. Gorky has the old woman Izergil in story of the same name, in M. Yu. Lermontov - Maxim Maksimych, in M. M. Zoshchenko - an unnamed narrator: “Aristocrats”, “Baths”, etc.). Often the verbal mask is in deep opposition to true face author, like Zoshchenko, but the artistic effect is even stronger. It is completely unacceptable to identify real author with images of a storyteller, storyteller. With such an identification, the effect of volume inherent in the real art of words disappears, the work loses depth, the meaning is narrowed, and the content of the story is impoverished.

First most interesting experience the creation of the image of the author in Russian literature belongs to A. S. Pushkin. In his novel “Eugene Onegin” the image of the author is almost equivalent to Onegin, Tatyana and Lensky. Pushkin pushes the boundaries of literature. He teaches freedom and the need for transitions from real life into art. In other words, by creating the image of the author, Pushkin laid the foundations of realism in Russian literature. It demonstrates (and again for the first time in our literature) the variety of ways an author exists within a work and the possibilities arising from this variety. This discovery of his, like many others, was assimilated, understood, developed and enriched by subsequent literature.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Article menu:

We often say that happiness cannot be found in money, but at the same time we always note that a person with money is in a more advantageous position and can afford more than a poor person. A bunch of works of art on the topic of a wedding with an unloved but rich person or the injustice that has arisen associated with bribery leads to another famous phrase: money rules the world. This is probably why a person with small capital often strives to improve his financial situation. These methods and methods are not always legal; they often contradict the principles of morality. N. Gogol talks about one of these actions in the poem “Dead Souls”.

Who is Chichikov and why does he come to town N

Main character narration by retired official Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. He's not handsome, but he's not bad-looking, neither too thick nor too thin; I can’t say that I’m old, but I can’t say that I’m too young.” He considers himself a person of pleasant appearance, he especially liked his face “which he loved sincerely and in which, it seems, he found the chin most attractive, for he very often boasted of it to one of his friends.”

This man travels through the villages of Russia, but his goal is by no means as noble as one might think at first glance. Pavel Ivanovich buys " dead Souls» that is, documents on the right of ownership of people who have died, but have not yet been included in the lists of the dead. The census of peasants was carried out every few years, so these same “dead souls” hovered and were considered alive in documents. They represented a lot of trouble and waste, since it was necessary to make payments for them before the next census (revision tales).

Chichikov's proposal to sell these people to the landowners sounds more than tempting. Many people find the item they are buying very strange, it sounds suspicious, but they want to get rid of it faster.” dead souls“takes its toll - one by one the landowners agree to the sale (the only exception was Nozdryov). But why does Chichikov need “dead souls”? He himself talks about it this way: “Yes, if I bought all these people who died out before they submitted new revision tales, buy them, let’s say, a thousand, yes, let’s say, the guardianship council will give two hundred rubles per head: that’s two hundred thousand for the capital " In other words, Pavel Ivanovich plans to resell his “dead souls”, passing them off as living people. Of course, it is impossible to sell serfs without land, but he finds a way out here too - buying land in a remote place, “for pennies.” Naturally, such a plan was not dictated good conditions life and financial situation, but, whatever one may say, this dishonest act.

Last name meaning

It is difficult to judge unambiguously about the etymology of Pavel Ivanovich’s surname. It is not as prosaic as the surnames of other characters in the poem, but the very fact that the surnames of other characters are their characteristics (they draw attention to moral or physical flaws) suggests that there should be a similar situation with Chichikov.

And so, it is likely that this surname came from the word “chichik”. In Western Ukrainian dialects, this is the name given to a small songbird. N. Gogol was associated with Ukraine, so we can assume that he had in mind precisely this meaning of the word - Chichikov, like a bird, sings beautiful songs to everyone. There are no other meanings recorded in dictionaries. The author himself does not explain anywhere why the choice fell on this particular word and what he wanted to say by awarding Pavel Ivanovich such a surname. That's why this information should be perceived at the level of a hypothesis, it should be argued that this absolutely correct explanation is impossible due to the small amount of information on this matter.

Personality and character

Arriving in the city of N, Pavel Ivanovich meets the local landowners and the governor. He produces on them good impression. This beginning of a trusting relationship contributed to Chichikov’s further purchases - they spoke of him as a man of high morals and excellent upbringing - such a person cannot be a swindler and a deceiver. But, as it turned out, this was just a tactical move that allowed him to cleverly deceive the landowners.

The first thing that surprises you about Chichikov is his attitude to hygiene. For many of his new acquaintances, this became a sign of a man from high society. Pavel Ivanovich “waking up very early in the morning, washed himself, wiped himself from head to toe with a wet sponge, which was done only according to Sundays" He “rubbed both cheeks with soap for an extremely long time,” when he washed himself, “plucked out two hairs that had come out of his nose.” As a result, those around him decided that “the visitor showed such attentiveness to the toilet that has not even been seen everywhere.”

Chichikov is a suck-up. “In conversations with these rulers, he very skillfully knew how to flatter everyone.” At the same time, he tried not to say anything specific about himself, using general phrases; those present thought that he was doing this out of modesty.

Moreover, the phrases “he doesn’t meaningful worm of this world and is not worthy of being cared for much, that he has experienced a lot in his life, endured in the service for the truth, had many enemies who even attempted on his life, and that now, wanting to calm down, he is finally looking to choose a place to live.” evoked a certain feeling of pity for Chichikov among those around him.

Soon, all his new acquaintances began to speak flatteringly about him and tried to please “such a pleasant, educated guest.”

Manilov, characterizing Chichikov, asserted that “he is ready to vouch, as for himself, that he would sacrifice all his estate in order to have a hundredth share of Pavel Ivanovich’s qualities.”

“The governor explained about him that he is a well-intentioned person; the prosecutor - that he is a sensible person; the gendarme colonel said that he learned man; the chairman of the chamber - that he is a knowledgeable and respectable person; the police chief - that he is a respectable and kind person; the police chief’s wife - that he is the most kind and courteous person.”

As we see, Pavel Ivanovich managed to gain the trust of the landowners and the governor the best way.

He managed to keep a fine line and not go too far with flattery and praise towards the landowners - his lies and sycophancy were sweet, but not so much that the lies were noticeable. Pavel Ivanovich not only knows how to present himself in society, but also has the talent to convince people. Not all landowners agreed to say goodbye to their “ dead souls" Many, like Korobochka, had great doubts about the legality of such a sale. Pavel Ivanovich manages to achieve his goal and convince him that such a sale is nothing unusual.

It should be noted that Chichikov has developed intellectual abilities. This is manifested not only when thinking about a plan to get rich from “dead souls”, but also in the manner of conducting a conversation - he knows how to maintain a conversation at the proper level, without having sufficient knowledge in a particular issue, it is unrealistic to look smart in the eyes of others and no flattery or sycophancy unable to save the situation.

In addition, he is very good with arithmetic and can quickly carry out mathematical operations in his mind: “Seventy-eight, seventy-eight, thirty kopecks per soul, it will be ... - here our hero thought for one second, no more, and suddenly said: - it will be twenty-four rubles ninety-six kopecks.”

Pavel Ivanovich knows how to adapt to new conditions: “he felt that the words “virtue” and “rare properties of the soul” could be successfully replaced with the words “economy” and “order”,” although he cannot always quickly figure out what to say: “Already Plyushkin stood for several minutes without saying a word, and Chichikov still could not start a conversation, entertained both by the appearance of the owner himself and by everything that was in his room.”

Having acquired serfs, Pavel Ivanovich feels awkward and anxious, but these are not pangs of conscience - he wants to get the job done quickly and is afraid that something might go wrong “still the thought came to me: that souls are not entirely real and that in similar cases Such a burden always needs to be lifted off one’s shoulders as quickly as possible.”

However, his deception was revealed - Chichikov in an instant turns from an object of worship and a desired guest into an object of ridicule and rumors; he is not allowed into the governor’s house. “It’s just that you alone are not ordered to be allowed in, but all others are allowed,” the doorman tells him.

The others are also not happy to see him - they mumble something incomprehensible. This confuses Chichikov - he cannot understand what happened. Rumors about his scam reach Chichikov himself. As a result, he leaves home. IN last chapter, we learn that Pavel Ivanovich is of humble origin, his parents tried to provide him better life, so sending it to independent life, gave him such advice that, as his parents thought, would allow him to occupy a good place in life: “Pavlusha, study... please your teachers and bosses most of all. Don’t hang out with your comrades, they won’t teach you any good; and if it comes to that, then hang out with those who are richer, so that on occasion they can be useful to you. Don’t treat or treat anyone, but behave better so that you will be treated, and most of all, take care and save a penny... You will do everything and lose everything in the world with a penny.”

Thus, Pavel Ivanovich, guided by the advice of his parents, lived in such a way as not to spend money anywhere and save money, but to earn significant capital in an honest way turned out to be unrealistic, even with strict savings and acquaintance with the rich. The plan to buy “dead souls” was supposed to provide Chichikov with fortune and money, but in practice this turned out not to be the case. The stigma of a swindler and a dishonest person firmly stuck to him. Whether the hero himself learned a lesson from their current situation is a rhetorical question; it is likely that the second volume should have revealed the secret, but, unfortunately, Nikolai Vasilyevich destroyed him, so the reader can only guess what happened next and whether Chichikov should be blamed for such an act or it is necessary to mitigate his guilt by referring to the principles to which society is subject.

Chichikov in the story by N.V. Gogol’s “Dead Souls”: analysis of the hero, image and characteristics

The creation of the poem “Dead Souls” occurred precisely at a time when in Russia there was a change in the traditional, outdated foundations of society, reforms and changes in people’s thinking were brewing. Even then it was clear that the nobility, with its old traditions and views on life, was slowly dying out; it had to be replaced by new type person. Gogol's goal is to describe the hero of his time, to declare him in full voice, describe his positive and explain what his activities will lead to, as well as how it will affect the destinies of other people.

The central character of the poem

Nikolai Vasilyevich Chichikov made in the poem central character, he cannot be called the main character, but it is on him that the plot of the poem rests. Pavel Ivanovich's journey is the framework for the entire work. It’s not for nothing that the author placed the hero’s biography at the very end; the reader is not interested in Chichikov himself, he is curious about his actions, why he collects these dead souls and what this will lead to in the end. Gogol does not even try to reveal the character of the character, but he introduces the peculiarities of his thinking, thus giving a hint where to look for the essence of this act of Chichikov. Childhood is where the roots come from; even at a tender age, the hero formed his own worldview, vision of the situation and search for ways to solve problems.

Description of Chichikov

Childhood and early years Pavel Ivanovich is unknown to the reader at the beginning of the poem. Gogol portrayed his character as faceless and voiceless: against the background of bright, colorful images of landowners with their quirks, the figure of Chichikov is lost, becomes small and insignificant. He has neither his own face nor the right to vote; the hero resembles a chameleon, skillfully adapting to his interlocutor. This is an excellent actor and psychologist, he knows how to behave in a given situation, instantly determines a person’s character and does everything to win him over, says only what they want to hear from him. Chichikov skillfully plays the role, pretends, hides his true feelings, tries to be one of the strangers, but he does all this in order to achieve the main goal - his own well-being.

The childhood of Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov

A person’s worldview is formed at a young age, so many of his actions mature age can be explained by studying the biography well. What guided him, why he collected dead souls, what he wanted to achieve with this - all these questions are answered by The hero’s childhood cannot be called happy, he was constantly haunted by boredom and loneliness. In his youth, Pavlush knew neither friends nor entertainment; he did monotonous, tedious and completely uninteresting work, listened to the reproaches of his sick father. The author did not even hint about maternal affection. One conclusion can be drawn from this - Pavel Ivanovich wanted to make up for lost time, to receive all the benefits that were not available to him in childhood.

But you shouldn’t think that Chichikov is a soulless cracker, thinking only about his own enrichment. He was a kind, active and sensitive child, sensitive to the world. The fact that he often ran away from his nanny in order to explore previously unseen places indicates Chichikov's curiosity. Childhood shaped his character and taught him to achieve everything on his own. His father taught Pavel Ivanovich to save money and please bosses and rich people, and he put these instructions into practice.

Chichikov's childhood and studies were gray and uninteresting; he tried in every possible way to become a popular person. At first he pleased the teacher in order to become a favorite student, then he promised the boss to marry his daughter in order to get a promotion, working at customs, he convinces everyone of his honesty and impartiality, and he makes a huge fortune for himself through smuggling. But Pavel Ivanovich does all this not with malicious intent, but with the sole purpose of making his childhood dream of a big and bright house, a caring and loving wife, and a bunch of cheerful children come true.

Chichikov's communication with landowners

Pavel Ivanovich could find an approach to everyone, from the first minutes of communication he could understand what a person was like. For example, he did not stand on ceremony with Korobochka and spoke in a patriarchal-pious and even slightly patronizing tone. With the landowner, Chichikov felt relaxed, used colloquial, rude expressions, completely adapting to the woman. With Manilov, Pavel Ivanovich is pompous and amiable to the point of cloying. He flatters the landowner and uses flowery phrases in his speech. By refusing the offered treat, even Plyushkin was pleased by Chichikov. “Dead Souls” very well demonstrates the changeable nature of man, because Pavel Ivanovich adapted to the morals of almost all landowners.

What does Chichikov look like in the eyes of other people?

The activities of Pavel Ivanovich greatly frightened city officials and landowners. At first they compared him with the romantic robber Rinald Rinaldin, then they began to look for similarities with Napoleon, thinking that he had escaped from the island of Helena. In the end, Chichikov was recognized as the real Antichrist. Of course, such comparisons are absurd and even comical to some extent; Gogol ironically describes the fear of the narrow-minded landowners, their speculation about why Chichikov is actually collecting dead souls. The character's characterization hints that the heroes are no longer the same as they used to be. The people could be proud, take an example from the great commanders and defenders, but now there are no such people, they have been replaced by selfish Chichikovs.

Character's Real Self

One would think that Pavel Ivanovich is an excellent psychologist and actor, since he easily adapts to the people he needs and instantly guesses their character, but is this really so? The hero was never able to adapt to Nozdryov, because impudence, arrogance, and familiarity are alien to him. But even here he is trying to adapt, because the landowner is incredibly rich, hence the address to “you”, Chichikov’s boorish tone. Childhood taught Pavlusha to please to the right people, so he is ready to step over himself, forget about his principles.

At the same time, Pavel Ivanovich practically does not pretend to be with Sobakevich, because they are united by serving the “kopek”. And Chichikov has some similarities with Plyushkin. The character tore the poster from the pole, read it at home, folded it neatly and put it in a small chest in which all sorts of unnecessary things were stored. This behavior is very reminiscent of Plyushkin, who is prone to hoarding various rubbish. That is, Pavel Ivanovich himself was not so far removed from the same landowners.

The main goal in the hero's life

And once again money - this is precisely why Chichikov collected dead souls. The character's characteristics indicate that he invents various frauds not just for the sake of profit; there is no stinginess or miserliness in him. Pavel Ivanovich dreams that the time will come when he can finally use his savings, live a calm, prosperous life, without thinking about tomorrow.

The author's attitude towards the hero

There is an assumption that in subsequent volumes Gogol planned to re-educate Chichikov and make him repent of his actions. In the poem, Pavel Ivanovich is not opposed to landowners or officials; he is the hero of the capitalist formation, the “first accumulator” who replaced the nobility. Chichikov is a skilled businessman, an entrepreneur who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. The scam with dead souls was not a success, but Pavel Ivanovich did not suffer any punishment. The author hints that there are a huge number of such Chichikovs in the country, and no one wants to stop them.

At the beginning of the 1st chapter, the hero is described through a description of his “rather beautiful spring small britzka”, in which bachelors usually travel..., who are called gentlemen mediocre. Since Chichikov himself is quite secretive by nature (“the visitor avoided talking much about himself”), the things that belong to him speak more for him.

Chichikov’s chaise, which became the object of the men’s attention, is an important “detail-object”. Thanks to her, the plot of the journey becomes possible; as a result of a collision between a britzka and a carriage, Pavel Ivanovich meets governor's daughter; sometimes this vehicle seems to be endowed with its own will, goes its own way and even dumps the rider into impassable mud; the chaise turns out to be faulty when it is necessary to quickly leave the city; The motif of the road, turning into the path along which Rus' flies, is also associated with the image of the chaise...

Details of Chichikov's everyday life help us realize that he, too, is a dead soul, and that a special illness destroyed him - opportunism, predation, enterprise in the name of personal enrichment. He wants to spend the money not for the benefit of society, but on “thin Dutch shirts” and “a special kind of French soap that gave extraordinary whiteness to the skin and freshness to the cheeks.” Chichikov is “captured by things, by the European, haberdashery “canal”, “...he imagined a life ahead in all comforts, with all sorts of prosperity; carriages, a perfectly furnished house, delicious dinners”...

When going to a party or ball, Chichikov puts on a “lingonberry-colored tailcoat with a sparkle,” which is mentioned more than once during the narrative. This detail emphasizes the desire of the visitor to show his respectability, to show off, to be moderately noticeable, to somehow stand out from the crowd with an expectation of success, and a somewhat defiant color (lingonberry, i.e. close to dark red, with a spark that demonstrates festivity, elegance) reveals the hero’s temperament and at the same time his dishonor.

The internal structure of this box is given after the guest’s argument with Korobochka about the price of “dead souls”: “... in the very middle there is a soap dish, behind the soap dish there are six or seven narrow partitions for razors; then square nooks for a sandbox and an inkwell with a boat hollowed out between them for feathers , sealing wax and everything that is longer; then all sorts of partitions with lids and without lids for what is shorter, filled with business, funeral, theater and other tickets, which were folded for memory. The entire top box with all the partitions was taken out, and there was space under it occupied by piles of papers in a sheet, then there was a small hidden box for money, which pulled out unnoticed from the side of the box." And further Gogol notes that this “hidden box” “always... hastily pulled out and moved back.”

Such a hasty movement speaks of the suspicion and even fear of the owner, who is protecting his property from a prying glance or theft, and of dubious and therefore hidden means of acquiring this money, and of a secret dream with their help to occupy a “worthy” position in society... Students come to the conclusion that the box symbolizes life path hero, the essence of his nature. In it, as in a mirror, the whole of Chichikov is reflected: a rogue, a businessman with a criminal past, a man with a double bottom, for whom everything is calculated in advance, an entrepreneur who is completely captured by the thirst for profit, mercantile interest, the one who has ruined his soul.

Finding out Gogol’s attitude towards his hero, we read in the 11th chapter: “No, it’s time to finally hide the scoundrel too. So, let’s harness the scoundrel!” But a few pages later, in the same chapter, a somewhat “mitigated” sentence sounds, although the attitude remains the same : "...who is he in terms of moral qualities? That he is not a hero, full of perfections and virtues, is clear. Who is he? So he's a scoundrel? Why a scoundrel, why be so strict with others?... It is most fair to call him: master, acquirer. Acquisition is the fault of everything; because of him, things were done that the world calls not very clean." In other words, Chichikov lives in the world of his more or less successful transactions, scams and speculations, and he does not care about Russia. He is interested in as much as possible serfs were dying.

Touching upon the writer’s depiction of the people, the teacher will explain that the people are shown in the poem in their concrete everyday manifestation only in passing; they act as a bearer of the positive principle affirmed in lyrical digressions, V landscape descriptions, in which the voice of the author is felt.

In the “Author's Confession” he wrote: “This complete incarnation in the flesh, this complete rounding of character took place in me only when I took away in my mind all this prosaic essential squabble of life, when, containing in my head all the major character traits, I collected in at the same time, all the rags around him, down to the smallest pin, which swirls around a person every day - in a word, when I figure out everything from small to large, without missing anything.”

Thus, the world of things, created with the help of everyday details, largely characterizes a person, and each detail complements the internal appearance of the character, the integrity of the revealed picture. The detail gives Gogol's descriptions extreme specificity and at the same time generality, expressing the idea, the main meaning of the depicted hero, the essence of his character (nature). “That’s why the creation of “Dead Souls” is great,” emphasized V. G. Belinsky, “that life in it is opened and dissected down to the smallest detail, and these small details are given general meaning" .

The poem "Dead Souls" is a brilliant satire on feudal Rus'. But fate has no mercy for the One whose noble genius Became an exposer of the crowd, Its passions and delusions. The creativity of N.V. Gogol is multifaceted and diverse. The writer has talent...

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. Given the character of his life, Gogol is in everything...

Russian empire the first quarter of the 19th century was a great power. The Russian army defeated Napoleon and took Paris. Emperor Alexander dictated his terms to all of Europe. The Decembrist uprising was still far away. It seemed that Russia had entered a new brilliant...

N.V. Gogol, like M.Yu. Lermontov before him, for example, was always concerned with problems of spirituality and morality - both of society as a whole and of the individual. In his works, the writer sought to show society “the full depth of its real abomination.” Ironically...

Characteristics of Chichikov are the topic of this article. What can we say about this hero from the work “Dead Souls”? Belinsky, a famous Russian critic, remarked in 1846 that, as an acquirer, Chichikov was no less, and perhaps more than Pechorin, a hero of our time. He can buy “dead souls”, collect donations for various charitable institutions, and acquire railway shares. It doesn’t matter what kind of activity someone like him does. Their essence remains unchanged.

Author's description of Chichikov at the beginning of the work

It is indisputable that Chichikov is an immortal type. You can meet people like him everywhere. This hero belongs to all times and all countries, he only accepts various shapes, depending on time and place. In the poem "Dead Souls" the action begins with the reader becoming acquainted with the main character. What is the characteristic of Chichikov? This is the “golden mean”, neither this nor that. The author, describing him, notes that he is not a handsome man, but also not a “bad-looking” person, not very thin, but not too fat, not old, but not young either. Chichikov Pavel Ivanovich is a venerable collegiate adviser. This is Chichikov’s characterization at the beginning of the work.

Visits made by Chichikov in the city

Where does he begin his stay in the city? From numerous visits: to the prosecutor, vice-governor, governor, tax farmer, police chief, head of local state-owned factories, etc. Chichikov, behaving like a well-intentioned person, knew how to very skillfully flatter everyone in conversations with these rulers. So, for example, he praised the governor for the “velvet roads” in the province under his control, and the police chief Chichikov said something flattering about the city guards. He mistakenly called the Chairman of the House and the Vice-Governor “Your Excellency” twice. Chichikov paid a compliment to the governor's wife, decent for a middle-aged man who has not too little, but not too much rank. Quote characteristic Chichikova will complement the image created by the author. Pavel Ivanovich called himself nothing more than an “insignificant worm,” complaining that he had to experience a lot in his lifetime, endure a lot in his service for the truth, and make many enemies who even attempted on his life.

Ability to carry on a conversation

The characterization of Chichikov (“Dead Souls”) can be complemented by his masterful ability to maintain a conversation. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol writes that if it was a question of a horse farm, he talked about it, but also about good dogs could provide useful comments. Moreover, Chichikov did this with “some kind of sedateness,” he spoke neither quietly nor loudly, but exactly as he should, he knew how to behave well. As we see, he learned to wear the mask of imaginary decency and vulgarity masterfully. Under this guise of a completely decent, decent gentleman, the true characteristics of Chichikov (“Dead Souls”), the content of his actions and thoughts, were hidden.

The author's attitude towards Chichikov in the first chapter

The author in the first chapter only allegorically, indirectly expresses his attitude towards Chichikov and his actions. And this hero himself, talking about the world of thick and thin, hints at his true vision of the world around him. He says that the fat ones manage their affairs better than the “thin” ones, who mostly serve on special assignments and “wander here and there.” The quotation description of Chichikov helps to better understand this image. The main character is attributed by Gogol to the world of fat people who sit firmly and securely in their places. By confirming the appearance of who Chichikov seems to be, the author is thus preparing to expose him, to reveal the truth about him.

First successful transactions

The deal with Manilov is the first success. She strengthens Pavel Ivanovich’s confidence in the safety and ease of the scam he has planned. The hero, inspired by his first success, is in a hurry to make new deals. Chichikov meets Korobochka on the way to Sobakevich, who showed him that the enterprise he conceived requires caution and subtlety, and not just persistence. This lesson, however, did not benefit Chichikov. He hurries to Sobakevich, but unexpectedly meets Nozdryov and decides to go to him.

Chichikov at Nozdryov's

Among Nozdryov’s main qualities, almost the main one was the passion to “spoil one’s neighbor,” sometimes without any reason. And Pavel Ivanovich unwittingly falls for this bait. Nozdryov ultimately reveals the true purpose of Chichikov’s acquisition of “dead souls.” This episode reveals the frivolity and weakness of the hero. Subsequently, of course, Chichikov scolded himself for acting carelessly in talking about such a delicate matter with Nozdryov. As we see, determination and perseverance, when taken too far, turn into a disadvantage.

Purchasing “dead souls” from Sobakevich

Chichikov finally arrives at Sobakevich. The characterization of Chichikov by other characters is interesting. They all have different tempers, and everyone has their own attitude towards the main character. Sobakevich is a persistent and resourceful person when it comes to his benefits. He guesses, most likely, why Chichikov needs “dead souls”. Sobakevich bargains godlessly, and besides, he also praises his dead peasants. He says that Eremey Sorokoplekhin, who traded in Moscow, brought 500 rubles per quitrent. This is not like the peasants of some Plyushkin.

Comparative characteristics of Chichikov and Plyushkin

Let's compare these two characters. The comparative characteristics of Chichikov and Plyushkin are very interesting. After all, Pavel Ivanovich was a serving nobleman, and Plyushkin was a landowner. These are the two classes that held royal Russia that time. Meanwhile, the lack of understanding of the need for daily work, the inability to engage in any useful thing makes these heroes related, leads them to disastrous results. The characterization of Chichikov and Plyushkin is very unattractive. And this is the support of the state, the “tables of society”! Helps to discover interesting connections in a work Comparative characteristics Chichikova...

Deal with Plyushkin

The enterprise conceived by Chichikov ends with a deal with Plyushkin. This landowner even loses his money. He put them in one of the boxes, where they were probably destined to remain until his death. Chichikov is now at his best. All the papers are signed, and he turns into a “millionaire” in the eyes of ordinary people. This Magic word, which opens all roads and affects both scoundrels and good people.

The real biography of Chichikov

Soon, however, Chichikov's triumph ends with the exposure of Nozdryov, who informed the authorities that he was selling dead souls. Confusion and commotion begin in the city, as well as in the reader’s mind. The author saved true biography his hero for the finale of the work, which finally gives a complete and true characterization of Chichikov in the poem “Dead Souls”. Throughout it, Pavel Ivanovich seemed virtuous and decent, but under this guise, as it turned out, a completely different essence was hidden. Characteristics of Chichikov in the poem "Dead Souls" given by the author in the finale, next.

It turned out that this was the son of a semi-impoverished nobleman, whose face did not even resemble either his mother or his father. As a child, he had no friends or comrades. And then one fine day the father decided to send his child to the city school. There were no tears during parting with him, but Chichikov was given one smart and important instruction: to study, not to make a fool, not to hang around, to please bosses and teachers, to save a penny above all else, since this thing is the most reliable thing in the world.

The unsociable and lonely Pavlusha accepted this instruction with all his heart and was guided by it all his life. He quickly grasped the spirit of leadership in the school classes and understood what “correct” behavior should be. Chichikov sat quietly in class and as a result, not having any special talents or abilities, received a certificate upon graduation, as well as a special book for trustworthy behavior and exemplary diligence. After graduating from college, Pavlusha plunged into reality: his father died, leaving him as an inheritance only 4 sweatshirts, irretrievably worn out, 2 old frock coats and a small amount of money.

At the same time, remarkably, another event occurs that reveals the true qualities of Chichikov, the future swindler. The teacher, who loved the meek student so much, was fired from the school. He disappeared into a forgotten kennel without a piece of bread. Former arrogant and rebellious students collected money for him, and only Pavel Ivanovich limited himself to a nickel, citing his extreme need.

The means by which Chichikov advanced in his career

Chichikov, it should be noted, was not stingy. However, he imagined future life with abundance and in all comforts: excellent arranged house, crews, delicious dinners and expensive entertainment. For this reason, Pavel Ivanovich agreed to go hungry and selflessly engage in service. He soon realized that honest work would not bring him what he wanted. And Chichikov begins, looking for new opportunities to improve his position, to care for the daughter of his boss. When he finally gets a promotion, he completely forgets about this family. Scams, bribes - this is the path Pavlusha took. He gradually achieves some visible well-being. But in the place of his former boss they appoint a military man, a strict man, in whom Chichikov could not gain the trust. And he is forced to look for other ways to arrange his well-being.

How Pavel Ivanovich “suffered in service”

The main character of the poem goes to another city. Here, by a lucky chance, he becomes a customs official and begins to conduct “commercial” relations with smugglers. This criminal conspiracy was discovered after some time, and all those responsible, including Chichikov, were brought to justice. This is how Pavel Ivanovich actually “suffered in his service.” Chichikov, taking care of his offspring, decides to commit another scam, which Gogol describes in detail in the poem “Dead Souls”.

Chichikov - a hero of our time

So, Chichikov, who was brought face to face with the usual, traditional order of things, contributes through his actions to the destruction of the existing order. He lays the foundation for something new. Therefore, we can say in this sense that Chichikov is rightfully the hero of our time.

The characteristics of the hero of the work “Dead Souls” (Chichikov) were presented in this article. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol wrote the poem that interests us in 1842. In it, he was able to talentedly and eloquently portray the destructiveness of the serfdom that existed at that time, and its terrifying consequences for the entire Russian society. Not easy individuals degenerate - the people and the whole state along with them are destroyed. We can say with confidence that the anti-serfdom works of Nikolai Vasilyevich played a certain role in the approach of abolition in our country