The proposed story, as will become clear from what follows, occurred somewhat soon after the "glorious expulsion of the French." The collegiate councilor Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov arrives in the provincial town of NN (he is not old and not too young, not fat or thin, looks rather pleasant and somewhat rounded) and settles in a hotel. He asks a lot of questions to the tavern servant - both regarding the owner and income of the tavern, and denouncing its thoroughness: about city officials, the most significant landowners, he asks about the state of the region and there were no "any diseases in their province, general fever" and other similar misfortunes.

Having gone on visits, the visitor discovers extraordinary activity (having visited everyone, from the governor to the inspector of the medical board) and courtesy, because he knows how to say something pleasant to everyone. He speaks about himself somehow vaguely (that “he experienced a lot in his lifetime, endured in the service for the truth, had many enemies who even attempted on his life,” and now he is looking for a place to live). At a house party with the governor, he manages to win general favor and, among other things, make acquaintance with the landowners Manilov and Sobakevich. In the following days, he dines with the chief of police (where he meets the landowner Nozdrev), visits the chairman of the chamber and the vice-governor, the tax farmer and the prosecutor, and goes to the Manilov estate (which, however, is preceded by a fair author's digression, where, justifying himself with love for detail, the author gives a detailed assessment of Petrushka, the visitor's servant: his passion for "the process of reading itself" and the ability to carry with him a special smell, "echoing somewhat of a living calm").

Having passed, against the promised, not fifteen, but all thirty miles, Chichikov finds himself in Manilovka, in the arms of an affectionate owner. Manilov's house, standing on the Jura, surrounded by several scattered in English flower beds and a gazebo with the inscription "Temple of Solitary Reflection" could characterize the owner, who was "neither this nor that", not aggravated by any passions, just overly cloying. After Manilov's confessions that Chichikov’s visit is “May Day, the birthday of the heart,” and a dinner in the company of the hostess and two sons, Themistoclus and Alcides, Chichikov discovers the reason for his arrival: he would like to acquire peasants who have died, but have not yet been declared as such in the revision the certificate, having formalized everything in a legal way, as if on the living ("the law - I am dumb before the law"). The first fright and bewilderment give way to the perfect disposition of the amiable owner, and, having completed the deal, Chichikov leaves for Sobakevich, and Manilov indulges in dreams of Chichikov's life next door across the river, of the construction of a bridge, of a house with such a belvedere that Moscow is visible from there, and oh their friendship, having learned about which the sovereign would have granted them generals. The coachman Chichikova Selifan, who was treated kindly by the courtyard people of Manilov, in conversations with his horses skips the necessary turn and, with the noise of a downpour, throws the master into the mud. In the dark, they find a lodging for the night with Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka, a somewhat fearful landowner, with whom in the morning Chichikov also begins to trade in dead souls. Explaining that he himself would now pay for them, cursing the stupidity of the old woman, promising to buy both hemp and lard, but another time, Chichikov buys souls from her for fifteen rubles, receives a detailed list of them (in which Peter Savelyev is especially amazed. - Trough) and, having eaten an unleavened pie with an egg, pancakes, pies and other things, leaves, leaving the hostess in great anxiety as to whether she is too cheap.

Leaving on the high road to the tavern, Chichikov stops to have a bite, which the author supplies the enterprise with a lengthy discourse on the properties of the appetite of middle-class gentlemen. Here he is met by Nozdryov, returning from the fair in the chaise of his son-in-law Mizuev, for he has lost his horses and even the chain with a watch. Painting the charms of the fair, the drinking qualities of the dragoon officers, a certain Kuvshinnikov, a great lover of "using about strawberries" and, finally, presenting a puppy, a "real face", Nozdryov takes Chichikov (who thinks to make a living here) to himself, taking the restraining son-in-law. Having described Nozdrev, "in some respect a historical person" (because wherever he was, there was history), his possessions, the unpretentiousness of a dinner with an abundance, however, drinks of dubious quality, the author sends his son-in-law to his wife (Nozdryov admonishes him with abuse and word "Fetyuk"), and Chichikova forces him to turn to her subject; but he can neither beg nor buy a shower: Nozdryov offers to exchange them, take them in addition to the stallion or make a bet in a card game, finally scolds, quarrels, and they part for the night. In the morning, persuasions are renewed, and, agreeing to play checkers, Chichikov notices that Nozdryov is shamelessly cheating. Chichikov, whom the owner and the courtyard are already attempting to beat, manages to escape due to the appearance of the police captain, announcing that Nozdryov is on trial. On the road, Chichikov's carriage collides with a certain crew, and, while the onlookers who have come breeze the confused horses, Chichikov admires the sixteen-year-old young lady, indulges in reasoning about her and dreams of family life. A visit to Sobakevich in his strong, like himself, estate is accompanied by a solid dinner, a discussion of city officials, who, according to the owner, are all swindlers (one prosecutor is a decent person, "and that, if you tell the truth, a pig"), and gets married to the guest of interest deal. Not in the least frightened by the strangeness of the subject, Sobakevich bargains, characterizes the advantageous qualities of each serf, supplies Chichikov with a detailed list and forces him to give a deposit.

Chichikov's path to the neighboring landowner Plyushkin, mentioned by Sobakevich, is interrupted by a conversation with a peasant who gave Plyushkin an apt, but not too printed nickname, and by the author's lyrical reflection on his former love for unfamiliar places and now indifference. Plyushkin, this "hole in humanity", Chichikov at first takes for a housekeeper or a beggar whose place is on the porch. His most important feature is his amazing stinginess, and even the old sole of his boot he carries in a heap piled up in the master's chambers. Having shown the profitability of his proposal (namely, that he will take over the taxes for the dead and fugitive peasants), Chichikov fully succeeds in his enterprise and, having refused tea with crackers, supplied with a letter to the chairman of the chamber, leaves in the most cheerful mood.

While Chichikov sleeps in the hotel, the author reflects with sadness about the baseness of the objects he is painting. Meanwhile, a contented Chichikov, waking up, composes the fortresses of sale, studies the lists of acquired peasants, reflects on their alleged fate and finally goes to the civil chamber in order to conclude the case as soon as possible. Met at the gates of the hotel Manilov accompanies him. Then follows a description of the place of presence, the first ordeals of Chichikov and a bribe to a certain pitcher's snout, until he enters the chairman's apartment, where by the way he finds Sobakevich. The chairman agrees to be Plyushkin's attorney, and at the same time speeds up other transactions. The acquisition of Chichikov is being discussed, with land or for withdrawal he bought peasants and in what places. Having found out that to the conclusion and to the Kherson province, having discussed the properties of the sold men (here the chairman remembered that the coachman Mikheev seemed to have died, but Sobakevich assured that he was old and "became healthier than before"), they conclude with champagne, go to the police chief, "father and a benefactor in the city ”(whose habits are immediately stated), where they drink to the health of the new Kherson landowner, become completely agitated, force Chichikov to stay and attempt to marry him.

Chichikov's purchases make a splash in the city, a rumor spreads that he is a millionaire. Ladies are crazy about him. Several times stepping up to describe the ladies, the author is shy and retreats. On the eve of the ball from the governor, Chichikov even receives a love letter, though not signed. Having consumed, as usual, a lot of time for the toilet and being satisfied with the result, Chichikov went to the ball, where he passed from one embrace to another. The ladies, among whom he is trying to find the sender of the letter, even quarrel, challenging his attention. But when the governor's wife approaches him, he forgets everything, for she is accompanied by her daughter ("Schoolgirl, Just Released"), a sixteen-year-old blonde, whose carriage he collided with on the road. He loses the favor of the ladies, because he starts a conversation with a fascinating blonde, scandalously neglecting the rest. To top off the trouble, Nozdryov appears and loudly asks how much Chichikov has sold the dead. And although Nozdryov is obviously drunk and the embarrassed society is gradually distracted, Chichikov does not ask himself a whist or a subsequent dinner, and he leaves upset.

At this time, a tarantass drives into the city with the landowner Korobochka, whose growing anxiety forced her to come in order to still find out at what price dead souls. In the morning, this news becomes the property of a certain pleasant lady, and she hastens to tell it to another, pleasant in all respects, the story is overgrown with amazing details (Chichikov, armed to the teeth, bursts into Korobochka at dead midnight, demands souls that have died, brings terrible fear - " the whole village came running, the children are crying, everyone is screaming ”). Her friend concludes that dead souls are only a cover, and Chichikov wants to take away the governor's daughter. After discussing the details of this enterprise, the undoubted participation of Nozdryov in it and the qualities of the governor's daughter, both ladies ordain the prosecutor to everything and set off to rebel the city.

In a short time, the city is seething, to which is added the news of the appointment of a new governor-general, as well as information about the papers received: about the distributor of counterfeit banknotes who appeared in the province, and about the robber who escaped from legal prosecution. Trying to understand who Chichikov is, they recall that he was certified very vaguely and even spoke about those who attempted his life. The postmaster's statement that Chichikov, in his opinion, is Captain Kopeikin, who has taken up arms against the injustice of the world and has become a robber, is rejected, since it follows from the contemptuous postmaster's story that the captain lacks an arm and a leg, and Chichikov is whole. An assumption arises whether Chichikov is Napoleon in disguise, and many begin to find a certain similarity, especially in profile. Interrogations of Korobochka, Manilov and Sobakevich do not yield results, and Nozdryov only multiplies the confusion by announcing that Chichikov was exactly a spy, a counterfeiter and had an undeniable intention to take away the governor's daughter, in which Nozdryov undertook to help him (each version was accompanied by detailed details up to the name the priest who took up the wedding). All these rumors have a tremendous effect on the prosecutor, a blow happens to him, and he dies.

Chichikov himself, sitting in a hotel with a slight cold, is surprised that none of the officials visit him. Finally, having gone on visits, he discovers that they do not receive him at the governor's office, and in other places they fearfully avoid him. Nozdryov, having visited him at the hotel, among the general noise he made, partly clarifies the situation, announcing that he agreed to expedite the abduction of the governor's daughter. The next day, Chichikov hastily leaves, but is stopped by a funeral procession and forced to contemplate the whole world of bureaucracy, flowing behind the coffin of the prosecutor Brichka leaves the city, and the open spaces on both sides of the city evoke sad and gratifying thoughts about Russia, the road, and then only sad his chosen hero. Concluding that it is time for the virtuous hero to give rest, and, on the contrary, to hide the scoundrel, the author sets out the life story of Pavel Ivanovich, his childhood, training in classes where he had already shown a practical mind, his relationship with his comrades and the teacher, his service later in the state chamber, some kind of commission for the construction of a government building, where for the first time he gave vent to some of his weaknesses, his subsequent departure to other, less lucrative places, the transition to the customs service, where, showing honesty and incorruptibility almost unnatural, he made a lot of money in collusion with smugglers, went bankrupt, but dodged the criminal court, although he was forced to resign. He became an attorney and, during the trouble of pledging the peasants, laid down a plan in his head, began to travel around the territories of Rus, in order to buy up dead souls and put them in the treasury as living ones, get money, buy, perhaps, a village and provide for future offspring.

Once again complaining about the nature of his hero and partly justifying him by looking for the name of "owner, acquirer", the author is distracted by the impelled running of horses, by the resemblance of a flying troika to rushing Russia and the ringing of a bell.

Volume two

It opens with a description of the nature that makes up the estate of Andrei Ivanovich Tentetnikov, whom the author calls "the smoker of the sky." The story of the stupidity of his pastime is followed by the story of a life inspired by hopes at the very beginning, overshadowed by the pettiness of the service and troubles afterwards; he retires, intending to improve his estate, reads books, takes care of the peasant, but without experience, sometimes just human, this does not give the expected results, the peasant is idle, Tentetnikov gives up. He breaks off acquaintances with neighbors, offended by the appeal of General Betrishchev, ceases to go to him, although he cannot forget his daughter Ulinka. In a word, not having someone who would tell him an invigorating "go ahead!", He completely turns sour.

Chichikov comes to him, apologizing for a breakdown in the carriage, curiosity and a desire to show respect. Having won the owner's favor with his amazing ability to adapt to anyone, Chichikov, having lived with him for a while, goes to the general, to whom he weaves a story about a foolish uncle and, as usual, begs the dead. On the laughing general, the poem fails, and we find Chichikov heading for Colonel Koshkarev. Against expectation, he gets to Peter Petrovich Petukh, whom he finds at first completely naked, carried away by the hunt for sturgeon. With the Rooster, not having anything to get hold of, for the estate is pledged, he only gorges himself terribly, meets the bored landowner Platonov and, having incited him on a joint journey across Russia, goes to Konstantin Fedorovich Kostanzhoglo, married to Platon's sister. He talks about the ways of managing, by which he increased the income from the estate tenfold, and Chichikov is terribly inspired.

Very quickly, he visits Colonel Koshkarev, who divided his village into committees, expeditions and departments and arranged perfect paperwork on the estate, as it turns out, pledged. Returning, he listens to the curses of the bile Kostanzhoglo to factories and manufactories that corrupt the peasant, to the peasant's absurd desire to educate his neighbor Khlobuev, who has neglected a hefty estate and is now letting him down for next to nothing. Having experienced affection and even a craving for honest work, having listened to the story of the tax farmer Murazov, who made forty million in an impeccable way, Chichikov the next day, accompanied by Kostanzhoglo and Platonov, goes to Khlobuyev, observes the riots and disorder of his household in the neighborhood with children, dressed in a fashionable wife and other traces of absurd luxury. Having borrowed money from Kostanzhoglo and Platonov, he gives a deposit for the estate, intending to buy it, and goes to the Platonov estate, where he meets his brother Vasily, who is the real estate manager. Then he suddenly appears at their neighbor Lenitsyn, clearly a rogue, wins his sympathy with his skillfully tickling a child and gets dead souls.

After many seizures in the manuscript, Chichikov is found already in the city at the fair, where he buys fabric of such a dear to him lingonberry color with a spark. He collides with Khlobuev, whom, as you can see, he screwed up, either by depriving him, or almost by depriving him of his inheritance by some kind of forgery. Khlobuev, who missed him, is taken away by Murazov, who convinces Khlobuev of the need to work and instructs him to collect funds for the church. Meanwhile, denunciations of Chichikov are revealed both about forgery and about dead souls. The tailor brings a new tailcoat. Suddenly a gendarme appears, dragging the well-dressed Chichikov to the Governor-General, "as angry as anger itself." Here all his atrocities become apparent, and he, kissing the general's boot, is thrown into a prison. In a dark closet, tearing his hair and coat tails, mourning the loss of the box with papers, he finds Chichikov Murazov, with simple virtuous words awakens in him a desire to live honestly and goes to soften the Governor-General. At that time, officials, wishing to play a dirty trick on their wise superiors and receive a bribe from Chichikov, deliver him a box, kidnap an important witness and write many denunciations in order to completely confuse the case. In the province itself, riots open, which greatly worries the Governor-General. However, Murazov knows how to feel the sensitive strings of his soul and give him the right advice, which the Governor-General, having released Chichikov, is going to use, as "the manuscript breaks off."

Retold

The man is not too old, but not quite young, not handsome, but not bad-looking, nor too fat, but not thin either. Having settled in the city hotel, he inquired in detail about the local prominent persons, especially interested in how many peasants had souls. In the following days, Chichikov made visits to all the main city officials. He also attended a party at the governor's, where he met the landowners Manilov and Sobakevich. A man very clever in getting around, Chichikov made a "pleasant" impression on everyone. (See Chichikov's description.)

Gogol "Dead Souls", chapter 1 - a summary. You can read the full text of this chapter on our website.

Chichikov

Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 2 - in brief

A few days later, Chichikov postponed his visits to the countryside and first of all visited the Manilov estate. Sweet Manilov claimed enlightened humanity, European education and loved to build fantastic projects, such as the construction of a huge bridge across his pond, from where Moscow could be seen during tea drinking. But, mired in dreams, he never realized them, being completely impractical and mismanagement. (See Description of Manilov, his estate and dinner with him.)

Accepting Chichikov, Manilov demonstrated refined courtesy. But in a private conversation, Chichikov made him an unexpected and strange offer: to buy from him for a small amount the recently deceased peasants (who until the next financial audit were listed as alive on paper). Manilov was extremely surprised by this, but out of courtesy he could not refuse the guest.

For more details, see Gogol's separate article "Dead Souls", Chapter 2 - a summary of the full text of this chapter.

Manilov

Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 3 - in brief

From Manilov, Chichikov thought to go to Sobakevich, but the drunken coachman Selifan drove him in a completely different direction. Having got into a thunderstorm, the travelers barely reached a village - and found a lodging for the night with the landowner Korobochka there.

The widow Korobochka was a rustic and greedy old woman. (See Description of Korobochka, her estate and dinner at her place.) The next morning, over tea, Chichikov made her the same proposal as before to Manilov. The box at first goggled, but then calmed down, most of all caring about how not to make too much money when selling the dead. She even began to refuse Chichikov, intending first to "apply to the prices of other merchants." But her dodgy guest passed himself off as a government contractor and promised to buy flour, cereals, bacon and feathers from Korobochka in bulk. In anticipation of such a lucrative deal, Korobochka agreed to sell the dead souls.

For more details see a separate article by Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 3 - a summary. You can also read the full text of this chapter on our website.

Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 4 - in brief

After leaving Korobochka, Chichikov stopped for lunch at a roadside inn and met the landowner Nozdrev there, whom he had previously met at a party at the governor's. The incorrigible boozer, reveler, liar and sharper Nozdryov (see his description) returned from the fair, having completely lost there in cards. He invited Chichikov to his estate. He agreed to go there, hoping that the broken-hearted Nozdryov would give him dead souls for free.

On his estate, Nozdryov took Chichikov around the stables and kennels for a long time, assuring that his horses and dogs cost many thousands of rubles. When the guest started talking about dead souls, Nozdryov suggested playing cards on them and immediately took out a deck. Having thoroughly suspected that she was speckled, Chichikov refused.

The next morning, Nozdryov suggested playing the dead peasants not at cards, but at checkers, where cheating is impossible. Chichikov agreed, but during the game, Nozdryov began to move several checkers at once with the cuffs of his robe in one move. Chichikov protested. In response, Nozdryov called two hefty serfs and ordered them to beat the guest. Chichikov barely managed to escape unscathed thanks to the arrival of the police captain: he brought Nozdrev a summons to court for an insult inflicted on the landlord Maksimov in a drunken state.

For more details, see a separate article by Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 4 - a summary. You can also read the full text of this chapter on our website.

Adventures of Chichikov (Nozdrev). An excerpt of the cartoon based on the plot of "Dead Souls" by Gogol

Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 5 - in brief

Having galloped away at full speed from Nozdrev, Chichikov finally reached the Sobakevich estate - a man who, in character, was the opposite of Manilov. Sobakevich deeply despised hovering in the clouds and was guided in everything only by material benefits. (See Portrait of Sobakevich, Description of the estate and the interior of Sobakevich's house.)

Explaining human actions by one desire for selfish gain, rejecting all idealism, Sobakevich certified city officials as swindlers, robbers and Christ-sellers. In figure and posture, he resembled a medium-sized bear. At the table, Sobakevich neglected the less nutritious overseas delicacies, dined on simple dishes, but devoured them in huge chunks. (See Lunch at Sobakevich's.)

Unlike others, the practical Sobakevich was not at all surprised at Chichikov's request to sell dead souls. However, he broke an exorbitant price for them - 100 rubles each, explaining it by the fact that his peasants, although dead, were “selected goods”, for they used to be excellent craftsmen and laborers. Chichikov scoffed at such an argument, but Sobakevich only after a long bargain lowered the price to two rubles and a half per capita. (See the text of the scene of their bargaining.)

Sobakevich

In a conversation with Chichikov, Sobakevich let slip that an unusually stingy landowner Plyushkin lives not far from him and that this owner has more than a thousand peasants who are dying like flies. After leaving Sobakevich, Chichikov immediately found out the way to Plyushkin.

For more details see a separate article by Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 5 - a summary. You can also read the full text of this chapter on our website.

Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 6 - in brief

Plyushkin

Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 7 - in brief

Returning to the provincial town of N, Chichikov took up the final design of the merchant fortresses in the state chancellery. This chamber was located in the main city square. Inside it, many officials diligently pored over papers. The noise of their feathers sounded like a few wagons with brushwood passing through a forest littered with withered leaves. To speed up the case, Chichikov had to bribe the clerk Ivan Antonovich with a long nose, colloquially called a jug snout.

Manilov and Sobakevich arrived to sign the merchants themselves, while the rest of the sellers acted through attorneys. Not knowing that all the peasants bought by Chichikov were dead, the chairman of the chamber asked what land he intended to settle them on. Chichikov lied about his alleged estate in the Kherson province.

To "inject" the purchase, everyone went to the chief of police. Among the city fathers, he was known for a miracle worker: he had only to blink, passing by the fish row or cellar, and the merchants themselves carried snacks in great abundance. At a noisy feast, Sobakevich especially distinguished himself: while the other guests were drinking, in a quarter of an hour he quietly peed alone to the bones of a huge sturgeon, and then pretended that he had nothing to do with it.

For more details see a separate article by Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 7 - a summary. You can also read the full text of this chapter on our website.

Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 8 - in brief

Chichikov bought dead souls from landlords for a penny, but on the paper, the merchants indicated that he had paid about a hundred thousand for everyone. Such a large purchase caused the liveliest rumors in the city. The rumor that Chichikov is a millionaire raised him strongly in all eyes. In the opinion of the ladies, he became a real hero, and they even began to find in his appearance something similar to Mars.

Gogol "Dead Souls", chapter 9 - briefly

At first, Nozdryov's words were considered intoxicating nonsense. However, soon the news of the purchase of the dead by Chichikov was confirmed by Korobochka, who came to the city to find out if she had made a bargain in her deal with him. The wife of the local archpriest conveyed the story of Korobochka to one well-known in the city world nice lady, and she - to her friend - a lady pleasant in all respects... From these two ladies, the rumor spread to everyone else.

The whole city was lost in conjectures: why did Chichikov buy dead souls? In the female half of society, inclined to frivolous romance, a strange thought arose that he wanted to cover up the preparations for the abduction of the governor's daughter. More down-to-earth male officials wondered if there was a strange newcomer - an inspector sent to their province for investigation due to official omissions, and "dead souls" - some conventional phrase, whose meaning is known only to Chichikov himself and the higher authorities. Perplexity reached true awe when the governor received two papers from above, informing that a well-known counterfeiter and a dangerous fugitive robber might be in their area.

For more details see a separate article by Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 9 - a summary. You can also read the full text of this chapter on our website.

Gogol "Dead Souls", chapter 10 - briefly

The city fathers gathered for a meeting with the chief of police to decide who Chichikov was and what to do with him. The most daring hypotheses were put forward here. Some considered Chichikov as a forger of banknotes, others as an investigator who would soon arrest them all, and still others as a murderer. There was even an opinion that he was Napoleon in disguise, released by the British from the island of St. Helena, and the postmaster saw in Chichikov Captain Kopeikin, an invalid in the war against the French, who did not receive a pension from the authorities for his injury and took revenge on them with the help of a gang of robbers recruited in the Ryazan forests.

Remembering that Nozdryov was the first to speak about the dead souls, they decided to send for him. But this famous liar, having come to the meeting, began to confirm all assumptions at once. He said that Chichikov had previously kept two million counterfeit money and that he even managed to elude the police who surrounded the house with them. According to Nozdrev, Chichikov really wanted to kidnap the governor's daughter, prepared horses at all stations and bribed a priest - Father Sidor in the village of Trukhmachevka - for a secret wedding for 75 rubles.

Realizing that Nozdryov was carrying game, those present drove him away. He went to Chichikov, who was ill and did not know anything about the city's rumors. Nozdryov "out of friendship" told Chichikov: in the city everyone considers him a counterfeiter and an extremely dangerous person. Shaken, Chichikov decided to leave in a hurry early in the morning.

For more details, see individual articles by Gogol "Dead Souls", Chapter 10 - a summary and Gogol "The Tale of Captain Kopeikin" - a summary. You can also read the full text of this chapter on our website.

Gogol "Dead Souls", chapter 11 - briefly

The next day, Chichikov almost fled from the city N. His chaise rolled along the high road, and during this journey Gogol told the readers the story of his hero's life and finally explained for what purpose he acquired dead souls.

Chichikov's parents were nobles, but very poor. As a young boy, he was taken from the village to the city and sent to a school. (See Chichikov's childhood.) The father finally gave his son advice to please the bosses and save a penny.

Chichikov always followed this parental instruction. He did not have brilliant talents, but constantly currying favor with teachers - and graduated from school with an excellent certificate. Self-interest, a thirst to break out of the poor into wealthy people were the main properties of his soul. After school, Chichikov entered the lowest official position, achieved a promotion, promising to marry the ugly daughter of his boss, but deceived him. By means of lies and hypocrisy, Chichikov twice reached prominent official posts, but the first time he plundered money assigned to government construction, and the second time he acted as the patron saint of a gang of smugglers. In both cases, he was exposed and barely escaped prison.

He had to be content with the position of a judicial attorney. At that time, loans on the mortgage of landowners' estates to the treasury spread. While doing one such case, Chichikov suddenly found out that the deceased serfs were listed alive on paper until the next financial audit, which took place in Russia only once every few years. When pledging estates, the nobles received from the treasury sums according to the number of their peasant souls - 200 rubles per person. Chichikov came up with the idea of ​​traveling around the provinces, buying up dead peasant souls for a penny, but not yet marked as such in the revision, then pledging them in bulk - and so get a rich jackpot ...

Chapter I

The poem is set in one small town, which Gogol gave the name "NN". So, one day an interesting chaise drove up to the city hotel. As the author says, only bachelors ride in such a chaise. In this bachelor transport sat a man “not handsome, but not bad-looking, neither too fat nor too thin; one cannot say that he is old, but not so that he is too young. " Nobody noticed the arrival of this gentleman, except for two peasants who were standing at the entrance to the tavern opposite the city hotel. Seeing a carriage approaching, they began to argue whether it would make it to Moscow or Kazan.

The visiting gentleman settled in one of the hotel rooms with huge cockroaches that ran from corner to corner. With him also came a footman named Petrushka and Selifan, he was a coachman. While the footman and the coachman were sorting out the visiting gentleman's things, he went down to the common room and ordered dinner. During the meal, this gentleman started a conversation with the sex about landowners with a large number of peasant souls and officials of the local city.

The name of the newcomer was Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. The next day, Pavel Ivanovich paid a visit to all city authorities and minor officials, including the governor. Chichikova was distinguished by her courtesy and the ability to quickly win the trust of her interlocutor. For example, in front of the governor, he could not get enough of the city roads. For this, the latter invited Pavel Ivanovich to his home to celebrate some event. Other deceived officials invited Chichikov to their house to taste tea.

The main character did not say much about himself. Only that he wants to settle in this city, and therefore wants to meet all the city officials.

In the evening Pavel Ivanovich went to visit the governor. There were many people there: men in black tailcoats with white shirts, women in evening dresses. All the men present could be divided into two types: thick and thin. Further, Gogol tells the reader that thin people are suitable only for small, insignificant matters, and fat people are more reasonable and achieve significant results in their activities. The author refers Chichikov to fat people.

In the governor's house, Chichikov meets two landowners - Manilov and Sobakevich. The landowners invite Pavel Ivanovich to visit their villages.

A few more days Chichikov was visited by city officials. In the city of NN there was a rumor about him as a businesslike and decent gentleman.

Chapter II

For about a week, Pavel Ivanovich lived in the city of NN, visiting all kinds of officials, and after that he decided to visit his new acquaintances, the landowners Manilov and Sobakevich. Then Gogol describes to us a lackey Petrushka. The latter's favorite pastime was reading books. It should be noted that Petrushka read everything in a row, without giving preference. By nature, he was silent. Parsley was distinguished by two things: he slept, what he wore; from him constantly exuded some kind of the same smell.

First of all, Chichikov decided to visit the landowner Manilov. His estate stood in the outskirts, blown by the winds. Near the house of the landowner there was a gazebo on which the inscription "Temple of Solitary Meditation" was visible. Manilov was very happy about the arrival of his dear guest and immediately invited him to come into the house.

Looking at Manilov, it was very difficult to understand what his character was. Gogol said about Manilov that he was neither this nor that. His features were pleasant and sugar-like. His manner of speaking was supportive and friendly. About Manilov, we can say that he was a dreamy nature, almost did not follow the household, but was constantly thinking about something. Once he even wanted to dig an underground tunnel from his house, but this idea remained an idea.A book on one page has been gathering dust in the landowner's study for two years. Manilov lived with his wife amicably and happily. And they had two sons - Themistokmos and Alcides.

Chichikov decides to start a business conversation. He asked Manilov for a register of peasants who had died after the last census. After that, Pavel Ivanovich makes an amazing offer to the landowner to buy the dead souls of these peasants. According to all the documents, the eyes pass as if they were alive and Manilov was obliged to pay tax for them. This proposal plunged the landowner into a daze, but Chichikov assured that everything would be arranged in the proper form. According to the documents, the dead peasants will pass as if they were alive.

Manilov refuses money and gives the dead souls of peasants to Chichikov. After that, Pavel Ivanovich leaves the estate of the landowner, and Manilov plunges into his next dreams, seeing how the tsar presents him and Chichikov with generals' pagons for their strong friendship.

Chapter III

Chichikov leaves the Manilov estate in a very good mood, he is glad of a successful deal. The coachman Selifan, talking with the horse, was completely distracted and drove off the road. Chichikov's chaise drove across the plowed land and eventually turned over, and Pavel Ivanovich fell into the mud.

Only in the evening did the travelers arrive at a village. These were the possessions of Korobochka Nastasya Petrovna. Nastasya Petrovna was an elderly and very melancholic woman. She grieved when there was a poor harvest, or the farm suffered losses, but at the same time, she gradually saved up money and hid it in drawers in dressers. By nature, the landowner Korobochka was a very thrifty person.

For Chichikov, a separate room was prepared for sleeping with a feather bed fluffed up to the ceiling. The next day Pavel Ivanovich woke up late. His clean clothes were already in the room. Looking out the window, Chichikov saw a large farm, the peasants lived in prosperity, order and cleanliness reigned in the estate.

After that, Pavel Ivanovich went to the room of the mistress of the estate and immediately started talking about selling the dead souls of the peasants. Nastasya Petrovna could not understand what her guest was talking about, but she felt that the deal was profitable. Unable to bear it, Chichikov called Korobochka "tough-minded", "damned old woman." The landowner refused to sell dead souls, she wanted to study the demand first, so as not to be too cheap. Nevertheless, Chichikov manages to persuade Nastasya Petrovna to sell him the dead souls of the peasants. For this he bought honey and hemp from the landowner. Korobochka was glad of such a deal, she treated Pavel Ivanovich, after which he leaves the estate of the landowner.

Chapter IV

Having decided to have a bite to eat, Chichikov drives into a tavern. There he struck up a conversation with the owner of this institution. She says that she knows the landowners Manilov and Sobakevich well. From her words, one can understand that Manilov is a delicate person. He liked to order many dishes, but he did not eat everything, but only tried. Sobakevich, on the other hand, ordered one dish, which he ate completely, then asked for supplements, for which he must pay extra.

At this time, an acquaintance of Chichikov, Nozdryov, appeared in the tavern. Nozdryov was a landowner. He was distinguished by medium height, strong build, snow-white teeth and resin sideburns. He was a man from whom he radiated health. Nozdryov began a conversation with Chichikov by visiting the fair, where he had let go of all the money and things. He turns to Pavel Ivanovich, as to an old friend, scolding him for the fact that he has not yet come to visit him. Later, Nozdryov brings Chichikov to his estate.

Next, Gogol introduces us to the personality of the landowner Nozdrev. About the landowner, the author says that he was a reveler, that he was one of those who often make friends and those who often find themselves beaten by new friends. Further, we learn that his wife has already died, leaving two children, whom the landowner did not take care of at all. Nozdryov never sat at home, but constantly traveled to fairs and balls. He loved to play cards. Since he did not play fair, he often returned home beaten and battered. And what is most surprising, he could be friends with his offenders the very next day.

Nozdryov was a liar by nature. He often started stories about a pink or blue horse. The landowner loved to annoy close people and friends, spreading rumors, telling fables. He was restless. At any moment he could jump off the spot and go where his eyes would look. He offered ridiculous exchanges of everything for everything. And he did this not for profit, but for the sake of action and his curious character.

Nozdryov's estate was as reckless as its owner. There was a construction goat in the dining room of the house. The men used it to whitewash the walls. Nozdryov immediately took Chichikov to inspect his estate. The landowner had many dogs of all stripes. Their nicknames were very original: shoot, swear, bake.

At about five o'clock in the evening, Nozdryov invited Chichikov to dinner. Food, like everything in the landlord's house, was not the main thing. Some dishes were burnt, others damp. During the meal, Pavel Ivanovich starts a conversation about selling dead souls. The landowner agrees to the deal on one condition: Chichikov had to buy another horse with a dog and a barrel organ. Pavel Ivanovich does not agree to this.

The next day, Nozdrev calls Chichikov to play checkers for dead souls. The latter agrees. During the game, Chichikov notices that the landowner is not playing fair and stops the game. When Nozdryov orders his servants to beat Pavel Ivanovich. At this moment, a police captain enters the Nozdryov estate and reminds Nozdrev that he is on trial for beating the landowner Maximov. Chichikov, taking advantage of the moment, leaves the estate of Nozdryov.

Chapter V

On the way to the village of Sobakevich, coachman Selifan, having lost control of the chaise, collides with another chaise, which was harnessed by six horses. The reins got messed up and both vehicles got stuck on the road. This event attracted the attention of local men, who gave ridiculous advice to the coachmen, thereby making it difficult to quickly fix the problem. In the chaise, Chichikov noticed an old woman and a girl with golden hair. She looked about sixteen years old. Chichikov liked the young lady, and he tried to start a conversation, but it did not work out. At this time, the reins were unraveled and the travelers parted.

Sobakevich's estate was significant in size. Everything about it was done for centuries. It was noticeable that the owner was busy with the housework, because order reigned everywhere.

Gogol compared Sobakevich to a "medium-sized bear." This image was emphasized by a bear-colored tailcoat, long sleeves and pantaloons and a clubfoot gait. His face was red-hot. The landowner did not turn his neck at all. Because of this, I almost never looked at my interlocutor. In addition, Sobakevich's name was Mikhail Semenovich.

Sobakevich invited Chichikov to go into the drawing room to dine. In the living room there were huge paintings of Greek generals. They were all depicted with "thick thighs and an unheard of mustache."

All household utensils seemed to resemble their master and complemented him. For example, in the corner of the living room there was a "pot-bellied walnut bureau on preposterous four legs" that resembled a bear.

For about five minutes Chichikov, Sobakevich and his wife sat in silence. To start the conversation, Pavel Ivanovich decided to talk about city officials. Sobakevich did not immediately respond flatteringly about them, calling them swindlers and hypocrites.

The lunch dishes were very nutritious. The landowner lived by the rule: if pork is served for dinner, then you need to eat the whole pig. Lamb and beef were treated the same way. In support of this rule, Sobakevich ate most of the lamb flank on his own, gnawing even the bones.

Later, when Sobakevich's wife left the living room, Chichikov started talking about buying dead peasant souls. Sobakevich immediately wanted to sell them at a price of one hundred rubles per capita. The price was explained by the fact that all the peasants were masters of their craft and were famous throughout the region. Pavel Ivanovich was embarrassed by such a price, and after long negotiations the parties agreed on a price of 2.5 rubles per capita.

Later Chichikov leaves the village of Sobakevich very displeased. He believes that Sobakevich simply robbed him. Pavel Ivanovich is heading to the estate of the landowner Plyushkin.

Chapter VI

The village of Plyushkina was a mirror image of the village of Sobakevich. The houses here were very dilapidated, their roofs were full of holes, and there were no glass in the windows at all. Behind the village huts could be seen huge stacks of the master's bread, only they had been lying there for a long time from which they were overgrown with grass.

Gogol compares Plyushkin's house to a “decrepit invalid”. Almost all the windows were covered with boards, the plaster on the walls was sprinkled. An old dry garden grew around the house. Everything around said that once a stormy life was in full swing here, but now everything has died and is in oblivion.

In the center of the courtyard, Chichikov noticed "some figure" who had quarreled with the peasant. It was impossible to understand who it was: a man or a woman. She was wearing women's clothes, and a bunch of keys dangled from her belt. Deciding that this was a woman, Chichikov called out to her and said that the master was waiting for him. She told him to go into the house.

From the house pulled cold and basement dampness. The interior of the house was even worse than the outside. One got the impression that all the furniture had been taken down into one room. The table was littered with some kind of papers, glasses with liquid in which the men were swimming. All this was covered with a thick layer of dust. What was not needed was simply piled up in the corner of the room.

A little later, the figure of a woman from the courtyard, already familiar to Chichikov, appears in the room. As it turned out, this was Plyushkin. He was a man with a huge chin, small eyes and bushy eyebrows. His clothes were so worn and oiled that it was impossible to understand what he was wearing at all. In appearance, Plyushkin looked like the most ordinary beggar who asked for alms from the church.

In fact, Plyushkin was one of the richest landowners in this region. He had over a thousand serfs. His storerooms and barns were piled high with goods. But even this was not enough for the landlord. Every day he collected all sorts of things in the village and dragged everything into the house, dumping in the corners.

Further, Gogol tells us that Plyushkin was not always like this. He used to be an exemplary host. His farm worked like clockwork, bringing huge profits to its owner. But after the death of his wife, Plyushkin changed, he began to get greedy every day. After his eldest daughter ran away from home to the headquarters captain, Plyushkin cursed her, the estate was deserted even more. The son of a landowner, without the permission of his father, decided on military service. After he lost at cards, Plyushkin cursed him too, and was never again interested in his fate. When the youngest daughter died, Plyushkin was left alone with everything. This loneliness every day generated in him an irresistible feeling of greed and stinginess.

Soon the merchants stopped visiting the Plyushkin estate. All the goods of the landowner turned into decay, and the estate fell into decay.

Plyushkin began his conversation with Chichikov with the fact that he was very poor. Pavel Ivanovich offered him help in the form of buying dead souls. Plyushkin was very happy about this and even treated Chichikov to tea with a mossy rusk.

Chichikov bought more than one hundred and twenty dead souls from Plyushkin. After that, he returned in excellent spirits to his city hotel room.

Chapter vii

Waking up in the morning, Chichikov began to study the lists of acquired peasant souls. During the time that Pavel Ivanovich was in the city "NN" he managed to buy four hundred dead souls. Getting acquainted with their names, he reflected on the hard life of a simple serf peasant. In one of the lists of peasants whom Chichikov bought from Sobakevich, he found a female name: Sparrow Elizabeth. After that, Pavel Ivanovich said: "Scoundrel Sobakevich, he cheated here too!"

A little later, Chichikov went to the chairman of the judicial chamber for registration of the deed of the fortress. There he met Manilov and Sobakevich. Pavel Ivanovich wandered around the offices of officials for a long time, until he gave it up. After the deal was finalized, he went to the chairman to wash the purchase. Chichikov told everyone that he was buying peasants for export to the Kherson province. At one point, he himself believed what was said. All evening everyone drank to Pavel Ivanovich and to his future bride, whom they wanted to find in the city.

Chapter viii

After high-profile purchases, Chichikov was in the center of attention of all residents of the city "NN". They began to venerate him as a very rich and noble person. All those around him treated him with love and care. Also at this time, Pavel Ivanovich began to be in demand among the female population of the city.

One day Chichikov was invited to a regular ball, which took place in the governor's house. There Pavel Ivanovich was the number one person. There was not even a minute that someone did not hug Chichikov or shake his hand. The women surrounded the protagonist with a tight ring and occupied him with their conversations. In an instant Chichikov noticed that golden-haired girl whom he had tried to meet earlier, on the way to the village of Sobakevich. It turns out she was the daughter of the governor. Pavel Ivanovich immediately turned his attention to her. The girl, as if not noticing his signs of attention, occasionally yawned. The surrounding ladies were angry with such behavior of Chichikov.

A little later, the landowner Nozdrev appears at the ball, who loudly declares that Chichikov is buying up not peasants, but their dead souls. None of those present paid any attention to the words of Nozdryov, because the landowner was known as a noble liar. Pavel Ivanovich spent the rest of the evening with a negative aftertaste in his soul.

At the height of the ball at the governor's house, a chaise like a fat watermelon drove into the city. In it sat the landowner Korobochka, who came to find out the true value of the dead souls that she sold to Chichikov.

Chapter IX

The next day, one resident of the city "NN" came to her friend and told her the news: Chichikov is buying the dead souls of peasants. The landowner Korobochka, who personally sold them to him, said about this.

Without thinking twice, the ladies decided that all this was just a cover. The true target is the governor's daughter, whom Chichikov planned to kidnap. This news spread through the city at the speed of light. The townspeople simply rebelled. Everything was confused in their heads, and no one could understand what was the matter. The news got new details every day. Whether Pavel Ivanovich left his wife for the sake of the governor's daughter, whom he secretly met in the moonlight. City officials were also alarmed when they heard the news about the purchase of dead souls. Everyone began to look for sins in themselves that were not there.

Just at the moment of the apogee of the news about Chichikov, the governor receives a message about the escaped criminal. This completely confused everyone. And to find the truth, city officials went to the chief of police.

Chapter X

All city officials were worried about the events. Only the postmaster was calm and balanced. He told the audience that Pavel Ivanovich was the captain of Kopeikin and told the story of captain Kopeikin.

Captain Kopeikin lost an arm and a leg during the military campaign of the twelfth year. Together with the wounded soldiers he was taken to St. Petersburg. As it turned out, there were no orders regarding the wounded, and the captain found himself in a hopeless state. To clarify the situation, he decides to go to the sovereign. In St. Petersburg, Captain Kopeikin rents the cheapest room, after which he goes to the grandee to ask the sovereign's favor.

After standing in line for about four hours, Kopeikin managed to talk to the nobleman. The latter asked him to come in a few days later. The next day Kopeikin again came to the nobleman. He said that it was necessary to wait for the order of the king about the wounded. The captain could not wait. He enters the nobleman's house and declares that he will not budge until his problem is solved. For such behavior Kopeikin is expelled from St. Petersburg. Nobody heard more about the captain. A few months later, rumors spread that a gang of robbers led by Captain Kopeikin was operating in the forests near Ryazan.

This story did not make a special impression on those present. Chichikov's arms and legs were intact, so he could not be the captain of Kopeikin. Then the thought arose that Pavel Ivanovich was Napoleon. To confirm this idea, officials turn to the landowner Nozdrev. He confirms that Chichikov is a misdirected cossack. From these rumors, the prosecutor most likely had a heart attack, and he died when he came home.

Due to illness, Chichikov lay for three days in his room and did not know anything about the events in the city. After his recovery, he decides to visit the city officials, but no one else will let him in. Towards evening, Nozdryov comes to Pavel Ivanovich, who tells him about what happened. Chichikov decides to leave the city as soon as possible and tells Selifan to prepare the chaise for the trip.

Chapter XI

The next day, Chichikov did not manage to quickly leave the city of "NN". Selifan did not prepare the chaise (it was necessary to shoe the horses, tighten the wheel), and Pavel Ivanovich himself woke up late. All these preparations took about five more hours. After that, Chichikov sat down in the chaise, and they set off.

One of the streets of the city was blocked by a funeral procession. Pavel Ivanovich hid in the chaise, as he did not want to be seen. After a while, the chaise finally left the city.

Chichikov was born into a noble family. Pavlusha grew up without friends in a small room. Later, his father moved him to the city, where the main character began to attend school. The last instruction of Chichikov's father were the words: "Most of all please teachers and bosses." They became the main principle of the main character's life.

Chichikov did not have special skills for education. He was always a humble and quiet student. Pavel Ivanovich was a man with a practical mindset. He did not spend the fifty kopeck that his father left him, but managed to increase it by selling baked goods to his comrades. All his life Chichikov saved money not out of greed. He wanted a beautiful and well-fed life.

Later he entered the service in the state chamber, where he took the lowest position. There, he pleases the boss as best he can, shows signs of attention to his daughter, promises even to marry her. Later, having received a higher position, Chichikov forgets about marriage.

After a while, he became a member of the commission for the construction of a state house. Construction continued for six years, but the state house was never built. But each member of the commission got his own brand new home. Later, the head was changed, and all property was confiscated.

Chichikov was again left penniless. He gets a job at customs. There, he shows his ability to search smugglers, for which he receives a promotion. After that, Pavel Ivanovich concludes an agreement with the smugglers, receiving huge profits from this. Over time, this connection became apparent, and Chichikov is put on trial. Somehow, the protagonist eludes criminal punishment. He again loses his fortune.

After that, he comes up with the idea of ​​buying dead souls, because under them you can get a bank loan and hide with money. It is for this purpose that Chichikov comes to the city of "NN".

Gogol treats his hero as a purchaser of a khazyain. Many people may not like it. To which the author recommends everyone to look into their souls and answer the question: "Isn't there some part of Chichikov in me too?"

The poem ends with Chichikov's chaise rushing along the road, and the main character himself smiles, as he loves fast driving.

The work of N. V. Gogol "Dead Souls" was written in the second half of the 19th century. In this article you can read the first volume of the poem "Dead Souls", which consists of 11 chapters.

Heroes of the work

Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov - the main character, travels across Russia to find dead souls, knows how to find an approach to any person.

Manilov - middle-aged landowner. Lives with children and wife.

Box - aged woman, a widow. Lives in a small village, sells various products and furs at the market.

Nozdryov - a landowner who often plays cards and tells various tales and stories.

Plyushkin - a strange man who lives alone.

Sobakevich - landowner, everywhere trying to find great benefits for himself.

Selifan - coachman and servant of Chichikov. Extra drinker.

The content of the poem "Dead Souls" chapter by chapter briefly

Chapter 1

Chichikov, together with the servants, arrives in the city. The man moved into an ordinary hotel. During lunch, the main character asks the innkeeper about everything that happens in the city, so he gets useful information about influential officials and famous landowners. At a reception with the governor, Chichikov personally meets most of the landowners. Landowners Sobakevich and Manilov say they would like the hero to visit them. So for several days Chichikov comes to the vice-governor, prosecutor and tax farmer. The city begins to relate positively to the main character.

Chapter 2

A week later, the main character goes to Manilov in the village of Manilovka. Chichikov, forgive Manilov, so that he would sell him dead souls - dead peasants, which are written down on paper. The naive and accommodating Manilov gives the hero dead souls for free.

Chapter 3

Chichikov then goes to Sobakevich, but loses his way. He goes to spend the night with the landowner Korobochka. After sleep, in the morning Chichikov talks to the old woman and persuades her to sell her dead souls.

Chapter 4

Chichikov decides to stop by the tavern on his way. He meets the landowner Nozdryov. The gambler was too open and friendly, but his games often ended in fights. The main character wanted to buy dead souls from him, but Nozdryov said that he could play checkers for the souls. This fight almost ended in a fight, so Chichikov decided to retire. Pavel Ivanovich thought for a long time that he shouldn't have trusted Nozdrev.

Chapter 5

The main character comes to Sobakevich. He was a fairly large man, he agreed to sell dead souls to Chichikov and even filled a price for them. The men decided to make a deal after a while in the city.

Chapter 6

Chichikov arrives at the village of Plyushkina. The estate was very miserable to look at, and the tycoon himself was too stingy. Plyushkin sold the dead souls to Chichikov with joy and considered the main character a fool.

Chapter 7

In the morning Chichikov goes to the ward to draw up documents for the peasants. On the way, he meets Manilov. In the ward, they meet Sobakevich, the chairman of the ward helps the protagonist to quickly draw up documents. After the deal, they all go to the postmaster together to celebrate the event.

Chapter 8

The news of Pavel Ivanovich's purchases spread throughout the city. Everyone believed that he was a very rich man, but they had no idea what kind of souls he was actually buying. At the ball, Nozdryov decides to betray Chichikov and shouted about his secret.

Chapter 9

The landowner Korobochka arrives in the city and confirms the purchase of the main character's dead souls. Rumors are spreading throughout the city that Chichikov wants to kidnap the governor's daughter.

Chapter 10

Officials get together and raise various suspicions about who Chichikov is. The postmaster puts forward his version that the main character is Kopeikin from his own story "The Tale of Captain Kopeikin". Suddenly, due to excessive stress, a prosecutor dies. Chichikov himself has been sick with a cold for three days, he comes to the governor, but he is not even allowed into the house. Nozdryov tells the main character about the rumors that go around the city, so Chichikov decides to leave the city in the morning.

• Also read -

Dead Souls. The poem, written by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol in 1841, had a grandiose concept. It was supposed to be a work in three parts. The first volume was supposed to acquaint readers with a real Russian person who possesses many "gifts and riches" and, at the same time, a huge number of shortcomings. It is this first house that has reached the modern reader in full. Since the manuscript of the second volume was burned by the great Russian writer shortly before his death, only a few chapters have survived.

The poem "Dead Souls" is the story of Chichikov, who bought up dead serfs in order to spin a scam that would bring him a huge amount of money. Telling about the adventures of Mr. Chichikov, the author reflects on problems of a social and philosophical nature. The very title of the poem "Dead Souls" has several meanings.

“Dead Souls” are, first of all, dead peasants who are bought by Chichikov, moving from landlord to landowner. But the situation when the sale and purchase of a person becomes an everyday matter, and makes living serfs "dead", they are goods in the hands of powerful masters. Gradually, the concept of "dead souls" is being transformed, acquiring a new meaning. It becomes clear to the reader that the dead souls are the landowners themselves, people mired in their passions for small things, “small townsfolk”. And although all 5 landowners who were visited by the protagonist, at first glance, do not look alike, they have something in common - worthlessness, emptiness.

"Dead Souls" summary

1-6 chapters

Chapter 1 of the poem is an exhibition. The reader meets Mr. Chichikov, who arrives in the city. The hero stops at an inn, and then pays visits to all available officials. During such visits, Chichikov met with some landowners: Manilov, Sobakevich, Nozdrev. He will find out how many souls each landowner contains, whether their estates are far away.

2-6 chapters - Chichikov's journey through the landowners. The main character visited 5 estates, met with five landowners: Manilov, Sobakevich, Nozdrev, Korobochka and Plyushkin. Having traveled 30 versts, instead of the promised 15, Chichikov comes to Manilov. His estate is located in the Jurassic, among the English flower beds. The owner of the estate is very kind, but as it turns out, after a few minutes, too kind, too cloying. He does not delve into the affairs of the estate, but lives on illusions, dreams, indulging in thoughts all day about unrealizable ideas. Chichikov dines with the Manilovs, and then informs the owner that he wants to buy dead serfs from him, who are considered alive. Manilov starts to get scared, but then, feeling emotional, happily agrees. Chichikov leaves for Sobakevich.

The coachman Selifan misses the turn, which is why the travelers end up not with Sobakevich, but with Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka. Korobochka is an elderly landowner, she is very homely. Nothing disappears in her house, and the peasants have strong huts. For a long time she does not agree to give the dead serfs to Chichikov, she is wondering whether she will be cheap, if they will be useful to her. As a result, having paid fifteen rubles for each "dead soul" Chichikov goes on.

On the high road, the hero stops to have a bite to eat at a tavern. Here he meets the next landowner - Nozdryov. He returns with his son-in-law from the fair - Nozdryov lost his horses. Where Nozdryov did not appear, a story happened to him everywhere, he is such a daring hooligan. The landowner takes Chichikov to his home, where the hero tries to persuade Nozdryov to sell him the dead peasants. Nozdryov is not that simple: he engages Chichikov in the game of checkers, where the "dead souls" so desired by Chichikov become the stake. As the game progresses, it becomes clear that Nozdryov is openly cheating. When it almost comes to a fight, the buyer of the dead is saved by a sudden visit from the police captain, who informs him that Nozdryov is on trial. Chichikov manages to escape. On the road, the traveler's crew accidentally collides with an unfamiliar crew. While the means of transportation are being put in order, Chichikov admires a young special pleasant appearance and reflects on the pleasures of family life.

Sobakevich, the next landowner, thoroughly feeds the traveler with dinner, at the same time discussing all the city officials. All of them, according to Sobakevich, are the lowest people, swindlers and pigs. Having learned that, or rather whom, he wants to buy Chichikov, Sobakevich is not at all surprised. He is bargaining and asks Chichikov to leave a deposit.

Chichikov's journey ends with a visit to the last landowner - Plyushkin. The author calls it "a hole in humanity." Chichikov, seeing Plyushkin, thinks that it is a housekeeper or a servant. The owner of the estate is dressed in rags, incomprehensible rags. Nothing is thrown out in his house, but on the contrary, even the sole of the shoe will be brought into the house. The trash is piled up in slides, Plyushkin invites Chichikov to drink a drink, which he himself has re-filtered from the dirt. Having told about the obvious benefits of selling dead souls and having concluded a successful deal, Chichikov returns to the city.

7-10 chapters

The chapters show another stratum of society - the bureaucracy. Chichikov, having prepared all the lists of peasants, goes to the ward, where Manilov and Sobakevich are already waiting for him. The chairman of the chamber helps to draw up all the documents, signs the bill of sale for Plyushkin. Chichikov informs the officials that he will send all the peasants to the Kherson province. After completing the paperwork, all those present go to the next room, where they eat and drink to the newly-born landowner and his future lucky wife.

Chichikov returns to the tavern, exhausted and very tired. The very next day, rumors began to circulate in the city that Chichikov was a millionaire. The ladies began to go crazy, the hero even received a letter with amorous verses from an unknown woman. And most importantly, he is invited to the governor's ball. At the ball, Chichikov enjoys a breathtaking success. He moves from one embrace to another, from one conversation to another. The women do not take their eyes off him. But Chichikov was interested only in one girl - a sixteen-year-old blonde, whom he had once encountered on the road.

She turned out to be the daughter of the governor. But such an excellent state of affairs is spoiled by Nozdryov: drunk, publicly he asks the new Kherson landowner how much he has bargained for dead souls. Society does not take the words of the drunk seriously, but Chichikov is noticeably upset, does not support the conversation, and makes a mistake in the card game. The next day, Korobochka comes to the city to find out how much the dead souls are today. Her arrival provides a fertile ground for gossip that divides the city into two parties: male and female.

The men's party is trying to find out why Chichikov bought up dead souls, while the women's party believes that Chichikov wants to steal the governor's daughter. Officials, talking about Chichikov, get confused in riddles. Some believe that he is a counterfeit banknote maker, others that he is Captain Kopeikin. Nozdryov also adds fuel to the fire, who confirms every guess with invented details. After these proceedings, the shocked prosecutor comes home and dies.

At this time, Chichikov is ill and does not understand why no one visits him. Fortunately, Nozdryov visits him and tells him who Chichikov is now in the eyes of the inhabitants of the city. The hero decides to leave urgently, but when leaving the city he is faced with a funeral procession. Chapter 11 occupies a special place, the author tells the biography of Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. About his childhood, studies, career, service. Chichikov was poor, but he possessed a practical mind, which helped to lay down in his head a plan on how to buy dead peasants, and then, bailing out money, ensure a calm future for himself.