A brief retelling of chapter 7 of Dead Souls Gogol. A brief retelling of "dead souls" chapter by chapter
Dear friends! There are many versions of the summary of the unforgettable N. Gogol's poem "Dead Souls". There are very short versions and more detailed. We have prepared for you the “golden mean” - the optimal version in terms of volume summary works "Dead Souls". The text of the brief retelling is divided into volumes and by chapter.
Dead souls - summary by chapter
Volume one of the poem "Dead Souls" (summary)
Chapter one
In his work “Dead Souls” N.V. Gogol describes the events that took place after the expulsion of the French from the state. It all begins with the arrival of collegiate adviser Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov to the provincial town of NN. The adviser is checked into the best hotel. Chichikov is a middle-aged man, of average build, pleasant in appearance, slightly round in shape, but this does not spoil him at all. Pavel Ivanovich is very inquisitive, even in some situations he can be too pushy and annoying. He asks the tavern servant about the owner of the tavern, about the owner’s income, about all the city officials, about noble landowners. He is also interested in the state of the region where he arrived.
Having arrived in the city, the collegiate adviser does not sit at home, he visits everyone, from the governor to the inspector of the medical board. Everyone treats Chichikov condescendingly, because he finds a certain approach to each of the people, says certain words that are pleasant for them. They also treat him well, and this even surprises Pavel Ivanovich. For all my professional activity, for all the truth that he simply had to tell people, he experienced many negative actions towards him, even survived an attempt on his life. Now Chichikov was looking for a place where he could live peacefully.
Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov attends a house party held by the governor. There he earns everyone's favor and successfully meets the landowners Sobakevich and Manilov. The police chief invites him to dinner. At this dinner, Chichikov meets the landowner Nozdryov. Then he visited the chairman of the chamber and the vice-governor, the tax farmer and the prosecutor. Afterwards he goes to Manilov’s estate. This approach in the work of N.V. Gogol's "Dead Souls" is preceded by a large author's digression. The author attests in great detail to Petrushka, who is the newcomer’s servant. Parsley loves to read with passion, he has a special ability to carry with him a special smell, which in essence carries a certain residential peace.
Chapter two
Chichikov goes to Manilovka. However, his journey takes longer than he thought. Chichikov is met on the threshold by the owner of the estate and hugged tightly. The Manilov house stands in the center, and around it there are many flower beds and gazebos. There are signs on the gazebos stating that this is a place for solitude and reflection. All this decoration to some extent characterizes the owner, who is not burdened with any problems, but is too cloying. Manilov admits that Chichikov’s arrival is like a sunny day for him, like the happiest holiday. The gentlemen dine in the company of the mistress of the estate and two sons, Themistoclus and Alcides. After Chichikov decides to talk about his the real reason visit. He wants to buy from the landowner all those peasants who have already died, but no one has yet declared their death in the audit certificate. He wants to register such peasants according to the law, as if they were still alive. The owner of the estate was very surprised by this proposal, but then agreed to the deal. Chichikov goes to Sobakevich, and Manilov, meanwhile, dreams that Chichikov will live next door to him across the river. That he will build a bridge across the river and they will best friends, and the sovereign, having learned about this, would have promoted them to generals.
Chapter Three
On the way to Sobakevich, Chichikov's coachman Selifan, having started a conversation with his horses, misses the required turn. Begins heavy rain and the coachman drops his master into the mud. They have to look for a place to sleep in the dark. They find him at Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka's. The lady turns out to be a landowner who is afraid of everyone and everything. Chichikov is not wasting his time. He starts trading dead souls with Nastasya Petrovna. Chichikov carefully explains to her that he himself will now pay the tax for them. Cursing the old woman's stupidity, he promises to buy all the hemp and lard from her, but another time. Chichikov buys souls from her and receives a detailed list where they are all listed. In the list, his attention is attracted by Pyotr Savelyev Disregard-Trough. Chichikov, having eaten pies, pancakes, pies, etc., leaves further. The hostess is very worried because they should have taken more money for the souls.
Chapter Four
Chichikov, driving out onto the main road to the tavern, decides to stop for a snack. The author of the work, in order to add something mysterious to this action, begins to think about all those properties of appetite that are inherent in people like our hero. During such a snack, Chichikov meets Nozdryov. He was on his way from the fair. Nozdryov complains that he lost everything at the fair. He also talks about all the delights of the fair, talks about dragoon officers, and also mentions a certain Kuvshinnikov. Nozdryov takes his son-in-law and Chichikov home. Pavel Ivanovich thinks that with the help of Nozdryov he can make some good money. Nozdryov turned out to be a man who loves history. Wherever he was, no matter what he did, nothing was complete without history. There were many dishes on the table during lunch and large number drinks of questionable quality. After dinner, the son-in-law leaves to visit his wife, and Chichikova decides to get down to business. However, it is impossible to either buy or beg souls from Chichikov. The owner of the house offers his conditions: exchange it, take it in addition to something, or make a bet in the game. Insurmountable disagreements arise between the men on this matter, and they go to bed. The next morning their conversation resumes again. They meet at a game of checkers. During the game, Nozdryov tries to cheat, and Chichikov notices this. It turns out that Nozdryov is on trial. Chichikov runs away in view of the arrival of the police captain.
Chapter Five
On the way, Chichikov's carriage crashes into another carriage. All witnesses to what happened are trying to untangle the reins and return the horses to their places. Chichikov, meanwhile, admires the sixteen-year-old young lady and begins to dream about life together with her, about their future family. Sobakevich's estate is a strong structure, in fact, completely matching the owner. The owner treats the guests to lunch. Over the meal they talk about city officials. Sobakevich condemns them because he is sure that all of them, without exception, are scammers. Chichikov tells the owner about his plans. They make a deal. Sobakevich is not at all afraid of such a deal. He haggles for a long time, pointing to the most best qualities each of his former serfs, provides Chichikov with a detailed list and lures a deposit from him. The bargaining continues for a long time. Chichikov assures Sobakevich that the qualities of the peasants are no longer important because they are lifeless and cannot bring physical benefit to the new owner. Sobakevich begins to hint to his potential buyer that transactions of this kind are illegal and can lead to dire consequences. He even threatens to tell whoever needs to know about this, and Chichikov will face punishment. Finally, they agree on a price and draw up a document, fearing fraud from each other. Sobakevich offers Chichikov to buy a girl-housekeeper for a minimum price, but the guest refuses. However, then, reading the document, Pavel Ivanovich sees that Sobakevich still included a woman - Elizaveta Vorobey. Chichikov leaves Sobakevich's estate. On the way, he asks a peasant in the village which road he needs to take to get to Plyushkin’s estate. People called Plyushkin the patched one behind his back.
The fifth chapter of the work “Dead Souls” by N.V. Gogol ends with the author making a lyrical digression about the Russian language. The author emphasizes the power of the Russian language, its richness and diversity. He also talks about such a feature of Russian people as giving nicknames to everyone. Nicknames arise not at the request of their owners, but in connection with some actions, various actions, or a combination of circumstances. Nicknames accompany a person almost until death; they cannot be gotten rid of or bought off. On the territory of Rus' there is not only a huge number of churches and monasteries, but also a countless number of generations, tribes, peoples rushing around the Earth... Not the word of a Briton, not the word of a Frenchman, or even the word of a German can compare with an aptly spoken Russian word. Because only Russian word It can burst out so quickly right from under the heart.
Chapter Six
On the way to the landowner Plyushkin, about whom Sobakevich told, Chichikov meets a man. He starts a conversation with this guy. He gives Plyushkin a clear, but not very printed nickname. The author begins the story about his former love for unfamiliar places, which now do not evoke any feelings in him. Chichikov, seeing Plyushkin, first mistakes him for the housekeeper, and then generally for a beggar. The most surprising thing is that Plyushkin turned out to be a very greedy person. He even carries his old fallen off boot sole into a pile piled up in the master's chambers. Chichikov offers him a deal and points out all its advantages. He assures that now he will take on the taxes for the dead and runaway peasants. After a successful deal, Chichikov refuses tea with crackers. With a letter to the chairman of the chamber, he leaves for good location spirit.
Chapter Seven
Chichikov spends the night at the hotel. Having woken up, a satisfied Chichikov studies the lists of acquired peasants and reflects on their supposed fates. Then he goes to the civil chamber to resolve all his cases as quickly as possible. At the hotel gate he meets Manilov. He accompanies him all the way to the ward. Sobakevich is already sitting in the chairman’s apartment at the reception. The chairman, out of the kindness of his soul, agrees to be Plyushkin’s attorney, and thereby, to a large extent, speeds up all other transactions. A discussion began about Chichikov's latest acquisitions. It was important to the chairman whether he bought so many peasants with land or for withdrawal, and to what places he would take them. Chichikov intended to bring the peasants to the Kherson province. At the meeting, all the properties that the sold men possess were also revealed. After all this the champagne was opened. Later, everyone went to the police chief, where they drank to the health of the new Kherson landowner. Everyone's pretty excited. They are even trying to force Chichikov to leave there, on the condition that they will soon find him a worthy wife.
Chapter Eight
Everyone in the city is talking about Chichikov’s purchases, many are even gossiping about him being a millionaire. Girls go crazy for him. Before the governor's ball, Chichikov even receives a mysterious love letter, which even the fan did not deign to sign. Having dressed up for the event, in full readiness, he goes to the ball. There he moves from one embrace to another, twirling first with one and then with the other in a dance. Chichikov tried to find the sender of that nameless letter. There were even a lot of arguments between the girls for his attention. However, his search ends when the governor's wife approaches him. He forgets absolutely everything, because next to him is a sixteen-year-old blonde, it was her crew that he encountered on the way here. With this behavior, he instantly loses the favor of all the ladies. Chichikov is completely immersed in a conversation with a chic and charming blonde, neglecting the attention of other ladies. Suddenly Nozdryov comes to the ball, his appearance promises Pavel Ivanovich huge troubles. Nozdryov asks Chichikov for the whole room and at the top of his voice whether he has sold a lot of dead people. Despite the fact that Nozdryov was pretty drunk, and the entire vacationing society had no time for such statements, Chichikov begins to feel uneasy. And he leaves in complete sadness and confusion.
Chapter Nine
At the same time, due to increasing anxiety, the landowner Korobochkova arrives in the city. She is in a hurry to find out at what price dead souls can be purchased at the present time. News about buying and selling dead souls becomes the property of one pleasant lady, then another. This story acquires even more interesting details. They say that Chichikov, armed to the teeth, breaks into Korobochka in the dead of night, demanding the souls that have died. It instantly instills horror and fear in people. People are even starting to get the idea that dead souls are just a cover. But in fact, Chichikov just wants to take away the governor’s daughter. Having fully discussed the details of this event, Nozdryov’s participation in it and the merits of the governor’s daughter, both ladies tell the prosecutor about everything and are going to start a riot in the city.
Chapter ten briefly
In a fairly short time the city came to life. News continues to appear one after another. News appears about the appointment of a new governor general. New papers appear in the case of counterfeit banknotes and, of course, about an insidious robber who escaped from legal prosecution. Due to the fact that Chichikov spoke little about himself, people have to piece together his image piece by piece. They remember what Chichikov said about the people who attempted to kill his life. In his statement, the postmaster, for example, writes that Chichikov, in his opinion, is a kind of captain Kopeikin. This captain seemed to take up arms against the injustice of the whole world and became a robber. However, this version was rejected by everyone, since it follows from the story that the captain was missing one arm and one leg, but Chichikov was safe and sound. Various assumptions arise. There is even a version that he is Napoleon in disguise. Many begin to see some similarities in them, especially in profile. Questioning the participants in the actions, such as Korobochkin, Manilov and Sobakevich, does not yield results. Nozdryov only increases the already existing confusion of citizens. He declares Chichikov a spy, making false notes and intending to take the governor's daughter away. Such a huge number of versions negatively affects the prosecutor, he has a stroke and dies.
Chapter Eleven
Chichikov, meanwhile, is sitting in his hotel with a slight cold and is sincerely surprised that none of the officials have ever visited him. Soon he himself goes to the governor and realizes that they don’t want him there and won’t accept him. In other places, all people fearfully avoid him. Nozdryov, when visiting Chichikov at the hotel, tells him about everything that happened. He assures Pavel Ivanovich that he agrees to help in the kidnapping of the governor’s daughter.
The very next day Chichikov hastily leaves. However, a funeral procession meets on his way, and he is simply forced to look at all the officials, and at the prosecutor Brichka lying in a coffin. Deciding that it’s time for the hero, who has already done a lot of things, to rest, the author decides to tell the whole story of Pavel Ivanovich’s life. The story is about his childhood, studying at school, where he was able to show all his intelligence and ingenuity. The author also talks about the relationship of the main character with his comrades and teacher, about his service, work in the commission of a government building, subsequent departure to other, not so profitable places, transition to the customs service. He made a lot of money all around, concluding fake contracts, conspiracies, working with smuggling, and so on. During his life, he was even able to avoid a criminal trial, but was forced to resign. He became an attorney. During the troubles about the peasants' pledge, he formed his insidious plan in his head. And only then he began to travel around the spaces of Rus'. He wanted to buy dead souls, put them in the treasury as if they were alive, get money, buy a village and provide for future offspring.
The author partly justifies his hero, calling him a master who acquired a lot, who was able to build such an entertaining chain of actions with his mind. This is how the first volume of N.V.’s work ends. Gogol "Dead Souls".
Volume two of the poem Dead Souls (summary by chapter)
The second volume of the work by N.V. Gogol " Dead souls "begins with a description of the nature that makes up the estate of Andrei Ivanovich Tentetnikov, nicknamed the smoker of the sky. The author talks about all the uselessness of his pastime. Then comes the story of life, which is full of hope at its very beginning, then overshadowed by the pettiness of the service and subsequent troubles. The hero retires, intending to improve his estate. He dreams of reading a lot of books. But reality does not give the expected results, the man remains idle. Tentetnikov gives up. He cuts off all his acquaintances with his neighbors. He was greatly offended by the treatment of General Betrishchevai. Because of this, she stops visiting him, despite the fact that she cannot forget his daughter Ulinka.
It is to Tentetnikov that Chichikov is heading. He justifies his arrival by the breakdown of the crew, and, of course, he is overcome by the desire to pay his respects. The owner liked Pavel Ivanovich because he had an amazing ability to adapt to anything. Afterwards, Chichikov goes to the general, to whom he tells the story about his absurd uncle and, of course, does not forget to beg dead souls from the owner. The general laughs at Chichikov. Then Chichikov goes to Colonel Koshkarev. However, everything does not go according to his plan, and he ends up with Pyotr Petrovich Rooster. Pavel Ivanovich finds the rooster completely naked, hunting for sturgeon. Pyotr Petrovich's estate was mortgaged, which means purchasing dead souls was simply impossible. Pavel Ivanovich meets the landowner Platonov, persuades him to travel together around Rus' and goes to Konstantin Fedorovich Kostanzhoglo, who is married to Platonov’s sister. He, in turn, tells the guests about farming methods with which they can significantly increase their income. Chichikov is terribly inspired by this idea.
Chichikov visits Colonel Koshkarev, who also mortgaged his estate, while dividing his village into committees, expeditions and departments. Having returned, he listens to the curse of the bilious Kostanzhoglo, addressed to factories and manufactories. Chichikov is touched, his thirst for honest work awakens. After listening to the story about the tax farmer Murazov, who made millions in an impeccable way, he goes to Khlobuev. There he observes the disorder of his household in the vicinity of a governess for the children, a fashionable wife and other signs of luxury. Borrows money from Kostanzhoglo and Platonov. Gives a deposit for the estate. He goes to Platonov’s estate, where he meets his brother Vasily and his luxurious farmstead. Then Lenitsyn receives dead souls from their neighbor.
Chichikov is in town at a fair, where he buys lingonberry-colored fabric with a sparkle. He meets with Khlobuev, whom he has annoyed, almost depriving him of his inheritance, through some kind of incitement. Meanwhile, denunciations against Chichikov are discovered both about the forgery and about the purchase and sale of dead souls. Then a gendarme appears, taking the smartly dressed Chichikov to the Governor General. All of Chichikov’s atrocities are revealed, he falls at the feet of the general, but this does not save him. Murazov finds Chichikov in a dark closet, tearing his hair and tailcoat. He persuades Pavel Ivanovich to live honestly and goes to soften the Governor-General. Many officials, who want to spoil their superiors and receive a reward from Chichikov, deliver the box to him, kidnap the witness and write denunciations, further confusing the already difficult case. Terrible unrest begins to occur in the province. This worries the Governor General very much. Murazov, being a rather cunning man, gives advice to the general in such a way that he lets Chichikov go. This concludes the second volume of N.V.’s work. Gogol's "Dead Souls" ends.
Dead souls. The poem, written by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol in 1841, had a grandiose plan. It was supposed to be a work in three parts. The first volume was supposed to introduce readers to a real Russian person, possessing many “gifts and riches” and, at the same time, a huge amount disadvantage. It was this first house that 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 some chapters have survived.
The poem “Dead Souls” is the story of Chichikov, who bought up dead serfs in order to run a scam that would bring him a huge amount of money. Narrating 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 whom Chichikov buys, following from landowner to landowner. But the situation when the sale and purchase of a person becomes an everyday matter makes living serfs “dead”; they are a commodity in the hands of powerful masters. Gradually, the concept of “dead souls” is 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 petty things, “petty inhabitants.” And although all 5 landowners whom I visited main character, at first glance, are not similar to each other, they have something in common - worthlessness, emptiness.
"Dead Souls" summary
Chapters 1-6
Chapter 1 of the poem is an exposition. The reader meets Mr. Chichikov, who arrives in the city. The hero stops at a tavern and then pays visits to all available officials. During such visits, Chichikov meets some landowners: Manilov, Sobakevich, Nozdrev. He finds out how many souls each landowner supports, how far away their estates are.
Chapters 2-6 – 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 miles, instead of the promised 15, Chichikov comes to Manilov. His estate is located in the Jura, among English flower beds. The owner of the estate is very kind, but as it turns out, after a few minutes, he is too kind, too cloying. He does not delve into the affairs of the estate, but lives in illusions, dreams, all day long indulging in thoughts about unrealizable ideas. Chichikov has lunch with the Manilovs, and then informs the owner that he wants to buy from him the dead serfs who are listed as alive. Manilov begins to be frightened, but then, becoming emotional, he 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 goes missing 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 keeps wondering whether she will sell things too cheap, whether they will be useful to her. As a result, having paid fifteen rubles for each “dead soul”, Chichikov moves on.
On the highway, the hero stops to have a snack at a tavern. Here he meets the next landowner - Nozdryov. He returns with his son-in-law from the fair - Nozdryov lost his horses. Wherever Nozdryov appeared, everywhere a story happened to him, 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 gets Chichikov involved in a game of checkers, where the bets are the “dead souls” so desired by Chichikov. 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 reports that Nozdryov is on trial. Chichikov manages to escape. On the road, the traveler's crew accidentally encounters an unfamiliar crew. While the means of transportation are being put in order, Chichikov admires the young, especially pleasant appearance and reflects on the pleasures of family life.
Sobakevich, the next landowner, thoroughly feeds the traveler lunch, 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 who, Chichikov wants to buy, Sobakevich is not at all surprised. He bargains and asks Chichikov to leave a deposit.
Chichikov's journey ends with a visit to the last landowner - Plyushkin. The author calls it “the hole of humanity.” Chichikov, seeing Plyushkin, thinks that this is the housekeeper or servant. The owner of the estate is dressed in rags, strange rags. Nothing is thrown away in his house, but on the contrary, even the sole of a shoe will be brought into the house. The room is piled high with rubbish, Plyushkin invites Chichikov to drink a drink, which he himself has re-filtered to remove dirt. Having talked about the obvious benefits of selling dead souls and having concluded a successful deal, Chichikov returns to the city.
Chapters 7-10
The chapters show another layer of society - 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 prepare all the documents and 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, everyone present goes to the next room, where they eat and drink to the newly minted 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 poems from an unknown woman. And most importantly, he is invited to the governor's ball. At the ball, Chichikov enjoys breathtaking success. He moves from one hug to another, from one conversation to another. Women don't take their eyes off him. But Chichikov was interested in only one girl - a sixteen-year-old blonde whom he had once encountered on the road.
She turned out to be the governor's daughter. But such an excellent state of affairs is spoiled by Nozdryov: drunk, in public, he asks the new Kherson landowner how many dead souls he has traded. Society does not take the drunken man's words seriously, but Chichikov becomes noticeably upset, does not maintain a conversation, and makes a mistake in a card game. The next day, Korobochka comes to the city to find out how much dead souls are worth these days. Her arrival provides 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, and 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 maker of counterfeit notes, others that he is Captain Kopeikin. Nozdryov also adds fuel to the fire, confirming every guess with invented details. After these proceedings, the shocked prosecutor comes home and dies.
At this time, Chichikov is sick 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 city residents. The hero decides to leave urgently, but when leaving the city he encounters 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 had a practical mind, which helped him formulate a plan in his head on how to buy up dead peasants, and then, using the money, secure a calm future for himself.
Here is a summary of chapter 6 of the work “Dead Souls” by N.V. Gogol.
A very brief summary of “Dead Souls” can be found, and the one presented below is quite detailed.
General content by chapter:
Chapter 6 – summary.
Pretty soon Chichikov drove into the middle of a vast village with many huts and streets. Particular disrepair was noticeable in all the village buildings. Then the manor’s house appeared: “ this strange castle looked like some kind of decrepit invalid " When Pavel Ivanovich drove into the courtyard, he saw a strange figure near one of the buildings. This man scolded the man. Chichikov could not understand for a long time what gender this figure was:
The dress she was wearing was completely indefinite, very similar to a woman’s bonnet, and on her head was a cap, the kind worn by village courtyard women.
The guest decided that it was the housekeeper and asked her where he could find the master. The housekeeper led Chichikov into the rooms.
The house was in complete disorder: furniture was piled up, there was a lot of stuff on the tables, there was a bunch of things in the corner of the room. Chichikov was able to see a piece of a wooden shovel and the sole of an old boot. In the house, the guest saw that he was dealing with a man, and not a woman. This creature turned out to be Plyushkin.
Pavel Ivanovich was very surprised by such a beggarly appearance of a landowner who owned more than a thousand souls, full barns of all kinds of food, stocks of linen and cloth. Wood, dishes, etc. Not content with this, the master walked every day through the streets of his village and picked up everything he came across. Sometimes he even stole from peasants.
There was a time when Plyushkin was simply a thrifty owner. He had a wife, 2 daughters and a son. The landowner had a reputation smart person, people came to him to learn how to run a farm. Soon the wife died, the eldest daughter ran away with the officer. The landowner began to reveal stinginess. The son did not listen to his father and enlisted in the regiment, for which he was deprived of his inheritance, the youngest daughter died. Plyushkin was left alone and became more and more stingy every year. He himself forgot what riches he had. Gradually he turned into a sexless creature, which Chichikov found him to be.
Pavel Ivanovich could not start a conversation for a long time, attracted by such a picturesque appearance of the owner. Finally he started talking about peasants. Plyushkin had more than one hundred and twenty dead souls. The owner was delighted when he learned that the guest was undertaking to pay taxes for them, and would also settle the matter with the clerk himself. The conversation also turned to runaway peasants, of whom Plyushkin had more than seventy. Chichikov immediately decided to buy these peasants and offered twenty-five kopecks per head. After the auction, the new acquaintances agreed on thirty kopecks per head. To celebrate, Plyushkin wanted to treat Chichikov to liqueur, in which various boogers were stuffed, and last year's Easter cake. Pavel Ivanovich refused, which earned him even more favor from the owner. They immediately made a deed of sale, and the owner, reluctantly, allocated a quarter of old paper for the power of attorney. In addition, Pavel Ivanovich gave twenty-four rubles and ninety-six kopecks for the runaway peasants and forced Plyushkin to write a receipt.
Pleased with yourself. Chichikov said goodbye to the owner and ordered to return to the city. Arriving at the hotel. Pavel Ivanovich learned about the new lieutenant who had arrived, complained about the stale air in the room, ate the lightest dinner and climbed under the covers.
Chichikov could not recover from Nozdrev’s visit for a long time. Selifan was also dissatisfied with the landowner because the horses were not given oats. The britzka flew at full speed until it collided with a carriage with six horses and the screams of the ladies and the swearing of the coachman were heard almost overhead. Although Selifan felt his mistake, he began to argue with the stranger’s coachman.
At this time, the ladies sitting in the chaise - an old woman and a young fair-haired girl - watched everything that was happening with fear. Chichikov stared at the sixteen-year-old beauty. Finally they began to disperse, but the horses stood rooted to the spot against each other and did not want to disperse. The men who came running from a nearby village took care of them. While the horses were being led in different directions, Pavel Ivanovich looked at the young stranger and even wanted to talk to her, however, while he was getting ready, the carriage drove away, taking the beauty with it.
Since Chichikov had long since passed the age when one instantly falls in love and then stands for a long time, following his beloved with a pained gaze, he ordered to move on. However, he thought about the stranger, deciding that she was good because she had just come from the boarding school. Very little time will pass, and finding herself in the care of various mothers and aunties, she will learn to lie and “will finally begin to lie all her life.”
Soon Sobakevich’s village appeared, and Chichikov’s thoughts returned to the usual subject. The estate was large, with two forests stretching to the right and left - birch and pine. The house with a mezzanine resembled a military settlement of German colonists. The courtyard was surrounded by a thick wooden lattice. The landowner was more concerned about strength than beauty. Even village houses were solid and durable, without any patterned decorations.
The owner himself looked like an average bear. Nature didn’t think long here: “she grabbed it with an ax once and her nose came out, she grabbed it again and her lips came out, she picked out her eyes with a large drill and, without scraping them, released her into the light, saying: “he lives!”
Seeing the guest, Sobakevich briefly said: “Please!” - and led him into the inner chambers.
The owner's living room was hung with paintings depicting Greek generals in full height. Chichikov met Sobakevich’s wife, Feodulia Ivanovna, a tall lady, straight as a palm tree.
There was silence for about five minutes, after which the guest was the first to start talking about the chairman of the chamber, to which he heard in response that the chairman was “such a fool as the world has ever seen.”
Listing city officials, Sobakevich scolded each one and gave each one an unflattering definition. At dinner, the owner praised the dishes served and scolded the cuisine of other landowners and city officials.
Sobakevich tells Chichikov about Plyushkin, who has eight hundred souls, but lives and dines worse than some shepherd. Pavel Ivanovich learns that Sobakevich's neighbor is a rare miser, he starved all his peasants to death, and others ran away on their own.
Carefully, the guest found out in which direction and where Plyushkin’s estate was located.
After a hearty dinner, the host and guest retired to the living room, where Chichikov began talking about his business. Sobakevich quickly realized that buying dead souls would bring some benefit to the guest, so he immediately charged a hundred rubles per soul. When Pavel Ivanovich became indignant, the owner began to list the merits of each deceased peasant. In the process of tough bargaining, they agreed on two rubles and a half for each soul. The guest asked for a list of the peasants he had purchased, and Sobakevich began to copy down the dead souls in his own hand, by name, indicating the commendable qualities. When the note was ready, the owner also demanded a deposit of fifty rubles from Chichikov. The new friends began to bargain again and agreed on twenty-five rubles. Having received the money, Sobakevich looked at the banknotes for a long time and complained that one of them was old.
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The action of N.V. Gogol's poem "Dead Souls" takes place in one small town, which Gogol calls NN. Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov visits the city. A man who plans to purchase the dead souls of serfs from local landowners. With his appearance, Chichikov disrupts the measured city life.
Chapter 1
Chichikov arrives in the city, accompanied by servants. He checks into an ordinary hotel. During lunch, Chichikov asks the innkeeper about everything that is happening in NN, finds out who the most influential officials and famous landowners are. At a reception with the governor, he personally meets many landowners. Landowners Sobakevich and Manilov invite the hero to pay them a visit. Chichikov visits the vice-governor, the prosecutor, and the tax farmer for several days. He gains a positive reputation in the city.
Chapter 2
Chichikov decided to go outside the city to Manilov’s estate. His village was a rather boring sight. The landowner himself was an incomprehensible person. Manilov was most often in his dreams. There was too much sugar in his niceness. The landowner was very surprised by Chichikov's offer to sell him the souls of dead peasants. They decided to make a deal when they met in the city. Chichikov left, and Manilov was perplexed for a long time at the guest’s proposal.
Chapter 3
On the way to Sobakevich, Chichikov was caught in bad weather. His chaise had lost its way, so it was decided to spend the night in the first estate. As it turned out, the house belonged to the landowner Korobochka. She turned out to be a businesslike housewife, and the contentment of the inhabitants of the estate was evident everywhere. Korobochka received the request to sell dead souls with surprise. But then she began to consider them as goods, she was afraid to sell them cheaper and offered Chichikov to buy other goods from her. The deal took place, Chichikov himself hastened to move away from the difficult character of the hostess.
Chapter 4
Continuing his journey, Chichikov decided to stop at a tavern. Here he met another landowner Nozdryov. His openness and friendliness immediately endeared me to everyone. Nozdryov was a gambler, he did not play fairly, so he often took part in fights. Nozdryov did not appreciate the request to sell dead souls. The landowner offered to play checkers for their souls. The game almost ended in a fight. Chichikov hurried away. The hero really regretted that he trusted such a person as Nozdryov.
Chapter 5
Chichikov finally ends up with Sobakevich. Sobakevich looked like a large and solid man. The landowner took the offer to sell dead souls seriously and even began to bargain. The interlocutors decided to finalize the deal in the near future in the city.
Chapter 6
The next point of Chichikov’s journey was a village belonging to Plyushkin. The estate was a pitiful sight, desolation reigned everywhere. The landowner himself reached the apogee of stinginess. He lived alone and was a pitiful sight. Plyushkin sold his dead souls with joy, considering Chichikov a fool. Pavel Ivanovich himself hurried to the hotel with a feeling of relief.
Chapter 7-8
The next day, Chichikov formalized transactions with Sobakevich and Plyushkin. The hero was in excellent spirits. At the same time, news of Chichikov’s purchases spread throughout the city. Everyone was surprised at his wealth, not knowing what souls he was actually buying. Chichikov became a welcome guest at local receptions and balls. But Nozdryov gave away Chichikov’s secret, shouting about dead souls at the ball.
Chapter 9
Landowner Korobochka, having arrived in the city, also confirmed the purchase of dead souls. Incredible rumors began to spread throughout the city that Chichikov actually wanted to kidnap the governor’s daughter. He was forbidden to appear on the threshold of the governor's house. None of the residents could answer exactly who Chichikov was. To clarify this issue, it was decided to meet with the police chief.
Chapter 10-11
No matter how much they discussed Chichikov, they could not come to a common opinion. When Chichikov decided to pay visits, he realized that everyone was avoiding him, and coming to the governor was generally prohibited. He also learned that he was suspected of manufacturing counterfeit bonds and plans to kidnap the governor's daughter. Chichikov is in a hurry to leave the city. At the end of the first volume, the author talks about who the main character is and how his life developed before appearing in NN.
Volume two
The narrative begins with a description of nature. Chichikov first visits the estate of Andrei Ivanovich Tententikov. Then he goes to a certain general, ends up visiting Colonel Koshkarev, then Khlobuev. Chichikov's misdeeds and forgeries become known and he ends up in prison. A certain Murazov advises the Governor General to let Chichikov go, and this is where the story ends. (Gogol burned the second volume in the stove)
