In the work of N.V. Gogol's central work is the poem Dead Souls. It was published in 1842. This article will examine the author’s image in the poem Dead Souls. Gogol plays a special role in it. Nikolai Vasilievich is not a passive narrator in Dead Souls, but a wise interlocutor. He leads a leisurely conversation with his reader.
Preface to the 2nd edition of Dead Souls
The author in the preface to the 2nd edition of the work asks the reader to help him. It will help to understand the image of the author in the poem "Dead Souls" a brief summary of this introduction. In it, he says that he cannot know everything that is happening on Russian soil, so much is incorrectly described in this book. Nikolai Vasilyevich admits that his haste, immaturity and oversight resulted in many mistakes and mistakes, so there is something to correct on every page of the work. And Gogol asks the reader to do this - to correct him.
Further, Nikolai Vasilievich gives us concrete recommendations on what needs to be done in order to help him properly. In particular, after reading several pages of this poem, one should recall and write down his own life memories on paper. After a sheet of paper is filled with these notes, you need to send it to the author. This foreword shows how important it was for Gogol to know how the reader perceives his poem.
Why is this work a poem?
The very genre definition of "poem" is associated with the meaning that the image of the author in the poem "Dead Souls" has. Such a name for his creation was invented by N.V. Gogol. As you know, a poem is a lyrical genre. And for such kind of works, it’s not so much the plot as such that is important as the author’s moods, experiences.
Role in the poem of lyrical digressions
As the main storyline develops, more and more lyrical digressions appear in the poem, through which the image of the author in the poem "Dead Souls" is revealed. In them, Nikolai Vasilievich communicates directly with his reader. He tells him that he is worried and worried at the moment. The reader is connected to the creative process, acting simultaneously as a critic of the work. A public phenomenon (and not a purely literary one) is the fact of the appearance of this poem.
Influence of Enlightenment Philosophers
Analyzing the image of the author in the poem "Dead Souls" on lyrical digressions, we note that Gogol's worldview is closely connected with the views of various philosopher-educators. The main idea of these thinkers was that, by nature, man is a harmonious being. And it is precisely the unfair social laws that are to blame for his vices. They force the person’s personality to adapt to life and consciously violate the moral standards inherent in it.
Gogol's lyrical digressions are filled with patriotic pathos. Complementing the image of the author in the poem "Dead Souls", we note that, portraying the depressed, vicious people, Nikolai Vasilievich at the same time cherishes his dream of a wonderful man. He sees disorder and devastation in his native land, but does not cease to believe in the bright future of Russia. Where, if not here, in this vast country is destined to be born of unlimited thought?
Memoirs from the life of the author in a work
It was important for Nikolai Vasilievich to include memories of his own life in his work. For example, in chapter 6 he reflects on his youth, says that he loved to drive up to an unfamiliar place. The inquisitive childhood gaze of young Gogol opened up for himself many interesting things. This look has become chilled over the years, the freshness of the perception of life has lost.
Goal pursued by Gogol
The author in chapter 11 polemicizes with readers who do not want to talk about devastation and poverty, about stupid and despicable in life. He believes that the reluctance to hear the bitter truth about their native country gives rise to false patriotism in people. Indeed, the silence will never lead to the resolution of a problem.
The author of the poem we are interested in is a creator who is elected in order to think about life, about the most essential in it - the future fate of Russia. Nikolai Vasilievich felt that only he could carry out this great mission. To realize his plan, he did his best.
The Irony of Gogol
The author of the poem constantly communicates with the reader. In this case, the irony that Gogol hides under the desire to please is often seen through him. For example, he turns to readers and says that ladies will not like Chichikov, as they demand that the hero of the work be "decisive perfection." Nikolai Vasilievich seeks to predict the reader’s attitude towards Chichikov, to present a possible reaction to him.
Gogol as a lyrical hero and storyteller
In this lyrical epic work, the author appears as a lyrical hero and as a storyteller at the same time. Gogol reflects on the selectivity of writers, on their two types, on the choice of a hero and on the language of the work, shares his creative ideas. All this is characteristic of the lyrical hero. Some of Gogol’s statements serve to link separate episodes of Dead Souls. They play an important compositional role in the poem. Of course, Gogol acts here as a storyteller.
The correlation of the epic and lyrical principles of the work is the means by which Nikolai Vasilievich expresses the author's position. The general digressions associated with the epic part reveal the attitude of Nikolai Vasilievich to his heroes. Sometimes it is difficult to separate the thoughts of Chichikov in the poem from the lyrical digressions. In the lyric part, the author acts as a romantic poet, and in the epic part as an innovative realist.
So, we described the image of the author in the poem "Dead Souls" briefly. A more detailed analysis of it can be done if we take this article as a basis. After reading the work and noting in it the places where Gogol’s voice sounds, you can supplement the author’s image in the poem Dead Souls. With quotes, the analysis will become more thorough and detailed.