The creation of the poem "Dead Souls" happened just at the time when in Russia there was a change in the traditional, outdated foundations of society, reforms were brewing, changes in people's thinking. Even then it was clear that the nobility, with its old traditions and outlook on life, was slowly dying out, a new type of man was to replace it. Gogolās goal is to describe the hero of his time, declare him in full voice, describe his positive and negative character traits, explain what his activities will lead to, as well as how it will affect the fate of other people.
The central character of the poem
Nikolai Vasilievich Chichikova in the poem made the central character, he can not be called the main character, but it is on it that the plot of the poem rests. Pavel Ivanovichās journey is the framework for the entire work. No wonder the author placed the heroās biography at the very end, the reader is not interested in Chichikov himself, he is curious about his actions, why he collects these dead souls and what this will lead to in the end. Gogol does not even try to reveal the characterās character, but he introduces the features of his thinking, thus giving a hint where to look for the essence of this action by Chichikov. Childhood - this is where the roots come from, even at a tender age the hero formed his worldview, vision of the situation and the search for ways to solve problems.
Description of Chichikov
The childhood and youth of Pavel Ivanovich is unknown to the reader at the beginning of the poem. Gogol portrayed his character as faceless and voiceless: against the background of bright, colorful images of landowners with their quirks, Chichikovās figure is lost, becomes small and insignificant. He has neither his face nor the right to vote, the hero resembles a chameleon skillfully adjusting to his interlocutor. This is an excellent actor and psychologist, he knows how to behave in a particular situation, instantly determines the nature of a person and does everything to attract him to himself, says only what they want to hear from him. Chichikov skillfully plays a role, pretends, hides true feelings, tries to be his own among strangers, but he does all this in order to achieve the main goal - his own well-being.
Childhood Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov
A personās worldview is formed at a young age, so many of his actions in adulthood can be explained by a good study of the biography. What guided him, why he collected dead souls, what he wanted to achieve with this - Chichikovās description answers all these questions . The childhood of the hero cannot be called happy, he was constantly pursued by boredom and loneliness. Pavlush did not know friends or entertainment in his youth, he did the same, boring and completely uninteresting work, listened to the reproaches of his sick father. The author did not even hint about maternal affection. One conclusion can be drawn from this - Pavel Ivanovich wanted to catch up, get all the benefits that were not available to him in childhood.
But do not think that Chichikov is a soulless cracker who thinks only about his enrichment. He was a kind, active and sensitive child, subtly perceiving the world around him. The fact that he often ran away from the nanny in order to explore previously unseen places indicates Chichikov's curiosity. Childhood shaped his character, taught to achieve everything independently. Father taught Pavel Ivanovich to save money and cater to bosses and wealthy people, and he brought these instructions to life.
Chichikovās childhood and studies were gray and uninteresting, he tried in every possible way to break out into people. First, he pleased the teacher to become a beloved student, then he promised the boss to marry his daughter in order to get promoted by working at customs, convincing everyone of his honesty and impartiality, and he himself made a huge fortune from smuggling. But Pavel Ivanovich does all this not with malicious intent, but for the sole purpose - to realize the childhood dream of a big and bright house, a caring and loving wife, a bunch of funny kids.
Chichikov's communication with the landowners
Pavel Ivanovich could find an approach to everyone, from the first minutes of communication understand what a person is. For example, he didnāt particularly stand on ceremony with Korobochka, he spoke in a patriarchal, pious and even slightly patronizing tone. With the landowner, Chichikov felt relaxed, used colloquial, rude expressions, completely adapting to the woman. With Manilov, Pavel Ivanovich is arrogant and amiable to cloying. He flatters the landowner, uses flowery phrases in his speech. Refusing the offered treats, even Plyushkin pleased Chichikov. "Dead Souls" very well demonstrate the changing nature of man, because Pavel Ivanovich adapted to the customs of almost all landowners.
What does Chichikov look like in the eyes of other people?
The activities of Pavel Ivanovich very much frightened city officials and landowners. At first they compared him with the romantic robber Rinald Rinaldin, then they began to look for similarities with Napoleon, thinking that the great commander had escaped from the island of Helena. In the end, in Chichikov they recognized the real Antichrist. Of course, such comparisons are absurd and even somewhat comical. Gogol ironically describes the fright of the not-so-distant landlords, their speculations about why Chichikov is actually collecting dead souls. Characterization of the character hints that the characters are not the same as they were before. The people could be proud, take an example from the great commanders and defenders, and now there are no such people, they were replaced by mercenary Chichikovs.
The real "I" of the character
One would think that Pavel Ivanovich is an excellent psychologist and actor, since he easily adapts to the people he needs, instantly guesses their character, but is it really so? The hero was never able to adapt to Nozdrev, because inconsideracy, arrogance, familiarity are alien to him. But here he is trying to adapt, because the landowner is incredibly rich, hence the appeal to "you", boorish tone of Chichikov. Childhood taught Pavlush to please the right people, so he is ready to step over himself, forget about his principles.
At the same time, Pavel Ivanovich practically does not pretend to be Sobakevich, because they are united by the āpennyā service. And with Plyushkin has some similarities Chichikov. The character tore the poster off the post, having read it at home, folded it carefully and put it in the casket, in which all sorts of unnecessary things were stored. This behavior is very similar to Plyushkina, prone to the accumulation of various trash. That is, Pavel Ivanovich himself did not so far depart from the same landowners.
The main goal in the life of the hero
Money, money, and once again money ā that is why Chichikov collected dead souls. The characterization of the character indicates that he invents various frauds not just for profit, he does not have stinginess and treason. Pavel Ivanovich dreams that the time will come when he can finally take advantage of his savings, live a quiet, secure life, not thinking about tomorrow.
Attitude of the author to the hero
There is an assumption that in subsequent volumes Gogol planned to re-educate Chichikov, to make him repent of his actions. Pavel Ivanovich in the poem is not opposed to the landlords or officials, he is the hero of the capitalist formation, the āpioneerā, who replaced the nobility. Chichikov is a skilled businessman, entrepreneur who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. The scam with dead souls failed, but Pavel Ivanovich did not suffer any punishment. The author hints that there are a huge number of such Chichikovs in the country, and no one wants to stop them.