It is never superfluous to re-read the classical works of Russian literature once again and take a fresh look at what seems to be well known. Maybe we missed something important when we first met?
Rereading the classics
The comedy of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol "The Examiner" was presented to the public in the distant 1836. Since then, almost two centuries have passed and several historical epochs have changed. But the situation and the characters depicted in this work have not disappeared. As the Khlestakovism phenomenon has not gone away , this is a phenomenal state of mind when a nonentity feels the finest hour presented to him by fate. And enjoys unexpected happiness. Gogol's comedy is still relevant. And not only because students are invited to write essays every year on the topic "What is Khlestakovism?" The Examiner provides an answer to this question. But a simple attempt to re-read this work, known from the school curriculum, inevitably leads to the question of whether at least something has changed in Russia over the past years except for the names of officials? Of course, it has changed. The class of Russian officials has increased many times, and its well-being has improved markedly. Officials have become more confident in their total impunity. And today they take bribes not only greyhound puppies.
How was this comedy created?
It is generally accepted that the concept of this work was prompted by Gogol Pushkin. But in the plot of the comedy "The Examiner" itself there is nothing special. There are more than enough such plot constructions based on the fact that a person is mistaken for who he really is not. But being transferred to the realities of the Russian Empire, such an intrigue simply could not but affect the foundations of the state foundations existing in it. Contemporaries testify that the idea of the “Inspector General” arose at Pushkin when he traveled around the Orenburg province, collecting materials about the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev. Some county officials mistook the poet for an inspector from the capital, traveling solely to collect information compromising them. Pushkin was in no hurry to reassure them of this error.
With the highest approval
Everyone who was involved in the creation of this comedy, could not help but realize that her stage fate would not be easy. Since it was impossible not to notice that the Khlestakovism deduced in it was, among other things, also dashing mockery of the state bureaucratic machine. The staging of this play on the stage became possible only after the personal appeal of Vasily Andreyevich Zhukovsky to the Emperor. The poet was able to convince Nicholas I that the comedy is not directed against the foundations of the state, but only makes fun of the stealing provincial officials. The sovereign allowed himself to be assured that such a satire could not bring the administrative system anything but good. But the audience appeared in abbreviated form.
Main character
Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov, an official from St. Petersburg, turned out to be a very significant person by chance. Of course, deep down, he realizes that something is wrong here, and he was most likely confused with someone ... But what does it matter when everyone around him froze in front of him with a sense of sacred horror and awe? And the small clerk from the capital’s office swells like a soap bubble to incredible sizes. As a result, the reader and the viewer have a clear answer to the question of what Khlestakovism is. This narcissistic insignificance, which reached the pinnacle of greatness in his understanding. But Ivan Aleksandrovich carries a wave of inspiration, and to such an extent he enters the role of an important person that he himself believes that he was at the top for a reason. What is Khlestakovism? This is a phenomenon of coastal loss and separation from reality. But at the same time, it is also a willingness to perceive any impudent rogue as an important state person.
Monologue
Most clearly in the comedy the main character himself narrates about himself. He does it selflessly and with inspiration. To such an extent that he himself believes in the nonsense that is brought to frightened officials. The insignificance felt its power over the audience and in its monologue reveals itself with maximum frankness. Khlestakov is not mediocre when he talks about the imaginary meaning and greatness of his person. So, among other things, Khlestakovism is also poetic inspiration. Without this kind of drive and courage, an adventurer would simply not have taken place. The whole plot intrigue of Gogol's comedy is based on the fact that an inspired insignificance and an audience interested in it came together in a bottleneck. And they found complete mutual understanding.
County residents
But no less than Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov, the officials of the provincial town, vested with power, are also interesting. All of them, figuratively speaking, have a snout in the cannon. All of them have good reason to be afraid of the appearance of a mysterious "auditor" in their subordinate settlement. No answer to the question of what Khlestakovism is is possible without this stealing bureaucracy. Without them, this phenomenon simply could not take place, and petty insignificance could never have ascended above them to the pinnacle of fame and success. The city authorities and the merchants, bearing bribes and offerings to him, are no less ridiculous than the "auditor" himself. The wife and daughter of the city mayor are especially expressive in comedy. Anna Andreevna and Marya Antonovna compete for the attention of a visiting rogue. They do not need to be deceived, they themselves are glad to be deceived.
"The steward is stupid, like a gray gelding ..."
Homerically funny and at the same time a miserable figure is the first administrative person of the county town Anton Antonovich Svoznik-Dmukhanovsky. This despite the fact that it’s simply not silly to call it language. On the contrary - he is very smart and calculated everything in advance. He has everything under control, intelligence and counterintelligence are correctly built up, he was notified of the incognito examiner approaching the city long before the visit and he has the opportunity to prepare for this event. He was mistaken, like a sapper, only once. And this mistake of his own provided several generations of Russian schoolchildren with exam tickets on the subjects “Examiner, Khlestakov and Khlestakovism”. It is enough that in Anton Antonovich some provincial governors saw a hint of themselves and in every possible way prevented the production of Gogol's comedy The Inspector General in their cities. They had every reason for this. Very much everything turned out to be similar, up to small everyday details and the random coincidence of names and surnames.
Silent scene
The stage, deafening in expressiveness, completes Gogol's composition “The Examiner". Khlestakov and Khlestakovism celebrated the victory, and all the county authorities remained in the round of fools. It could not have been otherwise. But everything would be as usual, if the town governor were not mistaken about the incomprehensible guest in a city hotel. Where did the system crash happen? Is it random or logical? How did it happen that such an insignificant creature celebrated a triumph and with rich trophies departed in an unknown direction, and a large group of influential corrupt officials froze in a stupor, unable to comprehend the scale of the catastrophe that fell upon them? These questions remain unanswered. There is no doubt that Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov, with the rest of his days, will be delighted to recall this strange adventure, and that small town where fate accidentally brought him. These were, of course, the best moments in his life.
To summarize
What did Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol want to convey to us with his comedy? Khlestakov and Khlestakovism as a phenomenon deserve a separate understanding against the background of events set forth by the writer. How is it that such a quantity, at first glance, of completely non-stupid people falls under the influence of complete insignificance? Is Khlestakovism an exclusively Russian phenomenon? Or has she blossomed so brightly on Russian soil because of circumstances favorable to her? But a simple look in the direction of the modern political sphere allows us to make sure that Khlestakovism is often the basis for the success of many political leaders and smaller functionaries. To make sure of this, just turn on the TV. And more fun than in politics, things are only in what is called the vague definition of "show business." Gogolevsky Khlestakov would surely have made a brilliant career in him.