"Dead Souls": characterization of Chichikov

Chichikov's characterization is the topic of this article. What can be said about this hero from the work "Dead Souls"? Belinsky, a well-known Russian critic, noted in 1846 that, as an acquirer, Chichikov is no less, and perhaps more than Pechorin, a hero of our time. He can buy "dead souls", collect donations for various charitable institutions, purchase railroad shares. It doesn't matter what kind of activity people like him are engaged in. Their essence remains unchanged.

The author's characterization of Chichikov at the beginning of the work

It is indisputable that Chichikov is an immortal type. You can meet people like him everywhere. This hero belongs to all times and all countries, only takes on different forms, depending on time and place. In the poem "Dead Souls" the action begins with the fact that the reader gets acquainted with the main character. What is the characteristic of Chichikov? This is the "golden mean", neither this nor that. The author, describing him, notes that he is not a handsome man, but not a "bad-looking" person, not very thin, but not too fat, not old, but not young either. Chichikov Pavel Ivanovich - honorable collegiate adviser. Such is the characterization of Chichikov at the beginning of the work.

Visits made by Chichikov in the city

How does he begin his stay in the city? From numerous visits: to the prosecutor, vice-governor, governor, tax farmer, chief of police, head of local state-owned factories, etc. Chichikov, behaving like a well-intentioned person, knew how to very skillfully flatter everyone in conversations with these rulers. So, for example, he praised the governor for the "velvet roads" in the province subject to him, and Chichikov said something flattering about the city guards to the chief of police. He mistakenly called the chairman of the chamber and the vice-governor twice "your excellency." Chichikov made a compliment to the governor's wife, which is decent for a middle-aged man who has not too low, but not too high rank. The citation characteristic of Chichikov will complement the image created by the author. Pavel Ivanovich called himself nothing more than an "insignificant worm", lamenting that he had to experience a lot in his lifetime, endure for the truth in his service, make many enemies who even attempted on his life.

Ability to hold a conversation

The characterization of Chichikov ("Dead Souls") can be supplemented by his masterful ability to keep up the conversation. Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol writes that if it was about a horse farm, he spoke about it, but he could also make sensible remarks about good dogs. Moreover, Chichikov did this with "some sort of gravity," he spoke neither softly nor loudly, but exactly as he should, he knew how to behave well. As we see, he learned to wear a mask of imaginary decency and vulgarity masterfully. Under this guise of a completely decent, decent gentleman, the true characterization of Chichikov ("Dead Souls"), the content of his actions and thoughts, was hidden.

Author's attitude to Chichikov in the first chapter

The author in the first chapter only allegorically, indirectly expresses his attitude towards Chichikov and his actions. And this hero himself, talking about the world of thick and thin, hints at his true vision of the world around him. He says the fat ones do a better job than the "thin ones" who mostly do special errands and "wander around." The citation characteristic of Chichikov helps to better understand this image. The main character is referred by Gogol to the world of fat, firmly and securely sitting in their places. Confirming the appearance of who Chichikov seems to be, thus, the author is preparing his exposure, revealing the truth about him.

First successful deals

The deal with Manilov is the first success. It strengthens Pavel Ivanovich's confidence in the safety and ease of the scam he conceived. The hero, inspired by the first success, is in a hurry to make new deals. On the way to Sobakevich, Chichikov meets Korobochka, who showed him that the enterprise conceived by him requires caution and subtlety, and not just perseverance. This lesson, however, did not go to Chichikov's future. He hurries to Sobakevich, but unexpectedly meets Nozdryov and decides to go to him.

Chichikov at Nozdrev

Among the main properties of Nozdryov, almost the main thing was the passion to "spoil his neighbor", sometimes without any reason. And Pavel Ivanovich involuntarily falls for this bait. Nozdryov finally reveals the true purpose of Chichikov's acquisition of "dead souls". This episode reveals the frivolity and weakness of the hero. Subsequently, of course, Chichikov scolded himself for acting carelessly, talking about such a delicate matter with Nozdryov. As we can see, purposefulness and perseverance in cases where they go too far, turn into a disadvantage.

Buying "dead souls" from Sobakevich

Chichikov finally arrives at Sobakevich's. An interesting characterization of Chichikov by other characters. They all have different characters, and they all relate to the main character in their own way. Sobakevich is a persistent and quirky person when it comes to his benefits. He guesses, most likely, why Chichikov needs "dead souls". Sobakevich godlessly bargains, besides, he also praises his dead peasants. He says that Yeremey Sorokoplekhin, who traded in Moscow, brought 500 rubles per quitrent. This is not like the peasants of some Plyushkin.

Comparative characteristics of Chichikov and Plyushkin

Let's compare these two characters. Comparative characteristics of Chichikov and Plyushkin are very curious. After all, Pavel Ivanovich was a serving nobleman, and Plyushkin was a landowner. These are the two classes on which tsarist Russia of that time rested. Meanwhile, the lack of understanding of the need for daily work, the inability to do any useful thing makes these heroes related, leading them to a deplorable result. The characterization of Chichikov and Plyushkin is very unattractive. And this is the backbone of the state, the "tables of society"! Curious connections can be found in the work of a comparative description of Chichikov ...

Deal with Plushkin

The enterprise conceived by Chichikov ends with a deal with Plyushkin. With this landowner, even money comes out of the living circulation. He put them in one of the boxes, where, probably, they were destined to lie until his death. Chichikov is now on top. All papers are signed, and he turns into a "millionaire" in the eyes of the townsfolk. This is a magic word that opens all roads and affects both scoundrels and good people.

The real biography of Chichikov

Soon, however, Chichikov's triumph ends with the exposure of Nozdrev, who informed the authorities that he was trading in dead souls. Confusion and turmoil begin in the city, as well as in the mind of the reader. The author saved the true biography of his hero for the finale of the work, in which, finally, a complete and true characterization of Chichikov in the poem "Dead Souls" is given. Throughout its entire length, Pavel Ivanovich seemed virtuous and decent, but under this guise, as it turned out, a completely different essence was hidden. The characterization of Chichikov in the poem "Dead Souls", given by the author in the final, is as follows.

It turned out that this was the son of a half-impoverished nobleman, who did not even look like his mother or father. As a child, he had no friends or comrades. And so the father one fine day decided to send the child to the city school. During parting with him there were no tears, but Chichikov was given one clever and important instruction: to study, not to fool, not to hang out, to please bosses and teachers, to save a penny more than anything, since this thing is the most reliable thing in the world.

The unsociable and lonely Pavlusha accepted this instruction with all his heart and was guided by it all his life. He quickly grasped the spirit of the authorities in the classrooms of the school and understood what the “correct” behavior should be. Chichikov sat quietly in the classroom and as a result, not possessing special talents and abilities, he received a certificate at graduation, as well as a special book for trustworthy behavior and exemplary diligence. After graduating from college, Pavlusha plunged into reality: his father died, leaving him as a legacy only 4 jerseys, irretrievably worn out, 2 old frock coats and a small amount of money.

At the same time, which is remarkable, another event occurs that reveals the true qualities of Chichikov, the future swindler. So fond of a humble student, the teacher was fired from the school. He disappeared in a forgotten kennel without a piece of bread. Former arrogant and recalcitrant students raised money for him, and only Pavel Ivanovich limited himself to a penny, while citing his extreme need.

The means by which Chichikov was promoted

Chichikov, it should be noted, was not stingy. However, he imagined a future life with prosperity and in all allowances: a well-arranged house, carriages, delicious meals and expensive entertainment. For this, Pavel Ivanovich agreed to starve and selflessly engage in service. He soon realized that honest work would not bring him what he wanted. And Chichikov begins, looking for new opportunities to improve his position, to take care of his boss's daughter. When he finally gets a promotion, he completely forgets about this family. Scams, bribes - this is the path Pavlusha took. He gradually achieves some visible well-being. But now, in the place of his former boss, they appoint a military, strict man, to whom Chichikov could not ingratiate himself. And he is forced to look for other ways to arrange his well-being.

How Pavel Ivanovich "suffered in the service"

The protagonist of the poem goes to another city. Here, by a lucky chance, he becomes a customs officer and begins to conduct "commercial" relations with smugglers. This criminal conspiracy was revealed after some time, and all those responsible for it, including Chichikov, were brought to justice. This is how, in reality, Pavel Ivanovich "suffered in the service." Chichikov, taking care of his offspring, decides to commit another scam, which Gogol describes in detail in the poem Dead Souls.

Chichikov - the hero of our time

So, Chichikov, who was brought face to face with the usual, traditional order of things, contributes by his actions to the destruction of the existing order. He lays the foundation for the new. Therefore, we can say in this sense that Chichikov is rightfully the hero of our time.

The characterization of the hero of the work "Dead Souls" (Chichikov) was presented in this article. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol wrote the poem we are interested in in 1842. In it, he was able to talentedly and eloquently depict the perniciousness of the serfdom that existed at that time, its horrific consequences for the entire Russian society. Not just individual people degenerate - the people and the whole state are destroyed along with it. It can be said with certainty that the anti-serf works of Nikolai Vasilyevich played a certain role in bringing about the abolition in our country.