Characteristics of Chichikov: serf merchant

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The story "Dead Souls", which Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol prudently called a poem, really contains the "poetic" aspirations of the main character Chichikov in solving his quite prosaic life tasks. From childhood, he was left to himself, he received insufficient education, his youth passed even in some hardships. Chichikov's characterization is not much different from others. However, the young man was by nature quick-witted and resourceful, he overcame difficult situations in his life on his own, sometimes very successfully. Growing up and gaining experience, Chichikov learned to use the numerous social Russian shortcomings to his advantage, so that he would still win and not answer according to the law.

From time to time Chichikov, being in the service in some "bread place", through negligence or out of greed, miscalculated, received a scolding from his superiors, but on the whole he was in good standing and took bribes deftly, imperceptibly and even artistically. And the characterization of Chichikov was an example for all other officials. The petitioner who came to Chichikov used to give the amount into his hands, but he did notberet. What are you, how can you, we do not take, sir …! And he assured the person that all the necessary documents would be brought to his house today, without any “grease”. The petitioner went home, elated, almost happy, and waited for the courier. I waited a day, another, one week and the second. The bribe that the visitor then brought as a result of this simple combination invented by Chichikov was three times more than the original one.

And then one day Chichikov was struck by some brilliant idea that promised a quick and sure enrichment. “I am looking for mittens everywhere, but they are behind my belt,” Chichikov said and set about developing his future operation to acquire dead souls. In landlord Russia then there was a market for serfs. In other words, it was possible to buy peasants, sell them and give them away. The transaction was legally formalized, the buyer and seller made up a serf deed of sale. Peasants were expensive, and a hundred rubles and two hundred. But if you buy dead serfs from the landowners, then it can be cheaper, Chichikov thought, and set to work.

The whole point of his enterprise was counting on receiving the so-called lifting money issued by guardianship councils throughout Russia, when relocating landlord farms to other lands or simply on acquiring serfs. Two hundred rubles per peasant, living and he althy of course. But who will check there, alive or dead, Chichikov rightly thought, and slowly got ready to go. Our hero arrived in the city of NN, looked around and immediately paid visits to all city officials. Aftershort communication with Chichikov, the officials doted on him, so he knew how to flatter and butter up. Chichikov's characterization was impeccable, he was welcomed everywhere and they were glad to see him.

Then Chichikov chose the landowners who had serfs and began to go around them one by one. He made the same offer to each. I will buy, they say, the dead serfs, I need it for business, but the ladies are inexpensive, not rich at the present time. The first landowner, Manilov, was a kind of refined dandy, had a wife and children. He was surprised at Chichikov's request, but behaved intelligently and gave away his dead peasants for free. After Manilov, Chichikov ended up with the landowner Korobochka. The old woman listened, thought, and at first refused. Chichikov literally perspired, persuading her, citing all the obvious benefits of the deal for the landowner. And Korobochka, know yourself, is pissed off, I say, first I’ll find out the prices, I’ll make inquiries, then we’ll talk.

After Korobochka, Chichikov came to Nozdryov. This landowner turned out to be a rare rogue, a reveler and a gambler. Chichikov also messed with him. He offered him horses instead of dead souls, and dogs and a hurdy-gurdy. I wanted to play cards for dead souls or checkers. And he turned down the price, he asked for more than the living. Chichikov barely carried his feet away from Nozdryov. And he came to the next landowner Sobakevich. The huge landowner Sobakevich, a child of little intelligence, but with cunning, first of all stepped on Chichikov's foot with all his weight. Chichikov hissed in pain and jumped up and down on one leg. Satisfied, Sobakevich invited me to dine. And whenChichikov started a business conversation, then the landowner set the price even higher than Nozdryov. After bargaining, they agreed on two rubles and a half. A brief description of Chichikov should be supplemented by his ability to bargain.

The last was the landowner Plyushkin. He had more than a thousand serfs. And the dead are one hundred and twenty, and about a hundred fugitives. Chichikov bought them all. And as conversations began in the city after his trips and purchases, Chichikov became almost a hero. But at the same time, Chichikov's characterization limped, many of his former friends refused him a house. Too bad it was all for nothing. Chichikov's impeccable characterization, dead souls, will not help either - they will not become alive, they will not be given money.