We give a summary of the famous work of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol - Dead Souls. This book is required in the school curriculum, so it is important to familiarize yourself with its content, or, if you forgot some points, remember the main plot points.

Volume One

The story took place immediately after the famous expulsion of the French. Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, a collegiate adviser (not very young and not old, pleasant and slightly round in appearance, neither thin nor fat) finds himself in a provincial town of NN and stays at a hotel. He asks the tavern servants about the owners and income of the institution, significant landowners, officials, is interested in the state of the region and about rampant diseases, epidemic fevers and other misfortunes.

The guest of the city visits all the inhabitants and notices the courtesy of the people and vigorous activity. He almost does not talk about himself, brushing aside, saying that he had seen a lot in his life, that he had many enemies who wanted to kill him. He is currently looking for a place to live. At the governor's party, he achieves universal favor and meets the landowners Manilov and Sobakevich. Then he dines with the chief of police (where he meets the landowner Nozdryov), visits the vice-governor and the chairman, the prosecutor and the farmer - and goes to the Manilov estate.

Having overcome 30 miles, Chichikov arrived in Manilovka to the kindest host. Don of the landowner, who was located in the Jura surrounded by flower beds and gazebos, characterized the owner, not weighed down by passions. After dinner with the hostess and the two sons of the landowner, Alkid and Themistoclus, Chichikov talks about the purpose of his visit: he wants to buy dead peasants who are not declared in the audit certificate, but to register them as living. The kind owner was initially frightened and perplexed, but then he was delighted and made a deal. Then Chichikov goes to Sobakevich, and Manilov dreams of living next door to Chichikov across the river, building a bridge, a house with a belvedere that allows him to see Moscow, and making friends with him, for which the sovereign would make them generals. Chichikov's coachman Selifan, who was treated kindly by Manilov's yard people, while talking to the horses, misses the necessary turn and, during a downpour, drops the master into the slush. In the darkness, they manage to find lodging for the night at Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka, a somewhat timid landowner, from whom Chichikov buys dead souls in the morning. He said that he himself would pay taxes for them. He buys souls from her for 15 rubles, takes the list and, after tasting pancakes, pie and pies, leaves, leaving the hostess worried about whether she sold too cheap.

On the high road, Chichikov heads to the tavern for a meal. He meets with Nozdrev, who is riding in Mizhuev's britzka, because he lost everything he had. Talking about the fair he visited, he praises the drinking qualities of the officers and, demonstrating the puppy, Nozdrev takes Chichikov with him, taking also the stubborn son-in-law Mizhuev. After describing Nozdryov, his house, dinner, the author switches to his son-in-law's wife, and Chichikov starts a conversation about his interest, but the landowner does not agree. Nozdryov suggested an exchange, take it to a stallion or put it in cards, as a result they swear and say goodbye for the night. Persuasion continues in the morning again, and Chichikov agrees to play checkers, but sees Nozdryov's cheating during the game. Chichikov, whom the owner and servants are about to beat, runs away during the visit of the police captain, who announced that Nozdryov had been taken to court. On the way, Chichikov's cart collides with an unknown crew, and while the confused horses are being bred, Chichikov sees a 16-year-old young lady, talking about her and dreaming of a family. A visit to Sobakevich is followed by a lunch during which they discuss city officials, who, according to the owner, are all swindlers, the conversation ends with a proposal for a deal. Sobakevich begins to bargain, characterizing the good qualities of the serfs, gives Chichikov the list and forces him to make a deposit.

Chichikov's path to Plyushkin is interrupted by a conversation with a peasant who gave Plyushkin a petty nickname and the author's reflection on love and indifference. Seeing the landowner, Chichikov thought that he was a housekeeper or a wandering beggar. His most important feature lies in his amazing tinkering, he dragged all unnecessary things into his chambers. Having demonstrated the advantage of the offer, Chichikov refuses tea with crackers and leaves in a good mood, taking with him a letter to the chairman of the chamber.

During Chichikov's sleep, the author sadly talks about the meanness of objects. After a dream, Chichikov begins to study the lists of the purchased peasants, thinking about their fate, and goes to the ward to conclude the case. Manilov meets him near the hotel and goes with him. Then the official place is described, Chichikov's troubles and giving a bribe. The chairman becomes Plushkin's attorney, speeding up other deals. The people begin to discuss Chichikov's purchases, what he intends to do: in what places, with land or for withdrawal, did he acquire peasants. Having learned that the peasants will be sent to the Kherson province, after discussing the qualities of the sold peasants, the deals are completed with champagne, then they go to the police chief to drink for the new landowner. Excited after strong drinks, they began to force Chichikov to stay and start a family.

Chichikov's acquisitions lead to a stir in the city, everyone says that he is a millionaire. Ladies line up. Trying to describe women, the author becomes shy and falls silent. Before the governor's ball, Chichikov receives a love note. Having spent a lot of time on the toilet and being satisfied, Chichikov goes to the ball, where he can hardly escape from the embrace. The girls, among whom he is looking for the author of the letter, begin to quarrel. But when the governor's wife approaches him, his behavior changes dramatically, because she is accompanied by her daughter, a 16-year-old blonde, whose carriage he encountered on the road. He begins to lose the favor of women, because he begins to talk with an interesting blonde, defiantly ignoring the others. In addition, Nozdryov comes to the ball and loudly asks if Chichikov bought up a lot of dead people. Despite Nozdryov's drunken state, society is embarrassed, Chichikov is not given either dinner or whist, and he leaves the ball in upset feelings.

At this time, a tarantass arrives in the town with the landowner Korobochka, who has arrived in order to find out about the price of dead souls. In the morning, some pleasant house finds out the news, which is in a hurry to notify others, as a result, interesting details appear in the story (an armed Chichikov burst into Korobochka at night, demanding dead souls - everyone came running, screaming, crying children). Her friend says that the dead souls are just a cover for Chichikov's cunning intent to steal the governor's daughter. After discussing the details of the enterprise, Nozdrev's accomplice, the women tell everything to the prosecutor and go to rebel in the city.

The town quickly begins to seethe, to this is added the news that a new governor-general has been appointed, and there is information about papers: about the appearance of false banknotes in the province, about a robber who fled from legal persecution. Trying to find out who Chichikov is, they begin to recall his vague certification and the conversation about the attempt on his life. The postmaster suggested that Chichikov is the captain of Kopeika, who took up arms against an unjust world and became a robber, but this is rejected because the captain has no limbs, and Chichikov is whole. There is an assumption that this is Napoleon in disguise, with whom he has many similarities. Conversations with Sobakevich, Manilov and Korobochka yielded no results. And Nozdryov only intensifies the confusion, saying that Chichikov is a spy who makes fake banknotes and wants to steal the governor's daughter, in which he should help him. All the conversations had a strong effect on the prosecutor, he has a stroke, from which he dies.

Chichikov, with a slight cold, stays at the hotel and is surprised that not a single official comes to him. However, when he decided to pay everyone visits, he learns that the governor does not want to see him, and the rest step aside in fear. Nozdryov, having come to his hotel, tells him everything, declaring that he is ready to help in the kidnapping of the governor's daughter. In the morning, Chichikov quickly leaves, but he is stopped by a funeral procession, he has to look at the officials who are walking behind the coffin of the prosecutor. The brichka leaves the city, and the open spaces make the author think about sad and gratifying things, about Russia, and then grieve about the hero.

Having concluded that the hero needs to rest, the author tells the story of Pavel Ivanovich, reveals his childhood, studies, where he showed a practical mind, what kind of relationship he had with teachers and peers, how he served in the Treasury Chamber, the commission for the construction of a government building , where for the first time he showed his weaknesses, how later he went to other not so profitable places, as he served at customs, where it is almost impossible to work honestly and incorruptibly, he received a lot of money by conspiring with smugglers, went bankrupt, but was able to avoid a criminal court, although forced to retire. Becoming an attorney and bustling about the pledge of the peasants, he came up with a plan: he began to travel around Rus', buying dead souls and pledging them to the treasury to receive money that would be used to purchase the village and provide for offspring.

Having again murmured at the nature of the hero and justified him a little, calling him "the acquirer, the owner", the author compared the flying troika with Russia, ending the story with the ringing of a bell.

Volume two

The estate of Andrey Ivanovich Tentetnikov is described, whom the author calls "the smoker of the sky". The author tells about his empty pastime, tells the story of his life, which was inspired by hopes and overshadowed by official troubles and trifles. He retires, wanting to renovate the estate, take care of the peasant, read books, but without any experience this does not provide the desired results, the peasant begins to mess around, and Tentetnikov simply gives up. He avoids neighbors, offended by the attitude of General Betrishchev, does not visit him, although he often thinks about his daughter Ulinka. In general, he begins to turn sour.

Pavel Ivanovich goes to him, complaining about the breakdown in the carriage, trying to pay respect. Having arranged the owner to himself, Chichikov goes to the general, telling him about the grumpy uncle and asking about the dead souls. The narrative is interrupted by a laughing general, then we find Chichikov walking towards Colonel Koshkarev. He turns to the Rooster, who appears before him naked, he is interested in catching sturgeon. Petukh has almost nothing, except for the mortgaged estate, so he simply overeats, meets with the landowner Platonov and persuades him to drive around Rus'. After that, he goes to Konstantin Kostanzhoglo, the wife of Platonov's sister. From him, he learns about management methods that significantly increase the profit from the estate, Chichikov is greatly inspired by this.

He quickly comes to Koshkarev, who divided his village into expeditions, departments, committees, organizing an ideal paper production on the estate. After returning, Costanjoglo curses manufactories and factories that have a bad effect on the peasant, the absurd desires of the peasant and Khlobuev's neighbor, who abandoned his estate and gives for a penny. Chichikov is touched and even drawn to honest work, listening to the story of the farmer Murazov, who earned 40 million flawlessly, the next day, together with Platonov and Kostanzhoglo, he goes to Khlobuev, sees his obscene and careless household, along with a governess for children, a fashionable wife and other luxury . Having borrowed money from Kostanzhoglo and Platonov, he pays for the estate, wishing to acquire it, and goes to the Platonov estate, where he meets his brother Vasily, who is skillfully engaged in farming. Then he ends up with his neighbor Lenitsyn, winning his sympathy with the ability to tickle a child, thanks to which he receives dead souls.

After many omissions in the manuscript, Chichikov finds himself at a city fair, where he acquires lingonberry fabric with a spark. He meets Khlobuev, whom he ruined his life. Khlobuev was taken away by Murazov, who convinced him that he needed to work and raise funds for the church. Meanwhile, slanders against Chichikov are recognized by dead souls and forgery. The tailor delivers the tailcoat. Suddenly, a gendarme arrives and drags Chichikov to the governor-general. Here all his atrocities become known, and he finds himself in prison. Chichikov finds himself in a closet, where Murazov finds him. He tears his hair and clothes, mourning the loss of the box of papers. Murazov, with kind words, tries to awaken in him a desire for an honest life and goes to soften the governor general. At the same moment, officials who want to annoy the authorities and take a bribe from Chichikov bring him a box, send denunciations to confuse the case and steal the witness. Riots are unfolding in the province, which are of great concern to the Governor General. But Murazov is able to grope for the sensitive sides of his soul and provide the right advice that the Governor-General wants to use when releasing Chichikov. After that, the manuscript ends...

Here is a summary of the 2nd chapter of the work “Dead Souls” by N.V. Gogol.

A very brief summary of "Dead Souls" can be found, and the one below is quite detailed.
General content by chapter:

Chapter 2 - summary.

Chichikov spent a week in the city, making visits to officials. After that, he decided to take advantage of the invitations of the landowners. Having given orders to the servants since evening, Pavel Ivanovich woke up very early. It was Sunday, and therefore, according to his old habit, he washed himself, dried himself from head to toe with a wet sponge, shaved his cheeks to a gloss, put on a lingonberry-colored tailcoat, an overcoat on big bears and went down the stairs. Pretty soon a barrier appeared, indicating the end of the pavement. Hitting his head on the body for the last time, Chichikov rushed across the soft earth.

At the fifteenth verst, on which, according to Manilov, his village was supposed to be, Pavel Ivanovich became worried, since there was no village in sight. We passed the sixteenth verst. Finally, two peasants came across the britzka, who pointed in the right direction, promising that Manilovka would be a mile away. Having traveled about another six versts, Chichikov remembered that " if a friend invites to his village for fifteen miles, it means that there are faithful thirty ».

The village of Manilovka was nothing special. The master's house stood on a hill, accessible to all winds. The sloping side of the mountain was covered with trimmed turf, on which stood out a few round flower beds in the English manner. A wooden arbor with blue columns and the inscription " temple of solitary contemplation ».

Manilov met the guest on the porch, and the newly-made friends immediately kissed each other warmly. It was difficult to say anything definite about the character of the owner:

There is a kind of people known under the name of people so-so, neither this nor that, neither in the city of Bogdan, nor in the village of Selifan ... His features were not devoid of pleasantness, but this pleasantness, it seemed, was too much transferred to sugar; there was something ingratiating in his manners and turns ... In the first minute of a conversation with him, you cannot but say: “What a pleasant and kind person!” In the next minute you will not say anything, and in the third you will say: “The devil knows what it is!” - and move away if you do not move away, you will feel bored to death.

Manilov practically did not take care of the household, and for the most part was silent at home, indulging in reflections and dreams. Either he planned to build an underground passage from the house, or to build a stone bridge, on which merchant shops would be located.

However, it remained so only ethereal dreams. There was always something missing in the house. For example, in the living room with beautiful furniture, upholstered in smart silk fabric, there were two armchairs on which there was not enough fabric. Some rooms had no furniture at all. However, this did not upset the owners at all.

Despite the fact that more than eight years of their marriage had already passed, they showed concern for each other: one brought to the other either a piece of an apple or a piece of candy and asked in a gentle voice to open his mouth.

Passing into the living room, the friends stopped at the door, begging each other to go forward, until at last they decided to enter sideways. In the room they were met by a pretty young woman, Manilov's wife. During mutual courtesies, the host exuberantly expressed his joy at the pleasant visit:

But you finally honored us with your visit. Really such, right, they gave pleasure ... May day ... name day of the heart.

This somewhat discouraged Chichikov. During the conversation, the married couple and Pavel Ivanovich went through all the officials, extolling and noting only the pleasant side of each. Further, the guest and the host began to confess to each other in a sincere disposition or even in love. Unknown. what would it have come to, if not for the servant, who reported that the food was ready.

The dinner was no less pleasant than the conversation. Chichikov met the children of Manilov, whose names were Themistoclus and Alkid.

After dinner, Pavel Ivanovich and the owner retired to the office for a business conversation. The guest began to ask how many peasants had died since the last revision, to which Manilov could not give an intelligible answer. The clerk was called, who was also not aware of this. The servant was ordered to compile a list of names of all the dead serfs. When the clerk left, Manilov asked Chichikov the reason for the strange question. The guest replied that he would like to buy the dead peasants, who, according to the audit, were listed as living. The owner did not immediately believe what he heard: “ as he opened his mouth, he remained with his mouth open for several minutes ».

Manilov did not understand why Chichikov needed dead souls, but he could not refuse the guest. Moreover, when it came to drawing up a bill of sale, the guest kindly offered a donation for all the dead peasants.

Seeing the genuine joy of the guest, the host was completely moved. The friends shook hands for a long time, and in the end Chichikov no longer knew how to free his own. Having finished his business, the guest began to hastily get ready for the journey, because he still wanted to have time to visit Sobakevich. After seeing off the guest, Manilov was in the most complacent mood. His thoughts were occupied with dreams of how he and Chichikov become good friends, and the sovereign favors them with the rank of general, having learned about their friendship. Manilov again mentally returns to the request of the guest, but he still cannot explain it to himself.

Within the framework of the project "Gogol. 200 years"RIA Newspresents a summary of the second volume of "Dead Souls" by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol - a novel that Gogol himself called a poem. The plot of "Dead Souls" was suggested to Gogol by Pushkin. The white version of the text of the second volume of the poem was burned by Gogol. The text has been partially restored on the basis of drafts.

The second volume of the poem opens with a description of the nature that makes up the estate of Andrei Ivanovich Tentetnikov, whom the author calls "the smoker of the sky." The story of the stupidity of his pastime is followed by the story of a life inspired by hopes at the very beginning, overshadowed by the pettiness of service and troubles afterwards; he retires, intending to improve the estate, reads books, takes care of the peasant, but without experience, sometimes just human, this does not give the expected results, the peasant is idle, Tentetnikov gives up. He breaks off acquaintances with his neighbors, offended by the treatment of General Betrishchev, stops visiting him, although he cannot forget his daughter Ulinka. In a word, without someone who would tell him an invigorating “forward!”, He completely turns sour.

Chichikov comes to him, apologizing for a breakdown in the carriage, curiosity and a desire to pay respect. Having won the favor of the owner with his amazing talent to adapt to anyone, Chichikov, having lived with him for a while, goes to the general, to whom he spins a story about an absurd uncle and, as usual, begs for the dead.

On the laughing general, the poem fails, and we find Chichikov heading towards Colonel Koshkarev. Against expectation, he gets to Pyotr Petrovich Petukh, whom at first he finds completely naked, carried away by the hunt for sturgeon. At the Rooster, having nothing to get hold of, for the estate is mortgaged, he only overeats terribly, gets acquainted with the bored landowner Platonov and, having incited him to travel together in Rus', goes to Konstantin Fedorovich Kostanzhoglo, married to Platonov's sister. He talks about the ways of managing, by which he increased the income from the estate dozens of times, and Chichikov is terribly inspired.

Very promptly, he visits Colonel Koshkarev, who has divided his village into committees, expeditions and departments and has arranged a perfect paper production in the mortgaged estate, as it turns out. Returning, he listens to the curses of the bilious Costanjoglo to the factories and manufactories that corrupt the peasant, to the peasant's absurd desire to enlighten, and to his neighbor Khlobuev, who has run a hefty estate and is now lowering it for nothing.

Having experienced emotion and even a craving for honest work, after listening to the story of the farmer Murazov, who made forty millions in an impeccable way, Chichikov the next day, accompanied by Kostanzhoglo and Platonov, goes to Khlobuev, observes the unrest and debauchery of his household in the neighborhood of a governess for children, dressed in fashion wife and other traces of ridiculous luxury.

Having borrowed money from Kostanzhoglo and Platonov, he gives a deposit for the estate, intending to buy it, and goes to the Platonov estate, where he meets his brother Vasily, who effectively manages the economy. Then he suddenly appears at their neighbor Lenitsyn, clearly a rogue, wins his sympathy with his skillfully tickling a child and receives dead souls.

After many gaps in the manuscript, Chichikov is found already in the city at a fair, where he buys fabric of a lingonberry color so dear to him with a spark. He runs into Khlobuev, whom, apparently, he cheated, either depriving him, or almost depriving him of his inheritance by some kind of forgery. Khlobuev, who missed him, is taken away by Murazov, who convinces Khlobuev of the need to work and determines for him to raise funds for the church. Meanwhile, denunciations against Chichikov are being discovered both about forgery and about dead souls.

The tailor brings a new coat. Suddenly, a gendarme appears, dragging smart Chichikov to the governor-general, "angry as anger itself." Here all his atrocities become apparent, and he, kissing the general's boot, plunges into the prison. In a dark closet, tearing his hair and coat tails, mourning the loss of a box of papers, Murazov finds Chichikov, awakens in him with simple virtuous words the desire to live honestly and goes to soften the governor general.

At that time, officials who want to harm their wise superiors and receive a bribe from Chichikov deliver him a box, kidnap an important witness and write many denunciations in order to completely confuse the matter. Unrest breaks out in the province itself, greatly worrying the governor-general. However, Murazov knows how to feel the sensitive strings of his soul and give him the right advice, which the Governor-General, having released Chichikov, is going to use, how ... - at this point the manuscript breaks off.

The material was provided by the Internet portal briefly.ru, compiled by E. V. Kharitonova

Chapter 1

The beginning unfolds in the provincial town of NN, a luxurious bachelor cart drove up to the hotel. No one paid much attention to the britzka, except for two men arguing about whether the wagon wheel could reach Moscow or not. Chichikov was sitting in it, the first thoughts about him were ambiguous. The hotel house looked like an old building with two floors, the first floor was not plastered, the second was painted with yellow copper paint. The decorations are characteristic, that is, miserable. The main character introduced himself as a collegiate adviser, Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. After they received the guest, his lackey Petrusha and the servant Selifan (who is also a coachman) arrived.

Dinner time, a curious guest asks the tavern employee questions about local authorities, significant persons, landowners, the state of the region (diseases and epidemics). He leaves the task to the interlocutor to notify the police of his arrival, backing up the paper with the text: "College Councilor Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov." The hero of the novel goes to inspect the territory, remains satisfied. He drew attention to the incorrect information posted in the newspaper about the state of the park and its current situation. After the gentleman returned to the room, had dinner and fell asleep.

The next day was devoted to visits to members of the society. Pavel quickly understood to whom and how to present flattering speeches, he tactfully kept silent about himself. At a party at the governor's, he made acquaintance with Sobakevich Mikhail Semenovich and Manilov, along the way asking them questions about possessions and serfs, and specifically he wanted to know who had what number of souls. Chichikov received many invitations and appeared at each one, finding connections. Many began to speak well of him, until one passage left everyone bewildered.

Chapter 2

Footman Petrusha is silent, he liked to read books of different genres. He also had a peculiarity: to sleep in clothes. Now back to the well-known main character, finally, he decided to go with Manilov. The village, as the owner initially said, is 15 versts (16,002 km), but this turned out not to be the case. The manor stood on a hill, blown by the winds, a pitiful sight. The owner gladly welcomed the traveler. The head of the family did not take care of the estate, but indulged in reflections and dreams. He considered his wife an excellent match.

Both are idlers: the pantries are empty, the kitchen masters are not organized, the housekeeper steals, the servants are always drunk and unclean. The couple was capable of long kisses. At dinner, compliments were exchanged, the children of the steward showed their knowledge of geography. The time has come to resolve the issues. The hero was able to convince the owner to make a deal in which the dead people are considered alive according to the audit paper. Manilov decided to give Chichikov dead souls. When Pavel left, he sat for a long time on his porch and thoughtfully smoked his pipe. He thought that they would now become good friends, even dreamed that for their friendship, they would receive a reward from the king himself.

Chapter 3

Pavel Ivanovich was in a great mood. Maybe that's why he did not notice that Selifan did not follow the road, as he was drunk. It poured rain. Their cart turned over, and the main character fell into the mud. Somehow, with the onset of darkness, Selifan and Pavel came across the estate, they were allowed to spend the night. The interior of the rooms spoke of the fact that the housewives are one of those who cry about the lack of money and crops, while they themselves save money in secluded places. The hostess gave the impression that she was very frugal.

Waking up in the morning, the sharp-sighted figure examines the yard in detail: there are many poultry and livestock, the houses of the peasants are in good condition. Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka (lady) invites him to the table. Chichikov suggested that she conclude an agreement regarding the departed souls, the landowner was confused. Further, she began to represent hemp, flax and even bird feathers to everything. Agreement has been reached. Everything turned out to be a commodity. The traveler hurried to leave, as he could no longer endure the landowner. A girl saw them off, she showed them how to get out onto the main road and returned. A tavern appeared on the pavement.

Chapter 4

It was a simple cellar, with a standard menu. Peter's natural questions were asked to the staff: how long has the establishment been operating, what are the landowners doing. Fortunately for Pavel, the owner of the tavern knew a lot and was happy to share everything with him. Nozdryov arrived in the dining room. He shares his events: he was with his son-in-law at the fair and lost all the money, things and four horses. Nothing upsets him. There is not the best opinion about him: flaws in education, a tendency to lie.

Marriage did not affect him, unfortunately his wife died, leaving two children who were not taken care of. A gambler, dishonest in the game, he was often beaten. Dreamer, disgusting in everything. The insolent man called Chichikov to his place for dinner, and he gave a positive answer. A tour of the estate, as well as the lunch itself, caused outrage. The main character set the goal of the deal. It all ended in a fight. He slept badly at a party. The rogue in the morning offered the hero to play checkers for a deal. It would have come to a fight if the captain - police officer had not come with the news that Nozdryov was under investigation until the circumstances were clarified. The guest ran away and ordered the servant to drive the horses quickly.

Chapter 5

On the way to Sobakevich, Pavel Chichikov collided with a carriage that was harnessed by 6 horses. The harnesses are very entangled. Everyone who was close was in no hurry to help. In the carriage sat an elderly woman and a young girl with blond hair. Chichikov was fascinated by the beautiful stranger. When they parted, he thought about her for a long time, until the estate that interested him appeared. A wooded estate, with sturdy buildings of ambiguous architecture.

The owner outwardly resembled a bear, as he was strongly built. Massive furniture was present in his house, paintings depicting strong generals. It was not easy to start a conversation even at lunchtime: Chichikov began to carry on his flattering conversations, and Mikhail started talking about the fact that they were all swindlers and mentioned a certain man named Plyushkin, whose peasants were dying. After the meal, the bargaining of dead souls opened, and the main character had to compromise. The city decided to make a deal. He, of course, was dissatisfied with the crown of the head, that the owner asked too much for one soul. When Pavel left, he managed to find out where the cruel holder of souls lives.

Chapter 6

The hero drove into a vast village with a log pavement. This road was not safe: old wood, ready to fall apart under the weight. Everything was in a state of disrepair: the clogged windows of houses, crumbling plaster, an overgrown and dried-up garden, poverty was felt everywhere. The landowner outwardly resembled a housekeeper, so outwardly he launched himself. The owner can be described as follows: small shifty eyes, greasy torn clothes, a strange bandage around his neck. Like a man begging for alms. Cold and hunger blew everywhere. It was impossible to be in the house: a complete mess, a lot of extra furniture, floating flies in containers, a huge collection of dust in all corners. But in fact, in fact, he has more stocks of provisions, utensils and other good things that were lost due to the greed of his owner.

Once everything prospered, he had a wife, two daughters, a son, a French teacher, a governess. But his wife died, the landowner began to harbor anxiety and greed. The eldest daughter secretly married an officer and ran away, the successor went to work without receiving anything from his father, the youngest daughter died. Bread and hay rotted in the merchant's barns, but he did not agree to the sale. The heiress came to him with her grandchildren, left with nothing. Also, lost in cards, the son asked for money and was refused.

Plyushkin's stinginess knew no bounds; he complained to Chichikov about his poverty. As a result, Plyushkin sold 120 dead souls and seventy runaway peasants to our master at 32 kopecks per one. Both felt happy.

Chapter 7

The current day was declared by the main character to be a notary. He saw that he already had 400 souls, he also noticed a female name on Sobakevich's list, thinking that he was unimaginably dishonorable. The character went to the ward, completed all the documents and began to bear the title of Kherson landowner. This was celebrated with a festive table with wines and snacks.

Everyone said toasts and someone hinted at marriage, which, due to the naturalness of the situation, the new merchant was happy about. They did not let him go for a long time and offered to stay in the city as long as possible. The feast ended like this: the satisfied owner returned to his chambers, and the inhabitants went to bed.

Chapter 8

The conversations of local residents were only about buying Chichikov. Everyone admired him. The townspeople were even worried about the emergence of a riot in the new estate, but the master reassured them that the peasants were calm. There were rumors about the millionth state of Chichikov. The ladies especially took notice. All of a sudden, the trade in expensive fabrics went well for the merchants. The newly appeared hero was glad to receive a letter with love confessions and poems. Delight was caused by the fact that he was invited to an evening reception with the governor.

At the ball, he caused a storm of emotions among the ladies: they surrounded him from all sides so much that he forgot to greet the hostess of this event. The character wanted to find the writer of the letter, but in vain. When he realized that he was acting indecently, he hurried to the governor's wife and was confused when he saw with her a beautiful blonde, whom he met on the road. It was the daughter of the owners, recently released from the institute. Our hero fell out of the rut and lost interest in other ladies, which caused their discontent and aggression towards the young lady.

Everything was spoiled by the appearance of Nozdryov, he began to speak loudly about Pavel's dishonorable deeds. What spoiled the mood and caused the hero to leave soon. The appearance in the city of a collegiate secretary, a lady with the surname Korobochka, had a bad effect; she wanted to find out the real price of dead souls, as she was afraid that she had sold too cheaply.

Chapter 9

The next morning, the collegiate secretary told that Pavel Ivanovich bought the souls of the deceased peasants from her.
Two women discussing the latest news. One of them shared the news that Chichikov appeared to the landowner by the name of Korobochka and demanded that she sell the souls of the dead. Another lady reported that her husband had heard similar information from Mr. Nozdrev.

They began to reason about why the newly-minted landowner needed such deals. Their thoughts ended with the following: the master truly pursues the goal of kidnapping the governor's daughter, and the irresponsible Nozdryov will assist him, and dealing with the departed souls of the peasants: fiction. During their disputes, the prosecutor appeared, the ladies told him their assumptions. Leaving the prosecutor alone with his thoughts, the two persons went to the city, spreading gossip and hypotheses. Soon the entire city was stunned. Due to the long absence of interesting events, everyone paid attention to the news. There was even such a rumor that Chichikov left his wife and walked at night with the daughter of the governor.

Two sides appeared: women and men. The women talked only about the impending theft of the governor's daughter, and the men about an incredible deal. As a result, the governor arranged an interrogation of her daughter, and she cried and did not understand what she was being accused of. At the same time, some strange stories came to light, in which they began to suspect Chichikov. Then the governor received a document that spoke of a fugitive criminal. Everyone wanted to know who this gentleman really is, and they decided to look for the answer from the chief of police.

Chapter 10 Summary Gogol Dead Souls

When all the officials, tormented by fears, gathered at the appointed place, many began to voice assumptions about who our hero is. One said that the character is none other than a distributor of counterfeit money. And later he stipulated that it was probably a lie. Another suggested that he was an official, the governor-general of the office. And the next comment refuted the previous one on its own. Nobody liked the idea that he was a common criminal. As soon as it dawned on one postmaster, he shouted that it was Mr. Kopeikin and began to tell a story about him. The Tale of Captain Kopeikin said this:

“After the war with Napoleon, a wounded captain was sent, bearing the name Kopeikin. No one knew for sure, under such circumstances he lost his limbs: an arm and a leg, and after that he became a hopeless invalid. The captain was left with his left hand, and it is not clear how he earns his living. He went to the commission. When he finally got into the office, he was asked a question about what brought him here, he replied that, while shedding blood for his homeland, he lost an arm and a leg, and could not earn a living, and from the commission he wanted to ask for the favor of the king. The worker said that the captain would come in 2 days.

When he returned after 3-4 days, the captain was told the following: you need to wait until the sovereign arrives in St. Petersburg. Kopeikin had no money left, and, in despair, the captain decided to take a rough step, he burst into the office and began to scream. The minister got angry, called the appropriate people, and the captain was taken out of the capital. How his fate turned out, no one knows. It is only known that a gang was organized in those parts, the leader of which, allegedly, is Kopeikin. Everyone rejected this strange version, because our hero's limbs were intact.

Officials, in order to clarify the situation, decided to invite Nozdrev, knowing that he constantly lies. He contributed to the story and said that Chichikov was a spy, a distributor of fake banknotes and a kidnapper of the governor's daughter. All this news had such a strong influence on the prosecutor that he died upon arrival home.

Our protagonist didn't know anything about it. He was, with a cold and with a flux, in the room. He was surprised that everyone ignored him. As soon as the main character feels better, he comes to the conclusion that it is time to pay visits to the officials. But everyone refused to accept him and conduct conversations, without explaining the reasons for this. In the evening, Nozdryov comes to the landowner and talks about his participation in counterfeit money and the failed kidnapping of a young lady. And yet, according to the public, through his fault the prosecutor dies and a new governor-general comes to their city. Peter was frightened and sent the narrator away. And he himself ordered Selifan and Petrushka to urgently pack their things and, as soon as dawn broke, set off.

Chapter 11

Everything went against the plans of Pavel Chichikov: he overslept, and the britzka was not ready, because it was in a deplorable state. He yelled at his servants, but it didn't help the situation. Our character was extremely angry. In the forge, they took a large fee from him, as they realized that the order was urgent. And the wait was no fun. When they nevertheless set off, they met a funeral procession, our character concluded that this was fortunate.

Chichikov's childhood was not the most joyful and carefree. His mother and father belonged to the nobility. Our hero lost his mother at an early age, she died, and his father was very often sick. He used violence on little Pavel and forced him to study. When Pavlusha became older, dad gave him to a relative living in the city, so that he would go to the classes of the city school. Instead of money, his father left him an instruction in which he instructed his son to learn to please other people. With instructions, he still left 50 kopecks.

Our little hero took into account the words of his father with full seriousness. The educational institution did not arouse interest, but he willingly learned to increase capital. He sold what his comrades treated him to. Once I trained a mouse for two months and also sold it. There was a case when he made a bullfinch out of wax and sold it just as safely. Pavel's teacher appreciated the good behavior of his students, and therefore our hero, having graduated from an educational institution and having taken a certificate, received a reward in the form of a book with golden letters. At this time, Chichikov's father dies. After his death, he left 4 frock coats, 2 jerseys and a small sum of money to Pavel. Our hero sold their old house for 1 thousand rubles, and redirected their family of serfs. Finally, Pavel Ivanovich learns the story of his teacher: he was expelled from an educational institution and, out of grief, the teacher begins to abuse alcohol. Those with whom he taught helped him, but our character referred to the lack of money, he allocated only five kopecks.

Fellows at the educational institution immediately threw out this disrespectful help. The teacher, when he learned about these events, wept for a long time. Here begins the military service of our hero. After all, he wants to live expensively, have a big house and a personal carriage. But everywhere you need acquaintances in high social circles. He got a job with a small annual salary of 30 or 40 rubles. He always tried to look good, he did it very well, especially considering the fact that his colleagues had an untidy appearance. Chichikov tried in every possible way to attract the attention of the chief, but he was indifferent to our hero. Until the main character found the weak point of the authorities, and his weakness is that his already mature and unattractive daughter is still alone. Pavel began to show her signs of attention:

stood next to her whenever possible. Then he was invited to visit for tea, and after a short time he was received in the house as a groom. After a while, the place of the head of office work in the order was vacated in the ward, Chichikov took this position. As soon as he moved up the career ladder, a chest with the things of the alleged groom disappeared from the bride's house, he ran away and stopped calling the boss daddy. Despite all this, he affectionately smiled at the failed father-in-law and invited him to visit when he met him. The boss, however, remained with an honest understanding that he had been vilely and skillfully deceived.

The most difficult thing, according to Chichikov, he did. In a new place, the main character began to fight those officials who accept material values ​​from someone, while he himself turned out to be the one who accepts bribes on a large scale. A project to build a building for the state began, Chichikov took part in this matter. For 6 long years, only the foundation was built near the building, while the members of the commission added to their property an elegant building of high architectural value.

Pavel Petrovich began to indulge himself in expensive things: thin Dutch shirts, thoroughbred horses and many other trifles. Finally, the old boss was replaced by a new one: a man of military hardening, honest, decent, a fighter against corruption. This ended the dawn of Chichikov's activities, he was forced to flee to another city and start all over again. In a short time, he changed several low positions in a new place, being in a circle of people who did not correspond to his status, our hero thought so. During his troubles, Pavel was a little exhausted, but the hero dealt with the troubles and got to a new position, he began to work at customs. Chichikov's dream came true, he was full of energy and put all his strength into a new position. Everyone believed that he was an excellent worker, quick-witted and attentive, he often managed to identify smugglers.

Chichikov was a furious punisher, honest and incorruptible so much that it did not look quite natural. He was soon noticed by the authorities, the main character was promoted, after which he provided the authorities with a plan to catch all the smugglers. His plan was approved. Pavel was given complete freedom to act in this area. The criminals felt fear, they even formed a criminal group and planned to give a bribe to Pavel Ivanovich, to which he gave them a secret answer, it said that they had to wait.

Chichikov's machinations came to an end: when, under the guise of Spanish sheep, smugglers smuggled expensive products. Chichikov earned about 500 thousand rubles on a particular fraud, and the criminals earned at least 400 thousand rubles. Being drunk, our protagonist went into conflict with a man who also took part in fraud with lace. Because of the incident, all the secret affairs of Chichikov with the smugglers were revealed. Our inflexible hero was put on trial, everything that belonged to him was confiscated. He lost almost all the money, but he decided the issue of criminal prosecution in his favor. I had to start all over again from the bottom. He was initiated into all matters, he again managed to gain confidence. In this place, he learned about how you can make money on the dead peasants. He really liked this possible way of earning.

He figured out how to earn a lot of capital, but realized that he needed land where the souls would be. And this place is Kherson province. And so he chose a convenient place, explored all the subtleties of the case, found the right people, received their trust. Human addictions are of different nature. From birth, our hero lived the life that he preferred for himself in the future. The environment of his growing up was not favorable. Of course, we ourselves have the right to choose what qualities to develop in ourselves. Someone chooses nobility, honor, dignity, someone sets the main goal of building capital, having a foundation under their feet, in the form of material wealth. But, unfortunately, the most important factor in our choice is that a lot depends on those who have been with a person since the beginning of life.

Not to succumb to weaknesses that drag us down spiritually - probably, this way you can even cope with the pressure of others. Each of us has our own natural essence, culture and worldview influence this essence. The desire of a person to be a person, this is important. Who is Pavel Chichikov for you - draw your own conclusions. The author showed all the qualities that were in our hero, but imagine that Nikolai Vasilyevich would submit the work from the other side and then you would change your mind about our hero. Everyone forgot that there is no need to be afraid of an honest, direct, open look, no need to be afraid to show such a look. After all, it is always easier not to pay attention to this or that action, to forgive someone for everything, and to offend someone to the end. Work should always start with yourself, think about how honest you are, whether you have responsibility, whether you laugh at other people's failures, whether you support a person close to you in moments of his despair, whether there are positive qualities in you at all.

Well, our hero safely disappeared in a britzka, which was carried by a trio of horses.

Conclusion

Dead Souls was published in 1842. The author planned to release three volumes. For some unknown reason, the writer destroyed the second volume, but several chapters remained in drafts. The third volume remained at the idea stage, little is known about it. Work on the poem was carried out in various parts of the world. The plot of the novel was suggested to the author by Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.

During the entire work, the author comments on how he admires the beautiful views of his homeland and people. The work is considered epic, since everything is touched in it at the same time. The novel shows the human capacity for degradation well. Many human shades of character are shown: uncertainty, lack of an inner core, stupidity, whim, laziness, greed. Although not all characters were originally like that.