Dead Souls

Few artistic works can evoke as much public resonance as Gogol's "Dead Souls" did in its time. In 1842, when the book was published, it became a favorite topic of general conversation. Some were delighted: "What a miracle this is witty and funny!" Others objected: "In Gogol, no one is funny, because there is truth in the life and actions of everyone." But there was no person who remained indifferent to the poem.

Nearly two centuries later, readers turning to "Dead Souls" understand that the world has changed radically, but a person, by their nature, has not. Even today, it is easy to encounter friendly cheats like Chichikov, barren dreamers like Manilov, base and boisterous characters like Nozdryov, ignorant and miserly like Korobochka, rude and narrow-minded like Dogovitch, and greedily obsessive like Plyushkin. The heroes whom N. V. Gogol mocked and whose types turned out to be immortal, just like the once-great poem itself.