We give summary the famous work of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol - Dead Souls. This book is required in school curriculum, therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with its content, or, if you have forgotten 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 counselor, (not very young and not old, pleasant and slightly rounded in appearance, not thin and not fat) turns out to be in the provincial town of NN and stays at a hotel. He asks the tavern servants about the owners and income of the institution, important landowners, officials, asks about the state of the region and about rampant diseases, general fever and other misfortunes.

A guest of the city visits all residents and notices the courteousness of the people and their vigorous activity. He hardly talks about himself, brushing off, saying that he had seen a lot in his life, that he had many enemies who wanted to kill him. Currently, he is looking for a place to live. At the governor's party, he achieves general favor and meets the landowners Manilov and Sobakevich. Then he dines with the chief of police (where he meets the landowner Nozdrev), visits the vice-governor and chairman, the prosecutor and the tax farmer - and goes to the Manilov estate.

Having overcome 30 miles, Chichikov arrived in Manilovka to see the kindest owner. Don landowner, who was located in the Jurassic surrounded by flower beds and a gazebo, characterized the owner, not aggravated by passions. After dinner with the hostess and the two sons of the landowner, Alcides and Themistoklus, Chichikov talks about the purpose of his visit: he wants to buy dead peasants, who were not declared in the revision certificate, but to register them as living. The amiable 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 be friends with him, for which the sovereign would make them generals. The coachman Chichikova Selifan, who was being fondled by the courtyard people of Manilov, while talking with the horses, skips the necessary turn and, during a downpour, drops the master into the slush. In the dark, they manage to find a lodging for the night with Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka, a slightly timid landowner from whom Chichikov buys dead souls in the morning. Having told that he himself will pay taxes for them. He acquires souls from her for 15 rubles, takes the list and, having tasted pancakes, pies and pies, leaves, leaving the hostess worried about whether she has made a bargain.

On the high road Chichikov goes to the tavern for a meal. He meets with Nozdrev, who is riding in Mizuev's chaise, because he lost everything he had. Talking about the fair he attended, he praises the officers' drinking qualities and, demonstrating the puppy, Nozdryov takes Chichikov with him, taking also the obstinate son-in-law Mizhuyev. After describing Nozdryov, his home, lunch, the author goes to the wife of his son-in-law, and Chichikov starts talking about his interest, but the landowner does not agree. Nozdryov offered to exchange, take to the stallion or put on cards, in the end they swear and say goodbye at night. The persuasion in the morning continues again, and Chichikov agrees to play checkers, but sees Nozdryov's cheating during the game. Chichikov, whom the owner and his servants are going to beat, runs away when the police captain visits, who announced that Nozdryov has been taken on trial. On the way, Chichikov's carriage 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. The visit to Sobakevich is accompanied by 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 good qualities serfs, gives Chichikov a list and forces him to pay a deposit.

Chichikov's path to Plyushkin is interrupted by a conversation with the man 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 is his amazing triviality, he dragged all unnecessary things into his chambers. Having demonstrated the profitability of the offer, Chichikov refuses tea with breadcrumbs 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 sleeping, Chichikov begins to study the lists of 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 a place of presence, Chichikov's efforts and bribe-giving are described. The chairman becomes Plyushkin's attorney, speeding up other transactions. The people begin to discuss the purchases of Chichikov, what he intends to do: in what places, with land or for withdrawal, he acquired the peasants. Upon learning that the peasants will be sent to the Kherson province, after discussing the qualities of the men sold, the deals are completed with champagne, then they go to the chief of police to drink to 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. The ladies line up. Trying to describe women, the author is shy and silent. Before the governor's ball, Chichikov receives a love note. After spending a lot of time on the toilet and being satisfied, Chichikov goes to the ball, where he can hardly escape from his embrace. The girls, among whom he is looking for the author of the letter, begin to quarrel. But when the governor approaches him, his behavior changes dramatically, because she is accompanied by her daughter, a 16-year-old blonde, with whose crew he encountered on the road. He begins to lose the favor of women, because he begins to talk with an interesting blonde, defiantly not paying attention to the others. In addition, Nozdryov comes to the ball and loudly asks how many Chichikov bought up the dead. Despite Nozdryov's drunken state, society is embarrassed, Chichikov is not given either dinner or whist, and he leaves the ball in frustrated feelings.

At this time, a tarantass arrives in the town with the landowner Korobochka, who arrived in order to find out about the price of dead souls. In the morning, some pleasant house learns the news, which is in a hurry to notify others, as a result, interesting details appear in the story (armed Chichikov burst into the Korobochka at night, demanding dead souls - everyone came running, screaming, crying children). Her friend says that dead souls are just a cover for Chichikov's cunning intent to steal the governor's daughter. After discussing the details of the enterprise, Nozdryov'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 counterfeit banknotes in the province, about a robber who fled from legal persecution. Trying to find out who Chichikov is, they begin to remember his vague certification and the conversation about the attempt on his life. The postmaster suggested that Chichikov is the captain of Kopeyka, 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 intact. It is suggested that this is Napoleon in disguise, with whom he has many similarities. Conversations with Sobakevich, Manilov and Korobochka did not yield any results. And Nozdryov only intensifies the confusion, saying that Chichikov is a spy who makes false banknotes and wants to steal the governor's daughter, in which he must help him. All the conversations had a strong effect on the prosecutor, he has a blow 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 a visit, he learns that the governor does not want to see him, and the others step aside in fright. Nozdryov, having come to his hotel, tells him everything, announcing that he is ready to help in the kidnapping of the governor's daughter. In the morning Chichikov leaves quickly, but he is stopped by the funeral procession, he has to look at the officials who follow the coffin of the prosecutor. The chaise leaves the city, and the open spaces make the author think about sad and gratifying things, about Russia, and then grieved about the hero.

Having concluded that the hero needs to rest, the author tells a story about Pavel Ivanovich, reveals his childhood, studies, where he showed a practical mind, what kind of relationships he developed 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 such a bread place 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 forcedly retired. Becoming an attorney and bothering about pledging the peasants, he came up with a plan: he began to travel around Russia, buying dead souls and pawning them in the treasury to receive money that would be used to purchase a village and provide for posterity.

Having once again trampled on the nature of the hero and justified him a little, calling him "the purchaser, 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, whom the author calls "the sky smoker", is described. The author tells about his empty time, tells the story of his life, which was inspired by hopes and darkened by office 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 shuns his neighbors, offended by the attitude of General Betrishchev, does not visit him, although he often thinks about his daughter Ulinka. In general, it starts to turn sour.

Pavel Ivanovich goes to him, complaining about a breakdown in the carriage, trying to pay his respects. Having disposed the owner to himself, Chichikov went to the general, telling him about the grumpy uncle and asking about the dead souls. The narration is interrupted by the laughing general, then we find Chichikov walking towards Colonel Koshkarev. He turns to the Rooster, which appears to him naked, he is interested in catching sturgeon. The Rooster has almost nothing, except for the pledged estate, so he simply overeats, meets with the landowner Platonov and persuades him to take a ride around Russia. After that, he goes to Konstantin Kostanzhoglo, the wife of Platonov's sister. From him, he learns about the methods of management that significantly increase the profit from the estate, Chichikov is strongly inspired by this.

He quickly comes to Koshkarev, who divided his village into expeditions, departments, committees, organizing the ideal paperwork on the estate. After his return, Kostanzhoglo lays down manufactories and factories that have a bad effect on the peasant, the absurd desires of the peasant and neighbor Khlobuyev, who abandoned his estate and gives it up for a penny. Chichikov is touched and even gravitates towards honest work, listening to the story of the tax farmer Murazov, who earned 40 million flawlessly, the next day, together with Platonov and Kostanzhoglo, he goes to Khlobuev, sees his obscene and disorderly economy, 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 purchase it, and goes to the Platonov estate, where he meets his brother Vasily, who is skillfully engaged in housekeeping. Then he turns out to be with Lenitsyn's neighbor, 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 the city fair, where he acquires lingonberry cloth 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, slander on Chichikov is recognized by dead souls and forgery. A tailor delivers a tailcoat. Suddenly a gendarme comes and drags Chichikov to the Governor-General. Here all his atrocities become known, and he ends up in prison. Chichikov finds himself in a closet, where Murazov finds him. He tears his hair and clothes, mourning the loss of the box with papers. Murazov with kind words tries to awaken in him the 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 a witness. Riots are unfolding in the province, which greatly worries the Governor-General. But Murazov is able to grope for the sensitive sides of his soul and provide correct advice, which the Governor-General wants to use when releasing Chichikov. After that the manuscript breaks off ...

Through Selifan's fault, Chichikov's chaise collides with someone else's chaise, in which two ladies are sitting - an elderly and sixteen-year-old beauty. The peasants who have gathered from the village separate the horses and raise the carts. Chichikov is fascinated by a young stranger, and after the carriages leave, he thinks for a long time about an accidental meeting. Chichikov drives up to the village of Mikhail Semenovich Sobakevich.

“A wooden house with a mezzanine, a red roof and dark gray or, better, wild walls, a house like the ones we build for military settlements and German colonists. It was noticeable that during its construction the architect was incessantly struggling with the taste of the owner. The architect ... He wanted symmetry, the master of convenience, and, apparently, as a result of this he boarded up all the corresponding windows on one side and turned in place one small one, probably needed for a dark closet ... The courtyard was surrounded by a strong and excessively thick wooden lattice. The landowner seemed to be fussing a lot about strength. In the stables, sheds and kitchens, full-weight and thick logs were used, determined to stand for centuries. The village huts of the peasants were also cut down wonderfully ... Everything was fitted tightly and properly. Even the well was finished in such a strong oak that goes only to mills and ships. In a word, everything ... It was stubborn, without hesitation, in some kind of strong and awkward order. " The owner himself seems to Chichikov “very similar to average size bear. His tailcoat was completely bearish in color ... He walked with his feet at random and at an angle and stepped incessantly on other people's feet. His complexion was red-hot, hot, which is what happens on a copper penny. " A pleasant conversation does not work out: Sobakevich speaks bluntly about all the officials (“the governor is the first robber in the world”, “the police chief is a swindler”, “there is only one decent person: the prosecutor, and even that, if you tell the truth, is a pig”). The owner escorts Chichikov into a room in which “everything was solid, awkward to the highest degree and bore some strange resemblance to the owner of the house himself; in the corner of the living room stood a pot-bellied walnut bureau on preposterous four legs: a perfect bear ... Every object, every chair seemed to say: "And I am Sobakevich too!" or: "And I am also very similar to Sobakevich!" A hearty lunch is served. Sobakevich himself eats a lot (half a side of lamb with porridge in one sitting, “cheesecakes, each of which was much larger than a plate, then a turkey the size of a calf, stuffed with all sorts of good things: eggs, rice, livers and who knows what ... - at the table, Chichikov felt a whole pood more heaviness in himself "). At dinner Sobakevich talks about his neighbor Plyushkin, who owns eight hundred peasants, an extremely stingy man. Hearing that Chichikov wants to buy dead souls, Sobakevich is not at all surprised, but immediately starts bargaining. Sobakevich promises to sell dead souls at 100 rubles apiece, arguing that his peasants are real craftsmen (coachman Mikheev, carpenter Stepan Probka, shoemaker Maxim Telyatnikov). The bargaining continues for a long time. In his hearts, Chichikov silently calls Sobakevich a “fist,” but out loud he says that the qualities of the peasants are not important, since they are dead. Not agreeing with Chichikov on the price and perfectly understanding that the deal is not entirely legal, Sobakevich hints that “this kind of purchase, I say this between us, out of friendship, is not always permissible, and tell me - me or someone else - such a person will not no power of attorney ... ”In the end, the parties agree on three rubles apiece, draw up a document, and each is afraid of cheating on the part of the other. Sobakevich offers Chichikov to buy the “female sex” at a cheap price, but the guest refuses (although he later discovers that Sobakevich has nevertheless entered the woman Elizaveta Vorobei into the fortress of sale). Chichikov leaves, asks a peasant in the village how to get to Plyushkin's estate (Plyushkin's nickname among peasants is "patched"). The chapter ends with a lyrical digression about the Russian language. “The Russian people are expressing themselves strongly! And if he rewards someone with a word, then it will go to his family and posterity ... And no matter how cunning and ennoble your nickname, even if you force the writing people to take him out of the ancient princely family for a hired price, nothing will help ... How innumerable many churches, monasteries with domes, heads, crosses are scattered on holy, pious Russia, so a myriad of tribes, generations, peoples crowd, dazzle and rush across the face of the earth ... the short-lived word of the Frenchman will flash and scatter with an easy dandy; the German will intricately come up with his own, not accessible to everyone, cleverly thin word; but there is no word that would be so ambitious, boldly, so it would burst out from under the very heart, would boil and live like a well-spoken Russian word. "

A brief retelling, a summary of "Dead Souls" - a poem by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. Dead Souls is one of the brilliant works of Russian and world literature. The poem presents the image of serf Russia in the 30s - 40s of the 19th century. "Dead Souls" shook the whole of Russia. Submit modern Russia such an accusation was necessary. This is a medical history written by the hand of a master. Gogol's poetry is a cry of horror and shame that a person who sank under the influence of a mean life emanates when he suddenly sees his deserted face in the mirror. But for such a cry to be able to escape from the chest, it was necessary that something healthy remained in it, for the great power of rebirth to live in it ... ”Aleksandr Ivanovich Herzen.

V small city Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov arrives. At the hotel at dinner, he asks the innkeeper about the city, rich landowners, and officials. Soon, at a reception with the governor, Chichikov personally get acquainted with rich people, acquires a positive reputation. Then he pays visits to the vice-governor, the prosecutor, the tax farmer, and will receive an invitation to visit the landowner Manilov and Sobakevich.

First, Chichikov goes to visit Manilov, to the village of Manilovka, which was a boring sight. Manilov himself, at first glance, seemed to be a prominent person, but in reality, "neither this nor that." Chichikov offers Monilom to sell him the peasants who have died, but are still listed as living in the revision documents. At first, Manilov was confused and perplexed over such a proposal, but nevertheless agrees to conclude a deal when he meets in the city.

On the way to Sobakevich, Chichikov was caught by bad weather, and the stranger decides to spend the night in the first estate that will be on his way. It was the house of Nastasya Petrovna Korobochka, a thrifty and thrifty landowner. Chichikov made the same offer to her as to Manilov. (asked to sell the dead peasants) She was surprised to accept his request, but then began to bargain with Chichikov, fearing to sell too cheap. After the completion of the deal, Pavel Ivanovich hastened to leave quickly. Continuing on his way, he stopped for lunch at a roadside inn.

There he meets the landowner Nozdryov, whom he had previously met at a reception with the governor. Nozdryov is a sociable and open person who loves to drink and play cards, and he played dishonestly. Therefore, he often participated in fights. When asked to sell him the "souls of dead peasants", Nozdrev suggested Chichikov to play checkers. This game almost ended in a fight, Chichikov hurried to leave faster.

Finally, Chichikov ends up with Mikhail Semenovich Sobakevich. Sobakevich himself is a large and straightforward person. Sobakevich took the offer to sell the "souls of peasants" very seriously, and even decided to bargain. It is also decided to arrange the deal in the city. In a conversation with Chichikov, Sobakevich let slip that a stingy landowner Plyushkin lives not far from him, and he has more than a thousand peasants, people die like flies, or simply run away.

Chichikov finds his way to the landowner Plyushkin. In the courtyard of the house, Chichikov meets a man about whom he cannot even say, "a man or a woman," and decides that in front of him is the housekeeper. Chichikov is unpleasantly surprised to learn that in front of him is the owner of the house, the landowner Stepan Plyushkin. Having learned about the purpose of Chichikov's visit, Plyushkin sold the "dead peasants" (120 dead souls and 70 whites) with joy, considering the guest a fool. Chichikov returns to the hotel.

The next day, Pavel Ivanovich meets with Sobakevich and Manilov to finalize the deal. They entered into a bill of sale. After that they decided to celebrate the successful completion of the case with a festive dinner. At the table, Chichikov said that he would take all the peasants to the Kherson province, allegedly buying land there.

The rumor about shopping quickly spread throughout the city, the townspeople were surprised at the wealth of Chichikov, not knowing what kind of souls he was actually buying. The ladies became very anxious not to miss the rich groom. Chichikov receives an anonymous love letter. The governor invites him to visit him at the ball. At the ball he is surrounded by many ladies. But Chichikov really wants to know who sent him a love message. Having found out that this is the governor's daughter, Chichikov neglects other ladies, thereby offending them very much. Nozdryov appears at the ball and blabs out how Chichikov tried to buy the "dead souls" of the peasants from him. Pavel Ivanovich got very excited and left the ball. The next day, the landowner Korobochka arrives in the city. She wants to know how much "Dead Souls" are now, fearing that she has sold out.

Rumors that Chichikov and Nozdrev wanted to kidnap the governor's daughter began to spread around the city. Residents of the city gather at the police chief and try to understand what Chichikov is. It is assumed that this is Captain Kopeikin. Who was expelled from the city for bad deeds. Then the society decides that it is not him, and they send for Nozdryov. Nozdryov skillfully begins to compose: supposedly Chichikov was a counterfeiter, a spy, and wanted to take the prosecutor's daughter away.
Rumors negatively affect the well-being of the prosecutor, a blow happens to him, and he dies.
Nozdryov comes to Chichikov's hotel and tells everything that he is accused of forging banknotes in the death of the prosecutor.

Chichikov decides to leave the city, on the way he meets a funeral procession, the prosecutor is buried.
And now it's time to find out who Chichikov really is. He himself is one of the poor nobles, his mother died early, his father was often ill inheritance, left a small one. To somehow survive Pavel Ivanovich got a job at the customs. There he was caught turning a swindle, escaped prison, but lost his entire fortune. To get rich again, he had the idea to buy up the "dead souls" of the peasants (lists of peasants who died, but are still alive according to the revision, the revision took place every few years) and put them in the treasury as if they were alive, to get money.

This concludes the first volume. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol burned the second volume, only drafts survived.

Topic of the section; A brief retelling, a summary of "Dead Souls" - Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol.

/ "Dead Souls"

Chapter I

The poem is set in one small town, which Gogol gave the name "NN". So, one day an interesting chaise drove up to the city hotel. As the author says, only bachelors ride in such a chaise. In this bachelor transport sat a man “not handsome, but not bad-looking, neither too fat nor too thin; one cannot say that he is old, but not so that he is too young. " Nobody noticed the arrival of this gentleman, except for two peasants who were standing at the entrance to the tavern opposite the city hotel. Seeing a carriage approaching, they began to argue whether it would make it to Moscow or Kazan.

The visiting gentleman settled in one of the hotel rooms with huge cockroaches that ran from corner to corner. With him also came a footman named Petrushka and Selifan, he was a coachman. While the footman and the coachman were sorting out the visiting gentleman's things, he went down to the common room and ordered dinner. During the meal, this gentleman started a conversation with the sex about landowners with a large number of peasant souls and officials of the local city.

The name of the newcomer was Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. The next day, Pavel Ivanovich paid a visit to all city authorities and minor officials, including the governor. Chichikova was distinguished by her courtesy and the ability to quickly win the trust of her interlocutor. For example, in front of the governor, he could not get enough of the city roads. For this, the latter invited Pavel Ivanovich to his home to celebrate some event. Other deceived officials invited Chichikov to their house to taste tea.

Inwardly the main character didn't say much. Only that he wants to settle in this city, and therefore wants to meet all the city officials.

In the evening Pavel Ivanovich went to visit the governor. There were many people there: men in black tailcoats with white shirts, women in evening dresses. All the men present could be divided into two types: thick and thin. Further, Gogol tells the reader that thin people are suitable only for small, insignificant matters, and fat people are more reasonable and achieve significant results in their activities. The author refers Chichikov to fat people.

In the governor's house, Chichikov meets two landowners - Manilov and Sobakevich. The landowners invite Pavel Ivanovich to visit their villages.

A few more days Chichikov was visited by city officials. In the city of NN there was a rumor about him as a businesslike and decent gentleman.

Chapter II

For about a week, Pavel Ivanovich lived in the city of NN, visiting all kinds of officials, and after that he decided to visit his new acquaintances, the landowners Manilov and Sobakevich. Then Gogol describes to us a lackey Petrushka. The latter's favorite pastime was reading books. It should be noted that Petrushka read everything in a row, without giving preference. By nature, he was silent. Parsley was distinguished by two things: he slept, what he wore; from him constantly exuded some kind of the same smell.

First of all, Chichikov decided to visit the landowner Manilov. His estate stood in the outskirts, blown by the winds. Near the house of the landowner there was a gazebo on which the inscription "Temple of Solitary Meditation" was visible. Manilov was very happy to arrive dear guest and immediately invited him to go into the house.

Looking at Manilov, it was very difficult to understand what his character was. Gogol said about Manilov that he was neither this nor that. His features were pleasant and sugar-like. His manner of speaking was supportive and friendly. About Manilov, we can say that he was a dreamy nature, almost did not follow the household, but was constantly thinking about something. One day he even wanted to dig underground tunnel from his house, but this idea remained an idea. In the study of the landowner, a book has been gathering dust for two years already, laid on one page. Manilov lived with his wife amicably and happily. And they had two sons - Themistokmos and Alcides.

Chichikov decides to start business conversation... He asked Manilov for a register of peasants who had died after the last census. After that, Pavel Ivanovich makes the landowner amazing offer about the purchase of the dead souls of these peasants. According to all the documents, the eyes pass as if they were alive and Manilov was obliged to pay tax for them. This proposal plunged the landowner into a daze, but Chichikov assured that everything would be arranged in the proper form. According to the documents, the dead peasants will pass as if they were alive.

Manilov refuses money and gives the dead souls of peasants to Chichikov. After that, Pavel Ivanovich leaves the estate of the landowner, and Manilov plunges into his next dreams, seeing how the tsar presents him and Chichikov with generals' pagons for their strong friendship.

Chapter III

Chichikov leaves the Manilov estate in a very good mood, he is glad of a successful deal. The coachman Selifan, talking with the horse, was completely distracted and drove off the road. Chichikov's chaise drove across the plowed land and eventually turned over, and Pavel Ivanovich fell into the mud.

Only in the evening did the travelers arrive at a village. These were the possessions of Korobochka Nastasya Petrovna. Nastasya Petrovna was an elderly and very melancholic woman. She grieved when there was a poor harvest, or the farm suffered losses, but at the same time, she gradually saved up money and hid it in drawers in dressers. By nature, the landowner Korobochka was a very thrifty person.

For Chichikov, a separate room was prepared for sleeping with a feather bed fluffed up to the ceiling. The next day Pavel Ivanovich woke up late. His clean clothes were already in the room. Looking out the window, Chichikov saw large farm, the peasants lived in prosperity, order and cleanliness reigned in the estate.

After that, Pavel Ivanovich went to the room of the mistress of the estate and immediately started talking about selling the dead souls of the peasants. Nastasya Petrovna could not understand what her guest was talking about, but she felt that the deal was profitable. Unable to bear it, Chichikov called Korobochka "tough-minded", "damned old woman." The landowner refused to sell dead souls, she wanted to study the demand first, so as not to be too cheap. Nevertheless, Chichikov manages to persuade Nastasya Petrovna to sell him the dead souls of the peasants. For this he bought honey and hemp from the landowner. Korobochka was glad of such a deal, she treated Pavel Ivanovich, after which he leaves the estate of the landowner.

Chapter IV

Having decided to have a bite to eat, Chichikov drives into a tavern. There he struck up a conversation with the owner of this establishment. She says that she knows the landowners Manilov and Sobakevich well. From her words, one can understand that Manilov is a delicate person. He liked to order many dishes, but he did not eat everything, but only tried. Sobakevich, on the other hand, ordered one dish, which he ate completely, then asked for supplements, for which he must pay extra.

At this time, an acquaintance of Chichikov, Nozdryov, appeared in the tavern. Nozdryov was a landowner. He was distinguished medium height, strong physique, snow-white teeth and resin sideburns. He was a man from whom he radiated health. Nozdryov began a conversation with Chichikov by visiting the fair, where he had let go of all the money and things. He turns to Pavel Ivanovich, as to an old friend, scolding him for the fact that he has not yet come to visit him. Later, Nozdryov brings Chichikov to his estate.

Next, Gogol introduces us to the personality of the landowner Nozdrev. About the landowner, the author says that he was a reveler, that he was one of those who often make friends and those who often find themselves beaten by new friends. Further, we learn that his wife has already died, leaving two children, whom the landowner did not take care of at all. Nozdryov never sat at home, but constantly traveled to fairs and balls. He loved to play cards. Since he did not play fair, he often returned home beaten and battered. And what is most surprising, he could be friends with his offenders the very next day.

Nozdryov was a liar by nature. He often started stories about a pink or blue horse. The landowner loved to annoy close people and friends, spreading rumors, telling fables. He was restless. At any moment he could jump off the spot and go where his eyes would look. He offered ridiculous exchanges of everything for everything. And he did this not for profit, but for the sake of action and his curious character.

Nozdryov's estate was as reckless as its owner. There was a construction goat in the dining room of the house. The men used it to whitewash the walls. Nozdryov immediately took Chichikov to inspect his estate. The landowner had many dogs of all stripes. Their nicknames were very original: shoot, swear, bake.

At about five o'clock in the evening, Nozdryov invited Chichikov to dinner. Food, like everything in the landlord's house, was not the main thing. Some dishes were burnt, others damp. During the meal, Pavel Ivanovich starts a conversation about selling dead souls. The landowner agrees to the deal on one condition: Chichikov had to buy another horse with a dog and a barrel organ. Pavel Ivanovich does not agree to this.

The next day, Nozdrev calls Chichikov to play checkers for dead souls. The latter agrees. During the game, Chichikov notices that the landowner is not playing fair and stops the game. When Nozdryov orders his servants to beat Pavel Ivanovich. At this moment, a police captain enters the Nozdryov estate and reminds Nozdrev that he is on trial for beating the landowner Maximov. Chichikov, taking advantage of the moment, leaves the estate of Nozdryov.

Chapter V

On the way to the village of Sobakevich, coachman Selifan, having lost control of the chaise, collides with another chaise, which was harnessed by six horses. The reins got messed up and both vehicles got stuck on the road. This event attracted the attention of local men, who gave ridiculous advice to the coachmen, thereby making it difficult to quickly fix the problem. In the chaise, Chichikov noticed old woman and a girl with golden hair. She looked about sixteen years old. Chichikov liked the young lady, and he tried to start a conversation, but it did not work out. At this time, the reins were unraveled and the travelers parted.

Sobakevich's estate was significant in size. Everything about it was done for centuries. It was noticeable that the owner was busy with the housework, because order reigned everywhere.

Gogol compared Sobakevich to a "medium-sized bear." This image was emphasized by a bear-colored tailcoat, long sleeves and pantaloons and a clubfoot gait. His face was red-hot. The landowner did not turn his neck at all. Because of this, I almost never looked at my interlocutor. In addition, Sobakevich's name was Mikhail Semenovich.

Sobakevich invited Chichikov to go into the drawing room to dine. In the living room there were huge paintings of Greek generals. They were all depicted with "thick thighs and an unheard of mustache."

All home stuff as if she was like her master and complemented him. For example, in the corner of the living room there was a "pot-bellied walnut bureau on preposterous four legs" that resembled a bear.

For about five minutes Chichikov, Sobakevich and his wife sat in silence. To start the conversation, Pavel Ivanovich decided to talk about city officials. Sobakevich did not immediately respond flatteringly about them, calling them swindlers and hypocrites.

The lunch dishes were very nutritious. The landowner lived by the rule: if pork is served for dinner, then you need to eat the whole pig. Lamb and beef were treated the same way. In support of this rule, Sobakevich ate most of the lamb flank on his own, gnawing even the bones.

Later, when Sobakevich's wife left the living room, Chichikov started talking about buying dead peasant souls. Sobakevich immediately wanted to sell them at a price of one hundred rubles per capita. The price was explained by the fact that all the peasants were masters of their craft and were famous throughout the region. Pavel Ivanovich was embarrassed by such a price, and after long negotiations the parties agreed on a price of 2.5 rubles per capita.

Later Chichikov leaves the village of Sobakevich very displeased. He believes that Sobakevich simply robbed him. Pavel Ivanovich is heading to the estate of the landowner Plyushkin.

Chapter VI

The village of Plyushkina was a mirror image of the village of Sobakevich. The houses here were very dilapidated, their roofs were full of holes, and there were no glass in the windows at all. Behind the village huts could be seen huge stacks of the master's bread, only they had been lying there for a long time from which they were overgrown with grass.

Gogol compares Plyushkin's house to a “decrepit invalid”. Almost all the windows were covered with boards, the plaster on the walls was sprinkled. An old dry garden grew around the house. Everything around said that once a stormy life was in full swing here, but now everything has died and is in oblivion.

In the center of the courtyard, Chichikov noticed "some figure" who had quarreled with the peasant. It was impossible to understand who it was: a man or a woman. She was wearing women's clothes, and a bunch of keys dangled from her belt. Deciding that this was a woman, Chichikov called out to her and said that the master was waiting for him. She told him to go into the house.

From the house pulled cold and basement dampness. The interior of the house was even worse than the outside. One got the impression that all the furniture had been taken down into one room. The table was littered with some kind of papers, glasses with liquid in which the men were swimming. All this was covered with a thick layer of dust. What was not needed was simply piled up in the corner of the room.

A little later, the figure of a woman from the courtyard, already familiar to Chichikov, appears in the room. As it turned out, this was Plyushkin. He was a man with a huge chin, small eyes and bushy eyebrows. His clothes were so worn and oiled that it was impossible to understand what he was wearing at all. In appearance, Plyushkin looked like the most ordinary beggar who asked for alms from the church.

In fact, Plyushkin was one of the richest landowners in this region. He had over a thousand serfs. His storerooms and barns were piled high with goods. But even this was not enough for the landlord. Every day he collected all sorts of things in the village and dragged everything into the house, dumping in the corners.

Further, Gogol tells us that Plyushkin was not always like this. He used to be an exemplary host. His farm worked like clockwork, bringing huge profits to its owner. But after the death of his wife, Plyushkin changed, he began to get greedy every day. After his eldest daughter ran away from home to the headquarters captain, Plyushkin cursed her, the estate was deserted even more. The son of a landowner, without the permission of his father, decided on military service. After he lost at cards, Plyushkin cursed him too, and was never again interested in his fate. When the youngest daughter died, Plyushkin was left alone with everything. This loneliness every day generated in him an irresistible feeling of greed and stinginess.

Soon the merchants stopped visiting the Plyushkin estate. All the goods of the landowner turned into decay, and the estate fell into decay.

Plyushkin began his conversation with Chichikov with the fact that he was very poor. Pavel Ivanovich offered him help in the form of buying dead souls. Plyushkin was very happy about this and even treated Chichikov to tea with a mossy rusk.

Chichikov bought more than one hundred and twenty dead souls from Plyushkin. After that, he returned in excellent spirits to his city hotel room.

Chapter vii

Waking up in the morning, Chichikov began to study the lists of acquired peasant souls. During the time that Pavel Ivanovich was in the city "NN" he managed to buy four hundred dead souls. Getting acquainted with their names, he reflected on the hard life of a simple serf peasant. In one of the lists of peasants whom Chichikov bought from Sobakevich, he found female name: Sparrow Elizabeth. After that, Pavel Ivanovich said: "Scoundrel Sobakevich, he cheated here too!"

A little later, Chichikov went to the chairman of the judicial chamber for registration of the deed of the fortress. There he met Manilov and Sobakevich. Pavel Ivanovich wandered around the offices of officials for a long time, until he gave it up. After the deal was finalized, he went to the chairman to wash the purchase. Chichikov told everyone that he was buying peasants for export to the Kherson province. At one point, he himself believed what was said. All evening everyone drank to Pavel Ivanovich and to his future bride, whom they wanted to find in the city.

Chapter viii

After high-profile purchases, Chichikov was in the center of attention of all residents of the city "NN". They began to venerate him as a very rich and noble person. All those around him treated him with love and care. Also at this time, Pavel Ivanovich began to be in demand among the female population of the city.

One day Chichikov was invited to a regular ball, which took place in the governor's house. There Pavel Ivanovich was the number one person. There was not even a minute that someone did not hug Chichikov or shake his hand. The women surrounded the protagonist with a tight ring and occupied him with their conversations. In an instant Chichikov noticed that golden-haired girl whom he had tried to meet earlier, on the way to the village of Sobakevich. It turns out she was the daughter of the governor. Pavel Ivanovich immediately turned his attention to her. The girl, as if not noticing his signs of attention, occasionally yawned. The surrounding ladies were angry with such behavior of Chichikov.

A little later, the landowner Nozdrev appears at the ball, who loudly declares that Chichikov is buying up not peasants, but their dead souls. None of those present paid any attention to the words of Nozdryov, because the landowner was known as a noble liar. Pavel Ivanovich spent the rest of the evening with a negative aftertaste in his soul.

At the height of the ball at the governor's house, a chaise like a fat watermelon drove into the city. In it sat the landowner Korobochka, who came to find out the true value of the dead souls that she sold to Chichikov.

Chapter IX

The next day, one resident of the city "NN" came to her friend and told her the news: Chichikov is buying the dead souls of peasants. The landowner Korobochka, who personally sold them to him, said about this.

Without thinking twice, the ladies decided that all this was just a cover. The true target is the governor's daughter, whom Chichikov planned to kidnap. This news spread through the city at the speed of light. The townspeople simply rebelled. Everything was confused in their heads, and no one could understand what was the matter. The news got new details every day. Whether Pavel Ivanovich left his wife for the sake of the governor's daughter, whom he secretly met in the moonlight. City officials were also alarmed when they heard the news about the purchase of dead souls. Everyone began to look for sins in themselves that were not there.

Just at the moment of the apogee of the news about Chichikov, the governor receives a message about the escaped criminal. This completely confused everyone. And to find the truth, city officials went to the chief of police.

Chapter X

All city officials were worried about the events. Only the postmaster was calm and balanced. He told the audience that Pavel Ivanovich was the captain of Kopeikin and told the story of captain Kopeikin.

Captain Kopeikin lost an arm and a leg during the military campaign of the twelfth year. Together with the wounded soldiers he was taken to St. Petersburg. As it turned out, there were no orders regarding the wounded, and the captain found himself in a hopeless state. To clarify the situation, he decides to go to the sovereign. In St. Petersburg, Captain Kopeikin shoots the most cheap room, after which he goes to the nobleman to ask the sovereign's favor.

After standing in line for about four hours, Kopeikin managed to talk to the nobleman. The latter asked him to come in a few days later. The next day Kopeikin again came to the nobleman. He said that it was necessary to wait for the order of the king about the wounded. The captain could not wait. He enters the nobleman's house and declares that he will not budge until his problem is solved. For such behavior Kopeikin is expelled from St. Petersburg. Nobody heard more about the captain. A few months later, rumors spread that a gang of robbers led by Captain Kopeikin was operating in the forests near Ryazan.

This story did not make a special impression on those present. Chichikov's arms and legs were intact, so he could not be the captain of Kopeikin. Then the thought arose that Pavel Ivanovich was Napoleon. To confirm this idea, officials turn to the landowner Nozdrev. He confirms that Chichikov is a misdirected cossack. From these rumors, the prosecutor most likely had a heart attack, and he died when he came home.

Due to illness, Chichikov lay for three days in his room and did not know anything about the events in the city. After his recovery, he decides to visit the city officials, but no one else will let him in. Towards evening, Nozdryov comes to Pavel Ivanovich, who tells him about what happened. Chichikov decides to leave the city as soon as possible and tells Selifan to prepare the chaise for the trip.

Chapter XI

The next day, Chichikov did not manage to quickly leave the city of "NN". Selifan did not prepare the chaise (it was necessary to shoe the horses, tighten the wheel), and Pavel Ivanovich himself woke up late. All these preparations took about five more hours. After that, Chichikov sat down in the chaise, and they set off.

One of the streets of the city was blocked by a funeral procession. Pavel Ivanovich hid in the chaise, as he did not want to be seen. After a while, the chaise finally left the city.

Chichikov was born into a noble family. Pavlusha grew up without friends in a small room. Later, his father moved him to the city, where the main character began to attend school. The last instruction of Chichikov's father were the words: "Most of all please teachers and bosses." They became the main principle of the main character's life.

Chichikov did not have special skills for education. He was always a humble and quiet student. Pavel Ivanovich was a man with a practical mindset. He did not spend the fifty kopeck that his father left him, but managed to increase it by selling baked goods to his comrades. All his life Chichikov saved money not out of greed. He wanted a beautiful and well-fed life.

Later he entered the service in the state chamber, where he took the lowest position. There, he pleases the boss as best he can, shows signs of attention to his daughter, promises even to marry her. Later, having received a higher position, Chichikov forgets about marriage.

After a while, he became a member of the commission for the construction of a state house. Construction continued for six years, but the state house was never built. But each member of the commission got his own brand new home. Later, the head was changed, and all property was confiscated.

Chichikov was again left penniless. He gets a job at customs. There, he shows his ability to search smugglers, for which he receives a promotion. After that, Pavel Ivanovich concludes an agreement with the smugglers, receiving huge profits from this. Over time, this connection became apparent, and Chichikov is put on trial. Somehow, the protagonist eludes criminal punishment. He again loses his fortune.

After that, he comes up with the idea of ​​buying dead souls, because under them you can get a bank loan and hide with money. It is for this purpose that Chichikov comes to the city of "NN".

Gogol treats his hero as a purchaser of a khazyain. Many people may not like it. To which the author recommends everyone to look into their souls and answer the question: "Isn't there some part of Chichikov in me too?"

The poem ends with Chichikov's chaise rushing along the road, and the main character himself smiles, as he loves fast driving.

Here is a summary of the 1st chapter of the work "Dead Souls" by N.V. Gogol.

A very short summary of Dead Souls can be found, but the one below is quite detailed.

Chapter 1 is a summary.

A small chaise drove into the provincial town of NN with a middle-aged gentleman not bad looking, not fat, but not thin either. The arrival did not make any impression on the inhabitants of the city. The newcomer stopped at a local tavern. At lunchtime, a new visitor in detail asked the servant who had previously maintained this establishment, and who now, how much income and what is the owner. Then the visitor found out who is the governor in the city, who is the chairman of the chamber, who is the prosecutor, that is, “ did not miss a single significant official ».

Portrait of Chichikov

In addition to the city authorities, the visitor was interested in all the large landowners, as well as the general condition of the region: were there any epidemics in the province or a general famine. After lunch and a long rest, the gentleman wrote on a piece of paper the rank, name and surname to report to the police. Coming down from the stairs, the man read: “ Collegiate Counselor Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, landowner, according to his needs ».

Chichikov devoted the next day to visits to all city officials. He paid homage even to the inspector of the medical board and the city architect.

Pavel Ivanovich showed himself to be a good psychologist, since he left the most favorable impressions about himself in almost every house - “ very skillfully knew how to flatter everyone ". At the same time, Chichikov avoided talking about himself, but if the conversation turned to his person, he got off with general phrases and somewhat bookish turns. The newcomer began to receive invitations to the houses of officials. The first was an invitation to the governor. Getting ready, Chichikov very carefully put himself in order.

During the reception, the guest of the city managed to show himself as a skillful interlocutor, he successfully complimented the governor.

The male society was divided into two parts. Thin men chased the ladies and danced, while the fat men were mostly concentrated at the gambling tables. Chichikov joined the latter. Here he met most of his old acquaintances. Pavel Ivanovich also met the wealthy landowners Manilov and Sobakevich, about whom he immediately inquired with the chairman and the postmaster. Chichikov quickly charmed both of them and received two invitations to visit.

The next day, the visitor went to the chief of police, where from three in the afternoon they played whist until two in the morning. There Chichikov met Nozdrev, " the broken-hearted fellow who, after three or four words, began to speak to him ". In turn, Chichikov visited all the officials, and the city had a good opinion of him. In any situation, he could show himself a secular person. Whatever the conversation went on, Chichikov was able to support him. Moreover, " he knew how to clothe all this with some kind of degree, knew how to behave well ».

Everyone was pleased with the arrival of a decent person. Even Sobakevich, who in general was rarely satisfied with his surroundings, admitted Pavel Ivanovich “ the nicest person ". This opinion persisted in the city until one strange circumstance led the inhabitants of the city of NN into bewilderment.