"Dead Souls" by Nikolai Gogol is a Russian classic that has captivated readers for its masterful use of satire and dark comedy to comment on 19th-century Russian society. Published in 1842, the novel tells the story of a conman named Chichikov who visits small towns in the Russian countryside in an attempt to purchase deceased serfs’ “souls” from their owners in order to gain financial gain and social prestige. At the same time, the novel also paints a vivid picture of Russia during the Czarist era, as Chichikov witnesses poverty, backwardness, and superstition as he travels around the countryside. Through its characters and its story, "Dead Souls" is a powerful critique of the fading, harsh life that was the reality for many 19th-century Russians.
The novel begins with protagonist Chichikov arriving in a small provincial town in Russia, accompanied by his manservant Selifan. Chichikov soon meets Manilov, a landowner who, after a few drinks and much talk of history, reveals his grand plan for gaining social prestige—purchasing deceased serfs’ “souls” from their owners. This deal would provide tax relief for the landowner and social recognition for the man responsible for buying the souls. Chichikov, already adept at treacherous schemes, jumps at the chance to perform the transaction for the landowner and acquires paperwork showing the number of “dead souls” in Manilov’s possession.
Chichikov then travels to other towns and estates in order to acquire more “souls”, meeting unique characters along the way. He spends time with the spinster widows, who prefer talking of dead husbands to attending to the living; the town landowners, who share empty grand plans instead of focusing on their work; and the innkeeper, who creates fictitious descriptions of horses to swindle buyers. In every place he visits, Chichikov encounters rampant superstition; tales of cursed horses, mysterious old women selling supernatural potions, and fables abound. As he proceeds from one town to the next, Chichikov remains unscathed from the grasp of superstitions, relying on his sly and opportunistic personality to stay ahead of trouble.
One of Chichikov’s final destinations is an estate belonging to a man named Sobakevich, who is suspicious and leery of Chichikov’s mission. Sobakevich sees through Chichikov’s scheme and quickly realizes that he is in danger, yet despite his fears, he still keeps all of his documentation as it is. Chichikov then travels to another estate, where he is unable to acquire any “souls,” as the landowner has pre-emptively transferred the documents to a different county. In the end, Chichikov scarcely escapes from the entire escapade with his freedom intact.
"Dead Souls" by Nikolai Gogol is an incisive critique of the hypocrisy, cruelty, and superstition of Russian society in the 19th century. Despite the seemingly farcical elements of the novel, the characters’ struggles and the lack of justice that pervades the society are perfectly captured. Gogol also captures a sense of resigned fatalism prevalent amongst its characters—they know their situation and can do little to improve it. The novel serves as a cautionary tale of how easily misled people can be and how far-reaching the consequences of such can be. For lovers of classical books, Dead Souls is a must-read.
