Dead Souls · Chapter
Chapter VI: Plushkin's Hoard explained
Chichikov visits the miserly landowner Plushkin, who lives in squalor despite owning over a thousand serfs.
What happens
Chichikov visits the miserly landowner Plushkin, who lives in squalor despite owning over a thousand serfs. Plushkin complains about the death of many serfs due to fever and the thievery of his servants. Chichikov offers to purchase the dead souls, and after haggling, they agree on thirty kopecks per soul for seventy-eight runaways. Plushkin writes a letter to the President of the Council, and Chichikov departs, leaving the old man to guard his hoard.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Materialism
Plushkin's extreme miserliness and hoarding of money, even as he lives in poverty, exemplifies unchecked greed.
Death and Transience
The dead souls represent the transience of life, and Plushkin's decay mirrors the mortality of his serfs.
Appearance vs. Reality
Plushkin's outward poverty and decay contrast with his hidden wealth, and Chichikov's benevolence masks his true motives.
Characters to notice
- Chichikov
Visits Plushkin, negotiates the purchase of dead souls, and displays cunning and arithmetic skill.
- Plushkin
The miserly landowner, suspicious and decrepit, who sells his dead souls and laments the thievery of his serfs.
- Proshka
A servant ordered to fetch boots and later told to cancel the samovar.
- Mavra
The housekeeper who is instructed to return the sugar.
- Sobakevitch
Mentioned by Chichikov as the host of a meal with pastry and stuffed shoulder of mutton.
Key passages
““My dear sir, have you seen military service?” “No,” replied the other warily, “but I have been a member of the Civil Service.””
Plushkin asks if Chichikov is a military man, and Chichikov cautiously says he is a civil servant.
Chichikov's wariness reflects his need to maintain a respectable facade.
““Nevertheless, consider my poverty, dear friend, and make it forty kopecks per soul.” “Venerable sir, would that I could pay you not merely forty kopecks, but five hundred roubles.””
Plushkin haggles for a higher price, and Chichikov feigns generosity while sticking to his offer.
The negotiation highlights Chichikov's manipulative charm and Plushkin's desperation.
““Yes, wholesale,” replied the old man. “Then might I ask you the exact number?” “Fully eighty.” “Surely not?” “But it is so.””
Plushkin confirms that eighty serfs have died, and Chichikov reacts with feigned disbelief.
Chichikov's interest in the number of dead souls reveals his ulterior motive.