Dead Souls · Chapter
Chapter XI explained
This chapter reveals Chichikov's origins and the genesis of his scheme to purchase dead souls.
What happens
This chapter reveals Chichikov's origins and the genesis of his scheme to purchase dead souls. It details his humble beginnings, his father's harsh upbringing, and his early career in the civil service, where he learns to manipulate the system through bribery and deceit. The chapter also explores the author's reflections on the nature of virtue and the necessity of portraying a rascal as the protagonist.
Themes in this chapter
Greed and Materialism
Chichikov's scheme is driven by the desire for wealth, as he calculates potential profits from mortgaging dead souls. His early career also shows a pattern of accumulating money through dubious means.
Bureaucracy and Institutional Folly
The chapter satirizes the inefficiency and corruption of the Russian bureaucracy, where officials demand bribes and the system allows for the exploitation of dead souls.
Appearance vs. Reality
Chichikov presents himself as a respectable businessman while engaging in a fraudulent scheme. The contrast between his polished demeanor and his true intentions is a central theme.
Characters to notice
- Chichikov
The protagonist whose scheme to buy dead souls is conceived and executed. His early life and career are detailed, showing his resourcefulness and moral flexibility.
Key passages
“What a simpleton I am!... Why, were I myself to buy up a few souls which are dead—to buy them before a new revision list shall have been made, the Council of Public Trust might pay me two hundred roubles apiece for them, and I might find myself with, say, a capital of two hundred thousand roubles!”
Chichikov realizes he can profit by purchasing dead serfs before the next census, then mortgaging them to the Treasury for a large sum.
This moment marks the inception of Chichikov's scheme, highlighting his opportunistic and calculating nature.
“In this fashion there germinated in our hero’s brain that strange scheme for which the reader may or may not be grateful, but for which the author certainly is so, seeing that, had it never occurred to Chichikov, this story would never have seen the light.”
The author acknowledges that Chichikov's bizarre plan is the foundation of the entire narrative.
This meta-commentary underscores the centrality of Chichikov's scheme to the plot.
“For these reasons do I reaffirm that it is high time to yoke a rascal to the shafts. Let us yoke that rascal.”
The author justifies choosing a morally dubious protagonist, arguing that virtuous characters have been overused and that a rascal is more interesting.
This reflects Gogol's literary strategy and his critique of contemporary literary conventions.