Served Gogol Khlestakov. The image and characteristics of Khlestakov in Gogol's comedy auditor composition. Judge Lyapkin-Tyapkin in "The Inspector General"

Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is an ambiguous and contradictory personality. The author himself has mentioned this more than once. It is difficult to call Khlestakov a swindler and an adventurer, because he does not impersonate a "significant person" deliberately, but only takes advantage of the circumstances. But the hero has an adventurous streak and a tendency to cheat. An honest person would immediately refute the erroneous opinion of others and would not borrow money, knowing that he would never return it. And he certainly would not have taken care of mother and daughter at the same time.

Khlestakov is a grandiose liar, he deceives everyone so easily and with inspiration, as children do when they compose fables about themselves and their loved ones. Ivan Alexandrovich takes pleasure in his fantasies and even believes in them. According to Gogol, Khlestakov "lies with feeling", without any plan or self-interest.

A young man, twenty-three years old, "Nice looking", the lowest-ranking official, "Simple little girl", poor, and even completely lost in cards - this is how the hero appears before us at the beginning of the play. He is hungry and begs the tavern servant to bring at least some food. Khlestakov came from the provinces to conquer the capital, but due to the lack of connections and financial capabilities, he remains a loser. Even a servant treats him with disdain.

Gogol did not choose such a surname for his hero by chance. It clearly shows associations with verbs. Whip, "Swagger" and expression "Metropolitan hlyshch", which is quite consistent with the image.

The author described his character as follows: "Somewhat stupid", "Not engaged in business", "Clever man", "Dressed in fashion"... And here are the words of Khlestakov himself: "I have an extraordinary lightness in thoughts"... And this is not just frivolity. The hero jumps with lightning speed in conversation from subject to subject, judges everything superficially and does not seriously think about anything. Irresponsibility, spiritual emptiness, blurred moral principles erase any boundaries in Khlestakov's behavior and conversation.

At first, Alexander Ivanovich simply takes bribes, and then he himself extorts them. He is not in the least discouraged by Anna Andreevna's remark that she is married. Khlestakov's motto: "After all, you live for that to pick flowers of pleasure"... He easily moves from the role of a bribe-taker to the role of a defender of the oppressed, from a timid supplicant to an arrogant "Master of life".

Khlestakov, like most narrow-minded people, believes that success does not require serious efforts, knowledge and talent. In his opinion, chance is enough, good luck, like winning at the card table. Writing like Pushkin or running a ministry is a pleasure. Anyone who is at the right time and in the right place can do this. And if fortune smiles at him, why should he miss his chance?

Khlestakov does not go to rank, fame and wealth through intrigue, deceit and crime. For this he is too simple, stupid and lazy. For a long time, he does not even understand why the city elite is so worried about him. Accidental circumstances elevate Khlestakov to the top of the social pyramid. Dazed with joy and drunk, the hero voices his dreams to enthusiastic listeners, passing them off as reality with such a sincere conviction that experienced officials do not have any suspicions of deception. Even outright absurdity and a pile of complete absurdities do not dispel the intoxication of rank worship.

For example, the mayor does not look stupid or naive in any way. "Fraudsters cheated on swindlers", - he says of his thirty years of service. But as if under hypnosis, he does not notice the absurdity of the stories of the imaginary inspector and future son-in-law. All the bureaucratic fraternity of the district town of N believes, like Khlestakov, that money and connections can do anything. Therefore, such a young man is quite capable of occupying the highest office. They are not at all surprised that he visits the palace every day, plays cards with foreign ambassadors and will soon be promoted to field marshal.

I wonder what life "High society" Khlestakov is very approximate. His imagination is only enough for fantastic quantities, amounts and distances: a watermelon for seven hundred rubles, soup straight from Paris, thirty-five thousand couriers. "The speech is abrupt, flies out of the mouth unexpectedly", - the author writes about his hero. Khlestakov practically does not think, so he does not have lines to the side, like other characters.

However, the hero sincerely considers himself smarter and worthier than stupid provincials. A complete insignificance with grandiose claims, a liar, a coward and a windy braggart Khlestakov is a product of his era. But Gogol created an image that carries universal human vices. Today, corrupt officials are unlikely to take such a blank for an auditor, but each of us has a little of Khlestakov.

• "The Inspector General", analysis of the comedy by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol
• "The Inspector General", a summary of the actions of Gogol's comedy

Article menu:

We are accustomed to the fact that, basically, life presents us with surprises in the form of troubles and difficulties. This is probably why stories with a reverse course of circumstances are perceived by us as something out of the ordinary. Such situations seem somewhat ironic. The story told in Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol's story "The Inspector General", in addition to being inherently a gift of fate, is also based on a grain of absurdity. This combination makes the piece unique and attractive.

Biography of Khlestakov

Naturally, when reading a work, we first of all pay attention to the main character. So, Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is a young landowner, a nobleman who once found himself in an awkward situation.

He had a chance to seriously lose at cards. In order to improve his situation a little, he goes to his parents in the estate.

Since his path is long, he, in spite of the lack of finances, stops at a hotel in the city of N. Here, then luck smiles at him.

He is mistaken for the long-awaited auditor from Moscow. Impudent behavior and demeanor in society leave no doubt to officials - in their opinion, only an auditor can behave this way.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the story of the same name by N.V. Gogol

Since in the city of N. the situation was not ideal, and the officials continually deviated from their duties, of course not in favor of the residents of the city, but in favor of their own pockets, the problems associated with checking their work cannot be avoided in an honest way. None of them wants to lose their hot spot, so all as one they go to Khlestakov and hand him bribes - a guarantee that they will remain in office and avoid problems.

At first Khlestakov was at a loss, but then decided to take full advantage of the situation. With money in his pocket, he successfully retreated from the city. News of his fictitiousness as an auditor became known too late - blaming Khlestakov and demanding the return of money from him is a stupid business. In this case, it would be necessary to admit the fact of bribery, and this would be the collapse of the career of officials.

Khlestakov's appearance

Like most rogues and scoundrels, Khlestakov has pleasant, trusting features. He has auburn hair, a "cute nose" and quick eyes that make even determined people embarrassed. He is not tall. His complexion is far from graceful and physically developed young men - he is too thin.

Such physical data significantly spoil the impression made by him. But the cunning Khlestakov finds a clever way to rectify the situation - an expensive and well-groomed suit.

Ivan Aleksandrovich understands that the first impression of him is always formed on the basis of his appearance, therefore he cannot afford to make a mistake here - clothes are made of expensive fabrics, sewn based on fashion trends. Always cleaned to a shine - such an external factor significantly distracts the attention of society from the inner essence of a person.

Khlestakov family, education

How did you have to look and how to behave in order to pass for an auditor in the first half of the 19th century?

First of all, it was necessary to be born an aristocrat. For a person of common descent, it is extremely difficult to create the appearance of belonging to a high society.

The manner of speaking, the plasticity of movements, gestures - this had to be learned for many years. For people of noble origin, this style was common, they adopted it from their parents, their friends who came to visit.

Ivan Alexandrovich was not a luminary of high society, but he was still a nobleman by birth. His parents own the Podkatilovka estate. Little is known about the state of affairs and the importance of the estate - the fact that parents sent money to their son says that the estate was not unprofitable, it brought enough income to provide the life of the whole family with at least the most essential.

Nothing is known about Khlestakov's education. It is likely that he received a “secondary” education in terms of quality. Such a conclusion can be made based on the position he occupies. Khlestakov works as a collegiate registrar. This type of civil service was at the very bottom of the Table of Ranks list. If Khlestakov's parents were wealthy people, they would be able to provide their son with a better position with the help of connections or money. Since this did not happen, it is inappropriate to talk about the family's large income or their importance against the background of the aristocracy.

Now let's summarize all the data: financial instability was always inherent in the Khlestakovs, their income was never high (if they were ever rich, they could acquire connections or acquaintances during the period of the material take-off of their family), which means they send their son to study abroad or they had no money to hire highly qualified teachers.

Service attitude

The exact age of Khlestakov is not specified. Gogol limits it to a little over 23-24 years old. Basically, people of this age are full of enthusiasm and desire to realize themselves. But this is not the case of Khlestakov. Ivan Aleksandrovich is rather frivolous about his work, he is little interested in promotions and career opportunities. His work is not difficult and consists in rewriting papers, but Khlestakov is too lazy to be zealous in the affairs of the service. Instead of working, he goes for a walk, or plays cards.

His such carelessness is connected, first of all, with the fact that Khlestakov does not suffer from a shortage of money. Yes, he lives in a poor apartment, which is located on the fourth floor, but, apparently, this state of affairs does not bother Ivan Alexandrovich. It is likely that he is not used to living in luxurious apartments and therefore does not seek to improve the current housing situation. For Khlestakov, the values ​​of life are contained in other things - leisure and clothing. But the situation changes dramatically when Khlestakov needs to stay in an unfamiliar city - here he stays only in the best apartments. It is likely that such a move is associated with Khlestakov's desire to create the impression of a person so rich that everyone around him, who does not know the present state of affairs, began to envy him. It is possible that the calculation is placed not only on the feeling of envy, with the help of which Ivan Aleksandrovich asserts himself, but also on the opportunity to receive some bonuses from local officials or the hotel owner.

Added to this fact is the fact that Khlestakov is not able to compete with the rich of Petersburg, in which he lives and works most of the time. Renting cheap housing allows him to save money on those things that would set him apart from the same state as he is - for the attributes of appearance. After all, he does not have to invite everyone to his home or spread unnecessarily about the location of his home, but the condition and cheapness of the suit can give him a bad reputation. Since life for show is important for Khlestakov, in the manner of very wealthy aristocrats, he has no choice but to save on permanent housing.

Parents of Ivan Alexandrovich are discouraged by the lack of promotion of their son in the service. Apparently, they were betting heavily on his ability. The father periodically expresses his indignation on this score, but the son always finds an excuse - not all at once. The promotion must be earned for a long time. In fact, such an excuse is a lie to hide the true state of affairs.

Life in St. Petersburg

Ivan Alexandrovich cannot imagine his life without St. Petersburg. It is in this place that everything that is so dear to his heart is collected - the opportunity to spend time in a variety of pleasures. He eagerly goes to the theater every day, does not deny himself the pleasure of playing cards. By the way, he finds those who want to play always and everywhere, but not everyone and not always Khlestakov succeeds in winning - staying with his nose is a habitual thing for him.

Ivan Aleksandrovich loves gourmet cuisine and does not deny himself the pleasure of a tasty and satisfying meal.

Personality characteristic

First of all, Khlestakov stands out in society for his ability to lie beautifully and gracefully - for a person who prefers to live the illusion of wealth, to create the appearance of a significant person, this is a necessity.

Ivan Aleksandrovich is aware of his gaps in knowledge, but he is in no hurry to eradicate them - the fictitious success created by his lies, arrogant and pompous appearance, inspire him.

Nevertheless, from time to time he reads books and even tries to write something on his own, but judging by the fact that there are no reviews about his work from other characters, we can conclude that these attempts were unsuccessful.

Khlestakov loves to be praised and admired, this is another reason to invent something about his life. He loves to be in the spotlight - such success is difficult to achieve in St. Petersburg, but in the provinces, where even his manner of speaking in a metropolitan manner evokes a storm of positive emotions, it is an easy matter.

Khlestakov is not distinguished by courage, he is not ready to answer for his actions. When officials visit him in his hotel room, his heart is filled with fear of the possibility of being arrested. In essence, he is a rag, but he is a good actor - he knows how to create the appearance of a significant and very intelligent person, although in fact neither the first nor the second corresponds to the true state of affairs.

Khlestakov's attitude towards women

Gogol is silent about Khlestakov's relationship with women in St. Petersburg, but actively describes the behavior of Ivan Alexandrovich with female representatives in the provinces.

Khlestakov knows how to play to the audience and evoke a feeling of sympathy in people - this applies not only to indicators of good manners and ostentatious aristocracy. Khlestakov is a skillful seducer and seducer. He is pleased with the company of women and their attention.

It is unlikely that he sets himself the goal of getting a wife. For Khlestakov, love interests are a peculiar way of playing, manipulating people.

Arriving in the city of N and having met the wife and daughter of the governor, he does not miss the opportunity to flirt with both women. First, he confesses his daughter's love, but after a couple of minutes he swears his mother's love. Khlestakov is not at all embarrassed by this fact. In addition, when Marya Antonovna (the governor's daughter) becomes an accidental witness to Khlestakov's tenderness towards his mother, Ivan Alexandrovich, taking advantage of the stupidity of women and their feeling of falling in love with him, turns the whole situation in favor of a wedding with Marya Antonovna - at the same time neither mother nor daughter understands their humiliating position and do not feel offended. Leaving the city, Khlestakov realizes that his matchmaking was a game only for him, everyone else, including Marya Antonovna, takes everything at face value. He is not worried about the further fate of the young girl and the possibility of traumatizing her with his act - he leaves the city with a calm soul.

Thus, Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is a typical villain, capable of bringing grief and trouble to other people for the sake of his pleasure. He does not appreciate the care of himself on the part of his parents and is in no hurry to respond to others for the kindness rendered to him in kind. Most likely, on the contrary - he deftly uses the credulity and innocence of those around him.

Characteristics of the image of Khlestakov in quotes

Gogol's character appears as the central character of the famous Gogol text. Moreover, Khlestakov has already become a household name, because the "father" of the character - Nikolai Gogol - managed to create one of the most successful, bright and capacious literary types. For example, here is how the creator describes Khlestakov:

Khlestakov, a young man of about twenty-three, thin, thin; somewhat silly and, as they say, without a king in his head, - one of those people who are called empty in the offices. Speaks and acts without consideration. He is not able to stop constant attention on any thought. His speech is abrupt, and the words fly out of his mouth completely unexpectedly. Moreover, the one performing this role will show sincerity and simplicity, the more he will win. Dressed in fashion ...

Remark about the place of Khlestakov's image in the plot of Gogol's text
The hero finds himself in one of the small, provincial towns of the Russian Empire by accident. And just as accidentally Khlestakov generates a whirlwind of errors around him. The man constantly stumbles and stumbles. However, at first the events were going well for Khlestakov. The arrival of the hero almost coincides with the arrival in the city of an auditor - a strict Russian official who intended to check the affairs of the town. And so: the inhabitants of the city are awaiting the arrival of the official, and they take our hero for him.

Khlestakov manages to successfully mimic the guise of an auditor. Over time, Gogol's hero reveals his true essence. Our hero is a rake and a gambler, a spender of parental money. A man loves female society, craves power, influence and money. Khlestakov treats the inferior, serfs, servants emphatically disdainful. The hero calls the peasants scoundrels, swindlers, idlers and fools. It also goes to the faithful servant of Khlestakov.

At the same time, Khlestakov seems to be very naive. Money is brought to the hero as a bribe, while the man perceives these "offerings" as a loan, exclaiming:

Lend me, lend me, I will pay off the innkeeper at once ...

How to evaluate the image of Khlestakov?

Of course, literary scholars were puzzled as to how to correctly evaluate the image of Khlestakov - in a positive or negative way. No, Gogol did not intend to present his character as an evil bandit, a swindler, a cunning schemer or a rogue. Moreover, there is so little cunning in our hero that Osip, the hero's servant, sometimes shows much more wisdom in his actions than his master.

Khlestakov is a victim of circumstances, a cycle of random events. The hero evokes general sympathy, because the image of Khlestakov is characterized by such traits as a sweet appearance, courtesy, charm (especially everyone is bewitched by a man's smile), as well as good manners. The hero belonged to an aristocratic family, but showed the same unsuitability for life, where he had to earn his own living, like all nobles. The soul of a man longed for Petersburg life.

Gogol evaluates Khlestakov as neutral as possible. The writer presents the hero as a young man of about twenty-three to twenty-four years of age. The hero was distinguished by his cunning and thinness, the posture of the hero was beautiful, thin, slender. However, the young man was "somewhat silly and, as they say - without a king in his head, - one of those people who are called empty in the offices."

"Passport of a Hero", according to Gogol's text

1. Completely Gogol's hero was called Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov. The governor emphasizes the "nondescript", that is, the smallness, short stature of the hero, who did not at all resemble a powerful auditor. However, the very appearance of Khlestakov is "not bad", the young man clearly arouses the interest of the ladies, the favor of mature beauties and young girls.

2. Before the hero arrived in the provincial regions, Khlestakov served in the St. Petersburg chancellery with the rank of collegiate registrar. This is the lowest rank, according to the Russian Table of Ranks:

It would have been good indeed, something worthwhile, otherwise the simple little girl! ..

However, in the Saratov region, Khlestakov had his own village, which was called Podkatilovka. It was there that Gogol's hero was heading until, through the fault of a coincidence, he stopped in the city of N. In St. Petersburg, Khlestakov occupies a small apartment located on the top floor. Verkhotury then was occupied by people who did not boast of a tight wallet:

... How do you run up the stairs to your fourth floor ...

3. It seems that the hero's heart did not lie in service. Therefore, instead of proper and honest work, the young man spends his life in entertainment establishments:

... he is not engaged in business: instead of being in office, he goes for a walk along the prospectus, plays cards<…>“No, my father demands me. The old man got angry that until now he had not served anything in Petersburg. He thinks that he has arrived like this, but now they will give you Vladimir in your buttonhole ... "

So, the Russian writer emphasizes that Khlestakov loved to lead a loose lifestyle, indulge in various pleasures, spend money on little things and amusements. Saving Khlestakov was not given in any way, so the hero periodically found himself completely "broke" and begged for money from the parental savings:

“I got a lot of money, my dear, now he sits with his tail tucked in, and does not get excited. And it would be, and it would be very much for runs; no, you see, you need to show yourself in every city! .. "<…>"... Father will send money, how to hold them back - and where to! .. went to a party: he rides in a cab, every day you get a ticket to the keiatr, and then a week later, lo and behold - and sends a new coat to sell ..."

4. Khlestakov is characterized by a love of luxury. Therefore, the hero does not deny himself anything, he cannot afford to live, buys the most expensive things, prefers delicious kitchen delights, theatrical performances, gambling, in which he more often lost than won:

“And I, I confess, do not like death to deny myself the road, and why? Is not it?.."<…>"... Hey, Osip, go see the room, the best one, but ask the best dinner: I can't eat a bad dinner, I need a better lunch ..."<…>"I like to eat. You live for that to pick flowers of pleasure "<…>"I - I confess, this is my weakness, - I love good cuisine"<…>"Please tell me if you have any entertainment, society, where you could, for example, play cards? .."<…>"... sometimes it's very tempting to play ..."<…>"... He gets to know a passing person, and then in a game of cards - here's the game for you! .."<…>“Yes, if I hadn’t taken a drink in Penza, it would have been money to get home. The infantry captain faked me a lot: the shtos are amazing, beast, she cuts off. He sat for only a quarter of an hour and robbed everything. And for all that, fear would like to fight it again. The case just did not lead ... "

5. Khlestakov is inclined to lie. The character's drama is that the hero sometimes invents an alternative reality that he believes in. For example, according to the pseudo-auditor, he loves writing, writes literary texts, publishing stories and articles of his own production in magazines. Khlestakov, as the hero says, often reads books. However, even the reader has sympathy for the careless Gogol character; nevertheless, Khlestakov is a swindler. Let the fraudulent nature of Gogol's character be casual, yet Gogol does not justify Khlestakov, but depicts the image of a young man objectively.

The provincial town in which the action of Gogol's comedy "The Inspector General" unfolds is, in the full sense of the word, "a dark kingdom." Only Gogol's “laughter” cuts through the darkness in which the heroes of the comedy creep like a bright ray. All these people are petty, vulgar, insignificant; not a single one even has a "spark of God" in their souls; they all live an unconscious, animal life. Gogol portrayed the heroes of The Inspector General both as members of the local administration and as private people, in their family life, in the circle of friends and acquaintances. These are not big criminals, not villains, but petty rogues, cowardly predators who live in eternal anxiety that the day of reckoning will come. (See the characteristics of these heroes through the mouth of Gogol himself in Notes for Messrs. Actors.)

Gogol. Auditor. Performance 1982 Series 1

Governor in Gogol's "Inspector General"

In the person of the mayor Anton Antonovich Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky, Gogol brought out an official who lives by covetousness and embezzlement of the state. Of all his fellow officials, who also live on bribes and extortion, he is the most arrogant extortionist. "Such a governor, the merchants complain to Khlestakov, never before, sir, was there." Demanding gifts for himself and his family, he even celebrates his name day twice a year. This hero of "The Inspector General" not only takes advantage of the townsfolk, abusing the traditional "order" of life, he also rob the treasury, entering into fraudulent deals with contractors, embezzling money allocated for the construction of the church. The circumstance mitigating the guilt of the mayor is that he vaguely understands the ugliness of his covetousness and embezzlement. Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky justifies himself 1) with a naive exclamation: "if I took something, then without any malice, 2) with a very common argument:" everyone does this. " “There is no person, he says, who does not have sins behind him. This is so arranged by God himself, and the Voltairians needlessly speak against it! "

In relation to the townsfolk, the governor manifests unlimited autocracy and arbitrariness: he gives the wrong man to the soldiers, he whips innocent people.

Uneducated and rude in handling (conversation with merchants), this hero of "The Inspector General" is distinguished, however, by a great practical sense, and this is his pride. The mayor himself says that not a single swindler could cheat him, that he himself “faked them”. He understands the state of affairs more clearly than all other officials, and when they, explaining the reasons for sending an auditor to them, are entered, God knows where, he, as a practical man, speaks not about the reasons, but about the upcoming consequences. The mayor better than all other city officials knows how to manage his affairs, because he perfectly understands the human soul, because he is resourceful, knows how to play on human weaknesses, which is why he maneuvers for a long time and with impunity among various virtuous governors and auditors.

Governor Anton Antonovich Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky. Artist Y. Korovin

The lack of education of this comedy hero is reflected not only in the lack of polish in manners, but is expressed even more clearly in his superstition, he very naively, in a pagan way, understands his relationship to God, considering himself a real Christian and a man of exemplary piety ("I am firm in the faith" he says). By religion, the governor understands only rituals, expressed in attending church on holidays, in observing fasts. He takes a "twofold" point of view, which allows the possibility of "bribing" his God with sacrifices, like a pood candle.

A bright trait of the mayor is his good nature. Considering himself, thanks to the matchmaking of "inspector" Khlestakov, infinitely higher than everyone in the city, he does not appear as his empty wife, remains the same simple person, rudely cordial and simply hospitable.

The governor's wife and daughter in the "Inspector General"

The governor's wife Anna Andreevna, a stupid and insignificant woman who has preserved the manners of a young flirtatious flirt until old age, amazes with the endless emptiness of her soul. This heroine of "The Inspector General" is obsessed with "social life", with outfits, she imagines what else men can like, and competes with her daughter in acquiring admirers and courtiers. She lives on the gossip and intrigues of the district town. A frivolous woman, Anna Andreevna easily believes everything. When the mayor's wife decided that she would move to St. Petersburg and play the role of a socialite there, she does not hide her contempt for all her recent friends and acquaintances. This trait, testifying to her mental baseness, puts her even lower than her husband. (See Anna Andreevna - characteristic with quotations.)

The heroes of Gogol's "Inspector General" are the mayor's wife and daughter, Anna Andreevna and Maria Antonovna. Artist K. Boklevsky

The mayor's daughter, Maria Antonovna, follows in her mother's footsteps, she also loves to dress up, she also loves to flirt, but she has not yet been spoiled like her mother by the lies and emptiness of this provincial life and has not yet learned to break down like her mother.

Khlestakov is the main character of "The Inspector General"

The image of the main character of The Inspector General, Khlestakov, is more complex. This is an empty bum, an insignificant little official whose whole meaning of life is to "throw dust in someone's eyes" with his manners, cigars, fashionable suits, individual words ... He constantly brags to everyone and even to himself. His insignificant, meaningless life is pitiful, but Khlestakov himself does not notice this, he is always pleased with himself, always happy. Fantasy helps him especially to forget failures, which easily takes him out of the bounds of reality. In Khlestakov there is no bitterness of oppressed pride, like the hero of "Diary of a Madman" Poprischina... He has vanity, and he lies with enthusiasm, because this lie helps him to forget his worthlessness. Sick pride drove Poprishchina crazy, and the vanity of the empty, frivolous Khlestakov would not bring him to this. The protagonist of "The Inspector General" is not able to imagine himself a "Spanish king", and therefore he will not end up in an insane asylum - at best he will be beaten for lying, or put in debt ward for debts.

In Khlestakov, Gogol brought out a useless, unnecessary person who cannot even control his thoughts and language: a submissive slave of his imagination, richly endowed with “extraordinary lightness in thought,” he lives day after day, not realizing what he is doing and why. That is why Khlestakov can equally easily do evil and good, and he will never be a conscious cheat: he does not invent any plans, but says and does what his frivolous fantasy tells him at the moment. That is why he can at once make an offer to both the governor's wife and his daughter, with full readiness to marry both of them, he can borrow money from officials, convinced that he will give them back, he can talk so stupidly that he immediately blurts out and starts talking to the point of nonsense ... (See the full text of Khlestakov's most deceitful monologue.)

Khlestakov. Artist L. Konstantinovsky

The frightened imagination of the frightened officials, who were waiting for the inspector, created from Khlestakov's "icicle" the one they were waiting for. Psychologically, the mistake of officials is quite understandable, it is expressed in proverbs: "a frightened crow and a bush is afraid", "fear has big eyes." This "fright" and "conscience anxiety" carried even the clever and clever rogue governor into a fatal mistake for him.

Judge Lyapkin-Tyapkin in "The Inspector General"

Other officials of the city are small varieties of the type of the mayor. Judge Lyapkin-Tyapkin is also a dishonest person, which he completely sincerely does not notice himself, does not do business, is absurdly stupid and, at the same time, is full of conceit only because he has the courage to speak about religious issues with such freedom that for believers, "the hair stands on end." But in practical matters, he amazes with his naivety.

Gogol. Auditor. Performance 1982 Series 2

Trustee of charitable institutions Strawberry

In the person of Strawberry, Gogol brought out not only the embezzler, but also a petty and vile intriguer who wants to put his foot down to his comrades in misfortune. (See Artemy Filippovich Strawberry - characteristic with quotes.)

Gogol formed the surname of the school superintendent Khlopov from the word "clap", "slave". This is an utterly cowardly person, whose tongue "gets stuck in the mud" in the presence of his superiors, and his hands tremble so that Luka Lukich is unable even to light a cigar offered to him by Khlestakov. (See Luka Lukich Khlopov - characterization with quotes.)

Postmaster Shpekin

Postmaster Ivan Kuzmich Shpekin - in the words of Gogol, "a simple-minded person to the point of naivety." With frivolity, he will not yield to Khlestakov himself. Ivan Kuzmich calmly prints out letters arriving at his post office and reads them, finding in this occupation more interesting than reading newspapers. He keeps the letters he especially liked.

It is thanks to these inclinations of Shpekin that the true identity of the "inspector" is revealed for the rest of the officials. Ivan Kuzmich opens and reads Khlestakov's letter to his friend Tryapichkin, from which it becomes clear that Khlestakov was by no means an important official, but an ordinary young whip and helipad. (See Ivan Kuzmich Shpekin - characteristic with quotes.)

Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky in the "Inspector"

Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky are the personification of the most hopeless vulgarity. These heroes of "The Inspector General" are not engaged in absolutely any business, are not interested in any religious, philosophical, political issues - even to the extent that is available to other characters of the comedy. Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky collect and spread only small local gossip, which feed their wretched curiosity and fill their idle life. (See Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky - characteristics with quotations.)

Servant of Khlestakov Osip

In the person of Osip, Gogol deduced the type of an old serf servant, spoiled by the idleness of a lackey's life. This comedy hero tasted the fruits of the civilization of Petersburg life, learned to ride cabbies for free, thanks to the through gates; he appreciates the "haberdashery treatment" of the capital's small shops and Apraksin's yard. Osip despises his master, the frivolous and empty Khlestakov, with all his soul, because he feels himself immeasurably smarter than him. Unfortunately, his mind is extremely roguish. If his master cheats out of naivety, then Osip - quite deliberately. (Cm.

In his work, Gogol tried to draw public attention to the attitude of officials to their duties in the workplace. The image and characteristics of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General" will make it possible to compose a composite portrait of all officials in the person of the protagonist. Khlestakov managed to collect in himself all the common human vices, giving a name to the whole phenomenon - "Khlestakovism", which hides stupidity, lies, frivolity and irresponsibility for their actions.

Khlestakov's image

Gogol, at the very beginning of the work, described Khlestakov as follows:

“… A young man of about twenty-three, thin, thin; somewhat silly and, as they say, without a king in his head, - one of those people who are called empty in the offices ... "

Full name is Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov. Arrived from St. Petersburg. Originally from the Saratov province, where his parents live. Official. Brown-haired man of short stature with shifty eyes. Nice appearance, made a special impression on women.

"... Oh, how nice!"

Khlestakov liked to dress according to fashion. It was the love of expensive outfits that played a cruel joke on him. Local officials mistook him for an auditor. The protagonist's speech is abrupt. Phrases fly out before he can think.

"His speech is abrupt, and the words fly out of his mouth completely unexpectedly ..."

Characteristic

Khlestakov happened to be at the scene of the events described. Having lost to smithereens at cards, he was forced to stay at a local hotel.

"... If I hadn't taken a drink in Penza, it would have been money to get home ..."

The road to his native village was postponed for some time due to the complete emptying of his pocket.

A small person who is well aware of his position in society. In the office, the salary is scanty, but I want to live beautifully. Khlestakov, working in St. Petersburg, saw enough of people who do not deny themselves the pleasures, accustomed to living to the fullest. He also wanted so, but with his capabilities it was only possible to dream about it.

The father regularly sent money to the unlucky son. With enviable regularity, Khlestakov was losing cash at cards. A bad habit has managed to firmly gain a foothold in him.

Jonah. Even a servant treats him with slight disdain. Khlestakov's talent lies in the ability to lie and show off. He deftly took advantage of the situation when he was mistaken for an auditor and began to give money. Another in his place burned out with shame, but he did not. Audacity second happiness. It's about him.

Lover of women. He managed to put his eyes on two people at once, on the mayor's wife and daughter.

"... The mayor's daughter is very good-looking, and mother is such that you could still ..."

The women did not suspect a trick in the sweet speeches, immediately believing the rascal.

In addition to lies, Khlestakov liked to dream up. Moreover, he believed in his fantasies, often imagining himself in the role of a general, a famous writer, and a public figure. Person "Without a king in the head"... Frivolous. Superficial. When doing actions, she does not think at all about the consequences.

How could he borrow money, knowing that he could not return it. In his opinion, it doesn't take much effort to be successful. A fool is he who earns his living with his hump and blood. Khlestakov believed that everything in life depends on chance. If you got a lucky ticket, as in the case with the role of an auditor, why not use it.

He managed to fool all the city officials. As if under hypnosis, they succumbed to his charm and ability to speak beautifully. No one was even surprised how at his age you can reach such heights.

The self-conceit of this person is off scale. Considering himself an order of magnitude higher than others in intelligence, he looks at people as at fools, over whom he can and should be proud and mocked.

His adventure could have spilled over into custody if he had not left the city in time. Soon after his departure, the mayor and other officials learned the truth from a letter left by Khlestakov for a journalist friend. In the head of the mayor was one thought, how could he

“Take an icicle, a rag for an important person! Now he is flooding the whole road with a bell! "

These words contain the whole essence of Khlestakov. A dummy and tyrant, who knows how to pretend in time to be who you need and take advantage of the situation for his own good.

The image of a false auditor in Gogol's comedy is not at all the main one, but it is a key character, on the interaction with which the characters of all the heroes, officials of a small district town are written out. Khlestakov was that touchstone, which shows all the comic and bureaucratic lawlessness, and the whole life of Russia at that time. The stupidity and worthlessness of the local aristocracy and the bureaucratic elite looms precisely on the stupidity of this petty official who happened to be passing through here.

Initially, a stupid, eccentric young man is shown with excessive claims to life, which, as we understand, are his style of behavior. Then we see, through his example, a reality of this nature in the other characters of the play.

Khlestakov's characteristic

The initial characteristics of Khlestakov were given by the author himself, as a recommendation for the actor who will embody this image on stage. He is characterized as an empty and extremely stupid person. However, in the course of the play, the image of Khlestakov opens up more fully, in all its comic variety.

It is no coincidence that the first appearance on the stage of this image is associated not with the young man himself, but with his servant, who talks about the owner for a long time. It is characterized by “good would be something worthwhile, otherwise it’s a simple little girl”, implying obviously the most insignificant rank and the fact that the owner behaves stupidly and arrogantly not in terms of status. By the local owner of the hotel they are characterized at all - "you are swindlers with the master, and your master is a swindler." It is difficult to give a more precise characterization. In a dispute with the owner, not just stupidity is manifested, but an absurd childish naivety in attempts to still make a proper impression and deceive everyone.

(Artist L. Konstantinovsky, illustration for "The Inspector General", 1951)

It is these attempts that he succeeds with success in the case of communication with local officials. For local officials, the fear of exposure of their unseemly actions in the service and the innate respect for rank obscure the seemingly obvious stupidity of the newcomer. And Khlestakov, as they say, has already suffered.

In communicating with the mayor and the local elite, our hero shows remarkable imagination and reckless arrogance, which could quickly be exposed in ordinary society, but in this case passes for the truth. No less stupid are the ladies and the policemen, and the owner of the city himself, whom the author described as "not a very stupid person."

The image of Khlestakov as the main character of the comedy

And yet, Khlestakov, with his role in the play, interacting with the rest of the characters, is the main character. The way the other characters characterize him, in a positive, laudatory or negative, ironic way, reveals their own characters.

By chance, finding himself in the role of a metropolitan auditor, Khlestakov, not at all embarrassed, takes on this role and performs it in accordance with his own primitive ideas about the habits and lifestyle of high-ranking officials. However, the fact that they cannot expose him suggests that it was precisely such habits that all the bureaucracy was endowed with.

(Weinstein Mark Grigorievich "Khlestakov and the Governor", 1945-1952)

They easily believe him and obsequiously try to please, especially seeing in him a bird of "high flight". A stupid mayor, seasoned policemen, young ladies easily recognize him as a metropolitan playboy. Obviously, according to Gogol's plan, this is a hyperbole of the beau monde that he observed in real life. And the final silent scene turns out to be the apogee of the comic and the actors themselves are perceived as just a possible repetition of everything that happened.

Even the very fact of exposure did not affect in any way a change in the consciousness of one's own mistake and stupidity of either the local tycoons or the false auditor himself. Only one annoyance on both sides in an unfortunate mistake and in the fact that this official did not turn out to be exactly who he claimed to be. Only one annoyance that "will spread history throughout the world." And the very fact of the mistake was not a lesson for anyone, because the mistake itself was only in the personality of the veil who arrived, but not in his behavior, actions, stories and boasting. As the mayor said - "I myself am not glad that I gave him a drink, as if half of what he said turns out to be true!" This is precisely the main meaning put into the image of the main character by the author. The stupidity of officials reveals the very depravity of the entire bureaucratic system of the state.