Characteristics of Sobakevich, the hero of Gogol's poem "Dead Souls"

The idea of the poem "Dead Souls", which became immortal, was presented to Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol by the poet Alexander Pushkin. The creation of the work is the main mission that Gogol had to fulfill. So the writer himself believed. Gogol's plans included writing three volumes of the poem (in the likeness of Hell, Purgatory, Paradise). Only the first volume of the work was written and published. Only he reached the reader. The sad fate of the second volume and the causes that gave rise to it, still remain a mystery. Modern philologists in their writings are trying to unravel the secrets associated with writing a work. For this purpose, the images created in the poem are carefully studied and analyzed, the characteristics of Sobakevich, Manilov, Korobochka and other main characters are given.

Gallery of images of the poem

In the poem "The Adventures of Chichikov, or Dead Souls", namely under this title the work was published for the first time, a whole gallery of images - different types of people and even inanimate objects is presented. Using this technique, Gogol skillfully depicts the way of life in Russia in the 19th century.

He shows common features - the ignorance of officials, the arbitrariness of the authorities, the plight of the people. At the same time, the characters of individual characters, their individual characteristics are vividly represented in the poem.

For example, the image of Sobakevich, Plyushkin, Korobochka, Nozdrev, Manilov, Chichikov enables the reader to understand that heroes are typical representatives of a certain epoch, although each carries something of its own, individual, different from others. Appearances of the characters of the poem from Gogol are not accidental moments. Their presentation to the reader is subject to a certain order, which is very important for the disclosure of the overall design of the work.

Possessions of Sobakevich

Mikhail Semenovich Sobakevich in the poem "Dead Souls" in the gallery of images appears before readers as the fourth character. Acquaintance with it begins long before the appearance of the hero himself.

The view of Chichikov opens a large village with strong and solid buildings. The house of the landowner seemed to have been determined "for an eternal standing". The buildings belonging to the peasants also surprised Chichikov with their reliability and good quality.

It is immediately evident that the external side of buildings, their aesthetics do not bother the owner at all. Only functionality is important, the practical benefit of what surrounds it.

In the description of the landscape you need to pay attention to the forests that surround the village. On the one hand there was a birch forest, and on the other - a pine forest. This also points to the economic management of the owner of the estate. Gogol compares the forest with the wings of the same bird, but one of them is light, and the other is dark. Perhaps this is an indication of the nature of the character. So Gogol prepares the reader for the perception of the uneasy image of the landowner Sobakevich.

The appearance of the hero

Description Sobakevich, his external characteristics Gogol gives in comparison with animals and inanimate objects.

This is a medium sized awkward bear. He moves, stepping on someone's feet. His beard is bearish. Even the name, Mikhailo Semenovich, causes the reader to associate with the animal.

This is done by Gogol quite by accident. Characteristics Sobakevich, a description of his inner world begins with the perception of the appearance of the character. After all, we primarily pay attention to precisely these features.

The complexion of Sobakevich, who was hot and hot, like a copper pyatak, also points to some strength, inviolability of character.

Description of the interior and the image of the hero of the poem

The interior of the rooms where Sobakevich lived, is unusually similar to the image of the master. Here the chairs, the table, the chairs were as clumsy, bulky, heavy as he himself.

The reader, having familiarized himself with the description of the appearance of the hero, his surroundings, can assume about the limited spiritual interests, about his excessive closeness to the world of material life.

What distinguishes Sobakevich from other landlords

The attentive reader must note this difference. The image of the landowner Sobakevich, having many similarities with other characters of the poem, at the same time is very different from them. This brings a certain variety.

The landowner Sobakevich not only himself loves reliability and strength in everything, but also enables his serfs to live solidly and firmly on their feet. This shows the practical grasp and efficiency of this character.

When a deal was made with Chichikov on the sale of dead souls, Sobakevich wrote his own list of his deceased peasants with his own hand. At the same time he remembered not only their names, but also the crafts that his subordinates owned. Each of them he could describe - to call attractive and negative aspects of a person's character.

This indicates that the landlord does not care who lives in his village, who he owns. At the right time, he will take advantage of the qualities of his people, of course, with the benefit for themselves.

He absolutely does not accept excessive stinginess and condemns his neighbors for it. So Sobakevich speaks of Plyushkin, who, having eight hundred serfs of serfs, eats worse than a shepherd. Mihailo Semenovich himself is very pleased to please his stomach. Gluttony, perhaps, is his main business in life.

Make a deal

This is an interesting point in the poem. The moment of conclusion of the transaction, connected with the purchase of dead souls, tells a lot about Sobakevich. The reader notices that the landowner is intelligent - he understands from a half-word what Chichikov wants. Again, such features as practicality and the desire to do everything with profit for oneself come to the forefront.

In addition, in this situation, Sobakevich's straightforwardness manifests itself. Sometimes it turns into rudeness, ignorance, cynicism, which is the real essence of the character.

What is alarming in describing the image of the hero

Characteristics of Sobakevich, some of his actions, statements make the reader prick up his ears. Although much of what the landowner does at first glance seems worthy of respect. For example, the desire for peasants to stand firmly on their feet does not at all point to Sobakevich's high spirituality. This is done only with the benefit for themselves - with a strong economy of subjects there is always something to take.

About city officials Sobakevich says that they are scammers, "christians". And this, most likely, is true. But all that is said does not prevent him from having any profitable business and relationships with these scammers.

It is alarming to the reader that none of the people with whom Sobakevich is acquainted, with whom he is friends, if it can be called so, did not say a single kind word.

His attitude towards science and education is strongly negative. And people who are engaged in this, Mihailo Semyonovich would outweigh - so they hate him. This is probably due to the fact that Sobakevich understands: education can shake the established foundations, and this is unprofitable for the landlord. Hence, its stiffness and steadiness of views follow.

Sobakevich's Soul's Sacrifice

Characteristic Sobakevich with all its positive and negative points allows us to make the main conclusion: landowner Mikhailo Semenovich is dead the same way as his neighbors, officials from the city, adventurer Chichikov. The reader clearly understands this.

Having a developed character, a way of life, Sobakevich and his neighbors will not allow any changes around them. Why should they? To change, a person needs a soul, but these people do not. Gogol never managed to look into the eyes of Sobakevich and other characters of the poem (except for Plyushkin). This technique once again indicates the absence of a soul.

The death of the characters is also evidenced by the fact that very little the author talks about the kinship ties of the characters. It seems that all of them have taken from nowhere, they have no roots, so there is no life.