The image of Plyushkin in the poem "Dead Souls" by N. Gogol

In the poem "Dead Souls" Gogol painted a gallery of Russian landowners. Each of them embodies negative moral qualities. And the new hero proves to be worse than the previous one, and we are witnessing to what extreme can the impoverishment of the human soul come. The image of Plyushkin closes the series. In the poem "Dead Souls", according to the apt definition of the author, he acts as a "hole on humanity".

First impression

"Paid" - this definition gives the master one of the men, whom Chichikov asked the way to Plyushkin. And it is fully justified, it is only necessary to look at this representative of the local nobility. We will get to know him better.

Having passed through a large village, striking with wretchedness and poverty, Chichikov found himself at the manor house. This ancient castle looked little like a place where people live. The same garden was neglected, although the number and character of the buildings indicated that once there was a strong, prosperous farm. With this description of the manor estate begins in the poem "Dead Souls" characteristic of Plyushkin.

Acquaintance with the landlord

Entering the yard, Chichikov noticed how someone: either the peasant, or the woman, is arguing with the driver. The hero decided that this is the housekeeper, and asked if the owner was at home. Surprised at the appearance of a stranger here, this "certain creature" led a guest into the house. Caught in a bright room, Chichikov was amazed at the disorder that reigned in her. There was an impression that unnecessary things and garbage from all district were brought here. As it will be known, Plyushkin really collected everything on the street that came to hand: a bucket forgotten by the peasant, fragments of a broken shard, and nobody needed a feather. Looking closer to the housekeeper, the hero found in her a man and was completely stunned to learn that this is the master. After describing the house, the author of the work "Dead Souls" passes to the image of the landlord.

Gogol's portrait of Plyushkin is as follows: he was dressed in a worn-out tattered and dirty robe that adorned some rags on his neck. The eyes were constantly in motion, as if they were looking for something. This testified to the suspicion and constant vigilance of the hero. In general, if Chichikov did not know that he was facing one of the richest landowners in the province, he would have mistaken him for a beggar. In fact, the first feeling that this person evokes from the reader is a pity bordering on contempt.

Life story

The image of Plyushkin in the poem "Dead Souls" differs from the others in that it is the only landowner with a biography. In the old days he had a family, often received guests. He was considered a thrifty owner, who had plenty to eat. Then the wife died. Soon the eldest daughter fled with the officer, and the son entered the regiment instead of the service. Plyushkin of both children deprived him of his blessing and money and every day became more and more stingy. In the end, he concentrated on one of his wealth, and after the death of his youngest daughter, all the feelings that he had in him finally gave way to greed and suspicion. In his barns he rotted bread, and his grandchildren (he eventually forgave his daughter and accepted it), he even regretted the usual gift. This depicts this hero in the poem "Dead Souls" by Gogol. The image of Plyushkin complements the bargaining scene.

A successful transaction

When Chichikov started the conversation, Plyushkin was annoyed with how difficult it was to receive guests today: he had already taken his lunch, and it was expensive to heat the stove. However, the guest immediately got down to business and found out that the landlord had a hundred and twenty souls unaccounted for. He offered to sell them and said that all the costs incurred. Hearing that it was possible to benefit from the no longer existing peasants, who began to bargain, Plyushkin did not go into details and ask how lawful this was. Having received the money, he carefully took them to the bureau and, pleased with the successful transaction, even decided to treat Chichikov with a biscuit left over from the cake brought by his daughter, and a glass of liquor. Completes the image of Plyushkin in the poem "Dead Souls" a message stating that the owner wanted to present a gold watch to the guest who pleased him. However, he immediately changed his mind and decided to write them in a gift, so that Chichikov after his death would remember him with a kind word.

conclusions

The image of Plyushkin in the poem "Dead Souls" was very significant for Gogol. In his plans was to leave in the third volume of all the landowners one of his, but already morally revived. The fact that it is possible, indicate a few details. First, the living eyes of the hero: remember that they are often called the mirror of the soul. Secondly, Plyushkin is the only one of all landowners who thought of gratitude. The rest also took money for deceased peasants, but considered this something for granted. Important is the fact that when you mention the old comrade on the face of the landlord, suddenly ran a ray. Hence the conclusion: to develop the life of the hero in another way, he would remain a thrifty master, a good friend and family man. However, the death of his wife, the actions of children gradually turned the hero into that "gap of humanity", which he appeared in the 6th chapter of the book "Dead Souls".

The characteristic of Plyushkin is a reminder to readers about the consequences for which a person can make life's mistakes.