Dead Souls
by Nikolai Gogol
Categories: Classics Novel Russian Satire
Price: Entirely free NEW: 
Gift this book
160 Installments total (Preview)
Description
In provincial nineteenth century Russia, poor working people are considered the property of the landowners on whose farms they work. This human property—the serfs—are known as "souls" in the harsh system, and landowners must pay taxes on the souls that they own. The trouble for landowners comes in the form of "dead souls," or serfs whose deaths have not yet been recorded in the census. Although dead, these souls cost just as much in taxes as any others. In Gogol's amusing tale, a smart but poor young man, Chichikov, hatches a grim scheme to build his fortune through "dead souls," buying them off of the landowners in order to fool the local town into thinking he is a man of considerable property. He cajoles the local landowners into selling him their "dead souls," going from one place to another until he has collected a vast number, seeming to have met his goal. In Gogol's world of cruel satire, however, a sly hero like Chichikov can never outsmart the brute force of a small town's distrust. This scheming young man, thinking he has fooled his simpler-minded counterparts, is in for a big surprise when he returns "victorious" to town, bragging of the "souls" he has accumulated and expecting a hero's welcome.
Opening Lines (Experimental)
Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol, born at Sorochintsky, Russia, on 31st March 1809. Obtained government post at St. Petersburg and later an appointment at the university. Lived in Rome from 1836 to 1848. Died on 21st February 1852.
Reader, whosoever or wheresoever you be, and whatsoever be your ...
Forum
No topics yet.
Login to start a new topic
Not yet registered?