Life of Russia, the modern great writer N.V. Gogol was rather difficult and peculiar. On the one hand, the writer draws romance - young people who sincerely fight for their happiness and love, and on the other hand - the mouth that destroyed the country. That is what he described, observing society, subtly noting all the shortcomings of a person and his habits.
The story cycle itself was released under the general name Mirgorod. Gogol personally designated the content as the continuation of his beloved “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka”. However, it is difficult not to notice the sharp contrast between these works. And the plot, and the manner of narration, and the actions of the characters are different. Romance disappeared, a touch of the magic of a Christmas tale, and everyday life appeared, in which, without decorations, you can see human vices. With this work, a new stage began in the work of the writer, which gradually moved on to depicting real life.
It is reality that will be portrayed in the Inspector General and Dead Souls a little later by Nikolai Gogol. Mirgorod, a brief summary of which may give the impression that the work is funny and innocent, is social. It draws the attention of the reader to how people suffer because of their stupidity, because of the tyranny of old-world landowners, because of the low ideals of ordinary inhabitants.
Summary: "Mirgorod" Gogol
The cycle begins with a story about how two bosom friends quarreled - Ivan Ivanovich and Ivan Nikiforovich. Either from boredom, or from a sense of self-worth, but they quarreled because of nonsense. However, this gun, which each of them wanted to possess, was not worth the lost friendship. And this fact significantly aggravates the drama of this situation.
The nature of pals is a topic that the writer paid special attention to. Of course, you do not see these nuances when reading a brief summary. Gogol's “Mirgorod” is a hidden satire, laughter through tears, irony mixed with bitterness. It seems that the narrator is good-natured, gentle, friendly, but he subtly notices what is hidden from the naked eye. It is this style of narration that emphasizes the real state of things. For example, Ivan Pererepenko attends church every Sunday, putting on a bekesh, and after the service he goes to the poor. But he does not give them alms, no, he conducts intimate conversations with the hungry poor, from which they are of little use. Such “compassion” of the hero looks cruelty and hypocrisy on the other hand.
In another story, we see the judicial system of those years, which our brief content cannot ignore. Gogol’s “Mirgorod” shows us people who must abide by the law and fight injustice. But the reader sees simple, slightly stupid men, embittered, addicted to drinking. The courthouse did not resemble a palace of justice, but a drinking house, so there was a heavy smell from the employees of Themis.
In a friendly manner, Gogol describes the emptiness and insignificance of his characters. However, he thereby expresses the position of the common people, who are forced to endure all this. The phrase that became winged - “Boring in this world, gentlemen” - runs through the whole red thread. And although much has changed, Mirgorod is a work that is relevant today.
It is impossible to feel the writer’s laughter by reading the summary. Gogol’s “Mirgorod” is worth reading in full in order to feel the full power of the word that Nikolay Vasilievich possessed.