The comedy of N.V. Gogol's The Examiner has long been dispersed in quotes and sharp comparisons, since they very accurately reflect human nature. This work, which the great writer wrote in 1835, is relevant to this day. Because it describes with great precision the most diverse traits of the human character, in particular its main character. A coward, a bouncer, a self-confident person - this is a brief image of Khlestakov. In the comedy "The Examiner" these features are revealed juicy and bright.
Deception of the Century
This work begins with the fact that in one county town they are waiting for a very important person - an auditor who is traveling with an important check. And here comes the gentleman, very modest and business. A short image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General" the author paints with very positive colors. Ivan Vladimirovich, this is the name of the visitor, a very "pleasant appearance." It does not make a stunning impression and is not even remarkable. But if you look closely at the hero, he is very worthy of attention.
The circumstances were such that Khlestakov was mistaken for an important person. And he, instead of immediately correcting the misunderstanding, instantly enters the image. This is where the most hidden qualities of his character appear.
Loser and little man
An ordinary ordinary person of that time is the brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy The Examiner, which the author first draws to us. He lives in a big city, which is full of various temptations and temptations. But the secular society of the Northern capital refuses to accept him into its ranks. Indeed, Khlestakov’s position is not high enough, but he does not shine with a special mind, does not have any sparkling talents. It can be safely attributed to the banal losers who came to conquer St. Petersburg. But the hero clearly overestimated his strengths - both financial and moral. He is an ordinary little man in a big capital.
But here fate gives such a chance - to demonstrate that you are an outstanding person. And Khlestakov with excitement rushes into
this adventure.County nobility
What society does the main character fall into? This is an environment of small-local nobility, whose representatives are only concerned with emphasizing their importance and greatness. Each resident of a county town tries to emphasize the shortcomings of another in order to prove that he is the best. The characters of the "Examiner" of Gogol are swaggering, sometimes stupid, but consider themselves a local aristocracy.
And Khlestakov, the most ordinary little clerk, falls into such a society, as the author writes about him - "neither this, nor this."
A reasonable question arises - why did the main character not immediately admit that he is not the one for whom he is taken? But the author does not give an answer to this question - maybe he just wanted to play an important person?
A brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy "The Inspector General" can be described as follows - this is a person who is too far from the ideal, he is a player, he is a small cocktail. Khlestakov believes that comfort should prevail, and worldly pleasures should come first. He sees nothing shameful in fooling scammers. Moreover, he is sure that he is doing a “holy cause”.
Gogol brought out a beautiful image of a bouncer and a coward who does not strive for anything and simply burns his life. He is "one of those people who are called empty in the offices".
By the way, Khlestakov’s quotes from The Inspector General very clearly and vividly characterize a certain circle of people. The exact characteristics given to the heroes in a few words very accurately reflect their inner essence.
It is interesting that, in addition to the real face, the hero has a certain ghost that avenges him a fantastic self-affirmation. He is trying with might and main to be not the one who actually is, but this is not working desperately. But even the own lackey Khlestakova openly despises the master. Here is how he speaks of his master: "There would really be something worthwhile, otherwise the elistratishka is simple."
And a bouncer and a scoundrel
Khlestakov has a good pedigree. He was born into the family of an old-world landowner, in the outback of Russia. But for some reason he was not able to maintain contact with either his family, or with the people, or with the land. He does not remember his kinship, and this makes him seem to be an artificial person who jumped out of the "Peter's table of ranks." He speaks rather contemptuously of his father: "They, pentuhi, do not know what it means to" command me to accept "." Such quotes by Khlestakov from The Inspector General emphasize once again that the hero does not honor family traditions , and even tries to mock his old father.
But this does not stop him from taking money from his "uneducated father" and spending it at his discretion.
Narcissistic, passionate, boastful - this is a brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Examiner”. He arrived at the hotel and immediately demanded the most delicious lunch, because he was supposedly not used to the other. He loses all the money, but cannot stop. He insults the servant and yells at him, but at some points he listens ardently to his advice.
And how much boasting! Without batting an eye, he states that he is fluent in the pen, and he personally wrote such famous works as “Robert the Devil” and “Fenella” in one evening. He does not even suspect that these are not books, but operas!
And even when the mayor’s daughter accuses him of lying and recalls the real author of the work - “Yuri Miloslavsky,” Khlestakov immediately declares that he has exactly the same composition.
This ability to instantly rebuild and not shade can only envy! In order to impress the townsfolk, he continually sprinkles with French words, which only a few know. It seems to him that his speech from this becomes secular, but in fact his stream of words causes laughter. He does not know how to finish his thought, so he quickly changes topics, jumping from one to another. When he needs something, he can be affectionate and polite. But as soon as Khlestakov gets his way, he immediately begins to be rude and rude.
There is no morality, there is only profit
There are no moral restrictions for Khlestakov. He is an empty and frivolous person who is only concerned about his own well-being. And when officials come to him to give him an elementary bribe, he takes it for granted. At first, when the money is given for the first time, he is unusually stewed and even drops it from excitement. But when the postmaster comes in, Khlestakov is already more confident in accepting money. With Strawberries, he simply demands them with pressure. So far, he is confident in his soul that he will borrow these funds and will certainly give them back. But as soon as he realizes that he was confused with an important person, Khlestakov instantly adapts to the situation and decides to take such an excellent chance.
The place of comedy in world literature
Gogol, The Examiner, Khlestakov - these words are firmly embedded in world literature. The concept of “Khlestakovism” has become a household symbol of deception, cheating and not far off.
The author was able to accurately reflect in his work the character of the main character that so far very often false and vicious people are called in one word - Khlestakov. A rogue and a rogue, he did not draw conclusions from his situation, being in the vile confidence that the next time he would certainly be lucky.