The works of N.V. Gogol have become the property of world literature. To this day, he remains one of the best satirical writers, who so subtly managed to portray Russian reality. This article describes the main character of Gogol's immortal comedy "The Inspector General".
Briefly about the work
The comedy takes place in a provincial town in the Russian wilderness. Local officials received news of the imminent arrival of the auditor. Mired in bribery and theft, they got pretty scared and mistook a young rake who was passing through the city for an inspector. In fact, the auditor does not appear in the comedy at all. The main character can be considered him only in an ironic sense, since he does not understand that he was mistaken for a “major official from the capital.” Khlestakov’s characterization will help you understand that he himself lies unintentionally, he simply plays the role that was imposed on him by those around him.
N.V. Gogol wrote that in the comedy “The Inspector General” he wants to collect “everything bad in Russia” and “laugh at everything.” He admitted that Khlestakov became the most difficult for him. In the recommendations for the play, the author revealed his character quite deeply: “somewhat stupid,” “speaks without any consideration,” “without a king in his head.” The hero of the play, indeed, performs all his actions completely unintentionally. Despite the fact that this character is neither a conscious deceiver nor a reasoner, he acts as a real engine of the plot.
Appearance of the main character
What is the person like who was mistaken in the town for an auditor? What are its characteristics? Khlestakov is young, “about twenty-three years old,” “thin,” with chestnut-colored hair—“more of a chantret,” “cute little nose,” “and eyes so quick.” “Unpretentious” and short, but “not bad-looking,” one might say “pretty.” Not in official uniform, but dressed in fashion, a dress made of “Aglitsky cloth”, one tailcoat worth “one and a half hundred rubles”, a cap and a cane.
Position in society
Khlestakov loves only the best, does not deny himself anything - “death” is like “I don’t like to deny myself” and “I love good cuisine.” Already at the beginning of the comedy it is clear what kind of person he is. The servant Osip gives a characterization of Khlestakov, from his words it becomes clear that the master “wasted the money” that his father sent, and now sits “twitching his tail,” but asks to rent him a “better” room, and serve him the “best” dinner. Khlestakov is a petty official, a “simple little élistratist.” He is single, loves to go to theaters, “drives a cab,” and when he spends his money, he sends his servant to the market to sell his “new tailcoat.” Instead of working, he walks “around the preschool” and “plays cards.”
Khlestakov arrived from St. Petersburg, stayed at a hotel in a small room, lived for the second week, dined, “didn’t leave the tavern” and “didn’t pay a penny.” The innkeeper refused to serve them, Osip and Khlestakov, lunch. They don’t even have money for tobacco, “they smoked the last one on the fourth day.” Khlestakov didn’t like the town: in the shops “they don’t give you loans,” he thought about selling his pants, but decided that it was better to come home “in a St. Petersburg suit” and approach the “daughter” of some landowner.
Demeanor
The author skillfully presented Khlestakov’s characterization. In a comedy, every line of the hero reveals his manners and behavior. From the very beginning, he shows himself as an empty and frivolous person: having spent all the money, he not only does not think about the fact that he has nothing to pay with, but also demands. The servant brings him “soup and roast”, and give Khlestakov “sauce” and salmon. He eats and is picky: “this is not roast”, instead of butter “some kind of feathers”, “axe” instead of “beef”. He scolds the innkeeper: “Idlers”, they only “take off people passing by.”
Having learned that the mayor is asking him, he continues: “Best innkeeper! I’ve already complained.” He threatens: “How dare he? What am I, a merchant or an artisan? But when he sees the mayor, he shrinks and explains that they should send him money from the village. He is justified that there is nothing to pay for: the innkeeper “starved” him all day and served him “tea,” which “stinks of fish.” Seeing that the mayor was timid, Khlestakov became brave and, in order not to end up in prison, tries to intimidate him. Starting with promises to pay for lunch, he ends with threats to appeal to the minister.
The mayor takes him for an auditor, ingratiates himself, speaks with respect, calls him an “enlightened guest,” and invites him to his house. Khlestakov does not even try to find out the reason for the honors shown to him, he says “without any consideration” and begins to complain about bad conditions, the owner does not give candles when he wants to “compose something.” He immediately agrees to the mayor’s invitation to live in his house: “much more pleasant” than “in this tavern.”
Khlestakov's speech
Even a brief description of Khlestakov shows that in the image of his hero the author gives a collective and somewhat exaggerated type of superficially educated upstart. For the sake of a beautiful style, Khlestakov uses in his speech French words he does not understand, cliches from literature. And at the same time, he does not consider it shameful to insert vulgar expressions. He speaks abruptly, jumps from one thing to another, and all because he is spiritually poor and unable to pay attention to anything. He grows in his own eyes from the attention of officials, becomes bolder and no longer knows the limits of lies and boasting.
Behavior
The very first action gives an extremely clear description of Khlestakov. When officials take him to the city’s establishments, he is first of all interested in whether there are any entertainments where he can “play cards.” From which it becomes clear that a person loves to have fun. In the mayor’s house, he tries to rise in the eyes of those around him and says that he is a member of the department, once he was even “mistaken for the commander-in-chief.” He boasts that he is “known everywhere” and knows “actresses.” He often sees “writers” “on friendly terms” with Pushkin.
He claims that he wrote “Yuri Miloslavsky,” but Marya Antonovna recalls that this was the work of Zagoskin. What about the newly appointed auditor? He immediately finds an excuse by informing those present about the existence of two different books with the same title. He says that he has his “first house” in St. Petersburg and then, intoxicated with wine and success, he admits an inaccuracy: “you will run up” to your “fourth floor” and “tell the cook.” But those around him perceive this rather as a slip of the tongue and encourage him to lie, thinking that this will allow them to learn more about him.
Actions
He rejoices at the warm welcome and has no idea that he has been mistaken for another person. “Extraordinary ease of thought” - the author gave him this description. Khlestakov does not pretend to be an auditor; he simply does what those around him impose on him. This behavior further establishes him in their eyes as a high-ranking official. “Even though he lied,” he plays “with the ministers” and goes “to the palace.” Khlestakov is weaving an intrigue, but he himself does not realize it. The image of this hero is the embodiment of stupidity and emptiness.
His thoughts fussily jump from one subject to another, without lingering or stopping at anything. The author also characterizes Khlestakov in the comments. Quotes “without a king in his head”, “somewhat stupid” give a clear understanding that before us is one of those people who are called “empty”. Moreover, he instantly changes his appearance and adapts to reality. A sort of chameleon that changes its color for survival, not for fun. Thanks to this unintentionality and sincerity with which he plays the role imposed on him, Khlestakov easily gets out of any situation when he is caught in a lie.
Relationships with others
In the mayor’s house, everyone wants to know more about the “distinguished guest” and asks the servant Osip what his master likes and what he is interested in. Khlestakov brilliantly plays the auditor in front of the officials and only in the fourth act of the comedy begins to understand that he was mistaken for a “statesman.” Does he feel anything about it? Hardly. He easily transforms and plays the role that society has offered him.
In comedy, everything is based on a situation of self-deception. The author presents the reader with a person who lacks his own content. In the comedy “The Inspector General”, Khlestakov’s characterization clearly shows that he is a person without internal filling. He does not deliberately deceive as much as he misleads other participants in the comedy. It is precisely in this unintentionality that the strength of this character lies.
Khlestakov gets used to the role to such an extent that he introduces himself as the groom of the mayor’s daughter. Without shame or conscience, he asks for her hand, not remembering that a minute ago he confessed his love to her mother. He kneels first in front of his daughter, then in front of his mother. As a result, he conquers them and drags himself after both, not knowing who to choose.
Comedy finale
When Khlestakov realizes that he was mistaken for the wrong person, another unseemly trait of this hero is revealed. Having an empty and insignificant character, he writes to his literary friend about what happened to him. And despite the fact that he was received kindly in this town, Khlestakov joyfully describes the vices of his new acquaintances, those whom he has already robbed, and offers to ridicule them in the newspaper. This is Khlestakov’s characterization.
Gogol's work ends with a “silent scene”: a real inspector has arrived. But this does not make him the main character of the comedy; Khlestakov is rightfully considered the main character. The author of the work publicly stated that the only positive aspect of his comedy is laughter. So Gogol warned against accusations from officials. The writer argued that regardless of age, education or social status, every Russian person becomes Khlestakov at least for a minute.
>Characteristics of the heroes The Inspector General
Characteristics of the hero Khlestakov
Khlestakov Ivan Aleksandrovich is the central character of N.V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General,” a petty official from St. Petersburg, an imaginary inspector, one of the most famous characters in Russian literature. This is a young man of about 23 years old, thin, a little stupid and unable to pay attention to any thought for a long time. In St. Petersburg, he is an official of the lowest rank, about whom no one knows anything. Nobody respects him, not even his servant Osip. Khlestakov has a faceless personality, is insignificant and poor.
On the way to the Saratov province to visit his father, he lost all the money, and now lives in a tavern on credit. When the mayor appears to him, mistaking Khlestakov for an auditor, he is seriously frightened and thinks that this is due to his arrest for non-payment of a debt. Having taken a bribe from the mayor, he believes that he is lending money out of humanity. Following the mayor, all the other officials and merchants of the city bring him money. He becomes more and more impudent and takes it all “on loan”. When Khlestakov realizes that he has been mistaken for someone else, he writes a letter to his friend Tryapkin, in which he describes each of the visitors unflatteringly. At the same time, he embellishes the letter with the most fantastic stories, including an affair with the mayor’s wife and daughter. This letter reveals the stupid, boastful and frivolous nature of the hero.
Khlestakov lives a carefree life, does not think about the future and does not remember the past. Wherever he wants, he goes, and whatever he wants, he does. Most of all, he likes to show off in front of the ladies, show off in front of officials and ordinary people. At the same time, he always mentions that he is from St. Petersburg and talks about secular manners and metropolitan life. By nature, Khlestakov is a creative person. Firstly, he is artistic, since he managed to get used to the image of an auditor so quickly. Secondly, having collected a fair amount of bribes, he wants to take up literature. Despite the fact that he had no idea that his letter would be opened and read, Khlestakov still felt the imminent exposure and left in a hurry.
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We are already accustomed to the fact that, basically, life presents us with surprises in the form of troubles and difficulties. This is probably why stories with the reverse course of circumstances are perceived by us as something out of the ordinary. Such situations seem somewhat ironic. The story told in Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol’s story “The Inspector General,” in addition to being essentially a gift of fate, is also based on a dose of absurdity. This combination makes the work unique and attractive.
Biography of Khlestakov
Naturally, when reading a work, we first of all pay attention to the main character. So, Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is a young landowner, a nobleman who once found himself in an awkward situation.
He had a chance to seriously lose at cards. In order to improve his situation a little, he goes to his parents on the estate.
Since his journey is long, he, despite the lack of finances, stops at a hotel in the city of N. This is where luck smiles on him.
He is mistaken for the long-awaited auditor from Moscow. The impudent behavior and demeanor in society leaves no doubt among officials - in their opinion, only an auditor can behave this way.
We invite you to read the story of the same name by N.V. Gogol
Since in the city of N. things were not ideal, and officials continually retreated from their duties, of course not for the benefit of the city residents, but for the benefit of their own pockets, it is impossible to avoid the problems associated with checking their work in an honest way. None of them want to lose their hot spot, so as one they all go to Khlestakov and give him bribes - a guarantee that they will remain in office and avoid problems.
At first Khlestakov was perplexed, but then decided to take full advantage of the situation. With money in his pocket, he successfully retreated from the city. News about his fictitiousness as an auditor became known too late - blaming Khlestakov and demanding the return of money from him is a stupid thing to do. In this case, the fact of bribery would have to be admitted, and this would be the ruin of the careers of officials.
Khlestakov's appearance
Like most rogues and scoundrels, Khlestakov has pleasant, trustworthy facial features. He has brown hair, a “cute nose” and quick eyes that make even determined people feel embarrassed. He is not tall. His build is far from that of graceful and physically developed young men - he is too thin.
Such physical characteristics significantly spoil the impression he makes. But the cunning Khlestakov finds a clever way to correct the situation - an expensive and well-groomed suit.
Ivan Aleksandrovich understands that the first impression of him is always based on his appearance, so he cannot afford to make a mistake here - clothes are made of expensive fabric, sewn based on fashion trends. Always cleaned to a shine - such an external factor significantly distracts society’s attention from the inner essence of a person.
Khlestakov family, education
How did you have to look and behave in order to pass for an auditor in the first half of the 19th century?
First of all, you had to be born an aristocrat. It is extremely difficult for a person of common origin to create the appearance of belonging to high society.
The manner of speaking, the plasticity of movements, gestures - this had to be learned for many years. For people of noble origin, this style was common; they adopted it from their parents, their friends who came to visit.
Ivan Alexandrovich was not a luminary of high society, but he was still a nobleman by birth. His parents own the Podkatilovka estate. Little is known about the state of affairs and the importance of the estate - the fact that the parents sent money to their son suggests that the estate was not unprofitable, it generated sufficient income to provide the life of the whole family with at least the most necessary things.
Nothing is known about Khlestakov’s education. It is likely that he received an “average” education. This conclusion can be drawn based on the position he holds. Khlestakov works as a collegiate registrar. This type of civil service was at the very end of the list of the Table of Ranks. If Khlestakov’s parents were wealthy people, they would have been able to provide their son with a better position with the help of connections or money. Since this did not happen, it is inappropriate to talk about the family’s large income or their importance against the backdrop of the aristocracy.
Now let’s summarize all the data: financial instability has always been inherent in the Khlestakovs, their income has never been high (if they had ever been rich, they would have been able to acquire connections or acquaintances during the period of their family’s material rise), which means sending their son to study abroad or they did not have the money to hire highly qualified teachers.
Attitude to service
Khlestakov’s exact age is not indicated. Gogol limits it to 23-24 years old. Mostly people of this age are full of enthusiasm and desire to realize themselves. But this is not the case of Khlestakov. Ivan Aleksandrovich is rather frivolous about his work; he is of little interest in promotions and the possibility of career growth. His work is not difficult and consists of copying papers, but Khlestakov is too lazy to be zealous in matters of service. Instead of working, he goes for a walk or plays cards.
Such carelessness of his is connected, first of all, with the fact that Khlestakov does not suffer from a lack of money. Yes, he lives in a poor apartment, which is located on the fourth floor, but, apparently, this state of affairs does not bother Ivan Alexandrovich. It is likely that he is not used to living in luxury apartments and therefore does not seek to improve the current housing situation. For Khlestakov, the values of life are contained in other things - leisure and clothing. But the situation changes dramatically when Khlestakov needs to stay in an unfamiliar city - here he stays only in the best apartments. It is likely that such a move is connected with Khlestakov’s desire to create the impression of a man so rich that everyone around him, who does not know the real state of affairs, begins to envy him. It is possible that the calculation is based not only on the feeling of envy, with the help of which Ivan Alexandrovich asserts himself, but also on the opportunity to receive some kind of bonuses from local officials or the hotel owner.
Added to this fact is the fact that Khlestakov is not able to compete with the rich people of St. Petersburg, where he lives most of the time and works. Renting cheap housing allows him to save money on those things that would set him apart from those of the same condition as himself - appearance attributes. He doesn’t have to invite everyone to his home or talk unnecessarily about the location of his home, but the condition and cheapness of the suit can give him a bad reputation. Since life for show is important to Khlestakov, in the manner of very wealthy aristocrats, he has no choice but to save on permanent housing.
Ivan Alexandrovich's parents are discouraged by the lack of promotion for their son. Apparently they were betting heavily on his abilities. The father periodically expresses his indignation at this expense, but the son always finds an excuse - not all at once. It takes a long time to earn a promotion. In fact, such an excuse is a lie that allows you to hide the true state of affairs.
Life in St. Petersburg
Ivan Alexandrovich cannot imagine his life without St. Petersburg. It is in this place that everything that is so dear to his heart is collected - the opportunity to spend time in a variety of pleasures. He eagerly goes to the theater every day and does not deny himself the pleasure of playing cards. By the way, he finds people who want to play always and everywhere, but not everyone and not always Khlestakov manages to win - staying on the nose is a common thing for him.
Ivan Aleksandrovich loves gourmet cuisine and does not deny himself the pleasure of a tasty and satisfying meal.
Personality characteristics
First of all, Khlestakov stands out in society for his ability to lie beautifully and smoothly - for a person who prefers to live in the illusion of wealth, creating the appearance of a significant person is a necessity.
Ivan Aleksandrovich is aware of his gaps in knowledge, but is in no hurry to eradicate them - the fictitious success created by his lies, arrogant and pompous appearance inspires him.
Still, from time to time he reads books and even tries to write something on his own, but judging by the fact that there are no reviews from other characters about his works, we can conclude that these attempts were not successful.
Khlestakov loves when he is praised and admired, this is another reason to invent something about his life. He loves to be the center of attention - such success is difficult to achieve in St. Petersburg, but in the provinces, where even his manner of speaking in a metropolitan manner evokes a storm of positive emotions - this is an easy matter.
Khlestakov is not brave, he is not ready to answer for his actions. When officials come to his hotel room, his heart is filled with fear of the possibility of being arrested. At his core, he is a wimp, but he is a good actor - he knows how to create the appearance of a significant and very smart person, although in fact neither the first nor the second corresponds to the true state of affairs.
Khlestakov's attitude towards women
Gogol is silent about Khlestakov’s relationships with women in St. Petersburg, but actively describes Ivan Alexandrovich’s behavior with female representatives in the provinces.
Khlestakov knows how to play to the public and evoke a feeling of sympathy in people - this applies not only to indicators of good manners and ostentatious aristocracy. Khlestakov is a skilled seducer and seducer. He enjoys the company of women and their attention.
It is unlikely that he sets himself the goal of getting a wife. For Khlestakov, love interests are a unique way of playing and manipulating people.
Arriving in the city of N and meeting the wife and daughter of the governor, he does not miss the opportunity to flirt with both women. At first he confesses his love to his daughter, but after a couple of minutes he swears his mother’s love. Khlestakov is not at all embarrassed by this fact. In addition, when Marya Antonovna (the governor’s daughter) becomes an accidental witness of Khlestakov’s tenderness towards his mother, Ivan Alexandrovich, taking advantage of the stupidity of women and the feeling of love that arose in them towards him, turns the whole situation in favor of a wedding with Marya Antonovna - at the same time Neither mother nor daughter understands their humiliating position and does not feel offended. Leaving the city, Khlestakov understands that his matchmaking was a game only for him; everyone else, including Marya Antonovna, takes everything at face value. He is not worried about the future fate of the young girl and the possibility of traumatizing her with his actions - he leaves the city with a calm soul.
Thus, Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is a typical scoundrel, capable of bringing grief and trouble to other people for the sake of his pleasure. He does not appreciate the care his parents take for himself and is in no hurry to reciprocate the kindness shown to him by others in kind. Most likely, on the contrary - he cleverly takes advantage of the gullibility and innocence of those around him.
Characteristics of the image of Khlestakov in quotes
Gogol's character appears as the central character of the famous Gogol text. Moreover, Khlestakov has already become a household name, because the “father” of the character, Nikolai Gogol, managed to create one of the most successful, bright and succinct literary types. Here, for example, is how his creator describes Khlestakov:
Khlestakov, a young man of about twenty-three, thin and thin; somewhat stupid and, as they say, without a king in his head - one of those people who are called empty in the offices. He speaks and acts without any consideration. He is unable to stop constant attention on any thought. His speech is abrupt, and words fly out of his mouth completely unexpectedly. The more the person playing this role shows sincerity and simplicity, the more he will win. Dressed in fashion...
Remark about the place of the image of Khlestakov in the plot of Gogol’s text
The hero ends up in one of the small, provincial towns of the Russian Empire by accident. And just by chance, Khlestakov creates a whirlwind of mistakes around himself. The man constantly stumbles and stumbles. However, at first events go well for Khlestakov. The hero's arrival almost coincides with the arrival in the city of an auditor - a strict Russian official who intended to check the affairs in the town. And so: the residents of the city are waiting for the arrival of the official, and mistake our hero for him.
Khlestakov manages to successfully mimic the guise of an auditor. Over time, Gogol's hero reveals his true essence. Our hero is a rake and a gambler, a spender of his parents’ money. A man loves female company, craves power, influence and money. Khlestakov treats lower-ranking serfs and servants with pointed disdain. The hero calls the peasants scoundrels, swindlers, slackers and fools. Khlestakov’s faithful servant also gets it.
At the same time, Khlestakov seems to be very naive. They bring money to the hero as a bribe, meanwhile, the man perceives these “offerings” as a loan, exclaiming:
Give me, lend me a loan, I’ll pay the innkeeper right away...
How to evaluate the image of Khlestakov?
Of course, literary scholars were puzzled by how to correctly evaluate the image of Khlestakov - in a positive or negative way. No, Gogol did not intend to present his character as an evil bandit, a swindler, a cunning schemer or a scoundrel. Moreover, our hero has so little cunning that Osip, the hero’s servant, sometimes shows much more wisdom in his actions than his master.
Khlestakov is a victim of circumstances, the cycle of random events. The hero evokes universal sympathy, because the image of Khlestakov is characterized by such features as good looks, courtesy, charm (especially the man’s smile fascinates everyone), as well as good manners. The hero belonged to an aristocratic family, but showed the same inability to live in a life where he had to earn his own living, like all nobles. The man's soul longed for St. Petersburg life.
Gogol evaluates Khlestakov as neutrally as possible. The writer presents the hero as a young man about “twenty-three to twenty-four years old.” The hero was distinguished by his affectation and thinness, the hero’s posture was beautiful, thin, slender. However, the young man was “somewhat stupid and, as they say, without a king in his head, one of those people who in the offices are called empty.”
"Hero's Passport", according to Gogol's text
1. The completely Gogolian hero was called Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov. The mayor emphasizes the “plainliness,” that is, the smallishness, short stature of the hero, who did not at all resemble a powerful auditor. However, Khlestakov’s very appearance is “not bad”; the young man clearly arouses the interest of ladies, the favor of mature beauties and young girls.
2. Before the hero arrived in the provincial regions, Khlestakov served in the St. Petersburg chancellery with the rank of collegiate registrar. This is the lowest rank, according to the Russian Table of Ranks:
It would be nice if there was really something worthwhile, otherwise he’s just a simple little elistrat!..
However, in the Saratov region, Khlestakov had his own village, which was called Podkatilovka. This is where Gogol's hero was heading until, due to a coincidence of circumstances, he stopped by the city of N. In St. Petersburg, Khlestakov occupies a small apartment located on the top floor. The top places were then occupied by people who did not boast of tight wallets:
...As you run up the stairs to your fourth floor...
3. The hero’s heart, it seemed, was not in the service. Therefore, instead of regular and honest work, the young man wastes his life in entertainment establishments:
...does not take care of business: instead of going to office, he goes for a walk along the avenue, plays cards<…>“No, father demands me. The old man was angry that he had still not achieved anything in St. Petersburg. He thinks that this is how he came and now they’ll give you Vladimir in your buttonhole...”
So, the Russian writer emphasizes that Khlestakov loved to lead a free lifestyle, indulge in various pleasures, spend money on trifles and amusements. Saving was never easy for Khlestakov, so the hero periodically found himself completely broke and begging for money from his parents’ savings:
“He squandered some expensive money, my dear, now he sits with his tail curled up and doesn’t get excited. And it would be, and there would be a lot of use for runs; no, you see, you need to show yourself in every city!..”<…>“...The priest will send money, something to hold it with - and where! .. he went on a spree: he drives a cab, every day you get a ticket to the key, and then a week later, lo and behold, he sends him to the flea market to sell a new tailcoat...”
4. Khlestakov is characterized by a love of luxury. Therefore, the hero does not deny himself anything, lives beyond his means, buys the most expensive things, prefers delicious cuisine, theatrical performances, and gambling, in which he lost more often than he won:
“And I admit, I don’t like to deny myself death on the road, and why? Is not it?.."<…>“... Hey, Osip, go look at the room, the best one, and ask for the best lunch: I can’t eat a bad lunch, I need the best lunch...”<…>"I like to eat. After all, you live to pick flowers of pleasure.”<…>“I—I admit, this is my weakness—love good cuisine.”<…>“Please tell me, do you have any entertainment, societies where you could, for example, play cards?..”<…>"...sometimes it's very tempting to play..."<…>“... He meets a person passing by, and then plays cards - now you’ve finished the game!..”<…>“Yes, if I hadn’t gone on a spree in Penza, I would have had enough money to get home. The infantry captain greatly deceived me: the stosi are amazing, beast, cutting off. I only sat for about a quarter of an hour and robbed everything. And with all that fear, I would like to fight it again. The case just didn’t lead..."
5. Khlestakov is prone to lies. The drama of the character lies in the fact that the hero sometimes invents an alternative reality in which he believes. For example, according to the pseudo-auditor, he loves writing, writes literary texts, publishing stories and articles of his own production in magazines. Khlestakov, as the hero says, often reads books. However, even the reader develops sympathy for Gogol’s careless character; after all, Khlestakov is a swindler. Even if the fraudulent nature of Gogol’s character is accidental, Gogol does not justify Khlestakov, but portrays the image of the young man objectively.
“is very important, because it is by creating the image of this false auditor from St. Petersburg that the author manages to reveal the essence of officials who are accustomed to solving everything with the help of bribes.
So, when describing Khlestakov and characterizing him, it should be noted that this is the main character of the comedy, with whom the author introduces us at the beginning of his work. Characteristics of Khlestakov with quotes from the work will allow us to create an accurate image of the hero.
Characteristics of Khlestakov with quotes
This is a “thin, skinny” guy, he is “twenty-three years old.” He is “stupid,” “without a king in his head,” “dressed in fashion.” Village life “my soul thirsts for enlightenment” is not for him; he is attracted to the capital. This is exactly how the author presents his hero to us. Having failed to conquer St. Petersburg, having squandered his money, he goes back home, not forgetting to dress up in fashionable clothes. This is what played a cruel joke on the officials of a small town who mistook Khlestakov for an auditor.
Brief description of Khlestakov
Khlestakov is a fraudster, a loser, and how surprised he was when they began to offer him money, mistaking him for an auditor. And this only plays into his hands, because he doesn’t even try to dissuade people from believing otherwise, but only “spreads dust.” A brief description of Khlestakov allows us to call the hero an arrogant person who does not hesitate to take money from strangers.
Khlestakov lies so much that officials tremble. There are also vulgar words, maybe calling him a “fool”, “a brute” to his servant, “scoundrels”, “idlers” when shouting at the owner of the inn. His spiritual world is poor, since he cannot focus on anything specific, making abrupt speeches.
At the end, he leaves the city, not forgetting to write a letter in which he reports that the mayor is stupid, Strawberry is a pig, and so on. This speaks of Khlestakov’s ungrateful attitude towards others.
The characterization of Khlestakov’s image allows us to call the hero of the work an empty, worthless person. And the truth here is that such mayors, the Khlestakovs, exist to this day, therefore “The Inspector General” is more relevant in our time than ever, and the created image of the hero is immortal, because it will exist until officials start working and live correctly, and therefore forever.
Characteristics of Khlestakov essay, version 2
Today in class we studied the comedy The Inspector General, having become acquainted with its main character, and now we have to give a characterization of Khlestakov, which will help us get to know this character better. By the way, the surname Khlestakov eventually became a household name, and Khlestakovism included lies, mannerisms, arrogance, stupidity and inner emptiness. Let's look at Khlestakov's characterization briefly and clearly.
Characteristics of the image of Khlestakov
Probably, in an essay on the topic of characterizing Khlestakov in the comedy The Inspector General, it immediately makes sense to characterize the hero from the author of the work... To help the actors play the role of Khlestakov more accurately, he gives a hint. Gogol characterizes the hero as an empty and very stupid person who speaks without consideration. Khlestakov is a nobleman occupying the lowest rank. According to the quotation description of Khlestakov, he is a simple elistratish woman, although he behaves arrogantly and not according to his status. The owner of the hotel calls this man a swindler and a rogue, while Ivan Khlestakov continues to make the proper impression with childish naivety, continuing to lie. He is best at lying when communicating with officials of a certain county town, who mistook the visitor for an auditor. This is where Khlestakov, taking this opportunity, gives free rein to his imagination.
Khlestakov is a dummy, and he sees the meaning of life in seeking benefits for himself. He always lives beyond his means, loves the best, is a gambler, so he plays cards and often loses large sums of money.
Khlestakov's character
Continuing to study the characteristics of Khlestakov in a literature lesson, let’s consider his character. Here we see a cowardly deceiver and a vain man. True, it is worth paying tribute to Khlestakov’s ingenuity. Realizing that he is being mistaken for someone else, he immediately gets used to the role of an auditor, realizing that you can take a walk at the celebration of life only if you know how to take advantage of the chance.
Khlestakov is an adventurer who is looking for adventure, but at the same time he is pitiful and insignificant. As the mayor said about the main character of the comedy, he is an icicle, a rag, but he knows how to present himself. A worthless and arrogant bastard. The worst thing is that Khlestakov is not just a man wasting his life, he is a real brainchild of the bureaucracy that developed in Tsarist Russia.
Characteristics of Khlestakov’s speech
If we characterize Khlestakov’s speech, then already at the beginning we notice the chaotic nature of his thoughts. His conversation is neither competent nor consistent; every word is a surprise not only for the interlocutor, but also for the hero himself. Khlestakov's speech is always incoherent, and he constantly lies. Since his vocabulary is poor, and for the most part he communicates only with gamblers and servants, he often uses unnecessary insertion words in his speech. For example, “what,” “what if,” “what if,” “what if.” His speech is inconsistent and can quickly jump from one topic to another. Due to his inability to come up with something original, his lies turn into second-rate ones. The only thing is that we see in Khlestakov’s speech a little poetry in communicating with women. And this is only because he speaks in memorized phrases and cliches that he tore from French novels. But everything is fake, funny and not sincere.
Khlestakov's appearance
Characterizing Khlestakov's appearance, we understand that his inner world is very meager, and he is a spiritually empty person. Maybe that’s why the author pays a lot of attention to the hero’s appearance.
According to the description, Khlestakov has pleasant facial features that are attractive to him. Brown hair, a small nose and often shifty eyes, which characterize Khlestakov as a cowardly person. However, this does not alarm others, but on the contrary, quick eyes confuse everyone. He is short, very thin, physically unattractive, and far from graceful. But here, too, Khlestakov finds a way out of the situation, giving preference to expensive suits. Thanks to this, the first impression of him is the best. It was not for nothing that the officials of a small town mistook him for an auditor. And all because Khlestakov was dressed immaculately, his clothes were made of expensive fabric and sewn in the latest fashion, which seems to be some kind of trick. After all, thanks to his appearance, he distracts people’s attention from his inner world of emptiness and soullessness.
This is how, thanks to his appearance, ability to lie, speak quickly and jump from topic to topic, Khlestakov manages to deceive officials. And the author reveals all this with the help of his main character, Ivan Khlestakov, whose characteristics, demeanor, appearance and character we worked on today.
This material on the topic of Khlestakov’s characteristics can be used in an essay for grade 8.
Characteristics of Khlestakov. Gogol's Inspector
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