Khlestakov is the central figure of Gogol's comedy The Inspector General. The image and characteristics of Khlestakov in Gogol's comedy The Inspector General essay

N.V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” has long been widely circulated with quotes and sharp comparisons, as they very aptly reflect human nature. This work, which the great writer wrote in 1835, is still relevant today. Because it describes with the clearest accuracy the most diverse traits of human character, in particular its main character. A coward, a braggart, a self-confident person - this is a short image of Khlestakov. In the comedy “The Inspector General” these features are revealed richly and vividly.

Hoax 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 going on an important inspection. And then a gentleman arrives, very modest and businesslike. The author paints a brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General” with very positive colors. Ivan Vladimirovich, that’s the name of the newcomer, of a very “pleasant appearance.” It does not make a stunning impression and is not even remarkable in any way. 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 gets into character. This is where the most hidden qualities of his character appear.

The Loser and the Little Man

An ordinary ordinary person of that time - this is a brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General,” which the author draws to us at the beginning. He lives in a world that is full of various temptations and enticements. But the Northern capital refuses to accept him into its ranks. After all, Khlestakov does not have a high enough position, but he does not shine with a special mind, does not possess any sparkling talents. He can safely be classified as one of the banal losers who came to conquer St. Petersburg. But the hero clearly overestimated his strength - both financial and moral. He is an ordinary little man in a big capital.

But here fate gives you such a chance - to demonstrate that you are an outstanding person. And Khlestakov enthusiastically rushes into

County nobility

What society does the main character fall into? This is an environment of small landed nobility, whose representatives are only concerned with emphasizing their importance and greatness. Each resident of the county town tries to highlight the shortcomings of the other in order to prove that he is the best. The characters in Gogol's The Inspector General are swaggering, sometimes stupid, but consider themselves to be the local aristocracy.

And so Khlestakov, an ordinary little clerk, finds himself in such a society, as the author writes about him - “neither this nor that.”

A reasonable question arises: why didn’t the main character immediately admit that he was not who they thought he was? But the author does not answer this question - maybe he just wanted to play at being an important person?

The brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General” can be described as follows: he is a man who is too far from ideal, he is a player, he is a petty reveler. Khlestakov believes that comfort should dominate, and worldly pleasures should come first. He sees nothing wrong with fooling scammers. Moreover, he is sure that he is doing a “holy work.”

Gogol created a wonderful image of a braggart and a coward who does not strive for anything and simply wastes his life. He is “one of those people who are called empty-headed in the offices.”

By the way, Khlestakov’s quotes from “The Inspector General” very aptly and vividly characterize a certain circle of people. The exact characteristics given to the heroes in a few words quite accurately reflect their inner essence.

It is interesting that, in addition to the real person, there is a certain ghost in the hero who takes revenge on him with fantastic self-affirmation. He tries his best to not be who he really is, but it desperately fails. But even Khlestakov’s own lackey openly despises the master. This is how he speaks of his master: “It would be nice if there was really something worthwhile, otherwise he’s just a simple little elistrat.”

Both a braggart 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 unable to maintain connections with his family, people, or land. He does not remember his kinship and from this he becomes, as it were, an artificial person who jumped out of the “Petrine table of ranks.” He speaks quite disparagingly about his father: “They, the idiots, don’t even know what it means to ‘order to accept’.” Such quotes from Khlestakov from “The Inspector General” once again emphasize that the hero does not honor, and even tries to make fun of, his old father.

But this does not prevent him from taking money from his “uneducated father” and spending it at his own discretion.

Narcissistic, gambling, boastful - this is a short image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General”. He arrived at the hotel and immediately demanded the most delicious lunch, because he was allegedly not used to anything else. He loses all his money, but cannot stop. He insults the servant and yells at him, but at some points he warmly listens to his advice.

And what a lot of boasting! Without blinking an eye, he declares that he has an excellent command of the pen, and he personally wrote such famous works as “Robert the Devil” and “Fenella” in one evening. He doesn’t even suspect that these are not books, but operas!

And even when the mayor’s daughter catches him in a lie and remembers the real author of the work - “Yuri Miloslavsky”, Khlestakov immediately declares that he has exactly the same composition.

One can only envy such an ability to instantly adapt and not get discouraged! To impress ordinary people, he constantly spouts French words, which he knows only a few. It seems to him that this makes his speech secular, but in fact his flow 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 concerned only with his own well-being. And when officials come to him to give him a basic bribe, he takes it for granted. At first, when they give money for the first time, he is unusually embarrassed and even drops it out of excitement. But when the postmaster comes in, Khlestakov accepts the money more confidently. At Strawberry's, he simply demands them with vigor. For now, he is confident in his soul that he is borrowing these funds and will certainly pay them back. But as soon as he realizes that he has been confused with an important person, Khlestakov instantly adapts to the situation and decides to take advantage of such a great chance.

The place of comedy in world literature

Gogol, “The Inspector General”, Khlestakov - these words have firmly entered world literature. The concept of “Khlestakovism” has become a common symbol of deception, trickery and narrow-mindedness.

The author managed to so accurately reflect the character of the main character in his work that deceitful and vicious people are still very often called in one word - Khlestakov. A rogue and a rogue, he never drew any conclusions from his situation, remaining in the vile confidence that next time he would certainly be lucky.

Khlestakov is an “elistrate” from St. Petersburg, a typical representative of an official who hangs around in departments and living rooms, bookstores and coffee shops. He saw something, heard something. The main things in Khlestakov’s life were money, rank, career and social life. But he failed to accomplish all this, and he goes to the village. Khlestakov has an “extraordinary lightness of thought” in his head; he is ready for any adventure: to show off, play cards, have fun. And then a convenient opportunity presents itself - he is mistaken for an auditor. In the scene of lying he reaches the top, although he lies constantly. And this is where the peculiarity of Gogol’s comedy manifests itself: they don’t believe the truth, but they listen to lies with their mouths open. At first it seems to us that Khlestakov is naive, but this is not so. He innocently accepts the circumstances in which he finds himself. It seems to us that Osip is telling the owner to “get lost,” but Khlestakov also suspects something wrong in the current situation: “It seems to me, however, that they take me for a statesman... What a fool!” Showing off in front of Marya Antonovna, he almost let it slip: “For mercy, madam, I am very pleased that you took me for the kind of person who...”, but he caught himself in time so as not to bring trouble upon himself. Khlestakov realized that he had been mistaken for someone else, and willingly entered into the role. He did not deceive the officials; they deceived themselves.

Khlestakov’s character is typical of many people. N.V. Gogol himself wrote: “Everyone, even for a minute... is or was made by Khlestakov... And a clever guards officer will sometimes turn out to be Khlestakov, and a statesman..., and our brother, a sinful writer. In short, it’s rare that someone won’t be one at least once in their life.” Each character in the comedy has his own Khlestakovism: the dreamy Mayor, Shpekin, in the character of Osip.

We meet Khlestakov right away, in “Notes for Gentlemen Actors”: “Khlestakov, a young man of about 23, thin, thin, somewhat stupid and, as they say, without a king in his head... He speaks and acts without any consideration... His speech is abrupt , and the words fly out of his mouth completely unexpectedly... Dressed in fashion.”

Scene after scene reveals to us the vivid image of Khlestakov. He came to St. Petersburg from the Saratov province to succeed in his service. Having been in the noble halls and having trimmed himself a little, dressed in the capital's fashionable clothes, Khlestakov is forced to return home to his father, having squandered his parents' money and achieved nothing in the service.

Khlestakov, according to Osip, is “a simple little strategist.” “The second month has passed, as if already from St. Petersburg! He squandered a lot of money, my dear, and now he’s sitting there with his tail twisted.” He is a careless son of a parent, he says about his father that he is “stubborn and stupid, an old horseradish, a log.” Khlestakov doesn’t like living in the village; he prefers metropolitan life. “My soul yearns for enlightenment,” “after all, you live to pluck flowers of pleasure.”

In different cities, on the way home, he tries to show himself as a socialite, goes on a spree, loses his last money at cards, because... for him it is “tempting to play.” And he remains in the city without funds, he faces prison.

Sitting for a long time in a hotel, fear of the arrival of the auditor, forces officials, led by the mayor, to see a government official in the passing “elistrate”.

Realizing that he is being mistaken for an important bird, Khlestakov “allows dust.” When he tells the truth, officials consider it a lie, and when Khlestakov lies, they take his words as the truth.

Khlestakov lies so much that he himself believes in the heat of what was said and cannot stop. But he is not as stupid as he seems at first. He understands that he has been mistaken for a government official, and tries to extract the greatest benefit from this for himself: he extorts money, takes bribes, and drags after the mayor’s daughter and wife.

When he realizes that it is time to end this game, which Osip asks him to do, he sends a letter to his friend Tryapichkin in St. Petersburg, where he very accurately characterizes all the officials of the city. He is ungrateful, forgets about money, receptions, dinners and benefactors, writes that “the mayor is stupid as a gray gelding”, “Strawberry is a perfect pig in a yarmulke”, etc.

The comedy “The Inspector General,” written in the first half of the 19th century, has not lost its significance to this day. There still live among us mayors, postmasters and other heroes whose features resemble the heroes of a comedy. There are Khlestakovs among us. No wonder they say: he lies like Khlestakov. Khlestakov is the image of an empty, worthless person, incapable of anything good for society. He likes to be shown “loyalty and respect” without giving anything in return.

Option 1:

Khlestakov... He is generally considered a swindler and a deceiver. But is this really so? All his life a person is late for something, doesn’t have time, everything is awkward for him, he doesn’t know how to do anything, he’s a failure in everything... At the same time, he dreams. And in his dreams he is strong, smart, rich, powerful and irresistible to women.

The reality is sad - Khlestakov lost to smithereens. Only a miracle will save our dreamer from starvation and debt.

And a miracle happens. The circumstances are so favorable that Ivan Alexandrovich cannot resist the temptation. And those in power fawn over him, and the first beauties of N-Ska are ready to fall into his arms - or provide their daughters. And there is no strength or desire to stop and think about the consequences - the whirlwind of flattering and corrupt carries on and on...

Khlestakov himself, however, is stupid and cowardly. And the only thing that justifies him in our eyes is the even greater stupidity and cowardice of the characters around him. However, he knows how to deftly adapt to the situation and wishful thinking. If you want to see an important official, you will have an important official. If you want to give bribes, he will accept them. If you want a profitable marriage or an influential lover, he will promise you this. It is impossible to stop in the flow of lies, only to leave, which is what Khlestakov does. Very timely.

Khlestakov is not the main character of the play. It is rather a natural phenomenon, like a snowstorm or drought. He simply by existing allows others to show themselves in all their glory. Put your vices and passions on display. Turn inside out under the spotlight.

Khlestakov is passive throughout the entire action, he goes with the flow. It doesn't act - it just encourages those around them to take off their masks. By your very existence here and now.

Khlestakov is only a catalyst.

Option 2:

It is precisely this invincible confidence in his right to be cared for by other people that leads to the fact that Khlestakov is easily drawn into the game offered to him and does not disabuse the other participants in this game. He carries himself so naturally in the image of a pompous talker that officials have no doubt: this role was invented on purpose to disguise the audit.

The behavior model of all bribe takers is approximately the same - they also pretend to be stupid. Therefore, the events of the play unfold very predictably. The combination of fear with hope for quick success leads to a loss of vigilance, including among women.

Khlestakov is not a positive hero, although he did not have any bad intentions. This image is especially relevant in our time, when society is aimed at consumption rather than personal development.

Option 3:

Gogol is one of the most merciless critics of the moral principles and foundations of the public of that time. It is noteworthy that everything described by the author, all the characteristics and life stories are relevant to this day. As they say: “we all came out of Gogol’s overcoat.” The same can be said about the comedy “The Inspector General,” in particular about Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov, whose character is central to the work. His character traits, manner of behavior, and the adventures in which he got involved were so vital and natural that a collective name appeared for this kind of incident - “Khlestakovism.”

If you figure out who Khlestakov is, it will become obvious that he is, in fact, not an evil character, but an extremely resourceful, cunning and skillful deceiver. He is even close to acting. Upon arrival in the small town, he found it difficult to make ends meet. Left alone in the room and sending the servant to beg dinner from the owner of the inn, these are the thoughts that come to him: “It’s terrible how hungry I am! So I walked around a little, wondering if my appetite would go away - no, damn it, it won’t. Yes, if I hadn’t had a party in Penza, I would have had enough money to get home.” It is obvious that sometimes, very rarely, Khlestakov’s thoughts of common sense slip through, and repentance appears. This happens not because of high morality, but because of the horrors of need. The hero squandered almost all his father's money at cards. He is left to look for ways to make money, but our character is not so prudent. Instead, he simply took advantage of the situation, pretended to be an important official and fooled the residents of a small town. “After all, you live to pick flowers of pleasure.”

Khlestakov is intoxicated by the situation, the imaginary power and the fallen role. Such a person has no backbone; he swims wherever the current takes him. He cheats to get out, throws dust in his eyes, wants to appear and not be. Unfortunately, both before and today, a person who has received a high position, without achieving it through his own work, but by chance, behaves this way. He imagines himself to be a great man, deciding the destinies of people, covers his eyes with false achievements, extols himself to the skies, not noticing that there is nothing to support his flight. And each of us needs to answer honestly, to ourselves, would we be tempted to hit the big jackpot when it comes into our hands? What would they do when each of the residents was in a hurry to please us, honor us and “kiss our hands.” Wouldn't you give in? “There is no point in blaming the mirror if your face is crooked,” the proverb to the work tells us.

Option 4:

The key figure in N.V. Gogol's comedy "The Inspector General" is Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov.

The writer characterizes the main character of his work negatively. Why? Because Khlestakov behaves so arrogantly and irresponsibly that even the reader develops a feeling of hostility towards this character.

When we meet Khlestakov, we learn that he managed to spend all his money because of his love for gambling. Now he is in the county town of N, unable to pay for accommodation in the hotel where he was staying. The mayor, who mistook this rogue for an auditor, creates for Khlestakov all the conditions where the imaginary auditor can show his “talents” - lies, ambition, money-grubbing. All this leads to the fact that the number of people deceived by Khlestakov increases every day, and the anti-hero himself, without a twinge of conscience, uses what could never rightfully belong to him.

The image of this negative hero has become a household name and today we can observe a considerable number of such “Khlestakovs” surrounding us in everyday life.

Option 5:

One of the main characters, as well as the most striking image of the comedy N.V. Gogol's "Inspector General" is Ivan Khlestakov, he is young, thin and stupid. They often say about such people: “without a king in their head.”

Khlestakov serves in the office, receiving a meager salary and dreaming of incredible heights that are inaccessible to him from birth. He fantasizes about how he will lead a luxurious life and become a favorite of the ladies, although this, of course, will never happen.

By chance, having lost everything he had, he ends up in a hotel in the district town of N, where he encounters the mayor. He takes him for an auditor, and previously inaccessible opportunities open up for the dreamer and liar Khlestakov. He begins to feel his importance, even if imaginary, and uncontrollably lies about himself, his achievements and position in society. At the same time, he doesn’t even know who exactly he was confused with; the hero lacks the intelligence to use his temporary position for his own benefit. Although unconsciously, Khlestakov, playing the role that was imposed on him, managed to feed everyone’s fear of the “big man.” During his service in the office, he more than once tried on the role of serious officials, observing their behavior. And so he had the opportunity to feel significant and important, and the hero, of course, took advantage of it, because his superficiality does not allow him to predict the troubles that may follow. It is worth noting that Khlestakov was not a swindler by nature, he simply accepted other people’s honors and was sure that he deserved them, already beginning to believe in his own lies.

The mayor was unable to recognize the forgery, because Ivan impersonated an official unintentionally, without the goal of profit; he innocently considered himself to be what those around him believed. But it was an accident that saved him; he left the city on time and thanks to this he avoided retribution for his lies.

The image of Khlestakov illustrates an empty and worthless person who, without giving anything to society, wants to receive all kinds of benefits and honors for nothing.

Option 6:

Khlestakov Ivan Aleksandrovich is one of the key characters in Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General”. By himself, he is a very mediocre person, not standing out from the crowd with any positive qualities, a typical “little man.” By the will of fate, he finds himself on the crest of a wave of life - by pure chance, residents of the provincial town of N mistake him for an important person - the capital's auditor. And here our hero’s real life begins - the life he has dreamed of for so long: the top officials of the town invite him to dinner parties, the best women pay attention to him, and officials are in awe of the “significant person.”

And then, when Khlestakov achieves the life he dreamed of, his true face begins to clearly appear. Khlestakov lies uncontrollably, presenting himself as a great writer and public figure, shamelessly takes bribes, and fools two women at the same time. In the middle of the work, we see him no longer as a faceless “little man”, but as a truly immoral person. In his character we see frivolity and deceit, irresponsibility and stupidity, superficiality and simply a lack of decency. It’s not for nothing that all these qualities together were dubbed Khlestakovism.

It is also interesting that as the action of the work develops, the character of the main character also develops - the negative traits of his character appear more and more. It is unknown what Khlestakov would have reached if it were not for another happy accident - just before the hero’s deception was revealed, he left the city. Probably, luck is the only valuable natural gift that nature endowed Khlestakov with.

Khlestakov and Khlestakovism in Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” are two inseparable concepts that name phenomena that at one time went beyond the traditional concept of a picaresque hero in literature and theater. There was no deliberate deception or even an attempt in the mind of the young office worker from St. Petersburg. This deception was built by provincial bureaucratic horror - the auditor could destroy the bribery world order and punish for real offenses that everyone tried to hide. Gogol denied Khlestakov all uplifting feelings - he felt neither love nor hatred, was neither kind nor evil, no moral storms disturbed his heart, there was only an incessant struggle with lack of money, playing cards with casual acquaintances and irrepressible dandyism.

Khlestakov is an emptiness man, a man who can play any role and replace himself in any place. Inner cowardice forces him to be brave and make claims, and flattery evokes in him a stream of boasting and a colossal play of imagination, where his own importance takes on monstrous proportions, incomparable to anything. Khlestakov willingly accepts all kinds of “courtship” - bribes, receptions, humble pleas for patronage, the favor of gentle, silly ladies - claiming that he loves truthfulness in the speeches of the person asking: “I myself, too, I don’t like two-faced people. I really like your frankness and cordiality, and I confess that I would not ask for anything more as soon as you show me devotion and respect, respect and devotion.”

These words are addressed to the mayor when he obsequiously offers a room in his home. Note that respect and devotion are required by the frightened debtor Khlestakov, who is not yet an auditor - before he gets used to the role. Khlestakov is a kindly, empty creature, but with pretensions to respect, carriages and pretty noble daughters.

Khlestakovism, that is, empty wasting of life, unintentional lies of universal proportions, insignificant hypocrisy, the ghostliness of the human figure, in which the lack of content seems almost infernal - manifests itself most clearly at the moment Khlestakov plays the role of an auditor. This role was imposed on him from the outside, his servant Osip suggested him to enter it, and Khlestakov unconsciously reached out for the benefit. Lying became not so much a way to present oneself in the most favorable light, but rather a rule of the game into which the entire society was drawn. Khlestakov lies selflessly and non-stop. He is a tall nobleman, in whose service there are several thousand couriers, soup is brought to him from Paris, watermelons are served at the table for seven hundred rubles each, and he is gladly invited to the palace every day. Brother Pushkin is on friendly terms with him. According to Khlestakov, he is irreplaceable everywhere, and in this he is right, since empty vessels are really needed in order to be able to chastely store public defilement. No one even tries to stop this flow of untruth, because everyone has their own, and everyone knows about this personal untruth and is a coward beyond measure. Fear, even more than ignorance, paralyzes a person’s will to any sane thoughts. People become vessels of lies and horror, which makes them tremble whenever their conscience is unclean.

In the comedy “The Inspector General,” Khlestakov and Khlestakovism become certain images-symbols that can be read not only in the context of bureaucracy, but also of the entire Russian people in general, ready to be deceived and grovel before the strongest. Khlestakovism pours its poison into everyone, everyone becomes infected with it - from the mayor and his family to the flogged widow of a non-commissioned officer, whose dignity was desecrated. It does not require any moral retribution; the offender must be punished, but the damage is measured exclusively in money. As a person, she does not value herself at all, but the rank of her late husband is insulted - she demands compensation. In general, correlating oneself with a position or function in society is not only a sign of Khlestakovism; however, this correlation in its composition has the specificity of imaginaryness and falsity. The rank is as fantastic as the admiration for it.

It is impossible to fully understand who exactly Khlestakov imagined himself to be in the system of power, because the signs have grown too large: he is a nobleman, and a commander-in-chief, and the head of a department, and almost the second person after the emperor. This closeness to imperial power forced Nicholas I himself, after the premiere, to admit that everyone got it, and he himself more than others. Khlestakovism is an original generalization, bringing to an absurd peak that part of the vices that (unfortunately) in the Russian society of that time was considered understandable to everyone and permissible. The petty pranks of the young dandies were looked upon with delicate condescension, if not sympathy. No one even suspected the colossal danger posed by Khlestakovism in the vicinity of anything, poisoning everything around, and, mainly, endowed with power. Its cunning is also hidden in the innocence and unintentionality of its bearer.

Gogol was able to bring Khlestakovism into the light of day from the very atmosphere of Russian life, where it was not identified as something hostile, and subject it to flagellation with laughter. Laughter itself, which was presented in conjunction with bitterness and the grotesque, became the image of a positive character who alone is opposed to everything bad, as the life-giving principle of the world and man.

This material will be useful to 8th grade students when preparing an essay on the topic “Khlestakov and Khlestakovism in Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General”.”

Work test

Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is the main character of N.V.’s comedy. Gogol "The Inspector General". This is a young twenty-three-year-old man, slender and thin, superficial, without a clear idea of ​​his place in life. According to the author, those around them consider such people to be dummies, because they are not able to answer either for their words or for their actions.

Khlestakov lost a large amount of money. Due to lack of funds, he huddles in a modest hotel room in the provincial town of N. He has no food or clean clothes. Here the mayor discovers him, thinking that he is actually an auditor, incognito in the city.

Little man

In Khlestakov, Gogol reveals the image of a “little man” who understands his insignificance in the world. He holds the position of adviser in the chancellery and receives a modest salary. But in his thoughts and dreams, he sees himself as a significant person, whom people worship, who lives beautifully, whom women adore and follow on his heels. But such a life is not destined for him.

Khlestakov's fantasies

It is impossible not to note Ivan Aleksandrovich’s ability to talentedly and incessantly lie and fantasize. His frivolity and superficial thinking give the impression of a man “without a king in his head.” He is not able to see the consequences of his actions, so he easily enters into an adventure with a false auditor. He is not embarrassed by deception; he constantly lies about himself, inventing new incredible facts from his “luxurious” life. He claims that everyone recognizes him on the streets and sometimes mistakes him for a general.

The most amazing thing is that he himself begins to believe in his stupid fantasies. He imagines himself as a great writer, commander-in-chief, public figure, close to the emperor, almost the sovereign himself.

"Inspector"

Without feeling any remorse, Khlestakov borrows money from officials, realizing that he will not be able to return it. His moral education allows him to care for two women at once - his wife and the young daughter of the mayor himself. Moreover, he swears eternal love to both of them, quoting Karamzin, he convinces them of the absence of boundaries for a great feeling.

Having crossed all the boundaries of what is permitted, Khlestakov, by pure chance, leaves the city. This accident is fortunate for Ivan Alexandrovich, because very soon a real auditor will appear in the city. The mayor and all the officials of the city of N find out that they have warmed up the deceiver. But most of all they are worried that Khlestakov will now tell everyone about their shame.

Khlestakovs in Russia

In the image of Khlestakov N.V. Gogol introduced us to such a typical concept for Russia of that time as “Khlestakovism.” Although, in my opinion, this phenomenon is still relevant today. And today we can meet people covered in an aura of lies, fantasy, frivolity, superficiality and stupidity. The worst thing about them is that they strive to pass themselves off as someone they are not, thereby showing an extreme degree of irresponsibility.