Nikolai Gogol works. Fairy tales Gogol Nikolai Vasilievich “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka”

Born on March 20 (April 1), 1809 in the village of Sorochintsy, Poltava province, in the family of a landowner. Gogol was the third child, and in total there were 12 children in the family.

Training in the biography of Gogol took place at the Poltava School. Then in 1821 he entered the class of the Nizhyn gymnasium, where he studied justice. IN school years the writer did not have any special academic abilities. He was only good at drawing lessons and studying Russian literature. He was only able to write mediocre works.

The beginning of a literary journey

In 1828, Gogol’s life took place when he moved to St. Petersburg. There he served as an official, tried to get a job as an actor in the theater and studied literature. Acting career things didn’t go well, and the service did not bring Gogol any pleasure, and at times even became a burden. And the writer decided to prove himself in the literary field.

In 1831, Gogol met representatives of the literary circles of Zhukovsky and Pushkin; undoubtedly, these acquaintances greatly influenced him future fate and literary activity.

Gogol and theater

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol showed interest in theater in his youth, after the death of his father, a wonderful playwright and storyteller.

Realizing the power of the theater, Gogol took up drama. Gogol's work "The Inspector General" was written in 1835, and first staged in 1836. Due to the negative reaction of the public to the production of “The Inspector General,” the writer leaves the country.

Last years of life

In 1836, the biography of Nikolai Gogol included trips to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, as well as a short stay in Paris. Then, from March 1837, work continued on the first volume in Rome greatest work Gogol " Dead Souls", which was conceived by the author back in St. Petersburg. After returning home from Rome, the writer publishes the first volume of the poem. While working on the second volume, Gogol suffered from a spiritual crisis. Even a trip to Jerusalem did not help improve the situation.

At the beginning of 1843, Gogol’s famous story “The Overcoat” was first published.

“To be in the world and not have anything to indicate your existence - it seems terrible to me.” N.V. Gogol.

Genius of classical literature

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is known to the world as a writer, poet, playwright, publicist and critic. A man of remarkable talent and an amazing master of words, he is famous both in Ukraine, where he was born, and in Russia, to which he eventually moved.

Gogol is especially known for his mystical heritage. His stories, written in a unique Ukrainian language, which is not literary in the full sense of the word, convey the depth and beauty of Ukrainian speech, known throughout the world. Viy gave Gogol his greatest popularity. What other works did Gogol write? We will look at the list of works below. These are sensational stories, often mystical, and stories from school curriculum, and little-known works of the author.

List of works by the writer

In total, Gogol wrote more than 30 works. He continued to complete some of them, despite publication. Many of his creations had several variations, including Taras Bulba and Viy. Having published the story, Gogol continued to reflect on it, sometimes adding or changing the ending. Often his stories have several endings. So, next we will consider the most famous works of Gogol. The list is in front of you:

« Hanz Kuchelgarten"(1827-1829, under the pseudonym A. Alov).
“Evenings on a farm near Dikanka” (1831), part 1 (“Sorochinskaya Fair”, “Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala”, “Drowned Man”, “Missing Letter”). Its second part was published a year later. It included the following stories: “The Night Before Christmas”, “ Terrible revenge", "Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and his aunt", "Enchanted Place".
"Mirgorod" (1835). Its edition was divided into 2 parts. The first part included the stories “Taras Bulba”, “ Old world landowners" The second part, completed in 1839-1841, included “Viy” and “The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich.”
"The Nose" (1841-1842).
"Morning business man" It was written, like the comedies “Litigation”, “Excerpt” and “Lackey”, in the period from 1832 to 1841.
"Portrait" (1842).
“Notes of a Madman” and “Nevsky Prospekt” (1834-1835).
"The Inspector General" (1835).
The play "Marriage" (1841).
"Dead Souls" (1835-1841).
Comedies "The Players" and "Theatrical Tour after the Presentation of a New Comedy" (1836-1841).
"The Overcoat" (1839-1841).
"Rome" (1842).

These are published works that Gogol wrote. The works (list by year, more precisely) indicate that the heyday of the writer’s talent occurred in 1835-1841. Now let’s take a little look at the reviews of the most famous stories Gogol.

"Viy" - Gogol's most mystical creation

The story of “Viy” tells about the recently deceased lady, the centurion’s daughter, who, as the whole village knew, was a witch. The centurion, at the request of his beloved daughter, makes the funeral student Khoma Brut read over her. The witch, who died due to Khoma’s fault, dreams of revenge...

Reviews of the work “Viy” are complete praise for the writer and his talent. It is impossible to discuss the list of Nikolai Gogol’s works without mentioning everyone’s favorite “Viy”. Readers note bright characters, original, unique, with their own characters and habits. All of them - typical Ukrainians, cheerful and optimistic people, rude, but kind. It is impossible not to appreciate Gogol's subtle irony and humor.

The writer’s unique style and his ability to play on contrasts are also highlighted. During the day, the peasants walk and have fun, Khoma also drinks so as not to think about the horror of the coming night. With the arrival of evening, a gloomy, mystical silence sets in - and Khoma again enters the circle outlined in chalk...

A very small story keeps you in suspense until last pages. Below are stills from film of the same name 1967

Satirical comedy "The Nose"

“The Nose” is an amazing story, written in such a satirical form that at first it seems fantastically absurd. According to the plot, Platon Kovalev, a public person prone to narcissism, wakes up in the morning without a nose - his place is empty. In a panic, Kovalev begins to search lost nose, because without it you won’t even appear in decent society!

Readers easily saw the prototype of Russian (and not only!) society. Gogol's stories, despite the fact that they were written in the 19th century, do not lose their relevance. Gogol, whose list of works can mostly be divided into mysticism and satire, felt very subtly modern society, which has not changed at all over the past time. Rank and external polish are still held in high esteem, but no one is interested in the inner content of a person. It is Plato’s nose, with an outer shell, but without internal content, that becomes the prototype of a richly dressed man, intelligently thinking, but soulless.

"Taras Bulba"

"Taras Bulba" is a great creation. When describing Gogol's works, the most famous, the list of which is provided above, one cannot fail to mention this story. The plot centers on two brothers, Andrei and Ostap, as well as their father, Taras Bulba himself, a strong, courageous and extremely principled man.

Readers especially highlight small details stories that the author focused on, which enliven the picture, making those distant times closer and understandable. Writer for a long time studied the details of life of that era so that readers could more vividly and vividly imagine the events taking place. In general, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, always attached special importance to little things.

The charismatic characters also made a lasting impression on readers. Tough, merciless Taras, ready to do anything for the sake of the Motherland, brave and courageous Ostap and romantic, selfless Andrey - they cannot leave readers indifferent. In general, the famous works of Gogol, the list of which we are considering, have interesting feature- a surprising but harmonious contradiction in the characters’ characters.

“Evenings on a farm near Dikanka”

Another mystical, but at the same time funny and ironic work by Gogol. The blacksmith Vakula is in love with Oksana, who promised to marry him if he gets her slippers like the queen herself. Vakula is in despair... But then, quite by chance, he comes across evil spirits having fun in the village in the company of a witch. It is not surprising that Gogol, whose list of works includes numerous mystical stories, this story involved a witch and a devil.

This story is interesting not only because of the plot, but also because of the colorful characters, each of whom is unique. They, as if alive, appear before the readers, each in their own image. Gogol admires some slight irony He admires Vakula, and teaches Oksana to appreciate and love. Like a caring father, he chuckles good-naturedly at his characters, but it all looks so soft that it only evokes a gentle smile.

The character of the Ukrainians, their language, customs and foundations, so clearly described in the story, could only be described in such detail and lovingly by Gogol. Even making fun of the “Moskalyama” looks cute from the lips of the characters in the story. This is because Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, loved his homeland and spoke of it with love.

"Dead Souls"

Sounds mystical, don’t you agree? However, in fact, Gogol this work did not resort to mysticism and looked much deeper - into human souls. The main character Chichikov seems like a negative character at first glance, but the more the reader gets to know him, the more positive traits notices in him. Gogol makes the reader worry about the fate of his hero, despite his unpleasant actions, which already says a lot.

In this work, the writer, as always, is an excellent psychologist and a true genius of words.

Of course, these are not all the works that Gogol wrote. The list of works is incomplete without continuation " Dead souls" It was its author who allegedly burned it before his death. Rumor has it that in the next two volumes Chichikov was supposed to improve and become a decent person. Is this true? Unfortunately, now we will never know for sure.

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol (birth name Yanovsky, from 1821 - Gogol-Yanovsky; March 20, 1809, Sorochintsy, Poltava province - February 21, 1852, Moscow) - Russian prose writer, playwright, poet, critic, publicist, recognized as one of the classics Russian literature. Came from ancient noble family Gogol-Yanovskikh.

Great Russian writer.
Born in the town of Velikiye Sorochintsy, Mirgorod district, Poltava province, in the family of a landowner. Gogol spent his childhood years on his parents' estate Vasilievka (another name is Yanovshchina). Cultural center The region was Kibintsy, the estate of D.P. Troshchinsky, their distant relative, Gogol’s father acted as his secretary. Was in Kibintsi large library, existed home theater, for which Gogol's father wrote comedies, being also its actor and conductor.
In May 1821 he entered the gymnasium of higher sciences in Nizhyn. Here he paints and takes part in performances. Tries himself in various literary genres(writes elegiac poems, tragedies, historical poems, stories). At the same time he writes the satire “Something about Nezhin, or the law is not written for fools” (not preserved). However, he dreams of a legal career.
Having graduated from the gymnasium in 1828, Gogol in December, together with another graduate A.S. Danilevsky travels to St. Petersburg, where he makes his first literary attempts: at the beginning of 1829, the poem “Italy” appears, published by “Hanz Küchelgarten” (under the pseudonym “V. Alov”).
At the end of 1829 he managed to decide to serve in the Department state economy and public buildings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. During this period, “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka”, “The Nose”, “Taras Bulba” were published.
In the fall of 1835, he began writing “The Inspector General,” the plot of which was suggested by Pushkin; the work progressed so successfully that the play premiered in the spring of 1836 on the stage of the Alexandria Theater.
In June 1836, Gogol left St. Petersburg for Germany (in total, he lived abroad for about 12 years). He spends the end of summer and autumn in Switzerland, where he begins to work on the continuation of Dead Souls. The plot was also suggested by Pushkin.
In November 1836, Gogol met A. Mitskevich in Paris. In Rome he receives shocking news about the death of Pushkin. In May 1842, “The Adventures of Chichikov, or Dead Souls” was published. The three years (1842-1845) that followed the writer’s departure abroad was a period of intense and difficult work on the second volume of Dead Souls.
At the beginning of 1845, Gogol showed signs of a mental crisis, and in a state of sharp exacerbation of his illness, he burned the manuscript of the second volume, on which he would continue to work after some time.
In April 1848, after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Gogol finally returned to Russia, where most of spends time in Moscow, visits St. Petersburg, and also in his native places - in Little Russia. In the spring of 1850, Gogol undertook his first and last try arrange your family life- proposes to A.M. Vielgorskaya, but is refused.
On January 1, 1852, Gogol informs Arnoldi that the second volume is “completely finished.” But in last days month, signs of a new crisis were revealed, the impetus for which was the death of E. M. Khomyakova, sister of N. M. Yazykov, a person spiritually close to Gogol.
On February 7, Gogol confesses and receives communion, and on the night of February 11-12, he burns the white manuscript of the second volume (only five chapters have survived in incomplete form). On the morning of February 21, Gogol died in his last apartment in the Talyzin house in Moscow. The writer's funeral took place with a huge crowd of people at the cemetery of the St. Daniel's Monastery, and in 1931 Gogol's remains were reburied at the Novodevichy cemetery.

Despite the fact that creative life The writer's life was short-lived, and some periods of his life are completely shrouded in mystery; everyone knows the name of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. Having quickly become famous, the young author surprised his contemporaries with his talent. It surprises the current reader as well.

Those fifteen years that the writer devoted to writing showed the world a genius of the highest standard. Distinctive feature- this is versatility and creative evolution. Poetics, associative perception, metaphor, grotesque, intonation diversity, alternation of the comic with the pathetic. Stories, plays, even poems.

Housewarming (1826)

The writer's whole life was full of struggle and internal experiences. Perhaps, while still studying in Nizhyn, the young man felt that he would have many questions about the meaning of life.

There, as a high school student, Kolya wrote a poem for the school handwritten magazine, the title of which is considered to be “Housewarming.” But it is known for sure that in its final form with the author’s autograph it was called “Bad Weather.”

The young poet, already at the age of seventeen, had doubts about the correctness of the title of his poem. The author will carry these doubts about the correctly chosen style, the correctly inserted cue, and even the word, throughout his entire work, mercilessly dealing with texts that, in his opinion, failed.

The young man seemed to prophesy to himself:

Whether it's light or dark - it's all the same,
When there is bad weather in this heart!

In addition to the poem “Housewarming”, Gogol wrote four more poems and the poem “Hanz Küchelgarten”.

Hanz Küchelgarten (1827-1829)

The first publication did not live up to Nikolai's expectations - it was a severe disappointment. The hopes placed on this story were not justified. The romantic idyll in paintings, written back in the Nizhyn gymnasium in 1827, received negative reviews and forced the author to reconsider his creative possibilities.

At this time, Gogol was hiding behind the pseudonym A. Alov. The writer bought all unsold copies and destroyed them. Now Nikolai decided to write about what he knows well - about beautiful Ukraine.

Evenings on a farm near Dikanka (1829-1832)

The book aroused keen interest among readers. Historical excursion in Little Russia, depicting pictures of Ukrainian life, shining with gaiety and subtle humor, made a great impression.

It would be completely logical if the narrator used Ukrainian for your creations. But in Russian, Gogol seemed to erase the line between Little Russia and Great Russia. Ukrainian folklore motives, where the main language is Russian, generously sprinkled in Ukrainian words, made the entire collection of “Evenings” absolutely exquisite, absolutely unlike anything that existed at that time.

The young writer began his work not with clean slate. Even in Nizhyn, he kept a notebook, which he himself called “All sorts of things.” It was a notebook of four hundred and ninety sheets, in which the high school student wrote down everything that seemed interesting to him: historical and geographical information, statements famous writers, proverbs and sayings, legends, songs, customs, own thoughts and writings.

The young man did not stop there. He writes letters to his mother and sisters, and asks them to send him various information on the topic: “the life of the Little Russian people.” He wants to know everything. So it began great job over the book.

“Evenings” had the subtitle: “Stories published by the beekeeper Rudy Panko.” This fictional character. It was needed to give credibility to the stories. The author seems to go into the shadows, passing forward the image of a simple, good-natured, cheerful beekeeper, allowing him to laugh and joke at his fellow villagers. Yes, through stories simple peasant the flavor of Ukrainian life is conveyed. This character seems to wink at the reader, slyly reserving the right to fiction, but passing it off as the honest truth. And all this with a special upbeat intonation.

The differences between fantasy and the writer’s stories are that fairy tales have magical characters, while Gogol’s have religious ones. Everything here is imbued with faith in God and the devil’s power.

The action of all the stories included in the collection is connected with one of the time chronological layers: antiquity, the recent legendary times of Catherine the Great and modernity.

The first readers of “Evenings” were printing workers who, when they saw Gogol visiting them, began to chuckle and assured that his “stuff” was very funny. "So! - thought the writer. “Cherni liked me.”

First book

And then the debut took place. The first book has been published. These are: “Sorochinskaya Fair”, “The Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala”, “Drowning”, “The Missing Letter”.

And it became clear to everyone around - this is Talent! All famous critics unanimously expressed their delight. The writer makes acquaintances in literary circles. He is published by Baron Anton Antonovich Delvig, finds out the opinion of the already recognized critic Vasily Andreevich Zhukovsky at that time. Having become friends with Zhukovsky, Nikolai finds himself in the literary and aristocratic circle.

A year has passed and the second part of the collection has been released. The simplicity, diversity, diversity of the nationality spilled out into stories: “The Night Before Christmas”, “Terrible Revenge”, “Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and His Aunt”, “Enchanted Place”.

The festive, colorful side also has another side - night, dark, sinful, otherworldly. Truth coexists with lies, irony with seriousness. There was a place and love stories, and unsolved mysteries.

Even at the dawn of cinema, Gogol’s works began to attract directors. At the beginning of the 20th century, the film adaptations of “The Night Before Christmas”, “Terrible Vengeance”, “Viy” were received by the public with “Hurray”, despite the fact that the poetics and imagery of the plot that the narrator so diligently put in disappeared on the screen in silent films in every phrase.

Films based on Gogol's "Evenings" were released later, but "Viy", in fact, is the first Soviet film horror.

Arabesques (1835)

This was the next collection, partly composed of articles published in the years 30-34 of the 19th century, and partly of works published for the first time.

Stories and literary texts included in this collection are little known to the general reader. Here Gogol discussed Russian literature, looked for its place in history, and outlined tasks for it. He talked about art, about Pushkin, as a great national poet, about folk art.

Mirgorod (1835)

This period marked the peak of Gogol’s fame, and all his works included in the collection “Mirgorod” only confirmed the author’s genius.

For the editors, the collection was divided into two books, two stories in each.

Taras Bulba

After the release of Taras Bulba, Belinsky immediately declared that it was “a poem of great passions.”

Indeed: war, murder, revenge, betrayal. In this story there was also a place for love, so strong that the hero is ready to give everything for: his comrades, his father, his homeland, his life.

The narrator has created such a plot that it is impossible to unambiguously evaluate the actions of the main characters. Taras Bulba, so thirsty for war, eventually loses two sons and dies himself. The betrayal of Andriy, who fell in love with a beautiful Polish girl and was ready to do anything for the sake of this fatal passion.

Old world landowners

This work was not understood by many. Few people saw in the story about the old married couple love story. That love that is not expressed by stormy confessions, vows or betrayals with a tragic end.

The simple life of old landowners who cannot live without each other, because they are one whole in this life - this is what the narrator tried to convey to the reader.

But the public, having understood the story in their own way, nevertheless expressed approval.

Contemporaries of Nikolai Vasilyevich were surprised to meet the Old Slavic pagan character. This character does not exist in Ukrainian folk tales; Gogol “brought” him from the depths of history. And the character took root, frightening the reader with his dangerous gaze.

The story has a colossal semantic load. All the main action takes place in the church, where there is a struggle between good and evil, faith and unbelief.

The ending is sad. Evil spirits have won main character died. Here's something to think about. Man did not have enough faith to be saved.

The story of how Ivan Ivanovich quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich

This is the final work of the collection “Mirgorod”, in which all the passions are ironic.

Human nature in the person of two landowners, who, out of nothing to do, started a long-term lawsuit, is shown from all sides, exposing their worst traits. The elite secular society is shown in the most unsightly pictures: stupidity, stupidity, stupidity.

And the ending: “It’s boring in this world, gentlemen!” - food for deep philosophical reasoning.

Notes of a Madman (1835)

The first title of the story is “Scraps from the Notes of a Madman.”

This story of madness, in Gogol's style, had no analogues. Here Nikolai Vasilyevich added a good dose of pity to his wit and originality.

The hero did not suffer in vain. In this strange grotesque, many saw both the poetry of words and the philosophy of thought.

Nevsky Prospekt (1835)

The writer lived in St. Petersburg for many years and he simply could not help but describe the place that was central in the lives of many citizens.

What happens on Nevsky Prospekt. And the narrator, as if making Nevsky Prospekt the main character, shows his life using the example of two characters completely accidentally snatched from the crowd.

The Inspector General (1835)

An immortal play that brought Nikolai Vasilyevich enormous fame. He created the most vivid, authentic images of provincial bureaucracy, embezzlement, bribery and stupidity.

It is believed that the idea of this play was born in Pushkin’s head, but the elaboration of the plot and the creation of the characters’ characters are all the merit of Gogol. Behind the farce and naturalism lies a philosophical subtext, because behind the impostor there is a punishment for the officials of the county town.

It was not possible to get the play staged right away. It was up to the emperor himself to convince him that the play was not dangerous, that it was simply a mockery of bad provincial officials.

Comedy The Morning of a Business Man (1836)

Initially, the work was conceived as a large work, which was to be called “Vladimir of the Third Degree,” and “Morning” is only part of the big idea.

But according to various reasons, including due to censorship, will take place great work it was not fate. There is too much “salt, anger, laughter” in the comedy. Even the initial title “Morning of an Official” was replaced by the censor with “Morning of a Business Man”.

The remaining manuscripts of the failed great work were revised and used by Gogol in other works.

Litigation (1836)

An unfinished comedy - part of the play "Vladimir of the Third Degree". Despite the fact that “Vladimir” fell apart and did not take place, and “Litigation” remained unfinished, individual scenes received the right to life and were staged in the theater during the author’s lifetime.

Excerpt (1839-1840)

The first title is "Scenes from social life" - dramatic passage. He was not destined to see the light of day - that’s what the censorship decided.

Nikolai Vasilievich included this excerpt in “ Dramatic passages and separate scenes" in its publication in 1842.

Lakeyskaya (1839-1840)

Another dramatic excerpt from the failed play “Vladimir of the Third Degree,” independently published in “The Works of Nikolai Gogol” in 1842.

Nose (1841-1842)

The absurd satirical work was not understood. The Moscow Observer magazine refused to publish it, accusing the writer of stupidity and vulgarity. But Pushkin found a lot of unexpected, funny and original things in it, publishing it in his Sovremennik magazine.

True, there was some censorship, which cut out entire pieces of text. But the image of an empty, ambitious man striving for status and admiration for higher ranks was a success.

Dead Souls (1835-1841)

This is the most fundamental creation, with a difficult fate. The planned three-volume work could not see the light of day, in the version that Nikolai Vasilyevich wanted - hell, purgatory, heaven (as many philologists believe).

In 1842, the first volume, strictly edited by censorship, was published. But the semantic load remained. The reader could see everything: temptation, evil, dynamic beginning. And recognize the devil in the one who buys souls - in Chichikov. And all the landowners are a whole gallery of different types, each of which personifies some property of human character.

The book received a decent rating. Its translation into other languages began already in 1844, and very soon it could be read in German, Czech, English, and Polish. During the author's lifetime, the book was translated into ten languages.

The ideas for the third volume remained just ideas. The writer collected materials for this volume, but did not have time to use them.

Theatrical tour after the presentation of a new comedy (1836-1841)

The writer spent his whole life searching for true feelings, sorting out spiritual qualities, put a certain philosophy into his creations.

Essentially, “Theatrical Travel” is a play about a play. And the conclusion suggests itself. The number of jesters that society needs is disproportionate to various types of acquisitiveness and the desire for profit. “There are many opinions, but no one understood the main thing,” the author complains.

Overcoat (1839-1841)

It is believed that this story was born from an anecdote. Mixing compassion with irritation, Akaki Akakievich suddenly came out. And sad funny story about the little insignificant person suddenly turned out to be interesting.

And after laughing at Gogol’s character, the time comes to think about whether there is a biblical meaning to this story. After all, the soul wants to love only what is beautiful, but people are so imperfect. But Christ calls everyone to be kind and meek. In Greek, “one who does no evil” is Akakios. So we get Akaki Akakievich, a soft and vulnerable image.

“The Overcoat” was understood in different ways, but I loved it. She found her place in cinema. The film “The Overcoat,” released in 1926 and enthusiastically received by the public, was banned by censorship in 1949. But on the 150th anniversary of the writer’s birth it was removed new movie“The Overcoat” directed by Alexey Batalov.

Portrait (1842)

In the first part, the writer touches on the attitude of others towards art, criticizing monotony and short-sightedness. The author condemns the deception on the canvases, which is so popular with the public, calling for service to real art.

In the second part, Gogol dug even deeper. Explaining that the purpose of art is to serve God. Without insight, the artist simply makes soulless copies, and in this case, the triumph of evil over good is inevitable.

The story was criticized for being too preachy.

Play Marriage (1842)

Play with full name“Marriage, or an Absolutely Incredible Event in Two Acts” was written back in 1835, and was called “Grooms”.

But Nikolai Vasilyevich made adjustments for another eight years, and when, finally, the play was staged, many did not understand it. Even the actors themselves did not understand what they were playing.

But time put everything in its place. The idea that marriage is a union of two souls, and not a search for an illusory ideal, has been forcing audiences to go to this performance for many years, and directors to stage it on different stages.

Comedy Players (1842)

IN Tsarist Russia topic gambling was in the air. It was touched upon by many writers. Nikolai Vasilyevich also expressed his vision on this matter.

The writer got it so twisted plot story, flavoring everything with chic turns of phrase, including slang expressions gamblers that the comedy has turned into a real intricate matrix, where all the heroes pretend to be someone else.

The comedy was an immediate success. It is still relevant today.

Rome (1842)

This is not independent work, but an excerpt from the unfinished novel “Annunziata”. This passage quite clearly characterizes the author’s evolution in creativity, but it did not receive a worthy assessment.

Selected passages from correspondence with friends (1845)

A mental crisis pushes the writer to religious and philosophical themes. The fruit of this work was the publication of the collection “Selected Passages from Correspondence with Friends.”

This work, written in an edifying and preaching style, caused a storm among critics. In all literary circles there were debates and excerpts from this book were read.

The passions were serious. Vissarion Grigorievich Belinsky wrote critique in the form open letter. But the letter was banned from publication, and it began to be distributed in manuscript. It is for the distribution of this letter to death penalty Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky was sentenced. True, the “death penalty by shooting” did not happen; the sentence was commuted to punishment in the form of hard labor.

Gogol explained the attacks against the book as his mistake, believing that the chosen edifying tone ruined everything. And those passages that were initially not allowed through by censorship finally ruined the material presented.

All the works of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol are pages of amazing beauty of the Russian word, when reading you are happy and proud that you can speak and think in the same language.

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a classic, known to each of us from school times. This brilliant writer and a talented publicist, in whose work interest continues to this day. In this article we will turn to what Gogol managed to write during his short life. The list of the author’s works inspires respect, let’s consider it in more detail.

About creativity

The entire work of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is a single inextricable whole, united by the same themes, motives and ideas. Lively, bright style, unique style, knowledge of the characters found among the Russian people - this is what Gogol is so famous for. The list of the author’s works is very diverse: there are sketches from the life of farmers, and descriptions of landowners with their vices, the characters of serfs are widely represented, the life of the capital and the county town is shown. Truly, Gogol describes the whole picture of Russian reality of his time, without making distinctions between classes and geographical location.

Gogol: list of works

Let us list the main works of the writer. For convenience, the stories are combined into cycles:

the cycle “Mirgorod”, which includes the story “Taras Bulba”;
"Petersburg Tales" includes the story "The Overcoat";
the cycle “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka”, which includes one of Gogol’s most famous works - “The Night Before Christmas”;
play "The Inspector General";
the “Arabesques” cycle, which stands out strikingly from everything written by the author, as it combines journalism and artistry;
poem "Dead Souls".

Now let's look at it in more detail key works in the writer's work.

Cycle “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka”

This cycle became Nikolai Vasilyevich and was published in two parts. The first was published in 1831, and the second only a year later.

The stories in this collection describe stories from the life of farmers that occurred in different time periods, for example, the action of “May Night” takes place in the 18th century, and “Terrible Vengeance” - in the 17th century. All works are united by the image of a storyteller - Uncle Foma Grigorievich, who retells stories he once heard.

Most famous story This cycle is "The Night Before Christmas", written in 1830. Its actions take place during the reign of Catherine II in Ukraine, in the village of Dikanka. The story is entirely based on romantic tradition with its mystical elements and extraordinary situations.

"Inspector"

This play is considered the most famous work Gogol. This is due to the fact that from the moment it was first staged in the theater (1836), it has not gone away to this day. theatrical stage not only in our country, but also abroad. This work became a reflection of vices, arbitrariness and limitations county officials. This is exactly how Gogol saw provincial towns. It is impossible to compile a list of the author's works without mentioning this play.

Despite the social and moral implications and criticism of autocracy, which are clearly visible under the guise of humor, the play was not banned either during the author’s lifetime or later. And its success can be explained by the fact that Gogol managed to unusually accurately and accurately portray the vicious representatives of his time, who, unfortunately, are still encountered today.

"Petersburg Tales"

Gogol's stories included in this collection were written in different times- from about 30's to 40's years XIX century. What unites them is their common place of action - St. Petersburg. The uniqueness of this collection lies in the fact that all the stories included in it are written in the spirit of fantastic realism. It was Gogol who managed to develop this method and so brilliantly implement it in his cycle.

What is it? This is a method that allows you to use the techniques of the grotesque and fantasy in depicting reality, while maintaining the topicality and recognition of the images. So, despite the absurdity of what is happening, the reader easily recognizes in the image of the fictional Petersburg the features of the real Northern Palmyra.

In addition, one way or another, the hero of each work in the cycle is the city itself. Petersburg, in Gogol’s view, acts as a force that destroys man. This destruction can occur on a physical or spiritual level. A person can die, lose his individuality and turn into a simple man in the street.

"Overcoat"

This work is included in the collection “Petersburg Tales”. At the center of the story this time is Akakiy Akakievich Bashmachkin, a minor official. About life and dreams " little man"N.V. Gogol tells in this work. The overcoat is the ultimate desire of the protagonist. But gradually this thing grows, becomes larger than the character himself and ultimately consumes him.

A certain mystical connection is formed between Bashmachkin and the overcoat. The hero seems to give part of his soul to this piece of clothing. That is why Akakiy Akakievich dies a few days after the disappearance of the overcoat. After all, along with her, he lost a part of himself.

The main problem of the story is the harmful dependence of people on things. The subject has become the determining factor in judging a person, and not his personality - that’s the horror surrounding reality, according to Gogol.

Poem "Dead Souls"

Initially, according to the author's plan, the poem was supposed to be divided into three parts. The first describes a kind of “hell” of reality. In the second - “purgatory”, when the hero had to realize his sins and take the path of repentance. In the third - “paradise”, the rebirth of the character.

At the center of the story is the former customs official Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov. This gentleman dreamed of only one thing all his life - to earn a fortune. And now, in order to fulfill his dream, he embarked on an adventure. Its meaning was to buy up dead peasants who were listed as alive according to the last census. Having obtained a certain number of such souls, he could borrow a decent amount from the state and go with it somewhere to warmer climes.

The first and single volume"Dead Souls".