Gogol's works by years. Gogol's biography

Gogol Nikolay Vasilievich(1809-1852) - Russian prose writer, playwright, poet, critic, publicist, recognized as one of the classics of Russian literature.
Gogol's fairy tales are diverse both in their motives and in the events described in them. Take at least the most famous: "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "" - each has its own heroes, its own miracles and its own events.

Tales Gogol Nikolay Vasilievich
"Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka"

Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka

One of the most mystical and unusual writers of Russia in its entire history was undoubtedly Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol- how elegant, simple and, at the same time, fantastic and surprisingly beautiful Tales Gogol Nikolai Vasilievich "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka" by Gogol, his stories, stories, plays and comedies ...

Indeed, it is hardly possible to find another such author who would be able to write with unsurpassed accuracy and skill not only about everyday things (like the life of a Ukrainian village), but also describe mystical phenomena and phenomena (like evil spirits, flights to St. Petersburg on the line, abduction of the moon, etc.).

Tales of Gogol- one of his best works, in which all the author's love for Little Russia, for the Ukrainian people and traditions, for the life of ordinary peasants, their beliefs, holidays, and customs was manifested. Almost all the works of the pen of Nikolai Vasilyevich devoted to this topic were included in the collection "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka". They were written by the author for three years, and were published in 1831 (the first volume of Gogol's fairy tales) and in 1832 (the second volume).

A kind of "geographical center" of Gogol's fairy tales, collected in "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka", as it can be seen from the name itself, became the same Dikanka from the childhood of Nikolai Vasilyevich - the place of his birth and life. Another remarkable fact is that all the works from the collection are connected by the so-called “framing plot”, since, according to the author’s idea, these fairy tales and legends were supposedly collected and written down by the Ukrainian beekeeper Rudy Pank from the words of his grandfather Foma Grigorievich, a Cossack.

Gogol's fairy tales are diverse both in their motives and in the events described in them. Take at least the most famous: "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "" - each has its own heroes, its own miracles and its own events. But all these tales are united by one thing - they depict in all their glory the glorious, kind, hardworking and honest Ukrainian people with its beliefs, traditions and even legends. After all, the beautiful girls and the brave, with a pure heart, the couples in the work are opposed by mystical, semi-pagan otherworldly forces. However, good in these tales still wins, justice triumphs, and evil spirits leave with nothing. So the author contrasts spirituality, light and grace human soul darkness of the underworld.

Gogol's tales are still loved in all corners of both Russia and Ukraine. They are studied at school, they are read by children and adults. And the reason for this is not only the sensational mysticism of these works, but also sparkling humor, charismatic characters, a talented depiction of the life of the Ukrainian village.

As soon as the rather sonorous seminary bell, which hung at the gates of the Brotherhood Monastery, struck in Kyiv in the morning, schoolchildren and students from all over the city hurried in crowds. Grammarians, rhetoricians, philosophers and theologians, notebooks under their arms, wandered into the classroom. The grammars were still very small; as they walked, they pushed each other and quarreled among themselves with the thinnest treble; they were all almost in tattered or soiled dresses, and their pockets were always filled with all sorts of rubbish; somehow: grandmothers, whistles made of feathers, a half-eaten pie, and sometimes even little sparrows, of which one, suddenly chirping amid the unusual silence in the classroom, delivered to his patron a decent fell in both hands, and sometimes cherry rods. Rhetors walked more solidly: their dresses were often completely intact, but on the other hand there was almost always some kind of decoration in the form of a rhetorical path on their faces: either one eye went right under the forehead, or instead of a lip there was a whole bubble, or some other sign; these spoke and swore among themselves in a tenor voice. Philosophers took a whole octave lower: in their pockets, except for strong tobacco roots, there was nothing. They did not make any stocks and everything that came across, they ate at the same time; from them they could hear the pipe and the burner, sometimes so far away that the craftsman who was passing by for a long time, stopping, sniffed the air like a hound dog.
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The story of how Ivan Ivanovich quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich

IVAN IVANOVICH AND IVAN NIKIFOROVICH

Glorious bekesha at Ivan Ivanovich! excellent! And what embarrassment! Fu you, the abyss, what a mess! gray with frost! I bet god knows what if anyone has one! Look, for God's sake, at them - especially if he starts talking to someone - look from the side: what kind of gluttony is this! It is impossible to describe: velvet! silver! fire! Oh my God! Nicholas the Wonderworker, God's saint! Why don't I have such a bekeshi! He sewed it back then, when Agafia Fedoseevna did not go to Kyiv. Do you know Agafia Fedoseevna? the same one that bit off the assessor's ear.

"To be in the world and not signify one's existence in any way - that seems terrible to me." N. V. Gogol.

The 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, where he moved over time.

Especially Gogol is 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 to the whole world. The greatest popularity of Gogol was given by his "Viy". What other works did Gogol write? Below is a list of works. These are sensational stories, often mystical, and stories from school curriculum, and few famous works author.

List of writer's works

In total, Gogol wrote more than 30 works. Some of them he continued to finish, despite the 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. His stories often have multiple endings. So, next we consider the most famous works of Gogol. The list is in front of you:

« Ganz Küchelgarten"(1827-1829, under the pseudonym A. Alov).
“Evenings on a farm near Dikanka” (1831), part 1 (“Sorochinsky fair”, “Evening on the eve of Ivan Kupala”, “Drowned woman”, “Missing letter”). The second part was published a year later. It included the following stories: "The Night Before Christmas", " Terrible revenge”, “Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and his aunt”, “The 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", "The Tale of how Ivan Ivanovich quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich."
"Nose" (1841-1842).
"Morning business man". It was written, like the comedies Litigation, Fragment and Lakeyskaya, from 1832 to 1841.
"Portrait" (1842).
"Notes of a Madman" and "Nevsky Prospekt" (1834-1835).
"Inspector" (1835).
The play "Marriage" (1841).
« Dead Souls» (1835-1841).
Comedies "Players" and "Theatrical tour after the presentation of a new comedy" (1836-1841).
"Overcoat" (1839-1841).
"Rome" (1842).

These are published works that Gogol wrote. The works (a list by year, to be more precise) indicate that the writer's talent flourished in 1835-1841. And now let's go through the reviews of the most famous stories Gogol.

"Viy" - the most mystical creation of Gogol

The story "Viy" tells about the recently deceased lady, the centurion's daughter, who, as the whole village knows, was a witch. The centurion, at the request of his beloved daughter, forces the funeral worker Khoma Bruta to be read over her. The witch, who died through the fault of Khoma, dreams of revenge...

Reviews of the work "Viy" - continuous 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 the subtle irony and humor of Gogol.

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

A very short story keeps you in suspense until last pages. Below are footage from movie 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 fantastic absurdity. According to the plot, Platon Kovalev, a public person and prone to narcissism, wakes up in the morning without a nose - it is empty in its place. In a panic, Kovalev begins to search lost nose, because without it you will not appear in a decent society!

Readers easily saw the prototype of Russian (and not only!) society. Gogol's stories, despite being written in the 19th century, do not lose their relevance. Gogol, whose list of works for the most part can be divided into mysticism and satire, very subtly felt modern society, which has not changed much since then. The rank, the external gloss are still held in high esteem, but the inner content of a person is of no interest to anyone. It is Plato's nose, with an outer shell, but without inner content, that becomes the prototype of a man richly dressed, rationally thinking, but soulless.

"Taras Bulba"

"Taras Bulba" is a great creation. Describing the works of Gogol, the most famous, the list of which is provided above, it is impossible not to mention this story. In the center of the plot are two brothers, Andrei and Ostap, as well as their father, Taras Bulba himself, a strong, courageous and utterly principled man.

Readers especially highlight small parts stories, on which the author focused attention, which enlivens the picture, makes those distant times closer and more understandable. Writer for a long time studied the details of the 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, has always attached particular importance to trifles.

Charismatic characters also made a lasting impression on readers. The tough, merciless Taras, ready to do anything for the sake of the Motherland, the brave and courageous Ostap and the 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- an amazing, but harmonious contradiction in the characters of the 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 little 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 society of a witch. It is not surprising that Gogol, whose list of works contains numerous Mystic stories, in this story involved a witch and a devil.

This story is interesting not only for the plot, but also for the colorful characters, each of which is unique. They, as if alive, appear before the readers, each in his own way. One Gogol admires with light 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 causes only 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 joking about the "Muscovites" looks cute in the mouths 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, right? However, in reality, Gogol this work did not resort to mysticism and looked much deeper - into human souls. The main character Chichikov seems to be a negative character at first glance, but the more the reader gets to know him, the more positive traits notices in it. Gogol makes the reader worry about the fate of his hero, despite his hard-hitting actions, which already says a lot.

In this work, the writer, as always, acts as an excellent psychologist and a real genius of the word.

Of course, these are not all the creations that Gogol wrote. The list of works is incomplete without continuation " dead souls". It was his 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 it so? Unfortunately, now we will never know for sure.

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol (surname at birth 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 of Russian literature. Descended from the old noble family Gogol-Yanovsky.

Great Russian writer.
Born in the town of Velikie Sorochintsy, Mirgorod district, Poltava province, in the family of a landowner. Gogol spent his childhood on the estate of his parents Vasilievka (another name is Yanovshchina). cultural center the edge was Kibintsy, the estate of D. P. Troshchinsky, their distant relative, Gogol's father acted as his secretary. In Kibintsy was a big library, existed home theater, for which Gogol's father wrote comedies, being also his actor and conductor.
In May 1821 he entered the gymnasium of higher sciences in Nizhyn. Here he is engaged in painting, participates in performances. Tries himself in various literary genres(writes elegiac poems, tragedies, historical poem, story). At the same time, he wrote the satire “Something about Nizhyn, or the law is not written for fools” (not preserved). However, he dreams of a legal career.
After graduating 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 tests: at the beginning of 1829, the poem “Italy” appears, prints “Hanz Kühelgarten” (under the pseudonym “V. Alov”).
At the end of 1829, he managed to decide on a service in the Department state economy and public buildings of the Ministry of the Interior. During this period, “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka”, “The Nose”, “Taras Bulba” are published.
In the autumn of 1835, he set about writing The Inspector General, the plot of which was prompted by Pushkin; the work progressed so successfully that the premiere of the play took place in the spring of 1836 on the stage of the Alexandria Theatre.
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 takes up the continuation of Dead Souls. The plot was also prompted by Pushkin.
In November 1836, Gogol met A. Mickiewicz in Paris. In Rome, he receives shocking news of the death of Pushkin. In May 1842, "The Adventures of Chichikov, or Dead Souls" was published. The three-year period (1842-1845) that followed after 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 spends time in Moscow, sometimes visits in St. Petersburg, as well as in his native places - in Little Russia. In the spring of 1850, Gogol undertakes the first and one last try arrange your family life- makes an offer 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 months, signs of a new crisis were discovered, the impetus for which was the death of E. M. Khomyakova, the sister of N. M. Yazykov, a person spiritually close to Gogol.
On February 7, Gogol confesses and takes communion, and on the night of February 11-12, he burns the white manuscript of the second volume (only five chapters have been preserved in incomplete form). On the morning of February 21, Gogol died in his last apartment in Talyzin's house in Moscow. The funeral of the writer took place with a huge gathering of people at the cemetery of the St. Danilov Monastery, and in 1931 Gogol's remains were reburied at the Novodevichy cemetery.

Although creative life the writer 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, intonational diversity, alternation of the comical with pathos. Novels, plays, even poetry.

Housewarming (1826)

The whole life of the writer was full of struggle and inner 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 verse for the school handwritten magazine, the name of which is considered to be "Housewarming". But it is known for sure that in a final design 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. These doubts about a correctly chosen style, a correctly inserted replica, and even a word, the author will carry through all his work, mercilessly cracking down on texts that, in his opinion, failed.

The young man seemed to prophesy to himself:

Is it light, is it 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 Kühelgarten".

Ganz Küchelgarten (1827-1829)

The first publication did not live up to Nikolai's expectations - it was a cruel disappointment. The hopes placed on this story were not justified. The romantic idyll in pictures, 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 up 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 the keen interest of readers. Historical digression in Little Russia, depicting pictures of Ukrainian life, shining with cheerfulness and subtle humor, made a great impression.

It would make perfect sense if the narrator used Ukrainian language for your creations. But in Russian, Gogol seemed to erase the line between Little Russia and Great Russia. Ukrainian folklore motifs, where the main language is Russian, generously strewn Ukrainian words, made the entire collection of "Evenings" absolutely exquisite, absolutely different from everything that was 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 with four hundred and ninety sheets, in which the schoolboy wrote down everything that seemed interesting to him: historical and geographical references, statements famous writers, proverbs and sayings, giving, 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. This is how it started big job over the book.

"Evenings" had a subtitle: "Tales published by the beekeeper Rudy Pank." This fictional character. He 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 about his fellow villagers. So, through the stories simple peasant conveys the flavor of Ukrainian life. This character seems to wink at the reader, slyly reserving the right to fiction, but passing him off as honest truth. And all this with a special elevated intonation.

The difference between fiction and the stories of the writer is that magical characters act in fairy tales, while Gogol has religious ones. Here everything is saturated with faith in God and in the power of the devil.

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

The first readers of the "Evenings" were printing workers, who, seeing Gogol who came to them, began to laugh and assured him that his "tricks" were very funny. "So! thought the writer. “Cherny liked me.”

First book

And here is the debut. The first book is out. These are: “Sorochinsky Fair”, “Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala”, “Drowned Woman”, “Missing Letter”.

And it became clear to everyone around - this is Talent! All notable critics unanimously expressed their admiration. The writer makes acquaintances in literary circles. Published by Baron Anton Antonovich Delvig, learns the opinion of Vasily Andreevich Zhukovsky, already a recognized critic at that time. Having become friends with Zhukovsky, Nikolai falls into the literary and aristocratic circle.

A year has passed and the second part of the collection came out. The simplicity, diversity, diversity of the nationality splashed out with stories: "The Night Before Christmas", "Terrible Revenge", "Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and his Aunt", "The Enchanted Place".

The festive, colorful side has another - night, dark, sinful, otherworldly. Truth side by side with lies, irony with seriousness. found 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, The Terrible Revenge, Viy, were perceived by the public with a bang, despite the fact that the poetics and imagery of the plot that the narrator so diligently put into each phrase disappeared on the screen in silent films.

Films based on Gogol's "Evenings" came out later, and "Viy", in fact, is the first Soviet film horror.

Arabesque (1835)

This was the following collection, partly compiled from articles published in 30-34 years XIX century, and partly from works published for the first time.

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

Mirgorod (1835)

This period was the peak of Gogol's fame, and all his works included in the Mirgorod collection only confirmed the author's genius.

For editorial purposes, the collection was divided into two books, two stories each.

Taras Bulba

After the release of Taras Bulba, Belinsky immediately declared that this was a "poem of great passions."

Indeed: war, murder, revenge, betrayal. In this story, there was a place for love, but such a strong one, for which the hero is ready to give everything: comrades, father, Motherland, life.

The narrator created such a plot that it is impossible to unequivocally assess 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 the beautiful Polish woman so much and was ready to do anything for the sake of this fatal passion.

old world landowners

This work was misunderstood by many. Few people saw in the story of the old married couple love story. The kind of love that is not expressed by stormy confessions, sworn assurances 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 - that's what the narrator tried to convey to the reader.

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

Contemporaries of Nikolai Vasilyevich were surprised to get acquainted with the Old Slavonic pagan character. There is no such character in Ukrainian folk tales; Gogol “brought” him from the historical depths. And the character took root, frightening the reader with his dangerous look.

The story has a huge 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 has 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 closing work of the Mirgorod collection, in which all the passions are ironic.

Human nature in the person of two landlords, who, having nothing to do, started a long-term lawsuit, is shown from all sides, exposing their worst features. Elite secular society shown in the most unattractive 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 a Madman's Notes".

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

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

Nevsky Prospekt (1835)

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

What just does not happen on Nevsky Prospekt. And the narrator, as if making Nevsky Prospekt the main character, shows his life, using the example of two characters, completely randomly snatched from the crowd.

Examiner (1835)

An immortal play that brought Nikolai Vasilievich great fame. He created the brightest 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 Gogol's merit. Behind the farce and naturalism lies a philosophical subtext, because the impostor is punished by the officials of the county town.

It was not immediately possible to achieve the production of the play. The emperor himself had to convince that the play was not dangerous, that it was just a mockery of bad provincial officials.

Comedy Business Man's Morning (1836)

Initially, the work was conceived as a great work, which was to be called "Vladimir of the third degree", and "Morning" is only part of a big idea.

But on different reasons, including due to censorship, will take place great work it was not destiny. There is too much "salt, anger, laughter" in the comedy. Even the initial name "Morning of an official" was replaced by the censor with "Morning of a business man."

The remaining manuscripts of the large work that did not take place were revised and used by Gogol in other works.

Litigation (1836)

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.

Extract (1839-1840)

The first title, Scenes from Social Life, is a dramatic passage. He was not destined to see the light - so decided the censorship.

Nikolai Vasilyevich included this passage in " Dramatic passages and individual scenes" in its edition in 1842.

Lackey (1839-1840)

Another dramatic excerpt from the failed play "Vladimir of the Third Degree", self-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 in it a lot of unexpected, funny and original, posting it in his Sovremennik magazine.

True, it was not without censorship, which cut out entire pieces of the text. But the image of an empty ambitious person striving for statuary and admiration for higher ranks was a success.

Dead Souls (1835-1841)

This is the most fundamental creation, with a difficult fate. The conceived three-volume book could not see the light, in the version in which Nikolai Vasilyevich wanted - hell, purgatory, paradise (many philologists think so).

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

The book has been well-received. It was translated into other languages already in 1844, and very soon it could be read in German, Czech, English, Polish. During the life of the author, the book was translated into ten languages.

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

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

The writer spent his whole life looking for genuine feelings, dismantled spiritual qualities, put a certain philosophy into his creations.

In essence, The Theater Journey is a play about a play. And the conclusion suggests itself. The number of jesters that society needs is disproportionate to all kinds of money-grubbing 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, Akaky Akakievich suddenly came out. And sad funny story about a small insignificant person suddenly turned out to be interesting.

And having laughed at Gogol's character, it's time to think about whether the biblical meaning is embedded in this story. After all, the soul wants to love one beautiful thing, and people are not so perfect. But Christ calls everyone to be kind and meek. In Greek, "doing no evil" - Akaki. So we get Akaky Akakievich, the image is soft and vulnerable.

"Overcoat" was understood in different ways, but fell in love. She found her place in the cinema. The film "The Overcoat", released in 1926, and enthusiastically accepted by the public, was banned by censorship in 1949. But on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the writer's birth, New film"Overcoat" directed by Alexei Batalov.

Portrait (1842)

In the first part, the writer touches on the attitude of others towards art, scolding the monotony and short-sightedness. The author condemns the deceit on the canvases, which the public likes so much, calling to serve real art.

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

The story has been criticized for being too instructive.

Play Marriage (1842)

A play with full title“Marriage, or an Absolutely Incredible Event in Two Acts,” it was written back in 1835, and had the title “Grooms”.

But Nikolai Vasilyevich made adjustments for another eight years, and when, finally, the performance was staged, many did not understand him. 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 the search for an illusory ideal, for many years makes the audience go to this performance, and the directors put it on different stages.

Comedy Players (1842)

IN tsarist Russia subject gambling hovered in the air. It has been touched upon by many writers. Nikolai Vasilievich expressed his vision on this matter.

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

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

Rome (1842)

Is not independent work, but an excerpt from the unfinished novel "Annunziata". This passage quite clearly characterizes the author's evolution in creativity, but he did not receive a worthy assessment.

Selected passages from correspondence with friends (1845)

A spiritual crisis pushes the writer to religious and philosophical topics. The fruit of this work was the publication of the collection "Selected passages from correspondence with friends."

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

Passions were serious. Vissarion Grigoryevich Belinsky wrote critique as open letter. But the letter was banned from printing, and it began to be distributed in manuscript form. It is for the dissemination 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, on the other hand, explained the attacks against the book as his mistake, believing that the chosen edifying tone ruined everything. Yes, and those places that censorship did not initially miss, finally ruined the material presented.

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