Sobakevich is a landowner to whom Chichikov offers a lucrative deal for the sale of "dead" souls. The character complements the image gallery created by . Initially, the writer planned to create three volumes of the work, starting from the composition "Hell - Purgatory - Paradise", but later abandoned this plan. Literary critics still analyze and analyze the characteristics and descriptions of characters in order to analyze the poem.

History of creation

Book " Dead Souls”was born thanks to. In his memoirs, Gogol wrote that Pushkin motivated him to create the work and even gave him the idea of ​​a plot for it. The poet told a friend funny story, which I heard while in exile in Chisinau. The retelling of the anecdote reached Gogol 15 years after the event. It was about a scoundrel who bought from landlords dead souls to get a bank loan.

In that era, such incidents were not uncommon, and the idea, appropriated, was used by more than one scammer. The plot and images of the characters are written in detail and in detail, and the reality of that era allowed the reader to feel the story.

Work on the poem began in 1835, shortly before the writing of The Inspector General. The idea did not seem exciting to the writer, so the work was difficult. Having finished the play and returning from a trip to Europe, Gogol made an attempt to complete the work. The chapters were repeatedly rewritten, and the work was delayed. The book was completed in 1841. Arriving from abroad in Russia, the author submitted the creation to the censorship committee for consideration.

In Moscow, the book was received with distrust, so Gogol turned to Alexander Belinsky for help. The critic helped the author, and "Dead Souls" was published in St. Petersburg in 1842.

Biography

The "mortality" of the hero's soul is similar to that shown by others. The lifestyle of the heroes is comfortable, and they do not intend to change it. They have no life goals, and the souls are callous and motionless. The heroes have no relatives, or they do not take part in family life. There is a feeling that the landlords appeared out of nowhere.

The meaning of the name and surname of each landowner described in the work is important. The portrait of Sobakevich is based on associations with animals. The author compares Mikhailo Semenovich with a big clumsy bear and even rewards the hero with a tailcoat of a similar shade. Perception inner world the hero begins with an acquaintance with his appearance.

Sobakevich approached all issues thoroughly, which made him different from his neighbors and aroused the respect of the public. The description of the estate, the interior and the character's relationship to the household suggests that he does not live in poverty. The landowner wants the peasants to have material foundations, realizing that the fate of his estate largely depends on the welfare of the serfs. In this matter nobility is mixed with greed. With all the shortcomings of Sobakevich, one cannot call him a stingy person. This distinguishes him from Plyushkin, who lives from hand to mouth. A meal for the glutton Sobakevich is a pleasure, and for the author it is another way to emphasize the animal nature in the hero.

A man of strong build, standing firmly on his feet, Sobakevich adheres to maximalism in everything, preferring large amounts of food. The author calls his hero "man-fist". He is a man who gives preference to the carnal, the worldly. This character has physical force, but appears as a rough, clumsy creature. He has good health, a large build and an appearance reminiscent of the type epic heroes.

The surname Sobakevich seems to indicate an animal origin. The man has a strong grip, is rude to people around him, has a "dog" disposition. At the same time, the landowner is cunning and seeks his own benefit and convenience in everything. His straightforwardness and rudeness are amazing. Sobakevich doesn't believe in anything and tends to judge those around him. Speaking surname and the description of his appearance exaggerate his image.

Sobakevich blames officials, but builds mutually beneficial relations with them. The master does not like to study and hates those who promote intellectual interests and a passion for obtaining new knowledge. In education, Sobakevich sees opportunities that can shake the conditions comfortable for his existence.

"Dead Souls"

Mikhailo Semenovich Sobakevich deserves special attention from readers. The reader gets to know him long before the plot starts. The author describes the hero's house, the estate as a whole, and only after that reveals the features of his character. The estate and the manor house are distinguished by their quality factor, and Chichikov first of all notices the reliability of the buildings when he enters the village of Sobakevich. The estate of the landowner was practical without unnecessary embellishments and completely coincided with his image. Every detail that accompanied Sobakevich in the house is similar to him.

The peasants lived quietly under the auspices of such a master. Satiety and well-being represented his meaning of life. Sobakevich, in a conversation with Chichikov, demonstrates his acumen and talent as a businessman. He quickly avoids hints, calling a spade a spade, and even manages to cheat Chichikov around his finger.

The landowner wrote a list of the deceased peasants with his own hand, explaining in detail who was who during his lifetime. Calculation, ingenuity and cynicism moved him. The result of the deal left both participants satisfied.

Screen adaptations

Directors inspired by classical literary works, filmed the work of Gogol. The first motion picture was released in 1909. It was a black-and-white silent film by Pyotr Chardynin, in which Vasily Stepanov played Sobakevich.

A few decades later, in 1960, Leonid Trauberg staged a film-play based on the plot of the poem. In the work on the project, they used a staging of the work, which belonged to the pen and was written in 1930. He performed in the image of Sobakevich.

Director Alexander Belinsky in 1969 also filmed a television play based on the book. Sobakevich in the production was played by Yuri Tolubeev.

The premiere of the next film adaptation took place in 1984 thanks to director Mikhail Schweitzer. He appeared in the image of Sobakevich.

The first television series based on the works of Gogol was released in 2005. Pavel Lungin released a project called "The Case of Dead Souls". The role of Sobakevich went to.

Quotes

A skilled businessman, Sobakevich did not want to blunder with a good deal. Demonstrating scope, he boasted to Chichikov, using his favorite expressions:

“When I have pork - put the whole pig on the table, lamb - drag the whole ram, goose - just the goose!”

The hero was not shy in terms, describing his worldview and trying to prove that his way of life has its advantages and is much more honest than the rest:

“I know them all: they are all scammers, the whole city is like this: a scammer sits on a scammer and drives a scammer.”

Honest stories about his point of view did not prevent Sobakevich from cheating, boldly twisting the guest around his finger and inflating the price of the dead serfs:

"Right, it's cheap! Another swindler will deceive you, sell you rubbish, not souls; and I have - like a vigorous nut, everything is for selection: not a workman, but some other healthy man.

Among the string of characters depicted by Gogol's masterful hand, the image of Sobakevich in the poem "Dead Souls" is distinguished by a special texture.

It is materially perceptible in all its coarse, cumbersome, but solid and reliable materiality.

Sobakevich is a bright detail in the general grandiose canvas of landlord Russia of the first half of XIX century, created by the great Russian writer.

Portrait of Sobakevich

The first impression of Sobakevich - medium size bear. His face seemed to have been carved by an ax with several awkward blows.

He is clumsy, he will definitely step on the interlocutor's foot. His name is Mikhail Semenovich, which also emphasizes his bearish nature.

The character is solid, straight and rude in conclusions. His wife is a tall lady with a face like a cucumber.

Gogol did not specify the age of Sobakevich specifically. He appears to be between 40 and 50 years old. At the time when Gogol was working on the poem, he was a little over 30. At this age, forty-year-olds seem almost old.

Consequently, Gogol assumed Sobakevich's age to be no more than forty years old. The entire fifth chapter of the poem is devoted to this character.

Life goals

Sobakevich's goal is simply to live. His soul is somewhere far away, like Koshcheyevo's egg. And it is clear that Sobakevich loves to reign supreme. He wants everything to be according to his will, even if it is wrong.

Progress and Sobakevich are two incompatible things. Gogol notes in digression that people like Sobakevich, it would be better if they were landowners. Since if they come to power, then grief will be for the country and especially for officials who fall under their power, because officials can be “clicked” without harm to themselves, but peasants cannot, because in this case you lose your earnings.

Favorite activities

The landowner Sobakevich loves to eat. He does it as thoroughly as he does everything he does: to serve it on the table, so a whole pig. After eating, he likes to sleep.

Obviously, judging by the description of his estate, where, as Gogol noted, the architect's plan struggled with the will of the customer, Sobakevich loves to build.

Of course, like everyone then (and not only then), he loves money very much. Accumulation of money is favorite hobby, like in .

But according to Chichikov, they give money social status, even some greatness, but from the point of view of Sobakevich, money again gives stability, a fortress, to which he so strives.

The estate of Sobakevich and his attitude to the economy

The interior of the estate of Mikhail Semenovich matches the owner to such an extent that each piece of furniture seems to say: "I am also Sobakevich."

His whole economy is firmly arranged, the main emphasis is not on petty embellishment, but on direct benefit, durability, solidity.

He does not need windows - he boarded them up, he needed a window - he cut out where necessary, of a completely different size. Appearance Sobakevich is not important - only useful.

He takes care of his peasants. After all, in order for the peasants to bring income, they must live in strong buildings and eat well. Their houses are made without frills, but even the sheds are made of full-weight logs.

Behavior and speech of the landowner

A bear, a perfect bear, convinced Chichikov, continuing to communicate with Sobakevich. Still, he stepped on his foot.

It is difficult for him to move his neck, so he looks somewhat down and sideways, however, he quickly understands the essence of what is happening.

His speech is short, there is not a trace of Manilov's prettiness in it, he speaks only on the merits of the issue. Sobakevich treats everything modern with contempt: “Here, there used to be people!”

He even speaks of himself with disdain, believing that his father was both healthier and stronger than himself. Sobakevich utters a whole ode about his dead peasants.

Sobakevich's attitude to Chichikov's proposal

Sale offer dead souls Sobakevich took it as if it was an ordinary thing. Interrupting the cautious approaches of Chichikov, who began about the "good of the state", he immediately proceeded to discuss the price. In the poem, this has a comic effect.

Attitude towards others Sobakevich

Sobakevich’s attitude to acquaintances is exhaustively expressed by at least this phrase of his: “one prosecutor in the province good man, and that pig. Even his governor is a swindler, and everyone around is Christ-sellers.

However, he is on good terms with his peasants, he does not offend them in vain and will always support them in strengthening his economy.

Sobakevich is characterized by the belief that everything was better before: people are healthier and even animals were larger. There is a trace of the myth of the golden age, characteristic of people of all times and peoples.

Brings him closer to the people and dislike for everything foreign, contempt for liberal ideas, progress.

Conclusion

If Gogol unequivocally condemns Plyushkin, he does not have a clear view of Sobakevich. negative attitude. Somewhere, behind tons of humor, irony, the author's sympathy is also visible. Perhaps, in the image of Sobakevich there is pure humor, without that piercing tragedy that the reader feels in such characters as Plyushkin or Manilov.

Arts and Entertainment

Characteristics of Sobakevich, the hero of Gogol's poem "Dead Souls"

The idea of ​​the poem "Dead Souls", which became immortal, was presented to Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol by the poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. The creation of a work is the main mission that Gogol had to fulfill. The writer himself thought so. Gogol's plans included the composition of three volumes of the poem (in the likeness of Hell, Purgatory, Paradise). Only the first volume of the work was written and published. Only he reached the reader. The sad fate of the second volume and the reasons that gave rise to it remain a mystery to this day. Modern philologists in their writings are trying to unravel the mysteries associated with writing a work. For this purpose, the images created in the poem are carefully studied and analyzed, the characteristics of Sobakevich, Manilov, Korobochka and other main characters are given.

Gallery of images of the poem

In the poem "The Adventures of Chichikov, or Dead Souls", namely under this heading, the work was published for the first time, a whole gallery of images is presented - different types people and even inanimate objects. Using this technique, Gogol masterfully depicts the way of life Russia XIX century.

He shows common features - the ignorance of officials, the arbitrariness of the authorities, the plight of the people. At the same time, the characters of individual characters, their individual characteristics are vividly represented in the poem.

For example, the image of Sobakevich, Plyushkin, Korobochka, Nozdrev, Manilov, Chichikov allows the reader to understand that the characters are typical representatives a certain era, although each carries something of its own, individual, different from the others. The appearances of the characters in Gogol's poem are not random moments. Their presentation to the reader is subject to a certain order, which is very important for disclosure. general design works.

Sobakevich's possessions

Mikhail Semenovich Sobakevich in the poem "Dead Souls" in the gallery of images appears before the readers as the fourth character in a row. Acquaintance with him begins long before the appearance of the hero himself.

Chichikov's gaze opens up a large village with strong and solid buildings. The house of the landowner himself seemed to have been determined "for eternal standing." The buildings that belonged to the peasants also surprised Chichikov with their reliability and good quality.

It is immediately obvious that outer side buildings, their aesthetics do not excite the owner at all. What matters is the functionality, the practical benefit of what surrounds it.

In the description of the landscape, attention should be paid to the forests that surround the village. On one side there was a birch forest, and on the other - a pine forest. This also indicates the thriftiness of the owner of the estate. Gogol compares the forest with the wings of the same bird, but one of them is light and the other is dark. Perhaps this is an indication of the nature of the character. So Gogol prepares the reader for the perception of the difficult image of the landowner Sobakevich.

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The appearance of the hero

Description of Sobakevich, his external characteristics Gogol gives in comparison with animals and inanimate objects.

This is a medium-sized clumsy bear. He moves by stepping on someone's feet. His coat is bearish. Even the name, Mikhailo Semenovich, causes the reader to associate with an animal.

This was done by Gogol not by chance. The characterization of Sobakevich, the description of his inner world begins precisely with the perception of the character's appearance. After all, we first of all pay attention to such features.

The complexion of Sobakevich, who was red-hot, hot, like copper nickel, also indicates some kind of strength, inviolability of character.

Description of the interior and the image of the hero of the poem

The interior of the rooms where Sobakevich lived is unusually similar to the image of the owner. Here the armchairs, the table, the chairs were as clumsy, cumbersome, heavy as he was.

The reader, having familiarized himself with the description of the appearance of the hero, his environment, can assume that his spiritual interests are limited, that he is too close to the world of material life.

What distinguishes Sobakevich from other landowners

The attentive reader will surely notice this difference. The image of the landowner Sobakevich, having a lot common features with other characters of the poem, at the same time very different from them. It brings some variety.

The landowner Sobakevich not only loves reliability and strength in everything, but also gives his serfs the opportunity to live thoroughly and stand firmly on their feet. This shows the practical acumen and efficiency of this character.

When did the deal with Chichikov take place? selling dead showers, Sobakevich personally wrote a list of his deceased peasants. At the same time, he remembered not only their names, but also the crafts that his subordinates owned. He could describe each of them - name the attractive and negative aspects of a person's character.

This indicates that the landlord is not indifferent to who lives in his village, who he owns. At the right moment, he will use the qualities of his people, of course, to his advantage.

He absolutely does not accept excessive stinginess and condemns his neighbors for this. So Sobakevich speaks of Plyushkin, who, having eight hundred souls of serfs, eats worse than a shepherd. Mikhailo Semenovich himself is very happy to please his stomach. Gluttony, perhaps, is his main business in life.

Make a deal

This interesting point in a poem. The moment of conclusion of the transaction related to buying dead shower, tells a lot about Sobakevich. The reader notices that the landowner is smart - he understands perfectly what Chichikov wants. Again, such features as practicality and the desire to do everything for the benefit of themselves come to the fore.

In addition, in this situation, the straightforwardness of Sobakevich is manifested. Sometimes it turns into rudeness, ignorance, cynicism, which is the real essence of the character.

What is alarming in the description of the image of the hero

Characteristics of Sobakevich, some of his actions, statements make the reader alert. Although much of what the landowner does, at first glance, seems worthy of respect. For example, the desire to ensure that the peasants stand firmly on their feet does not at all indicate the high spirituality of Sobakevich. This is done only for the benefit of oneself - there is always something to take from the strong economy of the subjects.

About city officials, Sobakevich says that they are swindlers, "Christ-sellers." And this is most likely true. But all of the above does not prevent him from having some profitable business and relationships with these scammers.

The reader is also alarmed by the fact that he did not say a single kind word about a single person with whom Sobakevich is familiar, with whom he is friends, if it can be called that.

His attitude to science and education is sharply negative. And Mikhailo Semyonovich would hang the people who do this - they are so hated by him. This is probably due to the fact that Sobakevich understands that education can shake the established foundations, and this is unprofitable for the landowner. Hence his heaviness and stability of views.

Mortality of the soul of Sobakevich

The characteristic of Sobakevich, with all its positive and negative points, makes it possible to make main conclusion: the landowner Mikhailo Semenovich is dead just like his neighbors, officials from the city, the adventurer Chichikov. The reader clearly understands this.

Having an established character, lifestyle, Sobakevich and his neighbors will not allow any changes around them. Why do they need it? To change, a person needs a soul, and these people do not have it. Gogol never managed to look into the eyes of Sobakevich and other characters in the poem (except Plyushkin). This technique once again indicates the absence of a soul.

The deadness of the characters is also evidenced by the fact that the author tells very little about the family ties of the characters. One gets the impression that they all came from nowhere, they have no roots, which means there is no life.

Sobakevich Mikhailo Semenych - the fourth (after Nozdrev, before Plyushkin) "seller" of "dead souls" to Chichikov; endowed with a powerful "nature" - in the 7th chapter he complains to the Chairman of the Chamber and Chichikov that he lives in his fifth decade, and has never been sick, and someday he will have to "pay" for this; appetite corresponds to his powerful nature - in the same chapter, he “eats” a sturgeon of 9 pounds.

The name itself, repeatedly played up by the narrator (Sobakevich resembles a “medium-sized bear; the tailcoat on it is“ completely bearish ”color; he steps at random; the color of the face, on which the eyes seem to be drilled with a drill, is red-hot, hot), indicates a powerful “animal-like” hero, on his bear-dog features. All this connects S. with the type of rude landowner Taras Skotinin from D. I. Fonvizin’s The Undergrowth. However, this connection is more external than internal; The attitude of the author to the hero is much more complicated here.

Chichikov's acquaintance with S. takes place in the 1st chapter, at a party at the governor's; the hero immediately draws attention to the clumsiness of the interlocutor (S. first steps on his foot). Intending to visit the village of S. immediately after Manilovka, Chichikov nevertheless gets to him, having managed to bargain with Korobochka along the way and play checkers with the violent Nozdryov. S. Chichikov enters the village at the moment when all his thoughts are occupied with the dream of a 200,000-strong dowry - so that the image of S. from the very beginning is associated with the theme of money, thrift, calculation. S.'s behavior corresponds to such a "beginning".

After a more than hearty dinner (a fat “nanny”, meat, cheesecakes that are much larger than a plate, a turkey the size of a calf, etc.), Chichikov starts a florid speech about the interests of “the entire Russian state as a whole” and evasively leads to the subject of interest to him. But S. himself, bluntly, busily goes to the heart of the matter: "Do you need dead souls?" The main thing is the price of the transaction (starting with a hundred rubles for a revision soul against Chichikov's eight hryvnias, he eventually agrees to two and a half, but slips a "female" soul into the "male" list - Elisavet Vorobey). S.'s arguments are devastatingly simple: if Chichikov is ready to buy dead souls, then he hopes to extract his own benefit - and you should bargain with him. As for the proposed “goods”, it is of the best quality - all souls are “like a vigorous nut”, like the owner of the dead serfs himself.

Naturally, the mental image of S. is reflected in everything that surrounds him. From the landscape - two forests, birch and oak, like two wings, and in the middle wooden house with a mezzanine - to the "wild" color of the walls. In the design of the house, "symmetry" struggles with "convenience"; all useless architectural beauties are eliminated. Extra windows are clogged, instead of them one small one is drilled; the interfering fourth column was removed. The huts of the peasants were also built without the usual village "tricks", without decorations. But they are made "as it should be" and durable; even a well - and that one is built into oak, usually going to build mills.

In the house of S., paintings are hung, depicting entirely "well done", Greek heroes-commanders of the early 1820s, whose images seem to be written off from himself. These are Mavrocordato in red trousers and glasses on his nose, Kolokotroni and others, all with thick thighs and unheard-of mustaches. (Obviously, in order to emphasize their power, among the "Greek" portraits, the "Georgian" one - the image of the skinny Bagration - was tucked in.) The Greek heroine Bobelina is also endowed with magnificent thickness - her leg is more extensive than the torso of some dandy. "Greek" images, sometimes parodic, sometimes seriously, appear all the time on the pages of "Dead Souls", pass through the entire plot space Gogol's poem, originally likened to Homer's Iliad. These images echo, rhyme with the central "Roman" image of Virgil, who leads Dante through the circles of Hell - and, pointing to the ancient ideal of plastic harmony, they brightly set off the imperfection of modern life.

Not only portraits are similar to S.; similar to him and dark-colored thrush with white speckles, and a pot-bellied hazel bureau on preposterous legs, "a perfect bear." Everything around seems to want to say: “And I, too, Sobakevich!” In turn, he also looks like an “object” - his legs are like cast-iron pedestals.

But for all his "heaviness", rudeness, S. is unusually expressive. This is a type of Russian kulak (controversy about this type was carried out in the Russian press of the 1830s) - oddly tailored, but tightly sewn. Whether he was born a bear, or his provincial life “beared” him, all the same, with all his “dog disposition” and resemblance to the Vyatka squat horses, S. is the owner; his peasants live well, safely. (Here follows the author's digression about Petersburg life, which could have ruined S, corrupting him with bureaucratic omnipotence.) The fact that natural power and efficiency, as it were, became heavy in him, turned into dull inertness - rather a misfortune than the hero's fault.

If Manilov lives outside of time altogether, if time in Korobochka’s world has slowed down terribly, like her hissing wall clock, and tipped over into the past (as indicated by Kutuzov’s portrait), and Nozdryov lives only in every given second, then S. is registered in modernity, in 1820s (age of the Greek heroes). Unlike all previous characters and in full agreement with the narrator S. - precisely because he himself is endowed with excess, truly heroic strength, - sees how crushed, how exhausted present life. During the bargain, he remarks: “However, even then to say: what kind of people are these? flies, not people”, much worse than the dead.

The more God has put into the personality, the more terrible is the gap between its purpose and the real state. But the more chances for the rebirth and transformation of the soul. S. is the first in a series of types outlined by Gogol who is directly correlated with one of the characters in the 2nd volume, which depicts heroes, albeit by no means ideal, but still cleansed of many of their passions. Housekeeping C, "Greek" portraits on the walls, the "Greek" name of the wife (Feoduliya Ivanovna) will rhyme in Greek name And social type diligent landowner Costanjoglo. And the connection between the name of S. - Mikhailo Ivanovich - and "humanoid" bears from Russian fairy tales rooted his image in the ideal space of folklore, softening the "animal" associations. But at the same time, the “negative” properties of the zealous soul of S. seem to be projected onto the image of the stingy Plyushkin, thickening in him to the last degree.

Characteristics of the hero

Sobakevich Mikhailo Semenych - landowner, the fourth "seller" of dead souls. The very name and appearance of this hero (reminiscent of a “medium-sized bear”, the tailcoat on him is “completely bearish” in color, steps at random, his complexion is “hot, hot”) indicate his power of his nature.

From the very beginning, the image of S. is associated with the theme of money, housekeeping, and calculation (at the time of entering the village, S. Chichikov dreams of a 200,000-strong dowry). Talking with Chichikov S., not paying attention to Chichikov's evasiveness, he busily moves on to the essence of the question: "Do you need dead souls?" The main thing for S. is the price, everything else does not interest him. With knowledge of the matter, S. bargains, praises his goods (all souls are “like a vigorous nut”) and even manages to cheat Chichikov (slips him “ female soul"- Elizabeth Sparrow). The mental image of S. is reflected in everything that surrounds him. In his house, all "useless" architectural beauties are removed. Huts of peasants were also built without any decorations. In S.'s house, there are paintings on the walls depicting exclusively Greek heroes who look like the owner of the house. The dark-colored speckled thrush and the pot-bellied nut bureau (“perfect bear”) are similar to S. In turn, the hero himself also looks like an object - his legs are like cast-iron pedestals. S. is a type of Russian kulak, a strong, prudent master. Its peasants live well, reliably. The fact that S.'s natural power and efficiency turned into dull inertia is more likely not the fault, but the hero's misfortune. S. lives exclusively in modern times, in the 1820s. From the height of his power, S. sees how the life surrounding him has been crushed. During the bargain, he remarks: “... what kind of people are these? flies, not people”, much worse than the dead. S. occupies one of the highest places in the spiritual "hierarchy" of heroes, because, according to the author, he has many chances for rebirth. By nature, he is endowed with many good qualities, he has a rich potential and a powerful nature. Their realization will be shown in the second volume of the poem - in the image of the landowner Costanjoglo.