External characteristics of the dog. The image and characteristics of Sobakevich in Gogol's poem Dead Souls essay. What is alarming in the description of the image of the hero

This article will consider the characteristics of the landowner Sobakevich - one of the main characters in the work of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol "Dead Souls". It is interesting that the idea of ​​this poem belonged to the great poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, and Gogol only fulfilled his promise to him - he created the work.

It should be noted that he did not complete his mission, because it was originally planned to create three volumes of the poem (in the likeness of Hell, Purgatory and Paradise), but only the first one reached the reader. There is an assumption that the almost completely finished second volume was destroyed by the writer for unknown reasons, and Gogol did not have time to write the third. In order to get at least a little closer to unraveling the mysteries associated with the fate of these works of the great writer, philologists of our time carefully analyze and study the images of his heroes, creating Sobakevich, Korobochka, Manilov, Nozdrev, Plyushkin and other characters of the work.

History of writing

It must be said that the poem "Dead Souls", like many other works of the author, is an immortal work of literary art. It depicts the reality of Russia in the 19th century, which is reflected in today's day. The activities of ignorant officials, the arbitrariness of the authorities, the plight of ordinary people - all this is fully represented by the author on the pages of the work.

In addition to giving a description of different types of people, Nikolai Vasilyevich also describes inanimate objects in detail, which allows the reader to clearly imagine the way of life of the Russian people in the 19th century. The key figures of the poem allow creating a general idea of ​​​​the people of that time: Chichikov, Manilov, Korobochka, Plyushkin, Sobakevich. The characterization of the hero is presented by Gogol in such a way that each of them is endowed with both typical features of the representatives of the era, and individual ones that are different from others.

An interesting discovery of observers and researchers was also that the sequence of appearance of characters in Gogol's poem is not random, everything is subject to a certain order. This fact allows us to get closer to understanding the main idea of ​​the work.

Landowner Sobakevich: characterization of the hero

Dead souls were sold by many landowners. Sobakevich Mikhailo Semenovich deserves special attention among them. The author introduces the reader to this hero long before he appears in the plot. First, Gogol describes his possessions, as if preparing the reader for the perception of such a difficult character as Sobakevich. The characterization of the hero is revealed through a detailed depiction of his village, a large village with strong buildings. The house of Sobakevich himself was a solid structure and seemed to be eternal. Peasant estates were also distinguished by good quality and reliability. But, as Chichikov noticed when he entered the village of Sobakevich, that the owner of the property was not at all concerned about the aesthetics of the buildings, there was not a single superfluous "useless" decorative element on them. The appearance of the buildings was not distinguished by sophistication, practicality and functionality - this is the main feature of the buildings owned by the landowner Sobakevich.

The characteristic of the hero is also traced in the description of the surrounding nature. The author tells that there was a pine forest on one side of the village, and a birch forest on the other. He compares the forests with the wings of one bird, only one of them is light and the other is dark. So Gogol makes it clear to the reader that Sobakevich, the owner of the property, is endowed with different personal qualities.

Appearance of the landlord

A brief description of Sobakevich, in particular his appearance, is given by the author in the work itself. Gogol compares the hero with a medium-sized bear, focuses on his bear-colored tailcoat. Even the name, Mikhailo Semenovich, was not chosen by chance, it is involuntarily associated with a brown clubfoot animal. In addition, the landowner Sobakevich moved like a bear, now and then stepping on someone's feet.

The hero has a hot, red-hot complexion, which undoubtedly once again indicates the inviolability and strength of his nature.

Character features

The author's description of the character is excellent. He reveals himself not only in appearance, gait, gestures, but also in the manner of speaking, and in the whole way of his life. From the first words, the hero is credited with an absolute earthliness of views and interests.

Every detail in Sobakevich's room was very similar to its owner. The paintings hanging in his house depicted Greek heroes, reminiscent of Mikhail Semenovich in appearance. The walnut bureau and the black-spotted thrush were similar to it.

Presented by the writer as a strong, prudent owner Mikhailo Sobakevich. The characterization of the hero makes it clear that his peasants live safely and calmly under his command. And his efficiency and natural power, which began to look like a dull inertia, is a disaster, not the fault of the hero.

Outlook on life

Sobakevich is hostile to everything connected with spirituality. In his understanding, culture and enlightenment are harmful and useless inventions. The main thing for him is taking care of his own well-being and a well-fed existence under any circumstances.

In a conversation with Chichikov, our hero shows himself to be a predator with a stranglehold, ready to seize prey at any cost. It is in this vein that the author characterizes Sobakevich. Dead souls - that's what Chichikov came to him for, and Mikhailo Semyonitch immediately called a spade a spade, without waiting for him to be weary of allusions. He was not ashamed to bargain and even cheat, slipping Elizaveta Sparrow to Chichikov. During the transaction, the main qualities of the landowner Sobakevich appeared. His straightforwardness and ingenuity sometimes bordered on rudeness, cynicism and ignorance.

Mikhailo Semenovich personally wrote a list of all his deceased peasants, in addition, he spoke about each of them - what he did, what character traits he possessed. At first glance, it might seem that Sobakevich is worried about his subordinates, since he knows so much about them. But in fact, he is guided by a simple calculation - he does not care who lives in his possessions, and he knows well who and how can be useful to him.

Sobakevich's relationship with the environment

An attentive reader will undoubtedly notice what Sobakevich is similar to other heroes and what are his differences. The main ones have already been mentioned above. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that Sobakevich does not accept stinginess, as evidenced by his desire for his subordinates to live well, and criticism towards the landowner Plyushkin, who, having eight hundred souls of peasants, eats like a shepherd. Sobakevich himself loved to eat delicious food. He also understands that one can get more from a strong peasant economy, which is probably why he keeps his wards in abundance.

The landowner speaks unflatteringly about officials, calling them "Christ-sellers" and swindlers. But this does not prevent him from doing business with them and making deals. And in general, not a single kind word came out of his mouth when he spoke about people with whom he is friends or communicates.

conclusions

That the author leaves Sobakevich a chance for revival, attributing to him many good qualities, there is no doubt that the soul of the landowner is dead. He, like many others, does not allow changes around and within himself, because only the person who has a soul can change.

A landowner with a massive figure, similar to a bear, appears fourth in the gallery of characters. The image and characterization of Sobakevich in the poem "Dead Souls" (with quotes) makes it possible to more clearly present a gentleman from the Russian hinterland, strong in figure, but spiritually devastated.

City landowner N

Sobakevich is an aged man. He is well over 40. Taking care of his estate, he is satisfied with the conditions of the "outback", abandoned deep into the city of N, even unknown to anyone. In the outback, he belongs. But people like him, bears in human form, are easy to meet in Moscow. The gentleman is in good health. He "never got sick". Moreover, Sobakevich is afraid of such a situation. It seems to him that some terrible severe illness awaits ahead. He says about himself:

"... even if the throat hurts, the vered or the boil jumped out ...".

But good health protects a man from ailments.

Hero's appearance

From the first to the last feature of his appearance, Sobakevich resembles a bear: the figure, the setting of the eyes, the chopped lines of the face, the gait. Character traits:

“... round, wide, like Moldovan pumpkins” face;

"... wide, like Vyatka squat horses ..." back;

"... his legs, resembling cast-iron pedestals that are placed on the sidewalks ...";

"... did not use any small instruments."

The master did not need files, gimlets. Not a very sharp ax was enough:

“she grabbed it with an ax once - her nose came out, she grabbed it in another one - her lips came out, she poked her eyes with a large drill and, without scraping, let it into the light ...”.

The classic tries to put or land the character straight, but he does not succeed:

"... did not turn his neck at all ...".

The bear was sitting - the landowner, looking frowningly not at the interlocutor, but at where his eyes fell.

Mikhailo Semenovich does not see the people walking nearby. Most often avoided

"... knowing the habit of ... stepping on your feet ...".

Sobakevich is a small, "medium size" bear. His father was much bigger. There is a breed in a person, heredity, Russian heroism. But if you look into history, how strong in spirit were the Russian giants. They loved Rus' and its people with all their hearts. What is left of them? Only superficial resemblance. The landowner has "bearish" taste. How the barin is dressed:

"tailcoat ... bearish color";

“sleeves (camisole, shirt or jacket) are long”;

"knickers (trousers or trousers) are long."

The author interestingly describes the complexion of Sobakevich: "... red-hot, which happens on a copper penny." A tall, healthy man with a purple face, how not to recoil, frightened of this! In addition, there are no movements, emotions in the face. It is stone and frozen in one position.

The nature of the landowner

Sobakevich is very different in character. He then curls up into a ball, like a fist, ready to strike, then becomes eloquent and quick. It all depends on the environment around him.

"Dog temper" shows when he speaks about the inhabitants of the city. All of them are deceivers:

"... a scammer sits on a scammer and drives a scammer."

Rough in comparisons of people. According to the landowner,

“... there is a decent person: the prosecutor; Yes, and that ... a pig.

Mikhail Semenovich is straightforward, he does not try to conduct unnecessary discussions with Chichikov about a strange request - the purchase of dead souls. Immediately without preface and surprise, he proceeds to bidding. The landowner speaks little, sternly and artlessly:

"You needed souls, and I sell you ...".

When bargaining, the master shows his solidity, he slowly gives way to rubles and kopecks, appreciating the smallest penny. It is impossible not to notice that there is cunning and resourcefulness in the character, for this he receives the epithet from Chichikov - “the beast”. A rogue and a rogue will not pass by the benefits.

Landowner in communication with his wife

The figure of Feodulia Ivanovna's wife is opposite in warehouse. She is a thin, tall woman. The author compares it with a palm tree. It is impossible to imagine an image without a smile: a palm tree in a cap with ribbons. The hostess is like a "smooth goose", like

"...actresses representing queens."

Gogol claims that Sobakevich's wife is a good housewife. She surrounded her husband with care, the main task is to feed. If you count how much time is allotted during the day for food, then there is almost no time left for other things. The dinner that Chichikov attended is a regular meal for the family. It is impossible to list everything that the master ate.

“Everything was lumpy in the stomach…”.

The beginning of the meal is “half a lamb side”, it would seem that cheesecakes and drinks will go further, but no. eaten

"... a turkey the size of a calf, stuffed with all sorts of good things ...".

Sobakevich recognizes only Russian cuisine. He does not accept French, and it is difficult to imagine how a “bear” is trying to stuff a frog leg or an oyster into his mouth. Sobakevich is consistent in food, as at the auction, he eats to the end. At lunch with city officials:

“having outlined from a distance a sturgeon lying aside on a large dish ... he drove it all in a quarter of an hour with a little, so ... only one tail remained from the work of nature ...”.

This attitude to food is the essence of the character's character. A well-fed gentleman does not become kinder, a smile or other feelings do not appear on his face.

Attitude towards peasants

The landowner strives to create conditions of stability for the peasants. He participates in the life of the household, understands that the better the peasants work, the stronger his estate. Sobakevich knows every living and dead person. In the words of the owner sounds pride:

“What a people! Just gold…”

The landowner's list is detailed and accurate. There is all the data about the sold soul:

"... craft, title, years and family fortune ...".

Sobakevich remembers how the peasant treated wine, the behavior of the peasant.

Sobakevich is a landowner who differs from other residents of the district of the city N met by Chichikov. But this is only an external difference. Vice, stinginess and indifference sit firmly in the character. The soul withers and dies, it is not known if anyone will buy his soul in the future.

Sobakevich Mikhailo Semenovich - one of the characters in the work of N. V. Gogol "Dead Souls", the fourth "seller" of dead souls. The appearance of this hero is the best match to his character. This is a large, slightly angular and clumsy landowner with a "bulldog" grip, similar to "a medium-sized bear." Hence the name with the surname - Mikhailo Sobakevich. Looking at him, it seems to Chichikov that nature cut from his shoulder, creating him. She grabbed it with an ax, and the nose came out, again - and the lips came out. The same heaviness and asymmetry can be seen in the landowner's house.

By nature, Sobakevich is a businesslike hoarder. He does not hover in the clouds like Manilov, but immediately gets down to business. He is distinguished from the rest of the characters by hypertrophied practicality. The way he bargains with Chichikov, indicates that he is a prudent and economic landowner. Its peasants live well and securely. Sobakevich loves to stuff his stomach. He does not deny himself good and plentiful food, unlike Plyushkin. He talks negatively about people. Almost all the officials and landlords in the city of NN, in his opinion, are Christ-sellers and swindlers. He considers the prosecutor to be the only decent person, and even calls him a “pig”. Sobakevich can hardly be called a negative hero. His strength and will deserve respect, although if given more power, he could cause trouble.

The landowner Sobakevich appears on the pages of the poem before the reader gets to know him during Chichikov's journey around the outskirts of the provincial city N. Sobakevich's characterization in the poem "Dead Souls" is a whole complex of features and details. Everything in him seems to be chopped with an ax: soul, thoughts, deeds.

Character traits

It is impossible to imagine the character of Sobakevich by any one type of people. He is very different. Now a fist, now an eloquent speaker, now a miser, now a caring owner. The character stands against the backdrop of nature, between two forests - a birch forest, personifying light feelings, and a pine forest, symbolizing dark deeds. What character traits can be called the main ones:

• Coarseness. For a landowner, a decent person is a prosecutor who has power "... and that one ... a pig."
• straightness. Denies reasoning, says everything directly on the forehead, without choosing words and expressions.
• Greed. Sobakevich knows the price of a penny. He tries not to give Chichikov the price for dead souls, aiming for every penny.
• Roguery. Cunning and resourcefulness in the nature of the landowner are visible during the auction with Chichikov. The guest selects an epithet for the "bear", calls him a beast. The rogue sees the benefit and cannot pass it by.

In each line, negative and positive are connected side by side. It's good that a man says what he thinks. But it’s scary to even start talking with a person for whom everyone is fools and scammers. The landowner knows the price of labor, builds everything for centuries, but for money he is ready to sell what no one can ever appreciate - dead peasants. So, in every trait of character. From the positive, a terrible animal nature is obtained, looking for someone to swallow. A brief description and precise phrases allow the reader to guess what kind of real person is behind the described type.

Man is a fist

N.V. Gogol offers an interesting epithet for the character of Sobakevich. Chichikov compares it to a tightly clenched fist. Why is there such an association? Everything in appearance and in the soul is tightly compressed, knocked into a single essence. Every detail emphasizes the strength and health of the Russian master.

The fist is like armor, chain mail, under which the landowner hides. He closed his inner world, became soulless and selfish. He is only interested in his home. The thirst for profit does not allow the hand to unclench. He will never stretch out his hand to the oncoming one, will not help and will not support.

Mikhail Semenovich is incapable of flattery and subservience. He, without hesitation, hits people, without thinking about the essence of his statements, about the possibility of offending the interlocutor.

strong host

The landowner Sobakevich is prudent and reliable. He conducts the business in a business-like calm and unhurried manner. He does not introduce experiments into the economy, he denies progressive methods of managing the estate.

The classic cannot refuse the opportunity to reason, to delve into the description of Sobakevich in the poem "Dead Souls". What would happen if Sobakevich turned out to be not a landowner, but, for example, a representative of the authorities or an official? Woe will be to the whole country. Having achieved power, the Sobakevichs will "click" officials who are of no use. It is terrible to imagine what officials will come to under the leadership of the kulak. It is better for a literary hero, according to the author, to be a landowner. He takes care of himself, strives not to harm the peasants, from whom he sees the use.

The landowner knows all the dead peasants. I am ready to tell about everyone, and not only about his profession, but also about character traits. Quotations can be confusing. It should be understood that this is not a manifestation of caring, it is prudence. The owner must know exactly what a man can give him, what benefits he will bring, how much you can earn on him.

Relationships with people

For Sobakevich, everyone around is scammers who have sold their souls. Speaking unflatteringly about them, he trades with desire, looking for an opportunity to make a deal and increase his income. It cannot be said that Mikhail Semenovich has friends, he is only a guest or an interlocutor. When it comes to profit, Sobakevich has a "lynx and a gift for words." The dog's temper does not allow to give pleasure to the neighbor, although his wife calls him "darling." At this word-appeal, every reader stumbles. The word does not fit either the appearance or the behavior of a person.

The character is multifaceted. He has positive traits, but the soul of the landowner is dead. It will become easier to write an essay “Characteristics of Sobakevich” using the information. It is not difficult to single out the main character traits.

Artwork test

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 of people and even inanimate objects. Using this technique, Gogol masterfully depicts the way of life in Russia in the 19th 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 of a certain era, although each carries something of his 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 revealing the general idea of ​​the work.

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 clear that the external side of the 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.

The appearance of the hero

Gogol gives a description of Sobakevich, his external characteristics 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's face, which was red-hot, hot, like that of a copper penny, 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 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 many similarities with other characters in the poem, at the same time is 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 a deal was made with Chichikov for the sale of dead souls, 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, 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 is an interesting point in the poem. The moment of concluding a deal related to the purchase of dead souls 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 characterization of Sobakevich, with all its positive and negative points, allows us to draw the 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.