Nikolai Gogol

Name: The Inspector-General — Introduction
Author: Nikolai Gogol

The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

Summary

“The Inspector-General — Introduction”, published in 1836, is a work by Nikolai Gogol. It explores elements such as Khlestakov, Revizor and Russian.

Quotes from The Inspector-General — Introduction (Nikolai Gogol)

Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

“ The Inspector-General is a faithful reflex of the seamy side of provincial life in Russia, and a typical set of droll but dubious characters live again in its pages. The play is indeed a mirror, and a not too flattering one, to the more shady section of Muscovite society. Apart, however, from the general tone of satire, which would be more keenly appreciated by its victims, there is in the Revizór so much rough-and-ready wit, and such a series of humorous situations, that the comedy appeals also to non-Russian readers. As to plot, there is scarcely any. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

“ Cannot the character of Khlestakov be divined from his part ? Have I in my self-conceit so lamentably failed to give indications for the actor's guidance? Yet I thought it was clear enough. Khlestakov is not an intentional impostor, or a liar by profession; he forgets that he is telling falsehoods, and almost believes what he is saying. His spirits rise, as he finds he is a success he becomes expansive, poetic, inspired. How much of that, pray, was expressed ? Why, not a bit of recognisable individuality did poor Khlestakov exhibit. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

“ The Inspector-General, like Dead Souls, is now firmly established as a Russian classic. An enthusiastic critic, Dudishkin, has gone so far as to lay down his opinion that "Russia possesses only one comedy—The Revizor—which quite fulfils the requirements of dramatic art." Representations of the play are given from time to time, especially at the Alexandrovski Theatre at St. Petersburg. Jubilee celebrations were held in 1886 in the two capitals. Matters were different, however, fifty years earlier. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

“ In a word, he is a combination of many different Russian types. We all are, or have been, Khlestakovs only we don't care to admit it. We prefer to laugh at the failing in other people. The smart cavalry officer, the man of state, even the literary sinner, have all, for once in their lives at least, played the part. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

“ It is needless to say that such a petty autocrat would be about the last person desired as a visitor by the local chinovniks whom Gogol depicts. They are certainly a collection of black sheep, and the approach of this much-dreaded official does not add to their peace of mind. After years of undisturbed jobbery and plunder, they are rudely confronted with the prospect of administrative exile to Siberia. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

“ As a matter of fact, he is one of a set of not very distinguished young people, who sometimes behave well and talk sensibly. It is only in exceptional circumstances that his mean and insignificant nature is revealed. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

“ Of Gogol's more immediate contemporaries, some half-dozen have achieved European fame. Pushkin, the poet, and Lermontov, the novelist, were thirty-seven and twenty-two years old respectively when the Revizor first came out. They were both destined for the same fate—to be killed in duels by Frenchmen, the former in 1837, and Lermontov four years later. Other well-known names, are those of Turgeniev (1818-1883) and Dostoyevski (1821-1881) , the famous pair of novelists. More celebrated than all is, perhaps, Count Lyof Tolstoy (born in 1828) , but he belongs rather to a subsequent generation. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Nikolai Gogol, The Inspector-General — Introduction (1836)

“ With regard to the translation of the play, it remains to add that the contracted forms of rapid conversational English are employed throughout, in accordance with stage usage. Ungrammatical and slang renderings are occasionally given, to correspond with the uneducated jtyle of some of the characters. A free use of italics was also necessary, to indicate the proper emphasis, and to give the force of some of the untranslatable Russian particles. To avoid stiff- ness, the second person singular (ti) is replaced by the English you. ”

Nikolai Gogol

Summary

Quotes from The Inspector-General — Introduction (Nikolai Gogol)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature