Lyrical digressions in the poem "Dead Souls" by Gogol

Lyrical digressions in the poem "Dead Souls" play a huge role. They are so organically included in the structure of this work, that we do not already think of a poem without the author's magnificent monologues. What is the role of lyrical digressions in the poem "Dead Souls"? Agree, we constantly feel, thanks to their presence, the presence of Gogol, who shares with us his experiences and thoughts about this or that event. In this article, we'll talk about the lyrical digressions in the poem "Dead Souls", let's talk about their role in the work.

The role of lyrical digressions

Nikolai Vasilyevich becomes not just the leading reader in the pages of the book by a guide. He is, rather, a close friend. Lyrical digressions in the poem "Dead Souls" encourage us to share emotions with the author, overwhelming him. Often the reader expects that Gogol with inherent inimitable humor will help him overcome the sadness or indignation caused by the events in the poem. And sometimes we want to know the opinion of Nikolai Vasilyevich about what is happening. Lyrical digressions in the poem "Dead Souls", in addition, have great artistic power. In every way, every word we enjoy, admiring their beauty and precision.

Opinions about lyrical digressions, expressed by the famous contemporaries of Gogol

Many of his contemporaries appreciated the work "Dead Souls". Lyrical digressions in the poem also did not go unheeded. Some famous people spoke about them. For example, I. Herzen noted that the lyrical place illuminates, animates the narrative in order to be replaced again by a picture that even more clearly reminds us of the hell we are in. The lyrical beginning of this work was also highly appreciated by VG Belinsky. He pointed to a humane, all-embracing and profound subjectivity that reveals in the artist a person with "a nice soul and a hot heart".

Thoughts, which Gogol shares

The writer, with the help of lyrical digressions, expresses his own attitude not only to events and people described by him. They include, in addition, the affirmation of the high destiny of man, the importance of great public interests and ideas. The source of the author's lyricism are the thoughts about serving his country, about its sorrows, destinies and hidden giant forces. This manifests itself irrespective of whether Gogol expresses his anger or bitterness over the insignificance of the characters portrayed by him, whether he speaks of the role in the contemporary society of a writer or of a brisk, lively Russian mind.

First digressions

With a great artistic tact of Gogol included vnezjuzhetnye elements in the work "Dead Souls". Lyrical digressions in the poem are at first only statements of Nikolai Vasilyevich about the heroes of the work. However, as the story develops, the themes become more versatile.

Gogol, having told about Korobochka and Manilov, interrupts his narration for a while, as if he wants to move aside for a while, so that the reader will better understand the picture of life he has drawn. For example, the digression, which is interrupted in the work of the story about Korobochka Nastasya Petrovna, contains her comparison with the "sister" belonging to an aristocratic society. Despite its somewhat different appearance, it does not differ from anything from the local hostess.

Lovely blonde

Chichikov on the road after visiting Nozdryov meets on his way a beautiful blonde. A remarkable lyrical digression ends the description of this meeting. Gogol writes that everywhere a person will meet on the way at least once a phenomenon that does not look like everything he has seen before, and will awaken in him a new feeling, not like the familiar ones. However, Chichikov is completely alien to this: the cold circumspection of this hero is compared with the manifestation of feelings inherent in man.

Retreats in the 5th and 6th chapters

The lyrical digression at the end of the fifth chapter has a completely different character. The author here is not talking about his hero, not about the relationship to this or that character, but about the talent of the Russian people, about the mighty person living in Russia. This lyrical digression does not seem to be connected with the previous development of the action. However, it is very important for revealing the main idea of the poem: true Russia - these are not boxes, nostrils and dogs, but the element of nature.

It is closely connected with lyrical statements about the national character and the Russian word, and the inspired confession about youth, about the perception of life by Gogol, opening the sixth chapter.

Wrathful words of Nikolai Vasilyevich, which have a generalizing profound meaning, interrupt the story of Plyushkin, embodied in himself with the greatest strength, low-lying feelings and aspirations. Gogol is indignant about the extent to which a man could reach "muck, pettiness and insignificance".

The author's reasoning in the 7th chapter

Nikolai Vasilyevich begins the seventh chapter with arguments about the life and creative destiny of the writer in a society that is contemporary to him. He talks about two different things that await him. A writer can become the creator of "exalted images" or a satirist, a realist. This lyrical digression reflects Gogol's views on art, as well as the author's attitude to the people and the ruling upper classes.

"Happy is a traveler ..."

Another digression, beginning with the words "Happy Traveler ...", is an important stage in the plot development. It separates one link of the narrative from the other. The utterances of Nikolai Vasilyevich illuminate the meaning and essence of both the preceding and subsequent pictures of the poem. This lyrical digression is connected directly with the folk scenes depicted in the seventh chapter. It plays a very important role in the compositions of the poem.

Statements about the estates and ranks

In the chapters devoted to the depiction of the city, we find Gogol's statements about classes and ranks. He says that they are so "irritated" that everything that appears in the printed book seems to them "the person". Apparently, this is the "location in the air."

Reflections on the Misconceptions of Man

We see the lyrical digressions of the poem Dead Souls throughout the narrative. Gogol ends the description of the general confusion by reflections on the false ways of man, his delusions. Mankind has done a lot of mistakes in its history. The current generation is arrogantly laughing at this, although it itself starts a whole series of new misconceptions. His descendants in the future will laugh at the present generation.

Recent retreats

The civil pathos of Gogol is especially strong in the retreat of "Rus, Russia! ...". It shows, like the lyrical monologue placed at the beginning of the seventh chapter, a distinct line between the links of the narrative - a story about the origin of the main character (Chichikov) and urban scenes. Here the theme of Russia is already widely deployed. It is "unattractive, scattered, poor". However, it is here that heroes are born. The author then shares his thoughts with us, which were inspired by a racing troika and a distant road. Nikolai Vasilyevich draws pictures of his native Russian nature one after another. They appear before the gaze of a rider on the autumn road on the fast horses of a traveler. Despite the fact that behind the image of the bird-three, in this lyrical digression we feel it again.

The story about Chichikov ends with the statement of the author, which is a sharp objection as to who the main character and the whole work depicting "despicable and bad" can shock.

What do lyrical digressions reflect and what remains unanswered?

The author's patriotism reflects lyrical digressions in Nikolai Gogol's poem Dead Souls. The image of Russia, which finishes the work, is fanned with deep love. He embodied an ideal that illuminated the artist's way of portraying a vulgar, petty life.

Speaking about the role and place of lyrical digressions in the poem "Dead Souls", I want to note one interesting point. Despite numerous arguments by the author, the most important question for Gogol remains unanswered. And this question is, where does Russia go? You will not find the answer to it, after reading the lyrical digressions in Gogol's poem "Dead Souls." Only the Almighty could know what was waiting for this country, "inspired by God," at the end of the path.