N. V. Gogol, "Old-World Landlords": a summary and analysis

In 1835 there was a collection of N. Gogol - Mirgorod, which opened a new page in the writer's work.

From the fantasy and romantic mood of "Evenings ..." he moved on to portray real life pictures. A poet of reality and a satirist, skillfully exposing the vices of mankind, this is how Gogol appears here.

"Old-world landowners" - a story that opened a collection and caused a lot of conflicting assessments. But almost all the reviews converged to one - this is a work about the genuine and deep affection of the characters to each other.

Prototypes of four Tovstogubov

The place of action of the story "Old-world landlords" is associated with Vasilievka - the family estate of Gogol, where the childhood and youth of the writer passed. Being already an adult, he often came to the father's house to visit his parents and sisters.

Pulcheria Ivanovna and Afanasy Ivanovich also have their prototypes. This is Afanasy Demyanovich and Tatiana Semenovna (maiden name Lizogub) Gogol-Yanovskie - grandfather and grandmother of Nikolai Vasilyevich. The history of their marriage and life together are very similar to Gogol's story. Old-world landowners also married against the will of their parents. Afanasy Ivanovich, after graduating from the theological academy in Kiev, secretly took away his beloved.

Literary critic PE Shchegolev also conducted a parallel between the characters of the story and Gogol's parents. In his opinion, although the life of the latter was not as calm and serene as Tovstogubov's, and even before old age they did not live together, the relations between the spouses were always as warm, filled with love and affection as Pulcheria Ivanovna and Afanasy Ivanovich . These are the main human qualities, which draws the attention of the reader Gogol.

"Old-world landlords": a brief exposition

The story can be divided into several parts:

• Acquaintance with the estate;
• A story about the measured, calm life of heroes and idyllic relations between them;
• The death of Pulcheria Ivanovna and its consequences.

The narrative begins with a description of a typical old Russian estate and the narrator's reflections on warmth and cordiality, always flowing from these cozy little houses, surrounding their gardens and good-natured hosts, as depicts the spouses of Tovstogubov Gogol.

Old-world landlords created a cozy home. Their house is a full cup. There is plenty of it, and the work on cooking, pickling, harvesting is constantly in full swing. The earth gave them so much all the good that stealing servants was not at all noticeable. A lot of small details help outline the way of their life. This and numerous boxes and chests, stored in the room of the heroine and filled with all good. And "singing" on different frets old doors. And solid natural furniture. And a sense of warmth, and even heat in small rooms. As a result, there is a picture of a limited world of inhabitants of the estate.

Mutual relations of spouses

Afanasy Ivanovich and Pulcheria Ivanovna lived a soul in the soul. They did not have children, and the whole world was spinning around them. With genuine tenderness, always on "you", they addressed each other, trying to preempt every desire. Athanasius Ivanovich - tall, usually smiling, who loved the warmth and, therefore, dressed in a sheepskin coat - liked to make fun of his wife. Pulcheria Ivanovna, on the other hand, who almost never laughed, had such a kind expression on her face that it was enough to express her constant cordiality and readiness to treat her husband or guest with something. This was the main feature, which was emphasized in the heroine by NV Gogol.

The old-world landowners spent the same days all the same. In the morning we drank coffee. Then Afanasii Ivanovich talked with the clerk - he found out about his affairs and gave orders (which were not sufficiently carried out). Then they ate twice and at 12 o'clock sat down to dine (the table was invariably filled with many different dishes). After an hour's rest and a snack, a joint walk through the garden followed. Then Pulcheria Ivanovna had housework, and Afanasii Ivanovich, sitting in the shadow of the canopy, watched what was happening in the courtyard. The day ended with dinner at half-past nine.

Thus, the whole life of the landlords was devoted to everyday concerns about each other and about the economy. Despite the limited and even useless for the society life of the heroes, the author and readers draw in them sincere, sincere relations, opposed to the vanity and embitterment of the city.

Everything for guests

Another good feature of the couple is noted by Gogol. Old-world landlords were very hospitable. It was necessary to appear in the house to the stranger, he was immediately in the spotlight. Got all the best dishes, vied with the proposed owners. But the main thing was not even that. The atmosphere itself was amazed - benevolent, warm, hospitable. And all this was not at all out of a desire to flatter or please. The old people did not know how to pretend at all. Therefore, every traveler was glad to see Tovstogubov, tell them about the news and certainly try the most delicious dishes.

Tragic omens

Very sadly ends his story NV Gogol. Old-world landlords die, and their estate and all the acquired good go to rubble.

Once the cat of Pulcheria Ivanovna disappeared - the stray cats that lived in the neighboring forest were taken. After a while the animal returned. The cat was in Very unattractive. The hostess immediately began to feed her, and was about to pat her, as she jumped out of the window and ran away again. For Pulcheria Ivanovna, all life changed at that moment - she somehow decided that her death had come. The power of autosuggestion was so great that soon she really went blind and died.

Gogol continues the narrative with bitterness. Old-world landlords were so attached to each other that Afanasii Ivanovich could not reconcile himself to the death of his wife. When the narrator again visited him in 5 years, he was amazed at what he had seen. Once a cheerful and smiling owner turned into a bent old man. Even after the passage of time he could not pronounce the name of the spouse - they immediately began to choke tears. And in all around there were traces of decline and neglect.

Afanasy Ivanovich died, just like Pulcheria Ivanovna, heard her voice, fell down and quickly died away. Before his death, he asked only to be buried next to his wife.

The idea of the work

Gogol's story "The Old-World Landowners" and its heroes cause an ambiguous attitude. Some critics saw in the couple Tovstogubov idly living "non-believers". They noted their limited, concentrated only on food and the "state of animal rest" (IA Vinogradov). Others, for example IF Annensky, MN Boyko, admired the spiritual purity and warmth of Pulcheria Ivanovna, mutual love and devotion. In any case, the characters with their naturalness, somewhere even childish immediacy, cause the reader to admire and sympathize.