An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 2039 words)
ientietnikov’s good horses covered the ten versts to the General’s
house in a little over half an hour. Descending from the koliaska with
features attuned to deference, Chichikov inquired for the master of the
house, and was at once ushered into his presence. Bowing with head
held respectfully on one side and hands extended like those of a waiter
carrying a trayful of teacups, the visitor inclined his whole body
forward, and said:
“I have deemed it my duty to present myself to your Excellency. I have
deemed it my duty because in my heart I cherish a most profound respect
for the valiant men who, on the field of battle, have proved the
saviours of their country.”
That this preliminary attack did not wholly displease the General was
proved by the fact that, responding with a gracious inclination of the
head, he replied:
“I am glad to make your acquaintance. Pray be so good as to take a seat.
In what capacity or capacities have you yourself seen service?”
“Of my service,” said Chichikov, depositing his form, not exactly in the
centre of the chair, but rather on one side of it, and resting a hand
upon one of its arms, “--of my service the scene was laid, in the first
instance, in the Treasury; while its further course bore me successively
into the employ of the Public Buildings Commission, of the Customs
Board, and of other Government Offices. But, throughout, my life has
resembled a barque tossed on the crests of perfidious billows. In
suffering I have been swathed and wrapped until I have come to be, as
it were, suffering personified; while of the extent to which my life
has been sought by foes, no words, no colouring, no (if I may so express
it?) painter’s brush could ever convey to you an adequate idea. And now,
at length, in my declining years, I am seeking a corner in which to eke
out the remainder of my miserable existence, while at the present moment
I am enjoying the hospitality of a neighbour of your acquaintance.”
“And who is that?”
“Your neighbour Tientietnikov, your Excellency.”
Upon that the General frowned.
“Led me add,” put in Chichikov hastily, “that he greatly regrets that
on a former occasion he should have failed to show a proper respect
for--for--”
“For what?” asked the General.
“For the services to the public which your Excellency has rendered.
Indeed, he cannot find words to express his sorrow, but keeps repeating
to himself: ‘Would that I had valued at their true worth the men who
have saved our fatherland!’”
“And why should he say that?” asked the mollified General. “I bear him
no grudge. In fact, I have never cherished aught but a sincere liking
for him, a sincere esteem, and do not doubt but that, in time, he may
become a useful member of society.”
“In the words which you have been good enough to utter,” said Chichikov
with a bow, “there is embodied much justice. Yes, Tientietnikov is
in very truth a man of worth. Not only does he possess the gift of
eloquence, but also he is a master of the pen.”
“Ah, yes; he DOES write rubbish of some sort, doesn’t he? Verses, or
something of the kind?”
“Not rubbish, your Excellency, but practical stuff. In short, he is
inditing a history.”
“A HISTORY? But a history of what?”
“A history of, of--” For a moment or two Chichikov hesitated. Then,
whether because it was a General that was seated in front of him, or
because he desired to impart greater importance to the subject which
he was about to invent, he concluded: “A history of Generals, your
Excellency.”
“Of Generals? Of WHAT Generals?”
“Of Generals generally--of Generals at large. That is to say, and to be
more precise, a history of the Generals of our fatherland.”
By this time Chichikov was floundering badly. Mentally he spat upon
himself and reflected: “Gracious heavens! What rubbish I am talking!”
“Pardon me,” went on his interlocutor, “but I do not quite understand
you. Is Tientietnikov producing a history of a given period, or only a
history made up of a series of biographies? Also, is he including ALL
our Generals, or only those who took part in the campaign of 1812?”
“The latter, your Excellency--only the Generals of 1812,” replied
Chichikov. Then he added beneath his breath: “Were I to be killed for
it, I could not say what that may be supposed to mean.”
“Then why should he not come and see me in person?” went on his
host. “Possibly I might be able to furnish him with much interesting
material?”
“He is afraid to come, your Excellency.”
“Nonsense! Just because of a hasty word or two! I am not that sort of
man at all. In fact, I should be very happy to call upon HIM.”
“Never would he permit that, your Excellency. He would greatly prefer to
be the first to make advances.” And Chichikov added to himself: “What a
stroke of luck those Generals were! Otherwise, the Lord knows where my
tongue might have landed me!”
At this moment the door into the adjoining room opened, and there
appeared in the doorway a girl as fair as a ray of the sun--so fair,
indeed, that Chichikov stared at her in amazement. Apparently she had
come to speak to her father for a moment, but had stopped short on
perceiving that there was some one with him. The only fault to be
found in her appearance was the fact that she was too thin and
fragile-looking.
“May I introduce you to my little pet?” said the General to Chichikov.
“To tell you the truth, I do not know your name.”
“That you should be unacquainted with the name of one who has never
distinguished himself in the manner of which you yourself can boast is
scarcely to be wondered at.” And Chichikov executed one of his sidelong,
deferential bows.
“Well, I should be delighted to know it.”
“It is Paul Ivanovitch Chichikov, your Excellency.” With that went
the easy bow of a military man and the agile backward movement of an
india-rubber ball.
“Ulinka, this is Paul Ivanovitch,” said the General, turning to his
daughter. “He has just told me some interesting news--namely, that
our neighbour Tientietnikov is not altogether the fool we had at first
thought him. On the contrary, he is engaged upon a very important
work--upon a history of the Russian Generals of 1812.”
“But who ever supposed him to be a fool?” asked the girl quickly. “What
happened was that you took Vishnepokromov’s word--the word of a man who
is himself both a fool and a good-for-nothing.”
“Well, well,” said the father after further good-natured dispute on the
subject of Vishnepokromov. “Do you now run away, for I wish to dress for
luncheon. And you, sir,” he added to Chichikov, “will you not join us at
table?”
Chichikov bowed so low and so long that, by the time that his eyes had
ceased to see nothing but his own boots, the General’s daughter had
disappeared, and in her place was standing a bewhiskered butler, armed
with a silver soap-dish and a hand-basin.
“Do you mind if I wash in your presence?” asked the host.
“By no means,” replied Chichikov. “Pray do whatsoever you please in that
respect.”
Upon that the General fell to scrubbing himself--incidentally, to
sending soapsuds flying in every direction. Meanwhile he seemed so
favourably disposed that Chichikov decided to sound him then and there,
more especially since the butler had left the room.
“May I put to you a problem?” he asked.
“Certainly,” replied the General. “What is it?”
“It is this, your Excellency. I have a decrepit old uncle who owns three
hundred souls and two thousand roubles-worth of other property. Also,
except for myself, he possesses not a single heir. Now, although his
infirm state of health will not permit of his managing his property in
person, he will not allow me either to manage it. And the reason for his
conduct--his very strange conduct--he states as follows: ‘I do not know
my nephew, and very likely he is a spendthrift. If he wishes to show me
that he is good for anything, let him go and acquire as many souls as
I have acquired; and when he has done that I will transfer to him my
three hundred souls as well.”
“The man must be an absolute fool,” commented the General.
“Possibly. And were that all, things would not be as bad as they are.
But, unfortunately, my uncle has gone and taken up with his housekeeper,
and has had children by her. Consequently, everything will now pass to
THEM.”
“The old man must have taken leave of his senses,” remarked the General.
“Yet how I can help you I fail to see.”
“Well, I have thought of a plan. If you will hand me over all the dead
souls on your estate--hand them over to me exactly as though they were
still alive, and were purchasable property--I will offer them to the old
man, and then he will leave me his fortune.”
At this point the General burst into a roar of laughter such as few can
ever have heard. Half-dressed, he subsided into a chair, threw back his
head, and guffawed until he came near to choking. In fact, the house
shook with his merriment, so much so that the butler and his daughter
came running into the room in alarm.
It was long before he could produce a single articulate word; and
even when he did so (to reassure his daughter and the butler) he kept
momentarily relapsing into spluttering chuckles which made the house
ring and ring again.
Chichikov was greatly taken aback.
“Oh, that uncle!” bellowed the General in paroxysms of mirth. “Oh, that
blessed uncle! WHAT a fool he’ll look! Ha, ha, ha! Dead souls offered
him instead of live ones! Oh, my goodness!”
“I suppose I’ve put my foot in it again,” ruefully reflected Chichikov.
“But, good Lord, what a man the fellow is to laugh! Heaven send that he
doesn’t burst of it!”
“Ha, ha, ha!” broke out the General afresh. “WHAT a donkey the old man
must be! To think of his saying to you: ‘You go and fit yourself out
with three hundred souls, and I’ll cap them with my own lot’! My word!
What a jackass!”
“A jackass, your Excellency?”
“Yes, indeed! And to think of the jest of putting him off with dead
souls! Ha, ha, ha! WHAT wouldn’t I give to see you handing him the title
deeds? Who is he? What is he like? Is he very old?”
“He is eighty, your Excellency.”
“But still brisk and able to move about, eh? Surely he must be pretty
strong to go on living with his housekeeper like that?”
“Yes. But what does such strength mean? Sand runs away, your
Excellency.”
“The old fool! But is he really such a fool?”
“Yes, your Excellency.”
“And does he go out at all? Does he see company? Can he still hold
himself upright?”
“Yes, but with great difficulty.”
“And has he any teeth left?”
“No more than two at the most.”
“The old jackass! Don’t be angry with me, but I must say that, though
your uncle, he is also a jackass.”
“Quite so, your Excellency. And though it grieves ME to have to confess
that he is my uncle, what am I to do with him?”
Yet this was not altogether the truth. What would have been a far harder
thing for Chichikov to have confessed was the fact that he possessed no
uncles at all.
“I beg of you, your Excellency,” he went on, “to hand me over those,
those--”
“Those dead souls, eh? Why, in return for the jest I will give you some
land as well. Yes, you can take the whole graveyard if you like. Ha, ha,
ha! The old man! Ha, ha, ha! WHAT a fool he’ll look! Ha, ha, ha!”
And once more the General’s guffaws went ringing through the house.
[At this point there is a long hiatus in the original.]
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Let's Analyse the Pattern
People become most vulnerable to influence when someone expertly validates their core sense of self.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how manipulators target your core identity to bypass critical thinking.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone compliments your key identity before making a request—are you agreeing because it makes sense, or because they're flattering who you think you are?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I have deemed it my duty to present myself to your Excellency. I have deemed it my duty because in my heart I cherish a most profound respect for the valiant men who, on the field of battle, have proved the saviours of their country."
Context: His opening line when meeting the General, laying on the military flattery thick
Shows Chichikov's calculated approach to each mark. He's researched that the General is former military and opens with exactly what he wants to hear. The repetitive, flowery language reveals his manipulative nature.
In Today's Words:
I had to come meet you personally because I have huge respect for veterans who served our country.
"Of my service the scene was laid, in the first instance, in the Treasury; while its further course bore me successively into the employ of the Public Buildings Commission, of the Customs Board, and of other Government Offices."
Context: When the General asks about his background and service record
Chichikov presents his checkered employment history in grandiose terms, making job-hopping sound like a noble career progression. The formal language masks what was likely a series of dismissals or scandals.
In Today's Words:
I worked for the Treasury Department, then moved around to different government agencies - Buildings, Customs, you know how it is.
"But, throughout, my life has resembled a barque tossed on the waves of adversity."
Context: Continuing his sob story about his career struggles
Uses poetic metaphor to gain sympathy while avoiding specifics about why his career was so unstable. The dramatic language is designed to evoke pity rather than suspicion about his past.
In Today's Words:
My whole career has been like a small boat getting knocked around by rough seas.
Thematic Threads
Deception
In This Chapter
Chichikov adapts his con to each mark's psychology, using military praise to disarm the General
Development
Evolved from crude lies to sophisticated psychological manipulation
In Your Life:
You might find yourself more trusting of people who validate what you're proudest of about yourself.
Identity
In This Chapter
The General's entire worldview centers on military honor, making him vulnerable to military-themed flattery
Development
Shows how rigid self-image creates predictable blind spots
In Your Life:
Your strongest sense of self might be your biggest weakness when dealing with manipulative people.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The General must play the role of generous military hero once Chichikov frames the request properly
Development
Demonstrates how social roles can be weaponized against us
In Your Life:
You might feel pressured to act according to how others define your role, even when it's not in your interest.
Class
In This Chapter
Chichikov uses the General's military status and pride to gain access to resources and land
Development
Shows how class markers can be exploited by those who understand the system
In Your Life:
You might find that people try to use your professional identity or background to get things from you.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The General's daughter Ulinka shows genuine concern for Tientietnikov, contrasting with Chichikov's manipulation
Development
Highlights the difference between authentic care and calculated charm
In Your Life:
You can tell the difference between someone who genuinely cares about you and someone who's working an angle.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does the General's attitude toward Tientietnikov completely change when Chichikov claims the young man is writing about military heroes?
analysis • surface - 2
What makes the General laugh so hard at Chichikov's dead souls scheme instead of being suspicious or offended?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about someone you know who has strong pride in their profession or identity. How do they react when people validate that part of themselves?
application • medium - 4
When have you noticed your own judgment getting cloudy because someone was telling you exactly what you wanted to hear about yourself?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the relationship between ego validation and critical thinking?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Identity Vulnerabilities
List three things you're most proud of about yourself - your profession, skills, values, or roles. For each one, write down what someone might say to flatter that identity. Then think about a recent decision you made after someone praised one of these aspects of yourself.
Consider:
- •Notice which identities make you feel most validated when praised
- •Consider whether the praise was connected to someone asking you for something
- •Think about how your decision-making changes when your ego is engaged
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's validation of your identity led you to agree to something you might not have otherwise. What did you learn from that experience?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 14: The Art of Making Money
Chichikov's next stop brings him to Colonel Koshkarev, and he's already worried this encounter might prove even more challenging than the last. Will his luck with eccentric landowners continue, or has he finally met his match?
