Image of Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol

Timeline

Lifetime: 1809 - 1852 Passed: ≈ 172 years ago

Title

Russian novelist

Country/Nationality

Russia
Wikipedia

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol: A Literary Genius and Master of Satire. Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol, an influential Russian writer, is hailed as one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century. Born in 1809, Gogol's unique style and satirical wit set him apart from his contemporaries. His works continue to be celebrated for their keen observations of human nature, vivid descriptions, and captivating storytelling.

Gogol's principles were deeply rooted in his belief in the power of literature as a tool for social criticism and self-reflection. He sought to expose the flaws and hypocrisies of Russian society through his works, employing satire and dark humor to shed light on the absurdities of human behavior. His writings were marked by a keen eye for detail and a talent for creating unforgettable characters.

Gogol's most famous work, "Dead Souls," brought him widespread acclaim and established his reputation as a literary genius. This satirical novel, published in 1842, tells the story of Chichikov, a swindler who travels through Russia buying deceased serfs in order to profit from their "dead souls." The novel offers a scathing critique of Russian society and bureaucracy, making it a timeless masterpiece.

Other notable works by Gogol include "The Overcoat," a poignant short story that explores themes of social injustice and identity, and "The Nose," a surreal and humorous tale about a man who wakes up to find his nose missing. These stories showcase Gogol's ability to seamlessly blend realism and fantasy, creating narratives that both entertain and provoke thought.

Gogol's philosophy can be seen in his belief in the power of art to expose the follies of society and to elicit introspection. He believed that literature should serve as a mirror, reflecting the flaws and contradictions of human existence. Gogol's works often delved into the darker aspects of human nature, challenging readers to confront their own shortcomings and societal injustices.

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol passed away on March 4, 1852, at the age of 42. Despite his relatively short life, his literary contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. Gogol is remembered as a visionary writer who pushed the boundaries of Russian literature and influenced generations of writers to come.

One interesting fact about Gogol is that he struggled with bouts of depression and inner turmoil throughout his life. This internal conflict often fueled his creativity and gave depth to his works. Gogol's ability to explore the complexities of the human psyche and capture the essence of the human experience continues to resonate with readers today.

In conclusion, Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol was a brilliant and innovative Russian writer known for his satirical wit, keen observations of society, and captivating storytelling. Through his works like "Dead Souls," "The Overcoat," and "The Nose," Gogol challenged societal norms, exposed human follies, and left a lasting impact on the literary world. His philosophy of using literature as a tool for social criticism and introspection continues to inspire readers and writers alike. Although he faced personal struggles, Gogol's literary legacy remains an integral part of Russian and world literature, cementing his place as a literary icon.

Books by Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol

The Mantle and Other Stories Cover image

The Mantle and Other Stories

Horror
Short Story Adventure Satire Humorous Fiction Human Nature Supernatural Fiction social commentary Introspection Russian Literature

Discover a collection of captivating tales in "The Mantle and Other Stories" by Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol. Written by the renowned Russian author, this book transports young readers into a world of imagination and intrigue. Originally published in 18...

The Inspector-General Cover image

The Inspector-General

Satire Fiction
Truth Young Deception Illusions Preservations Gambling

In the sleepy Russian town of Arzamas, a rumor explodes: a high-ranking official has arrived incognito. Panic ensues as the corrupt officials, led by the self-important mayor, scramble to cover their tracks. Their fear is well-founded, for the "inspe...

Dead Souls Cover image

Dead Souls

Dead Souls (Russian: Мёртвые души) by Nikolai Gogol, Russian writer, was first published in 1842, and is one of the most prominent works of 19th-century Russian literature. Gogol himself saw it as an "epic poem in prose", and within the book as a "no...

Nase Cover image

Nase

Dies ist die Geschichte eines Petersburger Beamten, dessen Nase davonläuft und ihr eigenes Leben entwickelt.

Mantel Cover image

Mantel

Akakij Akakijewitsch ist mit Leib und Seele Beamter, genauer gesagt: Kopist. Der Beruf des Abschreibens füllt sein ganzes Leben aus. Er ist davon so begeistert, dass er sogar Lieblingsbuchstaben hat. Sein Leben ändert sich erst, als er beschließt, si...

Furchtbare Rache Cover image

Furchtbare Rache

Die Geschichte vom Leben und Tod des ukrainischen Kosaken Danilo Burulbasch und seiner Familie wird vom Autor genutzt, um ein Bild des Kosakenlebens „in alter Zeit“ zu malen. Dabei werden Heimat- und Naturverbundenheit aber auch religiöse und heidni...

Taras Bulba and Other Tales Cover image

Taras Bulba and Other Tales

A collection of classic Russian literature from the mind of one of the world's well know authors. The collection includes Taras Bulba, St. John's Eve, The Cloak, How The Two Ivans Quarrelled, The Mysterious Portrait, and The Calash. - Summary by afu...

toten Seelen Cover image

toten Seelen

Pawel Tschitschikow entwirft eine groteske Idee, die ihn zu Geld bringen soll. Er macht Geschäfte mit Leibeigenen, und zwar mit toten! Mittels Humor und beißender Satire stellt der große Erzähler Nikolai Gogol die marode, korrupte Gesellschaft seiner...

Cloak Cover image

Cloak

The Cloak or the Overcoat as in some translations, is a story by Ukrainian-born Russian author Nikolai Gogol, published in 1842. The story and its author have had great influence on Russian literature, as expressed in a quote attributed to Fyodor Dos...

Taras Bulba; a Tale of the Cossacks Cover image

Taras Bulba; a Tale of the Cossacks

Taras Bulba is a romanticised historical novella by Nikolai Gogol set in Russia’s equivalent of America’s wild frontier, what is today Ukraine, a name which means something like “frontier” or “marches”. It was an ill-defined wild border land whose bo...

Вечері на хуторі біля Диканьки. ч2. Ніч перед рождеством. (Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka: Christmas Eve) Cover image

Вечері на хуторі біля Диканьки. ч2. Ніч перед рождеством. (Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka: Christmas Eve)

Ніч перед Різдвом на хуторі біля Диканьки сповненна несподіванками, тут ви можете зустріти відьму і чорта, а також за одну мить опинитися у самої цариці. Це історія звичайних жителів українського хутора у незвичайну ніч....

bruja - El viyi Cover image

bruja - El viyi

Cuento de terror sobrenatural: Tres seminaristas de Kiev se pierden en el bosque. La noche cae y encuentran refugio en la granja de una vieja que acepta darles cobijo. Lo que menos espera uno de ellos es acabar encerrado durante tres noches junto a u...

Memorias de un loco Cover image

Memorias de un loco

Ingenioso cuento en forma de diario en el que seremos testigos del progresivo descenso a la locura de un funcionario ruso. Al principio se perciben pequeños detalles peculiares en su escritura, que se irán convirtiendo en extravagancias cada vez mayo...

Taras Bulba Cover image

Taras Bulba

Spannende Erzählung voller Tragik über das Leben der russisch-ukrainischen Kosaken im frühen 17. Jahrhundert. Indem wir die Schicksale des Kosaken-Hetmans Taras Bulba und seiner beiden Söhne Andrij und Ostap verfolgen, erhalten wir ein umfassendes B...