Мертвые души (Dead Souls) Part 2 Chapter Summaries

"Dead Souls" (Мертвые души) is a novel that was written by Nikolai Gogol in 1842. The novel is separated into two parts. The first part has 11 chapters, and the second part has 4 chapters. Below there are links to the original Russian text with photos and an English translation of the entire novel.

Russian Text: https://о нлайн-читать.рф/гоголь-мертвые-души/

English Text: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Dead_Souls/CNhMAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

Part II:

Chapter 1:

Gogol begins Part II by introducing a new character, Andrei Ivanovitch Tientietnikov. Tientietnikov is a thirty-year-old single man who owns a beautiful piece of land and many serfs. He never goes out and rarely has guests over, he also wastes a lot of his own time. Gogol goes on to describe Tientietnikov's youth. He had a headmaster who he really loved, Alexander Petrovitch. Alexander Petrovitch was a teacher that rewarded good behavior. Unfortunately, Petrovitch prematurely passed away and Tientietnikov did not like school thereafter. Alexander Petrovitch may be the headmaster that Chichikov liked when he was in school because they have similar attributes. After he completed his schooling, Tientietnikov moved to St. Petersburg to join the Public Service. His uncle gave him advice which he adhered to thereafter, "the only means to success in the Service lay in good handwriting." As a result, Tientietnikov had achieved success and been posted to a department. Things were going well until Tientietnikov's friends drew out of him a hatred for Thedor Thedorovitch Lienitsin, the Director of one of the Departments, from within him. This resulted in Tientietnikov insulting the Director. After this incident, Tientietnikov was forced either to apologize or leave and thus he left the service and St. Petersburg. He retired to his land to take care of his serfs. At first, Tientietnikov was very active in overseeing the peasants, but as time grew his activity diminished. Eventually, he stopped receiving visitors and his home grew dirtier. At one point he was close taking part in a love affair with a woman named Ulinka, the General's daughter. Unfortunately, Tientietnikov had taken offense in the General's tone and therefore swore off any chance at love. Tientietnikov was involved in his regular routine when a carriage arrived. Inside the carriage was Chichikov who would stay with Tientietnikov for a few days. At this time, Chichikov seems to have endured some misfortunes as his finances evidently "were not in the most flourishing conditions." He proceeds to inquire how many dead souls Tientietnikov has from a peasant, but does not attempt to purchase the few dead souls he learns about. Tientietnikov tells Chichikov the story of his failed love affair, to which Chichikov promptly says that he will pay a visit to the General.

Chapter 2:

Chichikov visits the General. He tells the general he is staying with Tientietnikov, and that Tientietnikov is sorry that he did not show proper respect to the General. Chichikov tells the General a lie that Tientietnikov is writing about the history of the Generals of 1812, to which the General suggests that he should come over to learn more. Chichikov is then introduced to the General's daughter. Once the daughter leaves, Chichikov tells the General a story about a supposed uncle of his. He tells the general that his uncle is a landowner who yields no relatives aside from Chichikov. Unfortunately, his uncle will not leave Chichikov any part of his fortune if Chichikov does not have 300 souls. Chichikov then asks the General to purchase dead souls so that he can show his "uncle" that he has 300 souls. In reality, Chichikov possesses no uncles at all. The General then tells Chichikov that he will not only give him dead souls but some land as well. This is followed by "a long hiatus" in the original text.

Chapter 3:

Chapter 3 begins with Chichikov, Selifan, and Petrushka on their way to a man named Colonel Koshkarev's home. They arrive at an estate that they assume is Koshkarev's, and Chichikov tells the landowner that he brings a greeting from General Alexander Dmitrievitch Betrishev, the aforementioned general who Chichikov mentions is his biggest benefactor. To Chichikov's dismay, the man has no knowledge of such a person. In fact, the man is not Koshkarev, but instead Peter Petrovitch Pietukh. Pietukh invites Chichikov to dinner and he is forced to accept. Subsequently, Chichikov enters Pietukh's home and meets his children. Then another man, Platon Mikhalitch, entered the room with his dog, Yarb. Pietukh is described as a kind-hearted soul. After "delicious" veal, Chichikov proposed that Mikhalitch join him as a companion on a journey throughout Russia. Chichikov thought he may even be able to have him pay for all expenses of the trip. Mikhalitch then asks Chichikov to come to stay at his home for a few days so that his brother gives consent for this journey, Mikhalitch and his brother own a large plot of land and many serfs together. Chichikov quickly agrees to this proposal. On their way to the estate, Mikhalitch tells Chichikov that his brother-in-law, Constantine Thedorovitch Kostanzhoglo, transformed his property from generating 20,000 rubles a year to 200,000 rubles a year in the span of eight years. They changed course for Kostanzhoglo's estate and met the man himself. Upon their initial meeting, Chichikov asked Kostanzhoglo to teach him how he manages an estate so well. Chichikov then left to see Colonel Koshkarev but promised to return for dinner. Chichikov arrived at Koshkarev's home and attempted to purchase dead souls. However, there were no unreported dead souls on the estate so Chichikov simply had his time wasted, and upon learning this duly departed. Then, Chichikov returned to Kostanzhoglo's estate for supper with the Kostanzhoglo, Mikhalitch, and the lady of the house. They were speaking about wealth, and how it is achieved. In this conversation, Chichikov asked what is the quickest way to achieve wealth. At this point, two pages are missing from the original text. Then, Kostanzhoglo tells Chichikov that if he wants to grow rich, he has to acquire property and enjoy looking after his property. The conversation then shifts to a man who Kostanzhoglo refers to as a "man of genuine intellect." The man is named Murazov, and is the local Commissioner of Tax. Murazov apparently has amassed 40 million rubles. Kostanzhoglo tells Chichikov that a man only needs a kopeck to grow rich, and upon hearing this along with the tale of Murazov, Chichikov became increasingly excited. He remembered his dead souls and decided he was going to mortgage them and purchase land. He continued to ponder the scheme until he fell asleep.

Chapter 4:

Kostanzhoglo promised to help Chichikov purchase land from a man named Khlobuev and to loan him ten thousand rubles. When Chichikov woke up the next day, he decided to interview Khlobuev. Upon arriving at the property, Khlobuev gave Kostanzhoglo, Mikhalitch, and Chichikov a tour of the plot. The property is poorly taken care of and almost barren, but it is in a good location. After some haggling, Chichikov agreed on Khlobuev's asking price of 35,000 rubles. Chichikov pays half of the cost upfront with plans to pay it in full later. While celebrating the purchase, Khlobuev tells Chichikov about his aunt, Alexandra Ivanovna Khanasarov, who was a woman worth three million. On their way to Mikhalitch's estate, Mikhalitch stopped their carriage as they saw his brother, Vassili, walking his dog. Once the party arrives at Mikhalitch's home, Vassili tells Chichikov that Lienitsin seized a piece of vacant land where "their peasants resort for their sports." Chichikov then agrees to pay a visit to Lienitsin to discuss the property. There is then a long hiatus in the original text, and it resumes with Chichikov asking Lienitsin to purchase his dead souls. The pair agree to complete the deal in private, then there is another long hiatus in the original text. The story resumes in a town where Chichikov is attempting to purchase a suit from a shop. During his time in the shop, he is greeted by Khlobuev and sees the great landowner Murazov enter the shop. Khlobuev and Murazov leave Chichikov and embark on a conversation where Murazov suggests that Khlobuev joins a monastery to give his life new meaning. Then it is revealed that Chichikov received a letter from a confidential friend that stated, "possibly legal trouble is pending." After Chichikov completed his purchase, a man came and informed him that "you are commanded to present yourself before the Governor-General!" Chichikov left with the man and they made their way to the Governor-General's residence. There he encountered the prince. The prince ordered that Chichikov be sent to jail, and to stay there as he awaits his trial. Just as Chichikov was taken away by the guards he saw Murazov and informed him that "They are taking me away to prison and death!" An hour after he arrived at the prison, the doors opened to admit Murazov. Murazov there informs Chichikov that most likely he will be unable to help Chichikov, but he will do all he can too. At this point, Chichikov is in utter despair. Murazov then states that if he is able to save Chichikov, that Chichikov must promise to renounce all that he has gained except for a small portion of his property. Murazov then left to speak with the Prince. After Murazov's departure, the cell door opened to admit an officer, Samosvitov. This man tells Chichikov that he has to pay 30,000 rubles to be fully exonerated. Chichikov subsequently agrees and was then bailed out of jail. Murazov is desperately trying to convince the prince to rethink the prosecution of Chichikov. There is another long hiatus in the original in the middle of the conversation between the two men. Finally, the prince agrees and pardons Chichikov. Following this decision, Chichikov leaves the town with Selifan and Petrushka. The novel ends in the middle of a big speech being given by the Prince against corruption in the Russian Government.