Gogol's Dead Souls

Gogol's *Dead Souls* is a satirical novel that follows Chichikov, who travels through rural Russia buying the rights to deceased serfs' names—"dead souls"—to acquire wealth and influence. The story exposes societal corruption, greed, and moral decay, highlighting the absurdity of a system that values people based on their legal existence rather than their true worth. Through humor and sharp critique, Gogol offers insight into the flaws of Russian society in the 19th century, emphasizing themes of identity, morality, and the pursuit of materialism.