The Government Inspector

The Government Inspector, also known as The Inspector General (Russian: Ревизор, Revizor), is a satirical play by the Russian and Ukrainian dramatist and novelist Nikolai Gogol. First published in 1836, the play was revised for its St. Petersburg premiere in 1836. It is a comedy of errors, satirizing human greed, stupidity, and the extensive political corruption of Imperial Russia.

Plot

The plot revolves around the visit of an incognito inspector to a small Russian town. The local officials, believing him to be a high-ranking government inspector sent from Saint Petersburg to evaluate them, engage in a flurry of comical and desperate attempts to bribe him and cover up their misdeeds. The man they believe to be the inspector, Khlestakov, is actually a penniless clerk who takes advantage of their mistake and accepts their bribes, enjoying the officials' hospitality while spinning further tales of his influence in the capital. The comedy unfolds as the characters seek to deceive each other and themselves, leading to a series of misunderstandings and a final twist that reveals the true identity of the government inspector.

Themes

The play explores themes of corruption, gullibility, and the human tendency to self-deception. Gogol masterfully critiques the extensive bureaucracy and corruption of the Russian government, while also delving into the flaws and follies of human nature. The Government Inspector is considered a masterpiece of satirical literature and remains relevant today, reflecting the timeless nature of its themes.

Characters

• Ivan Alexandrovich Hlestakov: The central character, a minor civil servant mistaken for the titular government inspector.
• Anton Antonovich Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky: The mayor of the town, who leads the efforts to bribe and impress Hlestakov.
• Anna Andreyevna: The mayor's wife, who is eager to make a good impression on the supposed inspector.
• Marya Antonovna: The mayor's daughter, who becomes romantically involved with Hlestakov.
• Judge, School Principal, Doctor, Police Chief: Other town officials who participate in the bribery and deception.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, The Government Inspector was met with mixed reactions. Tsar Nicholas I enjoyed it, seeing it as an amusing satire on the bureaucracy, though he reportedly remarked that Gogol himself was guilty of casting a critical eye on everyone but himself. The play's portrayal of corruption and incompetence in the Russian government was controversial, but it has since been recognized as one of Gogol's greatest works and a classic of Russian literature.

Adaptations

The Government Inspector has been adapted numerous times for the stage, film, and television, reflecting its enduring popularity and relevance. These adaptations vary in their faithfulness to the original text but generally retain its satirical tone and critical perspective on society and governance.

See Also

• Russian literature
• Satire
• Comedy of errors
• Nikolai Gogol

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  Cover of "The Government Inspector" by Nikolai Gogol, 1836

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  Illustration from "The Government Inspector" by Nikolai Gogol

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  Scene from "The Government Inspector" by Nikolai Gogol