Character Clues
Character Analysis
Thoughts and Opinions
We're reading Poprishchin's diary, so of course Gogol tells us about Poprishchin and the other characters through Poprishchin's own thoughts and opinions in his diary. And Poprishchin is full of thoughts and opinions. We learn that he's a nasty, prejudiced, cranky man who hates almost everyone: the Jews (1.1), the provincial government (1.1), the French (2.1), women (7.1), the Finns (7.1), Muslims (13.1), the English (18.1). And there are many more. When he is not busy hating, he's being a fool. He thinks the director is intelligent because all his books are in French and in German (2.1); he reads a popular journal and thinks he knows something about good writing (2.1); he copies bad poetry and thinks it's Pushkin (2.1); and he mistakes vaudeville for real theater (4.1).
Social Status
One's social status is everything in 19th-century Russia. Everyone's compared to everyone else, ranked, and treated accordingly. There's even a detailed table of ranks to make sure people know their place and things won't ever get out of hand. (Shhh: forget about the Russian Revolution right now. That comes in the next century.) So when we meet someone, we have to figure out his or her social status right away.
Want to play the game? Let's start. Is he a gentleman? Good, that means he can write correctly (1.2), can't stand the smell of cabbage or soot (7.1), and might be worth our while. But wait, is he a nobleman? (3.1) (Check that table of ranks now. How many out of 14? You know that only 8 and higher means he is a true nobleman.) Oh, we see, he is only a titular councillor. That's unfortunately 9 out of 14. Fail. Well, does he at least have money? (3.1) No? Hmm. Are you sure he is really what he seems? Do some background checks. Maybe you can dig up some royals somewhere down the line. (9.1) Still nothing? Wait, what? He thinks he's the king of Spain? I think we'll pass on getting to know this guy.
Clothing
Fashion police—where are they when you need them? Since all this goes down in a big city and everyone who lives there is completely obsessed with their social standing, clothing choices go a long way in telling us what kind of a person we're dealing with. Pulling your skirt over your head in the rain screams "peasant" (1.2). Nothing says "creep" better than an old-fashioned overcoat with short-overlapping collars (1.2). A white gown plus a handkerchief of the finest cambric "simply exudes excellency" (2.1). A Ruch tailcoat leaves a trail of "respect" behind it (3.1). A ribbon worn around the neck spells "recognition" (8.12). And every king, Spanish or not, needs a royal cape to seem legit (14.1). Unless, of course, it's made out of a chopped-up civil servant's uniform. In that case, you'll only make your poor housecleaner scream in horror (15.1).