The thorny path of “The Inspector General”
Many of Nikolai Vasilyevich’s works, including “Dead Souls” and “The Inspector General,” during Gogol’s own lifetime met with conflicting reviews from contemporaries. The topicality and causticity of his works determined their thorny road on the way to the public. Quotes from “The Inspector General” quickly spread throughout both capitals and were especially loved by provincial residents of the provinces.
Gogol was accused of a lack of humility and pride, but he himself to some extent saw himself as a prophet, feeling the mysterious power of his style and wanting to use his talent for the benefit of society.
↑ Characteristics of Lyapkin-Tyapkin
Gogol gave a very characteristic surname to his hero, which comes from the colloquial designation for inept, rushed work - “tyap-blunder”. The name of the judge is translated from Hebrew as “heaviness”, and the patronymic means “God’s gift” (Greek Theodoros). Lyapkin-Tyapkin’s “difficult gift from God” is his mediocre service as a judge. According to the instructions of the author himself, the actor playing the role of Ammos Fedorovich must have an important, representative appearance.
The judge has deep respect for himself and his speeches. He is sure that the same feeling should arise in those around him. With deep irony, Gogol specifically noted that Lyapkin-Tyapkin had read “five or six books,” which further raised his high opinion of himself. It falls to Ammos Fedorovich to be the first to try to bribe Khlestakov. With great anxiety and fear, the servant of justice “with honor” performs this “operation.”
“And bring Lyapkin-Tyapkin here!..”
The image of the district judge became a household name. He is known to us by the well-known phrase: “Bring Lyapkin-Tyapkin here!” Quotes from “The Inspector General” truly enriched Russian speech, filling it with those incomparable thoughts and brightest characters of the past era, which we can easily find with you now. Such judges were a frequent occurrence in large cities, but they especially tyrannized the rural districts. There their outrage met no barriers.
City N, in which the events of the comedy unfold, is a collective image of provincial towns, where power was in the hands of such rulers as Anton Antonovich and others like him. The satrap sat on the satrap, and the common people groaned under the yoke of a handful of tyrants, having no defenders, because the heavenly court was far away, and the earthly court was not on the side of truth. Lyapkin-Tyapkin is a collective image that paints us a portrait of a provincial official.
Author's description of Lyapkin-Tyapkin
The comedy “The Inspector General” was repeatedly rewritten and supplemented by Gogol, who wanted to convey his idea to the reader as accurately as possible. For this reason, the author supplemented the play with a special section - “Notes for Gentlemen Actors”, in which he briefly and succinctly gave his own assessment of each of the characters.
From this section it becomes clear that Ammos Fedorovich Lyapkin-Tyapkin is a typical provincial ignoramus who “read five or six books,” and therefore, according to the author’s ironic remark, considers himself a freethinker.
A judge is “a great hunter of guesses, and therefore gives weight to every word.” N. V. Gogol made a special note that the actor portraying Lyapkin-Tyapkin “must always maintain a significant expression on his face.”
The writer paid special attention to the peculiarities of the speech of the hero, who “speaks in a bass voice with an elongated drawl, wheezing and gulping - like an ancient clock that first hisses and then strikes.”
Portrait of Lyapkin-Tyapkin
“... Ammos Fedorovich Lyapkin-Tyapkin, judge... collegiate assessor...” - the hero introduces himself to us. But what does Gogol himself write about him?
Lyapkin-Tyapkin, a judge, is a man who has read five or six books, and is therefore somewhat free-thinking. The hunter is big on guesses, and therefore he gives weight to every word. The person representing him must always maintain a significant mien on his face. He speaks in a deep bass voice with an elongated drawl, a wheeze and a gulp - like an ancient clock that first hisses and then strikes.
© N.V.Gogol
In this characterization, the author presents to the reader a very comical image. Behind the pompous posture, the “wheezing and gagging”, there is essentially nothing that inspires thought. This is one of those fake personalities that are so kind to Gogol’s pen. They reveal living people and living characters. In some places they are, of course, grotesque, but that doesn’t make them any less realistic.
Appearance, speech characteristics
In “Notes for Gentlemen Actors” N. V. Gogol notes that the actor playing the judge “must always maintain a significant face on his face. He speaks in a deep voice, with an elongated drawl, wheezing and gulping.” The author compares Lyapkin-Tyapkin’s speech with an ancient clock, “which first hisses and then strikes.” The judge “gives weight to every word.”
In “A Warning for Those Who Would Like to Play The Inspector General properly,” Gogol wrote that the judge “speaks and at the same time looks at the effect his words have on others.”
The judge is eloquent , the trustee of charitable institutions, Artemy Filippovich Strawberry, tells him: “Every word you say, Cicero rolled off your tongue” (act 4, scene 1).
“Judge Lyapkin-Tyapkin is extremely bad manners...” Characteristics of the hero
A passionate hunter, hunter and dishonest rogue. However, Ammos Fedorovich confidently declares:
Sins are different from sins. I tell everyone openly that I take bribes, but with what bribes? Greyhound puppies. This is a completely different matter.
In his understanding, a bribe with greyhound puppies is not the same as a monetary bribe. This is another bright touch that very accurately and subtly shows us the character of a person. Lyapkin-Tyapkin is much more concerned about dogs and hunting, but he obviously has a vague idea of his direct responsibilities.
I’ve been sitting on the judge’s chair for fifteen years now, and when I look at the memorandum – ah! I’ll just wave my hand. Solomon himself will not decide what is true and what is not true in it.
A down-to-earth mind and simple-mindedness of thinking come through in Lyapkin-Tyapkin from everywhere, although the appearance of the judge, his manner of unhurried speech, and “free-thinking” give importance to this figure. This alogism of appearance and nature adds poignancy and expressiveness to the image. The surname Lyapkin-Tyapkin shows the true state of affairs in court, that everything is done through a stump, a blunder.
But in the everyday sense, Lyapkin-Tyapkin was not distinguished by prominent piety. There were persistent rumors around the city that he often visited the wife of the landowner Dobchinsky.
...as soon as this Dobchinsky leaves the house somewhere, he [Lyapkin-Tyapkin] is already sitting there with his wife... And deliberately look at the children: not one of them looks like Dobchinsky, but everything, even the little girl, is like the spitting image of a judge...
Lyapkin-Tyapkin’s attitude to work
Speaking about the characterization of Lyapkin-Tyapkin from The Inspector General, one cannot fail to mention the hero’s careless attitude to work. Ammos Fedorovich served for 15 years, that’s how long he sits on the judge’s chair. But this work did not serve him well, since he never even learned the basics of his own profession. The writer gives the following description of the comic hero:
- Doesn't understand who is right and who is wrong.
- Does not comply with the law, as he takes and gives bribes.
- He does a poor job, which is why the author of the comedy gave the character such a telling name.
- He does not help the city residents in any way, but constantly receives awards, for example, he is nominated for the Order of Vladimir of the fourth degree.
- He was elected to the position of judge by the will of the nobility.
- Looking at the memo, he simply waves his hand and says that Solomon himself could not figure out whether the truth is written there or not.
There is real chaos in the judge's building under the leadership of Mr. Ammos. The guards keep the geese there, as if it were not a court, but a simple barn. Little goslings run under the feet of visitors every now and then.
The judge keeps his hunting trophies and arapnik right in his office. Lyapkin-Tyapkin is of the opinion that taking bribes with greyhound puppies is not a crime.
A little bit of history
The court in Russia was going through hard times even then. This problem especially concerned the provinces, and quotes from the comedy “The Inspector General” reflected this on paper with a well-aimed shot. Two centuries later, they come to mind when even today we see similar Lyapkins-Tyapkins.
A person received the position of judge by being elected by the assembly of the nobility for a period of three years.
“From eight hundred and sixteen he was elected for a three-year term by the will of the nobility and continued his position until this time.”
On paper, the judge and assessors decided minor criminal and civil cases. In fact, as we see from quotes from The Inspector General, Gogol showed the inconsistency of the judicial system in the provinces. Lyapkin-Tyapkin turned the court into a real inn. When talking with him, the mayor remarks:
In your front hall, where petitioners usually come, the watchman has kept domestic geese with little goslings... It is, of course, commendable for anyone to start a household chore, and why shouldn’t the watchman start one? Only, you know, in such a place it’s indecent... it’s bad that you have all sorts of rubbish dried in your very presence and a hunting arapnik right next to the cupboard with papers...”
When neighboring landowners started litigation, Lyapkin-Tyapkin did not hesitate to take advantage of this.
...and now I have the luxury of hunting hares on the lands of both.
And the persecution caused serious damage to agriculture, as crops suffered. In the subtext of this episode we read the complete autocracy of officials who, like watchdogs, poison the people like hares.
Being on friendly terms with the mayor, Lyapkin-Tyapkin proudly declares his regalia:
For three three years, he was presented to Vladimir of the fourth degree with the approval of his superiors.
Needless to say, the award did not find its hero.
Popular writings
- Sunday walk essay
I think that days spent doing exciting activities with loved ones are always special days in the biography of any person. For me, such a day was the day of going into the forest with my friend. - My dream school - essay (5th grade)
I study in a very ordinary school. Where I go without much desire, like some other schoolchildren. After all, our school is dark. Our teachers are good, some of them we even really like. - Essay on the painting They Didn't Take Fishing in the first person Popovich 5th grade
I've been waiting for this day for several months. But it turned out that I was not yet old enough for such important things as fishing. There are four children in our family, and I, of course, am the smallest. Being the youngest in the family
"Inspector" abroad
Everyone’s favorite quotes from “The Inspector General” have replenished the rich arsenal of Russian speech, but Gogol’s immortal creation was well known even abroad even then, and remains beloved to this day. Nikolai Vasilyevich spent about ten years abroad, traveling around European countries. It was this significant period that gave us the finished version of “Dead Souls” and “The Overcoat”. The first foreign productions of The Government Inspector were performed in the mid-nineteenth century in Paris, Prague, later in Berlin, Dresden, London, and the list goes on.
Attitude to work
Lyapkin-Tyapkin gave 15 years of his life to the service. But this time did not bring anything good. Over many years, the judge has never learned the basics of his profession and has not learned to truly determine who is right and who is wrong. Judges are direct representatives of the law. But this representative doesn't bother to enforce it himself. He takes bribes and sincerely believes that bribes in the form of greyhound puppies are much more legitimate than the usual bribes with money.
Gogol is a lover of saying names. And in this case, the character’s surname very accurately shows his attitude towards his own work. “This will do” is the principle that has ruined many professionals. But this is scary, because in this case we are talking about the moral and legal rights of citizens. By not complying with his direct duties, a judge can sow chaos and destruction, injustice and outright crimes in the city. In fact, the judge does not help the residents of the city. It creates the appearance of work, but for the city such negligence takes on a negative meaning and has a sharply negative character. It is noteworthy that for such an attitude towards his own work, for the lack of high-quality performance of his official duties, this person often receives awards.
Lyapkins-Tyapkins of our days
So, we studied the portrait of a judge based on characteristics with quotes. “The Inspector General,” of course, is a comedy, but such a comedy makes you want to cry when you understand that all this is not a farce, but sarcastic examples of incompetent local government, bribery and embezzlement. These malicious crops always grow in abundance on the fertile soil of disorder and lack of control. When preventive measures in the form of reforms are not carried out in a timely manner in a country, then problem areas appear as purulent abscesses on the body of society, requiring surgical intervention. Gogol painted this picture, and we can observe the same picture today. Speaking names and surnames, immortal quotes from the works of Nikolai Vasilyevich gave us living images that everyone can meet on their way.
Image of Lyapkin-Tyapkin
The essence of this character lies entirely in his telling surname: Lyapkin-Tyapkin is a person who is accustomed to doing everything “sloppy”, that is, carelessly, rudely, just how. Occupying a prominent position in the city and being a representative of law and order, Ammos Fedorovich does not bother to carefully read important papers and makes decisions accordingly. For him, a judicial position means only a warm, well-fed place and the opportunity to take bribes with impunity.
Lyapkin-Tyapkin is negligent not only in his direct duties. So, in the courthouse, with his silent, indifferent consent, the watchman brings in geese, and a hunting whip is lying on important papers.
The judge sees nothing wrong with taking bribes. The only difference between him and other officials is that he takes bribes in the form of purebred puppies. Hunting is the main passion of the judge, who can discuss the topic for hours.
Being an illiterate, ignorant person, he considers himself to be a member of the local intelligentsia, since he has read several books. He has his own opinion about many issues of existence and among his colleagues is considered Cicero - an excellent orator and philosopher.
Lyapkin-Tyapkin is a classic product of the bureaucratic system of Tsarist Russia. This is a lazy, hypocritical, self-interested official, ready to do anything for his own profit.
Check out what else we have:
for the most rational -
Summary of “The Inspector”
for the most impatient -
A very brief summary of “The Inspector”
for the most sociable -
The main characters of "The Inspector General"
for the busiest -
Reader's diary "The Inspector General"
for the coolest -
Read “The Inspector General” in full
Several interesting essays
- Analysis of Zhitkov’s story How I caught little men
The work of Boris Stepanovich Zhitkov “How I caught little men” is fascinating, easy to understand for a person of any age, since it is familiar to every reader with its episode, a situation in which any person could find himself in childhood. - Essay based on Makovsky's painting Date (description)
- Essay on the topic Letter to a friend (comrade 5th grade)
Hello, Anton. Half a year has passed since you moved to another city. A lot has changed in the class since you left. - Essay by Liza Mokhova in the novel Quiet Don Sholokhov
Liza is the daughter of the merchant Sergei Platonovich Mokhov from the Tatarsky farm. In addition to her father, Lisa's family consists of a stepmother and a brother named Vladimir. The father and stepmother devoted little time to raising their children. - Why Mtsyri fled from the monastery essay 8th grade
While in exile in the Caucasus, M.Yu. Lermontov traveled a lot around the area. One day, driving past the monastery, he met an elder who told him about his bitter fate. He was captured as a small child
Essay about Lyapkin-Tyapkin
The comedy “The Inspector General” by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol left a huge mark on literature due to its inherent comic nature and relevance to this day in some regions of Russia. The action of the work takes place in the bureaucratic city of N, where the authorities suppress the people. One of the officials is Judge Lyapkin-Tyapkin with a telling surname.
The court should be present in every city, because it is with its help that people should resolve controversial issues and personal misunderstandings. But the court in city N was different from this description.
The chief judge was Lyapkin-Tyapkin, whose work experience was already fifteen years. During this time, the hero did not do a single sensible thing, and in the court itself there was always complete confusion. All this happened due to the judge’s disinterest in his work, his choice in favor of money, bribes and his favorite pastime. His work, it seemed, was not court, but hunting, to which he devoted much more time and attention. He was an avid hunter and even preferred to take greyhound puppies as a bribe.
Like the overwhelming majority, Lyapkin-Tyapkin, who had power with him, used it and was satisfied with a life without worries. His main qualities were ignorance, lack of spirituality, lack of morality and the ability to please superiors for their own benefit. The judge was a stupid man, was not able to distinguish right from wrong, and read “five or six books” in his entire life. But he undoubtedly considered himself the smartest person and was proud of the books he read. His work in court for fifteen years continued in large part due to his election by the nobles and because of his friendly relations with the mayor. The judge was the only one who at times allowed himself to argue with the head of the city. The mayor really liked Lyapkin-Tyapkin’s long philosophical speeches.
With the help of Lyapkin-Tyapkin, Gogol recreates in one person a typical representative of the Russian government of that time, most of whom were uneducated and corruptible people. In fact, it is very scary to live in a society in which the authorities do not care, rob the people and only create the appearance of work. The people must be protected and know that the authorities are helping them. But what kind of protection can we talk about while the Lyapkins-Tyapkins are in power?
Other works: ← Characteristics of Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky↑ GogolImage and characterization of the Box in the poem Dead Souls →
Essay: Lyapkin-Tyapkin in the play “The Inspector General” (N.V. Gogol)
(420 words) In the comedy “The Inspector General” by Nikolai Gogol, each hero presents his own image, which complements the terrible reality of the city and the whole country as a whole. Judge Lyapkin-Tyapkin is another character who mistook an ordinary rogue for an auditor.
At the beginning of the play, the author gives the hero a full description. Ammos Fedorovich Lyapkin-Tyapkin is a judge in a district village who has read no more than 6 books in his entire life. As a result, his head is filled with the wrong things. He is not used to bothering himself to think, his thoughts are in free flight. He prefers to have his every word heard. The voice is low, bass. Each word draws out with a wheeze. Behaves rudely towards people.
The hero has been serving for 15 years. Has the rank of collegiate assessor. The hero's surname speaks for itself: the character does all the work as a "bugger." He does not distinguish between truth and lies in memos. It’s easier for him to give up and leave everything as it is. The principle “it will do” takes on a negative meaning in the city. But he receives rewards for mediocre work on schedule.
The courthouse is kept in complete chaos and disorder. Watchmen allow themselves to breed geese at their workplace. The front hall has turned into a barn, and geese trample under the feet of visitors.
A judge, like any official, takes bribes, but not in money. It is much better for him to get a greyhound puppy. The hero openly states this and justifies it by saying that puppies are more legitimate than banknotes. And the locals nicknamed him “The Dog Judge.”
Despite the fact that the hero has read several books since childhood, no one forbids him to philosophize. Many compare Lyapkin-Tyapkin with Cicero. The judge's favorite topic is to reflect on the creation of the world. He sincerely believes that he is smarter than others, and gives significance to his words and thoughts. The judge's main hobby is hunting. We can say that he understands shooting better than his own profession. Hunts only for hares.
Lyapkin-Tyapkin is in a relationship with the wife of the landowner Dobchinsky. As soon as Dobchinsky leaves the house to do his business, Lyapkin-Tyapkin is right there. Even the residents began to notice that the children were very similar to the judge. It is quite understandable that a judge with such a lifestyle does not go to church, unlike the mayor. And he doesn’t know French from birth, although he should according to the statute of the nobility.
When read, the image of Lyapkin-Tyapkin evokes a smile and laughter. Everything would be so funny if it weren't so scary. Gogol showed a realistic character, concentrating in him the laxity, infantilism and immorality that reigned in Russia. This happened not only in the eighteenth century, it is happening now. Corruption is rampant, officials sit in positions they know nothing about, and the quality of their work is below the appropriate standard. All these problems of a huge country, which Gogol showed in the images of small town officials, are eternal, just like the images of officials.
Author: Polina Tsimkina
