“Let the dead bury their dead.” Chapter 1: The Seminary Student The story begins with three seminary students—Khaliava, Khoma Brut, and Tiberiy Gorobets—traveling home for vacation. After losing […]
Russian literature
The Government Inspector
“The Inspector is coming—incognito… and with secret instructions!” Act 1 The play opens in a small provincial Russian town where the corrupt officials, led by the Mayor (Anton […]
Russian literature
The Nose
“The nose knows.” Part I One morning, the barber Ivan Yakovlevich discovers a nose in his breakfast bread. Horrified, he recognizes it as the nose of Collegiate Assessor […]
Russian literature
The Overcoat
“Leave me alone! Why do you insult me?” Chapter 1: Akaky Akakievich and His Miserable Existence The story introduces Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, a low-ranking government clerk in St. […]
Russian literature
Dead Souls
“What a strange, alluring, and provocative title—Dead Souls! And what a strange, alluring, and provocative work itself!” Part 1 Chapter 1 Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, a middle-aged gentleman of […]