Die toten Seelen

The novel's sharp critique feels so pointed and relevant even today. I'm curious what motivated Gogol to craft such a mischievous protagonist and critique.

The conclusion leaves so much open to interpretation, which made me wonder if Gogol intended a moral or simply left us with a question about human nature.

His insights into Russian society seem deeply personal, and I wonder what aspects of his own experiences shaped the novel's tone and themes.