Chichikov comes to town with his servants and settles into a plain hotel room. He then speaks with a local bar manager and learns about the people of high status in town. He uses this information to pursue relationships with various landowners during a party thrown by the governor of the province. These individuals take a liking to him, as he is skilled at conversation and flattery. He is invited to visit estates belonging to two men, Sobakevich and Manilov, in a few days' time. In the meantime, he speaks to other local officials and develops a positive reputation in the town.
Later, Chichikov travels to see Manilov. Chichikov finds that Manilov is very pliable and easily susceptible to his charm. He showers Manilov with compliments about his family and land. The two have a lengthy conversation and Chichikov successfully convinces Manilov to sell him the names of his dead serfs. Subsequently, Chichikov sets off for Sobakevich's estate but is thrown off course by inclement weather. His carriage flips over during a thunderstorm and they are forced to stay the night in the village where they got stuck.
Chichikov and his coachman, Selifan, find a small country homestead and learn that it belongs to a widowed landowner named Korobochka. During a discussion over breakfast, Chichikov realizes that many of Korobochka's serfs have died and that he might be able to buy a list of their names from her. He mentions this to her and she is shocked. She is wary of his questions but eventually agrees to sell him the names, after he pressures her about it.
They haggle about the price and then Chichikov departs for Sobakevich's once again. Chichikov continues his journey and comes across another landowner by the name of Nozdriov. Chichikov accompanies Nozdriov home. Nozdriov is known in town as a terrible liar. Nozdriov gives Chichikov a tour of his home.
Chichikov mentions his dead souls scheme and Nozdriov says he will not sell his names. But, he says, the following day he will play a game of checkers, with the list as the prize. Chichikov agrees but then refuses to finish the game when he observes Nozdriov cheating. Nozdriov flies into a rage. The police arrive shortly thereafter and arrest him on an outstanding assault charge.
Chichikov continues on to Sobakevich. On the way he comes across a carriage and spots an extraordinarily beautiful girl who captures his attention. He finally reaches Sobakevich's estate. He notes that it is run effectively and is in a much better state than most of the other properties he has visited. Chichikov and Sobakevich meet and discuss the dead souls. Sobkevich agrees to Chichikov's terms and bargains for an expensive price. They eventually reach an agreement.
Word gets around town about Chichikov's plan and people speculate about the possibility of Chichikov being very wealthy. Chichikov is invited to a ball and many women take an interest in him. He talks to the young woman he saw on the road and learns that she is the governor's daughter. Nozdriov arrives at the ball and begins screaming about Chichikov's schemes. After the ball, a rumor spreads that Chichikov is scheming to kidnap the governor's daughter. Suspicions about Chichikov mount and he is barred from entering a number of places. He learns that his name has been tarnished and leaves town.
Chichikov continues his travels and takes up residence with Tentetnikov, a bitter landowner. He continues with his dead souls scheme, making visits to other nearby estates. He subsequently attempts to buy land. Eventually, all of his schemes catch up with him and he is jailed and put on trial for forgery. He narrowly escapes imprisonment by promising to reform his ways. The novel ends with an impassioned speech from a prince about the future of Russia resting on the upholding of civic duty.
