Dead Souls (Symbol)
In the novel, dead souls symbolize the treatment of serfs in imperial Russia. Chichikov schemes to purchase the names of various deceased peasants from different landowners. He does this in an attempt to gather the money to purchase land, claiming that he is relieving these landowners of a tax burden. By purchasing the names of these dead serfs, he is effectively treating them in the same way that they were treated in life, as commodities to be used for profit. His reduction of these human lives into names symbolizes the way these serfs were viewed as nothing more than property.
Troika (Symbol)
The troika (a three-horse carriage) works as a symbol of Russia's future. At the end of the first section, the narrator compares the country of Russia to the troika that is carrying Chichikov. He describes how it hurtled through space, rapidly moving towards some unknown destination. By making this comparison, the narrator suggests that Russia's future is uncertain, but the pace with which it is changing is fast. In this way, the troika symbolizes Russia's undecided fate.
Estate (Symbol)
Different characters' estates serve as symbols of their respective lifestyles. Pliushkin's estate is run-down and decrepit and he is described as a cruel and selfish man ruined by the death of his wife. Similarly, Sobakevich's estate is bare but extremely orderly while Sobakevich himself is a cold and business-minded man. These estates, and others, work to reflect the personality of their owners, indicating where their attentions and concerns lie.
Titles (Motif)
Titles are a recurring motif throughout the novel. Many characters in the story place a great deal of emphasis on their titles, so much so that conflicts arise over the failure to address someone properly. Chichikov is forced to intervene on behalf of Tentetnikov after he has offended General Betrishchev, refusing to address him according to rank. This moment creates a significant rift between the two of them. In this instance, and others like it, Gogol shows the importance of titles and hierarchy, as characters demand a certain level of respect based on their rank. It demonstrates how continually aware the different characters are of their class status in relation to others.
Common Language (Motif)
Common language is another recurring motif in the novel. The narrator frequently remarks on how certain words are common in certain parts of the Russian vernacular. He indicates that the usage of these words indicates someone's class. These instances show the way in which language, like land and clothing, is a sign of class status and how attuned to these seemingly minor moments all of the characters are.
