Russia's Future
Russia's future is a major theme in the novel. The narrator is constantly remarking on the social issues he sees plaguing Russia and, later in the story, seems to suggest some potential ways those problems might be solved. In his portrayal of the various landowners, Gogol reveals how these characters' fixation on money and their dehumanizing treatment of serfs reveal broader social issues. These characters show the moral rot that the narrator seems to believe is hurting Russian society. In the second part of the novel, towards the end of the story, Chichikov expresses a desire to change his ways and work towards improving Russia as a whole. Gogol seems to suggest that Russia requires a shift in its values, away from efficiency and finances and towards compassion.
Serfdom
Serfdom is one of the novel's central themes, as Chichikov's entire quest centers on his purchase of "dead souls," the names of various deceased serfs. In the novel the landowners are frequently seen abusing their serfs, calling them names or threatening them with physical violence. The lists themselves are extremely objectifying as they literally reduce the serfs into a means of making money. The casualness with which Chichikov and the landowners talk of having power over the serfs, and speak of them in condescending terms, shows the abusiveness of this institution. The novel implies that serfs have no agency or freedom, and are treated in a similarly transactional manner to the "dead souls" being collected by Chichikov.
Adaptation
Adaptation is another important theme in the book. At a young age, Chichikov is instructed by his father to work diligently at pleasing his teachers and superiors so that he might rise in the class ranks. He does so successfully, earning the approval of his teachers through flattery. He employs these same tactics throughout the novel, as he compliments various officials and landowners to cultivate a positive reputation in the town. Without a moral compass, Chichikov merely adapts to whatever situation he finds himself in by ingratiating himself with powerful people. Chichikov talks about the subjects that interest them and praises them falsely in order to get what he is after.
Greed
Greed is another major theme in the novel. The stingy Pliushkin is fixated on the idea of saving as much money as possible, going so far as to refuse his own daughter financial assistance. He never spends, loans, or donates his money, but simply hoards it to himself. Likewise, Chichikov is only interested in money because he believes it is a way to move up the social ladder. Chichikov and other characters do not look at money solely as a means of survival. Instead, they view it as a sign of cultural power and, as such, amass it in an effort to remain in good standing in Russian society. They are greedy because they have assigned a moral value to money.
The Purpose of Writing
The narrator frequently comments on his own narrative. He repeatedly remarks that he is aware that Chichikov is an unlikely choice for a protagonist. He says that Chichikov is not impressive or morally upright, unlike most fictional heroes. Later in the novel, he explains that he chose to write about Chichikov as a way to explore the less noble and more troubled aspects of human life and Russian society. He says that he believes stories must engage with unglamorous subject matter, as work that ignores these things misses where real problems and conflicts reside.
Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy appears throughout the novel as a major theme. At various points, the narrator remarks on the fact that things rarely get done. He shows this in the scene in which Chichikov goes to a government office, is sent to various incorrect departments, and only gets his purchase deeds filed after bribing an officer. The motif of bureaucracy shows up in the novel to demonstrate how both inefficiency and corruption are plaguing Russia.
Gossip
Gossip is another key theme in the novel. When Chichikov comes to town, everyone takes a liking to him because he is charming and says flattering things. Later, they suspect he is wealthy because he has made a number of deals with landowners. The public's opinion of him rapidly shifts, however, when people learn he has been buying dead souls. They grow wary of him and start to say that he plans to kidnap the governor's daughter. As a result of this talk, he is shunned in town and eventually has to leave. In both views of Chichikov, the townspeople have painted him inaccurately. He is neither as good nor as evil as they assume him to be. In this way, Gogol reveals how gossip can run amok.
