External Validation Theme Analysis

Many of the characters in The Government Inspector are motivated by the desire for external validation. When Khlestakov says, “After all, what does one really need? Only to be respected and genuinely liked,” he reveals his longing for outside approval. He frequently shows off and presents himself as more impressive than he actually is to attract other people’s adoration. Yet, in reality, Khlestakov is nobody important, nor does he do any honest work to earn the respect and admiration he desires. Similarly, the mayor puts more effort into seeming a good mayor when he thinks the government inspector has arrived than he does into being a good mayor. He hurries to make superficial changes to the town to conceal corruption instead of addressing the townspeople’s complaints. Also, as soon as the mayor believes his daughter Marya Antonovna will marry an important man, he solicits everyone’s congratulations to enhance his own reputation and self-importance. Like Khlestakov, the mayor wants attention, respect, and admiration from the people around him, although he does nothing to earn these things. Furthermore, at the end of the play, the mayor and other town officials are more upset that Khlestakov has turned them into laughingstocks than they are remorseful about their numerous wrongdoings. More than anything else, the officials care about their images. By showing how morally corrupt and foolish these characters are, the play exposes a comically large gap between the admiration they desire and the ridicule they deserve. In doing so, the play ultimately ridicules people who are so morally corrupt that they believe external validation for appearing good is more important than actually doing good.