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Act 2
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Government Inspector, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Corruption and Bureaucracy
Greed, Selfishness, and Pleasure
External Validation
Self-Deception
Summary
Analysis
Scene 1. In the mayor’s house, Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna await news about the government inspector. As her mother endlessly criticizes her, Marya notices Dobchinsky approaching the house. When Anna finally accepts that her daughter’s observation is correct, she futilely tries to question Dobchinsky from the window.
Anna Andreyevna’s eagerness to hear about the supposed government inspector exemplifies how quickly town residents believe Khlestakov is the inspector based on hearsay. As Anna demands impatiently to know everything about Khlestakov, she reveals her self-centeredness. She must always be at the center of excitement. She also haughtily refuses to admit when she’s wrong. That Anna hates to be corrected yet makes obvious mistakes makes her seem more ridiculous.
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Scene 2. Dobchinsky gives Anna Andreyevna the note from the mayor, and she asks what kind of man the government inspector is. Dobchinsky says Khlestakov is as good as a general—cultured, dignified, and intimidating. After inquiring about the inspector’s age and looks, Anna reads the mayor’s note. At first, she’s bewildered by her husband’s words, which are interrupted by the text of Khlestakov’s dining bill. But she makes sense of it and instructs the mayor’s servant Mishka to prepare for Khlestakov’s stay.
Dobchinsky’s description of Khlestakov is evidence of his self-deception. Dobchinsky views Khlestakov as impressive and frightening only because he’s already assumed that Khlestakov is the government inspector. Instead of seeing Khlestakov for who he really is, Dobchinsky perceives him according to his inaccurate, preconceived notions. Then Dobchinsky shares his misunderstanding of Khlestakov with Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna, causing them to form their own mistaken assumptions about Khlestakov. Anna’s view of Khlestakov is particularly shallow, as she only cares if he’s high-ranking and handsome.
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Scene 4. Osip brings Khlestakov’s luggage into the mayor’s house, and Mishka asks him about his master. Osip answers that Khlestakov is “a general, but bottom side up,” which, he says, is more than a real general. Osip asks for some food, then he and Mishka carry Khlestakov’s suitcase into his room.
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Scene 5. Khlestakov arrives at the mayor’s house, pleased by the local officials’ hospitality and the delicious lunch he ate at the charity hospital. The Warden of Charities brags about the hospital’s management, and the mayor boasts about his demanding duties and humble diligence. When Khlestakov asks if the town has any playing-card societies, the mayor exaggeratedly denies any interest in cards. In an aside, the judge reveals that the mayor won money in a card game against him just last night.
Scene 6. The mayor introduces his wife and daughter to Khlestakov, who compliments and flatters Anna Andreyevna. Khlestakov begins overstating his importance in the civil service. He says he was once mistaken for the Commander-in-Chief. He also says he’s a brilliant author and gives extravagant balls in St. Petersburg. He claims he was once begged to take charge of a whole government department, and that he visits the imperial palace every day. Terrified, the mayor suggests that Khlestakov rest in his room.
Scene 7. Bobchinsky declares he almost died of fright in Khlestakov’s presence. Bobchinsky thinks Khlestakov’s rank must be even higher than general. Nervously, the Warden of Charities hopes that Khlestakov won’t write any reports to St. Petersburg.
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Scene 8. Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna gush over Khlestakov’s charm and argue which one of them Khlestakov looked at the most.
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Scene 9. The mayor hushes everyone so they don’t disturb Khlestakov. The mayor admits Khlestakov was very drunk and must have embellished some of his stories, but the mayor doesn’t know what’s true anymore. He says, “The whole world’s gone topsy-turvy,” because it seems that Khlestakov may be a far more important person than he initially appeared.
Scene 10. Interrupting each other, Anna Andreyevna and the mayor question Osip about Khlestakov’s rank and personality. Osip answers vaguely so he doesn’t contradict their impression of Khlestakov as a very important person. When the mayor asks what Khlestakov enjoys most while traveling, Osip says Khlestakov appreciates hospitality and good food. The mayor gives Osip money and in annoyance sends his wife and daughter away.
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Scene 11. Two constables arrive at the mayor’s house. The mayor commands them to guard the front door and turn away any petitioners by force.
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