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Self-Deception
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Act 1 Quotes
I had a kind of premonition about this. All last night I dreamt about a couple of extraordinary rats—they were black and absolutely enormous. They came in, took a few sniffs and off they went.
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At the beginning of the play, the mayor informs the other town officials that a government inspector is coming to investigate them. This news reminds the mayor of a dream he had the previous night, which he believes was actually a premonition about the inspector. While the mayor’s mention of his dream seems comically odd and out of place, it offers useful insight into what the mayor thinks of the inspector. The mayor identifies the inspector with the rats from his dream, which were “extraordinary” and “absolutely enormous.” This suggests that the mayor likewise views the inspector as an “extraordinary” Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neq
I don’t need to tell you that there isn’t a man alive who hasn’t some little indiscretion on his conscience.
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Having been warned about a government inspector’s imminent arrival, the mayor defends his many misdeeds by claiming that every man has “some little indiscretion on his conscience.” The mayor implies that if everyone is guilty in some way, then it should be understandable and acceptable for him to have committed small sins too. Such reasoning illustrates how morally corrupt the mayor is. First, he downplays his crimes—which include stealing from townspeople and taking bribes—by calling them “little indiscretion[s].” This understatement suggests that the mayor has made minor mistakes in the past, when in reality the mayor continually chooses to abuse Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perfere
Hell! My sword’s scratched all over. That damned shopkeeper Abdulin knows very well the mayor’s sword’s in poor condition and still he doesn’t send me a new one.
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After the mayor decides to speak to the supposed government inspector, he asks for his sword to be brought to him. The mayor’s sword is part of his formal uniform. And it visually represents his authority, which is why he wants to wear it when he meets the inspector. However, the mayor’s sword doesn’t look impressive. It’s “scratched all over” and “in poor condition,” as the mayor complains. In its damaged state, the sword signifies that the mayor’s authority is tainted by corruption. Just like the mayor has taken poor care of his sword, he has neglected his duties and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Delenit
You watch it! You can’t pull the wool over my eyes. What did you do to that draper Chernayev, eh? He gave you two yards of cloth for a new uniform and you swiped the whole roll! You watch out! You’re taking bribes above your rank!
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While the mayor prepares to meet Khlestakov, the supposed government inspector, he orders the constable Svistunov to help clean up the town. As he does so, he also admonishes Svistunov for stealing a “whole roll” of cloth from a townsperson. The mayor’s reproach reveals that the town’s police are also corrupt. Like the town officials—such as the mayor and the judge—the constables also abuse their authority by stealing and taking bribes. However, the mayor isn’t angry simply because Svistunov accepted a bribe. Rather, the mayor is upset that Svistunov is taking bribes “above [his] rank.” First, these words suggest that Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatu
Now you listen, this is what you must do. Constable Pugovitsyn is very tall, so station him on the bridge to create a good impression. And tell them to pull down that old fence by the shoemaker’s and stick up some poles to make it look like a building site. The more we pull down the busier the mayor will appear.
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Once the mayor believes the government inspector has already arrived, he rushes to make the town more presentable for the inspector. So, he instructs the Chief of Police to set up constables around town to make “a good impression.” The mayor’s own words show that he’s only interested in improving the town’s appearance superficially. It doesn’t matter to the mayor that the constables are known for incompetency and abuses of authority. Instead, the mayor simply cares that a tall constable standing on a bridge will look good. Similarly, the mayor orders the Chief of Police to create the illusion of Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate
Act 2 Quotes
But no: he has to show off in every town. “I say, Osip,” he tells me, “fish around and find me the best room and order a first-rate dinner—no inferior cooking for me, nothing but the best will do.” It wouldn’t be so bad if he really was a somebody, but he’s just a lousy little clerk.
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Stranded at the inn in town, Osip complains about Khlestakov, his master. According to Osip, Khlestakov demands the highest luxuries even though he can hardly afford them. While traveling, he claims he needs to stay in “‘the best room’” and always eat “‘a first-rate dinner,’” because only “‘the best will do’” for him. Osip’s gripes demonstrate that Khlestakov is self-indulgent and pleasure-seeking. He greedily chases after comfort and satisfaction without thinking responsibly. Significantly, Khlestakov seems to desire good food in particular. Osip emphasizes that Khlestakov doesn’t want any “inferior cooking,” but only the best meals. For Khlestakov, food has special Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic
And I’m like you—I’ve no time for two-faced people. I find your frankness and cordiality most gratifying. I do confess that I ask for nothing more out of life than devotion and respect, respect and devotion.
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After the mayor invites Khlestakov to stay in his home, Khlestakov accepts gratefully and compliments the mayor’s sincerity. The irony of Khlestakov’s words is striking. Khlestakov claims he has “no time for two-faced people” without knowing how dishonest the mayor actually is. The mayor is lying to Khlestakov about not only his magnanimous spirit but also the reason for his generosity. The mayor’s hospitality isn’t motivated by “frankness” or “cordiality,” as Khlestakov believes, but instead by an ulterior motive. Through bribery, the mayor intends to win Khlestakov’s favor so that Khlestakov—as the supposed government inspector—won’t report the mayor’s corruption to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Inc
Act 3 Quotes
No, not a general, but he’s as good as one. So cultured, so dignified.
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After he returns to the mayor’s house from the inn, Dobchinsky answers Anna Andreyevna’s insistent questions about the supposed government inspector. By his description, Dobchinsky seems quite awed by Khlestakov. Dobchinsky says that Khlestakov isn’t as high-ranking as a general but is still “as good as one.” This means that Dobchinsky perceives Khlestakov as having the same gravitas as a very powerful, high-status member of the civil service. Additionally, Khlestakov appears “[so] cultured, so dignified” to Dobchinsky. In Dobchinsky’s mind, then, Khlestakov is a greatly impressive and intimidating man, and Dobchinsky spreads this impression of Khlestakov to Anna Andreyevna and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem. Modi omnis iure. Sint qui qui.
Now, Mashenka, we have to decide what to wear. He’s a Petersburg man-about-town, so I hope he won’t laugh at us.
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After she learns that Khlestakov will be staying in the mayor’s house, Anna Andreyevna immediately wonders how she can impress the man she believes is the government inspector. Specifically, Anna is concerned about “what to wear.” Her focus on clothes and appearances underscores her vanity, shallowness, and self-centeredness. She also wants her daughter, Marya Antonovna, to look her best so Khlestakov “won’t laugh at” them. This fear of derision suggests that Anna desires Khlestakov’s acceptance, or approval. She wants to be admired and respected by other people. Like many other characters in the play, Anna displays a need for external Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Volu
I’m mad about good food. But what else is life for except to pluck the blossoms of pleasure…
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After eating lunch at the charity hospital with some of the town officials, Khlestakov muses about how delicious the food was. He also expresses how significant food is to him in general, saying, “I’m mad about good food.” Furthermore, he reveals that in his mind food and pleasure are inextricably linked. When he says, “what else is life for except to pluck the blossoms of pleasure,” Khlestakov implies that the entire purpose of living is to experience pleasure—and, more specifically, to eat good food. This flowery statement indicates that Khlestakov is motivated wholly by his desire for pleasure, comfort, and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis co
Once I was even taken for the Commander-in-Chief himself. The soldiers leapt out of the guardroom and presented arms. Afterwards an officer—a great friend of mine—told me: “Well, old man, we really did think you were the Commander-in-Chief!”
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In front of the town officials and the mayor’s family, Khlestakov exaggerates about his life in St. Petersburg, claiming to be a far more important government official than he actually is. He pretends he was once mistaken “for the Commander-in-Chief himself,” someone much higher-ranking than him. Supposedly, Khlestakov made such a powerful impression that “soldiers leapt out of the guardroom” and “presented arms” to show their respect to him. Khlestakov implies that he’s so impressive that other people can’t help but honor him, even when he’s not trying to attract attention. This made-up story shows how much Khlestakov desires other Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem.
Well, the more I think about it…hell!…my head’s going round! I feel as if I were perched on top of a steeple or as if I had a noose round my neck.
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After Khlestakov brags about his luxurious, high-status life in St. Petersburg, he exits to rest, leaving the frightened mayor to decide which of Khlestakov’s statements were true and which were fanciful, drunken exaggerations. The mayor has difficulty identifying the truth, and his head starts to spin, as he complains here: “Well, the more I think about it…hell!…my head’s going round!” The mayor’s conviction that Khlestakov must be the government inspector prevents him from recognizing that Khlestakov is, in fact, a low-ranking clerk whose self-aggrandizing boasts were all false. The mayor’s self-deception has powerfully disoriented him. The mayor emphasizes how dizzying Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem. Modi omnis i
The whole world’s gone topsy-turvy.
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The mayor exclaims that the “whole world’s gone topsy-turvy” after he hears Khlestakov boast about how powerful and high-ranking he is. The mayor feels bewildered because he believes Khlestakov is as important as he exaggeratedly claims, even though Khlestakov looks ordinary and unimpressive on the outside. From the mayor’s perspective, it doesn’t make sense for Khlestakov to be so different from how he appears. Therefore, the perplexed mayor concludes that everything in the world has become the opposite of what it should be. The mayor’s confusion is humorous because the play’s audience understands that the mayor is mistaken. In fact, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. P
Act 4 Quotes
This just isn’t how things are done in a well-ordered community […]. We should pay our respects one by one—tête-à-tête so to speak, behind closed doors, so no one sees or hears. That’s how things are done in a well-ordered society.
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While the other town officials struggle to decide how to win Khlestakov’s favor, the Warden of Charities proposes they each meet individually with the supposed government inspector “behind closed doors, so no one sees or hears.” He justifies his idea by saying, “That’s how things are done in a well-ordered society.” According to the Warden of Charities, it’s good, orderly, and proper for governments to operate through sly, secretive, and underhanded means. In his view, bribes are perfectly acceptable. When he suggests they “pay [their] respects” to Khlestakov, he means that they should visit Khlestakov out of politeness but also Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et
After all, what does one really need? Only to be respected and genuinely liked.
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During a one-on-one meeting with the postmaster, Khlestakov professes that the only thing anyone “really need[s]” is “to be respected and genuinely liked.” This declaration suggests that Khlestakov believes genuine respect and appreciation are most important—and, in fact, essential—in life. However, Khlestakov’s actions throughout the play demonstrate that he actually seeks attention and admiration beyond what he deserves. Khlestakov repeatedly tries to appear more impressive than he is to attract other people’s adoration. When Khlestakov exaggerates about who he is, he doesn’t make genuine connections. Instead, he gains outside approval based on a false premise. Additionally, Khlestakov takes advantage of Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a.
She’s quite a tasty dish too—not at all bad looking.
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While he enjoys the mayor’s hospitality, Khlestakov decides to take full advantage of his favorable circumstances and indulge his pleasure-seeking habits further. So, after Khlestakov flirts with the mayor’s daughter, Marya Antonovna, he decides to flirt with her mother Anna Andreyevna too. Khlestakov thinks Anna is “not at all bad looking,” which indicates that his interest in her is rather superficial and self-centered. Khlestakov shamelessly pursues Anna even though she’s married to the mayor and he’s already professed love to Marya. His unscrupulous advances toward both mother and daughter demonstrate that Khlestakov is irresponsible and frivolous when it comes to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim ne
What a dunderhead you are! Even when everything’s been explained to you, you still don’t believe it!
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Anna Andreyevna becomes frustrated with her husband, the mayor, when he refuses to believe that Khlestakov wants to marry his daughter, even though she and Khlestakov both insist that it’s true. Anna calls her husband “a dunderhead” and exclaims, “Even when everything’s been explained to you, you still don’t believe it!” Anna’s words ring truer than she realizes. Throughout the play, the mayor consistently ignores the truth when it’s right in front of him. He does so most crucially in the case of Khlestakov’s identity. Even when Khlestakov truthfully explains who he is, the mayor doesn’t believe him and continues Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus
Act 5 Quotes
Fish! I suppose that’s all you can think of! But I do want to have the very best house in the Capital. There’ll be such an exquisite odour when you enter my boudoir that it will make you close your eyes! Oh, how wonderful!
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As soon as Anna Andreyevna and the mayor believe Khlestakov will marry their daughter, they assume this union will allow them to live extravagantly in St. Petersburg. Together, they fantasize about indulging in various luxuries. According to Anna, the mayor can only think about the kinds of fish he’ll be able to enjoy. The mayor’s wish for delicious fish demonstrates his greedy and simple-minded desire for material pleasures. In this way, food symbolizes greedy self-indulgence in pleasure, which the mayor frequently pursues. Anna criticizes her husband for his small-minded enthusiasm for fish, but she’s equally materialistic and pleasure oriented. She Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti
What are you laughing at? You’re laughing at yourselves, that’s what!
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After the mayor discovers that Khlestakov is only a nobody—not the visiting government inspector he feared—the mayor furiously rebukes himself for being stupid and gullible. In the middle of his tirade, the mayor suddenly exclaims, “What are you laughing at? You’re laughing at yourselves, that’s what!” This abrupt line is usually directed toward the audience. In this way, the mayor breaks the fourth wall, or the imaginary separation between actors on stage and a play’s viewers. When the mayor directly addresses the audience, he berates them for laughing at him. The mayor’s anger at being derided shows how much he Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum e
Yes, they say those whom the gods want to punish they first drive insane. Was there anything like a government inspector about that whippersnapper? Absolutely damn all. Not by a long chalk!
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When the mayor realizes he has tricked himself into incorrectly believing Khlestakov is the government inspector, he reflects on his mistake. He says, “those whom the gods want to punish they first drive insane.” This means that his self-deception feels like insanity, which he must be suffering as godsent punishment for his crimes. With this declaration, the mayor expresses how powerfully self-deception distorted his sense of truth and reality—so much so that it feels as if he lost his sanity. Yet the mayor doesn’t deflect all blame for his own error of judgement onto “the gods” or his temporary insanity. Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laborio
I can’t explain how it all came about, for the life of me. I feel as if a thick fog has blinded us. It’s the work of the devil!
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After the town officials learn that Khlestakov wasn’t the government inspector after all, the Warden of Charities expresses shock that they were mistaken. He says he “can’t explain how it all came about,” and he feels “as if a thick fog has blinded” them. Here, the Warden of Charities articulates how bewildering and disorienting their self-deception has been. Not only did the officials believe an incorrupt assumption about Khlestakov, but they also lost sight of the truth in a deeper way. By doubling down on their mistaken perceptions of Khlestakov, the officials distorted reality for themselves, until the figurative “thick Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem. Modi omnis iure. Sint qui qui. Qui similique praesentium. Ex consequatur magnam. Aliquid iste enim. Sequi aut maxime. Adipisci voluptate et. Voluptas suscipit alias. In et eveniet. Eaque et repellendus
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