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Inspector General Nikolai Gogol's play Inspector General is considered one of the finest works of Russian dramaturgy. Plays satire correspond to the realities of our days, this is why its philosophical value remained undermined, up until now. Gogol tells a story of young con- master Khlestakov, who is being mistaken for undercover inspector in one of Russian provincial towns. Towns officials try very hard to divert inspectors attention from their corruptive practices by offering him bribes. After having realized that he is being mistaken for some authority figure, Khlestakov decides to take advantage of situation. He asks Mayor to land him money, while promising that he will not report on his shady dealings.
Towns smaller officials offer Khlestakov financial assistance, as well. Khlestakov accepts money, while making fun of corrupt officials, behind their back. Eventually, he decides to leave the town, before real Inspector General arrives. When this happens, Mayor cannot believe that he was being fooled, which results in famous silent scene, where Mayor and his associates simply stand on the stage with their mouths wide open. Inspector General was written in 1836, but author could not have it published until 1842, because plays social satire was considered as being politically-incorrect by Russian standards of the time. It was being staged by various theaters in Russia, starting from 1890.
Ordinary people liked Inspector General, unlike bureaucrats, who rightfully considered Gogol's play as being a slap to their faces. It is very remarkable that even today, when Putin's regime strives to deprive Russians of their freedoms, Russian theaters are being discouraged from staging Gogol's play with the mean of threatening phone calls. However, it would be wrong to suggest that Inspector General is specifically Russian play. Even in countries like U. S. , bureaucratic apparatus tries of gain a status of being beyond criticism. We constantly get to hear about officials effort to feed the hungry children, about their religious righteousness and about their willingness to hang out with ordinary folks.
As a rule, this continues right up until the time when some of these holy officials are being caught accepting bribes or molesting children. Therefore, Gogol's play can be thought of as a great tool, when it comes to opening peoples eyes on what is going on around them. It is not that Inspector General can be performed today it must be performed. Just like ancient Greek dramas, Gogol's play will always remain actual, for as long as peoples nature remain the same.
It has been said that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Today we are being told that we will be much better off, if we surrender our freedoms for the sake of security. It is becoming impossible to distinguish bureaucrats from each other they all wear grey suits, they all smile and they all lie. After reading Inspector General, it is quite impossible to remain naive, when it comes to discussing the role of bureaucracy in our society. Gogol was able to show that, the more any particular official talks about morality, religion or traditional values the more he is corrupt. Inspector General is a humanistic play, in full sense of this word.
It devalues social dogmas and promotes freethinking. It teaches people to question reality, instead of blindly swallowing the official propaganda. Gogol was able to show that bureaucrats have the same anomalistic urges as everybody else, even though that they want ordinary people to think of them as being so much above. Many critics suggest that Inspector General true purpose was to criticize Tsarist Russias social practices. However, it appears that plays real value is universal. A few years ago, it was revealed that the members of International Olympic Committee used to accept millions of dollars in bribes.
After this, they were being quietly given other jobs, while public was assured that justice triumphed. If Gogol was alive, it might have inspired him to write another play, where the main corruption would have been Juan Antonio Samaranch. Inspector General comes in very handy, when one seeks the answer why bureaucrats cannot be educated or reasoned with. After reading Gogol's masterpiece, people very rarely maintain their former social illusions.
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Research essay sample on Suggest That Inspector General Suggest That Inspector Play
