Why Nikolai Gogol Struggled to Complete 'Dead Souls'

Nikolai Gogol is a renowned Russian writer whose unfinished novel, Dead Souls, has captured the imagination of readers and scholars for over a century. Despite his remarkable talent, Gogol faced numerous challenges that hindered his ability to complete his magnum opus. This essay explores the psychological, religious, and creative struggles that resulted in the novel's unfinished state.

Psychological Struggles

A Journey Through Turmoil - Gogol's psychological state was marked by profound anxiety and depression. These struggles significantly impacted his creative process and his ability to write consistently. His mind was plagued by a relentless inner turmoil, making it difficult for him to focus on completing his work.

Religious Crisis

A Spiritual Transformation - In the later years of his life, Gogol underwent a deep spiritual crisis. He became preoccupied with questions of morality and the afterlife, leading him to reassess not only his work but his entire artistic direction. This introspection undoubtedly influenced his creative output, including the incomplete novel.

Perfectionism

The Quest for Perfection - Gogol's reputation for meticulousness and perfectionism often hindered his progress in completing Dead Souls. His high standards were so stringent that he continuously revised his work, precisely because of his dissatisfaction. This relentless pursuit of perfection left him with an ever-growing pile of rejections and revisions, ultimately leading to a reluctance to publish unfinished work.

Thematic Complexity

A Complex Web of Themes - The thematic complexity of Dead Souls posed a significant challenge for Gogol. The novel is a satirical portrayal of Russian society, but it also delves into deeper philosophical and ethical questions. The protagonist, Chichikov, is a dynamic figure whose concept of "home" is ambiguous and multifaceted. This complexity made it difficult for Gogol to find a cohesive narrative structure that would satisfy both his artistic vision and the audience's expectations.

After Gogol's death in 1852, it was revealed that he had actually written part two of Dead Souls. However, he famously destroyed the manuscript shortly before his death. The remaining fragments, though available in Russian editions, are often described as poor and unrefined. Gogol's decision to burn the manuscript can be attributed to the realization that the work was an embarrassing mess, compounded by his deepening depression and sense of guilt.

Popular Theories

Popular theories about the destruction of the manuscript range from a fear of insanity to supernatural interference. However, the reality is more mundane. The surviving fragments suggest that Gogol was dissatisfied with the quality of his work, and the realization of its imperfections likely exacerbated his mental health issues. His already profound depression was exacerbated to the point where he refused to engage in any life-sustaining activities, leading to his death.

Personal Struggles

The Struggles Behind the Pages - Beyond the external factors, Gogol's personal struggles played a significant role in his inability to complete the novel. He was prone to depression and suffered from an eating disorder characterized by periods of binge-eating followed by self-starvation. These behaviors not only affected his physical health but also his mental well-being, making it difficult for him to concentrate on his work.

Additionally, Gogol's increasing devotion to religion, particularly the extreme asceticism of Russian Orthodoxy, deepened his mental health issues. The dark and pessimistic outlook of Orthodox Christianity only exacerbated his sense of guilt and self-doubt. These struggles were further compounded by the success of his earlier works, which made it even more challenging for him to find his voice and create freely.

As Gogol matured, his health declined, and his self-imposed religious discipline made it much more difficult to focus on writing. The interplay between his psychological, religious, and personal struggles ultimately led to the novel's unfinished state. In the end, Gogol was unable to complete his vision, and the novel remains a testament to his genius and the complexities of human creativity.