Khlestakov's Improvised Rise

The Government Inspector

This thread follows Khlestakov as hunger, vanity, and circumstance lift him into an authority he never actually possesses.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Careless Clerk A Careless Clerk from "The Government Inspector". A Small Man in Trouble Osip's account Osip describes a master who gambles away his money, spends beyond his means, and neglects the journey home.

A Careless Clerk from "The Government Inspector". A Small Man in Trouble Osip's account Osip describes a master who gambles away his money, spends beyond his means, and neglects the journey home.

A Small Man in Trouble Osip's account Osip describes a master who gambles away his money, spends beyond his means, and neglects the journey home. Khlestakov has no plan beyond getting food and avoiding the landlord. Vanity beneath need Even while hungry, he imagines the impressive arrival he might have staged in a carriage. His fantasies reveal the appetite for distinction that later fuels his boasting.

A Loan from the Mayor A Loan from the Mayor from "The Government Inspector". An Accidental Opening Fear sounds like authority Khlestakov protests over the inn's food and threatens to appeal to a minister.

A Loan from the Mayor from "The Government Inspector". An Accidental Opening Fear sounds like authority Khlestakov protests over the inn's food and threatens to appeal to a minister.

An Accidental Opening Fear sounds like authority Khlestakov protests over the inn's food and threatens to appeal to a minister. The Mayor hears a powerful official's anger rather than a debtor's panic. A new role is offered The Mayor gives him money and invites him home. Khlestakov accepts the hospitality without understanding the political meaning others attach to it.

Boasts Without a Plan Boasts Without a Plan from "The Government Inspector". Imagination Takes Command Exaggeration gathers speed Khlestakov claims intimacy with Pushkin, authorship of famous works, and influence over ministers.

Boasts Without a Plan from "The Government Inspector". Imagination Takes Command Exaggeration gathers speed Khlestakov claims intimacy with Pushkin, authorship of famous works, and influence over ministers.

Imagination Takes Command Exaggeration gathers speed Khlestakov claims intimacy with Pushkin, authorship of famous works, and influence over ministers. The lies emerge spontaneously as the listeners admire him. The audience creates the rank His stories are absurd, yet nobody challenges them. The officials' deference turns his fantasies into practical authority for the duration of his visit.

The Visitor's Court The Visitor's Court from "The Government Inspector". Borrowing from the Powerful A casual pattern Khlestakov asks officials for loans and receives money from each.

The Visitor's Court from "The Government Inspector". Borrowing from the Powerful A casual pattern Khlestakov asks officials for loans and receives money from each.

Borrowing from the Powerful A casual pattern Khlestakov asks officials for loans and receives money from each. He understands that they take him for a government functionary, but treats their behavior mainly as amusing and profitable. A letter for a friend He decides to tell Triapichkin what happened, expecting the writer to turn the town into newspaper material. Osip, more alert to danger, argues that they should leave.

The Borrowed Greatness Ends The Borrowed Greatness Ends from "The Government Inspector". A Reputation Unmade The absent man is exposed The letter makes clear that Khlestakov was never an inspector and that he has left town.

The Borrowed Greatness Ends from "The Government Inspector". A Reputation Unmade The absent man is exposed The letter makes clear that Khlestakov was never an inspector and that he has left town.

A Reputation Unmade The absent man is exposed The letter makes clear that Khlestakov was never an inspector and that he has left town. His borrowed status exists now only in the humiliating story he has sent to a friend. Consequences remain behind The officials must face the true visitor while Khlestakov escapes their immediate reach. His opportunistic rise ends, but the town's crisis continues without him.

Act II, before the Mayor's visit

Act II, during the first meeting

Act III, at the Mayor's home

Act IV, during the officials' visits

Act V, after the letter is opened