Overall, Chichikov became the owner of nearly 400 souls (our estimation shows that in fact there were 395 souls). Manilov transferred him souls as a gift. Korobochka received from Chichikov 16 roubles, Sobakevich – 187 roubles and 50 kopeks (according to our calculation), Plushkin – 24 roubles and 96 kopeks. Total Chichikov’s purchase costs were about 228 roubles. A simple calculation shows that with 395 souls bought for 228 roubles an average price for one soul was 58 kopeks. Expenditures for registration were 412 roubles. Adding the bribe, he had to give to an official, that was 437 roubles, which exceeded the sum he spent for purchasing dead souls. If we consider that the Treasury’s commission amounted to 1.5 % of the loan, Chichikov could have received 77 815 roubles, which makes it a perfect bargain. However, Chichikov made serious mistakes. His marketing was too much aggressive – he should not have had dealings with Korobochka and Nozdrjov. Above all, he should not have stayed in the town after having registered his purchases. As a result, the truth was revealed due to the leak of information about the purchase of dead souls. Chichikov had to leave the town in great haste. Judging from the remaining chapters of the second volume of Dead Souls, the project of receiving a loan was not completed.
DOI: 10.17323/0869-5377-2025-1-1-27
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