Gogolâs great Russian classic is the Pickwick Papers of Russian Literature. It takes a sharp but humorous look at life in all its strata, but especially the devious complexities in Russia with its landowners and serfs. We are introduced to Tchitchikov, a businessman who, in order to trick the tax authorities, buys up dead âsoulsâ or serfs whose names still appear on the government census. Despite being a dealer in phantom crimes and paper ghosts, he is the most beguiling of Gogolâs characters. Gogolâs obsession with attempting to display âthe untold riches of the Russian soulâ eventually led him to madness, religious mania and death. Dismissed by him as merely âa pale introduction to the great epic poem which is taking shape in my mindâ, Dead Souls is the culmination of Gogolâs genius.