Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol is one of the most eminent Russian writers of the 19th century, who glorified his name as a prose writer, playwright, poet and publicist. Gogol left behind a rich literary heritage. Biographers of the writer have always paid special attention to the final period of his life. It is still not entirely clear what exactly was the real cause of the writer's death.
Instructions
Step 1
At the end of 1851, Gogol settled in Moscow and lived on Nikitsky Boulevard in the house of Count Alexander Tolstoy, with whom he was on friendly terms. In January of the following year, the writer more than once talked with Archpriest Matthew Konstantinovsky, being previously acquainted with him by correspondence. The conversations were rather harsh, the priest reproached Gogol for lack of piety and humility.
Step 2
It was to Matthew Konstantinovsky that the writer entrusted the reading of the almost finished manuscript of the second part of the poem "Dead Souls", hoping to get his approval. However, after reading the text of the poem, the priest criticized the work and even spoke out against its publication in full, calling Gogol's book harmful.
Step 3
A negative assessment of the work and other personal reasons, apparently, forced Gogol to abandon further creativity. A week before Lent, which began in February 1852, the writer began to complain of malaise and stopped eating. Gloomy thoughts increasingly visited Gogol, as eyewitnesses testify.
Step 4
A few days before his death, the writer, apparently in a confusion of spirit, burned in the fireplace a bunch of notebooks containing not only the second volume of Dead Souls, but also sketches for other works. Despite the beliefs of his friends, Gogol still did not eat anything, observing a strict fast. In the second half of February, he finally went to bed, refusing help and medical care. All signs indicated that Gogol was already internally preparing for his imminent death.
Step 5
The medical council gathered at the invitation of the owner of the house did not come to a consensus, assessing the condition of the sick writer and the causes of his illness. Some believed that the patient suffered from intestinal inflammation, others believed that he had typhoid or even nervous fever. Some were convinced that the cause of the disease lies in a mental disorder.
Step 6
The efforts of the doctors were unsuccessful. On February 20, 1852, the writer fell into unconsciousness, and died the next morning. Gogol was buried in the cemetery of the Danilov Monastery. During the Soviet era, the monastery was closed. The grave of the great writer was opened, and his remains were moved to the Novodevichy cemetery.
Step 7
There is a legend, which has not found full confirmation, that during the reburial it was discovered that the remains of the writer were in an unnatural position. This gave rise to the assertion that at the time of burial, Gogol was in a state of lethargic sleep and was buried almost alive. However, this is probably just speculation based on the fears of being buried alive, which the writer expressed during his lifetime.
