Monologue

Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov Monologue from The Inspector-General

From The Inspector-General by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol

male · sarcastic · 1:26 min

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I really don't know. You see, my father is stubborn and stupid--an old dotard as hard as a block of wood. I'll tell him straight out, "Do what you will, I can't live away from St. Petersburg." Really, why should I waste my life among peasants? Our times make different demands on us. My soul craves enlightenment. GOVERNOR (aside). He can spin yarns all right. Lie after lie and never trips. And such an ugly insignificant-looking creature, too. Why, it seems to me I could crush him with my finger nails. But wait, I'll make you talk. I'll make you tell me things. (Aloud.) You were quite right in your observation, that one can do nothing in a dreary out-of-the-way place. Take this town, for instance. You lie awake nights, you work hard for your country, you don't spare yourself, and the reward? You don't know when it's coming. (He looks round the room.) This room seems rather damp.

About this piece

20s · confusion · isolation · ambition · identity · power

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