Dead Souls: personer, tidslinje og steder

Chichikov arrives in N., questions the waiter, and wins invitations by flattering local officials.

Manilov agrees to give Chichikov deceased serfs still recorded as living and cover the legal costs.

After a storm forces Chichikov to seek shelter, Korobotchka agrees to sell him her dead peasants.

Chichikov meets Nozdrev at a tavern and accepts an invitation to visit his estate.

Sobakevitch bargains hard over dead peasants and tells Chichikov about Plushkin's neglected estate.

Chichikov agrees to assume taxes on Plushkin's dead serfs and also pays for runaways.

With help from friendly officials, Chichikov registers his purchases and celebrates at a feast.

Chichikov offends women at the Governor's ball, and Nozdrev publicly mentions his purchases of dead peasants.

Two women turn reports of Chichikov's purchases into an abduction rumor that alarms the town.

Officials debate wild explanations of Chichikov's business, while he eventually hears the accusations and prepares to leave.

Chichikov leaves town after repairs and a funeral delay, and the account turns to his childhood.

The narrator introduces Tientietnikov and traces his disappointed ambitions and unsuccessful efforts to manage his estate.

Chichikov improves the General's opinion of Tientietnikov and obtains his agreement to give dead souls and land.

Chichikov visits Pietukh by mistake, persuades Platon to travel with him, and reaches Kostanzhoglo's productive estate.

Chichikov inspects Khlobuev's neglected estate, agrees to buy it, and makes an initial payment.