Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol is a satirical exploration of 19th-century Russian society through the eyes of Pavel Chichikov, a cunning opportunist. Traveling across the countryside, Chichikov buys "dead souls"—deceased serfs still registered on census records—to secure loans and wealth. His scheme exposes the corruption, greed, and absurdities of landowners he encounters. Each character represents a caricature of human folly, from miserly farmers to pompous nobles. As Chichikov's plan unravels, Gogol critiques the moral decay of imperial Russia, blending dark humor with social commentary. The novel remains an unfinished masterpiece, leaving readers pondering the fate of its antihero and the soulless world he inhabits.