Russian Realism and Dramatic Comedy

Gogol has often been dubbed the "father of Russian realism." The Government Inspector introduced the principles of dramatic realism to the Russian stage. Lindstrom in his book Nikolay Gogol notes that "the need for greater realism in the theater" was "one of Gogol's most pressing concerns." Gogol consciously desired to counter the burlesque and sentimentality of popular Russian drama with a play that revealed everyday people in everyday life. Edward Braun in an introduction to Nikolai Gogol: The Government Inspector notes that Gogol believed modern drama "must reflect the problems of modern society," and therefore, "sought with his comedy to bring out the significance of everyday happenings." Gogol was thus dissatisfied with the initial production of The Government Inspector because the actors had failed to embody the principals of dramatic realism for which the play had been intended. Lindstrom explains that the actors of...