# Manilov — Dead Souls character guide

> Manilov in Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** landowner Manilov, the smiling Manilov

**First appearance:** 0004-part-i-ii

## Snapshot

A landowner whose smile is as sweet as his estate is stagnant, forever dreaming of projects he will never begin and guests he will never really see.

## Who they are

Manilov is the first host Chichikov visits, a man so eager to please that his politeness dissolves into vapor. He kisses, offers cigars, and speaks of friendship and enlightenment while his household drifts in a haze of unfinished intentions. He matters because he sets the tone for the whole gallery of landowners: each one is a variation on the theme of a soul that has gone soft, empty, or dead while the body keeps smiling.

## Relationships

### [Chichikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/characters/chichikov)

_social_

Chichikov engages with the overly sentimental and impractical Manilov in a superficial, transactional acquaintance.

### [Chichikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/characters/chichikov)

_social_

Chichikov engages with the overly sentimental and impractical Manilov in a superficial, transactional acquaintance.

### [Chichikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/characters/chichikov)

_social_

Chichikov engages with the overly sentimental and impractical Manilov in a superficial, transactional acquaintance.

## In the story

### [Dead Souls Part I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/chapters/dead-souls)

The first landowner Chichikov visits; he willingly sells his dead souls out of politeness.

### [Chapter I: The Arrival of Paul Ivanovitch Chichikov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/chapters/part-i-i)

An unctuous and approachable landowner whom Chichikov meets at the Governor's party.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

Initially confused and suspicious of Chichikov's request, but ultimately agrees to give away the dead souls for free, moved by Chichikov's words.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Mentioned by the landlady as a more delicate eater compared to Sobakevitch.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/chapters/part-i-vii)

Accompanies Chichikov to the government office to register the serf purchase.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/chapters/part-i-ix)

Gives a glowing, sentimental endorsement of Chichikov, offering to vouch for him personally, but offers no practical information.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/characters/manilov
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dead_souls_se/characters