# Nozdrev — Dead Souls character guide

> Nozdrev in Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Monsieur Nozdrev

**First appearance:** 0006-part-i-iv

## Snapshot

A loud, reckless gambler who lies for the pleasure of it, and whose loose tongue threatens to drag Chichikov's quiet scheme into the open.

## Who they are

Nozdrev is the man at every party who has already lost his money, his temper, and his credibility, and is cheerfully working on the rest. He befriends Chichikov impulsively, then turns on him just as impulsively, and the two ladies of the town are soon trading rumors that he was an accomplice in something scandalous. He matters because he is the story's live wire: wherever he goes, private business becomes public noise.

## Relationships

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

_rivalry_

Chichikov and Nozdrev have a volatile, antagonistic relationship marked by Nozdrev's chaotic interference and Chichikov's attempts to manipulate him.

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

_rivalry_

Chichikov and Nozdrev have a volatile, antagonistic relationship marked by Nozdrev's chaotic interference and Chichikov's attempts to manipulate him.

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

_rivalry_

Chichikov and Nozdrev have a volatile, antagonistic relationship marked by Nozdrev's chaotic interference and Chichikov's attempts to manipulate him.

## In the story

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

A reckless and boisterous landowner who nearly exposes Chichikov's scheme.

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

Encountered at the tavern; boisterous and reckless, he insists Chichikov visit him, tries to force gambling and drinking, and insults Chichikov when refused.

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

Appears drunk at the ball and loudly reveals Chichikov's scheme to buy dead souls, causing a scandal.

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

Visits Chichikov, spreads wild accusations, and offers to help with a supposed abduction scheme.

## Links

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