April 1 marks the 207th anniversary of the birth of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, a writer whose name is associated with almost the largest number of mysteries in the history of Russian literature. Is it true that Gogol suffered from mental illness and phobias, did not show interest in women, burned the second volume of Dead Souls and was buried alive?
F. Moller. Portrait of N. V. Gogol, 1840
Photo: gogol.lit-info.ru
Obsessions, a tendency to depressive states, strange behavior and phobias of Gogol made people talk about the presence of mental disorders. Diagnoses ranged from "recurrent melancholy" and "early dementia" to schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis. Numerous symptoms did not fit into the picture of one disease. In addition, the writer retained clarity of thought until the end of his days, he did not have structural disorders of thinking. From time to time, he had strange states of "fading" when he withdrawn into himself and did not react to others. The question of making an accurate diagnosis is still open.
A. Ivanov. Portrait of N. V. Gogol, 1841
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Photo: gogol.lit-info.ru
On the night of February 12, 1852, 10 days before the writer's death, an event took place that still remains a mystery to many fans of Gogol's work. The writer prayed until 3 o'clock in the morning, after which he took out several papers from the portfolio, and ordered to burn the rest of the contents. After that he returned to bed and cried until morning. It is believed that it was on that night that he burned the second volume of Dead Souls. However, it is still not known exactly what was actually burned in the fireplace.
K. Mather. Portrait of N. Gogol, 1841
Photo: ec-dejavu.ru
There were many rumors about Gogol's sexual addictions. Traditionally, it is believed that he either refused to have physical contact with women altogether, or they were episodic. The ascetic lifestyle of the writer and the lack of sexual attraction to women gave rise to the myth of the unconventional orientation of the writer. American literary critic S. Karlinsky wrote about Gogol's "oppressed homosexuality", which implies "suppression of emotional attraction to members of the same gender and aversion to physical or emotional contact with women."
N. V. Gogol. Lithograph by E. Dmitriev-Mamonov, 1840s
Photo: ec-dejavu.ru
However, these assumptions did not find any evidence and remained at the level of hypotheses. The name of only one woman for whom Gogol had romantic feelings and even wanted to marry her is known - Anna Villegorskaya. But their relationship was purely platonic.
Unknown artist. Portrait of Anna Mikhailovna Villegorskaya
Photo: artsait.ru
In 1836 Gogol left for Europe, where he spent 10 years intermittently. Some biographers are sure that he suffered from persecution mania. In addition, the writer considered himself terminally ill and constantly felt the need for treatment. At the same time, doctors did not find any serious problems, except for hypochondria.
F. Moller. Portrait of N. V. Gogol, 1841
Photo: gogol.lit-info.ru
Hypochondriasis and the fear of being buried alive forced Gogol to write a will at 39: “Please do not bury me until signs of decay appear. I mention this because during my illness they find moments of vital numbness on me, my heart and pulse stop beating …”.
F. Moller. Portrait of N. V. Gogol, 1840
Photo: ec-dejavu.ru
A large number of myths are also associated with the death of Gogol. During the reburial of the writer, according to some evidence, his skull was turned to the side. This made them say that he was indeed buried alive. However, later another explanation was found: the side boards of the coffin were the first to rot, the lid fell under the weight of the soil and pressed on the head, and it turned to one side. There was another version: supposedly the skull was not in the grave at all.
I. Repin. Self-immolation of Gogol, 1909
Photo: ilya-repin.ru
The problem is that the certificate of exhumation was not drawn up, and eyewitness accounts vary. The sculptor N. Ramazanov, who made Gogol's death mask, claims that there were signs of decomposition on the body, besides, a person who is in a lethargic sleep still cannot help but react to the high temperature of alabaster. The version of being buried alive turned out to be another myth.
Gogol's death mask
Photo: im3.turbina.ru