Questions on Government Inspector

1. Why does Khlestakov think the Mayor wants to put him in jail?

2. What is the main cause of the town officials' excitement?

3. Which events in the play are "just funny" (as in "slapstick"), and which are funny because they employ a Gogolian antilogical device?

4. Are the town's merchants honest? What evidence supports your theory?

5. Are there any non-corrupt institutions in the town? Which ones?

6. Are there any special ways you would interpret the postmaster's professional habits?

7. What is the root cause of corruption in the town?

8. Does the play offer any alternative to the existing system for the town?

9. What is Osip's role, and what lesson should we draw from it?

10. Why does it take Khlestakov so long to figure out what is going on?

11. What do the ladies think of Khlestakov, and why?

12. What does the story about Khlestakov have in common with other Gogol stories we have read?

13. What is the significance of the final scene (the announcement of the real inspector) ?

14. Where do the townsfolk derive their values from?

15. Comment on the Mayor's claim that "Words can do no harm" (Act V, scene I--p. 322)

16. What is the purpose of the "dumb scene" closing the play?