Chichikov Is Thought To Be A Wealthy Man (Dramatic Irony)
After getting his purchase deeds approved in the government office, Chichikov is suspected to be a wealthy man. Everyone in the office begins to speculate about his potential wealth, and women in the town start to view him as a valuable marriage prospect. However, this impression is fictitious, as Chichikov is merely using these purchases as a part of a get-rich-quick scheme. In this instance of dramatic irony, the reader understands that Chichikov is trying to construct the appearance of wealth, without actually having it. The reader perceives the hollowness of his efforts before the characters catch on.
Chichikov Is Delayed By The Prosecutor's Funeral (Dramatic Irony)
On his way out of town, Chichikov is delayed by the prosecutor's funeral procession. This is notable because Chichikov was actually the one who inadvertently caused the prosecutor's death. The prosecutor was overcome with a heart attack when people were getting frenzied about Chichikov being a criminal. In this example of dramatic irony, the reader sees that Chichikov himself is the ultimate cause of the events that delay his exit, by having been the source around which such stressful talk was occurring near the prosecutor.
Chichikov Wants To Purchase Dead Peasants (Situational Irony)
Throughout the novel, Chichikov's main goal is to purchase the names of dead peasants. He does so as part of a convoluted financial scheme to raise capital for an estate he will purchase. This is strange, and is perceived as such, because he is not purchasing the life and labor of an actual serf, but is instead focused on amassing the titles of dead ones. This occurrence of situational irony highlights the fact that Chichikov is buying something that is seemingly without value to create the appearance of value: serfs that can no longer work to go with an estate he has not purchased yet.
Manilov Considers Chichikov A Great Friend (Situational Irony)
After Chichikov visits and buys his dead souls, Manilov considers him a great friend. This impression is fundamentally incorrect, as Chichikov was only acting out of self-interest, but Manilov still falls for it. Chichikov establishes this impression by relentlessly flattering Manilov and Manilov mistakes his words for being genuine. In this instance of situational irony, Manilov holds onto the idea that Chichikov actually likes him, when in reality he has simply been fooled by Chichikov's false compliments. Chichikov is not a great friend; in fact he is the opposite, someone who only has self-interest at heart.
