Artemi Phillipovich Zemlyanika is a gossip in Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector. Zemlyanika has made unconfirmed statements about Judge Ammos fyodorovich lyapkin tyapkin Ivana kuzmich shpyokin Luka Lukich khlopov. Zemlyanika is not a friend of the three people he speaks against, even though he works with them in local government. Zemlyanika argues that Tyapkin slept with Pyotr IIanovich Dbchinski’s Wife. Zemlyanika claims Shpyokin does not deliver letters and packages to their destinations. Zemlyanika claims Khlopov encourages the schoolchildren to adopt dangerous radical ideals. This essay analyzes the Government Inspector, highlighting Zemlyanika’s slanderous habits. Zemlyanika claims Judge Tyapkin engaged in illicit sexual liaisons (with Dobchinski’s spouse); Zemlyanika suggests that Shpyokin fails to deliver letters and packages to their destinations; Zemlyanika argues that Khlopov promotes dangerous revolutionary ideals to schoolchildren. Zemlyanika’s gossiping involves her claiming that Tyapkin is involved in illicit liaisons with Dobchinski’s woman. Zemlyanika says that when Dobchinski leaves, Judge Tyapkin has informal discussions with Dobchinski’s spouse. Due to informal discussions between Judge Tyapkin and Dobchinski’s spouse, Tyapkin was able to impregnate Dobchinski’s woman. Dobchinski’s wife is now the mother of children who look like Judge Tyapkin.
Zemlyanika provides no proof that Tyapkin is guilty of illicit sexual relationships with Dobchinski’s woman. Zemlyanika gossips because he lacks any evidence to support his claims. Zemlyanika also continues to gossip by alleging Shpyokin does not deliver letters and packages to their destination. Shpyokin, as Postmaster of the District should make sure that letters and packages are delivered on time. Shpyokin is accused of not fulfilling this duty by Zemlyanika (Ibid.). Zemlyanika implies that Shpyokin has a bad reputation as a Postmaster. Zemlyanika provides no evidence that Shpyokin has committed this malpractice. Zemlyanika has no proof to support her claims. Zemlyanika engages in gossiping by saying that Khlopov encourages the schoolchildren to adopt dangerous radical ideals. Khlopov serves as the director of schools in the district. Khlopov, as a federal representative in the District, should be able to advance the government’s agenda. Zemlyanika argues that Khlopov breaks federal government rules by encouraging his children to follow anti-government revolutionary principles. Zemlyanika fails to provide any proof that Khlopov has actually violated government principles. Zemlyanika is merely gossiping, given the lack of evidence.
Zemlyanika’s gossiping in The Government inspector is not limited to the above. Zemlyanika’s claims, for instance, that Tyapkin was involved in illicit sexual relations between Dobchinski and his wife are a good example. Zemlyanika claims Shpyokin doesn’t deliver packages or letters to the intended recipients. Zemlyanika also alleges Khlopov encourages pupils to adopt revolutionary ideals that are dangerous. Zemlyanika, a government official, engages in a war of words with her fellow officials. In light of this, it might be interesting to examine the behavior of Russian government officials in the late 1800s.