Golovlyov gentlemen

Author: Saltykov-Shchedrin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: Saltykov-Shchedrin is a renowned Russian satirical writer, and this book is one of his representative works. The protagonist of the novel, Porphyry (nickname Yedushka, meaning Little Jew), constantly mentions God and speaks sweetly to his family, but beneath his friendly and enthusiastic exterior lies a cold, heartless, and treacherous nature, as if separated from others by a mountain. He loves empty talk, indulges in fantasies, enjoys lawsuits, and lives frugally, always watching out for his family's property. He seized the property of his older and younger brothers and forced his mother to become his dependent. He refused to provide financial support to his eldest son over a minor issue, driving him to suicide, and his youngest son died in exile due to inability to repay debts. In the end, this vampire was cut off from offspring and died beside his mother's grave. The artistic image of Yedushka has become a typical representation of someone isolated from others, cold-hearted, and solely profit-driven.