The Goverment Inspector by Gogol Wonderful play

 The Goverment Inspector by Gogol

Wonderful play

I am rating this a second time, because I have just finished it again.

And it is a pleasure even when the plot is familiar.

In fact, it is part of everyday life, in many parts of the world.

Corruption is at the center of the Government Inspector and what a widespread phenomenon that is.

We have seen the scandal of the Panama Papers erupting in the past days.

And those documents point out that families of the mighty in Russia, China and other supposedly "egalitarian" places have stashed fortunes in fiscal paradises.

All the while pretending that they care so much about the poor and that they want everyone to pay their dues and taxes.

- Yeah, right...everybody but me

The story of Gogol centers on a government official that is coming to a town to check on the local grandees.

They hear about the visit and fall into their own trap, caused by mistaken identity.

Actually, it is not so much mistaken, as a willed identification of a visitor with the comptroller.

The local leaders are so deeply involved in graft, embezzlement and other wrongdoing that they can't see straight anymore.

When they hear about a man that appears to have some manners and to be coming from Sankt Petersburg they all say:

- This is our man

And the comedy of errors continues.

When they meet this "inspector" he is almost as scared as the local crooks are.

For he had long finished his money and has trouble feeding himself and his servant.

The owner of the inn where they lodge had promised that he would inform the authorities and seek to extract the debt he is owed.

So when the authorities show up, willing as they are to ingratiate themselves with the "inspector", the latter fears they have come to throw him in jail.

So he throws a fit.

- You're here to take me to prison

- No

- I will report this to the highest authorities!!

- Oh no, no!!

When the visitor finds that the mayor, the magistrate, head of the post office and all the other notability of the town are there to make him happy, he takes advantage.

Women fall for him and that reminds me of a mot by Henry Kissinger:

- Power is the strongest aphrodisiac.

Indeed, even the limited power of a supposed inspector works miracle.

As he says, more or less:

- They fall all over me...I do not even know who to take...the mother or the daughter

- I will take the wife of the mayor for it is evident that she is more than willing to do anything

Money poured in.

All the officialdom is up to no good, stealing money from prisoners, opening up letters, keeping them and finally spying on the "inspector" himself.

With what hilarious results?

I will let you find out