"The Inspector", the theatrical masterpiece by Gogol, was completed in a period of two months, from October to December 1835. The plot of the play unfolds in a provincial town in Russia where the government officials - from their leader, the Governor, to the lowest in the hierarchy - behave as rulers of the people, with their main concern being fraud, extortion, and intimidation of the ordinary people living in this provincial town. However, this ideal situation for the people of the government mechanism is suddenly disrupted by the news that a high-ranking Inspector is about to arrive, who intends to inspect the way they perform their duties and impose sanctions on those who do not perform them properly. Also, in order to better do his job, he comes incognito. And while rumors abound, a stranger, with a rather strict demeanor and similar manners, arrives at the town's inn. Everyone suspects that he is the Inspector, while in reality he is a low-ranking employee of a ministry, named Khlestiakov, who returns from his leave penniless, as he has lost all his money in gambling and is unable to pay for his stay at the inn. The Governor invites him to his house to secure the favor of the esteemed Inspector. The latter, that is the insignificant Khlestiakov, taking advantage of the situation, terrorizes everyone and flirts with the wife and daughter of the Governor. However, even when Khlestiakov leaves, a new cycle of torment opens for the government officials of this town, as this time the real Inspector arrives.

"Marriage" takes place in 19th century Russia, in two acts. In the first act of this completely unbelievable incident, as the play itself characterizes it, Pontkoliosin, a timid ministerial counselor, considers getting married. As was customary at that time, he entrusts a matchmaker, the cunning Tekla, to introduce him to the suitable bride. Thus, he comes into contact with Agafia Tikhonovna. Other prospective grooms also gather at her house. After the grooms meet the bride, a comedic scene follows, as they compete with each other. In the second act, Agafia must decide which of the grooms she prefers. Kotskaryov, a friend of Pontkoliosin, persuades Agafia with tricks and maneuvers to choose Pontkoliosin, leaving the other grooms out of the picture. However, while the preparations for the wedding have begun, Pontkoliosin reconsiders and abandons the idea of marriage - and the bride - by jumping out of the window!

The element that differentiates the play "The Inspector" from the comedies of its time and makes it a classic creation in the field of social satire is that the characters it presents are and remain true. Also, the richness of the description of both authoritarianism and servility of public servants in an autocratic state stands out. Gogol himself writes characteristically: "In my Inspector, I sought to gather and satirize once and for all all the rottenness that exists in Russia, all the injustices that are committed, right where we would expect absolute justice to reign."

"The Inspector" is not only the most brilliant satire of the tsarist bureaucracy, but also of social corruption in any country and in any historical period we encounter it. For this reason, Gogol faced relentless attacks the day after the first performance of The Inspector. In response to these attacks, he writes to his friend Stshepkine: "Now I understand what it means to be a playwright. If you say even the slightest truth - even a trace of that truth - you have to contend not only with individuals, but with entire classes." And from this perspective, "The Inspector" is one of the classic works of world literature in the field of social satire.