Good and evil
This theme is expressed both through art and through wealth. On the one hand, the necessary means are needed so that the artist can freely take care of his business and develop his talent. However, on the example of Andrey Petrovich Chartkov, the reader can see that initially good intentions, which are invested in the perfection, may turn into death. First of all, it may turn into death of the human soul. Gogol shows that a man can overcome everything, only if he has strength and desire. The protagonist shows weakness of his spirit, and therefore he disappears.
Wealth and poverty
Here this theme is presented as a way to find happiness. It would seem that a person needs some money, and everything will be fine – there will be a happy marriage with a beauty, creditors will leave the family alone, everything necessary for creativity will be acquired. However, everything turns out differently. In addition to meeting needs, money has a downside – the creation of greed, envy and cowardice.
Poverty does not allow Chartkov free to engage in creativity. However, poverty is not only Chartkov's material problem, but also his spiritual one. Gold drives the characters crazy, makes them greedy and envious. According to the author, a craven man is not able to cope with a lot of money – they finally destroy him.
Creativity
Gogol presents us two artists. What should be a true creator? One artist desires to study the works of masters, but he does not averse to gain fame, choosing the easy way. Another artist primarily works on himself, on his desires and passions. For him, art is a part of his philosophy and his religion. This is his life; the art cannot contradict life. The main characters feel responsible to their creativity and believe that a person must prove his right to engage in creative activities. A true artist should have one shrine – art. He should not change the bliss of real creativity to immediate gain.
