This article is devoted to the study of the motif of the look in the works of Nikolai Gogol and its role in shaping the psychological and satirical features of his characters. The analysis focuses on variations of averted look — “looking into the corner”, “looking askance”, and “looking at oneself”, considered as elements of nonverbal behavior with settled semantics. It is shown that the direction of the look in Gogol’s characters reflects their inner state, the degree of their involvement in what is happening, their attitude towards others, and features of their self-perception. “Looking into the corner” is interpreted as a sign of introversion, stasis, and alienation of the personality, while “looking askance” demonstrates semantic variability: in Gogol’s fantasy tales it expresses fear, anxiety, and internal conflict, while in satirical and St. Petersburg texts it becomes a marker of hidden control, psychological manipulation, and power superiority. Special attention is paid to the look directed at oneself, realized through the motif of the mirror, reflection in water, or encounter with a double. Such a look is associated with problems of self-identification, splitting of consciousness, and the formation of a social mask. Overall, the motif of the gaze in Gogol’s prose is understood as a multi-layered artistic device combining psychological, symbolic, and grotesque-satirical functions, allowing for a deeper understanding of both individual characters and the typological features of Gogol’s world.
For citation: Grigorian A.M. The motif of the gaze in the works of N.V. Gogol: gazes “into the corner”, “sideways” and “at oneself”, Ivanovo State University Bulletin, Series: Humanities, 2026, iss. 2, pp. 5—11.