The Government Inspector

At the window in their home, Anna and Maria stare out while they talk. Anna accuses Maria of “prinking and preening” (278) herself up for men. Maria responds by telling her mother that she can see Dobchinsky through the window. Anna disagrees. She believes that the distant figure is someone else. Anna is soon proved wrong. Annoyed, she shouts at Dobchinsky to hurry. She believes that Dobchinsky is a fool, so she resolves not to say anything until he is in the house.

When he enters, Anna criticizes Dobchinsky for his slowness. She demands to know what has happened with the inspector. Dobchinsky hands her a note from her husband, the Mayor. Anna quizzes Dobchinsky about the inspector, who Dobchinsky says seems to be dignified and refined. He is almost like a military general, Dobchinsky says, but the man is not a general. Though he was hard on the Mayor during the early stages of their conversation, things now seem to have improved: The inspector is being given a tour of the hospital.

Anna wants to know more. Dobchinsky says the inspector has a youthful appearance, even if his proper manner of speaking makes him seem more mature.