Memoirs of a Madman

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Content Disclaimer

This adaptation delves into themes of mental illness, social isolation, and the pressures of bureaucracy. It also contains satirical commentary on societal structures, which may challenge readers' perspectives. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their comfort with these themes before engaging with the text.

Reading Levels

Total Words 7923
Unique Words 1785
Reading Ease

Languages

Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian

Memoirs of a Madman

About the Author

Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian writer known for his satirical and surreal works. With stories like "The Overcoat" and "Dead Souls," Gogol's writing often critiques societal norms and the human condition through absurdity and humor. His influence on Russian literature and his unique narrative style have made him a timeless and significant literary figure.

Story Overview

Enter the surreal and unsettling world of Memoirs of a Madman with our leveled reading adaptation. Set in 19th-century Russia, this darkly comic short story follows the gradual mental decline of Poprishchin, a low-level bureaucrat who becomes obsessed with social status and power. As his grip on reality slips, the narrative reveals Gogol’s biting critique of Russian society, bureaucracy, and the fragility of the human mind. This adaptation brings to life Gogol’s unique blend of satire, absurdity, and psychological depth in a format accessible to readers of all levels.

The Power of Passage Markers

Synchronized Materials

Each text is broken down into numbered passages, synchronized across all versions, enabling every student to follow along in class discussions, regardless of the reading level they are using.

Passage numbers are available in the web reader and in the margins of our paperback copies.

A Multimedia Reading Experience

Combine Print & Digital

The author's original words are always just a tap away. Easily reference the original language of any one of our leveled readers by visiting our web application and jumping to the corresponding passage.