In the comedy "Marriage," which Gogol began in 1832 as "The Wooers" and completed only in 1842 in its final form, the author attacked in his inimitable manner the modern problem of escape from marriage. By unexcelled, mirth-provoking characterization, and with delightful irony, Gogol satirized the fear of marriage inherent in the soul of the average man. "The Gamblers" is a masterpiece of dramatic suspense, and has been hailed in Europe as a model for plot development. With a few strokes, Gogol drew this set of characters whose purpose in life is so similar, yet whose manners are so individual. When "The Gamblers" was first produced in Berlin, it made a striking impression on the audience whose mystification was complete to the very end.