Gogol is presented as a rather cheerful sadistic person who loves to ask others questions, and without waiting for an answer, immediately answer them. Very often, or rather constantly, is cheerful. Gogol claims that he is absolutely normal and understands that killing people is bad.  But he likes the feeling of absolute freedom, he wants to become free, like a bird.  Nikolai claims that the skull is the cage from which he dreams of flying out. He DOESN'T LIKE Brainwashing, not being free