The Overcoat By Gogol
Initial Explication
In the short story “The Overcoat” by Nikolai Gogol, the ability of the affluent to indulge in material comfort leads to their neglect of the suffering lower-class, leaving the poor to fend for themselves in a world filled with crime and environmental discomfort.
On page 932, Gogol’s imagery of various aspects of the night out in St. Petersburg conveys both Akaky’s harsh, cold, and desolate reality as well as the luxurious lifestyle of the well-to-do. In order to travel to the wealthier clerk, Akaky must go on a journey from the “deserted, dimly lit streets” to the “lighter and livelier” streets near the clerk’s house, then return back to his side of town, which had few street lights, “glistening snow”, and “black silhouettes.” …show more content…
After he finally buys a new overcoat to replace his worn-out one, Akaky receives a higher level of respect from his coworkers, who used to taunt him due to his shabbiness and lowly position. One of them, the clerk’s assistant, invites him to a party. The environment around him before and during the party, located in the better district of the city, conveyed a sense of convenience and comfort. Pedestrians dressed in warm and lavish attire, and others traveled with the protection of sledges, elevated above the snow. The clerk assistant had candles placed around his house and provided his guests with catering of tea and cookies, creating a lively and communal mood. However, as soon as Akaky leaves this cozy atmosphere, the world subjects him to pain and suffering. Someone steals his new overcoat, which he earned with his own savings and gave up several meals to buy, leaving him without a way to survive the freezing cold. He no longer possesses his only means of social acceptance. After the incident, he cannot receive the help or attention necessary to obtain it back: he tries to explain to a higher official, who harshly berates him, leading to his death. Akaky, who works hard to relieve their own pain and gain self-respect and acceptance from his materialistic community ends up suffering in the end
In the short story “The Overcoat” by Nikolai Gogol, the ability of the affluent to indulge in material comfort leads to their neglect of the suffering lower-class, leaving the poor to fend for themselves in a world filled with crime and environmental discomfort.
On page 932, Gogol’s imagery of various aspects of the night out in St. Petersburg conveys both Akaky’s harsh, cold, and desolate reality as well as the luxurious lifestyle of the well-to-do. In order to travel to the wealthier clerk, Akaky must go on a journey from the “deserted, dimly lit streets” to the “lighter and livelier” streets near the clerk’s house, then return back to his side of town, which had few street lights, “glistening snow”, and “black silhouettes.” …show more content…
After he finally buys a new overcoat to replace his worn-out one, Akaky receives a higher level of respect from his coworkers, who used to taunt him due to his shabbiness and lowly position. One of them, the clerk’s assistant, invites him to a party. The environment around him before and during the party, located in the better district of the city, conveyed a sense of convenience and comfort. Pedestrians dressed in warm and lavish attire, and others traveled with the protection of sledges, elevated above the snow. The clerk assistant had candles placed around his house and provided his guests with catering of tea and cookies, creating a lively and communal mood. However, as soon as Akaky leaves this cozy atmosphere, the world subjects him to pain and suffering. Someone steals his new overcoat, which he earned with his own savings and gave up several meals to buy, leaving him without a way to survive the freezing cold. He no longer possesses his only means of social acceptance. After the incident, he cannot receive the help or attention necessary to obtain it back: he tries to explain to a higher official, who harshly berates him, leading to his death. Akaky, who works hard to relieve their own pain and gain self-respect and acceptance from his materialistic community ends up suffering in the end