This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the overcoat by nikolai gogol. Akaky is a hard working man who is dedicated to his job, which includes handcopying of documents, despite the lack of appreciation of his efforts even by his workmates who constantly distract and make fun of him gogol, p. Nikolai gogol the overcoat the cloak short russian story russian literature. The overcoat is a classic russian satire first published in 1842. The overcoat study guide from litcharts the creators of. Youll be assessed on your knowledge of the plot, characters, and. The overcoat summary once upon a time in a town called st. Another moment of selfreflexivity is gogol s acknowledgement of his play with genre conventions. The overcoat in gogols the overcoat represents the human condition that society offers him akakiy akakievitch as he suffers from the lack of compassion and a parallel lack of warm overcoat. Gogols dead souls and the overcoat are considered the foundation of 19thcentury russian realism. The story and its author have had great influence on russian literature, as expressed in a.
Analysis of gogols the overcoat essay free dessertations for. But why didnt he name it akaky, or the prominent personage, or even the ghost. The overcoat is a short story by nikolai gogol, and this quizworksheet combo will help you test your understanding of it. Gogols dead souls and the overcoat are considered the foundation of 19thcentury russian realism gogols story of government clerk akaky akakiyevich bashmachkin combines a careful eye for. The narrator of the overcoat describes events hes heard about but hasnt witnessed personally.
Gogols dry humor is peppered throughout the overcoat, like at akakys baptism, where. Even though most romantics place their main characters on prestigious places in the society gogol did just the opposite. The overcoat in gogol s the overcoat represents the human condition that society offers him akakiy akakievitch as he suffers from the lack of compassion and a parallel lack of warm overcoat. From the beginning the overcoat combines elements of exaggerated, even slapstick satire with degrees of social realism. Nikolai gogol story the overcoat cloak full english text. Jhumpa lahiris the namesake is a story that is parallel to nikolai gogols short story the overcoat. Gogols work is commended and mentioned countless times by lahiri in her writing. Examine our the overcoat analysis created by our expert writers to get a better idea of how such papers should be written. The overcoat is a story by a russian author nikolai vasilievich gogol.
A phrase that is often attributed to either dostoevsky or turgenev we have all emerged from gogols overcoat was more likely said of them, but regardless of provenance it remains apposite. Gogol tapped into a frustration his russian readers in the 1840s knew well. The story the overcoat and its author nikolai gogol have had great influence on russian literature, as expressed in a quote attributed to fyodor. This insistence that he has heard the story creates a persona or storyteller that is. Jan 20, 2009 in gogols story the overcoat, there are two significant scenes which may be considered as repetition of structure. Gogols humor has undoubtedly saved his work from doctrinarism, trivial objections, and perhaps even censorships, or in gogols most general term, one could also say that it is the power of humor that has enabled gogol to avoid any unpleasantness gogol, 1 in the overcoat. The overcoat is about a man named akaky akakievich, who, at first, is content with his life then begins to question his identity.
If you are still confused, check other articles at our blog in your search of inspiration, and dont focus on the the overcoat analysis, even if its the topic of your paper. The overcoat then powerfully affected the russian literature that followed it, so much so that fyodor dostoevsky author of the brothers karamazov and crime and punishment said, we all come out of gogols overcoat. Jun 06, 2017 examine our the overcoat analysis created by our expert writers to get a better idea of how such papers should be written. Petersburg, there was a lowranking officially who was unfortunately named akaky akakievich bashmachkin. Russian master novelist nikolai gogol 1809 1852 published the novella, the. A new lease in life in nikolai gogols story the overcoat. The overcoat sometimes translated as the cloak is a short story by ukrainianborn russian author nikolai gogol, published in 1842.
Jan 29, 20 the most famous of gogols tales is the overcoat, his last performance in the short form, published in 1842. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the overcoat. Analysis an outcast in an impersonal system one important feature of the story is the voice in which its told. Jun 18, 2019 the overcoat by nikolai gogol is centered on the life and death of akaky akakievich, an impoverished government clerk in st. The overcoat is perhaps the bestknown and most influential short fiction in all of russian literature. Gogols own writing was influenced by the works of alexander pushkin, the famous russian poet and author of eugene onegin the overcoat then powerfully affected the russian literature that. The overcoat is a short story by ukrainianborn russian author nikolai gogol, published in.
He is criticized for his apparel and lacks social acceptance. Symbolism in the overcoat theme of the little man in gogols the overcoat and diary of a madman. Russias wealthy ruling class dominated the lives of everyone below them. The main character is an ordinary worker who transcripts books. Explore this lesson to find a synopsis as well as an analysis of nikolai gogols famous short story. The overcoat essays are academic essays for citation. The elements of the grotesque, the surreal, and the absurd in gogols work were especially ahead of their. The overcoat summary the overcoat tells the story of the life and death of akaky akakievich bashmachkin, an unremarkable and indeed pathetic middleaged titular councillor and copying clerk serving in an unnamed department of the russian civil service. The overcoat enriches akakys life before he even gets to wear it. The overcoat and other tales of good and evil by nikolai gogol. This study guide consists of approximately 61 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the overcoat. Comparative literature between gogols the overcoat and.
Gogols blending of comic, grotesque, realist, and fantastic elements in the overcoat has led to a wide range of opinions concerning the storys themes and the significance of its ending. Joey fowler analysis of the overcoat in nicolay gogols short story, the overcoat, there are many key points which explain the hardships and struggles of living as a poor citizen in 19th century russia. The story has been adapted into a variety of stage and film interpretations. It is an atmospheric short story packed with substance and emotion. This is a modernday adaptation of the short story the overcoat by nikolai gogol. Preface in the text the overcoat by nikolai gogol deals with the theme of social realism in 19th century easteuropean literature. The overcoat by nikolai gogol is centered on the life and death of akaky akakievich, an impoverished government clerk in st.
The first few pages of gogols story are devoted to a detailed description of the main character, a clerk named. Other short stories by nikolai gogol also available along with many others by classic and contemporary authors. The overcoat is a short story about a government clerk who has his precious new overcoat stolen. An interpretation of the poor people in the diary of a madman, the overcoat and taman. In gogols story the overcoat, there are two significant scenes which may be considered as repetition of structure. Overcoat for many centuries, social injustice has occurred in society such as inequality between social classes and corrupt government which has affected many people. Gogol in his overcoat short story in his overcoat short story nikolay gogol is using a rather simple, informal style of storytelling. The overcoat nikolai gogol the following entry presents criticism of gogol s short story shinel the overcoat, first published in 1842 in sochinenya the works of nikolai gogol. Seriously now, it might seem super obvious why gogol named his story the overcoat. He is exaggerating his description of mundane events in the life of an ordinary official, who has nothing in his everyday life but the work he does. The most famous of gogols tales is the overcoat, his last performance in the short form, published in 1842.
Gogols the overcoat and lacanian psychoanalysis musings. Main idea the author wants to portray the realistic social, political and personal issues. The overcoat by nikolai gogol 1953 radio drama starring michael redgrave duration. The overcoat the overcoat part 4 summary and analysis. Pdf the overcoat and other short stories book by nikolai. In an attempt to better himself, he replaces his old overcoat with a freshly. Nikolai vasilievich gogol was born in sorochintsi, ukraine in 1809. Gogols comedy often stems from his satirization of russian culture. Home literary theory analysis of nikolai gogols stories.
As the story begins, we meet the protagonist of the overcoat, akaky akakievich bashmachkin, who could be adequately described as human wallpaper. Justice is not a prevalent force in the world that. Gogol, victor erlich points out that it is the motif of the mask that provides the crucial link between gogols life and his fiction. Thats because the coat is the most important thing in the whole story. Meanings and indeterminacy in gogols the overcoat jstor. Gogol, victor erlich points out that it is the motif of the mask that provides the crucial link between gogol s life and his fiction. In both realms, comments erlich, the motif of impersonation, the strategy of concealment was paramount. The overcoat is a short story written by nikolai gogol in 1842. A literary analysis of the overcoat by nikolai gogol.
In the department of but it is better not to mention the department. William amelia on gogols masterpiece the overcoat wsj. Gogol wrote other satires of the russian empire, including dead souls and the government inspector, and the absurd aspect of his work was especially apparent in his story the nose. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Analysis of nikolai gogols stories literary theory and. It follows protagonist akaky akakievich bashmachkin as he struggles with the ramifications of having a worn and ragged overcoat. Gogol is gogol, of course, because his father and mother. Noone seems willing to help him retrieve his prized possession, a fact that continues to concern him even when he is beyond the grave. Some russians in gogols time thought the theft of the personages overcoat symbolized the defeat of the ruling class by the lowerclass majority. The economy was awful and most of the authority figures did not care about what happens to these poor people living in the city. Nov 03, 2018 the overcoat by nikolai gogol 1953 radio drama starring michael redgrave duration. The book was published in multiple languages including russian, consists of 103 pages and is available in paperback format. A literary analysis of the overcoat by nikolai gogol kibin. Gogol knows and writes about poverty to save a few kopecks, akaky forswears candles and his evening tea and the way dreams, even very small ones, can be lifesupporting.
It provides a thorough exploration of the short storys plot, characters and main themes, including bureaucracy, poverty and social criticism. Gogol is the center of the novel, and it is his journey from childhood into young adulthood that the narrator tracks most closely. Short introduction the overcoat sometimes translated as the cloak is a short story by ukrainianborn russian author nikolai gogol, published in 1842. Akaky akakyevich is the central character of gogols story the overcoat. In fact, he loved it so much that all he did when he went home every day was do more work. The overcoat is a short story by ukrainianborn russian author nikolai gogol, published in 1842. Gogols transformation is marked in at least three ways. Gogols the overcoat 209 appear, beautifully dress ed, some of the men wore beaver collars, there were fewer cabbies. In the nineteenth century, much of eastern europe had a fascination with slavic folk beliefs. Some russians in gogol s time thought the theft of the personages overcoat symbolized the defeat of the ruling class by the lowerclass majority. The overcoat study guide contains a biography of nikolai gogol, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full.
Gogol criticizes the russian government for paying its civil servants a low salary on which they can barely survive. While akaky wanders through the deserted streets, two men with moustaches come upon and steal his. The gogol of this novel finds meaning in the story, after struggling with the name given to him by his father. The first event takes place after akaky akakievich leaves the party which was prepared for his sake in his friends house. Story presentation for the overcoat by nikolai gogol. Dec 31, 2010 gogol knows and writes about poverty to save a few kopecks, akaky forswears candles and his evening tea and the way dreams, even very small ones, can be lifesupporting. For the films based on the story, see the overcoat disambiguation. The story and its author have had great influence on russian literature, as expressed in a quote attributed to fyodor dostoyevsky. Nikolai gogol 31 march 1809 4 march 1852 combines the consummate stylist with the innocent spectator, flourishes and flounces with pure human emotion, naturalism with delicate sensitivity. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the overcoat by nikolai gogol. The main characters of this short stories, classics story are. Gogol is gogol, of course, because his father and mother needed a name for him before leaving the hospital.
The overcoat, short story by nikolay gogol, published in russian as shinel in 1842. The overcoat is a short story written by russian author nikolai gogol in 1842. From the very first line of the overcoat, gogol lets us know how he. Gogols use of the grotesque and the fantastic to portray his characters in his attacks on societys ills recalls charles dickens on the one hand, and on the other. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. The overcoat belongs to aa, an extremely poor man with an extremely undemanding, meagerlypaying government job, but he diligently completes his work day and night. Here, gogol emphasizes the value of material goods not only for basic human survival, but also for emotional and spiritual wellbeing. His goal, to save up money in order to purchase the coat, gives him a new sense of purpose, a reason to live beyond the drudgery of his copying. Analysis of nikolai gogols stories by nasrullah mambrol on november 26, 2019 0.