Themes in short story "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol

Exploring Themes in Nikolai Gogol's "The Overcoat"

Introduction:

Nikolai Gogol's short story "The Overcoat" is a masterpiece that delves into various themes prevalent in society, including bureaucracy, rank and social status, longlines and alienation, materialism, material goods, and art. Through the character of Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, Gogol offers a nuanced critique of these themes. In this blog, we will closely examine each theme, supported by relevant textual lines from the story.

1. Bureaucracy:

"The Overcoat" highlights the suffocating influence of bureaucracy on individuals' lives. It portrays a bureaucratic system that values paperwork and hierarchy over human welfare. Gogol satirically criticizes the red tape that governs Akaky's life, trapping him in a monotonous existence.

Textual line: "One tedium follows another, and in the midst of a thousand scratches of the pen the poor wretch succumbs and dies, from the exhaustion of always having to look out for himself, from that awful suspicion that the world is organized in such a way that not only does everybody need nobody else, but for everyone to succeed, not only must there not be any help for him, but everyone else must under no circumstances succeed either."

2. Rank and Social Status:

Gogol highlights how rank and social status dictate one's position within society. As a low-ranking government clerk, Akaky endures mistreatment and neglect due to his lowly place in the hierarchy. Gogol portrays a society obsessed with social stratification and the power dynamics it creates.

Textual line: "His uniform, sopping wet, and covered with hunches, had long ago fallen to pieces; it seemed as if he had never had any uniform. What was most touching, his trousers had a mere nothing remaining at the knees; wearing such trousers and trying to trudge through such agonizing snowdrifts, without boots, in rotten bast shoes—upon my word, I would not wish it on the vilest of my enemies."

3. Loneliness and Alienation:

"The Overcoat" explores the profound loneliness and alienation experienced by individuals in a collective society. Akaky is socially isolated and lacks any meaningful connections. His fellow colleagues and superiors see him as an insignificant cog in the bureaucratic machine, further reinforcing his isolation.

Textual line: "Akaky Akakievich felt unbearably sad; his heart began to sink within him, and immediately he sank into such deep thought that he did not even notice when the violin creakily tootled away somewhere at a distance."

4. Materialism and Material Goods:

Gogol critiques the materialistic mindset prevalent in society, emphasizing the false sense of fulfillment derived from acquiring material goods. Akaky's obsession with obtaining a new overcoat reflects the society's fixation on appearances and the belief that possessing material goods equates to status and happiness.

Textual line: "And then he had a thought, a terrible thought; suppose someone were to steal your new cloak in some dark corridor?"

5. Art:

Through the character of the tailor Petrovich, Gogol explores the transcendence of art and its transformative power. The craftsmanship and imaginative detail Petrovich puts into the creation of Akaky's new overcoat serve as a contrast to the soulless bureaucracy. The overcoat becomes an expression of Petrovich's artistry and Akaky's individuality.

Textual line: "A whole night did Petrovich ponder how he should cut the overcoat, and his lips moved in silence, as though he were talking with it. Finally, having resolved everything, he took off his dressing-gown, put on it a waistcoat covered with stains and with a hole on one side, in place of his ordinary jacket, and in this attire, his spectacles perched on his nose, he sat down at a low table, surrounded by bits of chalk and a huge pair of shears in his hands."

Conclusion:

Nikolai Gogol's "The Overcoat" portrays a society drenched in bureaucracy, status obsession, materialism, and more. Through the character of Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, Gogol provides a scathing critique of these themes, reminding readers of the profound impact they can have on individuals. By examining the textual lines presented, we gain a deeper understanding of the story's themes and their relevance in our own lives.