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The Overcoat

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'The Overcoat' by Nikolai Gogol is a charming little story that portrays the life of a common worker in the bureaucracy of 19th century Russia. The plot revolves around Akaky Akakyevich, a minor official who leads a modest and solitary life until his overcoat begins to disintegrate. As he saves up to purchase a new coat, he experiences unexpected status and recognition from his peers, leading to a tragic turn of events that highlight the absence of recourse or justice in the contemporary bureaucracy. Gogol's writing style captures the inner life of Akaky, his struggles, and the societal dynamics of the time, blending humor and humanity in a pre-Modernist narrative that still resonates with modern readers.

Characters:

Characters are complex, with Akaky representing the everyman caught in an uncaring society, surrounded by figures who reflect social absurdities.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is a mix of humor and pathos, characterized by whimsical narration that critiques societal norms.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative focuses on Akaky, a clerk whose life spirals downward after the loss of his new overcoat, reflecting themes of social neglect and tragedy.

Setting:

The setting is 19th-century St. Petersburg, a backdrop that highlights the societal challenges and emotional isolation of the protagonist.

Pacing:

While the pacing begins slowly, it becomes more engaging as the story progresses towards its emotional climax.

Notes:

The Overcoat is a short story by Nikolai Gogol, published in the 1840s.
The main character, Akaky Akakyevich, is a low-ranking clerk with a peculiar name.
The story highlights themes of poverty and the absurdity of social hierarchies.
Akaky's struggle for a new overcoat becomes a symbol of his fragile existence.
The petitioner's trials reveal the indifference of bureaucracy in 19th century Russia.
Gogol's works mix humor and tragedy, often focusing on everyday lives.
The Overcoat has influenced many notable Russian writers, including Dostoevsky, who said, "We all come out of Gogol's Overcoat."
Despite its tragic elements, the story contains absurdity and dark comedy.
The ending of The Overcoat is considered surreal, leaving readers to ponder its implications.
Gogol's writing style is notable for its chatty narrations, engaging readers with the characters' plights.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Overcoat include themes of poverty, social alienation, mental breakdown, and existential despair.

From The Publisher:

Akaki Akakievich, a solitary, unworldly government clerk, is often mocked by his colleagues - not least on account of his pathetically threadbare overcoat, no longer a match for the St Petersburg climate. Economising to the point of austerity, Akaki has a new overcoat made, thus transforming his life. Then, one dark night, the unthinkable happens ... By turns wry, sad, tender and satirical, Gogol's greatest short work provided the template for an entirely new way of storytelling in the modern age.

Ratings (9)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (21):

Read It (9)
Want To Read (10)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

Incredible
6 months

Really good short story. Listened from an audiobook. It was a good experience.

 
 
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