The Overcoat

A detailed Summary of The Overcoat

Nikolai Gogol's short story The Overcoat is a story about a poor clerk, who lives a lonely, desolate life, due to the of dominance and influence of women. This feeble man's entire life is defined by the actions of women. First there was his mother, and her unfortunate choice of a name for him. However, the clerk's main oppressive mentor in his life was not another character, but an object. It is his dear coat. The inanimate article is often referenced, and is described in such a manner that it could not be only a mere overcoat, but instead, a woman.

Gogol introduces the story with a brief history of the main character Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin. Insignificant Akaky was destined to be "...a titular councilor." (591) from birth, through the merits of his mother. She, while stated to be "...a very good woman..." (590), has pushed him in th

In order for the reader to understand this relationship between Akaky Akakievich and his overcoat, they must understand the strong bonds that most men have with their mother. This relationship is not only extremely intense, but can also exert an overbearing power. A man can be unfortunately receptive to a woman's forceful domination

There are numerous ways in which the overcoat can be related and compared to a woman. The idea that the coat is like a maternal figure is illustrated by the wait that he endures for the coat. The wait is symbolic of pregnancy, and the joy that Akaky Akakievich demonstrates once he receives his coat, is parallel to the joy of birth. The reader may mistake this as deep feminism in Akaky Akakievich, but is more symbolic of the coat. The maternal figure of the coat would warm and soothe him. It would act as his protector from the frigi

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Approximate Word count = 588
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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The Overcoat

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