Discussion on Nikolai Gogol’s The Overcoat

Discussion on Nikolai Gogol’s The Overcoat
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1 Describe what Akaky Akakievich is like
Akaky Akakievich is described in the novel as a short man with an unmemorable appearance. He is a little bit educated but very poor despite being not at the lowest rank of the bureaucracy. He lives mundane life externally and internally as he spends most of his time diligently copying files. Akaky does not like to socialize with other people, including his co-workers. Instead, he spends most of his time finding contentment about his job.
2 Describe what are his feelings about his job as a copyist.
Akaky enjoyed his work as a copyist. He always worked with ease and even had favorite letters. One time, he is rewarded a better job for his commitment but he worked with difficulty making him request to be given back his old job, a request he was granted.
3 How does Akaky’s view about needing and saving for overcoat evolve over time?
Akaky’s initial wish was to repair the old coat but his tailor, Tetrovitch, advised him to get a new coat, advice that Akaky did not find friendly. Since Petrovitch was a drunkard, Akaky waited for Sunday to convince him to repair his coat since he would need money to buy alcohol. When Petrovitch fails to yield to Akaky’s request to repair the coat even on Sunday, he decides to cut on his cost of living to save the money needed for a new coat. He did not have any other options apart from cutting down on his expenditures to raise the 80 rubles for the coat.
Akaky adjusts to his new routine sooner. He raises the required amount faster and realizing that his life was not going to be a misery he thought of before beginning to scale down his expenditure list. Therefore, Akaky’s attitude changed as he realized that it was possible to save enough for the coat. He becomes excited to own the new coat. Akaky also becomes more confident and less doubtful about having the coat. In the end, he buys the coat, which raises his self-esteem as people begin to be friendly to him and congratulating him for acquiring a new coat.
4 Describe what the overcoat is like and what distinguishes it
Akaky and Petrovitch planned for the coat for a long time meeting monthly to discuss the materials and visiting the shops to inquire about the price. The initial plan was to use marten for lining and silk fur, but due to financial differences, they bought cotton for lining and cat-skin fur. Therefore, the coat was different from others because of the materials used. Most of the coats used marten and silk, unlike Akaky’s coat.
5 How do the people in the office respond to Akaky’s overcoat?
The people in the office are happy that Akaky has a new coat at last. When Akaky enters the office, he takes off his coat and leaves it with the attendant in the ante-room. His coworkers rush into the room to inspect the coat and congratulated Akaky. The happiness and congratulatory messages leave Akaky speechlessly smiling.
6 What is the party of the assistant head clerk like?
The assistant head clerk’s party was extraordinary for Akaky. In the office, the clerk invited the workers to the party saying it was a tea party. However, when...