Before picking up this book, I'd never heard of this author before. Nikolai Gogol was a Ukrainian-Russian author, short story writer, and playwright. He was an early practitioner in the use of surrealism and the grotesque in his works.
Akaki Akakievich, a humble governmental clerk with very low aspirations, finally must have a new coat made. His old cloak is so threadbare that it can no longer be patched. By doing without for many months, Akakia finally has a new overcoat made so he can face the St. Petersburg winter. A strange thing happens, the new overcoat transforms his life. One night, when he finally leaves his empty apartment to attend a party he's been invited to, he is robbed of his overcoat.
That overcoat is his dignity; when he's robbed of it, he's devastated. No one in the police cares or plans to pursue it. Then the Person of Consequence adds insult to Akaki's injury. It is no surprise that Akaki dies. There is a kind of justice - Akaki's ghost robs people of their coats at night. In the end, Akaki robs the Person of Consequence of his coat.
Evaluating this story, it is easy to see why Russia revolted. There was no justice for the little man; there was no interest in the little man. Akaki has always done what is right; when he's wronged, no one cares.
Akaki Akakievich, a humble governmental clerk with very low aspirations, finally must have a new coat made. His old cloak is so threadbare that it can no longer be patched. By doing without for many months, Akakia finally has a new overcoat made so he can face the St. Petersburg winter. A strange thing happens, the new overcoat transforms his life. One night, when he finally leaves his empty apartment to attend a party he's been invited to, he is robbed of his overcoat.
That overcoat is his dignity; when he's robbed of it, he's devastated. No one in the police cares or plans to pursue it. Then the Person of Consequence adds insult to Akaki's injury. It is no surprise that Akaki dies. There is a kind of justice - Akaki's ghost robs people of their coats at night. In the end, Akaki robs the Person of Consequence of his coat.
Evaluating this story, it is easy to see why Russia revolted. There was no justice for the little man; there was no interest in the little man. Akaki has always done what is right; when he's wronged, no one cares.
