Problems raised in the story overcoat. Overcoat - analysis of the work

The problem of the "little man" in the work of the writers of the 1840s was not a new phenomenon for Russian literature in general.

Domestic writers of the 18th - early 19th centuries could not ignore the suffering of people who were small in their social status and significance in a huge hierarchical state, those who were sometimes undeservedly humiliated and offended. The theme of the “poor official” (later developed into the theme "little man "in the traditional sense)

"Overcoat". At the heart of Gogol's idea is the conflict between "little man" and society, conflict leading to rebellion, to the rebellion of the humble. The story "The Overcoat" describes not only an incident from the life of the hero.

The story in "The Overcoat" is told in the first person. We notice that the narrator knows the life of officials well. The hero of the story is Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, a small official of one of the St. Petersburg departments, a disenfranchised and humiliated person. Gogol describes the appearance of the protagonist of the story as follows: "short, somewhat pockmarked, somewhat reddish, somewhat even blind-sighted, with a slight bald spot on his forehead, with wrinkles on both sides of his cheeks."

Colleagues treat him with disrespect. Even the watchmen in the department look at Bashmachkin as an empty place, "as if a simple fly had flown through the reception room." And young officials laugh at Akaky Akakievich. He is really a ridiculous, funny person who can only rewrite papers. And in response to insults, he says only one thing: “Leave me, why are you offending me?” The narrative in The Overcoat is constructed in such a way that the comic image of Bashmachkin gradually becomes tragic. He walks in an old overcoat, which can no longer be repaired. In order to save up money for a new overcoat on the tailor's advice, he saves money: he doesn't light candles in the evenings, he doesn't drink tea. Akaky Akakievich walks the streets very carefully, “almost on tiptoe”, so as not to “wear out the soles” ahead of time, rarely gives his laundry to the laundress. “At first it was somewhat difficult for him to get used to such restrictions, but then he somehow got used to it and went smoothly; even he was perfectly accustomed to fasting in the evenings; but on the other hand, he ate spiritually, carrying in his thoughts the eternal idea of ​​a future greatcoat, ”writes Gogol. The new overcoat becomes the dream and meaning of the life of the protagonist of the story.

And now Bashmachkin's overcoat is ready. On this occasion, officials arrange a banquet. Happy Akaki Akakievich does not even notice that they are mocking him. At night, when Bashmachkin was returning from a banquet, the robbers took off his overcoat. This man's happiness lasted only one day. “The next day he appeared all pale and in his old hood, which became even more deplorable.” He turns to the police for help, but they don't even want to talk to him. Then Akaky Akakievich goes to the "significant person", but he kicks him out. These troubles had such a strong effect on the protagonist of the story that he could not survive them. He fell ill and died soon after. “A creature disappeared and disappeared, protected by no one, dear to no one, not interesting to anyone ... but for which all the same, although just before the very end of life, a bright guest flashed in the form of an overcoat, reviving a poor life for a moment,” - writes Gogol.

Emphasizing the typical fate of the "little man", Gogol says that his death did not change anything in the department, Bashmachkin's place was simply taken by another official.

The story "The Overcoat", despite its realism, ends fantastically. After the death of Akaky Akakievich, a ghost began to appear on the streets of St. Petersburg, who removed the overcoats from passers-by. Some saw in him a resemblance to Eashmachkin, others did not notice anything in common between the robber and the timid official. One night, the ghost met a "significant person" and tore off his overcoat, frightening the official to the point that he "even began to fear about some kind of painful attack." After this incident, the "significant person" began to treat people better.

This end of the story emphasizes the author's intention. Gogol sympathizes with the fate of the "little man". He calls on us to be attentive to each other, and, as it were, warns that a person will have to answer in the future for the insults inflicted on his neighbor.

"Little Man" Rebellion becomes the main theme of the story The story of the poor official is written in such detail and authenticity that the reader involuntarily enters the world of the hero's interests and begins to sympathize with him. But Gogol is a master of artistic generalization. He deliberately emphasizes: “one official served in one department ...” This is how the generalized image of a “little man” appears in the story, a quiet, modest person whose life is unremarkable, but who, however, also has his own dignity and has the right to his own world . Perhaps that is why we finally pity not Akaky Akakievich, but “poor mankind.” And probably, that is why our anger is provoked not by a robber, but by a “significant person” who failed to pity the unfortunate official.

And at the end of the story, we come to a terrible conclusion: the subject of the narration is by no means the story of how the hero's overcoat is stolen, but about how a person's life was stolen . Akaki Akakievich, in fact, did not live. He never thought about high ideals, did not set any tasks for himself, did not dream of anything. And the insignificance of the incident underlying the plot characterizes Gogol's world itself. Gogol makes the tone of the story comical. The text shows a constant irony over Bashmachkin, even his daring dreams turn out to be nothing more than a desire to put marten fur on his collar without fail. The reader must not only enter the world of Akaky Akakievich, but also feel the rejection of this world.

In the story of N.V. Gogol "The Overcoat" two aspects of the author's condemnation of the world are clearly traced. On the one hand, the writer is with sharp criticism of that society , which turns a person into Akaky Akakievich, protesting against the peace of those whose salary does not exceed four hundred rubles a year. But on the other hand, much more, in my opinion, is essential Gogol's appeal to all mankind with a passionate appeal to pay attention to the "little people" who live next to us.

The story "The Overcoat" is one of the best in Gogol's work. In it, the writer appears before us as a master of detail, a satirist and a humanist. Narrating the life of a petty official, Gogol was able to create an unforgettable vivid image "little man" with their joys and troubles, difficulties and worries. Hopeless need surrounds Akaky Akakievich, but he does not see the tragedy of his situation, as he is busy with business. Bashmachkin is not burdened by his poverty, because he does not know another life. And when he has a dream - a new overcoat, he is ready to endure any hardships, if only to bring the implementation of his plans closer. The author is quite serious when he describes the delight of his hero about the realization of a dream: the overcoat is sewn! Bashmachkin is completely happy. But for how long?

"Little Man" not destined to be happy in this unfair world. And only after death is justice done. Bashmachkin's "soul" finds peace when he returns his lost thing.

Gogol in his "Overcoat" showed not only the life of the "little man", but also his protest against the injustice of life. Let this "rebellion" be timid, almost fantastic, but the hero nevertheless stands up for his rights, against the foundations of the existing order.

The experiences of the poor official were familiar to Gogol from the first years of his Petersburg life.

Written at the time of the highest flowering of Gogol's creative genius, "The Overcoat" in terms of its vital saturation, in terms of the power of mastery, is one of the most perfect and remarkable works of the great artist. Adjacent in its problematics to the St. Petersburg stories, "The Overcoat" develops the theme of a humiliated person.

The mother of Akaky Akakievich did not just choose a name for her son - she chose his fate. Although there was nothing to choose from: out of nine difficult-to-pronounce names, she does not find a single suitable one, therefore she has to name her son by her husband Akakiy, a name that means “humble” in Russian calendars - he is “the humblest”, because he is Akakiy “in the square” .

The story of Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, the "eternal titular adviser" is the story of the distortion and death of a person under the power of social circumstances. Bureaucratic - bureaucratic Petersburg brings the hero to complete stupefaction.

Thus, the theme of man as a victim of the social system is brought to its logical end by Gogol. Gogol resorts to fantasy, but it is emphatically conditional, it is designed to reveal the protesting, rebellious principle lurking in a timid and intimidated hero, a representative of the "lower class" of society.

He became the most mysterious Russian writer. In this article, we will analyze the analysis of the story "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol, trying to penetrate the subtle intricacies of the plot, and Gogol is a master in building such plots. Do not forget that you can also read the summary of the story "The Overcoat".

The story "The Overcoat" is a story about one "little man" named Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin. He served as the simplest copyist in an unremarkable county town, in the office. However, the reader can reflect on what the meaning of a person’s life may be, and one cannot do without a thoughtful approach, which is why we are analyzing the story “The Overcoat”.

The main character "Overcoat"

So, the main character Akaki Bashmachkin was a "little man". This concept is widely used in Russian literature. However, his character, way of life, values ​​and attitude attract more attention. He doesn't need anything. He detachedly looks at what is happening around him, there is emptiness inside him, and in fact, his slogan in life is: "Please leave me alone." Are there such people today? All around. And they are not interested in the reaction of others, they care little about what anyone thinks about them. But is it right?

For example, Akaki Bashmachkin. He often hears ridicule addressed to him by fellow officials. They tease him, saying hurtful words and competing in wit. Sometimes Bashmachkin will remain silent, and sometimes, raising his eyes, he will answer: "Why is that?". Making an analysis of this side of the "Overcoat", the problem of social tension becomes visible.

Bashmachkin's character

Akaki passionately loved his work, and this was the main thing in his life. He was engaged in rewriting documents, and his work could always be called neat, clean, done with diligence. And what did this petty official do at home in the evenings? After dinner at home, after returning from work, Akaky Akakievich paced up and down the room, slowly living through long minutes and hours. Then he sank into an armchair and throughout the evening he could be caught writing another scribble.

An analysis of the story "The Overcoat" by Gogol includes an important conclusion: when the meaning of a person's life in work is petty and bleak. Here is another confirmation of this idea.

Then, after such leisure activities, Bashmachkin goes to bed, but what are his thoughts in bed about? About what he will copy in the service in the office tomorrow. He thought about it, and it pleased him. The meaning of the life of this official, who was a "little man" and who was already in his sixties, was the most primitive: take paper, dip a pen into the inkwell and endlessly write - carefully and with zeal. However, another goal in the life of Akaki, nevertheless, appeared.

Other details of the analysis of the story "The Overcoat"

Akakiy had a very small salary in the service. He was paid thirty-six rubles a month, and almost all of them went to food and housing. Here came the harsh winter - an icy wind blew and frost hit. And Bashmachkin walks in worn-out clothes that cannot warm on a frosty day. Here Nikolai Gogol very accurately describes the situation of Akaki, his old shabby overcoat, and the actions of the official.

Akaki Akakievich decides to go to the workshop to repair his overcoat. He asks the tailor to fix the holes, but he announces that the overcoat cannot be repaired, and there is only one way out - to purchase a new one. For this thing he calls porn a gigantic sum (for Akaki) - eighty rubles. Bashmachkin does not have such money, he will have to save it, and for this it is worth entering a very economical mode of life. Analyzing here, one might think why this “little man” goes to such extremes: he stops drinking tea in the evenings, once again does not give his laundry to the laundress, walks in such a way that his shoes are less washed ... Is it really all for the sake of a new overcoat, which he wears? then lose? But this is his new joy in life, his goal. Gogol tries to encourage the reader to think about what is most important in life, what to give priority to.

conclusions

We have briefly examined the plot incompletely, but have singled out from it only those details that are necessary in order to make a clear analysis of the story "The Overcoat". The main character is spiritually and physically untenable. He does not strive for the best, his condition is poor, he is not a person. After another goal appears in life, different from rewriting papers, it seems to change. Now Akaki is focused on buying an overcoat.

Gogol shows us the other side. How heartlessly and unfairly others treat Bashmachkin. He suffers ridicule and bullying. In addition, the meaning of his life disappears after Akaki's new overcoat is taken away. He loses his last joy, again Bashmachkin is sad and lonely.

Here, during the analysis, Gogol's goal is visible - to show the harsh truth of that time. "Little people" were destined to suffer and die, they were of no use to anyone and uninteresting. Just as the death of the Shoemaker did not interest his entourage and those who could help him.

You have read a brief analysis of the story "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol. In our literary blog you will find many articles on various topics, including analyzes of works.

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is one of the most significant figures in Russian literature. It is he who is rightly called the founder of critical realism, the author who vividly described the image of the “little man” and made it central in Russian literature of that time. In the future, many writers used this image in their works. It is no coincidence that F. M. Dostoevsky in one of his conversations uttered the phrase: "We all came out of Gogol's overcoat."

History of creation

Literary critic Annenkov noted that N.V. Gogol often listened to anecdotes and various stories that were told in his environment. Sometimes it happened that these anecdotes and comical stories inspired the writer to create new works. So it happened with the "Overcoat". According to Annenkov, once Gogol heard a joke about a poor official who was very fond of hunting. This official lived in hardship, saved on everything just to buy a gun for his favorite hobby. And now, the long-awaited moment has come - the gun has been purchased. However, the first hunt was not successful: the gun caught on the bushes and drowned. The official was so shocked by the incident that he came down with a fever. This anecdote did not make Gogol laugh at all, but, on the contrary, led to serious reflections. According to many, it was then that the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwriting the story "The Overcoat" was born in his head.

During Gogol's lifetime, the story did not arouse significant critical discussions and debates. This is due to the fact that at that time writers quite often offered their readers comic works about the life of poor officials. However, the significance of Gogol's work for Russian literature was appreciated over the years. It was Gogol who developed the theme of the “little man” protesting against the laws in force in the system, and pushed other writers to further reveal this topic.

Description of the artwork

The protagonist of Gogol's work is the junior civil servant Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin, who was constantly unlucky. Even in choosing a name, the official’s parents were not successful, as a result, the child was named after his father.

The life of the protagonist is modest and unremarkable. He lives in a small rented apartment. He occupies a small position with a beggarly salary. By adulthood, the official did not acquire a wife, children, or friends.

Bashmachkin wears an old faded uniform and a holey overcoat. One day, a severe frost makes Akaky Akakievich take his old overcoat to the tailor for repair. However, the tailor refuses to mend the old overcoat and speaks of the need to buy a new one.

The price of the overcoat is 80 rubles. That's a lot of money for a small employee. In order to collect the necessary amount, he denies himself even small human joys, which are not many in his life anyway. After some time, the official manages to save up the required amount, and the tailor finally sews an overcoat. The acquisition of an expensive piece of clothing is a grandiose event in the miserable and boring life of an official.

One evening, unknown people caught up with Akaky Akakievich on the street and took away his overcoat. The frustrated official goes with a complaint to the "significant person" in the hope of finding and punishing those responsible for his misfortune. However, the "general" does not support the junior employee, but, on the contrary, reprimands. Bashmachkin, rejected and humiliated, was unable to cope with his grief and died.

At the end of the work, the author adds a little mysticism. After the funeral of the titular councilor, a ghost began to be noticed in the city, which took overcoats from passers-by. A little later, this same ghost took the overcoat from the same "general" who scolded Akaky Akakievich. This served as a lesson for the important official.

main characters

The central figure of the story is a miserable civil servant who has been doing routine and uninteresting work all his life. There are no opportunities for creativity and self-realization in his work. Monotony and monotony literally absorb the titular adviser. All he does is rewrite unnecessary papers. The hero has no relatives. He spends his free evenings at home, sometimes copying papers "for himself." The appearance of Akaky Akakievich creates an even stronger effect, the hero becomes truly sorry. There is something insignificant in his image. The impression is reinforced by Gogol's story about the constant troubles that befall the hero (either an unfortunate name, or a baptism). Gogol perfectly created the image of a “little” official who lives in terrible hardships and every day fights the system for his right to exist.

Officials (collective image of bureaucracy)

Gogol, talking about the colleagues of Akaky Akakievich, focuses on such qualities as heartlessness, callousness. Colleagues of the unfortunate official in every possible way mock and make fun of him, not feeling a single gram of sympathy. The whole drama of Bashmachkin's relationship with his colleagues lies in the phrase he said: “Leave me, why are you offending me?”.

"Significant Person" or "General"

Gogol does not name either the name or the surname of this person. Yes, it doesn't matter. Important rank, position on the social ladder. After the loss of his overcoat, Bashmachkin, for the first time in his life, decides to defend his rights and goes with a complaint to the "general". This is where the “small” official faces a tough, soulless bureaucratic machine, the image of which is contained in the character of a “significant person”.

Analysis of the work

In the person of his main character, Gogol seems to unite all the poor and humiliated people. Bashmachkin's life is an eternal struggle for survival, poverty and monotony. Society with its laws does not give the official the right to a normal human existence, degrades his dignity. At the same time, Akaki Akakievich himself agrees with this situation and meekly endures hardships and difficulties.

The loss of the overcoat is a turning point in the work. It forces the "little official" to declare his rights to society for the first time. Akaki Akakievich goes with a complaint to the "significant person", who in Gogol's story personifies all the soullessness and impersonality of the bureaucracy. Having run into a wall of aggression and misunderstanding on the part of a "significant person", the poor official cannot stand it and dies.

Gogol raises the problem of the extreme importance of the rank, which took place in the society of that time. The author shows that such attachment to the rank is detrimental to people with very different social status. The prestigious position of a "significant person" made him indifferent and cruel. And the junior rank of Bashmachkin led to the depersonalization of a person, his humiliation.

At the end of the story, it is not by chance that Gogol introduces a fantastic ending in which the ghost of an unfortunate official removes the overcoat from the general. This is some kind of warning to important people that their inhumane actions can have consequences. The fantasy at the end of the work is explained by the fact that in the Russian reality of that time it is almost impossible to imagine a situation of retribution. Since the “little man” at that time had no rights, he could not demand attention and respect from society.

The writing

The story was a favorite genre of N.V. Gogol. He created three cycles of stories, and each of them became a fundamentally important phenomenon in the history of Russian literature. "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka", "Mirgorod" and the so-called St. Petersburg stories are familiar and loved by more than one generation of readers.
Gogol's Petersburg is a city striking with social contrasts. The city of poor workers, victims of poverty and arbitrariness. Such a victim is Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, the hero of the story "The Overcoat".
The idea for the story came to Gogol in 1834 under the impression of a clerical anecdote about a poor official who, at the cost of incredible efforts, fulfilled his old dream of buying a hunting rifle and lost it on the very first hunt. But in Gogol, this story did not cause laughter, but a completely different reaction.
"The Overcoat" occupies a special place in the cycle of St. Petersburg stories. Popular in the 30s. the story of an unfortunate, needy official was embodied by the author in a work of art, which Herzen called "colossal". Gogol Bashmachkin "had what is called an eternal titular adviser, over whom, as you know, various writers taunted and sharpened, having a commendable habit of leaning on those who cannot bite." The author, of course, does not hide his ironic grin when he describes the spiritual limitations and poverty of his hero. Akaky Akakievich was a timid, wordless creature, meekly enduring the "clerical mockery" of his colleagues and the despotic rudeness of his superiors. The stupefying work of a copyist of papers paralyzed any spiritual interests in him.
Gogol's humor is soft and delicate. The writer does not for a single moment leave his ardent sympathy for his hero, who appears in the story as a tragic victim of the cruel conditions of modern reality. The author creates a satirically generalized type of person - a representative of the bureaucratic power of Russia. The way the authorities behave with Bashmachkin, all "significant persons" behave. The humility and humility of the unfortunate Bashmachkin, in contrast to the rudeness of "significant persons" evoked in the reader
not only a feeling of pain for the humiliation of a person, but also a protest against the unjust ways of life, in which such humiliation is possible.
The accusatory orientation of Gogol's work was revealed with great force in the St. Petersburg stories. Man and the anti-human conditions of his social existence is the main conflict that underlies the entire cycle. And each of the stories was a new phenomenon in Russian literature.
The mournful tale of the stolen greatcoat, according to Gogol, "unexpectedly takes on a fantastic ending." The ghost, in which the deceased Akaky Akakievich was recognized, ripped off everyone's overcoat, "without disassembling the rank and title."
Sharply criticizing the ruling system of life, its internal falsity and hypocrisy, Gogol's work suggested the need for a different life, a different social order.

Other writings on this work

Can one small work revolutionize literature? Yes, Russian literature knows such a precedent. This is the story of N.V. Gogol's "Overcoat". The work was very popular with contemporaries, caused a lot of controversy, and the Gogol trend developed among Russian writers until the middle of the 20th century. What is this great book? About this in our article.

The book is part of a cycle of works written in the 1830s-1840s. and united by a common name - "Petersburg Tales". The story of Gogol's "Overcoat" goes back to an anecdote about a poor official who had a great passion for hunting. Despite the small salary, the ardent fan set a goal for himself: by all means buy a Lepage gun, one of the best at that time. The official denied himself everything in order to save money, and finally, he bought the coveted trophy and went to the Gulf of Finland to shoot birds.

The hunter sailed away in a boat, was about to take aim - but did not find a gun. It probably fell out of the boat, but how remains a mystery. The hero of the story himself admitted that he was a kind of oblivion when he was looking forward to the treasured prey. Returning home, he fell ill with a fever. Fortunately, everything ended well. The ill official was saved by his colleagues by buying him a new gun of the same kind. This story inspired the author to create the story "The Overcoat".

Genre and direction

N.V. Gogol is one of the brightest representatives of critical realism in Russian literature. With his prose, the writer sets a special direction, sarcastically called by the critic F. Bulgarin "Natural School". This literary vector is characterized by an appeal to acute social topics relating to poverty, morality, and class relationships. Here, the image of the “little man”, which has become traditional for writers of the 19th century, is being actively developed.

A narrower direction, characteristic of Petersburg Tales, is fantastic realism. This technique allows the author to influence the reader in the most effective and original way. It is expressed in a mixture of fiction and reality: the real in the story "The Overcoat" is the social problems of tsarist Russia (poverty, crime, inequality), and the fantastic is the ghost of Akaky Akakievich, who robs passers-by. Dostoevsky, Bulgakov and many other followers of this direction turned to the mystical principle.

The genre of the story allows Gogol to concisely, but quite vividly, highlight several storylines, identify many relevant social topics, and even include the motive of the supernatural in his work.

Composition

The composition of "The Overcoat" is linear, you can designate an introduction and an epilogue.

1. The story begins with a kind of writer's discourse about the city, which is an integral part of all "Petersburg Tales". Then follows the biography of the protagonist, which is typical for the authors of the "natural school". It was believed that these data help to better reveal the image and explain the motivation for certain actions.
2. Exposition - a description of the situation and position of the hero.
3. The plot occurs at the moment when Akaki Akakievich decides to acquire a new overcoat, this intention continues to move the plot until the climax - a happy acquisition.
4. The second part is devoted to the search for the overcoat and the exposure of senior officials.
5. The epilogue, where the ghost appears, loops this part: first, the thieves go after Bashmachkin, then the policeman goes after the ghost. Or perhaps a thief?

About what?

One poor official Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin, in view of the severe frosts, finally dares to buy himself a new overcoat. The hero denies himself everything, saves on food, tries to walk more carefully on the pavement so as not to change the soles once again. By the right time, he manages to accumulate the required amount, soon the desired overcoat is ready.

But the joy of possession does not last long: on the same evening, when Bashmachkin was returning home after a gala dinner, the robbers took away the object of his happiness from the poor official. The hero tries to fight for his overcoat, he goes through several instances: from a private person to a significant person, but no one cares about his loss, no one is going to look for robbers. After a visit to the general, who turned out to be a rude and arrogant person, Akaky Akakievich fell ill with a fever and soon died.

But the story "accepts a fantastic ending." The spirit of Akaky Akakievich wanders around St. Petersburg, who wants to take revenge on his offenders, and, mainly, he is looking for a significant person. One evening, the ghost catches the arrogant general and takes his overcoat from him, on which he calms down.

Main characters and their characteristics

• The protagonist of the story - Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin. From the moment of birth, it was clear that a difficult, unhappy life awaited him. This was predicted by the midwife, and the baby himself, when he was born, “cried and made such a grimace, as if he had a presentiment that there would be a titular adviser.” This is the so-called "little man", but his character is contradictory and goes through certain stages of development.
• The image of the overcoat works to reveal the potential of this, at first glance, a modest character. A new thing dear to the heart makes the hero obsessed, like an idol, she controls him. The little official shows such perseverance and activity that he never showed during his lifetime, and after his death he decides on revenge and keeps Petersburg in fear.
• The role of the overcoat in Gogol's story is difficult to overestimate. Her image develops in parallel with the main character: a holey overcoat is a modest person, a new one is an enterprising and happy Bashmachkin, a general's is an almighty spirit, terrifying.
• Petersburg image presented in a completely different way. This is not a pompous capital with smart carriages and flourishing front doors, but a cruel city with its fierce winters, unhealthy climate, dirty stairs and dark alleys.

Topics

• The life of a little man is the main theme of the story "The Overcoat", so it is presented quite vividly. Bashmachkin does not have a strong character or special talents; higher-ranking officials allow themselves to be manipulated, ignored, or scolded. And the poor hero only wants to regain what is his by right, but significant people and the big world are not up to the problems of a small person.
• The opposition of the real and the fantastic makes it possible to show the versatility of Bashmachkin's image. In harsh reality, he will never reach out to the selfish and cruel hearts of those in power, but becoming a powerful spirit, he can at least avenge his offense.
• The theme of the story is immorality. People are valued not for their skill, but for their rank, a significant person is by no means an exemplary family man, he is cold towards his children and is looking for entertainment on the side. He allows himself to be an arrogant tyrant, forcing those who are lower in rank to grovel.
• The satirical nature of the story and the absurdity of the situations allow Gogol to most expressively point out social vices. For example, no one is going to look for the missing overcoat, but there is a decree to catch the ghost. This is how the author denounces the inactivity of the St. Petersburg police.

Issues

The problematics of the story "The Overcoat" is very wide. Here Gogol raises questions concerning both society and the inner world of man.

• The main problem of the story is humanism, or rather, its absence. All the characters in the story are cowardly and selfish, they are not capable of empathy. Even Akaky Akakievich does not have any spiritual goal in life, does not seek to read or be interested in art. They are driven only by the material component of being. Bashmachkin does not recognize himself as a victim in the Christian sense. He has completely adapted to his miserable existence, the character does not know forgiveness and is only capable of revenge. The hero cannot even find peace after death until he fulfills his base plan.
• Indifference. Colleagues are indifferent to Bashmachkin's grief, and a significant person is trying by all means known to him to drown out all manifestations of humanity in himself.
• The problem of poverty is touched upon by Gogol. The man who performs his duties exemplarily and diligently does not have the opportunity to update his wardrobe as needed, while careless flatterers and dandies are successfully promoted, have luxurious dinners and arrange evenings.
• The problem of social inequality is covered in the story. The general treats the titular councilor like a flea that he can crush. Bashmachkin becomes shy in front of him, loses the power of speech, and a significant person, not wanting to lose his appearance in the eyes of his colleagues, humiliates the poor petitioner in every possible way. Thus, he shows his power and superiority.

What is the meaning of the story?

The idea of ​​Gogol's "Overcoat" is to point out the acute social problems that are relevant in Imperial Russia. With the help of a fantastic component, the author shows the hopelessness of the situation: the little man is weak in front of the powers that be, they will never respond to his request, and even kick him out of his office. Gogol, of course, does not approve of revenge, but in the story "The Overcoat" is the only way to reach the stone hearts of high-ranking officials. It seems to them that only the spirit is higher than them, and they will agree to listen only to those who surpass them. Having become a ghost, Bashmachkin occupies just this necessary position, so he manages to influence the arrogant tyrants. This is the main idea of ​​the work.

The meaning of Gogol's "Overcoat" is in the search for justice, but the situation seems hopeless, because justice is possible only when referring to the supernatural.

What does it teach?

Gogol's "Overcoat" was written almost two centuries ago, but remains relevant to this day. The author makes you think not only about social inequality, the problem of poverty, but also about your own spiritual qualities. The story "The Overcoat" teaches empathy, the writer urges not to turn away from a person who is in a difficult situation and asks for help.

To achieve his authorial goals, Gogol changes the ending of the original anecdote, which became the basis for the work. If in that story the colleagues collected the amount sufficient to buy a new gun, then Bashmachkin's colleagues practically did nothing to help a comrade in trouble. He himself died fighting for his rights.

Criticism

In Russian literature, the story "The Overcoat" played a huge role: thanks to this work, a whole trend arose - the "natural school". This work became a symbol of the new art, and the magazine Physiology of Petersburg was a confirmation of this, where many young writers came up with their own versions of the image of a poor official.

Critics recognized Gogol's skill, and "The Overcoat" was considered a worthy work, but the controversy was mainly conducted around the Gogol direction, opened by this particular story. For example, V.G. Belinsky called the book “one of Gogol’s deepest creations,” but he considered the “natural school” to be a hopeless direction, and K. Aksakov refused Dostoevsky (who also started with the “natural school”), the author of Poor People, the title of artist.

Not only Russian critics were aware of the role of the "Overcoat" in literature. The French reviewer E. Vogüe owns the well-known statement "We all came out of Gogol's greatcoat." In 1885, he wrote an article about Dostoevsky, where he spoke about the origins of the writer's work.

Later, Chernyshevsky accused Gogol of excessive sentimentality, deliberate pity for Bashmachkin. Apollon Grigoriev, in his criticism, contrasted Gogol's method of satirical depiction of reality with true art.

The story made a great impression not only on the writer's contemporaries. V. Nabokov in the article "The Apotheosis of the Face" analyzes Gogol's creative method, its features, advantages and disadvantages. Nabokov believes that "The Overcoat" was created for "a reader with a creative imagination", and for the most complete understanding of the work, it is necessary to get acquainted with it in the original language, because Gogol's work is "a phenomenon of language, not ideas."

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