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Akaky was literally invisible before with his old coat, but once he has a new coat, he was accepted by those around him. What is Gogol trying to say about the relationship between one's appearance and social standing?

In the short story "The Overcoat" written by Nikolai Gogol Akaky Adadievich was just a plain ordinary man. He had no remarkable traits per say. When he was born his mother did not even know what to name him; "This is a judgement of me" says his mother "this is clearly his fate"In this regards she has labeled her son as mediocre nothing special. He begins work in the department and no one even knows when, who appointed him he is obsolete. Akaky's coworkers act as if he does not exist and when they do pay attention to him it is to only make fun of him. Akaky has an overcoat that is very tethered and worn he tries to get the tailor to mend it for him. The tailor says he can't for it is not worth it for it will fall apart. So Akaky works hard has some savings and finally comes up with enough money in order to have a new overcoat made for him by the tailor. The first day Akaky wears his new overcoat he is so proud he walks taller; he is proud for he knows his overcoat is nice and looks good on him. Akaky gets to work and everyone notices his new overcoat he is immediately invited to his bosses house;which has never happened before. His coworkers are giving him compliments instead of making fun of him. I believe Gogol is trying to say that because Akaky was now well dressed he was now accepted into society. I also think some of this is because before the new overcoat Akaky was shut off to society. When Akaky gotten the new overcoat he was proud and carried himself differently so there was an opening for society to be let into his world. While Akaky was still very much uncomfortable the coat was a way for him to be accepted. I do believe this is wrong of our society one should be accepted on their character and not on how one dresses. Gogol is saying we differ in social classes and at one time Akaky was at the bottom and with the new overcoat he went up in social standing.

“The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol revolves around Akaky Adadievich, who is an awkward, hardworking man who is a nobody in the eyes of everyone around him. Akaky is a dedicated worker who lives for his work, so dedicated in fact, he takes his work home with him. He lives alone and keeps to himself for the most part. Akaky lives in Russia which is known for the brutal cold, unfortunately for Akaky, his coat was a pile of rags. No matter how much he wanted it to be repaired in order to avoid buying a new one. He attempted to get the help of his tailor to repair his beloved coat but it was hopeless. His only option would be to buy a new one, which cost more than what Akaky could afford. After saving up, he finally got a new coat. The new coat put a new twist on his life. People around him started treating him differently, everyone would complement him continuously, and they even threw him a party. Even if Akaky started liking the attention at first, it becomes too much for him. Gogol is trying to emphasize the point that the way you look and what you have effects the way you’re treated and respected. If you dress a certain way, then people assume you are of high social class and standing, this is highlighted more in Gogol’s story when Akaky is mugged on his way home from the party, purely cause of his new coat. The mugger probably assumed he was rich cause of the way he was dressed because if he would’ve been wearing his old coat then it’s unlikely he would’ve been mugged.

Gogol’s short story “The Overcoat�, depicts a lowly clerk in a bureaucratic office in a bureaucratic government. A department was like so many in the Russian government during 1800’s, that the author deemed it is not worth mentioning its name. The clerk is a “nobody� in the bureaucratic world, a “Milton Waddams� from the movie Office Space, who does not fit in with the rest of the office and is happier doing their job and nothing else. There is very little pleasure in Akaky Akaievich’s life other than penmanship. The bureaucratic government then, like the bureaucratic government today, is divided into different tiers, the lowly office workers and the “I should be more important than others� managerial personnel. Gogol brings to light how society is superficial and concentrates on how a person is viewed externally and conveniently forgets the internal factors that makes a person whole. The mere fact that Akaievich saved his money and starved himself for a decent coat has little effect on how others viewed him. Others merely viewed the coat as a status symbol. Akaievich was proud to wear his coat to work and others admired it. He felt different when he wore it, he had more self-confidence. In fact, he even got invited to his manager’s tea party. While at the tea party, Akaievich felt out of place and silently slipped out of the party to go home. As he left the party, he found his coat on the floor in the hallway. He removed the lint from his coat and wore it home. In my opinion, this scene is important because the coat was viewed favorably at first but quickly forgotten about, just like Akaievich. The only person who still deemed the coat important was Akaievich, because he needed it for the cold St. Petersburg winter. On his way home, Akaievich’s coat is robbed. Akaievich attempted to complain, but no one would listen to him. Because he lacked a decent coat Akaievich became ill and died. Sadly, no one in the office seemed to notice he was missing for several days. When the news of Akaievich’s death was received at the office, he was quickly replaced. Society views people by the clothes he or she wears and not what make a person “tick�. Akaievich did not care about his appearance and was happy copying documents and worried about penmanship, just like Milton Waddams was happy listening to his radio between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and maintaining possession his Swingline stapler.

In "The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol, Akaky Adadievich is a man who is not recognized by the people that surround him until he changes the way he dresses. He had an old raggy coat and when it became too old he tried to repair it but it was too worthless to do so, he saved up money and bought a new coat. He impressed his surroundings with his new appearance, the author Gogol is putting a real-life event in one short story. It is true, this happens in real life. People characterize you by the way you dress, if you dress ugly with a beautiful face or a beautiful soul you don't get characterized for it, but if you are ugly with a bad attitude and dress decent or above standars everyone looks. This is what happens in real life, poeple judge people by their appearance because for some reason they believe that the way you dress reflects your income, or class level. Like the old say, "don't judge a book by its cover." Akaky is a hard working man who was made fun of and teasted and unrecognizeable until he changed his coat.

In the short story “The Overcoat� I feel that what Gogol is trying to say about the relationship between one's appearance and social standing is that most people tend to go based by how one looks. It’s like the saying “never judge a book by its cover.� But regardless people always frequently judge others by how they look and what their wearing. It’s merely sad to know that in order to be able to fit in or be accepted by a higher social standing that you need to either be wearing new, expensive, or a nice piece of clothing. In this story Akaky was literally invisible with his old coat, but once he has a new coat, he was accepted by those around him. It was nearly heartbreaking to know that Akaky was not only made fun of but tormented by his coworkers because of his old shabby coat that they referred to as peignoir. Which is defined as a woman's light dressing gown or negligee. Akaky was a lonely man who loved what he did and always kept to himself. He asked nothing from no one. He was completely committed to his work that he did nothing out of the ordinary other than complete his unfinished work at home. Sometimes he even copied stuff for his own enjoyment. He was plainly a simple man that asked his tailor to by all means possible repair his old coat to avoid having to buy a new one. Which proves that Akaky didn’t really care what he wore or how how it looked. It is pathetic to admit that there are individuals out there that will treat you and speak to you accordingly to what it is you are wearing on the outside. This poor man was mugged for the only thing that he was beyond proud about and had worked so hard at to buy because his appearance probably portrayed that he was someone of higher social standing. Others began to appraise and notice him because of his new coat but no one really knew the sacrifice behind it. It’s both embarrassing and sad to acknowledge that these sort of things still continue to happen and affect our society now a days.

“That day was truly a triumphant and festive one for Akaky Akakievich.� - “The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol

In the short story “The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol is trying to say is that society is based on appearances. If you are well dress then you are accepted by society, in the contrary, if you are poorly dressed then they tend to denied. Here, Akaky Akakievich is a great example of how society treats him by the way he dresses, “He gave no thought to his clothes: his undress uniform was not green, but a sort of rusty-meal colour�. The story start with a description of where Akaky works in a “certain department�. The narrator also gives a description of Akaky including that he was not that important “not a very high one.� His job was to make copies, by the way, Akaky loved his job and when he was going to be promoted he refused. It seems to be that he could not handle a change. In that certain department, Akaky is mostly ignored and when they noticed him, it was to bully him. “No respect was shown him in the department. The porter not only did not rise from his seat when he passed, but never even glanced at him�.. His superiors treated him in coolly despotic fashion.� He definitely has a mediocre life. Akaky has his cloak “cape� worn out that not even the tailor can fix it, he has to buy a new one. But he could not afford a new one with his salary. The tailor gave him a reasonable price to make him a new one, but Akaky only had half the money, so he literally deprived himself form many things even eating. Finally, he had his new cloak and his felt like a different person, a happy person. Even the officials in the department noticed his new cloak and threw him a party. All that good attention made Akaky uncomfortable ad left the party where later he was assaulted and his new cloak was stolen. In Russia the cold weather is very harsh and Akaky was left without a cloak and got sick, which led him to his death.
“You must know that Akaky Akakievtch’s cloak served as an object of ridicule to the officials: they even refused it the noble name of cloak, and they called it a cape.”—Nikolai Gogol

Akaky Adadievich is the main character in the short story "The Overcoat." He is described as a low ranking clerk. He loves his job and he seems to have no friends but only coworkers that disrespect him. He wears an overcoat that needs to be repaired, so he saves up money to be able to get a new overcoat made. When he finally gets enough money his overcoat is finally made and he is able to wear it. He enters his workplace proud to be wearing it, his overcoat is of great quality that everyone at the office admired him. He then gets a party for it.He loved the fact that he was no longer invisible and the overcoat had changed that for him. "That whole day was truly a most triumphant festival day for Akaky Adadievich. He returned home in the most happy frame of mind, took off his cloak, and hung it carefully on the wall, admiring afresh the cloth and the lining." Gogol is trying to tell his readers that society judges a person by their appearance. When Akaky had his overcoat in rags he was unnoticed and uncared for. After he was able to get the finest overcoat people started to notice him for the way he was dressed. Instead of society accepting who the person is by who they truly are they judge and criticize for what they wear. They look at a person by what they're wearing and assume the wrong things. Just by looking at someone doesn't mean they know where they stand. Like when Akaky got mugged, the muggers assumed he was rich by his fancy overcoat. They didn't really know that he was a poor man but the overcoat gave them that impression.

The short story “The Overcoat� by, Nikolai Gogol is a story about a poor man who has being criticizes because of his appearance. The coat symbolized an important role in Akaky Akakievich’s life. He loved his job so much that he would take his work to home. His coworkers and other people would not give respect to Akaky and would ignore him like he wouldn’t be there. The only problem for Akaky is his coat falling apart and can’t be patched because it has been repaired so many times. Unfortunately Akaky don’t have money to get a new one. He did every possible thing to save money and get his new coat. After getting his new coat, his life and appearance change and everyone starts complimenting. That evening he went to tea party to celebrate his new coat. After the party he left home and two robbers took Akaky’s coat. He did everything to get his coat back but every attempted failed. Since the weather in St. Petersburg was cold and bad, he got sick and dies. The author, sends an important message, society shouldn’t treat someone based on their appearance.

In the short story "The Overcoat" a man is not socially accepted until he gets a new coat made. He is a man who is poor and is so invested in his job that he loves so much. The coat that he wears daily is an ugly old coat that clearly can't be fixed and while wearing that coat he is invisible to everyone around him. It wasn't until that he saved up his money to get a new coat made that was so amazing that everyone threw a party for him. The fact that Akaky didn't become socially accepted until his new fancy coat says a lot how people are shallow and care so much how one person looks like. "No respect was shown him in the department. The janitor not only did not rise from his seat when he passed, but never even glanced at him, as if only a fly had flown through the reception-room." I believe what Gogol is trying to say is that the way a person presents themselves says a lot about where they stand in society. If your well dressed then people will assume that you are wealthy. If someone sees another person in rugged torn clothes they assume that they are poor and simply not worth waisting time on. Basically to get to the top of the food chain you have to dress nice and fancy. If not then you are nothing and frankly that is just sad that society really is like that. Akaky was happy before his fancy coat and it wasn't until he got all the attention that caused him to get mugged then left without a coat, got a cold and died.

In the short story "The Overcoat" the author Gogol is describing a man named Akaky Adadievich. He was a regular man that was dressed with an old coat. When he changes his appearance and wears a new coat, he is finally visible and noticed by people. This describes how society is now a days. People in this days care only about looks. There is different types of classes depending on how you dress or how you look. They can see a wealthy person walking by, but if they are not dressed appropriately, they can easy judge them by saying they are poor and just turn their faces at them. But if they see a person dressed nice and with a nice car or stuff like that, they immediately want to talk to them or hang out with them because they can determine that they have money. This is society and that is not a good thing because that is also discrimination.

In the short story "The Overcoat" by Gogol is trying to say that appearance is everything in social society. Akakievich was often bullied by his co-workers so he would ignore them and acted like they didn't exist to get by with his day. One day, when Akavievich arrived home from work, he realized that his coat was the reason for the reason why his co workers were having fun bullying him at work. Akakievich took action and decided to take his coat to Pretovich the tailor so he could get it fixed. The tailor couldn't fix his coat because there was nothing to sew the coat to, it was completely rotten. With all hopes lost, Pretovich told Akavievich that he would have to get a new coat. Akavievich saved money to purchase a new. Once he got a new coat, his life changed around. He was more confident and everyone started noticing him. Things starting doing downfall again when the man robbed his coat. akavievich tried to get people attention but nobody saw or noticed anything. The next day he got sick which soon lead to his death.This story shows how cruel society can be. Nobody noticed akavievich for his personality, but rather for materialistic things.

"Akaky akakievich walked around in a happy holiday mood. He was full of the knowledge that he had a new overcoat on his shoulder, and several times he laughed with secret pleasure." -Nikolai Gogol

Alicia wrote: "In the short story “The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol is trying to say is that society is based on appearances. If you are well dress then you are accepted by society, in the contrary, if you are poor..."

I agree, society says that you need to have the best of everything in order to be liked. Akakievich didn't have much and was never noticed. When he got a new coat, everybody noticed. Society never noticed him for other things that he would do which is cruel, he had to live his life trying to be accepted.

The short story “The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol is about an ordinary man who lives day by day, as some of us would say. Akaky treasures an old coat he has owned for a while. This coat means a whole lot to him because it basically keeps him warm on his way to work and back. After so much usage of this only single coat, it becomes getting old and Akaky realizes that he needs to buy a new one because this one cannot be just patched up. Yet with the money that is coming in he won’t be able to afford one. Suddenly, he gets a raise and is able to afford the new coat he’s needed. Once he gets his new coat everyone starts to notice him, and they even throw him a party. Akaky Adadievich is a character that nobody pays much attention to because of his appearance but when they do, he doesn’t really care and just cares to go home because he works the next day. Akaky has no drive and loves his work so much he takes it home with him. After this party, he is walking home and gets stripped down and his coat is taken away. After this robbery he is left with nothing to protect him from the cold and snow. He then becomes sick with a sore throat and dies right after. “No respect was shown him in the department. The janitor not only did not rise from his seat when he passed, but never even glanced at him, as if only a fly had flown through the reception-room." This quote shows how Akaky was unnoticed by others at his work, and even the janitor doesn’t notice him. Miserably true, in this era we unconsciously ignore people if they don't meet the standards in our society. This was the case of Akaky because to him copying was the job he wanted but he didn’t mind making copies all day of his life, only to have a constant and repetitive job that would just pass some time.

The sad reality is that this world we live in is very superficial. People are quick to judge you and make assumptions by your appearance. In fact, first impressions are based on appearances. Like the saying goes, “don’t judge a book by its cover.� Sadly we see this too often. In the story “The Overcoat" written by Nikolai Gogol, Akaky Adadievich suffers this cruel reality. He’s a simple man that sticks to himself. He pays no attention to the world around him. So much so that he doesn’t even notice as he walks the streets that trash gets dumped on his head. He is a dedicated man to his work of copying. The story states he served with love. But people around him don’t notice this about him because all they were focused on was his appearance. They made fun of him because he was short, bald, nearsighted, and had a bad complexion. It’s not until a turn of fate that things begin to look up for him because of an overcoat. People began to compliment him instead of ridicule him. Because of the overcoat he carried himself in a more positive manner. It’s strange to think that an overcoat could change one’s life. I believe feeling good about himself was what made all the difference. When you look good on the outside, you feel good on the inside.

Alicia wrote: "In the short story “The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol is trying to say is that society is based on appearances. If you are well dress then you are accepted by society, in the contrary, if you are poor..." I do think society judges on how we appear and not on what we are as a person. He was not even noticed until he got his new overcoat. I do think he carried himself differently after getting his new coat which then led people to notice him as well.

Luis wrote: "Gogol’s short story “The Overcoat�, depicts a lowly clerk in a bureaucratic office in a bureaucratic government. A department was like so many in the Russian government during 1800’s, that the aut..." I am in total agreement with you. His life was destined that way from his birth, but I feel he was happy with his life. He was a hard worker and liked his job. Only when he got the coat was he noticed. He did walk prouder when he wore it. He did not want a new coat to impress anyone he was merely trying to keep warm and if he could of he would of have fixed his old one. It is quite sad that he had worked so hard to get the new coat but in the end it was what caused his death for if he would have had the other one he would have never been mugged.

Shanda wrote: "In the short story "The Overcoat" written by Nikolai Gogol Akaky Adadievich was just a plain ordinary man. He had no remarkable traits per say. When he was born his mother did not even know what to..."

I do agree with you Shanda, I believe society does play a big role on how we see people. Obviously nobody wants to hang around with someone like Akaky. He had no drive what so ever and his way of dressing said a lot about him. Even though his new coat lead to his death, it goes to show that some people try to impress others all the way till their death. Even though Akaky was happy with his job, in todays society, lets be real, we all get judge by how we dress and how we speak.

Kirsten wrote: "In the short story "The Overcoat" by Gogol is trying to say that appearance is everything in social society. Akakievich was often bullied by his co-workers so he would ignore them and acted like th..."

Kirsten, society is cruel, but I think that sometimes we need that. I don't mean to be pushed around or be make fun off, but that can help some to overcome themselves. Even though society has this image on how we are supposed to see people and how they dress, maybe that can help some of them to realize that there is always more to life, not just the job of making copies at work. Akaky could have become someone better and well liked, but he didn't really care, to me he just wanted something to do in his spare time.

In the short story "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol is about a man who is poor and simply gets criticizes because of his appearances. Akaky works hard for his little money and little recognition. His co-workers make fun of him and don't really pay any good attention to him until he buys his overcoat. This man Akaky had to sacrifice so much and save for months to get to pay for his overcoat. Once as soon he gets his coat, he walks through into his work with his new coat. And he sees that he makes center attention at work. He feels good. He realizes that he had never gotten so much attention like this. Akaky's co-workers invite him to a party and he attends. In his way out and going home he gets mugged and his coat gets stolen. Akaky struggles to get his coat back, but its impossible. He feels that need to get his coat back because he realizes that if not he is back to being that poor man again. Akaky gets sick with a cold and dies. I believe that in today's society we get judge on how we look, and on how we dress. Or even in what social standards we fall in either poor or rich. Akaky must of had felt terrible when he realizes that he can't get his coat back.

Luis wrote: "Gogol’s short story “The Overcoat�, depicts a lowly clerk in a bureaucratic office in a bureaucratic government. A department was like so many in the Russian government during 1800’s, that the aut..."

I agree with you Luis on how akaky was simply replaced at work . And only if he would of stay the way he was at first maybe he would of still been alive. Maybe he should have stay with his old coat.

Monique wrote: "“The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol revolves around Akaky Adadievich, who is an awkward, hardworking man who is a nobody in the eyes of everyone around him. Akaky is a dedicated worker who lives for hi..."

Awkward is an appropriate word to describe Akaky. The appearance of an individual does gives a stranger an initial impression. Akaky got a new coat out of necessity, but ended up with a coat made him appear to belong to a higher social class. Akaky did not seem to match the type of people he met at the party, just like the coat did not seem to match Akaky's personality.

Maritza wrote: "The short story “The Overcoat� by, Nikolai Gogol is a story about a poor man who has being criticizes because of his appearance. The coat symbolized an important role in Akaky Akakievich’s life. He..."

I agree with your post, but I think that Akaky never really cared about his appearance before he realized that he needed a new coat. He made sure that the coat would be special. With the coat, he gain some self confidence and others noticed this as well as how he was dressed.

Luis wrote: "Gogol’s short story “The Overcoat�, depicts a lowly clerk in a bureaucratic office in a bureaucratic government. A department was like so many in the Russian government during 1800’s, that the aut..."

Luis, I agree with you that Akaky was a simple clerk who was considered a nobody. He was merely a man who was happy doing his job and nothing more. He did not fit in with the rest of society and was only noticed when he got his new coat. But little did they know the sacrifice behind the coat that made him so proud.

Kimberly wrote: "In "The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol, Akaky Adadievich is a man who is not recognized by the people that surround him until he changes the way he dresses. He had an old raggy coat and when it became ..."


I agree with Kimberly because people do judge by the looks of other people. The short story is related to real life. This is the type of society we live now in this days. Poor Akaky, he was a hard working man, but because of his appearance he was invisible to the others.

Leslie wrote: "The short story “The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol is about an ordinary man who lives day by day, as some of us would say. Akaky treasures an old coat he has owned for a while. This coat means a whole..."

I agree Leslie. People often ignore others if they don't meet their standards in society. People made fun of him and once he got a new coat everybody was giving him attention. I felt so bad when he got robbed because he worked so hard for his new coat.

Maritza wrote: "The author, sends an important message, society shouldn’t treat someone based on their appearance."

I agree Amber, unfortunately society has always treated people based on their appearance and that is not right. Akaky went from nothing to everything just because of a new overcoat, a simple piece of fabric. In the end getting a new coat bascially backfired and caused him his life.

Hilda wrote: "Akaky Adadievich is the main character in the short story "The Overcoat." He is described as a low ranking clerk. He loves his job and he seems to have no friends but only coworkers that disrespect..."

Hilda, I agree with you that Akaky was a simple low ranking clerk who was considered a nobody. He was merely a man who was happy doing his job. He did not fit in with the rest of society and because of that he was belittled and tormented by his coworkers. It's sad to face reality and admit how one's appearance has such a powerful impact on someone based by the way they dress or look.

Rosie wrote: "In the short story "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol is about a man who is poor and simply gets criticizes because of his appearances. Akaky works hard for his little money and little recognition. Hi..."

I agree that Akaky saw that people noticed him but that unfortunately did not last. The people that mugged him certainly saw his fancy overcoat and judged him, assuming he was rich. Without an overcoat in the cold winters of Russia he shortly died.

Monique wrote: "“The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol revolves around Akaky Adadievich, who is an awkward, hardworking man who is a nobody in the eyes of everyone around him. Akaky is a dedicated worker who lives for hi..."

Akaky's co-workers took notice of him right when they saw him wearing his new coat. They saw him in a different way for what he was wearing. I agree that Gogol was trying to tell the reader that society treats people different for their appearance , assuming they are of higher class.

Akaky was literally invisible before with his old coat, but once he has a new coat, those around him accepted him. I believe that in this story � The over coat� by Gogal what the author is trying to say about the relationship between one’s appearance and social standing is that this two issues have a huge part in life. In the case of Akaky when having the old coat he felt insecure and want nobody to bother him and seems as if in a bad mood all the time, because the rest would make his life miserable at work. But one’s Akaky went and spend his money on a new coat made by a tailor he finally had the confidence to stand up for him self and walk taller and people viewed him differently. So what does this story teaches me in a way is that people in the society we live in and not only today but not to many years passed people do treat you with respect if there is money involved and that will happen 90 percent of the time. So Gogol is correct in what he is trying to explain the reality of how are society works now and will later on. Confidence is a huge part in order to succeed in any job and if dressing good or having your own cloth made by someone special just for you, unique will do it. I believe people do have to place an effort in situation especially in a work environment because people see the effort that has been placed with time and benefits do come with and success and effort placed into something.

Maritza wrote: "The short story “The Overcoat� by, Nikolai Gogol is a story about a poor man who has being criticizes because of his appearance. The coat symbolized an important role in Akaky Akakievich’s life. He..."

It was unfair of Akaky's coworkers to not pay attention to him until he had a new coat. A coat doesn't give a person their personality.

Kirsten wrote: "In the short story "The Overcoat" by Gogol is trying to say that appearance is everything in social society. Akakievich was often bullied by his co-workers so he would ignore them and acted like th..."

Its funny and sad how something as simple as getting a new coat changed the way Akaky was treated by those around him. Society now hasn't really changed since the same mindset still exist.

Nikolai Gogol’s short story The Overcoat. Gogol takes a man without a friend in the world and gives him a new overcoat. The new overcoat represents a new life and a new identity for the man and instantaneously he is much happier. The man, Akaky Akakievich, basis his “new life� upon the love that he gives to his overcoat, and what he feels it gives him in return. Often material things gives you a different social standing, people look at you different and could make a great impact to you social life. People find material things to be more important in our lives than people, resulting in the emptiness of one’s heart and soul. One cannot be truly happy with any possessions alone. He needs more than that. He needs people his life, whom he can call friends. Akaky Akakievich is a low class man and he works hard for his money, yet his materialistic co-workers torment him because of his shabby, worn-out overcoat. Consequently he goes out and purchases a new overcoat. Quickly people begin to respect him more as he wears the new coat, and it creates for him a new identity. Akaky no longer is the blunt of office jokes, for he is now dressed more fashionably in the eyes of his colleagues. As Akaky walks down the street, he begins to see things in a new light. From the women that pass him by, to what he sees inside the store windows. Things seem to have a new meaning in his world, all because of his new overcoat. Akaky cares so much about his coat because it cost him quite a lot of money, but more importantly it made him feel more confident, more accepted by those around him. The overcoat gave Akaky a sense of security and it protected him in the frigid Petersburg climate. The new overcoat, the symbol for Akaky Akakievich’s new life, was but a few pieces of fabric sewn together. Nevertheless, to Akaky it was much more. It did more for him than anyone in his life ever had and for that reason, he cared for it more than anything else in his life. His dependency on it had no boundaries and he cherished what it gave to him. A friendship, a world, a life.

Rosie wrote: "In the short story "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol is about a man who is poor and simply gets criticizes because of his appearances. Akaky works hard for his little money and little recognition. Hi..."


I agree with Rosie that Akakys end was horrible. He never was the one to care what others thought of him until they finally accepted him and then he dies.

Monique wrote: "“The Overcoat� by Nikolai Gogol revolves around Akaky Adadievich, who is an awkward, hardworking man who is a nobody in the eyes of everyone around him. Akaky is a dedicated worker who lives for hi..."

I agree with Monique when she says, “Gogol is trying to emphasize the point that the way you look and what you have effects the way you’re treated and respected.� It’s a sad truth but that’s the cruel reality that some people face.

Hilda wrote: "Akaky Adadievich is the main character in the short story "The Overcoat." He is described as a low ranking clerk. He loves his job and he seems to have no friends but only coworkers that disrespect..."
Hilda i agree society and the author of this story is trying to tell us that society does base everything, including hoe they think your attitude is according on how you dress.

Victoria wrote: "In the short story "The Overcoat" a man is not socially accepted until he gets a new coat made. He is a man who is poor and is so invested in his job that he loves so much. The coat that he wears d..."

I agree with you, society is superficial and judgmental. I felt sorry for Akaky because he was bullied by his coworkers. I wished he would of stand up to them but he was too peaceful.

Rosie wrote: "In the short story "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol is about a man who is poor and simply gets criticizes because of his appearances. Akaky works hard for his little money and little recognition. Hi..."
It is true, society treats us by our appearance not by our personality. Poor Akaky, being disrespected at work and then being mugged by thieves stealing his coat that he had worked for so hard.

Nancy wrote: "In the short story "The Overcoat" the author Gogol is describing a man named Akaky Adadievich. He was a regular man that was dressed with an old coat. When he changes his appearance and wears a new..."

To me appearance should be everything, there is a saying in Mexico “How you look is the way they are going to treat you�. I firmly believe in the saying but it does not mean you have to buy the fanciest clothing out there or the most expensive. IN Akaky’s situation is more about his attitude than his overcoat, after Akaky bought his new coat and his perspective in live change and with that the people around him.

Yvonne wrote: "The sad reality is that this world we live in is very superficial. People are quick to judge you and make assumptions by your appearance. In fact, first impressions are based on appearances. Like t..."

It is a sad reality, we judge people everything. Wouldn't you agree that sometimes judgement is owed? I think dressing nicely should be common knowledge, and by this I don't mean the fanciest clothing. I think it is our social responsibility to dress half way decent, people now days dress in pajamas everywhere even to school. My family always told me "It is your responsibility to dress appropriately you will find that how you look is the way they are going to treat you".