The story "The Overcoat" is one of the best works of the most mysterious (according to the philosopher Berdyaev) Russian writer Gogol Nikolai Vasilyevich. The story about the life of the "little man" Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, a simple scribe of one of the many offices of the county town, brings the reader to deep thoughts about the meaning of life.
"Leave me alone..."
An analysis of Gogol’s Overcoat requires a thoughtful approach. Akaki Bashmachnikov is not just a "small" man, he is defiantly insignificant, emphasized estranged from life. He has no desires, with all his appearance he seems to say to others: "I beg you to leave me alone." Younger officials mock Akaki Akakievich, although not evil, but still offensive. Gather around and compete in wit. Sometimes it hurts painfully, then Bashmachnikov will raise his head and say: "Why are you doing this?" There is social tension in the text of the story , Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol offers to feel it. The “Overcoat” (analysis of this short story may be longer than itself) involves complex psychological interweaving.
Thoughts and aspirations
Akakia's only passion was his work. He copied documents neatly, cleanly, with love. Arriving home and having some lunch, Bashmachnikov began to walk around the room, time for him dragged on slowly, but this did not bother him. Akaki sat down and wrote all evening. Then he went to bed, thinking about the documents that were to be rewritten the next day. These thoughts pleased him. Paper, pen and ink made up the meaning of the life of a "little man" who was well over fifty. Only such a writer as Gogol could describe the thoughts and aspirations of Akaky Akakievich. The "Overcoat" is analyzed with great difficulty, because so many psychological collisions have been collected in a small story that would be enough for a whole novel.
Salary and new overcoat
Akaky Akakievich’s salary was 36 rubles a month, this money was barely enough to pay for housing and food. When frost hit St. Petersburg, Bashmachnikov was in a difficult position. His clothes were worn out to holes; she could no longer save from the cold. The greatcoat faded on the shoulders and back, sleeves torn at the elbows. Masterfully describes the whole drama of the situation Nikolay Vasilyevich Gogol. "Overcoat," the theme of which is beyond the scope of the usual narrative, makes you think about a lot. Akaki Akakievich went to the tailor to fix his clothes, but he said that "it is impossible to repair," a new overcoat is needed. And he called the price - 80 rubles. For Bashmachnikov huge money, which he did not have in sight. I had to save a lot to save the necessary amount.
After some time, a prize was given to officials in the office. Akaki Akakievich got 20 rubles. Along with the salary received, a sufficient amount was collected. He went to the tailor. And here, with the exact literary definitions, the whole drama of the situation is revealed, only such a writer as Gogol can do. The "Overcoat" (an analysis of this story cannot be done without being imbued with the misfortune of a person who is deprived of the opportunity to simply take and buy a coat) touches to the core.
The death of the "little man"
The new overcoat turned out to be a feast for the eyes - a thick cloth, a cat collar, copper buttons, all this even somehow lifted Bashmachnikov over his hopeless life. He straightened up, began to smile, felt like a man. Colleagues vied praised the update, invited Akaki Akakievich to a party. After her, the hero of the day went home, striding sweepingly along the icy sidewalk, even pounded behind a woman passing by, and when he turned off Nevsky, two men came up to him, scared him and took off his greatcoat. The next week, Akaki Akakievich went to the police station, hoping that they would find a new thing. Then he had a nervous breakdown, fever began. The "little man" has died. Thus ended the life of his character Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol. "Overcoat", the analysis of this story can be done indefinitely, constantly reveals to us all new facets.