Term Papers on Gogols The Overcoat: A Whisper Of Change

Term Paper Title	Gogols The Overcoat: A Whisper Of Change
# of Words	977
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	3.91

Gogol's The Overcoat: A Whisper of Change

     At first glance of Nikolay Gogol's novel The Overcoat, one would only
see a short story about a poor man wishing to survive in a cruel world.  However,
in looking further into the story, deep symbolism can be found.  Gogol lived in
Russia during the rise of the communist party, and was a great dissident of
communism.  He believed the inevitable end of a communist government was total
failure.  He also criticized the other government of the world for failing to
aid Russia in its quest for a better system.  Gogol used his creative mind and
his writing abilities to speak out against the evils of the Russian government.
He used symbolism to prove his points, and often risked exile by his own
government for expressing such radical views.  Many different objects in The
Overcoat can be mirrored with the objects of true life.  Everything from Akaky
Akakyevitch's coat, to his administrator is used by Gogol to symbolize the
situation of Russia during Gogol's time. In truth, the Russian government was
against the free-thinking man, and so was against Gogol.
     Akaky himself is used as a symbol of the Russian people.  The communists
were against any sort of free-thinking, and respected any man who performed his
duties without question.  Akaky is described in the story as being a quiet,
hard-working man.  He keeps mostly to himself, having very little to do with the
outside world.  His entire life centers around his profession.  Akaky's life
changes only after he buys his new overcoat.  The overcoats in the story
symbolize different governments.  Akaky's original "dressing jacket," is the
Russian government in power before communism took over.  The government, like
the overcoat, once served its purpose, but is now worn thin and needs a
replacement.  The original color of the coat cannot even be seen anymore.  Each
time a tear appears in the coat, it is patched and forgotten, but the coat
eventually cannot be patched any longer.  Akaky is extremely hesitant in buying
a new coat, claiming it would be too expensive.  This compares to the hesitation
of the Russian population to switch to a new government.  However, the coat no
longer serves its intended purpose, and Akaky is forced to either purchase a new
coat or freeze in the cold.  Akaky's new coat symbolizes the establishment of
communism over the Russian people.  At first, the coat serves its purpose,
keeping Akaky warm.  Though it looks nice and expensive, the overcoat is
actually made of fairly cheap materials.  The overcoat gives Akaky a quick
glance of happiness, but is quickly stolen by robbers on the street.  Gogol uses
the new overcoat to make a statement about the communistic government.  In the
beginning years of communism, the people of Russia believed the system to be
efficient and superior to all others, yet the government eventually proved to be
a failure, falling far short of the people's expectations.
     Akaky's fellow workers, the other clerks in the office, are symbolic of
other countries.  The clerks neglected Akaky and teased him about his old coat,
but after he purchased his new overcoat, the other clerks gained...

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