Plot
Where does Akaky work?
The Russian government
What is the main characters name?
Akaky Akakiyevich
What is one of the main themes of the overcoat?
social status, material wealth showing social status, the cruelty of honorable men, social advancement tied to work
What does the name Akaky mean in Russian?
It means harmless in Russian
Who is the author of the short story, "The Overcoat"?
Nikolai Gogol
Why did Akaky need a new overcoat?
He took his old coat to the tailor who refused to mend the garment
What connection is drawn between Akaky's new coat and his identity?
It reflects his desire to be part of high society.
How does Akaky's job represent the theme?
His job is secretarial office work that is lowly and not well respected, therefore his social status is low and he is not respected
What does the overcoat symbolize?
A status symbol
What does the word solicitous mean?
To show care or concern for someone
How did Akaky lose his new overcoat?
A group of men attacked him and stole the coat off his back
How does the shift in tone develop Akaky's character?
He starts out as anxious over buying a new overcoat, but he later becomes hopeful and confident. Saving for the new coat gave him a sense of having high status
How do the old and new overcoats represent the themes?
The old overcoat shows his lowly status, but after receiving the new overcoat, people treat Akaky differently and he is invited to a high society party.
What does the party thrown for Akaky represent?
High society accepting him now that they believe him to have come into money
What is a ruble?
Russian money
How did Akaky die?
He contracted a fever
short, pock-marked, red-haired, mole-eyed, bald forehead, wrinkled cheeks, sanguine complexion
What does Akaky's ghost represent?
the guilt and remorse people should feel after being needlessly cruel
What did Akaky's ghost do at the end of the story?
He attacked a "prominent personage" in the government and took his coat
What does the interaction between Akaky's ghost and the prominent personage reveal?
Akaky's true motives for the haunting - to seek revenge for the injustices he faced during his life
How is Akaky's job's treatment of him after his death representative of the themes?
The did not realize he had died and immediately replaced him, further showing Akaky's low status and how little they cared about him.
What is the author's style of writing?
grotesque and satirical