A metaphor analysis on the play/story “The Overcoat”, by Nikolai Gogol.
I believe that the overcoat symbolizes the same thing in the play and in the story. The overcoat is a direct comparison to Akaki Akakievich’s social class level. In both the story and the play, we see the overcoat beaten, torn and mangled. The coat feels the same uncompassionate feelings that Akaki Akakievich does.
It is evident that Akaki was not interested in women or any type of serious relationship. The only things Akaki paid attention to were work and his coat. When the coat wore thin, he began to
worry for himself and not how he was perceived. In a corrupt society where a book is judged by its cover, you need fancy clothing and expensive belongings: Akaki had neither. He battled the cold every day, and I’m not just talking about the weather. Akaki was treated coldly and harshly every day by those who work around him.When Akaki finally did obtain a possession of wealth, things changed. His recent level in society increased immediately. Those who mocked and disrespected him now valued him and basked in his glory. The new coat was new and groomed, just like his new life. Akaki now relaxed in warmth and enjoyed his new found admirers. Unfortunately for Akaki Akakievich, his new life is stolen. Akaki’s reputation fell just as fast as it rose.
You feel sorry for Akaki Akakievich. Obviously he is a sad man, but it only makes it worse when he is teased by a greater life. He only gets a sniff of a good life, and he liked what he smelt. It’s a shame that he has to go back to his sub-par, torn life. In this case, it is better to not have loved at all, than to have loved and
The overcoat that Akaki Akakievich wore shows us how this society works. You are only recognized by how you look, and not by how you act or who you are. Corrupt, yes, unrealistic, no. Akaki Akakievich is the purest man in that society. It is the erotic overcoat that tempts him to change into someone who he is not. It is clear that he is not comfortable with a lot of attention.
After seeing the way he acts around people with a wealthy possession, I can see that he is a man who lives for the struggle of life. No matter what he wore, he never found a comfort zone. The coat made him an aroused and foul wreck. Just like love, the coat made him think with something else other than his mind. Ultimately, he gave into the temptation of the overcoat and dug his grave just a little deeper.
Another possible metaphor for the overcoat is compassion. Every human needs it and desires more and more of it. Akaki needed warmth and a respectable look. Without it, he became very sick, physically. Without compassion, you become sick mentally. Your self esteem can no longer breathe if you have no one to back you up. In other words, you can’t respect yourself if no one else does.
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