The Overcoat

Gogol’s omniscient narrator knows everything that happens at the Department, the tailor shop, the Person of Consequence’s office, and Akaky Akakievich’s home. How would the story be different if it were told from Akaky Akakievich’s point of view? What is the role of the narrator’s tone in establishing the themes of the story?

What role does social class play in “The Overcoat”? Compare at least two characters, and examine how their different social classes affect their experiences and worldviews.

Does Gogol have compassion for Akaky Akakievich? Why or why not? What elements of the story lead you to your answer?

Choose one theme from the story. How does irony contribute to the theme that you have selected?

How much does the cultural and historical context of “The Overcoat” matter when it comes to understanding the work today? Compare the piece to a contemporary work that addresses similar themes, and discuss which you find to be more effective and why.

“The Overcoat” can be considered a work of realism or the supernatural. Argue for or against reading “The Overcoat” through the lens of realism. How important is the supernatural to the story’s plot and themes?

Is there a moral to “The Overcoat”? Does the reader come away with a lesson? If so, what do you think it is and why? Use textual examples to support your analysis.

Petrovich the tailor and Akaky Akakievich are both members of the working class, but they lead very different lives. Compare and contrast these two foils, explaining the significance of their careers in the story.