Summary of Gogol Bumblebee. "The Overcoat" (main characters)

The main character of the story is Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin, a poor titular adviser from St. Petersburg. He carried out his duties zealously and was very fond of manual copying of papers, but in general his role in the department was extremely insignificant, which is why young officials often made fun of him. His salary was 400 rubles a year.

When the bonus for the holiday turned out to be more than expected, the titular adviser, together with the tailor, went to buy material for a new overcoat.

And then one frosty morning Akaki Akakievich entered the department in a new overcoat. Everyone began to praise and congratulate him, and in the evening he was invited to a name day with the assistant chief. Akaki Akakievich was in excellent spirits. Closer to midnight, he was returning home, when suddenly he came to him with the words “But the overcoat is mine!” “some people with mustaches” came up and took the overcoat off their shoulders.

The owner of the apartment advised Akakiy Akakievich to contact a private bailiff. The next day, Akakiy Akakievich went to the private bailiff, but to no avail. He came to the department in an old overcoat. Many felt sorry for him, and officials advised him to seek help from a “significant person” because this person had recently been insignificant. “A significant person” shouted at Akakiy Akakievich, so much so that he “went out into the street, not remembering anything.”

In St. Petersburg at that time it was windy and frosty, and the overcoat was old, and, returning home, Akaki Akakievich took to bed. He was no longer able to recover and died a few days later in delirium.

Over the next year and a half, spent in Vienna and Rome, Gogol took up the story three more times, but was able to complete it only in the spring of 1841, and then under pressure from Pogodin. At the same time, he was working on a text about Italy, completely different in style and mood. In the second edition, the main character received the name “Akaky Akakievich Tishkevich,” which was soon changed to “Bashmakevich.” In the third edition, the comic intonation began to give way to a sentimental and pathetic one.

Since the white manuscript of the story has not survived, it is difficult for literary scholars to determine whether the story underwent some kind of censorship processing in anticipation of publication. According to N. Ya. Prokopovich, censor A. V. Nikitenko “although he did not touch upon anything significant, he crossed out some very interesting passages.”

Reaction

After the release of the 3rd volume of collected works, the story did not generate extensive critical reviews and was no longer republished during Gogol’s lifetime. The work was perceived among other comic and sentimental stories about distressed officials, of which quite a lot appeared in the late 1830s. Nevertheless, the image of a downtrodden little man rebelling against the system had an undoubted influence on the natural school of the forties. In 1847 Apollo Grigoriev wrote:

The humanization of the seemingly petty concerns of poor officials was developed in Dostoevsky’s first works, such as “Poor People” (1845) and “The Double” (1846). The phrase often attributed to Dostoevsky, “We all came out of Gogol’s overcoat” (about Russian realist writers), actually belongs to Eugene Melchior de Vogüet and dates back to an 1885 article in Revue des Deux Mondes .

Analysis

B. M. Eikhenbaum’s article “How Gogol’s Overcoat was Made” (1918) had a great influence on the formation of the school of formalism and narratology in general. The researcher saw the novelty of the story in the fact that “the narrator somehow puts himself in the foreground, as if only using the plot to interweave individual stylistic devices.”

This storytelling style allows us to trace the change in the narrator’s attitude towards Akaki Akakievich as the story progresses. As D. Mirsky notes, “Akaky Akakievich is depicted as a pitiful person, humble and inferior, and the story goes through the whole gamut of attitudes towards him - from simple ridicule to piercing pity.”

The story criticizes the social system based on the triumph of the table of ranks, where the class of an official largely determines the attitude of others towards him than his personal qualities. The author’s skeptical attitude towards social hierarchy even extends to family relationships, which some biographers associate with the hypothesis of the author’s homosexuality, supported by these biographers.

The following way out of this contradiction was found - “The Overcoat” began to be interpreted as a parody of a romantic story, where “the place of the transcendental desire for a high artistic goal was occupied by eternal idea for a future overcoat on thick cotton wool":

If in Russia, due to the enthusiasm for social analysis, the mystical component of the story eluded critics, then in the West, on the contrary, the story was considered in the context of the Hoffmannian tradition, where the dream invariably breaks into reality. Accordingly, matches were sought for one or another plot situation in “The Overcoat” in Hoffmann’s short stories.

Religious interpretation

About the limitations of the social interpretation of the story, Dmitry Chizhevsky wrote in his article “On Gogol’s story “The Overcoat”” in 1938:

When interpreted religiously, the story is, first of all, not the story of a poor official, but a parable addressed to the reader. This is the story of temptation, then obsession of the humble, wretched and devoid of vanity Bashmachkin with his simple joys with a certain new object, passion, idol, which first deprived the man of his joys and then destroyed him. The author's irony in relation to Bashmachkin and the subject of his passion refuses to be a literary device, looking through the eyes of the reader. Nikolaev Russia, St. Petersburg and the bureaucratic community with its vices and superficial, purely everyday Christianity appear here only as a suitable background for the story of a spiritual impasse. The hero, shown by his initial behavior as almost a sinless ascetic, is subjected to temptation, and for an ordinary everyday reason, and dies spiritually and physically.

At the time of writing the story, Gogol is a fanatically religious person, deeply immersed in spiritual literature, including monastic and Greek. It is doubtful that his religiosity was not reflected in any way in the story. The name “Akakiy” is a speaking one, meaning “good-natured” or “innocent”. It is likely that the name “Akaky” was taken by the author from “The Ladder” of John Climacus, where the humble ascetic Akakiy of Sinai suffers humiliation and beatings from his mentor, dies, but even after death shows obedience to his mentor. Tailor Petrovich acts as a demon-tempter, and in relation to him the author repeatedly uses the word “devil” in the text, making it clear the role of the tailor in the story of Bashmachkin’s fall.

Transformation

Spatial distortions begin when Bashmachkin enters the deserted square with fear. His overcoat is taken away from him by men of gigantic stature with mustaches characterized by “thunderous voices” and “a fist the size of an official’s head.” Having lost his overcoat shell, the main character mutates into one of these otherworldly giants: after death, his ghost becomes “much taller,” “wears an enormous mustache,” and threatens “with a fist the likes of which you will not find among the living.” Like other mysterious barbels, the newly-minted ghost makes a living by pulling off greatcoats.

Adaptations

• In 1951, Marcel Marceau staged a pantomime based on the plot of “The Overcoat”.
• Ballet “The Overcoat”, on which G. G. Okunev worked before his death (1973).
• The play “Bashmachkin” by Oleg Bogaev
• Ballet “The Overcoat”, composer Ivan Kushnir, libretto by Maxim Didenko

Notes

1. FEB: Comments: Gogol. PSS. T. 3. - 1938 (text)
2. History of world literature. Volume 6. M.: Nauka, 1989. pp. 369-384.
3. P. V. Annenkov. Literary Memoirs. Academia, 1928. Pp. 61-62.
4. Professor Shevyrev, who knew Gogol well, assumed that Gogolev's "Overcoat" was called by "Demon" Pavlova (1839). Other stories of similar themes are “The Civil Mushroom” by Bulgarin (1833), “Luka Prokhorovich” (1838) and “The Ring” (1841) Combs, “Notes of the Undertaker” and “The Living Dead”

A nondescript, elderly official, Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin, served in one of the St. Petersburg departments. Colleagues neglected this quiet, inconspicuous man. Young clerks often made fun of him, sometimes even throwing pieces of paper on his head. Akaki Akakievich usually endured ridicule in silence and only at the most unbearable jokes would he bitterly say: “Leave me alone, why are you offending me?” His voice sounded so pitiful that a sensitive viewer could hear something else in these words: “I am your brother” - and then for a long time remember with pain in the soul the ridiculed old man. (See description of Akaki Akakievich in the text of the work.)

For many years neither the table at which Akaki Akakievich sat nor his official rank changed. Bashmachkin’s duties consisted of copying papers in beautiful handwriting. He performed this task with soul and had no other interests.

In the evenings, he returned home from work, quickly slurped up the cabbage soup prepared by his landlady, ate a piece of beef with onions, not noticing their taste, copied the papers brought to the house, went to bed, and in the morning went back to his office.

His salary of four hundred rubles a year was barely enough for the basic necessities. Therefore, Akakiy Akakievich suffered a great blow when he learned that, due to severe wear and tear, his only overcoat had to be changed. The familiar tailor Petrovich, who had repeatedly patched Bashmachka’s old overcoat, announced, having examined it once again, that the clothing could not be repaired further. There was no place to put the patches: the old cloth was spreading everywhere. Petrovich undertook to sew a new overcoat for 80 rubles.

There was almost nowhere to get this money. During his entire service, Akakiy Akakievich managed to save only half of the mentioned amount for future use. But, having resorted to strict economy, and even receiving a small encouragement from the director, he still managed to recruit it. Together with Petrovich, they went to buy fabric and fur, and soon the new overcoat was ready.

Akaki Akakievich in a new overcoat. Illustration by B. Kustodiev for Gogol’s story

All his colleagues immediately noticed the new look, ran out to the wardrobe to look at it, and then congratulated Bashmachkin. One assistant chief, who was celebrating his birthday, said that he was inviting everyone to come to him at the same time and “sprinkle” his overcoat. Akaki Akakievich, who had never visited anyone, was also invited. He happily attended the general evening and returned home from the guests already late.

There was almost no one on the snowy streets. At one point we had to cross a wide, deserted field. In the middle of it, strangers, strong people approached the poor official, grabbed him by the collar, pulled off his overcoat, and threw him into a snowdrift.

Akakiy Akakievich ran home undressed and in complete despair. The next day he went to complain to the police, but they began to drag out the case. I had to go to work in the cold in an old, thin hood.

A certain acquaintance advised Bashmachkin to contact one significant person requesting that the investigation be expedited. Akakiy Akakievich had difficulty gaining access to face, however, this general showed not participation, but discontent, scolded Bashmachkin and kicked him out. Seeing nothing around him, Akaki Akakievich wandered home through the streets in the middle of a severe blizzard, caught a severe cold and died a few days later. In his dying delirium, he remembered his overcoat.

Gogol "The Overcoat". Audiobook

Immediately after his funeral, a dead man began to appear at the Kalinkin Bridge at night in the form of an official who was looking for the stolen overcoat and, under this guise, tore off the clothes of everyone. One of the department servants, seeing a ghost, recognized him as Akaki Akakievich. The police were powerless to catch the robber for several days, until the same thing fell into the hands of the dead man. significant person, returning home at night from a friend's dinner.

“It’s your overcoat that I need!” – the dead Bashmachkin shouted, grabbing him in front of the coachman’s eyes. Shaking with horror, the general hastened to throw his overcoat off his shoulders and reached the house all pale. The ghost stopped appearing after that.

During N.V. Gogol’s career, the world was presented with a large number of works that are filled with exceptional meaning and exquisite charm. After reading such stories, the reader begins to understand what a true classic of the genre is. The story called “The Overcoat” is considered one of the immortal works.

After a little analysis of this creation, you can understand that the writer has real talent and describes the images used as accurately as possible. The work “The Overcoat” was created back in 1842 and immediately gained popularity among critics of the time.

Initial plot of the story

The plot of N.V. Gogol's work tells about a man with a bizarre name. His name was Bashmachkin Akaki Akakievich. The story describes the peculiarities of his birth, as well as the reasons for such a bizarre name. In the future, the narrative smoothly transitions to his years of service as an advisor with a high title.

Everyone around him constantly jokes about the main character. They make fun of him at work and constantly interfere with his normal activities. Either they will lull him with pieces of paper, or they will say unpleasant words, or they will push him under the arm. All this is very annoying to the adviser and he, when it becomes completely unbearable, asks those around him to leave him alone in a plaintive voice.

The main goal of the hero of the picture is the constant rewriting of papers. Bashmachkin takes his work responsibly and performs his duties with love. He does work not only in the office department, but also at home. Arriving home, after eating cabbage soup, he immediately takes up the jar of ink.

Akaki does not know friendship, since he has no friends, he does not prefer entertainment and constantly sits at home. For him, such foundations simply do not exist. Even when he lies down to rest, he thinks about how to write more documents tomorrow.

Unexpected incident

The main character of the work lives in constancy and routine. He does the same thing every day and he likes it. Everything would be fine, but at a certain moment an unexpected incident happens to him. One day, waking up in the morning after interesting dreams, looking outside and seeing the frosty weather, Akaki Akakievich decided to look at his overcoat, in which he had been walking for a long time. He sees that she has already lost her original external characteristics; looking closer, the hero realizes that she is already showing through in many places. That is why Bashmachkin decides to go to his friend the tailor, whose name is Petrovich.

The tailor examines the overcoat brought by Akaki and makes a statement that it is no longer possible to fix it and will have to make a new one, and throw away this coat. Petrovich named the price of the work, which turned out to be a real shock for the main character.

Akakiy Akakievich decides that he came at the wrong time and, perhaps, the tailor is simply inflating the cost of the service. He decides to come to the master another time, when he is drunk. In his opinion, it is in this state that Petrovich will be the most accommodating and will name a completely different price that will be acceptable. But Petrovich is not inclined, and the price can only increase, but not decrease.

Bashmachkin's dream

The main character understands that he cannot do without a new overcoat. Now his thoughts are constantly about where he can get the 80 rubles that the tailor wanted for his work. Only for this amount Petrovich is ready to make new clothes.

Bashmachkin decides to save money. He develops a plan on how to cut costs - not to light candles in the evening, not to drink tea after work, and to walk only on tiptoes so as not to wear out his soles ahead of time. He also decides to save money on washing clothes, and in order to avoid the need for laundry services, he decides to walk around the house only in a robe.

Dream and reality

Now the real life of the main character is changing significantly. He constantly thinks about a new overcoat, waiting for it as his faithful friend. Akaki goes to the tailor every month and inquires about his future overcoat, saving on almost everything.

And then, at one fine moment, the hero receives an award at a discount, which turned out to be 20 rubles more than he expected. Now Bashmachkin and his tailor can safely go to the store to choose a decent material for their future overcoat. The hero will also need to buy a lining, cloth and a cat that will be used on the collar.

Petrovich makes a high-quality overcoat, and Akakiy likes it very much. And then the moment comes when the main character puts it on and goes to work in the department. This event is noticed by many of those around him. Almost every employee comes up to the hero and praises his new clothes, they ask to hold a gala evening in honor of the new acquisition, but Bashmachkin simply does not have the money to hold it. He is saved by one official who invites everyone to drink tea on the occasion of his name day.

Lost overcoat

Further in the work the dramatic events are described. As soon as the working day, which for the hero was perceived as a holiday, ended, the adviser went home with pleasant thoughts. He has lunch and goes to another part of the city to see that official. Who invited him to visit him at work today.

Arriving at the indicated address, he also hears praise from many about the overcoat. The celebration includes champagne, vista, and a delicious dinner - everything that helps you have a pleasant evening. Having looked at the time, and it was already late, Akaki decides to go home and tries to leave the guests unnoticed.

He sets off through the deserted streets for a lady who is described by Gogol as the most beautiful woman. The dark and gloomy streets inspire fear in Akaki. And so, some people swoop down on him and take off his overcoat.

Bashmachkin's misadventure

Akaki Akakievich experiences very bad feelings from what happened. He goes to a private bailiff for help, but does not receive support from him and the search remains fruitless.

Wearing an old overcoat, the main character goes to work. Upon arrival, colleagues feel sorry for Bashmachkin and the first thing they decide to do is start making a new overcoat. But the funds turn out to be too little and not even close to enough for a new overcoat. Then the colleagues decide to help the main character in a different way - they advise him to turn to a very influential person who is able to solve the problem.

The next part of the storyline describes the characteristics of the person to whom Bashmachkin was sent by his colleagues. This person is dressed very strictly and has a strong-willed character. This image immediately strikes the main character and harshly scolds him for the fact that Akaki addressed him inappropriately. Bashmachkin never received help and went home with nothing. Then the main character becomes ill and develops a fever.

Death of the main character

Akaki Akakievich lies delirious and unconscious for several days. As a result, the adviser dies. This becomes known at his work only after four days since Bashmachkin was buried. Rumors begin to circulate around the city that the dead main character appears from time to time on the Kalinkin Bridge and takes away the greatcoats of all passers-by. Despite the ranks and titles of the victims. Some people see this ghost as a deceased protagonist. All efforts made by the police to catch them become in vain and do not bring any results.

Revenge of Akaki Akakievich

Further in the plot of the work “The Overcoat,” N.V. Gogol describes the person to whom the main character previously turned for help. The incident that Bashmachkin died led to a strong shock for this man. A situation is described when this person goes to a party to have a pleasant evening. After such an event, he goes to his friend and on the way he feels that someone is grabbing him by the collar.

He looks at the face of the man who did this, and in him he sees his acquaintance - Akaki Akakievich. It is he who pulls off the overcoat. The official, pale and frightened by what he saw, goes home and decides that he will never again treat his subordinates strictly. It is from this moment that there are no more mentions of the dead man; he does not walk the streets and does not scare various passers-by.

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is one of the most significant figures in Russian literature.

It is he who is rightly called the founder of critical realism, the author who clearly described the image of the “little man” and made it central in Russian literature of that time.

Subsequently, many writers used this image in their works. It is no coincidence that F. M. Dostoevsky uttered the phrase in one of his conversations: “We all came out of Gogol’s overcoat.”

History of creation

Literary critic Annenkov noted that N.V. Gogol often listened to jokes and various stories that were told in his circle. Sometimes it happened that these anecdotes and comical stories inspired the writer to create new works. This happened with “Overcoat”. According to Annenkov, Gogol once heard a joke about a poor official who was very fond of hunting. This official lived in deprivation, saving on everything just to buy himself a gun for his favorite hobby. And now, the long-awaited moment has arrived - the gun has been purchased. However, the first hunt was not successful: the gun got caught in the bushes and sank. The official was so shocked by the incident that he came down with a fever. This anecdote did not make Gogol laugh at all, but, on the contrary, gave rise to serious thoughts. According to many, it was then that the idea of ​​writing the story “The Overcoat” arose in his head.

During Gogol's lifetime, the story did not provoke significant critical discussions and debates. This is due to the fact that at that time writers quite often offered their readers comic works about the life of poor officials. However, the significance of Gogol’s work for Russian literature was appreciated over the years. It was Gogol who developed the theme of the “little man” protesting against the laws in force in the system and pushed other writers to further explore this theme.

Description of the work

The main character of Gogol's work is the junior civil servant Bashmachkin Akaki Akakievich, who was constantly unlucky. Even in choosing a name, the official’s parents were unsuccessful; in the end, the child was named after his father.

The life of the main character is modest and unremarkable. He lives in a small rented apartment. He occupies a minor position with a meager salary. By adulthood, the official never acquired a wife, children, or friends.

Bashmachkin wears an old faded uniform and a holey overcoat. One day, severe frost forces Akaki Akakievich to take his old overcoat to a tailor for repairs. However, the tailor refuses to repair the old overcoat and says it is necessary to buy a new one.

The price of an overcoat is 80 rubles. This is a lot of money for a small employee. In order to collect the necessary amount, he denies himself even small human joys, of which there are not many in his life. After some time, the official manages to save the required amount, and the tailor finally sews the overcoat. The acquisition of an expensive item of clothing is a grandiose event in the miserable and boring life of an official.

One evening, Akaki Akakievich was caught up on the street by unknown people and his overcoat was taken away. The upset official goes with a complaint to a “significant person” in the hope of finding and punishing those responsible for his misfortune. However, the “general” does not support the junior employee, but, on the contrary, reprimands him. Bashmachkin, rejected and humiliated, was unable to cope with his grief and died.

At the end of the work, the author adds a little mysticism. After the funeral of the titular councilor, a ghost began to be noticed in the city, which took overcoats from passers-by. A little later, this same ghost took the overcoat from that same “general” who scolded Akaki Akakievich. This served as a lesson for the important official.

Main characters

The central figure of the story is a pathetic civil servant who has been doing routine and uninteresting work all his life. His work lacks opportunities for creativity and self-realization. Monotony and monotony literally consume the titular adviser. All he does is rewrite papers that no one needs. The hero has no loved ones. He spends his free evenings at home, sometimes copying papers “for himself.” The appearance of Akaki Akakievich creates an even stronger effect; the hero becomes truly sorry. There is something insignificant in his image. The impression is strengthened by Gogol's story about the constant troubles befalling the hero (either an unfortunate name, or baptism). Gogol perfectly created the image of a “little” official who lives in terrible hardships and fights the system every day for his right to exist.

Officials (collective image of bureaucracy)

Gogol, talking about Akaki Akakievich’s colleagues, focuses on such qualities as heartlessness and callousness. The unfortunate official's colleagues mock and make fun of him in every possible way, without feeling an ounce of sympathy. The whole drama of Bashmachkin’s relationship with his colleagues is contained in the phrase he said: “Leave me alone, why are you offending me?”

"Significant person" or "general"

Gogol does not mention either the first or last name of this person. Yes, it doesn’t matter. Rank and position on the social ladder are important. After the loss of his overcoat, Bashmachkin, for the first time in his life, decides to defend his rights and goes with a complaint to the “general”. Here the “little” official is faced with a tough, soulless bureaucratic machine, the image of which is contained in the character of a “significant person”.

Quotes

“Leave me alone... why are you hurting me?”Akakiy.

“What about the new one? After all, I don’t even have money for this.” Akakiy.

“No, this will work out: killing work and wasting money”Petrovich (tailor).

“And something always stuck to his uniform: either a piece of hay, or some thread,” “on his hat,” “his old uniform.”Gogol.

Analysis of the work

In the person of his main character, Gogol seems to unite all the poor and humiliated people. Bashmachkin's life is an eternal struggle for survival, poverty and monotony. Society with its laws does not give the official the right to a normal human existence and humiliates his dignity. At the same time, Akaki Akakievich himself agrees with this situation and resignedly endures hardships and difficulties.

The loss of the overcoat is a turning point in the work. It forces the “little official” to declare his rights to society for the first time. Akaki Akakievich goes with a complaint to a “significant person”, who in Gogol’s story personifies all the soullessness and impersonality of the bureaucracy. Having encountered a wall of aggression and misunderstanding on the part of a “significant person,” the poor official cannot stand it and dies.

Gogol raises the problem of the extreme significance of the rank, which took place in the society of that time. The author shows that such attachment to rank is destructive for people with very different social status. The prestigious position of a “significant person” made him indifferent and cruel. And Bashmachkin’s junior rank led to the depersonalization of a person, his humiliation.

At the end of the story, it is no coincidence that Gogol introduces a fantastic ending, in which the ghost of an unfortunate official takes off the general’s overcoat. This is some warning to important people that their inhumane actions may have consequences. The fantasy at the end of the work is explained by the fact that in the Russian reality of that time it is almost impossible to imagine a situation of retribution. Since the “little man” at that time had no rights, he could not demand attention and respect from society.

This article will talk about the creation of the story and about one of the great writers, prose writers and critics of the 19th century.

“The Overcoat” summary and brief retelling.

About the story “The Overcoat”

The story “The Overcoat” was written in 1841 and published in 1842. This is a story about a simple clerical adviser and just a “little man.”

In literature, this work is considered “a manifesto of social equality and inalienable rights of the individual in any condition and rank.” It is filled with deep meaning, and the main character evokes sincere sympathy. The plot develops in St. Petersburg.

The story is not divided into chapters and takes about an hour to read.

This is a story about a “little man” who needs understanding from others. A story about inhumanity, indifference and cruelty of people. In part, the story is about every person in society at that time, and about every person in our time.

The history of the creation of the story “The Overcoat”

This story is an anecdote Nikolai Vasilyevich once heard about an official who lost his gun, which he had been saving for for a long time.

This story is the last from the series “Petersburg Tales”.

In 1842, “The Overcoat” was completed, and the hero’s surname was changed to Bashmachkin.

The genre of the work is ghost story, drama.

Who wrote "The Overcoat"

This story was written by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol (1809-1852), a great Russian classicist, playwright, critic and publicist, author of the poem “Dead Souls” and the collection “Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka,” which were included in the school curriculum.

His childhood N.V. Gogol spent time in Sorochintsy (Poltava province). Born into a poor family of nobles Vasily Afanasyevich and Maria Ivanovna Gogol-Yanovsky.

There were 12 children in total, but many died at an early age, and Nikolai Vasilyevich was the first surviving child and the third in a row.

As can be noted from his first works, the years of his childhood and the area where he lived left their mark on his first works. “”, “The Night Before Christmas”, “May Night”, “The Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala” and other works included in the collections carry the character and multiple landscapes of Ukraine at that time. You can also note Gogol’s language and his writing style.

After moving to St. Petersburg, Gogol becomes an official, but over time he realizes that such work is not for him and devotes himself to creativity. New acquaintances are made in literary circles, which helps Gogol develop.

In St. Petersburg in 1842, the story “The Overcoat” was born, included in the third volume of the collected works.

Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin - the main character of the story

The main character of the story is Akaki Akakievich Bashmachkin - a minor official and titular adviser, who from the first lines of the description evokes sympathy, sadness, and sometimes even a little disgust.

Description: modest, having no goals in life, except for one - to save up for a new overcoat.

It cannot be said that he was dissatisfied with his work, on the contrary, he found pleasure in copying papers and found this activity pleasant, special, immersing himself in his special solitary world. Even when he came home, Bashmachkin sat down to rewrite papers.

He earns meagerly, only 400 rubles a year. This is barely enough even for food. A small, bald man with a “hemorrhoidal complexion,” defenseless and lonely. Suffering bullying and complete indifference from younger officials.

Other characters from "The Overcoat"

Briefly about other characters. In addition to Bashmachkin, there are two more characters in the story - Grigory, or Petrovich for short, and a “significant person” or “general.”

In the past, Petrovich was a serf, and now a tailor who abuses alcohol.

It is to him that Akaki Akakievich will come for help. His wife beats him for drunkenness, but only in this state is he compliant.

"Significant person" or "general". A minor person, but playing an important role in this story. With a heroic appearance, aged, respectable and strict.

A brief retelling of the story by N.V. Gogol "The Overcoat"

Often, in schools, students are required to keep a reading diary, where it is recommended to mainly write down a summary of the work or characteristics of the characters. The following is a brief retelling of the work.

While sitting copying papers, younger officials constantly interfered and threw papers onto his desk and mocked him in every possible way. But one day one of the young officials, who once again decided to laugh at Bashmachkin, stopped when he heard his words “Leave me alone, why are you offending me?”, which reached his heart.

The man lives in his position, and even when he came home, after a meager dinner, he sat down to write and rewrite documents. A St. Petersburg evening is described, reflecting all the grayness and slush and what Akaki Akakievich sees. This sketch shows Bashmachkin’s life itself - just as gray and dull without entertainment or goals.

He earns only four hundred rubles a year, which is barely enough for him. It's cold outside, and the hero tries to get to work as quickly as possible in a leaky “skinny overcoat.” He turns to Grigory, or in short to Petrovich, for help. As has already been written, Petrovich was a former serf and now a tailor. The description of Gregory's house evokes some disgust.

Arriving at his house and going upstairs, Akaki Akakievich, during the conversation, understands that Petrovich is sober, and it will not be possible to come to an agreement with him.

Grigory did not give in to Bashmachkin’s persuasion to repair his old overcoat and undertook to sew a new one, not understanding how much this overcoat meant to Bashmachkin. After all, it is expensive not only as a memory, but also in price.

As a result, the attempt to reduce the price or persuade him to repair the old overcoat was unsuccessful.

Obsessed with thoughts about the overcoat, he comes to Petrovich to talk about it. And now the overcoat is sewn. Akaki Akakievich goes to the department in a new overcoat. Bashmachkin hears a lot of praise in his direction, because his overcoat does not go unnoticed by his colleagues.

They demanded that an evening be held for this occasion and a celebration be held, but Bashmachkin was saved by another official, who had a name day, and he invited everyone to dinner.

After work, Bashmachkin returns home. After lunch, his path goes to the birthday official. But Akaki Akakievich does not stay there for long - seeing that the hour is late, he returns home.

Bashmachkin did not wear his overcoat for long. Walking home that evening along a dark street, he comes across two people with mustaches, who successfully take away his overcoat from Bashmachkin.

Upset, he goes to work the next day. Not finding help from the bailiff, at the insistence of his colleagues, he turns to a “significant person” or “general”. But he finds no help there either.

A few days later, Akaki Akakievich dies in a fit of fever. The ghost of Bashmachkin lived near the Kalinkin Bridge, where his overcoat was taken off, and tore off their overcoats from everyone passing by.

A “significant person” learns about Bashmachkin’s death and is sincerely surprised by this. And one day, walking across this bridge late in the evening, the general felt that someone grabbed his collar.

Turning around, he recognizes Akakiy Akakievich. He, in turn, took off the general’s greatcoat, and since then no one has seen Bashmachkin’s spirit.