History of creation

Gogol, according to the Russian philosopher N. Berdyaev, is "the most mysterious figure in Russian literature." To this day, the writer's works cause controversy. One of these works is the story "The Overcoat".

In the mid-1930s, Gogol heard a joke about an official who had lost his gun. It sounded like this: there lived one poor official, he was a passionate hunter. He saved up for a long time for a gun, which he dreamed of for a long time. His dream came true, but while sailing through the Gulf of Finland, he lost it. Returning home, the official died of frustration.

The first draft of the story was called "The Tale of the Official Stealing the Overcoat." In this version, some anecdotal motifs were visible and comic effects. The official bore the surname Tishkevich. In 1842, Gogol completes the story, changes the name of the hero. The story is printed, completing the cycle " Petersburg stories". This cycle includes the stories: "Nevsky Prospekt", "The Nose", "Portrait", "Carriage", "Notes of a Madman" and "Overcoat". The writer works on the cycle between 1835 and 1842. Combined stories by common place events - Petersburg. Petersburg, however, is not only the scene of action, but also a kind of hero of these stories, in which Gogol draws life in its various manifestations. Usually writers, talking about life in St. Petersburg, covered the life and characters metropolitan society. Gogol was attracted by petty officials, artisans, impoverished artists - "little people". Petersburg was not chosen by the writer by chance, it was this stone city that was especially indifferent and ruthless to the “little man”. This topic was first discovered by A.S. Pushkin. She becomes the leader in the work of N.V. Gogol.

Genus, genre, creative method

In the story "The Overcoat" one can see the influence hagiographic literature. It is known that Gogol was an extremely religious person. Of course, he was well acquainted with this genre. church literature. Many researchers wrote about the influence of the life of the Monk Akakiy of Sinai on the story "The Overcoat", among them famous names: V.B. Shklovsky and G.P. Makogonenko. Moreover, in addition to the conspicuous outward similarity of the fates of St. Akaki and the hero Gogol were traced the main common points plot development: obedience, stoic patience, the ability to endure various kinds of humiliation, then death from injustice and - life after death.

The genre of "The Overcoat" is defined as a story, although its volume does not exceed twenty pages. Its specific name - a story - it received not so much for its volume, but for its enormous semantic richness, which you will not find in any novel. The meaning of the work is revealed only by compositional and stylistic devices with the extreme simplicity of the plot. A simple story about a poor official who invested all his money and soul in a new overcoat, after stealing which he dies, under the pen of Gogol found a mystical denouement, turned into a colorful parable with a huge philosophical overtones. "The Overcoat" is not just a accusatory satirical story, it is a wonderful piece of art, revealing eternal problems beings that will not be translated either in life or in literature as long as humanity exists.

Sharply criticizing the ruling order of life, its inner falsehood and hypocrisy, Gogol's work suggested the idea of ​​the need for a different life, a different social structure. "Petersburg Tales" of the great writer, which includes "The Overcoat", is usually attributed to the realistic period of his work. Nevertheless, they can hardly be called realistic. The mournful tale of the stolen overcoat, according to Gogol, "unexpectedly takes on a fantastic ending." The ghost, in which the deceased Akaky Akakievich was recognized, ripped off everyone's overcoat, "without disassembling the rank and title." Thus, the ending of the story turned it into a phantasmagoria.

Subject

The story raises social, ethical, religious and aesthetic problems. Public interpretation emphasized the social side of the "Overcoat". Akaky Akakievich was seen as a typical "little man", a victim of the bureaucratic system and indifference. Emphasizing the typical fate " little man”, Gogol says that death did not change anything in the department, Bashmachkin’s place was simply taken by another official. So the theme of man is sacrifice public system- brought to its logical conclusion.

An ethical or humanistic interpretation was based on the pitiful moments of The Overcoat, a call for generosity and equality, which was heard in Akaky Akakievich’s weak protest against clerical jokes: “Leave me, why are you offending me?” - in these penetrating words, other words rang out: "I am your brother." Finally, the aesthetic principle, which came to the fore in the works of the 20th century, focused mainly on the form of the story as the focus of its artistic value.

Idea

“Why portray poverty ... and the imperfections of our life, digging people out of life, remote nooks and crannies of the state? ... No, there is a time when otherwise it is impossible to direct society and even a generation to the beautiful, until you show the full depth of its real abomination" - wrote N.V. Gogol, and in his words lies the key to understanding the story.

The author showed the "depth of abomination" of society through the fate of the main character of the story - Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin. His image has two sides. The first is spiritual and physical squalor, which Gogol deliberately emphasizes and brings to the fore. The second is the arbitrariness and heartlessness of others in relation to the main character of the story. The ratio of the first and second determines humanistic pathos works: even a person like Akaki Akakievich has the right to exist and be treated fairly. Gogol sympathizes with the fate of his hero. And it makes the reader involuntarily think about the attitude to the whole world around, and first of all about the sense of dignity and respect that every person should arouse for himself, regardless of his social and social status. financial situation, but only taking into account his personal qualities and merits.

The nature of the conflict

At the heart of N.V. Gogol lies the conflict between the "little man" and society, a conflict leading to rebellion, to the uprising of the humble. The story "The Overcoat" describes not only an incident from the life of the hero. The whole life of a person appears before us: we are present at his birth, naming him, find out how he served, why he needed an overcoat and, finally, how he died. The life story of the "little man", his inner peace, his feelings and experiences, depicted by Gogol not only in "The Overcoat", but also in other stories of the "Petersburg Tales" cycle, has firmly entered the Russian literature of the 19th century.

Main heroes

The hero of the story is Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, a petty official of one of the St. Petersburg departments, a humiliated and disenfranchised man "short, somewhat pockmarked, somewhat reddish, somewhat even blind-sighted, with a slight bald spot on his forehead, with wrinkles on both sides of his cheeks." The hero of Gogol's story is offended by fate in everything, but he does not grumble: he is already over fifty, he did not go beyond the correspondence of papers, did not rise above the rank of titular councilor (a state official of the 9th class who does not have the right to acquire personal nobility - if he is not born a nobleman) - and yet humble, meek, devoid of ambitious dreams. Bashmachkin has neither family nor friends, he does not go to the theater or visit. All his "spiritual" needs are satisfied by rewriting papers: "It is not enough to say: he served zealously - no, he served with love." No one considers him a person. “The young officials laughed and made fun of him, as long as clerical wit was enough ...” Bashmachkin did not answer a single word to his offenders, did not even stop working and did not make mistakes in the letter. All his life Akaky Akakievich has served in the same place, in the same position; his salary is meager - 400 rubles. a year, the uniform has long been no longer green, but a reddish-flour color; co-workers call an overcoat worn to holes a hood.

Gogol does not hide the limitations, the scarcity of the interests of his hero, tongue-tied. But something else brings to the fore: his meekness, uncomplaining patience. Even the name of the hero carries this meaning: Akaki is humble, gentle, does no harm, innocent. The appearance of the overcoat reveals the hero's spiritual world, for the first time the hero's emotions are depicted, although Gogol does not give the character's direct speech - only a retelling. Akaky Akakievich remains wordless even at a critical moment in his life. The drama of this situation lies in the fact that no one helped Bashmachkin.

An interesting vision of the main character from the famous researcher B.M. Eikhenbaum. He saw in Bashmachkin an image that "served with love", in the rewriting "he saw some kind of diverse and pleasant world of his own", he did not think at all about his dress, about anything else practical, he ate without noticing the taste, did not indulge in any entertainment, in a word, he lived in some kind of his ghostly and strange world, far from reality, was a dreamer in uniform. And it is not for nothing that his spirit, freed from this uniform, so freely and boldly develops its revenge - this is prepared by the whole story, here is its whole essence, its whole whole.

Along with Bashmachkin in the story important role plays the image of an overcoat. It is also quite comparable with the broad concept of “honor of the uniform”, which characterized the most important element of noble and officer ethics, to the norms of which the authorities under Nicholas I tried to attach raznochintsy and, in general, all officials.

The loss of the overcoat turns out to be not only a material, but also a moral loss for Akaky Akakievich. Indeed, thanks to the new overcoat, Bashmachkin for the first time in the departmental environment felt like a man. The new overcoat is able to save him from frost and illness, but, most importantly, it serves as protection for him from ridicule and humiliation from his colleagues. With the loss of his overcoat, Akaki Akakievich lost the meaning of life.

Plot and composition

“The plot of The Overcoat is extremely simple. The poor little official accepts important decision and orders a new overcoat. While sewing it, it turns into a dream of his life. On the very first evening when he puts it on, thieves take off his overcoat on a dark street. The official dies of grief, and his ghost roams the city. That's the whole plot, but, of course, the real plot (as always with Gogol) is in the style internal structure this ... anecdote, "- this is how V.V. retold the plot of Gogol's story. Nabokov.

Hopeless need surrounds Akaky Akakievich, but he does not see the tragedy of his situation, as he is busy with business. Bashmachkin is not burdened by his poverty, because he does not know another life. And when he has a dream - a new overcoat, he is ready to endure any hardships, if only to bring the implementation of his plans closer. The overcoat becomes a kind of symbol of a happy future, a favorite brainchild, for which Akaki Akakievich is ready to work tirelessly. The author is quite serious when he describes the delight of his hero about the realization of a dream: the overcoat is sewn! Bashmachkin was completely happy. However, with the loss of Bashmachkin's new overcoat, real grief overtakes. And only after death is justice done. Bashmachkin's soul finds peace when he returns his lost thing.

The image of the overcoat is very important in the development of the plot of the work. The plot of the plot is connected with the emergence of the idea to sew a new overcoat or repair the old one. The development of the action - Bashmachkin's trips to the tailor Petrovich, an ascetic existence and dreams of a future overcoat, buying a new dress and visiting name days, on which Akaky Akakievich's overcoat should be "washed". The action culminates in the theft of a new overcoat. And, finally, the denouement lies in Bashmachkin's unsuccessful attempts to return the "overcoat; the death of a hero who has caught a cold without an overcoat and yearns for it. The epilogue ends the story - fantasy story about the ghost of an official who is looking for his overcoat.

The story of Akaki Akakievich's "posthumous existence" is full of horror and comedy at the same time. In the dead silence of the Petersburg night, he rips off the overcoats from officials, not recognizing the bureaucratic difference in ranks and acting both behind the Kalinkin bridge (that is, in the poor part of the capital) and in the rich part of the city. Only having overtaken the direct culprit of his death, "one significant person", who, after a friendly bossy party, goes to "one familiar lady Karolina Ivanovna", and, having torn off the general's overcoat, the "spirit" of the dead Akaki Akakievich calms down, disappears from St. Petersburg squares and streets . Apparently, "the general's overcoat came to him completely on the shoulder."

Artistic originality

Gogol's composition is not determined by the plot - his plot is always poor, rather - there is no plot, but only one comic (and sometimes not even comical in itself) position is taken, serving as if only an impetus or reason for developing comic tricks. This story is especially interesting for this kind of analysis, because in it a pure comic tale, with all the methods of language play characteristic of Gogol, is combined with pathetic declamation, which forms, as it were, a second layer. His actors in The Overcoat, Gogol lets talk a little, and, as always with him, their speech in a special way formed, so that, despite individual differences, it never gives the impression of everyday speech, ”wrote B.M. Eikhenbaum in the article "How Gogol's Overcoat" was made.

The story in "The Overcoat" is in the first person. The narrator knows the life of officials well, expresses his attitude to what is happening in the story through numerous remarks. “What to do! the St. Petersburg climate is to blame, ”he notes about the deplorable appearance of the hero. The climate forces Akaky Akakievich to go all out for the sake of buying a new overcoat, that is, in principle, directly contributes to his death. We can say that this frost is an allegory of Gogol's Petersburg.

All artistic means, which Gogol uses in the story: a portrait, an image of the details of the situation in which the hero lives, the plot of the story - all this shows the inevitability of Bashmachkin's transformation into a "little man".

The very style of narration, when a pure comic tale, built on a play on words, puns, deliberate tongue-tied tongue, is combined with an elevated pathetic recitation, is an effective artistic tool.

The meaning of the work

The great Russian critic V.G. Belinsky said that the task of poetry is "to extract the poetry of life from the prose of life and shake souls with a true image of this life." It is precisely such a writer, a writer who shakes the soul with the image of the most insignificant pictures of human existence in the world, is N.V. Gogol. According to Belinsky, the story "The Overcoat" is "one of Gogol's deepest creations."
Herzen called the "Overcoat" a "colossal work." The enormous influence of the story on the entire development of Russian literature is evidenced by the phrase recorded by the French writer Eugene de Vogüe from the words of "one Russian writer" (as is commonly believed, F.M. Dostoevsky): "We all came out of Gogol's Overcoat."

Gogol's works were repeatedly staged and filmed. One of the last theatrical productions"Overcoat" was undertaken at the Moscow Sovremennik. On the new stage of the theatre, called "Another Stage", intended primarily for staging experimental performances, directed by Valery Fokin, "The Overcoat" was staged.

“Staging Gogol's Overcoat is my old dream. In general, I believe that there are three main works by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol - this is “The Government Inspector”, “ Dead Souls"And" Overcoat ", - said Fokin. I had already staged the first two and dreamed of The Overcoat, but I couldn’t start rehearsing because I didn’t see the performer leading role... It always seemed to me that Bashmachkin is unusual creature, not feminine and not male, and someone here had to play something unusual, and really an actor or actress, ”says the director. Fokine's choice fell on Marina Neelova. “During the rehearsal and what was happening in the process of working on the performance, I realized that Neyolova is the only actress who could do what I had in mind,” says the director. The play premiered on October 5, 2004. The scenography of the story, the performance skills of the actress M. Neelova were highly appreciated by the audience and the press.

“And here is Gogol again. Again "Contemporary". Once upon a time, Marina Neelova said that sometimes she imagines herself as a white sheet of paper, on which each director is free to depict whatever he wants - even a hieroglyph, even a drawing, even a long catchy phrase. Maybe someone will plant a blot in the heat of the moment. The viewer who looks at The Overcoat may imagine that there is no woman named Marina Mstislavovna Neyolova in the world at all, that she was completely erased from the drawing paper of the universe with a soft eraser and a completely different creature was painted instead of her. Gray-haired, thin-haired, causing in anyone who looks at him, both disgusting disgust, and magnetic cravings.

“In this row, the one who opened new scene Fokine's "Overcoat" looks like just an academic repertoire line. But only at first glance. Going to the performance, you can safely forget about your previous performances. For Valery Fokin, The Overcoat is not at all where all humanistic Russian literature came from, with its eternal pity for the little man. His "Overcoat" belongs to a completely different fantasy world. His Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin is not an eternal titular adviser, not a miserable copyist who is not able to change verbs from the first person to the third, he is not even a man, but some strange creature neuter. To create such a fantastic image, the director needed an incredibly flexible and plastic actor, not only physically, but also psychologically. Such a universal actor, or rather, an actress, the director found in Marina Neelova. When this clumsy, angular creature with sparse matted tufts of hair on a bald head appears on the stage, the audience unsuccessfully tries to guess at least some familiar features of the brilliant prima Sovremennik in it. In vain. Marina Neelova is not here. It seems that she physically transformed, melted into her hero. Somnambulistic, cautious and at the same time awkward old man's movements and a thin, plaintive, rattling voice. Since there is almost no text in the performance (Bashmachkin's few phrases, consisting mainly of prepositions, adverbs and other particles that have absolutely no meaning, serve rather as speech or even sound characteristic character), the role of Marina Neelova almost turns into a pantomime. But the pantomime is truly mesmerizing. Her Bashmachkin settled comfortably in his old giant overcoat, as in a house: he fumbles there with a flashlight, relieves himself, settles in for the night.

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol

"Overcoat"

The story that happened to Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin begins with a story about his birth and his bizarre name and proceeds to a story about his service as a titular adviser.

Many young officials, chuckling, fix him up, shower him with papers, push him under the arm, and only when he is completely unbearable, he says: “Leave me, why are you offending me?” in a pitiful voice. Akaky Akakiyevich, whose job it is to rewrite papers, does it with love and, even coming out of his presence and having hastily sipped his own, takes out a jar of ink and copies the papers brought home, and if there are none, he purposely makes a copy for himself from some document with an intricate address. Entertainment, the pleasures of friendship do not exist for him, "having written to his heart's content, he went to bed," with a smile anticipating tomorrow's rewriting.

However, this regularity of life is violated by an unforeseen incident. One morning, after repeated suggestions made by the Petersburg frost, Akaky Akakievich, having studied his greatcoat (so lost in appearance that the department had long called it a bonnet), notices that it is completely transparent on the shoulders and back. He decides to carry her to the tailor Petrovich, whose habits and biography are briefly, but not without detail, outlined. Petrovich examines the hood and declares that nothing can be fixed, but he will have to make a new overcoat. Shocked by the price Petrovich named, Akaki Akakievich decides that he chose the wrong time, and comes when, according to calculations, Petrovich is hung over, and therefore more accommodating. But Petrovich stands his ground. Seeing that one cannot do without a new overcoat, Akaki Akakievich is looking for how to get those eighty rubles, for which, in his opinion, Petrovich will get down to business. He decides to reduce the “ordinary costs”: not to drink tea in the evenings, not to light candles, to walk on tiptoe so as not to wear out the soles prematurely, to give the laundress less often, and in order not to wear out, stay at home in one dressing gown.

His life changes completely: the dream of an overcoat accompanies him, like a pleasant friend of life. Every month he visits Petrovich to talk about the overcoat. The expected reward for the holiday, against expectations, turns out to be twenty rubles more, and one day Akaky Akakievich and Petrovich go to the shops. And the cloth, and the calico on the lining, and the cat on the collar, and the work of Petrovich - everything turns out to be beyond praise, and, in view of the onset of frost, Akaki Akakievich one day goes to the department in a new overcoat. This event does not go unnoticed, everyone praises the overcoat and demands from Akaky Akakievich to set the evening on such an occasion, and only the intervention of a certain official (as if on purpose a birthday man), who called everyone for tea, saves the embarrassed Akaki Akakievich.

After a day that was definitely big for him solemn holiday, Akaky Akakiyevich returns home, has a merry dinner and, after having a sybaritic idleness, goes to the official in the far part of the city. Again everyone praises his overcoat, but soon they turn to whist, dinner, champagne. Forced to do the same, Akaky Akakievich feels unusual fun, but, mindful of the late hour, slowly goes home. Excited at first, he even rushes after some lady (“whose every part of her body was full of unusual movement”), but the deserted streets that soon stretch out inspire him with involuntary fear. In the middle of a huge deserted square, some people with mustaches stop him and take off his overcoat.

The misadventures of Akaky Akakievich begin. He does not find help from a private bailiff. In the presence, where he comes a day later in his old hood, they pity him and even think of making a clubbing, but, having collected a mere trifle, they give advice to go to a significant person, which can contribute to a more successful search for an overcoat. The following describes the methods and customs of a significant person who has become significant only recently, and therefore preoccupied with how to give himself greater significance: “Strictness, severity and - severity,” he usually used to say. Wanting to impress his friend, whom he had not seen for many years, he cruelly scolds Akaky Akakievich, who, in his opinion, addressed him out of form. Not feeling his legs, he gets to the house and falls down with a strong fever. A few days of unconsciousness and delirium - and Akaky Akakievich dies, which is only found out in the department on the fourth day after the funeral. Soon it becomes known that at night near the Kalinkin bridge a dead man appears, ripping off everyone's overcoat, without disassembling the rank and rank. Someone recognizes Akaki Akakievich in him. The efforts made by the police to catch the dead man are in vain.

At that time, one significant person, who is not alien to compassion, having learned that Bashmachkin died suddenly, remains terribly shocked by this and, in order to have some fun, goes to a friendly party, from where he goes not home, but to the familiar lady Karolina Ivanovna, and, in the midst of terrible weather, he suddenly feels that someone has grabbed him by the collar. In horror, he recognizes Akaky Akakievich, who triumphantly pulls off his overcoat. Pale and frightened, a significant person returns home and no longer scolds his subordinates with severity. The appearance of the dead official has since completely ceased, and the ghost that met a little later the Kolomna guard was already much taller and wore an enormous mustache.

The story of Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin begins with his birth, and then turns into a retelling of his service zeal as a titular adviser.

In the service of a conscientious and harmless official, young colleagues are annoyed with jokes and practical jokes, to which Akaki Akakievich only begs him not to disturb him. The quiet woman does her work diligently and often takes her home. Having a quick snack, he starts rewriting papers, and if there is no such work, he rewrites for himself. To such an extent he was diligent and loved his work. He did not recognize any entertainment and, having worked out, he gave himself up to sleep.

But the incident disrupted his usual way of life. One frosty morning, Akaki Akakievich, having examined his overcoat, which no longer warms at all and which in the department was called a hood because of wear, he comes to the decision to have it repaired by a tailor. Petrovich issues a verdict: the overcoat cannot be repaired. Akaki Akakievich, having learned about the cost of a new overcoat, tries to talk to the tailor at a better time in order to reduce the price, but he is adamant. Resigned to the fact that a new overcoat is needed, Akaki Akakievich begins an economical life, reducing all expenses to a minimum, in the hope of saving eighty rubles.

Now the official has a goal in life: to save up for a new overcoat. He often visits Petrovich just to talk about the overcoat. Receives a holiday reward and together with Petrovich go to buy necessary materials for sewing new clothes. Akaky Akakievich in a new overcoat goes to work, where everyone notices a new thing and praises, offering to celebrate the event.

After work, having lunch at good mood, goes to the official on the outskirts of the city. The praise of the overcoat is repeated, then the game of cards, fun. At a late hour, Akaky Akakievich goes home. Along the way, he even ran after some lady, but lagged behind on a deserted street. Some people stop him and take off his brand new overcoat.

The bailiff was unable to help. At the service, where he appeared in an old hood, everyone sympathizes, they offer to chip in for another overcoat. But money is not enough. On their advice, Akaky Akakievich visits an important official. Wanting to create special importance with an old friend whom he had not seen for a long time, he severely scolds Bashmachkin because of inappropriate treatment. He barely reaches home in fear, and dies a few days later from a fever. The department learns of his death only a few days after the funeral. And at night, near the Kalinkin bridge, they see a dead man ripping off his overcoats from passers-by. Some recognize Akaki Akakievich in him, but the police cannot catch him.

And that one important official, having received a shock from the news of the death of Bashmachkin, he goes to have fun with a familiar lady Karolina Ivanovna. Suddenly, someone grabs him by the collar of his greatcoat and pulls him off. He sees Akaky Akakievich. After this incident, an important official no longer scolds anyone strictly. And the dead official has since ceased to appear. True, the Kolomna watchman after this incident nevertheless saw someone, but huge and with a big mustache.

Compositions

The Little Man" in N. V. Gogol's story "The Overcoat Pain for a person or a mockery of him? (based on the novel by N.V. Gogol "The Overcoat") What is the meaning of the mystical finale of the story by N.V. Gogol's "Overcoat" The meaning of the image of the overcoat in the story of the same name by N. V. Gogol Ideological and artistic analysis of N. V. Gogol's story "The Overcoat" The image of the "Little Man" in Gogol's story "The Overcoat" The image of the "little man" (according to the story "Overcoat") The image of the "Little Man" in the story of N. V. Gogol "The Overcoat" The image of Bashmachkin (based on the novel by N. V. Gogol "The Overcoat") The story "Overcoat" The problem of the "little man" in the work of N. V. Gogol Zealous attitude of Akaky Akakiyevich to the “curl-shaped writing out” Review of the story by N. V. Gogol "The Overcoat" The role of hyperbole in the image of Bashmachkin in N. V. Gogol's story "The Overcoat" The role of the image of the "little man" in the story of N. V. Gogol "The Overcoat" The plot, characters and problems of the story by N.V. Gogol's "Overcoat" Theme \"little man" in the story\"Overcoat" The theme of the "little man" in the work of N. V. Gogol

1. Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin- a petty official who is engaged in rewriting documents. Quiet, very inconspicuous, over 50 years old. He has no family or friends. Very passionate about his work.

Other heroes

1. Petrovich- former serf Gregory, now a tailor. Bashmachkin turns to him for help. Likes to drink, has a wife. Respects old customs.
2. significant person- a person who has recently gained weight in society. He acts arrogant to make himself look bigger.

Acquaintance with the quiet modest Akaky Akakievich

The titular adviser was not lucky even when choosing a name on the day he was born, all the names were strange. As the mother did not try to find the right one for her son in the Saints, it did not work out. Then they decided to name him in honor of his father - Akakiy. Even then it became clear that he would be a titular adviser.

Bashmachkin rented an apartment in a poor area of ​​St. Petersburg, because he could not afford more on his salary. He led a modest life, he had no friends, no family either. The main place in his life was occupied by work. Yes, and on it, Akaki Akakievich could not distinguish himself in any way. Colleagues laughed at him, and he, being a very modest and quiet man, could not answer them in any way, he only quietly asked when they would stop offending him. But Bashmachkin loved his work very much.

Even at home, he was engaged in work - he diligently rewrote something, lovingly treated every letter. Falling asleep, he continued to think about his papers. But when he was given a more difficult task - to correct the shortcomings in the documents himself, poor Akaky Akakievich did not succeed. He asked that he not be given such work. Since then, he has been engaged only in rewriting.

The need for a new overcoat

Bashmachkin always wore old, patched, shabby clothes. He had the same overcoat. And he wouldn't even think about buying a new one if it wasn't for the severe cold. He had to go to Petrovich, a former serf, and now a tailor. And Grigory said terrible news for Akaki - the old overcoat cannot be repaired, it is necessary to buy a new one. And he asked for a very large amount for Akaky Akakievich. Poor Bashmachkin thought all the way what he should do.

He knew that the tailor was a drinker and decided to come to him when he was in a suitable condition. Akaki Akakievich buys him alcohol and persuades him to make him a new overcoat for 80 rubles. The adviser had half the amount: thanks to his savings, he managed to save from his salary. And in order to collect for the rest, he decided to live even more modestly.

Holiday in honor of the overcoat

Akaky Akakievich had to save a lot in order to save the required amount. But he was encouraged by the thought of a new greatcoat, and he often went to the tailor and consulted on tailoring. Finally, she was ready, and Bashmachkin, happy, went to work. Such simple thing how the new overcoat became the most significant event in his life. Colleagues appreciated his renovation, they said that now he has become much more respectable appearance. Embarrassed by the praise, Akaky Akakievich was very pleased with the purchase.

He was offered to put down in honor of this event. This put the adviser in a difficult position - he had no money. But he was rescued by a significant person who arranged a holiday in honor of his name day, to which Akaki Akakievich was also invited. At the celebration, at first everyone continued to discuss the overcoat, but after that everyone went about their business. Bashmachkin for the first time in his life allowed himself to relax and rest. But he still left before everyone else, inspired by his new position and overcoat.

The loss of the overcoat and the mysterious events associated with it

But on the way home, two people attacked the adviser and took away his new clothes. Akaky Akakievich was shocked and the next day he went to the police to write a statement. But they did not listen to him and the poor adviser left with nothing. At work they laughed at him, but he was found a kind person who felt sorry for him. He advised me to contact a significant person.

Bashmachkin went to the chief, but he shouted at the poor man and did not help him. So, the adviser had to walk in an old overcoat. Because of severe frosts, Akaki Akakievich fell ill and died. They learned about his death a few days later, when they came to him from work to find out why he was gone. Nobody mourned for him.

But strange things began to happen. They said that in the late evening, a ghost appears and takes away the overcoat from all passers-by. Everyone was sure that this was Akaky Akakievich. Once a significant person went to rest and a ghost attacked him and demanded to give his overcoat. Since then, a significant person, began to behave much kinder and more humble with subordinates.

Test on the story Overcoat

He was born on March 20 (April 1), 1809 in the village of Sorochintsy, Poltava province, in the family of a landowner. Gogol was the third child, and in total there were 12 children in the family.

Training in the biography of Gogol took place at the Poltava School. Then in 1821 he entered the class of the Nizhyn gymnasium, where he studied justice. IN school years the writer was not distinguished by special abilities in his studies. Well, he was given only drawing lessons and the study of Russian literature. He only wrote mediocre works.

The beginning of the literary path

In 1828, Gogol moved to St. Petersburg in his life. There he served as an official, tried to get a job as an actor in the theater and was engaged in literature. Actor career did not go well, and the service did not bring Gogol pleasure, and sometimes even weighed down. And the writer decided to prove himself in the literary field.

In 1831 Gogol met representatives literary circles Zhukovsky and Pushkin, no doubt these acquaintances greatly influenced him further fate and literary activities.

Gogol and theater

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol's interest in the theater manifested itself in his youth, after the death of his father, a wonderful playwright and storyteller.

Realizing the full power of the theater, Gogol took up dramaturgy. Gogol's The Inspector General was written in 1835 and staged for the first time in 1836. Due to the negative reaction of the public to the production of "The Inspector General", the writer leaves the country.

last years of life

In 1836, in the biography of Nikolai Gogol, trips were made to Switzerland, Germany, Italy, as well as a short stay in Paris. Then, from March 1837, work continued on the first volume in Rome. greatest work Gogol's "Dead Souls", which was conceived by the author in St. Petersburg. After returning home from Rome, the writer publishes the first volume of the poem. While working on the second volume, Gogol had spiritual crisis. Even a trip to Jerusalem did not help to rectify the situation.

At the beginning of 1843, Gogol's famous story "The Overcoat" was first published.

"To be in the world and not signify one's existence in any way - that seems terrible to me." N. V. Gogol.

The genius of classical literature

Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol is known to the world as a writer, poet, playwright, publicist and critic. A man of remarkable talent and an amazing master of words, he is famous both in Ukraine, where he was born, and in Russia, where he moved over time.

Especially Gogol is known for his mystical heritage. His stories, written in a unique Ukrainian language, which is not literary in the full sense of the word, convey the depth and beauty of Ukrainian speech, known to the whole world. The greatest popularity of Gogol was given by his "Viy". What other works did Gogol write? Below is a list of works. These are sensational stories, often mystical, and stories from school curriculum, and few famous works author.

List of writer's works

In total, Gogol wrote more than 30 works. Some of them he continued to finish, despite the publication. Many of his creations had several variations, including "Taras Bulba" and "Viy". Having published the story, Gogol continued to reflect on it, sometimes adding or changing the ending. His stories often have multiple endings. So, next we consider the most famous works of Gogol. The list is in front of you:

1. "Ganz Kühelgarten" (1827-1829, under the pseudonym A. Alov).
2. “Evenings on a farm near Dikanka” (1831), part 1 (“ Sorochinskaya Fair”, “Evening on the Eve of Ivan Kupala”, “Drowned Woman”, “Missing Letter”). The second part was published a year later. It included following stories: "Christmas Eve", " Terrible revenge”, “Ivan Fedorovich Shponka and his aunt”, “The Enchanted Place”.
3. Mirgorod (1835). Its edition was divided into 2 parts. The first part included the stories "Taras Bulba", "Old World Landowners". The second part, completed in 1839-1841, included "Viy", "The Tale of how Ivan Ivanovich quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich."
4. "Nose" (1841-1842).
5. "Morning business man". It was written, like the comedies Litigation, Fragment and Lakeyskaya, from 1832 to 1841.
6. "Portrait" (1842).
7. "Notes of a Madman" and "Nevsky Prospekt" (1834-1835).
8. "Inspector" (1835).
9. The play "Marriage" (1841).
10. "Dead Souls" (1835-1841).
11. Comedy "Players" and " Theatrical tour after the presentation of the new comedy" (1836-1841).
12. "Overcoat" (1839-1841).
13. "Rome" (1842).

These are published works that Gogol wrote. The works (a list by year, to be more precise) indicate that the writer's talent flourished in 1835-1841. And now let's go through the reviews of the most famous stories Gogol.

"Viy" - the most mystical creation of Gogol

The story "Viy" tells about the recently deceased lady, the centurion's daughter, who, as the whole village knows, was a witch. The centurion, at the request of his beloved daughter, forces the funeral worker Khoma Bruta to be read over her. The witch, who died through the fault of Khoma, dreams of revenge...

Reviews of the work "Viy" - continuous praise for the writer and his talent. It is impossible to discuss the list of Nikolai Gogol's works without mentioning everyone's favorite Viy. Readers note bright characters, original, unique, with their own characters and habits. All of them are typical Ukrainians, cheerful and optimistic people, rude but kind. It is impossible not to appreciate the subtle irony and humor of Gogol.

They also highlight the unique style of the writer and his ability to play on contrasts. During the day, the peasants walk and have fun, Khoma also drinks, so as not to think about the horror of the upcoming night. With the advent of evening, a gloomy, mystical silence sets in - and Khoma again enters the circle outlined in chalk ...

A very short story keeps you in suspense until last pages. Below are stills from the 1967 film of the same name.

Satirical comedy "The Nose"

The Nose is an amazing story, written in such a satirical form that at first it seems fantastic absurdity. According to the plot, Platon Kovalev, a public person and prone to narcissism, wakes up in the morning without a nose - it is empty in its place. In a panic, Kovalev begins to look for his lost nose, because without it you won’t even appear in a decent society!

Readers easily saw the prototype of Russian (and not only!) society. Gogol stories, despite the fact that they were written in the 19th century, do not lose their relevance. Gogol, whose list of works for the most part can be divided into mysticism and satire, very subtly felt modern society, which has not changed at all over the past time. The rank, the external gloss are still held in high esteem, but the inner content of a person is of no interest to anyone. It is Plato's nose, with an outer shell, but without inner content, that becomes the prototype of a man richly dressed, rationally thinking, but soulless.

"Taras Bulba"

"Taras Bulba" is a great creation. Describing the works of Gogol, the most famous, the list of which is provided above, it is impossible not to mention this story. In the center of the plot are two brothers, Andrei and Ostap, as well as their father, Taras Bulba himself, a strong, courageous and utterly principled man.

Readers especially highlight small parts stories, on which the author focused attention, which enlivens the picture, makes those distant times closer and more understandable. Writer for a long time studied the details of the life of that era, so that readers could more vividly and vividly imagine the events taking place. In general, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, always attached special meaning trifles.

Charismatic characters also made a lasting impression on readers. The tough, merciless Taras, ready to do anything for the sake of the Motherland, the brave and courageous Ostap and the romantic, selfless Andrey - they cannot leave readers indifferent. In general, the famous works of Gogol, the list of which we are considering, have interesting feature- an amazing, but harmonious contradiction in the characters of the characters.

"Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka"

Another mystical, but at the same time funny and ironic work of Gogol. The blacksmith Vakula is in love with Oksana, who promised to marry him if he gets her little slippers, like the queen herself. Vakula is in despair... But then, quite by chance, he comes across evil spirits, having fun in the village in the society of a witch. It is not surprising that Gogol, whose list of works contains numerous Mystic stories, in this story involved a witch and a devil.

This story is interesting not only for the plot, but also for the colorful characters, each of which is unique. They, as if alive, appear before the readers, each in his own way. One Gogol admires with light irony He admires Vakula, and teaches Oksana to appreciate and love. Like a caring father, he chuckles good-naturedly at his characters, but it all looks so soft that it causes only a gentle smile.

The character of the Ukrainians, their language, customs and foundations, so clearly described in the story, could only be described in such detail and lovingly by Gogol. Even joking about the "Muscovites" looks cute in the mouths of the characters in the story. This is because Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, whose list of works we are discussing today, loved his homeland and spoke of it with love.

"Dead Souls"

Sounds mystical, right? However, in reality, Gogol this work did not resort to mysticism and looked much deeper - into human souls. Main character Chichikov seems to be a negative character at first glance, but the more the reader gets to know him, the more positive traits notices in it. Gogol makes the reader worry about the fate of his hero, despite his hard-hitting actions, which already says a lot.

In this work, the writer, as always, acts as an excellent psychologist and a real genius of the word.

Of course, these are not all the creations that Gogol wrote. The list of works is incomplete without continuation " dead souls". It was his author who allegedly burned it before his death. Rumor has it that in the next two volumes, Chichikov was supposed to improve and become a decent person. Is it so? Unfortunately, now we will never know for sure.