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Gogol's The Overcoat: A Whisper of Change At first glance of Nikolay Gogol's novel The Overcoat, one would only see a short story about a poor man wishing to survive in a cruel world. However, in looking further into the story, deep symbolism can be found. Gogol ....

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.... was against the free-thinking man, and so was against Gogol. Akaky himself is used as a symbol of the Russian people. The communists were against any sort of free-thinking, and respected any man who performed his duties without question. Akaky is described in the story as being a quiet, hard-working man. He keeps mostly to himself, having very little to do with the outside world. His entire life centers around his profession. Akaky's life changes only after he buys his new overcoat. The overcoats in the story symbolize different governments. Akaky's original "dressing jacket," is the Russian government in power before communism took o ....