¶ … Overcoat" is an extraordinary tale of bureaucracy, life and civilization in a modern society. It portrays both the positive and negative aspects of life in St. Petersburg. In particular, the emphasis on class association, material positions, and work status are encapsulated in the story. It is also very interesting to note the communication and behaviors of society once Akaky received is new, well-furnished coat. Clothing, and in particular, material possessions have a way of changing perceptions of even the most mundane individual. High quality clothing, in the case of Akaky, became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. As Akaky first came into possession of the new overcoat, his immediate circle of friends began to change to reflect the higher status represented by the coat. In essence, this shift indicates the emphasis placed on materialism, class, and status within the St. Petersburg communication. This assessment is further confirmed once Akaky lost his prized overcoat. It appears that society, after taking his coat, robbed him of his status as a high member of society. To begin the parallels between within the book to capitalism and St. Petersburg are striking. Akaky was, at least near the beginning of the story, an ordinary laborer. There was nothing particular interesting about his work or his ability to assert himself as a unique individual. He toiled every day, worked hard, and earned a meager salary. He was near the lower end of the capitalistic hierarchy. As such, he was relegated to duties and positions that other deemed as unworthy. This is indicated by his coworker's discouragement with copy work. Due in part to this low status, Akaky was frequently picked on and harassed. It appears that Gogol is making parallels of how much of the poor or low class individuals are often ridiculed in society, even though they work disproportionately hard to make a living. We see this throughout the United States and other developed nations, as the income inequality continues to influence society. The poor appear to be getting poorer while the rich get richer. It appears that Gogol is portraying some of the cruel elements of both capitalism and the individuals within the St. Petersburg area. Akaky is a hard working laborer, who enjoys his job and is attempting to simply make a living. Yet, he is ridiculed and harassed much in the same manner as lower income families within a capitalistic society.

In life, one is often confronted with obstacles to overcome. Akaky was no different in this regard. His overcoat, which was the butt of jokes, became damaged beyond repair. His meager salary would not allow him to replace it. As such, he needed to save for a new and improved coat. In life, communities, citizens, and individuals stakeholders must often sacrifice to achieve success. I believe Gogol was attempting to emphasize this in his book. Akaky had the determination and wherewithal to save properly and consistently for his new coat, even with a meager salary. He did not make excuses, or blame anyone for his unfortunate circumstances. Instead, he continued to toil in his craft, eventually saving to purchase the prized coat. This portion of the story I believe is warranted given the nature of capitalism today. Those in the lower class, must sacrifice and work hard much in the same manner Akaky did for his overcoat. Once a goal is achieved however, it brings with it a sense of accomplishment and achievement.
One element that I believe to appropriate represented by Gogol is the connection between materialism, perception, and order. Once Akaky saved and purchased his new coat, the perceptions of him changed at work. He was now perceived to be of higher status even though all he did was purchase a new coat. I believe this is indicative and capitalism and its emphasis on material possessions. The higher quality objects a person possesses the higher up in status the person is. Although I disagree with this concept, I believe Gogol shows how material possessions can help change perceptions of an individual. In the case of Akaky, he was invited to parties, his colleagues began to accept him, and he became noticed in a bureaucratic organization. Gogol shows that the pursuit of material possession can bring about a new and varied status in life. This new status can help achieve new order in the manner in which an individual conducts his life.

Finally, in regards to bureaucracy, law and order, Gogol presents all three in a somewhat negative fashion. In regards to law and order, it appears that lack of concern and status impacts how the law is applied to an individual. Once Akaky lost his new overcoat, he became a normal human being again. The overcoat symbolized his status. Once it was removed, he…