Analysis Of Nicolai Gogol's The Nose

In Nicolai Gogol’s “The Nose,” the surreal actions of the nose become a reality causing the reader to question whether or not what they are reading is actually happening or if it is only a figment of Yakovlevich’s imagination. Additionally, the main subject of the short story deals with supernaturalism. This theme is prevalent throughout the short story and it ultimately serves a greater purpose in “The Nose.” “An extraordinarily strange incident took place in Petersburg on the 25th of March” (Gogol 203). Gogol introduces the readers to the short narrative by recounting a “strange incident” which launches the thought of paranormal activity. One morning Ivan Yakovlevich, a barber, discovers a nose in the center of a loaf of bread that his
In the most basic interpretation of the short story, the nose transforms into a being and begins running around town while doing everyday tasks. Then, when Kovaliov looks in the mirror of a pastry shop, he sees his nose dressed as a gentleman that is of higher ranking than Kovaliov himself. “The Nose” also deals with the differences among social classes. For example, Kovaliov’s social order is advertised through the deception of his facial hair and clothing. As a collegiate assessor, Kovaliov is a minor official who intends on advancing in his career while taking great pride in his position as a bureaucrat. Although he most likely attainted his ranking by means of bribery, he insists on being addressed as “Major.” Throughout the short story, Yakovlevich is constantly being approached by people who know him and finally drops the nose. At that moment, the policeman forces him to recover it. Yakovlevich does, but in doing so he manages to pitch the nose into the Neva River. Once the celebration of the reattachment of his nose begins, a policeman questions him while the incident becomes unrecognizable. That same morning, Major Kovaliov awakens and discovers that his nose is absent and a smooth, flat patch of skin lies in its