Your thesis and subsequent essay should address the following question: How does Gogol’s definition of home change throughout the novel?
Begin writing the rough draft of your expository essay.
Develop your introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs, making sure to use lines from the novel to support your ideas.
In Nikolai Gogol's novel "The Overcoat," the protagonist Akaky Akakievich experiences a profound shift in his perception of home. At the beginning of the novel, home is merely a physical place for Akaky—a small, shabby room where he lives and works on his copying duties. However, as the story unfolds, we see that Akaky's definition of home evolves into something much more nuanced and profound. Through his exploration of themes such as isolation, loneliness, and the search for identity, Gogol challenges traditional notions of home and ultimately shows that true belonging comes from within rather than from external sources.
The novel opens with a description of Akaky's humble living quarters, highlighting the poverty and simplicity of his existence. His room is depicted as a stark and barren space, devoid of any comfort or luxury. This initial portrayal of home reflects Akaky's sense of detachment from the world around him—he is a man who lives a solitary and isolated existence, finding solace only in his work. As he embarks on his quest to replace his worn-out overcoat, we see how his physical home becomes a metaphor for his emotional state. Despite the drabness of his surroundings, Akaky clings to the familiarity of his room as a source of stability and security.
However, as Akaky's life takes a tragic turn with the theft of his overcoat, his perception of home begins to shift. He is forced to confront the harsh reality of his existence and grapple with feelings of loss and despair. In the wake of this event, Akaky's physical home no longer provides him with the same sense of comfort and safety that it once did. Instead, he is consumed by a deep sense of longing and displacement, searching for something that he cannot quite articulate or grasp. This shift in Akaky's perception of home reflects his growing awareness of his own alienation and the realization that true belonging eludes him.
As Akaky's search for identity intensifies, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the world around him. The once familiar streets of St. Petersburg now seem alien and unwelcoming, further emphasizing his sense of displacement. In his desperation to find his stolen overcoat, Akaky embarks on a desperate journey through the city, only to come face to face with the harsh realities of society's indifference and cruelty. It is in this moment of despair that Akaky's understanding of home undergoes its most profound transformation. No longer confined to the physical space of his room, home becomes a nebulous concept—an elusive feeling of belonging that remains just out of reach.
In the novel's poignant conclusion, Akaky's quest for identity culminates in a heartbreaking realization of his own insignificance. As he stands at the brink of despair, Gogol offers a powerful commentary on the human condition and the futility of seeking meaning in a world that is indifferent to our struggles. Ultimately, Akaky's journey serves as a poignant reminder that true home is not found in external comforts or possessions, but in the depths of our own souls.
In conclusion, Gogol's exploration of home in "The Overcoat" challenges traditional notions of belonging and identity, highlighting the ways in which our sense of self is intertwined with our surroundings. Through Akaky's journey of self-discovery, Gogol ultimately suggests that true home is not a physical place, but a state of being—a sense of belonging that comes from within. As Akaky's perception of home evolves throughout the novel, we are reminded of the profound impact that our environment can have on our sense of identity and belonging.