The Mantle, and Other Stories

"The Mantle, and Other Stories" by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol is a compilation of tales that use wit to poke fun at Russian society in the 1800s. The book centers on characters entangled in life's ridiculous situations. One main character is Akaki Akakievitch, a clerk made fun of by others, his identity wrapped up in the cloak he treasures. The plot begins by showing how unimportant Akaki is at his job in St. Petersburg. Copying papers is his whole world. Gogol shows Akaki's boring life, full of old clothes, and co-workers making fun of him. Wanting a new cloak sets off a journey where Akaki's change brings up ideas about feeling alone and what it means to be human, all while making fun of the world. Expect to see a mix of wanting to fit in and trying to make life better, with the coat playing a big role in Akaki's fight for respect.