The Cloak

The Cloak (1842) is a short story by Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol. The story narrates the life of titular councilor Akaky Akakievich, an impoverished government clerk and copyist in the Russian capital of St. Petersburg. Akaky is dedicated to his job, though little recognized in his department for his hard work. Instead, the younger clerks tease him and attempt to distract him whenever they can. His threadbare overcoat is often the butt of their jokes. Akaky decides it is necessary to have the coat repaired, so he takes it to his tailor, who declares the coat irreparable, telling Akaky he must buy a new overcoat. After forcing himself to live within a strict budget, he gets an impressive new coat, which is robbed from him.