I found this reading of The Nose very interesting. It isn’t everyday one reads a story about a man missing his nose, which happens to magically become highly ranked in the government system. Compared to Kafka’s Metamorphosis, Gogol’s The Nose is very satirical in a less buggy way.
Even though this is a story, I would think that before one bakes bread, one would have to knead it. Therefore, I was surprised that Prasskovna did not find the nose before she baked it. I was also surprised at Prasskovna’s reaction towards Ivan finding the nose inside the bread because in my opinion, her reaction was over dramatic and unnecessary. This got me thinking that the couple’s marriage status is not stable. If it was, I do not think Prasskovna would automatically blame Ivan for the nose in the bread.
I absolutely LOVE the contrast between Ivan and his job. Ivan fashions an unshaven beard and to match the unorganized mess of hair on his face, Ivan wears a coat that probably never got washed since the day he bought it. Meanwhile, Ivan’s job is to make sure to shave other people’s facial hair and make their faces appear clean.
When Kovaloff’s nose was not where it belonged, I wondered how that could’ve happened, how he was breathing, and how he looked. No matter how I think of it, there is no realistic way that this event can happen in real life. There is no skin underneath the nose, and I’m pretty positive that if one does lose his/her nose, there would be either blood, muscle tissue, or any of the sort. No skin. I think Kovaloff breathed mostly through his mouth since there is no other way for him to breath without his precious nose. As for the area where a patch of skin covering where his nose once was, was it slanted or straight? Did it look like Kovaloff was wearing something that would make his nose invincible or was there an impression that made it obvious someone or something had cut it out?
I found it funny how Kovaloff’s nose was ranked a higher position than Kovaloff. Also, how big must Kovaloff’s nose have been to be noticeable in a crowd of people. Was it always that size or did it just grow to be human size? Is it the average person’s nose or is it Pinocchio’s nose after he lies? How does a nose even have eyes, mouth, eyes, or even a nose? Can you picture it? A nose on a nose!
Two aspects of the story that caught my attention was how Kovaloff seemed to care more for the lost of his nose rather than a different body part and how the newspaper company that Kovaloff went to advertise his missing nose has had cases like his before. Kovaloff said in the reading that it would have been better and less troublesome for him to lose an arm or a leg, not his nose. The newspaper company turned down Kovaloff’s request to put an advertisement in the paper because the company thought it was ridiculous, even though it was quite serious for Kovaloff. The official in the company even saw Kovaloff missing his nose and still turned him away.
I am curious as to why Gogol wrote The Nose. I tried to find meaning behind all the events and characters in the story, but I cannot find a good enough lesson. Regardless, this reading was just as intriguing as Kafka’s Metamorphosis.
I really like how you picked up on the contrast between Ivan and his job. It really applies to real life. People very often do not practice what they preach, and it is very hypocritical if you think about it.
You mentioned how Prasskovna’s reaction was overly dramatic but I think it suits what the storyline was written for – an opera. When I think of operas, the first adjective that comes to mind is dramatic. This allows the actors to really tell the story through their actions rather than words, which is much more interesting and effective.
I do agree, however, with your statement about the contrast between Ivan’s job and his habits/appearance. It’s really effective. I did get a feeling that, in the story, people did not like Ivan’s occupation. It seemed he was looked down upon for being in that profession.
I understand where you guys are coming from when you critique that the storyline was completely unbelievable, but I felt as if that was one of its strengths. Not so much because it makes for better theatre, as I do not think Gogol wrote this short story to be a play. Rather I think the absurdity of the plot is beneficial because it forces the reader to look at the story in a symbolic fashion. When Gogol makes a story so ridiculous, the reader is more likely to ask what each aspect of the story is supposed to represent.
I was also very confused as what the size of the nose was because it was wrapped in a piece of cloth when handed back to Kovaloff, but I just can’t imagine a human being talking to a real-sized nose in a uniform. I mean, how would one even be able to see something so small walking down the street? I also wondered how the nose was able to talk and go about normal activities! It’s all very strange and I guess Gogol left all of that to our own interpretation.