The summary of ‘The Nose Nikolai Gogol – Short Story Summary, Analysis, Review’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the hosts discuss “The Nose” by Nikolai Gogol, highlighting its peculiar and absurd narrative. The hosts, Oona and Nosycrypto, dive into hidden interpretations and meanings, urging viewers to subscribe for such detailed conversations. They provide publication details, noting it was written between 1835-1836 and published in the journal “Contemporary,” owned by Alexander Pushkin. They mention their version was translated by Pevear and Volokhonsky, and acknowledge Gogol’s significance, appreciated by both Ukrainian and Russian audiences, with themes often addressing class commentary. They also humorously discuss the potential autobiographical element related to Gogol’s own nose. The themes to be explored include job titles, worth, male posturing, and insecurities, with a nod to the possibility of no theme at all. The plot, described as strange and absurd, sets the stage in a magical realism version of Saint Petersburg.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around a story involving a poor barber named Ivan Yakovlovic, who discovers a client’s nose embedded in his bread. This client, Kovalev, regularly gets shaved by Ivan. Afraid of the police, Ivan tries to dispose of the nose, but is stopped by a police officer, leading to mysterious ensuing events.

The narrative then shifts to March 25th, when Kovalev finds his nose missing and his face smooth. Kovalev, who is pretentious about his status, is dismayed to see his nose acting independently and dressed as a high-ranking state counselor. When Kovalev seeks assistance from the police and a newspaper to locate his nose, he fails.

Later, a police officer brings Ivan, who is found with the nose, yet attempts to reattach it are unsuccessful. Eventually, in the third part, Kovalev mysteriously wakes up with his nose on April 7th, having learned no lesson from the ordeal.

The video also delves into the concept of “table of ranks,” a hierarchical system in Russian society created by Peter the Great in 1722, highlighting its importance in terms of class, power, and money.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around the concept of competency and the corrupt practices within the ranking system, particularly in the context of Russia. Google is mentioned for mocking the system where ranks could be bought, leading to the promotion of undeserving individuals like Kovalev, a character criticized for his lack of integrity and insecurity. Unlike the story “The Overcoat,” which conveys a moralistic message, this segment explores psychological behavior and societal dynamics, highlighting how people treat others based on perceived power and rank. The comparison is drawn between American materialism and Russian hierarchical perception, emphasizing how rank rather than wealth determines social class in Russia. The focus then shifts to Kovalev’s disdainful behavior towards lower-class individuals and his hypocritical attitudes, exposing his character as a product of his corrupt environment.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the discussion centers around the character Kovalev from Nikolai Gogol’s story “The Nose” and how the nose symbolizes his insecurity and rank. The narrator explains that Kovalev’s respectful and apprehensive dialogue towards his own nose is indicative of his insecurity in his social rank. The nose, humorously, dismisses Kovalev’s concerns, emphasizing the absurdity of rank and respect.

The segment goes on to interpret the nose as a representation of Kovalev’s manhood, explaining that losing the nose equates to a loss of identity and status. It mentions how this interpretation is widely accepted and supported by various translations that equate the nose with the male organ. This interpretation is further reinforced by instances of impotence in the story, such as Kovalev’s inability to be with women or take snuff. The discussion highlights how Gogol humorously critiques the psychological effects of rank and societal expectations on men, amplified through the nose’s symbolism.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around the symbolic interpretation of a certain story element – the nose wrapped in a freshly baked bun, representing masculinity and reproduction. The speaker then delves into a more personal interpretation, suggesting that the loss of the nose could be viewed as a projection of emasculation and fantasy stemming from envy or anger. The act of trying to discard the nose symbolizes the character’s attempt to rid himself of negative emotions and guilt. The setting of the Neva River and Saint Isaac’s Bridge, patrons of noses, is highlighted to underscore themes of class separation and social injustice. The mention of Peter the Great further ties the narrative to historical context. Finally, the video touches on the character’s psychological struggle and how being caught by the policeman symbolizes guilt and the inherent desire to be good.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around human behavior and guilt, drawing a parallel to the idea of lawlessness as depicted in movies like “The Purge.” The conversation then shifts to a specific scene involving witchcraft, explaining Kovalev’s guilt over flirting with a girl he wouldn’t marry and his fear of being cursed by her mother. This guilt is seen as a psychological manifestation, potentially imagined in Ivan’s head. The segment also touches on historical witch hunts and how they relate to the theme of sinful nature in literature. Further, there is an analysis of disassociation and dream interpretation, describing dreams as self-conversations and linking this concept to Kovalev’s interactions with his nose, representing his ego and self-image. The discussion ends with reflections on how literature can convey personal truths and morality lessons, much like a self-reflective experience.

00:18:00

In this part of the video, the speakers discuss the duality in interpreting Gogol’s story, highlighting that some see profound meaning in the first half, while dismissing the second half as nonsensical. They propose that Gogol might have intentionally written it to challenge over-analysis, even inserting himself in the story to call it nonsense. They emphasize the value of subjective interpretation, asserting that deriving personal meaning from literature is more important than the author’s intent. The segment ends with high praise for the story’s humor and creativity, acknowledging its lasting impact over nearly 200 years, and providing a personal anecdote about finding joy and laughter while reading the story.

00:21:00

In this segment, the speakers discuss the amusing and absurd imagery of a character with no nose being offered snuff, comparing it to a cartoon-like scenario. They share their vivid mental pictures of a five-foot nose with arms and legs, dressed in Russian clothing. They express their enjoyment of the short story and how it ranks highly among their favorites. They also mention upcoming content, including more works by the same author planned for Christmas and future stories, inviting viewers to subscribe to their channel for regular updates.