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The illusion of social status

In “The Nose,” Kovalyov bases his identity and value on his relatively high social rank. Before his nose goes missing, he enjoys the privileges of this rank, which correlates with his well-groomed physical appearance. However, when his nose disappears, Kovalyov quickly discovers that his social status is a weakly constructed and elusive thing, and just one physical defect could cause it to crumble completely.

Kovalyov’s social status is an illusion partly because the Table of Ranks, which was instituted by Russian Emperor Peter the Great, was perceived with some skepticism by the Russian populace. The Ranks, which consist of a hierarchy of newly established governmental positions, were created to help lower-class people climb the social ladder, and contributed to a healthier middle class in Russia. However, the Ranks themselves were, to some degree, fabricated roles. They did result in some people reaching greater financial stability, but the positions were ambiguous and bureaucratic, which led many to feel that the entire system was a pointless performance. Ultimately, Kovalyov’s missing nose symbolizes his deepest fear and insecurity—that others will be able to plainly see that his dignified rank is nothing more than a brazen sham. However, while “The Nose” exists in the context of Russian history, and specifically satirizes the effect that the Table of Ranks had on Russian society, it also calls into question the validity of social status as a whole. While many Russians considered the power and influence afforded to government officials via the Table of Ranks to be insignificant in comparison to “real” aristocrats, whose power came from their noble family lineage, the exploration of class in “The Nose” could make the case that nobility and royalty are also illusions. What actual difference is there between the low status and the high status, aside from the ability to keep up appearances?

Additionally, that the nose itself could somehow become a dignified gentleman and state councilor within mere hours after leaving Kovalyov’s face shows how simple it is to don these illusions. The entire community—Kovalyov included—inexplicably accepts the nose’s new identity once it appears in society wearing an excellent outfit. Kovalyov halfheartedly attempts to reason that the nose cannot be a state councilor, as it belongs on his face and, crucially, is not a person, but he’s immediately cowed by the nose’s superior rank, which is evident in the details of its clothing. Kovalyov submits to his own nose because it is dressed as a higher-status official, despite reason and logic telling him otherwise. Gogol even jokes that some people didn’t realize that the nose was a nose instead of a human being because of their bad eyesight—they literally could not see the deceit and absurdity right in front of them, just as many people cannot see through the performative illusion of social status.

The impact of appearance on reputation and prosperity

While Gogol suggests that social status is generally an illusion constructed via outward appearance and behavioral presentation, and mocks the puffed-up performances of egoists like Kovalyov, he also concedes that physical appearance has a very real impact on the trajectory of one’s life. While appearance as a symbol of status may be a social construct, the effects of the construct on one’s career, love life, reputation, and opportunities are legitimate. Kovalyov’s polished, handsome physical appearance, his clean and high-quality clothing, and his confident aura reflect his social status and allow him certain privileges in society. He is, generally, able to chase, proposition, and court women without facing consequences when he refuses to commit to them. He enjoys frequent social outings with esteemed peers. He senses that he may be able to secure further promotions and a very wealthy wife if he waits for the right time and circumstances. It could be argued that these privileges come from his rank, rather than his physical appearance, as his connections and job opportunities directly align with his collegiate assessor status. However, when Kavolyov’s nose goes missing, he immediately realizes that he cannot be seen in public without it, or it will have a negative impact on his reputation. He knows he cannot enjoy the company of his highly ranked friends or hope to receive a top-tier promotion without a nose. Kovalyov still retains his rank as a collegiate assessor, but without his nose, that rank gives him significantly less social power. Kovalyov’s lack of nose likely would not affect his ability to do his job, or to charmingly socialize with his peers, and yet, he knows that he will be perceived differently should people see his changed face. Thus, physical appearance, despite not generally having an impact on our intelligence, character, ability, or value as human beings, will have an impact on how others perceive our value, and therefore tangibly affect how we are treated by society.

The absurdity of societal rules and systems

The main subject that is satirized in Gogol’s “The Nose” is Russia’s Table of Ranks, a hierarchy of civil and military positions. Peter the Great instituted the system to create a more meritocratic government, in which those who were not born into the old aristocracy could attain wealth and hereditary nobility by advancing through the ranks via hard work and talent. Peter also hoped that by giving non-aristocrats a chance at earning titles, they would in turn become a force that was deeply loyal to the crown. However, the work done by the people in these positions, especially in the lower to mid ranks, consisted of mountains of paperwork and pointless interactions. Many people had no idea how their work was contributing to the functioning of the government or their communities. This made workers like Gogol feel that the system was bloated and senseless. Gogol’s personal letters expressed that he felt depressed and unmoored in a world of meaningless professional tasks and shameless social climbing. He recognized the absurdity and tragedy of a world in which people’s life trajectories could be decided by a hollow title.

The Table of Ranks is, like any other hierarchy, a made-up system, implemented by Peter the Great and watered down by each following Tsar until its initial purpose was lost. During Gogol’s time, upward mobility within the ranks became difficult if not impossible. Peter the Great’s goal of creating a meritocratic bureaucracy had crumbled into yet another hierarchy of titles that resembled the exclusionary world of the old aristocracy. The people holding these titles had not necessarily earned them, yet they were entitled to wealth and status, and were given leeway to treat their inferiors with scorn. For Gogol, this reality was a ridiculous, absurd, and depressing one. He saw no logic in the ranking system and was disgusted by the lack of morals among its striving participants. He was baffled by the way that people’s behavior and self-perception could be substantially shifted based on the title they were given. In “The Nose,” as well as in several of Gogol’s other works, Gogol critiques the absurdity of the ranking system by purposefully mixing up the names of the ranks and the uniforms worn by each rank. For example, in “The Nose,” the state councilor uniform worn by the nose does not actually match the outfit that would have historically been worn by officials of that rank. This is a deliberate choice on Gogol’s part, as he intends to point out that these socially constructed ranks and statuses are so vague and insubstantial that all their names and characteristics could be changed, and it would make no difference.

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