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I found this short story of Gogol's almost by mistake, but it really is a very interesting story and it's subject is perfect for this blog. In it Gogol describes two types of artists: one type, by far the most prevalent, is that of the begging artists, artists who callously sell themselves to the bourgeois and the prevailing order in order to gain money and fame. The second type of artist, the type of artists this blog is focused on, have principles and stick to them. They do not seek fame, nor money, they are happy to be able to feed themselves and be given time to work on their art. They do not try to cosy up to the rotten bourgeois, instead they stick to their principles with no regard to those "artists" and "critics" who may think that their style or subject is not appropriate or suitable or "good" art.

This short story (18pg) was one of the most important of Gogol's works, and in my opinion by far his best. The treatment of class and priveledge is better in this story than in most anything you will read. I especially like that Gogol focused this story on such a basic need, clothing, to expose the cruelty of a capitalist society, because it is in these simple things, like food, water, shelter, and clothing, these very basic, fundamental things which the proletariat focuses on and struggles with more than anything. And this story is the struggle of a proletarian struggling to stay alive, for which an overcoat is necessary in the extremly cold St. Petersburg winters. This story is trully beautifull and in my opinion one of the best stories of Russian literature. Enjoy comrades!

Liberation:

The Overcoat.pdf