Short Story: The Nose

Introduction
"The Nose" is a satirical narrative by the Russian author Nikolai Gogol, first released in 1836. The story is set in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and focuses on an occurrence that befalls a college assessor named Kovalyov when he wakes one morning to find that his nose has actually vanished from his face. Throughout the story, Gogol utilizes unreasonable humor and biting satire to critique social hierarchy, vanity, and fixation with looks in Russian society.

Plot Summary
On the 25th of March, a barber called Ivan Yakovlevich gets up to find a nose in his breakfast roll. Upon closer evaluation, he recognizes the nose as coming from Kovalyov, one of his routine clients. Ivan fears being blamed for the missing out on nose and tries to deal with it in various methods, ultimately opting to toss it into the Neva River.

Meanwhile, Kovalyov wakes up to discover his nose is missing. He is devastated and becomes obsessed with finding it and restoring his look. His attempts to report the incident to the cops and look for assistance from a medical professional are unsuccessful. Kovalyov is seriously distressed by the loss, as he believes it hinders his ability to look for marital relationship with a higher-ranking noblewoman.

By opportunity, Kovalyov spots his nose in the streets of Saint Petersburg, dressed as a high-ranking authorities. He tries to speak with it and convince it to return to his face but is mocked and dismissed by the nose, which declares to have no association with Kovalyov. The nose leaves in a carriage before he can do anything further.

Disappointed and desperate, Kovalyov composes a letter to the regional newspaper asking for help in his quest to regain his nose but the publisher declines to print it, deeming it unsuitable. Unable to get assistance from any quarter, Kovalyov starts to spiral into despair.

Resolution
In the meantime, a police officer returns the nose to Kovalyov, specifying that they discovered it at a baker's home. Kovalyov, overjoyed, right away attempts to reattach his nose but fails. Desperate, he looks for aid from a physician who declines to help him, suggesting amputation as the only solution.

Kovalyov, now a lot more troubled, prays busily for his nose to return. Astonishingly, he gets up the next day to find that his nose is back in its rightful place. He as soon as again becomes consumed by his image and social standing, celebrating his regained status. The story concludes with Kovalyov conference Ivan Yakovlevich in the streets, but neither mentions their remarkable shared experience.

Styles and Analysis
The absurdity of the missing out on nose in Gogol's narrative serves to spoof Russian society's obsession with appearances and social rank. Kovalyov's extreme distress over his disfigurement highlights the superficiality of his desires, as he is primarily interested in preserving a decent image to impress ladies and protect a higher social standing.

"The Nose" also critiques the bureaucracy and inadequacy of Russian organizations, as Kovalyov's not successful attempts to acquire aid from the police, medical profession, and journalism highlight their reluctance to help those in need unless it aligns with their self-interest.

Gogol's use of ridiculous humor and irony in "The Nose" serves to stress the recklessness and triviality of his characters' concerns, eventually delivering a biting review of the Russian social hierarchy and the worth put on appearance and status.

In conclusion, "The Nose" is a satirical short story that uses absurdity and humor to highlight the superficiality and obsession with appearances in Russian society. Through the strange experiences of Kovalyov and his misplaced nose, Gogol critiques the social hierarchy and challenges the reader to assess their preoccupations and values.