Very Bad Wizards
Episode 212: Follow Your Nose (with Yoel Inbar)
May 11, 2021
Canada’s leading Russian literature scholar Yoel Inbar joins to make sense of Gogol’s 1836 short story “The Nose.” They explore the absurdity and themes of neuroticism and rank obsession in the story. They also discuss the power of rumors and the acceptance of absurd situations. Plus, they analyze the protagonist’s relationship with his nose and the role of professional success.
01:45:11
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Quick takeaways
- The short story 'The Nose' satirizes the obsession with rank and status in St. Petersburg society.
- The story highlights the absurdity of life and how people often ignore or downplay the unusual.
Deep dives
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The nose wakes up one morning to find that his nose is missing. He searches for his missing nose but instead encounters it walking around town in a higher rank than him. The nose refuses to reattach itself and eventually disappears. In the end, the nose mysteriously returns and rejoins the main character's face. The story is full of absurdity and miscommunications, highlighting the obsession with rank and status. The events of the story defy logic and follow dreamlike logic. The story is filled with humor and serves as a critique of bureaucracy and societal conventions.
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