Essay Questions

Explore the character traits of Aksenty as brought out in Nikolai Gogol’s short story, Diary of a Madman.

Aksenty is brought out as being largely proud of his position as a clerk. When he is told that Medji the dog had written letters to Fidele, he becomes doubtful of the fact that dogs can write and goes on to get his hands on the letters. Aksenty can therefore be argued as both doubtful and determined, seeing as he goes through quite a hassle to obtain the letters written by Medji. On the other hand, Aksenty’s ambitious nature is brought out when he meets his boss’s daughter and falls for her, and begins wishing that he rise the ranks to impress her. On the other hand, he is a respectful person seeing as he respects his boss and his intelligence.

Explore the concept of delusion as brought out in Nikolai Gogol’s Diary of a Madman.

Delusion as an ideology is brought out in this short story through Aksenty’s belief that he is actually the king of Spain. When Aksenty reads about the political situation in Spain following the installation of the queen as ruler, which is greatly discouraged by the people, he develops this notion that he is the king. When later he is tortured after being taken by the Spanish deputies, the idea does not seem to change as he believes that he is being tested and will soon assume the leadership mantle. In this way, delusion as a theme is explicitly portrayed in Gogol’s Diary of a Madman.

Aksenty is unlucky in love. Is this assertion correct? Explain.

Aksenty falls deeply and strongly in love with his boss’s daughter, Sophie. He becomes deeply fixated on her and even goes on to wish that he rise the ranks so that he can impress her. However, Aksenty becomes disappointed when he learns of Sophie’s engagement to Teplov. Because Aksenty’s love for Sophie does not bear any fruits, the character can be argued as quite unlucky with respect to the subject of love.