The Cloak is a darkly humorous and satirical novella that follows the life of Akaky Akakievich Bashmachkin, a low-ranking civil servant in St. Petersburg. Bashmachkin is a poor and meek man who is constantly overlooked and disrespected by his colleagues and superiors. His only joy in life is his new overcoat, which he has been saving up for for years. However, when the overcoat is stolen, Bashmachkin's life falls apart. Desperate and alone, he seeks help from the authorities, but is met with indifference and contempt. The novella is a powerful indictment of the social and political injustices of 19th-century Russia, and a poignant exploration of the human condition.