The Nose

by

Nikolai Gogol

The Police Commissioner Character Analysis

A senior rank policeman who denies Kovalev’s request for assistance locating the nose. In doing so, the police commissioner deeply offends Kovalev, telling him that a man of his rank is just the type to lose their nose while up to no good. The commissioner’s dismissive attitude towards Kovalev indicates that he holds a higher status (indeed, commissioners held a higher rank than colligate accessors within the Table of Ranks, Russia’s system governing society during the time the story is set).
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The Police Commissioner Character Timeline in The Nose

The timeline below shows where the character The Police Commissioner appears in The Nose. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Section 2
Fashion, Appearances, and Status Theme Icon
Absurdity, Magic, and Reality Theme Icon
...is gone. Unable to locate the nose, Kovalev heads to the police station. With the police commissioner out of the office, Kovalev takes a moment to think about his situation. He then... (full context)
Fashion, Appearances, and Status Theme Icon
Insecurity, Masculinity, and Identity Theme Icon
After failing to obtain any help at the newspaper,  Kovalev goes to the police commissioner 's home.  Annoyed with Kovalev for disrupting his time at home, the police commissioner refuses... (full context)
Absurdity, Magic, and Reality Theme Icon
Insecurity, Masculinity, and Identity Theme Icon
Dejected and offended by the police commissioner 's remarks, an “extremely touchy” Kovalev returns home. He suddenly feels disgusted by his own... (full context)