The Overcoat represents the spirit of the characters in the story. When Akaky was told that his overcoat could no longer be fixed, he seemed to become depressed and sad because he has to buy a new one and he doesn't have the money. Then, when Akaky had his new coat, he was very happy an even engaged with the other clerks. The new overcoat brought Akaky's spirit up and made him feels good. Later on, when his overcoat was stolen, his feelings went down and was in a really like depressed mood where he even got a fever and died.