The work survives only in four fragments: "An Official's Morning" (Утро делового человека), "The Lawsuit" (Тяжба), "The Servants' Quarters" (Лакейская) and "Fragment" (Отрывок). Each fragment follows the official Barsukov, in search of his dream to receive a decoration, the
Order of Vladimir.
Surviving scenes The scene or subplot "The Lawsuit", concerns the lawsuit brought against Barsukov by his brother regarding the inheritance from their aunt. The scene is the base of the opera
The Lawsuit. According to Gogol's contemporaries, a lost scene showed Barsukov in front of a mirror in which he sees the decoration, finally believing he is the decoration. ==References==