How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Then, ma chère, a week later Papa came home very happy. All morning gentlemen in uniforms kept coming to him, congratulating him for something. At the table he was merrier than I'd ever seen him before, told jokes, and after dinner he held me up to his neck and said: "Look, Medji, what's this?" I saw some little ribbon. (8.12)
The ribbon Medji is talking about here is probably the ribbon of the Order of St. Vladimir, which would increase the director's class status. The fact that it is on his neck means he attained third or second class in the order. It's a sure sign that he has hereditary nobility, which is what Poprishchin wants but will probably never get. See why Sophie wouldn't even look at Poprishchin?
Quote #8
Several times already I've tried to figure out where all these differences come from. What makes me a titular councillor? Maybe I'm some sort of count or general and only seem to be a titular councillor? Maybe I myself don't know who I am. There are so many examples in history: some simple fellow, not only not a nobleman, but simply some tradesman or even peasant—and it's suddenly revealed that he's some sort of dignitary, or sometimes even an emperor. (9.1)
Here, Poprishchin is starting to see that rank or nobility aren't qualities that have anything to do with a person's essence. And that's quite a keen observation at a time when nobility still held some fascination and many people believed there was something special about the royals and the nobles. (Okay, okay, we know, it actually still does.)
Quote #9
They said the director was coming. Many clerks ran up front to show themselves before him. But I didn't budge. When he was passing through our section, everybody buttoned up their tailcoats; but I—nothing of the sort! What is a director that I should stand up before him—never! (13.1)
Modern clerks don't really do this when the boss is coming, do they? What are some present day signs of deference?