What does the nose symbolize? Why?

In Gogol’s story the nose is a symbol of the empty decency, of an existence of a person without inner world, like a doll. Moreover, it appears that Major Kovalyov has a high rank and likes to sport in a new suit by streets. The unhappy owner of the nose with the loss of the part of his body has lost his expression, and it is tragedy for Kovalyov, who always strives to make a career. Nose stands as a symbol of lost appearance, and ridicules in the way what people really lack – personality.