Answer:
Major Kovalev is shown to be arrogant and self-absorved because "...he sought to give himself dignity and weight by calling himself, in addition to "Collegiate Assessor," "Major"
Explanation:
Major Kovalev is a civil servant of average rank who is obssessed with it. In "The Nose", society and class played an important role in determining one's life's conditions and wealth. It can be seen in Kovalev's attitude trying to give himself more weight, and also, when he sees his own nose dressed like an official with a higher reank than his, Kovalev is momentarily uncapable of approaching his nose.
