The situation with Major Petkoff's coat is funny and important in this act.Major Petkoff, however, doesn't know about this and keeps bringing up the coat without realizing its importance.The coat becomes a symbol of hidden truths and the difference between what the Petkoff family pretends to be and what they really are.The coat was given to Captain Bluntschli when he was hiding in the Petkoff house.Now, the coat keeps coming up in conversations, and it creates tension and humor.