The first act of Uncle Vanya describes a scene outside a country house where various characters depict their problems. Astrov, the doctor says he has never had a day of rest ever since he arrived to the region. He has to work all day with little reward and for this his emotions have “dulled” a little. Uncle Vanya has nothing in his life, he doesn’t have work and is exasperated with the Professor living in his home. All the characters talk about their lives and problems, yet there is a feeling of routine amongst them, a feeling of lost hope, “will they remember and have a kind word for us? No, they won’t, nurse!”(Act 1 pg 165) Despite this, the scene seems extremely normal, no strange occurrences happening or new developments in the house. This is what makes this first act the more interesting. Will the play depict life realistically or might it perhaps focus on a single aspect of life? Will it show bottled feelings? Might it perhaps criticize the monotonies of our lives?
My first impressions of the play are varied. I feel the play will inevitably use realism as its tool. In the first Act nothing happens, just ordinary small talk that we might see in any home. What will the importance be of realism in the play? In Seize the Day, Bellow used realism to contrast Wilhelm’s feeling to what surrounded him, as well as to give emotion that intangible feeling only a person who has had it understands. How will Chekov use realism? As the characters talked heavily of their emotions, some of them ones that I would not have mentioned in public leads me to think that Chekov’s realism will focus on emotions rather than description or detail. Will the story however, stay in relative routine or will there be a major event that will become the center of the play?
As I read the first act I saw my own family, friends and community. Most of us talk about meaningless things with little relevance, much in the same way the characters of the play talked about various subjects and events. At the same time however, the characters of the play expressed some deep emotions that I usually don’t hear amongst my peers. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Is keeping all your emotions bottled up good or will it force you to explode? In the play however, the characters seem to be reluctant to take any action towards their emotions which basically negates the effects of their openness. How this theme will develop throughout the play will be very interesting to me.
domingo, 18 de mayo de 2008
Betrayal and Destiny -- Macbeth reflection
Macbeth was Shakespeare’s second play I ever read and I was really excited in reading it. This play has marked so many aspects of western culture such as the view of witches around a cauldron, and is one of the most famous works of betrayal. For this reason I really looked forward to the play, and now that I have read it I really liked several themes in the play.
The play has many themes, one of them is betrayal. The play begins with the treachery of the Thane of Cawdor to the Scottish crown. Macbeth is rewarded for his loyalty to Duncan by being given lordship over Cawdor after the traitor has been executed, yet quite ironically the new Thane will continue the betrayal trend. Shakespeare clearly used this to show how treachery can come from anyone, even if they have proven loyal always. In fact, the betrayals in the play come from the most unexpected sources for the victims. “I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself. “ (Act I, sc. Vii, 13) Duncan might have suspected from anyone but Macbeth, who just risked his life in his own name and received a new title. Macbeth betrayed Banquo, his closest friend and companion in war. We can also see how Ross, one of Macbeth’s closest counselors, leaves to favor the British. Though not comparable not Macbeth’s betrayal, it is still one. This theme reminded me of the Godfather’s famous axiom, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” Only in the play we could write it as “Your friends are close, but your enemies even closer”. This theme is also very true in human nature. We as animals always tend to think of personal benefit first, no matter from who it comes or who it affects. As a student we hope many times that in an essay or test others will do worse than you so their mistakes highlight your traits in writing. Jealousy also brings betrayal as we want to gain what other have, yet we are often incapable of doing the effort. Despite being written in 1606, Macbeth still depicts betrayal in humans perfectly. Such a characteristic trait for humans is unchanging throughout centuries of human development.
A second theme in Macbeth is destiny. This is shown through the Weird Sisters as their predictions always occur. This all begins even before we hear about Macbeth in the opening scene of the play, where the witches begin plotting their meeting with Macbeth. “When the battle’s lost and won.” (I.i.4) Without realizing it, we are being told a prediction of the future battle that will occur in the second act. When Macbeth meets the sisters he is told he will become Thane of Cawdor and afterwards king, but here is where the destiny debates comes in, had Macbeth not spoken to the Weird Sisters would he have killed Duncan? He would have probably become Thane of Cawdor, but maybe he would have stayed only that. We don’t see any ambition to become king in Macbeth in these initial scenes. Did the Witches influence determine Macbeth’s future or did it simply announce an already determined fate? The same occurs with the three apparitions in Act 4, Scene 1 where they say to Macbeth to beware of Macduff and showed him his safeguards from harm, “For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” (IV.i.91) Had the sisters not warned him about Macduff, perhaps Macbeth would have spared his family. Had he not been sure Birnam Wood would not move, would he have taken action against the British before they became a real threat? The issue of predestination is an ever-present thought in humans. Why are we in this Earth? Do we have a purpose? Shall we create our own purpose? Is there someone or something that controls what happens to us or is it our own making? The Weird Sisters perfectly depict this doubt as we see them manipulating Macbeth, yet they do not seem to gain anything out of the whole play.
Perhaps the greatest trait in Macbeth is his development as a human. In fact, it wasn’t development but decadence. Macbeth begins the play as a loyal, brave soldier who fights for the Scottish crown. He still remains that way until the first murder. He doubts Lady Macbeth’s plotting, realizing the terrible thing betrayal and murder is. His own wife says Macbeth is a good person, maybe too good, “Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” (I.v.17) He takes several scenes in the play to finally murder Duncan and we see his moral struggle throughout this process. Yet after the murder, Macbeth changes. Banquo’s murder he plans in a single scene, and Macduff’s murder he plans in a single phrase “Thou shalt not live, that I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder.” (IV.i.95) This way we see how Macbeth turns more evil and evil, quickly leaving Lady Macbeth behind, who was originally the mastermind of their plot. Macbeth fights against everything until he is killed by Macduff, Lady Macbeth goes crazy because of her murder and betrayal and that leads her to suicide. Macbeth has become so cold that when he hears of her death, he simply says, “She should have died hereafter.” (V.v.20) As I see it, there is no return from evil, Lady Macbeth ended up dead because of her guilt and Macbeth remained evil until the end of his life.
Overall, Macbeth was a superb play to read and analyze and it has remained a valid way to portray human nature after 400 years of its creation.
The play has many themes, one of them is betrayal. The play begins with the treachery of the Thane of Cawdor to the Scottish crown. Macbeth is rewarded for his loyalty to Duncan by being given lordship over Cawdor after the traitor has been executed, yet quite ironically the new Thane will continue the betrayal trend. Shakespeare clearly used this to show how treachery can come from anyone, even if they have proven loyal always. In fact, the betrayals in the play come from the most unexpected sources for the victims. “I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself. “ (Act I, sc. Vii, 13) Duncan might have suspected from anyone but Macbeth, who just risked his life in his own name and received a new title. Macbeth betrayed Banquo, his closest friend and companion in war. We can also see how Ross, one of Macbeth’s closest counselors, leaves to favor the British. Though not comparable not Macbeth’s betrayal, it is still one. This theme reminded me of the Godfather’s famous axiom, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” Only in the play we could write it as “Your friends are close, but your enemies even closer”. This theme is also very true in human nature. We as animals always tend to think of personal benefit first, no matter from who it comes or who it affects. As a student we hope many times that in an essay or test others will do worse than you so their mistakes highlight your traits in writing. Jealousy also brings betrayal as we want to gain what other have, yet we are often incapable of doing the effort. Despite being written in 1606, Macbeth still depicts betrayal in humans perfectly. Such a characteristic trait for humans is unchanging throughout centuries of human development.
A second theme in Macbeth is destiny. This is shown through the Weird Sisters as their predictions always occur. This all begins even before we hear about Macbeth in the opening scene of the play, where the witches begin plotting their meeting with Macbeth. “When the battle’s lost and won.” (I.i.4) Without realizing it, we are being told a prediction of the future battle that will occur in the second act. When Macbeth meets the sisters he is told he will become Thane of Cawdor and afterwards king, but here is where the destiny debates comes in, had Macbeth not spoken to the Weird Sisters would he have killed Duncan? He would have probably become Thane of Cawdor, but maybe he would have stayed only that. We don’t see any ambition to become king in Macbeth in these initial scenes. Did the Witches influence determine Macbeth’s future or did it simply announce an already determined fate? The same occurs with the three apparitions in Act 4, Scene 1 where they say to Macbeth to beware of Macduff and showed him his safeguards from harm, “For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” (IV.i.91) Had the sisters not warned him about Macduff, perhaps Macbeth would have spared his family. Had he not been sure Birnam Wood would not move, would he have taken action against the British before they became a real threat? The issue of predestination is an ever-present thought in humans. Why are we in this Earth? Do we have a purpose? Shall we create our own purpose? Is there someone or something that controls what happens to us or is it our own making? The Weird Sisters perfectly depict this doubt as we see them manipulating Macbeth, yet they do not seem to gain anything out of the whole play.
Perhaps the greatest trait in Macbeth is his development as a human. In fact, it wasn’t development but decadence. Macbeth begins the play as a loyal, brave soldier who fights for the Scottish crown. He still remains that way until the first murder. He doubts Lady Macbeth’s plotting, realizing the terrible thing betrayal and murder is. His own wife says Macbeth is a good person, maybe too good, “Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” (I.v.17) He takes several scenes in the play to finally murder Duncan and we see his moral struggle throughout this process. Yet after the murder, Macbeth changes. Banquo’s murder he plans in a single scene, and Macduff’s murder he plans in a single phrase “Thou shalt not live, that I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder.” (IV.i.95) This way we see how Macbeth turns more evil and evil, quickly leaving Lady Macbeth behind, who was originally the mastermind of their plot. Macbeth fights against everything until he is killed by Macduff, Lady Macbeth goes crazy because of her murder and betrayal and that leads her to suicide. Macbeth has become so cold that when he hears of her death, he simply says, “She should have died hereafter.” (V.v.20) As I see it, there is no return from evil, Lady Macbeth ended up dead because of her guilt and Macbeth remained evil until the end of his life.
Overall, Macbeth was a superb play to read and analyze and it has remained a valid way to portray human nature after 400 years of its creation.
Breaking or Remaking? -- Seize the Day
How much can a man take? What does it take to break a full grown man into nothing? After Tommy has been conned out of his last life savings by Dr. Tamkin and has fought with his father one last time, he finally burst into tears at a stranger’s funeral. He cries for everything that has happened to him and maybe a little for what the future has in store for him. Yet those tears do not seem desperate or hopeless, “It poured into him where he had hidden himself in the center of a crowd by the great and happy oblivion of tears. He heard it sank deeper than sorrow, through torn sobs and cries towards the consummation of his heart’s ultimate need.” (pg 114) Crying brought Wilhelm a pause in his life, at that moment the only thing that mattered was letting everything out until there was nothing left. After he had shown all his pains and sorrows, after reaching the very bottom of his emotional state, those “oblivion of tears” could not take anything else from him, they sank “deeper than sorrow”. Only thing left would be to climb, to climb back into life. The cleansing cry left Wilhelm with hope only, and hope without frustration or fear might permit him to finally find happiness. In the end we can see that Tommy’s breaking point was in fact a remaking of himself, a cold shower that might bring him back to life.
I think that Seize the Day’s most valuable lesson came in that instant where Tommy began to cry and think of only that. At that very instant, his whole self thought about crying, about letting everything out. He seized that moment and took everything he could from it. That is a very valuable life lesson. We need to utilize every second we have on this earth to learn and do as much as we can. Grasp every single moment we possibly can, not dwell on the past like Dr. Adler with his petty resentment or fear the future like Wilhelm throughout the novel. “The past is no good to us. The future is full of anxiety. Only the present is real- the here and now. Seize the day.” (pg. 62)
After reading this novel, I’m finding that idea, the mentality to grasp the present, very convincing. It reminded me of the movie, The Peaceful Warrior in which the main character is taught precisely that. After watching that movie I tried practicing this. In a class, in a sport, in a simple conversation, I gave myself 100% to the moment, did not care about the future or analyze the past. Just for that moment, I felt great freedom. Before I thought I was free, but after having that feeling I realized I was tied down by the past and the future. That feeling of focusing 100% on a moment felt like an hour of sunshine while in prison. It was refreshing and even inspiring, but after the moment passed, I went back to prison. I went back to the past, I tried to look into the future and I was incarcerated again. That is the major feeling I got from this book and I hope to revive that hour of sunshine throughout my life.
I think that Seize the Day’s most valuable lesson came in that instant where Tommy began to cry and think of only that. At that very instant, his whole self thought about crying, about letting everything out. He seized that moment and took everything he could from it. That is a very valuable life lesson. We need to utilize every second we have on this earth to learn and do as much as we can. Grasp every single moment we possibly can, not dwell on the past like Dr. Adler with his petty resentment or fear the future like Wilhelm throughout the novel. “The past is no good to us. The future is full of anxiety. Only the present is real- the here and now. Seize the day.” (pg. 62)
After reading this novel, I’m finding that idea, the mentality to grasp the present, very convincing. It reminded me of the movie, The Peaceful Warrior in which the main character is taught precisely that. After watching that movie I tried practicing this. In a class, in a sport, in a simple conversation, I gave myself 100% to the moment, did not care about the future or analyze the past. Just for that moment, I felt great freedom. Before I thought I was free, but after having that feeling I realized I was tied down by the past and the future. That feeling of focusing 100% on a moment felt like an hour of sunshine while in prison. It was refreshing and even inspiring, but after the moment passed, I went back to prison. I went back to the past, I tried to look into the future and I was incarcerated again. That is the major feeling I got from this book and I hope to revive that hour of sunshine throughout my life.
miércoles, 14 de mayo de 2008
Hotel Society: Five Gilded Stars - Seize the Day
Seize the Day is set in 1950’s New York City. Tommy Wilhelm lives in Hotel Gloriana in which his father also lives. The hotel is a luxurious, upper class residence with many retirees living their final years in a comfortable place. Tommy however, is in the middle of his life and living a very different life from the rest of the inhabitants of the building, or at least it seems that way. Tommy is jobless, in economic turmoil, his last savings are at steak and his father is disappointed in him. He is living a contradiction, he is broke and under a lot of pressure while he is living in luxury and apparent tranquility. He appears to be just as anyone else in the building, worry-free and personally calm. Just to maintain this appearance he invests his last savings into a stock market entrepreneurship. “Thus Wilhelm had had to pretend at the outset that his interest in the market was theoretical.” (pg 57)
As the reader knows what goes on inside Wilhelm’s head, he can find great contrast amongst the vivid descriptions of the novel with the reality going inside Wilhelm. “Between white tablecloths, and glassware and glancing silverware, through overfull light, the long figure of Mr. Perls went away into the darkness of the lobby.” (pg 39) Such a vivid description of the setting creates a big contrast with the frustration and anger going through Tommy’s head at the time. The author did this in order to enhance the theme of personal problems and how humans hide them. This impressed me even more as the author did not invent a location that would clearly contrast with Wilhelm’s emotions, but Bellow blended his intentions with realism to make the novel flow easily and not force contrasts into the reader’s mind.
As I continued reading the book I noticed how many other people had problems just as Wilhelm. Dr.Tamkin probably has many financial problems and is a simple con artist, yet he seems very stable and calm. Very similarly to Wilhelm, Tamkin hides his troubles from society. This made me wonder if everyone in the Hotel had troubles just like them, and I believe it is so. Everyone has their own problems but generally they are hidden from society. Hotel Gloriana represents society and its gilded appearance. Just like a gilded piece of jewelry the outside looks beautiful and powerful, like the Gloriana’s lobby. The inside of society, its individuals are troubled and wear masks hiding their problems. They are the very people who live in the Hotel. I can greatly relate to Wilhelm as I hide my emotions from most people. Why I do it, I don’t know but probably it is to avoid being hurt by others. I also feel that if I trust only a few people with my real emotions it makes those people all the more important to me and my emotions much stronger and worth feeling, rather than losing interest in them as everybody knows them making them lose their true meanings.
As the reader knows what goes on inside Wilhelm’s head, he can find great contrast amongst the vivid descriptions of the novel with the reality going inside Wilhelm. “Between white tablecloths, and glassware and glancing silverware, through overfull light, the long figure of Mr. Perls went away into the darkness of the lobby.” (pg 39) Such a vivid description of the setting creates a big contrast with the frustration and anger going through Tommy’s head at the time. The author did this in order to enhance the theme of personal problems and how humans hide them. This impressed me even more as the author did not invent a location that would clearly contrast with Wilhelm’s emotions, but Bellow blended his intentions with realism to make the novel flow easily and not force contrasts into the reader’s mind.
As I continued reading the book I noticed how many other people had problems just as Wilhelm. Dr.Tamkin probably has many financial problems and is a simple con artist, yet he seems very stable and calm. Very similarly to Wilhelm, Tamkin hides his troubles from society. This made me wonder if everyone in the Hotel had troubles just like them, and I believe it is so. Everyone has their own problems but generally they are hidden from society. Hotel Gloriana represents society and its gilded appearance. Just like a gilded piece of jewelry the outside looks beautiful and powerful, like the Gloriana’s lobby. The inside of society, its individuals are troubled and wear masks hiding their problems. They are the very people who live in the Hotel. I can greatly relate to Wilhelm as I hide my emotions from most people. Why I do it, I don’t know but probably it is to avoid being hurt by others. I also feel that if I trust only a few people with my real emotions it makes those people all the more important to me and my emotions much stronger and worth feeling, rather than losing interest in them as everybody knows them making them lose their true meanings.
martes, 6 de mayo de 2008
Dread? Frustration? Seize the Day
In the first two chapters of Seize the Day, I saw something very different from other books we have read so far. We saw in great depth what the main character’s feelings, problems and realities were. Tommy Wilhelm is a middle-aged man during the depression years who lives in the same hotel as his father. Tommy is quite broke and his father is very wealthy, but their relation is not good. Tommy quit his studies to pursue a career as an actor, but failed miserably. His father never supported this idea and as Tommy changed his name for a more artistic one, his father never really forgave him. Despite this, the two ended up living in the same hotel in New York. As his father did not seem to mind about his problems, Tommy sought different ways to pay his children’s education and other bills. An acquaintance, Dr. Tamkin, told him about stock market speculation and Tommy gave him his last savings to spend. To his frustration, lard prices (the commodity he invested in) keep falling. In the beginning of the story, Tommy feels something bad is going to happen and he can only wait for it to do so. He receives his mail and finds some bills his wife sent him. They are not living together, but Catherin won’t divorce unless she gets an illogical amount of things, because of that Catherine is practically bleeding Tommy of all his money. As he sees these bills, he enters the dining room and meets his father for breakfast. They begin an uncomfortable conversation that ranges from many subjects, but ultimately ends with Tommy’s personal problems.
This book uses a different approach to show its message than previous books from Pynchon or Vonnegut. Bellow attempts to depict emotions, characters and settings as realistically as possible in order to make it plausible for the reader to relate to the events that are occurring. The opening phrase, “When it came to concealing his troubles, Tommy Wilhelm was not less capable than the next fellow.” (pg 1) This made a great impact on me initially, yet it gained strength as I read on. The phrase carries a simple meaning at first, humans tend to hide their true emotions, and it’s natural. However, as I read on it made a deeper impact as we saw the terrible problems Tommy has with his father, with money, and with himself. It made me reflect on my own life, on how I hide my true emotions and of how others hide them too. It made me wonder how deeply I know the people around me and why I didn’t really care about them. Further, I thought about the reason of this, why did humans stop expressing their feelings to others and bottled them up inside? Was it money and tradition? That reminded me of Tommy’s father. “It made Wilhelm profoundly bitter that his father could to him with such detachment about his welfare.” (pg 8) In that old man’s tradition, one should not speak of personal problems, but seem calm and secure always. As I read this I thought of my father who tends to be a quiet man, and I wondered if I really knew him thoroughly.
Besides this, Bellow also makes the reader feel tied to the novel by the description of emotions he writes. There are times a single word cannot accurately describe a human emotion and Bellow recognizes this. In these cases he magnificently describes an emotion: “He was aware that his routine was about to break up and he sensed that a huge trouble long presaged but till now formless was due.” (pg 2) This feeling cannot be described in a single word. Dread, frustration, or fear just are not accurate enough. If I share this feeling, I’d describe it as a tidal wave falling upon only you. These descriptions that words cannot fully describe yet as a human we grasp almost perfectly are a great characteristic of the novel.
This book uses a different approach to show its message than previous books from Pynchon or Vonnegut. Bellow attempts to depict emotions, characters and settings as realistically as possible in order to make it plausible for the reader to relate to the events that are occurring. The opening phrase, “When it came to concealing his troubles, Tommy Wilhelm was not less capable than the next fellow.” (pg 1) This made a great impact on me initially, yet it gained strength as I read on. The phrase carries a simple meaning at first, humans tend to hide their true emotions, and it’s natural. However, as I read on it made a deeper impact as we saw the terrible problems Tommy has with his father, with money, and with himself. It made me reflect on my own life, on how I hide my true emotions and of how others hide them too. It made me wonder how deeply I know the people around me and why I didn’t really care about them. Further, I thought about the reason of this, why did humans stop expressing their feelings to others and bottled them up inside? Was it money and tradition? That reminded me of Tommy’s father. “It made Wilhelm profoundly bitter that his father could to him with such detachment about his welfare.” (pg 8) In that old man’s tradition, one should not speak of personal problems, but seem calm and secure always. As I read this I thought of my father who tends to be a quiet man, and I wondered if I really knew him thoroughly.
Besides this, Bellow also makes the reader feel tied to the novel by the description of emotions he writes. There are times a single word cannot accurately describe a human emotion and Bellow recognizes this. In these cases he magnificently describes an emotion: “He was aware that his routine was about to break up and he sensed that a huge trouble long presaged but till now formless was due.” (pg 2) This feeling cannot be described in a single word. Dread, frustration, or fear just are not accurate enough. If I share this feeling, I’d describe it as a tidal wave falling upon only you. These descriptions that words cannot fully describe yet as a human we grasp almost perfectly are a great characteristic of the novel.
viernes, 2 de mayo de 2008
The Russian Dream
The Repatriates narrates the story of two Russian immigrants in America. As I read the opening, I thought this story would be like many other immigrant tales in America; however, I then saw the time period, the 1990’s and the opening statement by the author: “Retold, it was no longer about the Arsenyevs at all but about the ambushes that befall the most gleefully naïve of us.” I then began to expect a completely different story.
What impacted me the most initially was an apparent paradox in Grisha’s views. Like thousands of people from all over the world, the “American Dream” was their life’s desire. To go to America and live a life of happiness and prosperity was all he wanted. However, after living there as a corporate slave, he wanted to go back to Russia. At this point I stopped reading and reflected for a second, could that even be possible? Return from wealthy, individualist America to post-USSR Russia? This was going to be an interesting tale.
Grisha argued that in America he was just another a small part of the system “where he had been disregarded, he said, passed over for men whose only qualifications beyond his were that they could quote from “Star Wars” and recall Yankees scores from the Nixon era.” This made me think about my studies and future. Today, most businesses care only about job qualifications, where you studied, how many degrees you have and basically how much you invested in your education. You became an asset, a way for the business to make money. Was this everything there was to my future, nobody caring about your life or capacities as a human? I sincerely hope there is more to business.
I continued reading the story and saw how the characters moved back to Russia and revived a past life. How the author describes Moscow, with its suburbs, financial center and various social classes reminded me of New York City. I pictured Lera, Grisha’s wife, amongst the buildings and tides of people much like I felt in New York. This city was completely different to anything I had visited before, with its enormous buildings, masses and overall impersonality. Moscow and New York seemed very similar in my mind. Would this similarity reflect in the people of the cities?
When Lera heard her friend’s story about how she was scammed it answered my question. There is little difference. Everywhere there is fraud and corruption. Grisha had to pay homage to the church in Russia to befriend rich people, in America you help a charity. I don’t think I’d be wrong if I said there is an Enron in Russia as there is one in America. Today, business knows no boundaries, whether they are cultural, geographical or moral.
The underlying issue in this story is naivety, though Lera’s is more explicit, the author shows many different cases of it. Lera is naïve enough to think that her husband is only working in Russia for fame and wealth. She forgot that he spent a long time alone. She missed many signs like when Grisha shunned her love and seduction in bed. At the end, she realizes he is having an affair; however it still leaves many doubts. “Don’t talk about what you don’t know. Whatever obscene ideas you have are only in your own godless head. She’s been celibate for two years,” he said. “She’s a zatvornitsa.” Grisha speaks here without remorse, maybe he is speaking the truth, it is an innocent friendship. However, he starts packing and leaves, so his actions show contradiction. Next to this, he does not face the problem, it is almost if he accepts he’s been caught and knows what to do: leave.
Grisha himself suffers from naivety. He wants to begin a tremendous business in post-USSR Russia with few contacts. What ends up occurring is that he spends his family’s wealth just to begin, by paying tribute to others and acting differently as he is. Grisha, maybe not knowing it, traded his principles and family to the hope of wealth and fame. We never know what happens to him, but I cannot imagine any happiness for Grisha.
What impacted me the most initially was an apparent paradox in Grisha’s views. Like thousands of people from all over the world, the “American Dream” was their life’s desire. To go to America and live a life of happiness and prosperity was all he wanted. However, after living there as a corporate slave, he wanted to go back to Russia. At this point I stopped reading and reflected for a second, could that even be possible? Return from wealthy, individualist America to post-USSR Russia? This was going to be an interesting tale.
Grisha argued that in America he was just another a small part of the system “where he had been disregarded, he said, passed over for men whose only qualifications beyond his were that they could quote from “Star Wars” and recall Yankees scores from the Nixon era.” This made me think about my studies and future. Today, most businesses care only about job qualifications, where you studied, how many degrees you have and basically how much you invested in your education. You became an asset, a way for the business to make money. Was this everything there was to my future, nobody caring about your life or capacities as a human? I sincerely hope there is more to business.
I continued reading the story and saw how the characters moved back to Russia and revived a past life. How the author describes Moscow, with its suburbs, financial center and various social classes reminded me of New York City. I pictured Lera, Grisha’s wife, amongst the buildings and tides of people much like I felt in New York. This city was completely different to anything I had visited before, with its enormous buildings, masses and overall impersonality. Moscow and New York seemed very similar in my mind. Would this similarity reflect in the people of the cities?
When Lera heard her friend’s story about how she was scammed it answered my question. There is little difference. Everywhere there is fraud and corruption. Grisha had to pay homage to the church in Russia to befriend rich people, in America you help a charity. I don’t think I’d be wrong if I said there is an Enron in Russia as there is one in America. Today, business knows no boundaries, whether they are cultural, geographical or moral.
The underlying issue in this story is naivety, though Lera’s is more explicit, the author shows many different cases of it. Lera is naïve enough to think that her husband is only working in Russia for fame and wealth. She forgot that he spent a long time alone. She missed many signs like when Grisha shunned her love and seduction in bed. At the end, she realizes he is having an affair; however it still leaves many doubts. “Don’t talk about what you don’t know. Whatever obscene ideas you have are only in your own godless head. She’s been celibate for two years,” he said. “She’s a zatvornitsa.” Grisha speaks here without remorse, maybe he is speaking the truth, it is an innocent friendship. However, he starts packing and leaves, so his actions show contradiction. Next to this, he does not face the problem, it is almost if he accepts he’s been caught and knows what to do: leave.
Grisha himself suffers from naivety. He wants to begin a tremendous business in post-USSR Russia with few contacts. What ends up occurring is that he spends his family’s wealth just to begin, by paying tribute to others and acting differently as he is. Grisha, maybe not knowing it, traded his principles and family to the hope of wealth and fame. We never know what happens to him, but I cannot imagine any happiness for Grisha.
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