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.