Understanding 20 th Century Russian History Through Literature: A Workshop for High School Teachers...

Understanding 20Understanding 20thth Century Century Russian History Through Russian History Through

Literature: A Workshop for Literature: A Workshop for High School TeachersHigh School Teachers

By Gina M. PeirceBy Gina M. Peirce

Assistant Director, Center for Russian and East Assistant Director, Center for Russian and East European StudiesEuropean Studies

University of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh

Workshop given on October 9, 2006 atWorkshop given on October 9, 2006 at

Gateway Senior High School, Monroeville, PA, Gateway Senior High School, Monroeville, PA,

in cooperation with the Allegheny Intermediate Unitin cooperation with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit

IntroductionsIntroductions

Name, School, Subject and Grade Level TaughtName, School, Subject and Grade Level Taught

Why are you interested in 20Why are you interested in 20thth century Russian history and literature? How much century Russian history and literature? How much background do you have in these subjects?background do you have in these subjects?

What do you hope to learn from this workshop?What do you hope to learn from this workshop?

Historical TimelineHistorical Timeline

February and October Revolutions, 1917February and October Revolutions, 1917 Civil War and war communism, 1918-21Civil War and war communism, 1918-21 New Economic Policy proclaimed under Vladimir New Economic Policy proclaimed under Vladimir

Lenin in 1921, officially ended under Josef Stalin in Lenin in 1921, officially ended under Josef Stalin in 19291929

Soviet Union established, 1922Soviet Union established, 1922 Great Terror under Stalin, 1934-38Great Terror under Stalin, 1934-38 Pact signed with Nazi Germany in 1939; USSR Pact signed with Nazi Germany in 1939; USSR

invades and annexes territories on its western invades and annexes territories on its western borderborder

Germany attacks USSR and “Great Patriotic War” Germany attacks USSR and “Great Patriotic War” begins, 1941begins, 1941

Boris Pasternak (1890-1960)Boris Pasternak (1890-1960)

Grew up in Moscow, studied philosophy, then began Grew up in Moscow, studied philosophy, then began writing poetry in 1914writing poetry in 1914

Initially supported Bolshevik Revolution, published Initially supported Bolshevik Revolution, published several poetry collections and autobiographical stories several poetry collections and autobiographical stories in 1920s and 30sin 1920s and 30s

Disillusioned with Communist ideals after Stalinist Disillusioned with Communist ideals after Stalinist terror and purges, feared publishing own work and terror and purges, feared publishing own work and began publishing translations instead (most famously began publishing translations instead (most famously Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s HamletHamlet))

Wrote his masterpiece novel, Wrote his masterpiece novel, Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago, in 1946-, in 1946-5555

Soviet authorities would not allow novel’s publication Soviet authorities would not allow novel’s publication – first published in Italy in 1957– first published in Italy in 1957

Boris Pasternak, continuedBoris Pasternak, continued

Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago then translated into many then translated into many languages, but never published in USSR until languages, but never published in USSR until 1987 under Mikhail Gorbachev1987 under Mikhail Gorbachev

Pasternak awarded Nobel Prize in Literature in Pasternak awarded Nobel Prize in Literature in 1958, but was threatened with deportation and 1958, but was threatened with deportation and refused the prize under pressure from Soviet refused the prize under pressure from Soviet authorities authorities

Died shortly after, in 1960Died shortly after, in 1960 1965 film version of 1965 film version of Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago (much (much

simplified from the novel) became blockbuster simplified from the novel) became blockbuster around the world, but also not shown in USSR around the world, but also not shown in USSR until shortly before breakup of Soviet Unionuntil shortly before breakup of Soviet Union

Themes of Themes of Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago

Story of life of fictional doctor and poet, Yuri ZhivagoStory of life of fictional doctor and poet, Yuri Zhivago He and wife Tonia are from affluent families, must He and wife Tonia are from affluent families, must

struggle for survival (along with most Russians) after struggle for survival (along with most Russians) after 1917 Revolution1917 Revolution

Accounts of First World War and Russian Civil War Accounts of First World War and Russian Civil War through Zhivago’s eyes (serves as doctor in each, though through Zhivago’s eyes (serves as doctor in each, though unwillingly in latter case after captured by partisans)unwillingly in latter case after captured by partisans)

Conditions of life in Moscow contrasted with provinces Conditions of life in Moscow contrasted with provinces (town of Yuriatin and its environs in Ural Mountain (town of Yuriatin and its environs in Ural Mountain region of Russia)region of Russia)

Love affair with Lara Antipova, woman from modest Love affair with Lara Antipova, woman from modest background whose husband leaves her to become a background whose husband leaves her to become a partisan commander in the Civil Warpartisan commander in the Civil War

Themes of Themes of Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago, , continuedcontinued

Much of novel consists of Zhivago’s musings on love, Much of novel consists of Zhivago’s musings on love, art, history, etc., but also contains many realistic art, history, etc., but also contains many realistic details of Russian life during this turbulent perioddetails of Russian life during this turbulent period

In In Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago, “Everyone is reduced to a , “Everyone is reduced to a primitive, prehistoric level of bare subsistence […] primitive, prehistoric level of bare subsistence […] even as they participate in one of the defining even as they participate in one of the defining historical moments of the twentieth century […] historical moments of the twentieth century […] The raw facts of history in The raw facts of history in Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago are are about death and ruin and, indeed, physical and about death and ruin and, indeed, physical and metaphysical homelessness.” (Edith W. Clowes, metaphysical homelessness.” (Edith W. Clowes, Doctor Zhivago: A Critical CompanionDoctor Zhivago: A Critical Companion, , Northwestern University Press, pgs. 38-39)Northwestern University Press, pgs. 38-39)

Excerpts from Excerpts from Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago

Chapter 6: Zhivago’s return to his home and family Chapter 6: Zhivago’s return to his home and family in Moscow in summer 1917 (between the two in Moscow in summer 1917 (between the two Russian revolutions), after serving as a doctor for Russian revolutions), after serving as a doctor for Russian troops in First World WarRussian troops in First World War

Descriptions of chaotic conditions in Moscow and Descriptions of chaotic conditions in Moscow and references to housing crisis/redistribution of references to housing crisis/redistribution of space, economic hardships experienced by space, economic hardships experienced by population as basic goods became scarce (pgs. population as basic goods became scarce (pgs. 166-171)166-171)

Dinner party for Zhivago’s homecoming, featuring Dinner party for Zhivago’s homecoming, featuring a duck given to him by an eccentric he met on a duck given to him by an eccentric he met on the train returning from the war front:the train returning from the war front:

Excerpts from Excerpts from Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago, , continuedcontinued

““The large duck was an unheard-of luxury in those The large duck was an unheard-of luxury in those already hungry days, but there was no bread with it, already hungry days, but there was no bread with it, and because of this its splendor was somehow and because of this its splendor was somehow pointless – it even got on one’s nerves. The alcohol (a pointless – it even got on one’s nerves. The alcohol (a favorite black-market currency) had been brought favorite black-market currency) had been brought […] in a medicine bottle with a glass stopper […] But […] in a medicine bottle with a glass stopper […] But the saddest thing of all was that their party was a the saddest thing of all was that their party was a kind of betrayal. You could not imagine anyone in the kind of betrayal. You could not imagine anyone in the houses across the street eating or drinking in the houses across the street eating or drinking in the same way at the same time. Beyond the windows lay same way at the same time. Beyond the windows lay silent, dark, hungry Moscow. Its shops were empty, silent, dark, hungry Moscow. Its shops were empty, and as for game and vodka, people had even and as for game and vodka, people had even forgotten to think about such things.” (p. 175)forgotten to think about such things.” (p. 175)


Account of Bolshevik Revolution, pgs. 190-195Account of Bolshevik Revolution, pgs. 190-195

Unusually cold winters characterized by famine, 1917-19, Unusually cold winters characterized by famine, 1917-19, as private enterprise was driven underground and no as private enterprise was driven underground and no effective state-controlled distribution system yet effective state-controlled distribution system yet established (pgs. 195-199)established (pgs. 195-199)

Civil War and war communism period, barter and black Civil War and war communism period, barter and black market trade widespread as people tried to survivemarket trade widespread as people tried to survive

Zhivago’s family decides to move temporarily from Zhivago’s family decides to move temporarily from Moscow to his wife’s family’s former estate in the Urals Moscow to his wife’s family’s former estate in the Urals to survive by growing their own food – description of to survive by growing their own food – description of Yaroslavsky train station (p. 210) shows further Yaroslavsky train station (p. 210) shows further evidence of social disorder and breakdown of country’s evidence of social disorder and breakdown of country’s transportation systemtransportation system


At end of novel, Zhivago returns to Moscow during NEP At end of novel, Zhivago returns to Moscow during NEP period (1922), having been separated from his family period (1922), having been separated from his family and Lara due to civil war and threats of political and Lara due to civil war and threats of political persecutionpersecution

Description of effects of removing ban on private Description of effects of removing ban on private enterprise (p. 473) and social classes in theoretically enterprise (p. 473) and social classes in theoretically classless societyclassless society

Zhivago and his unofficial “third wife” Marina “chopped Zhivago and his unofficial “third wife” Marina “chopped wood for a good many of the tenants on the different wood for a good many of the tenants on the different floors. Some of them, particularly floors. Some of them, particularly speculatorsspeculators who had who had made fortunes at the beginning of the NEP and made fortunes at the beginning of the NEP and artists artists and scholars who were close to the governmentand scholars who were close to the government, , were setting up house on a comfortable scale.” (p. 479)were setting up house on a comfortable scale.” (p. 479)


One more example of housing crisis:One more example of housing crisis:

““Gordon’s room was part of a curious structure, Gordon’s room was part of a curious structure, which had once been the premises of a which had once been the premises of a fashionable tailor […] The premises were now fashionable tailor […] The premises were now divided into three. By means of floor boards an divided into three. By means of floor boards an extra room had been fitted into the space extra room had been fitted into the space between the lower and the upper levels. It had between the lower and the upper levels. It had what was, for a living room, a curious window, what was, for a living room, a curious window, about three feet high, starting at floor level and about three feet high, starting at floor level and with part of the gold letters remaining.” (p. 480) with part of the gold letters remaining.” (p. 480)

Many more examples of this type in Zoshchenko’s Many more examples of this type in Zoshchenko’s storiesstories

Mikhail M. Zoshchenko Mikhail M. Zoshchenko (1894-1958)(1894-1958)

Grew up in St. Petersburg, studied lawGrew up in St. Petersburg, studied lawServed in First World WarServed in First World WarServed in Red Army during Russian Civil WarServed in Red Army during Russian Civil WarAttempted various jobs including postmaster Attempted various jobs including postmaster and cobbler (repairing shoes), 1919-22and cobbler (repairing shoes), 1919-22Published first stories in 1922; published in Published first stories in 1922; published in Soviet satirical press starting in 1923 until Soviet satirical press starting in 1923 until most satirical publications were shut down most satirical publications were shut down around 1930around 1930Fell out of favor with Soviet authorities and Fell out of favor with Soviet authorities and was subjected to Communist Party harassment was subjected to Communist Party harassment from 1946 until his deathfrom 1946 until his death

Background Information: NEPBackground Information: NEP

““New Economic Policy” introduced by Vladimir Lenin in New Economic Policy” introduced by Vladimir Lenin in 1921 to recover from economic devastation of Civil War 1921 to recover from economic devastation of Civil War periodperiod

Permitted some private agriculture, private traders and Permitted some private agriculture, private traders and craftspeoplecraftspeople

Businesspeople known as “NEPmen” gained reputation for Businesspeople known as “NEPmen” gained reputation for greed and lack of cultural sophistication (somewhat like greed and lack of cultural sophistication (somewhat like new moneyed class or “New Russians” in 1990s)new moneyed class or “New Russians” in 1990s)

NEP accompanied by tolerance of literature by “fellow NEP accompanied by tolerance of literature by “fellow travelers,” or writers whose works were not openly anti-travelers,” or writers whose works were not openly anti-Soviet but not necessarily favorable toward Soviet systemSoviet but not necessarily favorable toward Soviet system

NEP ended in late 1920s after Stalin consolidated power; NEP ended in late 1920s after Stalin consolidated power; private enterprise then eliminatedprivate enterprise then eliminated

Soviet Cultural Policy During Soviet Cultural Policy During NEPNEP

Central Directorate for Matters of Literature and Central Directorate for Matters of Literature and Publishing (“Glavlit”) created 1922, had to approve Publishing (“Glavlit”) created 1922, had to approve publication of any printed materialpublication of any printed material

Relatively permissive at first, but laid foundation for Relatively permissive at first, but laid foundation for later, much stricter censorship under Stalinlater, much stricter censorship under Stalin

Debate among literary critics throughout 1920s on Debate among literary critics throughout 1920s on whether “since the Soviet state had set up the proper whether “since the Soviet state had set up the proper legal procedures for uncovering and eradicating legal procedures for uncovering and eradicating social ills, satirical literature was no longer social ills, satirical literature was no longer necessary” (Jeremy Hicks, trans., necessary” (Jeremy Hicks, trans., The Galosh and The Galosh and Other Stories Other Stories by Mikhail Zoshchenko, Angel, pg. 9)by Mikhail Zoshchenko, Angel, pg. 9)

Satire remained enormously popular with the publicSatire remained enormously popular with the public

Zoshchenko and Soviet SatireZoshchenko and Soviet Satire

In 1922-28, seven satirical magazines in Moscow In 1922-28, seven satirical magazines in Moscow and Petrograd/ Leningrad (formerly St. and Petrograd/ Leningrad (formerly St. Petersburg) had combined print run of over half Petersburg) had combined print run of over half a million copiesa million copies

Approximately equal to daily circulation of official Approximately equal to daily circulation of official Communist Party newspaper, Communist Party newspaper, PravdaPravda

Zoshchenko estimated to have sold Zoshchenko estimated to have sold 100 million 100 million copiescopies of his stories of his stories

Huge popularity attributed to his simple writing Huge popularity attributed to his simple writing style, use of colloquial language/slang, timely style, use of colloquial language/slang, timely subject matter to which many people could relatesubject matter to which many people could relate

Zoshchenko’s AudienceZoshchenko’s Audience

Stories appealed to many Soviet citizens who had Stories appealed to many Soviet citizens who had just completed basic literacy courses through just completed basic literacy courses through Bolsheviks’ literacy campaign --illiteracy was Bolsheviks’ literacy campaign --illiteracy was widespread in society composed mainly of widespread in society composed mainly of peasants before Revolutionpeasants before Revolution

Many people migrated from countryside to major Many people migrated from countryside to major cities after Revolution in search of work, then cities after Revolution in search of work, then faced problems similar to those of Zoshchenko’s faced problems similar to those of Zoshchenko’s characterscharacters

Themes of Zoshchenko’s Themes of Zoshchenko’s StoriesStories

Confusion of ordinary Russians over new Marxist Confusion of ordinary Russians over new Marxist political vocabulary – characters often try to use political vocabulary – characters often try to use this vocabulary and make humorous mistakesthis vocabulary and make humorous mistakes

Overcrowding and housing shortage in cities due Overcrowding and housing shortage in cities due to rapid influx of peopleto rapid influx of people

Shortages and poor quality of consumer goods as Shortages and poor quality of consumer goods as emphasis was placed on developing heavy industryemphasis was placed on developing heavy industry

Widespread theft, bribery and corruption, Widespread theft, bribery and corruption, conflicting with declared ideals of socialist societyconflicting with declared ideals of socialist society

Bureaucratization of Soviet lifeBureaucratization of Soviet life

A Favorite Topic: The Communal A Favorite Topic: The Communal ApartmentApartment

To deal with housing shortage, Communist To deal with housing shortage, Communist government converted many large apartments government converted many large apartments into “communal” apartmentsinto “communal” apartments

Several families shared a kitchen and bathroom, Several families shared a kitchen and bathroom, with each family having only one room of their with each family having only one room of their ownown

Separate rooms often created by adding thin Separate rooms often created by adding thin plywood walls, causing lack of privacyplywood walls, causing lack of privacy

Many conflicts among strangers forced to share Many conflicts among strangers forced to share such close quarters – a favorite target of satirical such close quarters – a favorite target of satirical literatureliterature

Reading and Discussion of Reading and Discussion of Zoshchenko’s Short Stories – Zoshchenko’s Short Stories –

Small GroupsSmall Groups Group 1: “Crisis” and “Guests”Group 1: “Crisis” and “Guests” Group 2: “Nervous People” and “Hard Labour”Group 2: “Nervous People” and “Hard Labour” Group 3: “Red Tape” and “Of Lamp-shades”Group 3: “Red Tape” and “Of Lamp-shades”

Read and discuss the selected two stories in your Read and discuss the selected two stories in your small group.small group.

Give a brief synopsis of the two stories to the entire Give a brief synopsis of the two stories to the entire group.group.

Comment on what the stories illustrate about Comment on what the stories illustrate about Soviet life in the 1920s under NEP.Soviet life in the 1920s under NEP.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-)(1918-)

Studied physics and mathematics at Rostov Studied physics and mathematics at Rostov University and completed correspondence course in University and completed correspondence course in literature, 1936-41.literature, 1936-41.

Served as officer in Soviet military during Great Served as officer in Soviet military during Great Patriotic War against Germany, 1942-45. Arrested at Patriotic War against Germany, 1942-45. Arrested at the front for making critical comments about Stalin in the front for making critical comments about Stalin in personal correspondence. Sentenced to eight years of personal correspondence. Sentenced to eight years of hard labor.hard labor.

Confined in prison camps, 1945-53, including a camp Confined in prison camps, 1945-53, including a camp in Kazakhstan for political prisoners only in 1950-53. in Kazakhstan for political prisoners only in 1950-53. Conditions in this camp would be reflected in his Conditions in this camp would be reflected in his famous story famous story One Day in the Life of Ivan DenisovichOne Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich..

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (continued)(continued)

Spent three years of exile in Kazakhstan before being Spent three years of exile in Kazakhstan before being permitted to return to European Russia in 1956.permitted to return to European Russia in 1956.

After Stalin’s death in 1953, new Soviet leader Nikita After Stalin’s death in 1953, new Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev begins “de-Stalinization” campaign in 1956 Khrushchev begins “de-Stalinization” campaign in 1956 and denounces Stalinist terror. In the context of this and denounces Stalinist terror. In the context of this cultural “thaw,” Solzhenitsyn is permitted to publish cultural “thaw,” Solzhenitsyn is permitted to publish Ivan DenisovichIvan Denisovich in the Soviet literary journal in the Soviet literary journal Novy MirNovy Mir in 1962 (but it is later banned).in 1962 (but it is later banned).

After Khrushchev is ousted and replaced by Leonid After Khrushchev is ousted and replaced by Leonid Brezhnev in 1964, Solzhenitsyn is prevented from Brezhnev in 1964, Solzhenitsyn is prevented from publishing most of his work in the Soviet Union and can publishing most of his work in the Soviet Union and can publish only abroad.publish only abroad.

Awarded Nobel Prize for Literature, 1970.Awarded Nobel Prize for Literature, 1970.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, continuedcontinued

Deported to West Germany, 1974.Deported to West Germany, 1974. Moved to Vermont, USA, 1976.Moved to Vermont, USA, 1976. Upon collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Upon collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the

1974 charge of treason against Solzhenitsyn was 1974 charge of treason against Solzhenitsyn was annulled.annulled.

Moved back to Russia in 1994.Moved back to Russia in 1994.

Background Information: The Soviet Background Information: The Soviet Gulag System (from Gulag System (from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulaghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulag)) Penal system of forced labor camps operated by the Penal system of forced labor camps operated by the

NKVD (secret police)NKVD (secret police) Held political prisoners as well as common criminalsHeld political prisoners as well as common criminals Most located in remote areas of Siberia or Central Most located in remote areas of Siberia or Central

AsiaAsia Some camp facilities set up as early as 1918 as Some camp facilities set up as early as 1918 as

extension of labor camps operated in tsarist Russiaextension of labor camps operated in tsarist Russia GULAG (Russian acronym) officially established as a GULAG (Russian acronym) officially established as a

department of the secret police in 1930 department of the secret police in 1930 Major growth of prison camp population through Major growth of prison camp population through

1930s as prison labor was used for industrialization 1930s as prison labor was used for industrialization effortsefforts

The Soviet Gulag System, The Soviet Gulag System, continuedcontinued

Mass arrests during Great Terror in 1937-38 led to Mass arrests during Great Terror in 1937-38 led to hundreds of thousands being sentenced to long prison hundreds of thousands being sentenced to long prison terms for “counterrevolutionary activities,” mostly terms for “counterrevolutionary activities,” mostly arbitrarilyarbitrarily

Over 1.5 million people in Gulag system by 1939Over 1.5 million people in Gulag system by 1939 Gulag population declined during Second World War, Gulag population declined during Second World War,

as hundreds of thousands of inmates were conscripted as hundreds of thousands of inmates were conscripted into military serviceinto military service

Increased again after war, to 2.5 million in early Increased again after war, to 2.5 million in early 1950s, including hundreds of thousands of former 1950s, including hundreds of thousands of former soldiers accused of treason for such “offenses” as soldiers accused of treason for such “offenses” as being having been captured by Germans, liberated being having been captured by Germans, liberated from concentration camps by Americans, etc.from concentration camps by Americans, etc.

The Soviet Gulag System, The Soviet Gulag System, continuedcontinued

Gulag system declined after Stalin’s death in 1953, most Gulag system declined after Stalin’s death in 1953, most camps closed down by end of 1950scamps closed down by end of 1950s

GULAG officially dissolved in 1960GULAG officially dissolved in 1960 18-20 million people were held in Gulag at some point 18-20 million people were held in Gulag at some point

during Stalinist period, with over 1.6 million documented during Stalinist period, with over 1.6 million documented deathsdeaths

Deaths resulted from disease, malnutrition, overwork and Deaths resulted from disease, malnutrition, overwork and exposure (due to inadequate food, clothing and medical exposure (due to inadequate food, clothing and medical care), and brutal treatment by guards and fellow prisonerscare), and brutal treatment by guards and fellow prisoners

Once released, former prisoners were often prohibited Once released, former prisoners were often prohibited from living in major Russian cities or holding a wide range from living in major Russian cities or holding a wide range of jobs, so they could not return to former homes and of jobs, so they could not return to former homes and occupationsoccupations

Background Information on Background Information on One One Day in the Life of Ivan DenisovichDay in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Solzhenitsyn sought to portray a typical day in the life Solzhenitsyn sought to portray a typical day in the life of an ordinary camp inmate, the peasant Ivan of an ordinary camp inmate, the peasant Ivan Denisovich ShukhovDenisovich Shukhov

Wrote in Russian 19Wrote in Russian 19thth century realist tradition: “The century realist tradition: “The great Russian prose writers of the last century took great Russian prose writers of the last century took pride in the way their works addressed and reflected pride in the way their works addressed and reflected the actual historical, social, or moral conditions of the actual historical, social, or moral conditions of their homeland. Literary achievement was not seen in their homeland. Literary achievement was not seen in the ability of a powerful imagination to create a vivid the ability of a powerful imagination to create a vivid fictional world […] but rather in the writer’s skill in fictional world […] but rather in the writer’s skill in selecting, shaping and ordering the data of reality.” – selecting, shaping and ordering the data of reality.” – Alexis Klimoff, Alexis Klimoff, One Day in the Life of Ivan One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich: A Critical CompanionDenisovich: A Critical Companion, p. 6, p. 6

Background Info on Background Info on One DayOne Day…, …, continuedcontinued

Story takes place in January 1951 at a “Special Story takes place in January 1951 at a “Special Camp” for political prisoners in Central AsiaCamp” for political prisoners in Central Asia

Special Camps allowed prisoners to write only two Special Camps allowed prisoners to write only two letters home per year, and denied them even letters home per year, and denied them even token payment for hard labor performedtoken payment for hard labor performed

Ivan Denisovich is imprisoned for “treason” after Ivan Denisovich is imprisoned for “treason” after having been briefly captured by Germans during having been briefly captured by Germans during the war (he escaped); many fellow prisoners for the war (he escaped); many fellow prisoners for similar reasonssimilar reasons

Story is told from Ivan’s viewpoint as a simple, Story is told from Ivan’s viewpoint as a simple, honest man without strong political beliefs who is honest man without strong political beliefs who is mainly concerned about day-to-day survivalmainly concerned about day-to-day survival

Excerpts from Excerpts from One Day…One Day…

First 12 pages: morning routine, reveille, illness, First 12 pages: morning routine, reveille, illness, cold (p. 10: prisoners not made to work outdoors cold (p. 10: prisoners not made to work outdoors if temperature was under if temperature was under –– 41 degrees C, = 41 degrees C, = –– 41.8 degrees F! Length of workday mentioned 41.8 degrees F! Length of workday mentioned later in book: 11 hours.)later in book: 11 hours.)

““There is no worse moment than when you turn There is no worse moment than when you turn out for work parade in the morning. In the dark, out for work parade in the morning. In the dark, in the freezing cold, with a hungry belly, and the in the freezing cold, with a hungry belly, and the whole day ahead of you. You lose the power of whole day ahead of you. You lose the power of speech. You haven’t the slightest desire to talk to speech. You haven’t the slightest desire to talk to each other.” (p. 28)each other.” (p. 28)

Excerpts from Excerpts from One Day… One Day… continuedcontinued

““Since he’d been in the camps Shukhov had thought Since he’d been in the camps Shukhov had thought many a time of the food they used to eat in the many a time of the food they used to eat in the village – whole frying pans full of potatoes, village – whole frying pans full of potatoes, porridge by the caldron, and […] great hefty lumps porridge by the caldron, and […] great hefty lumps of meat. Milk they used to lap up till their bellies of meat. Milk they used to lap up till their bellies were bursting. But he knew better now that he’d were bursting. But he knew better now that he’d been inside. He’d learned to keep his whole mind been inside. He’d learned to keep his whole mind on the food he was eating. Like now he was taking on the food he was eating. Like now he was taking tiny little nibbles of bread […] Dry black bread it tiny little nibbles of bread […] Dry black bread it was, but like that nothing could be tastier. How was, but like that nothing could be tastier. How much had he eaten in the last eight or nine years? much had he eaten in the last eight or nine years? Nothing. And how hard had he worked? Don’t ask.” Nothing. And how hard had he worked? Don’t ask.” (p. 50)(p. 50)

Excerpts from Excerpts from One Day… One Day… continuedcontinued

““Shukhov […] no longer knew whether he wanted to be Shukhov […] no longer knew whether he wanted to be free or not. To begin with, he’d wanted it very much, free or not. To begin with, he’d wanted it very much, and counted up every evening how many days he still and counted up every evening how many days he still had to serve. Then he’d got fed up with it. And still had to serve. Then he’d got fed up with it. And still later it had gradually dawned on him that people like later it had gradually dawned on him that people like himself were not allowed to go home but were himself were not allowed to go home but were packed off into exile. And there was no knowing packed off into exile. And there was no knowing where the living was easier – here or there.” (p. 178)where the living was easier – here or there.” (p. 178)

Last line of story: “Just one of the 3,653 days of his Last line of story: “Just one of the 3,653 days of his sentence, from bell to bell. The extra three were for sentence, from bell to bell. The extra three were for leap years.” (p. 182)leap years.” (p. 182)

ConclusionsConclusions

Various challenges and opportunities with using Various challenges and opportunities with using these texts as a teaching toolthese texts as a teaching tool

Historical details in Historical details in Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago are are embedded in a very long and complex narrative – embedded in a very long and complex narrative – assigning entire book could be appropriate for an assigning entire book could be appropriate for an advanced literature class, but less so for advanced literature class, but less so for history/social studieshistory/social studies

Using film version might be helpful to provide Using film version might be helpful to provide students with outline of story, while using students with outline of story, while using excerpts from novel such as those we read to excerpts from novel such as those we read to point out realistic historical details that were not point out realistic historical details that were not emphasized in filmemphasized in film

Conclusions, continuedConclusions, continued

Zoshchenko stories are short and easily digestible, Zoshchenko stories are short and easily digestible, but will require some background information to be but will require some background information to be presented by teacher or through other, factual presented by teacher or through other, factual reading assignmentsreading assignments

Students could be asked to respond by writing their Students could be asked to respond by writing their own humorous short stories about, for example, what own humorous short stories about, for example, what they think it would be like to live in a communal they think it would be like to live in a communal apartmentapartment

Satire “humanizes” Soviet history that is usually Satire “humanizes” Soviet history that is usually presented very seriously; may help students to see presented very seriously; may help students to see beyond ideological conflicts and view Russians as beyond ideological conflicts and view Russians as ordinary people with problems they could imagine ordinary people with problems they could imagine havinghaving


One Day in the Life of Ivan DenisovichOne Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is a short text is a short text (<200 pages) that could easily be assigned in its (<200 pages) that could easily be assigned in its entirety, with some background information provided entirety, with some background information provided by teacherby teacher

Could be used to provoke broader discussion on Could be used to provoke broader discussion on authoritarian vs. democratic political systems and authoritarian vs. democratic political systems and justice systems (arbitrary punishment of ordinary justice systems (arbitrary punishment of ordinary people for offenses such as “treason”); can any people for offenses such as “treason”); can any similar contemporary examples be found?similar contemporary examples be found?

Could also stimulate creative writing assignments Could also stimulate creative writing assignments focusing on life in prison camps (e.g., imagine that focusing on life in prison camps (e.g., imagine that you are spending a day in the Gulag and describe you are spending a day in the Gulag and describe your experiences)your experiences)


Other ideas for how you might use any of these Other ideas for how you might use any of these materials in your classroom? Discuss.materials in your classroom? Discuss.

What kind of follow-up would you like to see from this What kind of follow-up would you like to see from this workshop? For example, a website maintained at Pitt workshop? For example, a website maintained at Pitt where you could submit ideas or lesson plans you where you could submit ideas or lesson plans you developed on this topic; links to other information developed on this topic; links to other information resources related to this topic; other?resources related to this topic; other?

Resources currently offered by Pitt/REES for K-12 Resources currently offered by Pitt/REES for K-12 educators: resource lending library, school visits educators: resource lending library, school visits program, outreach newsletter, other professional program, outreach newsletter, other professional development workshops for all world areas through development workshops for all world areas through UCISUCIS

Outreach World, Outreach World, www.outreachworld.orgwww.outreachworld.org

BibliographyBibliography

Clowes, Edith W., ed. Clowes, Edith W., ed. Doctor Zhivago: A Critical Doctor Zhivago: A Critical CompanionCompanion. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University . Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press/AATSEEL, 1995.Press/AATSEEL, 1995.

Klimoff, Alexis, ed. Klimoff, Alexis, ed. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich: A Critical Companion. A Critical Companion. Evanston, IL: Northwestern Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press/AATSEEL, 1997.University Press/AATSEEL, 1997.

Pasternak, Boris. Pasternak, Boris. Doctor ZhivagoDoctor Zhivago. Trans. Max Hayward . Trans. Max Hayward and Manya Harari. New York: Pantheon, 1958.and Manya Harari. New York: Pantheon, 1958.

Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr. Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr. One Day in the Life of Ivan One Day in the Life of Ivan DenisovichDenisovich. Trans. H.T. Willetts. New York : Farrar, . Trans. H.T. Willetts. New York : Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1991. Straus, Giroux, 1991.

Zoshchenko, Mikhail. Zoshchenko, Mikhail. The Galosh and Other StoriesThe Galosh and Other Stories. Trans. . Trans. Jeremy Hicks. London: Angel, 2000. Jeremy Hicks. London: Angel, 2000.

Contact InformationContact Information

Gina PeirceGina Peirce

412-648-2290412-648-2290

[email protected]@ucis.pitt.edu

www.ucis.pitt.edu/creeswww.ucis.pitt.edu/crees

Understanding 20 th Century Russian History Through Literature: A Workshop for High School Teachers...

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