Upheaval In Russian Literature Essay, Research Paper

Many of the upheavals in Captain Dikshtein: a Fantastic Narrative and in Est-Ouest are rather similar although they each take place at different times during this last century. The reader can assume that some upheavals did happen, just not during the time frame of the story.

A huge upheaval of Est-Ouest is moving back to Russia. Sergei and Marie, especially had a rather difficult time moving back. They were promised opportunity, amongst other things, and surely expected freedom, at least as it was in France. But, when they arrived, it was surely different, and especially difficult for Marie.

In fact, while they were moving, a couple of their acquaintances from the boat were shot at Odessa, right off of the ship. This was surely a surprise to them, and an upheaval. While still in Odessa, Marie and Sergei were basically tortured. Marie was even hit several times, and her French passport was torn up she was there for good.

Assimilations into another country is hard, and especially hard when it is so different from what you left behind. This assimilation meant a change in culture and language, of course, but also of climate and another major upheaval, a change in government. They lived in a type of apartment which was really knew to Marie. It was small and cramped, with only one room for your family, and the laundry and kitchen had to be used at a certain time: it was shared. She was not used to the food in Russia, and had not spoken Russian ever. Although they lived in Kiev, which was in the southern part of Russia, it was still colder there than it was in France. The change in government was probably hardest thing to deal with because the government controlled everything else. In France she felt more free. She could do what she wanted to do, she could go where she wanted to go. She could speak. In Russia, because of the government, she could do no such things. This government was more oppressive than what she was used to. It was very hard for her to get used to, and I do not think that she ever did get used to it. That is why she left. She just could not get used to such a government.

Another type of upheaval that the main characters endured was war with themselves. Sergei was constantly trying to do what was best for Marie, while still pleasing the Communists. He knew more about Russia than Marie did, and caught on about what had to be done if she wanted to make it out of Russia alive. Marie was also having a war go on inside herself. She wanted to leave, yet she could not, and surely did not know how she should go about doing so.

This also led to a war between them that actually resulted in betrayal. Marie did not think that Sergei wanted to help her, yet he helped her the most and risked so much. But, in order to protect his family, Sergei slept with the neighbor woman to get on her good side. Marie slept with Sacha to get even. Both are quite large personal upheavals when you truly love your spouse and have never cheated on him or her nor wish to.

Marriage, and having children are both upheavals that are usually good, and are good in these two stories, but do not happen during the story, they happen before the story takes place.

One of biggest upheavals was switching identities. The stoker had to switch names, and consequently, he switched personalities. He imagined how the real Igor would have walked, talked, and acted, et cetera, so that he could successfully be the real Igor Ivanovich. By assimilating into another identity, he, in a way, betrayed himself, and he deceived many others. He was under his own, personal oppression, where he could not really act like himself, but instead act only as he thought that Igor Ivanovich would have acted.

In that way, he had a war with himself constantly; not knowing who he actually was, and how he should be acting. Although near the end of his life, he had gotten into a habit of acting a certain way, when he was younger, it was surely more of a war. War for Igor Ivanovich was also surrounding him, like his personal war, especially when he was younger. He was directly involved in the Kronstadt Mutiny, for example. But, throughout his life, the economic war that was taking place in Russia was prevalent.

As in Est-Ouest, there was also a change in government in Captain Dikshtein: A Fantastic Narrative. However, the one in Captain Dikshtein did not affect the characters as it had Marie. Igor Ivanovich and Nastya and their family and friends were more used to the government than Marie was. They could deal better with the changes.

Each story contains numerous examples of upheaval. Many of the characters in each story are really strong: they have all been through so much. But, as they say, what does not kill you only makes you stronger.