Thursday, January 31, 2013

Dr. Zhivago, Special Information

Dear Students,

First of all, in Hollywood Parlance: Break a leg.

The best I can do for you at this late date is to let you know that there are no "Spark Notes" or "Cliffs Notes" for Dr. Zhivago. You can; however, find information on the Internet.

In lieu of "Spark Notes," Barns and Noble has a chapter by chapter exegesis on line. You may read it part by part on line for free. If you wish to print it, you will have to pay.

If I think of anything else I can do to help, I shall put this on the blog.

Once again, break a leg.

Robert Melling

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Chapter 6, "The Moscow Encampment," Section 5, Mr. Tuomala's Page 11

Section 5, Page 11:

263. Why does the doctor see himself as a Pygmy?
264. Why does the doctor believe people are acting unknown parts?
265. A prosector prepares cadavers for medical instruction. (Page 12)
266. For the doctor, how does the story of Taraska illustrate Marxism? (Page 12)
267. What is the import of the discussion of the exterminator? (Page 13)

Section 6, Page 13:

268. What does the mugging of a prominent politician indicate?
269. How does the doctor profit from his actions vis-a-vis the politician?

Section 7, Page 14.

270. Uncle Nikolai and then Misha Godon rush in to say there is fighing the streets. Bullets are flying in front of the doctor's house. Then Pasternak tells us, "That week Shashenka caught a cold." What is the effect of this juxtaposition?
271. What groups are fighting in the streets?
272. "At about 10 p.m. one evening is late October (Old Style) Yurii Andreievich went without any particular necessity to call on one of his colleagues." What is the meaning of "Old Style?"
273. Why does Pasternak choose the encounter at the entrance way of a building to introduce the doctor's stepbrother?
274. Take note that even the doctor is forced to steal firewood. (Page 17)

Section 9, Page 17:

275. "The old life and the new order had not yet come in contact. They were not yet openly hostile to each other, as when the civil war broke out a year later, but there was no connection between the two. They stood apart, confronting each other, incompatable."  Does this statement not contradict Pasternak's depiction of the doctor's dinner party where we saw what the revolution had done to his friends?
276. Note Pasternak's description of the newly appointed commissars. How would the Soviet censors react to this comment.
277.Note how the commissars regard the people with money as guilty thieves by definition. (Top of Page 18)
278. As all businesses and institutions are Bolshevized, what determines who left and who stayed at The Hospital of the Holy Cross (now called the Second Reformed Hospital)?
279. Does Pasternak give us Dr. Zhivago's reasons for staying at the hospital? If so, what are they?

Section 10, Page 18:

280. Note the Zhivagos' daily diet.
281. Note the payment offered for  the doctor's private service. (Page 19)

Slecton 11, Page 19:

282. Note the Bolsheviks begin confiscating weapons. Why are they doing this?
283. Note the formalities needed for the doctor to have the woman with typhus admitted to the hospital. (Page 20)

Section 12, Page 21:

284. How would you describe the atmosphere in the meeting room?
285. Why will the house be called Tiverzin Hostel?
286. We meet Galiullin's mother. Why does she not wish to speak of him within earshot of others? (Page 22)
287. Comrade Demina is Olia Demina who worked for Lara's mother. (Page 22)

Section 13, Page 23:

288. Olia Demina knew Lara as a child. What does she think of Lara now?
289. What information does Olia Demina give the doctor?

Section 14, Page 23:

290: Describe the on-coming of the doctor's case of typhus.

Section 15, Page 24:
291. In his delirium, he sees the boy in the reindeer coat and imagins him to be the spirit of death. What is Pasternak up to in this passage?
292. How does this passage relate to the doctor's poetry? Is something metaphysical going on?

Section 16, Page 24: 

293. How is it that Tonia has coffee, tea, sugar, and white bread ?
294. Will there be problems if the Zhivagos go to Yuriatin? Why?


HABAI ITA SWE!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Dr. Zhivago, Chapter 15, Mr. Tuomala's Page 16

Section 15 of Fairwell to the Old:

237. What are the two groups of thoughts that make the doctor sleepless on the express train to Moscow?
238. Whom does the doctor blame for the murders and horrors of the revolution?

Section 15, Page 17:

239. What are the doctor's thoughts about Lara. Is he struggling?

Section 16, Page 17:

240. What ideas are conveyed by Pasternak's use of the young man on the train? What is this scene about?

Section 16, Page 18:

241. What is the medical problem of the young man, Pogorevshikh? How was he helped?
242. What is the reason for the disagreement between the doctor and Pogorevshikh?
243. In the massive upheaval of the revolution, how is it that the stations the doctor's train passes are crowded with vacationers?
244. For the doctor, what is meaningful existance?

Section 16, Page 19:

245. Is Pogorevshikh the deaf-mute whom Ustina spoke of at the meetings?

The Moscow Encampment, Chapter I, Page 140 in my text:

246. What sort of commerce is taking place at the old market place? Why are the stalls empty?
247. Why are the streets littered?
248. Describe the meeting of Tonia and the doctor. For what does she apologize?
249.Why causes Tonia to accuse Merkel of foolishness? Do his comments border on treason?

Section 2:

250. In discussing the giving up of rooms in his house, does the doctor reveal his feelings about the revolution?
251. Who has returned from Switzerland? What has happened to him?

Section 3, (my Page 145):
252. What are Tonia's plans for surviving the winter?
253.What is Pasternak's purpose is giving us a flashback on the doctor's first encounter with his son? (my Page 145)
254. Why does Sasha reject his father, the doctor, upon seeing him? Compare the doctor's first encounter with his son with the encounter upon his homecoming from the front.

Section 4, (my Page 147):
255.Why does the doctor see his old friends as colorless? Describe his reasoning for this.
256.What has the revolution done to the doctor's friends?
257.How have Gordon and Dudorov switched roles? Can you explain the changes?
258. How is the damage done by the revolution to the doctor's friends reflected at the dinner party?
259. How is it that Uncle Nikolai is free to travel to Switzerland and get hotel reservations without permission of the Communist government?
260. What is the nature of the dispute that arises between the doctor and Uncle Nikolai? Who are the writers that Uncle Nikolai follows? (my Page 151)
261. Remembering Shura Shlesnger's previous religious devotion, explain her new Communist passions. Is there a dichotomy here? (my Pages 152 and 153)
262. What are the doctor's predictions in his speech at the party? Are those predictions invalidated by his feelings of foreboding? (my Pages153 and 154)

CARPE DIEM!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Dr. Zhivago:Fairwell to the Old, Chapter 6

Chapter 6, Mr. Tuomala's Page 6:

204. Is there another reason Dr. Zhivago fails to knock on Lara's door?
205. Why is the countess's garden described to us? Are the fallen branches metaphorical?
206. What is the import of the story of the cow?

Chapter 7, Page 6:

207. What is Pasternak's purpose in the moonlit description? What does he mean by, "The moonlit night was extraordinary, like merciful love or a gift of clairvoyance?"
208. Why does Ustina verbally attack Commisar Gints?
209. What distinguishes "Bolsheviks" and Mensheviks?
210. Explain the referench to Lot's wife.

Chapter 8, Page 7:

211. What is Pasternak's reason for Dr. Zhivago and Lara's discussion while she is ironing?
212. What is the import of their diagreement on the differences in various villages?
213. Why is Lara trying to protect the personal property of the countess? Is she unaware on the Bolsheviks' attitude toward personal property?
214. Why is Lara reluctant to lend out the tea set and glassware?
215. What is Dr. Zhivago's attitude toward Commisar Gints?
216. Why does Dr. Zhivago forcast problems?
217. Why is Dr. Zhivago eager to tell Lara about his wife and child. Is this a preemptive strike to prevent his gitting to close to Lare? Does he wish to prevent his falling in love with Lara?
218. How can an individual Russian be crushed by the realization of his own greatness?  (Page 9)
219. Explain the reference to Saint Paul.
220. Explore Lara's analogy on Socialism and the sea.
221. Dr. Zhivago expresses fear about Lara's future. Is he betraying his real feelings?
222..Lara burns a blouse. Discuss her reaction to this interaction.

Chapter 9, Page 10:

223. What is Pasternak's purpose in the storm scene? Why do Dr. Zhivago and Modemoiselle wish the knocking were the return of Lara?

Chapter 10, Page 11:

224: The train with the Cossacks arrives. Their job is to subdue the men of the renigade 212th.
225. How is Commisar Gints' naivete demonstrated and explained? Are Commisar Gints' speeches rediculous in your opinion? Why does Kolia Frolenko try to save Gints? (Page 12)
226. Why does Pasternak have Commisar Gint fall into the water butt? Does this, for the moment, make him a figure of fun? (Page 13)
227. Discuss the ferocity of the attack on Commisar Gints. Do we have any evidence that the strife between the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks is involved in the killing of Gints?  Which group do you believe Gints favors?

Chapter 11, Page 13:

228. Mademoiselle Fluery phones Kolia to arrange a good seat on the train to Moscow. What information does she have to expose Kolia if he fails to manage a good seat?
229. What is Pasternak's purpose in portraying Kolia as a multi-tasker?

Chapter 12, Page 14:

230. What is the stationmaster's opinon of the assasination of Commisar Gints?
231: Why does the stationmaster make up a secret train for Dr. Zhivago?

Chapter 13, Page 14:

232. Every train is packed. Has Pasternak given us any hint of where they are going?
233: What is the symbolical or metaphorical meaning of the fragrance the Dr.Zhivago encounters on this trip?

Chapter 14, Page 15:

234. At this point in time, how is it there is still class assignment for railway passenger cars? Does Pasternak offer any explanation?
235.Describe the young man Dr. Zhivago finds as the only other human passenger in the car?
235. Is there an explanation for the improvement in the young man's speech?
236. Dr. Zhivago, at first, cannot come up with a diagnosis for the young man and then describes him as an eccentric. Does the doctor's second opinion erase his first?

PAX DEORUM SIT SEMPER VOBISCUM!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Information for Team Members Mr. Tuomala' Page 6

Dear students, If all goes well, I shall see you on Thursday. I must treat less materials since I have  less time to cover more than I shall post more tomorrow.as I have fallen asleep five times while typing just this.

All the best,

Bob Me

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Dr. Zhivago information

Dear team members,

Owing to an ongoing medical problem, I have not been able to meet with you for some time. Please continue to read on. Time is now very limited so I shall have to do a more cursory exegesis of the text. At any point in our discussions, if I fail to treat something you think important, do not hesitate to bring it up.

If all goes well, I shall post points of  discussion on this blog tomorrow and with Mr. Tuomala's permission, I shall see you on Thursday, January 17th. 20013.

All the best,

Robert E. Melling

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Dr. Zhivago,Chapter 5, "Fairwell to the Old"

Chapter 5, "Fairwell to the Old"

Section 1:

166. Military personnel and equipment move back and forth through Meliuzeievo so that one cannot determine the course of the war.
167. Miltary and medical personnel do double duty as local officals. Why cannot the locals govern themselves?
168. Our characters start to think it is time to get back home. Dr. Zhivago and Lara are brought together by their work.

Section 2:

169. Dr. Zhivago writes his wife that he may return soon and tells her about Lara Antipova, recalling Tonia's mother's death scene.
170. Tonia write back that it would be better if Dr. Zhivago were to go off to the Urals with Lara Antipova. What could possibly give rise to this heartwrenching statement?
171. Tonia promises Dr.Zhivago that he will never be ashamed of Sasha.
172. Do we have a parallel with Dr. Zhivago's parental situation?
173. Dr. Zhivago writes back asking if his previous behavior has led Tonia to say he should stay with Lara.
174. Dr. Zhivago states he does not know which room is Lara's in the house that they live.

Section 3:

175. Various political upheavals take place in the area where Dr. Zhivago is located.
176. Zybushino declares its independence but is overthrown.
177. Zybushino is the focus of local legends in this western region as to its prosperity, fertile farm land, customs, and oddities of speech. Why does this matter to Pasternak's narrative?
178.The rebels who established The Republic of Zybushino retreat to Biriuchi.

Section 4:

179. Description of the house of Countess Zhabrinskaia lent to the Red Cross as a hospital at the beginning of the war.
180. The house is located on the "Platz" and had been used as a meeting house and a place for soldiers to drill in the old days.
181. Ustina and Madamoiselle Fleury, former staff members for the Countess, remain at the house.
182. Pasternak depicts Madamoiselle Fleury as a figure of fun? Is she, in fact, funny or pathetic?
183. Madammoiselle Fleury sees herself as a matchmaker and is convinced the doctor and Lara belong together.
184. Dr. Zhivago is angered by Madamoiselle Fleury's implications. This scenario must have unfolded before the exchange of letters with Tonia as they were writing before the doctor was to return home. How does this influence the doctor's reaction to Tonia's suggestion that the doctor stay with Lara?
185. Ustina a clumsy, pear-shaped woman. She is sober-minded, but very superstitious.She is said to be the daugher of a local sorcerer and was born in the fabled town of Zybushino.
186. After the fall of the Zybushino Republic, town meetings are held at which Ustina becomes an effective orator. She affirms the tales of the deaf-mute of Zybushino at these meetings. What is the relation of this story to Pasternak's narrative?
187. Madamoiselle Fleury becomes an ardent supporter of Ustina.

Section 5, Mr. Tuomala's Page 5 (bottom of the page)

188. Dr. Zhivago visits friends and collects the documents to clear the way for his departure.
189. The new commisar of the local sector arrives and is described as a mere boy. Can we assume that the revolution has succeded in this region?
190. Confusion reigns as a new offensive is planned and laws are changed back and forth.
191. The doctor must obtain one fianl signature from the new commisar Gints.
192. Pasternak has the doctor see the office of the commisar as in a state of "artistic disorder." What is the meaning of this? Does it matter?
193. The commandant introduces the doctor as "one of our stars."
194. Dr. Zhivago is the only person in the room sitting properly. What does all this disorder suggest?
195. The topic under discussion is what to do with the deserters who formed the Zybushino Republic.
196. Gints, the new commisar, is the son of a senator and speaks with a correct St. Petersburg accent wih a baltic intonation. His name may indicate German ancestry. These comments will have an effect later in the narrative.
197. The commandant says there is a loyal, Red Cossack regiment ready to "disarm" the rebels.
198. Gints reacts saying, "Cossacks! Out of the question. This is not 1905. We're not going back to prerevolutionary methods. On this point we don't see eye to eye. Your generals have outsmarted themselves."
199. Gints says he has an agreement with the High Command not to interfere wih opperations and will not cancel the operation agaists the deserters. He wishes to visit the encampment of the deserters and have a "heart-to-heart" with them.
200. Gints' plan is to appeal to their patriotism and shame them into getting with the program of the revolution.
201. Galiullin, who knows the men of the 212th, tries to dissuade Gints but is not able.
202. The commandant and his aide are sly and Gints is naive. The scene embarrasses Dr. Zhivago causing him to wish to leave.
203. Finally the doctor leaves. It is not clear that his paperwork was signed.

LASCIATE OGNI SPERANZA VOI CH'ENTRATE!