Mikhail Sholokhov authors the dramatic tale of a grief-stricken man. The man, unnamed, tells of his tragic life story including the death of his family members and injuries sustained in battle. The man tells of his dramatic accident that left him in enemy hands– living as a prisoner of war for two years. He makes a dramatic escape with a German major and is welcomed by his fellow Russians. Despite his hardships, however, the man attempts to reenlist in the Russian army, “Comrade Colonel, please enlist me in an infantry unit” (Sholokhov 499). The man pleads with he Colonel to reenlist him in an infantry unit despite his failing health and obvious trauma. Why does the man yearn to be back in the army? Is he seeking revenge for his time in captivity or simply trying to be a ‘good’ Soviet citizen?
‘This is Radio Leningrad!’
In ‘This is Radio Leningrad!’, author Olga Berggolts explains the innumerable joy the people of the Soviet Union have experienced thanks to their radio show. The support of Radio Leningrad is not ubiquitous, however, and Nazis attempt to sabotage the show. Olga explains that, “the Nazis listened to our broadcast, too, of course. They listened to them and, as we found out later, wrote down the names of the speakers, longing for a “day of reckoning”. she continues by referring to the Nazi’s actions as, “paranoid ambitions” (Berggolts, “This is Radio Leningrad!”). In addition to their lists, the Nazis also attempted to intercept the Radio Leningrad broadcast. The Nazis are clearly consumed with attempting to censor Russian radio. What parallels can be drawn between the Nazis’ attempted censorship and the Russian censorship we have seen in the past (Into the Whirlwind, socialist realism, etc.)? Along the same lines, how have Russian ideals of censorship shifted due to the war?
On the inadequacies of party work and cult of personality slide show
‘On the inadequacies of party work’ paints a terrifying picture of the Soviet Union; the Trotskyists are spying on the Soviet Union, they have infiltrated all levels of society, and the party has done nothing to stop them. At a glance, these claims are frightening and would elicit fear from any reader, but a closer read reveals that Stalin’s claims simply work to support his personal agenda. Specifically, Stalin carefully constructs a fearful environment in which secret spies and murderers are lurking around every corner– plotting the downfall of the Soviet Union. Stalin does a great job of diverting any blame of fault away from himself and unto the Party, jealous capitalists, and foes–Germany & Japan. It is not by chance that Stalin is a skilled rhetorician, the cult of personality slide show emphasizes Stalin’s narcissism (a term I use based on the official criterion for NPD and acknowledgement that I’m not a psychiatrist). In many of the photos, Stalin is seen standing (blog slideshow #s 1 ,2 ,3 ,5 ,6 ,7, 8 ,9,11,13,14,15,16,18) and towering over those he is seen with while, according to ABC News, Stalin only stood 5’5. Aside from appearing physically large and assertive, Stalin’s face appears welcoming and even seems to smile (blog slideshow #s 15, 17). How does Stalin alter his persona to elicit his desired response from those around him (Party, citizens, etc.)? Can you have a powerful leader without traits of narcissism (again, using this term with caution)? Stalin has used many tactics during his rule, the main weapons being fear and admiration, how successful are these and where have you seen these manifest? Link for NPD criterion referenced, Kernberg, Otto F. “Pathological Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Theoretical Background and Diagnostic Classification.” In Aggressivity, Narcissism, and Self-Destructiveness in the Psychotherapeutic Rela: New Developments in the Psychopathology and Psychotherapy of Severe Personality Disorders, 45-59. New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 2004. Accessed February 25, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1npb07.6. Link for ABC referenced, Watt, Nick, and Jenna Mucha. “World’s Leaders Don’t Stand So Tall.” ABC News. ABC News Network, July 23, 2008. Accessed February 25, 2020. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=5314996&page=1.
