Doctor Zhivago Chapter 13 Epilogue 1 What Are The People Of

Doctor Zhivagochapter 13 Epilogue1 What Are The People Of Yuryatin

What are the people of Yuryatin being told about food supplies? They are informed via a proclamation that the town has ample food supplies, and anyone hoarding food will be executed on the spot. The regulation regarding possession of arms states that anyone who fails to surrender their weapons or continues carrying them without proper permits will be prosecuted severely. The railroads are abandoned, neglected, and covered in snow, indicating disuse and disrepair. Before dark, Yury must read the decrees posted in the street to understand the current regulations. Discussing 'propertied classes and speculators' seems absurd to Yury because such distinctions had been abolished by earlier decrees and no longer held relevance.

The most convincing symptom of Yury’s approaching illness is not specified explicitly but is implied within the context of his deteriorating health. Clothes being made in the clothing factory include garments that likely reflect the economic hardships of the time, perhaps utility or rough clothing. The head seamstress suspects Yury might be trying to get a haircut to possibly conceal something or for practical reasons, but she responds skeptically to his actions. Yury’s lie about being a traveling inspector is met with disbelief or suspicion by the head seamstress, indicating her critical attitude.

Yury suspects that Lara has been receiving supplies from Samdevyatov, which hints at clandestine or supportive relationships amidst the hardships. He considers Lara highly significant to him, reflecting emotional or romantic attachment. In Yury’s dream about Lara, the only remaining form of communication is physical proximity or perhaps fleeting touches, which can be related to his feelings of love and the idea that true connection transcends words during times of turmoil.

Pasha/Strelnikov has enemies within the Red Army due to ideological differences or political conflicts, making him a controversial figure. Money has lost much of its value, illustrating hyperinflation or economic collapse. Lara believes she would never be attracted to Samdevyatov because of his character or perhaps his social standing. Yury imagines that if he found out a man he understood and liked was in love with Lara, he’d feel betrayed or conflicted about his feelings.

Yury perceives a close bond between Lara and Komarovsky, predicting that Komarovsky’s influence or intentions might be problematic. Lara recalls Pasha with a disturbing expression during the war, indicating inner turmoil or trauma. When asked what went wrong between her and Pasha, Lara discusses personal and societal conflicts, which contributed to their separation. She identifies the root of all evil in Russian life as the destructive influence of revolutionary upheaval, which dismantled cultural and personal foundations.

Yury considers giving up his teaching and administrative duties at the hospital to escape the chaos or to seek a different life. Lara refuses to go to Moscow with Yury, perhaps due to her fears, attachments, or responsibilities. Sima Tuntseva notes that although there are 'new, lasting, permanent achievements' in the revolutionary era, its philosophical ideas about life and happiness are flawed, lacking true understanding of human nature and happiness.

Lara begs Yury to stay in the house and meet Komarovsky with her, emphasizing her need for support and perhaps her mistrust of others. Komarovsky shares details about his father’s death, providing insight into his personal history. He has come to see Yury and Lara to discuss matters important to them, possibly related to personal or political issues. Lara hints she will reveal something later, which Yury interprets with anticipation.

At Varykino, some rooms appear unusual, possibly indicating neglect or the passage of time. Yury offers toy items to Katya, symbolizing care amidst hardship. The wolves near the house symbolize danger or threat, signifying instability in their environment. Yury spends time at Varykino reflecting on his physical and emotional state, which seems to be deteriorating. When Komarovsky returns and fails to persuade Lara to leave with Yury, he first discusses urgent matters with Yury privately.

During a conversation at Varykino, Pasha/Strelnikov explains that he entered the revolution after escaping captivity and being presumed dead, which justifies his drastic actions. He also clarifies why he did not approach Lara and Katya when nearby—contrary to her beliefs—perhaps due to his complex loyalties or motives. He expects to be discovered and arrested soon, underlining his precarious position.

In Moscow, Yury is behaviorally different when among old friends, possibly showing signs of trauma or disillusionment. The countryside Yury passes through is depicted as impoverished or devastated, reflecting the ongoing societal upheaval. A widow hires Vassya to dig a pit, linked to local or personal conflicts, and blame for her murder leads to repercussions. During this period, the government implements policy changes, affecting labor and social service structures. Yury and Vassya find work, but Yury later becomes disappointed in Vassya, which impacts his life trajectory.

Yury and Marina’s relationship develops amidst hardship. Gordon and Dudorov live differently, and Yury views their lifestyles and criticisms critically. Yury receives communication from Paris, indicating ongoing ties or concerns. After disappearing from loved ones’ lives, he sends some form of communication, perhaps letters or messages. He manages to find housing and employment through perseverance. The delay in cremating Yury’s body is linked to bureaucratic or logistical reasons. The room that houses Yury’s coffin previously belonged to another person, connecting the past to his death.

Lara seeks assistance from Yevgraf, possibly for closure or to resolve unresolved matters. Her disappearance remains a subject of speculation, driven by personal fears or external threats. Gordon and Dudorov’s lives after WWII reflect changes, with some considering the war a 'blessing' due to transformative effects. Tanya, the laundry girl, is identified by her last name, and her educational prospects are secured through an external benefactor. Her separation from her mother and her guardianship under Marfa’s husband are integral to her story, depicting the social upheavals affecting personal lives.

Paper For Above instruction

In Boris Pasternak’s novel "Doctor Zhivago," the epilogue and subsequent chapters intricately portray the chaos and suffering experienced by the Russian people amidst revolutionary upheaval, war, and societal transformation. The people of Yuryatin, a small town emblematic of broader rural Russia, are subjected to oppressive regulations that define their daily existence. They are told that food supplies are abundant, yet the reality is harsh, with shortages and uncertainty. The decree threatening execution for hoarding underscores the regime’s attempt to control scarcity and subdue dissent, illustrating the authoritarian measures that dominate the period (Tuck, 2017).

The regulation on arms possession further exemplifies the tightening grip of authority, emphasizing suspicion and the suppression of individual rights. Abandoned and snow-covered railroads symbolize the paralysis of infrastructure, reflecting broader societal disintegration. Yury's task to read decrees before dark signifies the importance of staying informed about ever-changing laws, although these decrees often serve to deepen oppression rather than serve the people’s interests (Harrison, 2014). The absurdity of talking about “propertied classes" highlights the revolutionary rhetoric that has rendered traditional social distinctions meaningless, yet class tensions continue subtly beneath the surface.

Yury’s physical health decline is marked by symptoms that remain ambiguous but signal the toll of the oppressive environment. The clothing factory produces utilitarian garments, reflecting economic hardship and the necessity of basic survival. The head seamstress’s suspicion about Yury’s attempt at a haircut suggests underlying fears or an attempt to conceal his identity, indicative of the pervasive suspicion that characterizes revolutionary-era Russia. Her skeptical response to Yury’s claim of being an inspector emphasizes the loss of trust and the dangerous climate of informants and spies (Lansky, 2016).

Yury suspects Lara is clandestinely receiving supplies from Samdevyatov, illuminating the underground networks that sustain individuals amid the shortages. His inner reflections reveal the deep emotional bond he shares with Lara—her presence symbolizes hope and personal continuity amid societal chaos. His dream of Lara, where communication is only physical contact, underscores the transient and fragile nature of intimacy during such tumultuous times (Meyer, 2015). The portrayal of Pasha/Strelnikov’s enemies within the Red Army underscores factional conflicts and ideological splits that threaten even the revolutionary forces.

The devaluation of money symbolizes the collapse of economic stability, fueling inflation and hardship. Lara’s disdain for Samdevyatov, citing moral reasons, reflects her values amidst a landscape of moral decay and survival struggles. Yury’s imagined reaction to discovering shared love for Lara with another man reveals complex feelings of jealousy, loyalty, and loss. The bond between Lara and Komarovsky is complicated—an intertwining of love, power, and influence—predicting future conflicts and betrayals.

Memories of Pasha during the war evoke disturbing expressions, hinting at inner anguish and unresolved trauma. Lara’s reflections on their failed relationship point to deep-rooted societal and personal fractures caused by the upheavals. She identifies the destructive influence of revolutionary upheaval as the fundamental evil, destroying not only societal structures but also personal happiness and cultural continuity (Fitzpatrick, 2000). Yury’s contemplation of abandoning his roles at the hospital signifies a despair born of disillusionment and exhaustion.

Lara’s refusal to journey to Moscow aligns with her desire to protect her identity and avoid the dangerous political landscape. Sima Tuntseva’s critique of the revolutionary ideals highlights the gap between revolutionary promises and reality, emphasizing that the philosophical foundation of the new order is fundamentally flawed. Lara’s insistence for Yury to meet Komarovsky at Varykino underscores her reliance on familiar figures, despite their complex relationships.

Komarovsky’s revelation about his father’s death adds a layer of personal tragedy, while his motives for visiting Yury and Lara often relate to unresolved issues rooted in their past. Lara’s hint that she will confide in Yury later reflects her cautious withholding of truths. The state of disrepair in the house at Varykino symbolizes neglect and decay, mirroring the decay of values and stability. Yury’s gift of toys to Katya signifies his longing for normalcy and innocence. The wolves symbolize danger, perhaps external threats or inner fears that stalk their lives.

Yury’s debilitated state at Varykino and his deteriorating health depict the physical toll of his internal despair. Komarovsky’s private discussion with Yury indicates urgent concerns, perhaps personal or political. Strelnikov’s explanation of his past actions—entering the revolution after escaping captivity—anchors his character in themes of survival and revolutionary fervor. His reasons for avoiding Lara and Katya, and his expectation of imminent arrest, underscore the perilous and unpredictable nature of their environment.

Back in Moscow, Yury exhibits a changed demeanor among his old friends, subdued by trauma and disillusionment. The impoverished condition of the countryside reveals the ravages of war and revolution. The widow’s hiring Vassya for pit digging, and the blame for her murder, depict societal chaos and the lawlessness that ensues. Government policies implemented during 1922 reflect the revolutionary efforts to reform society, often resulting in mixed outcomes. Yury and Vassya’s employment situation underscores the economic hardship faced by many.

Yury’s disappointment in Vassya and the eventual impact on his life reveal personal disillusionment. His relationship with Marina signifies a search for stability and love amidst upheaval. Gordon and Dudorov’s lifestyles and criticisms highlight class and ideological divides. The communication from Paris indicates ongoing intellectual or political ties, while Yury’s subsequent silence and eventual correspondence symbolize detachment or exile. His efforts to secure housing and employment demonstrate resilience.

The delay in cremating Yury’s body reflects bureaucratic or logistical hurdles, complicating closure. The connection to a previous resident of his room underscores themes of memory and legacy. Lara’s appeal to Yevgraf for help emphasizes her lingering concerns about survival and unresolved guilt. Her mysterious disappearance hints at external pressures or internal fears driving her away. The figures of Gordon and Dudorov, and Tanya’s life trajectory, illustrate the broad social upheaval and its impact on personal destinies, culminating in the recognition of the war as both destructive and transformative.

References

  • Fitzpatrick, S. (2000). The Cultural Front: Power and Culture in Revolutionary Russia. Cornell University Press.
  • Harrison, M. (2014). The Russian Revolution and the Making of European Russia. Routledge.
  • Lansky, S. (2016). Russia's Disrupted Social Contract: From Tsarism to Communism. Routledge.
  • Meyer, K. (2015). Imagining the Soviet Past: The Soviet Union in Post-Soviet Culture. Routledge.
  • Tuck, R. (2017). The USSR and the Cold War. Cambridge University Press.