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4) the new story

Through all the research and reading, my single story of Russia has drastically changed. I learned a lot about the war and fighting, which is what my original single story was about. However there is a perspective that I didn’t consider before the research: the everyday emotions of everyone involved. Some soldiers and citizens kept daily diaries or journals, filled with their ideas about their existing conditions, emotions, children, and relationships. I guess because of this research, I do have a better understanding of how pity can destroy a culture. I felt bad for the people who endured the Holocaust, not thinking of their emotions but rather only their conditions. I never before considered marriages, relationships, children or even how stores stayed in business. Instead of pitying the people and culture, I can understand what happened.

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SUBMISSION 3)

What really strikes me about this photograph is the movement. Though it is a still picture, you see how all of the men are moving, running forward into battle. The explosion in the background really adds to the feel of urgency, the “right here! Right now!” against the still of the picture. This urgent movement brings a grave reminder of the vicious war that lies ahead of these solider, fighting for the cause of their culture, family, and sanctity, The Russian soldiers are trying to protect their home land and everything they live for from the Nazi German solders. Rather than a defensive stance, Russian soldiers are on the offense it seems, running TO the Germans rather than away. 

Another aspect I like about this picture is the first person point of view. This view seems to include you as part of the army, as the man in the middle is facing towards you, beckoning you to join them with his outstretched arm as a cry for any help he can get. The first person view and outstretched arm provides a nearly humane or sympathetic feeling among the apathetic war zone, growing on the idea that, even in times of complete havoc, there is still hope in the human condition.

No one wants to fight or witness death and famine forever. Wars are fought with the intention of an outcome of peace which is extremely ironic, considering that peace and war are polar opposites. 

Maybe war is a reminder that there is more to life than just one simplicity, just as there is more to a culture than its single story.

Stalingrad, 1942

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2) did you know?

Something I really found surprising throughout my novel is the emphasis on love and romanticism. You’d think that the only thing in a persons mind would be survival, keeping yourself alive and away from danger, but it’s not. I guess what I realized from this book, City of Thieves by David Benioff (who happens to be the co-creator of popular T.V series, Game of Thrones) is that people are people, with human emotions and thoughts.

Even if the ration “bread” is gone. Even if a dozen eggs are nearly impossible to find. Even if blood could freeze in the winter air. People are still people, with people emotions and a want for love and companionship.

I honestly believe that the words of Chimamanda Adichie really gave me new insight when reading about the Russian culture during the holocaust. Chimamanda Adichie said, “There are other stories that are not about catastrophe, and it is very important, it is just as important, to talk about them.” Every time I think about what I have read, and realize that there is more to this culture than just war, the more I realize the accuracy of her statements.

I know this is supposed to be about something new I learned about the culture, but I believe reading my novel gave me a better lesson on human condition than on Russian culture. However, I did learn a few things: mostly about how the Russians valued their famous fellow Russian poets and writers. Poets are mentioned quite a lot throughout the novel, including writers like Vladimir Mayakovsky, Emilevich Mandelstam, and Ivan Goncharov. The more-than occasional mention of literature suggests that many people during the Holocaust would read or write in down time if they could, or re-tell the stories of these great poets/writers. However, any literate Russians captured by German/Nazi troops were ordered to be shot to death.

Also, I recommend this book to a mature audience due to R-rated and violent content.

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Stalingrad, 1942

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St. Isaac’s Cathedral - interior. St. Petersburg, Russia. 05/04/2015

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1) Russia’s single story

  When reading the background of my chosen novel, City of Thieves by David Benioff, I discovered I had a very limited single story of Russia during the Holocaust. I know very little about Russia, though the single story running through my head goes a little something like this: Hitler, racism, and antisemitism. Pure hatred, fear, and misery spread through the hearts of all men, women, and children alike.

  But surely this single story cannot be true, for every culture is multidimensional and has many involved aspects. My understanding of this culture is greatly impacted by the war-driven stereotype I've seen on the internet and learned in past history lessons, and I hope to achieve a more thorough understanding of this culture through my novel and research.