Analysis of the by Varlam Shalamov: Kolyma Tales - Book Report/Review Example

The Soviet Century is one which is depicted by the conflict of political powers and the way in which this affected the population of Russia. When looking at the different stories and areas of content, it can be seen that the century led to controversies in trying to rise to power, while at the same time compromising the humanity of those that were living in the country. When looking at Shalamov’s “Kolyma Tales,” it can be seen that there are distinct problems with the historical recounts, specific to the Soviet Century. The political struggles during the time and the way in which these reflected with the lives of those in Russia were the main conflicts which are displayed through the book. The first problem that is accounted for in Shalamov’s book is that of single party revolutionary politics. The controversy which arose was based on the ability for specific individuals to gain power without having opposition or choice to the changes which could occur in society. An example of this is seen through the situation which occurs through the short story of “Condensed Milk.” Shestakov is the main leader in the labor camp and is known for giving the individuals condensed milk in turn for the work that is done. The revolution is represented by Shestakov getting those in the camp to believe that he will assist them with the labor, specifically winning their side by giving them rations of the milk when they are starving. However, it is also found that Shestakov is trying to get those in the camp to become sacrifices through either labor or death and is working to destroy most, specifically by showing them they could revolt through an escape, then turn everyone in. “He’d make for an escape and turn everyone in. That was crystal clear. He’d pay for his office job with our blood, with my blood. They’d either kill us there, at Black Springs, or bring us in alive and give us an extra sentence – ten or fifteen years. He couldn’t help but know that there was no escape. But the milk, the condensed milk” (Shalamov, 83). This passage shows how there is a direct relation to the revolution that has no escape, or which only has one party. However, it can also be noted that there is a sense of being attached to this revolt because of the need to survive, such as having the condensed milk given in return. Those in society then fell into the trap of the one – sided revolution, specifically because it was better than any other option and no other option was given. Another concept associated with the concept of politics was with the Salinist ideals which made the problems of the Soviet Union remain at a higher controversial level. The nature of Stalinism is seen repeatedly throughout the text and shows the socialist structure of becoming involved with individuals to control the outcome. For instance, Stalin interferes when Captain Tolly marries a foreigner, telling him to marry again and that the marriage is void, specifically to control the position of the Captain (334). Other instances refer to the inability to be released from the labor camps, suffering from beatings and the violent outbreaks with workers that were overlooked because of Stalin’s attitude toward creating the country. At the same time, the capabilities Stalin had as a leader through his power could instantly override problems within the camps or those in the country, specifically because of the close controls which he had. For instance, when a labor camp beating breaks out, Stalin interferes and the entire scenario is changed within 24 hours (454). This shows the power and the nature that the political leader had during his reign. The political realms that show how those in Soviet Russia weren’t able to change the political powers also led into the attempts to create a new culture and to move against the orders that were a part of the region. The beginning component of this is seen as a culture that is trying to revitalize from the Nazi order which led to several areas of destruction in the Soviet Union. Trying to build this was the main attempt, which is what created the labor camps in the region. However, this also led to a set of the wrong motives, specifically with the government overtaking the powers. The culture which was created led to the desire to change from the current state and into a non – capitalist multinational society, specifically which led to outbreaks and violent protests from those in labor camps. “The arrests of the thirties were arrests of random victims on the false and terrifying theory of a heightened class struggle accompanying the strengthening of socialism…. The absence of any unifying idea undermined the moral resistance of the prisoners to an unusual degree. They were neither enemies of the government nor state criminals, and they died, not even understanding why they had to die” (242). This quote shows how the political reign during the time was based on building the political structure. However, the threats that were opposed to this came from those who didn’t agree with the controls of capitalism, socialism or the dictatorship of Stalin. More than political, it shows how the disagreements were based on humanitarian acts and morality that was being associated with trying to rebuild society. The dichotomy created was based on the misunderstandings of what was needed to rebuild society and create a Soviet state with a new political order. The overall understanding of the Soviet conflicts of the time, while political in nature, show that the desire to change Russia was one which led to controversies of humanitarian acts, moral beliefs and the need to build a new culture in the Soviet Union. The labor camps became a way in seeing how the Stalinist order and the political powers had gained control over the people, while opposition to the government was not allowed from those who had moral objections to the treatment in society. The inhumanitarian treatments that are noted in the book include the beatings, exhaustion from the labor camps, hunger and the desire to not give into the moral beliefs that the government was believed to against. Those who were in the labor camps showed the opposition to the government, and because of the controversies of the time, was left to die because of their disagreement with the government (302). The several concepts in “Kolyma Tales” show the complexities which were a part of the Soviet Century. The resistance to the political changes, outcome of Stalin’s power and the political controversies that led to inhumanitarian acts are some of the areas which are brought to light through this book. The culture which is shown in this book comes from the labor camps and how those enforced to take part in the camps were based on victims who had different moral understandings toward the politics. This shows how the opposition to the government wasn’t accepted and led to victims being removed from society, sometimes violently, so the Soviet powers could find a way to rebuild and take control over the country in a different manner. Works Cited Shalamov, Varlam. Kolyma Tales. Penguin Group: New York, 1994. Read More