20^th Century Russian Literature in Translation

Study Guide for Exam #2

1) Compare and contrast the visions of the future provided by Mayakovsky in “The Bedbug” and Zamyatin in “We”. As part of your answer, be sure to consider how these works reflect each author’s disillusionment with the Revolution.

2) Compare and contrast the poetry of the Acmeists with that of the Futurists. As part of your discussion, consider to whose poetry Tsvetaeva and Esenin are the closest.

3) Olesha’s “Envy” is a masterpiece of ambiguity. In your opinion with which set of characters is the reader meant to sympathize? Be sure to provide several examples of why you think this is so.

4) Compare and contrast Khlebnikov’s “Nikolai,” Platonov’s “River Potudan” and Zamyatin’s “The Cave.” Which of these works is more pessimistic and why?

5) Many would argue that “Master and Margarita” is the best Russian novel of the 20^th century. What is it about the novel that earns it this honor? Alternately, if you don’t feel the novel is worthy of the claim, what disqualifies it?

6) Some readers are put off by the violence and naturalism of Babel’s stories. Do these features detract from the stories or do they enhance them? Be sure to discuss all three stories we read.

7) Discuss the use of satire by Mayakovsky and Zoshchenko.