I've got another idea fermenting now, based on the story of the Golem of Prague. An old Jewish legend about a rabbi who creates a golem out of mud to defend the shtetl from anti-semetic violence, but when the golem is too zealous in its defense, the rabbi is forced to destroy it. My thought is that the golem is sort of a tragic character; selflessly defending the weak, yet, when its actions draw too much ire from the strong, those it protects abandon it.
I'm thinking of doing a modern American family take on the theme, much as I did with Don Quixote for The Florentine. I'll save this for when I'm not working on Lenin anymore.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Lenin Notes 2
These are from Robert Service's "Lenin: A Biography".
Notes:
Lenin had recurring stomach problems and was prescribed mineral problems to cure them.
The Ulyanovs were big fans of Wagner.
Spoke with "angular grammar and syntax", "down-to-earth belligerence".
"Who did I hear this news from? A swallow brought it to me on its tail!"
Will continue later
Notes:
Lenin had recurring stomach problems and was prescribed mineral problems to cure them.
The Ulyanovs were big fans of Wagner.
Spoke with "angular grammar and syntax", "down-to-earth belligerence".
"Who did I hear this news from? A swallow brought it to me on its tail!"
Will continue later
Monday, January 7, 2008
Lenin Notes
I've been writing down some notes as I read through my Lenin books, and I figured that I would record them here, as well. These include descriptions of historical characters as well as documented quotes from memoirs or letters. The following notes were all taken while reading through Dimitri Volkogonov's "Lenin: A New Biography". Volkogonov was a disillusioned former Soviet general, and he's highly critical of Lenin. I'm going to have to read other sources to get a balanced feel, as I don't want to portray Lenin as a horrible monster or as a noble hero. I want a little of both.
Notes:
"The clever Russian is almost always a Jew, or has some Jewish blood in him." - Lenin (could be referring to Parvus, Trotsky, or Lenin himself)
"Only by struggle and war can the great questions of humanity be resolved." - Lenin
"'We dare not win,' that's the main point of their speeches." - Lenin (about the October 1917 Central committee)
"Row" was one of Lenin's favorite words, i.e. "I'm mad at Parvus, we're having a bit of a row."
Constantly referred to "Russian fools"
Lenin's High School headmaster was Alexander Kerensky's father
"Imagine, Mama, two men at a duel. One has already shot his opponent, the other has yet to do so, when the one who has shot asks him not to. No, I cannot behave like that." - Alexander Ulyanov (Lenin's brother), as recounted by his lawyer on the eve of the October Revolution.
Lenin in the 1895-1903 period: "Lenin at home was a modest, unpretentious, virtuous family man, engaged in good-natured, sometimes comic, daily war with his mother-in-law."
Krupskaya (Lenin's wife) had more of a business relationship with Lenin than a traditional marriage. Was fully aware of the nature of the relationship between Lenin and Inessa Armand. Nadya saw her task as ensuring Lenin's peace of mind by always giving Inessa a warm reception.
Lenin: Usually wore a cloth cap. Short. Seemed 'cunning' due to his high forehead. Most notable features were his eyes, noted by everyone who met him. Described as piercing and full of energy. Dark brown, resembling those of a lemur. Key trait was his pragmatism. Disliked Russia and Russians, consistently hiring out intellectual tasks to Russian Jews and foreigners, while reserving menial tasks for the 'Russian fools'. Full name Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, familiar form Volodya.
Notes:
"The clever Russian is almost always a Jew, or has some Jewish blood in him." - Lenin (could be referring to Parvus, Trotsky, or Lenin himself)
"Only by struggle and war can the great questions of humanity be resolved." - Lenin
"'We dare not win,' that's the main point of their speeches." - Lenin (about the October 1917 Central committee)
"Row" was one of Lenin's favorite words, i.e. "I'm mad at Parvus, we're having a bit of a row."
Constantly referred to "Russian fools"
Lenin's High School headmaster was Alexander Kerensky's father
"Imagine, Mama, two men at a duel. One has already shot his opponent, the other has yet to do so, when the one who has shot asks him not to. No, I cannot behave like that." - Alexander Ulyanov (Lenin's brother), as recounted by his lawyer on the eve of the October Revolution.
Lenin in the 1895-1903 period: "Lenin at home was a modest, unpretentious, virtuous family man, engaged in good-natured, sometimes comic, daily war with his mother-in-law."
Krupskaya (Lenin's wife) had more of a business relationship with Lenin than a traditional marriage. Was fully aware of the nature of the relationship between Lenin and Inessa Armand. Nadya saw her task as ensuring Lenin's peace of mind by always giving Inessa a warm reception.
Lenin: Usually wore a cloth cap. Short. Seemed 'cunning' due to his high forehead. Most notable features were his eyes, noted by everyone who met him. Described as piercing and full of energy. Dark brown, resembling those of a lemur. Key trait was his pragmatism. Disliked Russia and Russians, consistently hiring out intellectual tasks to Russian Jews and foreigners, while reserving menial tasks for the 'Russian fools'. Full name Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, familiar form Volodya.
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