Doctor Zhivago

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1957

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 1, Parts 1-4

Book 1, Parts 5-7

Book 2, Parts 8-10

Book 2, Parts 11-13

Book 2, Parts 14-16

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Background

Authorial Context: Boris Pasternak and the Publication of Doctor Zhivago

Boris Pasternak was a renowned Russian poet and writer, best known for his epic novel Doctor Zhivago. The publication of this novel, which depicted the tumultuous events of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Soviet era, was mired in controversy. Pasternak was born on February 10, 1890, in Moscow, Russia, into a family of artists and intellectuals. From an early age, Pasternak showed a deep passion for literature and poetry. His early works, such as the poetry collection My Sister, Life (1917), gained him recognition for his innovative and lyrical style. Pasternak began working on Doctor Zhivago in the early 1940s. The novel tells the story of Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet, and his experiences during and after the Russian Revolution. Pasternak drew upon his own life and experiences to create a deeply personal and introspective narrative.

When Pasternak completed Doctor Zhivago in 1956, he faced a challenging decision regarding its publication. The novel's critical portrayal of the Soviet regime made it highly controversial. The state-controlled Union of Soviet Writers rejected the manuscript, fearing its perceived anti-Soviet sentiments. Unable to publish Doctor Zhivago in the Soviet Union, Pasternak made the bold decision to have it published abroad. In 1957, an Italian publisher, Giangiacomo Feltrinelli, released an uncensored version of the novel in the West. The book quickly gained international acclaim and attention. Recognizing the cultural significance of Doctor Zhivago as a work that exposed the realities of life under Soviet rule, the CIA sought to use it as a propaganda tool against the Soviet regime. In the late 1950s, the CIA clandestinely obtained a copy of the original manuscript, had a Russian-language edition printed in the Netherlands, and arranged for copies of that edition to be distributed in the form of samizdat—banned cultural material passed secretly from hand to hand—behind the Iron Curtain. The agency's involvement was motivated by its desire to undermine the Soviet Union's cultural and ideological control over its citizens. By supporting the dissemination of Doctor Zhivago, the CIA aimed to highlight the stark contrast between the totalitarian Soviet system and the freedoms enjoyed in the West.

The publication of Doctor Zhivago in the West brought both recognition and consequences for Pasternak. In 1958, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, which further highlighted the significance of his work. However, the Soviet government, deeply angered by Pasternak's perceived betrayal, pressured him to decline the prestigious award. Following the Nobel Prize controversy, Pasternak faced intense persecution in his homeland. He was expelled from the Union of Soviet Writers, and his works were banned and denounced as subversive. Pasternak's health deteriorated under the stress, but he continued to write poetry until his death in 1960. Despite the Soviet government's attempts to suppress Doctor Zhivago, the novel circulated clandestinely in the Soviet Union for decades. In the latter years of the Soviet Union, under the glasnost (transparency) policies of Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Pasternak’s literary reputation in his home country underwent a significant transformation. In 1988, the Union of Soviet Writers formally reinstated Pasternak, acknowledging the greatness of his works. “Doctor Zhivago” was finally published in Russia in 1989, allowing the Russian public to legally access the novel for the first time.

Socio-historical Context: The Russian Revolution of 1917

The 1917 Russian Revolution was a watershed moment that forever changed the course of Russian history. Part 1 of Doctor Zhivago explores the conditions leading to the revolution and its aftermath. By the early 20th century, Russia was grappling with deep-seated social, economic, and political issues. The majority of the population—comprising peasants and industrial workers—faced extreme poverty and exploitation. Simultaneously, an autocratic regime under Tsar Nicholas II stifled political dissent, curtailed civil liberties, and exacerbated discontent among the masses. In 1904, Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War further eroded public faith in the government. The resulting unrest climaxed with the Bloody Sunday massacre in 1905, when peaceful protestors demanding political reforms were gunned down by Imperial troops. This event galvanized opposition to the autocracy and ignited widespread protests and strikes. The 1905 revolution ultimately failed, but it laid the foundations for future revolutionary movements.

The revolutionary atmosphere paved the way for the emergence of various political movements. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, advocated for the overthrow of the tsarist regime and the establishment of a proletarian state. Other groups, including the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries, also sought political change, albeit with different ideologies and approaches. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 exacerbated Russia's socio-economic problems. The strain of the war effort, coupled with poor leadership and supply shortages, led to widespread disillusionment among the military and civilian population. Hunger, inflation, and mounting casualties deepened popular discontent, further undermining the tsarist regime.

On February 23, 1917, International Women's Day protests in Petrograd (present-day St. Petersburg) sparked the February Revolution. The protests rapidly escalated into widespread riots and strikes, as soldiers mutinied and joined the demonstrators. Faced with the loss of support from the military and key political figures, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne on March 2, 1917. Following the abdication, a Provisional Government led by liberal politicians and intellectuals assumed power. However, the new government faced significant challenges as it grappled with maintaining law and order, addressing popular demands for land reform, and managing the ongoing war effort. The Petrograd Soviet, a council representing workers and soldiers, concurrently wielded influence, creating a system of dual power centers.

In April 1917, Lenin, who had been in exile, returned to Petrograd. He quickly rallied the Bolsheviks, advocating for an immediate end to the war, land redistribution, and worker control of industry. The Bolsheviks gained support among the disillusioned masses and within the military. On October 25, 1917, they launched the October Revolution, overthrowing the Provisional Government in a swift and largely bloodless coup. The Bolsheviks, now in control, established the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Lenin, alongside other Bolshevik leaders like Leon Trotsky, implemented radical policies such as nationalizing industry, redistributing land, and signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk to end Russia's involvement in World War I. They faced significant opposition, including from anti-Bolshevik forces (known as the White Army) during the subsequent Russian Civil War.

Pasternak's novel is critical of many aspects of the revolution. His realistic depiction of the chaos and suffering before and after the revolution led to his novel being censored in Russia.

Socio-historical Context: The Russian Civil War

Part 2 of Doctor Zhivago explores the time between the Russian Revolution of 1917 and World War II. A key event during this period is the Russian Civil War, which lasted from 1918 to 1922.

The Russian Civil War began in the aftermath of the October Revolution of 1917, when the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power and established a socialist government. The war was primarily fought between the Red Army, loyal to the Bolsheviks, and various anti-Bolshevik forces, collectively known as the White Army. The war was fueled by ideological, political, and socio-economic divisions that intensified in the wake of the Russian Revolution.

The main factions involved in the Russian Civil War included the Red Army, composed of Bolshevik supporters and led by Leon Trotsky, and the White Army, a diverse coalition of anti-Bolshevik forces that included monarchists, liberals, and nationalists. Additionally, other groups such as the Greens (peasant uprisings) and foreign intervention forces, including the Allied powers, played a role in the conflict. The Russian Civil War was fought across vast territories, with the Bolsheviks primarily controlling central and northern Russia, while the anti-Bolshevik forces held various regions, including Siberia, Ukraine, and the Caucasus. Major battles such as the Battle of Tsaritsyn (later renamed Stalingrad), the Battle of Kazan, and the Battle of Warsaw shaped the course of the war and had significant implications for the outcome.

Both the Red Army and the White Army employed different strategies during the conflict. The Red Army, bolstered by disciplined troops and guided by Marxist ideology, focused on centralizing power, using propaganda and implementing war communism policies to maintain control. The White Army, facing internal divisions and lacking a unified command, relied on foreign support, guerrilla warfare, and counter-revolutionary sentiment to challenge Bolshevik rule. The Russian Civil War witnessed significant foreign intervention, with several countries supporting the anti-Bolshevik forces. The Allies, including Britain, France, and the United States, intervened to prevent the spread of communism and protect their interests in the region. However, their support for the White Army was inconsistent and lacked coordination, leading to mixed results and ultimately fueling anti-Western sentiments.

The Russian Civil War was marked by immense suffering and humanitarian crises, some of which are depicted in Doctor Zhivago. The conflict resulted in widespread famine, disease outbreaks, and the displacement of millions of people. Both sides committed atrocities and engaged in brutal tactics, including executions, massacres, and the destruction of entire villages. Despite facing significant challenges, the Red Army ultimately emerged victorious in the Russian Civil War. The Bolsheviks' centralization of power, effective use of propaganda, and superior organizational skills contributed to their success. The Red Army's discipline, coupled with the disunity and lack of coordination among the anti-Bolshevik forces, played a crucial role in the Bolsheviks' ultimate triumph. The Russian Civil War had far-reaching consequences for Russia and the world. It solidified Bolshevik control and paved the way for the establishment of the Soviet Union. The war also led to the loss of millions of lives, destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure, and exacerbated social and economic divisions within Russian society. Additionally, it shaped international politics, contributing to the rise of the Soviet Union as a global superpower and further fueling ideological conflicts during the Cold War.