Сон Макара

by Vladimir Korolenko, Владимир Галактионович Короленко

Рассказ, впервые опубликованный в 1883 году.

Genres: Short Stories, Russia, Christmas

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1885

About the author

Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko (Russian: Владимир Галактионович Короленко) was journalist, human rights activist and humanitarian. His short stories were known for their harsh description of nature based on his experience of exile in Siberia. Korolenko was a strong critic of the Tsarist regime and in his final years of the Bolsheviks.

Korolenko's first short stories were published in 1879. However, his literary career was interrupted that year when he was arrested for revolutionary activity and exiled to the Vyatka region for five years. In 1881 he refused to swear allegiance to the new Tsar Alexander III and was exiled farther, to Yakutia.

Upon his return from the exile, he had more stories published. Makar's Dream (Сон Макара, Son Makara) established his reputation as a writer when it was published in 1885. The story, based on a dying peasant's dream of heaven, was translated and published in English in 1892.

Korolenko settled in Nizhniy Novgorod shortly afterwards and continued publishing popular short stories. He published a novel Слепой музыкант (Slepoi Musykant) in 1886, which was published in English as The Blind Musician in 1896-1898.

After visiting the Chicago exhibition during 1893, Korolenko wrote the story Without Language (Без языка, Bez Yazyka) based on what happens to a Ukrainian peasant who immigrates to the USA. His final story Мгновение (Mgnovenie, "Blink of an Eye"), was published in 1900.

By then, Korolenko was well established among Russian writers. He was a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences but resigned in 1902 when Maxim Gorky was expelled as a member because of his revolutionary activities. (Anton Chekhov resigned from the Academy for the same reason).

In 1895, Korolenko became the editor of the periodical Russkoe Bogatstvo (Russian Wealth) and used this position to criticise alleged injustices occurring under the tsar. He also used his position to publish reviews of important pieces of literature such as Chekhov's final play The Cherry Orchard in 1904.

Vladimir Korolenko was a lifetime opponent of Czarism and reservedly welcomed the Russian Revolution of 1917. However, he soon opposed the Bolsheviks as their despotic nature became evident. During the Russian Civil War that ensued, he criticized both Red Terror and White Terror.

He worked on an autobiography История моего современника (Istoria moego sovremenika The History of My Contemporary.

Korolenko advocated for human rights and against injustices and persecutions on the basis of social class by his essay В Голодный год (During The Starving Year, 1891–1892), nationalism in his article Мултанское дело (The Multanskoye Affair, 1895–1896), and criticised[1] the anti-Semitic Beilis trial (in his Call to the Russian People in regard to the blood libel of the Jews, 1911–1913).

He died in Poltava in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic on December 25, 1921.

Reviews

[Rebecca Verdini · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Alla semplicità"

[Grace RS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my favorite read so far in the "A Very Russian Christmas" short story collection. Korolenko's writing is witty and humorous, somewhat reminding me of Gogol's (who was also writing at that time): there are ludicrous and unexpected occurrences all told in a credible manner, and he continuously pokes fun at human shortcomings (lost tempers, vices, selfishness). There are similarities with Dante's "Divine Comedy," as it depicts the spirit's arduous post-life journey, and how one's actions throughout life have an impact on its afterlife.

It clearly advocates the Russian philosophy that labor and tribulation benefit the soul. Although Makar (whose name means fortunate/blessed) did not live an impressive or even good life, he was able to present all that he suffered as well as the conditions in which he labored, factors which worked in his favor. The one judging him (God the Father) felt so much pity for the man who endured so much "injustice" in life, that he overlooked his vast corruption. I'm reminded of the words written atop the gate in Dachau, "Labor liberates," or how the Siberian labor camps were considered spiritually favorable.

I probably would have given it a 5, but I found the last section disappointing. God the Father is sitting beside His Son, while a Dove rests on His knee, and they all weep for Makar's immense afflictions (Christ's suffering being completely overlooked). Makar also has to explain to God the Father why the outward appearance should be overlooked. Granted, Korolenko most likely is hoping to produce a comedic effect; however, I found the conclusion blasphemous and untruthful, especially since the focus is on endured hardships and not on Christ the Redeemer.

[Petrus Forsgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makars dream by Vladimir Korolenko (1885) is a story about Makar that is living a harsh life. It mostly is cutting wood, setting traps for animals and arguing with his wife. Also drinking drunk. A day before Christmas – he finally gets to be drunk but then wanders into the forest and dies in the cold snow. He travels to the afterlife – for Makar it seems like a dreamlike state – to meet Tojo / God. Makar is lead there by his priest. All his life, actions, deeds, sins, are weighted into a scale. It starts with mostly sins – but the more Makar explains his life the higher the good cup weighs up. He tells of his children that have died, all the hard work he have done, his previous wife that died. Makar is a simple man that finally gets the good grace. A good positive message and fun novel to read. Altrough contains the typical Russian sad/ironic moments (Happiness and sadness is related/can wonder easily). I read this story as part of book number 8 in the Russian classics series by tiden (In Swedish language).

[Vittoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Rivide la sua vita amara. Come aveva potuto sino allora sopportare quel peso spaventoso? Lo aveva portato perché dinanzi gli balenava sempre, come stella in mezzo alla nebbia, una speranza. Finché viveva, poteva darsi che avesse ancora da sperimentare la parte migliore... Ora egli era alla fine, e quella speranza si era spenta.»

[Maurício Pereira · Rating 5 out of 5]

meu deus, eu nem ia marcar esse como lido mas eu PRECISAVA dar 5 estrelas.

Bateu forte demais

[Zlata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Столько лет прошло после чтения этого короткого произведения, а сцены его в разные моменты жизни неожиданно всплывают в сознании.