Discovering Russian Literature discussion

Please discuss the fist three chapters of the book here. Be aware if you have not finished these chapters spoilers may be posted here.

I’ve read this book a long time ago. So long that it’s not true anymore.

Watching the movie a couple of years back, and then seeing the title as a current read in this group incited me to reread the book.

The movie, btw, is hilarious, with brilliant cast, and very close to the text (although if you don’t understand Russian you have to be ok with subtitles).

I love the dialogue in the end of ch2. It’s like a good boxing match. Aggressive against Smart. One of Professor’s replies in the end goes: “[Because] I don’t want to”.

So simple: Don’t want to. I wish I could use this short upper cut more often when confronted with any kind of authority or pseudo authority in dirty boots barging into my life and expecting me to do something according to their will.
(But then you have to be in the same division with a Professor of international fame:)

I’m afraid westerners may not fully appreciate all this ‘big deal’ I’m talking about. But sovki and people from other authoritarian countries will understand.

And then a paragraph later: “You are right, I do not like the proletariat.”

Oy! This line will make the reader to check out when the book was written. Ah.. 1925. Ten years or so after, nobody will even dare think that way in Soviet Russia.. That is unless the author makes this character a major villain.

Does anybody dislike the Professor after reading these first three chapters? Like finding him pompous maybe?

Bigollo wrote: "I’ve read this book a long time ago. So long that it’s not true anymore...."

I'll comment soon, I just started. But meanwhile, do you think Polygraph Polygraphovich sounds as ridiculous in Russian as it does in English?

Does anyone know the meaning of the name?

Amalie wrote:
But meanwhile, do you think Polygraph Polygraphovich sounds as ridiculous in Russian as it does in English?

Yes
Amalie wrote:
Does anyone know the meaning of the name?

During the first decades of USSR they try "Destroy old world to the ground" (you'll find nice episode about 'разруха' some chapters later). So they try to make new calendar (like French revolution) and new names like 'Даздраперма' (ДА ЗДРАвствует ПЕРвое МАя -Long live May 1) or 'Виленор' (Владимир Ильич ЛЕНин — Oтец Революции - V. I. Lenin - father of revolution) which really sounds quite ridiculous. Some use simple words for names like 'Ruby', 'Tungsten', 'Harvester' etc.
So 'Полиграф Полиграфыч' is mocking at this idea.

Amalie wrote:
I'll comment soon, I just started. But meanwhile, do you think Polygraph Polygraphovich sounds as ridiculous in Russian as it does in English?

Does anyone know the meaning of the name?


Polygraph Polygraphovich means Polygraph, Polygraph’s son.

Polygraph is a made-up name, an example of that silly fashion that Kastian mentioned
above.
And there is no regular word ‘polygraph’ in Russian lexicon (as opposed to English).
But it sounds as a word, rhyming with or resembling real words like telegraph (telegraph), spectrograph (spectrograph), or polyspast (tackle block). Very Greek and hence very sophisticated:)

[I heard about an engineer from that era who had named his son Polyspast. To my knowledge, polyspast as a name didn’t take root after all, so as didn't many other kinks of the era.]

Well, let’s see. Polygraph = POLY + GRAPH. The Greek words meaning respectively MANY and WRITE.

To an educated Russian ear Polygraph may be associated with a sort of technical device capable of performing multiple recordings, or something like that. In other words, some technical and scientific sophistication is attached to the name Polygraph.
Or, if to think about it a bit longer, the Name might signify a person who writes a lot, and/or probably on multiple subjects.


If all were that simple… The thing is, the made-up word Polygraph does sound like a name as well. For instance, there is a legitimate, if obsolete, Russian name Polykarp.
So if somebody introduces himself as Polygraph, it sounds almost like a pun. And you give a chuckle. What? Father’s name is Polygraph too? Now you’re laughing – no creativity left for another pun?

So yes, the name sounds ridiculous in Russian, but not as ridiculous as Akakiy Akakiyevich.

I don’t know how ridiculous Polygraph Polygraphovich sounds in English (I can’t switch off my Russian part). Only walking around and asking native English speakers can give the answer, I guess. Darn hard to pronounce, that’s for sure. But for Russians – not that hard.

[BTW, the long formal address by first name and patronymic takes time for Russians to pronounce too. So in real life, especially if the full name is said often, some syllables may get lost on the way. Aleksandr Aleksandrovich becomes San Sanych, Pavel Pavlovich turns into Pal Palych etc.]

The last note. The English word polygraph has a meaning – ‘lie detector’. It’s just a coincidence. It has nothing to do with Bulgakov’s creation.


PS. Indeed, Bulgakov is following the tradition of Gogol and Dostoyevsky to make up names carrying so many overtones that are very hard to convey in translation..

Bigollo,

as to your question--I love Professor (always did). He doesn't strike me as pompous. Frustrated? Certainly yes, in my opinion. But who wouldn't be? He says what many others only think but cannot utter. Funny but also sad...for sovki, especially.

I don't dislike the Professor. He appears to have some negative qualities, being particular and unyielding, but overall I like him. He's smart and is not a wimp. His opinions on digestion resemble my own...

The part about "visiting the chief department of paradise" was very funny.

I observed that Sharik is very vain. I had thought of that as a distinctively human trait.

When I read The Master and Margarita I was so amazed with the way Mikhail Bulgakov writes, that I decided to read The Heart of a Dog right after. I have a dog. I know how humane they could be. I can identify with the Sharikov AND with Philip Philipovich. Is that strange or what? :)
The way Bulgakov portraits the dog...does the dog represent the people, the workers and the lower income population? Loved this part. It sounds so cinematographic...I felt as I was seeing a scene of a movie: "Eyes mean a lot. Like a barometer. They tell you everything-they tell you who has a heart of stone, who would poke the toe of his boot in your ribs as soon as look at you-and who's afraid of you. The cowards - they're the ones whose ankles I like to snap at. If they're scared, I go for them. Serve them right..grrr..bow-wow..."
As of the professor, I really like him. Very honest and true to his beliefs. Pompous? Maybe. But not vain. As Sig said, he says what what many others only think but don't dare to speak out.

To me, this is what makes the Philip Philipovich a righteous man and one of my favorite characters:
Chapter 2
"By kindness. The only possible method when dealing with a living creature. You'll get nowhere with an animal if you use terror, no matter what its level of development may be. That I have maintained, do maintain and always will maintain. People who think you can use terror are quite wrong. No, terror's useless, whatever its colour - white, red or even brown" Terror completely paralyses the nervous system."
I think what Bulgakov was talking about here was freedom and respect. What do you think?

Indra wrote: "When I read The Master and Margarita I was so amazed with the way Mikhail Bulgakov writes, that I decided to read The Heart of a Dog right after. I have a dog. I know how humane they could be. I ca..."

Indra,

You seem to have an eye for cinematography. If you don’t mind subtitles, I’d recommend you give the movie Heart of A Dog a try.

Just like it’s described in the book, you will see people on the screen through the eyes of a dog. And you will hear Sharik’s monologue in the background (well, in Russian), commenting on the world from a dog's perspective. As in the book. It is a movie with excellent acting.

Bigollo, I will definitely check it out! Thanks!

Bigollo wrote: "Amalie wrote:
I'll comment soon, I just started. But meanwhile, do you think Polygraph Polygraphovich sounds as ridiculous in Russian as it does in English?

Does anyone know the meaning of the n..."

Sorry about missing out on this. I was out of town. Then my dog died of cancer :( (he was 14 years) and then I caught the flu.

Losing Timmy effected reading this so yeah, I did find him to be a lovely guy, then again I'm pretty sure I'm being too sensitive here.

That's a great explanation! Thanks. I also learned Sharik is a cliche nickname for dogs in Russia.

Indra wrote: "When I read The Master and Margarita I was so amazed with the way Mikhail Bulgakov writes, that I decided to read The Heart of a Dog right after. I have a dog. I know how humane they could be. I ca..."

I agree with you 100% about dogs. This is very dramatic, it's almost impossible to read it without seeing it run like a film or play behind your eyes as you read it, isn't it?

Kindness. The only possible method when dealing with a living creature. You'll get nowhere with an animal if you use terror, no matter what its level of development may be. That I have maintained, do maintain and always will maintain. People who think you can use terror are quite wrong. No, no, terror is useless, whatever its colour – white, red or even brown! Terror completely paralyses the nervous system.”

What does this quote mean to you?

Tatyana, reading Bulgakov and knowing his aversion to all kind of repression (all the horrors lived in the Russian Revolution), I would say that he was referring to being free, to not being repressed by others. Only the ones who have had a dog know how this is. Dogs are made of love...as we humans are. Cheers from Brazil!

You might want to have a look at my novel, 'Brovko's Amazing Journey.'

I think what Philip was saying, although very true of dogs, was a comment on the method of ruling. You can create obedience through terror but not love.

As for Russian Literature, an all time favourite of mine has been the Brothers Karamazov. And now with all the turmoil in Ukraine, I'm really into Gogel's Taras Bulba. Of course, War and Peace is a bible.