Doctor Zhivago

Overview

"Doctor Zhivago" is a seminal novel by Russian author Boris Pasternak, first published in Italy in 1957. Set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Civil War, the novel explores the life of Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet, as he navigates the tumultuous changes that redefine his country and his personal life.

Plot

The novel opens with the young Yuri Zhivago attending his mother's funeral. He is subsequently raised by family friends in Moscow. As he grows, Zhivago embarks on a career in medicine and marries Tonya Gromeko, with whom he has two children. The First World War and the Russian Revolution upend his life, separating him from his family. During the war, he serves as a medical officer, where he meets and falls in love with Lara Antipova, a nurse whose life becomes deeply intertwined with his own.

The story follows Yuri through his struggles with the moral dilemmas of love and fidelity, set against the suffering and upheaval of the revolutionary period. His poetry, reflecting his inner turmoil and the chaos of his times, becomes a symbol of the human spirit's endurance.

Characters

• Yuri Zhivago: The protagonist, whose life story the novel chronicles.
• Larissa (Lara) Antipova: The love interest of Yuri, a strong and compassionate woman.
• Tonya Gromeko: Yuri's wife, representing the stability of family life before the revolution.
• Victor Komarovsky: A lawyer and manipulator, who plays a pivotal role in the lives of Lara and Yuri.
• Pavel Pavlovich Antipov (Strelnikov): Lara's husband, a revolutionary leader, embodying the ideals and costs of the revolution.

Themes

The novel explores themes of love, fidelity, and the search for meaning in a changing world. It critiques the Soviet regime's impact on personal lives and the natural world, highlighting the contrast between the human capacity for compassion and the dehumanizing aspects of political ideology.

Significance

"Doctor Zhivago" was controversial for its critical portrayal of the Soviet state, leading to Pasternak's Nobel Prize in Literature in 1958, which he declined under government pressure. The novel remains a poignant exploration of the individual's place in history and the transformative power of literature and love.

Conclusion

"Doctor Zhivago" is not just a historical novel but a deep meditation on the human condition, offering insight into the complexities of love, loyalty, and the enduring human spirit amidst the cataclysms of the 20th century.