You + Me + People

My knowledge of Russian literature is limited. Though I’ve had the pleasure of reading several Russian works, it is still with a degree of trepidation that I share my thoughts on the subject. My experience has been primarily with Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, with just enough Solzhenitsyn to have me believing in a trend of Russian literary brilliance. That brilliance is clearly seen upon reading some of these works, but there are things aside from mere “good writing” that strike me, and profoundly affect me. That primarily is the grasp of humanity exhibited through the writing (maybe that is the essence of “good writing?”). The authors wield characters that are full of strengths and weaknesses, desires and apathies, quirky traits, significant appearances and attire, wit and the lack of it, all interwoven to be very real. So very real that it causes me to reassess my view of the reality around me. For example, “do I account for the depth of life and thought in the people around me?” to the extent it is revealed in a reading of “Anna Karenina?” Oh, and once that train of thought has started there’s no telling where or when it will end. It’s good train to ride though, quite fundamental to meaningful existence.

Needless to say, Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy are two authors that I would highly recommend reading. Their writings are enjoyable, engaging, real, and thought provoking. I’m sure people like my friend Matt, could go even further into their literary and linguistic merits, but I’ll leave it at that. Hey, if the length is intimidating, start out with Solzhenitsyn “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch,” I think you’ll see what I mean.

Simply put, people and relationships are quite fundamental. Our thoughts about people and how we interact with them directly affect our well-being. That’s a major premise behind the Civility Project and the book “Choosing Civility” written by on of the project’s co-founders. (The book is shaping up to be an interesting read by the way) Frankly, that premise is worth more of my consideration, and yours as well. In culture always searching for meaning, whether consciously or not, it’s curious to see the questions we’re presented with. The film “The Road” poses interesting questions regarding humanity; addressing the issue of what it means to be human is always fun in post-apocalyptic story. It’s a good watch if you can handle the intensity and are willing to think through what it means to be human at the same time. It’s worth it, because even our basic assumptions about humanity define our actions. So think about it, think about the people around you. Are you seeing them for who they really are? Or do you apply an assumption of who they are to your interactions with them?

Read a Russian author, check out the Civility Project, or maybe even watch “The Road,” and tell me what you think.