Saturday, March 7, 2009
Absurdistan: Setting
Alright, I haven't read a whole lot of this book, but the settings so far are New York City and various places in Russia. The main character, Misha Vainberg, seems to hate American ideals and values but is attracted to the actual country itself. He enjoys certain things in America, such as going to the laundromat and being with Rouenna. In a sense, Russia is the exact opposite as a setting. Vainberg loves Russian values but hates the condition of Russia. Russia is portrayed as a desolate, lawless area where people cope with their problems by drinking, doing drugs, and using prostitutes. Sadly, Vainberg is stuck in this setting and can't get a visa to go to New York City. Although America has some impoverished areas, such as the neighborhood where Rouenna grew up, it is seen as a symbol of education and hope in the novel. While Vainberg is a rich man rotting away in Russia, Rouenna is a poor girl building a future in America. Personally, I'd much rather be in Rouenna's position.
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I don't think he hates american ideals I think he just loves both extreme capitalism and extreme communism. He is a very conflicted character who doesn't seem capable of actually understanding how the world works. I do like your point about how Misha is wasting away in Russia and Rouenna is growing in America.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he hates the ideals either. But I don't think he loves communism either. He just seems to be happy with money, period. IS rouenna an example that Russia and Absurvani are shooting for?
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that America is portrayed as a symbol of education. The only reason people have gone there so far is to go to college. Perhaps Shteyngart is hypothesizing that the direst need of the world's impoverished countries.
ReplyDeleteI would say that misha is unsure about the ideals of the two countries. He likes somethings about america and some things about russia. But i would almost aruge that maybe he dislikes things in these countries because of the company he keeps. Russian company tells him that american ideals are bad and then his american friends are against his russian tradition
ReplyDeletePETER THIS IS OUTRAGE-- k actually its a valid point im just feeling argumentative. but i must RESPECTFULLY disagree with your comment, because he sees the benefit of extreme capitalism, while on the other hand, he longs for the LEGACY of the communist state.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how Misha likes the setting of America but hates the ideals and likes the ideals of Russia but hates the setting. It seems like wherever he goes he will always have problems with what happens there and he will just have to learn how to deal with them.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the portrayal of the U.S as a symbol of education. You also bring up an inserting point with Misha's fascination of ghettos and poverty which seems to run contrary to someone with so much money.
ReplyDeleteCharlie, the two extremes comment is somewhat genius. HOWEVER, I stand by my argument that Misha is never happy with anything. He only thinks in terms of ideals and would like either communism or capitalism, but this weak mix in Russia doesn't satisfy his idealistic personality. (oh dear, starting to sound like me...) Anyway, I disagree that Misha is rotting away in Russia. He's only complaining because he's used to doing whatever he wants and because he can't go to the US, he wants to be there.
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