Thank you for doing this slow read. I had attempted this book before but got confused with all the characters. In my copy it is Kologrivov who visits Lara and gives her the cheque, not Komarovsky.
I noticed an interesting parallel between two scenes in this section.
In Chapter 4, section 3, during the wedding, a woman throws a handful of silver coins at Lara's feet as a wish for prosperity and happiness. Later, in section 11, the old Jewish man is forced to try to catch copper coins thrown at him, but he fails and they fall at his feet.
The image is surprisingly similar: in both scenes, someone throws coins and they end up on the ground in front of another person. Yet the emotional atmosphere could hardly be more different. The wedding scene is warm, bright, the sun mentioned, and filled with the promise of a happy future. The later scene takes place in the cold and darkness of sunset, and the coins become part of an act of humiliation.
What also struck me is that laughter appears in both scenes, but neither feels entirely joyful. After the wedding, the young couple laugh somewhat awkwardly as they kiss, while in the later scene the Cossacks laugh at the old man. Pasternak seems to use a very similar image to evoke two completely different worlds of human experience: blessing and degradation, hope and cruelty.
I don't know whether this parallel is intentional, but it stood out to me while reading.
I was captured by the chapter title "imminent inevitabilities". Really appreciate the age timelines and historical background you provide Cams.
I'm enjoying the beauty in Yura's perceptions and how he feels and experiences the world around him. Will wait to finish the slow read to watch the movie and maybe the series too.
Lara is the character that keeps me guessing the most. I'm perplexed at her decisions and keep watching from the sidelines with empathy. Looking forward to our next chapters!
I'm glad you're enjoying it, Saudith. You'll probably have gathered that I'm fascinated by the epic vs lyric idea and by seeing Yura's development as an artist in history. I'm quite keen to watch the adaptations now that I've read the novel. I imagine Keira Knightley would make a good Lara, although she was only 17 when it was filmed, so maybe a bit too young? It's always tricky to cast roles for character arcs that span many years.
My first thought when Pasha saw the passing army train was that he had decided to kill himself by throwing himself under a train. I guess it makes sense that he decided to enlist, but I thought, and almost shouted out, “Oh no! Don’t do it!” Loving this book!
Thank you for doing this slow read. I had attempted this book before but got confused with all the characters. In my copy it is Kologrivov who visits Lara and gives her the cheque, not Komarovsky.
You’re right! Thanks for pointing it my error. I’m not quite sure how I got that mixed up. 🤦🏻♂️
Fixing now.
I noticed an interesting parallel between two scenes in this section.
In Chapter 4, section 3, during the wedding, a woman throws a handful of silver coins at Lara's feet as a wish for prosperity and happiness. Later, in section 11, the old Jewish man is forced to try to catch copper coins thrown at him, but he fails and they fall at his feet.
The image is surprisingly similar: in both scenes, someone throws coins and they end up on the ground in front of another person. Yet the emotional atmosphere could hardly be more different. The wedding scene is warm, bright, the sun mentioned, and filled with the promise of a happy future. The later scene takes place in the cold and darkness of sunset, and the coins become part of an act of humiliation.
What also struck me is that laughter appears in both scenes, but neither feels entirely joyful. After the wedding, the young couple laugh somewhat awkwardly as they kiss, while in the later scene the Cossacks laugh at the old man. Pasternak seems to use a very similar image to evoke two completely different worlds of human experience: blessing and degradation, hope and cruelty.
I don't know whether this parallel is intentional, but it stood out to me while reading.
That's an astute observation, Christina. Thanks for sharing that.
I was captured by the chapter title "imminent inevitabilities". Really appreciate the age timelines and historical background you provide Cams.
I'm enjoying the beauty in Yura's perceptions and how he feels and experiences the world around him. Will wait to finish the slow read to watch the movie and maybe the series too.
Lara is the character that keeps me guessing the most. I'm perplexed at her decisions and keep watching from the sidelines with empathy. Looking forward to our next chapters!
I'm glad you're enjoying it, Saudith. You'll probably have gathered that I'm fascinated by the epic vs lyric idea and by seeing Yura's development as an artist in history. I'm quite keen to watch the adaptations now that I've read the novel. I imagine Keira Knightley would make a good Lara, although she was only 17 when it was filmed, so maybe a bit too young? It's always tricky to cast roles for character arcs that span many years.
I have Julie Christie and Omar Sharif stuck in my head as I read, and I don't think I’ve ever even seen the movie. 😁
My first thought when Pasha saw the passing army train was that he had decided to kill himself by throwing himself under a train. I guess it makes sense that he decided to enlist, but I thought, and almost shouted out, “Oh no! Don’t do it!” Loving this book!