Part 7: GULAG / Shukshin, Stories from a Siberian Village Part

9: Sibiriade
Soviet values, drawing conclusions from the readings and film, were wholly undermined
during the nations purges. This destabilization of Soviet values is evident in the manner in
which the Communist state carried out the punishments on those considered to be its enemy. This
undermining was further accomplished by seizing and retaining power through fear and violence,
rather than through creating an equal socialist society. Instead of improvement through new
technologies, and a growing economy, uniting the people of this multi-nation state, the purges set
the nation back by creating a hostile environment in which innocent citizens could be and were
sentenced to serve in the harsh conditions of the prison camps of Siberia. These purges
ultimately caused a betrayal of one of the most highlighted Soviet values: progress. Exposed,
particularly in Shalamovs writings, citizens were forced to find new ways to survive, which can
be considered a regression of culture and society. They straightened out the corpse and pulled
off the shirt. (In the Night, 28), as two men grave rob, and scavenge anything left on the body
the deteriorating of humanity.
Shukshins I Believe, depicts the struggle of a Russian man searching for reasons as to
why he feels an aching, empty feeling in his life. Maksim, suffering from depression, seeks an
understanding (although he fails to try and understand others) of his soul and a quick remedy for
why it aches. What he lacks are the values of life that may grant him the peace he seeks.
Therefore he is persuaded to meet with a priest (someone who can introduce him to the values of
believing in a greater being in believing in life). This meeting stretches Maksim to think and
understand things outside his own ethnocentrisms in order to realize he has the power to relieve
his soul. Here he learns the values of having both good and evil and how it is necessary to have

both in life. The priest expounds on his insight of the image and role of God to Maksim to try
and help him understand the value of life. Maksim must believes in life and everything life
brings, because God is Life (as the priest explains). Meaning Life encompasses everything and is
in everything, therefore in order to gain relief a person believe for a believer does not have an
aching to their soul. Believing in something (Life) feels wholesome, consequently there is no
room for aches.
An old well built brick church in Shukshins Tough Guy stands as cultural symbol,
defining the gap between the old and the new generations and culture. This symbol holds the
village to a positive past where many of the older generation were baptized, while in the story it
is no longer in use it still represents the good of the village bringing people together.
Simultaneously, to the new Soviet culture, this church holds no meaning or use other than
material to be repurposed, designated by an individual with Soviet ideals. Since Shurygin (the
soviet idealist) believes himself to be in charge and finding no value in the church, initiates its
destruction. These actions and decision by an individual not connected (sentimentally) to the
village or the symbol of the church, causes a stirring from the villagers who gather to save this
symbol. Here exists the clash between the old culture and the new, both sides believing the other
is wrong, however it is the aggressive Soviet individual that eventually prevailed in the moment
of destruction. By using force an individual over came a crowd, subduing those holding onto the
past and (in his mind) progressing forward. Because Shurygin viewed himself as significant, he
hungered for control once there became a stir over an old building, he viewed himself as being
correct and argued holding onto the church was against soviet values. Since he believed himself
to be aligned with soviet values he disregarded those in the village or anyone who sympathized
with them (including his own wife). Shurygin represents Soviet values, the village its people

represent values of community, family and tradition. In the end the manner in which the Soviet
individual leaves shows his lack of value in tradition and his belief of his own importance.
In order to emphasize the connection the past has to the present (in regards to the films
timing) the film foreshadows the last scene, depicting the impact each generation may have on
the future of this Siberian village. This scene is related to the one that follows, when pictures are
shown of all the villagers from the early generations, again referring to how things are all
connected from generation to generation in the film. Powerful imagery is used to portray life in a
remote Siberian village and used to show social class separation between the families who live
there. Imagery such as the dumplings, showing wealth, Kolya steals from the Solomin family
(steals because he is poor, neglected by his father and the Solomins have enough), or the road
being arduously built by Afonya (Kolyas father which is why he neglects Kolya). This road
represents a distraction for Afonya, a distraction from his contempt for his village. Characters
introduced in part 1 embody pivotal symbols for a Siberian village as well. Some representing
the changing culture taking place throughout Russia; Rodion, the Solomin family, and the
Eternal Old Man are such symbol characters. Rodion, representing the revolution which will
bring economic and cultural change for everyone, the Solomin family being the old class system
that exists inside and outside of villages, the Eternal Old Man as the eternal spirit of the village,
and forest never aging always quietly present (being a product of location). Part 1 shows the
village and its inhabitants as being relatively secluded and unaffected by the rest of Russia,
holding on to traditions and class separation (which is shown in how indigenous peoples are
treated and who treats them with respect). This is the first generation which looks for something
better while clinging to the traditions of the past.