Don't be jealous that I know how to party these days. Yesterday I went to both an invasive eye appointment and an iron infusion.
Cheers, Gen X—we have finally arrived.
The eye appointment rendered me near-blind for about five hours and, honestly, I didn't handle it well. I got panicky and ridiculously frustrated. If I am blessed to live a long life, it is a certainty that my children will have their hands full. My son in prison often tells me that he intends to repay me for the support I've given him during these years. He has no idea what he's saying. 😎
By the late afternoon iron infusion, I was able to see again and subsequently opted to immerse myself in Resurrection over the beeping IVs in the bays next to me. Prison stories mixed with medical interventions.
I told you I know how to party!
In a moment of solidarity, I thought of each of you reading along with me—wherever you are. By the end of the day, I had a profound moment of gratitude that you are here.
Thank you for your presence.
By now, our Misfit Lit Book Club is inching toward the half-way point of Resurrection (if you're following the reading guide posted HERE). If not, I hope you've dipped your toes in and waded through some juicy morsels of wisdom like this one at the start of Part 1, Chapter 54:
“Another corner was hung with a large icon of Jesus Christ, an essential feature of all places where people come to be tortured, and a mockery of his teaching.”
Tolstoy didn't play.
He researched actual prisoners cases for this book, which he wrote at the height of his critique of the both Russian government and the Orthodox church. Even with heavy censorship, he managed to openly question the Siberian penal transport and expose the condition of the overcrowded prisons of his day.
He also (not subtly) accused the Church of leaving the teachings of Jesus behind to serve themselves.
Not impressed, the Church ex-communicated him in 1901 (two years after Resurrection was published) and the government placed him under close surveillance—his mail was monitored, his visitors were watched, his estate constantly scouted.
The only reason he was not arrested was owning to his social status (yep, that's always been a thing). A famous writer and a war hero, not to mention a wealthy aristocrat, arresting Tolstoy would have caused major backlash.
Like his character Nekhlyudov in Resurrection, Tolstoy confronted what he saw as gross hypocrisy and injustice in human systems—and in case there's any doubt, I'm here for it.
Witnessing Dmitri morph from an uninvolved, unaffected citizen of the world to a man who is appalled by (and determined to change) the realities of incarceration is like seeing reflection in a mirror.
Once we've seen behind the curtain, the Powerful Oz looks rather silly.
What to Watch for in the Middle Sections:
Prisoner interactions, including a familiar advocacy for one another and acts of supporting themselves in other ways (e.g., selling alcohol inside).
Prison officials rerouting concerns and complaints about the system to other officials without addressing them (the run-around for prisoners and their families has always existed).
Notice the nature of so many of the “crimes" Tolstoy details (poverty, addiction, dissent, not having a valid passport).
Here are some additional questions to ponder:
If you had power inside this system, what would you change first—the laws or the people?
Is Dmitri's moral awakening redemptive or self-centered?
Is personal repentance meaningful if systemic harm continues?
Who in this section feels most alive to you? Who feels mechanical?
Where do you see modern parallels?
COMING UP—
Our second Zoom call will be on Friday, March 27 at 1pm to discuss the book in its entirety (or to just show up and chat about whatever). I will make sure that you have the link in advance of the meeting.
ICYMI—
I'm enjoying getting to know Nekhlyudov. He's an evolving character, which are always the most intriguing to give our precious reading time to. My thoughts on your questions:
If you had power inside this system, what would you change first—the laws or the people?
Definitely the people. We have a good set of laws in this country and our Constitution has proven resilient in most areas. The people are the problem, IMO.
Is Dmitri's moral awakening redemptive or self-centered?
I think it's both, but the self-centeredness is focused on him wanting to become a better, more moral person who always chooses to do the right thing, no matter the cost.
Is personal repentance meaningful if systemic harm continues?
It's always meaningful. Unfortunately personal repentance doesn't come wholesale. If we could somehow influence large groups of the most influence the most influential to repent—meaningfully—then we'd get somewhere with changing systemic harm.
Who in this section feels most alive to you? Who feels mechanical?
Nekhlyudov for sure. Katusha seems to "settle" a bit, as though she has given up. (Hope I'm not ahead of where you are, since I finished the audio book.)
Where do you see modern parallels?
Totally in our legislative branch. Modern politicians' egos have changed little since the 1880s—whether in a communist or capitalistic country. People love their power...
Also, is the time zone EST for the March 27 meeting? Thanks Bridget!