We The Living
Forward
“Writers are made, not born. To be exact, writers are self-made.”
“It is a novel about Man against state.”
Men who value their own life are the prime movers of mankind.
Main question of this book: “Do you consider it moral to treat men as sacrificial animals and to rule them by physical force?”
“It is a novel about Man against state.”
Men who value their own life are the prime movers of mankind.
Main question of this book: “Do you consider it moral to treat men as sacrificial animals and to rule them by physical force?”
Part One
I
Characters:
Summary:
5 years after the war ended, when Argounov family left Petrograd, they were returning from Crimea by train.
Based in 1922 Russia. After the ending of the civil war.
Things (railroad, telegraph) worked improperly.
After the war:
- Kira Argunova (18)
- Galina Petrovna – Kira’s mother
- Alexander Dimitrievitch Agounovs - Kira’s dad
- Lydia - Kira's older sister
Summary:
5 years after the war ended, when Argounov family left Petrograd, they were returning from Crimea by train.
Based in 1922 Russia. After the ending of the civil war.
Things (railroad, telegraph) worked improperly.
After the war:
- The Argounov’s owned a textile factory. It was nationalized for the people. They had to flee their mansion.
- Banks were also declared national. They lost everything.
II
Characters:
Summary:
The Argouvovs return to Petrograd. They stop at Galina’s sister, Maria’s, house and stay there. Kira decides she wants to be an engineer, and questions to whom she owes her duty.
Vasili: stated off poorly, but by trapping in Siberia he became rich.
“Long live the dictatorship of the proletariat! Who is not with us, is against us!”
“When your country is in agony, you don’t seek frivolous recreations. I’m in mourning- for my country.” – Vasili Ivanovitch
- Maria Petrovna – Galina’s sister (Kira’s aunt)
- Irina (18) – Maria’s daughter
- Acia (8) – Maria’s daughter
- Vasili Ivanovitch – Maria’s husband
- Victor
Dunaev – Maria’s son
Summary:
The Argouvovs return to Petrograd. They stop at Galina’s sister, Maria’s, house and stay there. Kira decides she wants to be an engineer, and questions to whom she owes her duty.
Vasili: stated off poorly, but by trapping in Siberia he became rich.
“Long live the dictatorship of the proletariat! Who is not with us, is against us!”
“When your country is in agony, you don’t seek frivolous recreations. I’m in mourning- for my country.” – Vasili Ivanovitch
III
Summary:
Kira became a citizen of the Russian Socialist Federalist Soviet Republic
“The new soviet passport was more than a passport. It was a citizen’s permit to live.”
“The first thing that Kira learned about life and the first thing that her elders learned, dismayed, about Kira, was the joy of being alone.”
“What’s a citizen? Only a brick and of no use unless cemented to other bricks just like it.”
“She knew she had a life and that it was her life.”
Kira became a citizen of the Russian Socialist Federalist Soviet Republic
“The new soviet passport was more than a passport. It was a citizen’s permit to live.”
“The first thing that Kira learned about life and the first thing that her elders learned, dismayed, about Kira, was the joy of being alone.”
“What’s a citizen? Only a brick and of no use unless cemented to other bricks just like it.”
“She knew she had a life and that it was her life.”
IV
Character:
Summary:
The Argunov’s start setting into a more “normal” life (school, work, etc.). Victor tries to hit on Kira, which in turn she gets away from on her own. Meets a Stanger, Leo, whom she will see again in a month.”
“If one loses that appetite, why still sit at the table?” (Appetite for life)
- Leo
Kovalensky
Summary:
The Argunov’s start setting into a more “normal” life (school, work, etc.). Victor tries to hit on Kira, which in turn she gets away from on her own. Meets a Stanger, Leo, whom she will see again in a month.”
“If one loses that appetite, why still sit at the table?” (Appetite for life)
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V
Characters:
Summary:
Kira meets a candidate for the student council, Sonia, and decides to go to the council. At her aunt’s house, Vasili shoes her money from the czars time. Kira meets a GPU who helps her.
“She never had any thought of him beyond the one that he existed, but she found it hard to remember the existence of anything else.”
“Abroad. Such a place does exist somewhere, doesn't it? … abroad.”
- Comrade Sonia – candidate of communist party of the student council.
- Pavel Syerov – president of the student council for the communist part.
- Vava Milovskaia – Victor’s friend.
Summary:
Kira meets a candidate for the student council, Sonia, and decides to go to the council. At her aunt’s house, Vasili shoes her money from the czars time. Kira meets a GPU who helps her.
“She never had any thought of him beyond the one that he existed, but she found it hard to remember the existence of anything else.”
“Abroad. Such a place does exist somewhere, doesn't it? … abroad.”
VI
Characters:
Andrei Taganov – GPU
Summary:
She meets Leo again, and after decided to meet after another month. She has a talk with Comrade Taganov and agrees to go out with him to the opera.
“What’s a few knick-knacks more or less? I’ll have plenty of time to buy plenty of new ones.”
“But I have something I can’t sell and cant lose and it cant be nationalized. I have a future.”-Vasii
“There is no such thing as duty. If you know that a think is right you want to do it. If you don't want to do it – it isn’t right. If its right and you don't want to do it – you don't know what is right and you’re not a man.” – Taganov
“No matter how much you party promises to accomplish, no matter what paradise it plans to bring mankind, whatever your other claims may be, there’s one you cant avoid, one that will turn your paradise into the most unspeakable hell: your claim that man must live for the state.” –Kira
“Don't you know that there are things, on the best of us, which no outside hand should dare to touch? Things sacred because, only because, one can say: “this is mine”? Don't you know that we live only for ourselves, the best of us do, those who are worthy of it? Don't you know that there is something in us which must not be touched by any state, by any collective, by any number of millions?”
“And what is the state but a servant and a convenience for a large number of people, just like the electric light and the plumbing system? And wouldn't it be preposterous to claim that men must exist for their plumbing, not the plumbing for the men?”
Andrei Taganov – GPU
Summary:
She meets Leo again, and after decided to meet after another month. She has a talk with Comrade Taganov and agrees to go out with him to the opera.
“What’s a few knick-knacks more or less? I’ll have plenty of time to buy plenty of new ones.”
“But I have something I can’t sell and cant lose and it cant be nationalized. I have a future.”-Vasii
“There is no such thing as duty. If you know that a think is right you want to do it. If you don't want to do it – it isn’t right. If its right and you don't want to do it – you don't know what is right and you’re not a man.” – Taganov
“No matter how much you party promises to accomplish, no matter what paradise it plans to bring mankind, whatever your other claims may be, there’s one you cant avoid, one that will turn your paradise into the most unspeakable hell: your claim that man must live for the state.” –Kira
“Don't you know that there are things, on the best of us, which no outside hand should dare to touch? Things sacred because, only because, one can say: “this is mine”? Don't you know that we live only for ourselves, the best of us do, those who are worthy of it? Don't you know that there is something in us which must not be touched by any state, by any collective, by any number of millions?”
“And what is the state but a servant and a convenience for a large number of people, just like the electric light and the plumbing system? And wouldn't it be preposterous to claim that men must exist for their plumbing, not the plumbing for the men?”
VII
Summary:
Kira’s father has to close his shop, and starts making soap. Taganov picks Kira up at her house to take her to the theater; she meets Leo where they both confess their love for each other.
Kira’s father has to close his shop, and starts making soap. Taganov picks Kira up at her house to take her to the theater; she meets Leo where they both confess their love for each other.
VIII
Summary:
Kira is questioned about Leo in the communist cell. Taganov’s story is told.
Kira is questioned about Leo in the communist cell. Taganov’s story is told.
IX
Summary:
Kira’s father is dragged to do unpaid work for the communists. Taganov visits Kira. Kira decides to leave Russia with Leo.
“You see, you and I, we believe in life. But you want to fight for it, to kill for it, even to die – for life. I only want to live it.”
“It’s a rare gift, you know, to feel reverence for your own life and to want to be the best, the greatest, the highest possible, here, now, for your very own. To imagine heaves and then not dream of it, but to demand it.”
Kira’s father is dragged to do unpaid work for the communists. Taganov visits Kira. Kira decides to leave Russia with Leo.
“You see, you and I, we believe in life. But you want to fight for it, to kill for it, even to die – for life. I only want to live it.”
“It’s a rare gift, you know, to feel reverence for your own life and to want to be the best, the greatest, the highest possible, here, now, for your very own. To imagine heaves and then not dream of it, but to demand it.”
X
Characters:
Stepan Timoshenko – GPU that lets Kira and Leo go
Summary:
The boat in which Kira and Leo were leaving Russia in is caught. Kira is given a chance to flee by a GPU, Timoshenko. He also helps Leo get out free. Les shows up at Kira’s house. Kira gets kicked out of her house.
Stepan Timoshenko – GPU that lets Kira and Leo go
Summary:
The boat in which Kira and Leo were leaving Russia in is caught. Kira is given a chance to flee by a GPU, Timoshenko. He also helps Leo get out free. Les shows up at Kira’s house. Kira gets kicked out of her house.
XI
Summary:
Kira settles into her new life with Leo. The only visitor she gets is Irina.
Kira settles into her new life with Leo. The only visitor she gets is Irina.
XII
Summary:
Kira’s family is running out of food. Kira’s mother visits Leo and Kira. They attend a party by Vava. Leo and Andrei meet.
Kira’s family is running out of food. Kira’s mother visits Leo and Kira. They attend a party by Vava. Leo and Andrei meet.
XIII
Summary:
Kira and Leo spend a fay in the country. A new year started. They have to give up a room in their house. Leo can’t find a job, and they have no food. Their rent is getting higher.
“Our power is in the tight wielding of the collective.”
“The Soviet state recognizes no life but that of a social class.”
Kira and Leo spend a fay in the country. A new year started. They have to give up a room in their house. Leo can’t find a job, and they have no food. Their rent is getting higher.
“Our power is in the tight wielding of the collective.”
“The Soviet state recognizes no life but that of a social class.”
XIV
Characters:
Summary:
Kira and Leo got small short jobs. They are left with only one room. Kira and Leo’s relationship isn’t well. Kira’s aunt Marussia died. The houses are being filled with more people. Taganov sees she is hungry and helps Kira with food and a job.
“But no one before you has ever thought of forbidding life to those still living.”
- Marina Lavrova (Marisha) – New tenant in Kira’s apartment.
- Aleshka Rilenko – Marisha’s friend.
Summary:
Kira and Leo got small short jobs. They are left with only one room. Kira and Leo’s relationship isn’t well. Kira’s aunt Marussia died. The houses are being filled with more people. Taganov sees she is hungry and helps Kira with food and a job.
“But no one before you has ever thought of forbidding life to those still living.”
XV
Characters:
Summary:
Kira starts her new job, but is affraid to lose it because someone made her known to everyone else for her bourgeois attitude. She marched in the parade to keep her job. Kira plans to join a Marxist club.
“Who does not toll, shall not eat.”
- Comrade Blituik – Office manager of the house of peasant.
- Nina and Tina: co-workers of Kira.
Summary:
Kira starts her new job, but is affraid to lose it because someone made her known to everyone else for her bourgeois attitude. She marched in the parade to keep her job. Kira plans to join a Marxist club.
“Who does not toll, shall not eat.”
XVI
Summary:
Because of the purge, the cleansing of socially undesirable people (like children of factory owners) Kira and Leo are expelled from the institute. Victor joined the communist party. Leo is getting depressed and drinking; he starts getting sick. Kira goes to the country with Andrei. Kira catches Leo kissing Vava. Leo gets diagnosed with tuberculosis. Kira visits Leo’s doctor, who convinces her to decide to send him south. They cant find a way to send Leo south because of lack of money. Andrei seems to be avoiding Kira. Kira gets fired.
“Those who were young had no thought left for spring and those who still thought were not young any longer.”
“Because there was no future they hung on to the present.”
“The future was Leo.”
Because of the purge, the cleansing of socially undesirable people (like children of factory owners) Kira and Leo are expelled from the institute. Victor joined the communist party. Leo is getting depressed and drinking; he starts getting sick. Kira goes to the country with Andrei. Kira catches Leo kissing Vava. Leo gets diagnosed with tuberculosis. Kira visits Leo’s doctor, who convinces her to decide to send him south. They cant find a way to send Leo south because of lack of money. Andrei seems to be avoiding Kira. Kira gets fired.
“Those who were young had no thought left for spring and those who still thought were not young any longer.”
“Because there was no future they hung on to the present.”
“The future was Leo.”
XVII
Summary:
Kira visits Andrei, and he confesses his love for her. Kira tells Andrei that she can love him. They promise not to tell anyone about the relationship. Andrei gives her money, she uses it to send Leo south.
“It was not an admission of love, it was the confession of a crime.”
Kira visits Andrei, and he confesses his love for her. Kira tells Andrei that she can love him. They promise not to tell anyone about the relationship. Andrei gives her money, she uses it to send Leo south.
“It was not an admission of love, it was the confession of a crime.”
Part Two
I
Summary:
Kira is still with Andrei, but is using him to pay for Leo’s hospital. She prepares for Leo’s arrival.
Kira is still with Andrei, but is using him to pay for Leo’s hospital. She prepares for Leo’s arrival.
II
Characters:
Summary:
Leo’s train is delayed. Kira works at the museum of the revolution. Leo comes back. Kira knows what she is doing to Andrei.
- Sasha Chernov – Irina’s friend.
Summary:
Leo’s train is delayed. Kira works at the museum of the revolution. Leo comes back. Kira knows what she is doing to Andrei.
III
Characters:
Antonia Pavlovna Platoshkina – Leo’s neighbor in the sanatorium.
Summary:
Leo has a visitor, Antonia. Kira’s mother starts becoming a communist, as well as the rest of the family. She doesn't accept more money from Andrei.
“To criticize we must understand.”
Antonia Pavlovna Platoshkina – Leo’s neighbor in the sanatorium.
Summary:
Leo has a visitor, Antonia. Kira’s mother starts becoming a communist, as well as the rest of the family. She doesn't accept more money from Andrei.
“To criticize we must understand.”
IV
Characters:
Karp Karpovitch Morozov – Friend of Antonia. He used to be a speculator.
Summary:
Leo starts a speculating business with Morozov, against Kira’s wishes. Their third business partner is Pavel Syerov. Pavel throws a party.
Karp Karpovitch Morozov – Friend of Antonia. He used to be a speculator.
Summary:
Leo starts a speculating business with Morozov, against Kira’s wishes. Their third business partner is Pavel Syerov. Pavel throws a party.
V
Summary:
Leo has money but spends it and shows it off carelessly. Victor marries Marisha. Kira and Leo attend the party; Andrei also attends. Leo gets drunk and is about to make a scene and fight with Andrei. Andrei ends up taking Kira home.
Leo has money but spends it and shows it off carelessly. Victor marries Marisha. Kira and Leo attend the party; Andrei also attends. Leo gets drunk and is about to make a scene and fight with Andrei. Andrei ends up taking Kira home.
VI
Characters:
Kolya Smiatkin - Vava’s husband.
Summary:
The communist party is failing but over-idealism is taking the blame. Irina gets engaged with Sascha. Kira runs into Vava, who god married. Comrade Sonia is pregnant with Pavel’s son; they get married. Stepan Timoshenko visits Andrei and discuss the possibility of Andrei being kicked out of the party.
Kolya Smiatkin - Vava’s husband.
Summary:
The communist party is failing but over-idealism is taking the blame. Irina gets engaged with Sascha. Kira runs into Vava, who god married. Comrade Sonia is pregnant with Pavel’s son; they get married. Stepan Timoshenko visits Andrei and discuss the possibility of Andrei being kicked out of the party.
VII
Summary:
Sascha is being looked for by the GPU. He takes refuge in Irina’s house. Andrei questions his faith to the communist party. Victor tells the police where Sascha is hiding.
“The fault is not in men, but in he nature of your ideals.”
Sascha is being looked for by the GPU. He takes refuge in Irina’s house. Andrei questions his faith to the communist party. Victor tells the police where Sascha is hiding.
“The fault is not in men, but in he nature of your ideals.”
VIII
Summary:
The police find Sasha, but with him they also take Irina and Vasili. Vasili was released, but Sasha and Irina were sentenced to ten years in a Siberian prison, but they get married before they leave. The party knows about Andrei’s and Kira’s relationship. Vasili ends his relationship with Victor and moves out.
The police find Sasha, but with him they also take Irina and Vasili. Vasili was released, but Sasha and Irina were sentenced to ten years in a Siberian prison, but they get married before they leave. The party knows about Andrei’s and Kira’s relationship. Vasili ends his relationship with Victor and moves out.
IX
Summary:
Victor gets a job at a hydroelectric and moves, leaving Marisha behind. Andrei proposes to Kira and tell her to move abroad with him; she refuses. Kira has to pick Leo up at Morozov’s. Antonia and Leo spent all of Pavel’s part of the money. Kira proposes marriage to Leo; he refuses.
Victor gets a job at a hydroelectric and moves, leaving Marisha behind. Andrei proposes to Kira and tell her to move abroad with him; she refuses. Kira has to pick Leo up at Morozov’s. Antonia and Leo spent all of Pavel’s part of the money. Kira proposes marriage to Leo; he refuses.
X
Summary:
Pavel requests his money. Morozov runs into Timoshenko. Timoshenko finds out about Morozov’s deal with Pavel. Timoshenko commits suicide; and sends a letter to Andrei.
Pavel requests his money. Morozov runs into Timoshenko. Timoshenko finds out about Morozov’s deal with Pavel. Timoshenko commits suicide; and sends a letter to Andrei.
XI
Summary:
Leo goes to a ballet with Antonia. Kira goes to the movies with Andrei. Andrei stats a case against Leo’s speculation. Leo clears his food store’s storage.
Leo goes to a ballet with Antonia. Kira goes to the movies with Andrei. Andrei stats a case against Leo’s speculation. Leo clears his food store’s storage.
XII
Summary:
Andrei turns the case in. The trial of citizen Kovalensky starts, but the evidence of Syerov’s involvement is dismissed, as well as that of Morozov’s. Andrei has to arrest Leo, he finds out about Leo and Kira.
Andrei turns the case in. The trial of citizen Kovalensky starts, but the evidence of Syerov’s involvement is dismissed, as well as that of Morozov’s. Andrei has to arrest Leo, he finds out about Leo and Kira.
XIII
Summary:
Kira confronts Andrei. He understands what she did because what she feels for Leo is what he feels for her.
“Every honest man lives for himself. Every man worth calling a man lives for himself. The one who doesn't – doesn't live at all.”
“Are we sure we know what we are doing? No one can tell men what they must live for. No one can take that right – because there are things in men, in the best of us, which are above all states, above all collectives! Do you ask: what things? Man’s mind and his values. Look into yourself, honestly and fearlessly. Look and don't tell me, don't tell anyone, just tell yourself: what are you living for? Aren’t you living for yourself? Call it your aim, your love, your cause – isn’t it still your cause? Give your life, die for your ideal – isn’t it still your ideal? Every honest man lives for himself. Every man worth calling a man lives for himself. The one who doesn't – doesn't live at all. You cannot change it because that is the way man is born, alone, complete, an end in himself. No law, no party, no GPU will ever kill that thing in man which knows how to say “I”. you cannot enslave man’s mind, you can only destroy it. You have tried. Now look at what you are getting. Look at those whom you allow to triumph. Deny the best in men – and see what will survive. Do we want the crippled, creeping, crawling, broken monstrosities that we’re producing? Are we not castrating life in order to perpetuate it?”
Kira confronts Andrei. He understands what she did because what she feels for Leo is what he feels for her.
“Every honest man lives for himself. Every man worth calling a man lives for himself. The one who doesn't – doesn't live at all.”
“Are we sure we know what we are doing? No one can tell men what they must live for. No one can take that right – because there are things in men, in the best of us, which are above all states, above all collectives! Do you ask: what things? Man’s mind and his values. Look into yourself, honestly and fearlessly. Look and don't tell me, don't tell anyone, just tell yourself: what are you living for? Aren’t you living for yourself? Call it your aim, your love, your cause – isn’t it still your cause? Give your life, die for your ideal – isn’t it still your ideal? Every honest man lives for himself. Every man worth calling a man lives for himself. The one who doesn't – doesn't live at all. You cannot change it because that is the way man is born, alone, complete, an end in himself. No law, no party, no GPU will ever kill that thing in man which knows how to say “I”. you cannot enslave man’s mind, you can only destroy it. You have tried. Now look at what you are getting. Look at those whom you allow to triumph. Deny the best in men – and see what will survive. Do we want the crippled, creeping, crawling, broken monstrosities that we’re producing? Are we not castrating life in order to perpetuate it?”
XIV
Summary:
Andrei visits Pavel to try to release Leo. Leo is released but really mean to Kira. Andrei gets transferred from the GPU to a librarian. Andrei kills himself.
Andrei visits Pavel to try to release Leo. Leo is released but really mean to Kira. Andrei gets transferred from the GPU to a librarian. Andrei kills himself.
XV
Summary:
Andrei’s funeral.
“The individual may fall, but the collective lives forever.”
“What, then, are the standards of our new humanity? The first and basic one is that we have lost a word from our language, the most dangerous, the most insidious, the most evil of human words: the words “I”- We have outgrown it. “We” is the slogan of the future.”
“Our only aim is the honest toil which profits not one, but all.”
“She wondered whether she had killed him, or the revolution had, or both.”
Andrei’s funeral.
“The individual may fall, but the collective lives forever.”
“What, then, are the standards of our new humanity? The first and basic one is that we have lost a word from our language, the most dangerous, the most insidious, the most evil of human words: the words “I”- We have outgrown it. “We” is the slogan of the future.”
“Our only aim is the honest toil which profits not one, but all.”
“She wondered whether she had killed him, or the revolution had, or both.”
XVI
Summary:
Leo finds out about Andrei’s relationship with Kira. Kira and Leo’s relationship is on the verge of breaking. Leo plans to go away with Tonia. Lora moves out. Kira files for a passport. Leo visited Kira to say goodbye. Kira’s passport is denied, so she makes other arrangements to travel. She plans to cross the border illegally.
Leo finds out about Andrei’s relationship with Kira. Kira and Leo’s relationship is on the verge of breaking. Leo plans to go away with Tonia. Lora moves out. Kira files for a passport. Leo visited Kira to say goodbye. Kira’s passport is denied, so she makes other arrangements to travel. She plans to cross the border illegally.
XVII
Summary:
Kira starts travelling. After walking in the snow for a long time, shegets shot by a warning tire. That was the end of Kira.
“She had no thought left. She felt empty, clear and quiet, as if her body were only an image of her will, and her will – only an arrow, tense an hard, pointing at a border that had to be crossed.”
“She was not dead. She was only waiting to be born.”
“Life, undefeated, existed, and could exist.”
Kira starts travelling. After walking in the snow for a long time, shegets shot by a warning tire. That was the end of Kira.
“She had no thought left. She felt empty, clear and quiet, as if her body were only an image of her will, and her will – only an arrow, tense an hard, pointing at a border that had to be crossed.”
“She was not dead. She was only waiting to be born.”
“Life, undefeated, existed, and could exist.”