What kind of person was Hadji Murad? Tolstoy painted a fairly sympathetic portrait, I think, of a man devoted to God and his family, and yet Murad was unquestionably also a violent killer.
I agree. It was a sympathetic portrait. I understood his violence as justifiable and as a last resort, as opposed to the capricious and thoughtless violence of the czar, who so off-handedly — almost whimsically — ordered destruction of the Chechen village, when he wasn't too busy thinking about his next sexual conquest.
Hadji's manners were also nicely portrayed. He was quiet, polite and serious, yet exuded a warmth that drew people to him. It always felt like he was the moral center of whatever gathering he was in.
Yes, I also liked him - especially the "childlike smile" that keeps reappearing throughout the story.
I was struck by the way the book opens and closes - on that thistle in the field. What did everyone else think of that?
It seemed like Tolstoy was making two similes to Hadji - 1) the thistle in the field that's mutilated almost at random - and 2) the falcon who was picked to death by his own kind after he was "humanized" and returned to his old home.
Yes, the childlike smile! I love how the Russians were so disarmed by that. They were expecting a fierce madman! And his docility was interesting because it was authentic but also strategic.
Shanxi, I found the thistle imagery stunning. It was such a simple, touching image. And the last paragraph in the book referring to it is a brilliant way of putting that struggle into perspective.
Oh, I forgot the falcon story, too! What nice symbolism.
Did you find it odd that the Russians carried around Hadji Murad's severed head, showing it off proudly, even though they had all liked him when he was alive?
Yeah, it was odd how they displayed him like a hunting trophy. On the other hand, maybe it's a testament to how worthy they considered him as an adversary. People don't stuff and show off the heads of unimpressive animals, but only the giant-antlered ones that speak to their "talent" as hunters.
The decapitation also puts Hadji in the company of many a persecuted saint. Martyrdom is always more compelling somehow if the manner of death or treatment of the corpse is particularly grisly.
I also thought his acts of violence were justifiable -- a last resort -- and that he was a devout man who didn't believe in violence. He'd stop matters of state if it was time to pray. Not in a for-show way but like someone genuinely devout.
I guess at first I thought he was power-hungry until the background of his upbringing and all the family he lost. From there I could appreciate he was wrestling with which camp would be the lesser of two evils.
I also think he acted honorably, in the end, for his family -- that maybe he thought he could get away or intimidate the troops into letting him go (like he did early with the villagers who wanted to turn him in), but he took the riskiest course of action for those he loved.
Here's an interesting story about Tolstoy in today's NY Times (the effort to discredit him as a Bolshevik!). Also mentions a movie about him I'd like to see.
What kind of person was Hadji Murad? Tolstoy painted a fairly sympathetic portrait, I think, of a man devoted to God and his family, and yet Murad was unquestionably also a violent killer.
Oh, nice picture!
ReplyDeleteI agree. It was a sympathetic portrait. I understood his violence as justifiable and as a last resort, as opposed to the capricious and thoughtless violence of the czar, who so off-handedly — almost whimsically — ordered destruction of the Chechen village, when he wasn't too busy thinking about his next sexual conquest.
Hadji's manners were also nicely portrayed. He was quiet, polite and serious, yet exuded a warmth that drew people to him. It always felt like he was the moral center of whatever gathering he was in.
Yes, I also liked him - especially the "childlike smile" that keeps reappearing throughout the story.
ReplyDeleteI was struck by the way the book opens and closes - on that thistle in the field. What did everyone else think of that?
It seemed like Tolstoy was making two similes to Hadji - 1) the thistle in the field that's mutilated almost at random - and 2) the falcon who was picked to death by his own kind after he was "humanized" and returned to his old home.
Yes, the childlike smile! I love how the Russians were so disarmed by that. They were expecting a fierce madman! And his docility was interesting because it was authentic but also strategic.
ReplyDeleteShanxi, I found the thistle imagery stunning. It was such a simple, touching image. And the last paragraph in the book referring to it is a brilliant way of putting that struggle into perspective.
(And I had forgotten the falcon story! Good call, Shanxi)
ReplyDeleteOh, I forgot the falcon story, too! What nice symbolism.
ReplyDeleteDid you find it odd that the Russians carried around Hadji Murad's severed head, showing it off proudly, even though they had all liked him when he was alive?
Yeah, it was odd how they displayed him like a hunting trophy. On the other hand, maybe it's a testament to how worthy they considered him as an adversary. People don't stuff and show off the heads of unimpressive animals, but only the giant-antlered ones that speak to their "talent" as hunters.
ReplyDeleteThe decapitation also puts Hadji in the company of many a persecuted saint. Martyrdom is always more compelling somehow if the manner of death or treatment of the corpse is particularly grisly.
I also thought his acts of violence were justifiable -- a last resort -- and that he was a devout man who didn't believe in violence. He'd stop matters of state if it was time to pray. Not in a for-show way but like someone genuinely devout.
ReplyDeleteI guess at first I thought he was power-hungry until the background of his upbringing and all the family he lost. From there I could appreciate he was wrestling with which camp would be the lesser of two evils.
I also think he acted honorably, in the end, for his family -- that maybe he thought he could get away or intimidate the troops into letting him go (like he did early with the villagers who wanted to turn him in), but he took the riskiest course of action for those he loved.
Here's an interesting story about Tolstoy in today's NY Times (the effort to discredit him as a Bolshevik!). Also mentions a movie about him I'd like to see.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Russia sure is missing the boat on this one.
ReplyDelete