One : On the Landing
The protagonist is waiting by a lift for an unknown reason, feeling anxious and reminiscing about various memories and people in his life. He is preoccupied with thoughts of Nita, a woman he is involved with, but his mind keeps wandering to other people, including a girl named Rozaliya. The protagonist reflects on the suddenness and logic of life, comparing it to sexual desire and the unexpected patronage of a Marshal.
He experiences a moment of fear when the lift suddenly starts moving, but regains his composure. The protagonist contemplates the nature of his mind and destiny, recalling past experiences of pain and the inevitability of his name. He thinks about cigarettes, the restoration of “The Nose,” and the existence of people like Zakrevsky.
The protagonist acknowledges that his life had recently gained stability, but now feels unstable again. He remembers a childhood incident of trying to run away and the fear of both the dead and the living. The protagonist reflects on the fear of being grabbed and the opposite fear of slipping from hands that keep you safe. He mentions Marshal Tukhachevsky, who had previously kept him safe but now no longer does.
The man or the protagonist was a famous military strategist in Russia, known as ‘The Red Napoleon’. He was a music lover and amateur violin maker, with a keen interest in discussing novels. The man lacked self-confidence and worldly experience, especially when it came to complex food and alcohol. He reflected on his past, including his views on relationships and his first love, Tanya.
The narrative delves into his experiences with fear of the NKVD, his smoking habits, and his memories of a significant performance of his opera attended by Stalin and other high-ranking officials. The story highlights the impact of that performance on his life and the tragic consequences that followed. The novel also captures the man’s reflections on his past, his relationships, and the events that shaped his life, leading up to a pivotal moment in 1936 that changed everything.
The protagonist is waiting for arrest, possibly due to political reasons. He reflects on his family history, particularly his father’s gentle nature and his mother’s strength. The man’s musical talent and career are also highlighted, showing his struggles with political interference in his work. The pressure to conform to Soviet ideals in music is evident, with the protagonist facing criticism and threats due to his artistic choices. The novel portrays a complex narrative of personal struggles, family dynamics, and political oppression, all intertwined with the protagonist’s passion for music and his desire to support his loved ones.
The protagonist reads a critical article in Pravda condemning his opera, “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,” which had previously been successful both in the Soviet Union and abroad. The article criticizes the opera for being non-political, confusing, and appealing to bourgeois tastes. It also attacks the composer personally, labeling him as petit-bourgeois, formalist, and leftist.
The composer seeks advice from Platon Kerzhentsev, President of the Committee for Cultural Affairs, but is told that he must publicly apologize, recant his errors, and immerse himself in Soviet folk music to regain favor. The composer then turns to Marshal Tukhachevsky, who offers to write a letter of intercession to Comrade Stalin on his behalf. The composer reflects on his past experiences, particularly a romantic relationship with a woman named Tanya, and questions the nature of honesty in personal and artistic matters.
The inner turmoil and complexities of the protagonist is highlighted in his neurotic and hysteric tendencies. It explores his struggles with love, passion, and relationships, showcasing his erratic behavior and emotional vulnerabilities. The protagonist’s encounters with various women, his failed marriages, and his tumultuous love affairs are depicted in a candid and introspective manner.
The narrative also touches upon the political climate of the time, with references to Stalin’s regime and the impact of censorship on artists. The protagonist’s artistic temperament and his quest for genuine human connection amidst societal pressures and personal insecurities are central themes in the text. The juxtaposition of personal desires and external influences underscores the internal conflict faced by the protagonist, offering a nuanced portrayal of human nature and the complexities of relationships.
The artist’s disillusionment is described along with the control and manipulation of art by political bureaucrats. The artist believes that the freedom, imagination, and nuance necessary for art to thrive are being drained out of it. Two main problems arise from engineering human souls: resistance from those who do not want their souls to be manipulated and the question of who controls the engineers.
The artist reflects on historical events and the state of the world, feeling that all the striving, idealism, and progress have led to a bleak and oppressive reality. The text also mentions composer Prokofiev’s encounter with customs officers and his eccentricities. The artist’s own experiences involve being interrogated by Power, a representative of the oppressive regime, who questions his association with Marshal Tukhachevsky and the alleged plot against Stalin. The artist realizes that his innocence is irrelevant and that the authorities have already decided his fate. He is given a deadline to remember and confess his involvement in the conspiracy.
The protagonist realizes that he is a dead man due to being labeled an enemy of the people. He fears for his loved ones and contemplates the erasure of his existence and music. Despite his defiance, he ultimately succumbs to the power of the state. The narrative highlights the oppressive nature of Stalin’s regime, where composers are either alive and frightened or dead.
The protagonist’s dismissal from the Big House turns out to be a stroke of luck as his interrogator falls under suspicion. The novel also touches on the tragic fate of his musicologist friend and the paranoia that grips society. The protagonist prepares for his inevitable arrest, reflecting on his past and fearing for the future. He grapples with the idea of bravery versus sensibility in the face of impending doom. The narrative underscores the arbitrary nature of power and the chilling effect it has on individuals’ lives.
The protagonist, a composer named Shostakovich, did not join the Party but portrayed himself as supportive of it through his music. He wrote music glorifying the Revolution and supporting collectivization.
Shostakovich doubted that his previous works would convince his critics. He believed in Communism as an alternative to Fascism but did not believe in Utopia or the perfectibility of mankind. His personal life was filled with muddle and mistakes, particularly in his relationships with women.
Shostakovich faced pressure from the government to conform to their expectations of his music. He had experienced both success and failure in his career, often facing official disapproval.
Shostakovich lived in fear during a period of political repression, with many people around him disappearing. Despite the dangers, he continued to work and compose music. His Fifth Symphony was a great success and was described as an “optimistic tragedy” by Party bureaucrats and musicologists.
The Noise of Time PartTwo Summary
The Noise of Time Part Three Summary
