Please visit Breaking Stalin's Nose author's website to learn more about the world Eugene Yelchin describes. Click on three of the headings and closely explore the images and text on the page. Do not pick "Home" or "Synopsis."
Write/Describe your reaction to those sections on this post. Use the following points to help you compose your response.
-identify the section
-summarize what it says
-any interesting facts
-any surprising information
-do you agree or disagree with what it stated
http://www.eugeneyelchinbooks.com/breakingstalinsnose/synopsis.php
You must post your reaction by Friday, November 30.
Sasha's Moscow: It's basically talking about how the city was when Stalin was ruling. An interesting fact is that Stalin kept his light on even when he was out of town. I found it surprising how sheltering Sasha is dangerous. Today I disagree with this.
ReplyDeleteWho was Sasha's dad?: Sasha's dad was a secret policeman. It tells us the paint of the cars, the upgraded cars, his gun, his badge, etc. An interesting fact is that his dad isn't allowed to share ANY information about the secret police, even to his own family. I was surprised how anyone can where a black leather coat and potentially arrest someone. Today I disagree with this.
Inside Sasha's School: This section talks about how loyal Sasha is to Stalin and how strict his school is. An interesting fact is that his teacher arranged the boys and girls in a checkerboard pattern and didn't let friends sit next to each other. Something that surprised me is that when a student took Matveich's (the janitor) bell as a prank, the secret police came to find the bell and they left with the student, and he was never to be seen again. Today, I disagree with this.
Inside Libyanka Prison: In this article, they showed diferent pictures of the Libyanka prison. It was kind of scary to know that you can get arrested in the middle of the night because you ae considered an enemy of the people. They also showed a pair of handcuffs that became tighter with the slightest move. In addition, it said that the prisoners were not allowed to see each other EVER. It was scary to know that you can be arrested in the middle of the night.
ReplyDeleteInside Sasha's School: In this article, they showed Sasha's school. They showed the janitors bell that he rang to tell the students when periods started and ended. To me, the bell looked kind of like a nose. The article told us about the time when somebody played a prank on the janitor and the pranker was the taken away and never seen again. It also told us about the time when Sasha drew a picture of comrade Stalin on the blackbird to impress his teacher. His teacher was too afraid to erase the picture, however, because she was afraid that one of the students would tell a night police that she erased the image of their great leader. Boy, it must have been really scary back then.
Enemies of the People: This article was about the secret police. It showed us a police hat and badge. It also showed us some posters that encouraged the people to turn in the enemies of the people. They actually made Sasha look for people to turn in, but he could not find anyone that looked like the monster on the poster. The poster showed a monster being struck by a red lightning bolt which stood for the police.
Who was Sasha's dad?
ReplyDeleteSasha's dad was a secret police. He was a part of the first secret police organization in Soviet Russia. His father drove a black car to school. All the State Security vehicles were painted black. He received badges for his devoted service to Stalin. He even had a TT30 pistol. He carried a bag full of pants, underwear, soap, and clean socks just incase he was put into prison. I was surprised that he couldn't talk about being a secret police to anyone. I was also surprised that the picture of Sasha's father and Stalin was made into posters because he liked to so much. I do not agree with how things were at the time.
The Lubyanka prison:
This article was about the Lubyanka prison. Every single cell had a different key and more than one person was not allowed to be outside of a cell at the same time. I found it interesting that people were taken to prison even at night. Also I thought it was cool that the handcuffs tightened even in the smallest move. I do not agree with the conditions the people were put in when they were sent to prison.
Sasha's Moscow:
In this article, they showed different pictures of Moscow. It showed us how life was in Moscow during Stalin's rule. I found it interesting that after Sasha's father was put in prison it was dangerous to take care of him because he was the son of the “enemy of the people.” Also it was interesting to know that Stalin's light in his office was always lit. I do not agree with this article and think that the conditions were not fair.
Inside Sasha's School
ReplyDeleteThe section says how strict and organized the school is. An interesting fact is that the students had to sit a checkerboard pattern. Something that surprised me was that the teacher dismissed the class because they have to erase the board, and the teacher did not want to erase Stalin's picture because she did not want the students to turn her in for destroying a picture of Stalin. I disagree with this.
Who Is Sasha's Dad
The section tells that Sasha's dad is a member of the secret police. An interesting fact is that the picture of Sasha's dad and Stalin has Sasha's dad altered to conceal his identity. I thought it was surprising that you could be arrested at any time. I disagree with this.
Inside Lubyanka Prison
The section tells what Lubyanka Prison was like. An interesting fact is how the handcuffs would close tighter the more the prisoner moved. It surprised me how there was a lot of secrecy and the prisoners were not allowed to see each other. I disagree with this.
This part is about Inside Lubyanka Prison. I was very fascinated when I read that when a person was in handcuffs and if they moved the handcuff would tighten around the person’s wrist. Also, it was not very pleasant when I read about Sasha’s dad not being allowed to sleep for weeks until he admit that he was a spy. If it was me I would be super scared about what they would do to me, and I would suffer because I would not be getting enough sleep.
DeleteThis is about Inside Sasha’s School. I was surprised to read that a pupil would take a bell from the janitor and not expect to get caught, but as a result of that, he was caught and never seen again. What I did not think was very appeasing was that a teacher had to get her pupils out of the classroom before she could erase Stalin of the blackboard because she was afraid that if a student saw her erasing Stalin, the student would tell the night police and the teacher would get caught. I think that the rules back then were too harsh. I would not want to have lived there back then.
This section is about Sasha’s Moscow. I liked how when I read about the trolley ticket and Sasha liked to pay for it, unlike his friends who preferred to ride for free. Following the rules shows a real pioneer, which Sasha wants to be very badly. Another part that I liked was the coins that Sasha’s Aunt gave him when Sasha was at her house. It was enough money to supply him for the trolley and lunch at his school, but he skipped lunch because he left early. I liked that Sasha wanted to be a pioneer so much that nothing would annoy him to let him avoid that dream.
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ReplyDeleteKomunalka: Living With Strangers
ReplyDeletePeople had to live in fear under the rule of stalin. People susch as Sasha had to live in an apartment, supply their own toilet seat, and had to share 1 toilet in the apartment. People like Sasha could not always afford certain foods and ingredients such as milk,yogurt, or butter and had to eat canned food because people did not make much money.
Inside Sasha's School
In sasha's school, friends where not allowed to sit next to each other. Good kids sat in the front and bad kids sat in the back. Every student was given a "dnevnik," a weekly calendar that included the classes and grades that had to be signed by their parents every week to prove they saw it. Some students forged their parents signatures or ripped of the page that was not signed, but the students always ended up getting caught by the teacher.
Enemies of the People
1 out of 5 people became informers because they got paid or was given favors by the secret police if they caught any enemies such as wreckers or spies. Sasha is told by the radio that there are enemies of the people everywhere such as wreckers and spies. The secret police read peoples mail and listened to people conversations to find "the enemies of the people."
Inside Lubyanka Prison
ReplyDeleteThis article was about Lubyanka Prison. In the prison, the prisoners are not allowed to see or speak to each other. I found it interesting that the handcuffs were designed to close tighter when a person moved. It was scary that people could be arrested at night. I disagree with the way the guards treated the prisoners.
Inside Sasha's School
This article is about how strict Sasha's school was. There was a picture of a bell that the janitor would ring to announce the beginning and end of each class. Once a student hid the bell and afterwards was taken away and never heard from again. It tells us about the time when Sasha drew a picture on the blackboard of Stalin. When his teacher saw it, she didn't erase it because the students were still in the classroom. If one of the students saw her erase the drawing, they could report her to the secret police and she would be caught. I disagree with the way the rules were at that time.
Comrade Stalin- Brilliant Genius of Humanity
This article was about how people, especially Sasha, looked up to Stalin and thought he was a great leader. There was a poster showing children thanking Stalin for giving them a happy childhood. It was interesting to find out that these children's parents were arrested and executed. It was fascinating to learn that Stalin checked off names of the people he wanted to be arrested or executed.I disagree with this article because Stalin was a cruel leader that executed people he didn't like.
Sasha's Moscow
ReplyDeleteMy reaction to the first blog is that I was surprised that Sasha had to live in an environment that was populated with so many people. They had to live in apartments and never have any houses of their own. Many of the people thought that things would turn out better with communism but it only got worse.
Lubyanka Prison
In this blog there is a intense and complex prison build in Lubyanka, Moscow. There are advanced security and very strict guards and officers for the prisoners. If another prisoner is with a guard, another guard will turn the other prisoner's head so that he or she will not see the other prisoner. The prison cells are also are made so that each prisoner is isolated from each other. There are padlocks on the prison doors so that it can't open more than one. Then under the prison floor is a shooting range where the secret police practice and prisoners can hear it. I feel that this is unfair and that secret polices and guards were being too harsh around the prisoners.
Who was Shasha's Dad?
In this blog it describes Sasha's dad's job, acheivements, and events from his life.He liked to call himself Chekist which means "first members of secret police organization". Sasha's dad always wore his leather Chekist jacket and Sasha used it as a blanket as he waited for his dad to come home. He always carried a brief case with him when he went to the prison so that he had extra things with him. He drove a secret police van so that he could take his prisoners in the prison. The vans used to be black and were called the "Black Ravens", but were changed into bright colors like food delivery vehicles so that they could blend in. He supervised many professial informers and works with them. Sasha's dad got many awards from Stalin including his Red Banner that was pinned by Stalin. He practiced at the shooting range at the Lubyanka Prison and had a TT30 pistol with 8 7.62 mm bullets. After Sasha's mother died, his dad took him to the shooting range to show Sasha. I feel that Sasha's father was very successful and that his son really looked up to him.
Who was Sasha's Dad?
ReplyDeleteSasha's dad was a part of Checka, the first secret police organization of Soviet Russia. He wore a black leather coat, received many badjes and awards, and owned a TT30 pistol. He carried a briefcase that contained soap, socks, underwear, an undershirt, and a pair of long johns in case he was arrested. I was surprised to learn that Sasha's father was forbidden to tell anyone of his work.
The Enemies of the People
In Soviet Russia, the people were taught to believe that there were enemies everywhere. Faces were crossed out of photos, posters showing Russia defeating these "enemies" were displayed all over, and civilians could be arrested any moment of the day. I found it shocking that the secret police would go to the extent of looking through personal mail and eavesdropping on conversations just to find these people. I also disagree with the fact that false accusations can be made towards an innocent person simply because they are disliked by an officer.
Inside the Lubyanka Prison
In the Lubyanka Prison, the prisoners are not allowed to speak, or even see each other. The shackles are designed to close tighter from the slightest movement, and the padlocks are all different so no one key can open all of them. I feel that the prisoners were treated unfairly and were not given the chance to prove themselves innocent.
Who was Sasha's dad?
ReplyDeleteSasha's dad is a secret police officer in the Soviet Union. He drove a black car to work that he used to arrest people. He wore a black coat to work and kept his leather uniform even after they changed them. He had the ability to arrest anyone at anytime even if they did not do anything wrong. He received a medal for risking his own life in a heroic action but Sasha cannot ask him what the action was. I disagree with Sasha's dad's ability to arrest anyone that he decides to.
Inside Sasha's school
This section shows that Sasha's school was very firm and strict. They had a book that showed all of there grades and a calendar and they had to get it signed at the end of the week. There teacher organized the students but putting the smarter harder working kids up front and the less focused lids in the back. I found it interesting that when Sasha drew a picture of stalin on the beard the teacher dismissed the class because she did not want anyone to see the he erase the picture of him. I disagree with the fact that they cannot erase or destroy a picture of Stalin.
Enemies of the People
This section was about the secret police trying to catch spys and encouraging citizens to help. they even encouraged Sasha to look for the spys. They encouraged the people by using propaganda and posters. The secret police had the ability to read all of the people's personal conversations and mail and invade there privacy. I do not agree with them being able to read your personal messages.
Sasha's Moscow: In this article, they show different pictures of Moscow and how life was in that city. They show marching bands and tanks going through the streets as planes fly above during the May Day parade. While reading I noticed that the school Sasha goes to elementary school #37 has a number and there must be many schools like it. It also shows important buildings like the Kremlin. I found it interesting that even when Stalin wasn't in the Kremlin the light in his office was kept on. Sasha and his family like most Moscow citizens had to live in compact apartments. I disagree with this article and do not think the living conditions of Moscow were fair.
ReplyDeleteWho was Sasha’s dad: Sasha’s dad was part of the first secret police organization called Cheka. Sasha’s dad carries around a TT30 pistol and is liable to arrest anyone without warning. There is also a picture of Sasha’s dad and Comrade Stalin. Sasha wants to grow up to be a secret police just like his father. Sasha isn’t allowed to ask his father about his work for it is forbidden. I found it interesting that people kept suitcases with spare things if they were to be arrested.
Inside Lubyanka Prison: In the Lubyanka Prison, conditions were very bad. Prisoners weren’t even allowed to see each other. Each cell is has a different padlock so a key can’t open more than one cell. There is also a pair of handcuffs that tightens with the slightest movement. Outside in the courtyard, secret police men shoot at the walls preparing to defend themselves against the enemies of the people. Prisoners on the ground floor hear the deafening sounds of gunshots, while people outside hear nothing. I disagree with the treatment of the prisoners in of the Lubyanka Prison.
Sasha's Moscow: Moscow was the capital city of the USSR under Stalin's reign. It was also the headquarters of the Russian Communist Party. Stalin's office was located on the second floor of the Kremlin, and his office light was always kept on, in order to give the residents of Moscow the impression that he was dedicated and hardworking. The State Security, or secret police, also had its headquarters in Moscow, a building on Lubyanka Square, which doubled as the Lubyanka Prison. Sasha attends Moscow Elementary School #37, taking a tram to get there from his communal apartment daily. A ticket for a tram ride costs three kopeeks, official Soviet currency.
DeleteKommunalka: Living with Strangers: The residents of Moscow mostly lived in small communal aparments, kommunalkas, along with a few other families. Most of the apartment was shared, including the kitchen and toilet. Each family had a ring on the kitchen stove for cooking, but Sasha's dad gave up their stove ring after Sasha's mom died and purchased a small, personal Primus stove instead. Because electricity was rationed, every family had its own lightbulb for use in the toilet. There was a radio in every partition of the apartment that constantly played patriotic speeches and songs, and not listening to it was considered suspicious behavior. There were often imformants in the kommunalkas, so citizens always had to be careful with their speech. The informant in Sasha's apartment was Stukachov, who reported Sasha's dad to the state police in order to get their apartment.
Who was Sasha's Dad?: Sasha's dad worked for the State Security, also known as the GPU, OGPU, Cheka, and the NKVD. As a secret police officer, he is eligible to arrest, without warning, anybody he considered to be an enemy of the prople. He drove a black car(all secret police cars were painted black)to and from Lubyanka. Regulation issue weaponry for secret policemen were Tokarev T30 pistols chambered with 7.62 by 25 mm ammunition. (The Tokarev T30s were quite outdated at the time this story takes place and did not pass the acceptance trial issued by the army, so I doubt Sasha's dad actually used a TT30.) Sasha's dad has been personally awarded by the Stalin the Order of the Red Banner for heroic action, but Sasha does not know any specific details about it. Sasha was warned by his dad to stay away from his neighbor, Stukachov, because he was suspected of being an informant.