summary of the book dr zhivago

• Doctor Zhivago Summary

by Boris Pasternak

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Written by Julia  Wolf

When Yuri’s uncle Nikolai Nikolayevich moved to Petersburg, other relatives Gromeko took care of him at the age of ten. In their house there were interesting people and the atmosphere of the professorial family quite contributed to the development of Yuri’s talents.

The daughter of Alexander Alexandrovich and Anna Ivanovna (born Kruger) Tonya was a good friend to him, and classmate at the school Misha Gordon - a close friend, so that he did not suffer from loneliness.

Once during a home concert Alexander Alexandrovich had to accompany one of the invited musicians on an urgent call to the rooms where his well-known acquaintance, Amalia Karlovna Gishar, had just tried to settle accounts with her life. The professor gave in to the request of Yura and Misha and took them with him.

While the boys stood in the hallway and listened to the victim's complaints that she was pushed to such a pitch by terrible suspicions, luckily turned out to be only the fruit of her frustrated imagination, a middle-aged man came out from behind the partition into the next room, waking the girl who was sleeping in the chair.

At the looks of the man she answered with a wink of the accomplice, pleased that everything had turned out and their secret had not been revealed. In this silent conversation there was something frighteningly magical, like he was a puppeteer, and she was a puppet. Yura's heart contracted from the contemplation of this enslavement. On the street, Misha told a friend that he had met this man. A few years ago, he and his father were traveling with him on the train, and he was soldering on the way to the Yuri's father, who then fled the site to the rails.

The girl seen by Yura, turned out to be the daughter of Madame Guichard. Larissa was a schoolgirl. At the age of sixteen she looked eighteen years old and was somewhat burdened by the situation of the child - the same as her girlfriends. This feeling intensified when she yielded to the courtship of Viktor Ippolitovich Komarovsky, whose role with her mother was not limited to the role of counselor in business and friend at home. He became her nightmare, he enslaved her.

A few years later, as a medical student, Yuri Zhivago met Lara again under unusual circumstances.

Together with Tonya Gromeko on the eve of Christmas, they went to the Christmas tree to Sventitsky on the Kamergersky lane. Recently, a painfully long and painful Anna Ivanovna joined their hands, saying that they were created for each other. Tonya really was a close and understanding person. At that moment, she caught his mood and did not interfere with admiring the frosted, luminous windows from inside, in one of which Yuri noticed a black thaw, through which was seen the candle fire, turned to the street almost with a conscious look. At that moment, lines of yet unformed verses were born: "The candle was burning on the table, the candle was burning ..."

He did not even suspect that outside the window Lara Guishar was speaking at this moment to Pasha Antipov, who did not hide from the childhood of her adoration that if he loves her and wants to deter death, they should immediately marry. After that, Lara went to Sventitsky, where Yuri and Tonya had fun in the hall, and where Komarovsky was sitting behind the cards. About two o'clock in the morning a shot suddenly sounded in the house. Lara, shooting at Komarovsky, missed, but the bullet touched the comrade of the prosecutor of the Moscow Trial Chamber. When Lara was led through the hall, Yura was stupefied - that one! And again the same gray-haired man that had to do with his father's death! To top it off, after returning home, Tonya and Yura no longer found Anna Ivanovna alive.

Komarovsky managed to save Lara from the trial, but she fell ill, and Pasha was not allowed to visit her yet. However, Kologrivov came, however, and brought "awards". More than three years ago, Lara, in order to get rid of Komarovsky, became the teacher of his youngest daughter. Everything went well, but then her public brother Rodya lost the public money. He was going to shoot if his sister did not help him. The Kologrivovs rescued the money, and Lara handed them over to Rodja, taking away the revolver from which he wanted to shoot himself. Lara failed to return the debt. Lara secretly from Pasha sent money to his exiled father and paid the owners of the room in Kamergerskom.

The girl considered her position at Kologrivov false, did not see the way out of it, except to ask money from Komarovsky. Life has become disgusting to her. At the ball at the Sventicki Victor Ippolitovich pretended that he was busy with cards and did not notice Lara. To the girl who entered the room, he turned with a smile, the meaning of which Lara understood so well.

When Lara became better, she and Pasha got married and went to Yuryatin, to the Urals. After the wedding, the young people spoke until the morning. His guesses alternated with Lara's confessions, after which his heart fell. In the new place, Larissa taught at the gymnasium and was happy, although she had a house and a three-year-old Katya. Pasha taught Latin and Ancient History.

The wedding was arranged and Jura and Tonya were married. Meanwhile, the war broke out. Yuri Andreevich was at the front, not having time to really see his son. In another way Pavel Pavlovich Antipov got into the heat of battle.

With his wife, the relationship was not easy. He doubted her love for him. To free everyone from this forgery for family life, he finished officer courses and ended up on the front, where he was captured in one of the fights. Larissa Fedorovna acted as a sister in the ambulance train and went to look for her husband. Lieutenant Galiullin, who knew Pasha from childhood, claimed to have seen how he died.

Zhivago witnessed the collapse of the army, the outrage of anarchist deserters, and when he returned to Moscow he found even more terrible devastation. What he saw and experience led the doctor rethink a lot in his attitude to the revolution.

To survive the family moved to the Urals, to the former Kruger’s estate Varykino, not far from the city of Yuryatin. The path ran through the snow-covered spaces on which the armed gangs ruled, through the regions of recently pacified uprisings, with horror repeating the name of Strelnikov, crowding the whites under the command of Colonel Galiullin.

In Varykin they stopped first with the former Krugers’ manager Mikulitsyn, and then in the outhouse for the servants. They planted potatoes and cabbage, put the house in order, the doctor sometimes took the patients. Unexpectedly announced half-brother Eugraph Zhivago, energetic, mysterious, very influential, helped to strengthen their position. Antonina Alexandrovna was expecting a child.

Over time Yuri Andreyevich got an opportunity to visit Yuryatin in the library, where he saw Larisa Feodorovna Antipova. She told him about herself, that Strelnikov was her husband Pavel Antipov, who returned from captivity, but disappeared under a different surname and did not support the relationship with the family. When he took Yuryatin he bombarded the city with shells and never inquired if his wife and daughter were alive.

Two months later Yuri Andreevich again returned from the city to Varykino. He deceived Tonya, continuing to love her, and was tormented by it. On that day he went home with the intention of confessing his wife to everything and not seeing Lara any more.

Suddenly three armed men blocked his path and announced that the doctor had since been mobilized into a squad of Liveria Mikulitsyn. The doctor's job was to treat the wounded. Before Liveri Yurii Andreievich did not conceal that the ideas of the October Revolution did not ignite him, that they were so far from being realized, and for nothing but talk of it was paid by the seas of blood, so that the goal does not justify the means. Yes, and the very idea of ​​altering life is born of people who did not feel its spirit. Two years of bondage, separation from the family, hardship and danger ended nevertheless with a runaway.

In Yuryatin the doctor appeared at a time when white people left the city, passing it to the red. He looked wild, unwashed, hungry and weakened. Larisa Fedorovna and Katenka were not at home. In the cache for the keys he found a note. Larissa and her daughter went to Varykino, hoping to find him there. His thoughts were tangled, fatigue he was tending to sleep. He melted the oven, ate a little and, without undressing, fell sound asleep. Waking well understood that naked, unwashed and lying in a clean bed that long ached, but recovering thanks to the care of Lara, although full recovery can not even think about returning to Moscow. Zhivago went to serve in state hospital. However, the clouds over them thickened. In the doctor they saw a social alien, under Strelnikov the soil began to fluctuate. The town was raging.

At this time, a letter came from Tony: the family was in Moscow, but Professor Gromeko, and with it her and the children (now they have a daughter, Masha, besides her son) are being sent abroad. Grief is that she loves him, and he does not. Let him build life according to his own understanding.

Suddenly Komarovsky appeared. He was invited by the government of the Far Eastern Republic and is ready to take them with him: they are both facing death threats. Yuri Andreyevich immediately rejected this proposal. Lara has long told him about the fateful role that this person played in her life, and he told her that Viktor Ippolitovich was the culprit of his father's suicide. It was decided to take refuge in Varykin. The village was abandoned for a long time by residents, wolves howled around at night, but it would be more terrible for people to appear, and they did not take weapons with them. In addition, Lara recently said that she seems to be pregnant. He should not have thought of himself. Then just again came Komarovsky. He brought news that Strelnikov was sentenced to be shot and Katenka should be saved, if Lara does not think about herself. The doctor told Lara that she should go with Komarovsky.

In snowy, forest loneliness Yuri Andreevich slowly went crazy. He drank and wrote poems dedicated to Lara. Lament for the lost loved one grew into generalized thoughts about history and man, about revolution as a lost and mourned ideal.

One evening the doctor heard a crunch of footsteps, and a man appeared in the doorway. Yuri Andreyevich did not immediately recognize Strelnikov. It turned out that Komarovsky deceived them! They spoke almost all night.

About the revolution, about Lara, about childhood on Tverskaya-Yamskaya. They lay down in the morning, but when woke up and went out for water, the doctor found his interlocutor shot.

In Moscow Zhivago appeared emaciated, overgrown and feral. He traveled most of the way on foot. During the next eight or nine years of his life, he lost his medical skills and lost his literary skills, but nevertheless he took up his pen and wrote thin little books. Lovers appreciate them.

The daughter of the former janitor Marina helped him in the household, she served on the telegraph line on the foreign communication line. Over time, she became the wife of the doctor and they had two daughters. But one of the summer days, Yuri Andreyevich suddenly disappeared. Marina received a letter from him that he wants to live alone for a while and not to be sought. He did not say that he again knew where the appeared brother Evgraf had rented a room in Kamergersky, provided him with money, began to work on a good job.

However on a hot August day Yuri Andreyevich died of a heart attack. Say goodbye to him came to Kamergersky suddenly a lot of people. Among those saying goodbye was Larisa Fyodorovna. She came into this apartment from old memory. Here was once her first husband, Pavel Antipov. A few days after the funeral, she suddenly disappeared: she left home and did not return. Apparently, she was arrested.

Already in 1943, at the front, Major-General Yevgraf Andreevich Zhivago, asking the tinderer Tanka Bezocheredov about her heroic friend Scout Christina Orletsova, asked her, Tanya, the fate. He quickly realized that this was the daughter of Larisa and Yuri. Fleeing with Komorowski to Mongolia, when the Reds approached Primorye, Lara left the girl on the railway crossing to the watchman Martha, who had ended the days in a madhouse.

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Doctor Zhivago Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Doctor Zhivago is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

How does paragraph 6 mainly add to the development of Mr. White?

I'm sorry, Dr.Zhivago does not include a character by the name of Mr. White.

themes and metaphors of"Doctor Zhivago"

I think Yury takes pity on Pasha. He knows neither will probably see each other again so he tells him that Lara loved him. This gives Pasha a sense of happiness. It is Pasha's gift from Yury before he (Pasha) takes his own life.

The main theme in Dr. Zhivago is impossible love. I wouldn't cite illness as a theme, but if you find a connection I'd use it. We all read and discover different things in literature. That's why great literature survives.

Study Guide for Doctor Zhivago

Doctor Zhivago study guide contains a biography of Boris Pasternak, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Doctor Zhivago
• Character List

Essays for Doctor Zhivago

Doctor Zhivago literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Doctor Zhivago.

• An Adulterous Love Affair During the Russian Revolution

Wikipedia Entries for Doctor Zhivago

• Introduction
• Description
• Adaptations

"Doctor Zhivago" Summary

By Boris Pasternak

classics | 706 pages | Published in 2011

First published in Italy in 1957 amid international controversy, Doctor Zhivago is the story of the life and loves of a poet/physician during the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. Taking his family from Moscow to what he hopes will be shelter in the Ural Mountains, Zhivago finds himself instead embroiled in the battle between the Whites and the Reds. Set against this backdrop of cruelty and strife is Zhivago's love for the tender and beautiful Lara, the very embodiment of the pain and chaos of those cataclysmic times. Pevear and Volokhonsky masterfully restore the spirit of Pasternak's original—his style, rhythms, voicings, and tone—in this beautiful translation of a classic of world literature.

Estimated read time: 13 min read

One Sentence Summary

A sweeping tale of love, war, and revolution in early 20th century Russia, following the life of an idealistic poet torn between two women.

Table of Contents

A complete summary of doctor zhivago book, plot overview, main characters, themes and motifs, analysis of writing style, historical context, reception and legacy.

Doctor Zhivago Summary: A Riveting Tale of Love and Revolution

In this article, we delve into the captivating world of "Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak. Set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution, this renowned novel takes us on a journey through tumultuous times as experienced by its protagonist, Doctor Yuri Zhivago. From his passionate love affairs to his struggles with political upheaval, "Doctor Zhivago" offers readers a poignant exploration of human emotions amidst chaos and change.

Let's dive deeper into the intricacies of this timeless masterpiece and uncover the essence of its gripping storyline.

• Doctor Zhivago is a novel written by Boris Pasternak, set in Russia during the early 20th century.
• The story revolves around the life of Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet, as he navigates through the tumultuous events of the Russian Revolution and its aftermath.
• Introduce Yuri Zhivago as our protagonist, an idealistic young doctor with a passion for poetry.
• Set the historical backdrop of pre-revolutionary Russia.
• Describe Yuri's childhood and upbringing in Moscow.
• Highlight his close relationship with his half-brother Yevgraf.
• Discuss how he first meets Lara, a beautiful young woman who becomes his muse.
• Explain his arranged marriage to Tonya and their seemingly happy life together.
• Illustrate how he joins the military as an army doctor on the Eastern Front.
• Portray his encounters with various characters affected by war and revolution.
• Depict their secret meetings and forbidden love amidst chaos.
• Emphasize their desire for personal freedom while society crumbles around them.
• Outline his hardships while living in hiding or exile across Siberia,
• Reveal Yurievichi’s eventual return to Moscow years later

Doctor Zhivago offers readers a captivating portrayal of love, loss, and resilience amidst the backdrop of a nation in turmoil. The plot takes readers on an emotional journey through Yuri Zhivago's life as he navigates personal and political challenges during one of Russia's most turbulent periods.

Here are the main characters in "Doctor Zhivago":

• Yuri Zhivago : The protagonist of the novel, Yuri is a sensitive and introspective doctor who finds himself caught up in the tumultuous events of early 20th-century Russia. He is torn between his love for Lara and his commitment to his wife, Tonya.
• Lara Antipova : A beautiful and passionate woman, Lara becomes one of the central figures in Yuri's life. She endures numerous hardships during the Russian Revolution but remains resilient and determined.
• Tonya Gromeko : Yuri's loyal and devoted wife, Tonya provides stability in his life even as he grapples with conflicting emotions towards her and Lara.
• Alexander Alexandrovich Gromeko : Tonya's husband before marrying Yuri, Alexander is a government official who plays a significant role in shaping the political landscape during this time of upheaval.
• Komarovsky : A wealthy lawyer known for exploiting women, Komarovsky has a complex relationship with both Lara and Tonya that affects their lives profoundly.
• Pasha Antipov/Strelnikov : Initially engaged to Lara, Pasha later becomes Strelnikov – a revolutionary leader driven by ideology rather than personal relationships.
• Anna Ivanovna : A motherly figure who takes care of abandoned children amid the chaos of war-torn Russia.

These characters navigate through love affairs, war, revolution, loss, and sacrifice against the backdrop of historical events that shape their destinies.

In "Doctor Zhivago," the setting plays a crucial role in shaping the story and immersing readers into the world of early 20th-century Russia. Here are some key aspects of the setting:

• Russia during World War I: The novel is primarily set against the backdrop of Russia's tumultuous political landscape during World War I. This period was marked by social and political upheaval, which greatly influences the characters' lives.
• Moscow and St. Petersburg: The story takes place in both Moscow and St. Petersburg, two iconic cities that represent different facets of Russian society at that time. While Moscow serves as a bustling metropolis with its vibrant energy, St. Petersburg exudes an air of aristocracy and sophistication.
• The Russian Revolution: As the narrative progresses, it delves into the chaos unleashed by the Russian Revolution in 1917. The revolution brings about significant changes in society, affecting not only individuals but also entire communities.
• Siberia: Parts of "Doctor Zhivago" unfold amidst Siberia's vast landscapes—a region known for its harsh climate and remote wildernesses—underscoring a sense of isolation experienced by many characters throughout their journeys.
• War-torn Europe: Beyond Russia's borders, war-torn Europe plays a prominent role in shaping events within the novel—particularly during Yuri Zhivago's service as a doctor on various war fronts such as Austria-Hungary and France.
• Seasonal Variations: Boris Pasternak skillfully uses seasonal variations to evoke moods and reflect character emotions throughout "Doctor Zhivago." From snowy winters to blooming springs, each season adds depth to scenes while symbolizing change or renewal.

By masterfully weaving together these diverse settings, Pasternak provides readers with a vivid tapestry upon which his characters navigate love, loss, revolution, and personal growth. The ever-shifting settings mirror the characters' turbulent journeys, making "Doctor Zhivago" an immersive and captivating literary experience.

In "Doctor Zhivago," Boris Pasternak explores various themes and motifs that add depth to the story. Here are some key themes and motifs found in the novel:

• The theme of love is central to the story, as it drives the actions of many characters.
• Lara's passionate love for Yuri Zhivago creates intense emotional conflicts throughout the narrative.
• Love is portrayed as a powerful force that can both uplift and destroy individuals.
• Set against the backdrop of World War I, Russian Revolution, and subsequent Civil War, war plays a significant role in "Doctor Zhivago."
• The destructive nature of war is depicted through vivid descriptions of violence, suffering, and loss experienced by characters.
• A recurring motif in the novel is the contrast between nature's beauty and tranquility versus industrialization's chaos.
• Pasternak portrays nature as a refuge from societal turmoil while highlighting how rapid urban development disrupts harmony.
• Another important theme explored in "Doctor Zhivago" revolves around individual freedom versus state control.
• Characters struggle with maintaining their personal autonomy amidst political upheaval, censorship, surveillance, and ideological conformity.
• Artistic Expression - Art serves as an essential means for self-expression throughout the book. - Poems written by Yuri serve as reflections on life’s complexities while giving readers insight into his inner thoughts.
• Idealism vs Reality - Idealism clashes with harsh reality in multiple instances within the novel. - Characters grapple with shattered dreams when faced with societal constraints or unfulfilled aspirations.

These themes and motifs contribute to creating a rich tapestry within "Doctor Zhivago," making it a thought-provoking exploration of human experiences amidst tumultuous times.

In "Doctor Zhivago," Boris Pasternak showcases a distinctive writing style that enhances the overall narrative and captivates readers. Here's an analysis of the notable aspects:

• Poetic Language : Pasternak, being a renowned poet, infuses his prose with poetic elements. The language is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid imagery in the reader's mind.
• Descriptive Imagery : The author employs rich descriptions to bring characters, landscapes, and emotions to life. This attention to detail enables readers to immerse themselves fully in the story.
• Introspection and Reflection : Throughout the book, Pasternak delves into characters' thoughts and feelings at length, providing deep insights into their motivations and inner struggles.
• Symbolism : The novel incorporates various symbolic elements that add layers of meaning to the narrative. Examples include snow as a metaphor for purity or transformation and Lara's blue dress representing her enigmatic allure.
• Multiple Perspectives : To offer a comprehensive understanding of events, Pasternak presents different perspectives through multiple narrators' voices. This technique adds complexity while allowing readers to see situations from various angles.
• Historical Context : As "Doctor Zhivago" unfolds during Russia's turbulent early 20th century history, Pasternak skillfully weaves historical events into the storyline without overwhelming it or detracting from character development.
• Emotional Intensity : The writing style conveys raw emotions effectively by utilizing powerful metaphors and dramatic dialogue exchanges between characters facing love affairs or political conflicts.
• Narrative Structure : Rather than following a linear plotline, Pasternak adopts a nonlinear structure that jumps back and forth in time effortlessly—a literary device contributing to suspenseful storytelling.

9 . Lengthy Sentences : In line with Russian literary tradition (e.g., Tolstoy and Dostoevsky), Pasternak employs long, intricate sentences that provide a rhythmic flow to the narrative.

• Realism and Authenticity : The author's realistic portrayal of human experiences, relationships, and societal dynamics adds authenticity to the story, making it relatable despite its historical setting.

These distinctive elements collectively demonstrate Boris Pasternak's masterful writing style in "Doctor Zhivago," making it an enduring literary masterpiece.

• The novel "Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak is set during the tumultuous period of Russian history from 1903 to 1922.
• It provides a fictionalized account of the events leading up to and following the Russian Revolution of 1917.
• The story takes place against the backdrop of World War I, which greatly influenced political tensions within Russia at that time.
• Tsar Nicholas II was in power during the beginning of this period, ruling with an autocratic regime that faced growing opposition from various factions.
• In February 1917, a series of strikes and protests erupted in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), eventually leading to the abdication of Nicholas II and the establishment of a provisional government.
• However, this new government faced challenges from both radical socialist groups, such as the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin, and conservative forces who sought to maintain their power or restore monarchy rule.
• In October 1917, Lenin's Bolshevik Party seized control in what became known as the October Revolution. This event marked a turning point in Russian history and set off a civil war between different political factions vying for power.
• Amidst these political upheavals, Doctor Yuri Zhivago serves as our protagonist—a physician-poet caught up in events beyond his control. His personal experiences reflect how ordinary individuals were affected by these historical changes.

In conclusion...

(Note: No summary or conclusion is provided as per instruction.)

• Despite the initial censorship and controversy surrounding "Doctor Zhivago," the novel received widespread acclaim after its publication in 1957.
• The book quickly became an international bestseller, captivating readers with its epic love story set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution.
• Critics praised Boris Pasternak's lyrical prose and his ability to capture the emotional depth of his characters.
• However, the Soviet government denounced "Doctor Zhivago" as anti-communist propaganda and banned it from publication within their borders. This only fueled curiosity among readers both in Russia and abroad.
• In 1958, Boris Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his masterpiece. While he initially accepted the honor, political pressure forced him to decline it under threat of exile from his homeland.

Literary Impact

• "Doctor Zhivago" played a significant role in shaping world literature by introducing a new perspective on historical events through personal narratives.
• The novel inspired countless authors who sought to explore themes of love, revolution, and individual freedom amidst societal turmoil.
• Its profound examination of human emotions resonated with readers across different cultures and generations.

In conclusion,

"The reception and legacy of 'Doctor Zhivago' demonstrate its significant impact on literature globally despite facing initial censorship challenges."

In conclusion, "Doctor Zhivago" is a captivating novel that takes readers on an emotional journey through the turbulent times of the Russian Revolution. The story follows the life of Yuri Zhivago, a talented doctor and poet, as he navigates love, loss, and political upheaval.

Throughout the book, we witness Yuri's struggle to find meaning and purpose in a rapidly changing world. His relationships with Lara Antipova and Tonya Gromeko are at the heart of the narrative, showcasing the complexities of love amidst war and societal unrest.

Boris Pasternak's skillful storytelling transports readers to early 20th century Russia, vividly depicting both its beauty and brutality. The rich descriptions not only paint a detailed picture of the setting but also evoke strong emotions within us.

"Doctor Zhivago" is more than just a historical account; it delves into profound themes such as identity, morality, and resilience. It forces us to confront our own values while shedding light on universal truths about human nature.

Overall, this masterpiece stands as a testament to Pasternak's literary prowess and remains an essential read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human experience during one of history's most tumultuous periods.

Doctor Zhivago FAQ

What is the genre of doctor zhivago.

Doctor Zhivago is a historical romance novel.

Who is the author of Doctor Zhivago?

Doctor Zhivago is written by Boris Pasternak.

When was Doctor Zhivago first published?

Doctor Zhivago was first published in 1957.

What is the plot of Doctor Zhivago?

Doctor Zhivago follows the life of Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet, during the Russian Revolution and subsequent Civil War.

Is Doctor Zhivago based on a true story?

No, Doctor Zhivago is a work of fiction, although it is set against the backdrop of historical events.

Is Doctor Zhivago available in multiple languages?

Yes, Doctor Zhivago has been translated into multiple languages.

What are some other famous works by Boris Pasternak?

Besides Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak is known for his poetry collections like My Sister, Life and Second Birth.

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Doctor Zhivago

Boris pasternak , john bayley  ( introduction ) , max hayward  ( translator ) ...more.

592 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1957

About the author

Boris Pasternak

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What may surprise some people who via the phenomenon of 'cultural osmosis' may know of this story as one of the greatest stories of forbidden and doomed love ever written (or something of similar sort, a misunderstanding perhaps perpetuated by the 1960s screen adaptation of this book), the love story is a quite small part of the overall plot. Don't read it for the pangs of unrequited love or the tension of the love triangle - the disappointment is sure to come if those are your expectations.

While I'm at it, I'd like to make sure I get across that while being quite skeptical about the October Socialist Revolution and its consequences, Pasternak was definitely not even close to being starry-eyed or wearing rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia when it came to the old way of living in Russia, the world shattered by the events of the revolution. He never leaves a doubt that the old world order needed to be changed, that the change was both necessary and organically expected; but the direction the change took was painfully brutal and, perhaps, less than ideal, and those who have suffered from such a radical change were perhaps the best people Russia had at that time - but their value has not made them any less vulnerable to the unrelenting march of time and dictatorship of proletariat. "It's only in bad novels that people are divided into two camps and have nothing to do with each other. In real life everything gets mixed up! Don't you think you'd have to be a hopeless nonentity to play only one role all your life, to have only one place in society, always to stand for the same thing?"

"No single man makes history. History cannot be seen, just as one cannot see grass growing. Wars and revolutions, kings and Robespierres, are history's organic agents, its yeast. But revolutions are made by fanatical men of action with one-track mind, geniuses in their ability to confine themselves to a limited field. They overturn the old order in a few hours or days, the whole upheaval takes a few weeks or at most years, but the fanatical spirit that inspired the upheavals is worshiped for decades thereafter, for centuries."

Sadly, despite my way-too-long obsessive internet search I could not come across a translation of these poems that came even close to doing justice to their brilliance. It's very unfortunate, but I guess some things need to be experienced only in the original. A good reason to learn Russian, right?

ما الذي يمنعني من أن أكون طبيبا أو أديبا؟ أظن أن السبب لا يعود إلى حرماننا أو تيهاننا أو عدم الاستقرار في حياتنا، بل يعود إلى النزعة الخطابية السائدة التي عمت كل مكان - عبارات مثل : فجر الغد، بناء عالم جديد، حاملو مشعل الإنسانية .. فعندما تسمع هذا الهراء للمرة الأولى لا تتمالك من التفكير " يا له من خيال واسع، يا له من غنى! " بينما هو في الواقع يمثل هذه الفخامة لأنه عديم الخيال ومن سقط المتاع

إن في نفسي شيئا محطما .. بل في كل حياتي شيء مكسور .. لقد اكشفت الحياة في سن مبكرة أكثر مما ينبغي .. كان مقدرا علي أن أكتشفها، وكان مقدرا علي أن أراها من أسوأ نواحيها

Yura realized he was at the monastery where that night [of his mother's funeral] he had wept as a child. More vividly than ever before he realized that art has two constants, two unending concerns: it always meditates on death and thus always creates life. pg 87

A Russian song is like water in a mill pond. It seems stopped and unmoving. But in its depths it constantly flows...By all possible means, by repetitions, by parallelisms, it holds back the course of the graudally developing content...Restraining itself, mastering itself, an anguished force...it is a mad attempt to stop time with words.

Language, the homeland and receptacle of beauty and meaning itself begins to think and speak for man and turns wholly into music, not in terms of external, audible sounds, but in terms of the swiftness and power of its inner flow.

"Lord...How have You allowed me to approach You, how have You let me wander onto Your priceless earth, under Your stars, to the feet of this reckless, luckless, unmurmuring, beloved woman?"

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Doctor Zhivago Summary

How it all goes down.

When we first meet Doctor Yuri Zhivago, he isn't a doctor yet. In fact, he's just a little boy at his mother's funeral. His father has deserted him, and with his mother gone, he feels like he has nothing left. The only person to take care of him is his beloved uncle Nikolai, a published social thinker who raises Yuri to always be independent and to think for himself.

As Zhivago gets older, he leaves his uncle and goes to live with the Gromeko family. While growing up there, he gets married to Tonya Gromeko, and the two of them have a son. Right after his son is born, however, Yuri gets called away to work as a doctor for the Russian army in World War I.

While serving in the war, Zhivago meets a nurse named Lara Antipova and falls in love with her. Lara's husband Pasha has gone missing in the war and is presumed dead. But rather than have an affair with Lara, Zhivago stays true to his wife Tonya and heads back home when the fighting is over. Meanwhile, the Bolshevik Revolution has taken hold of Russia, and the entire country is turned upside down.

When it becomes almost impossible to survive the Moscow winter, Yuri and his family move to the Ural Mountains to go stay on Tonya's old family property at Yuriatin. But the property has been seized by the Bolsheviks (the group of Communists who eventually took over), and since Zhivago and Tonya both come from rich families, they're not very well liked by the Communist Party. They try to live as quietly as possible without letting anyone know they're living there.

One day, Zhivago gets kidnapped by a band of merry men and is forced to work as a doctor for them as they wage war on the remaining "Whites"—the dudes who are trying to fight the Communists for control of Russia. After spending years away from his family, Zhivago finally escapes and heads back to Yuriatin, only to find that his family has gone back to Moscow. But guess who's still living in Yuriatin when he gets back? Yup, his old flame Lara Antipova.

Zhivago and Lara have an affair that keeps Zhivago from going to his family in Moscow. As time passes, though, it becomes clear that Lara and Zhivago are both in deep trouble with the Communist authorities. They move out into the woods to avoid arrest. But soon enough, they know they'll be found. Zhivago tricks Lara into leaving for a safer place by saying that he'll be right behind her. But he stays right where he is.

Eventually, Zhivago moves back to Moscow. His family, though, has been deported to Paris, so he spends the rest of his days suffering from heart trouble and writing as much poetry and philosophy as he can. One day, his heart finally gives out while he's riding a streetcar, and he dies. Two of his buddies find his old notebooks and organize them for publication. The final section of the book gives us a look at 25 poems that Zhivago wrote throughout his life.

Russian Names For the Win

Every Russian has a first name, a last name, and something called a patronymic, which is just a fancy way of saying "middle name based on the name of your father." Patronymics all end in -ich or -vich for men and -ovna or -evna for women.

Let's look at Zhivago, for example. His first name is Yuri, his last name is Zhivago, and his patronymic is Andreevich (which means "son of Andrei"). All together, it's Yuri Andreevich Zhivago. Our heroine's full name is Larisa Fyodorovna Antipova ("Fyodorovna" means "daughter of Fyodor").

Bear with us now. When Russians are in formal situations (like where you might call someone Mr. or Ms. So-and-So), they use the first name and patronymic. So if someone calls our protagonist "Yuri Andreevich," you know they're being formal with him. Same goes for "Larisa Fyodorovna." You don't address your friends or family members that way, unless they're way older than you are.

Unfortunately, you don't use your friends' or family members' first names, either. You use something called a diminutive. It's a lot like English, really. If your brother's name is Robert, chances are you call him Rob or Bobby, or something like that. Same goes here. Yuri Zhivago's friends and family members call him Yura or Yurochka. Lara is the diminutive of Larissa, so that's why Zhivago always calls her Lara.

Have you got all that straight in your head? Great, now try doing that for the dozens of other characters in this book. Believe it or not, Russian readers would be totally used to this sort of thing because it's normal to call people by lots of different names in Russian. If you read anything by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, you'll find the same thing.

P.S. In case you were wondering, that "zh" in "Zhivago" (and in any other Russian word) is pronounced like the "s" in "pleasure."

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Boris Pasternak’s ‘Doctor Zhivago’: A short summary

Early orphaned, Yury Zhivago is raised in a Moscow professor’s family. When grown up he marries Tonya, the professor’s daughter, but just when she gives birth to their son, Yury is forced to join the World War I front line as a doctor. 

Returning from the war, he finds himself in the midst of the revolution and Civil War in Russia. Yury takes his family and flees to a provincial city in the Urals, trying to hide from those turbulent events and all the violence, theft and hunger. 

In the same town, he meets a lady named Lara that he had seen before in Moscow. She seems to be a complete stranger to him and seems to have a mysterious life full of drama (in addition to her husband leaving to take part in the revolution). But there, in the middle of the nightmare, they fall in love with each other, finding they are incredibly close, no matter what.

'Doctor Zhivago' (1965) movie starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie

Yury feels absolutely awful having to cheat on his wife. When he is about to head to her to confess, his life turns upside down again. Yury gets separated from both Lara and his family, he gets captured by the Red Army. For a year and a half, he is forced to work in Siberia as a doctor for the Bolsheviks. 

Running away from captivity on foot, Yury gets back to the Ural city, but only finds Lara there. His wife and children have gone back to Moscow and have sent him a letter that they (and his father-in-law, the professor) were forced to leave the country. 

Yury and Lara stay together and, for the whole winter, hide from everyone and the Civil War in an abandoned estate. Their poor, but happy world is then interrupted by Lara’s patron from the past, by whom she was seduced at a very young age. He asks Zhivago to let Lara go with him, because he can save her and help emigrate. As Lara is probably pregnant, Yury decides to let her go. Ruining his own happiness, he hopes he is helping her. 

After the Civil War ends and the Bolsheviks seize power in the whole country, Yury turns back to Moscow and even lives with a woman. But he becomes dead inside. Understanding that his life and his personality have fallen down, he still can’t do anything to rescue himself. 

Russian actor Oleg Menshikov as Yury Zhivago in the 'Doctor Zhivago' mini-series

One morning in 1929, he dies from a heart attack in a tram. Absolutely by accident, Lara attends his funeral and even starts to go through his papers, but suddenly disappears. The most likely theory is she was arrested and died in the Gulag. 

What’s behind the novel?

The last chapter of the book is a collection of Yury Zhivago’s poems, a very important and incredibly deep part of the story. And as Pasternak was a poet himself (and also had a complicated personal life with two women he loved and tossed and turned between them), it’s considered that Zhivago is a semi-biographical character.

‘Doctor Zhivago’ didn’t have chances for success in Soviet publication. Formally, it’s a book about the Civil War, but, deep down, it’s a novel about human beings, about love and death, the meaning of life and the universe itself. And absolutely inappropriate in Soviet times, as the novel does not put the Bolsheviks in a good light and, instead, shows how barbaric they acted and how they ruined many lives. 

The novel was banned from being published, however, Pasternak managed to transfer the book to the West and, in 1957, ‘Doctor Zhivago’ was published in Italy. Later, the CIA revealed the documents that the agency was involved in bringing the book to light. It was another propaganda “weapon” against the Soviet state. 

Omar Sharif as Doctor Zhivago in David Lean's film adaptation

In 1958, Pasternak was announced as a winner of the Nobel Prize in literature. The Soviet authorities became absolutely mad about the academy’s decision, perceiving it as a political step against the Soviet Union. And a whole bullying campaign against Pasternak was launched in the USSR (involving Nikita Khrushchev personally). 

Pasternak became persona non grata and all of his works were banned. ‘Didn’t read Pasternak, but condemn him’ - a phrase from that time that became an idiom for the idiocy of the situation. The bullying campaign ruined the author’s health and he died of cancer in 1960. 

The novel was first officially published in the USSR in 1988 and is now included in all the school and university reading lists and is confirmed as one of the strongest novels of the 20th century.

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• Doctor Zhivago Summary of Boris Pasternak's Book

Exploring the Heartache and Resilience of Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

Detailed summary, final thoughts.

Published in 1957, Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak is a monumental work of historical fiction that delves into the turmoil and upheaval of the Russian Revolution and its aftermath. Set against the backdrop of the vast Siberian landscape, this epic tale follows the life of Dr. Yury Zhivago, a poet, philosopher, and physician whose world is forever changed by love, war, and political unrest. As we journey through the pages of this novel, we are confronted with the raw emotions and complexities of human nature in the face of adversity.

The characters in Doctor Zhivago are a diverse and captivating cast that bring the story to life with their intricacies and relationships. From the brooding Dr. Zhivago himself to the enigmatic Lara, each character plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative. Some notable characters include:

• Dr. Yury Andreyevich Zhivago - A poet and physician whose artistic nature clashes with the harsh realities of war and revolution.
• Lara Antipova - The love interest of Dr. Zhivago, whose beauty and resilience captivate him.
• Viktor Ippolitovich Komarovsky - A manipulative and morally ambiguous character who plays a significant role in the lives of Dr. Zhivago and Lara.
• Anna Ivanovna Gromeko - The wife of Dr. Zhivago's close friend Alexander Gromeko, who struggles with her own emotions and desires.

These characters, among others, weave a rich tapestry of emotions and relationships that drive the narrative forward and engage the reader in the complexities of human experience.

The story of Doctor Zhivago unfolds with the backdrop of World War I and the Russian Revolution looming large over the characters' lives. Dr. Yury Zhivago, a talented poet and physician, finds himself torn between his artistic pursuits and the chaos of war. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Lara, the wife of a revolutionary, whose presence sparks a deep and enduring love within him.

As Dr. Zhivago navigates the tumultuous events of the revolution, his relationships with Lara, his wife Tonya, and his friends and acquaintances become increasingly strained. The brutal realities of war and political upheaval force him to confront his own beliefs and values, ultimately leading him on a path of self-discovery and redemption.

Despite the challenges and heartache that Dr. Zhivago faces, his unwavering resilience and inner strength shine through, inspiring hope and courage in the face of adversity. Through his poetry and his actions, he becomes a symbol of humanity's enduring spirit and capacity for love and compassion.

Doctor Zhivago is a masterful work of literature that transcends its historical context to explore timeless themes of love, loss, and resilience. Boris Pasternak's poetic prose and keen insight into the human psyche create a rich and immersive reading experience that resonates with readers long after the final page is turned.

The novel's exploration of the impact of war and revolution on individuals and society is both poignant and powerful, offering a nuanced portrayal of the complexities of human nature. Through the character of Dr. Zhivago, we witness the transformative power of love and art in the face of despair and destruction, reminding us of the enduring strength of the human spirit.

As we journey through the trials and tribulations of Dr. Zhivago and his companions, we are compelled to reflect on our own values and beliefs, ultimately discovering the universal truths that connect us all as human beings. Doctor Zhivago serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and beauty that can emerge from even the darkest of times, offering a message of hope and redemption that is as relevant today as it was in 1957.

To conclude, Doctor Zhivago is a mesmerizing and profound work of fiction that captivates the reader with its richly drawn characters, evocative prose, and timeless themes. Whether you are a lover of historical fiction, a fan of Russian literature, or simply a seeker of profound truths, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind.

If you have been moved and inspired by the summary of Doctor Zhivago , I highly encourage you to delve into the complete book to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and depth of Boris Pasternak's masterpiece. Alternatively, you may also consider listening to the audiobook version for a captivating and immersive reading experience. Whichever way you choose to experience this iconic novel, I can assure you that the journey will be well worth it. Dive into the world of Doctor Zhivago and let its profound and enduring wisdom touch your soul.

9780679774389 (ISBN10: 0679774386)

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Literary Theory and Criticism

Home › Literature › Analysis of Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago

Analysis of Boris Pasternak’s Doctor Zhivago

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on July 13, 2020 • ( 0 )

Considered by many the greatest Russian novel of the 20th century, Boris Pasternak’s (1890-1960) Doctor Zhivago is certainly the most famous fictional treatment of the defining moments of modern Russian history at the outset of the 20th century, inviting a comparison with Tolstoy ’s similar effort in War and Peace to dramatize the crucial events of the Napoleonic era. Doctor Zhivago shares with War and Peace an epic tonality; both attempt to encapsulate a national history, culture, and philosophy of human nature and experience in the stories of individuals caught up in the maelstrom of history. Depicting pre-revolutionary Russian culture, the revolution, and the ensuing civil war from a decidedly subjective viewpoint, Doctor Zhivago broke with the enforced literary dictates of socialist realism and party doctrine at a time when such a challenge demanded enormous courage and conviction. “A miracle of non-conformity,” the Russian scholar Victor Frank has called Pasternak’s novel, “full of supreme indifference to all the offi cial taboos.” Refused publication in the Soviet Union, the novel was surreptitiously sent to an Italian publisher who brought it out in 1957, with an English translation appearing in 1958. Hailed by the critic Edmund Wilson as “one of the great events in man’s literary and moral history . . . a great act of faith in art and the human spirit,” Doctor Zhivago became a worldwide popular and critical sensation that culminated in Pasternak being awarded the 1958 Nobel Prize in literature “for his notable achievement in both contemporary poetry and the field of the great Russian narrative tradition.” Regarded by the Soviet state as a political rather than a literary judgment on behalf of a novel it considered unpatriotic and subversive, Doctor Zhivago provoked a barrage of hostile reviews and resolutions in Russia that branded it “literary trash” and a “malicious lampoon of the socialist revolution.” Pasternak was expelled from the Writers’ Union and condemned as “worse than a pig” because “a pig never befouls where it eats or sleeps.” Pasternak’s deportation from the Soviet Union was averted only by the writer’s refusal of the Nobel Prize and by his impassioned appeal to Nikita Khrushchev in which Pasternak equated banishment from Russia to a death sentence. Doctor Zhivago would not be officially published in Russia until 1988 to great acclaim and acceptance into the post-Soviet literary canon as a landmark and unavoidable masterpiece.

Despite its undisputed importance as a social document chronicling a crucial period in Russian and world history, Doctor Zhivago continues to divide critics at the most basic level of how it works, its affinity to the novel tradition in the 19th and 20th centuries, and even the genre to which it belongs. Described as both one of the greatest political novels and one of literature’s great love stories, Doctor Zhivago has also been called “a fairy tale,” “a kind of morality play,” “an apocalyptic poem in the form of a novel,” “one of the most original works of modern times,” and “a nineteenth-century novel by a twentieth-century poet.” Compared to predecessors like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky in the great 19th-century Russian realistic novel tradition, Pasternak has been found wanting in his failure to provide believable, rounded characters. Compared to modernist innovators like Joyce, Woolf, and Faulkner, he has been viewed as old-fashioned and outmoded. To appreciate fully Pasternak’s achievement in Doctor Zhivago, it is necessary to recognize that its nonconformity extends beyond its unorthodox and unsanctioned ideas to its formal challenges to established narrative assumptions. Doctor Zhivago is neither a failed 19th-century nor a disappointing modernist novel, but a radical syn-thesis of both traditions in a daringly original construct.

Aspects of Pasternak’s life and career provide crucial contexts for his single novel published three years before his death. Born in Moscow in 1890, Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was the eldest child of the painter Leonid Pasternak and the concert pianist Rosa Kaufman and was raised in the midst of Moscow’s intellectual and artistic community. Tolstoy was a household visitor, and the distinguished composer Alexander Scarabin encouraged the 14-year-old Pasternak in his study of music. Convinced that he lacked the necessary technical skills, at age 19, Pasternak abandoned music for poetry and philosophy, eventually enrolling in Germany’s prestigious Marburg University until 1912 when he returned to Russia and committed himself exclusively to poetry. Associated with the Russian symbolist and futurist movements, Pasternak began to gain a reputation as a leading figure of a new generation of Russian poets who sought a greater freedom of poetic subjects and expression, more closely tied to actual experience and colloquial language. Declared exempt from military service during World War I because of a childhood leg injury, Pasternak managed a draft board in the Urals. When the revolution came, Pasternak was largely sympathetic, embracing the promise of needed social reform and liberation of the spirit that his poetry advocated. As the new Soviet regime grew increasingly conservative in cultural matters and repressive in silencing dissent, Pasternak, throughout the 1930s, published little, perfecting the delicate art of survival under Stalin, of maintaining core principles while avoiding the fate of fellow writers and artistic colleagues who faced death sentences and banishment to labor camps. Convinced that the Soviet state had betrayed the ideals of the revolution and that the drive for collectivism in Soviet society violated essential imperatives of human nature, sometime during the 1930s Pasternak decided to turn from poetry to prose to tell the story of his generation and its historical fate under the czar, during the Great War, and through the revolution and the establishment of the communist state, in part as an expression of survivor’s guilt. Writing in 1948, Pasternak admitted, “I am guilty before everyone. But what can I do? So here in the novel—it is part of this debt, proof that at least I tried.” Drawing on his earlier interests in musical composition, philosophy, and a career devoted to poetry, Pasternak conceived a novel capacious enough to contain his “views on art, the Gospels, human life in history and many other things.” Rejecting the “idiotic clichés” of socialist realism and an edited, sanitized view of the revolution and its aftermath, Pasternak embraced the role as truth teller in which “Everything is untangled, everything is named, simple, transparent, sad. Once again, afresh, in a new way, the most precious and important things, the earth and the sky, great warm feeling, the spirit of creation, life and death, have been delineated.” Doctor Zhivago began to take final shape during the late 1940s as Pasternak faced increasing government hostility for his “anti-Soviet” views. To punish him indirectly, Pasternak’s mistress, Olga Vsevolodovna Ivinskaia, was arrested in 1949 and sentenced to five years in a hard-labor camp “for close contact with persons suspected of espionage.” Pasternak would later confess that Olga was the Lara of his novel, which was finally completed in early 1956.

Pasternak’s comments about his work in his letters reveal key points about his intentions and methods for Doctor Zhivago. Throughout his correspondence, Pasternak refers to his “novel in prose,” a nod to Pushkin’s “novel in verse,” Eugene Onegin , and a connection to Pasternak’s following the same literary trajectory of Russia’s literary fountainhead, Pushkin, from poetry to prose. Regarding his poetry as preparatory work and incapable of supporting his historical and philosophical aspirations, Pasternak claimed, “a poem is to prose as a sketch is to a painting.” Yet at the core of Doctor Zhivago is Pasternak’s insistent lyricism in which narrative elements are joined through imagery, counterpoint, and symbolism. Pasternak’s poetic method explains why Doctor Zhivago, measured against the standard of the realistic novel, often falls short. Characters, rather than appearing distinct and original, tend to merge together, expressing shared preoccupations and feelings. Defending himself against charges of “not sufficient tracing of characters,” Pasternak insisted that “more than to delineate them I tried to efface them.” To the charge of the novel’s many violations of probability with coincidence, Pasternak claimed, “Realism of genre and language doesn’t interest me. That’s not what I value. In the novel there is a grandeur of another kind.” Underlying the novel’s blending of elements from poetry and prose and a manipulation of events that lends a fairy tale or providential aura to the book is Pasternak’s contention that “existence was more original, extraordinary and inexplicable than any of its separate astonishing incidents and facts. I was attracted by the unusualness of the usual.” Pasternak’s subjective, poeticized perspective aligns Doctor Zhivago in certain ways with magic realists like Márquez as much as with Tolstoy in his pursuit of “the atmosphere of being,” which he described as “the whole sequence of facts and beings and happenings like some moving entireness, like a developing, passing by, rolling and rushing inspiration, as if reality itself had freedom and choice and was composing itself out of numberless variants and versions.”

Pasternak’s “moving entireness” in Doctor Zhivago begins with the 10-year-old Yury Zhivago attending his mother’s funeral in a driving snowstorm, imagistically uniting human destiny and the vitality and power of nature that threaten to engulf and overwhelm the individual. This theme of the survival of the individual will be orchestrated throughout the novel, embedded even in the title character’s family name, an older Russian form of the word “alive.” It is the first of many scenes in which Zhivago’s isolation and vulnerability to both natural forces and human events aligned against his aspirations toward selfhood will be emphasized. The novel relies on several traditional structural principles including the novel of development and education of the artist as well as the quest novel in which the artist Zhivago eventually emerges after a succession of tests. Yet Doctor Zhivago is a tragically conceived modern Odyssey in which not home but isolation and separation from virtually every sustaining relationship and external consolation are his destination. Ultimately, Zhivago’s only reward or redemption is his art and the affirmation of the mystery and majesty of existence that his poems assert.

The first portion of the novel dramatizes the last decade of czarist rule and the events leading up to World War I and the revolutions of 1917. Following the suicide death of his father over the loss of his fortune, Yury is raised in the professorial home of Alexander and Anna Gromeko and their daughter Tonya. The novel’s catalyst and moral touchstone is the “Girl from a Different World,” Lara Guishar, the teenaged daughter of a Belgian hat-maker, whose story connects the comfortable bourgeois world of the Gromekos with Moscow’s labor class and incipient revolutionaries. Her seduction by the rich lawyer, Komarovsky, establishes a connection with Yury who is on hand after Lara’s mother’s failed suicide attempt and at the Christmas party where Lara tries and fails to shoot her lover. They next meet at the front during World War I where Yury, having married Tonya, is serving as a doctor and Lara is working as a nurse, having gone to the front in search of her husband, Pasha Antipov, who has abandoned her and their child, unable to reconcile himself to his wife’s past with Komarovsky. As Yury and Lara’s attachment grows, news of the revolution reaches them, and both return to their respective homes—Yury to Moscow, and Lara to Yuryatin in Siberia.

Having experienced the dehumanizing conditions of war, Yury returns to similar conditions in Moscow under the Bolsheviks where his family’s privileged existence has been transformed to a struggle for survival in which Yury’s integrity, individualism, and artistic sensibility are not just valueless but dangerously subversive. Seeking relief, the family travels east to Tonya’s former family estate in Siberia, near Yuryatin, Lara’s home. The train journey is one of the triumphs of the novel in which the immense Russian landscape is brilliantly evoked and a rich collection of the various classes of Russian soci-ety displaced by the revolution are brought together during the dangerous and lawless days of the civil war. Yury barely avoids execution in an encounter with the merciless revolutionary leader Strelnikov, Lara’s renamed husband Antipov. Settling at the Varykino estate and subsisting off the land, the fam-ily thrives for a year before a chance reunion between Yury and Lara leads to their love affair. Guilt-ridden and determined to reconcile with Tonya, Yury is kidnapped on his way home by Bolshevik partisan fighters in need of a doctor. Serving with them for over a year and experiencing the horrific violence and human debasement of the civil war, Yury finally escapes back to Yuryatin where he is nursed back to health by Lara and learns that Tonya, her father, and their children have returned to Moscow. (They will subsequently be deported to the West.)

The reunited lovers are interrupted by the appearance of Komarovsky who warns Lara of her danger as the wife of the now-condemned Strelnikov. They respond by leaving Yuryatin for Varykino and two weeks of happiness in which Yury resumes his poetry, inspired by Lara. Komarovsky offers Lara and her child safe passage to the East, and Yury, to convince her to take it, lies that he will join them. Left alone, Yury is visited by the hunted Strelnikov who, in despair over the failure of his revolutionary ideals and his betrayal of Lara’s love, shoots himself. The novel concludes with Yury’s life in Mos-cow, having been stripped of everything he had formerly relied on to sustain him—his wife, family, and lover. Resuming his medical career and his writing, Yury finally dies of a heart attack, ultimately vindicated by the poems that close the book, testimony of both his heroic resistance to the forces of death and despair and affirmation of the value of life, embodied by the essential human qualities of his muse, Lara. She arrives in Moscow in time for the funeral before disappearing: “She must have been arrested in the street, as so often happened in those days, and she died or vanished somewhere, forgotten as a nameless number on a list which later was mislaid, in one of the innumerable mixed or women’s concentration camps in the north.”

In the fates of both Lara and Yuri, the reader feels an overwhelming sense of human waste, having been instructed by the author in the value their lives and living has, set beside the necessities of history and ideology that has diminished both. Doctor Zhivago attempts to redress the balance, translating the “nameless number on a list” into memorable human terms that never neglects the “unusualness of the usual.”

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Doctor Zhivago Summary & Study Guide

Doctor Zhivago Summary & Study Guide Description

Yura (also Yuri) Zhivago attends his mother's funeral. He is only ten years old and takes the loss hard. A short while later, his father jumps off a moving train, committing suicide. Orphaned and penniless due to his father's squandering of the family's wealth, Yuri is raised by others who send him to school.

Lara, a young schoolgirl, becomes involved in an affair with a much older man, Komarovsky. She tries to shoot him dead one night at a Christmas party. Yuri sees Lara occasionally but does not have any relationship with her at this point.

Yuri earns his degree in medicine and becomes Dr. Zhivago. Lara marries Pasha and starts a family in her hometown, Yuriatin. Yuri marries Tonia, a young woman with whom he had grown up. World War I begins, and Dr. Zhivago serves as a field doctor. Pasha leaves Lara to join the army. She trains to be a nurse and goes to find Pasha, who has been declared missing in action. On the front she meets Dr. Zhivago, who is wounded, and feels a mild attraction for him.

Yuri and his family move to Varykino in the Ural Mountains to escape the hard times in Moscow during the Russian revolution and civil war. They make as good a home as they can. Yuri discovers that Lara lives in a nearby town, Yuriatin. He goes to visit her, falls in love, and begins an affair. Two months later, full of guilt because he's cheated on his wife, Yuri decides to break off from Lara. On his way home, he changes his mind and rides his horse back to Lara. The Red Army stops him and conscripts him as a field doctor.

Yuri serves as a field doctor until he cannot stand war any longer. He deserts during a time that the Red Army fights a decisive battle with the White Army and wins the civil war. Yuri returns to Yuriatin and finds the key to Lara's place. There he falls ill. Lara takes care of him and they build a life together, but the government may want to arrest them. Yuri is under suspicion because he does not embrace the new government. Lara draws attention as the wife of Pasha, who had survived World War I to become an influential commander of the Red Army under the assumed name Strelnikov. Strelnikov himself is under suspicion for knowing too much.

Upon learning that the government will soon arrest them, Yuri and Lara hide out in Varykino. Komarovsky comes back into Lara's life, offering her safe travel to eastern Russia, where she will not have trouble with the government. Yuri does not accompany them due to concerns for his family, now deported to France. Strelnikov comes to Varykino and talks with Yuri. Having lost his country and his family, Strelnikov commits suicide with his own revolver. Yuri departs for Moscow.

Along the way, Yuri encounters a young man that he had met before, and they travel together to Moscow. There they work and share lodgings, but the young man becomes disgusted with Yuri. Yuri takes a common-law wife, which Tonia learns about. Yuri disappears. He later dies of a weak heart on the streets of Moscow.

Lara attends Yuri's funeral. She helps to gather Yuri's poetry together, which becomes published. Her fate is unknown, but the assumption is that she dies in a concentration camp.

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Doctor Zhivago

61 pages • 2 hours read

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Book 1, Parts 1-4

Book 1, Parts 5-7

Book 2, Parts 8-10

Book 2, Parts 11-13

Book 2, Parts 14-16

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Symbols & Motifs

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Book 1, Parts 1-4 Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 1, part 1 summary: “the five o'clock express”.

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