In a lot of ways, the main plot of Doctor Zhivago centers on how the Soviet government pushes characters around when all these characters want to do is live life on their own terms. Unfortunately, the world is full of people who have declared their loyalty to Communism and who hold a ton of power for doing so. Everywhere he goes, Zhivago seems to run into somebody who has the power to kill him on the spot because that person is connected to the Communist regime. It ain't easy to live a satisfying life when you're only staying alive because other people allow it.
Questions About Power
- What power, if any, does Zhivago have to fight back against his government? Does he have any options for living with Lara, other than running?
- Why doesn't Zhivago just bite the bullet and act like a good little Communist, especially if it would make his life a lot easier?
- Why does the lawyer Komarovsky hold so much power? What specifically does the book tell us about the way he's amassed his power?
- Who tends to "protect" Zhivago from the government throughout this book? How does he/she do it? Why?
Chew on This
In Doctor Zhivago, we learn that the only true power is to act freely and do whatever you want, regardless of what your government or family says.
In Doctor Zhivago, Pasternak shows us that there's no point in trying to fight a force that's way larger than you. In the end, it'll always grind you down.