Doctor Zhivago Theme of Society and Class

Doctor Zhivago is as much about the Russian Revolution as it is about the good doctor himself.

Now, when you write a book about the Russian Revolution, you're bound to write about society and class at some point. For Russia, the entire 20th century was pretty much defined by the line that separated rich people from peasants and workers. The Russian Revolution was all about dissolving this line completely and making sure that everyone in the country was treated equally. This led to the abolishment of all private property—seriously, it was actually illegal to own anything in Russia at one point. But considering how badly the rich people in the country had exploited workers and peasants for hundreds of years before that, you can't be all that surprised.

1. Do you sympathize with the idea of a classless society, where there's no division between rich and poor? Why or why not?
2. Do you think that Zhivago rejects everything about the Bolshevik Revolution, or just a few specific things? Please support your answer with evidence from the text.
3. Why do Zhivago's and Tonya's family backgrounds end up getting them in trouble with the Communist authorities? Please support your answer with evidence from the text.

In Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak shows us that at the end of the day, we'll never find peace unless we eliminate the line separating the rich from the poor.

In Doctor Zhivago, Pasternak suggests that it's impossible to engage in a war between social classes without giving up your rights as an individual.