"Professor Martens' Departure"

Paper Summary:

Jaan Kross, in his novel, "Professor Martens' Departure", clearly reflects his own experience living in a Soviet state. It discusses how the period he describes is much earlier, primarily before the creation of the Soviet system, yet reflective of aspects of the Russian character and the characters of other ethnic and foreign groups interacting in the period from the 18th to the beginning of the 20th centuries. The writer shows how Kross comments on aspects of Estonian life under Russian rule and on influences from the Baltics, Germany, and Russia, usually not by doing so directly, but by showing the effect these influences have on Professor Martens and those with whom he has contact. It then looks at the aura of the time developed through the accumulation of images and reactions from throughout the novel.

From the Paper:

"Professor Martens is in a unique position to observe and be part of the life of Estonia, for he has a government position which places him at the heart of the events of his time. In terms of earlier history, he lives it, or relives it, in his memory because he believes himself to be the reincarnation of Georg Friedrich von Martens, who lived a century before and who was a German diplomat. He himself has been part of the administration of Czar Nicholas and helps support that government. He is well-known to and popular with foreign diplomats and leaders, which angers many Russian and Estonian leaders who want to be in the limelight. From his own point of view, he has adversaries but not enemies (48), though many of these adversaries act as enemies just the same. His fame is cited in many publications (49, 120), though he usually notes that what is written about him omits as much as it includes and does not state his real influence on the proceedings or the major role he plays but is not credited with by others, such as Stolypin, who would clearly prefer to handle all matters himself but who needs Martens to do his part."

More papers on "Professor Martens' Departure":

• Book Review # 91665 : "Soviet Suppression: A Personal Account"
• Essay # 66225 : "Professor Christopher Jencks"
• Essay # 28423 : "Professor Elliot W. Eisner"

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