Abstract
This paper discusses the beliefs and philosophies of the rhetorical theorist Mikhail Bakhtin. Amongst the ideas examined are Bakhtin's belief that everything ideological possesses a meaning which is indicated by a sign and how he unified physical utterance and the written word. The author also identifies which of Saussure's ideas Bakhtin accepted and which he rejected.

From the Paper
"Mikhail Bakhtin, in his rhetoric, mixes literary criticism with rhetoric, following in the footsteps of Saussure and others in this regard. At the same time, Bakhtin rejected many of Saussure's ideas, such as that "the meaning of discourse is to be found in the psychological processing of signs" (911). Saussure's approach is also known as Structuralism and has been applied to a wide variety of forms of human communication. In literary criticism, for instance, the Structuralist approach owes much to linguistic studies and to ideas about language in general. Bakhtin in his literary criticism rejected the distinction between literary and ordinary language and so attacked the existing Russian Formalist school. The Formalists sought to isolate the text, while Bakhtin did not."

Tags:mikhail, bakhtin, sign, saussure, Structuralism

Abstract
This paper examines the era of the Cold War and in particular, the role played by Mikhail Gorbachev in influencing the course of historical events in the 1980s. The thesis is argued that Gorbachev initiated the processes that brought about the end of the Cold War not so much in response to international conditions so much as to the domestic situation in the Soviet Union - both economic and political. It also argues that he realized that immediate steps to reform were required if the Soviet Union were to meet the challenges of a new era.

Outline:
Introduction
The Soviet Union Before Gorbachev
The Domestic Climate of the USSR
Gorbachev's "New Thinking" and the End of the Cold War
Riding the Dragon of Reform
Conclusion

From the Paper
"While it is undeniable that Mikhail Gorbachev is the single most important Soviet figure during the 1980s, and arguably the personality most responsible for the end of the Cold War, his rise to power in the Soviet system represents a fascinating problem for students of Soviet history. Indeed, several years after Gorbachev had come to power George Kennan - the U.S. diplomat who had played a key role in the development of the "containment strategy" in the 1940s - was asked in a television interview how so unconventional a figure could have risen to the top of the Soviet system that had - during the long Brezhnev era - being characterized as moribund and extremely conservative. Kennan's response is illuminating: "I really cannot explain it." "

Tags:cold, war, russia, soviet, union, reform

Abstract
This paper explains that Mikhail Bulgakov's classic novel "The Master and Margarita" is a tale within a tale with multiple stories told from different perspectives in different settings. Next, the author relates the plots of the first setting in 1930s Russia that is the time period in which Bulgakov was writing, of the second setting in Jerusalem that is a story about Christ and Pontius Pilate and of the third setting in a fantasy land, based on 1930s Moscow. The paper stresses that the novel is satirizing Stalinist Russia, a period of grave political restrictions on artists and authors.

From the Paper
"The second setting of the novel is Jerusalem depicted by the Master in his story of Christ and Pontius Pilate. While this is clearly historical fiction, it is interesting to observe how Bulgakov changes his story-telling approach when discussing Jerusalem. Generally, the story of Christ is replete with supernatural elements, because he reportedly worked numerous miracles and was believed to be the human manifestation of God. However, in this novel, the setting of Jerusalem is a mundane setting, which appears more realistic and less fantastic than either of the other settings used in the novel."

Tags:seditious satire stalin, abuse of power, message

Abstract
This paper analyzes early twentieth-century Russian theater and cabaret. It focuses on the work of writer, poet and playwright Mikhail Kuzmin and Italian commedia dell'arte. It provides a background of Kusmin's life and focuses on the impact of his homosexuality in his writing. The paper then describes some of his works and critics' analyses of them.

Table of Contents:
Objective
Introduction
Kuzmin (writer, poet, playwright) Russia's First Openly Gay Writer
The Entire Life of the People Lived Out in the Theatre
Integration of Elements of Commedia and Reality
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"The unleashed sexuality, the brewing revolution, and the overall societal shift during this period of time resulted in vivid displays of contention of the present political system at this time in Russia. Masses flooded the theaters and the theaters took to the streets as a revolutionary spirit moved in and among all in the Russian society, inciting rebellion against the status quo and in the dramatic displays in the artistic events and movement of that time period that was the driver of and to a great extent of the progression of the revolution that took place in Russian in the early twentieth century."
"Artists were given prominence among scholars and politicians however, only for a moment of time as post-Revolution thought exhibited little appreciation of those who provided such fire and energy propelling the revolution forward. The post-Revolution period witnessed the work of Kuzmin "falling out of favor with the Communists, and Leon Trotsky (1879-1940), in the work entitled: "Literature and Revolution" (1924) labeled the work of Kuzmin as "disreputable and useless." (Clayton, nd )"

Tags:revolutionary, homosexuality, theater

From the Paper
"This study will examine Mikhail Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita", focusing on the the novel's portrayal of Soviet life in the period from 1929 to 1939 (that is, how citizens were expected to act, think, and express themselves). The study will discuss Bulgakov's critique of this culture, and will discuss the author's alternative to this repressive culture insofar as it is implied in the novel.

Bulgakov is interested in one specific aspect of the relation of the repressive governmental structure to the individual, and that aspect has to do with artistic creation. As the translator writes in the introduction, Bulgakov has a "lasting concern with the relation of the artist, the creative individual, to state authority, and with the fate of the artist's work" (Bulgakov xi-xii). This concern was due in part to the ... "

Abstract
Finds that the sole purpose of TV shows is to create messages. Discusses the role of TV as an instrument to present things to people, Bakhtin's theory and situational comedies, such as "Cheers," "Seinfeld", and "The Simpsons."

From the Paper
"Facts, shmacts! Don't worry about facts Lisa. People can use facts to prove anything. Forget facts and listen to Daddy." (Homer J. Simpson, 1990) This paper will maintain..."

From the Paper
"This study will discuss the works of Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, and Mikhail Lermontov, focusing on the optimism or pessimism of the authors as they express their views in their art.


In his verse novel Eugene Onegin, Pushkin paints a generally pessimistic view about Russian prospects, if we are to take the fop protagonist as a meaningful and representative product of that society. Pushkin certainly offers critical comments on the Russian aristocratic society of his time, but his criticism is far from stinging. He actually seems to be very fond of the society he mildly chastises, and he is certainly fond of the wastrel Onegin. It would seem that Pushkin wants us to see Onegin as an innate dandy, born to the part as much as shaped to it by a superficial and passionless society. The novel itself is painful..."

Abstract
The paper discusses how Mikhail Bakhtin contended that all novels conclude without a definitive closure and that traditional endings are not compromised or reconciled for the reader. Bakhtin further stipulates that novels do instead provide conflicts at the end that produce no correct or incorrect resolution. The writer examines how, in the case of "Jane Eyre", for example, one reader may not agree with the choices that she has ultimately made, and therefore, there can be no resolved issues for that reader.

Tags:bronte, jane, eyre

Abstract
In this paper the writer puts forward the reasons that account for the growth in Perestroika, such as the economic decline and social despair suffered by the populations of Russia and the countries of Communist Eastern Europe. It also looks at the man who was responsible for the introduction of Perestroika, Mikhail Gorbachev and why he wanted to introduce Perestroika.

From the Paper
"The Soviet Union and its satellite countries were on a continual downward spiral from the late 50's and 60's. Ruled from Moscow, the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe was suffering a very poor economy and social conditions such as housing, welfare and food supply. Leonid Brezhnev, who became Secretary General of the Soviet Communist Party in 1964, reinforced the strict regime of communism. All private ownership in Russia was ended, a mass programme of industrialization was started and the Soviet military strength was significantly enhanced."

Tags:cold war, Eastern Europe, Glasnost, Gorbachev, Perestroika, Russia, Soviet Union