“A Presidential Reception in Prague Castle”
It is late December 1991, and the world has been transformed. The Soviet Union has just collapsed, completing a process that began in fall 1989 when the populations of all of Moscow’s eastern European allies rebelled against communist dictatorship and committed themselves to liberal democracy. Miracle of all miracles, the great dissident, Vaclav Havel, is now the president of Czechoslovakia (Yes, Havel became his country’s first post-communist president).
To celebrate the Soviet Union’s demise, Havel decides to invite one of the formerly Soviet students whom you have seen in “Journey to Russia” (1983) to a private reception in the presidential palace.
Naturally, the one-time student (now 8 years older) is thrilled by this honor. He (or she) and Havel immediately begin to reminisce about the breathtaking events of the past half-decade. He (or she) even admits to having read Havel’s essay “The Power of the Powerless” when it first appeared in 1978. Havel beams when he hears these words, and he thanks his guest. But then, in what he will later regard as an infelicitous remark, Havel adds: “It is a shame that you and your classmates took so long to see the error in living within a lie. You should have chosen to live within the truth.” At first his guest is stupefied, but then incredulity is transformed into indignation. “Wait a minute!” the guest retorts, “You may be the president of a great country, but that doesn’t mean you know everything about how we thought and felt in 1983. Back then, when my classmates and I read your essay–and we read it carefully–we had perfectly good reasons for supporting our government voluntarily, with both our hearts and our minds. Don’t talk down to us about living in the truth. We had our own, quite truthful reasons for acting as we did.”
Which of these two figures is in the position to make the most persuasive argument, Havel or his guest?
Assignment: Please write a 3-4 page (no more), double-spaced essay in which you take a firm stand in support of one position over the other.
Havel’s essay already provides you with ample evidence to address one side of this debate. “Journey to Russia” provides you with several examples of individuals who would likely argue against him.
Choose one of the following three characters in “Journey to Russia” to play the role of Havel’s indignant Russian guest:
The woman at 6:22 (Let’s call her Belka)
The woman at 22:49 (Natasha)
The man at 32:00 (Boris)
Use your imagination to bring this person to life. Dare to be creative!
As you know, the film is on our Course Reserve site HERE.
Important: In characterizing the views of your former Soviet citizen, make sure that you are writing about what Havel means by “living within the truth” in the deepest sense of the concept. This prompt is not about the mundane issue of whether someone believes something that is factually incorrect. Rather, this question is about Havel’s conception of what it means to live an authentic and responsible life. By the same token, it is also about whether this former Soviet citizen met Havel’s high standard.
As always, we will evaluate your essay according to four criteria:
1. Your understanding of the dispute between Havel and his critic.
2. Your explicit identification of the argument and the counterargument. Should you happen to side with Havel, make sure you give his critic ample space to make the case against him. Should you side with the former Soviet student, give Havel equal time as well. Once you have identified the two sides, you should then justify your choice of one position over the other.
3. Your direct use of your readings to back up your points concretely.
4. And, importantly, your demonstrated ability to think for yourself.
As always, I have advice.
Read this assignment closely the moment you receive it. It may seem complicated at first. But if you allow its elements to percolate through your brain, you will find that they all flow together. Write an introductory paragraph as soon as you can. Then, use it to write a first draft of the essay. The act of writing this exercise will teach you what you do or do not know. Then reflect on your draft and rewrite it. Soon, your entire argument will flow together.
Do not put this assignment off until the last moment. If you do so, you will not be a happy camper, and neither will we.
Seek the advice and counsel of your TA. In addition, I will read and comment on your intro paragraph and the first sentence of your second paragraph if you send it to me soon. Of course, I am also happy to discuss your paragraph during my office hours.
Visit the Writing Center. It is always valuable to have an outside perspective on one’s work. In the words of a great German revolutionary, you have “nothing to lose and a world to gain!” FYI: The Writing Center always sends me a note about students who take the time to pay a visit. I respond positively to this information.
Easter has arrived at an unusual time this year. I don’t want you to spend Easter Sunday writing a paper. Thus, I am sending you this assignment earlier than I planned. In addition, I am giving you a couple extra days after Easter. Please turn in your essay to your TA no later than Wednesday, April 12 at 9:00 am.
Good luck!
AJM