Week 3 Homework

Questions from Listening to New Books in Russian and Eurasian Studies: Soviet Baby-boomers. All quotes are from the recording.

1. Were the Soviet baby-boomers fearful of nuclear war? No, they were not. "There really was no fear of war...I think that is a really important point, they really had no fear of America....because they were studying it."

2. Did they believe the Soviet propaganda? Some of them did, but some did not. Some of them wondered "How can we achieve communism if we are passing bread out in schools?"

3. What was the environment like that they grew up in? They grew up in an environment where they had to learn what they could say in public, and what they could say at home. There was a big difference between personal and public life.

4. What change of circumstances changed the way they looked at the world as adults? They went to college.

5. How did the two schools of students differ? In Saratov, the students had more shortages of food, and always kind of, questioned the communist society. In Moscow, they didn't have very many shortages or anything like that. Also, there were more Jews who went to school in Saratov, whereas in Moscow, people were less likely to choose the Jewish nationality.


(My paragraph as a 'culture shocked' person visiting Russia in the 1950's)

Well, I am now in Moscow. It is a lot different than America, but also, in a weird way, similar. I noticed the fashion right off. It is very unique from person to person. Also, the food. Oh, so good. It is deceptive, because it looks simple, and not very vibrant. but when you taste it, oh boy. Although I am sure, like everything else, there are those who would not prefer it, but I could eat this stuff all the time. There are many different options, from bread, to dairy, to meat. The meal I ate consisted of three courses: I had some vegetables to start, then a thick, filling soup with chunks of juicy meat, and finally a sweet fruit compote to finish. I am still full. There is much more for me to find out about Russia, but I am sure, the longer I am here, the more I will find out.

Part of my Lunch today!!