Reading the piece from Pasha Angelina, it is clear that she approves of Stalin’s efforts in the country side. At one point she says, “It was with my heart rather than my mind that I had apprehended the grandeur of what Stalin and the party were doing in the countryside” (307). This is all happening to Angelina while thousands of other people are struggling to survive under these same policies. What do we make of that, and how do we reconcile this with the fact that collectivization as a whole killed millions? Why do you think Angelina was able to be successful, and how many people could have actually been just as successful? Finally, we know that the Soviet Government carefully controlled the flow of information into, out of and throughout its nation. Does that change our perception of her story?
We are on the same wavelength here. I am heavily leaning towards the media manipulation sponsored by the personality cult. There are many weird moments in this memoir that seem too polished and playing to an ego. Also, that last part where she is saying how Stalin saved the children was just too weird. It reminded me of all the awkward photos and images of Stalin surrounding himself with children to soften his image.
These are interesting takes and the narrative does seem to be bending to a narrative; however, there seems to be a layer of human nature added in. The author clearly states that they hate Kulaks and that they were taken advantage of and how it was a miracle that they were removed. I think in the author’s case they may have been one of the lucky ones and that definitely influences their perspective.