Case Study On How We Survived Communism And Even Laughed:

- Do you agree or disagree with the author’s statement? Why or why not?
This statement is given in the wake of European countries’ transition from communism to democracy. I partially agree with this statement, as it is relevant in the context of the situation prevailing in the eastern European countries after the collapse of Soviet Union that resulted in conclusion of communism subsequently. However, it is not equally applicable in democracy of today’s world as currently, so many things have been changed and improved. Yet, the author’s argument about the influence of politics on everyday lives of people is still valid even today.
- Which essays were the most political? “A Chat with My Censors”? Why did the author suggest in “Make Up and Other Questions,” that fashion and make-up were equally political? Is this argument compelling?
Yes, ‘A Chat with My Censors’ is arguably the most political essay of the collection as it accounts for author’s meeting with a state censor who is in-charge of press. Although he did not directly threaten the author but however, his unusual invitation made a significant impact on the author.
The argument that ‘fashion and make-up were equally political’ is compelling silence it talks about the cosmetics and fashion which are insufficient in countries with communist background. According to author, women in communist countries used to be too much concerned about their make-up, matching dress, colors, and they did so in order to imitate the fashion of western countries and this is just as political as politicians who blindly followed capitalism after the dispersion of communism.
- What was the communist mindset that the author suggests needs to change? How optimistic was Drakulićis the future of a democratic government in Eastern Europe? Has time proven her right or wrong?
According to author, communist mindset that needs to be change is the thinking that women are not allowed to move around in the society on their own and independently. It resulted in the lack of availability of open-minded and unbiased thinking even at individual level. However, time has proven the author wrong and nowadays, we can identify that women are sharing almost equal opportunities and so many state affairs are accessible for women.
- How did she view the “outside world”? What values/ideals did she question about the West? Was it solely economic or was there a spiritual dimension to her discussion of the commodities available in Western societies? Do you think the author feels a tension between the social ideals and the economic realities of both Eastern and Western societies?
- Why do you think most of her characters in the book were women? Did this influence one-way or the other your assessment of the book’s premise?
- Summarize in one page the author’s thesis.
‘How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed’ is an essay collection written by Slavenka Drakulićis whose power of attention and sensation enriches reader with so many details of the lives of common people. She remarkably expressed the simple and traditional enthusiasm of a journalist in eastern European countries. She argued that communism is a mindset of absolutist and it has yet to be eroded away collectively from people in present day authority who remained part of communism earlier. She stated how traditional authoritative rules are employed to threat journalist that had their existence in the days of communism as well. By analyzing the ironic similarities between both rules, and mentioning the shortcoming of various problems through discussing various topics, she was able to transform her message. She articulated how the exploitation is being done even after the era of communism and this is what she called as ‘we survived it but have not outlived it yet’.