Essay On The Short Story

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Braxton Simon
April 17, 2018
ENG2270 - Kilpatrick
Essay on the Short Story
Viktor Pelevin, a Russian fiction writer, procures special voice through word choice and
diction, while also contemplating larger issues of controversy. Among the many works Pelevin
has produced, he is renowned for short stories. Much of his work is in circulation and he
continues to produce.
Since Viktor Pelevin is a Russian fiction writer, most of his work has to undergo
translation to reach much of his audience. As with all translation, some words lose meaning
whereas others gain meaning. The difference between English and Russian is a wide gap. A
quick example of the language gap would be in the word ‘thoughtfully’. Viktor Pelevin uses
‘thoughtfully’ to show how Darwin stares into the darkness in “The Origin of Species”. The
Russian word for ‘thoughtfully’ is ‘glubokomyslenno’; which, when translated, can either be
‘thoughtfully’ or ‘abstrusely’ (Google). The difference is ‘thoughtfully’ means to be occupied in
thought contemplatively, meditatively, or reflectively; ‘abstrusely’ means hard to understand,
recondite, esoteric, or hidden (“abstrusely”; “thoughtfully”). The point being, was whether
Pelevin meant for Darwin to stare into the darkness in a reflective manner, or in a manner where
he didn’t understand, which is a pretty big difference in a story about a man wrestling primates
while contemplating evolution.

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Since the language gap exists, the trust must be placed in the translator to make an
accurate and careful translation. Trusting that, it is inferred that the word choice in the English
versions reflect accurately the desired result Pelevin creates.
Going back to “The Origin of Species”, Pelevin procures a special voice through diction.
To highlight a sophisticated mind, one that is literally wrestling over the theory of evolution,
Pelevin results to alliterations. “Tossing to the side the long flaps of his frockcoat..” is one such
example. The alliterations sophistication. They procure the voice as one being intelligent and one
that fits for plot of the story. One that reflects the character of Charles Darwin. Another example,
“Holding his powerful skull in his hands, he slipped into a long reverie.” In this case, the
alliteration is slight showing thought to each word that proceeds; but also emitting a soft rhythm.
The H’s hitting like a soft heartbeat.
A special voice sounds in “The Life and Adventure of Shed XII”. This voice, instead of
the sophistication that had to be portrayed in a story about Darwin, is along the lines of a
innocent bystander, even childish. Fitting for a shed that shortly became sentient. Instead of
sliding alliterations, Pelevin uses simple sentences. The word choice can be complex, yet
portrayed in a simple way. “Actually, there were two other sheds quite close, to his left, but he
tried not to think about them.” Along with, “Every drop of brine in their barrels declared that
number XII’s existence in the universe was entirely unnecessary; that, at least, that was how he
interpreted the vibrations radiating from their consciousness of the world.” The word choice in
these 2 sentences gives a childish/innocent voice to the story of a Shed that just wants to be a
bicycle.
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Pelevin utilizes themes in short stories to contemplate larger issues of controversy.
In“The Origin of Species”, Pelevin themes evolution. His character is none other than Charles
Darwin. His plot is of Darwin fighting for life in the bowels of a ship, in a literal ‘survival of the
fittest’. The dramatic question of survival and even of understanding all points to the theme of
evolution. Pelevin sets ups all the minor details to secure this: “..his strained neck ached -- but
Darwin was happy. He a was a few steps closer to the truth..” Even the diction, which has been
discussed previously, all the alliterations and word choice, build up to evolution. Even the voice,
crafted to sophistication, does so. A highlight of Pelevin’s themes are to touch on topics of
controversy. The most common religion in Russia is Russian Orthodox. A special theme created
for a specific audience in a particular way.
Another theme which Pelevin creates and that contemplates controversial issues is the
theme in “The Life and Adventure of Shed XII”: Conformity. The story takes off biblically,
hinting back to the conformity of the Greek Orthodox church in Russia. Then proceeds to share
how a Shed became sentient, yet he wasn’t the only one. Though special in his own way, the
shed is formed to conform to the tasks and thinking of the other sheds, which he dreads. This plot
of the Sheds fight for independence radiates the theme. Hitting the major issue controversial
issue of social conformity with this theme. Pelevin uses the dramatic question of the Shed’s
happiness to reflect back on the theme. Along with the plot where the Shed would rather choose
death. An interesting theme for a specific audience.
Pelevin knows that short stories reach a broader audience than longer stories, they can be
political and achieve a change without stating personal opinions or discuss topics of controversy
without actually doing so.

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Personally, I align with Pelevin in the impact stories can have. Call it cliche, but the pen
is mightier than the sword. I think words have the power to hit people where swords and bullets
can't, and that to me is power. I think short stories are even more powerful than longer pieces of
work as well. The attention span of common folk is adhered to and a message is delivered,
whereas only a select audience may get through a novel. Like Pelevin, a target audience is
always crucial to every story and the purpose behind it--critical.
In conclusion, Victor Pelevin is a great author, one that his particular immediate audience
needs. He voice is sauve through his word choice and diction. His themes are thought out and
carefully selected to contemplate larger issues of controversy.
WORKS CITED
"abstrusely". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 20 Apr. 2018. <Dictionary.com
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/abstruse>.
Google Translate, Google, translate.google.com/.
"thoughtfully". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 20 Apr. 2018.
<Dictionary.com http://www.dictionary.com/browse/thoughtful>.
Pelevin, Viktor. The Blue Lantern and Other Stories. Harbord, 1998.
Pelevin, Viktor. “The Origin of Species.” The Short Story Project, Michele A Berdy, 9 Oct.
2017,
www.shortstoryproject.com/the-origin-of-species/.

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April 17, 2018