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• 1 2020-11-30T12:33:00-05:00 Addressing National Pride and Anger through Aitmatov's "The Day Last more than a Hundred Years" 29 Written by Faith Becker image_header 2020-12-14T21:44:07-05:00 Faith
  
  Chingiz Aitmatov's The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years explores the dissonance of simultaneously having national pride and criticisms towards their country. Aitmatov indirectly explores this seemingly irreconcilable relationship through the protagonist of the novel, Yedigei, who journeys across the desert to bury his comrade, Kazangap. Aitmatov’s novel both normalizes having conflicting emotions of pride for and disgust with one’s country, as well as provides a way of living that allows one to accept and address this cognitive dissonance. Through Yedigei’s journey and self-reflection, Aitmatov, who underwent a similar experience, provides an encouraging message of embracing your nation while changing it for the better.

  The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years takes place during the Soviet Union era. This context helps us understand Aitmatov’s message and point of view both through his personal life and through the eyes of Yedigei. Aitmatov is from Kyrgyzstan which had been ruled by the Soviet Union for a significant portion of his life and during the time he wrote this book. Thus, he had a nuanced relationship with Russia due to his Russian and Kyrgyz identities. Before Kyrgyzstan gained independence in 1990, Aitmatov served as a member of the USSR Supreme Court and became a member of the Executive Board of The Writers’ Union of the U.S.S.R. Throughout his literature he “captured the Soviet experience with honesty and avoided outright or too overt criticisms of the Soviet government." However, he still “examined themes of authority and dissent” in his writing implying he did have issues with the USSR. After gaining its independence, Aitmatov became an ambassador for Kyrgyzstan while still maintaining a good relationship with the former ruling Russia. 

  In his novel, Aitmatov explores how one can face cognitive dissonance with one’s nation head-on through Yedigei’s relationship with the USSR. He accomplishes this exploration by walking a fine line between using themes central to Socialist Realism while also subtly critiquing and confronting the state. Socialist Realism is a style of art endorsed by the USSR that required a piece of art or literature should have actions or dialogues that embrace the Soviet Union and support its actions, protagonists who are the “perfect working citizen," and mentor-mentee relationships that train the next generation to be the ideal Soviet citizen. While Aitmatov satisfies these criteria in his novel, he normalizes the feelings of cognitive dissonance one can feel with their nation and offers strategies on how to address this dissonance through social and political action. 

  Aitmatov highlights his positive views towards the USSR utilizing Socialist Realist techniques through Yedigei’s actions in both his personal and work life. A perfect citizen for the USSR is a hardworking and diligent individual. Yedigei served in the war and despite suffering from severe PTSD, he did not complain about his suffering. He spent most of his adult life in Kazakhstan working in a small train town, Boranly-Burannyi junction, tirelessly working through extreme weathers on the railroad with little to no assistance from the government. He, as well as his friend and mentor Kazangap, never complained about it. While they were mocked by younger generations for the grueling conditions they worked under, Kazangap would “act unconcerned and just laugh” while Yedigei would “explode and argue'' in rage at their disrespect. Here, Aitmatov highlights the pride that comes along with being a hard worker, something the newer generation is still learning (20). Through these narratives, Aitmatov highlights the good ideals endorsed by the USSR.

  Aitmatov, however, also subtly condemns the Soviet Union’s shortcomings. Yedigei never explicitly complains about how the war impacted him nor criticizes the government for not supporting him after his service, but Aitmatov conveys a criticism of the Soviet Union and its treatment of its citizens. After his service, Yedigei suffered from PTSD to such an extent that he “had a perpetual noise in his ears… he would take a few steps and stagger; his head would spin and he would be sick” (64). Not only did he suffer emotionally but as a result of his current disability as well as the lack of governmental support, he and his wife struggled for months just trying to find their next meal (68). While Yedigei does not explicitly complain about this, Aitmatov condemns the USSR through Yedigei’s wide, Ukubula, when she cries, “What did the future hold for them? How could they ever be compensated for what they had gone through and what they now suffered?” (71). 

  Aitmatov furthermore promotes individual culture and traditional values not endorsed by the USSR through Yedigei. Yedigei chooses to bury Kazangap at the cemetery because it is tradition; it is their “ancient cemetery” where they “bury their elders'' (306). However, when they left for the cemetery, as a sign of respect and pride, he dressed both his camel, Karanar, and himself in his best attire which includes wearing his badges from when he served in the military (37). In this case, there is no dissonance between having national pride while also practicing cultural traditions. 
  
  Ultimately, Yedigei can’t uphold tradition and is forbidden from entering the sacred territory. The betrayal he feels from his country’s unjust decision causes him to feel “a wave of revolt arising inside him; he felt the blood racing hot and angrily from his heart” (330). Aitmatov likely felt these same emotions when his father was unjustly killed for "bourgeois nationalism." Bourgeois nationalism was considered a threat by the USSR because it individualized people and their communities by race or culture. Yedigei is a proud Soviet citizen yet he is more than just that, and when that is disrespected, it is like he is being torn apart by his identities. Undoubtedly, Aitmatov had to battle and address this dissonance throughout his life, being that he was both Russian and Kyrgyz.

  Aitmatov, though, does not leave the reader feeling bitter and resentful towards the USSR. Rather, he shows through Yedigei how one can confront their nation’s issues while remaining a proud citizen. After the immense frustration of not being admitted to the cemetery, the novel is left with an optimistic note when Yedigei decides to “go to [the town known as] Letter Box, to see the man in charge there” to turnover the government’s decision of restricting access to the sacred cemetery (352). He takes civic action against his government to right a wrong. Aitmatov shows us that we can address our frustrations with our nation and seek justice, rather than sitting by passively.

  Aitamov highlights the pursuit of change in regards to Yedigei’s relationship with the USSR earlier in the novel as well when he obtains retribution for his friend Abutalip who is wrongly taken from his family due to false accusations of him conspiring against the state. As a result, Abutalip dies of a heart attack and his wife and two children are left alone being forced to relocate and having a mark against their names. After several years, Yedigei reaches out to a close acquaintance and clears Abutalip’s name through the government and obtains justice for his wife and children. It was after Stalin's death and the beginning of the rehabilitation process that he was able to do this implying that in some governments this is not always possible, but when it is, it is worth pursuing justice instead of staying passively in resentment. 

  Aitmatov’s balancing of both national pride and criticism throughout The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years provides a resonant message for America 2020. The Soviet Union in the 1970s and America in 2020 are clearly very different in each ruling government; However, both of these countries and time periods have citizens who feel both love and criticism for their nation. While his novel conveys that one can both be proud of their country but significantly disagree with it at times, it more importantly shows that it is alright to express dissatisfaction, albeit strategically.

  Many in the US are angry with how our country is run, Republicans and Democrats alike; however there is still this contrasting dissonance for national pride. How can we combat this? Through engaging with our country and striving to make small steps and then leaps in the direction we feel is right. Unfortunately, in the present, only a small portion of the population is participating and advocating for change, despite the nation widespread dissatisfaction s relating to the government and how it is run. We can clearly see this lack of engagement through voter participation. Barely a third of the nation participates in the presidential election and yet there is widespread discontent with the initial contestants in the first place, and then discontent with whoever is chosen. We see a worse turn out in voter participation in local and state elections. 
  
  Aitmatov reassures us that it is okay to be upset, angry, dissatisfied with your country, but we must be willing to put in the work necessary to make it better. Yedigei seeks retribution for both his friends Kazangap and Abutalip. He couldn’t protest or strike like we can in the US, and he had to wait for the right opportunity which reveals itself after Stalin’s death, but he adamantly confronts his government to demand change. Moreover, we see this in Aitmatov's own life where, instead of passively letting the USSR do as it pleases, he engaged with it, moved up in power in it and was able to peacefully transition as a Kyrgyzstan diplomat as a result. Then, when his life ended he was remembered by many, especially previous USSR leaders and the current Russian President, for his exceptional character. 

  If we seek to make change and to resolve the dissonance we feel towards our nation, we must strategically engage with it socially and politically. Aitmatov wasn’t able to strike and protest like Americans can today, but he still forged forward through his literature and personal life. We have the blessing of being able to protest, strike and engage politically with our various levels of government. Aitmatov conveys that it is okay to have mixed feelings towards our nation, but it’s not okay to leave those feelings unaddressed. Striking, protesting, and engaged voting can give American’s the nation we hope for, but we must be willing to actually engage and participate. 
  
  Bibliography
  Aitmatov, Chingiz. The Day Lasts More than a Hundred Years. Translated by John French, Indiana University Press, 1980.