Discourse in Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago

Abstract

Presenting pre–and post revolutionary Russia, Boris Pasternak's historical novelDr. Zhivago portrays the picture of a doctor, poet and philosopher whose life is eventually destroyed by various discourses and counter-discourses practiced by monolithic state and its agencies. Yearning for the betterment of society and family, protagonist Yury Zhivago experiences war and revolutions the state faces but loses all of his hopes and beloved ones and achieves nothing more than utter poverty and death on the street. Thus, Yury loses his pursuit of freedom, individuality and becomes a victim of power exercise.