Why do Solzhenitsyn write the Gulag Archipelago and what was the political philosophy behind the book?

Answer 1

Born in 1918, a year after the revolution, Solzhenitsyn was raised under the Soviet system, and prior to his imprisonment seems genuinely to have held a communist viewpoint. His private criticism of Stalin, for which he was imprisoned, was not of the Soviet system per se, but rather of Stalin's departure from the Marxist ideal. Following his imprisonment, and as described in detail in the Gulag Archipelago, he became disillusioned not just with the Soviet system, but also with the underlying communist philosophy. What replaced it, however, does not seem to have been a Western liberal viewpoint.

Solzhenitsyn's later work (after he had moved to the West) shows a kind of nostalgia for a pre-revolution, Tsarist Russia and Russian Christian Orthodoxy, and evidences a disillusionment with Western culture. In broad terms, he was very critical of the way Western peoples used their freedoms, and tastes in, music and television and literature which he saw as trivial. At the same time he fiercely criticised Western historians who saw the Russian leadership as succesors to the Tsarist regime which, in terms of its centralised power and attitude to human rights etc. was very similar.

There are a number of books on Solzhenitsyn's life and work, and inevitably in a Yahoo! answer one can only give a snapshot, of a philosophy which developed through his life. It is also easy to disagree about what Solzhenitsyn thought, since in none of his work with which I am familiar is there a clear political or philosophical manifesto, and we have to infer his views from his other writings. That said, I think the above is probably a fair summary.

Answer 2

Solzhenitsyn was a courageous person who continued to write about the truth of the Soviet Union even in the face of prison or death. Many other dissident voices were not as fortunate. His writings must remind us that governments can treat their citizens cruelly and that we should listen to those who hold contrary opinions. We don't have to agree, but we have a responsibility to listen.

Answer 3

Are there really people out there who know nothing about the Soviet Union? He criticised the system and was imprisoned for this. The Soviet Union was not really into criticism. As the 'Leader of the western world' said, 'You're either with us, or against us'

Answer 4

i'm in the habit of passing books on even as i'm achieved interpreting them. i am going to write a observe (in pen) to the subsequent reader and ask them to bypass it on even as they are achieved. ** Scott, i imagine i purchased a pair of your used books at a 2d hand shop.

Answer 5

He was in the gulag.
The political philosophy is very obvious if you read the book.