Significance of Moscow

Moscow is where Yuri grows up and becomes Dr. Zhivago. He marries Tonia in Moscow and returns there toward the end of his life. Yuri dies in the streets of Moscow.

Moscow plays an important role in Boris Pasternak's novel "Doctor Zhivago" as it serves as the center of political power and cultural influence in Russia during the early 20th century. Moscow is the setting for many significant events in the novel, including the October Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent rise of the Soviet Union.

Throughout the novel, Moscow represents the changing political and cultural landscape of Russia. The city is portrayed as a place of great contrast, with opulent wealth and poverty existing side by side. The character of Lara, for example, experiences this contrast firsthand as she travels from the poverty-stricken outskirts of Moscow to the wealthy homes of the city's elite.

Moscow also serves as a symbol of the struggle between the old and the new. As the Bolsheviks rise to power, Moscow becomes the center of their government and their attempts to create a new socialist society. The city represents the conflict between traditional Russian culture and the ideals of the revolution.

Finally, Moscow is significant in "Doctor Zhivago" because it is where the novel's protagonist, Yuri Zhivago, becomes embroiled in the political turmoil of the time. Zhivago is a poet and doctor who is torn between his love for Lara and his duty to his country. His experiences in Moscow and his encounters with Bolshevik leaders and intellectuals shape his understanding of the revolution and its impact on Russian society.

In summary, Moscow is a significant setting in "Doctor Zhivago" because it represents the changing political and cultural landscape of Russia during the early 20th century and serves as a symbol of the struggle between tradition and modernity, as well as the conflict between individual freedom and the ideals of the revolution.