Life and Fate- Freedom

Life and Fate by Grossman takes place during the Russian and Germany front during the Second World War. Grossman tells the story in great detail about the different aspects of the war that affected the Germans and the Russians. He delves into the battlefield, the German concentration camp, a Russian gulag, and the lives of every day people to emphasize the horror of the state of Russia. However by juxtaposing these different groups and events like battlefield the gulag and concentration camp, and the idea of quantum physics, and everyday people he emphasizes the importance of exchanging ideas and opinions and letting the mind deviate unlike the idea of totalitarianism. Grossman believes freedom unleashes the best of people and the great power humans have, creativity.

Grossman shows many accurate depictions of the Russians compared to the Germans at the battle of Stalingrad. He delineates many bombardments that killed numerous men and scenes where many of these men felt hopeless. However, Grossman conveys the nationalism many Russians had and freedom that formed even though they were at war. Novokov explains, “[they] would coalesce. And once united, they were certain to conquer. They were too rich to conquer” (230). The Russian leaders understood in the importance of understanding and being one with the soldiers and that they were “people” fighting. The leaders put themselves in their soldiers’ shoes and got insight on what is was like. The Russians had a bond that allowed them to persevere to defeat the Germans until death. In addition Novokov says, “Human groupings have one main purpose: to assert everyone’s right to be different, to be special, to think, feel and live in his or her own way” (230). By forming this brotherhood, these soldiers were able to embrace the freedom to be who they wanted to be. It allowed to them to express their own opinions and be free. They did not have to hold back but could go all out and fight until the end as themselves. Grossman...