Group+4

Victoria, Ciera, Heather, and Robbie's groupie Theme: Cynicism versus Idealism

Thesis: In David Lean's film __Doctor Zhivago,__ he illustrates the conflict between cynicism and idealism as portrayed through various characters such as Lestat versus Victor, V versus Pasha, and Bella versus Tonya.

Introductory Paragraph: Idealism and cynicism are the two opposing forces clashing within David Lean’s film __Doctor Zhivago__. As in many forms of media, these two mind sets are portrayed through the diverse characters and their actions as the storyline of the poetic surgeon Yurii and his life during the Russian Revolution progresses. The conflict of cynicism versus idealism can be found in additional literature and cinematic figures as well and these characters can be seen as comparable to those within the Russian epic. The cynical frame of mind of Victor Komarovsky is akin to that of Anne Rice’s character Lestat, the yet to be tainted idealism of the original Pasha is comparable to that of the brilliant if questionable V from V for Vendetta, as can the idealistic romanticism held by kind-hearted Tonya be compared to Bella, the heroine of the Twilight series. First Body Paragraph Outline: I: The theme of cynicism is portrayed through the comparable characters of Victor Komarovsky from Doctor Zhivago and Lestat from Anne Rice’s //Vampire Chronicles//. a. The two characters’ often lewd and distasteful actions show their cynicism and utter lack of idealism through reveling in sin without any sense of conscience. 1. Komarovsky’s unabashed lustful affair with Lara shows his cynicism of love—he does not follow the idealistic view of a “one true love”—he instead holds a relationship with Lara’s mother and also sleeps with Lara. 2. In comparison, Lestat does not restrain himself to only drinking animals’ blood or taking as little blood as possible. He gluts himself blood with numerous victims per night. b. Both Komarovsky and Lestat accept their abominable natures rather than try to idealize or purify their ways with excuses or repentance. 1. Komarovsky does not try to paint himself as a good man—he acknowledges his selfish, distasteful personality. 2. He explains to Lara at one point that there are “two kinds of men and only two.” There is the man who “is high-minded. He is pure.” Komarovsky does not try to disguise himself as this man. He instead lets on to the fact that he is the type of man who is “not high- minded, not pure, but alive.” 3. Lestat equally does not shun his vampiric nature—he thrives within his supernatural abilities and does not seek repentance through bettering himself. 4. Within one of the books, Louis (another vampire) confronts Lestat, calling him a perfect devil, to which Lestat replies, “I love to hear you say it, Louis. [...] I'm a perfect devil. Tell me how bad I am. It makes me feel so good.” c. Both characters see the world as it is with cynical eyes, refusing to sugar-coat anything. 1. Unlike Pasha, Komarovsky is more in tune to the reality of communism, not falling to the naïve belief that a revolution will naturally lead to a better way of life. 2. Likewise, Lestat scorns Louis’s way of prettying the various events that occur within their story, calling them “romantic illusions.”

Second Body Paragraph Outline: II. V and Pasha are two men struggling in the cynical worlds they live in to create an ideal government and escape oppression from the current rulers. a. Both V and Pasha use symbols in their pursuit of change in the current state of their countries' governments; these symbols are meant to create an ideal. 1. V blowing up the Old Bailey shows his idealist hope to restore justice to the fascist futuristic England. 2. Pasha hands out pamphlets to show how he want the government to become; pure and in the interest of the people. b. They both defy authority to express their message of freedom and justice. 1. V broadcasts his message to the masses by infiltrating the television tower and risks being killed for his desperate attempt, which is broken up by the ruthless police force. 2. Pasha gathers a peaceful protest to try and change the government without shedding blood; but is broken apart by members of the tsar's guards who massacre the unsuspecting civilians. c. They both have their goals realized in the fact that the governments they opposed are brought down. 1. In __V for Vendetta__, V's plot to blow up Parliament to gain the confidence of the people succeeded in killing any lingering loyalties to the current regime's hold. 2. Pasha's naive wish for a new system is realized, even if it is not what the idealist within him initially wanted.

Third Body Paragraph Outline: III. Tonya, Yurii's wife in the film __Dr. Zhivago__, and Bella, Twilight's main character, share many similar qualities; their first being idealists. a. Tonya tries to ignore the fact that her husband, Yurii, is having a known affair with Lara. Being the idealist she is Tonya continues their daily routine to the best of her abilities, denying the truth.Tonya believes her and Yurii's love is true and does not want to lose it. b. Bella, Twilight's idealist, worships her vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen. Every aspect of Edward's life is perfect in Bella's eyes. Believing in true love is the reason for Bella's blindness of love for her blood-sucking boyfriend. c. These similarities with Tonya and Bella are highlighted as being idealists because they see no wrong in anything and ignore the truth.

Conclusion Paragraph Outline: IV: (Ciera and I both worked on this, even though it's my account) The contrasting theme of idealism and cynicism are prevalent in David Lean's movie __Dr.Zhivago__. a. Cynicism is portrayed through the character of Victor Komarovsky, who can be compared to Lestat. b. Idealism is illustrated through Pasha and V as well as Tonya and Bella.