Freudian Interpretation between Intelligentsia and Censor

The Freudian interpretation discusses the relationship between a father and a son. The

father and the son are in competition with each other over the mother (Dictionary of

Social Sciences). In the end, the son starts to identify himself with the father and

eventually becomes like the father. How can one see similarities of the

Freudian interpretation in the competition between the censor (father) and the

intelligentsia(son)? 

The state, which is the censor, and the writer, which is the intelligentsia, fight over the

power (mother) in Russia. The intelligentsia becomes similar to the state in this

competition. For example, Tolstaya explains in The Perils of Utopia : The Russian

Intelligentsia under Communism and Perestroika that Lev Tolstoy bows down and

merges with the masses, just as the Soviet (state) ideology prescribes. Tolstoy lowers

himself, becomes impoverished and does non-specialized work. He accepts the ideology

of the state. Other intelligentsia also occupy unnoticed, simple professions (Tolstaya

319).

Moreover, Tolstaya argues in The Perils of Utopia that the intelligentsia realizes

that it had admired fascism over the past years (322). She argues that

there is similarity between communism and fascism and that fascism actually existed

during the Soviet Union. On the basis of the argumentation of Tolstaya, one could argue that

the intelligentsia becomes similar and identifies itself with the state through fascism. Thus,

the Freudian complex becomes apparent. However, the argumentation of Tolstaya is quite

weak in this case because she does not give any solid proof of why the intelligentsia would be

in favor of fascism and she similarly does not explain why communism is similar to fascism.

Lastly, there is a competition between the censor and the intelligentsia over the press.

The censor wants to censor the press and the intelligentsia wants freedom of press.

However, the intelligentsia becomes similar to the censor in this competition because at

a certain point, it uses self-censorship. Thus, the intelligentsia actively or not-actively

chooses to adapt the restrictions of the state (censor), and becomes similar to the state.

Tolstaya, Tatyana. “The Perils of Utopia: The Russian Intelligentsia under Communism and Perestroyka.” Development and Change 27 (1996): 315-329. Print.

Calhoun, Craig. Dictionary of Social Sciences. Digital image. Http://www.oxfordreference.com.ezproxy.leidenuniv.nl:2048/view/10.1093/acref/9780195123715.001.0001/acref-9780195123715-e-1190?rskey=sAfM4g&result=1. Oxford University Press, 2002. Web. 22 Feb. 2012.