A Candle Was Burning?

"As they drove through Kamerger Street Yura noticed that a candle had
melted a patch in the icy crust on one of the windows. The light seemed
to look into the street almost consciously, as if it were watching the
passing carriages and waiting for someone.

'A candle burned on the table,a candle burned...' he whispered to
himself-the beginning of something confused,formless; he hoped that it
would take shape of itself, but nothing more came to him."
--Dr. Zhivago

From this formless beginning Pasternak wrote one of his most profound poems: Winter Night. I know of few poems that contain the wealth of human emotions as in Winter Night. How many of us have seen a candle burning in our mind's eye and knew that there was some meaning there, but what? Does it symbolize hope, faith, a sense of something beyond, what?? What does Pasternak's candle mean to you? What does it symbolize in Zhivago?

Winter Night

The snow swept through the land
To the ends of the earth.
On the table a candle,
A Candle was burning.

Like moths in the summer
Attracted by flames,
Crowding and rushing
--snowflakes at the window.

The blizzard had drawn
White circles and arrows.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.

Shadows softly mingling
On the luminous ceiling,
Arms and legs intertwining,
Destinies crossing.

Two tiny slippers
Fell to the floor,
And the candle was weeping
Wax tears on her dress.

All swirling in the darkness,
Snowy and grey.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.

The candle was almost
Put out by a draft.
The heat of temptation
Raised its wings like an angel.

A February blizzard,
Lasting a month.
On the table a candle,
A candle was burning.

Bahman's Writings

Dear Sue,
Nice to hear from you. Mashhad is mountainous. But it has no very mountain. There are mountains environs Mashhad. They are in Torghabe and Shandiz that they were beautiful villages in vicinity Mashhad. Now they are little cities. My Santour is not very good. I play only 2 years. If you go to below address you can take a beautiful piece from Faramarze Payvar.
http://www.4shared.com/file/171361879/e6ca294e/__________.html
Thank you that you tell me my mistakes. I had a funny mistake in my last letter. How is Denver climate? Is it warm or cold? Has it jungle? Is it big city or little city?

Bahman's Writing

Dear Sue,
I was in holy Mashhad. A hot summer has started here. I try to write mo re than before spend more time on Santour and music. I work 4 hours in a day with my Taxi. I have ket (key English test) next month. I must practice English more than before. I hope I can pass the exam. I had a good semester in the university. I bear in Tehran. My father bears in Tehran too but my grandfather was born in our village.

Hamlet by Boris Pasternak

I just ran to the library and they had held a copy of Pasternak's book of poems, "My Sister, Life" for me. The public library is a wonderful thing. Do you have libraries in Iran?
It is a beautiful book full of his poetry, in both Russian and English, and teeming with pictures of Russia. What a book of Love! Here is a poem from this book that I thought you might like:

Hamlet

The roaring stops. I walk onstage.
I lean against the doorframe
And try to catch,like Hamlet,
The echo of all that will happen in my time.

The night stares darkly.
And a thousand opera glasses,
On their handles, stare. I implore you,
Abba, Father, take this cup away!

I respect your stubborn planning.
I agree to act this part,
But another play is now unfolding,
Take me off the stage tonight.

The sequences have been arranged,
It is the end, the road is running out.
I am alone among the PHarisees.
To live a life is not to cross a field.

Faranak's Writing

Dear Sue,
I have a question about how to take exams in U.S., what is important, concepts or mnemonics?
In Iran, Some of professors give an exam and just student who can memorize better or read a lot lessons can give good a mark and it is wrong.
Last term, I had a proffessor who give marks with different methods. Our final exam was open book and that was just one question. The exam take for about 4 hours and take one hour and half to understand the question and after proffessor guidnace we could almost understand what question is.
Indeed, He wanted us to design new thing rather than use the mnemonic and student who understand good can solve the question.
at the end, we must complete a project which it was a calculator,It was hard for us. For the proffessor what important was how much we learn from the project(saying this sentense is difficult, I think I have a lot of mistakes, please say me errors). Some student couldn't display any things on a little LCD but he said: "Don't worry, it isn't important, I want you learn and you almost give completely mark."
I think understanding more important than memorizing and this method is very effective and useful.
Take care, Faranak.

Love, Pasternak's way

Yes Sue, The way odds were against him and people like him, he should have left Russia. But here is a piece from the film where Zhivago has realised that the right thing for him to do is to leave Lara. To me Lara depicts Russia: just see how Camerovsky, Strelnikov and Zhivago all love her in their own special ways and why.

Lara: Yes my darling, do as best.

Zhivago: I'm not coming back.

Lara watching him with tearful eyes says, "I understand." Zhivago asks again: "Do you understand?" With eyes soaked in tears, she can't say yes to this question and only nodds. Zhivago emphasizes: "But never, Lara. Do you understand?" Lara nods again and then comes Zhivago's last and most difficult question: "Do you believe me?" And Lara says no.

Just as Russia never believed that Pasternak would ever leave her. Zhivago, Strelnikov and Camerovsky all die in the end and in their own special ways. Future belongs to Yuri's child.

Pasternak never left Russia to accept the Nobel prize. Perhaps it was because he knew that if he had done so he would have never had a chance to return.

Lesson plan

To all classes:

Please print Sue's writings "This and That" and "The American Experiment" to study in the next classes.

Thank you, T

A letter of gratitude

Sue,

Mahshid and Monireh had been asking me to send their letters to you for ages, really. On several occasions I lost their letters. My apologies to you and to them. Thank you for answering them and thanks a lot for your time.

Faranak has asked me a question which I think is not for me to answer. She asks, "Are there any limitations and restrictions for American writers to publish their books?" Sue, it is totally beyond our belief to imagine a society where people are able to publish whatever they wish to. Unfortunately many of us believe that we MUST be restricted to live in a safer society. I know part of the answer -- I think, but I would love to hear your answer.

T

A letter from Mahshid to Sue

Sue, Mahshid is 17. Here's her letter:

In the name of God

Dear Sue,

I hope you are well. We listened to your voice which was very nice.

Does your time allow you to answer my questions? My questions are these:

is thee a so called paradise water fall in South America and is there a forgotten land in this place?

My teacher said to me you have two grand children. Can I ask you to send their photos?

Mrs Sue, I love America very much. What is your favorite soccer team? my favorite soccer player is Ronaldo what about you?

Thank you very much. Your friend, Mahshid.

A letter from Monire to Sue

Sue, Monire does not have direct access to the internet from her house. She is 12 years old. She has asked me to send you this letter.

In the name of God

Dear Sue,

How are you? I hope you are well. We listened to your voice. It was very good. Will you please answer my questions? Are you a thin woman? Do you wear glasses? I like to see you. Can you send a photo of you for me and Mahshid, please? We like to see you.

I like America very much. I like to live there and learn my lessons in America. My teacher Mr. Taghdarreh said that you have a garden. Please write for me about your garden and your house.

Thank you very much.

Monire