Pasternak overcame the inclination to engage in self-destruction by rekindling his adherence to Orthodox Christianity. Paradoxically, the Great Terror liberated him from the apprehension of being excluded. He came to the realization that his intense fascination with the Russian Revolution and his efforts to associate himself with the Soviet cause had led him to a point where the annihilation of humanist principles would result in the demise of his artistic and moral identity.

Pasternak overcame the inclination to engage in self-destruction, The Great Stalin Terror

Pasternak steadfastly resisted the allure of totalitarianism, undeterred by the potential repercussions. He resumed his poetry writing, but abandoned the experimental formalist and “revolutionary” style. His language underwent a transformation, becoming more straightforward and clear. Alexander Afinogenov, a resident of Peredelkino in September 1937, expressed in his notebook that his discussions with Pasternak will be eternally cherished.

Upon approaching you, he promptly engages in conversation regarding significant, captivating, and authentic topics. His primary focus is solely on art. He harbors a deep affection for others and endures emotional pain on their behalf, although he does so without excessive sentimentality. He possesses the ability to foresee future events and distinguish valuable information from irrelevant ones.

The Great Terror resulted in a profound sense of isolation and demoralization among numerous writers, artists, and intellectuals. Following the excessive display of mutual accusations, their trust in each other was greatly diminished. Ex-members of the Russian intelligentsia, who had previously backed the Bolshevik dictatorship in the 1920s and benefited from the support of Bolshevik officials, now experienced a sense of isolation and neglect.

In a confidential police dossier, the writer Mikhail Svetlov expressed in 1938, “We are merely the lamentable vestiges of the bygone era.” The remnants of the previous party have completely disappeared; a new party has emerged, comprising entirely of fresh individuals. “They have displaced us.”

There were no longer any Bolshevik intellectuals such as Nikolai Bukharin, or influential cultural leaders like Maxim Gorky, who were knowledgeable and supportive of art and literature. The newly enlisted individuals in the political and administrative structure, a significant number of whom were from working-class or rural origins, regarded intellectuals and artists as a social group dedicated to serving the government. Joseph Stalin became the sole benefactor of art and culture.

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The German invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, and the accompanying terrible events not only diminished the significance of the preceding years of terror and turmoil, but also cast a shadow over the Bolshevik Revolution itself. In the midst of a dire struggle, the nation faced a series of setbacks, including desertions, cowardice, and disorganization.

However, after months of adversity, the people started to unite around the Soviet flag, inspired by the ideals of the “holy” and “Great Patriotic” war. The war annihilated the last cultural elite, just as it did every other group in Russia. The German siege of Leningrad from 1941 to 1942 resulted in a devastating loss of life, particularly among the elderly residents who had seen the culture before the revolution.

Many perished due to starvation. Individuals set fire to libraries in order to prevent themselves from succumbing to extreme cold temperatures. Simultaneously, the war bolstered the spirits of intellectuals and bestowed a fresh significance onto their individual fates. Scientists, even some who are currently detained, collaborated to develop innovative weaponry.