An Experiment on the “Ordinary Man” in Sasha Filipenko’s Novel The Red Cross

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the consequences of the “monstrous experiment” conducted by the Soviet state on its own people during the Second World War, as depicted in Sasha Filipenko’s novel Red Cross. Through an analysis of the protagonist’s trials, the dynamics between the individual and the state, and the broader implications for contemporary Russian society, the article explores the persistence of historical amnesia in modern Russia.

The study highlights the Soviet state’s inhumane treatment of prisoners of war and their families, often branded as enemies of the people. The protagonist, Tatyana Alekseevna Pavkova, driven by desperation, commits a moral transgression by forging a document that substitutes the surname of an unfamiliar soldier to save her husband. This act haunts her for decades, until she finally has the opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness after 30 years of searching.

The novel’s themes resonate in today’s context, as the Russian government’s treatment of soldiers and citizens during the ongoing war in Ukraine suggests parallels with past practices. Historical documents referenced in the novel provide undeniable evidence of the Soviet regime’s physical and moral crimes against its own people.

The article argues that only by preserving the memory of these crimes – understanding their origins, identifying those responsible, and collectively processing shared pain – can society hope to heal and prevent the recurrence of such atrocities.