On the tragedy of Nick in Snowdrops Essay Example

for a love story. However, as the story evolves, his expectations are shattered and his ambitions remain unfulfilled. The thesis will explore the factors that lead to his tragic fate and highlight the contrast between his naive fantasies and the complex social environment. On one hand, Miller draws on his personal experience in Russia to paint a detailed picture of the country in the novel.

He exposed the distasteful materialistic nature, characterized by constant violence and immoral behavior, that emerged in Russia's capitalist society following the downfall of Communism. In this Russia, there is an abundance of strip joints, call girls, corrupt billionaires, swindlers, and overnight millionaires. At the same time, there are also elderly people begging on freezing streets and homeless individuals knocking on random doors in search of refuge from death caused by extreme cold. One prevailing theme is the presence of corruption and its ability to erode morals and individuals. For instance, as a lawyer in Russia, it was disheartening to confront an overwhelming number of pointless, incomprehensible, and conflicting laws.

The novel depicts the exciting experience of a foreigner living abroad and how innocent people are inevitably influenced by corruption, even if they believe themselves to be morally strong or immune. It shows that one can be who they desire to be and take risks they wouldn't normally take as if time has stood still. However, the truth is that the more one feels free, the more susceptible they become.

Undoubtedly, as a foreigner in Russia with limited knowledge of the unfamiliar surroundings, Nick is vulnerable and innocent. This harmful backdrop is particularly disadvantageous for someone as naive as Nick, while

it also causes individuals like Marsha and Kathy to become more sophisticated. Furthermore, it contributes little to our existing understanding of life in Russia, highlighting the pervasive vulgarity of high-end shops and restaurants, as well as the presence of "podium dancers" - two energetic topless black girls - and a male dwarf wearing a tiger-stripe thong, alongside the presence of gangsters.

Snowdrops emphasizes negative stereotypes to portray the destructive effects on Nick. Miller's depiction of Moscow as corrupt is so blatant that Nick, as the narrator, cannot avoid the moral hazards he faces while working as a lawyer in Russia.

Therefore, he and his foreign colleagues are deceived in the risky transaction. Nicholas, a sophisticated lawyer overseas, embraces his newfound freedom and becomes more prone to engage in immoral activities. Additionally, it is a prosperous period in the mid-1990s, and Nicholas serves as a lawyer representing foreign banks that aim to loan money to Russian companies. His job involves handling the legal aspects of corporate finance, which is always precarious in Russia, particularly within the oil industry.

In his own words, his occupation involves engaging in corrupt activities and making dishonest agreements that no one involved will actually honor. Due to his foreign background, he is bold enough to take risks in shady situations. He has enough money to indulge in the extravagant and luxurious lifestyle of Moscow. As a result, Nicholas can be seen as both refined and morally compromised. At the same time, his behavior towards Mash and her sister clearly indicates his naive romantic fantasies.

While traveling home on the metro, he bravely defends the sisters from a mugger, displaying a noble

deed in a ruthless place. This sentence reveals conflicting aspects of his personality, hinting at his eventual downfall. Furthermore, his dissatisfaction with his parents' marriage and estrangement from his mother intensify his naive longing for true love and romance.

At 38 years old, he is scared of ending up in a monotonous and loveless marriage like his parents, as well as fearing the suburban lifestyle. Being in a different country, he is determined to avoid the boredom and routine of his past and wants to find a more genuine form of love to transform himself and start anew. However, all of this distracts him from the inevitable failure that awaits him. Even when he has doubts, he remains indifferent and continues to trust Mash or simply refuses to confront the harsh reality.

Here is an example: when Titian denies being the sisters' aunt, contradicting their previous statement, the narrator feels uncertain about this revelation but quickly suppresses his skepticism. Yes, I was taken aback, although not entirely shocked. Nevertheless, I decided to conceal my astonishment and decline the opportunity to address this further. Being a professional lawyer, he harbors doubts about the company that supposedly owns Titian's apartment, considering the prevalent issues with Russian developers during that time. However, he elects to remain silent for the sake of Mash.

Despite the warnings from his friends and colleagues, Nick chooses to ignore them and continues down a dangerous path. Even his neighbor Oleg consistently reminds him to be cautious, going so far as to inform Nick's mother about the situation when she visits Russia. Nick is given multiple opportunities to avoid the trap set by Mash,

an enticing femme fatale who always has her younger sister Kathy by her side. However, he decides to follow his heart and truly believes that he is in love with Mash, viewing her as "the one" he wants to be with.

Hence, it is easy to perceive the conflict in Nicholas' personality – between his sophisticated and innocent sides. This conflict leads to his loss of both money and love, as his naive fantasies overpower his sophisticated approach in dealing with Mash. Additionally, we can observe a similar tension in Titan's character. She desires to return to a pastoral idyll, away from the sophisticated and morally corrupt city of Moscow where she has lived for forty years, reflecting the conflict between her innocent inner self and the corrupted surroundings.

Despite the unknown outcome, it can be deduced that the result is nothing more than an illusion and the woman is being manipulated by her sister for their own benefit. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the aunt's pursuit and subsequent failure mirrors the narrator's own fantasized experience of love and loss. The aunt's intense desire for a simplistic and pure way of life coincides with Nicholas' previous statement about his love for Marsha being "pure".

Many readers have complained about the lack of tension in this novel. One reviewer even describes the climax as underwhelming, comparing it to a deflated balloon. However, I argue that the author intentionally emphasizes conflict and tension. Despite being aware of many things, Nicholas continues without hesitation, which highlights his contradictory personality.

The story takes place in a stunning yet harsh Russian winter. It is not just a

tale of innocent foreigners and cynical locals, but a deeper narrative of sexual fantasies, self-delusion, and moral decline. The novel also explores the striking opposition between luxury and poverty, corruption and compassion, enchanting hideouts and depraved nightclubs. It is a place where crimes and dead bodies are exposed when the snow melts.