Humor Poem by Yevgeny YevtushenkoTsars, Kings, Emperors, sovereigns of all the earth, have commanded many a parade, but they could not command humor. When Aesop, the tramp, came visiting the palaces of eminent personages ensconced in sleek comfort all day, they struck him as paupers. In houses, where hypocrites have left the smear of their puny feet, there Hodja-Nasr-ed-Din, with his jests, swept clean all meanness like a board of chessmen! They tried to commission humor- but humor is not to be bought! They tried to murder humor, but humor thumbed his nose at them! It’s hard to fight humor. They executed him time and again. His hacked-off head was stuck on the point of a pike. But as soon as the mummer’s pipes began their quipping tale, humor defiantly cried: 'I’m back, I’m here! ', and started to foot a dance. in an overcoat, shabby and short, with eyes cast down and a mask of repentance, he, a political criminal, now under arrest, walked to his execution. He appeared to submit in every way, accepting the life-beyond, but of a sudden he wriggled out of his coat, and, waving his hand, did a bolt. Humor was shoved into cells, but much good that did. Humor went straight through prison bars and walls of stone. Coughing from the lungs like any man in the ranks, he marched singing a popular ditty, rifle in hand upon the Winter Palace. He’s accustomed to frowning looks, but they do him no harm; and humor at times with humor glances at himself. He’s everpresent. Nimble and quick, he’ll slip through anything, through everyone. So- glory be to humor. He- is a valiant man. |
This poem presents propaganda in the form of a poem to portray nationalism of Russia. During the communist era there was more freedom of publication especially in newspapers and the publication of propaganda.
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This is a classic example of Soviet propaganda during the civil war. The caption in Russian is "no master over worker", this poster represents the most basic characteristic of communism, that everyone is equal. The men stabbing the boss are red, most likely to represent the Red Army during the civil war.
This poster is called, "Death to World Imperialism". In the image, the white dragon, representing the White Army is coiled around a large industrial complex, which presumably represents world imperialism and capitalism. The White Army is demonized so that people who have remained neutral might chose the Red Army.
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