Study Guide for Book Clubs by Kathryn Cope

Author:Kathryn Cope
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A Gentleman in Moscow, book club, study guide, reading group, discussion questions, summary, themes, characters, analysis, literary criticism, companion, history, information
Publisher: Kathryn Cope
Published: 2018-02-09T16:00:00+00:00

Motifs

A CHARMING CHARACTERISTIC of A Gentleman in Moscow is the way seemingly incidental objects appear and then reappear in a different context. The Essays of Montaigne are adapted from tedious reading matter to handy desk leveller to secret repository of gold coins. The ‘Fountain of Youth’ is an intriguing elixir in the hotel barber’s cabinet, later revealing itself to be hair dye when Sofia uses it to cover the distinctive white steak in her hair. The egret-shaped scissors are a decorative reminder of the Count’s beloved sister, later used for the practical purpose of cutting Sofia’s hair short enough to disguise her as a boy. A hand bell in the shape of a lady (the silver summoner) is a novelty discovered by Nina and the Count on one of their first adventures which makes a reappearance during the Count’s last dinner with Sofia. In this way, ordinary objects prove as adaptable as the Count himself, constantly transforming themselves to meet the needs of new situations.

The Antique Duelling Pistols

The existence of the antique duelling pistols is first mentioned when the Count tells Nina about a duel his godfather took part in while staying at the hotel. A legendary part of the Metropol’s history, the guns were kept behind a secret panel by the manager in the days when arguments between aristocratic guests would be settled by a duel. When Manager Halecki informs the Count that his staff can no longer address him by his title, Rostov makes the best of the situation, checking that the pistols still lie behind the secret panel in his office. This knowledge comes in very useful later when the Count prevents the Bishop from reporting him to the authorities at gunpoint.

More than just a handy plot device, the duelling pistols symbolise the Count’s aristocratic background and a way of life that has become obsolete. When the Bishop at first dismisses the pistols as harmless antiques, the Count proves he is mistaken by firing a shot into Stalin’s portrait. Perfectly at ease with how to handle these reminders of his aristocratic past, the Count proves that, like the pistols themselves, he is far from powerless and should not be underestimated.

The Grand Duke’s Desk

When the Count is forced to choose which of his possessions to cram into his attic room, one of his first selections is his Louis XVI desk. Inherited from his godfather, the desk has come to represent those qualities which the Count most admired in the Grand Duke, who became a mentor to him after his parents died. A military hero, the Grand Duke “prized industry over nonsense” and gave the Count the valuable advice that “if a man does not master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them.” The marks etched into the desk’s surface reflect the previous owner’s industrious nature and sense of purpose while the hollow legs conveniently conceal gold coins.

The Twice-tolling Clock

The twice-tolling clock is another prized possession salvaged by the Count for his attic room. Unique

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.