Isaac Babel
Isaac Babel
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Isaac Babel was born as Izak Eizik Dov Bergelson on July 13, 1894, in Odessa, Russian Empire (now Ukraine). He is commonly referred to by his pen name, "I. Babel," which he used for most of his literary career.
Birth and Death Dates
July 13, 1894 – March 17, 1940
Isaac Babel's life was marked by both remarkable creativity and tragic circumstances. His early death at the age of 45 has contributed to his enduring legacy as a celebrated writer.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Russian (then Soviet)
Profession(s): Writer, Journalist
Babel identified himself as a Russian Jew, which significantly influenced his work and perspective on the world around him. Throughout his career, he wrote in multiple genres, including short stories, novels, essays, and journalism.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Odessa, Babel was exposed to a rich cultural environment that would later shape his writing. His father was a barber, and the family lived in a crowded, cosmopolitan neighborhood filled with people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This early exposure to the complexities of identity and community had a lasting impact on Babel's work.
Babel began writing at an early age, contributing to school magazines and experimenting with short stories. After completing his education, he joined the Red Army during World War I, where he witnessed firsthand the brutal realities of war. These experiences would later influence some of his most famous works.
Major Accomplishments
Isaac Babel's literary accomplishments are numerous:
"Red Cavalry," a cycle of short stories based on his experiences in the Red Army, is widely regarded as one of his masterpieces.
He was instrumental in creating the Soviet Union's first and only Jewish newspaper, "Der Emes."
His works, including short stories and essays, were published in prominent literary magazines such as "Lef" and "Zvezda."Notable Works or Actions
Some of Babel's most notable works include:
"The Tales of Odessa," a collection of short stories set in his hometown.
"Odessa Stories," which features some of his most celebrated tales, including "Guy de Maupassant."
His essay on "Tolstoy," which highlights his deep respect for the Russian literary tradition.
Impact and Legacy
Isaac Babel's impact extends far beyond his own lifetime. His works continue to captivate readers with their vivid portrayals of human experience, particularly in the context of war and social change:
Influence on Soviet Literature: Babel was a key figure in shaping the literary landscape of the Soviet Union.
International Recognition: His work has been translated into numerous languages, earning him recognition as one of the most important Russian writers of the 20th century.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Babel's quotes are often referenced for their poignant insights into human nature and the complexities of war:
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." (From "Odessa Stories")
"Literature must be written in blood." (From an interview with "Lef")
Quotes by Isaac Babel
We slept, all six of us, beneath a wooden roof that let in the stars, warming one another, our legs intermingled. I dreamed: and in my dreams saw women. But my heart, stained with bloodshed, grated and brimmed over.
You must know everything. The whole world will fall at your feet and grovel before you. Everybody must envy you. Do not trust people. Do not have friends. Do not lend them money. Do not give them your heart!
Just forget for a minute that you have spectacles on your nose and autumn in your heart. Stop being tough at your desk and stammering with timidity in the presence of people. Imagine for one second that you raise hell in public and stammer on paper. You’re a tiger, a lion, a cat. You spend a night with a Russian woman and leave her satisfied. You’re twenty five. If rings had been fastened to the earth and sky, you’d have seized them and pulled the sky down to earth.
The orange sky is rolling across the sky like a severed head, gentle light glimmers in the ravines among the clouds, the banners of the sunset are fluttering above our heads. The stench of yesterday’s blood and slaughtered horses drips into the evening chill.
For me the whole world is like a gigantic theater in which I am the only spectator without opera glasses. The orchestra plays the prelude to the third act, the stage is far away as in a dream, my heart swells with delight – and you want to blind me with a pair of half-ruble spectacles?
A phrase is born into the world both good and bad at the same time. The secret lies in a slight, an almost invisible twist. The lever should rest in your hand, getting warm, and you can only turn it once, not twice.
Павлин на плече Ивана Никодимыча уходил последним. Он сидел, как солнце в сыром осеннем небе, онсидел, как сидит июль на розовом берегу реки, раскалённый июль в длиннойхолодной траве.
Она увозила с собой воспоминания, не отягчавшие совести, и колье, выбранное со вкусом и стоившее не очень дорого.