Heart Of A Dog Satire

Brody Bennett

Professor Vorozhbit

RUS 370A

17 April 2023

The Role of Women and Satire in Heart of a Dog

The power of satire lies in its ability to highlight the absurdity and flaws of society, and Heart of a Dog, a novel by Mikhail Bulgakov and its film adaptation by Vladimir Bortko, is a prime example of this. Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov, and its film adaptation, are a satirical story that offers a critical commentary on the socio-political landscape of the Soviet Union during the early 20th century. Set in Moscow during the early years of the Soviet Union, the story follows the transformation of a stray dog named Sharik, who is transformed into a man through a scientific experiment conducted by Professor Preobrazhensky, a wealthy doctor

This period saw a loosening of censorship restrictions, and many previously banned works, including Bulgakov's novel, were made available to the public. The film can be seen as a critique of the excesses of the Stalinist era, which was a time of intense political repression in the Soviet Union. Through the character of Sharikov, the film exposes the flaws of the Soviet authorities' belief that science and education could uplift the proletariat and turn them into a new ruling class. Additionally, the film's treatment of women as the voice of reason and conscience in society reflects Bulgakov's belief in the role of women in society. This portrayal is significant as it challenges the patriarchal norms prevalent in Soviet society at the time. Overall, Heart of a Dog reflects the changing socio-political landscape in the Soviet Union during the late 1980s and provides a unique insight into the struggles of the Soviet people during the Stalinist

This work offers a unique perspective on the socio-political landscape of the Soviet Union during the early 20th century through its portrayal of strong female characters and its critique of the scientific community and the patriarchal society. The film adaptation's satire of Soviet ideology is a testament to the genre's power in exposing society's absurdity and flaws. Additionally, the film's portrayal of women as the voice of reason and conscience in society challenges patriarchal structures in the Soviet Union and beyond. This perspective is especially important, as Soviet history often overlooks women's voices and societal