Appleton, Nathan. Russian Life and Society. Boston, Massachusetts. Murray and Company Press, 1904.

Josh Price, SCAND 344, July 18, 2005

Nathan Appleton’s book, Russian life and Society, is a detailed account of his journey to and through the Russian empire. Appleton’s book is a composition of letters, pictures, memories and thoughts about Russian society during the 1860’s. His intended audience, in terms of the letters he writes while on his journey, are focused towards his family, mother, brother and sisters, in which he conveys to them all of the beauties of Russia. However, in a broader perspective, his intended audience, in terms of the entire book, seems to be people living in America during this time period. The book as a whole, is a reflection upon the Russian people and their way of life, in which he gives American readers a better account of Russian society. His letters, which are directed towards his immediate family, are another means of Appleton’s readers gaining a better idea of Appleton’s personal reflections about Russia. While Appleton’s book is complicated to read, due to his constant transition of his life as a boy, letters to family members and impressions of Russia, one can develop the idea that Appleton’s overall purpose in his composition is to give a description of Russia and its people during the time of the 1860’s and by doing so establish an American idea that Russia is a country with a thriving society, beautiful landscape, and a strong foundation for knowledge where ideas of liberty are just coming about.

Appleton focuses on many aspects of Russian society and culture in order to establish the idea to his American reader that Russia is a country with a strong foundation for knowledge, which in turn holds the potential to be a leader in world politics. One example, which Appleton believes to be a good reference towards this, is the use of multiple foreign languages including French, German, Russian and English which many of the Russian youth are fluent in. This can be read when Appleton writes, "The young ladies here nearly all speak English well, besides French, German, Russian, and also, sometimes, Italian. This is true of many of the young men as well." However, counter-evidence suggests that Appleton seems to still stick with his belief, in terms of education, that even though the Russian people are moving up in terms of linguistics, they still fall behind America in more important aspects of education which is conveyed when he says, "Although it make us (referring to Americans) seem very ignorant, still, in the matter of general education, the classics, philosophy, mathematics, etc., I imagine we are their superiors" (104).  However, what his readers must remember is that Appleton graduated from Harvard and while he was there, composed many noteworthy pieces about politics in America. This reflects his level of education, which gives his readers the impression that he is better educated then many of the people wherever he may travel. This in turn leads the reader to believe that, of course for Appleton the Russian people are less educated, but Appleton's education exceeds that of his American audience as well.

In order for Appleton to get across his idea that Russian society is coming along in terms of developing into a peaceful nation, which is one that the American republic should consider to be a friend and is not a country stricken by its corrupted leaders, he compares the famous American president, Abraham Lincoln and the freedom of the slaves in America, to the emancipation of the serfs by Alexander the second. Appleton also talks about Alexander the Second's his allowance of equal trial by jury to all citizens (211). By doing this, Appleton hopes to convey to his readers that Russia and its people are similar to America and its people. Even though many people in America might know this, he notes that this is one of but many more steps to come in Russia becoming a country worthy of praise and one in which the people of both countries can relate too.

In terms of the Russian landscape, which is so strongly emphasized in Appleton’s writing in order to give his readers a better idea of the beauty in Russia, he constantly talks about the beauty of the towns, such as St. Petersburg and Moscow, noting numerous buildings such as the Church of Isaac, the Grand Opera House and the Patriarchal Cathedral.  His means of transportation to these places is either by train or dog sled. Appleton’s intent in describing these towns as he writes, is for his readers to see Russia as half oriental and half European, excluding any idea the American reader may have of these cities and towns being exclusively Russian, but instead establishing an idea that the people of Russia are open to relations outside of their own country by acknowledging the architectural side of foreign countries. Along with the beautiful landscape of Russia, Appleton brings into this context, the beauty of the women in Russia, which he seems to write consistently about noting the "Russian Maidens," when he writes, "We saw two pretty little Russian maidens, with their white furs" (87). However, it is in the landscape and beauty of the people that we see his brothers and mother, become more intrigued in Russia and its society. Eventually his family notes, in their letters, that they wish to come to Russia and experience all of its beauty.

Appleton's Russian Life and Society tries to establish an American idea of Russia.  The people of America know little if anything about that country's beauty, knowledge and liberty. One note that reflects a bias in Appleton’s work is the fact that his relations with the people living in Russia are all on the level of noble class. He never seems to speak with any peasants or serfs during that period which must give his readers some idea that on a higher level of society in Russia, the outlook seems to be positive. But what about the lower level of society? I don’t see the peasants dressed up in fine clothes, partying and drinking until four in the morning. Appleton does a good job of trying to get his point across of Russian life, customs, building and culture being one that conveys a positive image of the people and a country with a positive future due to its youth.