“Hey, comrade,” Dima said, tone, choice of words, everything exactly as it would have been in the eighties, in that forsaken country.Vadim peered at him in the mirror. “Yes?”“Are you guys in trouble?” Dima moved closer, stood within touching distance. “I don’t mean your little crusade a while back. I mean the rest.”Vadim inhaled and lowered his gaze for a few moments. “Life isn’t easy, Dima. That’s our set of rules.”“You know you can change them. If he’s fucking around….”“So am I.”“But you’re not happy with it?”“It’s just sex, Dima.”Dima looked at him for a long time. “It’s never just sex for you, though. Am I wrong?”“No. You’re right.” Vadim shook his head. “Rules, Dima. We’re a different case.”Dima reached out and took him by the shoulders, pulling him up and back against him, which made Vadim look at himself in the mirror.“It’s not easy. I wish it was.”
Quote Analysis:
In this poignant dialogue between Dima and Vadim from Aleksandr Voinov's work, we see a deep exploration of the complexities of their relationship and the struggles they face. The exchange highlights themes of loyalty, desire, and the challenges of navigating the rules that govern their lives.
Dima's concern for Vadim's well-being is evident in his direct questioning, showing a deep emotional connection between the two comrades. Vadim's resigned acceptance of their difficult circumstances speaks to a sense of inevitability in their situation. The reference to their "set of rules" suggests a sense of constraint and limitations that they must abide by, despite their personal desires and conflicts.
The conversation also delves into the idea of happiness and fulfillment, particularly in the context of their sexual relationship. Vadim's admission that "It's not easy. I wish it was," reveals a sense of longing for something more, hinting at unseen layers of emotional complexity beneath the surface. Overall, this dialogue captures the struggle for authenticity and fulfillment in the face of external expectations and societal norms.
Modern Relevance of the Quote
In this passage from Aleksandr Voinov's work, the characters discuss the complexities of life and relationships, highlighting the struggle to adhere to societal norms while yearning for something more. This theme of navigating personal desires and societal expectations resonates with many individuals today who grapple with similar challenges in modern relationships and societal structures.
Dialogue between Dima and Vadim in "Aleksandr Voinov's novel discussing their struggles and the complexities of their relationship in a tumultuous time period.
“Hey, comrade,” Dima said, tone, choice of words, everything exactly as it would have been in the eighties, in that forsaken country. Vadim peered at him in the mirror. “Yes?”
“Are you guys in trouble?” Dima moved closer, stood within touching distance. “I don’t mean your little crusade a while back. I mean the rest.”
Vadim inhaled and lowered his gaze for a few moments. “Life isn’t easy, Dima. That’s our set of rules.”
“You know you can change them. If he’s fucking around….”
“So am I.”
“But you’re not happy with it?”
“It’s just sex, Dima.”
Dima looked at him for a long time. “It’s never just sex for you, though. Am I wrong?”
“No. You’re right.” Vadim shook his head. “Rules, Dima. We’re a different case.”
Dima reached out and took him by the shoulders, pulling him up and back against him, which made Vadim look at himself in the mirror.
“It’s not easy. I wish it was.” - Aleksandr Voinov"
Reflection Questions:
This excerpt from Aleksandr Voinov's writing explores complex themes of personal struggle and relationships. Consider the following reflection questions:
- How do Vadim and Dima's interactions and dialogue in this passage reveal their inner conflicts and vulnerabilities?
- In what ways do Vadim's words about "rules" and "changing them" reflect his internal struggle with his current situation?
- What do you think Dima means when he says, "It's never just sex for you, though. Am I wrong?" How does this statement deepen the complexity of Vadim's character?
- Reflect on the themes of agency and choice present in this passage. How do Vadim and Dima navigate their own sets of rules and desires in their relationship?
- How does the setting of the eighties in a "forsaken country" contribute to the overall tone and atmosphere of this conversation?
Similar quotes
“Rumah adalah tempat di mana aku merasa bisa pulang. (Dimas Suryo)”
“What I can't understand is why the silly things you say makes so much sense.""I'll tell you why," said Papa Dima. "It's because the best idea is the idea you least expect. And the unexpected always seems silly at first.”
“He took my hand and stopped walking then shook his head when I looked up at him. “Look, I didn’t want to do this on your birthday, but this isn’t working out.”I raised an eyebrow at him. No shit, Sherlock. I waited for him to continue.“This whole arrangement with you and Lane, it’s weird. You’re not kids anymore. I can put up with your choice of livelihood. Hell, I can even get used to the fact that you refuse to do yourself up in the morning before I wake up when you spend the night.” He paused at my frown. “But I won’t play second place man in a woman’s life. If you want to have any chance with me, you’re going to have to leave him. Move out; get your own place. Just quit having him around all the time.”“If I want to have a chance with you?” Wow, this man was a piece of work. I gazed over to Lane who didn’t look too happy as he watched what was happening. I turned back to Brian. “But who would get custody of Iggy? We can’t do that to him. It would break his fragile little heart! And joint custody won’t work. We can’t just move an iguana around in the middle of winter. Plus, have you tried moving that tank? It’s huge…” I said the last of my speech to his back as he simply turned and walked away. “Jackass.”
“I look up, and he’s searching my eyes, just like he did after kissing me for the first time in the rain. “What are you looking for?”He doesn’t answer.He doesn’t need to.I know what he wants.And it’s not fair.“Just because we’re the only two teenagers on this whole ship doesn’t mean I have to love you. Why can’t I have a choice? Options?”Elder steps back, stung.“Look, it’s not that I don’t like you,” I say quickly, reaching for him. He jerks away. “It’s just…”“Just what?” he growls.Just that if I was back on Earth instead of on this damn ship, if I had met Elder at school or at a club or on a blind date, if I had my choice between Elder and every other boy in the world…Would I love him then?Would he love me?Love without choice isn’t love at all.“Just that I don’t want to be with you just because there’s no one else.” [p.57-58]”
“Sorry doesn’t mean anything! Not when you’re still with him. It’s not just that you cheated—it’s that he’s still here, and you’re still with him. It just goes on and on, and it hurts every single time I see you with him. I hate it that he makes you smile, and that there’s nothing I can do to stop this. I can’t think straight, and everything hurts, and nothing makes sense anymore. You’re shredding my heart with one hand and stroking his ego with the other. And it’s killing me, Faythe. You’re killing me. And it’s only going to get worse, now that everyone knows.”