Essay Questions

What is the significance of the novel’s title?

The title Absurdistan refers to the fictional country where Gary Shteyngart sets the novel's story, which is an unnamed former Soviet republic called Absurdsvani. The name Absurdistan is a play on the word "absurd," which means wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate. This reflects the absurd and surreal nature of the world where Misha, the protagonist, finds himself. The title also suggests that the country of Absurdsvani is a metaphor for the absurdity of the world, particularly in light of politics, corruption, and globalization. The novel is a satirical and absurdist take on the post-Soviet world, and the title Absurdistan captures this tone. Overall, the title Absurdistan serves as a fitting representation of the novel's themes and the style of the story, as it captures the absurdity and absurdity of the world that Misha navigates.

What does America symbolize in the novel?

In Absurdistan, America is portrayed as a place of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity, in contrast to the corruption and economic struggles of the former Soviet republic of Absurdsvani. America is depicted as a land of plenty and consumerism, where people can access a wide range of goods and services. Misha, the protagonist, is a wealthy and hedonistic young man who has grown up in the United States and is accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle. He longs to return to America and its comforts but is unable to do so due to his involvement in the murder of an American diplomat and the political complications it causes. Throughout the novel, America symbolizes hope and a better life for Misha and the other characters. It represents the possibility of escape from the poverty and corruption of Absurdsvani and the opportunity to start anew in a place where one's past mistakes and social status are not held against them. At the same time, however, the novel also satirizes the excesses and superficiality of American consumer culture and the way in which it can be a source of alienation and disconnection from one's roots and identity. Overall, America symbolizes promise and is one of the novel critique sources.

What does the author satirize in the novel?

Absurdistan is a satirical novel that aims for a variety of targets, including the post-Soviet world, immigration, globalization, and consumer culture. One of the main objects of satire in the novel is the former Soviet republic of Absurdsvani, where the story is set. The country is depicted as a corrupt and chaotic place, ruled by a group of oligarchs and kleptocrats who are more interested in lining their own pockets than serving the needs of the people. The novel satirizes how the collapse of the Soviet Union led to the rise of crony capitalism and the exploitation of the country's natural resources. The novel also satirizes the immigration experience, particularly the challenges and obstacles faced by those who leave their home countries in search of a better life. Misha, the protagonist, is a Russian immigrant who has grown up in the United States and is accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle but finds himself stranded in Absurdsvani and unable to return to America due to his involvement in a crime. The novel explores how Misha's sense of identity and belonging is challenged by his forced stay in Absurdsvani and how he struggles to find his place in the world. Additionally, the novel satirizes the excesses and superficiality of consumer culture, particularly in the United States. Misha is depicted as a materialistic and hedonistic young man who is more interested in acquiring the latest gadgets and designer brands than in cultivating meaningful relationships or impacting positively on the world. The novel critiques how consumer culture can be a source of alienation and disconnection from one's roots and identity. Overall, Absurdistan is a humorous and irreverent novel that uses satire to explore a range of themes and issues, including politics, immigration, globalization, and consumer culture.