The Foundation Pit

The Foundation Pit

infobox Book |
name = The Foundation Pit
title_orig = Котлован (Kotlovan)
translator =


image_caption =
author = Andrei Platonov
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = Soviet Union
language = Russian
series =
genre =
publisher =
release_date = 1929–1930 (written); 1969(pub'd in London); 1987(pub'd in USSR)
english_release_date =
media_type =
pages = 141
isbn = 1860460496, 0810111454
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"The Foundation Pit" (1929–1930) ("Kotlovan") is a gloomy symbolical and satirical novel by Andrei Platonov. The plot of the novel concerns a group of workers in the early Soviet Union attempting to dig out a huge foundation pit, on the base of which a gigantic House for all Proletariat will be built. The workers dig daily, but they slowly cease understanding meaning in their work; the enormous foundation pit sucks out all their energy.

Along with Zamyatin, Platonov created one of the first state-control dystopias of the 20th century that had influence on such consequent masterpieces as Orwell's "1984" and Huxley's "Brave New World".

The Foundation Pit is a representation of the conflict that occurred between the individual and the collectivized State in the late 1920s. The only existence one has is being part of a whole.

Due to censorship, "The Foundation Pit" was not published in the Soviet Union until 1987.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • The Money Pit — For the location known as The Money Pit , see Oak Island. The Money Pit Theatrical release poster Directed by Richard Benjamin …   Wikipedia

  • The Pita Pit — Infobox Company company name = Pita Pit company company type = Private company slogan = Fresh Thinking Healthy Eating foundation = 1995 in Kingston, Ontario founder = John Soliriadis and Nelson Lang location city = Kingston, Ontario location… …   Wikipedia

  • The Pit and the Pendulum (radio) — The Pit and the Pendulum is a radio program from the American radio anthology series Radio Tales . The anthology series adapted classic works of American and world literature for the radio. The series was a recipient of numerous awards, including …   Wikipedia

  • The Purple Monster Strikes — Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet Fred C. Brannon Produced by Ronald Davidson …   Wikipedia

  • The Crick Crack Club — is a London based performance storytelling promoter, founded in 1988. It programs public performances of storytelling (mainly for adult audiences) in theaters, and art centers nationally; tours artists and their work; provides training and… …   Wikipedia

  • The Flintstones (film) — The Flintstones Theatrical film poster by Drew Struzan Directed by Brian Levant Prod …   Wikipedia

  • The Legend of Zorro — Directed by Martin Campbell Produced by Steven Spielberg …   Wikipedia

  • The Court Beggar — is a Caroline era stage play written by Richard Brome. It was most likely premiered in 1638, by the acting company known as Beeston s Boys at the Cockpit Theatre. The play is a satire of various aspects of the court of King Charles I. This satire …   Wikipedia

  • The Lost World (radio) — “The Lost World” is a radio program from the American radio anthology series Radio Tales. The anthology series adapted classic works of American and world literature for the radio. The series was a recipient of numerous awards, including four… …   Wikipedia

  • the North sea — ground ground (ground), n. [OE. ground, grund, AS. grund; akin to D. grond, OS., G., Sw., & Dan. grund, Icel. grunnr bottom, Goth. grundus (in composition); perh. orig. meaning, dust, gravel, and if so perh. akin to E. grind.] 1. The surface of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”