Blog 5: The italics are mine by Nina Berberova

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Blog 5: The italics are mine by Nina Berberova

Jordan Miles

January 19, 2023

Nina Berberova's autobiography The italics are mine reveals a deeper unsterstanding of her story and obstacles she went through.  She lived in Paris for twenty five years and then moved to the United States, and struggled getting by day to day. She wrote lots of stories and poems despite it being uncommon for women to do at the time, just like many authors we've learned about. Something I admired was a quote I read by Berberova that reads, ""He fears the world. I do not. He fears the future. I rush towards it." I think that this quote resembles her outlook on life and the idea of freedom. She feels free to write openly and feels the freedom to choose whatever she wants to write and being attention to. Even as a women at her time, she didn't live her life in fear or doubtfulness. In fact she was the opposite, she embraced and accepted and overcame it.  I interpreted it as Berberova being able to talk about her past and show her strength through her mindset and overcoming it. These ideas are inspiring to read about, as many women live a lot of their life is fear and always second guessing themselves and their life decisions. Even coming for a poor beginning and living in poverty she was able to have hope for a brighter future and see the light at the end. This light at the end is seen as she was a successful writing professor at prestigious universities. To be able to do this coming from a different country is very impressive. She was able to make a great life with her freedom and bravery. 

Comments

  1. Delaney AshworthJanuary 20, 2023 at 6:42 AM

    I absolutely love the quote that you chose because it motivates me in life to not fear and keep pushing forward regardless of those around me. She does not fear dissing men and I love that about her. She knows she is stronger and more capable than the box she is placed in. Freedom and bravery can completely transform all lives.

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    Replies
    1. Jordan MilesJanuary 20, 2023 at 6:54 AM

      Thank you! I agree that freedom is so important for women to have and feel in life in order to go after what they desire!

      Delete
  2. savannah shockleyJanuary 20, 2023 at 6:49 AM

    I agree with you on Berberova's outlook on life. Her lack of fear for the future is interesting to see considering what she went through, fleeing from place to place. I saw a lot of her boldness and fervor in her last couple of paragraphs where she was referencing Russian literature (War and Peace, etc.) and saying that she refused to go through life/deal with her own traumas with "false melancholy" (pg. 76). It's refreshing to see that kind of woman, who was living in a time full of uncertainty, go through her life and try and live it to its fullest extent.

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    Replies
    1. Jordan MilesJanuary 20, 2023 at 6:56 AM

      Yes, totally agree! Those are great quotes and word choices that you added from her story that demonstrate her perspective.

      Delete

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