Wickedness as Intrigue

The complexity of Russian character is highlighted through the juxtaposition of profound sensitivity and exceptional wickedness. Russian figures often embrace their darker traits, finding a sense of excitement in their moral ambiguity. This duality was exemplified in Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's impactful 1978 Harvard Commencement Address, where he critiqued Western civilization, contrasting American banality with Russian intrigue. The stark reactions of prominent attendees to his speech underscore the discomfort and challenge posed by such a candid appraisal of cultural differences.