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For the Good of the Cause

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As much power as "For the Good of the Cause" packs, it is amazing that this book is not better known. It many ways, it is better than his best known work. Even stepping away from the commentary on the corruption of the Soviet government, the book makes an overall statement on the corruption of power and bureaucracy.

Pride in the technical school runs high as they are nearing completion of the new building on campus. The sense of accomplishment is furthered by the fact that the students built the new building with their own hands. Fyodor, the man in charge of the school, becomes suspicious when the school is not immediately able to occupy the building. Upon investigation, he discovers that a new research institute is to occupy the building. When he asks why, he is told that it is for the good of the cause.

As this novella draws to an end, readers are left to ponder whether Fyodor's actions at the end of the story were the right course. Though it was a drastic path, it would seems few options were available. "For the Good of the Cause" is certain to create thoughts in the minds of readers. It lead to the argement of whether "my country right or wrong" can ever be truly justified.

Fyodor,principle at the technical school,is bemused by a visit from the local party commission who praise the facilities at the decrepit school on the eve of the much anticipated move to the spacious and modern facility the pupils themselves worked through their summer vacation to build.He is told that the new building is required by the government as a research institute;thats its for the good of the cause...
A short novella written during the brief (and false) period of 'liberalism'and anti Stalinism under Kruschev,this is a bit of a museum piece that lacks the impact and relevence of his greater works. That ambition,enthusiasm and drive are crushed by self serving empire building and totally useless bureaucrats is pretty universal whatever the regime is.It gets exposed in a free press,but only has that Kafkaesque sinisterness when employed by something as totalitarian as the now defunct Soviet regime.Readers under the age of 30 will probably not see any point in this story unless they read a weighty introduction about the controversy this caused in the USSR in the 60's. Solzhenitsyn doesn't attack communism as such-indeed he see's the enthusiasm that could be generated for it by rewarding the pupils for their efforts to build a modern educational facility,destroyed by petty demogogues and self serving party officials;ie it is the party's elite that destroy the communist principle and ideal.Treason or not?In that sense,it can be argued that Solzhenitsyn predicts communisms demise will be self inflicted as indeed it was.
I avidly read Solzhenitsyn in the mid to late 80's and his works (First Circle,Cancer Ward,August 1914,Lenin in Zurich etc etc)had a powerful impact on me at that time. I'd like to re read these books to read them in a new light,that of post communism society.I think 'For The Good....' maybe would have impressed on me more had I read it at the same point in history as I had his others.
Not a complex book to read as some imagine Solzhenitsyn to be, but I would recommend 'Ivan Denisovich' as a better introduction.