Russians in Robert E. Howard's Fiction (Spoilers)
Sept 16, 2016 23:49:49 GMT -5
Post by deuce on Sept 16, 2016 23:49:49 GMT -5
*SPOILERS* Some hidden info will be given away in these posts.
REH didn't use Russians in his fiction that often, but his depictions are fairly consistent. Looking at how Robert E. Howard portrayed Russians is a good way to get a handle on how he viewed them, to some extent. Here are some passages from Three Bladed Doom (Long Version). Info here:
howardworks.com/storyt.htm#thre2
All his attention was fixed on the man who dominated the scene. This man stood between him and the Shaykh’s divan, with the wide-legged stance of a horseman—handsome in a dark, saturnine way. He was taller than Gordon, and more wiry in build, this leanness being emphasized by his close-fitting breeches and riding boots. One hand caressed the butt of the heavy automatic which hung at his thigh, the other stroked his thin black mustache. And Gordon knew the game was up. For this was Ivan Konaszevski...
“In these matters I always defer to your judgment, [Ivan]. You know the man. I do not. Do what you will. Do not fear. He is unarmed.”
[said the Persian]
“That will make it easier,” laughed Konaszevski, then slipped into Russian which the Persian did not seem to understand. “Gordon, you were mad to come here. You should have known that you would meet someone who knew you as you really are—not as these fools think you are.”
"Your masters have dreams of an Asiatic empire [said Gordon], do they not? So they sent you to combine forces with a fanatic; help build him a city, and make a tool out of him. They supplied the money, and European wits and weapons. What do they hope to do? Supplant each Asiatic ruler now friendly to England with a puppet to obey their orders? Intimidate hostile sultans and pashas with the fear of assassination, to secure favourable treaties and concessions?”
“In part,” admitted Konaszveski calmly. “This is but one strand in a far-flung web of imperial ambition. I will not bother to remind you that you might have a part in the coming empire if you were wise."
"But India is better off under her rule than it would be under men who employ such tools as yourself [said Gordon]. By the way, who are your masters just now? The agents of the Czar—or somebody else?”
“That will make little difference to you, shortly!” Konaszevski showed his white teeth beneath the wiry black moustache in a light laugh. Othman and his men were shifting uneasily, irked at being unable to follow the conversation. The Cossack shifted to Arabic. “Your end will be interesting to watch. They say you are as stoical as the red Indians of your country. I am curious to test that reputation. Bind him, men—”
His gesture as he reached for the automatic at his hip was leisurely. He knew Gordon was dangerous, but he had never seen the black-haired Westerner in action; he could not realize the savage quickness that lurked in El Borak’s hard thews. Before the Cossack could draw his pistol Gordon sprang and struck as a panther slashes. The impact of his clenched fist was like that of a trip-hammer and Konaszevski went down, blood spurting from his jaw, the pistol slipping from its holster.
Ivan is a big, though lean and wiry, man. A Russian with a black moustache. He doesn't seem averse to inflicting a little torture. Likes his intrigue and wants to rule an empire which includes Arabs. He also has a bad tendency of underestimating black-haired Westerners.
*Fun fact: When de Camp morphed this story into The Flame Knife, turning Gordon into Conan, who do you think Ivan turned into? That's right. Olgerd Vladislav.
REH didn't use Russians in his fiction that often, but his depictions are fairly consistent. Looking at how Robert E. Howard portrayed Russians is a good way to get a handle on how he viewed them, to some extent. Here are some passages from Three Bladed Doom (Long Version). Info here:
howardworks.com/storyt.htm#thre2
All his attention was fixed on the man who dominated the scene. This man stood between him and the Shaykh’s divan, with the wide-legged stance of a horseman—handsome in a dark, saturnine way. He was taller than Gordon, and more wiry in build, this leanness being emphasized by his close-fitting breeches and riding boots. One hand caressed the butt of the heavy automatic which hung at his thigh, the other stroked his thin black mustache. And Gordon knew the game was up. For this was Ivan Konaszevski...
“In these matters I always defer to your judgment, [Ivan]. You know the man. I do not. Do what you will. Do not fear. He is unarmed.”
[said the Persian]
“That will make it easier,” laughed Konaszevski, then slipped into Russian which the Persian did not seem to understand. “Gordon, you were mad to come here. You should have known that you would meet someone who knew you as you really are—not as these fools think you are.”
"Your masters have dreams of an Asiatic empire [said Gordon], do they not? So they sent you to combine forces with a fanatic; help build him a city, and make a tool out of him. They supplied the money, and European wits and weapons. What do they hope to do? Supplant each Asiatic ruler now friendly to England with a puppet to obey their orders? Intimidate hostile sultans and pashas with the fear of assassination, to secure favourable treaties and concessions?”
“In part,” admitted Konaszveski calmly. “This is but one strand in a far-flung web of imperial ambition. I will not bother to remind you that you might have a part in the coming empire if you were wise."
"But India is better off under her rule than it would be under men who employ such tools as yourself [said Gordon]. By the way, who are your masters just now? The agents of the Czar—or somebody else?”
“That will make little difference to you, shortly!” Konaszevski showed his white teeth beneath the wiry black moustache in a light laugh. Othman and his men were shifting uneasily, irked at being unable to follow the conversation. The Cossack shifted to Arabic. “Your end will be interesting to watch. They say you are as stoical as the red Indians of your country. I am curious to test that reputation. Bind him, men—”
His gesture as he reached for the automatic at his hip was leisurely. He knew Gordon was dangerous, but he had never seen the black-haired Westerner in action; he could not realize the savage quickness that lurked in El Borak’s hard thews. Before the Cossack could draw his pistol Gordon sprang and struck as a panther slashes. The impact of his clenched fist was like that of a trip-hammer and Konaszevski went down, blood spurting from his jaw, the pistol slipping from its holster.
Ivan is a big, though lean and wiry, man. A Russian with a black moustache. He doesn't seem averse to inflicting a little torture. Likes his intrigue and wants to rule an empire which includes Arabs. He also has a bad tendency of underestimating black-haired Westerners.
*Fun fact: When de Camp morphed this story into The Flame Knife, turning Gordon into Conan, who do you think Ivan turned into? That's right. Olgerd Vladislav.
I wonder how good Howard understood that "Cossacks" and "Russian" is not quite the same thing 
