Текст книги "About Culture, - A Little (СИ)"

Автор книги: Vladimir Zalesski

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 11 страниц)

– You, Jack, floated by the seas, by the oceans much... And even away from your native places you remained a family man. You were waited for the house by mother, sisters... I have at some point lost all my close relatives...

– И ты, Алексей, и я много работали, что бы прожить-прокормиться в периоды наших бродяжьих путешествий.

– And you, Alexei, and I worked a lot to survive – to feed themselves during periods of traveling journeys.

– И ты, Джек, и я не смогли получить формальное высшее образование. Занимались самообразованием. Очень много читали. Были постоянными посетителями библиотек. И ты, и я, начали писать. В одной из школ, Джек, директор освободил тебя от утреннего пения, но с условием, что ты должен писать сочинения каждое утро в течение той четверти часа, когда другие поют.

– And you, Jack, and I couldn't get a formal higher education. Were engaged in a self-education. We were reading a much. We were regular visitors to the libraries. Both you, and I, have begun attempts of a literature work. At one of the schools, Jack, the principal freed you from a morning singing, but on condition of your writing of essays every morning for a quarter of an hour when the others were singing.

– Тебя, Алексей, в начале жизни никто в литературной карьере не поддерживал. Но ты много путешествовал, много читал. Самостоятельно делал качественные скачки. Будучи мальчиком, читая вслух какое-то произведение в мастерской, среди взрослых людей, ты вдруг ощутил, что повидал и узнал больше каждого из слушателей. Если я мог без особого труда опубликовать свои рассказы в университетском издании – я проучился в университете несколько месяцев, но на учебу не хватило денег, – то тебе пришлось дойти пешком от Волги и Дона до Одессы и от Одессы до Тифлиса. Там в 1892 году в лояльной правительству газете при поддержке журналистов, достаточно индифферентных политически, ты, Алексей, опубликовал первое произведение. Оно – сказочно-романтического содержания. "...Окружавшая нас мгла осенней ночи вздрагивала и, пугливо отодвигаясь, открывала на миг слева – безграничную степь, справа – бесконечное море...".

– Your aspirations to a literary career, Alexey, weren't supported anybody at the beginning of your life . But you traveled much, read much. Independently you did qualitative jumps. Being a boy, reading aloud some book in a workshop, among adults, you have suddenly felt that up to that moment you have managed to see and to learn more than each of listeners. I had a possibility to publish without special efforts the stories in the university edition – I have studied at the university several months, but for the learning there wasn't enough money, – to you was necessary to reach on foot from Volga and Don toward Odessa and from Odessa to Tiflis. There in 1892 in the newspaper, loyal to the government, with assistance of journalists, enough indifferent politically, you, Alexei, has published the your first work. It's work – with a fantastic and romantic contents. "...Around us, the darkness of the autumn night. The darkness is trembling, fearful of a light. The dusk is going away for a moment. We see on the left the endless steppe, on the right – the infinite sea...".

– Как-то не получилось, Джек, ни у тебя, ни у меня, остаться вдалеке от политики. И ты, Джек, и я стали приверженцами социализма.

– Somehow it hasn't turned out, Jack, neither at you, nor at me, to remain in the distance from a policy. And you, Jack, and I became adherents of socialism.

– Все же мне до тебя, Алексей, далеко. Ты смог лично увидеть Витте, председателя Комитата министров, разговаривал с ним. Ленина ты называл другом. Был в хороших отношениях и со Сталиным. Судя по твоему творчеству, ты был лично знаком с Керенским.

– Nevertheless, you, Alexei, have advantages. You personally could see Sergei Witte, the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, you talked to him. You called Lenin "the friend". You was in good relations and with Stalin. Judging by your creativity, you was personally familiar with Kerensky.

– Ты, Джек, знал "генерала" Келлли, руководителя так называемой Рабочей армии Келли. Ты знал деятелей Социалистической партии. Все они имели бы шанс получить власть при условии отсутствия демократических методов формирования органов власти, при нерешенности "аграрного вопроса", при отсутствии возможности появления таких инноваторов как, например, Томас Эдисон. В реальности вожди безработных и социалистов не имели шанса получить власть. Зачем нужно государство, проводящее электрификацию, когда Томас Эдисон и другие предприниматели осуществляют упомянутую электрификацию своими силами и на свои средства?

– You, Jack, knew the "general" Charles T. Kelly, the head of so-called the Kelly's Army of Working people. You knew figures of the Socialist party. All of them would have chance to receive the power on condition of lack of democratic methods of formation of authorities, at not solving of "agrarian question", in the absence of a possibility of appearance of such innovators as, for example, Thomas Edison. In reality the leaders of the unemployed and socialists had no chance to receive the power. For what purposes the state which is carrying out electrification is necessary? – When Thomas Edison and other businessmen carry out the mentioned electrification by own efforts and using own means?

Ни у "генерала" Келли, ни у деятелей Социалистической партии, ни у тебя, человека с ними знакомого, оказаться во власти шансов не было.

Neither at "general" Kelly, nor at figures of the Socialist party, nor at you, the person with them familiar, there were no chances to appear in a system of a state power.

Но из работ твоих биографов, Джек, следует, что твои книги на политические и социально-экономические темы оказали влияние на общественное сознание, способствовали постепенному смягчению общественных противоречий.

But through reading works of your biographers, Jack, follows that your books have exerted impact on public consciousness, on political and social and economic subjects, promoted gradual mitigation of public contradictions.

В России Томаса Эдисона не было фактически. Он не ожидался в ближайшем будущем. А электрификация была необходима срочно, безотлагательно. Пришлось вспомнить профессию бурлака. Кто-то должен был тянуть Россию...

In Russia Thomas Edison wasn't actually. He wasn't expected in the near future. And electrification was necessary urgently. It was necessary to remember a profession of the "Burlak" ("barge hauler") . Someone had to pull the Russia forward ...

Для тебя, Джек, понятна разница между понятиями "бурлак" и "революционер".

For you, Jack, the difference between the notions "Burlak" ("barge hauler") (a person who hauled barges and other vessels upstream) and "revolutionary" is clear.

В России не было действительно демократических методов формирования органов власти, существовал "аграрный вопрос". В итоге – революция, названная социалистической. Может быть, для России была бы полезнее конституционная монархия. Но такой вариант был вне моей персональной компетенции. Если меня называют конституционалистом, то я не ощущаю протеста и не выражаю возражений.

In Russia there were no really democratic methods of formation of authorities, the "agrarian question" existed. As a result – the revolution, called "socialist". Perhaps, a constitutional monarchy would be more useful to Russia. But such option was out of my personal competence. If I am called the constitutionalist, then I don't feel a protest and I don't express objections.

"Мой" "социализм" открывал для меня перспективы интенсивной полезной культурной и филантропической деятельности. "Твой" "социализм", Джек, был и остался лишь словами, пустышкой; была ли от него хоть какая-то для тебя польза ... или только затраты времени... разочарования... полезный, но не отделяемый, не выделяемый вклад в общую политическую культуру...

"My" "socialism" offered for me the prospects of intensive useful cultural and philanthropic activity. "Your" "socialism", Jack, was and remained only words, a baby's dummy; whether was from him though some advantage for you... or only time expenses... disappointments... the useful, but not a concrete, not allocated contribution to the general political culture...

– И ты, Алексей, и я женились достаточно рано. Насколько я понимаю, твои биографы, Алексей, насчитывают у тебя одну официальную жену, с которой ты официально не развелся, и две гражданских. Причем можно предполагать, что они могли встречаться в твоем доме одновременно. Ясно, что предшествующие личные (интимные) отношения выдыхались при возникновении новых, но сохранялись взаимное уважение, поддержка, взаимная забота. И ты, и твои жены могли бесконфликтно встречаться и, даже, в какие-то периоды жить под одной крышей.

– And you, Alexei, and I married quite early. As far as I understand, your biographies, Alexei, count you have one official wife, with whom you have not officially divorced, and two wifes "civil". And it can be assumed that they could meet at your house at the same time. It is clear that the previous personal (intimate) relations were exhaled at emergence of a new. But mutual respect, support, mutual care remained. And you, and your wives could meet without conflict and, even, at some periods to live under one roof.

– Твоя первая жена, Джек, родила тебе двух детей. Насколько я понимаю, она не поддерживала после развода с тобой особых отношений. Хотя ты и старался несколько раз в месяц встречаться с детьми. Вмести с тем, стоит заметить, что твоя первая жена непоколебимо верила всю свою жизнь (и после замужества, и после развода), что ты будешь одним из крупнейших писателей в мире.

– Your first wife, Jack, has given birth to you to two children. As far as I understand, she didn't maintain after the divorce the special relations with you. Though you tried to meet children several times a month. Together with that, it's worth noting that your first wife was a staunch believer during of all period of her life (both after marriage and after divorce) that you would be the one of the biggest writers in the world.

Вторая жена, как я понимаю, отличалась готовностью к любым приключениям, к помощи в вычитывании и распечатывании рукописей. Помогала в написании писем под диктовку.

The second wife, as I understand, differed in readiness for any adventures, for the help in proofreading and printing of manuscripts. She helped with writing of letters under dictation.

Второй брак внес в отношения бывших подруг – первая и вторая твои жены были в определенный период подругами – естественную напряженность, и, наверное, они старались после второго твоего брака не встречаться. Тем более, о каком-то сотрудничестве трудно было вести речь.

Your second marriage has brought in the relations of the former girlfriends – your first and second wives were during a certain period girlfriends – natural tension, and, probably, they tried not to meet after your second marriage. Moreover, it was difficult to talk about some kind of cooperation.

– Конечно, Алексей, когда я размышляю – в отчасти предположительном ключе – о твоей уникальной семье... О взаимном сотрудничестве и взаимной поддержке, характерных для тебя и твоих трех жен... Я, с одной стороны, испытываю удивление... С другой стороны, я начинаю понимать, почему при хороших доходах и одинаково легком отношении к деньгам – и у тебя, и у меня, – ты, Алексей, все же никогда после "вхождения" в литературу не испытывал реального недостатка в деньгах... Наверное, и ты, и твои материальные дела ощущали заботу одновременно со стороны различных членов твоей семьи...

– Of course, Alexei. when I reflect – partly in style of supposes – about your unique family... About the mutual cooperation and mutual support characteristic of you and your three wives... I, on the one hand, experience a surprise... On the other hand, I begin to understand why at good income and equally easy relation to money – both at you, and at me, – you, Alexei, nevertheless never after "entry" into literature tested a real lack of money... Probably, and you, and your material affairs felt care at the same time from various members of your family...

– Все члены моей семьи чувствовали заботу со стороны остальных. На меня повлиял период моих одиноких бродяжьих скитаний. Не забудь, Джек, и Библию: нехорошо быть человеку одному.

– All members of my family felt care from the others ones. I was influenced by a period of my lonely wanderings. Don't forget, Jack, and the Bible: it's not good for a human to be alone.

Меня, Джек, поразил один из финансовых эпизодов твоей биографии. Тебе срочно понадобились 300 долларов. Сумма не очень большая; мальчиком ты занял 300 долларов у своей няни, афро-американки. Ты, Джек, написал письма с просьбой вернуть долг сотням мужчин и женщин. Суммарно они были должны тебе более пятидесяти тысяч долларов. Когда занимали, обещали вернуть долг. До последнего цента. В ответ на свои просьбы ты получил всего пятьдесят долларов.

Me, Jack, was struck by one of the financial episodes of your biography. You urgently needed 300 dollars. The sum is not really big; you borrowed $ 300 from your nanny, African-American, as a boy. You, Jack, wrote letters to hundreds of men and women with a requests to repay a debt. In total, they were owe you more than fifty thousand dollars. When occupied, promised to repay the debt. Up to every last cent. In response to your requests, you got only fifty dollars.

Однако, финансы финансами, а поэзия поэзией. В литературе, Джек, твой рассказ "Белое безмолвие" называют произведением поэта. Позволь мне вслух процитировать несколько строк: "У природы в запасе немало уловок, чтобы доказать человеку его ничтожество – приливы и отливы, без устали сменяющие друг друга, свирепые бури, могучие землетрясения. Но нет ничего страшнее Белого безмолвия с его леденящим оцепенением. Всякое движение замирает; над головой – ни облака; медным блеском отливают небеса. Чуть слышный шепот, звук собственного голоса пугает, оскорбляет слух. В призрачных просторах мертвого мира движется одинокая песчинка. Это человек. Ему жутко от собственной дерзости. Разве не ясно, что его жизнь ничтожнее, чем жизнь червя? Странные, непрошеные мысли приходят в голову: вот вот ему откроется тайна бытия". Восхищаюсь! Звучит!

However, finance is finance, and a poetry is a poetry. In the literature, Jack, your story "The White Silence" is called a work of the poet. Let me quote a few lines aloud: "Nature has many tricks wherewith she convinces man of his finity, – the ceaseless flow of the tides, the fury of the storm, the shock of the earthquake, the long roll of heaven's artillery, – but the most tremendous, the most stupefying of all, is the passive phase of the White Silence. All movement ceases, the sky clears, the heavens are as brass; the slightest whisper seems sacrilege, and man becomes timid, affrighted at the sound of his own voice. Sole speck of life journeying across the ghostly wastes of a dead world, he trembles at his audacity, realizes that his is a maggot's life, nothing more. Strange thoughts arise unsummoned, and the mystery of all things strives for utterance". I admire! It sounds!

– Благодарю! Но все же верну нашу беседу от поэзии к прозе. Мое внимание, Алексей, привлекло то, что ты – обеспеченный всемирно популярный писатель – практически постоянно жил в съемном жилье: на съемных виллах, дачах, в съемных домах. Похоже, ты не имел недвижимости в собственности. Твой капитал – твои литературные произведения, твоя репутация, твои связи.

– I thank! But nevertheless I will return our conversation from poetry to a prose. My attention, Alexei, has attracted that you – the wealthy world-wide popular writer – almost constantly lived in rental housing: in rented villas, cottages, in rented houses. It seems that you didn't own by the real estate. Your capital – your literary works, your reputation, your communications, social links.

– Да, Джек, у тебя так же был аналогичный капитал: твои литературные произведения, твоя репутация, твои связи.

– Yes, Jack, you also had a similar capital: your literary works, your reputation, your communications.

Твои попытки конвертации этого капитала в недвижимое и движимое имущество – попытка постройки великолепного дома, приобретение ранчо, лошадей, строительство яхты и прочие приобретения – эти попытки и их результаты могут стать поводами для размышлений.

Your attempts to convert this capital into real estate and movable property – the attempt to build a magnificent house, the purchase of a ranch, horses, the construction of a yacht and the other acquisitions – these attempts and their results can be reasons for thinking.

– Предполагаю, Алексей, что читатели, сопоставляя наши биографии, увидят много сходного, похожего.

– I assume, Alexei, that readers, comparing our biographies, will see a lot of similar.

В первой половине жизни и ты, Алексей, и я жили в условиях материальных затруднений. Важную роль в нашем воспитании и обучении сыграли ближайшие родственники. Мы не получили формального высшего образования.

In the first half of life and you, Alexei, and I lived in conditions of material hardship. Close relatives played an important role in our upbringing and education. We have not received a formal higher education.

Много читали, занимались самообразованием. Были частыми посетителями библиотек.

Read much, were engaged in self-education. Were frequenters of libraries.

Много путешествовали: пешком, сплавлялись по рекам. Много работали.

We many traveled: on foot, made raftings along the rivers. We worked a lot.

Жили трудно. Наперекор трудностям направились в литературу. Занимались журналистикой, работали корреспондентами. Увлеклись социализмом. Философские и политические тезисы мы перевели на общепонятный язык художественных образов.

Lived difficult. In spite of the difficulties, we went into the literature. We were engaged in journalism, worked as correspondents. We carried away by socialism. We have translated philosophical and political theses into easily understood language of artistic images.

Пришло время, и мы стали получать хорошие, очень хорошие доходы. Мы легко относились к деньгам. Легко тратили. Нас как писателей узнали во всем мире. В определенные моменты мы стали самыми известными писателями.

It is time, and we began to gain a good, very good income. We treated money easily. We were investing them easily. We were recognized as writers all over the world. At certain moments we became the most famous writers.

Ты – в России (Лев Толстой стоит особняком). Я – в Америке. Одна из общих тем наших произведений – судьбы бродяг, любителей путешествий. Были и другие сходные темы литературного творчества...

You – in Russia (Leo Tolstoy is an independent cultural phenomenon). I'm in America. One of the common themes of our works – the fate of vagrants, travel lovers. There were other similar, nearby, common themes of literary creativity...

Можно прийти к выводу, Алексей, что мы с тобой – духовно, культурно, ментально, в сопоставлении наших биографий – напоминаем творческих братьев. И если не близнецов, если не двоюродных, то – троюродных. Волею обстоятельств родившихся на разных континентах.

It is possible to come to a conclusion, Alexei, that you and I – spiritually, culturally, mentally, taking in comparison of our biographies – remind creative brothers. And if not twins, if not cousins, then – second cousins. By the will of circumstances born at different continents.

Джек Лондон улыбнулся и шутливо добавил:

Jack London smiled and jokingly added:

– Может быть, своевременно побеседовав с тобой, братом-"псалтырником", о жизни, о законах писательского успеха я бы дожил не до 1916-го, а до 1946-го года?

– Perhaps, having in due time a talk with you, the brother – "psaltyrnik", about life, about laws of literary success I would live not up to the 1916th, but till 1946th year?

В 1906 году, когда ты приехал в США, такая беседа у нас вряд ли бы получилась, хотя и была бы для меня очень нужной, своевременной.

In 1906, when you came to the United States, we would hardly could to carry such a conversation, although such a talk would have been a very necessary and timely for me.

– Ты знаешь, Джек, что я слегка сентиментален. Мои биографы пишут, что я частенько пускал слезу. Когда я выдаю книги читателям, и когда они у меня просят произведения Джека Лондона, я слегка умиляюсь. Полагаю, твои произведения трогают сердца читателей нашей библиотеки.

– You know, Jack, that I'm a sentimental a little. My biographers write, that I often shed a tear. When I hand out books to readers of the library and when they ask works by Jack London, my heart begins to work quicker. I suppose, your books touch hearts of readers of our library.

– Понял, Алексей. Считай меня читателем твоей библиотеки. И прошу приготовить к моему следующему визиту рассказ "Мой спутник".

– I have understood, Alexei. Consider me the reader of your library. Also I ask to prepare the story "My Satellite" for my next visit.

Писатели поднялись и дружески пожали друг другу руки. Попрощавшись, Джек Лондон направился к выходу.

Writers have risen and have shaken hands each other with friendly mood. Having said goodbye, Jack London has gone to an exit.

Алексей Максимович возвратился к обязанностям библиотекаря. Выдав книгу одному из читателей, спросил у него:

Alexei Maksimovich has come back to the librarian's duties. Having transferring the book to one of readers, he have interested:

– Сколько Вы сегодня страниц прочитали? Четыреста? Не плохо, не плохо...

– How many pages you have read today? Four hundred? Not badly, not badly...

Сделал отметку в своем журнале.

He have made a mark in the log.

8 мая 2017 года – 10 мая 2017 года.

May 8, 2017 – on May 10, 2017.

Translation from Russian into English: May 1, 2018 17:44. ("Russian and English" version of the presentation). Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Сказка о беседе Максима Горького и Джека Лондона'.

2. The tale about not-sent letter. Of Maxim Gorky to Ivan Bunin

M. Gorky decided to re-read the text of the letter. Here what in it was written:

"Dear Ivan Alekseyevich!

Often I think of You. About us.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with Jack London at my Cafй-Library.

Today I write You the letter. About what?

Yes not so it and is important.

Smiling and joking, I will tell: "About everything!"

There was a desire to talk with You, albeit in absentia. Do You remember our acquaintance in 1899, cooperation in publishing company "Znanie"?

I hope, I did not do any harm to You.

I hope, that You can not reproach in anything "Znanie" – headed by me. It was a good time!

But by adhering to epistolary discipline, I'll clarify.

This my letter – about literary creativity, about creative cooperation, about literary success, about a theme: "to write and work or refrain from action and from writing".

Remember, dear Ivan Alekseyevich, one of episodes of training of Nikolai Gogol in the Nizhyn Lyceum. Nikolai Vasilievich at one of lessons submitted to the teacher Nikolsky the poem by Pushkin "Prophet". Nikolsky was from the clergy. Was writer. He knew works by many poets, writers, but he treated Pushkin's creativity mistrustfully, did not read the works by Pushkin. Nikolsky read...Then he frowned and began to make the change in the text.

Having returned verses to the imaginary author, Gogol, Nikolsky reproached him for insufficient diligence. Here Nikolai Vasilievich confessed that the author of this work – Pushkin and that he, Nikolai, decided to play a trick on Partheni Ivanovich, to whom you will not please in any way.

Professor was the teacher of the highest pedagogical qualification. He kindly exclaimed: "Well what you understand! Yes unless Pushkin with gross mistakes cannot write? Here to you explicit proof... Recognize, by whom better is written...".

Young Nikolai Gogol gets a lesson of problem-based learning. Perhaps one of the most important literary creative lessons in the Nizhyn gymnasium.

But you will agree, dear Ivan Alekseyevich, that the situation, favorably resolved due to the pedagogical genius of the teacher Nikolsky and the luck of Nikolai Gogol, was very ambiguous. There were words about dishonesty, disrespect, plagiarism could be mentioned. Of course, if these words sounded, they would be pronounced without special aggressiveness, with exhortation. But still it would be unpleasant if they were uttered.

Both the teacher and the pupil came out of the situation easily, gallantly, at ease.

Some optimism felt Nikolai from Nikolsky, and from his kindly look.

I write this letter, dear dear Ivan Alekseyevich, and in process of its writing I reflect over its subject. Here's another option: "Tireless creative energy. To act or not to act? To work or not to work?".

I mentioned about yesterday's my conversation with Jack London above.

London got acquainted in January, 1906 with the correspondent of one of local American newspapers Sinclair Lewis. Lewis came to take from him, London, an interview. At that time London actively agitated for "socialism". Not to me to you, dear Ivan Alekseyevich, to tell about 1905! The world raged.

Acquaintance between London and Lewis took place, but several years did not develop.

Judging by subsequent events, Lewis was full of ebullient creative energy. The energy, that is actively seeking a way out.

1913 comes. It's a year of finishing the construction of Jack London's extraordinary house. Year when the amount of monthly debts of London fluctuated approximately in borders from 25000 to 50000 dollars.

Jack London was widely known figure. And certainly the correspondent Sinclair Lewis was to some extent aware of the affairs of London.

The unusual charming mirage vision appeared before readers of the American newspapers.

Great writer. Builder of the great house. The person, burdened with great debts.

The person who is paying out the salary of numerous workers from the small leather pouches, intended for transporting gold, from the leather pouches, brought from the Klondike.

By some estimates his(Jack London) annual earnings from literary activity made seventy five thousand dollars, and annual amount of expenses was hundred thousand dollars. Everything, than he owned, was mortgaged and remortgaged. For Russian literature familiar economic model?

This great writer was forced to write as much as possible. Literary royalties were directing to payments on current expenses, to pay debts.

Sinclair Lewis also knew about Jack London's adherence to "socialism", and London's desire to do good, to be a patron, a philanthropist.

It is even clear logically, that prolonged overloads are reflected on creativity in the form of fatigue, overwork, reduced activity.

In 1913, before the completion of the construction of the famous house, Lewis sends a letter to Jack London. In the letter – a few story sketches (projects) and an offer to buy them. The cost of one plot outline ranged around seven and a half dollars. At this time, Jack London's publishers were paying him for one story 500-750 dollars.

Having learned about acquisition, Lewis at once informs London on use of these 15 dollars for purchase of the detail of a coat intended for Lewis's protection against cold wind.

After a short period of time Lewis Sinclair sends Jack London additionally more than ten sketches, and a price list.

In the cover letter reports that he, Lewis, hopes that London will widely use projects and it eventually will give to Lewis the chance to throw servitude and to return to free creativity.

Jack London chooses some sketches and sends Lewis a check for fifty-two dollars and fifty cents. Lewis immediately tells London that his (Lewis) the party-membership card of the member of socialist party – in a complete order.

Approaching the completion of the construction of the famous house, conceived by London. Anyway, but no further correspondence between Lewis and London – seems like – is revealed.

From biographic data it is possible to draw a conclusion that at least one of Lewis's sketches was used by London: London wrote the work and published it. The publication took place in 1913, even before completion of construction of the famous house.

You may Agree, dear Ivan Alekseyevich, what with the aforementioned literature projects, the situation is ambiguous. On the one hand, Jack London – writer, who gained international fame. On the other hand, one of the thousands (tens of thousands) of journalists.

Risky situation.

Positive reaction of Jack London to Lewis Sinclair's proposals became part of history of the American literature.

But London's reaction and negative was could to be.

Hypothetical negative reaction would also become the part of the history of American literature.

Even if we take into account the special conditions of 1913 for Jack London, the risk of a negative reaction was still quite real.

Why were Lewis Sinclair's proposals accepted?.. Moment? Has everything "coincided"?

The matter is not in 15 and is not in 52 dollars.

Sharing creative concepts, ideas, thoughts – is a normal thing.

History of literature knows, for example, about the perception Nikolai Gogol of certain creative ideas from Alexander Pushkin. Remember the Arzamas ("Арзамас") literary society: communication for an exchange of creative ideas, plans.

I note that at one time the subject of discussion was the role of A. Dumas's creative assistants.

Your humble servant, dear Ivan Alekseyevich, was one of the initiators of the Central House of Writers, Moscow club of writers. I also endeavoured about the establishment of the Literature Institute.

Any form of communication, the interaction of creative people, dear Ivan Alekseyevich, presupposes creative exchange.

But sometimes not only the environment is needed, but also a personal volitional effort, tactical action, perseverance, initiative. Intrigue. Breakthrough. Jump. Rapid maneuver. Knight's move to "made"-Fate.

And so, I will continue a thought. The matter is not in 15 and is not in 52 dollars.

Permit, I will distract further from the specific relations of Jack London with Sinclair Lewis.