The Human condition

See also: the Human condition (homonymy)

the Human condition is a novel of André Malraux published in extracts in Paris in the New French Review and in Marianne, and in volume at Gallimard in 1933 for which it obtains the Prix Goncourt at the end of the same year. It was known as that Stalin had prohibited with Sergueï Eisenstein to put out of film this work of Malraux.

Historical context

In March 1927, the revolutionary army of the Kuomintang under the command of Tchang Kaï-chek is moving towards Shanghai. In order to facilitate the catch of the city, of which the port represents an important strategic point, the cells Communistes of the city prepare the rising of the local workmen. But anxious of the power of the latter and constrained in its personal search of capacity, Tchang Kaï-chek is turned over against the Communists. Helped in that by the Westerners occupying the Concession S, which hope for the bursting of the Kuomintang, and the mediums of Chinese businesses, it makes assassinate the April 12th 1927 of the thousands of workmen and Communist leaders by the Green Bande, a secret criminal company.

Summary

the Human condition reports the course of a group of communist revolutionists preparing the rising of the city.

To seize its cargo, Tchen stabs a trafficker of weapons. Kyo and Katow, supported by the baron Clappique, can then distribute freight to the clandestine combatants.

The insurrection takes place the following day: March 22nd. The Ferral capitalist convinces the medium of the businesses to join himself the general Tchang Kaï-chek, about to invade the city.

The gained victory, this last is turned against the seditious ones. In reaction, Kyo consults the Komintern, but Moscow prefers to remain neutral. Tchen, for its part, considers the assassination.

In the middle of repression, Clappique learns that he is sought by the police force. Seeking to warn Kyo and not finding it, it fixes appointment to him. After a first unfruitful test, Tchen tries a suicide bombing. Vainly: Tchang Kaï-chek is not in its car.

Late Clappique with go, Kyo and May is made stop. Hemmelrich, after having discovered the wild murder of its family, joint with Katow to fight against the general. If Clappique intercedes near the police force to release Kyo, he only manages to worsen the situation.

The end of the account sees Kyo and several of his/her imprisoned companions. Kyo commits suicide with the Cyanure. However, Katow decides to face torture and offers its amount of Cyanure to other prisoners. May, Clappique, Ferral and Gisors, as for them, manage to be left there.

Main characters

Professor Gisors is a communist intellectual, 3eminence grise behind rising.
Kyoshi (Kyo) Gisors, wire of the precedent, direct the communist insurrection of Shanghai. Idealist, it will fight until death for the “dignity” of the workers. It was known as that Zhou Enlai was the model for this character of Malraux.
May , the wife of " Kyo" , doctor, represents the life in this context of death.
Tchen is a disciple of Professor Gisors, also engaged to him in the terrorist fight, fights which will become its only reason to live thereafter.
Katow is a former militant of the Russian Révolution of 1917. Survivor of the grapeshot of the Russian white, his idealism pushed it to join the Chinese communist revolution.
the Baron of Clappique is a former antique dealer and merchant of French art, reconverted into the traffic of weapons.
Ferral is an ambitious French industrialist, president of the French Chamber of commerce.
Hemmelrich is the Belgian workman, the proletarian eternal losing, worthy of Coluche before the hour.

Bonds

Summarized Human condition
the Human condition adapted to the cinema by Michael Cimino

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