Patriot

Navalny’s priority is always political. How does he define his political agenda? How does he contrast his vision with the current state of affairs in Russia?

Navalny draws many parallels, both explicit and implied, between the Soviet Union and Putin’s Russia. What are some of these parallels, and why are they significant?

Patriot is a political memoir. How does Navalny’s work conform to, or diverge from, some of the common literary techniques, tropes, and/or approaches typical of the genre?

In his biographical writing, Navalny describes meeting his wife and raising his young family. How does Patriot examine the tensions between political ideals and familial attachments?

Navalny recounts the various ways in which Putin’s regime attempts to curtail or suppress his activism. How does Patriot explore the nature of authoritarianism, both in Russia and more broadly?

Corruption is a prominent theme in Navalny’s assessment of Russia and its current malaise. How does Patriot explore various forms of corruption (e.g., societal, political, legal, religious)? How are these forms of corruption interrelated, and what are the wider effects and implications?

While Navalny is often praised for his activism, he has also attracted criticism for some of his stances and associations, such as his connections to far-right nationalist groups in Russia. Research some of these criticisms. How does Navalny address some of these criticisms in Patriot? Which criticisms, if any, does he ignore?

Navalny died early in 2024. How has the situation changed in Russia since his death? In what ways does it remain the same? What effect has Navalny’s legacy had so far?