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Essay On The Hunt For Red October

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Karl Marx popularized the communist slogan, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs”. In Russia prior to 1991, communism was the form of government and demanded complete subordination of self to the greater good of the collective. The Hunt for Red October shows a major contrast between Soviet and the American lifestyles. It was a fight between differences in political ideology; capitalism versus communism; liberty versus equality. It is the American belief in freedom that provides us the opportunity to strive to be better and accomplish more both individually and collectively.
This story takes place in the 1980’s during the Cold War when tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States were high. Mutual mistrust and fear drove the need to assure citizens of their safety and protection. Both countries relied heavily on military prowess such as submarine technology, the main setting in this novel, to show strength. Jack Ryan, an analyst for the CIA, symbolizes the American patriot. He uses logic and understanding of military history to determine that a Russian submarine is trying to defect, while others in the U.S. government believe the Russians main intent is to attack. Marko Ramius, the Captain of …show more content…

Tired of the Soviet ways, he seizes his chance to defect using this new technology ensuring that he would be able to make it to America. Once the Soviet Union discovers his motives they mobilize their Atlantic Fleet. As the Americans observe the Soviet Navy approaching their coastline they become more concerned with the possibility of war. Jack Ryan comes to the conclusion that Captain Ramius is trying to defect and convinces the President that the Red October means no harm. It becomes a rapid game of chess to see who will get to the Red October

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