Question: Stalin & his father - Historum

Daudi72 · December 29th, 2009, 12:32 PM

I recall reading an anecdote about Stalin and his father but for the life of me, I can't remember where I saw it and have been unable to track down the reference. Any help verifying, correcting or disproving the story would be a great help as I want to use it a book I'm writing (unrelated to Russian history) that’s due in to the publisher in 7 days! The anecdote as I remember it:

Stalin was a boy, about eight years old, when an important man came to the door of the family house. Stalin's father slapped him in the face, knowing that the trauma of the unexpected blow would keep Joseph from forgetting the man.

Ring any bells?
Thanks for your help!
david

whalebreath · December 29th, 2009, 04:07 PM

No but it sounds like complete nonsense.

The idea of a Georgian slapping anyone he didn't want to make a life enemy out of is nothing short of idiocy.

Daudi72 · December 29th, 2009, 04:42 PM

I realize I wasn't entirely clear. In the anecdote as I remember it, Stalin's father slapped young JOSEPH, so that Joseph would remember. (He didn't slap the man who came to the door.) The idea is that the rush of neurotransmitters in a moment of trauma can seal a memory within the brain.

**HistoryFreak1912** · December 30th, 2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daudi72

I realize I wasn't entirely clear. In the anecdote as I remember it, Stalin's father slapped young JOSEPH, so that Joseph would remember. (He didn't slap the man who came to the door.) The idea is that the rush of neurotransmitters in a moment of trauma can seal a memory within the brain.

Just one more question: What was the author trying to say by including this incident?

And what would be the point of Mister Papa Stalin slapping Lil' Stalin across the face to remember the guest? Was simply saying, "Remember this man's face." too much for him?

This is very interesting. Meditate on this, I will.

Daudi72 · December 30th, 2009, 06:22 PM

The context of the article, I think, was memory and the ways that memories are created. But for the life of me I can't remember anything from the rest of the piece.

Thanks for your help!

Edward · December 31st, 2009, 01:32 PM

The big question remains: who was a biological father of Stalin. There are a lot of theories and speculations.