How It Was Done in Odessa begins with the narrator asking Reb Arye-Leib about Benya Kirk, a powerful gangster. The narrator describes Kirk demonstrating a unique balance of characteristics including a calm demeanor, the appearance of compassion and a brutal sense of fairness. This balance is what allowed Kirk to excel within the criminal world, and eventually become “King”. Bebel masterfully constructs a realistic character combined with an interesting and believable story.
Page 78 recounts Kirk’s first heist which results with a tragic casualty. One of Kirk’s henchmen arrives late and drunk, accidentally shooting an clerk who later dies. Kirk reacts in a decisive manner quickly leaving the scene, but also making a serious threat towards Savka. The narrator even makes note of Benya’s calm demeanor when he describes Kirk telling Solomon to have a little more “sang-frwa” which translates from french to “coolness of mind.” Benya’s ability to perform under extreme pressure allows him to make quick and correct decisions.
The clerk does not die immediately and is transferred to a hospital where Kirk ensures that he receives the best care possible, telling the doctor to supply him with “ Camphor, air cushions, a private ward.” He then fiercely argues for Tratovosky (The man who he robbed) to pay the clerk’s mother 5,000 rubles and a monthly stipend of 50 rubles. While these actions may seem compassionate, Kirk uses statements like “it is my best interest [for the clerk to survive], and was also not the responsible party for the woman’s payments. Babel seems to subtly imply that Benya is receptive of how the community perceives him and understands the need to appear sympathetic.
Kirk’s brutal sense of fairness is particularly apparent when we find out that Savka is indeed dead as Kirk swore he would be. (pg 80) Savka was punished for his negligent behavior and paid the ultimate price. This outcome actually reveals a combination of the first two characteristics with Kirk performing the action in a decisive timely manner, but also delivering a wonderful speech to the clerks mother saying “that even God makes mistakes”.
Bebel truly creates an extremely believable leadership character with many different facets. Kirk’s possesses a calm demeanor that allows him to respond to unexpected situations quickly and correctly, an appearance of compassion which provides a good image, but also a brutal sense of fairness. Bebel and the narrator present Benya Kirk as a man with an unparalleled leadership ability and skill set that earned Kirk his title, the King.
Page 78 recounts Kirk’s first heist which results with a tragic casualty. One of Kirk’s henchmen arrives late and drunk, accidentally shooting an clerk who later dies. Kirk reacts in a decisive manner quickly leaving the scene, but also making a serious threat towards Savka. The narrator even makes note of Benya’s calm demeanor when he describes Kirk telling Solomon to have a little more “sang-frwa” which translates from french to “coolness of mind.” Benya’s ability to perform under extreme pressure allows him to make quick and correct decisions.
The clerk does not die immediately and is transferred to a hospital where Kirk ensures that he receives the best care possible, telling the doctor to supply him with “ Camphor, air cushions, a private ward.” He then fiercely argues for Tratovosky (The man who he robbed) to pay the clerk’s mother 5,000 rubles and a monthly stipend of 50 rubles. While these actions may seem compassionate, Kirk uses statements like “it is my best interest [for the clerk to survive], and was also not the responsible party for the woman’s payments. Babel seems to subtly imply that Benya is receptive of how the community perceives him and understands the need to appear sympathetic.
Kirk’s brutal sense of fairness is particularly apparent when we find out that Savka is indeed dead as Kirk swore he would be. (pg 80) Savka was punished for his negligent behavior and paid the ultimate price. This outcome actually reveals a combination of the first two characteristics with Kirk performing the action in a decisive timely manner, but also delivering a wonderful speech to the clerks mother saying “that even God makes mistakes”.
Bebel truly creates an extremely believable leadership character with many different facets. Kirk’s possesses a calm demeanor that allows him to respond to unexpected situations quickly and correctly, an appearance of compassion which provides a good image, but also a brutal sense of fairness. Bebel and the narrator present Benya Kirk as a man with an unparalleled leadership ability and skill set that earned Kirk his title, the King.
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