A Civil War Heroine Liudmila Mokievskaya-Zubok: Historical Documents and Fictional Character

The article discusses the influence of historical evidence about Liudmila Mokievskaya-Zubok on her fictional character. was a heroine Russian Civil War, only famous female commander armored train. Obituaries honor Mokievskaya as both comrade and but also emphasize femininity, which does not seem to contradict performing combat tasks. became character due efforts friend, writer Zinaida Chalaya. In essay “Commander an Armored Train,” Chalaya described according template: girl — hero. This sequence forms matrix heroine’s canonization. 1923, Chalaya’s story “At Dawn” published. main inspired by while author herself seems have served prototype for this character’s rival. plot it is based love mentioned in Mokievskaya’s biography. obituaries story, new femininity constructed: active agent who plays part usually attributed woman that is, however, asserted normative. life had narrative potential manifested itself oral legends well subsequent memorialization.