The spiritual suffocation under communism is promoted by these simple, everyday acts of acquiescence. Using a simple metaphor, a grocer’s placing a “Worker’s of the World Unite” poster in his window, Havel explains how that “lie” (and similar simple acts) form both the foundation of yet ultimate weakness in his country’s communist government. Access more resources via ICNC’s Resource LibraryĪccess films on civil resistance via ICNC Filmsįull text of the iconic essay by Vaclav Havel-future President of a democratic Czechoslovakia-in which Havel argues that cultivating an individual “sphere of truth” will ultimately destroy his totalitarian communist government.
