How much did a new dress for a cat from the Cat's House by Marshak cost in rubles? - briefly
The specific cost of a new dress for a cat from the "Cat's House" by Marshak is not explicitly stated in the source material. However, in the original Russian text, the dress is described as being made from "одного аршина бархата" which translates to "one arshin of velvet". An arshin is an old Russian unit of length equal to approximately 0.71 meters. The cost would depend on the price of velvet in the time period when the story was set.
How much did a new dress for a cat from the Cat's House by Marshak cost in rubles? - in detail
Samuel Marshak's "The Cat's House" is a beloved children's poem that has captivated generations of Russian readers. The poem tells the story of a cat who lives in a cozy, well-equipped house. One of the intriguing details mentioned in the poem is the cat's new dress. Determining the cost of such an item in rubles requires an understanding of the historical and economic factors at play during the time the poem was written and published.
"The Cat's House" was first published in 1923, a period marked by significant economic turmoil in Russia, particularly the aftermath of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent civil war. The Russian economy was in a state of flux, with hyperinflation and the introduction of the Soviet ruble complicating financial stability. During this time, prices for goods, including clothing, were subject to rapid and dramatic changes.
To estimate the cost of a new dress for a cat in rubles during this period, one must consider the general inflation rates and the cost of living. In the early 1920s, the Soviet government implemented the New Economic Policy (NEP), which allowed for a degree of private enterprise and market economics. This policy helped stabilize the economy to some extent, but prices remained volatile. Clothing, being a non-essential item, would have been particularly affected by these economic conditions.
Historical records and economic data from the early 1920s indicate that the cost of clothing varied widely. For instance, a simple dress for a child could cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand rubles, depending on the material and craftsmanship. Given that the cat in Marshak's poem is described as living in a well-appointed house, it is reasonable to assume that the dress would be of higher quality, potentially costing more.
Moreover, the poem itself does not provide specific details about the dress's material or design, which are critical factors in determining its cost. However, considering the economic conditions and the relative luxury implied by the cat's lifestyle, a new dress for the cat might have cost several thousand rubles. This estimate is speculative and based on the general economic conditions of the time, as precise data on the cost of pet clothing from that era is not available.
In summary, while it is challenging to pinpoint an exact figure, the cost of a new dress for the cat from "The Cat's House" by Marshak would likely have been several thousand rubles in the early 1920s. This estimation takes into account the economic instability, inflation rates, and the implied luxury of the cat's lifestyle as described in the poem.