Stephen Olson Eric Leatherwood English Class November 25th, 2002 Evil in Tom Clancy's Red Rabbit CNN website editors raved, "Tom Clancy fans raced to the bookstore the moment Red Rabbit hit the shelves and made it an instant bestseller." Clancy's novel is about the Russian government's brutality and its effect on the citizens. The government did not offer any alternatives to the people for their lack of freedom and the vital requirements for survival. The intrigue of whether or not the KGB is going to seize Oleg and his family, who are trying to flee Russia, is a vital part of Red Rabbit. The theme of true evil can be seen through the corrupt regime, the fear the regime caused its citizens, and, finally, Oleg's escape. The Russian people fear the evil of the corrupt regime because it owns, runs, and controls all. The regime includes hospitals, doctors, food, bills, clothing, and medication for patients. People die because the government will not provide the patients with medical treatment. In addition, there is no freedom in Russia. The people are told what labor they are permitted to do, leaving them with no choice in the issue. If an important person, such as the Pope, does speak out or make a speech during a church ceremony for freedom in his "Mother Land," then the government perceives this as a menace to their communist hold on the people. Consequently, the government plans to have the Pope murdered. The people fear the evil of the government because they have no means to fight back and win their human rights. They must live in continuous fear because they have no escape. If the evil government catches them trying to escape the country, no matter what the excuse, they are slaughtered. The government is so corrupt that the people go to bed clinging to each other from fear that the government may burst into their homes to make an arrest with no explanation. Oleg, after meeting undercover American Central Intelligence Agents (CIA) in Russia, decides to risk his life in order to escape from the corrupt government. He wants more in life than fear. He can not continue to live in a nation that assassinates one of God's men. Therefore, he decides to flee Russia with his family. Oleg works for the KGB, so he knows which moves they will initiate. He plans a vacation to Budapest, and during the vacation, the American CIA stages the death of Oleg and his family. As a result, he and his family are able to flee Russia and their regime with the aid of the United State's CIA. This novel provides insight about the KGB's cruelty to the Russian people and the topic of fright concerning the Pope's assassination. We take for granted the day to day privileges that we have. Oleg flees from the fear and sense of present danger when he escapes from Russia, entering a new journey to a better world... America, where freedom rings.