Brodsky was by no means a dissident, at least in the Russian sense of the word. He was vocally and arrogantly apolitical. He didn't know politburo members' face

Brodsky was by no means a dissident, at least in the Russian sense of the word. He was vocally and arrogantly apolitical. He didn't know politburo members' faces, and disliked both Soviet and anti-Soviet activists. Also, no sane Russian of his generation would consider writing self pitiful account of inprisonment and torture, consisting of about a month in prison and 3 weeks in a psycho asylum. He personally knew dozens of people that have served 10-20 years without even a legal trial.