Memoirs of a Revolutionist · Chapter
V explained
Kropotkin recounts how, at age eight, he was unexpectedly chosen to impersonate a Persian prince at a grand fancy-dress ball for Nicholas I in Moscow.
What happens
Kropotkin recounts how, at age eight, he was unexpectedly chosen to impersonate a Persian prince at a grand fancy-dress ball for Nicholas I in Moscow. During the event, the Emperor noticed him, placed him on the imperial platform, and jokingly told the heir's wife to bear a son like him. As a result, Kropotkin was inscribed as a candidate for the Corps of Pages, fulfilling his father's military ambitions. The chapter also describes how his brother Alexander was forced into a military education by a decree from Nicholas I, illustrating the autocratic control over the nobility's careers.
Themes in this chapter
Autocracy and Oppression
Nicholas I's absolute control over the nobility's lives is evident: he personally selects Peter for the page corps and forces Alexander into military education, demonstrating the autocrat's power over family destinies.
Serfdom and Social Inequality
The lavish ball, with its elaborate costumes and imperial favor, contrasts with the narrator's mention of being 'never overfed at home,' highlighting the inequality between the nobility and the common people.
Characters to notice
- Peter Kropotkin
The young narrator, chosen to impersonate a Persian prince at the ball, later made a page candidate.
- Alexander Kropotkin
Peter's brother, who receives biscuits from the ball and is later forced into a military corps.
- Father
Delighted by Peter's appointment as page candidate; dreams of a court career for his son.
- Empress Marie Alexándrovna
The wife of the heir to the throne; protects Peter at the ball and lets him sleep in her lap.
- Alexander II
Referred to as Nicholas I in the excerpt; the Emperor who jokes about Peter and orders the page candidacy.
Key passages
“I do not know exactly on what occasion it happened, but probably it was on the twenty-fifth anniversary of Nicholas I ’s accession, when great festivities were arranged for at Moscow.”
The event likely occurred during the celebration of the 25th year of Nicholas I's reign, which included large festivities in Moscow.
Kropotkin sets the historical context for the ball.
“Nicholas I , who was always fond of barrack jokes, took me by the arm, and, leading me to Marie Alexándrovna (the wife of the heir to the throne), who was then expecting her third child, said in his military way, “That is the sort of boy you must bring me,” —a joke which made her blush deeply.”
Nicholas I, known for his crude humor, grabbed Kropotkin and told the pregnant heir's wife that she should bear a son like him, embarrassing her.
The Emperor's crude joke and its effect on Marie Alexándrovna.
“To be inscribed as a candidate for the corps of pages was then a great favor, which Nicholas seldom bestowed upon Moscow nobility.”
Being listed as a candidate for the Corps of Pages was a rare honor that Nicholas I rarely granted to Moscow's noble families.
The significance of Kropotkin's appointment.
“But Nicholas simply wanted to have the names of sons of all the officers who had once belonged to the regiment, in order to send the boys to military schools, if that had not yet been done.”
Nicholas I's decree was merely to collect the names of officers' sons to ensure they were enrolled in military schools.
The autocratic policy forcing noble sons into military careers.