Memoirs of a Revolutionist · Chapter
Entering the Corps of Pages explained
Kropotkin reflects on his departure from home at age fifteen to enter the Corps of Pages in St.
What happens
Kropotkin reflects on his departure from home at age fifteen to enter the Corps of Pages in St. Petersburg, describing his early intellectual development under his Russian teacher Nikolái Pávlovich Smirnov, his exposure to censored literature, his early literary and journalistic endeavors, and his close bond with his brother Alexander.
Themes in this chapter
Intellectual Awakening and Education
Kropotkin's early intellectual development was shaped by his Russian teacher, exposure to censored literature, and his own journalistic pursuits.
Autocracy and Oppression
The chapter highlights the oppressive censorship under Nicholas I, which banned or mutilated works by Gogol, Pushkin, and others.
Characters to notice
- Peter Kropotkin
Narrator, reflecting on his childhood and departure for the Corps of Pages.
- Alexander Kropotkin
Peter's brother, a poetically inclined youth who wrote verses and collaborated on Peter's journal.
- Hélène
Sister who despaired at the brothers' scuffles.
- Nikolai Tchaikovsky
Not directly mentioned, but the 'Circle of Tchaikovsky' is referenced in the context of the rival journal's critic.
- Alexander Herzen
Mentioned as a noted exile whose house inspired awe.
- Nikolai Gogol
His works had a powerful effect on Kropotkin; his death is recalled.
- Ivan Turgenev
Mentioned for his note on Gogol's death, which led to his exile.
- Alexander Pushkin
His verses circulated in manuscript; Kropotkin read The Captain's Daughter.
Key passages
“It was in August, 1857, when I was nearly fifteen, that my turn came to enter the corps of pages, and I was taken to St. Petersburg.”
In August 1857, at nearly fifteen, Kropotkin left home to join the Corps of Pages in St. Petersburg.
Key event marking the start of his formal military education.
“The first impulse to my intellectual development was given, as I have said, by my Russian teacher.”
Kropotkin credits his Russian teacher with sparking his intellectual growth.
Highlights the role of private tutoring in his early education.
“Numerous verses of Pushkin, Lermontov, A. K. Tolstoy, Ryleyev, and other poets were not permitted to see the light; to say nothing of such verses as had any political meaning or contained a criticism of the prevailing conditions. All these circulated in manuscript.”
Many poems by major Russian authors were banned and only circulated in handwritten copies due to censorship.
Illustrates the extent of censorship under Nicholas I.
“My brother Alexander had at that time a much more poetical turn of mind. He wrote most romantic stories, and began early to make verses, which he did with wonderful facility and in a most musical and easy style.”
Alexander was the more poetic brother, composing romantic tales and verses with ease.
Contrasts the brothers' temperaments and talents.
“I had even then taken to journalism. In my twelfth year I began to edit a daily journal.”
Kropotkin started a daily journal at age twelve, later upgrading to a monthly review.
Shows his early inclination toward writing and publishing.
