My Disillusionment in Russia · Chapter
VII: Rest Homes for Workers explained
The narrator describes her involvement in a project to convert aristocratic mansions on Kameniy Ostrov into rest homes for workers, a scheme led by Zorin.
What happens
The narrator describes her involvement in a project to convert aristocratic mansions on Kameniy Ostrov into rest homes for workers, a scheme led by Zorin. She witnesses bureaucratic chaos, corruption, and the cruel displacement of intellectuals and professors. Despite her growing disillusionment, she is torn by her personal attachment to the Zorins and Balabanova, who embody the ideals she still clings to.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment with Revolution
The narrator's despair over the cruel, impractical execution of the rest homes project and the gap between revolutionary rhetoric and reality deepens her disillusionment.
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
The rest homes become a gaudy showplace for visitors rather than a genuine benefit for workers, and the dispossessed are forced into the streets, betraying the promise of equality.
Suffering of the People
The daily scenes of misery among the displaced intellectuals and the exploited convict laborers highlight the widespread suffering caused by the regime's mismanagement.
Characters to notice
- Lisa Zorin
Recently a mother, she lacks basic necessities for her baby and refuses to use her political connections for special rations, demonstrating her integrity.
- Alexander Berkman
Joins the narrator and Zorin in planning the rest homes project.
- Zinoviev
Mentioned as an influential Communist whom displaced intellectuals might appeal to for help.
- Maxim Gorky
Mentioned as another influential figure whom the dispossessed might approach.
- Angelica Balabanova
Referenced as a symbol of the ideals the narrator still holds onto despite her doubts.
Key passages
“The scenes of misery which I was compelled to witness daily exhausted my energies. It was all unnecessarily cruel, impractical, without any bearing on the Revolution.”
The narrator was drained by the daily suffering she saw, which she felt was pointless and unrelated to revolutionary goals.
Highlights her growing disillusionment with the regime's actions.
“Glowing accounts were sent broadcast of the marvellous things done for the workers in Russia. In reality, it was Coney Island transferred to the environs of Petrograd, a gaudy showplace for credulous visitors.”
The rest homes were publicly praised as wonderful achievements, but they were actually just a flashy tourist attraction.
Contrasts propaganda with reality, emphasizing the theme of myth vs. reality.
“My personal attachment to the Communists I had learned to know and esteem refused to accept the facts. Never mind the evils—I would say to myself—as long as there are such as the Zorins and the Balabanovas, there must be something vital in the ideas they represent.”
The narrator's affection for individual Communists made her overlook the system's flaws, clinging to the belief that their ideals were still meaningful.
Reveals her internal conflict between loyalty and reason.