My Disillusionment in Russia · Chapter
X: The British Labour Mission explained
The narrator describes the arrival of the British Labour Mission in Petrograd, their lavish treatment by the Soviet government, and the contrast between the luxury afforded to the visitors and the suffering of the Russian people.
What happens
The narrator describes the arrival of the British Labour Mission in Petrograd, their lavish treatment by the Soviet government, and the contrast between the luxury afforded to the visitors and the suffering of the Russian people. Angelica Balabanova, who helps prepare the Narishkin Palace for the mission, is depicted as increasingly distressed by the disparity between revolutionary ideals and reality. The chapter highlights the controlled nature of the mission's experience, the role of figures like Bertrand Russell, and the narrator's own critical observations.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment with Revolution
Angelica Balabanova suffers keenly from the reality of the revolution, which is unlike her ideal, and laments the display and sham surrounding the British Mission.
State Power vs. Individual Freedom
The Soviet government keeps everything of a disturbing nature from the British visitors, placing rigid watch on their movements, while the people endure hunger and hardship.
Suffering of the People
Luxury is heaped upon the British Mission while the people slave and go hungry, highlighting the stark inequality.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator accompanies Angelica Balabanova to the Narishkin Palace, attends the demonstration and farewell banquet, and interprets for Madame Ravitch.
- Angelica Balabanova
Arrives in Petrograd to prepare quarters for the British Labour Mission, shows care for the narrator when ill, and is visibly distressed by the disparity between revolutionary ideals and reality.
- Bertrand Russell
Mentioned as the most outstanding figure among the mission, demonstrating independence and determination to investigate freely.
- Ravitch
Madame Ravitch gives a speech at the farewell banquet praising Russian women proletarians, which the narrator interprets.
- Mrs. Snowden
A member of the British Labour Mission who disapproves of the military display and later collects autographs at the banquet.
Key passages
“I noticed that she looked more worn and distressed than when I had seen her in Moscow. Our conversation made it clear to me that she suffered keenly from the reality which was so unlike her ideal.”
Angelica appeared more exhausted and troubled than before, and it became evident that she was deeply pained by the gap between her revolutionary ideals and the actual conditions.
Highlights Angelica's growing disillusionment with the revolution's reality.
“Luxury was heaped upon them while the people slaved and went hungry. The Soviet Government left nothing undone to create a good impression and everything of a disturbing nature was kept from the visitors.”
The British Mission was treated to lavish comforts while ordinary Russians suffered from hunger and overwork, as the government carefully curated the visitors' experience to hide any troubling aspects.
Illustrates the theme of state power and the suffering of the people.
“Angelica hated the display and sham, and suffered keenly under the rigid watch placed upon every movement of the Mission. 'Why should they not see the true state of Russia? Why should they not learn how the Russian people live?' she would lament.”
Angelica detested the pretense and strict surveillance of the mission, questioning why the visitors were not allowed to witness the real conditions of the Russian people.
Shows Angelica's internal conflict and her desire for transparency.
