My Disillusionment in Russia · Chapter
XX: Poltava explained
The narrator visits Poltava, meeting Korolenko and his family, learning about the Save-the-Children Society's struggles under Bolshevik rule, and hearing accounts of the Cheka's brutality, the suppression of Ukrainian self-determination, an
What happens
The narrator visits Poltava, meeting Korolenko and his family, learning about the Save-the-Children Society's struggles under Bolshevik rule, and hearing accounts of the Cheka's brutality, the suppression of Ukrainian self-determination, and the silent pogroms against Jews.
Themes in this chapter
State Power vs. Individual Freedom
The Bolshevik regime suppresses independent initiatives like the Save-the-Children Society and denies Ukrainian self-determination.
Suffering of the People
The chapter details the hunger, brutalization of peasants, silent pogroms against Jews, and the Cheka's executions.
The Role of the Intelligentsia
Korolenko and the women of the Save-the-Children Society represent the intelligentsia's efforts to maintain humanity and culture amid oppression.
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
Korolenko argues that the Bolsheviks' terror and suppression betray the true essence of revolution as justice and humanity.
Characters to notice
- Korolenko
The narrator meets Korolenko, who is frail but passionate, sharing his critical views on Bolshevik terror and his letters to Lunacharsky.
- Lunacharsky
Mentioned as the recipient of Korolenko's letters and as having issued a document supporting the Save-the-Children Society.
- Lenin
Korolenko writes appeals to Lenin to intervene against executions.
- Maxim Gorky
Korolenko writes appeals to Gorky to intervene against executions.
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator travels to Poltava, meets various locals, and collects information on the region's conditions.
Key passages
“if the gendarmes of the Tsar would have had the power not only to arrest but also to shoot us, the situation would have been like the present one.”
Korolenko compares Bolshevik terror to Tsarist repression, saying the only difference is that the Tsar's gendarmes lacked the power to execute.
Korolenko's critique of Bolshevik methods as equivalent to Tsarist oppression.
“It was always my conception that revolution meant the highest expression of humanity and of justice. In Russia today both are absent.”
Korolenko believes revolution should embody humanity and justice, but finds neither in Bolshevik Russia.
Korolenko's disillusionment with the revolution's betrayal of its ideals.
“There were two kinds of pogroms: the loud, violent ones, and the silent ones. Of the two the Zionists considered the former preferable.”
Zionists in Poltava distinguish between violent pogroms and constant silent persecution, preferring the former as shorter-lived.
Description of the 'silent pogrom' of discrimination against Jews under Bolshevik rule.