My Disillusionment in Russia · Chapter
Kiev explained
In Kiev, the narrator visits a hospital for crippled children and reflects on the Bolsheviks' antagonism toward the intelligentsia.
What happens
In Kiev, the narrator visits a hospital for crippled children and reflects on the Bolsheviks' antagonism toward the intelligentsia. She meets Jewish intellectuals who debate the Bolshevik regime's impact on Jews, and a Red Army officer who criticizes corruption and betrayal of revolutionary ideals. The chapter also describes the Museum expedition's acquisition of Denikin material and a visit from Makhno's wife, highlighting the dangers faced by those connected to the Makhno movement.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering of the People
The hospital for crippled children, victims of war, disease, and famine, and the Red Army soldiers lacking clothes, shoes, and food.
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
The Red Army officer describes corruption among higher officers who trade away the Revolution, and the Bolsheviks' failure to keep faith with the people.
The Role of the Intelligentsia
The intelligentsia's tragic fate: they fertilized the Revolution but are not allowed to reap its fruits, and are treated with suspicion by the Bolsheviks.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator visits a hospital for crippled children, meets Jewish intellectuals, and encounters a Red Army officer and Makhno's wife.
- Nestor Makhno
Makhno's wife visits the narrator, conveying a message from Makhno and risking discovery by the Bolsheviks.
- Alexander Berkman
Referred to as an 'American' along with the narrator when using the 'American amulet' to secure historical material.
- Angelica Balabanova
Mentioned as accompanying the Italian Mission; the narrator wonders what she would think of the soldiers' discontent.
Key passages
“The Russian intelligentsia had with its very blood fertilized the soil of the Revolution, yet it was not given it to reap the fruits of its long struggle.”
The intelligentsia sacrificed greatly for the Revolution but were denied its benefits.
Reflects the theme of the intelligentsia's disillusionment and betrayal.
“If the Bolshevik methods and practices were not imposed upon them by the force of circumstances, if they were conditioned in their own theories and principles, and if their sole object was to secure their own power, I could not support them.”
The narrator would not support the Bolsheviks if their methods were not forced by circumstances but were instead aimed at securing their own power.
Highlights the narrator's critical stance on Bolshevik motivations.
“I shall go back and tell my comrades what I have seen; our real work will begin when we have defeated foreign invasion. Then we shall go after those who are trading away the Revolution.”
The Red Army officer plans to inform his comrades about corruption and later confront those betraying the Revolution.
Illustrates the theme of betrayal and the hope for internal reform.