My Disillusionment in Russia · Chapter
XXII: Odessa explained
The narrator describes the arduous journey from Kiev to Odessa, noting the stark contrast in food prices and the desperate poverty of the local population.
What happens
The narrator describes the arduous journey from Kiev to Odessa, noting the stark contrast in food prices and the desperate poverty of the local population. Upon arrival in Odessa, the city is in darkness after a fire destroyed the telegraph and electric stations. The narrator encounters bureaucratic sabotage and indifference from the Revkom Chairman, but finds some hope in meeting anarchist officials. Over two weeks, little is accomplished through official channels, but valuable material is obtained from private individuals and outlawed political parties. The narrator also meets Zionist intellectuals at Doctor N's sanatorium, who criticize the Bolshevik regime for corruption and hypocrisy, though the narrator finds their critique from the Right unappealing, having already lost faith in the Bolsheviks' revolutionary integrity.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment with Revolution
The narrator has lost faith in the Bolsheviks as true champions of the Revolution, seeing their corruption and failure to benefit the workers.
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
The Bolshevik policy of 'Rob the robbers' is criticized for robbing the bourgeoisie without helping the proletariat, as exemplified by the sanatorium that only serves high officials.
Suffering of the People
The narrator observes emaciated and ragged children begging for food at stations, despite the availability of supplies in the countryside.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator recounts the journey to Odessa, the difficulties with local officials, and the disillusionment with the Bolshevik regime.
- Doctor Pervukhin
Doctor N, owner of a sanatorium overlooking the Black Sea, hosts the narrator and discusses the corruption of the Cheka and the failure of Bolshevik policies.
- Lenin
Mentioned by Doctor N as the source of the motto 'Rob the robbers,' which led to corruption and ruin in Ukraine.
Key passages
“Lenin let loose the motto 'Rob the robbers,' and at least here in the Ukraine his followers have carried out the order to the letter.”
Lenin's slogan 'Rob the robbers' was taken literally by his followers in Ukraine, leading to widespread theft and corruption.
Doctor N criticizes the Bolshevik policy for causing chaos and failing to benefit the workers.
“It must unfortunately be admitted that our experience justified that characterization. I had seen a great deal of sabotage in various Soviet institutions in every city I had visited.”
The narrator confirms that Odessa lived up to its reputation as 'The City of Sabotage,' with widespread inefficiency in Soviet offices.
The narrator describes the systematic sabotage and bureaucratic delays encountered in Odessa.