My Disillusionment in Russia · Chapter
Back in Petrograd explained
The narrator returns to Petrograd after the museum expedition, grappling with the realization that the Bolsheviks are destroying the revolution.
What happens
The narrator returns to Petrograd after the museum expedition, grappling with the realization that the Bolsheviks are destroying the revolution. She attends Jack Reed's funeral, where Alexandra Kollontai's speech resonates deeply. News of a political agreement between the Bolsheviks and Makhno raises hopes among anarchists, but the narrator remains skeptical. In Petrograd, the third anniversary celebration feels hollow, and a Bolshevik mobilization scheme fails to bridge the growing gap between the party and the workers.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment with Revolution
The narrator sees the revolution as being slain by the Bolsheviks, and the third anniversary celebration feels like a funeral.
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
The Bolsheviks' mobilization scheme is exposed as a pretence, widening the breach between the party and the workers.
Suffering of the People
Workers are nearly naked, living in squalid quarters without light or heat, while mobilized Bolsheviks arrive in autos and warm clothes.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
Struggles with inner conflict over the Bolsheviks' role in stifling the revolution; decides to temporarily refrain from exposing the truth due to the ongoing siege.
- Alexandra Kollontai
Speaks movingly at Jack Reed's funeral, criticizing the Party's coldness and drawing closer to the narrator.
- Louise Bryant
Faints at Jack Reed's funeral, overcome with grief.
- Jack Reed
His funeral is described; Kollontai eulogizes him as an artist whose soul transcended dogma.
- Nestor Makhno
Enters a politico-military agreement with the Bolsheviks to fight Wrangel, securing conditions for anarchist freedoms.
- Volin
Mentioned as one of the anarchists released and free in Moscow.
- Lisa Zorin
Among the 300 Bolsheviks mobilized to work in factories; collapses from the hardship, seen by workers as a ruse.
Key passages
“I knew that the Revolution and the Bolsheviki, proclaimed as one and the same, were opposites, antagonistic in aim and purpose. The Revolution had its roots deep down in the life of the people. The Communist State was based on a scheme forcibly applied by a political party. In the contest the Revolution was being slain, but the slayer also was gasping for breath.”
The narrator realizes that the revolution and the Bolsheviks are fundamentally opposed: the revolution springs from the people, while the Communist state is imposed by a party, and in the struggle both are being destroyed.
Key moment of disillusionment, recognizing the Bolsheviks as gravediggers of the revolution.
“For the first time in my life I refrained from exposing grave social evils. I felt as if I were betraying the trust of the masses, particularly of the American workers, whose faith I dearly cherished.”
The narrator chooses to remain silent about the truth of Russia's situation to avoid aiding foreign enemies, but feels guilty for betraying the trust of workers abroad.
Highlights the ethical dilemma of speaking out versus protecting the revolution from external threats.
“The sincere words of Kollontai displeased the high Party members. Bukharin knitted his brows, Reinstein fidgeted about, others grumbled. But I was glad of what Kollontai had said.”
Kollontai's heartfelt eulogy for Jack Reed angered party leaders, but the narrator appreciated her honesty and felt closer to her.
Shows the tension between genuine sentiment and party orthodoxy.
“The workers resented the pretence. The matter became a subject of discussion in the shops, and many unpleasant scenes followed. One woman, a prominent Communist, was so tormented in the factory that she went into hysterics and had to be taken away.”
Workers saw through the Bolshevik mobilization as a sham, leading to conflicts; a female Communist was harassed until she broke down.
Illustrates the growing class divide between the Bolshevik bureaucracy and the proletariat.
