My Disillusionment in Russia · Chapter
Death and Funeral of Peter Kropotkin explained
The narrator recounts the final illness and death of Peter Kropotkin in February 1921, her delayed arrival, and the subsequent funeral arrangements.
What happens
The narrator recounts the final illness and death of Peter Kropotkin in February 1921, her delayed arrival, and the subsequent funeral arrangements. The chapter details Kropotkin's last years under Bolshevik rule—his isolation in Dmitrov, material hardships, failed protests against state suppression and hostage-taking, and his deep sorrow over the revolution's betrayal. It describes the struggle of the Anarchist Funeral Commission to secure permissions from the Soviet authorities, the broken promises regarding the release of imprisoned Anarchists, and the impressive, orderly funeral procession in Moscow, which became a unique public demonstration of respect.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment with Revolution
Kropotkin's last two years were a 'deep tragedy' due to the failed revolution, hardships, persecutions, and endless executions, reflecting his profound disillusionment.
State Power vs. Individual Freedom
The Bolshevik government's monopoly on publishing, censorship, hostage-taking, and refusal to release Anarchists for the funeral illustrate the crushing of individual and organizational freedom by state power.
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
Kropotkin's protests against the suppression of publications and hostage-taking highlight the betrayal of revolutionary principles by the Bolshevik regime.
Suffering of the People
The chapter describes the hardships of Kropotkin's life—lack of light, food, and intellectual resources—as well as the broader suffering of the population under Bolshevik rule.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator learns of Kropotkin's illness, travels to Moscow and Dmitrov, but arrives after his death. She stays for the funeral and later visits imprisoned Anarchists to verify the authorities' claims.
- Peter Kropotkin
Kropotkin dies of pneumonia on February 8, 1921. The chapter describes his personal talents, his hardships under Bolshevik rule, his protests against hostage-taking and suppression of publications, and his profound disillusionment with the revolution.
- Sasha Kropotkin
Sasha is in Moscow and is asked to go to Dmitrov to determine if the narrator's nursing help is needed during Kropotkin's illness.
- Ravitch
Ravitch informs the narrator in Petrograd that Kropotkin has grown worse and that she is needed in Moscow.
- Lenin
The Funeral Commission wires Lenin requesting the release of imprisoned Anarchists for the funeral; the Central Committee responds by proposing release at the Cheka's discretion.
- Maxim Gorky
Gorky, as an official of the Commissariat of Education, sent a protest similar to Kropotkin's against the liquidation of private publishing establishments.
- Nestor Makhno
Makhno, at the time heralded by the Bolsheviks as a terror of counterrevolution, sent food packages to Kropotkin.
Key passages
“the day he would transcribe his notes on a typewriter, slowly and painfully pounding out every letter. However, it was not his own discomfort which sapped his strength. It was the thought of the Revolution that had failed, the hardships of Russia, the persecutions, the endless raztrels , which made the last two years of his life a deep tragedy.”
Kropotkin's physical labor of typing was not what exhausted him; rather, it was the anguish over the revolution's failure, Russia's suffering, and the endless executions that made his final years tragic.
Highlights Kropotkin's emotional and ideological despair over the revolution's outcome.
“On two occasions he attempted to bring the rulers of Russia to their senses: once in protest against the suppression of all non-Communist publications; the other time against the barbaric practice of taking hostages.”
Twice Kropotkin tried to reason with the Bolshevik leaders: first opposing the ban on non-Communist media, and second condemning the hostage-taking policy.
Summarizes Kropotkin's direct appeals against state repression.
“In answer to the wire sent to Lenin the Central Committee of the All-Russian Executive of the Soviets resolved 'to propose to the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission ( Veh-Cheka ) to release, according to its judgment, the imprisoned Anarchists for participation in the funeral of Peter A. Kropotkin.'”
In response to the Funeral Commission's request, the Central Committee instructed the Cheka to release imprisoned Anarchists at its own discretion for Kropotkin's funeral.
Shows the conditional and ultimately unfulfilled promise of release.
“The Cheka thereupon refused to release the Anarchists. The Funeral Commission, informed of the new development in the situation, immediately guaranteed the return of the prisoners after the funeral. Thereupon the Cheka replied that 'there are no Anarchists in prison who, in the judgment of the Chairman of the Extraordinary Commission, could be released for the funeral.'”
The Cheka initially refused to free the prisoners; after the Commission guaranteed their return, the Cheka claimed no Anarchist in prison was eligible for release.
Illustrates the authorities' bad faith and obstruction of the funeral.
“The funeral was a most impressive sight. It was a unique demonstration never witnessed in any other country. Long lines of members of Anarchist organizations, labour unions, scientific and literary societies and student bodies marched for over two hours from the Labour Temple to the burial place, seven versts distant.”
The funeral was an unprecedented public demonstration, with a two-hour procession of anarchists, workers, scientists, writers, and students covering seven versts to the burial site.
Describes the scale and order of the funeral as a unique political statement.
