# XXXII: The Socialist Republic Resorts to Deportation explained — My Disillusionment in Russia

> Chapter companion for My Disillusionment in Russia by Emma Goldman.

## What happens

The chapter details the Bolshevik government's betrayal of revolutionary ideals, exemplified by the return of Tsarist General Slastchev with military honors while true revolutionaries like Volin, Maximoff, Mratchny, and Yartchuk are deported. It also recounts the harrowing story of an anonymous Makhnovist hiding in Moscow, and ends with Emma Goldman's decision to leave Russia after securing a passport for an anarchist congress in Berlin.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals

Bolsheviks honor Tsarist general Slastchev while deporting anarchist revolutionaries who fought for the Revolution.

### State Power vs. Individual Freedom

The Cheka terrorizes the population; true revolutionaries must hide or face deportation.

### Suffering of the People

The anonymous Makhnovist and his wife live in constant fear and poverty, with the wife disguising her pregnancy to keep her job.

## Character check-ins

### Emma Goldman

Narrator who decides to leave Russia, obtains passport, and departs on December 1, 1921.

### Alexander Berkman

Deported alongside Emma Goldman and A. Shapiro to attend the International Anarchist Congress in Berlin.

### Volin

Deported anarchist, former editor of Nabat, imprisoned after hunger strike.

### G. Maximoff

Deported anarchist, active in Petrograd University and editor of Golos Truda.

### Mark Mratchny

Deported anarchist, former instructor in Kharkov and editor of Nabat.

### Nestor Makhno

Referenced as leader of the povstantsi; a close friend and counsellor of the anonymous Makhnovist hiding in Moscow.

### Trotsky

Mentioned as the military superior whom General Slastchev had to salute.

## Key lines

> It was the announcement of the return to Russia of the Tsarist General Slastchev, one of the most reactionary and brutal militarists of the old regime.

The Bolsheviks welcomed back a notoriously brutal Tsarist general.

_Highlights the hypocrisy of the revolutionary government._

> The first to be deported by the 'revolutionary' Government were ten Anarchists, most of them known in the international revolutionary movement as tried idealists and martyrs for their cause.

The first deportees under the Soviet regime were ten dedicated anarchist revolutionaries.

_Emphasizes the betrayal of revolutionary comrades._

> Life in Russia had become to me a constant torture; the need of breaking my two years' silence was imperative.

Emma Goldman found life in Russia unbearable and felt compelled to speak out.

_Captures Goldman's personal disillusionment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxxii-the-socialist-republic-resorts-to-deportation
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters