# II explained — The Bolshevik Myth

> Chapter companion for The Bolshevik Myth by Alexander Berkman.

## What happens

The narrator arrives at the border to meet the expected American deportees, but instead encounters a group of Russian war prisoners returning from Denmark. A tense negotiation unfolds with local Bolshevik officials and the Cheka chief Prehde, who insists on executing two alleged spies. The narrator manages to secure the prisoners' transport to Petrograd and averts immediate violence through persuasion, while awaiting the delayed American deportees.

## Themes in this chapter

### Terror and Violence

The Cheka chief Prehde casually discusses executing alleged spies based on a denunciation, illustrating the arbitrary and deadly power of the state security apparatus.

### Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals

Prehde, once opposed to capital punishment, now carries out death sentences, highlighting the betrayal of revolutionary principles in the name of defending the Revolution.

### Dictatorship and State Absolutism

The local officials' rigid adherence to orders from 'the center' and Prehde's absolute authority over life and death demonstrate the absolutist nature of the Bolshevik state.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator acts as the Chairman of the Reception Commission of the Petro-Soviet, negotiating with border officials and the Cheka to ensure the safe passage of war prisoners and awaiting American deportees.

### Chicherin

Chicherin is referenced as the recipient of urgent telegrams and the source of instructions regarding the disposition of war prisoners and American deportees.

### Tovarish Drozdov

Drozdov is a Cheka official who insists on searching and photographing the deportees at the border, but is persuaded by the narrator to defer the process to Petrograd.

### The Chekist

Prehde, the Chief of the Ossobiy Otdel, is a Lettish revolutionary who carries out death sentences and has absolute authority over the border district.

## Key lines

> Nitchevo ne podelayesh! (It can't be helped!)

The phrase 'It can't be helped' is used repeatedly by officials to justify inaction and fatalism in the face of bureaucratic obstacles.

_This Russian expression encapsulates the resigned attitude of local authorities when confronted with the narrator's pleas to prevent starvation of war prisoners._

> How times change; it's only a few years ago that I was opposed to capital punishment, and now I myself carry out death sentences.

Prehde reflects on his personal transformation from a death-sentenced revolutionary to an executioner for the state.

_This quote underscores the theme of betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the normalization of violence under the Bolshevik regime._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_bolshevik_myth_se/chapters