The Bolshevik Myth · Chapter
The Spirit of Fanaticism explained
The narrator attends a tumultuous meeting at the Universalist Club, where anarchists and left revolutionaries protest the harsh imprisonment of 45 anarchists in Butirki prison, who have initiated a hunger strike.
What happens
The narrator attends a tumultuous meeting at the Universalist Club, where anarchists and left revolutionaries protest the harsh imprisonment of 45 anarchists in Butirki prison, who have initiated a hunger strike. The narrator reflects on failed attempts to mediate between the Communists and left factions, recalling meetings with Lenin, Krestinsky, Zinoviev, and Chicherin. He visits the hidden Maria Spiridonova and learns of the persecution of left revolutionaries. Later, Radek asks him to translate Lenin's 'The Infantile Sickness of Leftism,' but he refuses, straining his relations with the Communists. The chapter ends with the narrator feeling increasingly unwelcome and preparing to leave for Petrograd, while Bertrand Russell laments the surveillance and sabotage of their visit to Peter Kropotkin.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal of Revolutionary Ideals
The Bolsheviks' persecution of fellow revolutionaries, such as anarchists and Left Social Revolutionists, is seen as a betrayal of the revolution's original ideals.
Terror and Violence
The imprisonment, hunger strikes, and surveillance described reflect the ongoing state terror against political opponents.
Dictatorship and State Absolutism
The Communist Party's suppression of dissent, control over movement, and use of the Cheka illustrate the absolutist nature of the regime.
Characters to notice
- Alexander Berkman
The narrator and protagonist, an anarchist who joins the committee to help the Butirki hunger strikers and later refuses to translate Lenin's pamphlet.
- Dr. G⸺
The anarchist sailor who confronts Berkman at the Universalist Club about the Butirki prisoners.
- Lenin
Promised to consider the anarchist issue but issued a resolution against anti-Soviet agitation; author of 'The Infantile Sickness of Leftism.'
- Radek
Secretary of the Communist International who asks Berkman to translate Lenin's pamphlet and is displeased by his refusal.
- Maria Spiridonova
Imprisoned in the Kremlin and later hidden; visited by Berkman, who finds her a sincere idealist.
- Bertrand Russell
Complains about surveillance and the sabotaged visit to Peter Kropotkin.
- Bakaiev
Head of the Petrograd Cheka, with whom Berkman intercedes for arrested anarchists; lives modestly.
- Victor Chernov
Social Revolutionary leader who boldly appears at a printers' meeting and denounces the Bolsheviks before escaping.
Key passages
“The Universalist Club on the Tverskaya was in great commotion. Anarchists, Left Social Revolutionists, and Maximalists, with a considerable sprinkling of factory workers and soldiers, filled the lecture room and were excitedly discussing something.”
The Universalist Club was bustling with anarchists, Left SRs, Maximalists, workers, and soldiers, all engaged in heated discussion.
Sets the scene of revolutionary factionalism and urgency.
“I learned that forty-five Anarchists in the Butirki prison (Moscow) had been subjected to such unbearable conditions of existence that they at last resorted to the desperate protest of a hunger strike.”
Forty-five anarchists in Butirki prison, enduring terrible conditions, began a hunger strike.
Highlights the desperation of political prisoners.
“The hunger strikers demand to be tried or released, and their action is considered so justifiable by the other prisoners that the entire Butirki population of over 1,500 have joined the strikers.”
The hunger strikers' demand for trial or release was so compelling that over 1,500 other prisoners joined them.
Shows solidarity among prisoners.
“Lenin had promised to have the Central Committee consider the matter, but his reply—in the form of a resolution of the Party—merely repeated that 'ideini Anarchists are not persecuted,' but emphasized that 'agitation against the Soviet Government cannot be tolerated.'”
Lenin's promise led only to a party resolution stating that ideological anarchists were not persecuted, but anti-Soviet agitation was forbidden.
Illustrates the gap between promise and action.
“I found her perfectly well-balanced, a most sincere idealist passionately devoted to the peasantry and the best interests of the Revolution.”
I found Maria Spiridonova to be a sane and sincere idealist, deeply committed to the peasants and the revolution.
Contrasts the government's portrayal of her as insane.
“The Bolsheviki, they believe, have betrayed the Revolution; but they do not advocate armed resistance to the Soviet Government, demanding only freedom of expression.”
The Left SRs think the Bolsheviks betrayed the revolution, but they seek only free speech, not armed conflict.
Clarifies the position of the Left SR opposition.
