The Bolshevik Myth · Chapter
XXXII: Odessa: Life and Vision explained
The narrator arrives in Odessa to find a city in decay, under strict Communist control, and gripped by fear of the Cheka.
What happens
The narrator arrives in Odessa to find a city in decay, under strict Communist control, and gripped by fear of the Cheka. The Expedition's friend Alsberg is arrested en route, and the narrator witnesses the brutal requisitioning of a peasant woman's horse, attends a secret Menshevik 'oral newspaper' meeting, and learns of the arrest of the socialist leader Astrov. The chapter contrasts the revolutionary idealism of the workers with the oppressive reality of Bolshevik dictatorship, highlighting the deep rift between the Communists and other revolutionary factions.
Themes in this chapter
Revolutionary Idealism vs. Reality
The chapter contrasts the workers' revolutionary spirit and guerrilla resistance against invaders with the oppressive Bolshevik dictatorship that suppresses other revolutionary factions.
Dictatorship and State Absolutism
The Bolsheviks impose their dictatorship, eliminate rival revolutionaries, and use the Cheka to enforce control, as seen in the arrests of Alsberg and Astrov and the suppression of the Menshevik oral newspaper.
Terror and Violence
The Cheka's brutal methods, daily executions, and the use of zassada ambushes create an atmosphere of terror; the peasant woman's forced labor and the arrest of Astrov illustrate state violence.
Human Suffering and Dehumanization
The peasant woman's horse is overworked and underfed, and she is forced into labor duty; the city's poverty, broken infrastructure, and the fear of the Cheka dehumanize the population.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
Arrives in Odessa with the Expedition, witnesses the arrest of Alsberg, interacts with a requisitioned peasant woman, and attends a secret Menshevik meeting.
- Henry Alsberg
Arrested by the Cheka in Zhmerinka on August 30, 1920, for traveling to Ukraine without official knowledge; the narrator sends wires to Lenin, Zinoviev, and Balabanova for his release.
- Semyon Petrovitch
A nonpartisan statistician who hosts the narrator; he believes the Soviet government will be forced to change its methods and criticizes Bolshevik practices.
- Astrov
A well-known Menshevik leader arrested by the Cheka in Odessa; his comrades fear he has been shot due to the Cheka's refusal to accept packages.
- Zinoviev
Mentioned as having given Alsberg permission to join the Expedition; the narrator sends him a wire protesting Alsberg's arrest.
- Lenin
The narrator sends a wire to Lenin protesting Alsberg's arrest.
- Angelica Balabanova
The narrator sends a wire to Balabanova protesting Alsberg's arrest.
Key passages
“The discussion gives no promise of reaching a basis for common work with the Bolsheviki. Most of those present have for years consecrated themselves to their ideal, have suffered persecution and imprisonment till at last the Revolution triumphed. Now they find themselves outlawed even by the Communists.”
The debate shows no hope for cooperation with the Bolsheviks; many dedicated revolutionaries who endured persecution under the Tsar now find themselves persecuted by the Communists.
Highlights the betrayal of revolutionary ideals and the rift between Bolsheviks and other leftist groups.
“Cursed be you all! ... we learn that two days ago she had carted a load of hay to the city, part of her village’s share of the razvyorstka. Returning home she was halted by a requisitioning detachment.”
The peasant woman curses the narrator and reveals she was forced to perform labor duty after her horse was requisitioned, despite being a Red Army widow exempt from such demands.
Illustrates the harsh requisitioning policies and the suffering of peasants under Bolshevik rule.
“The 'oral newspaper' is the modern Russian surrogate for a free press. Deprived of opportunity to issue their publications, the suppressed Socialist and revolutionary elements resort to this method.”
The oral newspaper serves as a substitute for a free press, allowing suppressed socialist groups to meet secretly and share information, as they did under the Tsar.
Describes the suppression of free speech and the clandestine methods used by opposition groups.
“Astrov, a well-known Socialist, is a personality respected throughout Russia. His opposition to the Bolsheviki is purely intellectual, excluding hostile activities against the Government. It is reported, however, that the authorities hold him 'morally responsible' for the wave of strikes that has recently swept the city.”
Astrov, a respected socialist who opposes the Bolsheviks only intellectually, is arrested and held morally responsible for recent strikes, despite no evidence of hostile actions.
Demonstrates the Bolsheviks' use of arbitrary arrests to suppress dissent, even against non-violent opponents.
