My further disillusionment in Russia
by Emma Goldman (1869–1940)
- Free to read
- 2 hours to read
- 14 chapters
- Reading level: 10th to 12th grade
"My Further Disillusionment in Russia" by Emma Goldman is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work serves as a continuation of Goldman's reflections on her experiences in revolutionary Russia, following her earlier book "My Disillusionment in Russia." The author, an outspoken anarchist and social activist, delves into the grim realities of life under Bolshevik rule, expressing a sense of betrayal as the ideals of the revolution she once supported dissolve into authoritarianism and oppression. The opening of the narrative describes Goldman’s return to Odessa after a challenging journey filled with delays and encounters with the local populace. As she navigates through the towns, she observes the stark contrast between abundant food supplies available and the pervasive poverty affecting the people, particularly the Jewish community in the region. Goldman details her interactions with local officials and citizens, highlighting a general atmosphere of disillusionment and sabotage within Soviet institutions. This sets the tone for her subsequent reflections on the broader implications of the Bolshevik regime and her evolving views on the revolution, indicating a deeper exploration of political disillusionment that characterizes the entire volume.
- Communism · Soviet Union
- Soviet Union · History · Revolution, 1917-1921 · Personal narratives, American
- Goldman, Emma, 1869-1940
Read the opening
Chapter I
ODESSA
At the numerous stations between Kiev and Odessa we frequently had to wait for days before we managed to make connections with trains going south. We employed our leisure in visiting the small towns and villages, and formed many acquaintances. The markets were especially of interest to us.
In the Kiev province by far the greater part of the population is Jewish. They had suffered many pogroms and were now living in constant terror of their repetition. But the will to live is indestructible, particularly in the Jew; otherwise centuries of persecution and slaughter would long since have destroyed the race. Its peculiar perseverance was manifest everywhere: the Jews continued to trade as if nothing had happened. The news that Americans were in town would quickly gather about us crowds of people anxious to hear of the New World. To them it was still a “new” world, of which they were as ignorant as they had been fifty years before. But not only America—Russia itself was a sealed book to them. They knew that it was a country of pogroms, that some incomprehensible thing called revolution had happened, and that the Bolsheviki would not let them ply their trade. Even the younger element in the more distant villages was not much better informed.
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This free edition of My further disillusionment in Russia by Emma Goldman comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #74192, released 2024-08-05. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Biographies, History - Modern (1750+), Politics.
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