# the masters — Essays character guide

> the masters in Essays by Errico Malatesta.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-i

## Who they are

A generic referent for ruling class or capitalist oppressors, discussed as a social force.

## Relationships

### [Kropotkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/characters/kropotkin)

_rivalry_

Kropotkin critiques the ruling class as oppressors, positioning them as adversaries to anarchist ideals.

### [Anarchists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/characters/anarchists)

_rivalry_

Anarchists fundamentally oppose the authority and power of the masters, viewing them as enemies of freedom.

### [Bolshevists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/characters/bolshevists)

_rivalry_

Bolshevists seek to overthrow the masters through centralized revolution, creating a tense adversarial dynamic.

### [Socialists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/characters/socialists)

_rivalry_

Socialists oppose the masters' economic control, though with less radical antagonism than anarchists.

## In the story

### [Anarchy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/anarchy)

Referenced as those who hold power and dominate others, whether through force, cunning, or inheritance.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/i)

Referenced as the privileged few who exploit the labor of the many through private property and government.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/ii)

Implied as the privileged class that government protects.

### [A Bit of Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/a-bit-of-theory)

Implied as the oppressors whose power and privileges are maintained by military and police forces.

### [The Duties of the Present Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/the-duties-of-the-present-hour)

The bourgeoisie who use repression to protect their privileges.

### [Anarchy and Violence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/anarchy-and-violence)

Referenced as the ruling class that uses armed force to defend existing institutions and exploit the masses.

### [Should Anarchists Be Admitted to the Coming International Congress?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/should-anarchists-be-admitted-to-the-coming-international-congress)

Refers to the capitalist class and enemies of society that benefit from worker disunity.

### [Anarchism and Syndicalism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/anarchism-and-syndicalism)

The masters are the employers against whom the workers struggle through direct action and strikes.

### [Anarchists and the Situation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/anarchists-and-the-situation)

Mentioned as fleeing from blazing factories in the early scenes of revolution.

### [Capitalists and Thieves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/capitalists-and-thieves)

Referred to as landlords and capitalists who have stolen land and means of production, legitimized by laws and repression.

### [Anarchists Have Forgotten Their Principles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/anarchists-have-forgotten-their-principles)

Implied as the ruling class and exploiters who benefit from patriotism and war.

### [Anti-Militarism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/anti-militarism)

Identified as those who command military service and perpetuate worker slavery through national rivalries.

### [Italy Also!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/italy-also)

The Italian capitalists enrich themselves by selling to Germany and Austria, and the government tries to sell neutrality for territorial gains.

### [Pro-Government Anarchists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/pro-government-anarchists)

Capitalist classes and governments that anarchists should oppose, not collaborate with.

### [The Dictatorship of the Proletariat and Anarchy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/the-dictatorship-of-the-proletariat-and-anarchy)

Referenced as the Marxist models (Guesdes, Plekanoffs, etc.) from whom Bolshevists differ.

### [The Two Roads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/chapters/the-two-roads)

Landlords and capitalists who exploit agricultural and industrial workers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/characters/the_masters
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_se/characters