# Unknown Narrator — My Disillusionment in Russia character guide > Unknown Narrator in My Disillusionment in Russia by Emma Goldman. **Role:** major **Also known as:** myself, yourself, your, mine **First appearance:** 0000-preface-to-first-volume-of-american-edition ## Snapshot A lifelong revolutionary who came to Soviet Russia expecting a newborn world and spent two years watching her cherished ideal die by degrees. ## Who they are She arrives possessed by hope, determined to become an active part of revolutionary reconstruction, and instead finds reality grotesque and unlike the great ideal that bore her there. Each day adds a new link to the fatal chain pulling down her edifice, yet she fights desperately against the still voice urging her to face the facts. Her slow, resisted disillusionment is the book's engine: everything she witnesses matters because she cannot bring herself to stop believing. ## Relationships ### [Angelica Balabanova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/angelica_balabanova) _friendship_ Angelica Balabanova is a close ally and fellow socialist who shares ideological camaraderie and personal support with the narrator. ### [Peter Kropotkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/peter_kropotkin) _friendship_ Peter Kropotkin is a respected elder anarchist and intellectual companion to the narrator, bonded by mutual ideals. ### [Maxim Gorky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/maxim_gorky) _friendship_ Maxim Gorky is a fellow writer and sympathetic observer of the revolution, sharing a bond of artistic and political kinship with the narrator. ### [Zinoviev](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/zinoviev) _rivalry_ Zinoviev is a Bolshevik leader whose authoritarian tactics and political maneuvering create deep antagonism with the narrator. ### [Lisa Zorin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/lisa_zorin) _friendship_ Lisa Zorin is a close personal friend and confidante of the narrator, offering emotional support amidst political turmoil. ### [Lunacharsky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/lunacharsky) _professional_ Lunacharsky is a Bolshevik commissar of education who interacts with the narrator in an official, often bureaucratic capacity. ### [Lenin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/lenin) _rivalry_ Lenin is the revolutionary leader whose pragmatic and ruthless policies clash with the narrator's idealistic anarchist principles. ### [Jack Reed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/jack_reed) _friendship_ Jack Reed is a fellow journalist and revolutionary sympathizer who shares a bond of professional and ideological solidarity with the narrator. ### [Maria Spiridonova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/maria_spiridonova) _friendship_ Maria Spiridonova is a fellow left Socialist Revolutionary and ally who is persecuted by the Bolsheviks, creating a bond of shared suffering with the narrator. ### [Karl Radek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/karl_radek) _rivalry_ Karl Radek is a Bolshevik propagandist whose cynical and manipulative behavior generates hostility with the narrator. ### [Nestor Makhno](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/nestor_makhno) _friendship_ Nestor Makhno is a fellow anarchist commander and ally, sharing a deep ideological bond and mutual respect with the narrator. ### [Alexander Berkman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/alexander_berkman) _friendship_ Alexander Berkman is a fellow anarchist and close comrade who shares the narrator's disillusionment and personal struggles. ## In the story ### [My Disillusionment in Russia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/my-disillusionment-in-russia) The narrator reflects on their growing disillusionment with the revolution. ### [II: Petrograd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/ii-petrograd) Arrives in Petrograd, struggles with doubt and disbelief as she hears anarchist accounts of Bolshevik repression. ### [III: Disturbing Thoughts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/iii-disturbing-thoughts) The narrator struggles with moral doubts, seeks answers from Gorky, and witnesses inequality and corruption firsthand. ### [Moscow: First Impressions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/iv-moscow-first-impressions) The narrator arrives in Moscow, grappling with disillusionment as they witness inequality, corruption, and the suppression of dissent. ### [V: Meeting People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/v-meeting-people) The narrator reflects on meetings with Lenin, Chicherin, and Kropotkin, grappling with the suppression of Anarchists and the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. ### [VIII: The First of May in Petrograd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/viii-the-first-of-may-in-petrograd) The narrator experiences the May Day celebration and is struck by the people's silence and lack of joy. ### [VIII: The First of May in Petrograd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/viii-the-first-of-may-in-petrograd) A young Communist neighbour attributes the crowd's apathy to the many disappointments since October 1917. ### [Industrial Militarization](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/ix-industrial-militarization) The narrator visits factories to understand worker conditions and debates labor militarization with Jack Reed. ### [X: The British Labour Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/x-the-british-labour-mission) The narrator accompanies Angelica Balabanova to the Narishkin Palace, attends the demonstration and farewell banquet, and interprets for Madame Ravitch. ### [XI: A Visit from the Ukraine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xi-a-visit-from-the-ukraine) Receives the Ukrainian Anarchists and listens to their account of the Makhnovist struggle. ### [XII: Beneath the Surface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xii-beneath-the-surface) The narrator undergoes a profound crisis of faith, questioning the Revolution she once championed as she witnesses the gap between ideals and reality. ### [XIII: Joining the Museum of the Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xiii-joining-the-museum-of-the-revolution) Joins the Museum of the Revolution, prepares for an expedition, and reflects on her disillusionment with the Bolsheviks. ### [XIV: Petropavlovsk and Schlüsselburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xiv-petropavlovsk-and-schl-sselburg) The narrator recounts personal childhood memories of fear associated with the Peter-and-Paul Fortress and describes their emotional journey through the prisons. ### [XV: The Trade Unions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xv-the-trade-unions) The narrator reflects on disillusionment with the Revolution, questions the Bolshevik machine, and warns anarchist delegates about Cheka surveillance. ### [XVI: Maria Spiridonova](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xvi-maria-spiridonova) The narrator interviews Spiridonova, reflects on her accusations, and contrasts them with his own earlier support for the Brest peace. ### [Another Visit to Peter Kropotkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xvii-another-visit-to-peter-kropotkin) Visits Kropotkin again, shares doubts about the Revolution, and finds comfort in Kropotkin's wisdom. ### [XVIII: En Route](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xviii-en-route) The narrator serves as treasurer and housekeeper of the Expedition, sharing a compartment with secretary Miss A. T. Shakol, and is responsible for gathering data in various departments. ### [XIX: In Kharkov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xix-in-kharkov) Visits Kharkov, meets friends, investigates education and industry, confronts bureaucratic deceit and state brutality. ### [XX: Poltava](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xx-poltava) The narrator travels to Poltava, meets various locals, and collects information on the region's conditions. ### [Kiev](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxi-kiev) The narrator visits a hospital for crippled children, meets Jewish intellectuals, and encounters a Red Army officer and Makhno's wife. ### [XXII: Odessa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxii-odessa) The narrator recounts the journey to Odessa, the difficulties with local officials, and the disillusionment with the Bolshevik regime. ### [XXIII: Returning to Moscow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxiii-returning-to-moscow) The narrator travels to a village for provisions, reflects on rumors and disillusionment, and later visits Louise Bryant in Moscow. ### [Back in Petrograd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxiv-back-in-petrograd) Struggles with inner conflict over the Bolsheviks' role in stifling the revolution; decides to temporarily refrain from exposing the truth due to the ongoing siege. ### [Death and Funeral of Peter Kropotkin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxvi-death-and-funeral-of-peter-kropotkin) The narrator learns of Kropotkin's illness, travels to Moscow and Dmitrov, but arrives after his death. She stays for the funeral and later visits imprisoned Anarchists to verify the authorities' claims. ### [XXVII: Kronstadt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxvii-kronstadt) Visits a wounded kursant in the hospital, speaks with him, and experiences the final break with the Bolsheviks over Kronstadt. ### [XXVIII: Persecution of Anarchists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxviii-persecution-of-anarchists) Describes personal decision to live without state support after Kronstadt, exchanging clothing for food and living in Kropotkin's daughter's former room. ### [XXXI: Exploiting the Famine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/xxxi-exploiting-the-famine) Provides a critical account of the famine relief politics and the fate of the Citizens' Committee. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/i) Provides a critical analysis of the Russian Revolution, Bolshevik policies, and the role of mass psychology. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/chapters/iv) The narrator reflects on the failure of the Russian Revolution, critiquing Bolshevik methods and the Marxist conception of revolution, and advocating for a revolution of values. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters/unknown_narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_disillusionment_in_russia_se/characters