Boris Davidovich

Boris Davidovich, a Jew and a fervent Russian revolutionary, embodies the archetype of the classical revolutionary: courageous, resolute, daring, composed, resourceful, steadfastly loyal to his cause, and unyielding in his ideology. From a young age, he was driven by revolutionary fervor, opposing the czarist regime and supporting the Bolsheviks. His motivations, whether a quest for justice or the thrill of action and adventure, are secondary to his unwavering commitment to the revolution. Davidovich's character is marked by an unshakeable firmness throughout his life. When he finds himself out of favor, enduring torture and threats of death, he chooses to face execution as a traitor rather than live as a common thief by refusing to sign a false confession. His death in a labor camp during an escape attempt underscores his tragic fate as a revolutionary unjustly sacrificed by his own comrades. Davidovich mirrors countless revolutionaries worldwide who, despite their conviction in the righteousness of their cause, are thwarted by their idealistic expectations and fall victim to the revolution's harsh demands.

A. L. Chelyustnikov

A. L. Chelyustnikov is a Russian revolutionary, characterized as a loyal servant of the revolution but driven by entirely different motivations than his peers. Known for his boasting, womanizing, and card-playing expertise, Chelyustnikov appears to have joined the revolutionary cause out of opportunism or mere inertia. He exemplifies the organizational man who dutifully assumes the role of a scapegoat to uphold the cause, despite lacking any compelling ideological commitment. His survival through the turbulent revolutionary period, despite numerous close calls and scars, suggests a pragmatic, opportunistic approach rather than a principled one.

Fedukin

Fedukin, a secret police investigator, represents a darker aspect of the revolutionary struggle. His sadistic nature finds fulfillment in serving the revolution and the state through acts of cruelty and violence. A tall, pockmarked man of limited education but possessing some literary skill, Fedukin takes perverse pleasure in interrogating and torturing his former comrades, irrespective of their guilt or innocence. His philosophy is encapsulated in the phrase, "Even a stone would talk if you broke its teeth," illustrating his belief in extracting confessions at any cost. For Fedukin, sacrificing individual truths for the sake of "higher" interests is both logical and moral. He is perplexed by the "sentimental egocentricity" of the accused, unable to comprehend their need to prove their personal innocence. Ultimately, Fedukin embodies villainy without redeeming qualities or rational justification.

Karl Taube

Karl Taube, a Hungarian revolutionary, is portrayed as a well-meaning European intellectual who joins the revolutionary cause driven by noble ideals and just goals. He becomes a victim of internal party machinations within the Soviet Union, meeting a tragic end when he is murdered by common criminals in prison. Taube's death is a consequence of blind fate; had the leadership not imprisoned him on flimsy charges, he would have avoided such a demise. His refusal to accept harsh realities, clinging instead to the dream of a better life, ultimately leads to his downfall. Taube's story illustrates the futility of attempting to resolve conflicts through reason in an environment dominated by passion and blind hatred.

Gould Vershoyle

Gould Vershoyle, an Irish revolutionary, embarks on a disenchanted quest for a better place to live. His journey takes him to Spain, where he fights for the Republicans in the civil war, and to Moscow, where his doubts about the Soviet role in the war lead to his capture. Vershoyle's death in a labor camp in 1945 exemplifies the relentless crushing force of the revolutionary juggernaut, which spares none in its path toward its ideological goals.

Miksha

Miksha, a handyman from Bukovina,...