The Revolutionist Theme of Man and the Natural World

In "The Revolutionist," after leaving Budapest, the comrade sets off on a kind of European tour. Okay, not quite—we sense he's making his way to a safer place than the one he comes from. But importantly, he's enjoying the journey, particularly when it comes to the nature that presents itself to him along his way. In this sense, violence and suffering have also given him an unexpected opportunity to see the world, and his love for the natural world contrasts with his experiences with violence.

Questions About Man and the Natural World

  1. What is the significance in the story of the comrade's love of nature?
  2. What is the role of beauty in the story?
  3. What is the relationship between the natural world and revolutionary preoccupations of the story?

Chew on This

Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.

Fondness for nature in this story is a measure of each character's capacity to hope.

The comrade's love of nature is one of his defining characteristics in the story.