nihilism

The Sex Question

Voltairine de Cleyre, “Some Nihilists I Have Met” (1893)

July 28, 2017 Shawn P. Wilbur
Some Nihilists I Have Met The word nihilist is so generally associated with darkness, secrecy, dynamite, assassination and blood, that had someone whispered five minutes before the encounter, “You are about to meet a Russian nihilist,” I should, no doubt, have hastily retreated to the shelter of law-abiding domiciles, far from the dirty, tortuous, downtown quarter, where, amidst a labyrinth of alleys and deceitful little streets that mockingly led against walls, and then turned back into one another, I found myself one snowy afternoon, picking my way somewhat disgustedly with no very clear idea concerning my exact whereabouts. One thing, […]
Saint Ravachol

Ella Norraikow, “Woman’s Share in Russian Nihilism” (1891)

June 22, 2016 A Beautiful Nihilist
WOMAN’S SHARE IN RUSSIAN NIHILISM Ella Norraikow THE propagation of Nihilistic ideas in Russia received its first great impulse from the novel by Tourgenieff entitled Fathers and Children, which appeared in 1861. Since that time, while much has been written about the men who figured prominently in Nihilism, writers have failed to show the same interest in the women who participated in the movement. It was not until 1862 that women began to take an active part in Nihilism, and the movement is indebted for not a little of its success to the tact and shrewdness of the many brave […]
Saint Ravachol

The Term “Nihilist” (1887)

June 22, 2016 A Beautiful Nihilist
THE TERM “NIHILIST.” November Century.  The word “Nihilist” was introduced in Russia by Turgenef, who used it in his novel “Fathers and Children” to describe a certain type of character which had then recently made its appearance in the ranks of the rising generation, and which he contrasted sharply and effectively with the prevailing types in the generation which was passing from the stage. As applied to Bazaroff, the skeptical, materialistic, iconoclastic surgeon’s son in Turgenef’s novel, the word “Nihilist” had a natural appropriateness which the Russian public at once recognized. There were differences of opinion as to the question […]