Except for the field organizers of strikes, who were…
““Except for the field organizers of strikes, who were pretty tough monkeys and devoted, most of the so-called Communists I met were middle-class, middle-aged people playing a game of dreams. I remember a woman in easy circumstances saying to another even more affluent: 'After the revolution even we will have more, won't we, dear?' Then there was another lover of proletarians who used to raise hell with Sunday picknickers on her property””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Even among activists, many are middle‑class dreamers, not hardened revolutionaries, revealing a gap between ideals and lived reality.
In simple terms: Activists often are ordinary, idealistic people.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge the human side of movements.
Themes
class
revolution
idealism
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
sociopolitical
analytical
When to use this quote
- labor strikes
- political meetings
- community organizing
Key Concepts
social dynamics
economic disparity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal comforts affect activism?
- Can movements stay true to their ideals?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may clash with practical constraints.