The Masses (periodical)/Volume 1/Number 2/Editorials

by Thomas Seltzer

EDITORIALS

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SOCIALISM AND FICTION

IT IS natural that Socialists should favor the novel with a purpose, more especially, the novel that points a Socialist moral. As a reaction against the great bulk of vapid, meaningless, too-clever American fiction, with its artificial plots and characters, remote from actual life, such an attitude is a healthy sign. But it is doubtful whether if the best Socialist novelists were to follow the popular Socialist demand, the result would not be harmful to imaginative literature. The writer of fiction, even if Socialistic, may not be restrained in his work by a theory. He must be free from all preconceived notions, even though they be scientifically true. He must devote himself merely to the reproduction of life as an impartial observer sees it. The less hampered he is by theories, the more likely he is to see and depict life as it actually is. And this is the most important function of the novelist.

But life in all its complexity does not immediately reveal the Socialist philosophy. Otherwise all honest men would be Socialists. Much study is needed before the truth of Socialism can be understood. Consequently, the novelist who sets forth Socialism in his works is very likely to be didactic. Gorky is a case in point. His best works were written before he had any definite social theories. His sympathies were always with the oppressed. But as long as he remained unacquainted with the Socialist philosophy he merely described the classes with whom he was most familiar and voiced their revolt. His early works were spontaneous and truthful, and immediately produced a profound impression. But when he became a Socialist and transferred his Socialism to his art, his fiction lost artistic unity and proper perspective. In "Mother," for example, the characters are not essential to the dramatic action of the story. They are brought on the stage to further a preconceived idea. In fact, "Mother" is a novel with an idea for its hero instead of a human being. The old form of hero-worship of man has here been turned into the hero-worship of an abstraction.

Let novelists write Socialistic novels if they must, but let them not think they must for the sake of Socialism. Socialism has more to gain from a free, artistic literature reflecting life as it actually is, than from an attempt to stretch points in order to make facts fit the Socialist theory. Socialism has nothing to fear from a true reproduction of life, because life is never opposed to Socialism. But a crude attempt to make a minute part of life equivalent to the whole of Socialism, which is the whole of life, may make that particular exposition of Socialism ridiculous and in so far harmful.

This is not a plea for art for art's sake in literature. Modern economic conditions, the conditions in which the workingmen live, in fact, our whole economic life, are legitimate subjects for the art of the novelist. By skilful handling and arrangement the writer may, without obtruding himself as a moralist, reveal social and industrial evils, indicate their cause, and even suggest their proper remedy from the Socialist point of view. Thus, he may be very helpful in creating a frame of mind receptive to Socialist teachings.

It may be that some day a writer will arise of such genius as to be able to overcome the obstacles at present apparently insurmountable and embody in the artistic form of a novel the entire philosophy of Socialism. But without such genius the author who attempts to write popular editions of Marx, Engels, and Kautsky in novel form is doomed to failure both as novelist and economist.

 

American Capitalism in Russia

FROM the Russian papers we learn that Mr. Hammond is now visiting Russia in behalf of American capitalists. He has gone there to induce the Russian government to let American captains of industry use their capital for erecting grain elevators, installing electric lighting plants, and constructing trolley lines and canals. The American people are so replete with the good things of life that they must needs seek an outlet for their excess somewhere. And what country is more in need of the blessings of capitalism than poor Russia?

So Mr. Hammond, in behalf of himself and other American financial interests, has gone to Russia to do the patriotic and philanthropic act. Who his advance agents were we do not know, but that they must have used very persuasive arguments is evident from the fact that the Russian reactionary papers broke into a chorus of jubilation over the announced coming of Mr. Hammond. The Novoye Vremya printed a two-column editorial welcoming Mr. Hammond in the most enthusiastic terms and setting forth the extraordinary merits of his scheme. This is the same Novoye Vremya that has made itself the handmaiden of the Black Hundreds, and, since the defeat of the Russian Revolution, has been systematically fomenting race hatred and hostility to foreign countries. Lately it took to pouncing upon America and ridiculing its love for the "dollar." So its editorial about Mr. Hammond and the incidental bouquets it throws at America and the Americans in general is a complete face-about for the Novoye Vremya.

What were the persuasive arguments used by Hammond's advance agents? One thing is certain. The Novoye Vremya can best be appealed to by the self-same arguments that are known to have so magic an effect upon the Russian government officials. And who is more capable of handing out arguments of this sort than the American capitalists?

Happy people of Russia! To enjoy the benevolence of American capitalist exploitation superimposed upon the beneficent rule of Czar Nicholas! However, American capital and American methods of industry will hasten the proletarization of the Russian people and that will certainly hasten the revolution.