“You are a slave within the borders of this country but beyond them you are free.” (274)

Radishchev’s Journey is a haunting but important reminder to the harsh realities of Russian life to those who were enslaved and less fortunate. Much of our class we have been studying and focusing on the life of the aristocrats of Russian society—which is very rich in its artistic output and cultural significance. However, the lives of these important few are far from representing the majority of the population. Radishchev’s Journey is not only a product of the growing political resentment found in some of the stories we have read and the films we have watched, but it also realizes and historicizes the stories and mistreatment of the peasants.

In perhaps one of the most intense sections of our reading, Radishchev graphically critiques Russian society for its hypocritical practices against the Christian faith, specifically describing a sale of serfs. On life of a serf Radishchev writes, “Hunger, cold, heat, punishment, everything will be against you. Noble thoughts are foreign to you. You do not know how to die. You will bow down and be a slave in spirit as in estate.” (273) Importantly, Radishchev describes the torturous life of the serf more than just that of physical turmoil—of sweat and blood—but also depicts a spiritual and emotional damage. Quite plainly what Radishchev describes is torture beyond that of the flesh.

Radishchev does just that which he describes. On speaking of injustice, Radishchev writes, “then even a thought shakes its (the government’s) foundations; a word of truth will destroy it; a manly act will scatter it to winds” (270). By writing and then publishing the truth Radishchev makes sure that the mistreatment of the serfs—and not just the physical turmoil—does not go forgotten. Instead, Radishchev reveals the emotional and spiritual consequences of the mistreatment of the peasants.