Serfs
Kropotkin elucidates, “Wealth was measured in those times by the number of “souls” that a landed proprietor owned. So many “souls” meant so many male serfs: women did not count. My father, who owned nearly twelve hundred souls, in three different provinces, and who had, in addition to his peasants’ holdings.” Serfs, who are humans, are emblematic of wealth; a man’s capacity to control and preserve the serfs designates the strength of affluence. Evidently, the men without serfs are regarded as lowly. Besides, women are not material when gauging a man’s wealth due to their belittled gender.
Education
Kropotkin recounts, “All over Russia people were talking of education. As soon as peace had been concluded at Paris, and the severity of censorship had been slightly relaxed, educational matters began to be eagerly discussed. The ignorance of the masses of the people, the obstacles that had hitherto been put in the way of those who wanted to learn.” Censorship is unfavorable to the advancement of education; consequently, its relaxation paves room for learning to thrive. The deliberations regarding education depict the yearning for education among all classes. The girls’ high schools are indicative of progressive civilization which endorses females' schooling.
Nihilism
Kropotkin expounds, “First of all, the nihilist declared war upon what may be described as “the conventional lies of civilized mankind.” Absolute sincerity was his distinctive feature, and in the name of that sincerity he gave up, and asked others to give up, those superstitions, prejudices, habits, and customs which their own reason could justify.” Nihilism destabilizes the duplicity which is predominant in conventional civilizations. Furthermore, nihilists ratify authenticity for their reasoning is grounded on practicality as opposed to unsubstantiated misconceptions.
Music
Kropotkin recounts, “Music also played a very great part in my development. From it I borrowed even greater joy and enthusiasm than from poetry. The Russian opera hardly existed in those times; but the Italian opera, which had a number of first-rate stars in it, was the most popular institution at St Petersburg.” Kropotkin’s understanding of the different types of operas underscores his interest in music. He compares the utility that he derived from the operas to poetry to emphasize his passion for music. The eagerness to hear the music encourages him to attend the operas.
