Florence Harper: Witness to the Russian Revolution of 1917

Abstract

The article focuses on Florence Harper's memoir Runaway Russia and the main problems it discusses. Harper's memoir came out in the USA in 1918 and was based on the diary she kept during her stay in Russia. In her book, Florence Harper gives her own interpretations of the reasons, events, and outcomes of the Russian Revolution, describes in detail the everyday life of revolutionary Petrograd and front-line hospital that Harper worked in as a nurse, as well as her personal everyday experiences.

The author of the article analyses Harper’s characterization of the Revolution, the situation on the frontline and in the rear, soldiers’ mood and behaviors, gender related problems of war and revolution, and interprets her evaluations of the mentality of Russian People and Russian national character.