Red Rosa: A Graphic Biography of Rosa Luxemburg by Kate Evans (review)

A book review normally has a little of this and a little of that – strong points, followed by some criticisms. Except I can’t think of anything negative. This book touches on everything – history, Marxist theory, political analysis, feminism, sex, disability, and love of nature with some wonderful art, joy, and humour as well – all packed into a graphic history of about 180 pages. The graphic art form can provide another dimension, another level of complexity to the story. One example: Rosa is expounding on how Marx used Hegel’s theory of dialectics to explain the contradictions inherent in the capitalist system. The picture shows Rosa at the table thinking through her path-breaking theoretical analysis while her maid is serving her dinner and lighting the fire to make her mistress tea. “Ma’am, ma’am shall I take your plate?” “Yes, yes” Rosa absentmindedly replies. (34) In the footnotes, the author, Kate Evans, reminds us, displaying her sharp critical eye, that sensitivity to individual workers was not Luxemburg’s strong point. This was true of many of her revolutionary comrades. It was the working class to whom they fearlessly devoted their lives.

Red Rosa uses Luxemburg’s own words taken from her theoretical works and her letters to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman. She sends one of her many suitors away because she is busy contemplating how capitalism survives through imperialist expansion, “by occupation, by theft, by extortion, by extermination, by taxation, by the supply of cheap goods, by the appropriation of natural resources, by international loans and everywhere by the use and threat of military force.” (108) Rosa is explaining this to her cat, while the discarded bouquet of roses lies on a nearby table. Here is one more example: Rosa is describing the flaws in Eduard Bernstein’s revisionist approach to social democracy to her friend, Clara Zetkin. For Rosa, “revolution is the only factor distinguishing social democracy from bourgeois radicalism.” Clara Zetkin replies, “ I couldn’t agree more”, On the side of the panel Zetkin who, the author tells us, is the editor of the feminist paper Die Gleichheit and a single parent, says to her small child, who is picking his nose, “Kostya, don’t do that.” (57) The reader basks in the glow of Luxemburg’s warm friendship with Luisa Kautsky – which she maintains even after her break with Luisa’s husband Karl over the program of the German Social Democratic Party – through a joyous picture of the three women having a wonderful time together. (105) Words alone can’t relay the emotion the panel evokes with its visual depiction of the three laughing women.

Many readers may already be familiar with a bit of biographical information about Rosa’s short but intense life. She was born in 1871 into a loving Jewish family in Poland, and from birth had to deal with a disability which the author in the (consistently excellent) footnotes describes as most likely congenital hip dysplasia. It caused her to limp and limited her growth. As a woman, as a Jew, and as a person with a disability – but with a formidable intellect – Luxemburg breaks all kinds of normal conventions for women. The gold medal she earns at school is denied her because of her “rebellious attitude.” (11) As a young woman in Poland Luxemburg begins reading Marx and here we have a clear and concise illustrated introduction to Marx’s theories. We learn about use value and exchange value, the nature of money, and Marx’s great contribution, the labour theory of value. The illustrations make these theories accessible and fun, inviting the reader to learn more. The footnotes elaborate and suggest where to turn for a more complete theoretical education.

In late 19th century Poland, a woman was not permitted to attend university anywhere in the country. Rosa gets her parents to allow her to move to Zurich where she receives a doctorate in Public Law and Economic Affairs. By this time she is...