ABSTRACT
Legend has it that Lenin vowed to avenge his brother's death. Systematically, it is said, he interrogated I. N. Chebotaryev, a friend of Alexander's, to learn the nature of the plot and the causes of its failure. But Lenin was not the romantic type; he had little patience with heroics. Lenin remained very close to his mother, who was suffering greatly under the ordeal. Lenin early admired and imitated his older brother, but their bonds loosened after their father's death. Alexander was given to tears and silent suffering; Lenin was harsh and loud. Alexander's interests were channelled toward the natural sciences, while Lenin was attracted by social studies, and directed arrogance and sarcasm against his brother whose interest in the sex life of worms he mocked. It has been suggested that there were political differences between the two brothers, Alexander being a populist, while the young Lenin showed an early interest in Marxism.
