Leo Tolstoy Criticism
Leo Tolstoy, celebrated as one of the greatest novelists in world literature, is renowned for his works War and Peace and Anna Karenina, which are esteemed for their profound exploration of human existence and their exemplary realism. Beyond his literary achievements, Tolstoy experienced a significant spiritual crisis starting in 1875, which profoundly influenced his writings and life. This existential turmoil led to a conversion that embraced a literal interpretation of the Gospels, shaping his life into one of asceticism and social activism. His religious convictions, as outlined in Ispoved (A Confession), are an important part of his legacy and have significantly impacted social figures like Mohandas K. Gandhi and Jane Addams.
Born into a wealthy family in 1828, Tolstoy faced early familial losses and an educational journey that culminated in his return to his family estate, Yasnaya Polyana. His service in the army during the Crimean War became a foundation for his early writings such as Sevastopol Sketches. His subsequent travels in Europe and dedication to educational reforms reflect his evolving social consciousness. Tolstoy's "conversion" era saw him adopt radical Christian doctrines characterized by pacifism, vegetarianism, and sexual abstinence, as observed in works like A Confession, noted for their intense moral and spiritual introspection.
Tolstoy's later works diverged from his early masterpieces, focusing on philosophical and religious themes. His longest novel from this period, Resurrection, however, is critiqued as less artistically compelling due to its overt social messaging, unlike the more highly regarded The Death of Ivan Ilitch and Hadji Murad. His dramatic works, particularly The Power of Darkness and The Fruits of Enlightenment, showcased his commitment to realism and moral discourse. Tolstoy's philosophical writings, such as What Is Art?, criticized elitist art and advocated for expressive works that evoke profound religious sentiments.
As a thinker, Tolstoy has been critiqued for the extremism of his ethical ideals. Critics have noted the tension between his privileged background and his radical beliefs, suggesting that this conflict fueled his rigorous asceticism, as explored by several commentators including William James and Vernon Lee. Despite these criticisms, Tolstoy's quest for ethical and spiritual truths has been admired for its monumental ambition and humanistic depth, affirming his legacy as both a consummate artist and a pivotal figure in modern literature.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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The Confession of Count Tolstoi
(summary)
In the following review of Confession, Hubbard praises Tolstoy's genuine religious faith and honesty, but laments that his religious epiphany may have cut short his career as a fiction writer.
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Count Leo Tolstoi
(summary)
In the following essay, Farrar assesses Tolstoy's religious convictions as sincere and worthy of consideration, but believes Tolstoy exaggerated the degree to which the Christian world has misinterpreted its own fundamental tenets.
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Count Leo Tolstoi
(summary)
In the following essay, Farrar examines the events leading up to Tolstoy's religious conversion.
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Tolstoy
(summary)
In the following essay, he discusses the influence of Tolstoy's religious and philosophical writings on his own works and thought.
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Tolstoy's Teaching
(summary)
In the following essay, Maude provides an overview of Tolstoy's religious and philosophical works.
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The Sick Soul
(summary)
James was an American philosopher best known for his philosophy of pragmatism. In the following essay, he examines the emotional crisis that led to Tolstoy's revelations as recounted in his Confession.
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Tolstoi as Prophet
(summary)
In the following essay, Lee examines the major tenets of Tolstoy's philosophy and the ways in which it exemplifies his asceticism.
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Tolstoy's Confessions
(summary)
In the following essay, Atkins provides a biographical and critical analysis of Tolstoy's Confession.
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The Root of Religion
(summary)
In the following essay, Maude briefly discusses the impact of Tolstoy's Confession immediately following the book's publication.
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Tolstoy
(summary)
In the following essay, he records his impressions of Tolstoy's philosophy.
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The Testimony of Tolstoy
(summary)
In the following essay, Fausset examines evidence of Tolstoy's philosophical convictions in his fiction.
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Tolstoy: The Green Twig and the Black Trunk
(summary)
In the following essay, Rahv assesses existentialism in Tolstoy's works, noting that Tolstoy was "the last of the unalienated artists."
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A Portrait of Tolstoy as Alceste
(summary)
In the following essay, Poggioli compares Tolstoy's character and philosophical views with those of the character Alceste in Molière's play The Misanthrope.
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The Religious Tragedy of Tolstoy
(summary)
In the following essay, Stepun discusses the effects of religious conversion on Tolstoy's personal life.
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Suicide and Sacrifice in Tolstoy's Ethics
(summary)
In the following essay, Spence argues that at the time of his conversion, Tolstoy was caught between the extremes of suicide and asceticism to resolve his existential dilemmas.
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Count Leo Tolstoy
(summary)
In the following essay, Tsanoff considers Tolstoy as a significant Christian leader in twentieth-century thought.
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Religious, Moral, and Didactic Writings
(summary)
In the following essay, Simmons presents an overview of Tolstoy's philosophical writings.
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On the Poetics of Tolstoj's Confession
(summary)
In the following essay, Matual discusses the structure and form of the Confession in terms of classical poetics. This paper is a preliminary attempt to explore and define the poetic value of Tolstoj's treatise apart from its role in the evolution of his religious thought.
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Tolstoy Versus Dostoevsky
(summary)
In the following essay, Kaufmann contrasts the political and philosophical views of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky.
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The Religious Crisis: A Confession
(summary)
In the following essay, Cain contends that a biographical reading of Tolstoy's Confession is key to understanding him as a historical figure.
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Experience versus the Intellect: Tolstoy
(summary)
In the following essay, Larkin examines how Tolstoy's beliefs influenced his use of literary realism.
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The Movement of Faith as Revealed in Tolstoi's Confession
(summary)
In the following essay, Patterson presents an analysis of the steps through which Tolstoy moved in his religious conversion, as outlined in his Confession.
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The Confession as Subtext in The Death of Ivan Ilitch
(summary)
In the following essay, Matual argues that the experiences of Ivan Ilitch in The Death of Ivan Ilitch are a fictional parallel to Tolstoy's spiritual crisis in his Confession.
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The Confession of Count Tolstoi
(summary)
- Further Reading