Page 87 - DENG202_ELECTIVE_ENGLISH_III

Elective English—III

Notes 6.9 Summary

Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was a Russian author best known for his novels War and Peace
(1869) and Anna Karenina(1877) which are considered to be the greatest novels of realist
fiction.
He was born on August 28, 1828 to Princess Marie Volkonsky and Count Nicolas Tolstoy.
His non-violent resistance approach towards life has been expressed in his works such as
The Kingdom of God is Within You, which is known to have a profound effect on important
20th century figures, particularly, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi.

The fundamental aim of Tolstoy’s nature was a search for truth, for the meaning of life, for
the ultimate aims of art, for family happiness, for God.
Tolstoy used ordinary events and characters to examine war, religion, feminism and other
topics.

Most critics comment on Tolstoy’s work to be very effective in making his fiction appears
to be very realistic and lifelike. They also feel that his examinations on psychology and
society, which he developed later throughout his career, were very efficient.
At that time, various important events took place such as the publication of the Communist
Manifesto and the changing of Russian tsars from Nicholas’ abdication to the start of a new
government, which would lead to the Russian Revolution.
“How Much Land Does a Man Need?” is an 1886 short story by Leo Tolstoy about a man
who, in his lust for land, forfeits everything.

6.10 Keywords

Epic: A long poem narrating heroic deeds of a hero or derived from a legendary figure or oral
tradition.
Gospels: The teachings of Christ given by the four gospels St John, St Matthew, St Luke and
St Mark.
Martin Luther King Jr.: An American clergyman, activist, and leader in the African-American
Civil Rights Movement.
Procrastinate: To delay or postpone an action.
Rebel: A person who stand up in opposition or armed resistance against an established government
or leader.

6.11 Review Questions

1. What did Pahóm’s avarice (greed) earn him in the end? Why does Pahóm die in his pursuit
of the land?

2. What physical obstacles does he experience? What realization does he make? What fear
does he have? Who is Pahóm concerned with here?
3. What dream does Pahóm have the night before his journey? What is the dream’s warning
(foreshadowing)?
4. What does Pahóm do to please/bribe the Bashkirs? What is different about the way the
Bashkirs offer land to Pahóm?

5. As you read through “How Much a Man Needs” chart some of the significant moments in
the story and their future results.

82 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY