A Prisoner by Leo Tolstoy (1886)

Name: A Prisoner
Author: Leo Tolstoy

The story revolves around a young nobleman who is sentenced to prison for his involvement in a duel. The narrative explores the psychological and philosophical effects of imprisonment on the protagonist's life, relationships, and worldview. As he navigates the harsh realities of prison life, the protagonist grapples with feelings of guilt, shame, and despair. He also begins to question the social norms and values that led him to commit the crime in the first place. Throughout his ordeal, the protagonist undergoes a significant transformation, shedding his former identity as a carefree nobleman and emerging as a more introspective and compassionate individual.

By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1886 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 6 chapters · 11,930 words

First lines

An officer by the name of Jilin served in the army in the Caucasus.

One day he received a letter from home. It was from his mother, who wrote, "I am getting old now, and I want to see my beloved son before I die. Come and say good-bye to me, and when you have buried me, with God's grace, you can return to the Army. I have found a nice girl for you to marry; she is clever and pretty, and has some property of her own. If you like her perhaps you will marry and settle down for good."

What this Textopian page supports

A Prisoner is listed on Textopian as a novella by Leo Tolstoy, dated 1886 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novella
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Date: 1886 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Psychological Fiction
Length: 11,930 words
Structure: 6 chapters, 226 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

Work identity for A Prisoner by Leo Tolstoy
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering A Prisoner?
How does this novella by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of captivity, identity, and the human condition through a character-driven narrative.
Adventure — The protagonist's journey involves physical challenges and the quest for freedom, characteristic of adventure narratives.
Historical Fiction — Set against the backdrop of the Caucasus war, it reflects historical realities and cultural interactions of the time.
War Fiction — The story is rooted in the experiences of soldiers during wartime, highlighting the impact of conflict on individuals.