God Sees the Truth, but does not Tell at Once
The story revolves around a peasant woman who accuses her husband of infidelity and murder after he returns home late one night. The community believes the wife's accusations, but the truth remains unclear until the end. Through the narrative, Tolstoy explores themes of morality, justice, and the nature of truth.
By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1848 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Drama · 3,755 words
First lines
In the city of Vladímir there lived a young merchant, Aksénov by name. He had two shops and a house.
Aksénov was a light-complexioned, curly-headed, fine-looking man and a very jolly fellow and good singer. In his youth Aksénov had drunk much, and when he was drunk he used to become riotous, but when he married he gave up drinking, and that now happened very rarely with him.
What this Textopian page supports
God Sees the Truth, but does not Tell at Once is listed on Textopian as a short story by Leo Tolstoy, dated 1848 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: 1848 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction, Tragedy
- Length: 3,755 words
- Structure: 1 section, 103 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for God Sees the Truth, but does not Tell at Once by Leo Tolstoy
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering God Sees the Truth, but does not Tell at Once?
- How does this short story by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Bishop by Anton Chekhov
- A Moral Little Tale by Lord Dunsany
- God Sees The Truth But Waits by Leo Tolstoy
- The Meeting by Vsevolod Garshin
- A Coward by Guy De Maupassant
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of morality, justice, and the human condition, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Philosophical Fiction — It delves into existential questions about truth, guilt, and redemption, prompting readers to reflect on moral dilemmas.
- Drama — The narrative is driven by intense emotional conflicts and character development, typical of dramatic storytelling.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, it reflects societal norms and legal practices of the time.
Tags
Russian Literature · Short Story Collection · Moral Fiction · Social Commentary · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Satire · Irony · Folklore · Fairy Tale · Realism · Philosophical Themes