Polikushka. a Story by Leo Tolstoy

Name: Polikushka. a Story
Author: Leo Tolstoy

The story revolves around the life of a young woman who marries into a wealthy family and struggles with her own identity and sense of purpose within the confines of her new role. As she navigates the complexities of her marriage, she becomes increasingly disillusioned with the societal expectations placed upon her and begins to question the values and morals that govern her world. Through her experiences, Tolstoy explores themes of social class, morality, and personal freedom, raising questions about the nature of happiness and fulfillment in a society governed by strict social norms.

By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1886 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Social Commentary · 15 chapters · 30,970 words

First lines

"As you may please to order, madame. But it would be too bad to send any of the Dutlofs. They are all, without exception, good boys; but if you don't take one of the house-servants[1] you will have to send one of them without fail," said the overseer; "and now all point to them. However, as you wish."

And he placed his right hand on his left, holding them both over his stomach, tipped his head on one side, sucked in his thin lips, almost smacking them, turned away his eyes, and held his peace, with the evident intention of holding it long, and of listening without reply to all the nonsense which the mistress might say to him in this regard.

What this Textopian page supports

Polikushka. a Story 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, Realism, Social Commentary, Short Story, Moral Tale
Length: 30,970 words
Structure: 15 chapters, 525 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Polikushka. a Story by Leo Tolstoy
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Polikushka. a Story?
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 narrative explores deep themes of morality, human nature, and social issues, characteristic of literary fiction.
Realism — The story presents a realistic portrayal of life and societal norms, focusing on the everyday experiences of its characters.
Social Commentary — The work critiques social structures and the human condition, reflecting on the implications of actions and choices.
Short Story — The format is concise, focusing on a singular narrative arc typical of short stories.