The Candle by Leo Tolstoy
The story revolves around a young nobleman who becomes disillusioned with the superficiality of high society and sets out to find meaning in life. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery, exploring various philosophical and spiritual traditions, including Buddhism and Christianity. As he travels, he encounters a range of characters who challenge his assumptions and force him to confront the contradictions between his ideals and reality. Through his experiences, he comes to realize that true happiness and fulfillment can only be achieved by living in accordance with one's own values and principles. The narrative is a philosophical exploration of the human condition, raising questions about the nature of truth, morality, and the search for meaning in life.
By Leo Tolstoy · Genre: Social Critique, Moral Allegory, Historical Fiction · 4,280 words
First lines
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil. " Matthew 5: 38-–-39
It was in the time of serfdom -- many years before Alexander II's liberation of the sixty million serfs in 1862. In those days the people were ruled by different kinds of lords. There were not a few who, remembering God, treated their slaves in a humane manner, and not as beasts of burden, while there were others who were seldom known to perform a kind or generous action; but the most barbarous and tyrannical of all were those former serfs who arose from the dirt and became princes.
What this Textopian page supports
The Candle is listed on Textopian as a novel by Leo Tolstoy, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Social Critique, Moral Allegory, Historical Fiction, Tragedy, Drama
- Length: 4,280 words
- Structure: 1 section, 83 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Candle 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 The Candle?
- How does this novel by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Social Critique first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Spirits In Bondage by C. S. Lewis
- Royal Prayer by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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- Fragments From The Journal Of A Solitary Man by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Colloquy Of Monos And Una by Edgar Allan Poe
- The Wind Of Sorrow Sonnets by Henry Van Dyke
Genres
- Social Critique — The narrative explores the injustices of serfdom and the moral implications of power dynamics between the ruling class and the oppressed.
- Moral Allegory — The story presents a moral conflict regarding the justification of violence against tyranny, reflecting on ethical dilemmas faced by the characters.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context of Russian serfdom, the work reflects the societal norms and struggles of that era.
- Tragedy — The narrative culminates in a tragic event that highlights the consequences of oppression and the cycle of violence.
Tags
Philosophical · Psychological · Realistic · Symbolic · Poetic · Melancholic · Existential · Inner · Journey · Self-discovery · Spiritual · Meditative