The Godson by Leo Tolstoy (1886)
The story revolves around a young nobleman who becomes the godson of an elderly count and his wife. The count's family is portrayed as being morally corrupt and indulgent, while the young man's own family is depicted as being more virtuous. As the young man grows older, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the values and lifestyle of his adoptive family, particularly their treatment of women and their lack of concern for social justice. He begins to question the morality of his surroundings and seeks guidance from a wise old priest who teaches him about the importance of living a simple and virtuous life. The young man's relationships with the count's family members are complex and multifaceted, reflecting the societal norms and expectations of the time period. His interactions with them serve as a commentary on the social class system and the moral decay that can result from excessive wealth and privilege. Throughout the story, Tolstoy explores themes of morality, virtue, and the human condition, raising questions about what it means to live a good life and how individuals should navigate the complexities of society.
By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1886 · Genre: Fable, Philosophical Fiction, Religious Allegory · 13 chapters · 7,734 words
First lines
"Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil. " / Matthew 5: 38-–-39
"Vengeance is mine; I will repay. " / Romans 12: 19
A son was born to a poor peasant. He was glad, and went to his neighbour to ask him to stand godfather to the boy. The neighbour refused -- he did not like standing godfather to a poor man's child. The peasant asked another neighbour, but he too refused, and after that the poor father went to every house in the village, but found no one willing to be godfather to his son. So he set off to another village, and on the way he met a man who stopped and said:
What this Textopian page supports
The Godson is listed on Textopian as a novel 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: Novel
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: 1886 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Philosophical Fiction, Religious Allegory, Fairy Tale, Social Commentary
- Length: 7,734 words
- Structure: 13 chapters, 197 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Godson by Leo Tolstoy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Fable — The narrative conveys moral lessons through allegorical characters and events, typical of fables.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story explores deep themes of morality, sin, and redemption, prompting reflection on human nature.
- Religious Allegory — The text incorporates religious themes and teachings, particularly regarding sin and atonement.
- Fairy Tale — The presence of magical elements and a quest-like structure aligns with traditional fairy tale conventions.
Tags
Russian Literature · Fiction · Novel · Family Drama · Coming-of-Age · Social Commentary · Philosophical Themes · Morality · Ethics · Identity Crisis · Self-Discovery · Nostalgia
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III
- CHAPTER IV
- CHAPTER V
- CHAPTER VI
- CHAPTER VII
- CHAPTER VIII
- CHAPTER IX
- CHAPTER X
- CHAPTER XI
- CHAPTER XII
- CHAPTER XIII