The Monkey by Leo Tolstoy
This novel explores the life of a young nobleman who abandons his family and becomes a monk to escape societal expectations and find spiritual enlightenment. He struggles with his new identity and grapples with feelings of guilt, shame, and disillusionment. The story delves into themes of morality, faith, and the human condition, raising questions about the nature of spirituality and the search for meaning in life.
By Leo Tolstoy · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Satire · 145 words
First lines
A Man went into the woods, cut down a tree, and began to saw it. He raised the end of the tree on a stump, sat astride over it, and began to saw. Then he drove a wedge into the split that he had sawed, and went on sawing; then he took out the wedge and drove it in farther down.
A Monkey was sitting on a tree and watching him. When the Man lay down to sleep, the Monkey seated herself astride the tree, and wanted to do the same; but when she took out the wedge, the tree sprang back and caught her tail. She began to tug and to cry. The Man woke up, beat the Monkey, and tied a rope to her.
What this Textopian page supports
The Monkey is listed on Textopian as a fable 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: Fable
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Allegory, Satire, Short Story, Children's Literature
- Length: 145 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Monkey by Leo Tolstoy
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- 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 The Monkey?
- How does this fable by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lion And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
- The Horse And His Masters by Leo Tolstoy
- The Two Horses by Leo Tolstoy
- The Milch Cow by Leo Tolstoy
- The Oak And The Hazelbush by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The narrative features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
- Allegory — The story symbolizes broader themes of human folly and the consequences of actions, typical of allegorical works.
- Satire — The depiction of the man's interaction with the monkey critiques human behavior and societal norms.
- Short Story — The work is concise and presents a complete narrative arc, fitting the short story format.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Philosophical · Psychological · Satirical · Social Commentary · Realism · Literary Fiction · 19th Century Literature · Russian Literature · Existentialism · Absurdism