Resurrection

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

1938

Title

Resurrection

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Leo Tolstoy's powerful novel follows Dmitri Nekhludoff, a nobleman who realizes his life of privilege is meaningless after learning his friend was unjustly convicted. Nekhludoff dedicates himself to helping prisoners, questioning the justice system, and seeking spiritual redemption through forgiveness and humility, offering a profound critique of societal corruption.

Summary up to 500 words

In Leo Tolstoy's *Resurrection*, the narrative follows Dmitri Ivanovitch Nekhludoff, a wealthy Russian nobleman whose life of pleasure and indifference is shattered upon attending a court trial. There, he recognizes Maslova, a former lover now accused of theft, and is horrified by the judicial injustice that condemns her. This encounter forces Nekhludoff to confront the hollowness of his aristocratic existence, prompting a profound spiritual awakening. He vows to accompany Maslova to her exile in Siberia, a journey that exposes the brutal realities of the penal system, the corruption of officials, and the plight of political dissidents. Along the way, Nekhludoff attempts to restore land to his peasants and live simply, facing ridicule from his social circle while undergoing a transformation from a self-centered aristocrat to a servant of humanity. The novel critiques the absurdity of criminal law, which Nekhludoff observes punishes the innocent, the victims of circumstance, and the morally superior, while sparing the corrupt. Through his interactions with prisoners and his study of religious texts, he rejects the notion that punishment corrects crime. Instead, he finds salvation in the Christian command to forgive endlessly, realizing that only by acknowledging their own sinfulness can men stop harming others. The story concludes with Nekhludoff finding peace and a new purpose in serving humanity, while Maslova faces her uncertain fate in exile, having found a measure of dignity and love amidst her suffering.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1938.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg1938.epub

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Categories

• Religion
• Fiction
• Crime
• Russia
• Social Justice
• Class