Master and Man

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

986

Title

Master and Man

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the Russian countryside during a fierce winter storm, this novella explores the profound bond between a wealthy but spiritually hollow merchant and his loyal, struggling peasant servant. When the storm traps them, the master's lifeless body is found resting on the servant, revealing a transformative moment of empathy that transcends their social divide.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in the winter of the 1870s, Leo Tolstoy's *Master and Man* chronicles the final journey of Vasili Andreevich Brekhunov, a wealthy but spiritually hollow merchant, and his servant, Nikita. Brekhunov, a Second Guild merchant, travels to negotiate the purchase of a timber grove, driven by greed and the desire to beat competitors. He hires Nikita, a kind but chronically alcoholic peasant who has recently sworn off drink. Despite warnings from Brekhunov's wife about the worsening storm, the merchant insists on traveling alone with his young son, Petrushka, dismissing Nikita's presence as unnecessary. As they venture into a violent snowstorm, the weather turns treacherous. The group becomes lost in a deep ravine, and Nikita falls into a snowdrift. Terrified of being left alone in the freezing cold, Brekhunov initially panics but eventually realizes he cannot survive without his servant. In a profound act of self-sacrifice, the merchant lies down on top of Nikita, using his own body heat to warm the freezing peasant. Brekhunov dies from exposure, but his warmth saves Nikita's life. Nikita awakens to find his master frozen beneath him. He is rescued by passing peasants and survives for another twenty years, eventually finding spiritual peace and forgiveness before his own death. The narrative contrasts Brekhunov's materialism and fear with Nikita's inherent humanity and capacity for love. Through this tragic event, Tolstoy illustrates that true humanity transcends social class, suggesting that the merchant's final act of love was his only moment of genuine existence, while the servant's survival represents a spiritual redemption earned through suffering and compassion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/986.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg986.epub

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Categories

• Classics
• Fiction
• Russian Literature