Summary
Published in 1899, Resurrection was Leo Tolstoy's final novel and a powerful indictment of the injustices in Russian society. The story follows a nobleman's journey of moral awakening as he seeks to atone for past misdeeds, exposing corruption in the legal system and Orthodox Church along the way. Though less renowned than Tolstoy's earlier masterpieces, Resurrection was hugely popular upon release and remains an important work exploring themes of redemption, morality, and social reform.
Plot
Resurrection begins when Prince Dmitri Nekhludov, a nobleman, is called for jury duty on a murder case. He recognizes the accused, a prostitute named Katusha, as a young woman he had seduced and abandoned years earlier. Overcome with guilt, Nekhludov realizes his actions led to Katusha's life of degradation. Despite her innocence, Katusha is convicted and sentenced to prison in Siberia.
Determined to make amends, Nekhludov follows Katusha into exile, planning to marry her. He visits her in prison, meets other inmates, and becomes aware of the widespread cruelty and injustice in the Russian penal system. As he attempts to help Katusha, Nekhludov undergoes a profound moral and spiritual transformation. He decides to give up his property, passing ownership to his peasants.
During their long journey to Siberia, Katusha falls in love with another man. Nekhludov, having achieved a level of personal redemption, gives the couple his blessing. He chooses to remain in the penal community, continuing his quest for spiritual renewal and social justice.
Themes
Moral and spiritual redemption
Critique of social injustice and inequality
Hypocrisy of institutionalized religion
Personal responsibility and conscience
Transformative power of love and compassion
Corruption of the justice system
Class divides
Setting
Set in late 19th-century Russia, Resurrection unfolds against the backdrop of a society in transition. The novel portrays a nation grappling with the stark inequalities between its aristocratic elite and the impoverished masses. Tolstoy vividly depicts the contrast between the opulent lifestyles of the nobility and the harsh realities faced by peasants and prisoners.
The story primarily takes place in Moscow and St. Petersburg, centers of Russian power and culture. Tolstoy's narrative also extends to the rural countryside, where the protagonist owns an estate, providing a glimpse into the agrarian life that still dominated much of Russia. As the plot progresses, the setting shifts dramatically to the Siberian wilderness, where convicts are exiled.
Throughout the novel, Tolstoy paints a detailed picture of various institutions that shaped Russian society at the time. From courtrooms and prisons to churches and aristocratic salons, Resurrection provides a panoramic view of a nation on the cusp of major social and political upheavals.
Characters
Prince Dmitri Nekhludov: The protagonist, a wealthy nobleman who seeks redemption for his past misdeeds.
Katerina Mikhailovna Maslova (Katusha): A maid turned prostitute and Nekhludov's former love interest, who is wrongly convicted of murder.
Sophia Ivanovna: Nekhludov's aunt, who raised Katusha as her ward.
Maria Ivanovna: Nekhludov's other aunt, who treated Katusha poorly.
Missy Korchagin: Nekhludov's fiancée at the beginning of the novel.
Toporov: A high-ranking government official, based on a real person.
Simonson: A political prisoner who falls in love with Katusha during her exile.
Kryltsov: Another political prisoner Nekhludov meets during his journey.
Vera Bogodukhovsky: A revolutionary who Nekhludov encounters in prison.
Selenin: Nekhludov's childhood friend, now a prosecutor.
Quick facts
Resurrection was Leo Tolstoy's last major work of fiction published in his lifetime.
Tolstoy was inspired to write the novel after hearing about a real-life court case from his friend Anatoly Koni.
The publication of Resurrection led to Tolstoy's excommunication from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1901.
Tolstoy rushed to finish the novel to raise funds for the emigration of persecuted Dukhobors from Russia to Canada.
Resurrection was not published in Russia until 1936, long after Tolstoy's death.
One of the characters, Toporov, is a caricature of a real Russian official named Konstantin Pobedonostsev.
The novel explores Georgism, an economic philosophy Tolstoy strongly advocated late in life.
Resurrection initially outsold Tolstoy's more famous works Anna Karenina and War and Peace.
The novel has inspired numerous screen adaptations, most notably Samuel Goldwyn's 1934 film We Live Again starring Fredric March.
Resurrection has been adapted into operas, including works by Franco Alfano and Tod Machover.
About the Author
Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was one of the towering figures of 19th-century Russian literature. He is best known for his monumental novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, which are considered masterpieces of realist fiction. Tolstoy's works explore themes of morality, family, and social change in Russian society with remarkable psychological insight and nuance.
Tolstoy's life was marked by inner turmoil and conflict with societal conventions. Born into the Russian nobility, he eventually rejected his privileged upbringing. He became a vocal critic of the Russian Orthodox Church and state institutions, advocating for non-violent resistance and a return to a simpler, agrarian way of life. As a result, his marriage to Sophia Behrs was tumultuous. In his final days, Tolstoy dramatically fled his family estate, dying shortly after at a remote railway station.
Tolstoy's literary and cultural impact has endured long after his death. His works have been adapted for film and television numerous times and remain widely debated and analyzed by students and critics. His moral and religious views influenced many prominent 20th-century figures, including Mahatma Gandhi, and continue to resonate with readers and activists around the world.
