The Devil

Summary

The main character of the novella «The Devil» is Yevgeny Irtenyev, a young landowner who returns to his family estate after his father's death to manage the property. He begins an affair with a peasant woman named Stepanida, but soon marries a woman from his own social circle, Liza. However, his passion for Stepanida does not fade, and Yevgeny finds himself trapped by his desires. He struggles to resist temptation but ultimately succumbs and commits suicide, unable to resolve the internal conflict between duty and passion.

Main Ideas

• The conflict between moral principles and human passions.
• The influence of social norms and public opinion on personal decisions.
• The destructive impact of repressed desires and passions on a person's mental state.
• The theme of redemption and internal struggle with sin.
• Depiction of rural life and peasant existence in late 19th-century Russia.

Historical Context and Significance

The novella «The Devil» by Leo Tolstoy, written in 1889 but published posthumously in 1911, is an important work in the context of late 19th-century Russian literature. In it, Tolstoy explores themes of moral choice, temptation, and internal struggle. The main character, Yevgeny Irtenyev, faces strong temptation in the form of the peasant woman Stepanida, leading to tragic consequences. The novella reflects Tolstoy's deep understanding of the human soul and morality, as well as his critical view of the social and moral norms of his time. The influence of «The Devil» on culture lies in its ability to raise eternal questions about good and evil, free will, and responsibility, making it relevant to this day.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Yevgeny Irtenyev - the main character, a young landowner who returns to his family estate after his father's death and begins managing the property. He faces an internal conflict between duty and passion when he falls in love with the peasant woman Stepanida. His struggle with temptation and moral dilemmas leads to tragic consequences.
• Stepanida - a peasant woman with whom Yevgeny has an affair. She symbolizes both temptation and the simplicity of rural life for him. Her relationship with Yevgeny significantly influences his inner world and decisions.
• Liza - Yevgeny's fiancée, with whom he plans to start a family. She represents the ideal of virtue and family happiness, but her image pales in comparison to Yevgeny's passion for Stepanida.

Style and Technique

In the novella «The Devil», Leo Tolstoy employs a realistic style, paying great attention to the psychological analysis of characters. The language of the work is simple and clear, allowing for a deeper insight into the inner world of the characters. Tolstoy masterfully uses literary devices such as internal monologue and dialogue to reveal the contradictions and internal struggle of the main character. The story's structure is linear, with a clear development of the plot, climax, and resolution. The author also uses symbolism and metaphors to emphasize themes of temptation and moral choice.

Interesting Facts

• The book is based on real events from Leo Tolstoy's life, giving it an autobiographical touch.
• Tolstoy wrote two different endings for this book, reflecting his internal contradictions and thoughts on morality and fate.
• The main character, Yevgeny Irtenyev, struggles with strong passions and moral dilemmas, making his character deep and multi-layered.
• The work raises questions about human nature, sin, and redemption, characteristic of Tolstoy's later works.
• The book was written in 1889 but published only after Tolstoy's death in 1911, due to its candid content.

Book Review

«The Devil» by Leo Tolstoy is a profound psychological work that explores the theme of human passions and moral conflicts. The main character, Yevgeny Irtenyev, faces an internal struggle between duty and passion, leading to tragic consequences. Critics praise Tolstoy's skill in depicting psychological states and his ability to convey complex moral dilemmas. The work is also seen as a critique of social norms and institutions that can suppress personal desires and lead to internal conflicts. Overall, «The Devil» is considered an important contribution to Russian literature and demonstrates a deep understanding of human nature.