What Men Live By

Summary

In the book «What Men Live By», Leo Tolstoy tells the story of a shoemaker named Simon, who one day finds a freezing man named Michael on the street. Despite his poverty, Simon decides to help Michael and brings him home. Michael turns out to be an angel who was punished by God for disobedience and sent to earth to learn three truths: what is in man, what is not in man, and what men live by. While working with Simon, Michael observes people and their actions, gradually understanding that love is in man, knowledge of the future is not, and men live by love. At the end of the story, Michael returns to heaven, having realized these truths.

Main Ideas

• Love and compassion as the foundation of human life
• The divine nature of man and his purpose
• The importance of helping and supporting others
• Understanding the true meaning of life through serving others
• Humility and acceptance of one's fate
• The connection between the spiritual and material worlds
• Overcoming selfishness and pride through love for others

Historical Context and Significance

Leo Tolstoy's story «What Men Live By» was written in 1885 and is part of a cycle of works created during his period of spiritual exploration and focus on religious and moral themes. In this work, Tolstoy explores questions of human nature, compassion, and love, addressing simple yet profound truths about life and human relationships. The story has a significant cultural impact as it emphasizes the importance of moral values and human kindness, making it relevant even in the modern world. Tolstoy uses a simple yet expressive parable form to convey his philosophical ideas to the reader, making the work accessible and understandable to a wide audience. «What Men Live By» continues to inspire readers to reflect on the meaning of life and true values, remaining an important part of the world literary tradition.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Simon — a shoemaker, a kind and hardworking man who shows compassion and mercy by taking in the stranger Michael. Throughout the narrative, Simon learns that true wealth lies in love and kindness.
• Matrena — Simon's wife, initially skeptical about Michael's presence in their home, but later she also shows compassion and care, realizing the importance of mercy and love.
• Michael — an angel sent to earth to learn what drives people. At the beginning of the story, he appears as homeless and helpless, but as the plot unfolds, he discovers that people live by love and returns to heaven, having fulfilled his mission.

Style and Technique

Leo Tolstoy's story «What Men Live By» is written in the author's characteristic style, combining simplicity and depth. The language of the work is clear and accessible, allowing the reader to grasp important moral and philosophical ideas. Tolstoy uses simple yet expressive imagery to highlight the main themes of the story, such as compassion, love, and humanity. The structure of the story is linear and sequential, facilitating easy comprehension of the plot. Literary devices such as symbolism and allegory help reveal the inner world of the characters and their spiritual transformation. Tolstoy masterfully uses dialogues and descriptions to create atmosphere and convey the emotional state of the characters. The story also contains elements of a parable, giving it universality and timeless relevance.

Interesting Facts

• The book «What Men Live By» is one of Leo Tolstoy's most famous and popular parables, in which the author explores themes of love, compassion, and human nature.
• The work was written in 1885 and is part of the cycle «Circle of Reading», which Tolstoy created for the moral and spiritual education of readers.
• The main character of the story is a shoemaker named Simon, who finds a freezing man on the street and decides to help him despite his own hardships.
• Tolstoy uses biblical motifs and allegories in the book to convey important moral lessons about the true strength of man lying in love and kindness.
• The book raises the question of what drives people in their actions and answers it through simple yet profound life situations experienced by the characters.
• The work has been translated into many languages and continues to be relevant and sought after by readers worldwide.

Book Review

Leo Tolstoy's book «What Men Live By» is a profound philosophical reflection on human nature and purpose. At the center of the plot is the story of the angel Michael, who, finding himself on earth, must understand three important truths about human life. Tolstoy masterfully uses simple and understandable imagery to convey complex moral and ethical questions to the reader. Critics note that the work is imbued with humanism and faith in the good inherent in every person. Tolstoy shows that true happiness and the meaning of life lie in love and compassion for others. This book, like many of Tolstoy's works, prompts reflection on eternal values and the human soul. Critics also emphasize that «What Men Live By» is not only a religious parable but also a universal story relevant to any time and society.