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نور يسطع فى الظلام
Leo Tolstoy had a profound influence on people through out the Western world. Leo Tolstoy was a Russian novelist, essayist, dramatist and philosopher. Tolstoy was a member of the aristocratic Tolstoy family. He was known as an educational reformer, pacifist and Christian anarchist. His masterpiece War and Peace made him one of the world's greatest novelists. His ability to depict life in 19th century Russia made him a leader in realist fiction. Tolstoy's stand on nonviolent resistance influenced twentieth century people such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ghandi. The Light Shines in Darkness is a semi-autobiographical play dealing with the conflict of a man whose Christianity is in conflict with those around him especially is wife who wants to live by the rules of the secular world.
181 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1890
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About the author
Leo Tolstoy
7,941 books28.4k followersLev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (Russian: Лев Николаевич Толстой; most appropriately used Liev Tolstoy; commonly Leo Tolstoy in Anglophone countries) was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist fiction. Many consider Tolstoy to have been one of the world's greatest novelists. Tolstoy is equally known for his complicated and paradoxical persona and for his extreme moralistic and ascetic views, which he adopted after a moral crisis and spiritual awakening in the 1870s, after which he also became noted as a moral thinker and social reformer.
His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
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July 14, 2018
بعد از پایان این کتاب چه می توانستم کنم جز اینکه نفس عمیقی بکشم و بعد ازچند لحظه مکث، تمام آنچه را که در این دو نمایشنامه گذشته بود ، چند بار، با خود مرور کنم ... و فکر کنم به نیکلای ایوانویچ، باریس، کشیش متزلزل، ماریا ایوانونا، حتی به پتر خباز...و ... و.......به آن جمله تکان دهنده و حتی هولناکی که نیکلای در پایان، بعد از آن همه ماجرا، دردمندانه با خود زمزمه می کند که نه فقط پرسش او که شاید همه ما (دست کم در برهه ای از حیاتمان) باشد و شاید یکی از دغدغه های همیشه بشریت ، پرسشی بزرگ که گویی، پاسخ روشنی برایش نمی توان یافت، یک پایان باز ابدی... و به راستی چه کسی میتوانست هم چون تولستوی این سرگشتگی را چنین شفاف و حقیقی برای همیشه، از ذهن به کاغذ ، پیوند بزند؟
به نظرم تولستوی در این اثر، به شدت خودش را فریاد می زند، آن خودی که از حوالی پنجاه سالگی تدریجا دچارش شد، همانی که در " اعتراف " می گوید و بعد، آن بی قراری می شود نخ تسبیح ِآثاری مثل مرگ ایوان ایلیچ، پدر سرگئی، نوری در تاریکی می درخشد ، پتر خباز و ...که این کتاب به نظرم یک سر و گردن از آن قبلی ها بالاتر هم بود ،همه این آثار یک فصل مشترک دارند که تولستوی، به زیبایی برای خواننده ( یا شاید برای خودش) ترسیم می کند، نویسنده گرانقدر و بزرگی که از جایی به بعد، مرغ بی تابی شد گرفتار، در قفس پیرامونش و به دنبال راهی برای پرواز
راستش دیشب بعد از خواندن کتاب، فکر کردم چه ترسناک است اگر روزی انسان، همان جمله ای را با خودش بگوید و همان پرسشی را از خود بپرسد که نیکلای ایوانویچ در انتها از خود پرسید...
هیچ یک از دو نمایشنامه، سرانجام مشخص و صریحی ندارند، به نظرم "سه نقطه بی رنگ " میتواند گویای پایان باشد ، سه نقطه ای که شاید برای هر
یک از ما متفاوت معنی شود ، هرچه که بود به هرحال این کتاب را خیلی دوست داشتم و اصلا مگر می شود تولستوی و قلمش را دوست نداشت؟
از ترجمه هم نگفته نگذرم که به گمانم بسیار خوب و گویا و روان بود ولذت خواندن این اثر را دو چندان نمود
تمام
به نظرم تولستوی در این اثر، به شدت خودش را فریاد می زند، آن خودی که از حوالی پنجاه سالگی تدریجا دچارش شد، همانی که در " اعتراف " می گوید و بعد، آن بی قراری می شود نخ تسبیح ِآثاری مثل مرگ ایوان ایلیچ، پدر سرگئی، نوری در تاریکی می درخشد ، پتر خباز و ...که این کتاب به نظرم یک سر و گردن از آن قبلی ها بالاتر هم بود ،همه این آثار یک فصل مشترک دارند که تولستوی، به زیبایی برای خواننده ( یا شاید برای خودش) ترسیم می کند، نویسنده گرانقدر و بزرگی که از جایی به بعد، مرغ بی تابی شد گرفتار، در قفس پیرامونش و به دنبال راهی برای پرواز
راستش دیشب بعد از خواندن کتاب، فکر کردم چه ترسناک است اگر روزی انسان، همان جمله ای را با خودش بگوید و همان پرسشی را از خود بپرسد که نیکلای ایوانویچ در انتها از خود پرسید...
هیچ یک از دو نمایشنامه، سرانجام مشخص و صریحی ندارند، به نظرم "سه نقطه بی رنگ " میتواند گویای پایان باشد ، سه نقطه ای که شاید برای هر
یک از ما متفاوت معنی شود ، هرچه که بود به هرحال این کتاب را خیلی دوست داشتم و اصلا مگر می شود تولستوی و قلمش را دوست نداشت؟
از ترجمه هم نگفته نگذرم که به گمانم بسیار خوب و گویا و روان بود ولذت خواندن این اثر را دو چندان نمود
تمام
July 14, 2018
اولين نمايشنامه از تولستوی بود که خواندم و آدم رو به فکر می بره آیا کار نیکلای درسته یا نه؟ چطور آدم با فقر و رنج دیگران زندگی کنه و زندگی خانوادگی چی میشه؟ حتی اگر به دیگران هم ظلم نکرد و پول با تلاش و زحمت خودت بدست بیاد، آیا اخلاقی است که به فقرا فکر نکرد؟ واقعا چطور میشه با وجود ظلم و فقر دیگران راحت زندگی کرد که وجدان آدم راضی باشه؟
......
اگه قید همه چیو بزنه، پس چجوری زندگی کنه
...
دلیل نمیشه هر چیزی چون خوب و پسندیده است، وجود داشته باشه.
....
یه بار بیشتر زندگی نمی کنیم، یا درست زندگی می کنیم یا نابودش می کنیم.
...
می تونی یکی از این دو کار رو بکنی:
یا به حقیقت ایمان بیاوری و فارغ البال از من پیروی کنی، یا به من اعتقاد پیدا کنی و خودت را به من بسپاری و با اطمینان از من پیروی کنی.
....
برای پیدا کردن راه حل مشکلات عمومی نباید منتظر کسی بود. هر کدام از ما امروز یا فردا می میریم. من چطور می تونم زندگی کنم و از آشفتگی روحی رنج نبرم؟
.....
فقط کافیه اون عینکو که باهاش به زندگی مردم نگاه می کنیم در بیاریم و بفهمیم شادی و خوشحالی مون چه رابطه ای با رنج اونا داره.
....
ما همه مردمو غارت کردیم، زمین هاشونو دزدیدم، بعد قانون وضع کردیم که نباید دزدید.
...
دکتر :لازمه در مقابل دشمن ها از وطن دفاع کرد، باید اونو از شر متجاوز ها حفظ کرد؟
باریس : به وطن کسی کاری نداره، متجاوز ها بیشتر تو حکومت ان تا توی مردمی که حکومت بهشون زور می گه.
......
اگه قید همه چیو بزنه، پس چجوری زندگی کنه
...
دلیل نمیشه هر چیزی چون خوب و پسندیده است، وجود داشته باشه.
....
یه بار بیشتر زندگی نمی کنیم، یا درست زندگی می کنیم یا نابودش می کنیم.
...
می تونی یکی از این دو کار رو بکنی:
یا به حقیقت ایمان بیاوری و فارغ البال از من پیروی کنی، یا به من اعتقاد پیدا کنی و خودت را به من بسپاری و با اطمینان از من پیروی کنی.
....
برای پیدا کردن راه حل مشکلات عمومی نباید منتظر کسی بود. هر کدام از ما امروز یا فردا می میریم. من چطور می تونم زندگی کنم و از آشفتگی روحی رنج نبرم؟
.....
فقط کافیه اون عینکو که باهاش به زندگی مردم نگاه می کنیم در بیاریم و بفهمیم شادی و خوشحالی مون چه رابطه ای با رنج اونا داره.
....
ما همه مردمو غارت کردیم، زمین هاشونو دزدیدم، بعد قانون وضع کردیم که نباید دزدید.
...
دکتر :لازمه در مقابل دشمن ها از وطن دفاع کرد، باید اونو از شر متجاوز ها حفظ کرد؟
باریس : به وطن کسی کاری نداره، متجاوز ها بیشتر تو حکومت ان تا توی مردمی که حکومت بهشون زور می گه.
September 3, 2016
أجمل ما نقرأه عادة، يأتي دون تخطيط مسبق منّا..
مجددًا، تمتدّ يدي لتلقط الكتاب المناسب لما أعيشه فكريًّا بشكل مذهل!
"الضوء يسطع في الظلام".. مسرحية.. لكنها ليست أقلّ عظمة من كتاب الجبران"انقلاب المعبد" ولا "دين الفطرة" لروسو!
ولست أراها إلا أشعة نور تخرج من مشكاة واحدة!
لكنّ الفرق أننا نقرأ الأفكار مجسدة بشخصيات مع تولستوي.. شخصيات تُمتحَنْ وترى الحقيقة وتضعف وتوضع في مفترق طرق صعب.. ما بين رؤية النور الساطع في الظلام، أو إغماض العينين كما الجميع!
"إني كنت أعمى فيما سبق -تمامًا كأهل بيتي- أما الآن فقد أبصرت ولم أعد أستطيع عدم الرؤية!"
نيقولاي ايفانفتش، وحواراته مع زوجته المحتارة "بضلالته" خارج سرب الكنيسة..
عظمة تولستوي ليست فقط في الأفكار وطريقة صياغتها في الحوارات..
بل هي عبقريته في النطق بكلمات "إنسانية" جدا، ردات فعل طبيعية وبشرية..
عندما تتكلم ماريا تشعر حقّا أنها أنثى!
أنثى تخاف وتحتاج الطمأنينة والهدوء والاستقرار دون هذه الترهات الفكرية!
هي لا تأبه بالكنيسة وكفره بها، بل تريد أن تستمر حياتها مستقرة مترفة تؤمن احتياجاتها وأسرتها فقط!
الطريقة العاطفية التي كانت تتكلم بها ماريا، ردود نيقولاي المقتضبة الفكريّة عليها؛ ذكراني فعلا بما ورد في كتاب "الرجال من المريخ والنساء من الزهرة"، لا تخفى دلالة هذا الأمر على عبقرية تولستوي الإنسانية!
"وذات مرة صام في الدير، عقب الصيام مباشرة قرر أنه ما من حاجة إلى الصيام، وما من ضرورة للذهاب إلى الكنيسة"
" لا يمكن للمرأ أن يعيش دون إيمان، لكن لا ينبغي الإيمان بما يقوله الآخرون لي، بل من الضروري أن يكون الإيمان مما توصل إليه المرء ذاته بعقله هو، ينبغي الإيمان بالرب والحياة الأبدية.."
"لم عليّ أن أصدقك أنت أكثر من اللاما البوذيّ، ألا لشيء إلا ﻷني ولدت على دينك هذا؟"
الحديث الداخليّ والنقاشات الفكرية الطويلة تحتّل النصيب الأكبر من المسرحية ذات الفصول الأربعة.. من الواضح جدا أن التركيز لم يكن على الأحداث وتلاحقها.. لكن المهم ما تثيره هذه الرائعة في نفسك من أسئلة وما تطرحه من أفكار..
لذا كان من الطبيعي أن تنتهي دون حلّ لعقد الأمور وتصعيداتها، ومن الطبيعي أكثر أن تنتهي بتساؤل نيقولاي:
"هل أنا في ضلال، هل ضللت في أنني أؤمن بك يا ربي؟ لا.. ياربّ.. أعنّي"
حتى وإن كنت ممّن لا يجدون وقتًا للكتب الأدبية بين رفوف كتبك الفكرية والعلمية..
أنصحك بها، وبشدّة!
النجمة الناقصة في التقييم بسبب الترجمة ت
------------
رابط مراجعتي في جريدة عنب بلدي:
http://www.enabbaladi.net/archives/18066
مجددًا، تمتدّ يدي لتلقط الكتاب المناسب لما أعيشه فكريًّا بشكل مذهل!
"الضوء يسطع في الظلام".. مسرحية.. لكنها ليست أقلّ عظمة من كتاب الجبران"انقلاب المعبد" ولا "دين الفطرة" لروسو!
ولست أراها إلا أشعة نور تخرج من مشكاة واحدة!
لكنّ الفرق أننا نقرأ الأفكار مجسدة بشخصيات مع تولستوي.. شخصيات تُمتحَنْ وترى الحقيقة وتضعف وتوضع في مفترق طرق صعب.. ما بين رؤية النور الساطع في الظلام، أو إغماض العينين كما الجميع!
"إني كنت أعمى فيما سبق -تمامًا كأهل بيتي- أما الآن فقد أبصرت ولم أعد أستطيع عدم الرؤية!"
نيقولاي ايفانفتش، وحواراته مع زوجته المحتارة "بضلالته" خارج سرب الكنيسة..
عظمة تولستوي ليست فقط في الأفكار وطريقة صياغتها في الحوارات..
بل هي عبقريته في النطق بكلمات "إنسانية" جدا، ردات فعل طبيعية وبشرية..
عندما تتكلم ماريا تشعر حقّا أنها أنثى!
أنثى تخاف وتحتاج الطمأنينة والهدوء والاستقرار دون هذه الترهات الفكرية!
هي لا تأبه بالكنيسة وكفره بها، بل تريد أن تستمر حياتها مستقرة مترفة تؤمن احتياجاتها وأسرتها فقط!
الطريقة العاطفية التي كانت تتكلم بها ماريا، ردود نيقولاي المقتضبة الفكريّة عليها؛ ذكراني فعلا بما ورد في كتاب "الرجال من المريخ والنساء من الزهرة"، لا تخفى دلالة هذا الأمر على عبقرية تولستوي الإنسانية!
"وذات مرة صام في الدير، عقب الصيام مباشرة قرر أنه ما من حاجة إلى الصيام، وما من ضرورة للذهاب إلى الكنيسة"
" لا يمكن للمرأ أن يعيش دون إيمان، لكن لا ينبغي الإيمان بما يقوله الآخرون لي، بل من الضروري أن يكون الإيمان مما توصل إليه المرء ذاته بعقله هو، ينبغي الإيمان بالرب والحياة الأبدية.."
"لم عليّ أن أصدقك أنت أكثر من اللاما البوذيّ، ألا لشيء إلا ﻷني ولدت على دينك هذا؟"
الحديث الداخليّ والنقاشات الفكرية الطويلة تحتّل النصيب الأكبر من المسرحية ذات الفصول الأربعة.. من الواضح جدا أن التركيز لم يكن على الأحداث وتلاحقها.. لكن المهم ما تثيره هذه الرائعة في نفسك من أسئلة وما تطرحه من أفكار..
لذا كان من الطبيعي أن تنتهي دون حلّ لعقد الأمور وتصعيداتها، ومن الطبيعي أكثر أن تنتهي بتساؤل نيقولاي:
"هل أنا في ضلال، هل ضللت في أنني أؤمن بك يا ربي؟ لا.. ياربّ.. أعنّي"
حتى وإن كنت ممّن لا يجدون وقتًا للكتب الأدبية بين رفوف كتبك الفكرية والعلمية..
أنصحك بها، وبشدّة!
النجمة الناقصة في التقييم بسبب الترجمة ت
------------
رابط مراجعتي في جريدة عنب بلدي:
http://www.enabbaladi.net/archives/18066
November 3, 2022
Tolstoy explores private and public tensions that arise around his late beliefs. Sadly, it’s unfinished.
November 8, 2023
Sehr interessante Kirchen/Gesellschaftskritik.
Kritisiert wird, wie inkompatibel das Verhalten der Kirche eigentlich mit christlichen Werten ist.
Das Buch beschriebt, wie ein Mann hoffnungslos daran verzweifelt seinem moralischen (christlichen) Kompass zu folgen.
Außerdem nichtmal hundert Seiten lang. Kann man sich mal gut geben :)
Kritisiert wird, wie inkompatibel das Verhalten der Kirche eigentlich mit christlichen Werten ist.
Das Buch beschriebt, wie ein Mann hoffnungslos daran verzweifelt seinem moralischen (christlichen) Kompass zu folgen.
Außerdem nichtmal hundert Seiten lang. Kann man sich mal gut geben :)
July 15, 2022
4,25 stars - English Ebook
Review follows later
Review follows later
January 20, 2018
"But how is one to live, if one give everything away?"
"Each one of us has to save his own soul, and has to do God's work himself, but instead of that we busy ourselves saving other people and teaching them. And what do we teach them? We teach them now, at the end of the nineteenth century, that God created the world in six days, then caused a flood, and put all the animals in an ark, and all the rest of the horrors and nonsense of the Old Testament. And then that Christ ordered everyone to be baptized with water; and we make them believe in all the absurdity and meanness of an Atonement essential to salvation; and then that he rose up into the heavens which do not really exist, and there sat down at the right hand of the Father. We have got used to all this, but really it is dreadful! A child, fresh and ready to receive all that is good and true, asks us what the world is, and what its laws are; and we, instead of revealing to him the teaching of love and truth that has been given to us, carefully ram into his head all sorts of horrible absurdities and meannesses, ascribing them all to God."
"We can't do without faith. Not, however, faith in what other people tell us, but faith in what we arrive at ourselves, by our own thought, our own reason … faith in God, and in true and everlasting life."
I happened to discover this play in my vast e-library of Tolstoy. To begin with, it's a tale of a guy called Nicholas Ivánovich who has read the gospels and has his own interpretations of it. About how he tries to follow his interpretations and behave accordingly, sacrificing his entire private property and living for the poor. And how it ruins his family and the people who love him. The play seems like an an allegorical take on religion, communism, capitalism, Christianity and even spirituality. The most interesting thing about this book is that it can be interpreted in so many ways! Like some people might end up sympathizing with Nicholas while some may detest him for his spiritual pride and balderdash. It's very beautifully written play which unfortunately Tolstoy couldn't finish off. I so want the Tolstoy to come back from the dead just to finish this off!
Overall, it's a wonderful book and a must-read for Tolstoy fans!
"Each one of us has to save his own soul, and has to do God's work himself, but instead of that we busy ourselves saving other people and teaching them. And what do we teach them? We teach them now, at the end of the nineteenth century, that God created the world in six days, then caused a flood, and put all the animals in an ark, and all the rest of the horrors and nonsense of the Old Testament. And then that Christ ordered everyone to be baptized with water; and we make them believe in all the absurdity and meanness of an Atonement essential to salvation; and then that he rose up into the heavens which do not really exist, and there sat down at the right hand of the Father. We have got used to all this, but really it is dreadful! A child, fresh and ready to receive all that is good and true, asks us what the world is, and what its laws are; and we, instead of revealing to him the teaching of love and truth that has been given to us, carefully ram into his head all sorts of horrible absurdities and meannesses, ascribing them all to God."
"We can't do without faith. Not, however, faith in what other people tell us, but faith in what we arrive at ourselves, by our own thought, our own reason … faith in God, and in true and everlasting life."
I happened to discover this play in my vast e-library of Tolstoy. To begin with, it's a tale of a guy called Nicholas Ivánovich who has read the gospels and has his own interpretations of it. About how he tries to follow his interpretations and behave accordingly, sacrificing his entire private property and living for the poor. And how it ruins his family and the people who love him. The play seems like an an allegorical take on religion, communism, capitalism, Christianity and even spirituality. The most interesting thing about this book is that it can be interpreted in so many ways! Like some people might end up sympathizing with Nicholas while some may detest him for his spiritual pride and balderdash. It's very beautifully written play which unfortunately Tolstoy couldn't finish off. I so want the Tolstoy to come back from the dead just to finish this off!
Overall, it's a wonderful book and a must-read for Tolstoy fans!
September 4, 2013
What might happen to you if you chose to practice the teachings of Jesus given in the Sermon on the Mount? More particularly, what might happen to you if you began to apply the teachings from:
Matthew 5:3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 23, 33-37
Matthew 6:19-21, 24
Matthew 7;12, 24
What about another perspective? How would you react if a close friend or relative chose to literally apply the Parable of the Rich Young Ruler to his or her own life?
For those that ponder these questions and possibilities and wonder what it means to follow Jesus, I recommend this little book by Tolstoy. It will definitely stir the waters.
The story is written as a play, and as such, is an easy and quick read. The main character is wealthy estate owner, Nicholas Ivanovich. Nicholas begins to question the tame teachings of the Orthodox Church and begins to follow Jesus regardless of the cost. What follows is a discussion with wife, family, friends, and church leaders who think Nicholas has gone off the deep end.
As with a parable, this story invites participation. If you read it, look for your own behavior - good or bad - in the characters of the story. Then read the Gospels and begin asking the question, what does it mean to follow Jesus?
On a side note - the Amazon page for this book claims this is a semi-autobiographical story of Tolstoy's own life. Also describes Tolstoy as an educational reformer, pacifist, and Christian Anarchist...and interestingly the book remains unfinished and was banned in Russia back in the day...
Matthew 5:3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 23, 33-37
Matthew 6:19-21, 24
Matthew 7;12, 24
What about another perspective? How would you react if a close friend or relative chose to literally apply the Parable of the Rich Young Ruler to his or her own life?
For those that ponder these questions and possibilities and wonder what it means to follow Jesus, I recommend this little book by Tolstoy. It will definitely stir the waters.
The story is written as a play, and as such, is an easy and quick read. The main character is wealthy estate owner, Nicholas Ivanovich. Nicholas begins to question the tame teachings of the Orthodox Church and begins to follow Jesus regardless of the cost. What follows is a discussion with wife, family, friends, and church leaders who think Nicholas has gone off the deep end.
As with a parable, this story invites participation. If you read it, look for your own behavior - good or bad - in the characters of the story. Then read the Gospels and begin asking the question, what does it mean to follow Jesus?
On a side note - the Amazon page for this book claims this is a semi-autobiographical story of Tolstoy's own life. Also describes Tolstoy as an educational reformer, pacifist, and Christian Anarchist...and interestingly the book remains unfinished and was banned in Russia back in the day...
July 28, 2011
I wish that Tolstoy had finished the 5th act according to the notes he left on it. I really felt myself sympathizing with Nicholas Ivanovich. I wanted his family to support him more, but it really shows the power that materialism holds on everyone.
December 11, 2023
A surprisingly thought-provoking play. Wish he would have had a chance to finish it, because I'm curious what the ending would have been.
January 24, 2025
Gibt halt kein Ende, aber stabiler Atze
October 12, 2025
Honestly, I didn't like this. I had thought to read something by Tolstoy so started with this since it was short. I didn't mind that it was a play, I've read plays before and they were fine. I just hated the main character and his constant quest to give away his property and live a life of poverty like everyone around him. Fine, do that, but don't expect your family to go along with it! And yet he did....
I was advised by a friend to start with Anna Karenina, but I had this partially read already. Probably enough Tolstoy for my life!
Not my cup of tea.
I was advised by a friend to start with Anna Karenina, but I had this partially read already. Probably enough Tolstoy for my life!
Not my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2018
"You need only take off the spectacles through which we are accustomed to look at the life of the people, to realise at once the connection between their sufferings and our pleasures"
This is such an amazing play by Leo Tolstoy where the protagonist Nicholas reads about Christianity, the gospels and suddenly it changes him and the way he looks at life and the religion that is followed by the people, the church and the society. He cannot accept the lies that are being told in the name of religion while the acts completely contradict the will of God as the gospels tell.
The play can be interpreted in a lot of ways, one can sympathise with the protagonist or with family and sometimes with both. This also sheds a light on the fact of what materialistic life we lead and are so trapped inside it that we become oblivious to so many things.
I don't have much idea about Christianity and what are the gospels but this somewhere holds true for the entire society, all religions, the government and the entire system we have created.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and only wish Leo Tolstoy could have completed it,so that it could have given more clarity on the end which the remaining few notes don't really do justice to.
This is such an amazing play by Leo Tolstoy where the protagonist Nicholas reads about Christianity, the gospels and suddenly it changes him and the way he looks at life and the religion that is followed by the people, the church and the society. He cannot accept the lies that are being told in the name of religion while the acts completely contradict the will of God as the gospels tell.
The play can be interpreted in a lot of ways, one can sympathise with the protagonist or with family and sometimes with both. This also sheds a light on the fact of what materialistic life we lead and are so trapped inside it that we become oblivious to so many things.
I don't have much idea about Christianity and what are the gospels but this somewhere holds true for the entire society, all religions, the government and the entire system we have created.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and only wish Leo Tolstoy could have completed it,so that it could have given more clarity on the end which the remaining few notes don't really do justice to.
December 8, 2010
After reading this, I can only regret that I didn't read this when I was in college. The story can be interpreted in so many ways and be seen as a sort of allegory for a variety of things ranging from communism to capitalism or even Buddhism. This would have been so fun to write a paper on.
December 18, 2013
Good lessons learned
Though the ending is based on Tolstoy's notes, I found it interesting seeing his thought processes, it was still fulfilling. I left the book with a new outlook in life and valuable lessons learned.
Though the ending is based on Tolstoy's notes, I found it interesting seeing his thought processes, it was still fulfilling. I left the book with a new outlook in life and valuable lessons learned.
June 25, 2013
Would love to see this acted out...wish he would have finished it. Very much enjoyed this; easy read.
December 8, 2017
Gutenberg to the rescue.
March 2, 2015
Disappointed that he didn't finish writing the last act. But in all I enjoyed his writing and this is a thought provoking play.
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