Thoughts on Tolstoy: A Confession
Summary: Thesis: Tolstoy argues that all life is leading to death and without faith in God life has no meaning.
Summary: The first part of Leo Tolstoy’s A Confession focuses on the telling of an old, Eastern fable. The fable describes a man retreating and trying to find refuge from a certain beast. He finds a dry well, and thinking the well will protect him, he climbs inside. At the bottom of the well there is another type of beast, a dragon. Not wanting to fall to his death, being killed by the dragon, the man grabs hold of a twig growing in the well. He is holding on to this twig for dear life, not wanting to come to his demise from the beasts outside or inside of the well. Finally, he spots two mice that …show more content…
Tolstoy states that ignorance, “consists in not knowing, not understanding, that life is an evil and an absurdity” (Tolstoy). He says that mainly women and young children are subject to the category of ignorance. He views these groups of people as not being capable of pondering ideas as complex as the meaning of life. They take pleasure in licking the honey and live life in a state of ignorant bliss. But Tolstoy also states that people can only stay in a state of ignorance for so long, “something will turn their attention to the dragon and the ice, and there will be an end to they're licking” …show more content…
And although he agrees with Kant, that it is reasonable the existence of any deity cannot be proven, he still hopes to find God. In the end of the piece, Tolstoy comes to find God. He realizes that a life seeking for God will lead him to God. He says, “Live seeking God, and you will not live without God” (Tolstoy).
Critical Engagement: Thesis: Tolstoy crafts a relatable narrative that provides contributions to people who have doubt about God, however his lack of internal coherence make his argument less
Summary: Thesis: Tolstoy argues that all life is leading to death and without faith in God life has no meaning.
Summary: The first part of Leo Tolstoy’s A Confession focuses on the telling of an old, Eastern fable. The fable describes a man retreating and trying to find refuge from a certain beast. He finds a dry well, and thinking the well will protect him, he climbs inside. At the bottom of the well there is another type of beast, a dragon. Not wanting to fall to his death, being killed by the dragon, the man grabs hold of a twig growing in the well. He is holding on to this twig for dear life, not wanting to come to his demise from the beasts outside or inside of the well. Finally, he spots two mice that …show more content…
Tolstoy states that ignorance, “consists in not knowing, not understanding, that life is an evil and an absurdity” (Tolstoy). He says that mainly women and young children are subject to the category of ignorance. He views these groups of people as not being capable of pondering ideas as complex as the meaning of life. They take pleasure in licking the honey and live life in a state of ignorant bliss. But Tolstoy also states that people can only stay in a state of ignorance for so long, “something will turn their attention to the dragon and the ice, and there will be an end to they're licking” …show more content…
And although he agrees with Kant, that it is reasonable the existence of any deity cannot be proven, he still hopes to find God. In the end of the piece, Tolstoy comes to find God. He realizes that a life seeking for God will lead him to God. He says, “Live seeking God, and you will not live without God” (Tolstoy).
Critical Engagement: Thesis: Tolstoy crafts a relatable narrative that provides contributions to people who have doubt about God, however his lack of internal coherence make his argument less