A short analytical response to Master and Man by Leo Tolstoy - Essay Example

A short analytical response to “Master and Man” by Leo Tolstoy The main Characters in the story are Vasili Andreevich (the Master) and Nikita Stepanych (the man). The story is about a Master, Vasili Andreevich, and a Marxist who considers economic relationships to be the most important basic relationship in the world. He over exaggerates the importance of economic relationship and it shapes all his decisions. This is seen from his desire to buy a certain grove from a neighboring proprietor despite a series of challenges that present in his journey.

With all the risks involved, he does not want to be accompanied by his servant for fear of extra costs he might incur by taking him. This comes out clear when his wife tells him to take Nikita, a laborer with him as he has money (Tolstoy pp 113). It is in the winter season and it is snowing so badly such that road marks are covered by snow. Despite the fact that it is already nightfall and snow it is snowing, nobody will persuade Vasili to stop his journey and rest for the night (Tolstoy pp 135).

The driving force is the money he hopes to make by buying the grove, the thought that he himself might become a millionaire (Tolstoy pp 151). He hopes to make 10 thousand rubles by that one deal (Tolstoy pp 150). The land owner is selling it at ten rubles which Vasili knows is a third of the real value of the land, yet he still wants to buy it at seven rubles (Tolstoy pp 107). I feel this story is a realistic fiction with many embedded Marxist themes. In my response I emphasized with Nikita who is overworked and underpaid.

Vasili takes him because he values his cheapness and pays Nikita forty rubles instead of the eighty rubles he is worth (Tolstoy pp 109). Nikita wants to buy a horse for his son and he knows that in the market, it will cost seven rubles but if he takes it from Vasili, he will be charged twenty five rumbles (Tolstoy pp 118). Still, Vasili feels like a benefactor to all those who depend on him for money. Worse still, in pursuit of profit, Vasili nearly drives Nikita to his death. Vasili comes out as a Marxist when he regards his wife’s advice to take Nikita with him as stupidity (Tolstoy pp 153).

Marxists do not usually appreciate the role and position of women in the society. This is mainly because of focus and emphasis on the importance of economic and work relationships. My favorite part of the story was when Vasili and Nikita, after driving through the snow come to a village and at the end house of the village; they find some frozen clothes hanging on the line. Nikita on observing the flattering clothes makes the following remarks “There now, either a lazy woman or a dead one has not taken down her clothes before the holiday” (Tolstoy pp 123)Conclusion This is a realistic fictional story by Leo Tolstoy.

We get insights into the importance of valuing other relationship with family, friends and such as opposed to over emphasizing economic relationship. Regardless of our social or financial standing in the society, we need to listen and respect advice and opinion from others. Had Vasili listened to the elderly man when he was asked to stay the night, he would not have met his untimely death from freezing to death. Staying in touch with nature and being patient keeps Nikita going through all the challenges (Tolstoy pp 157).

Nikita is a very kind hearted man with a kind word for everyone (Tolstoy pp 115). He is kind even to animals and treats them respect as if they are human. He humbly will obey his master’s instruction even when he doesn’t see the wisdom in them. Humble Nikita, with his worn out coat survives the cold snowy night and outlives his master Vasili with his two warm fur coats. Clearly, good will always triumph over evil. Work CitedTolstoy L. “Master and Man”. 1895.