Abstract: Tolstoy, After the Ball. First-person story

Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy is a recognized classic in all over the world of Russian literature. "Our Everything" in literary prose: a writer, thinker, philosopher, founder of the religious and moral trend "Tolstoyanie", who gathered many followers in Russia and beyond. Leo Tolstoy for his long life wrote not so much by today's standards: several novels (though quite voluminous), several novels, many stories and essays. All together was included in 90 volumes of the "Complete Works of Works". Among other things, the story "After the Ball" was written, which will be discussed later.

Abstract: Tolstoy, After the Ball. Introduction

The story begins with how in one of the living rooms a dispute arose, the subject of which was the question: can a man distinguish between good and bad without being attached to a particular environment? An opinion was expressed that it is the environment that determines the evaluation criteria. One of the guests, Ivan Vasilievich, an elderly, respected by all the people, expressed the opinion that everything is decided by chance, and he offered to prove it on the example of an episode from his life.

Abstract: Tolstoy, After the Ball. At the ball

The events described took place in the forties of the nineteenth century. At that time the narrator was young and in love with Colonel's daughter Varenka - a real beauty who, despite her general admiration, remained a sweet and affable girl capable of awakening the most radiant feelings.

The young man was handsome, rich, in love and happy. He danced with his beloved mazurka, and the feelings were so overwhelming that he was ready to embrace the whole world. At the height of the ball, Varenkin appeared father - a tall, elderly man, with military bearing and the same as his daughter, a sweet smile on his lips. At the request of the hostess, the father and daughter performed a solo dance. They danced, and the wave that overwhelmed the young lover in relation to her daughter, covered the father, and now the youth already unites them for themselves into a single whole and loves both. The old-fashioned boots of the colonel with square noses and without heels seemed particularly touching to him. The young man understands that in order to ensure the departure of his daughter to the light at the proper level, the old soldier has to save himself.

Abstract: Tolstoy, After the Ball. Through the formation

After the ball ended, the young man returned to his home, but could not fall asleep. Legs themselves carried it to where on the edge of the field stands Varenka's house. Approaching, the young man hears sharp piercing music and sees the formation of soldiers, through which they conduct a half-naked man, tied to two rifles of officers. They explain to him that this Tatar is driven through the system in punishment for escape. The unfortunate was led between the soldiers, and each struck him with a stick on his bare back. He repeated: "Brothers, be merciful" - fell, but he was raised and invariably led on. Next to the host of the punishment was a tall military commander, in which the narrator recognized his beloved father, who had danced so splendidly at a ball a few hours ago. The old man watched all the soldiers observe the force of the blow, and when one of them hit hard enough, whipped the poor fellow with gloves on his face. The young man could no longer bear this sight and went home, carrying away in his soul a terrible, heavy melancholy.

Abstract: Tolstoy, After the Ball. Conclusion

This case so strongly influenced the impressionable young man that he abandoned his plans for entering the military service. The heavy scene of the "run" obscured the impressions of the ball. The young man could not separate the image of the cruel warlord from that of the good father of the family, although he tried to justify it in his own eyes. Soon, disgust for his father grew into a chill to his daughter, and in the end, love came to naught.

This is the summary of "After the Ball" by Tolstoy Leo Nikolayevich. The story is really small, but the scenes described in it literally stand in front of the eyes. Therefore, if you see the title "Tolstoy. "After the ball". Summary ", do not just read it. Take the collected works and read the story in the form that the author created.