Lyov Nikolayevich Tolstoy
Born: September 9, 1828 Yasnaya Polyana, Tula Governorate, Russian Empire
Died: November 20, 1910 (aged 82) Astapovo, Ryazan Governorate, Russian Empire
Works such as "War and Peace" or "Anna Karenina" have made Tolstoy the most universal Russian narrator of all time. In his novels, populated with characters meticulously portrayed, he knew how to reflect his longing for changes that would transform education and, consequently, Russian society.
The life of Tolstoy does not have many secrets since he himself left testimony of his biography in three titles: "Childhood", "Adolescence" and "Youth". He was born on September 9, 1828 on an agricultural property owned by his family south of Moscow. At the age of 9, he remains an orphan and goes to live with relatives.
After leaving the studies decides to enlist in the Russian army. Hence the inspiration for his novel "The Cossacks". He participates in several battles -such as the one in Sebastopol- and, although he admires the military spirit, he does not support the idea of war. In fact, in his novels that refusal to battles and any kind of violent confrontation as duels due to love will be reflected.
His ideas about the need for a peaceful change in Russian society and the education of the most disadvantaged classes lead him to found a school for the peasants in their properties. For a time he personally takes care of the education of his day laborers. Then, travel through Europe to learn about similar experiences. In this way, Tolstoy seeks to solve the problems of public education in Russia, where the majority of peasants are illiterate. Tolstoy understood from the beginning that Russia could not make progress without the literacy of the popular classes and, in fact, his novels are a faithful reflection of his will in the change that would lead to an improvement of Russian society (Lenin was among its most faithful readers).
In 1862 he married Sonia Andreyevna Bers, daughter of a good family from Moscow. With her, he will have several children and will live in Yasnaia Polaina, where he will write it´s main novels: "War and Peace" and "Ana Karenina".
At age 82 he decides to escape from home because of the deep disagreements with his wife. Over time, the marriage relationship had become unbearable and, together with his personal doctor, he left without really knowing where he wanted to go. Days after his escape, Tolstoy dies in Ostapovo.
Know some of his literary works:
"War and Peace" is an extensive narrative with more than 500 characters set in the Russia immediately before the Napoleonic invasion. Through the history of several families of the aristocracy, Tolstoy reflects an entire era of Russian society with its successes, miseries and contradictions.
"Anna Karenina" narrates the adulterous passion between Karenina and Captain Vronsky. In parallel, we know the story of Kitty and Levin, two young people whose lives will contrast completely with the first. While Karenina and Vronsky await the drama of love lived outside of social norms, Kitty and Levin will achieve happiness through life in the fields, work and family.
In fact, we see many features of Tolstoy himself in the character of Levin. His esteem for the simple life, in the open air, his rejection of the intelligentsia and sophistication of the city, his desire to improve the life of the peasants and to incorporate rationality into agricultural exploitation, etc.
As in all his work, Tolstoy's characters are perfectly drawn both physically and psychologically. His brilliant mastery of prose allows him to portray with real meticulousness the landscapes of his beloved Russia as well as its people: from the peasants to the most outstanding aristocrats.
After these novels, will write the more moralizing and religious: "Confession", "The death of Ivan Illich" or "Resurrection."
Know all the books of the author
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