Smarr Publishers
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for
Classical Studies
A Student’s Companion to
Selected Stories of
Leo Tolstoy
by Robert W. Watson
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Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 1
Introduction to Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
T
HE three stories that you are about to read are among
the best of the Russian author, Leo Tolstoy. Both a
writer and a philosopher, Tolstoy is best known for his
epic works, War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Later in his life,
Tolstoy experienced a religious conversion, although his doctrine
tends to be somewhat mystic. Hating the Russian social system,
Tolstoy rejected his aristocratic position, donned the clothes of a
peasant, and wrote textbooks for the children of the poor.
The story, “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” is a parable
that explores the consequences with not being content with what
one has. Pahóm learns too late the deceitfulness of “just wanting
a little bit more.” In “The Death of Ivan Ilych,” the reader will be forced to reflect upon the
usefulness of materialism. Ivan lives his entire existence living a sham. Only at the point of
death does Ivan discover the meaning of life.
Finally, “The Kreutzer (kroit“s…r) Sonata” is a spellbinding work that captivates the reader.
The story centers on the role of love and marriage in society. While the first two stories are
philosophical to an extent, “The Kreutzer Sonata” represents much of Tolstoy’s views on
domestic life and the unhappiness that results oftentimes from marriage. As you read this final
story, note the attacks on science and particularly on doctors in particular. Read “The Kreutzer
Sonata” critically and thoughtfully.
Tolstoy writes with force when presenting his philosophy through his characters. The vivid
portrayal of Russian life is second to none and makes Tolstoy one of the great writers of all
times.
ROBERT W. WATSON
2 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
How Much Land Does a Man Need?
Lesson One
1.1 Vocabulary
pique v.
disparage v.
commune n.
arable adj.
1.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Some of the more famous ______________(s) in the United States that experimented with
sharing responsibilities and resources were Brook Farm and New Harmony.
2. I could not believe that Brenda would _____________(d) my idea to sell ice to the Eskimos.
3. My cousin bought a small farm in Indiana where the soil was a dark, rich loam; he stated
that this was the best _____________ land in which to grow crops.
4. When Carmen stated that he just returned from Panama, this really _____________(d) my
curiosity, since I was planning to go to this country on a missionary trip.
1.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 1–14
1.4 Recall Questions
1. What reason does Pahóm’s wife give to her older sister that she would not trade her present
life for her sister’s way of life?
2. According to Pahóm, what was the answer to their poverty?
3. From whom does Pahóm buy forty acres of land?
4. Why does Pahóm begin to fine some of his neighbors?
5. What does a stranger tell Pahóm regarding the land that he came from?
6. After awhile, becoming discontented with renting land from others, what got Pahóm to
change his mind about a piece of land that he was ready to buy?
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 3
7. When Pahóm meets with the Bashkirs, for what reason does he want a deed to the land in
writing?
8. What was the condition for buying as much land as he wanted?
9. At night, Pahóm visualizes that he can walk off how many miles in a day?
10. Of whom does Pahóm dream?
11. When Pahóm reaches his goal, how much land did he actually need?
1.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain how Pahóm does not get the security that he thinks he would by acquiring more
land.
 Explain what Pahóm sacrifices by deciding to become materialistic.
1.6 Bonus Thought

God vs. Materialism: There are only two affections competing for the human heart: the
love of God and the love of money. Both affections cannot exist at the same time. This story
is similar to the parable in Luke 12:16–20. The rich man believes he is secure from want
and decides to build new barns to hold his bounty. Like anyone who tries to be happy with
things, Pahóm fails to find contentment in material possessions. Only God is the proper
source for joy and happiness. Pahóm’s failure is his rejecting God as his protector and
benefactor.
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The Death of Ivan Ilych
Lesson Two
2.1 Vocabulary
conjecture n.
obeisance n.
icon n.
sinecure n.
2.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. The grateful duke showed his ______________________ to the king by kneeling before
him.
2. For the truly lazy, the position of a __________________ where little is required or
expected is perfect for a sluggish disposition.
3. After our wandering around in circles in Rome, Italy, our best ______________ was that we
were lost.
4. Instead of emulating heroes of the past, the current generation of young people bow down to
the _____________ of materialism represented by fashions, movies, and popular music.
2.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 15–28
2.4 Recall Questions
1. Who died on February 4, 1882?
2. After hearing about their comrade’s death, what were the thoughts of the gentlemen in the
private room directed toward?
3. As a duty, what did the men consider “tiresome”?
4. Who interrupts Praskovya Fedorovna and Peter Ivanovich while they were in the drawingroom?
5. According to Praskovya, what were Ivan’s last days like?
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 5
6. What was the purpose for Praskovya’s talking to Peter?
7. What did Ivan consider to be his “duty”?
8. Before Ivan became an examining magistrate, how did he treat people with whom he came
into contact officially?
9. What were the reasons for Ivan marrying Praskovya?
10. As Praskovya becomes more intolerable, how does Ivan escape the tedium of marriage?
2.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain what Tolstoy means when he states, “Ivan Ilych’s life had been most simple and
most ordinary and therefore most terrible.”
 This is a story about being average. Why is being mediocre undesirable? Discuss.
 Is it true that “Youth must have its fling”? Discuss.
2.6 Bonus Thought
 Ivan Ilych. This appellation is a very common name in Russia and is the equivalent to
“John Smith” in English. With this knowledge, how does Tolstoy develop the theme of
“commonness” in chapter 1?
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The Death of Ivan Ilych
Lesson Three
3.1 Vocabulary
dubious adj.
jocularity n.
vivacity n.
adroitness n.
3.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. As we arrived at the birthday party, the _____________ was apparent, because the guests
were laughing and telling jokes.
2. The teacher was _____________ about Daniel’s story that the dog ate his research paper.
3. Bruce’s _____________ is fascinating as the sixth-grader juggled a dozen eggs effortlessly.
4. I could tell immediately that something was amiss with Fran. Normally her ____________
and enthusiasm are overwhelming, but today she appears morose and sad.
3.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 28–40
3.4 Recall Questions
1. Why was 1880 the hardest year in Ivan’s life?
2. How does Ivan injure himself while working on his house?
3. When Ivan and his wife planned a dance at their home, about what did the couple have a
quarrel ?
4. What sort of “ill health” does Ivan begin to experience?
5. What reaction does Ivan’s wife and daughter have when Ivan tells them concerning his
illness?
6. What becomes Ivan’s chief preoccupation after his visit with the doctor?
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 7
3.5 Critical Thinking
 In today’s readings, how does Tolstoy continue the theme of “commonness”?
 Explain how Ivan deals with his illness. Does Ivan overreact, or does he show normal
human concerns?
The Death of Ivan Ilych
Lesson Four
4.1 Vocabulary
morose adj.
wont n.
somnolent adj.
functionary n.
4.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. We imagined that Thomas could sleep anywhere at any time; his ____________________
propensity, no doubt, is the result his lack of exercise.
2. As was my _______________, my customary walk around the block began at seven o’clock
in the evening.
3. After she lost her dog, a pet for eight years, Sally was gloomy and tearful for weeks; a more
______________ child I have never seen.
4. My great-grandfather had a position as a _____________ for the old Penn Central Railroad.
4.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 40–49
4.4 Recall Questions
1. What does the brother-in-law do that tells Ivan that he was very ill?
2. According to Ivan, his sickness was no longer what part of his body was ill but of what
issue?
3. What is Ivan’s reaction to his wife’s kissing him?
8 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
4. What does Ivan mean when he laments, “I lost my life over that curtain as I might have
done when storming a fort”?
5. Regarding his family and friends, what two things torment Ivan more than his pain in his
side?
4.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain how the repetition of It on page 45 is effective to describe Ivan’s suffering.
 Is It symbolic? Discuss.
4.5 Bonus Thought
 Syllogism: The syllogism is the foundation for deductive logic. This kind of logic reasons
from general claims to a specific statement and always has at least two premises. From
these premises, you arrive at a conclusion, which is either true or false. Hence, the
limitation of philosophy is its inability to discover truth. Arguments may be valid, but
whether the conclusions are true or false depend on the truth of the premises. In chapter 6,
Ivan recites a syllogism with two premises: Caius is a man and men are mortal. Therefore,
the conclusion is Caius is mortal. The conclusion is both true and valid. However, as Ivan
learns, logic and reason cannot relieve the burdened soul of its distress. Philosophical
systems are meaningless if they cannot bring comfort in spite of the tragedies of life.
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 9
The Death of Ivan Ilych
Lesson Five
5.1 Vocabulary
auscultation n.
affability n.
subcutaneous adj.
aesthetic adj.
5.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. The painting may be worth a lot of money, but frankly, from a ______________ point of
view, the artwork is ugly.
2. When Sir John was introduced to me, my impression of the kind, elderly gentleman was one
of _________________.
3. Very few people understand the importance of _________________; we all seem to be too
busy thinking about ourselves instead of paying attention to what other people are saying.
4. Do you think the central government will force everyone to receive a ________________
microchip that will contain his personal information on it?
5.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 49–63
5.4 Recall Questions
1. What is Ivan unable to believe in any longer?
2. When Praskovya was preparing to leave for the theatre, why was Ivan vexed with himself?
3. Other than Gerasim, who was the only person did Ivan believed really pitied his condition?
4. Whenever Ivan considered the reason for his suffering was due to his not living right, how
does he dismiss this thought as absurd?
5. According to Ivan, what is the definition of life?
10 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
6. As Ivan begins to fall through a hole, what does he see at the bottom?
7. What does Ivan find in place of death?
5.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain how Ivan’s aloofness affects his family, his official associates, and himself.
 Does Ivan experience Biblical salvation? Discuss.
 Explain how Ivan’s illness is a blessing in that his pain helps him to question his values.
 Can following materialistic values and doing what society expects bring peace and
contentment to anyone? Discuss.
 Explain how Praskovya is a symbol for deception and vanity in life.
 Explain why professional associates and family resent Ivan Ilych during his sickness.
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 11
The Kreutzer Sonata
Lesson Six
6.1 Vocabulary
sedulous adj.
predilection n.
satiation n.
voluptuary n.
6.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Any person who lives his life as a _______________ will come to the end of it feeling
empty and unfulfilled.
2. If given the choice between butter-pecan or chocolate ice cream, my _______________ is
always for the former.
3. Mike had a complete ________________ after his eating a typical nine-course Italian meal.
4. Oftentimes, the best remedy for mental pain is to be ______________ and occupied with
many activities.
6.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 64–79
6.4 Recall Questions
1. According to the lawyer on the train, what was becoming more frequent in both Europe and
Russia?
2. According to the merchant, what comes from education?
3. Regarding a woman not loving her husband, what does the merchant say will evidently
happen?
4. According to the lady, what is the only thing that can hallow a “genuine” marriage?
5. In what way does the gray-hair, lonely man question the definition of love as offered by the
lady?
12 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
6. What was Pozdnischeff guilty of doing?
7. In that Pozdnischeff “lived like everybody else—that is to say, not morally,” why does he
say he lived this way?
8. According to Pozdnischeff, what is the definition of a “right good fellow”?
9. Whom does Pozdnischeff blame for society’s low morals?
10. What ideal did Pozdnischeff hold to for nearly thirty years?
11. According to Pozdnischeff, how was he trapped into proposing to his wife?
6.5 Critical Thinking
 Does the lady beg the question when she states that only love can hallow a “genuine”
marriage? What is a “not genuine” marriage? Are there degrees of marriage? What do you
think the lady meant by genuine marriage?
 Describe Pozdnischeff’s view regarding science. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
 Is beauty the same as goodness? Discuss.
6.6 Bonus Thought
 The Decalogue. The Decalogue is the name given for the Ten Commandments. The
commandments are found in Exodus 20:1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21.
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 13
The Kreutzer Sonata
Lesson Seven
7.1 Vocabulary
palpable adj.
meretricious adj.
bathos n.
condign adj.
7.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. The ______________ excitement was obvious when John began to jump up and down,
shouting, “I won!”
2. Philip’s ________________ scolding for breaking the aquarium was deserving and just.
3. The ________________ experienced by Mr. Johnson from his exalted position as company
president to his pushing a shopping cart on the streets is truly pathetic.
4. All I can say about our taste in _________________ clothing during the 1960’s is that the
shirts and pants were gaudy and vulgar.
7.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 79–94
7.4 Recall Questions
1. According to Pozdnischeff, who are deceived concerning the nature of marriage?
2. According to Pozdnischeff, women, whether prostitutes or women of high society, are all
the same. In what way?
3. According to Pozdnischeff, what are marriages arranged as?
4. According to Pozdnischeff, what are all of the efforts of mothers directed toward?
5. How do women get revenge on men when men have all the rights and privileges in a
society?
6. According to Pozdnischeff, he did not marry his wife for what reason?
14 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
7. Why does Pozdnischeff believe that his engagement was laborious?
8. What is Pozdnischeff’s opinion about his own honey-moon?
9. What prevents the uniting of all men in love and putting an end to war?
10. What is the cause of Pozdnischeff’s wife’s unhappiness after four days of marriage?
11. What is the pretext for the second quarrel between Pozdnischeff and his wife?
12. According to Pozdnischeff, who hinders human progress?
7.5 Critical Thinking
 Pozdnischeff seems unusually harsh towards women of high society by comparing them to
be the same as prostitutes. However, there is some truth here if we are discussing women
without the knowledge of God. According to the Bible, how are virtuous women supposed
to conduct themselves within the church?
 According to the Bible, discuss the reasons why God created mankind and instituted
marriage.
7.6 Bonus Thought
 Sisyphus, King of Corinth. One day, Sisyphus was walking in the woods when he saw a
glorious eagle. The huge bird was carrying a young girl towards an island. Later, the river
god, Asopus sees Sisyphus and tells him that the god’s daughter Aegina had been carried
off. Asopus suspects Zeus and asks Sisyphus for help to find her. Sisyphus relates to the
river god what he had seen. Unfortunately, because of this betrayal, Zeus condemns
Sisyphus to roll a great bounder forever up a hill only to forever fall back over him. Thus,
by using this allusion, Pozdnischeff finds conversing with his fiancée to have the same labor
as Sisyphus.
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 15
The Kreutzer Sonata
Lesson Eight
8.1 Vocabulary
serfdom n.
coquettishness n.
postulate n.
assiduous adj.
8.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Pozdnischeff believes the ___________ of women is contrived to ensnare men into
marriage.
2. Tim keeps complaining that his having to clean his room every day is the same as
_______________, his being a servant without any compensation. Of course Tim forgets
that he gets three meals a day and lives rent free.
3. Drew spent nearly five days of __________________ research to prove that the moon is
composed of green cheese.
4. The ___________________ that no two snowflakes are exactly alike can be proven with
absolute certainty only if every snowflake that ever existed was examined with the others.
8.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 94–109
8.4 Recall Questions
1. Why does Pozdnischeff consider the educating of women to be “arrant nonsense”?
2. According to Pozdnischeff, women have the tendency to strengthen her ascendancy over
their husbands. What is the one thing that momentarily stops this tendency?
3. What would Pozdnischeff gladly do for doctors and other professionals so long as they
promised to stop meddling in other people’s affairs?
4. What is the pollution of materialism?
5. What is the “real poison” of doctors?
16 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
6. Since Pozdnischeff insist that women do not feel love towards their children that they bear,
how does he describe the sentiment towards the offspring?
7. According to Pozdnischeff, what were the subjects of most quarrels?
8. What are the two opposite poles of one and the same feeling?
9. What advice did the “scoundrelly doctors” give to Pozdnischeff’s wife because she was
“delicate in health”?
10. According to Pozdnischeff, what was the “visible beginning of the catastrophe”?
11. On what grounds was Pozdnischeff acquitted of the murder of his wife?
8.5 Critical Thinking
 Pozdnischeff seems to make sense when he states that some things are beyond the help of
man. By looking to men for help, everyone rejects his faith in God. Explain how modern
Americans put more trust in medicine, politics, and education, rather than developing faith
in God.
 Explain what Pozdnischeff means when he states, “In a city unhappy people breathe much
more freely than in the country.”
8.6 Bonus Thought
 Jealousy: Pozdnischeff states that he “never once enjoyed a moment’s relief from the
maddening pangs of jealousy.” Is jealousy a bad thing? If so, then what does God mean
when he declares “for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5)? Jealousy can
be both good and bad. If you are extremely vigilant then this can be a good jealousy; for an
example, you could be jealous about keeping your reputation untarnished. However, if the
jealousy arises from mistrust or envy, then the jealousy can lead to dreadful consequences
like Pozdnischeff’s murdering his wife.
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 17
The Kreutzer Sonata
Lesson Nine
9.1 Vocabulary
ingenious adj.
superadd v.
cavil v.
baneful adj.
9.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Mrs. Martin ______________(ed) about her husband’s throwing his dirty socks on the
floor.
2. Robert invented an _________ pencil sharpener by having his hamster run in a wheel-cage.
3. The secretary could not believe that in addition to the extra work to be done already, the
boss ________________(ed) several more reports to the stack of growing paper.
4. The _____________ practice of eating and feasting in the early churches caused many
people to become sick, and even some to die.
9.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 110–123
9.4 Recall Questions
1. What event causes Pozdnischeff to leave the room with his wife in it and to go to his study
to smoke?
2. What causes Pozdnischeff to be willing to take the first step with reconciling himself with
his wife?
3. When Trookhatschevsky is introduced to Pozdnischeff’s wife, what does the visitor offer to
do for her?
4. As Pozdnischeff passes through the antechamber, what does he see that causes him to feel
“oppressed at heart”?
5. According to Pozdnischeff, what contributes to the greatest proportion of wickedness in
society?
18 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
6. What one subject does Pozdnischeff’s wife often remind him that is “always extremely
painful” to him?
7. According to Pozdnischeff, what affect does music have on the soul?
9.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain the irony in the following statement: “I accompanied him with marked
obsequiousness to the antechamber—how could I treat less courteously the man who had
come to disturb the peace and ruin the happiness of my family?”
 Explain Pozdnischeff’s view regarding the effect of music on the soul. Do you agree with
him? Why or why not?
9.6 Bonus Thought
 What is a sonata? Beethoven was fond of this musical form. A sonata is a composition for
one to four instruments, one of which is usually a keyboard instrument. The sonata form
consists of three sections: the exposition, development, and recapitulation, and often
followed by a coda. These movements are independent of each other and vary in key, mood,
and tempo. Beethoven’s most famous sonata, “The Moonlight Sonata,” has three sections
that are radically different from each other.
 The Kreutzer Sonata: The Kreutzer Sonata is the common name for Beethoven’s Violin
Sonata No. 9 in A major. Beethoven published the piece in 1802 as his Opus 47. The reason
the sonata is called the Kreutzer Sonata is because the work was later dedicated to the
virtuoso violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer (1776–1831), who was a famed violinist of the highest
quality in his day. Kreutzer is best known for his book of 42 etudes (studies), which is
standard literature for violin study today. Ironically, Kreutzer never played Beethoven’s
piece, because he was unimpressed with the work, claiming the piece was unplayable.
Nevertheless, Kreutzer’s name has ever been connected with this particular piece by
Beethoven. [This information courtesy of Kendra Kilmer]
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 19
The Kreutzer Sonata
Lesson Ten
10.1 Vocabulary
consummation n.
enigmatical adj.
paroxysm n.
vexation n.
10.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. When we four girls heard that we all passed the Physics test, we broke out into a _________
of laughter that did not subside for five minutes.
2. Finally seeing his first novel in bookstores was the ____________ of a life-long dream of
the struggling writer.
3. When I kept tracking mud on the newly cleaned floors, my mother’s ________________
with me was evinced by the frown on her face
4. For Karen, who was daydreaming about tomorrow’s picnic, the _______________ question
by the teacher was a mystery since she did not hear it at all.
10.3 Reading Assignment: The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories, pp. 123–140
10.4 Recall Questions
1. After Pozdnischeff leaves the city to work with a temporary assignment, what does he
receive that breaks his peace of mind?
2. As Pozdnischeff heads back to the city, what happens to delay his progress?
3. What does Pozdnischeff consider doing which “the idea pleased” him well at first?
4. Where would Pozdnischeff take a young man to show the results of the evil done by
doctors?
5. While going to his home, Pozdnischeff discovers he had forgotten what?
20 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
6. Why does Pozdnischeff have George to leave the house and to return to the train station for
the luggage?
7. What weapon does Pozdnischeff take with him into the parlor?
8. What look does Pozdnischeff imagine he sees in the face of his wife?
9. What action of Trookhatschevsky surprises Pozdnischeff when he attacks the musician?
10. According to Pozdnischeff, at what point does he realize what he had done regarding the
killing of his wife?
10.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain how Tolstoy creates suspense in today’s reading even though we are already aware
of the outcome.
 Is Pozdnischeff repentant for what he has done? Why or why not?
 Is Pozdnischeff’s wife truly unfaithful, or is the unfaithfulness merely the imagination of
Pozdnischeff? Discuss.
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy / 21
Glossary for Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
adroitness (…‐droit“n¹s) n. Dexterous; de ; skillful and adept under pressing condi ons aesthe c (μs‐thμt“¹k) adj. Of or concerning the apprecia on of beauty or good taste; ar s c affability (²f“…‐b¹l“¹‐t¶) n. The quality of being easy and pleasant to speak to; approachable; the quality of being gentle and gracious arable (²r“…‐b…l) adj. Fit for cul va on, as by plowing assiduous (…‐s¹j“›‐…s) adj. Constant in applica on or a en on; diligent; busy ausculta on (ô”sk…l‐t³“sh…n) n. The act of listening baneful (b³n“f…l) adj. Causing death, destruc on, or ruin; harmful bathos (b³“th¼s”) n. An abrupt, unintended transi on in style from the exalted to the commonplace, producing a ludicrous effect; an an climax cavil (k²v“…l) v. To find fault unnecessarily; raise trivial objec ons; to quibble about; detect pe y flaws in commune (k¼m“y›n”) n. A rela vely small, o en rural community whose members share common interests, work, and income and o en own property collec vely; the smallest local poli cal division of various European countries, governed by a mayor and municipal council condign (k…n‐dºn“) adj. Deserved; adequate conjecture (k…n‐jμk“ch…r) n. Inference or judgment based on inconclusive or incomplete evidence; guesswork consumma on (k¼n”s…‐m³“sh…n) n. A fulfillment; an ul mate goal or end coque shness (k½‐kμt“¹sh‐n¹s) n. The act of a woman making teasing roman c overtures; flirta on disparage (d¹‐sp²r“¹j) v. To speak of in a sligh ng way; beli le dubious (d›“b¶‐…s) adj. Fraught with uncertainty or doubt; undecided; arousing doubt; doub ul enigma cal (μn”¹g‐m²t“¹k) adj. Of or resembling an enigma; puzzling func onary (f¾ngk“sh…‐nμr”¶) n. A person who holds an office or performs a par cular func on; an official icon (º“k¼n”) n. An image; a representa on; one who is the object of great a en on and devo on; an idol ingenious (¹n‐j¶n“y…s) adj. Marked by inven ve skill and imagina on; having or arising from an inven ve or cunning mind; clever jocularity (j¼k“y…‐l²r“¹‐t¶) n. Characterized by joking; given to joking meretricious (mμr”¹‐tr¹sh“…s) adj. A rac ng a en on in a vulgar manner morose (m…‐r½s“) adj. Sullenly melancholy; gloomy obeisance (½‐b³“s…ns) n. A gesture or movement of the body, such as a curtsy, that expresses deference or homage; an a tude of deference or homage palpable (p²l“p…‐b…l) adj. Capable of being handled, touched, or felt; tangible; easily perceived; obvious paroxysm (p²r“…k‐s¹z”…m) n. A sudden outburst of emo on or ac on; a spasm or fit; a convulsion pique (p¶k) v. To cause to feel resentment or indigna on; to provoke; arouse 22 / Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
postulate (p¼s“ch‹‐l¹t) n. Something assumed without proof as being self‐evident or generally accepted, especially when used as a basis for an argument predilec on (prμd”l‐μk“sh…n) n. A par ality or disposi on in favor of something; a preference sa a on (s³“sh¶‐³”sh…n) n. The act of sa sfying fully; to sa sfy to excess sedulous (sμj“…‐l…s) adj. Persevering and constant in effort or applica on; assiduous serfdom (sûrf) n. Servitude sinecure (sº“n¹‐ky‹r”) n. A posi on or an office that requires li le or no work but provides a salary somnolent (s¼m“n…‐l…nt) adj. Drowsy; sleepy; inducing or tending to induce sleep; soporific subcutaneous (s¾b”ky›‐t³“n¶‐…s) adj. Located, found, or placed just beneath the skin superadd (s›“p…r‐²d) v. To add to what has already been added vexa on (vμk‐s³“sh…n) n. The act of annoying, irrita ng, or vexing; the quality or condi on of being vexed; annoyance vivacity (v¹‐v²s“¹‐t¶) n. The quality or condi on of being vivacious; liveliness voluptuary (v…‐l¾p“ch›‐μr”¶) n. A person whose life is given over to luxury and sensual pleasures; a sensualist wont (wônt) n. Customary prac ce; usage Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy (Lessons 1–5)
Vocabulary Quiz #1
Instructions: Match the word with its definition.
A. pique
D. arable
G. icon
J. jocularity
M. morose
P. functionary
S. subcutaneous
B. disparage
E. conjecture
H. sinecure
K. vivacity
N. wont
Q. auscultation
T. aesthetic
C. commune
F. obeisance
I. dubious
L. adroitness
O. somnolent
R. affability
1. _____ to speak of in a slighting way; belittle
2. _____ sullenly melancholy; gloomy
3. _____ one who is the object of great attention and devotion
4. _____ located, found, or placed just beneath the skin
5. _____ fit for cultivation, as by plowing
6. _____ drowsy; sleepy
7. _____ arousing doubt; doubtful
8. _____ the act of listening
9. _____ skillfulness under pressing conditions
10. _____ guesswork
11. _____ of or concerning the appreciation of beauty or good taste
12. _____ characterized by joking; given to joking
13. _____ a person who holds an office or performs a particular function
14. _____ a relatively small, often rural community
15. _____ customary practice; usage
16. _____ a position that requires little or no work, but provides a salary
17. _____ quality of being gentle and gracious; approachable
18. _____ an attitude or gesture of deference or homage
19. _____ liveliness
20. _____ to provoke; arouse
Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy (Lessons 6–10)
Vocabulary Quiz #2
Instructions: Match the word with its definition.
A. sedulous
D. voluptuary
G. bathos
J. coquettishness
M. ingenious
P. baneful
S. paroxysm
B. predilection
E. palpable
H. condign
K. postulate
N. superadd
Q. consummation
T. vexation
C. satiation
F. meretricious
I. serfdom
L. assiduous
O. cavil
R. enigmatical
1. _____ tangible; easily perceived; obvious
2. _____ puzzling
3. _____ diligent; busy
4. _____ to satisfy to excess
5. _____ annoyance
6. _____ causing death, destruction, or ruin; harmful
7. _____ servitude
8. _____ a spasm or fit; a convulsion
9. _____ deserved; adequate
10. _____ to find fault unnecessarily; raise trivial objections
11. _____ persevering and constant in effort or application
12. _____ flirtation
13. _____ a fulfillment; an ultimate goal or end
14. _____ an anticlimax
15. _____ to add to what has already been added
16. _____ a person whose life is given over to luxury and sensual pleasure
17. _____ marked by inventive skill and imagination; clever
18. _____ a partiality or disposition in favor of something
19. _____ something assumed without proof as being self-evident or accepted
20. _____ attracting attention in a vulgar manner
Answer Keys to Selected Stories of Leo Tolstoy
Lesson 1, Vocabulary Exercise
1. communes
2. disparage
3. arable
4. piqued
Lesson 1
1. Pahóm’s wife believed that her way was safer, because she would live a long life and
would have enough to eat.
2. Pahóm believed that if he had just enough land, he would want for nothing.
3. Pahóm buys the land from a lady who was a small landowner.
4. His neighbors were allowing their cattle and horses to graze on his land.
5. The Volga had rich land where all farmers were granted at least twenty-five acres each.
6. The dealer told Pahóm that in the land of the Bashkirs, he had bought 13,000 acres of land
for only 1,000 rubles.
7. Pahóm is concerned that the children of the Bashkirs would not honor the agreement
between Pahóm and the Chief of the Bashkirs.
8. Pahóm would have to begin walking in the morning, mark the corners of his land, and
return to the same spot where he begin before the setting of the sun in the evening.
9. Pahóm believes he can walk thirty-five miles.
10. Pahóm dreams about the Devil, or Pahóm dreams about himself, dead.
11. He only needed enough to dig a grave.
Lesson 2, Vocabulary Exercise
1. obeisance
2. sinecure
3. conjecture
4. icon
Lesson 2
1. Ivan Ilych
2. The men were thinking about promotions for themselves or their acquaintances.
3. They were reluctant to go to the funeral and pay their respects to the widow.
4. The butler, Sokolov
5. Ivan suffered terribly from his sickness.
6. She wanted to know if she could get any more money from the government on account of
Ivan’s death.
7. He considered it to be his duty to be what was so considered by those in authority.
8. Even though he had the power to crush them, Ivan treated the police officials and the
sectarians in a simple, friendly way.
9. The marriage gave him personal satisfaction and it was considered to be the right thing to
do by society.
10. Ivan withdraws into his work.
1
Lesson 3, Vocabulary Exercise
1. jocularity
2. dubious
3. adroitness
4. vivacity
Lesson 3
1. This was the year when Ivan realized that he was deeply in debt and that he was abandoned
by everyone.
2. While on a ladder, Ivan falls off the ladder and hits his hip on a knob.
3. They quarreled about what cakes and sweets would be served at the dance.
4. Ivan begins to have a strange taste in his mouth and to have discomfort in his side.
5. They seemed the least concerned, even bored.
6. His main interest was in the health and ailments of other people.
Lesson 4, Vocabulary Exercise
1. somnolent
2. wont
3. morose
4. functionary
Lesson 4
1. The brother-in-law stared at him.
2. The issue was now of life and death.
3. He hated his wife and wanted to push her away.
4. The cause of his certain death is just ordinary and trivial, not heroic or grand.
5. He hated the lie that these people were living by telling him that he was only sick when he
knew that he was dying, and he wanted to be pitied but did not receive this pity.
Lesson 5, Vocabulary Exercise
1. aesthetic
2. affability
3. auscultation
4. subcutaneous
Lesson 5
1. He can no longer believe that the medicine is going to help him.
2. He disliked his wife looking very healthy and leaving him, yet he remembered that he was
the one who insisted that she go with the children for their sakes.
3. Ivan believed his son, Vasya, pitied him.
4. Ivan convinces himself that he had done everything properly according to society’s
standards.
5. Life is a series of increasing sufferings.
6. Ivan sees light.
7. Ivan found light.
2
Lesson 6, Vocabulary Exercise
1. voluptuary
2. predilection
3. satiation
4. sedulous
Lesson 6
1. More divorces were becoming more frequent.
2. Folly comes from education.
3. The wife will learn to love the husband.
4. The lady stated that only love can hallow a genuine marriage.
5. She did not define how long a person’s “preference” for another was supposed to last.
6. He killed his wife.
7. He stated that he was performing his duty.
8. He calls him a “worthless villain.”
9. He blames doctors.
10. He never doubted that he would marry and be very happy in married life.
11. He mistook her beauty to be the same as moral perfection.
Lesson 7, Vocabulary Exercise
1. palpable
2. condign
3. bathos
4. meretricious
Lesson 7
1. Only the girls are deceived.
2. Both kinds of women wear the same perfume and the same dresses, expose the shoulders
and arms, and enjoy the same jewelry and dances.
3. Marriages are arranged as traps.
4. Mothers try to get their daughters to catch a husband.
5. Men must work in factories in order to make useless things for women.
6. He did not marry for money.
7. When left alone, the couple had nothing to say to each other.
8. He thought the whole affair to be irksome, miserable, and wearisome.
9. Men still used their passion of the senses.
10. She was lonely without her mother.
11. The quarrel was about money.
12. He believes that women are the reasons for the lack of progress.
Lesson 8, Vocabulary Exercise
1. coquettishness
2. serfdom
3. assiduous
4. postulate
3
Lesson 8
1. Women’s education is regulated by the conception about what men think about women.
2. Wives stop captivating their husbands when they bear children.
3. He would give them half of everything he earned.
4. The pollution is moral depravation.
5. Doctors demoralize people and cause men to separate from one another.
6. He says that women feel egoism, rather than love.
7. The quarrels centered on things that were very insignificant or unimportant.
8. Love and hatred.
9. She was advised not to become a mother again.
10. His wife renews her interest in playing the piano.
11. The court believed that Pozdnischeff acted in light of his outraged honor.
Lesson 9, Vocabulary Exercise
1. cavil
2. ingenious
3. superadded
4. baneful
Lesson 9
1. He told his wife that “I wish you were dead like a dog!”
2. He sees the sad and frightened looks on the faces of his children.
3. He offered to accompany her with his violin.
4. He sees Trookhatschevsky’s overcoat.
5. Musical studies contribute the greatest wickedness.
6. He once lost his temper and spoke sharply to his sister.
7. Music irritates the soul.
Lesson 10, Vocabulary Exercise
1. paroxysm
2. consummation
3. vexation
4. enigmatical
Lesson 10
1. He receives a letter from his wife.
2. The carriage broke down and had to be repaired.
3. He considers committing suicide.
4. He would have the boy look at his soul being torn to pieces.
5. He had forgotten his luggage.
6. He did not want George to disturb his wife and Trookhatschevsky.
7. He takes a Damascus blade that never had been used.
8. She has a look of disappointment and vexation of being disturbed.
9. Trookhatschevsky leaves the house running.
10. He realizes what he had done only after looking at the face of the body in the coffin.
4
Quiz #1
Quiz #2
1. B
2. M
3. G
4. S
5. D
6. O
7. I
8. Q
9. L
10. E
11. T
12. J
13. P
14. C
15. N
16. H
17. R
18. F
19. K
20. A
1. E
2. R
3. A
4. C
5. T
6. P
7. I
8. S
9. H
10. O
11. L
12. J
13. Q
14. G
15. N
16. D
17. M
18. B
19. K
20. F
5
6