“How much Land Does a Man Need?” Leo Tolstoy
1. Two women started the story comparing the lie of a tradesman and the life of a
peasant. What was the relationship of the two women?
2. “If I had plenty of land, I wouldn’t fear the devil himself? Who said this, the
tradesman or the peasant?
3. What pressure was making Pahon so unhappy with the woman who owned the
land?
4. Was Pahon’s first harvest on his own land a success? Yes or no
5. How did Pahon change his attitude toward his neighbors once he became a
landowner himself?
6. A dealer told Pahon about wonderful distant land. What did he tell Pahon that
Pahon should do to make the owners of the land like him enough to give him
land?
7. Would the chief agree to have a written agreement with Pahon?
8. How was it to going to be measured to decide how much land Pahon was allowed
to have for himself?
9. What problem arises as Pahon walks? What does he need to do or gets nothing?
10. What killed Pahon?
TAKE-HOME QUIZ You will be graded on the quality of your responses.
1. What kills Pahom? Why? Include evidence from the story.
2. This story is written by a Russian author, Leo Tolstoy. Given the American idea
of “Greed” being good, how would this story be different if it was written by an
American author?
3. How are the themes of “How Much Land Does a Man Need” and “The Bet” similar?
4. What would you have done differently if you were Pahom? When would you have
stopped?
5. Who do you think is more greedy – Pahom, or the Banker from “The Bet?” Support
your answer with examples from each story?