Resurrection

Discuss the use of side characters—such as the bureaucrats, revolutionaries, and convicts—as satirical and symbolic devices. How do these characters reinforce Tolstoy’s critique of systemic injustice?

How does Tolstoy differentiate between various kinds of love in Resurrection—romantic, platonic, compassionate, and spiritual? What role does love play in the possibility of redemption for different characters?

Explore the representation of the judicial and penal systems in Resurrection. What specific elements of legal and carceral institutions does Tolstoy portray as dehumanizing, and what literary techniques does he use to expose their failures?

To what extent does Resurrection function as a philosophical novel? How are Tolstoy’s religious and anarchist convictions woven into the narrative, and how do they shape the moral framework of the text?

Analyze the motif of written texts, such as Nekhlyudov’s diary, petitions, prison documents, and religious texts. How do these documents symbolize control, reflection, or transformation throughout the novel?

Compare and contrast the characterizations of Katerina Maslova and Maria Pavlovna. How do their responses to trauma, injustice, and love reveal distinct paths toward personal agency or moral clarity?

How does Tolstoy use Nekhlyudov’s transformation to critique the moral failings of the Russian aristocracy more generally? In what ways does his journey reflect broader themes of spiritual awakening and social responsibility? Use external resources to support your answer.

In what ways does Tolstoy use setting to reinforce the psychological and moral dimensions of the novel? Consider the symbolic role of the prison, the steppe, the courtroom, and/or the journey to Siberia.