An analogous study of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevky with their perceptions of reality : revisiting Tolstoy and Dostoevsky

Abstract

This paper explores Leo Tolstoy‘s life before analyzing Anna Karenina (1877). Tolstoy was a renowned author of the 20th century and was famous for his realistic works. This paper will highlight how Tolstoy portrays the conflict of classes, starting from the working class to the aristocratic class, through the novel Anna Karenina. Hence, the theory of Marxism will be used. Tolstoy upholds the working class and gives emphasis to the fact, that how it is necessary to sacrifice or compromise for those sinking in poverty. He signifies that, in order to be content, one should lead a humble life without having all the luxuries and that is only when one can truly appreciate life. This aspect of reality will be reflected in the paper. Furthermore, this paper will also analyze how Fyodor Dostoevsky‘s perspective works. Dostoevsky deals more with psychological aspects or how the human psychology works. The exploration of human psychology will be studied through his novel, Crime and Punishment (1866). This paper will also draw attention to the theory of Existentialism, which is one of the major aspects of this novel.