Herr und Knecht: Novelle

Name: Herr und Knecht: Novelle
Author: graf Leo Tolstoy

A provincial merchant and his faithful servant set out together to complete a risky land purchase but are overtaken by a violent snowstorm and become lost. The narrative traces the merchant's stinginess, ambition, and self‑concern alongside the servant's steady simplicity and loyalty, and it moves toward a moral climax when exposure forces a fundamental reversal of priorities. In the final hours a gesture of human compassion supersedes concern for profit, and the tale meditates on conscience, social inequality, mortality, and the possibility of moral awakening under extreme circumstances.

By graf Leo Tolstoy

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Russian Literature

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About the Author

graf Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy, a prominent Russian author and philosopher, is best known for his epic novels that explore complex themes of morality, society, and human experience. His most famous works include "Anna Karenina," which delves into the intricacies of love and infidelity, and "War and Peace," a sweeping narrative set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. Beyond fiction, Tolstoy was a significant thinker in the realms of ethics and spirituality, as evidenced in his essays such as "The Kingdom of God Is Within You," where he articulates his views on nonviolent resistance and Christian anarchism. His literary contributions have left a lasting impact on both literature and philosophy.