What Men Live By

Material wealth is a constant concern for the characters, often interfering with their conscience. Simon and Matryona’s concerns over their lack of material wealth almost keep them from helping Michael, the gentleman’s concern for his vast wealth leads him to behave tyrannically, and the twins’ adoptive mother seems almost completely unconcerned with such matters. Compare and contrast these different portrayals of greed and selflessness. How do they support Tolstoy’s message?

“What Men Live By” has a specific message it wants to impart. Identify the thesis of the story. Does the story successfully portray its message? Identify three literary strategies the story uses to teach readers its meaning.

Figures of religious authority are conspicuously absent from “What Men Live By.” What does this absence tell us about the story’s view of faith? How might Tolstoy’s personal religious views have influenced their absence?

In Tolstoy’s 1897 essay “What Is Art?” he argues that true art is universally understandable and enjoyable. Does “What Men Live By” follow this guideline? How does it or does it not live up to Tolstoy’s desire for universality?

Love is vital to the plot of “What Men Live By.” Look at how each of the individual characters experiences love and how they act in response to these feelings. What do these differences and similarities tell us?

Simon is a cobbler, a profession Tolstoy attempted to take up. What is the significance of this profession? What does Simon’s poverty despite his occupation in a practical and necessary profession tell readers about the economic situation in rural Russia at this time?

“What Men Live By” makes frequent use of foreshadowing. Find examples in the text. How does this support the major themes of the story?

Michael learns three major truths about humanity. Pick one and perform a close reading of the section in which it is learned. Analyze the literary devices used to portray the “truth” without it being directly stated in the text.