Resurrection: Analysis of Major Characters
"Resurrection: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the complex relationships and moral transformations of its central figures, primarily focusing on Prince Dmítri Ivánovitch Nekhlúdoff and Katerína Mikháelovna Máslova, known as Katúsha. The story begins with Dmítri, who experiences a profound moral awakening when he recognizes Katúsha, a woman he once seduced, as a defendant in a trial he is overseeing. This realization propels him into a deep self-examination, leading him to confront the emptiness of his life and his past actions that contributed to Katúsha's fall into prostitution and wrongful accusation.
Katúsha’s journey is marked by her resilience and ultimate choice to reject Dmítri’s offer of marriage, opting instead for a life with Valdemar Símonson, a political prisoner who loves her. This decision reflects her desire to avoid complicating Dmítri's life and to uphold her dignity. Other characters, like Valdemar and Véra Doúkova, add depth to the narrative by emphasizing themes of love, sacrifice, and social justice. The interplay between these characters reveals the broader societal issues of the time, challenging notions of morality and redemption. Through their intertwined fates, the narrative invites readers to reflect on personal accountability and the impact of societal norms on individual lives.
Resurrection: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Leo Tolstoy
First published: Voskreseniye, 1899 (English translation, 1899)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Russia
Plot: Social realism
Time: Late nineteenth century
Prince Dmítri Ivánovitch Nekhlúdoff (DMIH-tree eeVAH-noh-vihch neh-KHLEW-dov), a gentleman. At a trial in which he is serving as a juror, he is astonished to see that the defendant is the falsely accused Katúsha Máslova, whom he had seduced in the past. When Katúsha is sentenced to hard labor in Siberia, his pity for her in the life to which he has driven her leads him to a period of self-examination, from which he emerges regarding his life as empty and degenerate and feeling a need to cleanse his soul. Determined to follow the prisoner to Siberia and marry her, he feels himself purged when her sentence is lightened to exile and she elects to stay with Valdemar Símonson, who loves her.
Katerína Mikháelovna Máslova (kah-teh-REE-nah mihKHAH-ih-lohv-nah MAH-sloh-vah), called Katúsha (kahTEW-shah), an illegitimate girl. Seduced at sixteen by Prince Dmítri Ivánovitch Nekhlúdoff, she becomes a prostitute and later is falsely accused of complicity in murder. At her trial, she is recognized by her seducer, a juryman, who, in remorse for his past treatment, wishes to marry her. When, through Dmítri's efforts, her sentence is commuted to exile, she elects to remain with Valdemar Símonson rather than jeopardize her benefactor's happiness by his marriage to a woman like herself.
Valdemar Símonson (VAL-deh-mahr SIH-mon-son), a political prisoner who falls in love with Katúsha Máslova as they are on their way to exile in Siberia.
Véra Doúkova (VEH-rah doh-EW-khoh-vah), a political prisoner interested in the welfare of Katúsha.
Lydia Shoústova (SHEW-stoh-vah), Véra Doúkova's friend.
Selénin (seh-LEH-nihn), a public prosecutor and an old friend of Prince Dmítri. Fundamentally an intelligent, honest man, he has come to make society's standards his own.
Sophia Ivánovna (ee-VAH-nohv-nah) and Mary Ivánovna, aunts of Prince Dmítri and childhood guardians of Katúsha.
Katerína Ivánovna Tchársky (CHAHR-skee), an aunt of Prince Dmítri.
Matróna Khárina (mah-TRYOH-nah CHA-rih-nah), Katúsha's aunt.
Princess Mary Korchágin (kohr-CHA-gihn), the prospective fiancée of Prince Dmítri.