A Critical Analysis Of Tolstoy's How Much Land Does A Man Need?

Life as We Know It: A Critical Analysis of Tolstoy’s How Much Land Does a Man Need? Tolstoy’s How Much Land Does a Man Need?, was my absolute favorite story of all of the Continental Europe readings we have done for this class. I found it powerful and quite moving. Tolstoy has a way with words that not only includes massive amounts of detail, but also he includes key phrases throughout his short stories that are quite impactful and add emphasis to the entire theme of each individual story. I particularly loved his story, How Much Land Does a Man Need?, because it caused me to think and truly examine my own life. Through How Much Land Does a Man Need?, Tolstoy creates a short work of fiction that forces readers to realize how fleeting life

Tolstoy’s immense detail throughout the story allows for the readers to be fully present and in the moment, picturing the immense amount of land that is possible for Pahom to gain almost brings Pahom’s desire and greed for land to life for Tolstoy’s readers through his excellent details and use of imagery; “‘See,’ said he, ‘all this, as far as your eye can reach, is ours. You may have any part of it you like.’ Pahom’s eyes glistened: it was all virgin soil, as flat as the palm of your hand, as black as the seed of a poppy, and in the hollows different kinds of grasses grew breast high.” (225). Tolstoy’s detail causes us to realize how beautiful and immense this land is. It causes us to understand Pahom’s desire and sense of possibility bringing the story and character to life. Lastly, Tolstoy is famous for ending with one powerful line with simple diction…and he does not fail us in How Much Land Does a Man Need?, ending with: “His servant picked up the spade and dug a grave long enough for Pahom to lie in, and buried him in it. Six feet from his head to his heels was all he needed.” (227). This final line is so powerful…despite all his efforts and all that he had gained in this world, ultimately Pahom died alone, and all that the grave needed to fit was his