Class Notes: “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” by Leo Tolstoy Examining the story from an analytical perspective.

About the Story: James Joyce regarded this tale as "the greatest story that the literature of the world knows." It is possible that what Joyce so admired in this this tale was Tolstoy's superb fusion of content and style. The story addresses the universal basic human question of what should be a person's goal in life, and it is told in the simple and direct style of a folktale. Every detail in the story contributes to the total design of the underlying moral content. The opening argument between the two sisters introduces the theme of the story and brings out the factors of temptation, anxiety, and loss that accompany gain (Pahom's acquisition of land). Finally, the nature of Pahom's sleepless night, his reaction to his prophetic dream, and every decision he makes in the course of his final quest foreshadow his fate..

The Plot “How Much Land Does a Man Need?" is one of Tolstoy's most famous short stories. The plot concerns a peasant who can never resist the opportunity to acquire more good land. In the course of pursuing greater wealth, Pahom forces his son to become a labourer, falsely accuses a neighbour of chopping down his trees, mistreats and alienates the local peasants with his selfishness, and leaves his wife behind to manage one estate while his greed compels him to acquire another. He behaves as the ultimate narcissist, in that he uses all other human beings to further his own ends and never considers their needs, desires, or feelings.

The Plot (cont.) The tail is a superb example of Tolstoy's interest in human nature and his ability to characterize people. It examines how Pahom behaves, the thoughts and feelings that motivate him to behave as he does, and the consequences that result from his actions.

The Power of the Plot The plot is powerful for two reasons. First, the emotions that motivate Pahom's materialism are common in varying degrees to all human beings and, therefore, all readers can relate personally to the story. Second, in examining the morality of Pahom's decisions and their effect on his personality and, indirectly, on his responsibilities to his family and his neighbours, Tolstoy leads his readers to evaluate the morality and the pragmatic wisdom of their own materialistic attitudes and behaviour. 

Why does Tolstoy choose a rural setting and a peasant protagonist? Tolstoy believes that life on the land is more natural for humans, that it appeals to basic drives and needs in all people. A tale set in the country would therefore have applications for all readers.

What is the function of the argument between the two sisters? The argument involves the theme of the story, what a person's goal in life should be or what is necessary for a person to be happy, and foreshadows the plot. The points (temptation, anxiety, loss and gain) made by Pahom's wife ironically proved to be more applicable to Pahom (they cause his death) than to her brother-in- law.

The Characterization of Pahom Tolstoy focus is on Pahom’s very human nature. Pahom first feels joy and satisfaction as a land owner, but these feelings proved to be very momentary because he soon becomes accustomed to whatever he has. Ownership makes him very protective of his possessions, and he becomes selfish, greedy, and cruel. Because his feelings are common to some extent in all human beings, he seems real to Tolstoy's readers.

The Significance of the Devil Tolstoy based his story on an old Russian folktale. The Devil was probably part of the original folktale and would make the tale more appealing to the intended audience, the peasants. The Devil's presence in the story underscores that Pahom's choices are choices between good and evil. Thus, the Devil functions as an allegorical figure, an external symbol of an internal psychological factor. The Devil knows that given the opportunity, it is human nature to be greedy, and peasants are greedy for land.

Foreshadowing in the Story Pahom’s dream, which foreshadows his death. Pahom's dream confirms his sole responsibility for his fate. He ignores his dream because his greed blinds him to the consequences of his behaviour. His sleepless night, which foreshadows his exhaustion. Pahom’s inability to reject good land, which foreshadows his overextending himself because of his greed. Pahom’s removal of his shoes, which foreshadows his difficult walking. Pahom's exhausted run at the end, which foreshadows the strain on his heart and his death.

Irony in the Story In this story irony adds power, humour, and pathos (a quality that evokes pity or sadness). Pahom has gained the land, but he has lost his life He actually needs no more land than the space his body occupies in death. The applicability of Pahom’s wife's arguments to Pahom (she says the simple life is better). Pahom’s inability to appreciate what he has. Pahom’s change in personality as he acquires land.

The Significance of the Title The double meaning of the title is also ironic. The title reveals the theme of the story: should a person's goal in life be material or spiritual? How much land a person needs depends upon the individual's purpose in life; a rewarding life is not dependent on ownership of land. Thus, the title's meaning changes with the perspective.

The Story as a Parable A parable is a short story designed to teach moral value. This story is a traditional folk tale that has been transformed into a parable that teaches that "greed is the root of evil." Greed, one of the seven deadly sins, is the subject of the tale. The tale’s lesson is that those who succumb to the temptation of greed cause their own moral and physical destruction. Pahom’s pride and greed keep him from learning from his experience. Realizing that he will die, Pahom still is not willing to sacrifice his pride and 1000 rubles in exchange for his life. The story moves the reader to examine his or her own life to be certain that he or she is not as foolish as Pahom.