A portrait of L. N. Tolstoy...

Who Was Leo Tolstoy? His Life, Works, and Enduring Legacy

This short memorial, written on the anniversary of Leo Tolstoy's death, is an expanded version of a previous tribute. It is an effort to commemorate a truly great writer.

A Literary Giant and Moral Compass

Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910) is a towering figure in Russian and world literature, renowned for masterpieces like War and Peace and Anna Karenina. His works conduct a deep analysis of the human condition, exploring universal themes of love, war, morality, and existence. Tolstoy not only left the world a profound literary legacy but also had a major impact on moral and social thought. Though born into wealth, he adopted a simple life, becoming a living example of his principles and a powerful voice for social justice and peace. His unique philosophy, blending Christian mysticism with anarchist elements, reflects his lifelong effort to balance individual freedom with social responsibility.

The Golden Age of Russian Literature

Tolstoy was part of a generation of writers who, in my view, brought the novel to its apex. Russia in the 19th century produced a stunning array of literary giants whose influence extended into the next century, including Gogol, Pushkin, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, and later, Gorky and Sholokhov. Turgenev and Gogol used bitter sarcasm to critique the alienation of modern life, creating unforgettable characters like Bazarov and paving the way for the masters who followed.

Among them, Fyodor Dostoevsky pushed the boundaries of psychological observation, viewing humanity through the lens of social problems and moral dilemmas. In works like Crime and Punishment, he plunges the reader into the maelstrom of his characters' inner conflicts. His focus is intense and claustrophobic; his lens is set on the dark landing of an apartment building, capturing the suffocating isolation of a figure like Raskolnikov.

A visual representation of a scene from the novel War and Peace.

Tolstoy's Unique Vision: The Ocean in a Drop

While all these authors are classics, Tolstoy's world is distinct. His unique technique and multidimensional characters elevate his work to another dimension. In War and Peace, he masterfully intertwines grand historical events with the intimate lives of individuals. He shows us "the ocean in a drop," making the reader not just an observer but a participant in history. This approach forces us to question the role of the individual within the vast sweep of social and historical change.

The canvas in Tolstoy's work is immense. His window is not a cramped apartment but an observation tower at his Yasnaya Polyana estate, from which he could watch the horizon. His pen moves from the individual to the universe, yet he embroiders the human story with incredible delicacy. He centers his characters not in their own inner turmoil, but in their daily relationships amid a chain of historical events. The fates of millions and the grandest social transformations are handled with the same sensitivity as a single human tragedy. This perspective serves as a mirror to both individual and collective existence, giving his literary heritage its unique color.

Dostoevsky vs. Tolstoy: A Symphony of Geniuses

To compare these two titans—a common exercise in literary history—is not to diminish one in favor of the other. The greatness of one talent does not negate the greatness of another. For me, Dostoevsky is a saint who reads the soul like an open book, but his unique genius does not change Tolstoy's. In fact, they complement each other perfectly.

While Dostoevsky concentrates on the inner life—the spiritual world, emotions, and conscience—Tolstoy captures the spirit of an era by blending social and political themes. To use a metaphor, Dostoevsky is a photographer using a narrow-angle lens, while Tolstoy is the master of the panorama.

In Dostoevsky, tragedy is found in the spiritual anguish of a Raskolnikov or a Shatov. In Tolstoy, it is made visible on the vast plains where General Kutuzov’s army retreats across a scorched earth. Yet, the individual tragedy is still paramount. Remember the fleeting moment when Prince Andrei is wounded and finds himself alone with the endless sky, or the visceral scene in Anna Karenina when the horse's leg breaks. These moments are not just about a fall; they are profound existential questionings. Tolstoy’s characters are defined by their inner conflicts, but those conflicts play out on the world stage. Finding our place in his rich world is an invitation to question and make sense of our own lives.

Tolstoy was known for his lack of materialism and humility.

A Timeless Recommendation

One could write endlessly about Tolstoy, but it is better to experience him directly. I wholeheartedly recommend his work to anyone seeking authentic literature. His novels are filled with deep observation and a profound effort to understand the human soul. He has a powerful philosophical side that inspires the reader to question the meaning of life.

When I listen to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, I always picture Tolstoy walking on his farm at Yasnaya Polyana, searching for answers to humanity's great questions in the simple beauty of nature. In my mind, he is still walking there, at a fixed point in eternity, forever questioning life. His courage, his work, and his inspiring example will always live on.

Written by Onur Aydemir
November 2024/May 2025, Ankara