Leo Tolstoy, Master and Man, (1895)
The short story Master and Man acts as another example that could have made a chapter in Gunderman’s work from the previous week. In fact as the previous entry makes an example of The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Master and Man continues a key theme in the canon of Leo Tolstoy. This theme is the nature of sacrifice and service to others. Throughout this story the reader is consistently made to observe the difference not between perfect and imperfect individuals but rather one that lives in service to others and another whom simply serves himself. Nikita serves Vasili Andreevich (sic.) as a peasant that is renowned for his loyalty and committed service. Vasili on the other hand is the patriarch of a wealthy family and is fixated on his business dealings and wealth.
The premise of Master and Man is the journey that Vasili and Nikita undertake specifically to pursue a business deal in which Vasili is planning to shortchange the current owner. Tolstoy gives an insight into the way both men think and it is interesting for the reader to see the preoccupation of Vasili with how much he is going to save, profit and effectively shortchange the groves owner. This is drawn into sharp contrast with Nikita who has much more simplistic thought processes largely concerning how to best serve his master. There is a small introduction to the situation before the story moves toward the actual journey. To make the short story shorter the journey does not go to plan as the two along with their horse Mukhorty become increasingly drained and hindered by poor conditions. This negative turn of events does not immediately change the thinking of Vasili who remains fixated on his business deals while Nikita has to consistently make up for his masters mistakes, errors and stubbornness toward achieving his business deal.
As the blizzard hits them on their journey there were multiple chances for them to turn back to safety or rest but each time the greed of Vasili overcomes the logical option. Nikita willingly serves his master despite knowing of the folly of Vasili’s decision. It is frustrating for the reader to see the entitlement and prejudice of Vasili in his treatment of Nikita despite his own decisions leading to the two of them getting lost around three times.
Vasili Andreevich shook his head disapprovingly at what Nikita was doing, as in general he disapproved of the peasants stupidity and lack of education, and he began to settle himself down for the night.
It is perhaps a common trope of redemption in virtue deficient characters but Tolstoy does not indulge the reader in Vasili’s redemption until right at the end of the story. However, this redemption and internal realization occurs almost instantaneously for Vasili. This comes shortly after he actually attempts to leave his servant alone in the blizzard to die. However, he ultimately sacrifices his life for Nikita and notes an immediate warmth, ‘a peculiar joy’ the instant he acts to keep Nikita warm and in effect save his life.
The lesson from Master and Man is a repeat of the examples found in Gunderman’s work notably that life in service to others brings greater satisfaction and gratitude than any other form of service. Furthermore, Nikita having survived, lives the rest of his life being forgiving and passing on generosity to those around him. The ending of the story is particularly symbolic given the proximity to safety as Nikita and Vasili were only 70 yards from the road they needed and less than half a mile to the village. After wasting so much on greed driven decisions the two were incredibly close to survival but in this fashion Vasili reached redemption and made the ultimate sacrifice.
This is a classic of Tolstoy’s message driven literature and this is effectively the most extreme form of the gift of service. I believe any reader could understand the basic principles of this story and also be drawn into the actual progress of the journey. The main thread is the redemption of Vasili but there are other lessons to be taken from Nikita’s actions and life. Vasili is constructed as a genuinely dis-likable character and even in his redemption I found myself still holding the way he treated others against him.
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