Christian Calendar and Symbolism of Numbers in the Late Literary Prose of Leo Tolstoy

Abstract

The article touches upon the issue of the role of the Christian calendar and the symbolism of numbers in Tolstoy late literary prose. The authors prove that Leo Tolstoy relates the life of his characters with the dates of the Christian calendar and the Biblical numerical symbolism that perform a prospective function. The appeal of Tolstoy to the Christian calendar is aimed at the proof of the New Testament’s salvation. The absence of the dates of the Christian calendar is not an indicator of the unjust life of his characters, but usually it reflects their moral and physical death. In Tolstoy’s short stories the Christian calendar “helps” his characters to start living according to the Gospel. The oblivion of religious holidays by Tolstoy’s characters is an additional charge of people immorality. The pointing at the dates of the Christian calendar does not change the fate of Tolstoy’s characters for which the material comfort or the voice of the flesh is the most important. The beginning of Tolstoy’s characters enlightenment is predetermined by several of the Twelve Great Feasts. The analysis allowed the authors claiming that the life stories of Tolstoy’s characters are perceived in the context of the Parable of the