The Dynamic Cohesion Of Idea And Aesthetics: Multi­layered Narrative Of Tolstoy’s Resurrection

Abstract

Tolstoy’s Resurrection is the dynamic cohesion of aesthetic narrative and philosophical hypothesis. He delineates the process of Nekhludov building up identity and fundamental transformation of his conceptualization in various terms of multi­layered narratives. Tolstoy describes the panorama of long spiritual wandering caused by two different selves’ never­ending conflicts from the standpoint of lyrical aesthetics. Based on different criteria for literary purposefulness and aesthetics, critics bring about extremely opposite evaluations on this work. Despite of heated arguments, it seems to be very refreshing that Tolstoy’s creative attempt to put together ideas and aesthetics cohesively. On top of that, he tries to merge together literary themes and social reformative thoughts, and it is well established. In this masterpiece, Tolstoy strives to make elaborate analysis of Nekhludov. The fable of ‘Buridan’s donkey’ epitomizes his real characterization. This rhetoric properly symbolizes Nekhludov’s essential personality, which shows his indecisiveness not making final decision with self­autonomy between two equal values for his own destination. Looking forward to the following stage, Nekhludov still can not bring up strong confidence in his capability and authenticity. Tolstoy delineates ‘allegory of the river’, through which he figuratively suggests Nekhludove ultimately comes up with his true identity, exerting himself to fulfill his inborn values and gifted talents. In the process, Nekhludov lays out well articulated criticisms on absurdity of given circumstances and irrationality of administrative systems. During this process, he is criticized as a dreaming anarchist, but never distracted on his way to his purpose­driven journey, closely influenced by Henry Thoreau’s hypothesis ‘good soul’s prison’. He keeps on revealing permeated falsehood and hypocrisy in social system with his full swing effort and reformative will. In so doing, unconsciously he redeems himself with well­deserved sound belief in him, then, he achieves his resurrection with his own individual self­autonomy and willingness.