Place Russia, Vladimir (Village)

Time 1750-1917 (19th century)

Background info The story is about a man sent to prison for a murder
he didn't commit. It takes the form of a parable of
forgiveness.
Literary elements for

“God sees the truth but waits”

Name : Saud Zaidan Grade 10: A

Setting:

Narration:

Person 3rd person because the author used the

pronouns “he, she, it” to talk about
the events of the story
Knowledge The narrator is “omniscient” Cause he knows the feelings of the
characters.
Trustworthy The narrator seems to be
trustworthy, as he doesn’t play a
part in the story

Characters:

Flat or round and why.

Major (protagonist and antagonist) Ivan Askenof (Protagonist) Round

Makar Semyonov (Antagonist) Round

Minor Police inspector and soldiers, the

merchant (Ivan’s friend), Ivan’s
wife, the warden.
Conflict:

Explanation

Inner When Askenof realized that This made him remember his wife
Semyonov was his enemy. and his children and how happy he
was and now everything gone.

When Ivan’s wife asked him if he
really killed the merchant or not.
Outer Between Ivan and the police
inspector.
Between Ivan and Semyonov.
This made him cry and think about
everything that had been said.
It happens between 2 characters or
more (not a physical fight).

Plot:

Exposition Introduction to Ivan Askenof and his family.

Rising action Wife’s dream (Askenof’s arrest).
Climax When Semyonov admitted that he is the killer.
Falling action Askenof conversation with Semyonov.
Ending Askenof’s Death

Themes:

Injustice
The story's most obvious theme is injustice. The case against Aksionov is neither particularly flimsy nor
particularly convincing.

Faith
When the justice system of this world, controlled by flawed humans, fails Aksionov, he puts his faith in
God's plan. He knows that only God knows the truth about him

Forgiveness
After Aksionov declines to inform on Semyonich's tunnel-digging, Semyonich is so shaken by Aksionov's
demonstration of mercy that he seeks Aksionov's forgiveness for framing him.

Acceptance
Another of the story's major themes is acceptance. Despite the injustice he faces, Aksionov tries early in
the story to accept his fate.