Title: An Exploration of Childhood in Tolstoy's Novels: A Comparative Analysis of

"Anna Karenina" and "The Death of Ivan Ilyich"

1.0. Introduction

In the World of literature, Lev N. Tolstoy is a great figure, mainly known because of his

insights into the human condition and his masterpieces of various themes. One of the most

profound themes in his work, Childhood, the novel which is a topic rich in significance and

complexity. There are other masterpieces of Tolstoy, which will be compared with

Childhood. In this comparison, we will analyse the main treatment of his novel Childhood,

particularly in comparison to the two most famous novels "The Death of Ivan Ilyich” and

“Anna Karenina." Through the help of analysis of the form and content, we mainly aim to

deeply understand Tolstoy's depiction of Childhood and also resonate with other broader

themes of his work. No other piece of Russian literature provides such insights into the soul

of a developing individual. Tolstoy develops his character day by day, from childhood to

university, and every attribute is gradually decided and clarified in his spirit. Because of its

unique style and careful incorporation of the best qualities of Russian literature, such as

skillfully rendered character portraits, thoroughly detailed landscapes, and indicative

descriptions of the ambiance of an old manor estate and its inhabitants, Tolstoy's narrative

quickly became deeply embedded in Russian culture. It will be intriguing to observe whether

and how Tolstoy's examination of the class evolves in his later works. Tolstoy did show how

luxury and social status affect the main character, but in my opinion, he could have done a

better job of developing his portrayal of servants and lower-class people.

2.0. Summary
The narrative Childhood focuses mainly on the personality of its protagonist, Nikolenka

Irteniev. The author observes the growth of his child's soul step by step, noting even little yet

distinct indications. As a result, the work focuses mostly on psychology. However, it may

also be labelled "moral" to the same extent since the author analyses his character from an

ethical standpoint; he uses psychological analysis to discern the moral side of his rich,

growing nature. Nikolay's development is described throughout Tolstoy's novel, from his

early innocence to his eventual independence. He provides examples of how a person's sense

of self and perception of their place in society evolve. Everybody's childhood is a wonderful

moment in their lives. It's true that throughout childhood everything appears happy and

bright, and any sadness or temporary animosity toward loved ones is swiftly forgotten

(Hayes, 2023). The fact that Russian authors have written so extensively about the subject is

not accidental.

3.0. Content Analysis

Childhood is the first part of a series of short stories, and it is the work that Leo Tolstoy used

as an outlet for his literary career. Teenage years. youthfulness. Although Tolstoy intended to

write the last chapter, which would have undoubtedly discussed the hero's "maturity," he

chose not to write it and instead titled his book The History of the Four Eras. These three

novels have major potential, as all these stories are related to the aspect of Childhood and joy.

The genre of Tolstoy is mainly about the signs of innocence and child abuse. That is mainly

idealized in these novels.

3.1. Childhood Tolstoy's Novels:

Tolstoy's portrayal of childhood is multifarious and reflects both the vulnerability and the

innocence mainly of youth, as well as the malleable experiences that give the shape of one's

character. In "Childhood," Tolstoy mainly portrays the young boy's journey very clearly,
which is about his self-discovery in the background of rural Russia. Through the aspects of

the protagonist as Nikolenka, the Tolstoy mainly focuses on the curiosity and wonder that is

inherent in childhood, as well as the inescapable loss of the journey of innocence that goes

along with the passage of adulthood. The novel idealized the account which is semi-

autobiographical, shaped heavily from the own experience of Tolstoy and also the

observations of childhood.

3.2. Comparison with "Anna Karenina":

In comparison to the blissful portrayal of "Childhood," Tolstoy also has a later novel "Anna

Karenina", which offers a more subtle and also very complex explanation of the theme. Here,

childhood is not only the period of innocence but also the period that is marked by the

expectations of familial and internal conflict. Anna Karenina's son character Seryozha, serves

as the main focal point for the exploration, as he struggles with the demands of society and

also the breakdown of his parents' marriage. Tolstoy explores issues of identity,

responsibility, and the effect of parental influence on a child's psychological development via

Seryozha's challenges. How childhood is portrayed in the novel highlights the complicated

family dynamics and evolving social mores in nineteenth-century Russia (Hofer, 2021).

3.3. Comparison with "The Death of Ivan Ilyich":

In "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," Tolstoy turns his attention to later life, yet childhood is still a

major pattern that runs through the story. Tolstoy contrasts the youth and simplicity of

childhood with the complications and disappointments of maturity via the figure of Gerasim,

Ivan Ilyich's youthful servant. The timeless qualities of childhood among the terrible reality

of mortality are highlighted by Gerasim's kind and straightforward manner, which stands in

sharp contrast to the hypocrisy and superficiality of the society in which Ivan Ilyich lives.

The contrast between childhood and maturity highlights Tolstoy's examination of the human
condition and the perennial themes of existential reflection, mortality, and life (Daraiseh,

2015).

4.0. Form Analysis

4.1. Narrative Structure:

Tolstoy uses different techniques for the narration in all of his works, which can be about any

genre or theme. In "Childhood," the story is told in a sequence of strikingly produced

vignettes that perfectly capture the little protagonist's short moments of surprise and delight.

The episodic aspect of childhood is reflected in this form, where each chapter corresponds to

a different phase of Nikolenka's development into a self-aware adult. On the other hand, the

storyline takes on a more contemplative tone in "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" and "Anna

Karenina," which mirrors the existential challenges that the adult characters encounter.

4.2. Symbolism and Imagery:

In all three different novels, the use of symbolism and fiction makes sense for scenarios and

also for childhood. Seryozha uses the nursery idea as an illustration of a refuge of safety in

"Anna Karenina," where he may escape the misery of his parents' abusive relationship.

Similarly, in "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," Gerasim's uncovered chamber serves as an

illustration for children pure and innocent, that the environment forced to be the decay and

make them the adult. The exploration as the theme of childhood has enhanced the symbolic

representations, that give Tolstoy's novels more significance.

4.3. Language and Style:

In the novels, the use of the vocabulary and also the style, that were used to represent the

opinions and issues and opinions were wonderful, each novel has a different type of
explanation and structure of language. The narrative of "Childhood" captures the innocence

and wonder of youth with a feeling of poetry and nostalgia. Besides, the language becomes

more reflective and philosophical in "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" and "Anna Karenina,"

reflecting the existential problems that the adult characters experience. The way that Tolstoy

uses language and style varies demonstrates his proficiency with narrative technique and his

capacity to capture the complexity of the human experience in the literature.

5.0. Relevance to Course Themes

5.1. Exploration of Human Condition:

Tolstoy's portrayal of childhood acts as a compressed version of his more extensive

exploration of the condition of humanity. Tolstoy explores important issues of morality,

identity, and the pursuit of purpose in an uncertain world via his delicate portrayal of

adolescence. Through studying the lives of characters like Nikolenka, Seryozha, and

Gerasim, students learn about the common challenges and achievements that characterize the

human condition. This thematic exploration connects with the course's more general topics,

which include the intricacies of interpersonal relationships, the search for self-awareness, and

the desire for existential satisfaction.

5.2. Context within Russian Literary Tradition:

The historical and cultural background of nineteenth-century Russia inspired Tolstoy's

novels, which have their roots in the rich heritage of Russian literature. The exploration of the

Tolstoy is related to the children, as that more generally focuses on the societal

transformation, distress, and also the political issues that are about his writing

contemporaries, like Fyodor Dostoevsky. He followed the context of the Russian Literacy

tradition but with the other concept. Tolstoy's narratives about the novels are within the
infrastructure of Russian literature, which helps everyone to understand the relevance lasting

and also about the contributions of his work to the literature at the international level

(Hamnett, 2011). Along with enhancing the ability of the reader to enhance and

comprehension of Tolstoy's novels; his novels offer the main knowledge about the cultural

and intellectual environment, that followed in Russia from the nineteenth century.

6.0. Conclusion

Tolstoy mainly idealized the portrayal of childhood in his novels, which are about the in-

depth analysis of the condition of humans, and issues through nuance, richness, and also

universal appeal. The comparison of "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" and "Anna Karenina" gave

the proper incite and gave us the progression of Tolstoy's illustration of childhood through

the help of his work and literature, from its perfect initiation of the "Childhood" that shows

the complications in his latest works. Generation after generation of readers have shown

interest in the resonance in Tolstoy's portrayal of childhood, and also give tribute to his

mindset and work for the human condition, also with the illustration of the social and spatial

barriers. Tolstoy mainly provides in-depth observations of the conditions for human

development and also the long-lasting effects of conditions or situations on the formative

events and development of Childhood. The author does the treatment of childhood with the

help of the analysis of different aspects and conditions.

References

Daraiseh, I. (2015). The Literary Unconscious: Ideology and Utopia in the

Nineteenth-Century Realist Novel in England and Russia. Graduate Theses and

Dissertations. https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1216‌

Hamnett, B. (2011). The struggle for identity and purpose in the Russian historical

novel: from Pushkin to Tolstoy. Oxford University Press EBooks, 245–274.

https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199695041.003.0012‌

Hayes, G. (2023). Introduction to Psychology. Open Educational Resources.

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/qb_oers/186‌

Hofer, R. (2021). Tolstoy and the Serving Mentality & Moral Imperative.

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects.

https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/university_honors_program/152‌

Tolstoy, L. (2004). The Death of Ivan Ilyich. Bantam Classics.

‌Tolstoy, L. (2010). Childhood, Boyhood, Youth. Alma Classics.

‌Tolstoy, L. (2016). Anna Karenina. Oxford University Press.

‌