Leo Tolstoy - The Cause of it All: “The best stories don't come from "good vs. bad" but "good vs. good.”
Category: Books,Literature & Fiction,Dramas & Plays
Leo Tolstoy - The Cause of it All: “The best stories don't come from "good vs. bad" but "good vs. good.” Details
Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy was born on September 9th 1828 into Russian nobility but abandoned his title and through his interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus became a fervent Christian anarchist and pacifist. His writings on non-violence were to have a profound impact on Gandhi and Martin Luther King. His reputation for many people is based on the epic, in length and scope, of his novel ‘War & Peace’. For that alone Tolstoy would be widely considered to be one of the greatest novelists of all time. But such was the breadth of his talents that he was consummate at short stories, essays and plays. Here we publish ‘The Cause of it All’ one of those classic plays.
Reviews
It is a fast-paced play with one crystal clear message: that alcoholism is the cause of all troubles.Lest everybody rolls their eyes, it is important to consider that this moral exhortation was certainly the most important message that a man with Tolstoy's stature could try to convey to Russia's society. Because, indeed, alcoholism caused, then and now, endless quarrels and domestic abuse, mindless violence, disintegration of families and shorter life expectancy for males. And drinking is socially acceptable, even as alcohol claims the lives of people.So we see that Tolstoy's message is deeply relevant, and his strategy to convey this morality tale for the most number of people was by making it simple, short, with focus on the ravages of alcohol. It is a morality tale indeed - and it's a good thing, as it tackles a real problem that is destroying the fabric of Russian's society. (less)