1. Tolstoy gives us the parable of what he calls the Eastern Story. What does the imagery
described in the story symbolize? What does the branch represent? What does the dragon
represent? What do the mice represent? What does the honey represent? The beast
represents truth which leads to death, The branch represents life, the mice represent
death by nibbling down Tolstoy support and Honey represents pleasure.
2. At the beginning of the reading, Tolstoy describes his current life. Would you consider his
status in life to be successful and something to be desired? What does he have in regards to
money, family, career, and fame? Think about it this way: He is a count of noble birth, he is a
famous and renowned writer, and has a loving family. He has earned his money and
renowned due to the fact that he is one of the most talented writers of the 19th century. In
contemporary terms, he has everything that the Kardashians have, plus actual talent to
justify his lifestyle, but is he happy or satisfied? Yes, Tolstoy is very successful and noble.
He is married with a wife and children and was praised for his passions but he wasn’t
satisfied because he wanted to be morally good but couldn’t take the ridciule and
contempt and gave into the abominable. passion. And there wasn’t a crime he didn’t
commit and started writing for praise not because he was passionate about it.
3. There is a turning point in his life that brings into question everything he believed that
would make life go well. What is it? Tolstoy was overwhelmed by the perplexity and
