Six Wednesdays: September 20, October 4, 18, November 1, 15, 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET Online
Lecture and Q&A. This live class will be recorded and available for later viewing.
If Leo Tolstoy hadn’t written his lengthy masterpieces War and Peace and Anna Karenina, he would still be remembered as perhaps the preeminent 19th century master of the short novel, or novella. Spanning the length of his six-decade career, our reading for this class will touch on all of Tolstoy’s major themes: human violence, the interconnectedness of individual destiny and imperial power, the balance between love and lust in relationships, what makes life worth living, and the very nature of truth itself. Class will be run like a seminar, with an hour or so of lecture, and then the remaining time devoted to questions and discussion.
Reading Schedule:
September 20
“Sevastopol in December,” “Sevastopol in May 1855,” “Sevastopol in August”
Themes: Realism, war, violence, masculinity
October 4
Family Happiness
Themes: Marriage, love, psychological realism
October 18
The Cossacks
Themes: Empire, ethnic difference
November 1
The Kreutzer Sonata
Themes: Art, sexuality, violence
November 15
The Death of Ivan Ilyich
Themes: The meaning of life
November 29
Hadji Murat
Themes: Heroism, death
Required Books:
The Cossacks and Other Stories, Leo Tolstoy (9780140449594)
The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories, Leo Tolstoy (9780140449600)
The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Master and Man, Leo Tolstoy (9780375760990)
Sean Blink received his Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from Yale University in 2022. His dissertation studied the relationship of modern literature about the Soviet-Afghan War to the Russian canonical tradition. Currently self-employed in writing and publishing, he’s taught extensively on a range of topics, including nineteenth century Russian literature, Vladimir Nabokov, and depictions of the Cold War in literature and film.
REFUND POLICY: Please note that we can issue class refunds up until seven (7) days before the first class session.
