Аннотация: Leo Tolstoy. The debtors and creditors. Essay
Leo Tolstoy. The debtors and creditors. Essay
1. "I have told myself that I am a litterateur"
I was indifferent to the writer's works of Leo Tolstoy.
Was remembering, that during World War II as a part of the American Naval Forces the Lieutenant, junior grade, the commander of the torpedo boat, served.
Torpedo boat was based at Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands.
And in the cottage of the lieutenant in a prominent place flaunted the only book "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy.
Allegedly the commander of the boat often read this book.
Through certain time the lieutenant became U.S. President.
But even these biographic details didn't promote emergence of interest.
For example, neither Vronsky, nor the steam locomotive, nor Anna Karenina, nor her husband who was (sometimes) badly uttering words (this detail was mentioned in some commentary work) not interested me at all.
Those who, in one way or another, directly or indirectly, were involved, touched the events of the two world wars, before-war and the post-war periods, would be impressed by the description of the wounded hero lying on the battlefield and looking into the sky?
The sky was almost clean, air rather fresh, the hero - more or less - whole.
Anyway, something was read.
Stuck in the memory of some of the references from "War and Peace" about the donations of representatives of the nobility to win in the year 1812.
They turned up nearly in deep debts. Were almost bankrupts. But, despite this, they were donating the money.
Nevertheless, Leo Tolstoy's creativity didn't attract. Something more actual, entertaining was closer.
Many years ago the story by Tolstoy "The Cossacks" was met.
Curiously. Here he, Tolstoy, is - young, enthusiastic, rich... Well, can be, not such daring as local stanichniks [local residents of stanitsa]...
In general, was not needed...
Met the story of Leo Tolstoy "The demoted in military rank". I have read with interest.
After that I met the information about Fyodor Ivanovich Tolstoy-American - when reading about Alexander Pushkin. Fyodor Tolstoy-American has appeared among comrades of Alexander Pushkin.
It turned out that Fyodor Tolstoy-American - one of those Russian aristocrats, who not only did not possess shares of the Russian American Company established on 8 (19) July, 1799, not only did not receive incomes from this company (he's, Tolstoy-American, seems to have had no shares and such income has not received), not only did not write draft constitutions, and did not go out in December 1825 to the Senate Square, indignant with the wrong device of life, but he was one of those (almost) non-existent aristocrats who raised his own body, moved it from the capital premises to the ship, has reached America, then as a part of a round-the-world expedition has rounded with the southern route America, has visited Kamchatka, further has crossed Siberia from the Far East to the European Russia.
Legend ascribes to him a visit to Alaska (then, like, "Russian").
Thus, he have made a round-the-world trip in 1803-1805.
It is clear, that some - very not many - naval officers (people of so-called noble origin) have also made a round-the-world trip.
But something is not heard about such act from other representatives of the higher metropolitan aristocracy.
Where to float? Inconveniently ... And what for?
The curious phrase is in the book by M. Filin "Tolstoy-American" (M. Filin makes a reference to M.F. Kamenskaya): "Then Fyodor Ivanovich has glanced in the calendar, ... and which he always carried at himself, and has seen December, 12; means, the Saint who has appeared to him in vision was Saint Spyridon, the patron of all counts Tolstoy".
Fyodor Tolstoy-American and Leo Tolstoy are relatives. "Leo Tolstoy is the cousin of Fyodor Tolstoy [the first cousin once removed of Fyodor] [the cousin nephew], whom he was personally familiar with during his childhood" (Википедия. Статья "Толстой, Федор Иванович" [Wikipedia, the article "Fyodor Ivanovich Tolstoy"]).
Further I have accidentally read Leo Tolstoy's work "Бессмысленные мечтания" ("Meaningless aspirations"). We are living in the 21st century: we know, than everything has come to an end. But he, Leo Tolstoy, lived in the state, which ruled by the tsar with absolute power. He wrote, he was knocking. He persistently and courageously was putting for discussion a problem of the approaching catastrophe...
In general, he tried for all.
Mahatma?
They didn't hear? Or didn't listen?
About what happened after a while, we know...
From a historical haze come forward shadows of those tens (can be, more than one hundred) millions for whom the count Leo Tolstoy was interceding, tried to intercede...
What person they ought to listen, as not the count Leo Tolstoy?
Wich was "their", wich was the man of their circle?
The inner strength and moral tallness, spirit height of the author seemed to me so high and unattainable for me that I - unexpectedly for myself - I have apprehended him as a man from some other higher world.
At least, this feeling asked me be careful.
2. Wordless courage and quiet heroism
Leo Tolstoy has passed the life way from one colossal historic changes, transformations
Crimean war of 1853-1856, subsequent reforms,
upto another
Russo-Japanese War, revolution of 1905 and Manifesto on October 17, 1905.
Perhaps, in the fact of adoption of the Manifesto, the efforts of Leo Tolstoy were evident, visible.
In period of his life also was the Coup of June 1907.
A particularly pessimistic skeptic will speak a hypothesis that after the Coup of June 1907 those who, expected to receive from him benefit, had no chances. But it is a pessimistic hypothesis.
Leo Tolstoy lived and acted with calm heroism, having made everything that depended on him. As defenders of Sevastopol.
3. As ancient prophets
However some mystical phenomena have returned me to thoughts about Leo Tolstoy.
I had a sketch at my disposal. It was written during lifetime of Leo Tolstoy: Evgeny Andreevich Solovyov's essay "L.N. Tolstoy: His life and literary activity" [Solovyov].
I have tried to find the modern biography. So-called short, posted on the sites-they were enough.
And to find modern curriculum vitae, in the form of the book, - this has demanded some efforts.
(Fyodor Tolstoy's biography was found as by itself, and, versa, search of the book with the modern biography of Leo Tolstoy has demanded several attempts).
Here and the book about Leo Tolstoy.
Some summaries ...
It seems one of two authors has died, without having finished the book ...
The other co-author was finishing, but he, seems, does not to have lived to the start of sales of the book...
So-o-o...
I have begun with reading a biographical essay of Evgeny Solovyov.
Began-and immediately the unexpectedness (at least, for me personally).
A mention of a patrimonial tree which "is supported by Saint Michael of Chernigov (prince of Chernigov), which died as Saint martyr in the Horde" [Solovyov].
"... I will pray for that God has given happiness to all ..." (Quoting [Solovyov]).
Flashed words:
"Silent heroism",
"Quiet courage",
Russo,
"Fatalism",
"Sadness",
"Pessimism" ...
Comparison with the Prophet Jeremiah ...
Reading Evgeny Solovyov's essay, I addressed for comparison and to the modern book-biography.
Small distraction from the topic. Allegedly, "we're not curious persons". Well ..., you shouldn't exaggerate. We are very curious, even - are inquisitive.
"Was a Yasnaya Polyana house, which became the empty, was an aunt Alyn with the enthusiastic religiousness and an eternal sourish smell of unfresh underwear".
Isn't that a curious detail?
I will continue. I come back to Evgeny Solovyov's essay.
"Sadness - as a concentrated suffering, as a bad sediment of all life impressions - never left Tolstoy. Strictly speaking, everything written by him is inexpressibly sad: Sad and "Sevastopol Sketches", and The Amazing Pearl "Three Deaths", and "War and Peace", and "Anna Karenina".
Like the ancient prophets, Tolstoy is entering into our world "with a sad and austere face."
His confessions - isn't that "Lamentations" by Jeremiah?... " [Solovyov].
The mention of fatalism attracts attention.
The first edition of a essay of Evgeny Solovyov in the Pavlenkov's series "Life of Remarkable People" has taken place in 1894, the second in 1897, and the third in 1902.
We have seen how he taught and sought the truth, how he passed from the service of power to the service of work, and finally-to the service of love" [Solovyov].
That is all three editions have taken place before revolution of 1905. Before the Manifesto. Prior to the coup of third of June 1907.
And 7 (20).11.1910 L.N. Tolstoy has died.
What was farther - we know.
Thus, fatalism, sadness, pessimism were prophetical.
Evgeny Solovyov (on July 25 (on August 6), 1863 - on August 12 (25), 1905) can't find the answer to a question of the reasons of fatalism, a sense of fatalism of L.N. Tolstoy, and finishes the reflections on fatalism the quote: "Because the heart of the poet", - Heine says, - "is the center of the world. How not to be currently broken?".
4. Russo and patience
My thinking was moving associatively. Russo - the "social contract" - debtors and creditors.
By itself there was a name of a essay: "'Debtors and creditors of Leo Tolstoy".
And everything fell into place.
People of silent heroism and quiet courage - creditors.
Those, who were them commanding, are debtors.
What was Leo Tolstoy's position?
I will tell that the scheme itself - the scheme of debtors and creditors, bankruptcy, recovery, improvements, committee of creditors - it doesn't reflect tragic element of a situation.
This scheme is kind of superficial.
But this scheme is clear and understandable. It in the first place.
Secondly, the understanding of the standing in a haze the shadows of people - tens (can be, more than one hundred) millions - it hard. It - even - frightens.
Therefore, this lite version (debtors and lenders, bankruptcy, recovery), and its use, is an attempt to present the situation visually, more lightly, and get out from under of the burdensome, frightening impression.
So.
The first. On the one hand, creditors. On the another - debtors.
The second. It becomes gradually clear that on debts it won't be possible to pay off. The most reasonable - the procedure of voluntary (not compulsory) bankruptcy. With transition to improvement.
The third. The image of faulty debtors is unpleasant and not necessary. As that to try to distance from him.
Fourth. Bankruptcy is always unpleasant, almost always - tragic. It was necessary to made it the least tragic. To explain that the future is not easy. That need is to act. That there is no need to aggravate relations with creditors. That it is necessary to be subjected to voluntary - unpleasant, humiliating, but opening the way to the future - improvement.
The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 has come. Creditors have gathered, and have shown for payment the collected debts.
Debtors didn't recognize their debts.
The intense conflict has begun.
Eventually, debtors have told: we recognize debts, we declare ourselves bankrupt. we will try to improve situation. We create committee of creditors. Be calm. You may disperse.
All wanted to move by peaceful way. Perhaps, both literature, and explanations, and admonitions have worked.
Of course, the Committee of creditors made the noise: not properly implemented recovery. Improvement not fast enough. And the like.
Debtors- are offended (and thus are insulted and humiliated)! It is necessary to think not about recovery, but about the conversion of creditors into submission.
Debtors have thought and declared: you know what, we have changed the mind. We don't recognize debts. We are finishing the procedure of bankruptcy. From recovery to refuse as it is not convenient, it will be, but - under an exclusive scheme. The committee of creditors will be transformed to the debating club which is subject - if necessary - to closing.
The educational impact on debtors turned out to be superficial.
And maybe, debtors needed to try once again? And maybe the creditors should have been tolerated? "Your patience save your souls". "By your endurance you will win your lives".
We will sum up the results of the told in a format of the chosen "light version".
It became clear that children need to adapt to independent life.
There was a wish loudly, symbolically to break off with debtors, with the world of debtors.
Perhaps, there was a wish to accept also death such, how at pilgrims, wanderers of God, men of God?
In 1910 Leo Tolstoy has died.
What was farther - well-known.
From a haze the shadows of tens (can be, more than one hundred) millions of people are watching.
They had a defender - Leo Tolstoy.
October 10, 2016.
Translation from Russian into English: February 15, 2018 - February 17, 2018.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский "Лев Толстой. Должники и кредиторы. Очерк".
This essay was included in publication (in Russian): "1519-2019. 500 years. From the past to the future. 16 essays about famous explorers, writers, scientists and inventors. Collection", 282 p.,. ISBN 978-5-4483-6197-5 (9785448361975).