Tolstoy's "Master and Man" is counted as one of the
greatest short stories ever written by some critics and a labored treatise on Tolstoyan
philosophy by other critics. In either case, it is agreed that the overall synopsis of
"Master and Man" is that a singled-focused, some say egotistical, master in the
heartland of Russia wants to strike a business deal on a day when the heartless Russian
weather is set against him. The master's loving young wife, the mother of his children,
convinces to take the serf (servant) Nikita with him so that he won't be traveling
alone. While on the journey, with the master's thoughts always focused on the
culmination of the business deal, Nikita and he progress on their way but are lost in
the bowels of a Russian snowstorm.
In order to understand
the story, it is important to understand two things about the master, Vasili Andrevich
Brekhunov. The first is that he carefully characterized by Tolstoy as a man who has a
loving wife whom he values highly, just as he values their offspring. This draws the
picture of the master's human side, his personable side. The second is that he is
clearly obsessed in profound single-mindedness on accumulating wealth and goods. He
takes liberties with Nikita's wages; he appropriates church funds for personal business
transactions; he puts the possibility of closing a good deal above valid considerations
for his safety as illustrated by his willingness--no, his single-minded
determination--to go out in dangerous weather across deserted frozen snow covered
expanses in the hope of making and closing a good business deal for the purchase of a
grove of trees at half their value.
Nikita represents the
ideal of pastoral simplicity, some critics say he is Tolstoy's nobel savage. He is
sincere, transparent in his motives and needs; he is pragmatic and practical about his
situation knowing that since he can't go anywhere (serfs stay with the land they live
on), he had best not stir up anguish over the master's poorly reconciled payment
accounts. Nikita is ready to go where his master requires, when he requires it and is
therefore willing to accompany him on this ill-judged journey for oak
trees.
On their travels they get lost three times,
rejecting hospitality twice. The third time, the horse falls into a ravine, the sledge
follows and master and man are trapped. Nikita recognizes the truth and releases the
horse from the harness and sets up a makeshift pole with flag so they might be found and
dug out from under the snow--falling hard and fast--in the morning. The master chooses
to try to escape on the back of the horse, which stumbles, shakes off the master and
runs back to Nikita, with the master running behind. They find Nikita lying in the
sledge and he says that he is dying. The master has a quiet epiphany, and, realizing
that Nikita's life is valuable after all, opens his copious fur coat, lays down on top
of Nikita and gives up his own life to save Nikita's. Thus the master Vasili has learned
the truth about life; has atoned to Nikita for past injustice; and has found the elusive
road--the one to spiritual righteousness--the one Nikita already
knew.
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