Grade XI Compulsory English | Unit: 3- God Sees the Truth but Waits | (XI-English ) by- Leo Tolstoy

 

God Sees the Truth but Waits | Leo Tolstoy       Summary 1

The story follows a merchant named Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov who lives in the town of Vladimir with two shops and a house of his own. He used to drink alcohol, but after marriage he sometimes does so. As he prepares to go to the Nizhny Fair one summer, his wife urges him not to leave the family telling that she had a nightmare in which he left for the fair and returned with gray hair. He ignores his wife's dream and leaves for the fair.

Aksionov meets a fellow merchant on his way to the fair. They spend the evening at the inn. Aksionov wakes up early to get to the fair without the other merchant. When he goes about twenty-five miles, he stops for the horses to be fed and a rest. He is approached by a few policemen. They explain that the merchant was murdered and robbed. They search Aksionov's luggage. They find a blood stained knife. Despite Aksionov's claim that he is not the murderer, he is sent to jail.

Aksionov's wife with children comes to visit him in jail. She becomes unconscious seeing her husband in prison clothes and fetters. After she comes to her senses, she informs Aksionov that an appeal to the Czar has been rejected. Aksionov is shocked when she asks him whether he actually committed the murder for which he has been arrested. His wife’s suspicion of his guilt makes him conclude that he can rely on God alone to know the truth. He is flogged and sent to a Siberian labor camp. Remaining there for 26 years, he loses his youthful cheerfulness and becomes deeply religious.

A new group of convicts arrives at the Siberian prison. One of them, Makar Semyonich, has been imprisoned for stealing a horse from a sledge. After overhearing conversations, Aksionov is certain that Semyonich is the man who was responsible for the crime for which he was blamed. One night, he discovers Semyonich digging an escape hole. The next day, the authorities finds out the hole. The Governor comes and asks the prisoners who is trying to escape. Aksionov does not wish to see Makar being flogged. He tells the Governor that he knows nothing about who dug the hole.

The following night Aksionov finds Semyonich sitting at the foot of his bunk. Semyonich, overwhelmed by Aksyonov’s goodness in protecting him from the Governor, confesses to having framed him for murder 26 years before and begs his forgiveness. Semyonich offers to admit his guilt to the authorities and thereby forgive Aksionov. He dies shortly before the authorities order him to be released.

Source: https://www.suryaxetri.com/2021/01/neb-grade-xi-compulsory-english-note-god-sees-the-truth-but-waits-leo-tolstoy.html

 

God Sees the Truth But Waits Summary-2

In the Russian town of Vladimir, Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov lives as a successful merchant with his wife and young children. One summer, as Aksionov sets off for Nizhy Fair to sell his goods, Aksionov's wife warns him not to go, for she has had a nightmare in which he returned with grey hair. Aksionov laughs off her concern that the nightmare was a premonition and interprets the dream as a sign of luck.

Halfway to the town, Aksionov encounters a fellow merchant, with whom he stops for the night at an inn. The men have tea together and sleep in adjoining rooms. Aksionov rises before dawn and sets off with his horses and coachman while the air is cool. After twenty-five miles, he stops to feed his horses.

During this break, two soldiers and an official arrive and begin questioning Aksionov about his relationship with the man he had tea with the night before. The merchant was found dead with his throat slit. Since the two rooms were next to each other, it seems only natural that Aksionov might know something. Aksionov trembles in fear when the official searches his belongings and removes a knife streaked with blood.

The men bind and arrest Aksionov. His wife visits him in jail and faints at the sight of him dressed as a criminal. He says they must petition the czar, to which she says she has already tried to no avail. She asks him if he committed the murder, and Aksionov weeps. If even his wife suspects him, he thinks after she leaves, then only God knows the truth and it is only to God that he should appeal.

He puts his faith in God and accepts his sentencing and ceremonial flogging. He is sent to work in the Siberian mines. Over twenty-six years in Siberia, Aksionov transforms into a pious old man. His hair turns white, his beard grows long, he walks with difficulty, and he never laughs. He prays often and, among other prisoners, he develops a reputation as a meek and fair man.

One day a newly arrived inmate named Makar Semyonich, who is about the same age as Aksionov and from the same hometown, gives an account of what brought him to Siberia. He was suspected of stealing a horse when in reality he had only borrowed it. Nevertheless, he was convicted and imprisoned. The irony is that he had gotten away with doing something much worse earlier in his life.

Aksionov suspects the man is responsible for framing him. He questions Semyonich, who cryptically responds in a way that confirms Aksionov's suspicion. Aksionov remembers everything he has lost and is plunged into misery; he longs for a way to get revenge but resolves to stay away from the man or even look in his direction. After two weeks, unable to sleep, Aksionov takes a walk near the prison to discover Semyonich digging a tunnel under his sleeping shelf. Semyonich angrily offers Aksionov escape and threatens to kill him should he tell the authorities about the tunnel. Aksionov says Semyonich has already taken his life, and he shall do as God directs him.

Soldiers discover the tunnel the next day. The governor arrives to question prisoners, none of whom admit to knowing anything about the tunnel. After wrestling with his desire for vengeance, Aksionov declines to say what he knows about Semyonich's involvement, even if it means that he will be punished himself.

That night, Aksionov is about to nod off in his bunk when Semyonich sits down beside him. Semyonich bends over and whispers a plea for forgiveness. He confesses that it was he who killed the other merchant and stole his money; he then planted the knife so that Aksionov would become the suspect. He falls to his knees and begs for forgiveness, promising to confess to the crimes so that Aksionov will go free. The old man replies that his life is already over and he has nowhere to go.

At the sight of Semyonich's tears, Aksionov weeps himself. Semyonich begs again for forgiveness. Aksionov tells him that God will forgive him, and that perhaps he himself is a hundred times worse. Having said this, Aksionov feels a lightness enter his body. He no longer desires to go home or leave the prison; he wants only to die.

The story ends with Semyonich confessing to the governor. By the time the officials arrange Aksionov's release, Aksionov has already died.

Source: https://www.gradesaver.com/god-sees-the-truth-but-waits/study-guide/summary

 

Extended Summary

In Russia during the nineteenth century, a young, attractive businessman named Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov lived with his wife and children. Although he had been a bit wild in his youth, he had now settled down and lived a responsible, productive life. One day he decided to make a trip to a fair where he could sell some of his merchandise. Although his wife had had a bad dream about this trip, Aksionov decided to proceed. On the way, he stopped at an inn, where he met another merchant, a person he knew. They decided to stay at the inn in rooms next to one another. The next morning, he proceeded on his way. After traveling twenty-five miles, however, he was stopped by a local police officer, who questioned him closely about the time he had spent at the inn. It turned out that the other merchant had been found with his throat slit open, and Aksionov seemed a likely suspect since he knew the man and since their rooms had been adjacent. Aksionov vehemently denied any involvement in the murder. However, when his bags were checked, a bloody knife was found.

Although Aksionov protested his innocence, he was arrested and charged with the murder. Even his wife wondered if he might have been involved, since the circumstantial evidence was so striking. A petition to the Czar for mercy was turned down. Aksionov bade his wife and young children farewell, reflecting that only God can know the truth, and that only God can provide true clemency. Aksionov continued to petition the Czar, but eventually he despaired of any earthly mercy, focusing his thoughts instead on God. After being severely flogged, he was sent to work in the mines in Siberia. During his twenty-six years of imprisonment there, his hair turned white, his happy-go-lucky personality disappeared, and his body began to weaken; he never showed any signs of happiness and he frequently prayed to God.

While imprisoned, he became a boot-maker, thus earning enough money to buy a book called The Lives of the Saints. He read this book whenever possible. On Sundays he took a prominent role in the religious services, and he sang in the choir of the prison church. The wardens and guards appreciated his humility, and the other prisoners regarded him with respect, calling him “Grandfather” and “The Saint.” He became their representative when they needed to deal with the authorities, and they trusted him so much that they treated him as a kind of judge, who could settle disputes and disagreements amongst them. Meanwhile, he had no information about his family nor any contact with them. They might all be dead, for all he knew.

When a new shipment of prisoners arrived one day, Aksionov eventually realized that one of the men, Makar, was from his own home town. In response to Aksionov’s questions, Makar informed the old man that Aksionov’s family was prosperous. Makar seemed to know Aksionov somehow, leading the latter to wonder if Makar knew anything about the murder of the merchant. Makar’s reply led Aksionov to begin to suspect that it was Makar who had in fact committed the crime. Tormented by painful memories and by a sense of all the years he had lost, he eventually accused Makar, privately, of having murdered the merchant. Makar ignored the accusation even though Aksionov had caught Makar trying to dig a tunnel to escape the prison. Aksionov could easily have reported this deed to the authorities, but he chose to keep quiet, even after Makar threatened him. When the tunnel was eventually discovered, no one would identify Makar as the culprit who had been doing the digging. Even Aksionov, who was closely questioned by the Governor of the prison because the Governor knew that his testimony would be honest, denied knowing who had been digging. He did not want to see Makar harshly punished and even began to wonder if he had wrongly suspected Makar of murdering the merchant.

Later that night, Makar came to Aksionov’s bed and begged the old man for forgiveness. He confessed that he had indeed killed the merchant and had hidden the bloody knife in Aksionov’s belongings. He offered to confess to this crime so that Aksionov could be released from prison and go back to his home and family. Makar continued to beg Aksionov for forgiveness, especially since Aksionov had not revealed what he knew about Makar and the tunnel. Both men were soon weeping, and Aksionov said “God will forgive you! . . . Maybe I am a hundred times worse than you.” Having said this, he suddenly felt unburdened and no longer cared about leaving prison. He only desired death. Makar did eventually confess to having killed the merchant, but by the time Aksionov’s pardon arrived, he was already deceased.

Source: https://www.enotes.com/topics/god-sees-the-truth-but-waits

 

Summary Analysis

Aksyonov, a well-to-do young merchant from the town of Vladimir, prepares to set off for the commercial Fair at Nizhny. Aksyonov’s wife urges him to say home, saying that she has had a bad dream in which his hair turned completely gray. Aksyonov assumes that she is worried he will drink too much (as he has a habit of binge drinking) and dismisses her concerns. He promises that he will “do some good business” at Nizhny and bring her back “expensive presents.”

The young Aksyonov’s drinking and materialism (for example, his pursuit of business profits and “expensive presents”) establish him as a casually sinful person who has yet to recognize the primacy of faith and devotion. Additionally, the ease with which Aksyonov dismisses his wife’s concerns shows that he takes his family, home, and as perhaps his other social connections somewhat for granted.

Halfway to Nizhny, Aksyonov meets a merchant friend at an inn, where they have tea and spend the night in adjoining rooms. After leaving the inn and continuing his journey to Nizhny, Aksyonov takes a break to rest, eat, and play his guitar. Suddenly, a district police inspector arrives with two soldiers, interrogates Aksyonov as to his whereabouts and actions the previous evening, and then announces that Aksyonov’s merchant friend has been found murdered at the inn.

The district police inspector appears on the scene as an immediately intimidating figure, for he is accompanied by two soldiers who represent the threat of force. Known only by his title, the inspector symbolizes the impersonal, overbearing state power that underlies the criminal justice system.

The police inspector orders a search of Aksyonov’s belongings and discovers a bloody knife. The inspector formally accuses Aksyonov of murder, and a terrified Aksyonov stammers and quakes with fear. Aksyonov is physically restrained and sent to jail.

The inspector’s accusation and arrest of Aksyonov illustrate the corruption of institutional justice. The inspector rapidly leverages state authority (and physical force) against Aksyonov without irrefutable evidence that he is the murderer, and Aksyonov is so overwhelmed that he is rendered unable to defend himself.

Aksyonov’s wife comes to visit him in jail. She collapses upon seeing her husband in prison clothes and fetters. After regaining her senses, she informs Aksyonov that the last of his appeals—a petition to the Tsar—has been rejected, and she then shocks Aksyonov by asking whether he actually committed the murder for which he was arrested. As a soldier separates Aksyonov from his wife and children for the last time, Aksyonov reflects upon his wife’s suspicion of his guilt and concludes that he can rely on God alone to know the truth and to offer mercy.

The failure of Aksyonov’s final appeal to the Tsar, along with his wife’s suspicion of his guilt, leads him to recognize God as the only entity who can be trusted to see the truth and deliver real justice. Aksyonov realizes that he must pivot towards seeking God’s forgiveness by living a more spiritual life, and this change in focus is reinforced by Aksyonov’s final physical separation from his family—his strongest earthly attachment.

Aksyonov is flogged and then sent to a Siberian labor camp. He remains here for 26 years, developing a stoop and losing his youthful gaiety. While incarcerated, Aksyonov becomes devoutly religious. He prays frequently, reads religious literature, and sings in the church choir. Aksyonov’s fellow inmates refer to him as “Grandpa” and “Man of God.” 

Aksyonov’s flogging and the breakdown of his body (for instance, his development of a stoop) during his incarceration highlight the focus of institutional justice on bodily punishment. Along with highlighting the brutality of the criminal justice system, this contrasts with God’s judgment of the soul. Through his religious activities in prison, Aksyonov transforms into an ideal holy man, or a model for readers’ emulation. Like many Christian saints, Aksyonov responds to his earthly persecution and suffering by strengthening his faith, or by trusting that real justice comes from God, and not from any source on Earth.

During Aksyonov’s 26th year at the Siberian prison, a new group of convicts arrives. One of them, Makar Semyonov, has been imprisoned for allegedly stealing a horse from a sledge. He says he comes from Vladimir, and Aksyonov asks for news of his family. Makar says that he has heard of Aksyonov’s family as prosperous merchants whose husband (or father) is locked up in Siberia. Makar asks Aksyonov why he was imprisoned, but Aksyonov will say only that his 26 years of penal servitude have been payment for his sins.

Aksyonov’s instinctual questioning of Makar about his wife and children shows the power of family as a source of earthly attachment that keeps Aksyonov’s thoughts on the world, rather than on God. At the same time, however, Aksyonov’s insistence that he is paying for his sins enhances his image as a model “Man of God.” Aksyonov treats his earthly suffering as inspiration to atone for his spiritual transgressions (or to seek God’s forgiveness) and as a test through which he can prove himself worthy of salvation.

Other inmates tell Makar about the merchant’s murder and Aksyonov’s wrongful arrest. Makar’s reaction to this information leads Aksyonov to suspect that it was Makar who framed him for murder. Aksyonov is overwhelmed with anger at Makar, and he thinks longingly of his family. Aksyonov becomes so depressed that he considers either attacking Makar or committing suicide.

The anger Aksyonov feels towards Makar indicates that Aksyonov’s path towards becoming an ideal “Man of God” is not without its setbacks and its trials: the actions Aksyonov contemplates—suicide or a violent assault on the man who framed him—would both amount to a terrible regression into sin. Additionally, that Aksyonov’s thoughts rush to his family shows that even despite Aksyonov’s intense devotional activities in Siberia, he has a hard time letting go of his most powerful worldly or societal attachments—attachments that might jeopardize his fulfillment of a purely spiritual life.

One night, Aksyonov discovers Makar digging an escape tunnel. The next day, the authorities discover the hole, and the Governor arrives on the scene to question the prisoners as to who was trying to escape. Reasoning that he does not wish to see Makar flogged (and that his suspicion of Makar for the merchant’s murder may be misplaced), Aksyonov tells the Governor that he knows nothing about who dug the tunnel.

Like the district police inspector who accused Aksyonov of murder, the Governor is a state official known only by his title; he serves as a symbol of institutional justice. Aksyonov’s desire to spare Makar from flogging—and his decision to blatantly lie to the Governor—represent a rejection of the state justice system that the Governor represents. Importantly, forgiveness of Makar does not factor into Aksyonov’s reasoning; Aksyonov’s actions are principally a rejection of the Governor’s authority.  

The following night, Aksyonov finds Makar sitting at the foot of his bunk. Makar, overwhelmed by Aksyonov’s goodness in protecting him from the Governor, confesses to having framed Aksyonov for murder 26 years earlier and begs his forgiveness. Makar offers to admit his guilt to the authorities and thereby exonerate Aksyonov.

Makar seeks Aksyonov’s forgiveness as a way of easing the burden (or moral imbalance) he feels for having done harm to a man who has done good to him. Moreover, Makar hopes to acquire Aksyonov’s forgiveness as part of a negotiated exchange; if Aksyonov will forgive him, Makar promises, he will exonerate Aksyonov by sharing his confession with the authorities. This suggests that true forgiveness for one’s sins is more fulfilling and meaningful than falsely asserting one’s innocence.

Aksyonov responds to Makar’s confession with indignation, claiming that even if Makar were to help him secure his release from prison, he would have no home or family to which he could return. However, Makar continues to seek Aksyonov’s forgiveness and breaks down sobbing. Aksyonov is moved by Makar’s genuine guilt and pain, and he too breaks down in tears.

Aksyonov imagines that the social life—life outside prison—would not be worthwhile if he did not have his family. The extent to which he values his family during his imprisonment contrasts with his attitude at the beginning of the story, when he seemed to take his wife somewhat for granted. Aksyonov continues to withhold forgiveness from Makar, as he judges the terms of exchange Makar offered him—confession and exoneration in return for forgiveness—to be inadequate. Aksyonov does, however, cry in sympathy with Makar, a reaction that portrays him as somewhat of a forgiving, Christlike figure. Aksyonov begins to feel solidarity with his fellow prisoner as he recognizes their shared pain and common situation as sinners desperate for forgiveness. (Aksyonov, of course, is seeking the forgiveness of God).

Aksyonov tells Makar that God will forgive him. Aksyonov feels a weight off his shoulders and no longer “pines” for his freedom or for his family. Instead, Aksyonov thinks only of his “last hour.”

Aksyonov finally orients himself fully towards God and the afterlife. He does so in two key steps. First, he recognizes that only God can forgive, thus easing the burden of anger that he previously felt towards Makar and relieving his uncertain thoughts over justice on Earth (for example, his deliberations as to whether Makar deserves his forgiveness). Second, Aksyonov at last jettisons all earthly attachments, including his aspiration for freedom in the outside world (beyond the walls of the prison) and his fixation on his family—his strongest social bond.

Makar confesses to the authorities that it was he who murdered the merchant, not Aksyonov, and Aksyonov is officially exonerated. However, by the time permission arrives for him to be released from the labor camp Aksyonov has passed away.

Source: https://www.litcharts.com/lit/god-sees-the-truth-but-waits/summary-and-analysis

 

Understanding the text

Answer these questions.

a. What bad habits did Aksionov have before his marriage?

Answer: Before his marriage he used to drink and was riotous when he had too much.
b. What can be the meaning of his wife's dream?

Answer: Her dream is a premonition of terrible fate that awaits Aksionov.
c. Why did Aksionov think of killing himself?

Answer: In his mind, he saw the place where he was flogged, the executioner, and the people standing around; the chains, the convicts, all the twenty-six years of his prison life, and his premature old age. This thought made him feel so bad that he was ready to kill himself.
d. Why did Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?

Answer: Makar ........ because he wanted to make Aksionov release from the prison.
e. Why doesn't Aksionov wish to return to his family at the end of the story?

Answer: Aksionov doesn't wish to return to his family at the end of the story because he believes that his wife was dead, and his children have forgotten him.
Reference to the context

a. Answer:                             i. Aksionov                           ii. the truth of digging an escape hole              iii. wall of the prison

b. Describe Aksionov's character.

Aksionov is the protagonist of the story. He is a successful young merchant whose comfortable life is disrupted when he is framed for murder and sent to Siberian prison camp. His wife’s suspicion of his guilt makes him conclude that he can rely on God alone to know the truth. He earns a reputation as a good person among the prison officials and fellow prisoners. After finding himself imprisoned with the man who framed him, Aksionov is ready to kill himself. However, at the end of the story he is able to forgive Semyonich. He dies shortly before the authorities order him to be released.

c. What is the theme of the story?

The story has the theme of injustice, acceptance, faith and forgiveness. The case against Aksionov is not convincing. The government authorities without establishing motive or recovering a bloody knife and twenty thousand rubles stolen from the merchant declare him guilty. When his wife's appeal to the Czar is rejected, Aksionov accepts that the injustice to which he is subjected is impossible to correct. He devotes himself to God to offer him the justice that man can’t give him. In prison, Aksionov converts himself into a humble and religious figure. Officials and prisoners respect him for his impartiality in resolving arguments. Aksionov's faith in God is so strong that he believes he must be sinful to deserve the torturous life God has given him. After Aksionov is unwilling to inform on Semyonich's tunnel-digging, Semyonich is shaken by Aksionov's mercy. Aksionov finally grants Semyonich forgiveness.

d. Which symbols are used in the story and what do they indicate?

The story offers several symbols for its artistic expression that supersedes flat writing. Aksionov’s house and two shops represent his family and material possessions. The prison itself is a symbol of Aksionov’s suffering and final spiritual transformation. His gray hair emerges as a clear symbol of his suffering, highlighting not only his aging but also his physical decay resulting from punishment. His grey hair suggests how the stress of his wrongful imprisonment prematurely ages him. The blood stained knife unpredictably found in Aksionov's bag works as the crucial piece of evidence required to convict him. This knife symbolizes Aksionov's lack of control over his fate. The book ‘The Lives of the Saints’ Aksionov buys represents his religious devotion.

Reference beyond the text

a. What role does religion play in Aksionov's life? How does he undergo a spiritual transformation in the story?

Christianity plays an important role in Aksionov’s life. He spends his entire life in a Siberian prison expecting for the right judgement of God. His wife’s suspicion of his guilt makes him conclude that he can rely on God alone to know the truth and to offer mercy. Imprisoned for 26 years, he loses his youthful cheerfulness and becomes deeply religious. He devotes his life to God. In prison, Aksionov learns to make boots, and earns a little money, with which he buys the book ‘The Lives of the Saints’ and reads it. On Sundays in the prison-church he reads the lessons and sings in the choir. The prison authorities even like him for his humbleness. His fellow-prisoners respects him calling him ‘Grandfather’ and ‘The Saint’. By the time the real killer of the merchant arrives in prison, Askionov is able to forgive him. At the end of the story, he has no desire to return home but to be with God.

Aksionov’s spiritual transformation is remarkable in the story. Before the imprisonment he is care free and enjoys materialistic life. Despite Aksionov’s rejection of the legitimacy of the state that has jailed him, he realizes that the reason he is suffering in Siberia is to pay for his sins. Aksionov considers his miseries as a test of faith that gives him a chance to achieve salvation by reforming his character and devoting his life to God.

Source: https://www.suryaxetri.com/2021/01/neb-grade-xi-compulsory-english-note-god-sees-the-truth-but-waits-leo-tolstoy.html