This is a two part exercise. Both should originally be a free response that you then organize and correct before posting to the blog. These responses should be completed in the next 48 hours, and you may make use of our remaining class time to begin. Responses can be sent as a comment to this entry.

Tolstoi argues for a moral art, one that in conveying the “feelings” of author to audience serves to create community. How successful were/are his own literary and philosophical efforts in fulfilling this dream?   (1000 words).

This course has been for me an experiment with greater student participation and the addition of films. Has your own knowledge and appreciation of Tolstoi’s life, works and reactions both artistic and scholarly been enhanced by that approach? Alternatively, would a more traditional model (please elaborate) have better served your needs?   (500 words).

This is a complex and compelling text. The first respondent should try to summarize Tolstoi’s approach and arguments. All subsequent comments must revise and refine that summary until we reach the final agreed upon summation.   Comments should be from 200-250 words.

Tolstoi quotes from the Gospel of Matthew concerning the renunciation of all wealth. His own three step program of how to live deviates in part from this command. Is he simply “deluding” himself much like those whom he accuses?

Is Tolstoi’s depiction of urban vs. rural poverty applicable today? In New York city vs. Shoreham, Vt.”

Is Tolstoi a precursor of today’s “sustainability”?

Does Tolstoi’s clearly sexist depiction of women have any validity? Does it weaken or undermine all that precedes it?

Answer One but be prepared to address all four in class.

Although he admits as soldier to having killed others, Tolstoi is driven to despair by two deaths in particular. Why? How did these deaths differ?  So he turns to reason and finds form Solomon to Schopenhauer ways to cope. Which one does he choose and why, and then why does that position become untenable?  Finally what, how and where does he find a solution.  Last but not least, why does he reject organized religions?

Death occupies a central role in Tolstoi’s consciousness, i particular after he lost his brother (not to mention the early loss of his mother). In The Death if Ivan Ilich, Tolstoy explores a dying man’s review of his life, its meaning, and possible resolution. In 250 words explore Tolstoy’s conclusion for tis relevance to both author and reader.  Enlcose your remarks as comments to this POST.

The research on learning indicates that lectures are one of the least effective ways to communicate material that is to be retained. Teaching on the other hand (or the thought, preparation and delivery of instruction) has been shown to improve substantially one’s comprehension and memory of the material.

In our course You will become the instructors, responsible for delivery of high level information of the life and works and critical reaction to Tolstoi. You will also bear the burden of establishing a means to GUARANTEE that all students have done the required reading.