Faith and Peace in "God Sees the Truth, But Waits": A Fall from Grace Annabel Tang 9th Grade

The protagonist Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov undergoes a multitude of changes throughout the short story “God Sees the Truth, but Waits”. By utilizing specific characterization and character development in order emphasize contrast throughout the story and gradually generate tension within the mind of the protagonist, Leo Tolstoy, in “God Sees the Truth, but Waits”, brings about a resolution that effectively communicates the story’s morals surrounding faith and the obtainment of peace.

Aksionov begins the story privileged, wealthy, and seemingly content with the state of his life—Aksionov is married to a caring wife, owns a house and two shops, and takes advantage of the luxuries presented with his largely successful job as a merchant. When Aksionov is first introduced, he is described as a “handsome, fair-haired, curly-headed fellow, full of fun, and very fond of singing” (79). The young Aksionov, particularly through his tendency towards materialism in his pursuit of business profits, is portrayed as an ignorant and even sinful person who has yet to funderstand the prominent role of faith and devotion, prominently emphasized by the ease with which Aksionov dismisses his wife’s concerns about his travel to the fair. After his wife...