Resurrection, 1899

Tolstoy begins this novel under the name Koni’s Story about a decade before it is published. It is based on a true story, told to him by a friend, about a young aristocrat who seduces a peasant and then wants to make amends for her descent into prostitution and imprisonment. In the resultant well-researched story his characters become the victims of an unjust system. The impetus to finish this novel comes from the persecution of the Dukhobors, an old religious sect, after they publicly declare they will not serve in the army because of their opposition to violence. Their leaders are imprisoned and thousands are exiled. Tolstoy decides to embarrass the authorities in a public campaign and raise funds for the Dukhobors. When the government authorises the sect to move to Canada in 1898, Tolstoy decides that the proceeds from Resurrection will go towards their resettlement. Vladimir Chertkov and Paul Biryukov are sent into exile for the political agitation they and Tolstoy create around the Dukhobors.