Historical context of peasant communes of Russia in "How much land does a man need?" By Leo Tolstoy

Historical Context of Peasant Communes in Russia in "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" by Leo Tolstoy

Introduction:

Leo Tolstoy's short story, "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" serves as a critique of 19th-century Russian society, particularly the peasant communes known as mirs. By exploring the historical context surrounding these rural communities, Tolstoy offers a deeper understanding of the protagonist's pursuit of land and its implications on personal and societal well-being. This blog post aims to elucidate the importance of the historical context of peasant communes in Russia during the time Tolstoy wrote his story.

1. Serfdom and Land Distribution:

In order to grasp the significance of peasant communes (mirs), it is necessary to examine the system of serfdom that existed in Russia until 1861. Serfs were legally bound to their landlords, forced to work on the land in exchange for protection and survival. As industrialization took hold and serfdom was gradually abolished, land redistribution issues arose.

2. The Peasant Communes (Mir):

After the Emancipation Reform of 1861, the peasant communes, also known as mirs, became the new organizational unit of the former serfs. These communes were collective farms governed by an elected village assembly, which distributed the communal land among the peasant families. The mir system was aimed at consolidating land and resources, ensuring social stability, and enabling the redistribution of land to maintain a balanced society.

3. Agricultural Practices and Overpopulation:

During the time Tolstoy wrote his story, Russian society largely depended on agriculture. However, land divisions within the mir system often led to smaller agricultural plots, insufficient for subsistence. This division of land gradually became problematic, as population growth outpaced the availability of land. Tolstoy highlights the impact of such circumstances on the protagonist, Pahom, as he seeks to expand his land holdings.

4. Influence of Tolstoy's Ideology:

Leo Tolstoy was no stranger to the issues faced by peasants and the mir system. As a prominent writer, he used his literature to express his social critiques and to advocate for social reforms. Tolstoy believed that the mir system, with its principles of communal land ownership, represented an ideal agricultural society, in which individuals harmoniously supported each other. However, he also recognized the destructive potential of excessive materialism, which he explores in his story through Pahom's insatiable greed for land.

5. Pahom's Tragic Quest for Land:

In "How Much Land Does a Man Need?", Tolstoy masterfully illustrates the consequences of unchecked human desires and the pursuit of material wealth. Pahom believes that acquiring more land will bring him happiness and social status. However, his greed leads him to make a pact with the Bashkirs, an indigenous community, stipulating that he could keep all the land he could encircle on foot within one day, from sunrise to sunset. In his eagerness to acquire more land, Pahom exhausts himself and ultimately succumbs to death, dying on the very plot of land he desired.

Conclusion:

The historical context of peasant communes in Russia provides the backdrop against which Tolstoy's "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" becomes a powerful commentary on the materialistic tendencies of society and the detrimental effects of unchecked greed. Tolstoy's story serves as a reminder of the importance of communal harmony and contentment, urging readers to reevaluate their values in an increasingly materialistic world and to seek fulfillment outside the pursuit of wealth and possessions.