Tolstoy as well uses symbolism to portray a theme of the story to the reader. Tolstoy’s use of symbolism can be seen in the final scene of “How Much Land Does a Man Need” when Pahom is mapping of his land, “This [land] is so fine, it would be a pity to lose it. The further one goes, the better the land seems” (Tolstoy 225). The land referred to in this excerpt is symbolic of the greed Pahom experiences over the course of the story. It takes over Pahom’s subconscious and manifests itself in all of Pahom’s thoughts. This use of symbolism, again, helps in conveying the theme of the story. This theme of this story would be that the further one submits to greed, the more obsessed they will become. Both of these examples show a clear intent to use symbolism to address their themes. Both Akutagawa and Tolstoy use symbolism for the same purpose, though their obviousness to the reader varies. While Tolstoy’s comparison of land to Pahom’s greed is fairly obvious, Akutagawa’s use of symbolism is not as apparent. The reader must search to find the deeper meaning-similar to the investigative nature of “In a Grove”. Although Akutagawa and Tolstoy’s use of symbolism is comparable, the use of point of view is contrasting in that they were both created for different purposes.
Akutagawa’s use of point of view is intended to create shifts and conflict. “In a Grove” is broken down into various testimonies. All of them contain a first-person perspective of the events according to that character. Through one testimony from the wife, “neither conscious nor unconscious, I stabbed the small sword through the blue-colored kimono into his breast” (508), is much different in nature and content then that of Tajomaru’s Confession. Tajomaru confesses, “in front of [him] was shining the small sword…[he] took it up and stabbed it into [his] breast” (509). The difference between these two testimonies is not only who is accountable. The entire nature of their stories conflict each other. The reader must shift his mindset frequently, referring to previous testimonies and questioning the integrity of their accounts. The reader takes on a detective-like role as he tries to make sense of the testimonies and discerning truth from falsehood. However, Tolstoy uses point of view for a different purpose.
Tolstoy, on the other hand, offers little opinion in his story. It is told mostly in the third-person and with little outlook aside from occasional insight on Pahom’s inner conflict. Through the beginning of the story, “the Devil had been sitting behind the stove, and had heard all that was said” (215). This use of point of view allows the reader to see himself in the story. This makes Tolstoy’s story more enticing to his reader’s. Rather than reading characters’ opinions, they can be thinking their own. These two uses of point of view are very different, yet very appropriate for their stories. Akutagawa’s intent was to have readers analyze and assess the details of his story scrupulously while Tolstoy’s intent was to have readers imagine themselves within the story. Another literary device that is also contrasting is the use of the setting/atmosphere within the two stories.
The setting/atmosphere in Akutagawa’s “In a Grove”, is often related to the symbolism Akutagawa uses throughout the story. In the testimonies, the grove is referred to the key of the story. As one testimony was explained, “…he came in front of the grove, I told him treasures were buried in it… the grove is only bamboo for some distance,” (506). Akutagawa’s use of setting/atmosphere points out the one recurring congruity between the stories, the setting of the grove. This assists in helping the reader identify the grove as a symbolic element to the story. Naming the story after this symbolic element should also suggest major significance.
Tolstoy’s vague description of the setting in the novel contradicts Akutagawas’. In the beginning of the novel, the narrator partly describes how “close to the village there lived a lady, a small land-owner who had an estate of about three-hundred acres” (215). Tolstoy is not very descriptive when describing his setting/atmosphere within his story. Tolstoy does not offer the name of the wife, a name of the village, where in the world the story takes place, nor a description of the scenery. He does, however, allow for the reader to visualize his own setting/atmosphere of the novel. The reader has the freedom of painting a picture and is easily drawn in to his own imagination, along with the story. Akutagawa is much more descriptive of the setting while Tolstoy is not. This does not mean that one is better than the other. Each, though very different, compliment their stories in perfect form.
Tolstoy and Akutagawa’s applications of literary devices are somewhat similar yet mostly different. Although Akutagawa uses more complex symbolism than Tolstoy, symbolism was used to accomplish the same result. Both help the reader in understanding the theme or significance behind the story. Akutagawa uses point of view as a means of creating complexity and controversy. The rare style Akutagawa achieves through his testimonies is what allows for his entire message. The controversial account given through first-person narration is what assists the readers to identify disagreeing details and information necessary in understanding the story. Tolstoy’s goal for point of view is to support the tone and to allow the reader to envision himself in the story. “In a Grove” compliments its symbolism through its setting. Tolstoy’s use is almost the opposite. Purposely leaving out crucial details, Tolstoy was able to achieve two important ideas. He allows the reader to elaborate on the story while also maintaining the focus of the piece. The divergence of land is clearly the main conflict of the story. This is Tolstoy’s objective. He desires the message of his story to be as clear as crystal. When evaluating the piece, the theme is apparent and applicable in both short stories, although both authors have two very different styles of writing when it comes down to using the literary devices.
Works Cited
Rosenberg, Donna, ed. World Literature: An Anthology of Great Short Stories, Drama, and Poetry. Lincolnwood: NTC Publishing Group, 1992.
Akutagawa, Ryūnosuke. “In a Grove.” Rosenberg 501-510.
Tolstoy, Leo. “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” Rosenberg 213-227.