Dostoevsky’s themes in Tolstoy’s The Forged Coupon [Falshiviy kupon

Abstract

The novella The Forged Coupon [Falshiviy kupon] can be considered one of the most compelling illustrations of the core principle of Tolstoy’s religious philosophy: ‘nonviolent resistance to evil.’ While Tolstoyan anthropology consistently views human nature as inherently good, the novella offers a not unambiguous view of the human soul, which can harbour evil as well. The Forged Coupon is a fascinating example of the indirect dialogue between Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Dostoevsky’s anthropology and his idea of human nature as a struggle between good and evil appears to play a significant role in Tolstoy’s contemplations. An evil feeling is indeed engendered in the human soul, but with an important caveat that this evil feeling always interacts with external evil. Such an evil combination invariably occurs in the context of broken-off connections, when humanity’s original spiritual integrity is disrupted. In addition, Tolstoy’s later philosophy converges with Dostoevsky’s ideas about the good being a result of the irrational and mystical influence of one man’s spiritual nature on that of another, in a true manifestation of the Christian spirit.