The Relations of the Sexes E-Book

Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy.

• Herausgeber: DigiCat
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy's 'The Relations of the Sexes' is a profound exploration of the complexities and dynamics between men and women in society. Written in Tolstoy's signature literary style characterized by vivid descriptions and insightful observations, the book delves into the roles, expectations, and power dynamics that shape relationships between the sexes. Tolstoy's examination of gender relations is situated within the broader literary context of the 19th century Russian society, offering a valuable insight into the social norms and values of the time. Through a series of interconnected narratives and character studies, Tolstoy challenges conventional notions of masculinity and femininity, inviting readers to reflect on the intricacies of human interactions and societal constructs. Born into a noble family in Russia, Tolstoy's own experiences and observations of gender dynamics in his society likely influenced his decision to write 'The Relations of the Sexes'. His background as a writer and thinker allowed him to craft a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of gender relations, shedding light on the complexities that define human relationships. Tolstoy's moral philosophy and keen understanding of human nature are evident throughout the book, making it a compelling and resonant read for readers interested in exploring the intricacies of interpersonal connections. 'The Relations of the Sexes' is a timeless and insightful work that offers a profound examination of gender dynamics and societal expectations. Recommended for readers seeking a thought-provoking and illuminating exploration of the complexities of human relationships, Tolstoy's book remains relevant and compelling in its exploration of gender roles and societal constructs.

Leseprobe

Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy

The Relations of the Sexes

 

EAN 8596547161875

DigiCat, 2022 Contact: [email protected]

Table of Contents

Cover

Titlepage

EDITORIAL PREFACE

Afterword to " The Kreutzer Sonata ."

EDITORIAL PREFACE

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IN selecting and publishing the contents of this book, the greater part of which consists of passages from Leo Tolstoy's private letters and diaries upon a subject often avoided in literature, or alluded to only indirectly, I do not conceal from myself that some readers will probably be shocked by the very frank and straightforward way in which this subject is treated here. In answer to their objections, I can only say that the book was not intended for them, but for those readers whose experience and observation have brought them to recognize the world-wide need of a serious, free, and unrestricted examination of this most vitally important problem of human life.

I am also aware that other readers, on the contrary, may be attracted to this book from a prurient curiosity; but I am glad to think that so far from obtaining what they expect, they can, in this case at least, only be morally benefited by the healthy character of the views they will here become acquainted with, perhaps for the first time.

As to those who are equally free from artificial prudery, and impure curiosity, and who will approach the subject with the sole desire of a careful and reverent investigation of one of the most essential and complex life problems, I need say nothing. They know what they are about, and I earnestly trust, will find what they are in search of.

In the interests of those who would not like a book of this kind to get into the hands of readers whom they consider too young to understand it, a title as direct and unambiguous as possible has been chosen.

​After the appearance of The Kreutzer Sonata, so misunderstood and misjudged by some readers, hundreds of letters and persons of all grades of society in every part of the globe reached the author, thanking him for the good the book had done them, relating most intimate circumstances in their past lives, and begging for further guidance in their particular difficulties. This correspondence vividly demonstrates anew, if say new demonstration were required, that the old basis of relationship is outworn and a new one more in accordance with the enlarged consciousness of Christendom is being earnestly sought for, as indeed Tolstoy points out in one of the passages here quoted. Many of the extracts included in this collection are taken from Tolstoy's replies to these letters, and the sole reason for the publicity now given to these and other thoughts expressed here, is the hope that they may bring light and help to thousands more who are in the same difficulties, but cannot be reached by personal means.

With regards to the kind of compilation of a writer's thoughts which the present book represents, I feel it necessary to make a few further general observations. Such a collection, although relating to one definite subject, yet being gathered from the most varied sources, and expressing most different frames of mind and periods of inner development, -naturally cannot offer that completeness, consecutiveness, and sense of proportion one is accustomed to expect from a carefully elaborated literary production. To a superficial or hostile reader, or one unacquainted with the basis of the author's life-conception, or who has never seriously contemplated the subject discussed, -such compilations will inevitably afford many seeming contradictions and inconsistencies; especially if the author be indeed a thinker, i.e. -a man with an understanding of life which is not stationary but progressive. There is, ​however, another class of readers, -and it is those we have in view when publishing these booklets, -who seriously and sincerely approach the problem under consideration, not with the desire to maintain at all costs their previous personal views, but solely to investigate it impartially, and, should the Truth demand it, to alter or modify their original attitude. Such readers, penetrating into the very essence of the thoughts expressed, will not be disturbed by any verbal inaccuracies or purely external contradictions of expression, -which are inevitable owing to the very character of such compilations, composed or fragmentary and isolated thoughts in most cases not originally intended for publication at all. And such readers only, who endeavor to grasp the author's meaning, not in its worst but in its best and most useful significance, can obtain from their reading true satisfaction and real profit.

Thus, for example, in the present book one meets with passages in which marriage is positively recommended, -side by side with others expressing an altogether negative attitude. And nevertheless in these two different views on marriage there is no contradiction if one takes into consideration the author's recognition of the different degrees of development of human consciousness. Already in the Afterword to the Kreutzer Sonata, with which this book begins, the correlation of these two views is sufficiently clearly indicated for the discriminating reader. Some years after this article had been written, Leo Tolstoy having been asked in my presence how he reconciled the two assertions, answered to the following effect: "Both are true: all depends by the irresistible longing for married life, then instead of living dissolutely or becoming addicted to unnatural vices, he had certainly better marry, in order, conjointly with his partner, to fulfill his family and social duties. But if he or she is capable of entire consecrations to the service of God and men, forgetting personal ​individuality in the service, then marriage is undoubtedly a fall and a hindrance, just as it would be a hindrance for people who formerly had been working in a field with all their members free to rope themselves together in pairs." With equal simplicity all other doubts and misgivings solved, I believe -if the reader indeed desires their solution.

To avoid undesirable misunderstandings I should like to make it clear that when alluding to woman in unflattering terms Tolstoy refers exclusively to worldly, materialistic women, and that the very vehemence of his protest is the proof of his sense of the supreme importance, dignity, and influence for good of the true woman of Christian spirit.

As for myself and my colleagues in this work, we undertake each new issue of such collections of Tolstoy's thoughts with so much the greater satisfaction and pleasure, that we know from the expressions of sympathy and encouragement which reach us on all sides to what an extent these publications do indeed satisfy a heartfelt demand on the part of many and many of our readers.

V.TCHERTKOFF

CHRISTCHURCH, 15th August, 1901.

The Relations of the Sexes

Table of Contents

Afterword to "The Kreutzer Sonata."

Table of Contents

I HAVE received and continue to receive letters from strangers, asking me to explain in simple and clear language my ideas on the subject treated by me in the story entitled The Kreutzer Sonata. This I will now endeavor to do, this is, to express as shortly as possible the substance of what I wished to convey in that story, and those deductions which may, in my opinion, be drawn from it.

In the first place I wished to say that there is a settled conviction, which has taken root in all classes of our society, and is supposed by false science, that sexual intercourse is indispensable to health, and that, as the marriage state is not always practicable, sexual intercourse outside of marriage, imposing on the man no obligation beyond a money payment, is perfectly natural, and therefore deserving of encouragement.

This conviction has become so general and confirmed that parents encourage vice among their children by the advice of medical men; governments -whose only meaning consists in care for the moral well-being of the citizens -organize vice, i.e., regulate an entire class of women who are doomed to bodily and spiritual ruin for the satisfaction of the imaginary necessities of men; and unmarried men addict themselves to vice with perfectly quiet consciences.

And I wished to say that this is wrong, because it cannot be necessary that for the sake of the health of some the souls and ​bodies of others must be ruined, any more than it can be necessary that for the health of some the blood of others must be drunk.

The deduction which seems to me natural to make from this, that one should not give way to this error and deception. And in order not to give way, one should first refuse to believe immoral teachings, however they may be supported by pseudo sciences; and, secondly, understand that the entering into such sexual intercourse, in which men free themselves from its possible consequences children- and cast the whole burden of these consequences on the women, who take means to artificially prevent birth -that such sexual intercourse is a transgression of the plainest demands of morality, is dastardly; and that therefore unmarried men who do not wish to live as dastards must abstain from this.

If men would practice continence, they must lead a natural life, neither drinking wine nor over-eating, not eating meat, nor shirking labor (not gymnastics, but real exhausting labor), and must never admit to themselves the possibility of intercourse with strange women and more than a man does in relation with his mother, sisters, near relatives, or the wives of friends. Every man will find around him hundreds of instances to prove that continence is not only possible, but less dangerous and hurtful to health than incontinence.

This in the first place.

Secondly, in consequence of the view existing in our fashionable society that sexual intercourse is not only a necessary condition of health and a pleasure, but also a poetical and elevated blessing of life, conjugal infidelity has now become a most ordinary phenomenon in all ranks of society (among the peasantry chiefly owing to the military service).

​And I think that this is wrong; and the conclusion which follows from this is that these evils should be avoided.

And in order to avoid them it is necessary that the view of sexual love should be changed, that men and women should be educated, both by their parents and by public opinion, to look upon falling in love and the sexual affection connected with it, both before and after marriage, not as a poetical, elevated condition, as at present but as an animal condition degrading to man. And that a violation of the marriage promise of fidelity should be censured by public opinion at least as severely as violations of monetary obligations and commercial frauds, and not extolled as it is now in novels, verses, songs, operas, etc.

This in the second place.

Thirdly, in consequence again of this false significance attributed to sexual love, the production of children has lost its meaning in our society. Instead of being the aim and justification of conjugal relations, it has become an impediment to the pleasurable extension of amative intercourse. And thus, by the advice of professors of the healing art, the employment of means for depriving the woman of the power of bearing children has become more and more general both within and outside marriage; and what was formerly, and in patriarchal peasant families still is, unknown -the continuance of conjugal relations during pregnancy and nursing -has become an accepted custom.

And I believe that this is wrong.

It is wrong to employ means to prevent childbirth: firstly, because it liberates people from those cares and anxieties about their children which constitute the redeeming feature of sexual love; and, secondly, because it is closely akin to an act most revolting to ​the human conscience -manslaughter. And incontinence during pregnancy and nursing is wrong because it destroys the physical and, above all, the spiritual powers of the woman.

The deductions which ensues is that this should be avoided. And in order to avoid it, one should understand that continence, which is an indispensable condition of human dignity in the unmarried state, is still more essential in the married one.

This in the third place.