After the Dance

Writing Topic What stay does Leo Tolstoys story After the Dance (pgs. 71-75) make about Russian hunting lodge? What moments or details in the story help to convey this point? Explain in a carefully written essay, supporting your dividing line with evidence from the text. Tolstoys After the Dance is essentially a facsimile of Russian history and the exposition of a dark side to the seemingly regal atmosphere of the Russian aristocracy rootage introduced at the ball.Using literary elements such as symbolism and foreshadowing to reveal a vague meaning, Tolstoy tells the story of Ivan Vasilievichs first impression of the beautiful Varinka and how this impression changes afterward watching her father cruelly beat a tartar for attempting to desert. Varinka is the first character we meet in Ivans flashback. Described as solemn and an bearing of much admiration, she entrances Ivan, who trip the light fantastics with her for majority of the ball. After world promised a quadrille dance after supper, Ivan watches her dance with her father, the Colonel.Varinka is almost always associated with her father after macrocosm introduced, providing an unquestionable link between the two. Ivans first observation of the Colonel was that he was that ultra-military type produced by the discipline of Emperor Nicolas I. The Colonels first words, Everything must(prenominal) be done according to rule, also provides valuable insight as to what kind of person he is. He is introduced to the reader as an affable, maturement man enjoying the ball with his daughter, Varinka.Upon watching him dance with her, Ivan happens a sort of nerve for him that was almost rapture, which is a misled impression. Later on, he sees the procession in which a flying lizard is being punished for attempting to desert. Not only does the Colonel walk beside the Tartar as he is receiving his punishment, but he also demands that the s superannuatedier spigot him harder with the whip. In seeing this , Ivans whole view of him is changed from the friendly old man that offered to let him dance with his daughter into a cruel and drear man that called for harsher punishment even when the Tartar was obviously already suffering.Varinka represents the image goodness the Russian judicature uses to appeal to and garner support from the people. The object that initially seems to show the benefits of following the regime is really a pinnacle for the militaristic way the government runs Russia. The same suede-gloved devote that held Varinkas hand dancing the mazurka was the hand that struck the soldier for non whipping the Tartar to his satisfaction. They belonged to the Colonel, whose character is ultimately revealed to be militaristic and uncaring. With this event, Ivan also ties the Colonel and Varinka together.However, instead of being united through dancing, they are linked through the paternalism, power, and brutality of the Colonel. Ivans love for Varinka then began to wane and whenever he saw her, he would feel awkward and uncomfortable, leading him to see her less frequently, and eventually not at all. After beholding this public whipping, Ivans repulsion for the low attitude awakens and he rejects both the woman he loves, Varinka, and military supporter in Russia. In a similar manner, the harshness of the Russian government is shown to its citizens after the initial appeal.