Sunshine B. Dulnuan
BSCS 4
Activity 1: Instructions: There are ten (10) questions below. Answer the questions briefly and
satisfactorily.
1.
Why was Aksionov considered guilty of murder? Was the evidence against him
reasonable? What steps have not been taken to evaluate the charges against him?
the police officer had sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov. Aksionov is suspected because he
left the inn before dawn where he and the merchant stayed. And also the officer found a blood
stained knife from Aksionov’s bag while searching.
2.
Why did Aksionov not report to the prison authorities that Makar dug the tunnel? Would
many men do as he did? What qualities are revealed by his reactions? Explain.

It’s because Aksyonov’s desire to spare Makar from flogging—and his decision to
blatantly lie to the Governor—represent a rejection of the state justice system that the
Governor represents. Importantly, forgiveness of Makar does not factor into Aksyonov’s
reasoning; Aksyonov’s actions are principally a rejection of the Governor’s authority.
3. Why do you think that God allow evil to remain unpunished for 26 years? What does the title
of the story mean?

For twenty-six years as a convict in Siberia, he grew old. He felt that he had suffered
twenty-six years in the prison without committing any murder. Most of his life was spent
in the prison the prison, a new prisoner introduced himself and he was Makar
Semeyonich. Besides, Makar Semeyonich confessed his guilt. He forgave him for
revealing the truth. He did not want to take revenge the murderer. He thought that
forgiveness is the best form of revenge. title reflects in this story that every decision of
God needs enough time. We should wait for the truth to win. Faith in God gives us the
answer to all our problems as the title says ‘God, sees the truth but waits.’
4. Why was Aksionov not happy over the prospect of being released from prison?

Because his wife and his children forgotten him. Though Aksyonof did not see freedom.
But he was freed by God.
5.
Do you believe in the Christian Doctrine: “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn
to him the other also.” How does this apply to Aksionov’s story?

I do not believe this quotation: "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him on
the other side also." Because in the story of Ivan, he didn't seek revenge on the person
who really committed the sin in the first place. Instead of saying "that God will direct
everything", meaning do not seek revenge on the people who have done bad things to
you, but leave it to the lord's punishment.
6.
“Vengeance is not mine, its Gods.” Do you agree with the author that vengeance is not
ours, but it's God’s? Why do you think so?

I agree with that because, as people, we don't have the right to kill other people just to
seek vengeance. As well as this, vengeance cannot give us the justice and freedom that
we seek, although God is the only one who can punish us because he is the one who
created us.
7.
If you were Aksionov’s place, what would you have done to save yourself from undue
punishment?

If I were in Aksionov’s place, I would do the same thing. Because there is no hope to
undue the punishment of the government, all I can do is to wait just like him and trust in
the Lord's plan. I know it is hard for me to wait for 26 years just to know and be free from
the voice of the truth about the true murderer. Because at the end of the story, he
triumphs in this struggle, gaining complete internal freedom from spite and seeing his
heart grow light. And I think that's the feeling of what I can feel too.
8.
What effect did his wife’s asking him if he was the murderer? Do you think she doubted
him? Explain.

After losing hope, his wife visits Ivan in prison with their kids, but they only allow her to
see him after considerable pleading. Ivan tells her everything that happened in detail
after his wife expressed doubts, but she reassures him once again by asking him to be
honest about whether or not he committed the crime.
9.
Why did Aksionov decide to protect the real killer, Makar, from his mentors? Why did he
avenge himself of the wrong Makar had done to him?

Because,slowly he made up his mind to keep quiet and let God punish him for the
crimes he had committed. He thought, “why should I screen him who ruined my life?”
When questioned by the Governor, he kept quiet. He knew deep at heart, if he disclosed
the truth, they will flog the life out of him.
10.
What lesson or moral can you get from the story. Explain and give examples if
necessary.

Leo Tolstoy's "God Sees the Truth, But Waits" has two moral lessons. The first is the
advantage of assisting others since you will receive assistance in return. The other
lesson is the importance of confession and forgiveness; via his confession, Semyonich is
absolved of guilt, and Aksionov feels free after forgiving Semyonich.

The writer wants to teach the readers is that God is the only one whoknows the
complete truth about everything, including our realities. But Hesometimes may lead us to
discover our realities through some slight or even harsh trials. In the case of Ivan, at the
beginning he is described to be full of funand a heavy drinker also indirectly to be
unaware of his reality. But after being convicted and suspected even by the closest
person to him, his wife, he returns to God as he says “It seems that only God can know
the truth, it is to Him alone
Activity 2: Answer the questions briefly and satisfactorily
1.
Who is the author of this short story?
The author of this story is Leo N. Tolstoy
2.
What was Ivan's personality?

He was the best singer. He possessed good characteristics such as faith, forgiveness,
independence, and acceptance.
3.What happened to Ivan's hair?

Aksionov’s wife told him that she had a bad dream. She dreamt that Aksionov had
returned from the town with grey hair. But Aksionov was fair-haired. Grey hair is a
symbol of bad omen.
4.How was Ivan's fellow merchant killed?

Ivan’s fellow merchant killed by using the kniwfe to cut off his throat.
5.What did the officer find in Ivan's bags?

The officer finds a knife in Ivan’s bag with bloods stains on it.
6.What are rubles?

ruble is the national currency of the Russian Federation. The ruble is the second-oldest
currency still in circulation, behind the British pound.
7.According to Ivan, when was the last time he saw the merchant?

When they had some tea together.
8.What happened to Ivan's wife when she saw him in chains?

She suspected him of involvement in the murder.
9.What did the people call their ruler in Russia, at this time?

The people call their ruler in Russia at this time is Prime Minister
10. Before Ivan's wife leaves his cell, she too implies what?

She implies that ““It was not for nothing I dreamt your hair had turned grey. You
remember? You should not have started that day.” And passing her fingers through his
hair.”
11.How many years did Ivan spend in Siberia?

26 years
12.What happened to his hair?

In the dream of his wife, his hair turned completely gray.
13.What did Ivan learn to make while in prison?

He gave up all his hope. He learnt to make boots and earned a little money with which
he bought the book, “The lives of the saint”. He used to read this book. On Sundays, in
the prison- church he read the lessons and sang on the choir. His fellow - prisoners
respected and called him “Grandfather” and “The Saint”. All the prison authorities liked
him for his meekness.
14.How was Ivan eventually treated in prison?

He aged for twenty-six years in Siberia as a prisoner. In jail, Aksionov developed his
bootmaking skills and made some pocket money, which he used to purchase the book
"The Lives of the Saints." He had read this book before. He studied the teachings and
sang in the choir on Sundays at the prison chapel. He was popular with the jail staff
because of his modesty. He was the spokesperson among the convicts, respected and
known as "Grandfather" and "The Saint."
15.What does Semyonich exclaim when he hears that Ivan is from the same village?

He said that the Aksionovs are rich, though their father is in Siberia: a sinner like
ourselves
16.From what Semyonich says, Ivan begins to suspect him of what?

Aksionov begins to suspect that Makar Semyonich is the one who killed his
acquaintance and is filled with anger.
17.What had Semyonich dug, and how did he hide the evidence of this deed?

Semyonich threatens to kill Aksionov if he tells anyone. When a guard discovers the dig,
Aksionov is questioned but responds that it is not his place to tell.
18.When asked who dug the tunnel, how did Ivan, who knew the truth, answer?

Since Ivan knows the truth about thetunnel, as he found Makar digging it at the middle of
the night, he had beenthreatened to be killed by Makar if he says a word about it. Ivan
experiences aninner struggle whether to tell the truth or not, from one side he wishes to
revealthe truth to take his avenge upon Makar, but at the same time, he decides not
totell it as he thinks he might be wrong for his suspension of Makar being the
truemurderer of the merchant
19.From guilt, what does Semyonich reveal to Ivan?
●
Makar’s reaction to this information leads Aksyonov to suspect that it was Makar who
framed him for murder.
20.Ivan uses the tunnel that Semyonich dug to escape,True or False?
●
FALSE
21.
An internal conflict as you know, is a struggle within a character (mental). What is the
internal conflict? Ivan faces, at the end of the story, and how does he resolve it?

The issues presented in the story are mainly concerned with the protagonist Ivan,and
shows how he deals with them and tackles. The main problem showed is the murder
case of the merchant, whom Ivan has been charged with and sentenced for twenty-six
years of prison. Throughout the story, we are exposed to different sorts of conflicts such
as man versus man, man versus himself, man vs. society and man vs. fate.
22.What is the internal conflict Makar must be going through, too, and how does he resolve it?

Makar revealed the truth that he was the real murderer. Aksionov forgave him for
accepting the truth and attained self-realization. But when the order of his release came,
Aksionov was already dead. Our weakness can only make the problem stronger. Being
hopeful can make all things possible. The title means that every decisions of God needs
enough time.
23.
Much of the story deals with Ivan's religious beliefs, and the faith he places in God. What
specific actions demonstrate Ivan's belief in God?]

24.
When Ivan Illyich partakes of communion at his wife's urging, it is obvious that he
believes in God and feels some peace. But rather than through religion or prayer, Ivan
Illyich finds relief and serenity in his last hours because of his son's love.
How does this belief affect the decisions he makes in the story?

Aksyonov experiences a profound change from a kind but carelessly wicked guy who
was mostly focused on worldly goals to a real "Man of God" (as his fellow prisoners refer
to him) who was almost entirely consumed with spirituality and the search of redemption.
By tracing the manner in which Aksyonov's persecution and suffering cause him to atone
for his sins, acknowledge the supremacy of God, and live a strictly devout life, Tolstoy
very clearly presents Aksyonov as a spiritual model (or icon).
25.
What kind of character changes does Ivan Aksionov go through in this story? Identify at
least two.
a. Ivan is a dynamic character because, at one point in his life, he is consumed by temporal
and materialistic things. However, by the end of the story, all he seems to care about is his faith
and being close to God. Ivan relies on God as he is the only constant in his life.
b. He is a modestly successful merchant. He is presented as somewhat frivolous and
carefree. He enjoys drinking alcohol, although he does not drink as often since he married.