Jazmin San Pedro

11 ABM – A

ACTIVITY: Read the story “God sees the truth, but waits” Leo Ztolsty and answer the
questions afterwards.

1. Who are the characters in the story? What do they look like?
The short story revolves around Iván Dmítritch Aksyónof (otherwise known as Ványa, by his
wife), and the regretful sequence of events within his life. Aksyónof was described as the
author as a handsome man adorned with light, curly hair.
Later into the story comes Makár Semyónitch, the person responsible for the circumstances
Aksyónof has put up with during his time in prison. He was tall, with a short beard that has
turned ashen with age. Makár was also depicted as a rather strong man in his 60’s.
Other characters involved in the story were Aksyónof’s family – his wife and two children,
the officials of the district who’ve wrongly brought Aksyónof to prison, a merchant whom he
knew (written off by the author early; the root of the story’s events), as well as other figures
present in the story setting.

2. Describe where the main character lived and what kind of man he is.
Iván Dmítritch Aksyónof lived in the town of Vladímir – an actual city in Russia, located east
of Moscow. He was a merchant, with two shops under his supervision and a house of his
own.
Those who knew Aksyónof described him as humorous: a bright person, and one who was
even fond of singing. They said he used to drink a lot (and has often waged trouble),
wasting his time when he was younger. However, he was still a kind man, and has stopped
using his vices since his marriage – although he does drink occasionally.
In the story, the author has also portrayed Aksyónof as a generous man, caring for those he
knew and has always kept his family in mind.
Even in his old age, as he was filled with anger after realizing who has caused his sentence,
he has still honored the laws of God and has remembered to forgive those who have hurt
him. Not once in the story had he shown any signs of violence, or complete hatred towards
his environment.
Aksyónof tried to appeal to the government before to have his imprisonment negated.
Although his attempts were all unsuccessful, he remained faithful to his beliefs. He has
known since then that the truth is only known by God, and that he simply must trust His will.

3. How did the main character feel when the truth was unveiled?
Aksyónof felt everything but fine – he was sorrowful, and his realizations have kept him
awake. He had recollections of his youth, and each of his memories were tainted with
regrets knowing that he could’ve been anywhere outside prison if only he hadn’t met Makár.
Jazmin San Pedro
11 ABM – A

He kept cursing the man behind the murder, and was absolutely disgusted that he was
ready to take his own life then.
However, when the opportunity which gives him the key to Makár’s downfall has revealed
itself to Aksyónof, he chose to remain silent. Aksyónof has realized that nothing good will
dawn upon him if he chooses reckless violence, and that Makár still did not deserve a trial
that could put him to death. He doesn’t want to stray down the path of false accusations,
one that has led him to his current predicament. Aksyónof believes that God only sees the
truth, and everything else falls into place.
Aksyónof was a kind man, a man who had faith in things that are good.

4. Do you think that the Ivan’s response towards Makar is still ideal today?
Personally, I still think this would depend on the person, sometimes there are simply people
who want reprisal to manifest as quickly as it could. Given the circumstances though, I don’t
think this would do anyone any good.
If people could realize this, they’d choose the same option as Aksyónof and go on with their
day. Choosing Makár’s punishment would just leave a dead man to their consciousness,
too.
As Aksyónof has mentioned, “I cannot say, your honour. It is not God's will that I should
tell,”. He keeps his belief that God only sees the truth, and the rest will follow.

5. Relate the title of the story in the capture of Makar.

God sees the truth, but waits (or in the way that I have understood it, everything will
definitely fall into place soon enough) – I’ve mentioned this a few times throughout this
paper, for the single reason that the idea is much what the story revolves around.
The first time Makár has committed a crime (although it wasn’t hinted at first), was the
murder of the merchant sleeping next to Aksyónof’s room. He wasn’t caught, obviously,
which led to the wrongful imprisonment of Aksyónof – the first time the idea that God
patiently waits is seen.
The second time was an incident that somehow closely resembles Aksyónof’s situation.
Makár was falsely accused of stealing a horse, he claims a personal friend owned it, yet he
suffered the same consequences as Aksyónof did.
Since he was one of the new convicts, they began running him through some questions.
Comically enough for a biblical story, Makár slips in a few words that instantly make
Aksyónof wonder where he’s met him before. Makár was after all a new face around prison,
and Aksyónof has little to almost no absolute idea what happened the moment of his
imprisonment.
Makár has even managed to comfort Aksyónof’s regretful sentence, and has still somehow
(humorously, for me) hinted at the idea that he has killed the merchant.
Jazmin San Pedro
11 ABM – A

This was the second time the idea that God patiently waits presents itself.
The third time this happens, Aksyónof finally is given the chance to condemn Makár after he
has seen him escaping through a tunnel. Makár has asked him to join his escape, yet due to
his personal feelings (and out of right judgement), Aksyónof denies the offer.
In this situation, Aksyónof realizes what it meant to be told God sees the truth, but waits. He
realizes that things will eventually come together, and that no wrong deed goes unpunished.
Makár finally begs for forgiveness at Aksyónof’s feet after he saves him from penalty, cries
that he’ll finally confess to his crimes so Aksyónof could go home to see his family.
However, Aksyónof realizes that there’s nowhere for him to head home to, and that only
God has stayed by his side throughout his time.
He forgives Makár, who still chooses to confess his guilt. Aksyónof, on the other hand,
doesn’t feel satisfaction after the confession, but he does so after he forgives.
Aksyónof patiently waits as well, and is granted peace in the end.

6. If you were Ivan, would you do the same approach towards Makar?
Before reflecting on the story, I definitely thought Aksyónof should’ve been tougher on his
decisions (meaning I definitely wouldn’t do that at any given point).
That was, obviously, before I realized that he made the right choice all along. So, if I were
asked, “If you were Ivan, would you have done the same thing?”, I’d do exactly what
Aksyónof did.
The kindness which Aksyónof shows is prominent throughout the story. Before the incident,
Aksyónof was a successful man: he had a family, and even money to go by. Drastically
enough, he lost everything at some point, and was wrongly imprisoned for 26 years thanks
to coincidence.
The story was even wonderful in the way that the author wrote it – in the beginning parts of
the story, Aksyónof was defined through temporary things – materials which he can only
possess. As ironic as it may seem, being put through a volume of trials has ultimately
guided him closer to his faith. As the story ends, he no longer feels the need to return home
and have his success again. Instead, he only intends to be closer to God.
Although it seems rather unrealistic in most cases, the author has made his readers realize
that things will never be completely alright unless we have learned how to forgive, and how
to accept.
This was made highly noticeable in the last few lines of the story, when Aksyónof finally
knows peace the moment he has forgiven Makár (read: “God will forgive you!' said he.
'Maybe I am a hundred times worse than you.' And at these words his heart grew light,”)
As I’ve realized these things – the concept of guilt, hatred, forgiveness, faith, freedom, and
acceptance – I have come to terms with the idea that these are all interconnected to each
other.
Jazmin San Pedro
11 ABM – A

Forgiving, as Aksyónof has done, allows him freedom from pain and resentment – things
that have grown stronger within him over the course of his imprisonment. The author has
written his pain in a way that deliberately explains how these feelings have hurt him much
more than the actual offender.
Forgiveness, an idea which has constantly woven itself through the story, does not excuse
the harm that’s been done. Rather, it’s something that brings us a kind of peace that helps
us take the next step, and to go on with what we have left.
I genuinely think that if I were in his position, I’d feel much worse if I gave up what Makár
has done while in prison. I wouldn’t be too sure that he was the root of all my problems
either, given that Aksyónof only knows so little of what has happened. Hurting someone else
wouldn’t give me any better satisfaction than making amends with what has already
happened, either. As Aksyónof’s character did, I would know peace only if I learn to move
on.