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Ambo University: Approval Sheet
Ambo University: Approval Sheet
Thematic Analysis of The short story “God Sees the Truth, but Waits” by Leo
Tolstoy
August, 2021
Ambo, Ethiopia
Approval sheet
Board of approval
Acknowledgments
First of all, I would like to extend my thanks to “God” for his absolute love and protections
throughout my collage stay that help me exist and be able to attend my studies to end. Second I
would like to express my sincerely appreciation and gratitude to my advisor Dr. HailuSheleme
(PhD), for her constructive comment that helped me to produce this work within a short period
of time. Lastly, my sincerely appreciation to my all families specially for my sister and her
husband who brought me up with delight, strong moral and other support relates with finance
through my academic life.
Table of Content
Contents
Approval sheet..............................................................................................................................................i
Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................................ii
Table of Content..........................................................................................................................................iii
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................v
Chapter One: Introduction...........................................................................................................................1
1. Background of the study..................................................................................................................1
1.1. Statement of the problem................................................................................................................2
1.2. Research Questions..........................................................................................................................3
1.3. Objective of the Study......................................................................................................................3
1.3.1. General objective of the Study......................................................................................................3
1.3.2. Specific Objectives of the study.....................................................................................................3
1.4. Significance of the Study...................................................................................................................4
1.5 Scope of the Study.............................................................................................................................4
1.6. Limitations of the Study....................................................................................................................4
1.7. Organization of the study..................................................................................................................4
Chapter Two: A Review of Related Literature..............................................................................................5
2.1 Types of Literature.............................................................................................................................5
2.1.1 Oral Literature.................................................................................................................................5
2.1.2 Written literature............................................................................................................................5
2.2 Definition of Theme...........................................................................................................................6
2.3 Theme in Literature...........................................................................................................................7
2.4 The Concept of Theme.......................................................................................................................7
2.5. Identifying the Theme.......................................................................................................................8
2.7. Purpose of Theme in any Fiction.......................................................................................................9
2.8 The Relationship between Theme and Other Elements.....................................................................9
2.8.1 Setting.........................................................................................................................................9
2.8.2 Plot...........................................................................................................................................10
2.8.3 Character..................................................................................................................................10
2.8.4 Style and Language...................................................................................................................10
Chapter Three: Research Methodology and Design...........................................................................11
3.1 Methodologies.................................................................................................................................11
3.2 The Subject of the Study..................................................................................................................11
3.3Procedures of Data Collection.........................................................................................................11
3.4 Data Collection Tools.......................................................................................................................12
3.4 Data Analysis and Interpretation..................................................................................................12
Chapter Four:Data Analysisand Interpretation..........................................................................................13
4.1 Synopsis of “God Sees the Truth but Waits”....................................................................................13
4.2 Major and Minor Theme Analysis of the Selected Short Story........................................................14
4.2.1 Major Themes...............................................................................................................................14
4.2.2 True Forgiveness...........................................................................................................................14
4.2.3 Injustice........................................................................................................................................14
4.2.4 Wrong accusation.........................................................................................................................15
4.2.5 Faith..............................................................................................................................................15
4.3 Minor Theme...................................................................................................................................15
Abstract
This study is conducted on thematic analysis of the Short Story “God Sees the Truth, but Waits ”
which is written by Leo Tolstoy in 1872. This research has five chapters. The main objective of
the study is to analyze the theme by using document analysis method. The subject of the study is
focused only on the short story “God Sees The Truth, But Waits ”. This study also aimed at
directing and informing the readers to identify the technique of a theme and to distinguish
different types of themes on a short story. To achieve this study, the researcher used text analysis
as a method of data gathering. In this study, the researcher has analyzed major themes such as
wrong accusation of a major character, true forgiveness and faith. And a minor theme likes
wisdom. The main idea of this short story is to teach that the truth comes out, but only after a
long time.
Chapter One:
Introduction
Literature is an imaginary fictional work that deals with one’s life, culture, language, personality
and religious issues. Literature also refers to composition that tells stories, dramatize situations,
express emotions and analyze and advocate ideas.
According to Edgar and Henry (2006:1) literature can helps to grow both personally and
intellectually. Literature provides an objective base for knowledge and understanding. Literature
also enables us recognize human dreams and struggle in different places, times that we would
never know.
According to Stevens (2004:155) explained, literature is particular kind of study distinct from
other use of language. Because literature is a form of universal truth, articulated through
powerful personal expression. Literature also provides the comparative basic form which we can
see the worth in the aims of all people and it helps us to see the beauty of the world around us.
Literature can be categorized into four types: 1) Prose fiction, 2) poetry, 3) drama and 4)
nonfiction. From the forms of prose fiction in completing his study, the researcher has chosen the
short story to be analyzed. Prose fiction is narration, linking of a sequence of event of action.
Work of fiction usually depends on a few major characters who deal with problems whereas
fiction is an imaginative literature that may express true historical details. It is no real history. To
study any literary work, one can bring up with meaning. After reading any literary fiction,
coming up with meaning in most cases involves thematic analysis. According to (Edgar. and
Henry (2004:53) theme is the central idea of serious fictional works like novels, plays, poems
and short stories. The concern of this study is only one genre of literature i.e. the short story.
Short story is a brief prose narrative that usually can be read in one setting. It is a story with a
fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel. Short story also
an imaginary work of literature usually written in narrative prose .short story is a piece of fiction
containing elements such as setting, characters, point of view, theme and plot. As Edgar
(2004:65) explaining short story is emerged in the form of earlier oral story telling traditions in
seventh century. The short story has grown to include a body of work as diverse as to defy easy
characterization.
As it is most prototypical, the short story feature small cast of named characters and focuses on a
safe contain incident with intent evoking a single effect or mood. In doing so, short stories make
use of plot, resonance, and other dynamic components to a far greater than a novel. While a short
is distinct from a novel, authors of both generally draw from a common pool of literary
technique. Short story has no set length. In terms of word, count there is no official demarcation
between an anecdote a short story and a novel. Rather, the form`s parameters are given by
rhetorical and practical context within which a given story is produced and considered. So that
what constitutes a short story may differ between genres, countries, eras and commentators. Like
the novels, the short`s predominant shape reflect the demands of the available markets
publication and evolution of the form seems closely tied to evaluation of publishing industry and
submission guide lines its constituent houses. According to Edgar and Henry 2006:65) short
story has been considered both apprenticeship form preceding more length works and as a
crafted form in its own right as collected together books of similar length, price, and distribution
as a novel. Short story writers may define their works as part of the artistic and personal
expression of the form. In contemporary usage, the term short story most often refers to work of
fiction no shorter than one thousand words no longer than twenty thousand words.
• What are the major themes of the short story “God Sees the Truth but Waits”?
• What are the minor themes of the short story “God Tees the Truth but Waits”?
• How are the major themes of the short story identified from the minors?
• To identify the major themes of the short story” God Sees the Truth, but Waits”.
• To highlight the technique of using a theme in the short story “God Sees the Truth, but
Waits”?
• To help both language and literature students to broaden their understanding of any
fiction.
• To make clear to the public that the major theme of the short story “God Sees the Truth
but Waits”.
• To give hint and the way on how to analysis the theme of any literary fiction for those
who want to analyze the theme of another literary work.
• To help English students, in order to develop their languages and comprehensions their
concept of theme in any fictional work.
Chapter Two:
Written literature can be categorized in to two types. These are: fiction and nonfiction.
Nonfiction: Nonfiction is a prose writing that is informative or factual rather than fictional. It
consists of news reports, feature articles, essays, editorials, text books, historical and
biographical works, and the like all of which describe or interpreted facts and present judgments
and opinions.
According Edgar (2000:2) the goal of nonfiction prose is to present truth and conclusions about
the factual world. Imaginative literature also grounds on the facts but it is less concerned with the
revelation of truths about life and human nature.
Fiction: Fiction is a prose literature, especially short story describing imaginary events and
people. It is a thing that is invented or untrue. Fiction is a not true belief or statement, but
accepted as true.
As Henry and Edgar (2000:57) expressed, fiction means anything that is made up, crafted or
reshaped. The essence of fiction is narration, the relating or recounting of a sequence of events or
actions. It is a fictional works that usually focus on one or a few major characters that change or
grow in their ability to make decisions on their awareness or insight; their attitude towards
others; their sensitivity and their moral capacity as well as the result of dealing with other
characters. In addition, it focuses on how they attempt to solve their problem. Fictional works
have different elements and one of the most important elements is theme,
Moreover Robert (2004:29-59) explained that, theme is the central idea of a serious fictional
work such as novels, plays, and short stories. Theme is an author’s insight or general observation
about human nature or human condition that is convey through characters. It is the author’s
observation of the real world. According to the above definition, theme is the underlying
meaning of a story, which is conveyed by characters. It is also the author’s observation of the real
human life.
The theme of a work of literature is its central or dominant idea that seldom stated explicitly.
Rather, it is conveyed through the selection and arrangement of details actions of the characters.
In addition to this R.S GYNN (2000:62) states, theme can be stated explicitly. Most modern
writers however, present their theme implicitly, i.e., a text is largely open to different
interpretation and has the purpose of addressing some important issues beyond which we could
understand from its surface meaning.
As a result of its openness to different interpretations, implicitly stated theme needs interpreting
the text by considering the background of the writer, his/her political, social and economic view.
On the other hand, unlike implicitly stated themes, explicitly stated themes are simple to
understand from the surface meaning of the text and the author address issues with simple and
direct way.
In addition to the above point, Robert (2004:6-27) advice to write themes in a complete sentence
when you for gullet in your word, and be sure that your statements of the theme does not focus
on one part of the story. It must be a generalized statement and should express all parts of the
story.
Moreover, GWYNN (2000:239-248/) gives his view as follows to discover the theme of a short
story or a novel one needs focus on the elements of each story as read, literary fiction. However,
it is usually much more subtle in revealing its theme, the overall meaning the reader derives from
the story.
The other important question to be raised could be what allusions are made throughout the story
and what are the details and particulars in the study. From this one can understand that
identifying the themes of the story need the reader. The reader must carefully understand those
elements and what they are addressed in the story. Generally speaking, the reader has to give
special attention to repeat patterns such as words, sentences, symbols and allusions.
Theme as a Background
The element that organizes stories that attach characters, setting, plots, narrators and points of
view together is theme. It is a recurring or pervading idea in a work of art or literature.
According to Edgar and Henry (/2004:155) theme can reflect different kinds of idea or feelings.
It may consist of a political concept such as democracy, freedom or oppression. Theme also can
be about interpersonal issues such as friendship, betrayal, sacrifice or royalty. Theme might focus
on question about art, culture such as possibility of communication the passion of creativity, or
the importance of intangible qualities in a material society. Stories may have a single dominant
theme or several related themes.
As Stephen, (2004:75) explains the main idea that the author wishes to share with the reader is
sometimes called theme. In this expression one can understand that theme is what drives the
whole story of a text into a certain destination, and the main point or central ideas that the
authors wants to convey to their readers, generally, theme is the what the story means, what it is
about. It is the story real-life relevance and its commentary on the human experience.
Grey (1992:102) states that the relationship between setting and theme as follows: in novels and
short stories the setting, the time and place in which the characters are created might be crucially
significant because writers may use it to convey information about the mood on temperament of
the characters themselves, either symbolically or by adopting the characters point of view
towards it.
2.8.2 Plot
The term plot is used to refer to the arrangement or sequence of incidents in a work of fiction.
Plot develops as a result of the action and interaction between characters; it is the organizational
principle that controls the order of events from the proper organization of events that readers can
identify the central idea of the works. In addition, the main purpose of plot is to grasp the
attention of readers and it leads readers from the very beginning towards the end.
The plot of a story is the series of events created by the author to tell the story. It may be can be
identifies as exposition, initial incident, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
2.8.3 Character
Character is an imagined person or thing in a dramatic or narrative works. It is not an actual
person but instead has been created by the author. It is obvious that characters in stories can play
the role to arrive at the central idea. The central idea can be conveyed through the characters. The
main characters usually illustrate the most important theme of the story, Robert (2009:69-95).
3.1 Methodologies
In carrying out the study, the researcher has conducted the study by using text analysis.
Therefore, the researcher used the selected short story for this study as a primary source. The
study also involved text analysis, interpretation and data generalization of the information from
the text.
3 “how could I Curly oo fun He has The prison 1. The prison it self
helphearing” acceptance is a symbol of
mentally aksionov’s
srong suffering and
eventual spiritual
transformation.
2. Ak
sionov devots his life
towards God and keeps
faith till the end.
In this chapter, the researcher discusses the theme of ‘’God Sees the Truth, But Waits ‘’ which is
written by Leo Tolstoy in 1872. Regarding this study, the researcher focuses on the major themes
of the short story’’ God Sees the Truth, But Waits ‘’particularly from the point of view of
thematic analysis.
Once there live a young merchant named Ivan DmitrichAksenov with his family in town of
Vladimir, Russia. He has two shops and a house of his own. One summer, he plans to go to
Nizhny fair but his wife warns him that she has seen a bad dream of her him; she dreams about
him returned from the town with gray hair. Aksenov laughs as if he does not care and goes to the
fair town, after he has traveled half way, he meets a merchant, whom he knows and he spends the
night drinking tea with and sharing an adjoining room in the inn. Because Aksenov is not used to
sleeping for a long hours he decides to weak up and continue his journey. Along the way of his
journey, two soldiers in a troika stop him, and begin asking questions about the merchant he has
met, who is found died. As all the evidences of the crime are pointing towards Aksenov, he is
considered guilt and imprisoned. Learning the sad fate of Aksenov, his wife remembers her
dream about Aksenov. The thought made Aksenov sadder. Twenty six years in prison makes
Aksenov a well-grounded and God fearing man.
In spite of the fact that his family has completely forgotten him, he still serves as a grandpa to the
other prisoners. Then he comes a new prisoner named Maker Semyomich. After months of
knowing each other, Aksenov discovers that Maker is the one who has killed the merchant whom
Aksenov is told he murdered. Aksenov becomes serious with what he has found out but does not
speak or utter a word about it. Until one night, Aksenov hears rolling earth boding under where
prisoners were sleeping.
Finally, Maker thanks Aksenov and felt sorry for what he has done to him a long time ago that
made Aksenov suffer for all this year, he sobbes and Aksenov says that the lord will forgive him.
Maker says that, he will confess to the governor, so that Aksenov would be sent free back to his
home. Aksenov says he does not want to go out of prison for he has neither his family nor home
to back to: rather he waits for his last hour to come. In spite of what they have talked about,
Maker Semyonich confesses his guilt. But, when the order for Aksenov’s release comes, he is
found dead.
4.2 Major and Minor Theme Analysis of the Selected Short Story
This section tries to present the major and minor thematic analysis of the short story “God Sees
the Truth, But Waits”. It contains major themes such as true forgiveness, wrong accusation, faith
and minor theme like wisdom.
4.2.5 Faith
In the short story “God Sees the Truth but Waits” the writer Leo Tolstoy wants to tell the readers
that faith something that is very important in life. In the short story “God Sees the Truth but
Waits” the main character Aksenov at some point faces with the problem that against him
because he accused of killing a merchant. He is imprisoned twenty-six years for what he does not
do. But, Aksenov does not fell that he has do imprison. In that state Aksenov just accept to what
he experiences. God Sees the truth that Aksenov is not the killer of the merchant but God waits
for Aksenov to make his own decision and the right move to the correct one. During Aksenov
only come to God confidently believing that someday God will prove the truth and that is indeed
the case person who killed the merchant enter into the same prison within Aksenov.
The minor theme identified in this short story is wisdom. In the short story “God Sees the Truth
but Waits” Aksenov the main character is wise person that he has a good attitude in dealing
toward a big problem and patience in having a hard time. Aksenov is also wise who does not tell
the truth to the people around them especially to the soldiers as soon as he hears confession from
the real murderer. In the end, Aksenove even forgives Maker from his all wrong doing.
Generally, the short story “God Sees the Truth, But Waits” which is written by Russian author’s
Leo Tolstoy in 1872 is a very sandiness story. Because Aksenove is already accused for many
years wrongly for what actions he is not doing, even he is prisoned for more than twenty-six
years. He is forced to part from his wife and his children and finally does himself. All problems
which faced with him are unjust or unfair punishment. Aksenove is tolerated different challenges
that come to him and after the real murderer of a merchant enter in to the same prison with him,
Aksenove is found dead.
Chapter: Five
5.1 Summery
Literatuer is an imaginary fictional work that deals with one's life ,cultuer,language, personality and
religious issue.Literatuer can be categorized into four types: 1) prose fiction 2) poetry 3) drama and 4)
nonfiction. Prose fiction is narration, linking of seqeunce of evnt of action. The concern of this study is
only one gener of literature i.e. the short story and thematic analysis of this short story. Short story is brief
prose narrative that usually can be read in one setting.It is a story with a fully developed theme but
significantly shortor and less elaborat than a novel and also an imaginary work of litrature usually written
in narrative prose. Short story is is a piece of fiction contaning elements such as setting, character, point
of view, theme and plot.
By using literature human being can express their feeling towards their enviroment.In this research the
researcher focuses on the thematic analysis of "God Sees the Truth but Waits" which is written by Leo
Tolstoy in 1872. So the researcher has conducted this research for many reason.
This study has general and specific objectives, significance of the study, scope of the study, limitation of
the study, and organization of the study.This includes in chapter one. And also has review of related
literature in chapter two.There are two types of literature: oral and written literature, written literature can
be categorized in to two : nonfiction and fiction.
fictional works have different elements and one of the most important element is theme.theme in literature
is the centeral idea of any fictional work. As Stephen (2004: 75) explains the main idea that the
author wishes to share with readers is called theme. In this expression one can understand that
theme is what drives the whole story of a text into a certain destination, and the main point or
central idea that the author wants to convey to the readers. Theme can refer to many different
kinds of ideas or feelings
The purpose of the theme in any written fiction is to give meaning to the story or to give impression and
understanding of any fiction to the reader.
The relationship between theme and other elements theme is not separated from the basic elements of
fiction; all elements of fiction contribute to its development.
Research methodology and design that the researcher has used during data collection.This includes the
subject of the study, procedures of data collection, data collecyion tool and data analysis and
interpretation.
Data analysis and interpretation disscuses the theme of "God Sees the Truth but Waits"which is written by
Leo Tolstoy in 1872 .In this study has major and minor analysis of theme.The major theme includes true
forgiveness, injustice, wrong acussation, faith and the minor theme is wisdom.
5.2 Conclusion
This study is about the identification and analysis of the major and minor themes on the short
story ‘’God Sees the Truth, but Waits’’ which is written by Leo Tolstoy in 1872.The researcher
used document analysis to find out what messages are included in the short story interpretations
observed when analyzing the short story.
The main objective of the study mainly illuminates identifying and analyzing the themes of the
story. As above the introduction tried to state the general facts about the short story. And the
author has been discussed believing they would provide background information for further
evaluation of the short story. In the statement of the problem it is said that the main reason of the
study is to make a study that justified and that is the the short story. The study confines itself
only to analyzing the theme of the short story. The researcher believes that the findings of the
study will contribute to other forth coming studies on the short story and in understanding the
theme of fictional works. Lack of experience, lack of time, lack of money, and absence of
generally accepted definition of literature which would help to precisely understand the short
story particularly to related literature from different sources have been the major challenges the
researcher faced in the development of the study.
In the fourth chapter of the study, the researcher identified some major and minor themes.
Themes such as truth forgiveness wrong accusation, and faith. And also minor theme like
wisdom. The writer Leo Tolstoy seems to tell the readers about what the real meaning of truth
forgiveness, because there is something wrong with the accusation of Aksenov the main
character in the story. In fact, Aksenov the main character, obliged to have accept the accusation
of the murderer of the merchant even though he is a victim himself. After twenty -six years the
truth is revealed that Aksenov is not the murderer of merchant. The real murderer comes to
Aksenov to confess his sin and asks him for his forgiveness. Aksenov forgives him without any
desire to avenge. Therefore, Aksenov is different. He just forgives the real murderer. Aksenov
faces so many challenges he is imprisoned for more than twenty-six years, hi is forced to part
from his family, he could not provide the full affection to his child and he finally dies. Generally
speaking, the whole story of Aksenov is extremely saddening.
5.2 Recommendation
The researcher recommended that other researchers should do further investigation about the
short story regarding it is narrative techniques and in relation to the other elements.
References
David, R.(2004). Literature an Introduction of Fiction, poetry, and Drama. ( 5th ed.) United State
Edgar and Henery. (2004). An Introduction to Reading Writing. (4th ed.). United State
R.S GWYNN, (1999). A literature: A pocket Anthology (2nd ed.) United State
Robert, E. and Jacob, H. (2006). An Introduction to Writing and Reading. (3rd ed.). United State