The Empty Drum

-Leo Tolstoy

“The Empty Drum” by Leo Tolstoy is based on the themes of jealousy, class, control, fear,
happiness and power. The King is jealous of Emelyan because his wife is so beautiful. He does
not consider that Emelyan, who is a peasant, should have such a beautiful wife. The King tries to
control Emelyan and break his spirit by assigning impossible tasks. However, nothing works and
Emelyan completes all of the tasks that have been given to him.

Sense of fear is another concern of this story. Emelyan is not the only person who is undergoing
fear but the servants who advise the King are also afraid of what the King might do to them if
they fail to complete the order. The King inherited everything he has while Emelyan has had to
work hard. Emelyan’s wife is a good woman who truly loves the hard-working Emelyan,
meaning the importance of having a good woman behind a man.

There may be some symbolism in the story which might be important. The differences between
the hut that Emelyan and his wife live in when compared to the King’s palace is nothing special.
However, the hut is full of love and happiness while the palace is not. The empty drum could
symbolize control and power. When Emelyan bangs the drum the soldiers follow him and the
King briefly loses power over his army.

The end of the story is interesting as Emelyan and his wife will go on to live a happy life without
any interference from the King. They will live without much desire like the King who always
seems to want more in life. So, excessive desire may bring downfall, which may be the point
that the writer is trying to make. He may be suggesting that the King, despite his possessions,
remains unhappy and greedy. However, Emelyan and his wife are happy in minimal possessions.

Symbolism in the Story

The drum symbolizes power. The king’s power is based on the army he commands. When
Yemilyan beats the drum, the soldiers shift their obedience to him. At this point, the king realizes
his power is slipping away, and he quickly returns Yemilyan’s wife, demanding the drum in
return. Yemilyan keeps the power, continuing to beat the drum and leading the soldiers away.
When he breaks the drum, he breaks the hold the king had over the soldiers and they disperse.
The story makes a point of telling us that the drum is empty. This seems to represent the
hollowness of the king’s power. The army obeys him, but they will easily shift their faithfulness
to someone else if circumstances change. Their loyalty isn’t real. It’s based on fear and threat of
punishment, just like Yemilyan’s obedience. With the drum broken and discarded, the peasants
are now symbolically free from the king’s oppression.