#tolstoy tag

[tolstayas]

crime and punishment: dunya and marfa petrovna / dunya and sonya anna karenina: kitty and anna / kitty and varenka

every great russian novel needs a naïve but ultimately sensible young girl who has weirdly explicit homoerotic tension with an older unhappily married woman of dubious morals, and subsequently also becomes completely captivated by and devoted to an extremely pious young incarnation of virtue and charity cast to the margins of society by some nebulous misfortune within instants of meeting her

[dmitrigirl]

my psychiatrist just diagnosed me with 19th century russian literature character

[charcubed]

Saw a post on the dash I so strongly disagree with I have to make my own post without interacting with OP... but if this makes it back to OP or anyone who agreed with their take, know this wasn't meant as hate or shade

I do genuinely think that in 15x11 when Dean says "Lady, I'm Tolstoy" to Fortuna he means it and believes it, and I think that's also important to the themes of the episode overall in the thematic context of the season.

Dean certainly has some semblance of self-worth by season 15 and it's kind of a misread of him and his character development to say he doesn't ("I’m good with who I am. I’m good with who you are" in season 14 weren't empty words). But aside from that, Fortuna calling him "sexy, but skimmable" and a "beach read" was about her saying he's simple and that there are no further depths to who he is. Therefore he's uninteresting to her and not a fun challenge. But Dean knows that's not true because he knows himself and his own complexities. He's well aware that he's deeper than people sometimes assume at first glance in several senses.

Which brings us to this: what Fortuna says to Dean acts as commentary on what people often assume about Dean's character in-universe and out of it. How often throughout the course of the show do villains hit on Dean and underestimate him because he's hot? And how often do parts of fandom paint Dean as simply sexy, the womanizer jokester, and/or the dumb one in comparison to Sam (in a well-meaning way or otherwise) when Dean's actually well-read, has a wide range of knowledge from pop culture to survival skills, and is extremely clever plus emotionally intelligent? Some of those misconceptions stem from earlier seasons when Dean's self-worth was lower, and/or just when he'd make jokes about Sammy being ~the smart one~ since he went to college and tends to be the research nerd. Y'know, the classic shit from when they were younger that people took at face value or didn't realize their characters shifted away from. But we're not in the earlier seasons anymore, and all of those old assumptions about who Dean and Sam are as people or how they see themselves don't apply in the narrative by season 15. They hadn't for years.

The reason why Fortuna's comments are also meta commentary is that nearly all of season 15 is. That's the nature of the overarching plot of Chuck as villain and the fight for free will. And that's extra true in 15x11, which deals with a god who steals luck (as Chuck stole their luck), misunderstands them, and therefore underestimates them. Sam wins his first game against Fortuna because she was distracted by the conversation, and as she says to Sam, "You got me talking. You're good." But Dean's the one who primarily distracts her while she's playing by asking her the questions; Sam even catches on to what Dean's doing in the middle of it (they exchange a glance) but he barely says anything. Which is why Sam pointedly replies to Fortuna, "I learned from my brother."

Dean knows ~he's Tolstoy,~ and he demonstrates how he got a read on Fortuna by cleverly playing the fuck out of her as Sam's backup in the first game. Because he knows it'll work, and it literally does. She loses because he distracts her!

Beyond characterizations, the importance of this is that the entire situation in Fortuna's pool hall is structured to reflect the rigged "game" of Chuck's narrative that Sam and Dean are trapped in. In regards to the importance of Dean saying "I'm Tolstoy" specifically... Again, there's more to Dean as a person and he's being underestimated. That's key in the context of their fight against gods, aka both Fortuna and Chuck. Dean further proves this by calling bullshit on Fortuna's "double or nothing" offer: "That's how the cowboy died." The cowboy challenged Dean to double or nothing and Dean took that bet because importantly he knew he had what it took to win it, but with Fortuna, he hesitates because he's astute. Plus, there's the fact that he and Sam are true "heroes" and the importance of that.

The takeaway for them and for us is that Sam and Dean had what it took to defeat Chuck. (Especially Dean, who Chuck is now obsessed with vs how Sam was originally the chosen one, just like with Fortuna.) They won a game against a goddess! But the key? Don't get baited into continuing to play.

Metanarratively, Dean is also the "cowboy." Going double or nothing in the overarching story – Sam and Dean not walking away when they get the win of having Jack back, but instead still playing Chuck's game and going up against him in a way he ultimately orchestrated rather than changing the game (with Cas' help) – is how/why they lose and Dean dies in 15x20. If Sam and Dean had taken Fortuna's advice of "Don't play his game. Make him play yours." – if they hadn't challenged Chuck within "his own joint" aka the confines of his storytelling Framework – then they wouldn't have lost. But they didn't do that, and so they didn't win.

"Lady, I'm Tolstoy" -> Dean's underestimated -> Dean and Sam have what it takes to defeat a god.

They didn't quite manage it with Chuck, but they (initially) did with Fortuna to win both their luck and her advice, and that still counts for something.

[deimosatellite]

reading a tolstoy and a steinbeck back to back is actually giving me so much whiplash bc i went from anna karenina where tolstoy gives the point of view of the upper class landowner being ohh so saddd bc hes so upset he exploits his workers feel bad for himmm and puts his own hypocrisy and fetishization of the working class on display vs grapes of wrath showing the true depths of the strength of the working class and the real tragedy of the dehumanization of workers and complete disregard for human life by the wealthy... lets just say i feel even more ire towards anna karenina today AKNSMDMDKDK

[meringuehearts]

19th century yaoi >>>

[failureandpoet]

I'm writing some poetry I love in a tiny notebook and I can't stop thinking about "The water-nymph" and "The Drowned Man" by Pushkin. They're incredible. In 10 or 12 verses he was able to write a story, like a novel, with dialogue, thriller, and a lot to think about, and I know that's the case with most poetry, but Pushkin was able to do something different (or at least those were my feelings when I finished). For some reason he was called the Shakespeare of Russian literature, and I'm so excited to read "Eugene Onegin" a novel written in verse. Am I the only one who never read a novel written in verse? Like full of verses. Idk maybe I'm weird, but those poems and Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky's relationship are my Roman empire. I also may add 'Death of the Poet' by Lermontov, a poem he wrote when Pushkin died. ( If you hear something it's me, I'm crying). And oh sh!t, I forgot to say, fuck!ng Sonnet 18 by Shakespeare. I guess my Roman empire is just poetry and writer's relationships omg. I could rant forever on each of these things but idk, I don't want to be dense.

If you read all of that, thanks <3

[dolokhoded]

i can't believe i've been led here by a tiktok post...

[spicyapple1234]

In chapter 111 we were introduced to 'that man' if you all remember. That mystery man was the most formidable foe of Fyodor before Dazai. Most of you must have wondered about the mysterious man who was able to tackle Fyodor far back (the newest chapter had it confirmed that Fyodor is a old rat) before Dazai was even born. However, your attentions might have soon drifted off to Dazai and Chuuya because they are alive and the events that have forth occurred. A few hours ago only I had read the whole chapter again and after looking into it I suddnely had the urge to write this article. Hence, here I present you with a theory about who the mystery man could be alongside some insight in the possibilities of Fyodor's ability as well!

My first guess about the mystery man was, Leo Tolstoy. if you got interested in literature after watching bsd just like me, then you must be familiar with the name. Don't worry I too haven't read anything of him but i figured that some research won't hurt :3. so, where was I? right, you may now question why had i jumped to this conclusion? well to answer your query i would like to ask you the name of the newest bsd chapter--right it's ressurectio or-if you happen to read some other translation-ressurection. Now, guess who have a book named resurrection? Yes! it's none other than Leo Tolstoy!

And hey, now we are going to be introduced to Fyodor's ability soon if I am correct. so, it's damn sure that the ability is not crime and punishment so...what could it be?

let's try looking back to the name of the new chapter. I think you get it! what if Fyodor never existed? what if it's Tolstoy in Fyodor's body? theories about Fyodor having a ability to transfer his consciousness through blood are circulating around internet, but what if Tolstoy is the one transferring his consciousness through blood?

There is also a possibility that Fyodor can steal other abilities because in the book crime punishment raskolnikov, the main character, stole an axe from another character and murders some other characters. (I haven't read the book and all this information is from wikipedia) so there can also be a possibility that with his ability crime and punishment, Fyodor could have stolen Tolstoy's resurrection?

Ofcourse, it is very likely that my theory can't be correct and may sound stupid but this all is written for fun and to share my views to others! whether you would like to think about it or not, it's your decision reader ^^ .

funfact- tolstoy didn't liked Dostoevesky's writing style but liked his book notes from the house of the dead meanwhile Dostoevesky was pretty chill about it and liked Tolstoy's book anna karenina and even called it perfect!if somehow Tolstoy do end up in bsd then i would love to see their dynamic ><

Then, I shall take my leave to give you some time to think!

If you liked my perception, i can also give you a theory about who Mori could want in the pm! i would write it anyway but if you wish then i will write it sooner :3

[ohsalome]

[aldenhan]

oddly enough these are the major themes of any classic russian novel

[tolstayas]

thinking about it again..... the foundational problem statement of this blog, my white whale, my fil rouge..... the anna k lesbian question

[brawngp2009]

JV/Bono & Cold

i see... i see... 👀

Jenson, Shov and Bono went further ahead, when the four of them went out for a track walk, leaving James sort of tagging along behind them. The weather wasn't exactly bad, but James unwisely didn't take the jacket, and his shirt couldn't do anything against the gusts of cruel wind. "You look cold," Bono said, as he slowed down and waited for James to catch up with him, "take this," he took off his Bridgestone branded jacket and offered it to James. James shook his head; the sight of Bono in shorts and shirt made him feel even colder than before, but Bono said nothing and just looked at him expectantly. "Okay, fine," James groaned, taking the jacket, and put it on promptly, zipping it all the way up and hiding his hands in the pockets, "thank you," he said quietly, looking away from Bono's amused face.

Send me a ship/character(s) and a one word prompt and I will write a 5 sentence fic about it. <- but be reasonable

[satirickitty]

I wasn't prepared to be a scared young boy

I wasn't prepared to be read like Tolstoy

And destroy

These feelings I feel inside

This war and peace inside my mind

Finding things I shouldn't find

This time they're out to get you

You kinda scare me and I wanna let you

Ken Ashcorp Supernatural

[morsmortish]

what is your opinion on pebill… do you love my babies 🥰 (if affirmative response then details 😓)

i don’t know enough!! if i am to answer in complete honesty, i must declare i think sybill is a bit too cool for peter…two key defining traits i associate with each of them are sybill’s complete lack of regard for What Anyone Thinks Of Her, and peter’s complete contrast to this. even in canon i feel like he is a character who is very self-conscious, and extremely fearful of being ‘left-out’. i personally don’t think he actually was left out, but being amongst strong characters like james and sirius is certainly enough to strike the fear of being on the outside into someone, and so i see him (and remus, to an extent), of being very aware of ‘How He Looks’ to others, and developing a very severe case of ‘Caring What People Think’, which is nowhere to be found in the carefree, free-spirited sybill trelawney.

but whilst i see them as having two fundamental differences in character, perhaps that is a reason they can work so well together. sybill’s complete lack of interest in Upholding Images or Trying To Fit In could be so liberating for peter, who frequently worries about doing the Socially Appropriate thing. when he’s with sybill, he doesn’t need to worry about impressing james or making sure sirius likes him- he can be himself, and she will like him for him. as for sybill, i think, whilst i stand by the fact that she is and always will be much cooler than him, i also think that her being with someone like peter could be really good for her: being with someone ‘normal’ (ie- no prophetic visions, no fascinations with animal corpses, no obsessions with various types of poisons…) is an excellent way to keep her grounded. peter is able to calm her down from any fits, he is able to remind her of the small things in life that are still important, he is able to make her feel like she is living a worthwhile life outside of her visions. peter makes HER feel special- he doesn’t care for her because of her Gift, he cares for her because She Is Her. the same way sybill cares for peter because He Is Him, not because he is bending himself in shapes to make himself more appealing as he often does with his friends.

in conclusion my dear eva, this ramble started out with me claiming to not know enough and then proceed to think about it for a few minutes and form my own gorgeous image of pebill in my mind. they remind me of bartylily (forgive me for mentioning that blasphemy in your presence) in the way that they are a pair that Truly See Each Other, in a way that all of the others around them don’t, and that is why they find themselves drawn to each other.

[dujour13]

Writers Game: First Sentences

Tagged by @turbulentpumpkin43 Thank you 🥰

Rules: post the first sentence of your last ten fics. If you haven't written ten fics, share as many first-sentences as you have.

1. You are vastly more powerful than when you were mortal, but as gods go, you are as fragile as if you just emerged wrinkled and blinking from your cocoon. Current unnamed WIP

2. A nurse led Ramien down the infirmary corridor. The Lark and the Crow

3. The ship glides into dock in a warm sea at sundown. The Lark and the Serpent

4. King Salvadore Arendae of Mendev had kept the Andoren delegation waiting, and if he was honest, he didn’t have much of an excuse. Duet

5. The Desnans accidentally teleported them halfway across the Worldwound with little more than lunch in their packs. Undisclosed Desires

6. “…so we talked the dumb dwarf into carrying it. Boy, he had no idea what was in that sack. Hollow

7. Although everything so far seemed as warm and wonderful as in his most secret dreams, Woljif had a chill of apprehension standing awkwardly by the bed while Siavash went to throw a log on the fire and pour another glass of wine. Out of the Cold

8. “Hey chief. What’s this?” Serenade

9. “So that’s the plan,” said Siavash. Return from the Abyss

10. Something was very, very wrong. Fallen

Tagging @prolifeisnochoice, @wonda-ch and anyone else who wants to, consider yourself tagged!

[crymeariveronceagain]

Between Levin and Countess Nordston a relationship had grown up that is seen quite frequently in society, when two people outwardly remaining on friendly terms despise one another to such a point that they cannot treat the other seriously and cannot even be offended by each other.

--- Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy.