God Sees Truth but Waits: Summary and Analysis

 

In the town of Vladimir, there lives a young merchant named Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov. He lives a happy life with his wife and their young children. Aksionov possesses a striking appearance, with his fair curly hair, and is fond of singing.  One day, Aksionov prepares to embark on a journey to the Nizhhy Fair in order to sell his goods. However, his wife, troubled by a bad dream, pleads with him not to go. In her dream, she envisions Aksionov returning home with hair turned grey. Despite her concerns, Aksionov dismisses her worries and interprets the dream as a positive omen.

 As Aksionov travels halfway to his destination, he encounters a well-known merchant at an inn where the two find themselves staying in neighboring rooms. Rising before dawn, Aksionov departs with his horses, relishing in the cool morning air. After covering twenty-five miles, he halts to feed his faithful horses and takes out his guitar, strumming its strings with delight. 

Unexpectedly, two soldiers and an official make their presence known, approaching Aksionov with a series of inquiries regarding his early departure from the inn and his relationship with the merchant who he shared tea with the previous evening. To Aksionov's horror, he learns that the man has been discovered lifeless, with his throat cut. Anxiety courses through Aksionov's veins as the official proceeds to search his belongings, eventually uncovering a blood-stained knife concealed in his bag.  The innkeeper confirms that the inn was securely locked, ruling out any possibility of someone entering. This leads to suspicion falling upon him for the murder.

Aksionov is then bound by the soldiers and placed in a cart, which transports him to his trial. At the trial, he faces charges of murdering the Ryazan merchant and stealing twenty thousand rubles from him. In a state of despair, his wife visits him in jail, only to faint upon seeing him dressed and shackled like a criminal. Aksionov vehemently proclaims his innocence, prompting his wife to suggest appealing to the czar. However, she shares that she has already attempted this without success. She implores him to be honest with her, but his tears reveal the heart-wrenching realization that even his own wife doubts his innocence. Faced with this disbelief, he recognizes that only God knows the truth, and thus refrains from writing any petitions, instead turning to prayer for mercy.

Aksionov is then transported to Siberia alongside other prisoners, where he has been staying for twenty-six years now. His hair turns white, his beard grows long, thin, and grey, and his speech becomes slow and devoid of laughter.  In the midst of other inmates, there resides a distinguished figure known as Grandfather and the Saint. One day, a troupe of criminals arrives at the correctional facility. Among them stands Makar Semyonich, who hails from Aksionov's place of origin. He proceeds to inform his fellow inmates about his journey to Siberia, where he has been wrongfully accused of horse theft, when in truth, he had simply borrowed the animal. Despite the absence of guilt, he finds himself condemned and confined within the prison walls. 

Aksionov inquires of the man whether he possesses any knowledge regarding the wealthy merchant Aksionov of Vladimir. The man tells him that they are rich though their father is currently residing in Siberia as a prisoner. Though Aksionov remains silent, fellow prisoners inform Semyonich of his unfortunate fate. Semyonich expresses astonishment at Aksionov's rapid aging. When the prisoners inquire if he has encountered Aksionov before, he does not respond directly, instead state that their meeting was predetermined within the confines of the prison.

Aksionov harbors suspicions that the man is responsible for his entrapment. When he questions Semyonich about the identity of the merchant's killer, Semyonich asserts that the individual in possession of the knife, discovered by soldiers in their bag, is likely to be the culprit. Aksionov, therefore, concludes that Semyonich is the murderer of the merchant.

Aksionov recollects all that he has lost and succumbs to despair. For a fortnight, he struggles to sleep well. At times, he is consumed by fury and contemplates seeking revenge, but his religious convictions prevent him from doing so. As a result, he avoids the man, refraining from even glancing in his direction.

One evening, while walking within the confines of the prison, he encounters Semyonich engaged in the act of digging a tunnel beneath his sleeping shelf. Semyonich threatens to kill Aksionov if he informs the authorities about the tunnel. But Aksionov fearlessly replies that Semyonich has already taken his entire life, and he will do what God wants him to do.

The following day, soldiers discover the tunnel being dug. When the governor questions the prisoners, they claim ignorance about who is responsible. The governor then asks about Aksionov, as he believes Aksionov never lies to anyone. Despite knowing the truth, Aksionov decides not to disclose it and simply replies,  "I cannot say, your honour. It is not God's will that I should tell! Do what you like with me; I am your hands."

That night, as Aksionov is about to fall asleep, Semyonich comes at his cell, and  sits down beside him, leaning in and whispering, begging for forgiveness. He confesses his crime, admitting that he murdered the merchant and stole his money. Initially, he had planned to kill Aksionov as well, but he was interrupted by a noise and ended up hiding the knife in Aksionov's bag.

Semyonich falls to his knees, promising to confess the crimes before the authotiyies so that Aksionov can be set free. However, Aksionov responds that his life is already ruined, his wife is dead, and his children do not recognize him. With nowhere to go, he sees no purpose in seeking freedom.

As Aksionov hears Semyonich crying beside him, and begging for forgiveness again and again, he too begins to weep and says that God will forgive him. The act of forgiving lifted his heart, and he no longer yearns to return home ,but eagerly awaits his demise. Tragically, when the governor and officials finally secure his release, Aksionov has already passed away.

 Analysis

 Theme: spiritual odyssey of a man completely lost in material quest

 In the story, Aksionov defies his wife's advice and ventures to a fair, supposedly to procure gifts for her. Initially, his pursuit of happiness is tied to material success, despite already possessing two shops and a house. Along the way, he becomes entangled with a bloodied knife and is consequently accused of murdering and robbing a merchant. Thus, he endures a lifetime of punishment. When his wife visits him in prison, her doubt shatters him, igniting his spiritual odyssey. Despite the absence of familial visits during his 26-year imprisonment, he remains connected to his family since he asks Makar about his sons. Upon discovering that Marker, rather than himself, is the true culprit, Aksionov's thirst for vengeance consumes him. However, he ultimately forgives Marker, experiencing profound spiritual fulfillment. Ascending to the realm of a saint, he discerns no distinction between his prison cell and his home. He no longer desires to return to his family, instead yearning for death, salvation, and liberation.

Aksionov experiences a profound transformation in his life, shifting from a mindset focused on materialism to spirituality. This shift is illustrated through various literary devices, including symbols that carry significant meaning. One such symbol is the gray hair, which represents Aksionov's immature growth. Despite his wife's warning, he dismisses her concerns and embarks on a journey to the fair, yearning to expand his business and find happiness through material possessions. However, his decision ultimately leads to his premature aging and subsequent imprisonment.

Another symbol is the house and two shops, which symbolize Aksionov's materialistic life. Initially, he believes that acquiring more wealth and possessions will bring him complete happiness. However, his time in prison prompts a change in his philosophy, leading him to embrace a spiritual path.

Lastly, the bloody knife serves as a symbol of Aksionov's lack of control over his own fate. It represents his inability to steer the course of his life, eventually resulting in his lifelong imprisonment. This illustrates an individual's incapacity to navigate and govern their own existence.