The Three Questions
What are the three questions the king asks in The Three Questions?
What is the right time for every action? Who are the most important people to listen to? What is the most important thing to do?
What year was Leo Tolstoy born? (you may not look this up)
1828
Who does the king meet when he arrives at the hermit’s hut?
The king meets the hermit, who is digging in front of his hut.
What lesson does the king learn from the hermit about time?
The king learns that the most important time is now because it's the only time we have the power to act.
What was the title of Tolstoy’s most famous novel about Russian aristocracy during the Napoleonic Wars?
War & Peace
In the story, how does the king try to find the answers to his questions?
He consults learned men, but none of them give him the right answers, so he turns to the hermit for wisdom.
What year did Leo Tolstoy pass? (you may not look this up)
1910
What is the king's reaction when the wounded man arrives at the hermit's hut?
The king helps the wounded man by bandaging his wound and giving him water.
How does the story suggest the king should make decisions about actions, people, and priorities?
The story suggests that one should focus on the present moment, the person they are with, and doing good for others, as these are the things we can control.
What is one of the key messages Tolstoy explores in his writing?
One of the key messages is the importance of living morally, simply, and with love for others.
Who is the most important person in the poem?
The person you are with at the moment. According to the hermit, the most important person is the one you're with because that's who you can help right then.
What was the name of the Russian estate where Leo Tolstoy spent most of his life? (you may look this up)
Yasnaya Polyana
How does the wounded man reveal his connection to the king?
The wounded man reveals that he was once the king’s enemy, seeking revenge for the death of his brother and the loss of his property.
How does the hermit’s advice reflect Tolstoy’s belief in simple living?
Tolstoy believed in living simply, focusing on the present, and helping others. The hermit’s advice aligns with these beliefs by emphasizing the importance of the present moment and doing good now.
How many children did Leo Tolstoy have?
13 Children
What does the hermit say about the most important time?
The most important time is now, because it's the only time when we can act.
Which of Tolstoy’s novels is known for its tragic portrayal of an adulterous relationship?
Anna Karenina
What does the king learn from the wounded man about his own actions?
The king learns that by helping the man, he has saved his life and made peace with his former enemy.
How do the three questions in the story relate to Tolstoy’s own life and philosophy?
Tolstoy sought to answer life’s deep questions about time, purpose, and relationships, focusing on living a moral, humble, and present life, just as the king learns to do in the story.
In what country did Leo Tolstoy spend most of his life and write many of his works?
Russia
What is the deeper meaning behind the king’s realization that the most important time is the present moment, and how does it connect with Tolstoy's own beliefs about living in the now?
The deeper meaning is that the present moment is the only time we have control over. This reflects Tolstoy’s belief in focusing on what is immediately in front of us, rather than worrying about the past or future. It aligns with his ideas of living simply and being fully present to do good in the world.
What is the name of the religious philosophy that Tolstoy adopted later in life, which focused on non-violence and moral living? (you may look this up)
Christian Anarchism or Tolsyoynaism
Explain how the king’s interaction with his enemy at the end of the story illustrates the theme of redemption and forgiveness in The Three Questions.
The king's interaction with his former enemy highlights the themes of forgiveness and redemption. By saving the enemy’s life, the king not only prevents further violence but also transforms the enemy’s desire for revenge into gratitude and loyalty. This illustrates that doing good for others, even those who wish us harm, leads to peace and moral growth.
In what way does the idea of doing good for others, as shown in The Three Questions, connect to Tolstoy's Christian beliefs?
Tolstoy’s Christian beliefs emphasized love and service to others. The lesson in The Three Questions about helping the wounded man reflects his belief that doing good for others is the most important thing in life.
What major life change did Tolstoy undergo after writing his famous novels, and how did it influence his later works?
After writing his novels, Tolstoy had a spiritual awakening and rejected his wealth and aristocratic lifestyle, focusing instead on simple living, non-violence, and helping others. This influenced his later philosophical and religious writings.