12th English Guide Lesson 1 God Sees the Truth, But Waits
TN 12th English Solutions Supplementary Chapter 1 God Sees the Truth, But Waits
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God Sees the Truth, But Waits Glossary
Textual:
- go on a spree – indulging in something actively in an unrestrained way
- porch – portico
- samovar – a Russian metal urn for making tea
- troika (in olden Russia) – a cart pulled by a team of three horses
- stammer – to speak haltingly, fumble for words.
- betray – fail, let one down
- despair – hopelessness
- downcast – depressed
- flog – to beat with a whip or stick
- mirth – cheerfulness
- sledge – a vehicle pulled by horses for transportation on snow
- wretched – dejected
- vengeance – revenge
Warm Up:
Question 1.
If you are punished for a prank your classmate played, how would you react to the situation?
Answer:
- I will not be quick to anger. I will keep quiet and will quietly let my friend know that, I did not relish his act. If he values my friendship, he will certainly apologize. If he doesn’t, I will forgive.
Question 2.
While many would seek vengeance or feel sorry for themselves, some may put their trust in God, forgive others for the wrongs done to them and move on in life. What is your take on this? Discuss.
Answer:
- I believe anger, self-pity and hatred are negative emotions. Anger is a punishment we give ourselves for others wrong doing. I would not be in a hurry to express my anger or displeasure. I will focus more on the business of living ignoring the pain. If the relationship is really good for me, the person who had hurt me knowingly or unknowingly will come back to me. Otherwise, I will understand that he/she was not destined to be my lifetime friend. So, I will move ahead in life leaving the weight of hurt and disappointment behind.
12th English Guide Lesson 1 God Sees the Truth But Waits
12th English God Sees the Truth, But Waits Textual Questions
1. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two each, based on your understanding of the story.
(a) Why did Aksionov’s wife stop him from going to the fair?
Answer:
- Aksionov’s wife had a very bad dream about him. So, she stopped him from going to the fair,
(b) What is the importance of Aksionov’s wife’s dream?
Answer:
- She had dreamt that he had returned from the town. When he took off his cap, she saw that his hair was quite grey. This was a bad omen.
(c) What made Aksionov leave the inn before dawn?
Answer:
- Aksionov was an early riser. He wanted to travel when the air was cool. So, he left the inn before dawn.
(d) What were the circumstances that led to Aksionov’s imprisonment?
Answer:
- Aksionov had left the inn at the dawn. He was intercepted by the police. A blood-stained knife was found in his bag. So, the police arrested him accusing him of murdering the merchant who stayed in the same inn where he had stayed.
(e) Why did Aksionov give up sending petitions?
Answer:
- Aksionov’s wife came to visit him. She informed that her petition for clemency had been turned down. She asked him if he had done it. Realizing that his wife also suspected him, Aksionov gave up sending petitions to the Tsar.
(f) Why didn’t Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?
Answer:
- Makar’s disclosure would have given the police the chance to arrest him and convict him. So, he did not disclose his guilt.
Question (g)
Did Makar feel guilty when he heard Aksionov’s story?
Answer:
No, Makar did not feel guilty. Instead, he casually said that it must be the person in whose bag the knife was found.
Question (h)
What made Aksionov think that Makar was the real murderer?
Answer:
Makar asked who could put the knife in Aksionov’s bag when it was kept under his head. This made Aksionov understand that it was Makar who had killed the merchant.
Question (i)
What was Aksionov’s realization by the end of the story?
Answer:
Aksionov realized that vengeance will get nothing. God knows the truth and God’s will happen. He forgave Makar and felt light at the end.
Question (j)
Why did Aksionov’s wife suspect him of involvement in the murder?
Answer:
Mrs. Aksionov had dreamt that her husband’s hair had turned grey on his return from the fair. As Aksionov used to drink occasionally, she suspected that her husband may have killed the merchant in a drunken brawl which also correlates with the dream she had the same morning.
Additional Questions
(a) What is the story “God sees the truth but waits” about?
Answer:
- This story is about faith, forgiveness, freedom and acceptance of a suffering young merchant named Aksionov. He was sent to prison for a murder he had not committed. He spent 26 years in prison in Siberia before he could discover the murderer. After discovery, though pained, he forgave him. He died on the day the pardon was granted.
(b) Write briefly about the early life of Aksionov.
Answer:
- Aksionov was a handsome, fair, haired, curly headed fellow. He was full of fun in his youth. He was very fond of singing. He used to drink in excess and enter into brawls. But after marriage, he became sober.
(c) Why did Aksionov doubt his wife’s statement about a bad dream?
Answer:
- Aksionov did not believe in his wife’s dream. He thought his wife must have been afraid that he . might go on a spree after reaching the fair.
(d) What prompted Aksionov to ask Semyonich if he knew anything about the merchant Aksionov of Vladimir?
Answer:
- Aksionov heard one of the convicts say that he is from Vladimir. He did not know what happened to his family in the last 26 years. So, he asked him about his family.
(e) What information was consoling to Aksionov?
Answer:
- The information that Aksionov’s are now rich was consoling to Aksionov.
(f) Why did Aksionov become angry and restless after meeting Semyonich?
Answer:
- Aksionov got convinced that it was Semyonich who had murdered the merchant and kept the. blood-stained knife in his bag. So, he longed for vengeance. He kept praying but could not find peace. He was really restless.
(g) What circumstances made Semyonich threaten to kill Aksionov?
Answer:
- Semyonich was digging out a hole to escape from jail one night. Aksionov happened to see it ’ accidentally. Fearing exposure, Semyonich threatened to kill Aksionov.
(h) How did Aksionov react to the threat of Semyonich?
Answer:
- He said that Semyonich need not kill him as he had already done so long ago. He may tell about his bid to escape or may not. He would do as God directed him.
(i) What was Governor’s opinion of Aksionov in the Siberian Jail?
Answer:
- The Governor of the Siberian jail believed that Aksionov was a truthful old man.
(j) Why did the prisoners respect Aksionov?
Answer:
- Aksionov’s fellow prisoners respected him and called him “grandfather” and “The saint”. When they wanted to petition to the prison authorities about anything, Aksionov was their spokesman. He settled their quarrels too in a just manner.
(k) What thoughts prevented Aksionov from exposing Semyonich who had ruined his life?
Answer:
- AksiUonov knew if he tells the authorities, they would probably flog the life out of Semyonich. Besides what good will come out of getting him punished. Let him pay for his sins himself.
(l) Why was Semyonich left unpunished for trying to escape from the jail?
Answer:
- Nobody else dared to expose him. Aksionov found no point in doing so. As there was no evidence’to nail him, Semyonich went unpunished.
(m) What unexpected thing happened at night?
Answer:
- Semyonich knelt before Aksionov and asked for his forgiveness and offered to confess his crime of murdering the merchant.
(n) What made Aksionov feel that the belated confession of Semyonich and his own release would be futile?
Answer:
- Aksionov had spent the best part of his lie (i.e.) 26 years in Siberia. His wife was dead and children had forgotten him. He had nowhere to go. So, Aksionov felt that the confession of Semyonich would be futile.
2. Answer the following questions in three or four sentences each.
(a) Did the police officer have sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov?
Answer:
- Yes, the blood-stained knife was found in Aksionov’s bag. When interrogated, he turned pale and started shivering. He did not have much to say to prove his innocence. Thus, the circumstantial evidences were sufficient to convict Aksionov.
(b) What impact did the book “The Lives of Saints” have on Aksionov?
Answer:
- Aksionov read “The lives of saints” when there was enough light in the prison. He became a religious person. He sang in the choir. He was resigned to his fate. The fellow prisoners realized that he was innocent and unjustly condemned and hence respected him. They called him grandfather.
(c) Pick out the clues that convey that Makar Semyonich recognized Aksionov.
Answer:
- When Makar Semyonich heard the story as to why Aksionov has been kept in Siberia, he became excited. He said, “It is wonderful that we should meet here.” Aksionov asked anxiously if he knew who had murdered the merchant. He blurted out, “how could anyone put a knife into your bag while it was under your head? It would have surely woken you up.” From this Aksionov got the clue that Makar was the murderer and he recognised him clearly.
3. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 150 words each.
(a) Compare and contrast the main characters, Aksionov and Makar Semyonich, in the story.
Answer:
- Aksionov, a handsome man, full of life, enjoyed music. He loved his family and did honest business. He is innocent to the core. The very sight of blood-stained knife found in his bag sends chill down his spine. He is deeply sensitive. When he realizes that his wife too suspected him, he gives up petitioning to the Tsar for mercy. He recognized Makar Semyonich the person who had murdered the merchant and had him framed in murder charges and unjustly punished for twenty six long years. When an opportunity presents to wreak vengeance on him, he keeps quiet. He does not show any interest in his belated freedom and restoration of justice. He seeks refuge in God.
- Makar Semyonich is a cold-blooded murderer and scoundrel. Knowingly, he hides the blood-stained knife in Aksionov’s bag and tips off the police. He doesn’t confess his guilt on the day he meets Aksionov. It is only when he realizes that Aksionov is a noble soul and does not want to expose his plan to escape from the prison that he changes his attitude to Aksionov. He is haunted by guilt that he had wronged a noble soul. He confesses but it is in vain. The pardon arrives but Aksionov passes away in prison before release.
(b) How did Aksionov react when his wife suspected him?
Answer:
- Aksionov had deep love for his wife. He wanted to petition to the Tsar for clemency. But his wife said that the petition already sent had been rejected. She asked, “Vanya dearest, tell your wife the truth; was it not you who did it?” It was too much to bear for Aksionov. He was devastated. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed. When he recalled what his wife had said, he was shocked. He said to himself, “It seems that only God can know the truth; it is to Him alone we must appeal, and from Him alone expect mercy.” He gave up all hope. He only prayed to God.
(c) Describe the life of Aksionov in prison.
Answer:
- In prison, Aksionov leamt to make boots and earned a little money, with which he bought the book “The lives of saints”. He read the book when there was sufficient light in prison. On Sundays, he read the lessons and sang in the choir. The prison authorities liked him for his meekness. Fellow prisoners, having realized that he was innocent, respected him and called him grandfather. He was made their spokesperson to petition their genuine grievances in the jail. When there were quarrels among the prisoners, they brought their cases to Aksionov for settlement. The jail authorities respected him for his exemplary manners.
(d) Why did Aksionov decide not to reveal the truth about Makar Semyonich?
Answer:
- Aksionov was quite aware of the gravity of the offence done by Makar Semyonich. He had tried to make a hole in the prison compound wall and escape. Aksionov found this out accidentally. Makar warned him that he would kill him if he testified against him. Initially, the anger welled up in his heart demanding revenge for the 26 years of prison life. But slowly he made up his mind to keep quiet and let God punish him for the crimes he had committed. He thought, “why should I screen him who ruined my life?” When questioned by the Governor, he kept quiet. He knew deep at heart, if he disclosed the truth, they will flog the life out of him.
(e) Discuss the meaning and importance of the saying “God sees the truth but waits”.
Answer:
- Ivan is tongue-tied when the police finds knife in his bag. The moral shock he undergoes as an innocent victim of circumstances allows him to have faith in justice. But the moment his wife expresses her suspicion over his involvement in the murder, he loses all hopes. It is then that he starts believing in God and divine justice. Tsar can’t give him freedom. His judgement is based on evidences given by crooked people.
- God need not be given any evidences of innocence. He knows the truth but his mills of justice grind very slow. Ivan loses interest in escaping dr leaving the prison. He had no one to go back to. At this juncture, Semyonich confesses his guilt of murdering the merchant. When the pardon arrives as a cruel joke, Ivan is dead. So, ‘God knows the truth but waits’ is the most appropriate title for this story.
(f) Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story.
Answer:
- There are two important conflicts which help the reader understand Ivan Aksionov’s character. He is condemned for a murder he had not committed. He is hurt more when his wife also suspects him. He submits himself totally to God and expecting mercy and forgiveness only from him. But when he faces another enquiry within the prison, he is forced to tell the truth about Makar. But instead of exposing the sinner Makar, he allows God to take over and keeps quiet. Remorseful Makar seeks his forgiveness in prison. There is a debate with his conscience
- “To forgive or not”. Then he tells Makar, “God will forgive you. May be I am hundred times worse than you. Both Makar and Aksionov come to an understanding that God’s forgiveness and mercy towards humans are incomprehensible. If Aksionov had exposed Makar and got him punished, Makar would never have felt guilty and asked for Ivan’s forgiveness. It is true “Forgiveness is the sweetest form of revenge.”
Additional Questions
(a) What were the nostalgic reminiscences that disturbed Aksionov once he discovered the real murderer of the merchant?
Answer:
- Soon after discovering the fact that it was Semyonich who had murdered the merchant, he became terribly unhappy. A kaleidoscope of images of his own past life flooded his mind. In his mind’s eye, he saw the youthful image of his lovely wife. Her face and eyes rose before him. He heard her speak and laugh. He saw his little children, one with his little cloak on suckling at his mother’s breast. Then he remembered his own merry-go lucky life in his youth.
- He vividly remembered how happily he was playing the guitar at the inn without any worry. He remembered how he was arrested, flogged in the presence of his villagers. He recalled how shamefully he was chained and convicted. He remembered how he had to spend twenty six long years in Siberia and attain premature old age. He felt so wretched that he wanted to take away his own life.
(b) Describe the circumstances leading to Semyonich threatening Aksionov in Siberia?
Answer:
- One night, unable to sleep, Aksionov was walking inside the prison. He noticed that soil came out rolling from one of the shelves on which prisoners slept. He found Makar Semyonich creep out of the spot. He looked up at Aksionov with dread. Aksionov ignored him and started ‘ walking ahead. Driven by guilt and fear of exposure, Semyonich ran and caught hold of Aksionov’s hand. He explained how he had dug a hole with his heavy boots to escape from jail. He warned him not to blab. If he did, the authorities will flog the life out of him.
- But he would kill him first. He offered the bait that Aksionov also could escape. Aksionov drew his hand away and said he had no desire to escape. He said that Semyonich had already killed him long ago. He added that he may or may not tell about him as per the direction of God.
(c) Why was the Governor forced to seek the witness of Aksionov?
Answer:
- Aksionov was meek. He was respected by fellow prisoners. The prison authorities also believed that the religions old man must have been unjustly punished. They knew Aksionov never told lies. The prison authorities found out that someone had been digging the prison shelf to escape. They doubted that newcomer Semyonich could be the culprit. But they could not nail him on the grounds of suspicion alone.
- All the prisoners were summoned and enquired including Semyonich. All denied any knowledge of it. Those who knew kept quiet because they knew Semyonich will get flogged if someone betrayed him. As no one was ready to tell the truth, the Governor, who had enormous trust in the nobility and honesty of Aksionov asked him to tell the truth. But Aksionov preferred to stay quiet.
4. Using the mind map given below, write a brief summary of the story in your own words.
- Aksionov was a businessman. He lived with his wife and children. He was full of life. He sang and played the Guitar and occasionally drank too. Once he got ready to go to the fair. His wife tried to stop him saying that she had a bad dream. On his return from the fair, his hair had turned grey. It was ominous. But Ivan ignored his wife’s warning and went to the fair. As he liked cool weather, he left the inn early. He was intercepted by the police who searched his belongings. Finding a blood-stained knife in his bag, he was arrested on charges of murder. His wife’s petition for clemency to the Tsar was turned down. His wife’s unwillingness to trust him was more devastating than Tsar’s rejection of mercy petition. He was flogged. After the wounds healed he was sent to work in the mines of Siberia.
- Staying 26 years in Siberia he grew a long beard. He became grandfather to the prisoners. He read “The lives of saints” and was found praying and singing in the choir. He was respected both by the fellow prisoners and the jail authorities for his gentle behaviour. Everyone in the jail believed in his innocence and unjust condemnation. One day a new convict namely Makar Semyonich came there. When Makar blurted out how the knife went to his bag kept under his head, Ivan recognized Makar as the real murderer of the merchant. Ivan had a chance to expose Makar to the jail authorities. But he kept quiet. Makar became remorseful and asked Ivan’s forgiveness. He forgave him. Makar confessed to the authorities. The order of pardon came but then Ivan was dead.
God Sees the Truth, But Waits About The Author
Leo Tolstoy was born on September 9, 1828, in Tula Province, Russia. He is best known for the novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1877), often cited as pinnacles of realist fiction. He first achieved literary acclaim in his twenties with his semi- autobiographical trilogy, Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth and Sevastopol Sketches, based upon his experiences in the Crimean War. Tolstoy’s fiction includes dozens of short stories and several novellas such as The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886), Family Happiness, and Hadji Murad. He also wrote plays and numerous philosophical essays. Tolstoy died on November 20, 1910 in Astapovo, Russia.
12th English Guide Lesson 1 God Sees the Truth But Waits
God Sees the Truth, But Waits Summary in English
Introduction
In “God sees the truth but waits” the author’s deep seated faith in God and moral values is expressed
Innocent man charged of murder
In Vladimir, a young, attractive businessman named Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov lived with his wife and children. Although in his youth, he had given in to drinking and living a carefree life, he had now settled down and lived a responsible, productive life. One day he decided to make a trip to a fair where he could sell some of his merchandise. His wife objected to his trip saying that she had a bad dream about this trip. Aksionov ignored her apprehension and proceeded. On the way, he stopped at an inn, where he met another merchant he knew.
They stayed at the inn in rooms next to one another. Being an early bird, he proceeded at dawn. After traveling twenty-five miles, however, he was intercepted by a local police officer. He questioned him closely about the time he had spent at the inn. He claimed that the other merchant had been found with his throat slit. Aksionov seemed a likely suspect since he knew the man and since they shared neighbouring rooms. Aksionov vehemently denied any involvement in the murder. However, when his bag was searched, a blood-stained knife was found.
Circumstantial evidences
Although Aksionov protested claiming innocence, he was arrested and charged with the murder. Even his wife wondered if he might have been involved, since the circumstantial evidence was so convincing. A petition to the Czar for clemency was turned down. Aksionov bade his wife and young children farewell, reflecting that only God can know the truth, he waited. As Aksionov’s wife also suspected him, he stopped petitioning to Tar.After being severely flogged, he was sent to work in the mines in Siberia. During his twenty-six years of imprisonment there, his hair had turned grey. His cheerful personality disappeared, and his body began to weaken. He never showed any signs of happiness and frequently prayed to God.
Faith lessens sorrow
While imprisoned, he became a boot maker. He earned enough money to buy a book called The Lives of the Saints. He read this book whenever there was light. On Sundays, he took a prominent role in the religious services, and sang in the choir of the prison church. The wardens and guards appreciated his humility. Other prisoners regarded him with respect, calling him “Grandfather” and “The Saint.” He became their representative when they needed to deal with the authorities. They trusted him so much that they treated him as a kind of judge, who could settle disputes and disagreements amongst them. Meanwhile, he had no information about his family nor any contact with them. He thought that they might all be dead, for all he knew.
Reviving old wounds – a new discovery
When a new shipment of prisoners arrived one day, Aksionov eventually realized that one of the men, Makar Semyonich, was from his own home town. In response to Aksionov’s questions, Maker informed the old man that Aksionov’s family was prosperous. Maker seemed to know Aksionov somehow, leading the latter to wonder if Makar knew, anything about the murder of the merchant. Maker’s reply led Aksionov to begin to suspect that it was Maker who had in fact committed the crime.
Tormented by painful memories and by a sense of all the years he had lost, he eventually accused Makar, privately, of having murdered the merchant. Makar ignored the accusation even though Aksionov had caught Makar trying to dig a tunnel to escape the prison. Aksionov could easily have reported this deed to the authorities. But he chose to keep quiet, even after Makar threatened him with death. When the tunnel was eventually discovered, no one would identify Makar as the culprit who had been doing the digging. Governor believed Aksionov will not tell lies, who was closely questioned by him. He denied knowing who had been digging. He did not want to see Makar harshly punished. He even started wondering if he had wrongly suspected Makar of murdering the merchant.
Transformation of a criminal
Later that night, Makar came to Aksionov’s bed and begged the old man for forgiveness. He confessed that he’had indeed killed the merchant and had hidden the blood-stained knife in Aksionov’s bags. He offered to confess to this crime so that Aksionov could be released from prison and go back to his home and family. Makar continued to beg Aksionov for forgiveness, especially since Aksionov had not revealed what he knew about Makar and the tunnel. Both men were soon weeping, and Aksionov said “God will forgive you! Maybe I am a hundred times worse than you.” Having said this, he suddenly felt a load leave him. He no longer cared about leaving the prison. He only desired death. Makar did eventually confess to having killed the merchant. Ironically, by the time Aksionov’s pardon arrived, he was already dead.
Conclusion
The story’s essence is that forgiveness is the best sort of revenge in life. The hard core criminal Makar Semyonich undergoes a spiritual transformation because Aksionov had forgiven him in spite of unjust suffering for 26 years. In the end, Aksionov gets peace of mind. It is only after he forgave Makar that he enjoyed serenity and was able to die in peace.
God Sees the Truth, But Waits Summary in Tamil
முன்னுரை:
“கடவுள் உண்மையைக் காண்கிறார். ஆனால் காத்திருக்கிறார்” என்னும் – கதையில் கதாசிரியரின் ஆழ்ந்த கடவுள் பக்தியும் மற்றும் அறத்தைப் பற்றிய முக்கிய கருத்தையும் வெளிப்படுகின்றன.
களங்கமற்றவன் மேல் திணிக்கப்பட்ட கொலைப் பழி:
விலாட்மிர் என்னும் நகரத்தில் இவான் டிமிட்ரிச் ஆக்சியோனோ தன் மனைவி மக்களுடன் வாழ்ந்து | வந்தார். சிறு வயது முதலே குடிப்பழக்கத்திற்கு ஆளாகி, கவலையற்ற வாழ்க்கை வாழ்ந்திருந்த போதிலும், | தற்போது பொறுப்புள்ள, ஆக்கப்பூர்வமான வாழ்வை வாழ்ந்து வந்தார். ஒரு நாள் சந்தைக்கு சென்று தன் வியாபார பொருட்களை விற்க முடிவு செய்தார். அவன் மனைவியோ தான் கெட்ட கனவு கண்டதால் போக வேண்டாம் எனத் தடுத்தாள். ஆக்சியோனோ, மனைவியின் கவலையைப் பொருட்படுத்தாது பயணத்தை மேற்கொண்டார். செல்லும் வழியில் விடுதி |
ஒன்றில் தங்க, அங்கு தனக்கு அறிமுகமான ஒரு வியாபாரியைச் சந்தித்தார். அவர்கள் விடுதியின் அருகருகே அமைந்த அறைகளில் தங்கினர். அதிகாலையில் எழும் பழக்கம் உள்ளவராக இருப்பதால் பயணத்தை சூரிய உதயத்துக்கு முன்பே தொடங்கினார். இருபத்தி ஐந்து மைல் தூரம் கடந்து சென்றிருந்த போது, ஒரு காவல்காரர் இடைமறித்தார். அவர் விடுதியில் | எவ்வளவு நேரம் கழித்தார் என்பதைக் குறித்து குறிப்பாக விசாரித்தார். தான் தங்கியிருந்த விடுதியில் அவருக்கு | அறிமுகமான வியாபாரி கழுத்து அறுக்கப்பட்டு கொடூரமான முறையில் கொலை செய்யப்பட்டு இறந்து | கிடந்தார் எனத் தெரிவித்தார். அந்த வியாபாரியை தான் அறிந்திருந்ததாலும் அருகருகே தங்கி | இருந்ததாலும் அநேகமாக சந்தேகத்திற்கு உரியவனாகிறான் என ஆக்சியோனோவிடம் சொன்னார். ஆக்சியோனோ இதை கடுமையாக மறுத்தான். இருப்பினும். அவரது பையை ஆராய்ந்த | போது இரத்தக் கறை படிந்த கத்தி கிடைத்தது.
சூழ்நிலை சாட்சியங்கள்:
ஆக்சியோனோமறுத்த போதிலும், அவன் மேல் கொலைப் பழி சுமத்தப்பட்டு கைது செய்யப்படுகிறார். அவரது மனைவியே அவர் கொலை செய்திருக்கக் கூடுமோ என எண்ணும் அளவிற்கு சாட்சியங்கள் அமைந்தன. அரசுக்கு அனுப்பிய கருணை மனுவும் நிராகரிக்கப்பட்டது. சிறையில் கடைசி முறையாக மனைவி, மக்களை சந்தித்து பிரியாவிடை கொடுத்தார். தன் மனைவியே தன்னை சந்தேகித்ததால் அவர் மேலும் அரசுக்கு மனு அனுப்புவதை நிறுத்திக் கொண்டார்.சவுக்கால் கொடூரமாக விளாசப்பட்டு காயம் ஆறிய பின் சைபீரியா நாட்டின் சுரங்கத்திற்கு பணி செய்ய அனுப்பப்பட்டான். அங்கு 26 வருட சிறை வாழ்க்கையால் தலைமுடி நரைத்துப் போனது. அவரது உற்சாகமான தோற்றம் மாறியது. உடல் பலவீனமானது. எந்த ஆரவாரமும் இன்றி கடவுளையே வழிபாடு செய்து கொண்டிருந்தார்.
நம்பிக்கை சோகத்தைக் குறைக்கும்:
சிறைக் கைதியாக இருந்த போது கால் செறுப்புகள் செய்தார். “சாதுக்களின் வாழ்க்கை ” என்ற புத்தகம் வாங்கும் அளவிற்கு போதிய ஊதியம் கிடைத்தது. வெளிச்சம் கிடைத்த போதெல்லாம் இந்த நூலை ஆக்சியோனோ வாசித்தார். ஞாயிற்றுக் கிழமைகளில் கடவுள் சேவையில் முதல் ஆளாக நின்று சேவை புரிந்து, ஆலயப் பாடல் பாடும் குழுவினருடன் சேர்ந்து பாடவும் செய்தார். அதிகாரிகளும், காவலர்களும் | ஆக்சியோனோவின் பணிவைப் பாராட்டினர். இதர கைதிகள் ஆக்சியோனோவை ‘தாத்தா’ என்றும், ‘துறவி’ என்றும் கூறினர். சிறை அதிகாரிகளுடன் தொடர்பு கொள்ளவேண்டி நேர்ந்ததால் ஆக்சியோனோவை பிரதிநிதி ஆக்கினர். ஆக்சியோனோவை கைதிகள் தங்கள் சச்சரவுகள் மற்றும் வேற்று மனப்பான்மையைத் தீர்த்து வைக்கும் நீதிபதியாக மதித்தனர். இது நாள் வரை ஆக்சியோனோவிற்கு தன் குடும்பத்தாரைப் பற்றிய தகவல் ஏதும் தெரியவில்லை . அவர்கள் எல்லோரும் இறந்திருக்கக்கூடும் என ஆக்சியோனோவ் எண்ணினார்
பழைய காயங்களைக் கீறுதல்- புதிய கண்டுபிடிப்பு:
புதிய கைதிகளுடன் கப்பல் வந்தது.அதில் மக்கர் என்பவன் தன் ஊரைச் சேர்ந்தவன் என்பதை அறிந்து கொண்டார் ஆக்சியானோவ். தன் குடும்பத்தாரைப் பற்றி விசாரிக்க அனைவரும் வளமாக உள்ளதாக மக்கர் தெரிவித்தான். மக்கர், ஆக்சியோனோவை எப்படியோ அறிந்திருந்தான் என்பது, கொலையைப் பற்றிய விவரம் ஏதேனும் அவனுக்கு தெரிந்திருக்குமோ என்று அறிவும் ஆர்வம் ஆக்சியோனோவிற்கு உண்டாயிற்று. கொலையைப் பற்றிய மக்கரின் பதில், இந்தக் கொலையை மக்கர் செய்திருக்கக்கூடுமோ என்ற சந்தேகத்தை ஆக்சியோனோவிற்கு எழுப்பியது. வலி கொடுக்கும் நினைவுகள் ஒருபுறம் சித்ரவதை செய்ய, மறுபுறம் வீணாகக் கடந்துபோன வாழ்நாட்களை நினைக்க, முடிவாக ஆக்சியோனோ,மக்கரைமனதுக்குள் திட்டிக் கொண்டார். மக்கர் அதை பொருட்படுத்திக் கொள்ளவில்லை.
மக்கர் சிறைச்சாலையில் திருட்டுத்தனமாக சுரங்கம் அமைப்பதை ஆக்சியானோவ் தற்செயலாகப் பார்த்துவிட்டார். அதன் மூலம் மக்கர் தப்பிக்க எண்ணினான். ஆக்சியோனோவ் இதை அதிகாரிகளிடம் முறையிட்டு இருக்கலாம். ஆனால், ஆக்சியோனோவ் மக்கர் கொலை செய்து விடுவதாகக் கூறியும் உண்மையைக் கூறவில்லை. சுரங்கத்தை கடைசியாக கண்டுபிடித்த பிறகு எவரும் மக்கரை குற்றவாளி என்று காட்டிக் கொடுக்கவில்லை. ஆளுநர், ஆக்சியோனோவ் பொய் கூறமாட்டார் என நம்பி அவனிடம் விசாரித்தார். ஆக்சியோனோ சுரங்கம் அமைத்தது யார் என்று தனக்குத் தெரியாது என பதில் அளித்தான். மக்கர் கடுமையான தண்டனைக்கு ஆளாவதை அவர் விரும்பவில்லை. தான் ஒருவேளை தவறாக மக்கரை கொலையாளி எனக்
குற்றவாளியின் மன மாற்றம்:
அன்று இரவு மக்கர் ஆக்சியோனோவின் அறையின் படுக்கைக்கு வந்து, தன்னை மன்னிக்குமாறு | வேண்டிக் கொண்டான். வியாபாரியைக் கொன்று இரத்தக் கறை படிந்த கத்தியை தான் ஒளித்து வைத்ததை ஒப்புக் கொண்டான். தான் கொலைக் குற்றத்தை ஒப்புக் கொள்வதன் மூலம் ஆக்சியோனோ விடுதலைப் பெற்று தன் குடும்பத்தாருடன் சேர இயலும் எனக் கூறினான். சுரங்கம் அமைத்தது மக்கர் தான் என்று தெரிந்தும் | ஆக்சியோனோ காட்டிக் கொடுக்காததால் தன்னை |
மன்னித்து விடுமாறு வேண்டிக் கொண்டான். இருவரும் சேர்ந்து அழத் தொடங்கினர். ஆக்சியோனோ ‘கடவுள் உன்னை மன்னிக்கட்டும், ஏன் நான் உன்னை விட நூறு மடங்கு பொல்லாதவனாக இருக்கலாம்’, எனக் கூறினார். இங்ஙனம் கூறியதும் ஏதோ சுமை குறைந்தது போல் ஆக்சியோனோவ் உணர்ந்தார். இதற்கு மேல் சிறையை விட்டு வெளியேற வேண்டும் எண்ணம் அவருக்குத் தோன்றவில்லை. அவர் மரணத்தையே விரும்பினார். முடிவாக வியாபாரியைக் கொலை செய்தது. தான் என்பதை மக்கர் ஒப்புக் கொண்டான். விதிவசமாக ஆக்சியோனோவின் விடுதலை உத்தரவு வந்த போது அவர் உயிரை விட்டிருந்தார்.
முடிவுரை:
‘பழிக்குப் பழி’ என்பது ஒருவரை மன்னித்து விடுவதே என்பது தான் இக்கதையின் தத்துவம். மக்கர் சீமோனிச் தெய்வாதீனமாக மாற்றம் அடைகிறான். ஏனெனில், 26 வருடம் தான் பெற்ற அநியாயத்திற்குப் பிறகும் ஆக்சியோனோ மக்கரை மன்னித்து விடுகிறார். இறுதியில் ஆக்சியோனோவிற்கு மன அமைதி கிடைக்கிறது. அந்த அமைதி அவருக்கு மக்கரை மன்னித்த பிறகே கிடைக்கிறது. அதனால் நிம்மதியாக உயிரை விடுகிறார்.
