How Much Land Does a Man Need? - Plot & Textual Evidence
How Much Land Does a Man Need? - Plot & Textual Evidence
Learning objective: Students will trace the plot of Part 1 and support their understanding with textual evidence.
AERO Standards: RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.2
Lesduur is: 30 minOnderdelen in deze les
How Much Land Does a Man Need? - Plot & Textual Evidence
Learning objective: Students will trace the plot of Part 1 and support their understanding with textual evidence.
AERO Standards: RL.9-10.1, RL.9-10.2
What's ONE word you remember from our last lesson?
Fill in the blanks
The story begins with a discussion between two sisters about whether life is better in the city or in the countryside. Pahom, a poor peasant farmer, overhears the conversation and proudly declares, “If I had plenty of land, I shouldn’t fear the Devil himself!” The Devil, who is secretly listening, decides to test Pahom and prove that greed will destroy him.
Soon after, Pahom gets the opportunity to buy forty acres of land from a local landowner. At first, he is satisfied and proud. However, owning land changes him. He becomes more protective, more argumentative with neighbors, and constantly worried about expanding his property.
Later, Pahom hears about cheap land in the Volga region, so he moves there and receives about one hundred twenty-five acres of communal land. Although he now owns much more land, he still feels dissatisfied. He wants even more.
One day, he hears about the Bashkirs, a distant tribe who sell land very cheaply. According to their custom, a man can have as much land as he can walk around in one day—for a fixed price. The only rule is that he must return to his starting point before sunset. If he fails, he loses everything.
Excited by this opportunity, Pahom begins walking at sunrise, marking the land as he goes. Greed pushes him to go farther and farther, trying to claim as much land as possible. As the sun begins to set, he realizes he has gone too far and must rush back. Exhausted, dehydrated, and terrified of losing the land, he runs desperately toward the starting point.
Just as the sun sets, Pahom reaches the spot—but collapses and dies from exhaustion.
In the end, his servant buries him in a grave that is six feet long.
Reorder the events as they occur in the story.
What motivates Pahom's internal conflict?
Fear of the Devil drives him.
Greed is the central motivating force.
Who resolves to tempt Pahom?
His neighbours plot against him.
The Devil initiates the temptation.
What intensifies Pahom's internal conflict?
Selling land brings him peace.
Ownership triggers suspicion and pride.
What opportunity do the Bashkirs present?
A seemingly limitless land bargain.
A chance to buy a small farm.
What is the tragic outcome for Pahom?
He successfully claims all the land.
He collapses and dies.
Find a quote that shows Pahom was NEVER satisfied.
Enter your question here
STRUCTURE ELEMENTS
How does Tolstoy organize the story? What techniques does he use?
AUTHOR'S PURPOSE
Why does Tolstoy make these choices? What effect do they have?
Think about how Tolstoy tells this story. Add words to each category.
