Activity: Three Deaths

Tolstoy chooses to refer to characters by two different names/terms, and also chooses to reveal some of the names until later, such as Marya and Uncle Khveodor/Feodor. Why do you think he does this? Does this add anything to the story or take away from it? How (if at all) would the story change if all the characters' names were given the first time they were mentioned?

The title of the story shows us that there will be three deaths, but there are four chapters in the story, in one of which no death occurs. Is there any purpose in doing this? What do you think is the point of splitting up the story into four chapters? Is there a reason that Tolstoy alternates between the two story lines between chapters?

Throughout the three scenarios of death in Leo Tolstoy's short story the prospect of death is often juxtaposed with the vivaciousness and joys of life. Give examples of some of these instances. Do you believe that Tolstoy has a meaning behind his placement of such life-filled characters to those who were nearing or experiencing death?

Two of the three deaths in Three Deaths were humans. What do you think the purpose was of showcasing the death of a tree? Did this death occur at the end of the story by strategy or mere coincidence? Why or why not? 

After viewing the distinctions between two classes in society when confronting death, how do you think the middle class in today’s society would respond? What similarities and differences would exist?

In the story, we saw how stubborn Marya was and how selfless Uncle Feodor was. With today’s technology and advancements, how would someone react in similar situations? Would you see them being stubborn, selfless, or something else?