The Cossacks: A Tale of 1852

"The Cossacks: A Tale of 1852" by Leo Tolstoy is a 19th-century novel that explores love, finding oneself, and the differences between Russian high society and the lives of the Cossacks. The story follows Dmitri Olénin, a young, wealthy Russian, as he leaves Moscow for the Caucasus Mountains, hoping for a more exciting and fulfilling life, as he turns his back on the unhappiness he felt in his previous life. At first, the story shows a peaceful but empty scene in Moscow before moving to the busy, countryside feel of the Cossack villages in the mountains. We meet Olénin as he gets ready to leave, thinking about his relationships and the complications of love, noticing his young desires, and wanting something with more meaning. The story lightly touches on his inner battles and wish to be free from the rules of society, while comparing his thoughts to the lack of awareness of his Moscow friends. As Olénin travels through the countryside, his senses and emotions become more alive, showing that he is about to go through a life-changing experience, both in understanding himself and in facing the simple, meaningful lives of the Cossacks.