The Live Corpse

"The Live Corpse" by Leo Tolstoy is a play set in the late 1800s that explores themes of marriage, love, and making amends through the story of Fédya Protásov and his family. Fédya finds himself facing the consequences of his choices, especially as his wife, Lisa, looks for affection elsewhere. The story shows the conflict between what people want and what they should do, suggesting that love can change people, even when there is sadness. The play starts by introducing us to people like Lisa and her mother, Anna Pávlovna, who are struggling with their family problems and Lisa's emotions. Conversations about Fédya's drinking and bad behavior show how broken their marriage has become. Lisa tries to balance her love for Fédya and her feelings for another man, Victor Karénin, which shows how much she is struggling inside. The play shows both sadness and hope, and Fédya eventually decides to let Lisa go, highlighting the lasting effects of love and loss