Is Tolstoy considered to be a Western writer?

Question by Dorian: Is Leo Tolstoy considered to be a Western writer?
As in Western civilization, is Russia considered part of it?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Unkurg
I would say no. Tolstoy takes great pains to delve deeply into the Russian psyche and demonstrate just how different Russian psychology and cultural norms are from those who live in Western European countries. In “War and Peace”, for example, one of the main characters, Pierre, is seen early on as having been educated in the West and having strong Western ideals, but near the end of the book, once Pierre, having risen to nobility, has been captured by Napoleon’s troops and shares in the terrible deprivations of his fellow “lesser” Russians, he discards all of his adopted Western ideals and revels in becoming a true Russian in his native land. His incessant search for happiness and self-acceptance finally comes to an end.
Tolstoy also takes long, frequent breaks from the actual story, especially near the end, to discuss and explain Russian actions and the ingrained beliefs and thought processes behind those actions. His assertion that people don’t make history, but rather that history makes people, is very Russian and not Western at all in outlook.

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