# XIV explained — A Confession

> Chapter companion for A Confession by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

The narrator describes his struggle with Church doctrine and rituals, particularly the Eucharist, which he finds painful and contradictory. He finds solace in the simple faith of peasants and the Lives of Holy men, but is repelled by learned believers and theological complexities. He attempts to reconcile his need for faith with his doubts, ultimately feeling a blow to his belief after receiving communion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Doubt

The narrator experiences intense doubt during the Eucharist and struggles to maintain faith despite theological contradictions.

### The Search for Life's Meaning

The narrator seeks meaning through faith, but finds it only in the simple beliefs of peasants and holy men, not in learned theology.

### The Value of Simple Life

The narrator is drawn to the illiterate peasant's faith and the stories of ignorant, stupid men who are saved, valuing simplicity over learned doctrine.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

Describes his internal conflict and painful experience with the Eucharist, his humility, and his turn to peasant faith.

### Buddha

Mentioned in the context of the Lives of Holy men, specifically the story of Buddha.

### Christ

Referenced in prayers and the Eucharist, as well as in the narrator's explanation of communion.

### Sakya Muni

Implied through the mention of Buddha, as Sakya Muni is an alias for Buddha.

## Key lines

> I humbled myself, swallowed that flesh and blood without any blasphemous feelings and with a wish to believe.

I submitted and took communion, trying to believe without feeling sacrilegious.

_Describes the narrator's forced compliance with the Eucharist despite inner turmoil._

> I drew near to the people, listening to their opinions of life and faith, and I understood the truth more and more.

I approached common people and learned from their views on life and faith, gradually grasping the truth.

_Highlights the narrator's turn to peasant wisdom over clerical teachings._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_confession_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_confession_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_confession_se/chapters