Character guide

Jesus Christ

major

Also known as Christ, innocent Jesus, Lord Jesus Christ

Central figure of Christianity, whose teachings on non-resistance are the book's core subject.

Adin Ballou

supporting

Also known as Ballou

American Christian pacifist whose writings on non-resistance are extensively quoted and analyzed.

Peter Sidorov

supporting

Also known as Peter, Sídorov

Russian peasant who refuses military service, illustrating Tolstoy's ideal of Christian non-resistance.

William Lloyd Garrison

minor

Also known as Garrison

American abolitionist and pacifist whose non-resistance views are cited as a modern example.

Petr Chelčický

minor

Also known as Chelčický

15th-century Czech reformer who rejected state violence and military service.

Farrar

minor

Theologian whose interpretation of Christ's teachings on non-resistance is discussed.

Leo Tolstoy

major

Also known as Count Tolstoy, Tolstoy

Author and narrator who argues for Christian anarchism and non-resistance to evil.

Napoleon

minor

Historical figure cited as an example of power based on violence and deception.

Joseph de Maistre

minor

Also known as Maistre

Catholic philosopher whose defense of state violence is critiqued by Tolstoy.

Nicholas I

minor

Russian emperor whose authoritarian rule is referenced in discussions of state power.

Catherine the Great

minor

Also known as Catherine

Russian empress mentioned in context of state violence and hypocrisy.

Moses

minor

Biblical prophet whose law of retaliation is contrasted with Christ's teaching.

Constantine the Great

minor

Also known as Constantine

Roman emperor whose conversion corrupted Christianity by merging church and state.

David

minor

Biblical king cited as an example of Old Testament violence versus New Testament love.

Alexander Herzen

minor

Also known as Herzen

Russian thinker whose critique of state oppression is referenced.

Max Müller

minor

Scholar of religion whose work on comparative religion is mentioned.

Yemelyan Pugachev

minor

Also known as Pugachév

Leader of a Russian peasant revolt, cited as an example of violent rebellion.

Vasily Zhukovsky

minor

Also known as Zhukóvski

Russian poet and translator, mentioned in passing.

Frédéric Passy

minor

French pacifist and Nobel laureate, cited as a modern peace advocate.

Christopher Columbus

minor

Also known as Columbus

Explorer mentioned in context of European conquest and violence.

Jonathan Dymond

minor

Quaker writer on Christian ethics, cited on non-resistance.

Noah

minor

Biblical patriarch mentioned in a list of Old Testament figures.

Jacob

minor

Also known as cunning Jacob

Biblical patriarch cited as an example of deceit in the Old Testament.

Esau

minor

Also known as trustful Esau

Biblical figure, brother of Jacob, mentioned in a passing reference.

Laban

minor

Also known as deceitful Laban

Biblical figure, father-in-law of Jacob, mentioned in a passing reference.