A Confession · Character

Solomon

Biblical king referenced for his wisdom and pessimistic reflections on life's vanity.

minor

Also known as a Solomon

First appearance: ii

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With Narrator (psychological): The narrator is deeply obsessed with Solomon's wisdom and existential despair, using his words to fuel his own crisis of meaning. With Schopenhauer (psychological): Schopenhauer's pessimistic worldview is intellectually aligned with Solomon's lamentations on vanity, creating a philosophical resonance. With Buddha (psychological): Both figures represent ancient wisdom on suffering and the futility of worldly desires, providing parallel insights for the narrator.

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See Solomon in ii

Character Web

3 connections

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Relationship types

Psychological

Character groups

Voices of Pessimism
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Tolstoy fully rejects his former life as a "…

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Relationships

Narrator
psychological · ambivalent
Schopenhauer
psychological · negative
Buddha
psychological · ambivalent

Narrator
The narrator is deeply obsessed with Solomon's wisdom and existential despair, using his words to fuel his own crisis of meaning.
Schopenhauer
Schopenhauer's pessimistic worldview is intellectually aligned with Solomon's lamentations on vanity, creating a philosophical resonance.
Buddha
Both figures represent ancient wisdom on suffering and the futility of worldly desires, providing parallel insights for the narrator.

Relationship notes

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See Solomon in ii

In the story

Solomon appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VI
Quoted from Ecclesiastes on the vanity of all things under the sun.
VII
Quoted as an example of epicureanism—advocating eating, drinking, and merrymaking despite life's vanity.
VIII
Mentioned as one of the wise thinkers whose conclusions about life's vanity the narrator initially accepted.
IX
Cited as one who, along with Schopenhauer, saw life as an evil yet continued living.
Chapter X
Referenced as an example of one who sought epicurean consolation on his deathbed, contrasting with the genuine faith of the masses.

Chapter companion notes

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See Solomon in ii