# Moral Corruption of Society in A Confession

> Theme guide for A Confession by Leo Tolstoy.

The narrative condemns the hypocrisy of the educated and wealthy classes, who praise vice and selfishness while professing morality, and contrasts this with the simple, laborious life of the peasantry.

## Where it surfaces

- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_confession_se/chapters/ii): The narrator describes the immorality and self-serving nature of writers and society, which praises vice and ignores virtue.
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_confession_se/chapters/iii): The execution reveals the moral failure of society's belief in progress, which cannot justify such a deed.
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_confession_se/chapters/xi): The narrator condemns the parasitic existence of the rich and leisured, who destroy life in themselves and others.
- [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_confession_se/chapters/xv): The church's justification of war and executions, and its hostile treatment of other Christian groups, contradicting the principle of love.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_confession_se/chapters/endnotes): The note on the 'Back-to-the-People' movement highlights Tolstoy's perception that upper layers of society are parasitic and prey on the people.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_confession_se/themes/moral_corruption_of_society
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_confession_se/themes