Who is Katusha Maslova?

Maslova begins as orphan servant on Nekhludoff’s aunt estate; seduction and pregnancy ruin her while he leaves. She becomes prostitute, accused of complicity in murder. Voice gains force as novel progresses — anger, faith, dignity in prison garb. She rejects marriage born of guilt; accepts Simonson’s partnership of equals on Siberia road.

Tolstoy centers her spiritually — reads Gospel, transforms — while critiquing society that discarded her. Students should track agency in refusal, not only suffering.