The Freezing Coachman: Some Reflections on Art and Morality

Abstract

Tolstoy tells the story of an aristocratic woman at the theatre weeping at the imaginary tragedy enacted on the stage. At the same time, outside in the cold, a real tragedy is taking place: her old and faithful coachman, awaiting her in the bitter winter night, is freezing to death. The point of the story is obvious: art does not necessarily make people better behaved, or more considerate.

A much longer version of this essay has already appeared in Newton’s Sleep (London: Macmillan, 1995). The present text is based upon a talk broadcast on Radio 3 in 1994.