Analysis on Defamiliarization Examples in Leo Tolstoy’s Kholstomer – The Story of a Horse

Introduction

In Leo Tolstoy's literary masterpiece, "Kholstomer: The Story of a Horse," the author employs a unique narrative technique that involves viewing the world from the perspective of an animal. This method, known as defamiliarization, serves to enhance the depth and beauty of the narrative by portraying the life of Kholstomer (Strider), a horse who endures a life filled with physical and emotional torment. Defamiliarization is a literary device that transforms familiar settings or words to either conceal underlying meanings or to encourage readers to consider a story or piece from various perspectives.

Portrayal of Kholstomer

From the outset of the story, Tolstoy introduces Kholstomer (Strider) as a horse with exceptional moral qualities that distinguish him from the other horses. Tolstoy writes, "Of all the horses in the enclosure (there were about a hundred of them), a piebald gelding, standing by himself in a corner under the penthouse and licking an oak post with half-closed eyes, displayed least impatience."

The narrative begins with the early morning, and the other horses in the enclosure eagerly seek the man's attention by incessantly pushing against the gate, much to the man's irritation. In contrast, Kholstomer's character is portrayed through a simple yet intelligent act. Instead of merely describing him as patient, Tolstoy chooses to characterize him as "least impatient," injecting a sense of realism into the narrative. This choice of words emphasizes Kholstomer's unique resilience in the face of adversity. The horse's enduring nature is further highlighted when he remarks, "Suffering for the pleasure of others is nothing new to me. I have even begun to find a certain equine pleasure in it." Through these words, Tolstoy attempts to elevate the horse's virtuous attributes while evoking empathy from the readers, thereby strengthening the presence of defamiliarized elements within the text.

The passage also features a scene where Nester, the man, rides on Kholstomer's back. This experience is portrayed as a grueling and burdensome task for Nester, as he feels weighed down by the saddle and the horse's presence. However, Kholstomer, despite being accustomed to this hardship, seems to accept it as part of the game. Nester's attempt to show affection by scratching the horse's neck is met with a response of gratitude and satisfaction from Kholstomer. "He likes it, the old dog!" Nester mutters. Nevertheless, the gelding's indifference to the scratching indicates that he performs this act out of courtesy rather than genuine enjoyment. This juxtaposition serves to emphasize Kholstomer's inclination to endure suffering for the sake of others, even when it holds little significance for him personally. As he reflects, "The whole world was changed in my eyes. Nothing mattered anymore," it becomes apparent that Kholstomer's character has been molded by the trials and tribulations he has endured, aligning with Tolstoy's use of defamiliarization to evoke powerful emotions and artistic expression.

Tolstoy's utilization of defamiliarized elements in his narrative is consistent with the views of Viktor Shklovsky, a 20th Century Russian literary critic, who argued that,

"defamiliarization is, more or less, the point of all art. Art makes language strange, as well as the world that the language presents."

Furthermore, the passage highlights a sudden shift in Nester's behavior towards Kholstomer. Without warning and seemingly without reason, Nester stops scratching the horse's neck, fearing that the horse might perceive himself as too important to the men. In an abrupt and painful action, Nester strikes Kholstomer's lean leg with the buckle of the bridle before retreating to a nearby tree-stump. This sudden change in Nester's actions serves to disrupt the horse's perceptions, illustrating how defamiliarization can be employed to create tension and emotional depth in the narrative.

As the story progresses, Kholstomer faces various challenges, including being belittled by other horses and enduring teasing from the fillies, who are renowned for their proud pedigrees. The gelding, unfazed by the taunting, opens his eyes and calmly steps aside before resuming grazing. These interactions with other horses further exemplify how defamiliarization is used to explore complex emotions and relationships within the story.

A comparison between Kholstomer and the young fillies

In the following section of Leo Tolstoy's "Kholstomer: The Story of a Horse," the narrative delves into a comparison between Kholstomer and the young fillies within the story. This comparison highlights the contrast between the privileged and the underprivileged, shedding light on the biased ideologies embedded in the horse society that resonate with human society as well.

The passage vividly portrays the dynamics between Kholstomer and the young fillies, illustrating how the fillies imitate the chestnut and, in their imitation, go to greater lengths than the instigator. The chestnut, often aloof and absorbed in her own business, passes by Kholstomer without acknowledging him, leaving him uncertain about whether to react with anger. This situation creates a humorous and ironic element in the story.

However, Tolstoy masterfully balances this portrayal by later acknowledging the dignity of old age, asserting that "old age is sometimes majestic, sometimes ugly, and sometimes pathetic." This statement not only uplifts the underestimated elderly horse but also addresses broader aspects and issues beyond age. It serves as a reflection of society's tendency to disregard the elderly, reminding readers to value and respect the wisdom that comes with age.

The narrative then returns to a description of Kholstomer's physical condition, emphasizing the scars and marks that remain on him as a testament to the hardships he has endured. His once-black spots have faded to a dirty brown, and his mane bears the remnants of burrs. These descriptions emphasize the tangible evidence of the horse's challenging life, adding depth to his character.

Tolstoy also employs a passage to highlight Kholstomer's attractive qualities, as perceived by an expert. The expert's assessment underscores the horse's past excellence, emphasizing his breed's exceptional features, including broad bones, massive knees, slender cannons, and a well-shaped neck. The detailed description attempts to present the horse in a positive light, showcasing his former glory.

However, the narrative takes a somber turn as Tolstoy questions whether it was Kholstomer's fault that he became old, poor, and unattractive. He explores the ethical complexities of the equine world, where strength, youth, and happiness are valued above all else. Kholstomer himself grapples with a sense of resentment, sadness, and indignation when observing the younger horses who torment him, knowing that they too will face the same fate in their old age. This introspection delves into the inner turmoil of the horse and serves to humanize his character.

As the narrative progresses, Tolstoy provides Kholstomer with a platform to express his thoughts and emotions, allowing the horse to convey the root of his suffering and pain. This phase of the story takes on a Romantic tone, offering a glimpse into the depth of Kholstomer's experiences and emotions. On the first night, other horses gather around to listen as Kholstomer shares his bitter-sweet-bitter stories, starting from his birth and recounting his battles and energy-depleting struggles. He even reveals his previously unknown pedigree, stating, "Yes, I am the son of Affable I and of Baba. My pedigree name is Muzhik." From the beginning of his life, Kholstomer faced humiliation from humans, being labeled as "the little devil," despite his innocence and lack of understanding.

This narrative shift not only unveils Kholstomer's past but also humanizes him, making readers empathize with his plight and understand the complexities of his experiences and emotions.

Kholstomer's life after separation from the brood mares and his mother

In this section of Leo Tolstoy's "Kholstomer: The Story of a Horse," the narrative delves into Kholstomer's life after being separated from the brood mares and his mother, Baba. During this period, Kholstomer encounters different mares and their foals. Contrary to the mistreatment he endured from humans, Kholstomer finds admiration from others but experiences a loss of love from his mother, driven by sexual reasons.

This situation raises a complex issue as Baba, who is traditionally defined as "a person who protects and nourishes her child," seemingly abandons her responsibilities as a mother to have another foal. Kholstomer blames himself for this, attributing everything to his piebald coloring, although the true reasons remain elusive. It is worth noting that Kholstomer's innocence may hinder him from fully comprehending the intricacies of his circumstances, suggesting the need for maturation.

Following the separation from his mother, Kholstomer is relocated to a new place where he encounters another female horse named Darling. He becomes infatuated with her, marking the beginning of what he terms an "unfortunate period of love." However, his happiness is short-lived as he is castrated, following the emperor's orders. This experience leads Kholstomer to view those around him as fools, even though he struggles to articulate his thoughts due to his altered state.

Kholstomer reflects on his own condition, pondering over the injustices inflicted upon him. He contemplates the societal disdain for his piebald appearance, the fickleness of motherly love, and the dependency of feminine love on physical conditions. Above all, he ruminates on the peculiar nature of humans, whom he refers to as "that strange race of animals" with whom horses share a close connection. These reflections serve as a window into the horse's inner turmoil and his struggle to make sense of his existence.

The narrative also includes a thought-provoking assertion: "men are guided in life not by deeds but by words." Although the horse cannot comprehend this statement fully, it highlights the idea that humans often prioritize ownership and labels over responsible action. People lay claim to possessions but may neglect the responsibilities associated with them, which resonates with Kholstomer's experiences. He observes that those who call him their horse do not necessarily ride or feed him, leaving the care to others. This observation leads him to conclude that the concept of ownership, based on the word "my" or "mine," is often rooted in a mercenary instinct rather than a genuine sense of responsibility.

The narrative offers a comparison between humans and horses through the lens of the horse's experiences. Kholstomer's insights reveal that ownership does not always translate into care and responsibility, shedding light on the complexities of human behavior and values.

As the story unfolds, Kholstomer shares his memories of the happiest years of his life, spent with an officer of hussars. Despite being the cause of his ultimate downfall and the officer's lack of love for anything or anyone, Kholstomer continues to cherish his memories of that time. This ironic twist underscores the horse's capacity for love and loyalty, even in the face of adversity.

However, Kholstomer's life takes a tragic turn when he is forced to participate in a race. Despite winning the race, the prince of bucks resists giving him his due recognition. Instead, Kholstomer experiences physical torment and humiliation. The use of the whip and the grueling race take a toll on him, leading to injuries and a severe decline in his health and strength.

Kholstomer's narrative illustrates the transformation of a once-strong and proud horse into a frail and weakened state, primarily due to human mistreatment and exploitation. This transformation serves as a powerful commentary on the injustices suffered by animals at the hands of humans, highlighting the theme of cruelty and suffering in the story.

A Tragic Culmination

In Leo Tolstoy's "Kholstomer: The Story of a Horse," the narrative culminates with a poignant exploration of the contrasting fates of the protagonist, Kholstomer (Strider), and the old prince, Nikita Serpukhovskoy. This final section underscores the overarching themes of struggle, transformation, and the harsh realities faced by both animals and humans.

Kholstomer's journey takes a tragic turn as he endures physical torture, growing weaker with each passing day. His once-proud flesh deteriorates, and he ultimately meets a gruesome end at the hands of knackers, who slit his neck. His skin is used, and his flesh is shared by a family of wolves, emphasizing the stark contrast between his fate and the idealized concept of motherly love, which he never truly experienced from his mother, Baba. The mother fox's actions in sharing food with her young contrast sharply with Baba's abandonment of her maternal duties.

Kholstomer's bones are collected by a bone collector outside the barn, underscoring his existence as a creature that lived and died, ultimately benefiting others. His story serves as a poignant commentary on the harsh realities faced by animals, highlighting their suffering and exploitation at the hands of humans.

In contrast, Nikita Serpukhovskoy, the old prince, meets a different end. He is described as a man who, despite once being handsome and wealthy, has sunk physically, morally, and financially. His life takes a downward trajectory, and he ultimately dies, covered by the earth. This contrast between the fates of Kholstomer and the old prince illustrates the different paths that life can take, with Kholstomer representing the suffering and exploitation of animals and Nikita symbolizing the moral and physical decline of some humans.

Conclusion

Throughout the narrative, Tolstoy employs defamiliarization, using the horse's point of view to hide his underlying purpose. By presenting the story from the horse's perspective, Tolstoy invites readers to appreciate the complexities and struggles faced by animals, ultimately challenging conventional perceptions. The story encourages readers to consider different viewpoints and to see the world through the eyes of another, fostering a deeper understanding of the realities faced by both animals and humans.

In conclusion, "Kholstomer: The Story of a Horse" delves into the harsh and contrasting realities of life, showcasing the struggles and transformations of its characters. Through defamiliarization, Tolstoy prompts readers to reevaluate their perspectives and empathize with the challenges faced by those living on the margins of society, be they animals or humans.