How do I write a review for Leo Tolstoy's "How Much Land Does a Man Need"?

The purpose of a review, also called a critical review, is to evaluate the quality of any text. To evaluate the text, you analyze the text to look for strengths and weaknesses.A critical review begins with a very brief summary. The summary should focus on identifying the central theme of the story and what key events help develop that central theme. It can be said that the central themein Leo...

The purpose of a review, also called a critical review, is to evaluate the quality of any text. To evaluate the text, you analyze the text to look for strengths and weaknesses.

A critical review begins with a very brief summary. The summary should focus on identifying the central theme of the story and what key events help develop that central theme. It can be said that the central theme in Leo Tolstoy's "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" concerns the consequence of greed. To illustrate the consequences of greed, the protagonist Pahom is tempted to purchase more and more land at cheaper prices. He is finally offered the greatest amount of land at what he thinks is the cheapest price yet--he can purchase as much land as he can claim on foot for one thousand roubles. Yet, he overestimates how much walking he can physically endure and how long it will take him, which costs him his life.

After briefly summarizing the story, you would next write your evaluation based on your analysis. To analyze the story, look at the literary devices and literary elements Tolstoy uses to develop his theme. Literary elements are all elements that are essential for telling a story such as plot, characters, and theme, whereas literary devices are the extra goodies authors use to develop the work and theme such as figurative language, symbolism, and foreshadowing. As you analyze these things, ask yourself if Tolstoy uses them well.

You can also ask yourself questions like the following:
Are the characters believable? Is the plot believable? Is the plot overly predictable? Is the story memorable? Is the message good but the story weak in some way?