“The Anatomy of Misery” by J. C. Kenworthy and “What Should We Do?” by Leo Tolstoy

   There are obvious parallels in “The Anatomy of Misery” by J. C. Kenworthy and in “What Should We Do?” by Leo Tolstoy. Both works are critical manifestations of the current state of economic and moral decay in their countries. When in America, Kenworthy became acquainted with Tolstoy’s treatises “My Religion” and “What Should We Do?” Both writers participated in the census in Moscow and in London, and witnessed the life of the poorest population in those cities. In their research works “What Should We Do?” and “The Anatomy of Misery”, Leo Tolstoy and John Kenworthy recognize certain correlations between economic, ethical and religious problems. Both writers hope that the people would critically reconsider their disastrous situation. In “The Anatomy of Misery”, John Kenworthy develops Leo Tolstoy’s idea about the value of production, money, and the earth resources. The writers’ speculations on civilization and progress have much in common. They touch upon such significant issues as labour and property, and express their confidence that property is the source of all current problems and evils. They believe that violence breeds violence, so the only solution of the problem is not a violent revolution or a reform but the people’s moral awakening. Leo Tolstoy’s programme of moral recovery, described in his article “Where is the Solution?” (1900), in many ways coincides with Kenworthy’s programme, described in “The Anatomy of Misery”, about the truth being a beacon of human’s behavior and faith. Like Tolstoy, Kenworthy is sure that economic principles must be guided by moral considerations. Following one of his Russian friends’ advice, Kenworthy sent his book to Leo Tolstoy, who in the year of 1900, wrote a preface to the second and third editions of the book. In Leo Tolstoy’s personal library at Yasnaya Polyana there are thirteen books by Kenworthy in English, some of them autographed by Kenworthy.

1. Biblioteka L. N. Tolstigo v Iasnoi Poliane : bibliograficheskoe opisanie (1999) [L. N. Tolstoy’s Library in Yasnaya Polyana : A Bibliographic Description]. Т. III: Knigi na inostrannykh iazykakh. Ch. I, pp. 565–566. Tula, izdatel’skii Dom “Iasnaia Poliana”. (In Russian)

2. Kenvorti, D. K. Anatomiia nishchety : obshchedostunnye lektsii po ekonomike [The Anatomy of Misery : Plain Lectures on Economics]. Per. s angl. URL: http://leo-tolstoy.ucoz.ru/Vdohnoviteli/Kenvorti_D_K_Anatomia_Nischety.pdf (accessed: 20. 01. 2021). (In Russian)

3. Kenworthy, J. C. (1900). The Anatomy of Misery : Plain Lectures on Economics . With a New Preface by the Author, an Introduction by Count Leo Tolstoy and an Appendix of Correspondence on the Present Political-Social Situation between Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, F. R. S., and the Author. 111 p. London, John Kenworthy. (In English)

4. Tolstoi, L. N. (1928–1958). Polnoe sobranie sochinenii : v 90 tomakh [Complete Works : In 90 Volumes]. Moscow, Leningrad, Khudozhestvennaia literatura. (In Russian)