1. During his own service as an officer in the Russian Army, Tolstoy was almost captured by the Chechen Muslims; with which character, Zhilin the peasant or Kostylin the rich gentleman, did he have more in common, and how?
2. Where was Zhilin going when he got captured, and why?
3. What mistake did Zhilin and Kostylin make that led to their being captured?
4. One of Tolstoy’s objectives is to humanize the Tatars (Chechen Muslims) by describing them as real people rather than stereotypes; how does he do this with both his captors Kazi-Muhammad and Abdul-Murat?
5. How does Zhilin conduct himself during the discussion of his ransom, which he knows no one can or will pay anyway, and how does his conduct improve his chances of survival?
6. One of Zhilin’s survival techniques is his resourcefulness; how does he demonstrate his abilities, and how does this help him survive?
7. The girl Dina is a crucial person in Zhilin’s ordeal; how does she help him, and why? Do you think his relationship with her is genuine, or does he just manipulate her to escape?
8. There is an old man in the village who keeps urging the Tatars to kill Zhilin and Kostylin; why does he want them executed—is his hatred justified?
9. What finally convinces Zhilin that he must attempt to escape, and why does he take Kostylin with him, given that Kostylin is such a burden?
10. What is ironical about the ending of the story? Which man, Zhilin or Kostylin, is more admirable, and why?