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Ivan Dmitriyevich Aksyonov
Makar Semyonov arrives as a new inmate at the Siberian labor camp where Aksyonov is incarcerated during Aksyonov’s 26th year there. After Aksyonov discusses with Makar the murder for which he was falsely imprisoned and learns that Makar too comes from the town of Vladimir, Aksyonov begins to suspect that it was Makar who set him up. Aksyonov inwardly rages at Makar, but after one day discovering that Makar was digging an escape tunnel, Aksyonov nonetheless declines to give him up to the authorities, reasoning that he would not like to see Makar flogged (the same brutal punishment he himself received). This triggers a transformation in Makar’s character; whereas Makar arrived at the Siberian prison loudly protesting his innocence, he now confesses privately to Aksyonov that it was he who framed Aksyonov for murder. Moved by Aksyonov’s refusal to turn him in, Makar begs Aksyonov’s forgiveness. Though Aksyonov initially reacts with indignation, Makar’s apparently genuine sense of grief and regret over the wrong he has done Aksyonov eventually brings Aksyonov to tears. Aksyonov assures Makar that God will forgive him. Aksyonov’s decision not to himself forgive (or, indeed, to punish) Makar but to refer Makar to the promise of divine forgiveness sets up the main moral lesson of the parable—that true justice comes from God alone, not from individuals on earth. Makar further highlights this message when he ultimately confesses to state authorities that it was he, and not Aksyonov, who murdered the merchant at the inn. Aksyonov’s official exoneration arrives after he dies and passes into God’s divine judgment, and therefore Makar’s attempts to enact due justice have no effect.
Makar Semyonov Quotes in God Sees the Truth But Waits
The God Sees the Truth But Waits quotes below are all either spoken by Makar Semyonov or refer to Makar Semyonov. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
God Sees the Truth But Waits
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“To pay for my sins I’ve done twenty-six years penal servitude.”
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“It’s obvious the murderer was the one in whose bag the knife was found. If someone planted a knife on you he hasn’t been caught—no man is a thief until he’s caught! And how could anyone have slipped a knife into your bag? He’d have had to be standing right at the head of your bed—and then you’d have heard him.”
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“I could cover up for him, but why should I forgive the man who ruined me? […] Let him pay the price for all my suffering. On the other hand, they’re bound to flog him if I testify against him. And what if my suspicions are wrong? Would it make me feel any easier?”
[…]
“I saw nothing and I know nothing.”
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“Ivan Dmitriyevich, forgive me. For God’s sake forgive me! I’ll confess to the murder and they’ll grant you a pardon. Then you’ll be able to go home.”
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“It’s easy enough for you to go and tell them, but just think what I’ll have to endure! Where shall I go? My wife’s dead, my children will have forgotten me. I’ve nowhere to go…”
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“Ivan Dmitriyevich! Forgive me! […] The flogging they gave me was easier to bear than looking at you now! When I think how you took pity on me and didn’t inform. Oh, forgive me for Christ’s sake! Forgive me—I’m such a rotten bastard!”
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“God will forgive you. […] Perhaps I’m a hundred times worse.”
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Makar Semyonov Quotes in God Sees the Truth But Waits
The God Sees the Truth But Waits quotes below are all either spoken by Makar Semyonov or refer to Makar Semyonov. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
God Sees the Truth But Waits
Quotes
“To pay for my sins I’ve done twenty-six years penal servitude.”
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Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
“It’s obvious the murderer was the one in whose bag the knife was found. If someone planted a knife on you he hasn’t been caught—no man is a thief until he’s caught! And how could anyone have slipped a knife into your bag? He’d have had to be standing right at the head of your bed—and then you’d have heard him.”
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“I could cover up for him, but why should I forgive the man who ruined me? […] Let him pay the price for all my suffering. On the other hand, they’re bound to flog him if I testify against him. And what if my suspicions are wrong? Would it make me feel any easier?”
[…]
“I saw nothing and I know nothing.”
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“Ivan Dmitriyevich, forgive me. For God’s sake forgive me! I’ll confess to the murder and they’ll grant you a pardon. Then you’ll be able to go home.”
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“It’s easy enough for you to go and tell them, but just think what I’ll have to endure! Where shall I go? My wife’s dead, my children will have forgotten me. I’ve nowhere to go…”
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“Ivan Dmitriyevich! Forgive me! […] The flogging they gave me was easier to bear than looking at you now! When I think how you took pity on me and didn’t inform. Oh, forgive me for Christ’s sake! Forgive me—I’m such a rotten bastard!”
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“God will forgive you. […] Perhaps I’m a hundred times worse.”
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