Leo Tolstoy brings to light the struggle of finding true faith in this short story about a young man who desperately chases worldly accolades and social status before finding contentment in the last place he would have thought to look. After learning of the shame that he receives as catastrophic news, the young protagonist turns to the monastery to prove his moral superiority and his inability to be sullied by the ways of men. While outwardly he appears to be the perfect picture of holy devotion, Father Sergius continues to struggle with his desires and pride. Met with multiple temptations and difficulties, he begins on a path to strip himself of his misconceptions and temporary pleasures to find a peace that withstands any conditions.