ResurrectiontellsthestoryofaRussiannoblemanwhocomesfacetofacewiththesinsofhispast.Thisnovelisbothatrenchantdenunciationofgovernment,aristocracy,thejudicialsystem,andtheChurchaswellasahighlypersonalstatementofTolstoy'sbeliefinhumanredemptionandspiritualdevelopment.WhenPrinceNekhlyudovservesonajuryatthetrialofaprostitutearrestedformurder,heishorrifiedtodiscoverthattheaccusedisawomanhehadonceseducedandabandoned.HisguiltatthecentralroleheplayedinherruinsoonleadshimonaquestforforgivenessashefollowsherintotheprisonsofSiberia.