In the latter part of the story, Tolstoy uses a bitter tone towards the villain, Semyonich. Tolstoy does this to create hate towards the villain and get the readers to like Ivan even more. For example, after Ivan figured out it was Semyonich who killed the merchant Tolstoy writes, "And his anger was so great against Makar Semyonich that he longed for vengeance, even if he himself should perish for it… he did not go near Makar Semyonich, nor even look at him." This quote shows Tolstoy's bitterness towards Semyonich because of the terrible crimes he committed, and then blamed on Ivan, ruining Ivan’s life and family. This makes the readers despise Semyonich, and further the reader's sorrowfulness towards Ivan. Later after Ivan finds out he confronts Semyonich saying,
," but I have suffered for you these twenty-six years. Where could I go to now?… My wife is dead, and my children have forgotten me. I have nowhere to go." This quote shows the pain Semyonich has caused Ivan’s and the hate that is growing inside Ivan towards Semyonich for what he did. The bitterness in Ivan voice creates emotion for the reader, who then feels Ivan's pain.
In conclusion, the method Tolstoy uses to create emotion for the reader is successful. He uses a sorrowful tone towards Ivan Aksionov to get the readers to feel sadness for Ivan. Tolstoy then uses a bitter tone towards the story's villain, Semyonich, to get the readers to dislike him. These tones definitely created emotion for the reader and got the readers to feel sorry for Ivan and hate Semyonich.