How did Tolstoy’s fiction differ from Dostoyevsky’s psychological novels?

The primary difference between the fiction of Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky lies in their focus regarding human psychology. While Dostoyevsky is renowned for his deep exploration of the subconscious, pathological states of mind, and the darkest recesses of the human heart, Tolstoy is distinguished by his unparalleled mastery in describing conscious mental life.1234

Their approaches to character and narrative also diverged significantly:

• Psychological Focus: Dostoyevsky specialized in analyzing intense emotions such as humiliation, murderous rage, and self-destruction, often placing his characters in extreme, paradoxical situations. In contrast, Tolstoy emphasized the value of everyday activity and the "prosaic" moments of life, believing that true human experience is found in the countless small, ordinary details rather than just moments of grand crisis.2354
• Literary Technique: Tolstoy’s realism aimed to present life without mediation, as if it were writing itself. Dostoyevsky’s works, often termed "novels of ideas," were characterized by a more frenzied style of composition and a focus on intellectuals who "feel ideas" in the depths of their souls.526
• Social Context: Dostoyevsky frequently explored the lives of "accidental families" and the marginalized, whereas Tolstoy often drew upon his background to depict the family life and social structures of the landed gentry.6