What is striking in this passage by Tolstoy is the description of "unconsciousness" - as rendered by the translator. We might call this getting into the zone of focussed attention so that you lose yourself as the agent of activity. On first read, the passage is completely understandable. On second read, i wondered about Tolstoy or the translator trying to describe a consciousness of an unconsciousness which the act of writing makes necessary. I'm not sure if I'm being clear.
I know what you mean, and it would be ironic if Tolstoy wasn't so ardent a champion of single-entendre meaning. I think you're on point when you say that the act of writing or describing the scene would make necessary describing a consciousness of an unconsciousness.On first read, the passage is completely understandable. On second read, i wondered about Tolstoy or the translator trying to describe a consciousness of an unconsciousness which the act of writing makes necessary.