Can a person consider himself “familiar with Russian national culture” without touching the epic novel by Leo Tolstoy “War and Peace”? Bright strokes on this canvas of the novel depict the Rostovs and Bolkonskys. How he considered the depth of his work is evidenced by his answer to M. Gorky, who met with him and asked: “What is“ War and Peace ”?” Lev Nikolaevich’s answer was brief: "Iliad." The birth of this outstanding work was not easy. Not only did it begin and be postponed several times, it “stretched out” from a completely different concept, like the fruit of Tolstoy’s creative search.
The idea of creating a novel
The idea that made the classic writer take up the pen in 1856 was to search for historical experience to overcome the contemporary schism of Russian society. Half-peasant reform has heated relations between peasants and landowners. Although even then there were landowners of the Rostov and Bolkonsky type, harmonizing Russian society.
Tolstoy began his creative search for an integrating national idea from the era of the Decembrists. His romance was to begin with the return of the exiled Decembrist Pierre Bezukhov, together with his wife Natalia and the family. Artistic comprehension of the plot led his search by 1825 (the year of the Decembrist uprising). However, Pierre walked to Senate Square consciously, which sent Lev Nikolaevich to the milestones of his life: first in 1812, and then in 1805, when it all began. From 1863 to 1869 - for 7 years - he created this epic novel.
Family and History
The classic in the epic novel shows over 800 characters, of which more than 500 are historically confirmed. The people in his description are not like the collected faceless extras, they are characteristic, they are connected by family and love relationships. Severe people's trials are examined by him through the prism of family contact. The three-generation Bolkonsky, Kuragin and Rostov family demonstrate not only through the images of their individual representatives, but also through their characteristic generic, “clan” traits, their attitude to the Motherland, to the people, to society.
For Tolstoy, family is the alpha and omega of society. Therefore, he, as the creator of War and Peace, uses the power of a demiurge artist to “reward” his most beloved heroes with strong families based on love and respect.
"Healthy forces" of the nobility
In the year of the ordeal for Russia (and this is masterfully shown in the novel), the Bolkonsky family and the Rostov family “merged into one stream” with the people, who rained the merciless “club of the people's war” on the Napoleonic army. They were written out by Tolstoy with particular care, in all details, because these two kinds are not just artistic images that “revive the novel”, they are two types of the nobility devoted to the Motherland with all their souls ready to give everything for their freedom: property and life.
Rostov Ilya Andreevich
Rostovs, hereditary Russian boyars, continue to live in the way of the last century. In their actions they are accustomed to be guided not by reason, but by spiritual impulses. The Bolkonsky family and the Rostov family are different not only in terms of good birth, but also in their views.
The head of the family, Ilya Andreyevich Rostov, has great acquaintances, he is a hospitable and generous owner, regularly giving balls, dinners. He prefers everything Russian, likes to live in a village. With family lives soul to soul. He understands everyone, loves, is delicate, cheerful, cheerful. With serfs, he is democratic - to the oddities. The shameless clerk Mitka, using the confidence of the owner, robs him. Ilya Andreyevich has no business acumen, is uneconomical in expenses, and his well-being is becoming increasingly doubtful.
The master is seasoned and not stingy. For example, when a peasant hunter, out of folly in his hearts, cursed him for his sluggishness on the hunt, he reacted to this with irony, having said nothing and made a guilty look. Perhaps, for this patriarchal way of life, adherence to traditions and kindness, the courtyards really love the Rostovs, not “working for them”, but “helping to housekeeping”, as they would help relatives.
Ilya Andreyevich can be called a man of honor. When his son, Nikolenka, lost 43 thousand rubles in cards. to the unscrupulous and embittered Dolokhov, his father, being in a difficult financial situation, gave the money right away. He did this based on the very foundations of his family: love and trust.
The family of a retired general-anshef and the family of the Russian master
As we mentioned earlier, the Bolkonsky family and the Rostov family have different morals. While the Rostovs are civilians who have grown for many generations into the Moscow land, the Bolkonsky are servicemen. Moreover, the service to the Motherland for them is not a race for ranks and awards.
Prince Nikolai Andreyevich Bolkonsky fell into a village estate not of his own free will, but after disgrace. He suffered for his uncompromising attitude, for his inability to bend his back to his superiors. Was he embittered with the world around him? To some extent, at the subconscious level, yes.
Management of Rostov and Bolkonsky
The retired general-anshef fenced off his estate, like fortress walls, from the rest of the world. He despises secular life, but his economy "works like a clock." The prince buys up-to-date imported agricultural equipment, personally controls agricultural work. Old Bolkonsky takes care of the peasants. They do not steal, but they know that labor will be paid, and if need happens, then from Prince Nikolai you can expect help. His people rather respect than love.
The Bolkonsky family and the Rostov family host differently. If the Rostovs are increasingly falling into decline, the old Bolkonsky holds the control threads with a firm hand, earns income and invests it in agricultural machines and in self-education. His estate, and even the count himself, live strictly according to the daily routine, modeled on the military unit.
Comparative characteristics of Rostov and Bolkonsky
However, it is striking to the reader that Prince Nikolai, prevailing in reason and economy, is inferior to Ilya Andreyevich Rostov by the “strength of his soul”. Old Bolkonsky “does not catch his soul instinct”, does not feel the spirit of souls of loved ones, their aspirations. But this is precisely the strength of the Rostovs. It touches their touching attitude to each other.
This often saves the family. When the “trampled and humiliated” Nicholas Rostov, who actually lost the estate to the scoundrel Dolokhov for money, returned home, his sister Natasha saved him, perhaps, from suicide. He heard her playing and singing behind the wall, and then through this “emotional feeling” he realized that all the evil of the world is not worth the love that hangs around his family.
In a word, the comparative characterization of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys by the criterion of the sincerity of family relations is not in favor of the retired general of Suvorov times. Rostovs may be short-sighted and underdeveloped, but they are in happiness, in constant communication, living with spiritual impulses, overcoming the challenges of the cruel world around with love and mutual understanding.
What was the tyranny of Prince Nicholas
Prince Nikolai, having managed to educate his children by instilling patriotism, is shy of his feelings, considering them to be weakness. It should be noted that in essence the older Bolkonsky is completely different. But he is spoiled by the ingrained "mask of the soldier."
For example, saying goodbye to his son, he, as if embarrassed, asks him to “stay alive”, adding that he will “hurt” if they kill him. After which he hurriedly leaves to hide his tears. This short phrase has it all: a suffering father’s soul, love for his son, his blessing for service.
His children: the noble officer Andrei Bolkonsky and the daughter of Princess Marya are unhappy from the parental warmth that was not received. But if Prince Andrei himself builds his career, then Princess lives on the estate "with his father." The old prince, being a clever man, subconsciously understands the lack of soulfulness, but the "mask of the soldier" is stronger, and he is tyrannical. Without a doubt, Prince Nikolai himself does not really know why an adult girl in the wilderness to study geometry. However, having established such an order, it monitors its execution.
At the end of his life, the prince becomes a real tyrant in relation to his daughter, for some reason "training her diligence" and morally almost in a military manner, which looks like a direct mockery. However, the spiritual princess Mary overcomes her father's complexes by the power of her love, and he on her deathbed begs forgiveness from her.
Let us think, is the very characteristic of the family of Bolkonski and Rostovs so diverse? Perhaps it has common features.
Common to Rostov and Bolkonsky
Despite a different way of life: “from the soul” and “from reason” - the deep core of these two families is the same. “Russianness”, love for one’s land and devotion to the Fatherland.
In the war, having exchanged a staff career for command of a combat regiment, Andrei Bolkonsky serves. He, like a real hero in an attack with a banner in his hands, is seriously wounded and then dies from the wound. Of course, the younger Bolkonsky inherited “Suvorov” courage from his father.
Embraced by a youthful impulse, the young Petya Rostov rushes to the front after his brother Nikolai. Father and mother bless him. A merciless war, as Tolstoy wrote, an action contrary to the “human mind” and “human nature”, kills this romantic and bright boy with a stray bullet.
Nikolay Rostov fights steadily against the French, does not hide in headquarters. Risking her life, she rescues Princess Marya, who later became his wife, near the advanced French units.
The real, not heroically-fanfare story sets out "War and Peace." The Rostovs and Bolkonskys (namely, the civilian part of the families) remain on their estates until the very last opportunity, until the French take over. At the same time, the Rostovs turn their home into a hospital for the wounded. And when the enemy comes close, Count Ilya Andreevich Rostov deliberately goes to ruin for the sake of saving compatriots. He orders to dump the acquired property from the wagons prepared for evacuation and to take away the bleeding Russian soldiers on them. He cannot do otherwise.
Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky decides to confront the French in a partisan manner, he arming his peasants in the Bald Mountains and becomes the head of the militia. However, the hard news received the day before - the surrender of Smolensk - had already crushed his strength, and his heart could not stand it. He is dying.
Natasha Rostova and Andrey Bolkonsky
Prince Andrei, who grimaced at his “handsome face” and reacted to social entertainments, ironically met Natasha Rostova. Why did he so hate secularism? He was disappointed with her. This is a sad story: for love, Andrei Bolkonsky married a noble girl Lisa. She loved him, but sincerely they were far away. Together with his young wife, for the sole purpose of pleasing her, he attended balls and parties where he sat out on the sidelines. Family happiness did not work, soon a misfortune happened - the death of Lisa during childbirth. The wife, the "little princess", gave Andrei a son. His father was engaged in his upbringing.
An unexpected acquaintance with Natasha Rostova at the ball, like a breath of fresh air, stirred up the young prince. Natasha, as the young Bolkonsky admits, possessed what he was deprived of - the wisdom of the heart. What were our heroes before this meeting? The answer to this question will help us once again compare the Bolkonsky and Rostov family.
Natasha Rostova, a universal favorite, could not physically without communicating with loved ones. She was sick of being alone, pondering. It is somewhat like a cheerful, bubbling spring stream. Recall the scene of the return from the war of Nikolai Rostov. How does Tolstoy portray Natasha meeting her brother? Not as a person, but as a whirlwind, a stream of joyful, seething energy: "something, ... like a storm, flew out." And this hugged something and "began to kiss him."
It is no accident that Tolstoy met Natasha Rostova and Andrei Bolkonsky, “ice and fire”. And the flame melted the ice, the story of their love is a real decoration of a great novel. The meeting of Andrei Bolkonsky with Natasha influenced the prince. He significantly rejuvenated. His cold judgment thawed, his eyes shone, there was a mutual unity of feelings of two completely different people. Prior to that, he allowed himself to be only with a small circle of people. Natasha immediately, from the first meeting, broke into this circle.
How did it happen (and pretty soon) that the villain Anatole Kuragin dragged Natasha behind him from falling into boredom, falling in love with himself, having started a fraud scam? The answer is easy to find. Natasha always lived with feelings, and feelings excited by liars are deceiving. However, she, having gone through awareness and repentance, realized that she loved the young Bolkonsky, but he, deeply offended, decided to devote himself to the service.
The depth of the image of Andrei Bolkonsky
Andrei Bolkonsky is one of the best and deepest images in Russian literature. Through the mouth of M.I. Kutuzov, Leo Tolstoy gave him a description: his path is the path of valor, the path of service.
The hereditary officer has all the data for a brilliant career: intelligence, common sense, understanding of the essence of military affairs, insight. At first he is selfish, unrestrained. However, spiritual purity, the desire to serve the Fatherland, to be a caring and decisive commander of the regiment entrusted to him determine the evolution of the life position of Andrei Bolkonsky.
He comes to a full understanding of himself as a person after being wounded, dying. For several years of the war, he came to the realization of his being of such a depth that adherents have followed for decades. He comprehends what God's love is.
Princess Mary
In literary criticism and various works one can often see the judgment that Natasha Rostova was the favorite female image of Leo Tolstoy. It is not true.
The favorite image of the classic is Princess Mary. It was in her that the writer invested the most precious thing for himself - the way he imagined his mother.
Lev Nikolaevich did not remember her. She died giving birth to a sister, Leva, when he was only 2 years old. From childhood and for life, the image of the mother was holy to the classic. When he tried to imagine her, she was visualized tender, clean, with a soft radiant look. The classic admitted that, even being "aged", in a difficult year he "prayed for her image," and my mother helped.
We will not dwell on the relationship between Marya and father (they have already been highlighted above). Note that Princess Marya is a girl prone to solitude, to reflection, to beneficence. Outwardly, she is “ordinary”, however, until the moment when the interlocutor does not look into her eyes, the real beauty emanates from her soul. The appreciation expressed by her to Nikolai Rostov, who helped her to avoid being captured by the French, sunk deep into his heart. It was through their marriage that the Bolkonsky and Rostov family joined.
A comparison of these two worthy families by a classic certainly adorned one of the best novels in world literature.
Conclusion
Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is a book that makes you think and analyze. This is especially true now that the surrounding life is filled with cliches, cliches. Today, often representatives of one social group imagine representatives of another primitively generalized.
The thinking person must always see the truth. As an argument “for” his careful study of human nature may be “War and Peace”, where it is clearly seen from the example of nobles that they are different, in particular, there are the Bolkonsky, the Dolokhovs, the Rostovs, and the Kuragins among them.