L.N. Tolstoy was convinced that one person could not make history, no matter how outstanding he was. In his opinion, the fate of the state, even in the most difficult moments of its existence, was decided by the people.
This approach was reflected in the image of the commander, under whose leadership the Russian army was able to gain a complete victory over the French in 1812. Mikhail Tutstoy’s Kutuzov is an example of the bearer of the spirit and will of the whole people. Thanks to the talent of military tactics, readiness and ability to defend his opinion, his fatherly attitude to soldiers, he won the love and respect of the Russian army.
Historical reference
Golenishchev-Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich, born in 1745, passed a good military school when he served under the leadership of P. Rumyantsev. and Suvorova A.V. Its rapid rise begins with the Russian-Turkish war of 1864-78.
Starting from the adjutant wing of Prince Holstein-Beck in 1861, 30 years later he received the rank of general. Mikhail Kutuzov was a member of the royal palace under Catherine II and Paul I, and was repeatedly awarded high awards for military prowess.
Alexander I, who came to power in 1802, first appointed him military governor and civil affairs manager in two provinces, however, a year later he was relieved of his post. The hostile relationship between the new emperor and Kutuzov continued until the death of the latter in 1813. Despite this, in 1805, Mikhail Illarionovich was appointed commander in chief of one of the Russian armies sent to Austria, and in the summer of 1812, at the insistence of the nobility, commander in chief of all Russian troops and militias.
"War and Peace": a description of Kutuzov in the novel
For the first time, the reader sees the hero at a show near Braunau. Against the background of the Austrian general, dressed in a snow-white uniform, Kutuzov, who walked heavily and seemed to not notice the regiment stretched out in front of him, looked more like not a commander-in-chief, but an ordinary person.
The author more than once emphasizes the smile that glided over his disfigured wound face when he addressed the soldiers. This is the first characteristic of Kutuzov.
“War and Peace” includes several compositionally important scenes, the protagonist of which is the commander, and he is always natural. His face was revived by a gentle smile, then a mockery. He is not at all embarrassed by the fact that he hardly climbs a horse or begins to doze during a military council. Without hiding, in plain sight of everyone, he can wipe away a tear from his eyes or show fatigue. He even eats chicken during lunch with an effort. At the same time, he looks wise, calm and feeling responsible for the country and people throughout the novel "War and Peace." Kutuzov's quotes are one of the most significant details that help to form an idea of ​​this person. “Woe to the land in which subordinates, bosses and courts, and not laws, govern citizens and affairs!” - this and other statements allow us to understand his inner convictions and explain some actions.
Viewing in Braunau
The main goal pursued by the commander in chief, organizing the show, was to show how incapable the Russian army was at the moment in engaging in battle.
In this scene, Kutuzov’s attitude towards the soldiers cannot go unnoticed. He carefully looks at their uniforms, especially shoes, and, shaking his head, makes it clear to the Austrian general how bad everything is. Mikhail Illarionovich is especially attentive to the soldiers he knew from the Turkish campaign, and he addresses Timokhin by name and recalls his military prowess during the capture of Ishmael. Not a military commander, but an attentive administrator - this impression makes during the Kutuzov show.
The image in the novel "War and Peace" of this commander changes little throughout the work. So we will see him during the battle of Borodino or the offensive near Smolensk.
Austerlitz battle
The next important episode for understanding the character of the hero is the military council, which brought together all the generals except Bagration. Kutuzov also came, who at first with all his appearance showed dissatisfaction with what was happening, and then simply fell asleep. This cannot be called simple disorder and irresponsibility. The battle is doomed to failure, and no “ingenious” plans will help here - the experienced commander Kutuzov was absolutely sure of this, the image in the novel “War and Peace” which always causes respect and admiration.
He does not argue with the emperor. Alexander I arrived in the morning at the site of the future battle, confident in the impending victory. It seemed that his condition was transmitted to everyone around him, and only Kutuzov’s heart was contracting with pain and the understanding that the death of many soldiers would be meaningless. Obliged to fulfill the will of the sovereign, he gives the order for the offensive. And what happened next - a random retreat that could not be stopped - shocked even the commander who was ready for defeat.
battle of Borodino
During the decisive battle for the country, the commander-in-chief of the entire Russian army is Kutuzov, whose image in the novel "War and Peace" in this case is little consistent with the ideas of what a real military leader should be like. It seems that he just watches what is happening and does not do anything serious. This is actually not the case. The author expressed his attitude to the behavior of Mikhail Illarionovich through the perception of his actions by Andrei Bolkonsky. Here is what the prince thinks on the eve of the battle: “He [Kutuzov] will not come up with anything, will not do anything, but he will listen to everything, remember everything, put everything in its place, will not hinder anything useful and will not allow anything harmful. He understands that there is something more significant than his will ... ”This something was the fighting spirit of the soldiers, who decided the outcome of the whole battle. Indeed, the calm and confidence of Kutuzov was immediately transferred to officers and soldiers. Therefore, the point of view is true that in the battle of Borodino the Russian army won a moral victory over the French, which was enough to decide the outcome of World War II.
Council at Fili
The key to understanding the character of Kutuzov was the evening after the battle of Borodino. The council at Fili is shown through the eyes of a little girl who was not able to figure out what was happening in the hut. But she immediately noticed Mikhail Illarionovich, whom she affectionately called grandfather. She certainly wanted him to prevail in a dispute with her unpleasant Benigsen.
In fact, the question was resolved serious: to give Napoleon a battle or leave Moscow. Many of the assembled generals understood that the new battle meant imminent death for the entire Russian army, but only Kutuzov found the courage to confront Benigsen and take responsibility for the decision he made: “... I ... by the authority handed to me by the sovereign and the fatherland, I order retreat". He, a truly Russian man, was dear to "the sacred ancient capital of Moscow," but when it came to saving the whole army and homeland, he considered such a sacrifice justified.
Kutuzov's place among other historical figures of the novel
The epic novel is a large-scale depiction of the life of Russia over a long period. The history of three noble noble families, the reign of Alexander I and the reforms of Speransky known to everyone, Russia's participation in the war with Napoleon in Eastern Europe and the Patriotic War of 1812 - these events are narrated in his work by L. Tolstoy. “War and Peace” is truly one of the greatest works in Russian and world culture.
But of all historical persons, only Kutuzov always and in all respects the sympathy and approval of the author. And this is no coincidence. If Alexander I, Napoleon and other generals think first of all about personal glory and power, then Mikhail Illarionovich puts in the first place the good of the Motherland. After the council at Fili, he was tormented by a heavy thought: “When ... did it decide that Moscow was left?” And to correct the situation, he was ready for anything. For Tolstoy, the commander became the personification of the spirit of the people, an example of a true patriot.
The death of Kutuzov
After the expulsion of the French army from Russia, the need for such a commander in chief as Mikhail Illarionovich, in the opinion of L. Tolstoy, disappeared. Now a soldier, inspired by his victories, could be led by another commander. And to the “representative of the Russian people” at the moment when Russia reached “the highest degree of its glory”, “there is nothing more to do. The representative of the people's war had no choice but death. ”
But Kutuzov - the image in the novel "War and Peace", forever remembered - remained in Russian history the greatest military leader, who managed to win the greatest of victories in the history of mankind.