The novel "War and Peace" by Tolstoy is a work that tells about significant events in the history of our country, about mores, ideals and views of various sectors of society, about important aspects of people's life. An entire historical period is recreated in the epic novel. It presents the fate of peoples and individuals. The heroes of this novel find themselves in a whirlpool of large-scale events. Moreover, the true value of each character is determined by how much he is involved in them, how much he feels responsible for what is happening.
"People like rivers"
Human life appears before readers in all its diversity and fullness. Numerous streams flow into this huge stream. Tolstoy said: "People are like rivers." By this, the writer emphasized the complexity and versatility of the human person, as well as its continuous movement. The place and role of this person in the life of the country, in its history, in relations with the Russian people are the questions posed by Lev Nikolaevich in War and Peace. The inconspicuous participants in the war and figures of history, careerists and the best representatives of their time pass before us. The novel has more than 500 characters. Tolstoy created many different characters and types. He showed us that a lot of people are a true creator of history.
The value of ordinary people
The writer believed that it was not the will of this or that historical figure that determined the path of development of the country, but the spiritual life of ordinary people — partisans, ordinary soldiers and officers, that is, those on whose actions the outcome of the battles depends. The author is delighted and deeply touched by the manifestation of patriotism in ordinary people. He believes that love for the motherland is not expressed by killing children in the name of saving the fatherland, not by lush phrases or other unnatural actions, but is manifested simply, imperceptibly, therefore always leads to strong results. Leo Tolstoy ( his portrait is presented below) is convinced that the war is of a national character. Partisan warfare gives rise to a sense of revenge, which was filled in the hard days of 1812 with the heart of every person. A close-up of the writer draws Tikhon Scherbaty, a partisan man from the Denisov detachment, in which he is "the most useful and brave man."
Characteristic appearance of Tikhon Scherbaty, occupation
This peasant, a native of the village of Pokrovskoye, is certainly the most needed person in his detachment. It should be noted that its external characteristic is expressive and funny. The hero has a lack of appearance, because of which he received his nickname - he does not have one tooth. This gives Shcherbatom a cheerful and cunning look.
Tikhon Shcherbaty knows how to do everything properly and easily. He easily takes out water, lays fires, strips horses for food, prepares food, makes wooden dishes. However, the main occupation of this hero, of course, is military affairs.
Fighting the enemy as a call of Shcherbaty
Remaining with Denisov, Tikhon first did all the dirty work. He looked after horses, laid fires. However, it turned out that Tikhon Shcherbaty is capable of more. And he began to leave at night for prey, bringing French weapons and clothes, and on orders sometimes brought prisoners. After some time, the hero was credited to the Cossacks. Lev Nikolaevich notes that Tikhon Shcherbaty always walked, however, he did not lag behind the cavalry. He carried a musketon with him, but more for laughs. The real weapon of this hero was an ax and a pike, which Shcherbaty owned perfectly, "like a wolf’s teeth."
He gives all his strength, endurance and ingenuity to the fight against the enemy. Shcherbaty is by nature a hard worker of the earth, which was created for peaceful life. However, with extraordinary naturalness, this hero suddenly turns into a defender of his homeland. The author embodies in his image the spirit of the Avenger people, the daring and resourcefulness of Russian peasants.
Cruelty
Tikhon Shcherbaty goes to the enemy with an ax in his hands. And not because someone forces him to defend his homeland, but under the influence of hatred of uninvited guests and great patriotism. These feelings are so strong in him that Tikhon, good-natured by nature, sometimes becomes cruel. Then the French do not appear to him as people, but exclusively as enemies of their homeland.
The attitude of comrades to Shcherbatom
The image of Tikhon Scherbaty is even more fully revealed to the reader in the way his comrades-in-arms speak of him. It is felt that they admire this hero, respect him. In their rude words one can even hear a kind of affection: “well, dexterity”, “eka slamma”, “eka beast”.
Hero mobility
It must be said that Shcherbatov’s movements are quick and dexterous. For the first time he appears before the reader running. We see Tikhon "floundering" into the water, then "climbed out on all fours" out of the river and "ran on." This hero is all in action, in a fit. Even his speech is dynamic. It should also be noted that in the work "War and Peace" Tikhon Shcherbaty is distinguished by the ability not to lose his sense of humor in any circumstances.
We now offer to get acquainted with the comparative characteristics of two heroes - Plato Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty. This will help you better understand the role of the latter in the work.
Plato Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty
Leo Tolstoy, drawing the image of the people's avenger, shows that he is not only distinguished by courage, energy, determination, hatred of the enemy. Great humanism is also inherent in him. In the novel War and Peace, "the spirit of simplicity, kindness and truth" personifies a soldier named Platon Karataev. This hero is the exact opposite of Shcherbatom. If Tikhon Shcherbaty in the novel is merciless to the enemy, then Plato loves all people, including the French. Tikhon is rude, and his humor is sometimes combined with cruelty. Plato Karataev everywhere wants to find "solemn grandeur." And his appearance, and the "gentle-melodious affection" in his voice, and the nature of his speeches, which are full of thoughts about people and life - all this distinguishes this hero from Shcherbaty.
Tikhon Shcherbaty in the novel "War and Peace" does not remember God. He relies only on himself, on his own dexterity and strength. And Plato Karataev constantly thinks about God. His speech is filled with proverbs. In some of them, echoes of the peasants' protest against an unfair social system are heard (for example, “where there is a court, there is no truth”). However, Plato himself is not one of those who are accustomed to actively intervening throughout his life, despite the fact that a spirit of truth-seeking is characteristic of it, which is characteristic of the Russian peasantry as a whole.
Plato Karataev, like Tikhon Shcherbaty, is a patriot in the novel War and Peace. However, it is very difficult to imagine him fighting. The point is not in his timidity, but in the fact that Plato does not feel hatred for the enemy.
Shcherbaty - Russian hero
In two largely different images, Leo Tolstoy creates a single capacious image of the people, a kind of unity of spirit. Both Platon Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty each in their own way contribute to the common cause. Both heroes do not just carry out practical actions, participating in the struggle. Their role is more significant - they carry such qualities as moral beauty, warmth of soul and kindness. In the novel "War and Peace," Tikhon Shcherbaty, whose characteristics we examined, expresses the active principle of the soul of a Russian person. It symbolizes the ability of the Russian people to boldly fight the invaders. This hero is the embodiment of a heroic power that has risen to defend the homeland from enemies.
Shcherbaty and Petya Rostov
It should be noted that the function of Tikhon Scherbaty in the work is not limited to personifying the courage and strength of a simple Russian peasant. His personality, like many other "passing" characters of the work, serves to enhance the characteristics of the main characters. Guessing that Shcherbaty killed the man during his outing for the “tongue,” Petya Rostov feels very awkward, although this feeling does not last long. The author notes that Petya, sitting at the same table with the partisans, was in a state of children's enthusiastic love for all people. He wanted to make everyone happy, so he treated everyone to raisins sent from home. The death of Petit Rostov emphasizes the weakness of the naive boy nobles and the brutal grandeur of Tikhonov. After his death, Dolokhov coldly said about Rostov: "Ready." Denisov, having approached his body, suddenly remembered how Petya Rostov said: "Excellent raisins, take all."
So, Tikhon is a collective image of the people, personifying its best features. Fearlessness and self-sacrifice in the name of victory over the invaders are characteristic of him. This completes the analysis of the image of Tikhon Shcherbaty.