What Tolstoy said about the war. Portrayal of war in the novel War and Peace

The genre of “War and Peace” is an epic novel, which implies a symbiosis of two genres. The novel shows the fate of the hero in his connections with the era, environment, time and world; the essence of the epic is the depiction of grandiose scale historical events of public interest. The novel by L.N. Tolstoy has several features that distinguish him from other works of this genre:

Time coverage – more than 15 years (from 1805 to 1820).
The breadth of space (the geography of War and Peace covers Russia and Europe).
Multilinearity of the plot (the lines of several families and events of world history are intertwined).
Along with fictional characters act historical figures(over 600 heroes in total).

The main focus of the epic novel is to show the life of the people, the meaning of historical events and the life of an individual in a certain era. The epic is responsible for the mass appeal, and the novel for the life of an individual. In general, “War and Peace” contains many philosophical, journalistic, military-historical, lyrical digressions, occupying entire chapters.

Character system

All the characters in War and Peace are organized into a clear system, which is based on the opposition already specified in the title. Characters can be divided into two main groups - “war heroes” and “peace heroes”. For the first group, the key is the personality of Napoleon, who allowed himself to step over others for the sake of personal gain; the symbolic key of the second group is the personality of Kutuzov, who is in opposition to the French commander; he values people, sees and understands them.

The characters of the “military group” may not talk about Napoleon or even be indignant at him, but internally they are oriented towards his model of behavior (Anatole, a lover of an idle life, destroys the lives of Natasha and Prince Andrei, Alexander I sends soldiers to certain death in the Battle of Austerlitz). There are also heroes who hesitate between choosing one way or another (Pierre and Andrei are developing heroes who abandon illusions about Napoleon with his spectacular history and, as a result, come to the core of the “world”). There is no main, particularly outstanding hero in the system, however, this characteristic genre.

In many ways, Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov are typically Tolstoy characters; they have common feature – constant search for oneself and one’s role in the world. However, the ways to achieve this goal vary. So, Prince Andrei carefully considers his every action and is guided by reason. Pierre, on the contrary, is guided by his heart and often finds himself in an uncomfortable, or even difficult, position.

Bolkonsky is driven by dreams of glory, Bezukhov by youthful frivolity. Andrey constantly experiences disappointment and returns to life through love, Pierre enters into a secret Masonic Society and hopes for power that will do good. But both hesitate in their choice - this is the similarity. Then suddenly both begin to arrange personal life, then devote themselves to serving high goals, both in different time trying to get involved in life common people. And yet their destinies are multidirectional. At the end of volume 4, Andrei Bolkonsky’s line ends in death, but Tolstoy was going to continue Pierre’s line in the next, never written novel.

Antagonists Kutuzov and Napoleon

Kutuzov and Napoleon occupy a special place in the character system. These are the two ideological cores of the novel, they are heroic symbols. Both are static and somewhat conditional. One is a key link in the chain of “war heroes”, the other – “peace heroes”. Other characters gravitate towards them. All developing, not static heroes coexist between these two poles. Boris Drubetskoy - to Napoleon, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky - to Kutuzov. Kutuzov realizes the depth of the course of history, he is close to the people, he feels the public, life among the people. Napoleon is the bearer of the false idea of a strong personality who can control history and around whom the world revolves; he is an individualist.

Kutuzov is able to appreciate individual people, experience empathy and compassion. Napoleon, on the contrary, sacrifices others to achieve his ideal plans. Paradoxically, it is Kutuzov who is depicted by Tolstoy as a hater of war, considering it an unnatural matter. For Napoleon, war is an opportunity to prove the power and strength of his army, it is a game, something frivolous and insignificant. Kutuzov is the “hero of the world”, his features are found in the characters of this group, he expresses the idea of a common, natural life. Napoleon is his opposite, he is a “hero of war”, disunion, puts on strong personality, on yourself, sacrificing others. He is the core around which the heroes of the Napoleonic type, his doubles, revolve.

Reflection of the writer's biography in the novel

Tolstoy lived long life, connecting different eras. Tolstoy began working on the novel when he was not yet 35 years old, however, he already had a versatile life experience, reflected in the novel that he wrote for 6 years. The Tolstoy family is directly connected with the Patriotic War of 1812. The writer's father was a participant.

The diaries that Lev Nikolaevich begins to write quite early provide him with an important experience of self-knowledge and psychoanalysis. From them grew the principle of depicting the inner world of a person, which would later be called by critics the “dialectics of the soul.” The main feature of diary writing is internal monologue. IN best heroes Tolstoy lays down “War and Peace” important qualities character - the desire to develop, sometimes to mercilessly evaluate oneself truthfully, which the writer himself adhered to in his life.

A.E. In 1863, Bersom wrote a letter to his friend, Count Tolstoy, reporting on a fascinating conversation between young people about the events of 1812. Then Lev Nikolaevich decided to write a grandiose work about that heroic time. Already in October 1863, the writer wrote in one of his letters to a relative that he had never felt such creative forces in itself, new job, he says, will be unlike anything he’s done before.

Initially, the main character of the work should be the Decembrist, returning from exile in 1856. Next, Tolstoy moved the beginning of the novel to the day of the uprising in 1825, but then artistic time moved to 1812. Apparently, the count was afraid that the novel would not be released for political reasons, since Nicholas the First tightened censorship, fearing a repeat of the riot. Since the Patriotic War directly depends on the events of 1805 - it was this period in final version became the foundation for the beginning of the book.

“Three Pores” - that’s what Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy called his work. It was planned that the first part or time would tell about the young Decembrists, participants in the war; in the second - a direct description of the Decembrist uprising; in the third – second half of the 19th century, sudden death Nicholas 1, defeat of the Russian army in Crimean War, an amnesty for members of the opposition movement who, returning from exile, expect changes.

It should be noted that the writer rejected all the works of historians, basing many episodes of War and Peace on the memoirs of participants and witnesses of the war. Materials from newspapers and magazines also served as excellent informants. In the Rumyantsev Museum, the author read unpublished documents, letters from ladies-in-waiting and generals. Tolstoy spent several days in Borodino, and in letters to his wife he enthusiastically wrote that if God grants health, he will describe battle of Borodino in a way that no one had ever described before.

The author spent 7 years of his life creating War and Peace. There are 15 variations of the beginning of the novel; the writer repeatedly abandoned and started his book again. Tolstoy foresaw the global scope of his descriptions, wanted to create something innovative and created an epic novel worthy of representing the literature of our country on the world stage.

Themes of War and Peace

Family theme. It is the family that determines the upbringing, psychology, views and moral principles of a person, therefore it naturally occupies one of the central places in the novel. The forge of morals shapes the characters' characters and influences the dialectic of their souls throughout the entire narrative. The description of the Bolkonsky, Bezukhov, Rostov and Kuragin families reveals the author’s thoughts about house building and the importance he attaches to family values.
The theme of the people. The glory for a won war always belongs to the commander or emperor, and the people, without whom this glory would not have appeared, remain in the shadows. It is this problem that the author raises, showing the vanity of the vanity of military officials and elevating ordinary soldiers. became the topic of one of our essays.
Theme of war. Descriptions of military operations exist relatively separately from the novel, independently. It is here that phenomenal Russian patriotism is revealed, which became the key to victory, the boundless courage and fortitude of a soldier who goes to any length to save his homeland. The author introduces us to war scenes through the eyes of one or another hero, plunging the reader into the depths of the bloodshed taking place. Large-scale battles echo the mental anguish heroes. Being at the crossroads of life and death reveals the truth to them.
Theme of life and death. Tolstoy's characters are divided into “living” and “dead”. The first include Pierre, Andrey, Natasha, Marya, Nikolai, and the second include old Bezukhov, Helen, Prince Vasily Kuragin and his son Anatole. The “living” are constantly in motion, and not so much physical as internal, dialectical (their souls come to harmony through a series of trials), while the “dead” hide behind masks and come to tragedy and internal split. Death in “War and Peace” is presented in 3 forms: bodily or physical death, moral death, and awakening through death. Life is comparable to the burning of a candle, someone's light is small, with flashes bright light(Pierre), for some it burns tirelessly (Natasha Rostova), Masha’s wavering light. There are also 2 hypostases: physical life, like that of “dead” characters, whose immorality deprives the world of the necessary harmony within, and the life of the “soul”, this is about the heroes of the first type, they will be remembered even after death.

Main characters

Andrey Bolkonsky- a nobleman, disillusioned with the world and seeking glory. The hero is handsome, has dry features, short stature, but athletic build. Andrei dreams of being famous like Napoleon, and that’s why he goes to war. He's bored high society, even a pregnant wife does not give any consolation. Bolkonsky changes his worldview when, wounded at the battle of Austerlitz, he encountered Napoleon, who seemed like a fly to him, along with all his glory. Further, the love that flared up for Natasha Rostova also changes the views of Andrei, who finds the strength to live again fully and happy life, after the death of his wife. He meets death on the Borodino field, because he does not find the strength in his heart to forgive people and not fight with them. The author shows the struggle in his soul, hinting that the prince is a man of war, he cannot get along in an atmosphere of peace. So, he forgives Natasha for betrayal only on his deathbed, and dies in harmony with himself. But achieving this harmony was possible only in this way - in last time. We wrote more about his character in the essay "".
Natasha Rostova– a cheerful, sincere, eccentric girl. Knows how to love. He has a wonderful voice that will captivate the most picky music critics. In the work we see her for the first time 12 summer girl, on her name day. Throughout the entire work, we observe the growing up of a young girl: first love, first ball, Anatole’s betrayal, guilt before Prince Andrei, the search for her “I”, including in religion, the death of her lover (Andrei Bolkonsky). We analyzed her character in the essay "". In the epilogue, the wife of Pierre Bezukhov, his shadow, appears before us from a cocky lover of “Russian dances”.
Pierre Bezukhov- a plump young man who was unexpectedly bequeathed a title and a large fortune. Pierre discovers himself through what is happening around him, from each event he draws morals and life lesson. His wedding with Helen gives him confidence; after being disappointed in her, he finds interest in Freemasonry, and in the end he gains warm feelings for Natasha Rostova. The Battle of Borodino and capture by the French taught him not to philosophize and find happiness in helping others. These conclusions were determined by acquaintance with Platon Karataev, a poor man who, while awaiting death in a cell without normal food and clothing, looked after the “little baron” Bezukhov and found the strength to support him. We've already looked at it too.
Graph Ilya Andreevich Rostov- a loving family man, luxury was his weakness, which led to financial problems in family. Softness and weakness of character, inability to adapt to life make him helpless and pitiful.
Countess Natalya Rostova- the Count's wife, has oriental flavor, knows how to present himself correctly in society, loves his own children excessively. A calculating woman: she strives to upset the wedding of Nikolai and Sonya, since she was not rich. It was her cohabitation with a weak husband that made her so strong and firm.
NickOlai Rostov– the eldest son is kind, open, with curly hair. Wasteful and weak in spirit, like his father. He squanders his family's fortune on cards. He longed for glory, but after participating in a number of battles he understands how useless and cruel war is. He finds family well-being and spiritual harmony in his marriage to Marya Bolkonskaya.
Sonya Rostova– the count’s niece – small, thin, with a black braid. She had a reasonable character and good disposition. She has been devoted to one man all her life, but lets her beloved Nikolai go after learning about his love for Marya. Tolstoy exalts and appreciates her humility.
Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky- Prince, has an analytical mind, but a heavy, categorical and unfriendly character. He is too strict, therefore he does not know how to show love, although he has warm feelings for children. Dies from the second blow in Bogucharovo.
Marya Bolkonskaya– modest, loving her family, ready to sacrifice herself for the sake of her loved ones. L.N. Tolstoy especially emphasizes the beauty of her eyes and the ugliness of her face. In her image, the author shows that the charm of forms cannot replace spiritual wealth. are described in detail in the essay.
Helen Kuragina – ex-wife Pierre - beautiful woman, socialite. She loves male company and knows how to get what she wants, although she is vicious and stupid.
Anatol Kuragin- Helen's brother is handsome and belongs to high society. Immoral, absent moral principles, wanted to secretly get married to Natasha Rostova, although he already had a wife. Life punishes him martyrdom on the battlefield.
Fedor Dolokhov- officer and leader of the partisans, not tall, has light eyes. Successfully combines selfishness and care for loved ones. Vicious, passionate, but attached to his family.

Tolstoy's favorite hero

In the novel, the author's sympathy and antipathy for the characters is clearly felt. Concerning female images, the writer gives his love to Natasha Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya. Tolstoy valued the real in girls feminine- devotion to the beloved, the ability to always remain blooming in the eyes of her husband, the knowledge of happy motherhood and caring. His heroines are ready for self-denial for the benefit of others.

The writer is fascinated by Natasha, the heroine finds the strength to live even after the death of Andrei, she directs love to her mother after the death of her brother Petya, seeing how hard it is for her. The heroine is reborn, realizing that life is not over as long as she has a bright feeling for her neighbor. Rostova shows patriotism, without a doubt helping the wounded.

Marya also finds happiness in helping others, in feeling needed by someone. Bolkonskaya becomes a mother for Nikolushka’s nephew, taking him under her “wing”. She worries about ordinary men who have nothing to eat, passing the problem through herself, and does not understand how the rich can not help the poor. In the final chapters of the book, Tolstoy is fascinated by his heroines, who have matured and found female happiness.

Favorite male images Pierre and Andrei Bolkonsky became writers. Bezukhov first appears to the reader as a clumsy, plump, short young man who appears in Anna Scherer’s living room. Despite his ridiculous, ridiculous appearance, Pierre is smart, but only person, who accepts him as he is - Bolkonsky. The prince is brave and stern, his courage and honor come in handy on the battlefield. Both men risk their lives to save their homeland. Both are rushing around in search of themselves.

Of course, L.N. Tolstoy brings his favorite heroes together, only in the case of Andrei and Natasha, happiness is short-lived, Bolkonsky dies young, and Natasha and Pierre find family happiness. Marya and Nikolai also found harmony in each other's company.

Genre of the work

“War and Peace” opens the genre of the epic novel in Russia. The features of any novels are successfully combined here: from family novels to memoirs. The prefix “epic” means that the events described in the novel cover a significant historical phenomenon and reveal its essence in all its diversity. Usually a work of this genre contains a lot storylines and heroes, since the scale of the work is very large.

The epic nature of Tolstoy’s work lies in the fact that he not only invented a story about a famous historical event, but also enriched it with details gleaned from the memories of eyewitnesses. The author did a lot to ensure that the book was based on documentary sources.

The relationship between the Bolkonskys and the Rostovs was also not invented by the author: he depicted the history of his family, the merger of the Volkonsky and Tolstoy families.

Main problems

Search problem real life . Let's take Andrei Bolkonsky as an example. He dreamed of recognition and glory, and the surest way to earn authority and adoration was through military exploits. Andrei made plans to save the army with his own hands. Bolkonsky constantly saw pictures of battles and victories, but he was wounded and went home. Here, in front of Andrei’s eyes, his wife dies, completely shaken inner world prince, then he realizes that there is no joy in the murders and suffering of the people. This career is not worth it. The search for oneself continues, because the original meaning of life has been lost. The problem is that it is difficult to find.
The problem of happiness. Take Pierre, who is torn away from the empty society of Helen and the war. He soon becomes disillusioned with a vicious woman; illusory happiness has deceived him. Bezukhov, like his friend Bolkonsky, tries to find a calling in the struggle and, like Andrei, abandons this search. Pierre was not born for the battlefield. As you can see, any attempts to find bliss and harmony result in the collapse of hopes. As a result, the hero returns to his former life and finds himself in a quiet family haven, but only by making his way through thorns did he find his star.
The problem of the people and the great man. The epic novel clearly expresses the idea of commanders-in-chief inseparable from the people. great person must share the opinion of his soldiers, live by the same principles and ideals. Not a single general or king would have received his glory if this glory had not been presented to him on a “platter” by the soldiers, in whom lies main strength. But many rulers do not cherish it, but despise it, and this should not happen, because injustice hurts people painfully, even more painfully than bullets. The People's War in the events of 1812 is shown on the side of the Russians. Kutuzov protects the soldiers and sacrifices Moscow for their sake. They feel it, mobilize the peasants and deploy guerrilla warfare, which finishes off the enemy and finally expels him.
The problem of true and false patriotism. Of course, patriotism is revealed through images of Russian soldiers, a description of the heroism of the people in the main battles. False patriotism in the novel is represented in the person of Count Rostopchin. He distributes ridiculous pieces of paper throughout Moscow, and then saves himself from the wrath of people by sending his son Vereshchagin to certain death. We have written an article on this topic, called “”.

What is the point of the book?

About in true sense the epic novel is spoken by the writer himself in lines about greatness. Tolstoy believes that there is no greatness where there is no simplicity of soul, good intentions and a sense of justice.

L.N. Tolstoy expressed greatness through the people. In the images of battle paintings, an ordinary soldier shows unprecedented courage, which causes pride. Even the most fearful aroused in themselves a feeling of patriotism, which, like an unknown and frantic force, brought victory to the Russian army. The writer protests against false greatness. When the scales are placed (here you can find them comparative characteristics), the latter remains soaring: his fame is lightweight, since it has very flimsy foundations. The image of Kutuzov is “folk”; none of the commanders has ever been so close to the common people. Napoleon is only reaping the fruits of fame; it is not without reason that when Bolkonsky lies wounded on the field of Austerlitz, the author, through his eyes, shows Bonaparte like a fly in this huge world. Lev Nikolaevich sets a new trend heroic character. He becomes the “people's choice”.

An open soul, patriotism and a sense of justice won not only in the War of 1812, but also in life: the heroes who were guided by moral principles and the voice of their hearts became happy.

Thought Family

L.N. Tolstoy was very sensitive to the topic of family. Thus, in his novel “War and Peace,” the writer shows that the state, like a clan, transmits values and traditions from generation to generation, and good human qualities They are also sprouts from roots going back to their forefathers.

Brief description of families in the novel “War and Peace”:

Of course, the beloved family of L.N. Tolstoy's were the Rostovs. Their family was famous for its cordiality and hospitality. It is in this family that the author’s values of true home comfort and happiness are reflected. The writer considered the purpose of a woman to be motherhood, maintaining comfort in the home, devotion and the ability to self-sacrifice. This is how all the women of the Rostov family are depicted. There are 6 people in the family: Natasha, Sonya, Vera, Nikolai and parents.
Another family is the Bolkonskys. Restraint of feelings, the severity of Father Nikolai Andreevich, and canonicity reign here. Women here are more like “shadows” of their husbands. Andrei Bolkonsky will inherit best qualities, becoming worthy son her father, and Marya will learn patience and humility.
The Kuragin family is the best personification of the proverb “no oranges are born from aspen trees.” Helen, Anatole, Hippolyte are cynical, seek benefits in people, are stupid and not the least bit sincere in what they do and say. “A show of masks” is their lifestyle, and in this they completely took after their father, Prince Vasily. There are no friendly and warm relations in the family, which is reflected in all its members. L.N. Tolstoy especially dislikes Helen, who was incredibly beautiful on the outside, but completely empty on the inside.

People's thought

She is the central line of the novel. As we remember from what was written above, L.N. Tolstoy abandoned the generally accepted historical sources, basing “War and Peace” on memoirs, notes, letters from ladies-in-waiting and generals. The writer was not interested in the course of the war as a whole. Individual personalities, fragments – that’s what the author needed. Each person had his own place and meaning in this book, like puzzle pieces that, when assembled correctly, will reveal beautiful picture- the strength of national unity.

The Patriotic War changed something inside each of the characters in the novel, each made their own small contribution to the victory. Prince Andrei believes in the Russian army and fights with dignity, Pierre wants to destroy the French ranks from their very heart - by killing Napoleon, Natasha Rostova without hesitation gives carts to crippled soldiers, Petya fights bravely in partisan detachments.

The people's will to victory is clearly felt in the scenes of the Battle of Borodino, the battle for Smolensk, and the partisan battle with the French. The latter is especially memorable for the novel, because volunteers who came from the ordinary peasant class fought in the partisan movements - the detachments of Denisov and Dolokhov personified the movement of the entire nation, when “both old and young” stood up to defend their homeland. Later they would be called "clubs" people's war».

The War of 1812 in Tolstoy's novel

About the War of 1812, how turning point the lives of all the heroes of the novel “War and Peace” has been said several times above. It was also said that it was won by the people. Let's look at the issue from a historical perspective. L.N. Tolstoy draws 2 images: Kutuzov and Napoleon. Of course, both images are drawn through the eyes of a person from the people. It is known that the character of Bonaparte was thoroughly described in the novel only after the writer was convinced of the fair victory of the Russian army. The author did not understand the beauty of war, he was its opponent, and through the mouths of his heroes Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov, he speaks of the meaninglessness of its very idea.

The Patriotic War was a national liberation war. It occupied a special place on the pages of volumes 3 and 4.

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Portrait of Leo Tolstoy. 1868

Novel "War and Peace" - largest work Tolstoy, his pinnacle artistic creativity. According to the writer, he devoted “five years of incessant and exceptional work, under the best living conditions,” to working on the novel. In fact, this work lasted even longer - from 1863 to 1869.

Started in 1860 historical novel“Decembrists”, Leo Tolstoy wanted to tell in it about the time of the return of the Decembrists from Siberian exile (mid-1850s), and then he decided to depict the period of the Decembrist uprising itself - 1825. This, in turn, led the writer to the idea of showing the era preceding the December uprising, that is, the Patriotic War of 1812. And the events of an even earlier period - 1805-1807. So Gradually, the concept of the work expanded and deepened until it took the form of a grandiose national heroic epic, covering almost a quarter of a century of Russian life.

Pierre on the Borodino field

The novel “War and Peace” is a work that has no equal in all world literature. With convincing force, Leo Tolstoy depicts the courage and heroism of the Russian army, which repelled the blows of Napoleonic hordes. Imbued with the consciousness of the rightness of their cause, Russian soldiers show unprecedented courage on the battlefield. Captain Tushin's battery, left alone on the battlefield near Shengraben, conducted hurricane fire at the enemy all day, delaying his advance. Performs legendary feats Russian army on the Borodino field, where the fate of Moscow and all of Russia was decided.

Leo Tolstoy shows that the strength of the Russian army consisted not only in the courage of the soldiers and the military skill of the commanders, but also in the support of the entire people. “The goal of the people,” says Leo Tolstoy, “was one: to cleanse their land from invasion.” For the people there was no question whether things would be good or bad under the rule of the interventionists. The life of the fatherland is incompatible with the rule of the interventionists - this is the conviction that lived in the soul of every Russian person. And this is the origin of the extraordinary scope of the national partisan movement and that “hidden warmth of patriotism” that determined the “spirit of the army” and the entire
countries. Hence the indestructible power of the “club of the people’s war”, which destroyed the enemy invasion.

"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy. Ball at the Rostovs.

The war was a severe test not only military power, but also the moral strength of the people. And the Russian people passed this test with honor. With a sense of national pride, Leo Tolstoy shows the courage, resilience and spiritual nobility of the people that manifested themselves during the difficult years of the war. People are drawn to the heroic people, to their wisdom in life the best people noble society- Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre Bezukhov, Natasha Rostova, Vasily Denisov and other heroes of the novel.

Closeness to the people lies the secret of Kutuzov’s enormous authority. Hated by the tsar, persecuted by court circles, Commander-in-Chief Kutuzov was strong due to his inextricable connection with the mass of soldiers and the love of the people. A faithful son of his homeland, he understood with all his being the purpose of the Patriotic War, and therefore his activities were the best and complete expression of the will of the people.

Justice, however, requires that it be noted that Leo Tolstoy, with all his amazing skill, did not recreate the image of Kutuzov in all its versatility. As a result of his false historical views, the writer in some of his author's reflections impoverished the image of the commander, underestimated his energy, foresight and strategic genius.

The fruit of Tolstoy's erroneous views is the image of the soldier Platon Karataev in the novel. He is depicted as a submissive, indifferent, passive person. In Karataev’s soul there is no protest against oppression, just as there is no burning hatred for the interventionists. Russian soldiers were not like that. Leo Tolstoy himself showed in his epic the mighty rise of national activity and patriotism.

The epic "War and Peace" is a work in which the victorious spirit of the people's liberation war is most fully embodied. WITH enormous power the writer captured the Russian national genius, the height of self-awareness and military valor warrior people, hero people.

The exhibits in the hall are arranged in the following sections:

1) “Image of the war of 1805-1807,” 2) “From 1807 to 1812,” “The Beginning of the Patriotic War,” 3) “1812 Borodino,” 4) “The Club of the People’s War.” The end of the Napoleonic invasion. Epilogue of the novel." In the display cases there are materials characterizing the history of the creation of the novel, the writer’s creative laboratory, and reviews of the novel.

Image of the war of 1805-1807.

Anatol Kuragin. "War and Peace" 1866-1867

Exhibits illustrating the 1st volume of the novel, mainly dedicated to the war 1805, located on the wall to the left and on the walls adjacent to the windows. The inspection should begin from the central wall, where a portrait of Tolstoy from the 60s is exhibited. and A. M. Gorky’s review of “War and Peace.”

On the walls to the left and right are artistic illustrations of the main events of this era (Battle of Shengraben, Battle of Austerlitz, etc.).

Of outstanding interest in this section are the illustrations by the artist M. S. Bashilov for “War and Peace,” approved by Tolstoy.

From 1807 to 1812. The beginning of the Patriotic War.

Pierre Bezukhov

On the second wall of the hall, to the right of the entrance, there are exhibits illustrating the 2nd and the beginning of the 3rd volume of the novel “War and Peace” - the period between the war of 1805-1807. and the first stage of the War of 1812

1812 Borodino.

"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy. Militia build fortifications

On the central wall of the hall and the adjacent walls there are exhibits illustrating the formidable era of 1812, the events of which are depicted in the third volume of the novel “War and Peace”. main topic The novel's theme of the people's war is revealed in paintings and illustrations dedicated to the Battle of Borodino and the partisan movement.

The leading text for the section is Tolstoy’s words about Borodino: “The Battle of Borodino is the best glory of Russian weapons. It is victory” (“War and Peace”, manuscript).

"The Club of the People's War." The end of the Napoleonic Invasion. Epilogue of the novel.

Natasha lets the wounded into the courtyard of her house

On the fourth wall of the hall are exhibits illustrating The final stage war of 1812 - the defeat of the French army, the flight of the interventionists from Moscow, their extermination by partisans. These events are described in the 4th volume of the novel “War and Peace”.

Many people are interested in what Tolstoy’s attitude towards the war was. This is quite simple to understand. You just need to read the novel “War and Peace”. In the process, it will become completely clear that Tolstoy hated war. The writer believed that murder is the most vile of all possible crimes, and it cannot be justified by anything.

Unity of the people

The enthusiastic attitude towards military exploits is not noticeable in the work.

Although there is one exception - a passage about the Battle of Shengraben and Tushin’s act. Depicting the Patriotic War, the author admires the unity of the people. People had to unite in order to act together against the enemy.

The people are forced to defend themselves

What did Tolstoy think about war? Let's figure it out. Going through the materials that reflected the events of 1812, the writer realized that, despite all the criminality of the war with its numerous deaths, rivers of blood, dirt, betrayal, sometimes people are forced to fight. Perhaps in other times these people would not harm a fly, but if a jackal attacks him, he will finish him off in self-defense. However, while killing, he does not feel any pleasure from it and does not think that this act is worthy of admiration. The author shows how much the soldiers who were forced to fight the enemy loved their homeland.

in the novel

Tolstoy's attitude towards war is, of course, interesting, but even more interesting is what he said about our enemies. The writer speaks with disdain about the French, who care more about their own self than about the nation - they are not particularly patriotic. And Russian people, according to Tolstoy, are characterized by nobility and self-sacrifice in the name of saving the Motherland. Negative heroes in the work there are also those persons who do not think at all about the fate of Russia (the guests of Helen Kuragina) and people who hide their indifference behind feigned patriotism (most of the nobles, not counting some worthy personalities: Andrei Bolkonsky, the Rostovs, Kutuzov, Bezukhov).

In addition, the writer openly has a bad attitude towards those who enjoy the war - Napoleon and Dolokhov. It shouldn't be this way, it's unnatural. The war depicted by Tolstoy is so terrible that it is surprising how these people can derive pleasure from battles. How cruel do you have to be for this?

Noble people and humane actions in the novel

The writer likes those people who, realizing that war is disgusting, vile, but sometimes inevitable, without any pathos, stand up to defend their country and do not get any pleasure from killing their opponents.

These are Denisov, Bolkonsky, Kutuzov and many other people depicted in the episodes. From here Tolstoy’s attitude towards war becomes clear. With particular trepidation, the author writes about the truce, when the Russians show compassion for the crippled French, humane treatment of prisoners (Kutuzov’s order to the soldiers at the end of the bloodshed is to take pity on defeated opponents who have received frostbite). The writer is also close to scenes in which enemies show humanity towards the Russians (Bezukhov’s interrogation with Marshal Davout). Do not forget about the main idea of the work - the unity of people. When peace reigns, the people, figuratively speaking, unite into one family, but during war there is disunity. The novel also contains the idea of patriotism. In addition, the author extols peace and speaks negatively about bloodshed. Tolstoy's attitude towards war is sharply negative. As you know, the writer was a pacifist.

A crime that has no justification

What does Tolstoy say about Patriotic War? He claims that the Writer will not divide the soldiers into defenders and attackers. Countless people committed so many atrocities that at other times would not have been accumulated over several centuries, and what’s most terrible is that no one in this period regarded this as something unacceptable.

This is what war was like in Tolstoy’s understanding: blood, dirt (both direct and figuratively) and outrages that horrify any conscious person. But the writer understood that bloodshed was inevitable. There have been wars throughout the history of mankind and will continue until the very end of its existence, nothing can be done about it. But our duty is to try to prevent atrocities and bloodshed, so that we ourselves and our families can live in peace, which, however, is so fragile. It must be protected with all our might.