Historical figures in the image of Tolstoy. The image of historical persons in the novel by L.N.

On the throne was an eternal worker
A.S. Pushkin

I The ideological concept of the novel.
II Formation of the personality of Peter I.
1) The formation of the character of Peter I under the influence of historical events.
2) Intervention of Peter I in the historical process.
3) The era that forms the historical figure.
III Historical and cultural value of the novel.
The creation of the novel "Peter the Great" was preceded by a long work by A.N. Tolstoy on a number of works about the Petrine era. In 1917 - 1918 the stories "Delusion" and "Peter's Day" were written, in 1928 - 1929 he wrote the historical play "On the Rack". In 1929, Tolstoy began work on the novel "Peter the Great", the third book, unfinished due to the death of the writer, is dated 1945. The ideological idea of ​​the novel found its expression in the construction of the work. When creating the novel, A.N. Tolstoy least of all wanted it to turn into a historical chronicle of the reign of a progressive tsar. Tolstoy wrote: "A historical novel cannot be written in the form of a chronicle, in the form of history. First of all, a composition is needed ..., the establishment of a center ... of vision. In my novel, the center is the figure of Peter I." The writer considered one of the tasks of the novel an attempt to depict the formation of a person in history, in an era. The entire course of the narrative was to prove the mutual influence of the individual and the era, to emphasize the progressive significance of Peter's transformations, their regularity and necessity. He considered another task to be "identification of the driving forces of the era" - the solution of the problem of the people. In the center of the narrative of the novel is Peter. Tolstoy shows the process of formation of the personality of Peter, the formation of his character under the influence of historical circumstances. Tolstoy wrote: "Personality is a function of the era, it grows on fertile soil, but, in turn, a large, big personality begins to move the events of the era." The image of Peter in the image of Tolstoy is very multifaceted and complex, shown in constant dynamics, in development. At the beginning of the novel, Peter is a lanky and angular boy who fiercely defends his right to the throne. Then we see how a statesman grows out of a young man, a shrewd diplomat, an experienced, fearless commander. Life becomes Peter's teacher. The Azov campaign leads him to the idea of ​​the need to create a fleet, the "Narva embarrassment" to the reorganization of the army. On the pages of the novel, Tolstoy depicts the most important events in the life of the country: the uprising of the archers, the reign of Sophia, the Crimean campaigns of Golitsyn, the Azov campaigns of Peter, the Streltsy rebellion, the war with the Swedes, the construction of St. Petersburg. Tolstoy selects these events to show how they influence the formation of Peter's personality. But not only circumstances affect Peter, he actively intervenes in life, changes it, defying the age-old foundations, orders "nobility to be counted according to suitability." How many "chicks of Petrov's nest" this decree united and rallied around him, how many talented people he gave the opportunity to develop their abilities! Using the technique of contrast, opposing the scenes with Peter to the scenes with Sophia, Ivan and Golitsyn, Tolstoy assesses the general nature of Peter's intervention in the historical process and proves that only Peter can lead the transformation. But the novel does not become a biography of Peter I. Also important to Tolstoy is the era that forms the historical figure. He creates a multifaceted composition, shows the life of the most diverse segments of the population of Russia: peasants, soldiers, merchants, boyars, nobles. The action takes place in various places: in the Kremlin, in the hut of Ivashka Brovkin, in the German settlement, Moscow, Azov, Arkhangelsk, Narva. The era of Peter is also created by the image of his associates, real and fictional: Alexander Menshikov, Nikita Demidov, Brovkin, who came up from the bottom and fought with honor for the cause of Peter and Russia. Among the associates of Peter there are many descendants of noble families: Romodanovsky, Sheremetiev, Repnin, who serve the young tsar and his new goals not out of fear, but out of conscience. Roman A.N. Tolstoy's "Peter the Great" is valuable for us not only as a historical work, Tolstoy used archival documents, but as a cultural heritage. The novel contains many folklore images and motifs, folk songs, proverbs, sayings, jokes are used. Tolstoy did not have time to complete his work, the novel remained unfinished. But images of that era emerge from its pages and its central image is Peter the Great, a reformer and statesman who is vitally connected with his state and era.

The novel by L. N. Tolstoy is of great importance not only within the framework of Russian and foreign literature. It is also important for understanding many historical, social and philosophical categories. The main task of the author was to create such a work where the personality would not be revealed psychologically, in contrast to the works of F. M. Dostoevsky, but, so to speak, socially, that is, in comparison with the masses, the people. It was also important for Tolstoy to understand the power that can unite individuals into a people, the means to control and curb the elemental people's power.

The history of the writer is a special flow, the interaction of the minds of millions of people. A separate personality, even the most outstanding and extraordinary, according to the author, is not capable of subjugating the people. However, some historical figures are shown as standing outside the historical flow, and therefore unable to influence it, change it.

The novel shows many historical figures from the times of the Patriotic War. But they are presented as ordinary, ordinary people, with passions and fears, and the heroes of the novel build their opinion about them based on their human qualities. Of great importance for understanding the nature of this or that historical person is the opinion of Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the novel. He manages to pass through himself, as through a filter, the attitude towards this or that high-ranking person and, discarding everything superfluous and superficial, sanctify the pure and truthful character of this person.

This hero manages to meet and communicate with many prominent historical figures: Napoleon, Alexander I, Kutuzov, Franz Joseph. Each of these gentlemen received a special, individual characteristic in the text of the novel.

First of all, it is necessary to consider the image of Kutuzov in the perception of the main character. This is a person well known to Prince Andrei, because it was to him that he was sent for military service. The old prince, Andrei's father, lets go of his son, fully trusting the commander in chief and "passing on the baton of paternity." Both for father Andrei and for his commander, the main task is to save the life and health of the hero, and both of them cannot influence his fate, the formation of his character, personality. Andrei loves Kutuzov, loves sincerely, like an uncle or grandfather, he is for him a close and dear person in his own way. And it is thanks to Kutuzov that Andrei manages to reunite with the people.

The image of Kutuzov in the novel echoes the biblical image of the Archangel Michael. The commander-in-chief of the Russian army leads the holy Russian army into battle to defend the homeland from the Antichrist - Napoleon. And like the Archangel, Kutuzov does not interfere with his actions against the enemy. He is sure that Napoleon will suffer repentance, which, in fact, happens.

Napoleon is not able to fight against the Russian army, just as the Antichrist is powerless against the holy host. Bonaparte himself understands his uselessness and powerlessness in the war he himself started. And he can only leave, admitting his defeat.

At the beginning of the novel, Andrei perceives Napoleon as a strong ruler of the world. This again is consistent with the biblical tradition of the image of the Antichrist coming to earth to rule and arouse the love of his slaves. So did Bonaparte, who wanted power. But you can't conquer the Russian people, you can't conquer Russia.

In this context, the Battle of Borodino has for Andrei the meaning of Armageddon. Here he is a symbol of angelic humility, opposed to the holy fury of Kutuzov, who is giving battle. It should be noted the differences in characters between Kutuzov and Napoleon, which lie largely in the views on the people and the philosophy of life. Kutuzov is close to Andrey and represents the eastern type of consciousness practicing the policy of non-intervention. Napoleon is the personification of the worldview of the West, alien to Russia.

The ruling persons, the emperors Alexander and Franz Joseph, look different through the perception of Andrei. These are all the same ordinary, ordinary people, elevated by fate to the throne. However, both cannot keep the power given to them from above.

For Andrei, both monarchs are unpleasant, just as people who are unable to bear responsibility for their actions are unpleasant to him. And if a person cannot bear the burden of power, then there is no need to take it on. Power is, first of all, responsibility, responsibility for subordinates, for one's people, one's army - for the whole people. Neither Alexander nor Franz Joseph can be responsible for their actions, and therefore cannot be at the head of the state. It is precisely because Alexander was able to admit his inability to command and agreed to the return of this position to Kutuzov that Prince Andrei treats this emperor with more sympathy than Franz Joseph.

The latter, from Andrey's point of view, turns out to be too stupid, he is unable to understand his mediocrity, impotence. He is disgusting to Andrei - against the background of his prince feels higher and more significant than the monarch's face. It is noticeable that in relation to the emperors, the hero has a feeling of an unforgiving angel, when, as for less significant persons - commanders and generals, Andrei feels undisguised sympathy and sympathy. For example, it is necessary to consider the attitude of the hero towards General Mack. Andrei sees him, defeated, humiliated, having lost his army, but at the same time, the hero does not have indignation or anger. He came to Kutuzov with his head uncovered, downcast and penitent to the leader of the holy Russian army, and the leader forgave him. Following this, the Apostle Andrei, in the person of Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, also forgives him.

Prince Bagration, acting as a commander, Mikhail Kutuzov blesses for a feat: “I bless you, prince, for a great feat,” he says, and Prince Andrei decides to accompany Bagration in his righteous deeds for Russia.

Andrey's special attitude towards Mikhail Mikhailovich Speransky. The protagonist subconsciously refuses to perceive him as a person, in particular because of the constantly cold hands and metallic laughter. This suggests that Speransky is a machine created for the benefit of the state. His program is to reform and renew, but Andrei cannot work with a mechanism devoid of a soul, so he parted with it.

So, through the uncomplicated look of Prince Andrei, the author gives the reader the characteristics of the first persons of the state, the most important historical figures of the Patriotic War of 1812.

In Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace" great importance is given not only to psychology, but also to philosophy and history. Tolstoy wanted to show not individual characters, like Dostoevsky, but the human mass and ways of influencing it. Tolstoy's history is the interaction of millions of people. He tries to show that an individual, a historical figure is not able to influence humanity. Individual figures in Tolstoy are shown as people who stand outside the historical process and cannot influence it. In Tolstoy they are just people and, above all, people. They interact with other heroes of the work, and each hero forms his own opinion about him, first of all, as a person. So does Andrei Bolkonsky - he is in contact with almost all the historical figures of his time: Napoleon, Alexander, Kutuzov, Franz Joseph. It is interesting to see how Prince Andrei relates to each of them.

First of all, one should consider the attitude of Prince Andrei towards Kutuzov. This is a man who is well known to Prince Andrei, it was to Kutuzov that his father sent Prince Andrei to serve. The old prince “hands over the baton of paternity” to Kutuzov. The task of both is to keep Prince Andrei. Neither one nor the other is able to influence his fate. Prince Andrei loves Kutuzov as a kind grandfather and father of his army, and it is through Kutuzov that Prince Andrei unites with the people. Kutuzov is unable to influence anyone, the course of history and change it. He appears here as the Archangel Michael - the leader of the holy host. The Russian army is a holy army, it defends its country from the Antichrist - Napoleon and the army of the devil. And like the Archangel Michael, Kutuzov practically does not interfere with Napoleon by any actions. He believes that Napoleon will come to his senses and repent, as it happened. Napoleon understands the futility of the war against the Russians. Napoleon cannot fight the Russians. The Antichrist cannot fight the holy host. And he can only leave, admitting his defeat. This struggle unfolds in the highest celestial spheres, and Prince Andrei, as a being of a higher order, understands that Napoleon and Kutuzov are not just commanders-in-chief of two hostile armies. These are beings whose personalities were formed somewhere in another world. Borodino is a kind of Armageddon, the last fight, the last battle between Good and Evil. And so it happened - in this battle Napoleon was defeated. Prince Andrei understands this, he has this understanding somewhere on a subconscious level. He is not aware of this. At the beginning of the novel, he perceives Napoleon as the ruler of the world, intelligent and honest. This is consistent with the biblical apocryphal words that the Antichrist will come to rule and be loved by all. So did Napoleon - he came to rule and wanted power over everyone. But Rus' cannot be conquered, Rus' is a holy land, a holy army, it cannot be conquered. Prince Andrei under Borodino, under the allegorical Armageddon, had his own role - he was a symbol of angelic humility, and here he is opposed to Kutuzov, who gives battle to the Antichrist. And Kutuzov here is perceived by Prince Andrei exactly as an angel is perceived - as a kind universal father.

Here, in order to finish the conversation about Kutuzov and Napoleon in the perception of Prince Andrei, it is necessary to say about the difference between Kutuzov and Napoleon, about the differences in their philosophy and worldview. Kutuzov is closer to Prince Andrei, because this is the eastern type of human consciousness. Prince Andrei himself is close to him. And this brings him closer to Kutuzov. Napoleon is the personification of Western philosophy and the Western worldview.

In a completely different way, Prince Andrei perceives the two emperors - Alexander and Franz Joseph. These are ordinary people whom fate elevated to the highest level of power. They cannot keep this power in their hands. Prince Andrei feels hostility towards both emperors. They are earthly rulers, but they are not worthy to be them. They are afraid of this power and entrust it to their generals, commanders, advisers and other servants of power. Alexander has the same philosophy, he entrusts his function as commander-in-chief to Bennigsen and other foreigners. Andrei does not like people who are not able to take responsibility for their actions. If you cannot rule, why be called an emperor? Power is, first of all, responsibility for those people who obey you. Alexander could not answer for them. Franz Joseph too. Prince Andrei respects Alexander more because he realized his inability to command the army and handed it over to Kutuzov. Franz Joseph is not able to understand even his lack of talent. He is stupid and disgusting to Prince Andrei, who feels his superiority over both emperors. It is felt somewhere on a subconscious level. Andrei has an attitude of an unforgiving angel towards them.

And to the commanders who were defeated, Prince Andrei has a sympathetic attitude. For example, he has the attitude of an officer towards General Mack. He sees him, humiliated, defeated, who has lost all his army, and he does not feel resentment. General Mack came to the apostle Michael - Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov. He came with his head uncovered, wet, downcast. He does not hide his guilt, and Archangel Michael forgives him. And after him, the Apostle Andrew forgives him. Another commander, already Russian, Prince Bagration, Mikhail blesses for a feat. “I bless you, prince, for a great feat,” says Kutuzov, and Prince Andrei asks permission to accompany him as his guardian angel.

The attitude of Prince Andrei to Mikhail Mikhailovich Speransky stands apart. Prince Andrei does not perceive him as a person. Such a detail as metallic laughter and Speransky's cold hands are very important here. This speaks of Speransky as a machine created by someone for the “good” of the state. Its task is to reform and renew. He's programmed for it. Prince Andrei cannot work with the machine and parted ways with him.

Thus, historical figures are evaluated by Prince Andrei in different ways, but none is perceived as a being capable of influencing the world historical process. This creature is not of this world, and they do not even have the power to influence history, even as a common people. They are not a people and fall out of humanity because they are too strong for him, and therefore too weak.

An important place in the plot is occupied by his original historical views and ideas. “War and Peace” is not just a historical novel, it is a novel about History. She - acts, and her actions have a direct impact on the fate of all heroes without exception. She is not a background or an attribute of the plot. History is the main thing that determines the smoothness or swiftness of its movement.

Let us recall the final phrase of the novel: "... in the present case... it is necessary to renounce non-existent freedom and recognize the dependence that we do not feel."

Any historical event is the result of the unconscious, “swarm” action of natural historical forces. A person is denied the role of a subject of social movement. “The subject of history is the life of peoples and mankind,” writes Tolstoy, assigning to her, history, the place of the acting subject and character. Its laws are objective and independent of the will and actions of people. Tolstoy believes: "If there is one free act of a person, then there is not a single historical law and no idea about historical events."

A person can do little. The wisdom of Kutuzov, like the wisdom of Platon Karataev, consists in unconscious obedience to the elements of life. History, according to the writer, acts in the world as a natural force. Its laws, like physical or chemical laws, exist independently of the desire, will and consciousness of thousands and millions of people. That is why, according to Tolstoy, it is impossible to explain anything in history based on these desires and wills. Every social cataclysm, every historical event is the result of the action of an impersonal non-spiritual character, somewhat reminiscent of Shchedrin's “It” from “The History of a City”.

Here is how Tolstoy assesses the role of the individual in history: "The historical personality is the essence of the label that history hangs on this or that event." And the logic of these arguments is such that, in the final analysis, not only the concept of free will disappears from history, but also God as its moral principle. On the pages of the novel, she appears as an absolute, impersonal, indifferent force, grinding human lives to powder. Any personal activity is ineffective and dramatic. As if in an ancient proverb about fate, which attracts the obedient, and drags the recalcitrant, it disposes of the human world. Here is what happens to a person, according to the writer: "A person consciously lives for himself, but serves as an unconscious tool for achieving historical universal goals." Therefore, fatalism is inevitable in history when explaining “illogical”, “unreasonable” phenomena. The more we, according to Tolstoy, try to rationally explain these phenomena in history, the more incomprehensible they become for us.

“What is the force that moves the nations?

Private biographical historians and historians of individual peoples understand this power as the power inherent in heroes and rulers. According to their descriptions, events are produced exclusively by the will of Napoleons, Alexanders, or in general those persons who are described by a private historian. The answers given by this kind of historians to the question of the force that drives events are satisfactory, but only as long as there is one historian for each event. Conclusion: the people "create" history.

The life of mankind does not depend on the will and intentions of individuals, therefore a historical event is the result of a coincidence of many causes.

M.I. Kutuzov Kutuzov in the novel "War and Peace" is often depicted as a person who is, as it were, an observer of ongoing events and wisely evaluates certain facts. Thus, the image of Kutuzov, depicted by Tolstoy, is passive. He is just a tool in the hands of fate. Such Kutuzov "despised the mind and knowledge and knew something else that should have decided the matter."

P.I. Bagration Bagration is one of the few who has qualities that, according to Tolstoy, correspond to the ideal of a people's commander. The military talent of Bagration was also manifested in his moral influence on soldiers and officers. His mere presence on the positions raised their morale.

P.I. Bagration Unlike most other commanders, Bagration is depicted during battles, and not at military councils. Bold and resolute on the battlefield, in secular society he is timid and shy. At a banquet arranged in Moscow in his honor, Bagration was not at ease.