The Bolkonsky family is a summary. The Bolkonsky family in the novel "War and Peace": description, comparative characteristics

The Bolkonsky family in the novel "War and Peace" is one of the key topics in the study of this work. Its members are central to the narrative and play a defining role in the development of the storyline. Therefore, the characteristics of these actors seem to be especially important for understanding the concept of the epic.

Some general remarks

The Bolkonsky family in the novel "War and Peace" is typical of its time, that is, for the beginning of the 19th century. The author depicted people in whose images he tried to convey the mindset of a significant part of the nobility. When describing these characters, one must first of all remember that these heroes are representatives of the aristocratic class at the turn of the century, a time that was a turning point in the history of Russia. This is clearly shown in the description of the life and way of life of this ancient family. Their thoughts, ideas, views, worldview and even domestic habits serve as a vivid demonstration of how a significant part of the nobility lived at the time in question.

The image of Nikolai Andreevich in the context of the era

The Bolkonsky family in the novel "War and Peace" is interesting because in it the writer showed how and how a thinking society lived in the early 19th century. The father of the family is a hereditary military man, and his whole life is subject to a strict routine. In this image, a typical image of an old nobleman from the time of Catherine II is immediately guessed. He is a man of the past, of the 18th century, rather than of the new. It is immediately felt how far he is from the political and social life of his time, it seems that he lives in the old ways and habits, which are more in place for the era of the previous reign.

On the social activities of Prince Andrei

The Bolkonsky family in the novel "War and Peace" is distinguished by solidity and unity. All its members are very similar to each other, despite the difference in age. However, Prince Andrei is more passionate about modern politics and public life, he even takes part in the drafting of state reforms. He very well guesses the type of young reformer that was characteristic of the beginning of the reign of Emperor Alexander Pavlovich.

Princess Marya and society ladies

The Bolkonsky family, whose characteristics are the subject of this review, was distinguished by the fact that its members lived an intense mental and moral life. The daughter of the old prince, Marya, was completely different from the typical secular ladies and young women who were then in high society. Her father took care of her education and taught her a variety of sciences that were not included in the program for raising young ladies. The latter were trained in home crafts, fiction, fine arts, while the princess, under the guidance of her parent, studied mathematics.

Place in society

The Bolkonsky family, whose characteristics are so important for understanding the meaning of the novel, occupied a prominent position in high society. Prince Andrei led a rather active social life, at least until he became disillusioned with the career of a reformer. He served as an adjutant to Kutuzov, took an active part in military operations against the French. He could often be seen at social events, receptions, balls. Nevertheless, from his very first appearance in the salon of a famous society lady, the reader immediately understands that in this society he is not his own person. He keeps a little aloof, not very talkative, although, apparently, he is an interesting conversationalist. The only person with whom he himself expresses a desire to enter into a conversation is his friend Pierre Bezukhov.

A comparison of the Bolkonsky and Rostov families further emphasizes the peculiarity of the former. The old prince and his young daughter led a very secluded life and hardly left their estate. Nevertheless, Marya kept in touch with the high society, exchanging letters with her friend Julie.

Characteristics of Andrey's appearance

The description of the Bolkonsky family is also very important for understanding the nature of these people. Prince Andrei is described by the writer as a handsome young man of about thirty. He is very attractive, keeps excellently, in general - a real aristocrat. However, at the very beginning of his appearance, the author emphasizes that there was something cold, aloof and even callous in his features, although it is quite obvious that the prince is not an evil person. However, heavy and gloomy thoughts left their mark on his features: he became gloomy, thoughtful and unfriendly with those around him, and even with his own wife he is extremely arrogant.

About the princess and the old prince

The description of the Bolkonsky family should be continued with a small portrait of Princess Marya and her stern father. The young girl had a spiritual appearance, as she lived an intense inner and mental life. She was thin, slender, but not distinguished by beauty in the generally accepted sense of the word. A secular person, perhaps, would hardly call her a beauty. In addition, the serious upbringing of the old prince left its mark on her: she was thoughtful beyond her age, somewhat withdrawn and concentrated. In a word, she did not at all resemble a secular lady. She was imprinted by the lifestyle that the Bolkonsky family led. Briefly, it can be characterized as follows: isolation, strictness, restraint in communication.

Her father was a thin man of short stature; he carried himself like a soldier. His face was stern and stern. He had the appearance of a hardy man, who, moreover, was not only in excellent physical shape, but was also constantly engaged in mental work. Such an appearance indicated that Nikolai Andreevich was an outstanding person in all respects, which was reflected in communication with him. At the same time, he could be bilious, sarcastic, and even somewhat unceremonious. This is evidenced by the scene of his first meeting with Natasha Rostova, when she, as the bride of his son, visited their estate. The old man was obviously dissatisfied with the choice of his son, and therefore he gave the young girl a very inhospitable reception, releasing a couple of witticisms in her presence, which deeply hurt her.

Prince and his daughter

Relations in the Bolkonsky family, in appearance, could not be called cordial. This was especially evident in the communication of the old prince with his young daughter. He behaved with her in much the same way as with his son, that is, without any ceremonies and discounts on the fact that she was still a girl and needed a softer and more gentle treatment. But Nikolai Andreevich, apparently, did not make much difference between her and his son and communicated with both in approximately the same way, that is, sternly and even harshly. He was very demanding of his daughter, controlled her life and even read the letters she received from her friend. In the classroom with her, he was stern and picky. However, based on the foregoing, it cannot be said that the prince did not love his daughter. He was very attached to her and appreciated all the best in her, but because of the severity of his character, he could not communicate otherwise, and the princess understood this. She was afraid of her father, but she respected him and obeyed in everything. She accepted his demands and tried not to contradict anything.

Old Bolkonsky and Prince Andrei

The life of the Bolkonsky family was distinguished by solitude and isolation, which could not but affect the communication of the main character with his father. Their conversations from outside could be called formal and even somewhat official. Their relationship did not seem sincere, rather, the conversations were like an exchange of views between two very smart and understanding people. Andrey behaved with his father very respectfully, but somewhat coldly, aloofly and sternly in his own way. The father, in turn, also did not indulge his son with parental tenderness and caresses, limiting himself to remarks of an exclusively business nature. He spoke to him only to the point, deliberately avoiding anything that might affect personal relationships. All the more valuable is the ending of the scene of Prince Andrei's departure to the war, when deep love and tenderness for his son breaks through the father's icy equanimity, which, however, he immediately tried to hide.

Two families in a novel

It is all the more interesting to compare the Bolkonsky and Rostov families. The first led a solitary secluded life, were strict, harsh, laconic. They avoided secular entertainment and limited themselves to each other's company. The latter, on the contrary, were sociable, hospitable, cheerful and cheerful. The more significant is the fact that Nikolai Rostov eventually married Princess Marya, and not Sonya, with whom he was connected by childhood love. They must have failed to see better each other's good qualities.

The princes Bolkonsky are representatives of an influential family of the Russian Empire. Noble origin indicates nobility at the royal court. There was a rumor about their wealth in Moscow.

The Bolkonsky family in the novel "War and Peace" is presented by the author as the basis of the monarchical power of Russia at the beginning of the 19th century.

Old Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky

His Excellency was known by Empress Catherine II, he served at her court as General-in-Chief. The prince had an ascetic appearance, a dry body and small stature, but his former military bearing was recognizable in his gait and clear steps. Due to his advanced age, the neighbors knew the nobleman as a difficult person to communicate with, they called him rich and stingy. Many considered the prince strange, his behavior sometimes alarmed those around him.

The retired general was cool in dealing with his subordinates and his own children. At the time of the dawn of strength, he was called the Prussian king, he was known as the favorite of Prince Potemkin. During the reign of Pavel, Nikolai Andreevich fell into disfavor with the tsar, was exiled to the outback, where he remained until the events of 1812. It was necessary to overcome 150 versts to Moscow or, if necessary, 60 versts to Smolensk.

The lack of urban living conditions hardened the old man, and his unsociableness aroused in his interlocutors a feeling of fear, mixed with deep respect. From Vienna, as a friend, Bolkonsky wrote letters to Kutuzov, the same sent him an answer if possible. The general was considered an original courtier, endowed with intelligence and insight.

Prince Andrei Bolkonsky

Wealth did not spoil the character of the young nobleman. Andrei's upbringing allows him to appear with dignity in the noble houses of St. Petersburg. Military education became the basis for the formation of the personality of the young prince. The hero is constantly in search of the meaning of life, trying to avoid the hardships of secular life.

Andrei is married to the niece of Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov. The bonds of marriage bring little joy to a man, he wants to reach new heights, realize himself in military and political affairs without the high patronage of his wife's uncle. Having gone to war with the French in 1805, Andrei manages to prove himself heroically at the cost of a serious wound.

Returning home to the Bald Mountains is tragic. The hero does not have time to see his wife alive, she dies on the same day, giving birth to her son Kolenka. The young father decides to leave the military career forever. His worldview changes with the advent of his son. Bolkonsky is fond of state reforms carried out by Minister Speransky.

Adult Bolkonsky falls in love with young Natasha Rostova and achieves reciprocity. The engagement has to be broken off in order to forget the failed love. Andrey departs for Turkey, where the war finds him.

The death of Andrei Bolkonsky

In 1812, Bolkonsky was appointed commander of the Jaeger regiment, which arrived at the battle of Borodino. The prince was nervous because his soldiers were not allowed to attack. But the shells of the enemy reached the ranks of the lined up soldiers, tearing their lives out of order. The regimental commander did not allow himself to fall to the ground to the sound of flying cannonballs.

Bolkonsky took out a fragment of a shell that exploded nearby. The wound was severe, but the officer was taken to Moscow by a retreating convoy. Natasha and Andrei are destined to meet before eternal separation. The eyes of a beloved man were closed forever a month after the Battle of Borodino.

Andrei Bolkonsky is the writer's favorite character, personifying the patriotic image of the defenders of the fatherland.

Princess Marya Nikolaevna

The old prince Bolkonsky brought up the rich heiress in excessive severity, sometimes going beyond common sense. The father attached great importance to the education of his daughter, personally teaching the lessons of algebra and geometry.

Contemporaries considered the girl's face to be ugly, although today her appearance would be considered unkempt, without style and taste. The princess inherited from her father a thin body, devoid of attractive female curves of the waist and hips. Maria Nikolaevna's eyes always looked sad, she looked at herself in the mirror hopelessly.

Only an intelligent person could catch in her eyes the true light of kindness and philanthropy. Behind the lack of grace of the court lady lay shyness and natural feminine charm, meekness. Religion occupies a special place in the princess's worldview, a wise woman is able to recognize and appreciate good human qualities.

The lack of female authority forms a condescending attitude to the details of everyday life. There is a male mess on Marya's desk, which is unacceptable for her father, in whom every little thing knew its place. There is a complex relationship between father and daughter.

Involuntarily, the old prince often offends his native pupil, tyrannizes her moral strength, and leads to despair. Marya Nikolaevna sacrifices her personal interests, until the end of her father's life his old age adorns him. A woman will meet her happiness in 1812 in the person of Nikolai Rostov.

Princess Liza Bolkonskaya

Leo Tolstoy treats the wife of Andrei Bolkonsky with trepidation, often calling her through the lips of his characters the little princess. She has small lips and white teeth. Very cute!

Mentioning several times that the heroine is the niece of Field Marshal Kutuzov, the writer writes off only the virtues of a young woman. Perhaps due to the state of Lisa's pregnancy, the author created an image without flaws. People around consider Princess Bolkonskaya cute. She came to Scherrer's soirée with her handicrafts in order to make good use of the time.

The husband speaks favorably of Lisa, mentioning that with such women one does not have to doubt one's honor. Having tragically lost Lisa, the man changed his worldview, for many years he was in a state of search for the meaning of life.

Leo Tolstoy presented the Bolkonsky family to the reader as an example of decency, honor and state consciousness.

Most of the novel “War and Peace” by L. N. Tolstoy is devoted to the Russian nobility of the early 19th century. The reader is presented with a number of families that, in fact, are close to each other - in the sense of measured life, calmness, subordination to the general rules that existed in the upper strata of society of that time. All their members go to balls, visit the drawing room of Anna Pavlovna Sherer, dance, have fun, and have small talk.

However, there is one family, whose originality of customs and traditions, homely atmosphere immediately catches the eye. This is how the Bolkonsky family is represented. She lives her own closed life, which makes her different from others. Why did it happen? In fact, the Bolkonsky clan is a hereditary military, and military affairs implies submission, rigor, accuracy and rigidity. Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky is such a “purebred” military man. He defines the spirit of the family. Life experience hardened not only his body, but also his soul, put strict military rules into him. The whole schedule of his day is scheduled by the minute and carried out with amazing accuracy: “... the main condition for activity is order, but the order in his life has been brought to the last degree of accuracy. His exits to the table were made under the same constant conditions, and not only in one hour, but also in a minute. And God forbid anyone to break this routine, which is the main law of life of Nikolai Andreevich. For example, during the arrival of Prince Andrei and his wife, the son does not immediately go to his father, but waits until his rest time is over, because he is already used to it.

The old prince is constantly engaged in physical and mental labor: “He himself was constantly busy writing his memoirs, then calculations from higher mathematics, then turning snuff boxes on a machine tool, then working in the garden and observing buildings that did not stop ...” The reader practically does not see Nikolai Andreevich idle. Even when his son leaves for military service, he continues to work, although he is worried that Prince Andrei may die: “When Prince Andrei entered the office, the old prince, in old man's glasses and in his white coat, in which he did not receive anyone son, sat at the table and wrote.

The elder Bolkonsky is not a tyrant, he is simply demanding not only of himself, but also of everyone around him. It can also be said that he led an ascetic lifestyle and by his example forced his loved ones to do the same. In people who in one way or another communicated with him, the prince aroused fear and reverence. Although he was retired and no longer had any significance in state affairs, each head of the province where the Bolkonsky estate was located considered it his duty to come to him and express his respect.

Probably, it would be wrong to consider that the old prince is insensitive and hard-hearted, no, he is simply not used to showing his feelings, weaknesses even to his relatives. Firstly, he himself was brought up this way since childhood, and secondly, military service taught him another lesson: he saw how weak-willed people with high morals lost to those who were firm and purposeful.

In the family of Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky, there are two children - Marya and Andrey. Their mother died early. All the main upbringing of children fell on the father. Since the father has always been the ideal for children, many of his traits passed from him to the children. They grew up in an environment that was not conducive to laughter, fun, or jokes. The father talked to them as if they were adults, kept them in a tight rein, didn’t care much and didn’t cherish them.

Princess Mary adopted more masculine character traits than she should, because Nikolai Andreevich did not stand on ceremony with her and raised her on a par with her son. In her, the same rigidity, although expressed in a weaker form, along with deep moral principles, Marya Nikolaevna is not like other secular women. It contains real human values ​​that do not depend on time and environment, fashion and popular theories. Marya Nikolaevna did not appear at the balls and in the drawing room of A.P. Scherer, because her father considered all this nonsense and stupidity, a useless waste of time.

Instead of balls and celebrations, Princess Mary was engaged in mathematical sciences with her father: “... so that you look like our stupid ladies, I don’t want ...”.

She is not beautiful, but not bad either - she is a girl who is hardly noticed by men, and because of this she is married to the eccentric Anatoly Kuragin. She has one and only friend - Julie, and that only by correspondence. Princess Mary, as it were, lives in her own little world, lonely and hardly understood by anyone.

Why is this heroine so obsessed with faith, why does she accept beggars, wanderers? Perhaps she simply does not find in her life such a person who is able to understand her, to advise something sensible ... It seems to me that it is from loneliness that she turns to God. Wanderers, in her view, are approaching the image of Christ. Sometimes it seems that these strangers are closer to Princess Mary than her father and brother.

Andrei Nikolaevich Bolkonsky is the son of the old prince, almost identical to him in character. The same set of qualities of a military man: firmness, courage, determination; the same coldness and aloofness in his actions and thoughts. Most of all, in my opinion, the wife of Prince Andrei, the little princess Lisa, suffers from all these traits. How did she deserve such an attitude from her husband? Only because she is a normal woman who goes to balls and loves entertainment, laughter and joy?

Another trait that Andrei Nikolaevich inherited from his father is isolation, closeness from people, fenced off from what is happening in the outside world. With his father, he is laconic, however, as with other people of his circle. It would seem that Natasha is the angel who will save Prince Andrei, bestowing love, but we do not see this hero open his soul to his beloved. Andrei Bolkonsky does not tell anyone about his past or future at all, he lives in the present. Lives an inner life.

Thus, the old noble family of the Bolkonskys preserves its traditions and passes them on to a new generation.

Characteristics of the Bolkonsky family in L. N. Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace"

Most of the novel “War and Peace” by L. N. Tolstoy is devoted to the Russian nobility of the early 19th century. The reader is presented with a number of families that, in fact, are close to each other - in the sense of measured life, calmness, subordination to the general rules that existed in the upper strata of society of that time. All their members go to balls, visit the drawing room of Anna Pavlovna Sherer, dance, have fun, and have small talk.

However, there is one family, whose originality of customs and traditions, homely atmosphere immediately catches the eye. This is how the Bolkonsky family is represented. She lives her own closed life, which makes her different from others. Why did it happen? In fact, the Bolkonsky clan is a hereditary military, and military affairs implies submission, rigor, accuracy and rigidity. Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky is such a “purebred” military man. He defines the spirit of the family. Life experience hardened not only his body, but also his soul, put strict military rules into him. The whole schedule of his day is scheduled by the minute and carried out with amazing accuracy: “... the main condition for activity is order, but the order in his life has been brought to the last degree of accuracy. His exits to the table were made under the same constant conditions, and not only in one hour, but also in a minute. And God forbid anyone to break this routine, which is the main law of life of Nikolai Andreevich. For example, during the arrival of Prince Andrei and his wife, the son does not immediately go to his father, but waits until his rest time is over, because he is already used to it.

The old prince is constantly engaged in physical and mental labor: “He himself was constantly busy writing his memoirs, then calculations from higher mathematics, then turning snuff boxes on a machine tool, then working in the garden and observing buildings that did not stop ...” The reader practically does not see Nikolai Andreevich idle. Even when his son leaves for military service, he continues to work, although he is worried that Prince Andrei may die: “When Prince Andrei entered the office, the old prince, in old man's glasses and in his white coat, in which he did not receive anyone son, sat at the table and wrote.

The elder Bolkonsky is not a tyrant, he is simply demanding not only of himself, but also of everyone around him. It can also be said that he led an ascetic lifestyle and by his example forced his loved ones to do the same. In people who in one way or another communicated with him, the prince aroused fear and reverence. Although he was retired and no longer had any significance in state affairs, each head of the province where the Bolkonsky estate was located considered it his duty to come to him and express his respect.

Probably, it would be wrong to consider that the old prince is insensitive and hard-hearted, no, he is simply not used to showing his feelings, weaknesses even to his relatives. Firstly, he himself was brought up this way since childhood, and secondly, military service taught him another lesson: he saw how weak-willed people with high morals lost to those who were firm and purposeful.

In the family of Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky, there are two children - Marya and Andrey. Their mother died early. All the main upbringing of children fell on the father. Since the father has always been the ideal for children, many of his traits passed from him to the children. They grew up in an environment that was not conducive to laughter, fun, or jokes. The father talked to them as if they were adults, kept them in a tight rein, didn’t care much and didn’t cherish them.

Princess Mary adopted more masculine character traits than she should, because Nikolai Andreevich did not stand on ceremony with her and raised her on a par with her son. In her, the same rigidity, although expressed in a weaker form, along with deep moral principles, Marya Nikolaevna is not like other secular women. It contains real human values ​​that do not depend on time and environment, fashion and popular theories. Marya Nikolaevna did not appear at the balls and in the drawing room of A.P. Scherer, because her father considered all this nonsense and stupidity, a useless waste of time.

Instead of balls and celebrations, Princess Mary was engaged in mathematical sciences with her father: “... so that you look like our stupid ladies, I don’t want ...”.

She is not beautiful, but not bad either - she is a girl who is hardly noticed by men, and because of this she is married to the eccentric Anatoly Kuragin. She has only one friend - Julie, and that only by correspondence. Princess Mary, as it were, lives in her own little world, lonely and hardly understood by anyone.

Why is this heroine so obsessed with faith, why does she accept beggars, wanderers? Perhaps she simply does not find in her life such a person who is able to understand her, to advise something sensible ... It seems to me that it is from loneliness that she turns to God. Wanderers, in her view, are approaching the image of Christ. Sometimes it seems that these strangers are closer to Princess Mary than her father and brother.

Andrei Nikolaevich Bolkonsky is the son of the old prince, almost identical with him in character. The same set of qualities of a military man: firmness, courage, determination; the same coldness and aloofness in his actions and thoughts. Most of all, in my opinion, the wife of Prince Andrei, the little princess Liza, suffers from all these traits. How did she deserve such an attitude from her husband? Only because she is a normal woman who goes to balls and loves entertainment, laughter and joy?

Another trait that Andrei Nikolaevich inherited from his father is isolation, closeness from people, fenced off from what is happening in the outside world. With his father, he is laconic, however, as with other people of his circle. It would seem that Natasha is the angel who will save Prince Andrei, bestowing love, but we do not see this hero open his soul to his beloved. Andrei Bolkonsky does not tell anyone about his past or future at all, he lives in the present. Lives an inner life.

Thus, the old noble family of the Bolkonskys preserves its traditions and passes them on to a new generation.

The theme of fathers and children, as well as the change of generations, is traditional for Russian literature: Turgenev - "Fathers and Sons", Chekhov - "The Cherry Orchard", Saltykov-Shchedrin - "Gentlemen Golovlevs", Goncharov - "Ordinary History".

L.N. Tolstoy is no exception in this sense. In the Center of the novel "War and Peace" there are three families: Kuragins, Rostovs, Bolkonskys The Bolkonsky family is described with undoubted sympathy. It shows three generations: the elder prince Nikolai Andreevich, his children Andrei and Marya, his grandson Nikolinka. From generation to generation, all the best spiritual qualities and character traits are transmitted in this family: patriotism, closeness to the people, a sense of duty, nobility of soul. The Bolkonskys are extremely active people. Each of the family members is constantly busy with something, they do not have a drop of laziness and idleness, which are typical for families of high society. The old prince Bolkonsky, who believes that in the world "there are only two virtues - activity and intelligence", tirelessly tries to follow his conviction. He himself, an honest and educated man, wants to develop both virtues in his daughter, giving her lessons in algebra and geometry and distributing her life in uninterrupted studies. He was never idle: either he wrote his memoirs, or he worked on a machine tool or in the garden, or he worked with his daughter. We also see this trait in Prince Andrei, which he inherited from his father: he is a searching and active nature, is engaged in social work with Speransky, facilitates the life of the peasants on his estate and is constantly looking for his place in life.

The active activity of the family has always been directed to people, to the Motherland. The Bolkonskys are true patriots. Prince Andrei's love for the Motherland and interest in life are merged, he does not share these two feelings and wants to accomplish a feat in the name of Russia. The old prince, having learned about Napoleon's campaign against Moscow, wants to help the Motherland in some way, he becomes the commander-in-chief of the militia and gives himself to this with all his heart. The thought of General Rameau's patronage "horrified Princess Marya, making her" shudder, blush and feel an as yet unexperienced feeling of anger and pride. "She kept telling herself: "Leave as soon as possible! Ehap / soon!".

All the actions of Bolkonsky are guided by a sense of duty, which is very strongly developed in him. Prince Nikolai Andreevich could not accept the post of commander-in-chief, he was old, but he did not consider himself entitled to refuse at such a time, and this activity that was opening up to him again excited and strengthened him.

Prince Andrei leaves to fight, realizing that he should be where the Motherland needs him, while he could remain with the person of the sovereign. Describing his * favorite heroes, Tolstoy emphasized their closeness to the people. All members of the Bolkonsky family have this character trait. The old prince managed his household very well and did not oppress the peasants. He would never refuse "muzhiks in need." The princess is also always ready to help the peasants, "it was strange for her to think ... that the rich could not help the poor." And Prince Andrei in the war takes care of the soldiers and officers of his regiment. He was affectionate with them, in response to this "in the regiment they called him our prince, they were proud of him and loved him." The third generation of the Bolkonskys is Nikolinka, son of Andrei; We see him as a little boy in the epilogue of the novel, but even then he listens attentively to Pierre, in which some special, independent, complex and strong work of feeling and thought takes place. He loves his father and Pierre very much and, making sure that his father would approve of Bezukhov's revolutionary views, he says to himself: "Father! Yes, I will do something that even he would be pleased with ...".

The Rostov family is also widely represented in the novel. For example, a curious and absurd incident with a bear and a quarterly arouses good-natured laughter in Count Rostov, curiosity in others, and Marya Dmitrievna, with a maternal note, menacingly scolds poor Pierre: “Good, nothing to say! Good boy! he amuses himself, he puts the quarter on a bear on horseback. It's a shame, father, a shame! It would be better if he went to war. Oh, if there were more such formidable instructions to Pierre, perhaps there would be no unforgivable mistakes in his life.

The very image of the aunt, Countess Marya Dmitrievna, is also interesting. She always spoke Russian, not recognizing secular conventions; it should be noted that French speech in the Rostovs' house sounds much less frequently than in the St. Petersburg drawing room (or almost does not sound). And the way everyone respectfully stood in front of her is by no means a false rite of courtesy in front of the "unnecessary aunt" Scherer, but a natural desire to express respect to the respected lady.

Such is the older generation of the Rostovs, who live in harmony with the movements of the soul. What is the youngest? Tolstoy introduced everyone here: Vera, Nikolai, Natasha, Petya, a relative of Sonya, a friend of Boris, did not ignore Vera's future husband, Berg.

"The eldest, Vera, was good, she was not stupid, she studied well ... she had a pleasant voice ..." faith is too "smart" for this family, but her mind reveals its inferiority when it comes into contact with the emotional and spiritual elements of this house . She exudes coldness and exorbitant arrogance, it is not without reason that she will become Berg's wife - it is precisely for him that she is a match for this naive egocentric. "Calmly and courteously," Berg reflected on the superiority of the infantry against the cavalry, not noticing either the mockery or the indifference of those around him. Quite seriously, quite in the spirit of Colonel Skalozub, he dreamed of vacancies obtained from those killed in the war. "Well, father, you will go everywhere in the infantry and in the cavalry; I predict this for you," said Shinshin, patting him on the shoulder. Berg and Vera, alas, carry the patterns of a salon unnatural life. They do not have their own life program, they are content with borrowed from the side. There are annoying faces in the novel, there are characters that cause admiration or hatred, love, and among them Nikolai Rostov is the most sincere hero of the novel. What a wonderful children's world in the Rostovs' house: life is cleaner and conversations are more fun. Student Nikolai Rostov is a short curly young man with an open expression. Then we meet Rostov in the Pavlodar Hussar Regiment. Nikolai builds the complex world of military relations with the help of three main foundations for him: honor, dignity and loyalty to the oath. He can't even think of lying. The ambiguous position in which he finds himself because of Telyatin's act surprises even experienced fellow soldiers. No wonder the gray-haired captain exhorts Rostov: "Ask Denisov, does it look like something for a cadet to demand satisfaction from a regimental commander?" Young Rostov is sure that the honor of the regiment in the internal hierarchy of values ​​is higher and more precious than personal honor. "I'm to blame, all around to blame!" he exclaims when he realizes this. We are witnessing a change of character. The impulsive, pure young man turns into a defender of the fatherland, connected with his comrades in arms by the corporate concept of honor.

Roman L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is one of the most densely populated works known to world literature. Each event of the narrative attracts, like a magnet, many names, destinies and faces, a huge number of historical characters - * dozens of heroes created by the creative imagination of the author. Following Tolstoy, we penetrate into the complex life of human existence and, together with him, look at the living beings that act in it. This is a very complex, diverse reality that goes into the endless world of ideas.

In the novel"War and Peace" L.N. Tolstoy showed Russian society in a period of military, political and moral trials. It is known that the nature of time is made up of the way of thinking and behavior not only of statesmen, but also of ordinary people, sometimes the life of one person or family in contact with others can be indicative of the era as a whole.

Family, friendship, love relationships connect the heroes of the novel. Often they are divided by mutual hostility, enmity. For Leo Tolstoy, the family is the environment that gives a person all the beginnings in life, educates him. Therefore, in his novel, all the characters are united according to the generic principle. The Rostov, Bolkonsky, Kuragin, Bezukhov, and Drubetsky families are represented differently. They differ not only in the degree of nobility and generosity, but also in completely different ways of life - that is, habits, customs, views.

The Rostov family embodied the best features of the Russian nobility: patriotism, spiritual and spiritual generosity. The doors of the Moscow house of Countess Rostova were always wide open "to the invited and the uninvited." Ilya Andreevich Rostov liked to spend money on arranging a feast. His family loved balls, dinners, music. Here everyone sings and dances beautifully.

Tolstoy brings out the peculiarity of the Rostovs in different ways. Here is one of the scenes from the novel. Name day of two Natalias. Guests are arriving. As in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Sherer, we hear the usual secular gossip. But here the news is experienced in a different way. This is how old Rostov perceives the story of the tricks of the Dolokhov company: “A good figure of a quarterly!” shouted the count, dying with laughter. "Secular ladies exclaim in response:" Oh, what a horror! What is there to laugh about, count?" But such is the strength of Rostov's immediacy that "the ladies themselves involuntarily laughed strongly."

In this family, no one is guided by cold considerations: let the feeling, the immediate feeling of joy and love, break out unhindered. Here is Nikolai Rostov returning from the war. Tolstoy at first does not even name those who ran out to meet him. "Something swiftly, like a storm, flew out of the side door and hugged and began to kiss him." We do not see the appearance of those who meet us, before us are only "loving eyes shining with tears of joy", "lips that were looking for a kiss." The entire Rostov family is love incarnate. "In Nikolai's soul and on his face, that childish smile blossomed, which he had never smiled since he left home."

Great hunting scenes. Having left the whole family to the estate, the Rostovs become as spontaneous and ingenuous as nature. "And when the persecution of the hare began, calm Ilagin, Nikolai, Natasha and uncle flew, not knowing how and where, seeing only dogs and a hare." Tolstoy admires how in Otradnoye they remain faithful to the old Russian customs. Hunting scenes, scenes with mummers, a description of the Christmas ride of youth, a moonlit night that "bewitched young Natasha, give a romantic appeal to the Rostov family.

Tolstoy, with good-natured irony, shows the relationship between the old man Rostov and the serfs. He somewhat idealizes the relationship between the master and the peasant. Here the hunter-serf scolded the master, to which Rostov reacted as follows: "The count, as if punished, stood looking around and trying to arouse in Semyon regret for his position with a smile." And after the hunt, the count only ventured to reproach Danila, who scolded him: "However, brother, you are angry."

Tolstoy notes in the Rostov family indifference to lengthy discussions and reflections. They live by feeling, not by the mind. This is expressed both in the enthusiastic, childish worship of Nicholas to Emperor Alexander, and in the recklessness, impulsiveness of some of Natasha's actions, and in the too easy attitude towards life of the almost ruined old Count Rostov.

The war of 1812 revealed the deep patriotism of the entire Rostov family. Nikolai fought and distinguished himself with courage. His younger brother Petya, almost a boy, was literally eager to defend the Fatherland. His death was a terrible shock to the entire family. In the novel, Tolstoy, with his characteristic skill, describes the mother's grief. In terms of the strength of the impression it makes, it is difficult to find anything similar in other writers. The old countess almost lost her mind with grief. Natasha, having survived the death of her brother and Andrei Bolkonsky, shares her grief with her mother, helping her cope with despair.

The favorite of the whole family, Natasha Rostova subtly feels goodness and truth, the beauty of the human soul, Russian nature. The writer shows the spiritual connection of his heroine with the life of the people. With all her heart she perceives the pain of war, without reasoning and without uttering loud phrases.

The troubles and grief that befell the Rostovs did not embitter them. Proximity to the people and spiritual decency are the essence of this family.

But another family is also described in the novel. In spirit, she is in many ways the opposite of the Rostovs, but is just as beloved by the writer. In the Bolkonsky family, an atmosphere of tense inner life reigns, somewhat harsh and ascetic.

A measured, meaningful way of life leads the old prince Bolkonsky. He is interested in politics, knows in every detail "all the military and political circumstances of Europe in recent years." Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky is painfully experiencing the failures of the Russian army. But a little gloating. He is similar to Fonvizin's Starodum. There was Suvorov - and the Russian army was invincible. What about the current ones? What can they?! So argues the elder Bolkonsky. On the one hand, he is all in the past, but on the other, he is vigilantly following the present. "Prince Andrei listened ... involuntarily surprised how this old man, sitting alone for so many years without a break in the village, could know and discuss all military and political circumstances in such detail and with such subtlety."

In assessing the political situation, the beliefs of father and son are completely different. And they did not try to convince each other. Do they understand each other? The old prince "saw through" his son, there was no need to say anything. "Andrey was silent: it was both pleasant and unpleasant for him that his father understood him." With his father, Prince Andrei was brought together, first of all, by an ironic attitude towards religion, towards sentimentality. My father believed that superstition and idleness are "two sources of human vices." The son speaks irreverently about the icon that Princess Marya wants to hang around his neck: "If he doesn’t weigh two pounds and pull his neck." But complete mutual understanding did not come from some similarity of views - it came from somewhere inside, from the subconscious.

In 1812, having learned about the capture of Smolensk, Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky, despite his venerable age, decides "to stay in the Bald Mountains to the last extreme and defend himself." Thoughts about the motherland, about its fate, about the defeat of the Russian army do not leave him even in his dying hours.

The old prince was a Russian gentleman, sometimes tyranny and despotism manifested in him. Here he teaches Princess Marya mathematics, so that she "does not look like our stupid ladies." Reasoning about the rules of rational education prevents him from penetrating into the inner world of his daughter. That is why it is hard for Princess Marya, that her soul is full of religious enthusiasm, and her father, on top of everything else, an inept teacher, forces her to study science, to learn geometry. This juxtaposition itself is permeated with subtle literary irony.

Prince Andrei went through a difficult life path: from selfish aspirations for personal glory to understanding the need for universal love and forgiveness. He refuses to stay at Kutuzov's headquarters: "... I got used to the regiment, fell in love with the officers, and people seem to love me. I would be sorry to leave the regiment." Kutuzov understood and approved of Prince Andrei, the son of his friend. "Go with God on your own path," says Kutuzov. "I know that your path is the path of honor."

So, we have two types of attitude to the world, to people that exist in the Bolkonsky families and the Rostov family. Tolstoy constantly confronts them on the pages of his novel. With particular force, the contradiction of these two ways of life was expressed in the relationship between Prince Andrei and Natasha. These heroes, so different, are drawn to each other and through suffering, mistakes, they learn to understand each other, like mind and soul. But their love was not crowned with earthly happiness.

Tolstoy rewards Princess Mary and Nikolai with family happiness: her deep and disinterested love seems to elevate, ennoble the simple, too earthly aspirations and feelings of Rostov. Princess Marya was not distinguished by outward beauty and grace, but she conquered people with the light of her "radiant eyes", her spiritual beauty, and high morality. "The soul of the Countess has always strived for the infinite, eternal and perfect, and therefore could never be at peace."

To join the new, popular, not to remain in a state of rest - this is the obligatory criterion for the moral assessment of Tolstoy's characters. Tolstoy weaves the fate of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys, putting them to the test through war, the loss of loved ones and loved ones. And his favorite heroes adequately withstand these tests.

This is how Leo Tolstoy realizes his philosophical ideals in artistic form. But, like a great artist, at the same time he reveals to us something very important in the infinite wisdom of life, which does not fit into any philosophy.

In the novel "War and Peace" L.N. Tolstoy showed Russian society in a period of military, political and moral trials. Family, friendship, love relationships connect the heroes of the novel. For Leo Tolstoy, the family is the environment that gives a person all the beginnings in life, educates him. The Rostov, Bolkonsky, Kuragin, Bezukhov, and Drubetsky families are represented differently. They differ not only in the degree of nobility and generosity, but also in completely different ways of life - that is, habits, customs, views. Leo Tolstoy shows his views on the relationship of close people, on the family structure using the example of the Rostov and Bolkonsky families.

In the Rostov family, one can notice an atmosphere of cordiality, love and goodwill, since "the air of love is in the Rostov house." The Count and Countess are kind and simple people who are open to children with all their heart and soul. They welcome everyone who comes to them. In the family, everyone is frank with each other: they sincerely have fun and cry, they experience life's dramas together. All children feel parental tenderness and affection. Natasha is a sincere, selfless, charming girl, ready to love the whole world. The youngest son Petya is kind and honest. Sonya is a tender and sensitive girl. Despite the fact that she is not her own daughter in this house, she is comfortable here, because she is just as reverently loved as other children. All members of the Rostov family are unusually close to each other. Tolstoy also shows us this family in the difficult moments of their lives, when their fates are closely intertwined with the fates of thousands of Russian noble families during the war of 1812.

The Rostov family embodied the best features of the Russian nobility: patriotism, spiritual and spiritual generosity, responsiveness, sincerity, readiness to help. Hypocrisy and hypocrisy are not inherent in the Rostov family, therefore everyone here loves each other, children trust their parents, and they respect their wishes. The doors of the Moscow house of Countess Rostova were always wide open for invited and uninvited guests.

In the large Rostov family, the head is Ilya Andreevich - a Moscow gentleman, a kind man who idolizes his wife, adores children, rather generous and trusting. Despite the fact that his material affairs are in a state of disarray, since he does not know how to run a household at all, Ilya Andreevich could not limit himself and his entire family to the usual luxury. Forty-three thousand, lost by his son Nikolai, he paid, no matter how hard it was for him to do this, because he is very noble: his own honor and the honor of his children are above all for him.

Natasha grew up in such a friendly and benevolent family. She looks like her mother in appearance, and in character, just like her mother, she shows the same caring and thriftiness. But there are also traits of a father in her: kindness, the breadth of nature, the desire to unite and make everyone happy. A very important quality of Natasha is naturalness. She is not able to play a predetermined role, does not depend on the opinions of strangers, does not live according to the laws of the world. The heroine is endowed with love for people, the talent of communication, the openness of her soul. She can love and surrender to love completely, and it was in this that Tolstoy saw the main purpose of a woman, and he saw the sources of devotion and kindness, disinterestedness and sincerity in family education. The favorite of the whole family, Natasha Rostova subtly feels goodness and truth, the beauty of the human soul, Russian nature.

Another member of the family, Nikolai Rostov. His soul is simple, honest and decent. Nikolai builds the complex world of military relations with the help of three main foundations for him: honor, dignity and loyalty to the oath. The maturation of character is taking place before our eyes. Impetuous, pure young man turns into a defender of the fatherland.

In the image of the Rostovs, Tolstoy embodied his ideal of the strength of the family, the inviolability of the family nest, the home. The entire Rostov family is love incarnate. The troubles and grief that befell the Rostovs did not embitter them. Proximity to the people and spiritual decency are the essence of this family.

Another family is also described in the novel. In spirit, she is in many ways the opposite of the Rostovs, but is just as beloved by the writer. In the Bolkonsky family, an atmosphere of tense inner life reigns, somewhat harsh.

The Bolkonsky family is described with undeniable sympathy. It shows three generations: the elder prince Nikolai Andreevich, his children Andrei and Marya, his grandson Nikolushka. The Bolkonskys are active people. Each of the family members is constantly busy with something, they do not have a drop of laziness and idleness, which are typical for families of high society.

Everyone in the family is something special in their own way. The head of the family, Prince Nikolai Andreevich, was harsh with all the people around him, and therefore, without being cruel, he aroused fear and respect for himself. Most of all, he appreciates the mind and activity in people. Therefore, raising his daughter, he tries to develop these qualities in her. The old prince was a Russian gentleman, sometimes tyranny and despotism manifested in him. Pride, independence, nobility and sharpness of mind, the old prince passed on to his son. Both son and father Bolkonsky are versatile educated. The old prince Bolkonsky was never idle: either he wrote memoirs, or he worked on a machine tool or in a garden, or he worked with his daughter, ran a very good household and did not oppress the peasants. We also see this trait in Prince Andrei, inherited from his father: he is engaged in social work with Speransky, facilitates the life of the peasants on his estate and is constantly looking for his place in life.

Andrei is an arrogant person, confident in his superiority over others, knowing that in this life he has a high purpose.

Prince Andrei went through a difficult life path: from selfish aspirations for personal glory to understanding the need for universal love and forgiveness. He takes care of the soldiers and officers of his regiment in the war. He was affectionate with them, in response to this in the regiment they called him "our prince."

Princess Mary is smart, romantic, religious. She lives in constant unconscious expectation of family happiness and love. She meekly endures all the mockery of her father, reconciles herself to everything, but does not cease to love him strongly. Princess Marya was not distinguished by outward beauty and grace, but she conquered people with the light of her "radiant eyes", her spiritual beauty, and high morality. "The soul of the Countess has always strived for the infinite, eternal and perfect, and therefore could never be at peace."

The Bolkonskys are true patriots. The old prince, having learned about Napoleon's campaign against Moscow, wants to help the Motherland in some way, he becomes the commander-in-chief of the militia and gives himself to this with all his heart. All the actions of Bolkonsky are guided by a sense of duty, which is very strongly developed in him. Prince Andrei leaves to fight, realizing that he should be where the Motherland needs him, while he could remain with the person of the sovereign.

The third generation of the Bolkonskys is Nikolushka, son of Andrei; We see him as a little boy in the epilogue of the novel, but even then he listens attentively to Pierre, some special, independent, complex and strong work of feeling and thought takes place in him. He loves his father and Pierre very much and, making sure that his father would approve of Bezukhov's revolutionary views, he says to himself: "Father! Yes, I will do something that even he would be pleased with..."

The foundations of the family, according to Tolstoy, are built on love, work, beauty. When they collapse, the family becomes unhappy and breaks up. And yet, the main thing that Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy wanted to say about the inner life of the family is connected with warmth, comfort, where everyone is dear to you and you are dear to everyone, and where you are always expected.

So, we have two types of attitude to the world, to people that exist in the Bolkonsky and Rostov families. Tolstoy constantly confronts them on the pages of his novel. With particular force, the contradiction of these two ways of life was expressed in the relationship between Prince Andrei and Natasha. These heroes, so different, are drawn to each other and through suffering, mistakes, they learn to understand each other. But their love was not crowned with earthly happiness. Tolstoy rewards Princess Mary and Nikolai with family happiness.

Tolstoy weaves the fates of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys, putting them to the test of love, war, and the loss of loved ones. And his favorite heroes adequately withstand these tests. One way or another, these two families are opposed to each other and at the same time united. This is a kind of ideal relationship depicted by Tolstoy.