Contrast between secular society and noble families. Secular society in the image l

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Moscow secular society

People's Thought" in the novel "War and Peace".

The novel War and Peace was conceived as a novel about a Decembrist returning from an amnesty in 1856. But the more Tolstoy worked with archival materials, the more he realized that without telling about the uprising itself and, more deeply, about the War of 1812, it was impossible to write this novel. So the concept of the novel gradually transformed, and Tolstoy created a grandiose epic. This is a story about the feat of the people, about the victory of their spirit in the War of 1812. Later, speaking about his work, Tolstoy wrote that the main idea novel - "folk thought" . It lies not only and not so much in the depiction of the people themselves, their way of life, their life, but in the fact that every positive hero of the novel ultimately connects his fate with the fate of the nation. On the pages of the novel, and especially in the second part of the epilogue, Tolstoy says that until now all history has been written as the history of individuals, as a rule, tyrants, monarchs, and no one has yet thought about what is the driving force of history . According to Tolstoy, this is the so-called swarm principle, the spirit and will of not one person, but the nation as a whole. And how strong is the spirit and will of the people, so probable are certain historical events. Thus, Tolstoy explains the victory in the Patriotic War by the fact that two wills collided: the will of the French soldiers and the will of the entire Russian people. This war was fair for the Russians, they fought for their Motherland, so their spirit and will to win turned out to be stronger than the spirit and will of the French, so Russia’s victory over France was predetermined.
The War of 1812 became a milestone, a test for everyone goodies in the novel: for Prince Andrei, who feels an extraordinary upsurge before the Battle of Borodino, faith in victory; for Pierre Bezukhov, all of whose thoughts are aimed at helping to expel the invaders, he even develops a plan to kill Napoleon; for Natasha, who gave the carts to the wounded, because it was impossible not to give them back, it was “shameful and disgusting” not to give them back; for Petya Rostov, who takes part in the hostilities of a partisan detachment and dies in a battle with the enemy; for Denisov, Dolokhov, even for Anatoly Kuragin. All these people, throwing away everything personal, become one and participate in the formation of the will to win. This will to victory is especially clearly manifested in mass scenes: in the scene of the surrender of Smolensk (remember the merchant Ferapontov, who, succumbing to some unknown, inner force, orders all his goods to be distributed to the soldiers, and what cannot be endured is set on fire) in the scene of preparation for The battle of Borodino (the soldiers put on white shirts, as if preparing for the last battle) in the scene of the battle between the partisans and the French. The theme of guerrilla warfare occupies a special place in the novel. Tolstoy emphasizes that the war of 1812 was indeed a people's war, because the people themselves rose up to fight the invaders. The detachments of elders Vasilisa Kozhina and Denis Davydov were already operating, and the heroes of the novel, Denisov and Dolokhov, were also creating their own detachments. Tolstoy calls the brutal, life-and-death war “club” people's war”:
“The club of the people’s war rose with all its formidable and majestic strength and, without asking anyone’s tastes or rules, with stupid simplicity, but with expediency, without considering anything, it rose, fell and nailed the French until the entire invasion was destroyed.”.

Family Thought" in the novel "War and Peace".

There are five main families involved: Rostov, Bolkonsky, Kuragin, Drubetsky and Bezukhov. Other, less colorful families are also mentioned in the novel: Bergs, Karagins, Dolokhovs etc.

Rostovs: Count Rostov, Countess Rostova, Vera, Nikolai, Natasha, Petya, Sonya.

Bolkonskys: Nikolai Bolkonsky, Andrei, Lisa Bolkonskaya (Meinen, Andrei’s wife, “little princess”, Kutuzov’s niece), Marya, Nikolenka, Mademoiselle Burien.

Kuragin: Prince Vasily, Princess Kuragin, Ellen Kuragin, Ippolit Kuragin, Anatol Kuragin.

Drubetskoy: Anna Drubetskaya, Boris Drubetskoy.

Schoengraben and Austerlitz in the novel "War and Peace".

The role of the epilogue.

Epilogue is the final part of the work, in which the denouement of the plot, the fate of the heroes are finally clarified, and the main idea of ​​the work is formulated. The epilogue is the conclusion of the novel. In the works of L. N. Tolstoy and F. M. Dostoevsky, the role of the epilogue is extremely large:

* The epilogue logically completes the plot of the work.

Tolstoy's philosophical position is so distant from the plot of the work that it could exist independently, as a philosophical treatise. The plot denouement (the first part of the epilogue) occupies a significantly smaller part of the epilogue. 7 years have passed since the war. Marya married Rostov, their happiness is based on Mary’s constant spiritual work. Nikolai admires her mind and soul. Nikolai manages the estate well, Sonya lives with them. There was no soul visible in Natasha, only her face and body. The main thing for her is serving her husband and family. Pierre tells Nikolai about the latest political news, says that the sovereign does not delve into any matters, that the situation in the state is heating up, that everything is ready for a coup. Pierre assures that it is necessary to organize a society, maybe even an illegal one, in order to be useful. Nikolai does not agree with this, recalling that he took an oath: “Tell me now Arakcheev to go at you with a squadron and cut down - I won’t think for a second and I’ll go.” New challenges await Pierre. Trials related to Pierre's participation in a political circle. (As we understand, Pierre will become a Decembrist and take part in the uprising on Senate Square.) So Tolstoy proves to us “that people, like rivers,” change all the time, look for something, strive for something, and this desire for harmony, to truth makes them “quite good.

(Nikolenka's Dream) She and Uncle Pierre walked ahead of a huge army and joyfully approached their goal. But suddenly Uncle Nikolai appears in front of them in a menacing pose, ready to kill the first one to move forward. Nikolenka turns around and sees that it is no longer Uncle Pierre standing next to him, but his father, Prince Andrei, who is caressing him. The boy interprets this dream as follows: “My father was with me and caressed me. He approved of me, he approved of Uncle Pierre. I know they want me to study. And I will study. But someday I will stop; and then I will do it. Everyone will know, everyone will love me, everyone will admire me. Yes, I will do something that would make even him happy..."

In the second part, Tolstoy once again talks about the historical process, about the fact that it is not the individual who makes history, but the masses of the people, guided by common interests, who make it. A person is important in history only to the extent that he understands and accepts these interests. Tolstoy is given global problem: “What moves the world, its history?” And he gives the answer to it: “The laws of necessity.” His position is fatalism. According to Tolstoy, man is just a pawn in difficult game, the outcome of which is predetermined, and the goal of the pawn is to understand the rules of the game and follow them (and in this case be among the righteous winners), otherwise the pawn will be punished by fate, resistance to which is useless. A gigantic illustration of this position is the picture of war, where everyone, including kings and great commanders, is powerless before fate, where the one who better understands the laws of necessity and does not resist them wins (Kutuzov).

A broad philosophical position is presented. To confirm his position in the second part of the epilogue, he does not use the plot material of his work, but uses newly invented arguments. Particularly noteworthy is the extraordinary innovation of Tolstoy, who turned the epilogue from a small appendage or just the last chapter into an independent work, the role of which is comparable to the role of the main part of War and Peace.

Philosophy of history.

L. N. Tolstoy’s work “War and Peace” was conceived as a narrative about the life of some fictional characters from high society, but gradually it turned into an epic, including not only descriptions of real events early XIX centuries, but also entire chapters, the task of which is to convey to the reader the philosophical views of the author. Turning to the depiction of history, Tolstoy was forced to get acquainted with a variety of materials on the era of interest to him. The position of none of the contemporary scientists could satisfy a person who wanted to “get to the root” of everything. The author of War and Peace gradually develops his own concept of historical development; which was necessary to present in order to reveal to people a “new truth” and to make the logic of the novel clearer.

One of the first problems the writer faced was assessing the role of the individual and the masses in history. And if at the beginning of the creation of “War and Peace” the main attention was paid to individual heroes, then as he studied the war of 12, Tolstoy became more and more convinced of the decisive role of the people. In the second part of the epilogue, the main idea that permeates the entire narrative was formulated as follows: “... the more directly people participate in the commission of an action, the less they can order and the greater their number... the less direct participation that people take in the action itself, the more they order and the smaller their number...” The idea that the actions of the masses determine history is confirmed in many episodes of the novel. Thus, the victory in the Battle of Shengraben for the Russian troops was not brought about by the successful orders of Prince Bagration, who “... only tried to pretend that everything that was done out of necessity, chance and the will of private commanders... was done... in accordance with his intentions ”, and the actions of the “little” captain Tushin, as well as everyone’s awareness of the need for this battle to save the army. At the same time, when the ordinary soldier did not see the goal of the battle, as was the case at Austerlitz, neither the knowledge of the German command of the area, nor the thoughtful disposition, nor the presence of the emperors could influence the unfavorable outcome. The decisive importance of the spirit of the army is especially clearly visible in the Battle of Borodino, when the Russians were able to prove their moral superiority over the enemy, despite the intrigues at Kutuzov’s headquarters and the inconvenience of the position.

According to Tolstoy, the task of the individual is not to interfere with the natural course of history, the “swarm” life of the people. Bagration understands this, and his behavior during the Battle of Shengraben can serve as proof; Kutuzov knows this, feeling the moment when it is necessary to fight a grandiose battle, allowing himself to make the decision to leave Moscow, seeing meaning only in the war of liberation. The main difference between the “most illustrious” and Napoleon is not in the inactivity of the Russian commander, but in the old man’s awareness that his orders are not decisive for the course of history.

Speaking about Tolstoy's position on the role of the individual in history, we inevitably come to a description of the contradictions in the concept of the author of War and Peace.

On the one hand, one of the fundamental theses is “a person consciously lives for himself, but serves as an unconscious tool for achieving historical, social goals.” According to Tolstoy, it is natural that “most of the people of that time did not pay any attention to the general course of affairs, but were guided only by the personal interests of the present.” On the other hand, all the heroes of the novel are divided into two groups. The first of them includes all those who are not indifferent to the fate of the Motherland, whose lives are turned upside down during the War of 1812, whose “personal interest” is directly related to the “general course of affairs.” This is the old Prince Bolkonsky, gathering a militia, preparing to defend the Bald Mountains from the French, the Rostovs, giving up their carts for the wounded, Petya, Nikolai, Andrei, Pierre, who see the goal of their life in participating in the Patriotic War.

The second half includes those whose lives do not change with the beginning of the war and do not depend on it in any way. These are pseudo-patriots from the St. Petersburg salon A.P. Scherer and visitors to Helen’s house, sympathizing with Napoleon and the French, Berg, preoccupied with the purchase of a wardrobe while the residents of Moscow were leaving, Boris, interested only in promotion. All of them are condemned by the author precisely for their indifference to the common cause. The ideal person becomes Kutuzov, who understands deep meaning what's happening.

In the epic, an important place is given to discussions about the general nature of the development of life. When talking about this part of the novel’s historical and philosophical digressions, the term “fatalism” is often used. The laws of history are not yet accessible to people, so the concept of fate, fate, arises, which replaces the entire set of unknown causes.

Secular society in the novel "War and Peace".

In the novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy created a truthful and holistic picture of Russian life in the first quarter of the 19th century. During this period in Russia, the main social role was played by the nobles, so a significant place in the novel is given to the description of secular society. High society at that time was represented mainly by two metropolitan societies, quite different from each other: St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Petersburg - the capital, a cold, inhospitable city, standing on a par with European cities. The St. Petersburg high society is a special world with its own laws, customs, morals, the intellectual center of the country, oriented towards Europe. But the first thing that catches your eye when describing relationships in this society is unnaturalness. All representatives of high society are accustomed to playing roles imposed on them by society or taken by them voluntarily; it is not for nothing that Prince Vasily is compared to an actor in the novel.

One of the main types of pastime for members of high society were social receptions at which news, the situation in Europe and much more were discussed. It seemed to the new person that everything being discussed was important, and all those present were very smart and thoughtful people, seriously interested in the subject of the conversation. In fact, there is something mechanical and indifferent in these techniques, and Tolstoy compares those present in Anna Pavlovna Scherer’s salon to a talking machine. An intelligent, serious, inquisitive person cannot be satisfied with such communication, and he quickly becomes disillusioned with the world. However, the basis of a secular society is made up of those who like such communication and for whom it is necessary. Such people develop a certain stereotype of behavior, which they transfer to their personal, family life. Therefore, in their relationships in the family there is little cordiality, more practicality and calculation. A typical St. Petersburg family is the Kuragin family.
It appears to us completely differently Moscow secular society , which, however, is still somewhat similar to the St. Petersburg one. The first image of Moscow light in the novel is the description of the name day in the Rostov house. The morning reception of guests is reminiscent of social receptions in St. Petersburg: discussion of news, although not on a global scale, but local, feigned feelings of surprise or indignation, but the impression immediately changes with the appearance of children, who bring spontaneity, happiness, and causeless fun into the living room. At dinner with the Rostovs, all the qualities inherent in the Moscow nobility are manifested: hospitality, cordiality, nepotism. Moscow society in many ways resembles one big family, where everyone knows everything, where they forgive each other’s small weaknesses and can publicly scold each other for mischief. Only in such a society could a figure like Akhrosimova appear, and Natasha’s outburst be condescendingly appreciated. Unlike the St. Petersburg nobility, the Moscow nobility is closer to the Russian people, their traditions and customs. In general, Tolstoy’s sympathies, apparently, are on the side of the Moscow nobility; it is not for nothing that his favorite heroes, the Rostovs, live in Moscow. And although the writer cannot approve of many of the traits and morals of Muscovites (gossiping, for example), he does not focus on them. In depicting secular society, Tolstoy actively uses the technique of “detachment,” which allows him to look at events and characters from an unexpected point of view. So , when describing an evening at Anna Pavlovna Scherer's, the writer compares the salon with a spinning workshop, illuminating a social reception from an unexpected side and allowing the reader to penetrate into the essence of the relationships at it. The French language in the speech of the heroes is also a technique of “detachment,” making it possible to more fully create the image of a secular society , who at that time spoke mainly French.

Tolstoy recalled that he was inspired to write the novel “War and Peace” by “folk thought.” It was from the people that Tolstoy himself learned and advised others to do the same. Therefore, the main characters of his novel are people from the people or those who were close to ordinary people. Without denying the merits of the nobility to the people, he divides it into two categories. The first category includes those who, by their character, outlook, worldview, are close to the people or come to this through trials. The best representatives of the nobility in this regard are Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre Bezukhov, Natasha Rostova, Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. But there are other representatives of the nobility, the so-called “secular society,” who constitute a special caste. These are people who recognize only a few values: title, power and money. Only those who have one or all of the listed values ​​are allowed into their circle and recognized as their own. Secular society is completely empty, just as its individual representatives are empty and insignificant, people without any moral or ethical principles, without life goals. They are just as empty and insignificant spiritual world. But despite this, they have great power. This is the elite that runs the country, the people who decide the destinies of their fellow citizens.

Tolstoy tries in the novel to show the entire nation and all its representatives. "War and Peace" begins with scenes depicting the highest noble society. The author shows mainly the present, but also touches on the past. Tolstoy paints the nobles of this bygone era. Count Kirill Bezukhov is one of their representatives. Bezukhov is rich and noble, he has a good estate, money, power, which he received from the kings for small services. A former favorite of Catherine, a reveler and a libertine, he devoted his entire life to pleasure. He is opposed by the old Prince Bolkonsky, his peer. Bolkonsky is a loyal defender of the fatherland, which he served faithfully. For this, he was repeatedly in disgrace and out of favor with those in power.

“Secular society,” even with the onset of the War of 1812, changed little: “calm, luxurious, concerned only with ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg life went on as before; and because of the course of this life, it was necessary to make great efforts to recognize the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves. There were the same exits, balls, the same French theater, the same interests of the courts, the same interests of service and intrigue...” Only the conversations changed - they began to talk more about Napoleon and patriotism.

At the top of noble society was Emperor Alexander I. Alexander I is shown exactly as most nobles imagined him. But in the appearance of the emperor, traits of duplicity, posturing and that affected sensuality, in which flatterers saw a manifestation of the “high soul of the king,” are already appearing. The true appearance of Alexander I is especially clearly shown in the scene of the king’s arrival in the army after the defeat of the invaders. The Tsar embraces Kutuzov, accompanying them with an angry hiss: “Old comedian.” Tolstoy believes that the top of the nation has become dead and is now living an “artificial life.” All the king's associates are no different from himself. The country is run by a bunch of foreigners who don't care about Russia. Ministers, generals, diplomats, staff officers and other close associates of the emperor are busy with their own enrichment and career. The same lies, the same intrigue, and opportunism reign here as everywhere else. It was the Patriotic War of 1812 that showed the true essence of government officials. Their false patriotism is covered up with loud words about their homeland and people. But their mediocrity and inability to govern the country are clearly visible in the novel.

In "War and Peace" all layers of Moscow noble society are represented. Tolstoy, characterizing noble society, strives to show not individual representatives, but entire families. After all, it is in the family that both the foundations of integrity and morality, as well as spiritual emptiness and idleness, are laid. One of these families is the Kuragin family. Its head, Vasily Kuragin, occupies a fairly high position in the country. He is a minister called to take care of the people. Instead, all the elder Kuragin’s concerns are directed towards himself and his own children. His son Ippolit is a diplomat who cannot speak Russian at all. For all his stupidity and insignificance, he craves power and wealth. Anatol Kuragin is no better than his brother. His only entertainment is carousing and drinking. It seems that this person is completely indifferent to everything except indulging his own whims. His friend Drubetskoy is Anatole’s constant companion and a witness to his dark deeds.

We meet these people already on the first pages of the novel, where Tolstoy describes the visitors and regulars of Anna Pavlovna Sherer’s salon. The cold and calculating rogue Vasily Kuragin, who is looking for clever moves “to the cross or to the shtetl,” and his son Anatole, whom his father himself calls “a restless fool,” and the destroyers of other people’s destinies Hippolyte and Helen are spinning around here. Helen is the first beauty of the city, but at the same time a cold and spiritually empty person. She realizes her beauty and puts it on display, allowing her to be admired. But this woman is far from being as harmless as she might seem at first glance. The author emphasizes Helen's smile - it is “unchangeable.” I would like to compare Helen herself with Helen the Beautiful, the ancient heroine, because of whom the Trojan War. Helen also brings nothing but trouble. Later, taking advantage of Pierre's gullibility, she will lure him into her network and marry him.

In Scherer's salon we see both Pierre and Andrei Bolkonsky. The author contrasts these living people with the dead high society. We understand that Pierre has found himself in a society to which he is alien and which does not understand him at all. Only Andrey's intervention helps to avoid a scandal.

Boris Drubetskoy is another representative of the highest noble society. He is one of those who will replace the older generation. But the author portrays him as distant from the people as everyone else. Boris only cares about his career. He has a cool mind and a sober mind, he knows exactly what he needs in this life. He sets a goal and achieves it. Even during the war, Drubetskoy thinks about awards and promotion, wants to “arrange for himself the best position, especially the position of adjutant with an important person, which seemed especially tempting to him in the army.” He also makes acquaintances only those that are beneficial to him. Let us remember how the Drubetskys turned away from the Rostovs when they were ruined. This is despite the fact that the families were once friendly.

The highest nobility differs from the people even in their language. The language of the noble nobility is a Frenchized language. He is as dead as the rest of society. It preserves empty cliches, once and for all established expressions, ready-made phrases that are used in convenient cases. People have learned to hide their feelings behind common phrases.

Thus, by depicting noble society, Tolstoy shows its inactivity and inability to rule the country. The noble nobility has outlived its usefulness and must leave the stage of history. The necessity and inevitability of this was convincingly demonstrated by the Patriotic War of 1812.

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Simultaneously with the depiction of the life and character of the common people, Tolstoy draws bright pictures life and morals of the upper layer of the nobility, who proudly called themselves “light.” The author focuses here on the family of Prince Vasily Kuragin with his sons Ippolit Anatoly and daughter Helen.

Prince Vasily Kuragin is an “important and official” representative of the ruling elite; The fates of many people depend on him, but the only driving force behind all his actions is personal gain. “Prince Vasily did not think through his plans. He even less thought of doing evil to people in order to gain benefit. He was only socialite... He did not say to himself, for example: “Pierre is rich, I must lure him to marry his daughter and borrow the forty thousand I need”; but a man in strength met him, and at that very moment instinct told him that this man could be useful, and Prince Vasily became close to him... flattered, became familiar, talked about what was needed... He was constantly drawn to those who is stronger and richer than him, and he had the talent to catch the very moment when it was possible to take advantage of people.”

The purpose of his arrival for the evening with Anna Scherer was the intention to arrange for his son Hippolyte to become the first secretary in Vienna. He wants to marry his second son Anatole, who is ruining him with his carousing, to the rich bride Maria Bolkonskaya. Kuragin skillfully plays the role of a emotional person in the Bolkonskys’ house. When the theft of Count Bezukhov's will fails and Pierre becomes the heir to all his wealth, Prince Vasily, taking advantage of his impracticality and inexperience in life, marries him to his daughter. While Kutuzov is in disgrace, Kuragin speaks of him very contemptuously, but as soon as he is appointed commander-in-chief, the “crafty courtier” begins to praise him. And it is characteristic that, with the exception of one inexperienced person, this does not surprise anyone, and Prince Vasily enjoys the general respect of secular society, which fully characterizes this society.

In Prince Vasily's eldest son, Ippolit, Tolstoy emphasizes his stupidity. But she does not prevent the young prince from pursuing a diplomatic career. Much more often than Hippolytus, his younger brother Anatole, a handsome, brilliant officer, appears on the pages of War and Peace. Already at the first meeting with him, thanks to a small touch: “Anatole stood straight, eyes open,” the absence of a higher inner life is felt in him. His spiritual and mental insignificance is manifested with sufficient clarity in a conversation with the old man Bolkonsky.

Anatole's mental limitations, depravity and baseness of nature were also reflected in his behavior with the Frenchwoman, the companion of his intended bride. But his zoological egoism and complete unscrupulousness in his attempt to kidnap Natasha Rostova stand out most clearly. At the same time, he considered himself an impeccable person. “Anatole was always pleased with his position, with himself and others. He was instinctively, with his whole being, convinced that he could not live otherwise than the way he lived, and that he had never done anything bad in his life.” Everything was permitted, and the only measure of good and bad was the pleasure (at the same time crude, base) that this or that action gave him.

The fourth member of the Kuragin family was the beautiful Helen, a stupid, but very cunning, depraved, unprincipled woman. “Where you are, there is debauchery, evil,” Pierre tells her, and these words fully express the author’s own opinion about her. Kuragins were no exception among aristocratic society. All members of this family are typical representatives of their circle, their time. Andrei Bolkonsky calls them and people like them, who make up the overwhelming majority of the so-called secular society, “court lackeys and idiots,” and points to their “selfishness, vanity, insignificance in everything.” “All the people of this party were fishing for rubles, crosses, ranks, and in this fishing they only followed the direction of the weather vane of the royal favor...”

Ruthlessly exposing this world, Tolstoy sometimes deliberately exaggerates its negative aspects, sharpens the images, and emphasizes their typicality. In this regard, the statements of Prince Vasily Kuragin about Kutuzov are especially characteristic, causing general sympathy in the Scherer salon. Before his appointment as commander-in-chief, Kutuzov, according to Prince Vasily, was “a man of the worst rules,” “decrepit and blind,” fit only for playing blind man’s buff. After the appointment of Kutuzov - “ the smartest person“, and Prince Vasily is “happy” on the occasion of the most successful choice of the commander-in-chief.

The same technique of consciously sharpening the image is applied by Tolstoy to Anatoly Kuragin (his behavior during the matchmaking with Bolkonskaya), and to Helen (the pursuit of two new husbands, a letter to Pierre, etc.), and to Hippolyte, and to Anna Pavlovna Scherer, and to others. This conscious exaggeration of satirical elements in the images of representatives of the court nobility characterizes Tolstoy's socio-political views. The complete type of careerist is given in the person of Boris Drubetsky. A descendant of a noble but impoverished family, he paves his way to wealth with great dexterity and perseverance. Having received an appointment to the guard thanks to the efforts of his nosy mother, he directs his efforts to secure profitable connections there.

In particular, he enjoys the support of Andrei Bolkonsky. When in 1812 Kutuzov began to fire all unnecessary people from the headquarters, Boris managed to stay there. Boris also cleverly arranges his material affairs, having married Julie Kuragina, who disgusted him, but was rich. Without saying anything directly on his own behalf about Alexander 1, Tolstoy, however, with the totality of the tsar’s individual actions and statements, shows his lack of understanding of the events taking place, his inability to understand people, arrogance and vanity, weakness as public figure, especially pronounced during the period Patriotic War. Surrounded by court flatterers and careerists, whom Tolstoy calls the “drone population,” the Russian emperor is far from understanding the true interests of Russia and does not know how to appreciate people who are truly useful to her, as was the case with Kutuzov. The presence of Alexander 1 in the field army so interferes with its actions and weakens it that Secretary of State Shishkov with a group of others statesmen“respectfully and under the pretext of the need for the sovereign to inspire the people in the capital to war, they proposed to the sovereign to leave the army.” And indeed, with Alexander’s departure, things in the army went more successfully, especially with the appointment of Kutuzov, which was also forced on the part of the emperor.

In his coverage of the local nobility, Tolstoy depicts the Bolkonsky and Rostov families with great sympathy. Pierre Bezukhov. Sympathy for them is caused mainly by their active participation in ongoing historical events, their attraction to the Russian people, contempt for predation and careerism.

The wide hospitality, simplicity, gullibility, good-naturedness, lack of petty calculation, generosity of the Rostovs, their deep mutual affection make this family very attractive. The Rostovs lived in St. Petersburg as hospitably as in Moscow, and a variety of people came to dinner with them: neighbors of Otradny, old poor landowners with their daughters and the maid of honor Peronskaya, Pierre Bezukhov and the son of the district postmaster, who served in St. Petersburg. In the selection of guests and acquaintances there is no calculation, no selfish thought; here you can feel selfless cordiality. The life of the Rostovs in the village is even more patriarchal in nature: on Christmastide, the serfs dress up and have fun with the masters. The Rostovs are alien to any kind of prudence. And when, under difficult circumstances, Nikolai’s mother asked Nikolai what to do with the bill of exchange from the Drubetskys, now rich people, he tore up this bill, thereby arousing the admiration of the old countess. But at the same time, this lack of prudence turns into extravagance, characteristic of a significant part of the nobility, due to the habit of luxury and idleness. Both young Rostovs take part in the wars with Napoleon, their service
They carry without any shade of careerism, show great courage and are loved by the people around them. “The stupid Rostov breed,” Denisov says excitedly about the Rostovs, putting a completely different meaning into this expression. This brave man, who many times looked death in the face without fear, cries bitterly when he sees the murdered Petya. Tolstoy loves the Rostov family, and yet the great realist artist takes precedence over family legends in him (as you know, he portrayed his father in the person of Nikolai Rostov). The essence of Rostov complacency appears before us in a completely different light when we turn to a poor relative raised in their family, the orphan Sonya, “involuntarily learned by her dependent life of secrecy.” That random kindness that characterizes the Rostovs was (perhaps, except for Natasha) more external in nature and manifested itself until it cost them nothing.

Readers are introduced to high society already on the first pages of Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace,” when we find ourselves in A.P.’s salon. Scherer. We can't help but notice the ironic author's attitude to the insincerity, ostentatious stiffness, and mannerisms of the guests of this grand lady. Socialite Anna Pavlovna, as was customary in the world, very strictly approached the selection of guests for her magnificent evening: “Just as a good head waiter serves as something supernaturally beautiful that piece of beef that you won’t want to eat if you see it in a dirty kitchen, so in this evening Anna Pavlovna served her guests first the Viscount, then the Abbot, as if it were something supernaturally refined.”

The choice of guests is not explained by them human qualities or level of intelligence, but by nobility and wealth. The Viscount and the Abbot at this social evening are a kind of dessert and serve to give it significance, splendor, weight, just as exotic overseas fruits serve to decorate the table.

Tolstoy compares Anna Pavlovna Sherer to the “owner of a spinning workshop”, who methodically seated his “workers in their work places”, where everyone performs their task, and he walks around the workshop, keeping order. Tolstoy writes: “... so Anna Pavlovna, walking around her living room, approached a circle that had fallen silent or was talking too much and with one word or movement again started up a uniform, decent conversational machine.”

Everything here is luxurious, prim, somehow unnatural. That is why Scherer is so frightened by the new guest - the “massive, fat” Pierre Bezukhov, “the illegitimate son of the famous Catherine’s nobleman.” Fat, big, a little clumsy, so ungraceful and unaristocratic, he does not know secular manners at all and does not know how to behave in society. Anna Pavlovna also experiences fear of “the intelligent and at the same time timid, observant and natural look that distinguished him from everyone in this living room.” This is what scares people moving in secular circles: a real, lively mind, spontaneity, simplicity.

And Pierre is still very naive. It's so a kind person that he doesn’t even have a thought about bad people. He cannot admit that in secular society there can be people like the cold, calculating Prince Kuragin and his daughter Helen. Or the unprincipled and vile Anatole, who, without hesitation, destroys a person’s life. Or the Bergs with their cynical life formula: “you can and should always have acquaintances with people who are taller than you, because only then will there be pleasure from acquaintances” and so that you don’t have children for a longer time, because “you have to live for society.”

Naive Pierre still sincerely believes that this evening they gathered for real intelligent people, “and his eyes widened like a child’s in a toy shop”: “he was afraid to miss everything smart conversations that he can hear." Pierre is waiting with hope for “something especially smart.”

Time will pass, and on a fateful day for Russia - the day of the Battle of Borodino - high society will also gather here to have a good time, demonstrate new outfits in public and express loud declarations of love for Russia. On a terrible day for Russia, Scherer’s guests did not have the tact to not organize a magnificent evening out of respect for those people who are now where blood is being shed, the groans and cries of the dying are heard. But Tolstoy writes: “Anna Pavlovna had an evening on August 26, the very day of the Battle of Borodino, the flower of which should have been the reading of the letter from the Eminence, written when sending the icon of the Reverend Sergius to the sovereign.”

Prince Vasily, who became famous for “his art of reading,” was entrusted with reading this letter. The reading of this letter "had political significance." And these people, drowning in luxury, still had the conscience to condemn Kutuzov! Receiving alarming news about the state of affairs of the war with the French, representatives of the secular nobility sighed and said: “What is the position of the sovereign!” Now they “no longer extolled, like the day before, but ... condemned Kutuzov, who was the cause of concern for the sovereign.” Meanwhile, all the patriotism of these people boils down to the fact that they refuse to speak English for a while. French and fine those who violated this rule, in favor of the needs of the Russian army.

Representatives of high society view marriage between people, first of all, as a mutually beneficial, social union. Here we are, together with Natasha Rostova, rejoicing at her first ball, her first great love, her success. And Peronskaya comments: “This is a millionaire bride. And here are the grooms.” Among the suitors is Boris Drubetskoy. All fans of an ugly girl want only a profitable marriage, despite the lack of at least some sympathy for the girl.

Prince Vasily, having decided to marry Helene to the rich Pierre, arranges this marriage, which is destined to become unhappy. He behaves like a subtle psychologist and strategist. Prince Vasily forgets that a family union of two people is also a spiritual union, mutual understanding.

Unfortunately, even in the wonderful Rostov family such marriages take place! Even in this family, where comfort, complete mutual understanding, sincere, ardent affection for each other reign. Nikolenka and Sonya have been in love with each other since childhood, they swore allegiance. But miracles only happen in fairy tales. Sonya lives in the Rostov family, does not need anything, she is a full member of this friendly family. But still she is a homeless woman who has nothing. The Rostovs' affairs are not in very good condition, and this marriage could completely destroy them.

The Rostovs need money. The Count and Countess protest against Nikolenka's marriage to Sonya, and he marries Marya Bolkonskaya. Of course, Marya turned out to be a wonderful girl. Marya and Nikolai truly fell in love with each other, created good family, but the fact remains: unprofitable marriages are unacceptable in high society.

Tolstoy's attitude towards high society is ambivalent. He perfectly sees the vices of the world: insincerity, stiffness, arrogance, deceit, self-interest. But Tolstoy’s high society is also the intelligentsia, noble people with a fine mental organization. This is Pierre Bezukhov, and Natasha Rostova, and Andrei Bolkonsky, and Marya Bolkonskaya, and Nikolai Rostov. These are people who know how to love, know how to forgive and truly love their Russia.

Tolstoy recalled that when writing a ro-
mana "War and Peace" he was inspired by the "thought
folk." It was from the people that Tolstoy learned
I myself advised others to do this. That's why
The main characters of his novel are
people from the people or those who stood close
to ordinary people. Without denying the merits of the two
swearing before the people, he divides it into two
categories. The first category includes those
who by their character, outlook, world-
view close to the people or through the use of
torture comes to this. The best pre-
leaders of the nobility in this regard
are Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre
Bezukhov, Natasha Rostova, Princess Marya
Bolkonskaya. But there are other representatives
nobility, the so-called “secular society”
“stvo”, which constitute a special caste. This
people who recognize only a few
values: title, power and money. Only
those who have one or all of the pe-
listed values, they allow into their
circle and recognize them as their own. Secular society
completely empty, just like empty and insignificant
we are its individual representatives, people without
any moral or ethics
toev, without life goals. Equally empty
their spiritual world is insignificant. But despite
this, they have great power. This is the ver-
the hushka who runs the country are the people
who decide the destinies of their fellow citizens.
Tolstoy tries in his novel to show all
the nation and all its representatives. "War and
world" begins with scenes depicting the highest
noble society. The author shows in
new modernity, but also touches on the pro-g
bad. Tolstoy draws the nobles of this departing
current era. Count Kirill Bezukhov is one of
their representatives. Bezukhov is rich and noble,
he has a good estate, money, power, which
ry received from kings for minor services.
Catherine's former favorite, reveler and
gatekeeper, he devoted his whole life to pleasure
yam. He is opposed by the old Prince Bolkon-
skiy is his age. Bolkonsky - faithful
defender of the fatherland he served
faithfully. For this he repeatedly
was in disgrace and out of favor with the authorities
haves.
Anti-nationality, complete disregard
needs ordinary people, thirst for profit -
these are distinctive features higher two
Ryan society. These features are also inherent in state
there the ladies-in-waiting Schörer, and the visitors of the French
Tsuzsky salon of Countess Bezukhova. Here
selfishness, self-interest, career-seeking reign
rism and intrigue. Small talk -
nothing more than ordinary slander,
often turning into slander. Behind the mask
good nature hides hypocrisy and pretense
things that have become a habit. All normal people
human feelings are distorted, everything is saturated
lies, all that remains of friendship and love is vi-
dimness. The origins of the moral decay of the highest
Tolstoy sees our society in parasitism
and idleness. It’s not in vain that he will introduce everyone to him
Lei calls drones. Saltykov-Shchedrin,
characterizing the novel “War and Peace”,
remarked: “And our so-called “higher society”
“The count famously captured the society.”
"Secular society" even with the advent
After the War of 1812, little changed: “the
comfortable, luxurious, concerned only with
ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg
life went on as before; and because of the course of this
life had to make great efforts,
to be aware of the danger and the difficult situation
the situation in which the Russian people found themselves.
There were the same exits, balls, the same French
theater, the same interests of the courtyards, the same in-
interests of service and intrigue..." The times have changed
all that talk - they started talking more
talk about Napoleon and patriotism.
At the top of noble society are
Emperor Alexander I died. Alexander I
the cauldron is exactly as it was imagined
most of the nobles. But in the guise of an emperor
traits of duplicity, posturing and
that cutesy sensuality in which flatter-
people saw a manifestation of a “high soul
king The true appearance of Alexander I is particularly
but is clearly shown in the scene of the king’s arrival in Armik
after the defeat of the invaders. Kutuzov Tsar for-
embraces them, accompanying them with an evil
hissing: “Old comedian.” Tolstoy considers
melts that the top of the nation has become dead and now
lives an “artificial life.” Everything is approaching
the king's wives are no different from him
. my. The country is run by a bunch of foreigners
who don't care about Russia. Mini-
countries, generals, diplomats, staff officers
ry and other close associates of the emperor occupied
you with your own enrichment and career.
The same lies, the same intrigues reign here,
opportunism, as everywhere else. It is Ote-
the honorable war of 1812 showed the real
the essential essence of government officials. False
their patriotism is covered with loud words
you about your homeland and people. But their mediocrity
and the inability to govern the country is clearly visible
in the novel.
All layers are represented in War and Peace
Moscow noble society. Tolstoy,
characterizing noble society, str-
tries to show not individual representations
lei, but whole families. After all, it is in the family that
laid down as the foundations of integrity
and morality, and spiritual emptiness and
idleness. One of these families is
Kuragin family. Its head is Vasily Kuragin
occupies a fairly high position in the country.
He is a minister called upon to take care of the people.
de. Instead, all the worries of the elder Kur-
gina are aimed at oneself and at one’s own
married children. His son Hippolyte is a diplomat,
who can't speak any language at all
Russian For all his stupidity and insignificance
he craves power and wealth. Anatol Ku-
Ragin is no better than his brother. His only
entertainment is carousing and drinking.
It seems that this man is completely
indifferent to everything except self-indulgence
personal whims. His friend Drubetskoy -
Anatole's constant companion and witness
dark affairs.
We get to know these people already
the first pages of the novel, where Tolstoy describes
attracts visitors and regulars of the salon
Anna Pavlovna Sherer. Here they spin and
cold and calculating rogue Vasya
Liy Kuragin, who is looking for clever moves
“whether to the cross, to the shtetl,” and his son Ana-
only, which the father himself calls “restless”
stupid fool”, and destroyers of other people’s destinies
Hippolyte and Helen. Helen - the first beauty
city, but at the same time cold and spiritually pu-
wait man. She realizes her beauty and
puts her on display, allowing her to admire -
Xia. But this woman is far from harmless,
as it may seem at first glance. Av-
Thor emphasizes Helen's smile - it is “inexorable”
Menna." I would like to compare Helen herself with Elena
A beautiful, ancient heroine, because of which
the Trojan War began. Helen also
brings nothing but trouble. Later she
taking advantage of Pierre's gullibility,
lures him into her network and marries him.
In Scherer's salon we see both Pierre and An-
Drey Bolkonsky. The author contrasts
these living people to the dead high society.
We understand that Pierre found himself in a society where
to whom he is alien and who does not understand at all
his. Only Andrey's intervention helps
avoid scandal.
Boris Drubetskoy - another representative
tel of the highest noble society. He's alone
of those who will replace the older one
generation. But the author paints him the same way -
gentle from the people, like everyone else. Boris
cares only about his career. He has a ho-
a cool mind and a sober mind, he knew exactly
He doesn’t know what he needs in this life. He sets a goal
and achieves it. Even during the Drubetskaya war
thinks about awards and promotions,
wants to “arrange for himself the best position”
tion, especially the position of the adjutant during important
new face, which seemed especially tempting to him
you are in the army." He also makes acquaintances
only those that are beneficial to him. Let's remember
how the Drubetskys turned away from the Rostovs when
Yes, they were ruined. This despite
that families were once friendly.
The highest nobility differs from the people even
with your tongue. The language of the noble nobility is
Frenchized language. He's just as dead
vyy, like the rest of society. It preserved
empty stamps, folded once and for all -
all expressions, ready-made phrases that
used in convenient cases. People on-
learned to hide their feelings behind everyday
in my phrases.
Thus, drawing the noble society
in, Tolstoy shows his inactivity
and inability to govern the country. Nobles-
The nobles have outlived their usefulness and must leave the stage.
us stories. Necessity and inevitability
This was convincingly demonstrated by the Patriotic
war of 1812.