"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy is not just a classic novel, but a real one heroic epic whose literary value is incomparable with any other work. The writer himself considered it a poem, where private life of a person is inseparable from the history of the whole country.

It took Leo Tolstoy seven years to perfect his novel. Back in 1863, the writer more than once discussed plans to create a large-scale literary canvas with his father-in-law A.E. Bers. In September of the same year, the father of Tolstoy's wife sent a letter from Moscow, where he mentioned the writer's idea. Historians consider this date the official start of work on the epic. A month later, Tolstoy writes to his relative that all his time and attention is occupied by a new novel, over which he thinks like never before.

History of creation

The initial idea of ​​the writer was to create a work about the Decembrists, who spent 30 years in exile and returned home. The starting point described in the novel was to be 1856. But then Tolstoy changed his plans, deciding to display everything from the beginning of the Decembrist uprising of 1825. And this was not destined to come true: the third idea of ​​the writer was the desire to describe the young years of the hero, which coincided with large-scale historical events: the war of 1812. The final version was the period from 1805. The circle of heroes was also expanded: the events in the novel cover the history of many personalities who went through all the hardships of different historical periods in the life of the country.

The title of the novel also had several variants. The “working” name was “Three Pores”: the youth of the Decembrists during the Patriotic War of 1812; Decembrist uprising 1825 and the 50s of the 19th century, when several important events in the history of Russia took place at once - Crimean War, the death of Nicholas I, the return of the amnestied Decembrists from Siberia. In the final version, the writer decided to focus on the first period, since writing a novel, even on such a scale, required great effort and time. So instead of an ordinary work, a whole epic was born, which has no analogues in world literature.

Tolstoy devoted the entire autumn and early winter of 1856 to writing the beginning of War and Peace. Already at that time, he repeatedly tried to quit his job, because, in his opinion, it was not possible to convey the whole idea on paper. Historians say that in the writer's archive there were fifteen options for the beginning of the epic. In the process of work, Lev Nikolayevich tried for himself to find answers to questions about the role of man in history. He had to study many chronicles, documents, materials describing the events of 1812. The confusion in the writer’s head was caused by the fact that all information sources assessed both Napoleon and Alexander I in different ways. Then Tolstoy decided for himself to move away from the subjective statements of strangers and display in the novel his own assessment of events based on true facts. From diverse sources, he borrowed documentary materials, records of contemporaries, newspaper and magazine articles, letters from generals, archival documents of the Rumyantsev Museum.

(Prince Rostov and Akhrosimova Marya Dmitrievna)

Considering it necessary to go directly to the scene, Tolstoy spent two days in Borodino. It was important for him to personally go around the place where large-scale and tragic events unfolded. He even personally made sketches of the sun on the field during different periods of the day.

The trip gave the writer an opportunity to feel the spirit of history in a new way; became a kind of inspiration for further work. For seven years, the work was on a spiritual upsurge and "burning". The manuscripts consisted of more than 5200 sheets. Therefore, "War and Peace" is easy to read even after a century and a half.

Analysis of the novel

Description

(Napoleon before the battle in thought)

The novel "War and Peace" touches upon a sixteen-year period in the history of Russia. The starting date is 1805, the final date is 1821. More than 500 characters are “employed” in the work. These are both real-life people, and fictional writers to add color to the description.

(Kutuzov before the Battle of Borodino is considering a plan)

The novel intertwines two main storylines: historical events in Russia and the personal life of the heroes. Real historical figures are mentioned in the description of Austerlitz, Shengraben, Borodino battles; the capture of Smolensk and the surrender of Moscow. More than 20 chapters are devoted specifically to the battle of Borodino, as the main decisive event of 1812.

(In the illustration, an episode of the Ball by Natasha Rostova from the film "War and Peace" 1967.)

In opposition to "wartime", the writer describes the personal world of people and everything that surrounds them. Heroes fall in love, quarrel, reconcile, hate, suffer ... In the confrontation of various characters, Tolstoy shows the difference in moral principles individuals. The writer is trying to tell that various events can change the worldview. One the whole picture The work consists of three hundred and thirty-three chapters of 4 volumes and another twenty-eight chapters placed in the epilogue.

First volume

The events of 1805 are described. In the "peaceful" part, life in Moscow and St. Petersburg is affected. The writer introduces the reader to the society of the main characters. The “military” part is the battles of Austerlitz and Shengraben. Tolstoy concludes the first volume with a description of how military defeats affected peaceful life characters.

Second volume

(The first ball of Natasha Rostova)

This is a completely "peaceful" part of the novel, which touched upon the life of the characters in the period 1806-1811: the birth of Andrei Bolkonsky's love for Natasha Rostova; freemasonry of Pierre Bezukhov, the kidnapping of Natasha Rostova by Karagin, Bolkonsky's refusal to marry Natasha Rostova. The end of the volume is a description of a formidable omen: the appearance of a comet, which is a symbol of great upheavals.

Third volume

(In the illustration, an episode of the Borodino battle of their film "War and Peace" 1967.)

In this part of the epic, the writer refers to wartime: the invasion of Napoleon, the surrender of Moscow, the battle of Borodino. On the battlefield, the main male characters of the novel are forced to intersect: Bolkonsky, Kuragin, Bezukhov, Dolokhov ... The end of the volume is the capture of Pierre Bezukhov, who made an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Napoleon.

Fourth volume

(After the battle, the wounded arrive in Moscow)

The “military” part is a description of the victory over Napoleon and the shameful retreat of the French army. Affects writer and period guerrilla war after 1812. All this is intertwined with the “peaceful” fates of the heroes: Andrei Bolkonsky and Helen pass away; love is born between Nikolai and Marya; think about living together Natasha Rostova and Pierre Bezukhov. And the main character of the volume is the Russian soldier Platon Karataev, in whose words Tolstoy tries to convey all the wisdom of the common people.

Epilogue

This part is devoted to describing the changes in the lives of the heroes seven years after 1812. Natasha Rostova is married to Pierre Bezukhov; Nicholas and Marya found their happiness; the son of Bolkonsky, Nikolenka, grew up. In the epilogue, the author reflects on the role of individuals in the history of the whole country, and tries to show the historical interconnections of events and human destinies.

The main characters of the novel

More than 500 characters are mentioned in the novel. The author tried to describe the most important of them as accurately as possible, endowing with special features not only of character, but also of appearance:

Andrei Bolkonsky - Prince, son of Nikolai Bolkonsky. Constantly looking for the meaning of life. Tolstoy describes him as handsome, reserved, and with "dry" features. He has a strong will. Dies as a result of a wound received at Borodino.

Marya Bolkonskaya - Princess, sister of Andrei Bolkonsky. Inconspicuous appearance and radiant eyes; piety and concern for relatives. In the novel, she marries Nikolai Rostov.

Natasha Rostova is the daughter of Count Rostov. In the first volume of the novel, she is only 12 years old. Tolstoy describes her as a girl of not very beautiful appearance (black eyes, big mouth), but at the same time “alive”. Her inner beauty attracts men. Even Andrei Bolkonsky is ready to fight for his hand and heart. At the end of the novel, she marries Pierre Bezukhov.

Sonya

Sonya is the niece of Count Rostov. In contrast to her cousin Natasha, she is beautiful in appearance, but much poorer in spirit.

Pierre Bezukhov is the son of Count Kirill Bezukhov. A clumsy massive figure, kind and at the same time strong character. He can be harsh, or he can become a child. Interested in Freemasonry. He is trying to change the life of the peasants and influence large-scale events. Initially married to Helen Kuragina. At the end of the novel, he marries Natasha Rostova.

Helen Kuragin is the daughter of Prince Kuragin. beauty, visible society lady. She married Pierre Bezukhov. Changeable, cold. Dies as a result of an abortion.

Nikolai Rostov is the son of Count Rostov and Natasha's brother. The successor of the family and the defender of the Fatherland. He took part in military campaigns. He married Marya Bolkonskaya.

Fedor Dolokhov is an officer, a member of the partisan movement, as well as a great swashbuckler and lover of ladies.

Counts of Rostov

The Rostov counts are the parents of Nikolai, Natasha, Vera, and Petya. A revered married couple, an example to follow.

Nikolai Bolkonsky - Prince, father of Marya and Andrei. In Catherine's time, a significant personality.

The author pays much attention to the description of Kutuzov and Napoleon. The commander appears before us as smart, unfeigned, kind and philosophical. Napoleon is described as a little fat man with an unpleasantly feigned smile. At the same time, it is somewhat mysterious and theatrical.

Analysis and conclusion

In the novel "War and Peace" the writer tries to convey to the reader " folk thought". Its essence is that everyone goodie has its own connection with the nation.

Tolstoy departed from the principle of telling a story in a novel in the first person. Evaluation of characters and events goes through monologues and author's digressions. At the same time, the writer leaves the reader the right to assess what is happening. A prime example the scene of the Battle of Borodino, shown as from the side historical facts, and subjective opinion hero of the novel by Pierre Bezukhov. The writer does not forget about the bright historical figure - General Kutuzov.

The main idea of ​​the novel lies not only in the disclosure of historical events, but also in the ability to understand that one must love, believe and live under any circumstances.

), the French invasion of Russia, the battle of Borodino and the capture of Moscow, the entry of allied troops into Paris; the end of the novel is attributed to 1820. The author re-read many historical books and memoirs of his contemporaries; he understood that the task of the artist does not coincide with the task of the historian and, not striving for complete accuracy, he wanted to create the spirit of the era, the originality of her life, the picturesqueness of her style.

Lev Tolstoy. War and Peace. The main characters and themes of the novel

Of course, Tolstoy's historical figures are somewhat modernized: they often speak and think like the author's contemporaries. But this renewal of the old is inevitable in the creative perception of the historian of any process as a continuous, vital stream. Otherwise, it does not piece of art, but dead archeology. The author did not invent anything - he only chose what seemed to him the most significant. “Everywhere,” Tolstoy writes, “wherever historical figures speak and act in my novel, I did not invent, but used materials from which I formed a whole library of books during my work.”

For "family chronicles" placed within the historical framework of the Napoleonic Wars, he used family memoirs, letters, diaries, and unpublished notes. Complexity and richness human world”, depicted in the novel, can only be compared with the gallery of portraits of the multi-volume “ human comedy» Balzac . Tolstoy gives more than 70 detailed descriptions, outlines with a few strokes many minor persons - and all of them live, do not merge with each other, remain in memory. One sharply grasped detail determines the figure of a person, his character and behavior. In the waiting room of the dying Count Bezukhov, one of the heirs, Prince Vasily, walks on tiptoe in confusion. "He couldn't walk on tiptoe and jumped awkwardly with his whole body." And in this bouncing, the whole nature of the dignitary and imperious prince is reflected.

The external feature acquires a deep psychological and symbolic sound from Tolstoy. He has incomparable visual acuity, brilliant observation, almost clairvoyance. By one turn of the head or movement of the fingers, he guesses the person. Every feeling, even the most fleeting, is immediately embodied for him in a bodily sign; The movement, posture, gesture, expression of the eyes, the line of the shoulders, the trembling of the lips are read by him as a symbol of the soul. Hence the impression of spiritual and bodily wholeness and completeness that his characters produce. In the art of creating living people with flesh and blood, breathing, moving, casting a shadow, Tolstoy has no equal.

Princess Mary

In the center of the action of the novel are two noble families - Bolkonsky and Rostov. The eldest Prince Bolkonsky, general-in-chief of Catherine's time, a Voltairian and an intelligent gentleman, lives in the Bald Mountains estate with his daughter Marya, ugly and no longer young. Her father loves her passionately, but brings her up harshly and torments her with algebra lessons. Princess Mary "with beautiful radiant eyes", with a shy smile - an image of high spiritual beauty. She meekly bears the cross of her life, prays, accepts " God's people”and dreams of becoming a wanderer ...“ All the complex laws of mankind were concentrated for her in one simple and clear law of love and self-sacrifice, taught to her by the One Who suffered with love for humanity, when He Himself is God. What did she care about the justice or injustice of other people? She had to suffer and love herself, and she did it.

And yet she is sometimes worried about the hope of personal happiness; she wants to have a family, children. When this hope comes true and she marries Nikolai Rostov, her soul continues to strive for "infinite, eternal perfection."

Prince Andrei Bolkonsky

Princess Mary's brother, Prince Andrei, does not look like his sister. This is a strong, intelligent, proud and disappointed person, feeling his superiority over others, burdened by his chirping, frivolous wife and looking for practically useful activities. He cooperates with Speransky in the commission for the drafting of laws, but soon gets tired of this abstract office work. He is seized by a thirst for glory, he goes on a campaign in 1805 and, like Napoleon, awaits his "Toulon" - exaltation, greatness, "human love". But instead of the Toulon, the Austerlitz field awaits him, on which he lies wounded and looks into the bottomless sky. “Everything is empty,” he thinks, “everything is a lie, except for this endless sky. Nothing, nothing but him. But even that is not even there, there is nothing but silence, calmness.

Andrey Bolkonsky

Returning to Russia, he settles in his estate and plunges into the "longing of life." The death of his wife, the betrayal of Natasha Rostova, who seemed to him the ideal of girlish charm and purity, plunge him into gloomy despair. And only slowly dying from a wound received in the Battle of Borodino, in the face of death, he finds that “truth of life”, which he always so unsuccessfully sought: “Love is life,” he thinks. Everything, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love it. Love is God, and to die means for me, a particle of love, to return to the common and eternal source.

Nikolay Rostov

Complicated relations connect the Bolkonsky family with the Rostov family. Nikolai Rostov is a whole, spontaneous nature, like Eroshka in The Cossacks or Volodya's brother in Childhood. He lives without questions and doubts, he has a "common sense of mediocrity." Direct, noble, brave, cheerful, he is surprisingly attractive, despite his limitations. Of course, he cannot understand the mystical soul of his wife Marya, but he knows how to create happy family to raise kind and honest children.

Natasha Rostova

His sister Natasha Rostova is one of the most charming female images Tolstoy. She enters the life of each of us as a beloved and close friend. From her lively, joyful and spiritualized face, a radiance emanates, illuminating everything around her. When she appears, everyone becomes cheerful, everyone starts smiling. Natasha is full of such an excess of vitality, such a "talent of life" that her whims, frivolous hobbies, selfishness of youth and thirst for the "pleasures of life" - everything seems charming.

She is constantly on the move, intoxicated with joy, inspired by feeling; she does not reason, “does not deign to be clever,” as Pierre says about her, but the clairvoyance of the heart replaces her mind. She immediately “sees” a person and accurately defines him. When her fiancé Andrei Bolkonsky leaves for the war, Natasha becomes infatuated with the brilliant and empty Anatole Kuragin. But the break with Prince Andrei and then his death turn her whole soul upside down. Her noble and truthful nature cannot forgive herself for this guilt. Natasha falls into hopeless despair and wants to die. At this time, news comes of the death of her younger brother Petya in the war. Natasha forgets about her grief and selflessly takes care of her mother - and this saves her.

“Natasha thought,” writes Tolstoy, “that her life was over. But suddenly love for her mother showed her that the essence of her life - love - was still alive in her. Love woke up and life woke up. Finally, she marries Pierre Bezukhov and turns into a child-loving mother and devoted wife: she refuses all the "pleasures of life" that she loved so passionately before, and devotes herself wholeheartedly to her new, difficult duties. For Tolstoy, Natasha is life itself, instinctive, mysterious and holy in its natural wisdom.

Pierre Bezukhov

The ideological and compositional center of the novel is Count Pierre Bezukhov. All complex and numerous lines of action are drawn to it, coming from two "family chronicles" - the Bolkonskys and the Rostovs; he clearly enjoys the greatest sympathy of the author and is closest to him in terms of his mental disposition. Pierre belongs to the "searching" people, reminds Nikolenka, Nekhludova, Venison but most of all Tolstoy himself. Before us are not only the external events of life, but also the consistent history of his spiritual development.

The path of searching for Pierre Bezukhov

Pierre was brought up in an atmosphere of Rousseau's ideas, he lives by feeling and is prone to "dreamy philosophizing". He is looking for the "truth", but due to weakness of will he continues to lead an empty secular life, go on a spree, play cards, go to balls; an absurd marriage to the soulless beauty Helen Kuragina, a break with her and a duel with a former friend Dolokhov produce a profound upheaval in him. He's interested in freemasonry, thinks to find in him "inner peace and harmony with himself." But disappointment soon sets in: the philanthropic activity of the Masons seems to him insufficient, their addiction to uniforms and magnificent ceremonies outrages him. He finds a moral stupor, panic fear life.

"The tangled and terrible knot of life" strangles him. And now, on the Borodino field, he meets the Russian people - a new world opens up to him. spiritual crisis prepared by the amazing impressions that suddenly fell upon him: he sees the fire of Moscow, is captured, spends several days awaiting the death sentence, is present at the execution. And then he meets "Russian, kind, round Karataev." Joyful and bright, he saves Pierre from spiritual death and leads him to God.

“First, he sought God for the goals that he set for himself,” writes Tolstoy, and suddenly he recognized in his captivity, not by words, not by reasoning, but by direct feeling, what his nanny had long told him; that God is here, here, everywhere. He learned in captivity that God in Karataev is greater, infinite and incomprehensible than in the Architecton of the universe recognized by the Masons.

Religious inspiration covers Pierre, all questions and doubts disappear, he no longer thinks about the "meaning of life", because the meaning has already been found: love for God and selfless service to people. The novel ends with a picture of the complete happiness of Pierre, who married Natasha Rostova and became devoted husband and loving father.

Platon Karataev

Soldier Platon Karataev, a meeting with whom in Moscow occupied by the French produced a coup in seeking the truth Pierre Bezukhov, conceived by the author as a parallel to the "folk hero" Kutuzov; he, too, is a person without a personality, passively surrendering to events. This is how Pierre sees him, i.e., the author himself, but he appears to the reader differently. It is not the impersonality, but the extraordinary originality of his personality that strikes us. His well-aimed words, jokes and sayings, his constant activity, his bright cheerfulness of spirit and sense of beauty ("goodness"), his active love for his neighbors, humility, cheerfulness and religiosity are formed in our view not in the image of an impersonal "part of the whole", but into the amazingly whole face of the people's righteous man.

Platon Karataev - the same " great christian", like the holy fool Grisha in Childhood. Tolstoy intuitively felt its spiritual originality, but his rationalistic explanation glided over the surface of this mystical soul.

In this article, we will introduce you to the main characters of Leo Tolstoy's work "War and Peace". Characteristics of the characters include the main features of appearance and inner world. All the characters in the story are very interesting. Very large in volume is the novel "War and Peace". The characteristics of the heroes are given only briefly, but meanwhile, a separate work can be written for each of them. Let's start our analysis with a description of the Rostov family.

Ilya Andreevich Rostov

The Rostov family in the work are typical Moscow representatives of the nobility. Its head, Ilya Andreevich, is known for his generosity and hospitality. This is a count, the father of Petya, Vera, Nikolai and Natasha Rostovs, a rich man and a Moscow gentleman. He is motivated, good-natured, loves to live. In general, speaking of the Rostov family, it should be noted that sincerity, goodwill, lively contact and ease in communication were characteristic of all its representatives.

Some episodes from the life of the writer's grandfather were used by him to create the image of Rostov. The fate of this person is aggravated by the realization of ruin, which he does not immediately understand and is unable to stop. In its appearance, there are also some similarities with the prototype. This technique was used by the author not only in relation to Ilya Andreevich. Some internal and external features Relatives and friends of Leo Tolstoy are also guessed in other characters, which is confirmed by the characteristics of the heroes. "War and Peace" is a large-scale work with a huge number of characters.

Nikolay Rostov

Nikolai Rostov - son of Ilya Andreevich, brother of Petya, Natasha and Vera, hussar, officer. At the end of the novel, he appears as the husband of Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. In the appearance of this man one could see "enthusiasm" and "swiftness". It reflected some of the features of the writer's father, who participated in the war of 1812. This hero is distinguished by such features as cheerfulness, openness, goodwill and self-sacrifice. Convinced that he is not a diplomat or an official, Nikolai leaves the university at the beginning of the novel and enters the hussar regiment. Here he participates in Patriotic War 1812, in military campaigns. Nicholas takes his first baptism of fire when the Enns is crossed. In the battle of Shengraben, he was wounded in the arm. After passing the test, this man becomes a real hussar, a brave officer.

Petya Rostov

Petya Rostov is the youngest child in the Rostov family, the brother of Natasha, Nikolai and Vera. He appears at the beginning of the work as a small boy. Petya, like all Rostovs, is cheerful and kind, musical. He wants to imitate his brother and also wants to join the army. After the departure of Nikolai, Petya becomes the main concern of the mother, who only realizes at that time the depth of her love for this child. During the war, he accidentally ends up in the Denisov detachment with an assignment, where he remains, because he wants to take part in the case. Petya dies by coincidence, showing before his death best features Rostovs in relations with comrades.

Countess of Rostov

Rostova is a heroine, when creating the image of which the author used, as well as some circumstances of the life of L. A. Bers, the mother-in-law of Lev Nikolayevich, as well as P. N. Tolstoy, the writer's paternal grandmother. The Countess is used to living in an atmosphere of kindness and love, in luxury. She is proud of the trust and friendship of her children, pampers them, worries about their fate. Despite external weakness, even some heroine makes reasonable and balanced decisions regarding her children. Dictated by love for children and her desire to marry Nikolai to a wealthy bride at any cost, as well as nit-picking Sonya.

Natasha Rostova

Natasha Rostova is one of the main characters of the work. She is the daughter of Rostov, the sister of Petya, Vera and Nikolai. At the end of the novel, she becomes the wife of Pierre Bezukhov. This girl is presented as "ugly, but alive", with a big mouth, black-eyed. Tolstoy's wife and her sister T. A. Bers served as the prototype for this image. Natasha is very sensitive and emotional, she can intuitively guess the characters of people, sometimes selfish in manifestations of feelings, but most often capable of self-sacrifice and self-forgetfulness. We see this, for example, during the removal of the wounded from Moscow, as well as in the episode of nursing the mother after Petya died.

One of the main advantages of Natasha is her musicality, beautiful voice. With her singing, she can awaken all the best that is in a person. This is what saves Nikolai from despair after he lost a large amount.

Natasha, constantly carried away, lives in an atmosphere of happiness and love. After meeting Prince Andrei, a change occurs in her fate. The insult inflicted by Bolkonsky (the old prince) pushes this heroine to be infatuated with Kuragin and to refuse Prince Andrei. Only after feeling and experiencing a lot, she realizes her guilt before Bolkonsky. But this girl feels true love only for Pierre, whose wife she becomes at the end of the novel.

Sonya

Sonya is the pupil and niece of Count Rostov, who grew up in his family. She is 15 at the beginning of the story. This girl fits perfectly into the Rostov family, she is unusually friendly and close to Natasha, she has been in love with Nikolai since childhood. Sonya is silent, restrained, cautious, reasonable, she has a highly developed ability for self-sacrifice. She draws attention moral purity and beauty, but she does not have that charm and immediacy that Natasha possesses.

Pierre Bezukhov

Pierre Bezukhov is one of the main characters in the novel. Therefore, without him, the characterization of the heroes ("War and Peace") would be incomplete. Let us briefly describe Pierre Bezukhov. He is the illegitimate son of a count, a famous nobleman, who became the heir to a huge fortune and title. In the work, he is depicted as a fat, massive young man, wearing glasses. This hero is distinguished by a timid, intelligent, natural and observant look. He was brought up abroad, appeared in Russia shortly before the start of the 1805 campaign and the death of his father. Pierre is inclined to philosophical reflections, smart, kind-hearted and gentle, compassionate towards others. He is also impractical, sometimes subject to passions. Andrei Bolkonsky, his closest friend, characterizes this hero as the only "living person" among all representatives of the world.

Anatole Kuragin

Anatole Kuragin - officer, brother of Ippolit and Helen, son of Prince Vasily. Unlike Ippolit, the "calm fool", Anatole's father looks at Anatole as a "restless fool" who must always be rescued from various troubles. This hero is stupid, impudent, dapper, not eloquent in conversations, depraved, not resourceful, but he has confidence. He looks at life as a constant amusement and pleasure.

Andrey Bolkonsky

Andrei Bolkonsky is one of the main characters in the work, the prince, the brother of Princess Marya, the son of N. A. Bolkonsky. Described as a "quite handsome" young man of "small stature". He is proud, intelligent, looking for great spiritual and intellectual content in life. Andrey is educated, restrained, practical, has a strong will. His idol at the beginning of the novel is Napoleon, whom our characterization of the heroes will also introduce to readers just below ("War and Peace"). Andrei Balkonsky dreams of imitating him. After participating in the war, he lives in the village, raises his son, and takes care of the household. Then he returns to the army, dies in the Battle of Borodino.

Platon Karataev

Imagine this hero of the work "War and Peace". Platon Karataev - a soldier who met Pierre Bezukhov in captivity. In the service, he is nicknamed the Falcon. Note that this character was not in the original version of the work. Its appearance was caused by the final design in philosophical concept"War and Peace" image of Pierre.

When he first met this good-natured, affectionate man, Pierre was struck by the feeling of something calm emanating from him. This character attracts others with his calmness, kindness, confidence, as well as smiling. After the death of Karataev, thanks to his wisdom, folk philosophy, expressed unconsciously in his behavior, Pierre Bezukhov understands the meaning of life.

But they are not only depicted in the work "War and Peace". Characteristics of heroes include real historical figures. The main ones are Kutuzov and Napoleon. Their images are described in some detail in the work "War and Peace". The characteristics of the heroes we mentioned are given below.

Kutuzov

Kutuzov in the novel, as in reality, is the commander-in-chief of the Russian army. Described as a man with a plump face, disfigured by a wound, with heavy steps, full, gray-haired. For the first time on the pages of the novel appears in an episode when a review of troops near Branau is depicted. He impresses everyone with his knowledge of the matter, as well as the attention that is hidden behind external absent-mindedness. Kutuzov is able to be diplomatic, he is quite cunning. Before the Battle of Shengraben, he blesses Bagration with tears in his eyes. A favorite of military officers and soldiers. He believes that time and patience are needed to win the campaign against Napoleon, that the matter can be decided not by knowledge, not by intelligence, and not by plans, but by something else that does not depend on them, that a person is not able to really influence the course of history . Kutuzov contemplates the course of events more than intervenes in them. However, he knows how to remember everything, listen, see, not interfere with anything useful and not allow anything harmful. This is a modest, simple and therefore majestic figure.

Napoleon

Napoleon is a real historical person, french emperor. On the eve of the main events of the novel is the idol of Andrei Bolkonsky. Even Pierre Bezukhov bows before the greatness of this man. His confidence and complacency are expressed in the opinion that his presence plunges people into self-forgetfulness and delight, that everything in the world depends only on his will.

Takova a brief description of characters in the novel "War and Peace". It can serve as a basis for more detailed analysis. Referring to the work, you can supplement it if necessary. detailed description heroes. "War and Peace" (1 volume - the introduction of the main characters, subsequent - the development of characters) describes in detail each of these characters. Inner world many of them change over time. Therefore, Leo Tolstoy presents in dynamics the characteristics of the heroes ("War and Peace"). Volume 2, for example, reflects their life between 1806 and 1812. The next two volumes describe further events, their reflection in the fate of the characters.

Characteristics of heroes are of great importance for understanding such a creation of Leo Tolstoy as the work "War and Peace". Through them, the philosophy of the novel is reflected, the author's ideas and thoughts are transmitted.

Vasily Kuragin

Anatole Kuragin

Kuragina Helen

Anna Pavlovna Sherer

Boris Drubetskoy

Count Rostov

Countess of Rostov

The wife of Count Rostov, "a woman with an oriental type of thin face, forty-five years old, apparently exhausted by children ... The slowness of her movements and speech, which came from the weakness of her strength, gave her a significant look that inspires respect." R. creates in his family an atmosphere of love and kindness, he cares very much about the fate of his children. The news of the death of the youngest and beloved son of Petya almost drives her crazy. She is accustomed to luxury and the fulfillment of the slightest whims, and demands this after the death of her husband.

Natasha Rostova

Daughter of the Count and Countess Rostov. She is "black-eyed, with a big mouth, ugly, but alive ...". Distinctive features of N. are emotionality and sensitivity. She is not very smart, but she has an amazing ability to guess people. She is capable of noble deeds, she can forget about her interests for the sake of other people. So, she calls on her family to take out the wounded on carts, leaving their property. N. takes care of her mother with all her dedication after Petya's death. N. has a very beautiful voice, she is very musical. With her singing, she is able to awaken the best in a person. Tolstoy notes N.'s proximity to common people. This is one of her best qualities. N. lives in an atmosphere of love and happiness. Changes in her life occur after meeting with Prince Andrei. N. becomes his bride, but later becomes interested in Anatole Kuragin. After a while, N. understands the full force of his guilt before the prince, before his death he forgives her, she remains with him until his death. N. feels true love for Pierre, they understand each other perfectly, they are very good together. She becomes his wife and completely surrenders to the role of wife and mother.

Nikolay Rostov

Son of Count Rostov. "A short curly young man with an open expression." The hero is distinguished by "swiftness and enthusiasm", he is cheerful, open, friendly and emotional. N. participates in military campaigns and the Patriotic War of 1812. In the battle of Shengraben, N. goes on the attack at first very bravely, but then he is wounded in the arm. This injury causes him to panic, he thinks about how he, "whom everyone loves so much," can die. This event somewhat belittles the image of the hero. After N. becomes a brave officer, a real hussar, remaining faithful to duty. N. had a long affair with Sonya, and he was going to make Noble act, marrying a dowry against the will of the mother. But he receives a letter from Sonya in which she says that she is letting him go. After the death of his father, N. takes care of the family, resigning. She and Marya Bolkonskaya fall in love with each other and get married.

Petya Rostov

The youngest son of the Rostovs. At the beginning of the novel, we see P. as a small boy. He is a typical representative of his family, kind, cheerful, musical. He wants to imitate his older brother and go in life along the military line. In 1812 he was full of patriotic impulses and went into the army. During the war, the young man accidentally ends up with an assignment in the Denisov detachment, where he remains, wanting to take part in the real case. He accidentally dies, on the eve showing in relation to his comrades all his best qualities. His death is greatest tragedy for his family.

Pierre Bezukhov

Sonya

Dolokhov

Nikolai Bolkonsky

Andrey Bolkonsky

Son of Prince Bolkonsky, brother of Princess Marya. At the beginning of the novel, we see B. as an intelligent, proud, but rather arrogant person. He despises people of high society, is unhappy in marriage and does not respect his pretty wife. B. is very restrained, well educated, he has a strong will. This hero is going through a big spiritual change. First we see that his idol is Napoleon, whom he considers a great man. B. goes to war, goes to active army. There he fights on an equal footing with all the soldiers, shows great courage, composure, and prudence. Participates in the Battle of Shengraben. B. was seriously wounded in battle of austerlitz. This moment is extremely important, because it was then that the spiritual rebirth of the hero began. Lying motionless and seeing the calm and eternal sky of Austerlitz above him, B. understands all the pettiness and stupidity of everything that happens in the war. He realized that in fact there should be completely different values ​​​​in life than those that he had until now. All feats, glory do not matter. There is only this vast and eternal sky. In the same episode, B. sees Napoleon and understands all the insignificance of this man. B. returns home, where everyone thought he was dead. His wife dies in childbirth, but the child survives. The hero is shocked by the death of his wife and feels guilty before her. He decides not to serve anymore, settles in Bogucharovo, takes care of the household, raises his son, reads many books. During a trip to St. Petersburg, B. meets Natasha Rostova for the second time. A deep feeling awakens in him, the heroes decide to get married. B.'s father does not agree with the choice of his son, they postpone the wedding for a year, the hero goes abroad. After the betrayal of the bride, he returns to the army under the leadership of Kutuzov. During the Battle of Borodino, he was mortally wounded. By chance, he leaves Moscow in the Rostovs' train. Before his death, he forgives Natasha and understands true meaning love.

Lisa Bolkonskaya

Princess Mary

Kutuzov

Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, with his pure Russian pen, gave life to a whole world of characters in the novel War and Peace. His fictional characters, which intertwine into integers noble families or family ties between families, present to the modern reader a real reflection of those people who lived in the times described by the author. One of greatest books of world significance "War and Peace" with the confidence of a professional historian, but at the same time, as in a mirror, presents to the whole world that Russian spirit, those characters of secular society, those historical events that were invariably present at the end of the 18th and early XIX centuries.
And against the background of these events, the greatness of the Russian soul is shown, in all its power and diversity.

L.N. Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel "War and Peace" are experiencing the events of the past nineteenth century, but Lev Nikolayevich begins to describe the events of 1805. The coming war with the French, the decisively approaching whole world and the growing greatness of Napoleon, the confusion in Moscow secular circles and the apparent calm in St. Petersburg secular society - all this can be called a kind of background against which, as brilliant artist, the author drew his characters. There are quite a lot of heroes - about 550 or 600. There are both main and central figures, and there are others or just mentioned. In total, the heroes of "War and Peace" can be divided into three groups: central, secondary and mentioned characters. Among all of them, there are both fictional heroes, as prototypes of the people who surrounded the writer at that time, and real-life historical figures. Consider the main characters of the novel.

Quotes from the novel "War and Peace"

- ... I often think how sometimes the happiness of life is unfairly distributed.

A person cannot own anything while he is afraid of death. And whoever is not afraid of her, everything belongs to him.

Until now, thank God, I have been a friend of my children and enjoy their full confidence, - said the countess, repeating the error of many parents who believe that their children have no secrets from them.

Everything, from napkins to silver, faience and crystal, bore that special imprint of novelty that happens in the household of young spouses.

If everyone fought only according to their convictions, there would be no war.

Being an enthusiast became her social position, and sometimes, when she didn’t even want to, she, in order not to deceive the expectations of people who knew her, became an enthusiast.

Everything, to love everyone, to always sacrifice oneself for love, meant not to love anyone, meant not to live this earthly life.

Never, never marry, my friend; here is my advice to you: do not marry until you tell yourself that you have done everything you could, and until you stop loving the woman you have chosen, until you see her clearly; otherwise you will make a cruel and irreparable mistake. Marry an old man, worthless ...

The central figures of the novel "War and Peace"

Rostovs - counts and countesses

Rostov Ilya Andreevich

Count, father of four children: Natasha, Vera, Nikolai and Petya. A very kind and generous person who loved life very much. His exorbitant generosity ultimately led him to extravagance. Loving husband and father. A very good organizer of various balls and receptions. However, his life is on a grand scale, and disinterested help wounded during the war with the French and the departure of the Russians from Moscow, dealt fatal blows to his condition. His conscience constantly tormented him because of the impending poverty of his family, but he could not help himself. After death younger son Petit, the count was broken, but, however, revived during the preparations for the wedding of Natasha and Pierre Bezukhov. It takes just a few months after the wedding of the Bezukhovs, as Count Rostov dies.

Rostova Natalya (wife of Ilya Andreevich Rostov)

The wife of Count Rostov and the mother of four children, this woman, at the age of forty-five, had oriental features. The focus of slowness and gravity in her was regarded by others as the solidity and high significance of her personality for the family. But real reason her manner, perhaps, lies in the exhausted and weak physical condition through the birth and upbringing of four children. She loves her family and children very much, so the news of the death of Petya's youngest son almost drove her crazy. Just like Ilya Andreevich, Countess Rostova was very fond of luxury and the execution of any of her orders.

Leo Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel "War and Peace" in Countess Rostova helped to reveal the prototype of the author's grandmother - Tolstoy Pelageya Nikolaevna.

Rostov Nikolai

Son of Count Rostov Ilya Andreevich. A loving brother and son who honors his family, at the same time loves to serve in Russian army which is very significant and important for his dignity. Even in his fellow soldiers, he often saw his second family. Even though it was for a long time in love with his cousin Sonya, yet at the end of the novel he marries Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. A very energetic young man, with curly hair and an "open expression". His patriotism and love for the Emperor of Russia never dried up. Having gone through many hardships of war, he becomes a brave and brave hussar. After the death of father Ilya Andreevich, Nikolai retires in order to correct the financial affairs of the family, pay off debts and, finally, become a good husband for Marya Bolkonskaya.

It seems to Tolstoy Leo Nikolaevich as a prototype of his father.

Rostova Natasha

Daughter of the Count and Countess Rostov. A very energetic and emotional girl, who was considered ugly, but lively and attractive, she is not very smart, but intuitive, because she was able to perfectly “guess people”, their mood and some character traits. Very impetuous for nobility and self-sacrifice. She sings and dances very beautifully, which at that time was an important characterizing quality for a girl from a secular society. The most important quality of Natasha, which Leo Tolstoy, like his heroes, repeatedly emphasizes in the novel War and Peace, is closeness to the simple Russian people. Yes, and she herself absorbed the entire Russianness of culture and the strength of the spirit of the nation. Nevertheless, this girl lives in her illusion of goodness, happiness and love, which, after some time, brings Natasha into reality. It is these blows of fate and her heartfelt experiences that make Natasha Rostova an adult and give her, as a result, a mature true love for Pierre Bezukhov. The story of the rebirth of her soul deserves special respect, as Natasha began to attend church after she succumbed to the temptation of a deceitful seducer. If you are interested in the works of Tolstoy, which take a deeper look at the Christian heritage of our people, then you need to read a book about Father Sergius and how he fought temptation.

A collective prototype of the writer's daughter-in-law Tatyana Andreevna Kuzminskaya, as well as her sister, Lev Nikolaevich's wife, Sophia Andreevna.

Rostova Vera

Daughter of the Count and Countess Rostov. She was famous for her strict disposition and inappropriate, albeit fair, remarks in society. It is not known why, but her mother did not really love her and Vera felt this keenly, apparently, therefore she often went against everyone around her. Later she became the wife of Boris Drubetskoy.

It is the prototype of Tolstoy's sister Sophia - the wife of Leo Nikolayevich, whose name was Elizabeth Bers.

Rostov Petr

Just a boy, the son of the Count and Countess of the Rostovs. Growing up Petya, the young man tried to go to war, and in such a way that his parents could not at all keep him. Escaped all the same from parental care and decided on the hussar regiment of Denisov. Petya dies in the first battle, without having time to fight. His death greatly crippled his family.

Sonya

The miniature glorious girl Sonya was the native niece of Count Rostov and lived all her life under his roof. Her long-term love for Nikolai Rostov became fatal for her, because she never managed to unite with him in marriage. In addition, the old Count Natalya Rostova was very against their marriage, because they were cousins. Sonya acts nobly, refusing Dolokhov and agreeing to love only Nikolai for life, while freeing him from his promise to marry her. For the rest of her life, she lives with the old countess in the care of Nikolai Rostov.

The prototype of this seemingly insignificant character was Lev Nikolayevich's second cousin, Tatyana Aleksandrovna Ergolskaya.

Bolkonsky - princes and princesses

Bolkonsky Nikolai Andreevich

The father of the protagonist, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. In the past, the acting General-in-Chief, in the present, the Prince, who earned himself the nickname "Prussian King" in Russian secular society. Socially active, strict like a father, tough, pedantic, but wise owner of his estate. Outwardly, he was a thin old man in a powdered white wig, thick eyebrows looming over shrewd and intelligent eyes. He does not like to show feelings even for his beloved son and daughter. He constantly harasses his daughter Mary with nit-picking and sharp words. Sitting at his estate, Prince Nikolai is constantly on the alert for events taking place in Russia, and only before his death he loses a complete understanding of the scale of the tragedy of the Russian war with Napoleon.

The prototype of Prince Nikolai Andreevich was the writer's grandfather Volkonsky Nikolai Sergeevich.

Bolkonsky Andrey

Prince, son of Nikolai Andreevich. Ambitious, like his father, restrained in the manifestation of sensual impulses, but loves his father and sister very much. Married to the "little princess" Lisa. did good military career. He philosophizes a lot about life, the meaning and state of his spirit. From which it is clear that he is in some kind of constant search. After the death of his wife, Natasha Rostova saw hope for himself, real girl, and not fake as in secular society and a certain light of future happiness, therefore he was in love with her. Having made an offer to Natasha, he was forced to go abroad for treatment, which served as a real test of their feelings for both. As a result, their wedding fell through. Prince Andrei went to war with Napoleon and was seriously wounded, after which he did not survive and died from a severe wound. Natasha devotedly looked after him until the end of his death.

Bolkonskaya Marya

Daughter of Prince Nikolai and sister of Andrei Bolkonsky. A very meek girl, not beautiful, but kind-hearted and very rich, like a bride. Her inspiration and devotion to religion serve as many examples of kindness and meekness. Unforgettably loves her father, who often mocked her with his ridicule, reproaches and injections. And also loves his brother, Prince Andrei. She did not immediately accept Natasha Rostova as a future daughter-in-law, because she seemed to her too frivolous for her brother Andrei. After all the hardships experienced, she marries Nikolai Rostov.

The prototype of Marya is the mother of Leo Tolstoy - Volkonskaya Maria Nikolaevna.

Bezukhovs - counts and countesses

Bezukhov Pierre (Pyotr Kirillovich)

One of the main characters who deserves close attention and the most positive assessment. This character has experienced a lot of mental trauma and pain, possessing in itself a kind and highly noble disposition. Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel "War and Peace" very often express their love and acceptance of Pierre Bezukhov as a man of very high morals, complacent and a man of a philosophical mind. Lev Nikolayevich loves his hero, Pierre, very much. As a friend of Andrei Bolkonsky, the young Count Pierre Bezukhov is very devoted and responsive. Despite the various intrigues weaving under his nose, Pierre did not become embittered and did not lose his good nature towards people. And by marrying Natalya Rostova, he finally found that grace and happiness that he so lacked in his first wife, Helen. At the end of the novel, his desire to change the political foundations in Russia can be traced, and from afar one can even guess his Decembrist moods. (100%) 4 votes