War in the image of fat and peace. The depiction of war in the novel War and Peace
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"I don't know anyone who would write about the war better than Tolstoy."
Ernest Hemingway
Many writers use real historical events for their stories. One of the most frequently described events is war - civil, domestic, world. The Patriotic War of 1812 deserves special attention: the Battle of Borodino, the burning of Moscow, the expulsion of the French emperor Napoleon. In Russian literature, a detailed depiction of war is presented in the novel "War and Peace" by L.N. Tolstoy. The writer describes specific military battles, allows the reader to see real historical figures, gives his own assessment of the events that took place.
Causes of war in the novel "War and Peace"
Leo Tolstoy in the epilogue tells us about "this man", "without convictions, without habits, without legends, without a name, not even a Frenchman ..." who is Napoleon Bonaparte, who wanted to conquer the whole world. The main enemy on his way was Russia - huge, strong. By various deceitful means, fierce battles, seizure of territories, Napoleon moved on the sly from his goal. Neither the Peace of Tilsit, nor Russia's allies, nor Kutuzov could stop it. Although Tolstoy says that "the more we try to reasonably explain these phenomena in nature, the more unreasonable and incomprehensible they become for us," nevertheless, in the novel War and Peace, the cause of the war is Napoleon. Standing in power of France, having subjugated a part of Europe, he lacked a great Russia. But Napoleon was wrong, he did not calculate his strength and lost this war.
War in the novel "War and Peace"
Tolstoy himself presents this concept as follows: "Millions of people have committed such an endless number of atrocities against each other ... which for centuries will not be collected by the chronicle of all the world's courts and at which, during this period of time, the people who committed them did not look at them as crimes." ... Through the description of war in the novel War and Peace, Tolstoy makes it clear to us that he himself hates war for its cruelty, murder, betrayal, and meaninglessness. He puts judgments about the war in the mouths of his heroes. So Andrei Bolkonsky says to Bezukhov: "War is not a courtesy, but the most disgusting thing in life, and one must understand this and not play war." We see that there is no pleasure, pleasure, satisfaction of one's desires from bloody actions against another people. In the novel it is definitely clear that the war in the depiction of Tolstoy is "an event that is contrary to human reason and all human nature."
Main battle of the war of 1812
Even in volumes I and II of the novel, Tolstoy talks about the military campaigns of 1805-1807. Schoengraben, Austerlitz battles pass through the prism of writer's thoughts and conclusions. But in the war of 1812, the writer puts the Battle of Borodino at the forefront. Although he immediately asks himself and his readers the question: “Why was the Battle of Borodino given?
It didn't make the slightest sense either for the French or for the Russians. " But it was the Borodino battle that became the starting point before the victory of the Russian army. Leo Tolstoy gives a detailed idea of the course of the war in "War and Peace". He describes every action of the Russian army, the physical and mental state of the soldiers. According to the writer's own assessment, neither Napoleon, nor Kutuzov, and even more so Alexander I did not anticipate such an outcome of this war. For everyone, the Battle of Borodino was unplanned and unforeseen. What is the concept of the war of 1812, the heroes of the novel do not understand, just as Tolstoy does not understand, just as the reader does not understand.
Heroes of the novel "War and Peace"
Tolstoy gives the reader the opportunity to look at his characters from the outside, to see them in action under certain circumstances. Shows us Napoleon before going to Moscow, who was aware of the entire disastrous position of the army, but went forward to his goal. He comments on his ideas, thoughts, actions.
We can observe Kutuzov, the main executor of the people's will, who preferred "patience and time" to the offensive.
Before us is Bolkonsky, reborn, morally raised and loving his people. Pierre Bezukhov in a new understanding of all the "causes of human misfortune", who arrived in Moscow to kill Napoleon.
The militia men “with crosses on their hats and in white shirts, who are with loud talk and laughter, lively and sweaty”, are ready to die for their homeland at any moment.
Before us is Emperor Alexander I, who finally gave the "reins of war management" into the hands of the "all-knowing" Kutuzov, but still does not fully understand the true position of Russia in this war.
Natasha Rostova, who abandoned all family property and gave carts to wounded soldiers so that they could leave the destroyed city. She takes care of the wounded Bolkonsky, giving him all her time and affection.
Petya Rostov, who died so absurdly without real participation in the war, without a heroic deed, without a battle, who secretly from everyone "signed up for the hussars." And many more heroes that we meet in several episodes, but are worthy of respect and recognition in true patriotism.
Reasons for the victory in the war of 1812
In the novel, Leo Tolstoy expresses his thoughts about the reasons for Russia's victory in the Patriotic War: “No one will argue that the cause of the death of Napoleon's French troops was, on the one hand, their entry at a later time without preparation for a winter campaign deep into Russia, and from on the other hand, the character that the war took from the burning of Russian cities and the incitement of hatred towards the enemy in the Russian people. " For the Russian people, victory in the Patriotic War was a victory for the Russian spirit, Russian strength, Russian faith in any circumstances. The consequences of the war of 1812 for the French side, namely for Napoleon, were difficult. It was the collapse of his empire, the collapse of his hopes, the collapse of his greatness. Napoleon not only did not take over the whole world, he could not stay in Moscow, but fled ahead of his army, retreating in disgrace and failure of the entire military campaign.
My essay on the theme "The depiction of war in the novel" War and Peace "very briefly talks about the war in the novel of Tolstoy. Only after carefully reading the entire novel, you can appreciate all the skills of the writer and discover interesting pages of the military history of Russia.
Product test
1. LN Tolstoy's attitude to the war.
2. Features of the image of war by Tolstoy.
3. Prince Andrew at the Battle of Shengraben.
4. Prince Andrew at the Battle of Austerlitz.
5. Battle of Borodino through the eyes of Pierre.
6. Admiration for the courage and patriotism of the soldiers.
War is real hell. Brutal bloodshed at the behest of those in power. There are no winners in it, only losers. War literally breaks the fate of ordinary people. Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy knew about this firsthand. He served in the Caucasus, took part in the defense of Sevastopol. This experience helped him to describe the scenes of battles as vividly as possible in his great novel War and Peace.
Lev Nikolaevich emphasizes the ugly face of war with the help of an antithesis. The author first describes the peaceful life of ordinary people. Then, these characters are placed on the battlefield. The reader sees that the heroes feel uncomfortable. After all, fighting is only blood, violence and death.
The novel describes three major battles: at Schöngraben, at Austerlitz and at Borodino. They are significantly different from peaceful scenes. The fact is that Tolstoy describes in detail the tactics, the formation of troops and other real facts. In addition, he criticizes bosses if he does not agree with their actions. In fact, these scenes are as documentary as possible. With this, the author added realism so that the reader understands the pain of the characters more strongly.
Each battle scene was a turning point for the characters. Their characters literally changed.
Prince Andrei Bolkonsky admired the heroes of the wars and was a volunteer in the army. Gradually he became disillusioned with his ideals and with the officers around him. After all, there are many careerists at the front who do everything for their own benefit, and not to win.
During the Battle of Shengraben, Bolkonsky realizes that the battle rarely goes according to plan. There was no organization on the battlefield. Commands rang out chaotically. Everyone acted in their own way.
However, there are people even on the battlefield. Tushin with ordinary soldiers literally gouged out a victory for the Russian troops.
Andrey was inspired by this act and dreamed of becoming a military leader. However, things went wrong at Austerlitz. The army is tired of the constant battles. His morale was broken. It is near Austerlitz that Prince Andrew rethinks his life and his views.
In this battle, Bolkonsky was hit by a shell. Dying, he realized that peace is much more valuable than war. That people shouldn't die so senselessly. They just have to live.
The battle of Borodino is shown through the eyes of Pierre Bezukhov. He was not a military man. But seeing how the people defend their land, how they are fighting for peace, the hero experienced a real elation.
War is a really brutal picture. The world is much better. Tolstoy was a pacifist and believed in the Christian “turn the other cheek” position. However, he could not help but admire the feat of the Russian soldiers at Borodino. After all, the victory is won not by bosses and emperors, but by ordinary people.
Sections: Literature
Class: 10
Goals:
During the classes
(Epigraph)
Who are they? Why are they running?
Really to me? Are they really running to me?
And why? Kill me? Me, whom everyone loves so much?
1. Organizational moment. (The teacher communicates the topic, purpose, form of the lesson)
The following questions are written on the board:
- How does Tolstoy assess the war?
- How does he portray her?
- How do the heroes of the novel behave in war?
Work with text:
1. War and nature (crossing the Enns).
2. Hunting for a man (wounding Rostov near Shengraben).
Vol. 1, h. 2, ch. 19.
(Ostrovnenskoe case)
Vol. 3, part 1, chap. 14-15.
3. Peaceful village life and war (at the Augesta dam).
Vol. 1, h. 3, ch. 18.
4. Little Napoleon and the high sky (on the Austerlitz field after the battle).
2. An excerpt is read, depicting the baptism of fire of N. Rostov while crossing the Ens.
We analyze the passage and draw conclusions.
(Here we see the opposition of war to the beautiful world of nature: "How good the sky seemed, how blue, calm and deep! How bright and solemnly the setting sun!" ... groans, suffering, fear and this obscurity, this haste ... ")
- From the point of view of Bogdanych, the death of a person is just a "trifle", but can we think so?
(No! We understand that the murder of the one to whom the sun and life are painfully dear is a terrible crime: “The fear of death and the stretcher, and the love of the sun and life - all merged into one painfully disturbing impression:“ Lord God! in this sky, save, forgive and protect me! - Rostov whispered to himself. ")
3. An excerpt from the wound of Rostov near Shengraben is read and analyzed. Conclusions are drawn.
- How does N. Rostov behave?
(The writer compares war and hunting. First, Rostov shows a natural human feeling: "Well, here are the people," he thought happily when he saw several people running to him. They will help me! "
People are running to the wounded, which means they want to help him, these are people!)
- But then, what does he begin to understand? Why are they running to him?
("Who are they? Why are they running? Are they really to me? Are they really running to me? And why? Kill me? Me, whom everyone loves so much?"
Now he remembered the love of his family and friends, and the intention of his enemies to kill him seemed impossible. But this is war, this is all according to the laws of war, according to the laws of Napoleon and the like. This is all absurd, hence the absurdity of war, as an action contrary to the natural relationship of people. We see how a person becomes the object of a kind of hunt: “He ran with the feeling of a hare running away from dogs. One inseparable feeling of fear for his young, happy life dominated his entire being. ”)
In the description of the Ostrovnensky case, Rostov no longer resembles a hare, but a hunter.
Reading an excerpt
(Here is a reverse reflection of what Rostov experienced when crossing the Enns and near Shengraben. Previously, Rostov felt a sense of horror before the battle, now the sounds of shots make him happy: “Before Rostov, going into business, was afraid; now he did not feel the slightest feeling fear. ”If earlier nature and war were opposed to each other, now the attack and a joyful summer morning merge into one:“ A few minutes later the sun appeared even brighter on the upper edge of the cloud, tearing its edges. as if answering him, gunfire rang out ahead. ”)
What feeling is Rostov experiencing now?
(Now he is experiencing the excitement of a hunter: “Rostov looked at what was happening in front of him as if he were poisoning.” When Rostov was out hunting, he was catching a wolf, he felt joy, but, having captured a Frenchman, other feelings seize him: “ His face, pale and splattered with mud, ... not an enemy face, but the most simple room face ”.
Conclusion: the juxtaposition of war and hunting is simply monstrous. It is inconceivable to compare the baiting of a person with an indoor face to the baiting of a wolf or a hare. Rostov asks himself questions to which he does not find an answer: “Is that just what is called heroism? And did I do this for the Fatherland? " His state of mind: "But all the same unpleasant, vague feeling morally nauseated him." We feel a sharp contrast between the pure, bright world of nature and the work of people, causing moral nausea. It is a crime to view war as a hunt, amusement, or a means of obtaining a reward. If war becomes a “terrible necessity,” only then its participants are just and right when they take up arms to free their people, their native land.
4. An excerpt is read - at the Augesta dam. Analyzed.
- A senseless massacre is taking place at the Augesta Dam.
Why is it meaningless?
(Because the battle at Austerlitz has already been lost: “The Tsar is wounded, the battle is lost.” Here we see the beating of the Russians. Tolstoy uses the word “crowd” to show the feeling of not just one person, but of the human mass, seized by the fear of death. the destruction of people is contrasted with the picture of peaceful village life: “On the narrow dam of Augesta, on which an old miller with fishing rods peacefully sat in a cap for so many years ..., on the narrow dam now between trucks and cannons ... people disfigured by the fear of death crowded, crushing each other, dying, walking over the dying and killing each other just to be killed in the same way after walking a few steps. ”)
Conclusion: Here is the opposition of war and peace, life and death, good and evil. Tolstoy contrasts nature and life with war. He believes that this war is unnecessary, useless, and has no purpose. He shows that the people are fighting, not knowing why! In case of great danger, people are like animals, they are governed by the instinct of self-preservation.
5. A passage about the Battle of Austerlitz is read. Analyzed.
Why was the battle lost?
Why did Kutuzov know about this in advance?
Why does Napoleon seem to Bolkonsky as a “small, insignificant person”?
What significance did the sky of Austerlitz have in the life of Prince Andrew?
(Council of war, the night before the battle. Kutuzov knows that the battle will be lost, because the disposition that was read at the council of war did not satisfy him, he wanted to express his contempt for her and did it in the form of a dream: “I think that the battle will be lost, and I said so to Count Tolstoy and asked him to convey this to the emperor ... Kutuzov ... putting his plump, old hands symmetrically on the armrests, and was almost asleep. ”Prince Andrey also did not agree with this disposition, but he strove for glory (like Napoleon.) He was outraged that Kutuzov could not directly tell the sovereign about this: “But really it was impossible for Kutuzov to directly express his thoughts to the sovereign.” But Kutuzov understood that the sovereign had already approved this disposition, and it was impossible to contradict the sovereign, and he no longer will change his decision, so Kutuzov knew that the battle would be lost - the plan was not drawn up in the right way, and Kutuzov was a wise man.But the opinion of Kutuzov was not interested in the emperor.
Prince Andrew goes to war in order to escape from secular and family life. But he also has another reason, which he will never tell anyone about: he dreams of fame, of heroism. At the council of war, he wants to express his plan, but does not do this, and he is seized by a vague, disturbing feeling: "Is it possible that because of court and personal considerations, tens of thousands of my and my life should be risked?" And, finally, it seems to him ... I don't know what will happen next, I don’t want to and I cannot know: but if I want this, I want fame, I want to be known to people, I want to be loved by them, then I’m not to blame ”. The dream of heroism, of glory, especially worries Bolkonsky near Austerlitz.
Seeing the advancing enemy, Andrey says: “Here it is, the decisive moment has come! It got to me. ”)
But what starts to happen?
(We see that, under the influence of panic, the Absheron battalion rushes to flight, the battle banner not picked up by anyone falls. Kutuzov demands to stop the fleeing, his voice trembles "from the consciousness of his senile powerlessness."
- Why are Prince Andrey's dreams of glory relegated to the background?
(This scene immediately pushes aside the dreams of the glory of Prince Andrey, because now he is seized by other feelings, “feeling the tears of shame and anger that have come to his throat,” he throws himself under the bullets, raises the banner, stops the fleeing, carries him into the attack. here the movement is cut off, Prince Andrey falls wounded in the head: “As it seemed to him, one of the closest soldiers hit him in the head with a strong stick from full swing.”
He falls on his back: “he opened his eyes, hoping to see how the struggle ended ... but he did not see anything. Above him there was nothing but the sky - a high sky, not clear, but still immeasurably high, with gray clouds quietly creeping over it. "
Pictures of nature merge into Prince Andrew's monologue: “How quiet, calm and solemn, not at all like that ... Yes! Everything is empty, everything is deception, except this endless sky. ")
Now a new life has opened up for Andrey. He understood the vanity of his ambitious dreams, realized that there is something much more significant and eternal in life than the war and the glory of Napoleon. This “something” is the natural life of nature and man.
Dreams of glory were finally dispelled at the Austerlitz field. The sky of Austerlitz becomes for Prince Andrey a symbol of a new, high understanding of life, which has opened up before him “endless and bright horizons”.
At first, for Prince Andrei, Napoleon was an idol, he is very interested in him: “But tell me, how is he, what?”.
Prince Andrew also dreams of becoming famous like Napoleon, but Prince Andrew went too far in his dreams of glory: “And that happy moment, that Toulon, which he had been waiting for so long, finally introduced himself to him.” After the sky of Austerlitz, he became disillusioned with Napoleon, he is now "a small, insignificant person" for him.
(Because he realized that glory is not all that happens in life. He was amazed that on the field where he was wounded, where groans were heard, many were killed, Napoleon was happy, he was happy that he won. I agree that one can be happy and joyful where there are corpses and groans: “Bonaparte, circling the battlefield ... examined the dead and wounded.” Now Napoleon for Andrei “at that moment seemed such a small, insignificant person in comparison with what was happening now between his soul and this high, endless sky with clouds running over it ”.
In the second meeting with Napoleon, he did not begin to talk to him, he thought about the insignificance of greatness: “Andrei thought about the insignificance of greatness, about the insignificance of life, which no one could understand the meaning, and about the even greater insignificance of death, the meaning of which no one could understand and explain their living. ”)
Having cognized the greatness of the eternal, kind and just heaven, Prince Andrey in his delirium imagines quiet family happiness in Bald Hills: “He was already enjoying this happiness, when suddenly little Napoleon appeared with his indifferent, limited and happy look from the misfortune of others, and doubts began, torment, and only heaven promised tranquility ”.
Conclusion: impeccable lust for power, thirst for power and honor, combined with stupid indifference to people, over whose corpses one can safely walk to power, all this now makes for Andrei Napoleon “a small, insignificant person”. Even Tolstoy repeats more than once that Napoleon is "small", "small in stature." There are many such “little Napoleons” striving for power and fame in the novel.
Used Books
- Zolotareva I.V., T.I. Mikhailov. Lesson studies on Russian literature of the XIX century. Grade 10, 2nd semester. M .: "Vako", 2002, 368 p.
- Fadeeva T.M. Thematic and lesson planning in literature: to the textbook by Yu.V. Lebedev. “Russian literature of the 19th century. In 2 hours, 10th grade. ”- M .: Examination, 2005. - 255 p.
In Leo Tolstoy's epic novel War and Peace, one of the most important themes is war, as the title suggests. The writer himself pointed out that "people's thought" is realized in the work, thereby emphasizing that he is interested in the fate of the country in difficult times of historical trials. The war in the novel is not a background, it appears before the reader in all its terrible grandeur, long, cruel and bloody.
For the heroes of the novel, this is a holy war, because they defend their homeland, their loved ones, their families. According to the writer, “for the Russian people there could be no question: will it be good or bad under the control of the French in Moscow. It was impossible to be under the control of the French: it was the worst of all. " Of course, Tolstoy, as a patriot, strongly opposes a predatory and aggressive, unjust and aggressive war. The writer calls this type of war "an event that is contrary to human reason and all human nature." But a just war, caused by the need to defend his Fatherland, a war of liberation, which is of a defensive nature, is regarded by Tolstoy as sacred. And the writer glorifies the people participating in such a war, performing feats in the name of freedom of their native land and in the name of peace. According to the author of the epic, "the time will come when there will be no more war." But, while she goes, you need to fight. The war of 1812 - unlike the previous campaigns of 1805-1807 that took place outside his native country - Tolstoy reproduces and characterizes as a popular battle, significant and justified in the eyes of the Russians.
The Patriotic War rallied the numerous forces of Russia into a single whole. Not only the army, but the entire people rose to defend the Motherland. On the eve of the day when the French occupied Moscow, "the entire population, as one person, abandoning their property, flowed out of Moscow, showing by this negative action the full force of their popular feeling." A similar unanimity was characteristic of the inhabitants of other places, other Russian lands. “Starting from Smolensk, in all cities and villages of the Russian land<…>the same thing was happening as was happening in Moscow. "
Tolstoy portrays war in an extremely truthful way, avoiding idealization, shows it "in blood, in suffering, in death." He does not close his eyes to the scenes of wounds, mutilations, the manifestation of vanity, careerism, ostentatious courage, striving for ranks and awards in a certain part of the officers. But for the most part, Russian soldiers and officers demonstrate miracles of courage, heroism, bravery, fortitude and valor. The author of the novel does not ignore the confusion, bustle and panic that occur during the war. So it was under Austerlitz, when "an unpleasant awareness of the ongoing disorder and confusion swept through the ranks, and the troops stood bored and discouraged." But the main attention of the writer is riveted on the planned and clearly carried out heroic attacks of the Russian army.
The great artist of the word shows the people as the main participant in the holy war. He rejects the interpretation of the battles of 1812 as a fight between Alexander I and Napoleon. The fate of the battles and the outcome of the entire war, according to Tolstoy, depends on such people as Tushin and Timokhin, Karp and Vlas: from them emanate strength, energy, an offensive spirit, the will to win. Only not from every single person, but from the whole people. The critic NN Strakhov said expressively, addressing Tolstoy in his letter: "When there is no Russian kingdom, the new peoples will study according to War and Peace what kind of people the Russians were."
Reproducing the events of the war, the writer is not limited to depicting a panorama of what is happening on the battlefield, is not content with detailed battle scenes, such as the heroic passage of Bagration's detachment near Shengraben or the Battle of Borodino. Tolstoy attracts the reader's attention to individual participants in the battles, showing them in close-up and devoting whole pages of his novel to them. This is how Tolstoy portrays the staff captain Tushin, the hero of the Shengraben battle: a small, thin, dirty artillery officer with big, intelligent and kind eyes. There is something not quite military about his figure, "somewhat comic, but extremely attractive." And this modest and shy man accomplishes a remarkable feat: with his battery, deprived of cover, he detains the French throughout the battle. “No one ordered Tushin where and what to shoot, and he, after consulting with his sergeant major Zakharchenko,<…>decided that it would be nice to set fire to the village. " And he kindles Schengraben, showing "heroic fortitude", as Prince Andrew defined these actions.
Reproducing the Battle of Borodino, the writer once again highlights the courageous behavior and exploits of the heroes. These are the artillerymen of the Raevsky battery, amicably, "like a burlack" loading guns and giving a crushing rebuff to the French. This is the feat of General Raevsky himself, who led his two sons to the dam and led the soldiers to attack with them under terrible fire. This is the behavior of Nikolai Rostov, who captured a French officer.
But it is not only the battle scenes that are important for Tolstoy. The behavior of people in the rear also allows us to talk about their patriotism, or, conversely, about its absence. Old man Bolkonsky, who, due to his age, cannot go to war, wholeheartedly supports his only son, who defends his native land: it is not so scary for him to lose his son as to survive the shame because of his cowardice. However, such a shame does not threaten him: he raised his son as a real patriot. The deed of Natasha, the beloved heroine of Tolstoy, who gave carts to the wounded and selflessly caring for Prince Andrey, is wonderful. Admires the courage of the very young Petya Rostov, who decides to go to war. And the spiritual callousness of such people as Helen, who does not care about the fate of the Motherland in a difficult time for her, is striking.
Wartime is not easy. People display different qualities in their behavior in war and in the rear. Tolstoy "tests" his heroes with the war, and many of them withstand this difficult test with dignity: Andrei Bolkonsky, Nikolai Rostov, Natasha and, of course, Pierre Bezukhov, who, having gone through many trials, was able to gain the wisdom of life and truly feel and love your Fatherland.
The idea of the novel "War and Peace" originated in Tolstoy as early as 1856. The work was created from 1863 to 1869.
The confrontation with Napoleon in 1812 is the main event in the history of the early 19th century. The role was very important. Leo Tolstoy's philosophical thought was embodied largely thanks to its depiction. War is central to the composition of the novel. Tolstoy Lev Nikolaevich connects the fate of most of his heroes with her. The war became a decisive stage in their biography, the highest point in their spiritual development. But this is the culminating moment not only of all the plot lines of the work, but also of the historical plot, which reveals the fate of the entire people of our country. The role will be covered in this article.
War is a trial not carried out according to the rules
She became a test for Russian society. Lev Nikolaevich sees the Patriotic War as an experience of extra-class living unity of people. It took place on a national scale based on the interests of the state. In the writer's interpretation, the war of 1812 is popular. It began with a fire in the city of Smolensk and did not fit under any legends of previous wars, as Tolstoy Lev Nikolaevich noted. The burning of villages and cities, the retreat after numerous battles, the fire of Moscow, the blow of Borodin, the capture of marauders, the transfer of transport - all this was a clear deviation from the rules. From a political game played by Napoleon and Alexander I in Europe, the war between Russia and France turned into a popular one, on the outcome of which the fate of the country depended. At the same time, the higher military command was unable to control the state of the units: its dispositions and orders did not correspond to the actual state of affairs and were not executed.
The paradox of war and historical regularity
Lev Nikolayevich saw the main paradox of the war in the fact that Napoleon's army, having won almost all battles, eventually lost the campaign, collapsed without noticeable activity on the part of the Russian army. The content of the novel "War and Peace" shows that the defeat of the French is a manifestation of the laws of history. Although at first glance, it may inspire the idea that what happened is irrational.
The role of the Borodino battle
Many episodes of the novel "War and Peace" describe military action in detail. At the same time, Tolstoy is trying to recreate a historically true picture. One of the main episodes of the Patriotic War is, of course, It did not make sense either for the Russians or for the French in terms of strategy. Tolstoy, arguing for his own position, writes that the immediate result should have been and has become for the population of our country that Russia is dangerously close to the death of Moscow. The French almost killed their entire army. Lev Nikolaevich emphasizes that Napoleon and Kutuzov, accepting and giving the Battle of Borodino, acted senselessly and involuntarily, submitting to historical necessity. The consequence of this battle was the unreasonable flight of the conquerors from Moscow, the return along the Smolensk road, the death of Napoleonic France and the five hundred thousandth invasion, on which the hand of an enemy of the strongest spirit was laid for the first time near Borodino. This battle, therefore, although it did not make sense from the position was a manifestation of the inexorable law of history. It was inevitable.
Abandonment of Moscow
Abandonment by the residents of Moscow is a manifestation of the patriotism of our compatriots. This event, according to Lev Nikolaevich, is more important than the retreat of Russian troops from Moscow. This is an act of civic consciousness manifested by the population. Residents, not wanting to be under the rule of the conqueror, are ready to make any sacrifices. In all cities of Russia, and not only in Moscow, people left their homes, burned cities, destroyed their own property. The Napoleonic army faced this phenomenon only in our country. Residents of other conquered cities in all other countries simply remained under the rule of Napoleon, while even giving a solemn welcome to the conquerors.
Why did the residents decide to leave Moscow?
Lev Nikolayevich stressed that the population of the capital left Moscow spontaneously. It was not Rostopchin and his patriotic "counters" that drove the residents' feelings of national pride. The very first to leave the capital were educated, wealthy people who knew very well that Berlin and Vienna remained intact and that the inhabitants during the occupation of these cities by Napoleon had fun with the French, who were loved at that time by Russian men and, of course, women. They could not have acted otherwise, since there was no question for our compatriots about whether it would be good or bad in Moscow under the control of the French. It was impossible to be in the power of Napoleon. It was simply unacceptable.
Features of the partisan movement
An important feature was the large-scale. Leo Tolstoy calls it "the cudgel of the people's war." The people beat the enemy unconsciously, as dogs gnaw at a mad running dog (Lev Nikolaevich's comparison). People destroyed the great army piece by piece. Lev Nikolayevich writes about the existence of various "parties" (partisan detachments), the sole purpose of which is the expulsion of the French from the Russian land.
Without thinking about the "course of affairs", the participants in the people's war intuitively acted as the historical necessity dictated. The real goal pursued by the partisan units was not to completely destroy the enemy army or to capture Napoleon. Only as a fiction of historians, who study from the letters of generals and sovereigns, according to the reports, reports of the events of that time, in Tolstoy's opinion, there was such a war. The goal of the "club" was a task, understandable to every patriot, - to clear their land from the invasion.
Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy's attitude to the war
Tolstoy, justifying the people's war of liberation in 1812, condemns the war as such. He evaluates it as contrary to the whole nature of man, his reason. Any war is a crime against all mankind. On the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Andrei Bolkonsky was ready to die for his fatherland, but at the same time he condemned the war, believing that it was "the most disgusting thing." This is a senseless carnage. The role of war in War and Peace is to prove it.
Horrors of war
In the image of Tolstoy, 1812 is a historical test that the Russian people have passed with honor. However, it is at the same time suffering and grief, the horrors of extermination of people. Everyone experiences moral and physical torment - both the "guilty" and the "right", and the civilian population, and the soldiers. By the end of the war, it is no coincidence that the feeling of revenge and insult is replaced in the soul of Russians with pity and contempt for the defeated enemy. And the inhuman nature of the events of that time was reflected in the fates of the heroes. Petya and Prince Andrew were killed. The death of the youngest son finally broke the Countess Rostov, and also hastened the death of Count Ilya Andreevich.
This is the role of war in War and Peace. Lev Nikolaevich, as a great humanist, of course, could not limit himself to patriotic pathos in her portrayal. He condemns the war, which is natural if you get acquainted with his other works. The main features of the novel "War and Peace" are characteristic of the work of this author.