The greatest work of Leo Tolstoy "War and Peace" is based on real events that took place in Russia at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It was a difficult time for our country, there was a war. The writer in his work described military battles, negotiations between the Russian and French armies, harsh military councils and peaceful life. The first part of Tolstoy's epic novel "War and Peace" tells the reader about the military operations of the army of the Russian Empire abroad, which took place in 1805-1807.

The writer very accurately describes the beginning of these campaigns. Tolstoy tells about the military review, about how soldiers and officers gathered in Braunau. They traveled a long and difficult path from Russia to Austria itself, tired and dirty, fallen soldiers were repairing their clothes and equipment. The shoes of many officers could not stand such a campaign and fell apart. Kutuzov presented this tired army to the Austrian commanders, hoping that they would see that the Russian army was not capable of setting out in such a deplorable state to join the Austrian army. Tolstoy did not accidentally describe this scene in his work. It was not easy for both ordinary soldiers and officers to understand why and for what they should fight.

It can be seen that the author in "War and Peace" wanted to show how terrible this phenomenon is war, and he succeeded! There is no point in war, and it takes the lives of thousands, if not millions of innocent people. It is so cruel and unfair that it is difficult to describe this terrible phenomenon in words. And throughout his work, Tolstoy periodically reminds his readers of this. The author focuses on blood and human suffering.

Among the main characters of the epic novel L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace" - Nikolai Rostov. For the first time in his life, he was on the battlefield, he had to face death, blood and inhuman cruelty. In his youth, Rostov imagined the war in a completely different way, in a romantic light, he dreamed of war and exploits, completely not thinking about the realities of the war. He believed that he could prove himself on the battlefield, earning the respect of his comrades. But as a result of the first attack, his attitude towards the war changed, he realized that there was not a drop of romance in it, that war is horror, blood, death and crippled destinies. In the first battle, Nikolai Rostov lost his horse and was wounded in the arm. Everything that happened reminded Rostov of a terrible dream. The young warrior ran away, and he deeply regretted his decision to go to war.

The author of the novel "War and Peace" admires the courage and heroism of the soldiers and officers of the Russian army, who fearlessly went to war and fought on the Austrian battlefields to the end. At the same time, Leo Tolstoy really wants that there will never be a war on earth again. Tolstoy was a real humanist, and he devoted all his work to world peace.

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In the novel "War and Peace" Tolstoy raised all the public and personal issues that had worried him for many years. A story about the Decembrists was conceived. But the result was a work that, due to its scale and diversity of images, can be called an encyclopedia of Russian life. An essay on the topic “War and Peace” can be devoted to one of the problems highlighted by the writer.

Plot Features

In creating the novel, the writer acted as an innovative artist. When preparing for the performance of such a task as an essay on the topic “War and Peace”, one should pay attention to the plot and compositional features of the work. In Tolstoy's epic novel there is no intrigue, familiar to the literature of the nineteenth century. The composition and plot are determined by historical events and philosophical understanding of the conflict that underlies the narrative.

An essay on the topic "War and Peace" should contain an analysis of the opposition of central images. After all, the composition of the novel is based on the antithesis. A peaceful society is opposed to a military one. Napoleon - Kutuzov. with its false life values, it is opposed to such characters as Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei.

Tolstoy created a work that organically combines the features of a historical novel, an epic, an essay on morals and a chronicle.

War

The Russian writer not only created vivid pictures of the legendary battles, but also showed the inner world of every person involved in the flow of hostilities. An essay on the topic "War and Peace" is often devoted to the images of great historical figures of the nineteenth century. The book contains the brilliant commander Kutuzov, the mediocre Austrian general Mack.

Tolstoy's work "War and Peace" has many merits and unique artistic features. It contains vivid and capacious images of courageous commanders and corrupt careerists, courageous soldiers and cowards, occupying warm and comfortable positions in the military elite.

The themes of the writings "War and Peace" are extremely diverse. And in order to reveal each of them, a lot of effort should be made: re-read the original source, the works of critics, historical works about military events in the early nineteenth century.

Kutuzov: "War and Peace"

Tolstoy's work is the greatest comprehension of social development, history and philosophy. The subject of research for the writer are legendary historical figures. In philosophical digressions, the Russian classic insists on providentialism - a kind of doctrine based on the belief in the continuous connection of historical events with the will of Providence. The central place in the chapters devoted to the war is occupied by two antipodes - Kutuzov and Napoleon.

The Russian commander is a unique personality. He does not make unnecessary speeches, in his appearance there is something reminiscent of a simple soldier. Kutuzov remains himself both on the battlefield and at the military council. The war of 1812 put this personality on a par with the largest political figures.

Historicity of the novel

What can be said in a written work dedicated to Tolstoy's novel? The themes of the essays "War and Peace" are varied. But regardless of what problems they concern in the work of a Russian writer, one should familiarize oneself with historical sources. How did Kutuzov's life develop? What role did he play in the military-historical events of the early nineteenth century? These questions, of course, are answered by the work "War and Peace". The essay should be written based on the impressions of the novel and information gleaned from non-fiction books. This approach makes it possible to comprehend the social, political and spiritual positions of the great Russian writer.

Napoleon

In the novel, this historical character is a bourgeois revolutionary, despot, conqueror. Glory and majesty accompanied the French emperor. Napoleon was admired not only in France, but all over the world. His power was intimidating yet attractive. Tolstoy plucked the halo of false grandeur from the French commander. And the writer did this deliberately, as evidenced by the entries in his diary.

Tolstoy called Napoleon "the executioner of the people." The great humanist sought to inspire readers with the idea that cruelty and violence can be justified only by those who have lost their true understanding of the world and of themselves.

There is no denying that one of the greatest figures in history is Napoleon. “War and Peace” is a work that is not just a multi-volume work that reflects It is also an attempt to convince society that Napoleonic greatness is a destructive terrible force.

secular society

One of the most interesting topics of the essay based on Tolstoy's work is the customs of representatives of the Russian aristocracy. The description of secular society in the novel is given considerable importance. This is a special world, living according to its own laws, customs and customs. The first thing that catches your eye when reading the book is the unnaturalness, the pretense of the representatives of secular society. Most of the time they spend on all sorts of receptions, where they discuss the news of politics and art. But their conversations are mechanical. Each of the representatives of this society plays the role assigned to him. At receptions, these people talk continuously, but do not hear each other.

Natasha Rostova

At the beginning of the novel, the heroine appears before the reader as a cute, lively teenager. Throughout the events reflected in the book, she changes, matures. The meaning of life for Natasha is love. But during the breakup with Bolkonsky, she makes a mistake. And finally, at the end of the epic, this image acquires features that, in Tolstoy's understanding, are inherent in the ideal of a woman. With marriage and the birth of children, she loses her former charm and lightness. But just as responsive, direct, sincere. And most importantly, from now on Natasha gives herself completely to the family. In an essay-reasoning, it is worth comparing this image with other heroines of the book.

Pierre Bezukhov

The image of this hero is also undergoing significant changes. Bezukhov is in spiritual quest, the search for the meaning of life. At secular receptions, he is like a stranger. Bezukhov feels the unnaturalness, pretense, deceit that reigns around. He has an observant, inquisitive mind. And this quality does not allow him to conduct thoughtless mechanical conversations at secular receptions. However, Bezukhov does not manage to get rid of society, which is unpleasant for him, soon. The image of this literary hero is another topic for an essay based on Tolstoy's novel.

A family

Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is a book that shows different people. But due to social circumstances, they still have a strong connection. Tolstoy treats the Bolkonskys with extraordinary sympathy. The qualities characteristic of the members of this family are patriotism, nobility, and a sense of duty. Unlike other representatives of secular society, they do not spend time idly. On the example of the Bolkonskys, the writer reveals his own idea of ​​​​an ideal family.

Prince Nikolai surprisingly combines softness and hardness. Mind and activity are the main virtues, according to the theory of this hero. In an essay about the work of a Russian humanist writer, it is necessary to reveal the theme of family values, because it is one of the main ones in Tolstoy's books. A creative task can also be devoted to the landscape in an epic novel or to the characterization of secondary, but no less interesting characters.

The basis for the creation of the greatest work of Leo Tolstoy "War and Peace" was the real events that took place in Russia at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It was a very difficult time for the Russian people, there was a war going on. The writer described combat battles, negotiations between the Russian and French armies, harsh military councils and peaceful life. In the first part of the epic novel "War and Peace" we observe a story about how the army of the Russian Empire fought abroad in 1805-1807.

The writer very accurately describes how these campaigns began. Tolstoy tells the reader about the military review, about how soldiers and officers gathered in Braunau. They got to Austria itself, getting out of Russia, tired and dirty, falling down people repaired clothes, prepared equipment. Many of these hikes collapsed shoes. Kutuzov presented this weary army to the Austrian commanders, in the hope that they would see that the Russian army was not capable of going in such a state to join the Austrian army. Tolstoy did not just describe this scene in War and Peace. It was difficult for soldiers and officers to understand what and why they should fight for.

This was, I think, the main task of the author - to show how terrible and unfair war is. It makes no sense, it takes the lives of innocent people. Tolstoy does not romanticize the image of war at all, soldier. In his novel, he focuses specifically on blood and human suffering.

One of the main characters of Leo Tolstoy's epic novel "War and Peace" is Nikolai Rostov. For the first time in his life he happened to be on the battlefield, he first encountered death, blood and inhuman cruelty. In his youth, Rostov dreamed of war and exploits, he represented battles in an exceptionally romantic light. He believed that he would be able to adequately show himself on the battlefield, earn the respect of his comrades. But the very first attack changed Rostov's attitude to the war, he realized that there was not a drop of romance in it, it was horror, blood, death and crippled destinies. In the first battle, Rostov lost his horse, and he himself was wounded in the arm. Everything that happened reminded Rostov of a terrible dream. Fortunately, the young warrior was able to escape. He deeply regretted going to war.

In the novel by L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" has a lot of characters. Many of them are negative, unpleasant for us, but there are also many that inspire respect and pride. For example, I remember Captain Tushin. He was a very brave, honest and brave warrior who was not at all afraid to join the battle. Most of all I was struck by his modesty and courage.

Tolstoy admired the courage and heroism of the soldiers and officers of the Russian army, who selflessly fought on the Austrian battlefields. At the same time, Tolstoy is against any war. This writer was a real humanist, and all his work was aimed at world peace.

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The life of every person is built on the achievement of large and small goals that everyone sets himself. To achieve something, you have to work hard, sacrifice something. A tree cannot grow out of nothing, a house cannot be built. Thus, goals are guidelines that a person follows throughout his conscious life, while doing a lot of work. Is it easy to find your true purpose? What does a person live for? What motivates people to pursue their goals? What funds should be used to achieve a dream? Many writers have tried to answer these questions in their works.

Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy in his epic novel "War and Peace" described the life of society in the nineteenth century.

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The author showed us how Natasha Rostova, Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre Bezukhov are looking for answers to questions: how to live, what to devote yourself to in life. The heroes find the meaning of their existence in the happiness of living a full-blooded life, fulfilling the high purpose of a person, in the happiness of unity with the people in a time of disaster and in constant internal renewal.

Natasha is an aristocrat from birth, but she is very close to the people. She likes folk music, songs and dances. A girl from childhood does not care about the opinions of others. This does not mean that she is selfish, not at all, she has spiritual freedom, which is limited not by secular requirements, but by moral laws. The strongest feeling for Natasha throughout the novel is love. Love for the motherland, father and mother, for Andrei, and later for Pierre.

The path of searching for Natasha Rostova goes through severe trials. She was deceived by Anatoly Kuragin, unsuccessfully tried to run away from home with him, thereby crossed out her pure love for Prince Andrei. The girl after all these troubles continued to live. But she has not yet found her true purpose. Natasha during the war of 1812 decides to put aside all her desires. At the insistence of Natasha, all the carts of the Rostov family were given not to transport property, but to transport wounded soldiers from Moscow, engulfed in fire and besieged by the enemy. Could Natasha have done otherwise? No, this kind, patriotic girl is not capable of putting material wealth above human lives. The result of this act, the goal that the heroine set for herself, was the surviving Russian officers and soldiers. This is a worthy result!

According to the author, the happiness of a girl, her ultimate goal is not in social activities, but in fulfilling the high purpose of being a wife and mother. Natasha marries Pierre Bezukhov. Now, all the actions of the heroine are aimed at family life. This goal is of great importance in the life of the whole society. The efforts spent on raising a child, maintaining a family hearth are worth it, because children are our future!

All the heroes of the novel are in constant renewal, so Andrei Bolkonsky goes through difficult trials, mistakes, delusions before he finds his destiny in this life. At the beginning of the novel, the prince wants to escape from the boring social life. At that moment, he set himself the goal - to accomplish a feat in order to become famous, like his idol, Napoleon. Glory for him is not only the recognition of the people, but also the desire to do something good for others, to test himself as a man. In striving for this goal, he chooses the wrong means. The hero overestimates his abilities and goes to certain death near Austerlitz. In a crazy pursuit of glory, Andrey is seriously injured. On the other hand, this act raised the morale of our troops, but became disastrous for the hero himself.

In his first battle, the hero parted with his two erroneous goals: the desire to become famous for his feat alone and to become like Napoleon. For a long time Andrei could not find his destiny, his true goal. The consequence of such a spiritual upheaval was the closeness of the hero, he withdraws into himself.

Having passed the path of awakening, Prince Andrei comes to the conclusion that one must live and love. The events of 1812 became a turning point in the lives of all the heroes of the novel, including Andrei. He puts all his personal problems, desires into the background. The main goal in these years for him was to protect his homeland. He no longer dreams of becoming famous, he does not care about his life. “To live by helping people, to understand them, to merge one's life with the life of the people” - this is the new ideal that Prince Andrei is striving for.

Thus, there are two ways to find your true destiny. The first is to make mistakes, setting false and base goals for yourself, upon reaching which it will be unpleasant for you to look at the result of the work done. The second is to keep up with the people, not to overestimate yourself, taking small but positive steps towards your dream, your destiny. And in the end, having gone through all the difficulties and delusions, to find the answer to the question: “What do I live for and what can I do for the people around me?”.

It is impossible to meet a hero in literature who would not dream. Sometimes dreams become a stimulus in life and help the hero to perform bold deeds, sometimes they absorb a person, drive him crazy, and prevent him from seeing real life. Dreams can be associated with high ideals or material values. And they cannot exist outside the context of reality, they are generated by it, but when a dream and reality collide, a person may be disappointed. In Leo Tolstoy's epic novel "War and Peace" there are many examples of how desires became guiding stars for heroes, but crumbled to dust when trying to realize them, and how they helped them to know themselves and find the right path.

1. Andrei Bolkonsky was married, rich, noble, he was soon to have a child, but the man was not happy, he was looking for more. The prince is proud and vain, Napoleon is his idol, and he also wants to find his Toulon, he longs for the glory and recognition that he can achieve with the help of heroic deeds in the war. But because of his dream, he did not at all appreciate the simple life with the people who loved him. Only when he was on the field of the Austerlitz battle, having received a wound, did he suddenly realize how insignificant was what he craved. War and exploits ceased to seem to him the height of bliss, the blue sky, as a symbol of eternal, calmly flowing life, contrasted so sharply with the chaos taking place on the field. The desire for glory filled the life of the hero with meaning, but only on the battlefield, in a collision with reality, Andrei realized that his dream was meaningless, he ceased to idealize Napoleon, because of whom this war began, abandons his conceited dreams and returns home.
2. Nikolai Rostov also had dreams of military exploits. When the war began, Nikolai left his studies at the university and decided to defend the Fatherland. He was not vain, like Prince Andrei, but he was very ardent, stubborn in his intention to crush the enemy, he was unaware of fear. He begins military service from the lowest ranks, serves diligently, and is loved by his comrades. It is in the army that he matures, learns about the concept of collective honor. But during his first battle (Battle of Shengraben), Nikolai is wounded in the arm. This brings him out of the euphoria caused by a wave of patriotism, he becomes scared, it seems that for the entire time of his service the hero thinks about death for the first time. He cannot understand how someone can wish him death, and he himself is not capable of killing a person. The fighter throws his weapon at the enemy and runs away from the battlefield. It cannot be said that Nikolai became a coward, he simply lived in his dreams, where death did not frighten him, reality made adjustments to his imagination, made his outlook on life more sober. The hero continued to serve, but no longer rushed into battle so thoughtlessly. Thus, dreams are always tested for strength, coming to life.
3. If reality sobers some heroes, removes a dreamy veil from their eyes, then life can punish someone for too big delusions. This happened to the young Petya Rostov. The boy grew up during the war years, before his eyes there was an example of a brother who served, and the patriotic moods hovering around could not but affect the young man. Petya is resolute, worried about the fate of the Fatherland. But still he wants to prove himself, become famous, he "does not miss any case of real heroism." The Rostovs still let Petya serve. In 1812, he takes part in the battle of Vyazma, in which he disobeys the general's order and throws himself directly under enemy fire. This time he was not hurt. He receives a harsh reprimand from the general, but instead of now obeying his commander, he attacks the French with Dolokhov and Denisov. A stray bullet hits him in the head and he dies instantly. Petya dreamed of glory, heroism, he was not afraid of war, did not realize the full horror of this phenomenon. For this, fate punished him: in reality, war is not a place for dreams to come true, but fear and pain. Having underestimated the reality, Petya died without fulfilling his dream.
4. In addition to military dreams, there are “peaceful” dreams in the work. For example, the dreams of Pierre Bezukhov. Pierre is the hero of the search. He feels strength and aspiration in himself, but for a long time he does not know where to apply himself. He falls in love with Helen Kuragina, but after marrying her, he realizes that he made a mistake. He becomes a Freemason, which helps him to come to terms with himself for a while and find a purpose. Pierre believes in Masonic ideals and really wants to improve the world, but in reality the Masonic brotherhood does not do much for this, but pays more attention to external attributes. Then he dreams of economic reforms and improving the life of the peasants, but people do not understand him. In search of himself, he even goes to war and after that dreams of killing Napoleon. The hero dreams a lot, and every time he makes efforts to fulfill his dreams. But desires often looked good only in his mind, when implemented, all his plans were greatly modified, distorted, and lost their significance. The hero realized how difficult it is to do what you imagine in your imagination. But nevertheless, through trial and error, Pierre realized what is really necessary and important in life, and in the end he became happy. Sometimes dreams do not come true in the form we would like, but if you do not just dream, but make efforts, test and know yourself, then you will definitely achieve happiness.
5. Sometimes a dream is not destined to come true, even if you do everything for it. Sonya is a poor relative who lives in the care of the Rostovs. Her dream is to marry Nicholas. She is faithful to him, she refuses Dolokhov when he wants to marry her. But her dream is not destined to come true. Nikolai married the sister of Andrei Bolkonsky, Marya. This marriage was for love, but there was also a material calculation. The princess persuaded Sonya to write a letter to the man, in which she released him from his promise to marry her. She did this because she knew that Nicholas's marriage to a wealthy heiress could save the family's fortunes. A sense of duty and external circumstances forced the young girl to give up love and forever kill her dream of a happy life with Nikolai. Even if a person puts all his mental strength to fulfill his desire, then sometimes he must give it up because of the cruel conditions of reality.

In "War and Peace" there are many examples that can be given within this direction, and if you do not have enough arguments, write in the comments, we will add.

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