The image of Andrei Bolkonsky in which chapter. Life path of Andrei Bolkonsky
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Characteristics of the hero Andrei Bolkonsky
Andrei Bolkonsky is one of the main characters in Leo Tolstoy's work, War and Peace. He was the son of Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky, their family belonged to a very rich, noble and respected family. Andrey received an excellent education and upbringing. Bolkonsky had such qualities as pride, courage, decency and honesty.
At the beginning of the novel, Andrei is dissatisfied with the emptiness of society, and therefore goes to military service in the active army. In war, he shows courage and bravery; his soldiers characterize him as a strong, courageous and demanding officer. He puts honor, duty and justice first. During the Battle of Austerlitz, Andrei accomplishes a feat: he rouses the soldiers to attack and runs ahead of everyone with a banner in his hands. But when he falls seriously wounded, he reassesses all his values. After all, during the war, Andrei thought that his destiny was to serve the sovereign and perform a heroic act, and after being wounded he realized that he would rather live a quiet, family life.
Andrei considers himself unhappy in his marriage to Lisa, but after her death he realizes that she was dear to him and begins to raise his son. Having lived on the estate for two years, he travels on business and on the way stops by to visit the Rostovs. Hearing how Natasha admires an ordinary moonlit night, she understands that life is beautiful and that love exists. He proposes to Natasha, but under the influence of his father, he postpones the wedding for one year. After Natasha cheated on him with Kuragin, in order to forget and find Anatole, he leaves again for the war, where he does not want to serve at the headquarters, but wants to participate in the battle.
The Battle of Borodino becomes his last battle, he is mortally wounded and leaves Moscow in the Rostov convoy. Seeing Natasha again, Andrei forgives her and understands the true meaning of the power of love, but his happiness next to his beloved does not last long and he dies.
General characteristics of Andrey
Andrei Bolkonsky, one of Leo Tolstoy’s favorite characters, appears before the reader almost at the beginning of the novel. Tolstoy characterizes Bolkonsky in the novel “War and Peace” as a gifted person with a rich inner world and a heightened sense of honor. Bolkonsky is a man of extraordinary intelligence, prone to constant analysis of both external and internal, spiritual events. Not averse to egoism at the beginning of the work, Prince Andrei gravitates towards state activities, he longs for fame and recognition - but not for himself, but for the good of the Russian people. This confused, lost inner guide, but deeply honest patriot and true nobleman, throughout the entire work is looking for himself, the meaning of life, answers to the difficult questions that the current situation poses to him.
The first description of Bolkonsky in the novel “War and Peace” speaks at once about both the appearance and the inner world of the hero: “... Prince Bolkonsky was small in stature, a very handsome young man with definite and dry features. Everything in his figure, from his tired, bored look to his quiet, measured step, represented the sharpest contrast with his little lively wife...”
However, he does not fit into secular society or his own family. And all because Andrei, as a man of honor, cannot become part of a world ruled by pretense, affectation and false patriotism. Unlike the “mannequins” around him in beautiful outfits. He considers his wife, whom our contemporaries would call a “socialite,” to be a doll without a soul and a brain.
The beginning of the way. Selfishness and the desire for fame
In the first chapters of the novel, Prince Andrei with every fiber of his soul longs for personal glory in the military field. For the sake of this deeply selfish aspiration, he is ready to sacrifice everything: “I love nothing but glory, human love. Death, wounds, loss of family, nothing scares me.” The young man’s idol is Napoleon.
It is these aspirations and hopes that push Andrei to enroll in military service. He becomes Kutuzov's adjutant. At the decisive moment, the young man rushes into the thick of the Battle of Austerlitz, waving a banner raised from the ground - and practically calms the panic in the ranks of the Russian army, dragging an entire battalion into the attack. At this moment, we see Andrei in the present, without the patina of disappointment and rejection of the surrounding reality, which he was covered with at home from head to toe. This is a true patriot of his Motherland, a true nobleman and a man of honor. He knows no fear or doubt when it comes to protecting the interests of the state. He wants to serve the Fatherland with every cell of his body. And this egoist also craves national love and recognition, wants to become a hero - but this is for himself personally.
Andrei receives a serious wound - and all his ambitious aspirations go to hell. Bleeding on the battlefield, he looks into the heavens - and understands the value of life: “How come I haven’t seen this high sky before? And how happy I am that I finally recognized him. Yes! It’s all empty, it’s all deception, except this endless sky.” And after some time, the image of his hero is thrown into dust: the man sees Napoleon, grinning maliciously, looking at the battlefield, from where the groans of the wounded and dying can be heard.
“No, life is not over at 31!”
The changed Andrei can no longer fight. He returns home, but only to suffer the bitterness of loss (his wife died in childbirth, leaving the prince with a son, Nikolenka) and get confused again. Bolkonsky decides from now on to devote himself entirely to his family, to live only for them. But his desire to serve does not go away. Having met Pierre Bezukhov, the man understands that serving people and the Motherland is possible not only in war.
Bolkonsky no longer limits himself to the family nest; he strives to contribute to all projects, the implementation of which will benefit the Russian people and the country. Arriving in St. Petersburg, he joins Speransky’s circle and participates in the project of abolishing serfdom in the country. But... At one of the capital's balls, a man meets young Natasha Rostova - and remembers the most valuable thing in every person's life: love, happiness and family. Which leads to disappointment in Speransky and in government activities in general.
In a relationship with this young, cheerful and naive girl, dry and callous Andrei learns the value of every moment of life and the happiness of being loved - but even this cannot “evaporate” his selfishness. Andrei postpones their wedding for a year, and when Natasha cheats, he cannot forgive her and goes to war again. Why? Because here, it seems to him, he is valued, here he can serve such understandable and such correct ideals of patriotism and heroism.
Those who achieve the ideal are taken away by God...
Andrei is mortally wounded. Almost until his last breath, this courageous man clings to life: “I can’t, I don’t want to die, I love life, I love this grass, earth, air.” However, hearing the heavy steps of an old woman with a scythe, he submits to fate: he stops fighting, does not want to see anyone, and loses all hope.
No matter how bitter it is, the death of the hero occupies an important place in the characterization of Andrei Bolkonsky. Because this deeply gifted and highly moral person, tirelessly searching for his place in life, by the end of his life became practically a saint: he loved everyone, forgave everyone. Having reached such spiritual heights, he simply could not continue to endure the cruel disappointments that the thoroughly rotten and therefore even unreal high society was tirelessly preparing for him.
Work test
Since birth, Andrei has faced difficulties.He was born into a wealthy, privileged family of an aristocrat from an old and noble family.However, his mother apparently died when he was just a boy, as she is not mentioned at all in the novel. The father was not distinguished by attentiveness and caring. He was a tough and stubborn person, which bothered Andrei in childhood. Over time, their relationship becomes more tense, the boy no longer tries to win his father’s favor, and any attempts to get closer and communicate end in scandals. Andrey also has a sister, Marya. Even though she was not outwardly attractive, her heart was full of love and kindness. She developed a warm, close relationship with her brother, which remained until the hero’s death.Appearance (quoted characteristic)
The author describes him as a short man, but very handsome. “Prince Bolkonsky was small in stature, a very handsome young man with definite and dry features.” Tolstoy does not give a detailed description, pointing only to the reaction of other heroes who consider Andrei Bolkonsky very handsome and graceful. "...The women's society and the world welcomed him cordially, because he was a rich and noble groom...".Important! Andrey was very attractive. Leo Tolstoy more than once notes his beauty and attractiveness to other people, especially women.
Character traits of Andrei Bolkonsky
Speaking about the complex character of his father, one would think that Andrei was also a difficult hero. However, there was no radical rigidity in it.Important! The character of the hero is dominated by positive qualities: he is noble and purposeful.Andrey can gain authority from his interlocutor and commands respect from everyone, including those who don’t like him. He can behave with dignity both at a social reception and in the company of his army comrades.
Important! At the beginning of the story, Andrei is not alien to the desire for success in the service, however, he wants fame and recognition not so much for himself, but in order to be able to bring good to the people.Despite his merits, Bolkonsky is still distinguished by some rudeness and arrogance. Sometimes he allows himself to ignore people, behave inappropriately, express non-verbal signs of disdain (looks, smiles, etc.), and sometimes unpleasant statements.
Important! This is a person who is somewhat confused and has lost his internal guidelines. Like many nobles, he is full of searches for the meaning of life, his place in it.This hero is very reserved, you can’t call him cheerful - more often than not his face remains impartial. At the same time, Andrey is very kind and generous towards anyone, regardless of social status.
The prince's relationship with women
Andrei Bolkonsky appears before us as an already married man, whose first child is about to be born.He married Lisa Meinen, who was Kutuzov's niece.He considers his wife a soulless and stupid doll. This marriage is not happy for the hero. During childbirth, Lisa dies, and Andrei is left with baby Nikolenka, whom he raises together with his sister Marie. After the death of Lisa, Bolkonsky is tormented by guilt in front of his wife, whom he did not appreciate during his lifetime. Andrei has always been successful with women, but for a long time he did not think about getting married again. HoweverAt the ball he meets Natasha Rostova.The hero falls in love with her and receives reciprocity - Natasha is impressed by the beauty and gallantry of the gentleman. Communication with Natasha awakens the brightest traits in the dry and callous character of the hero; he wants to be loved, appreciates every moment of life. Bolkonsky proposes to Natasha and her parents agree, but his father forces him to postpone his marriage for a year. Andrey agreed and went abroad. And Natasha meets Anatoly Kuragin and falls madly in love with him, planning her escape. Andrey is deeply hurt by this. Proud and principled, after this he constantly seeks a meeting with Kuragin in order to take revenge on him.
Bolkonsky's military service
Andrei Bolkonsky has dreamed of military service since childhood. His hero was Napoleon, and he yearns for similar glory and honors. He takes part in the battles of Austerlitz, at the decisive moment showing himself to be a hero, performing a feat. He saves the battalion and leads it into battle boldly and without a shadow of a doubt, trying to protect the Motherland. In this battle he receives a serious wound and, bleeding, lies on the battlefield. This event radically changes his views. He understands how unimportant and senseless the war is. Then the heroic image of Napoleon collapses - Andrei sees his idol smiling, looking at a field with dead and wounded soldiers, and this disgusts him. The death of his wife forces him to abandon his service. He returns and decides to devote his life to his family.Bolkonsky meets with his friend and realizes that he can benefit the Motherland not only on the battlefield.He is actively involved in various projects that will benefit the people, for example, in drawing up a plan for the abolition of serfdom.
One of the most extraordinary and multifaceted personalities in Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is the image of the brilliant Russian prince and officer Andrei Bolkonsky.
Throughout the novel, he finds himself in various life situations: he loses his young wife, participates in the war with the French, experiences a difficult breakup with his young bride and unfulfilled wife Rostova, and at the very end dies from a mortal wound received on the battlefield.
Characteristics of the hero
("Prince Andrei Bolkonsky", sketch portrait. Nikolaev A.V., illustration for the novel by L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace", 1956)
Prince Andrei is a young Russian nobleman and officer, distinguished by his handsome appearance and stately figure. His first meeting with readers takes place in Anna Scherer's salon, where he comes with his wife, Kutuzov's niece. He has a bored and distant look, perking up only after meeting his old acquaintance Pierre Bezukhov, whose friendship he valued very much. His relationship with his wife is very strained and cool; they live like strangers to each other. He is tired of the empty social life, which is so close to his young and inexperienced wife, and does not see any meaning in it.
The vain and ambitious prince, wanting honors and glory, goes to war. There he behaves completely differently, here such qualities as courage, nobility, endurance, intelligence and great courage are revealed. Having received a severe wound in the battle of Austerlitz and realizing the transience of life and his powerlessness and insignificance before eternity, he completely changes his position in life.
Disillusioned with military affairs, as well as with his former idol Napoleon, the prince decides to devote himself entirely to his family. However, this is not destined to come true; upon arriving at the estate, he finds his wife on her deathbed as a result of a difficult birth. Andrei Volkonsky, whom the family no longer hoped to see alive, is left with his newborn son Nikolenka in his arms, broken dreams of a happy family life and a heart devastated by grief and sadness. He feels guilty before his deceased wife and regrets that he was not a good husband to her during his lifetime.
Having met and fallen in love with the young Natasha Rostova, who is pure and open in heart and soul, Bolkonsky thaws and gradually begins to show interest in life. Usually he is cold and restrained in emotions, by nature he is a closed person who keeps his emotions in check, and only with Natasha he truly opens up and shows his true feelings. Countess Rostova reciprocates his feelings, the engagement takes place and the wedding is just around the corner. However, being an exemplary son who respects the opinions of his elders, at the insistence of his father, who was against his marriage, he goes abroad for some time. An easily carried away nature, the still very young bride falls in love with the young rake Kuragin, and the prince, unable to forgive the betrayal, breaks up with her.
Devastated and crushed by her betrayal, Volkonsky, wanting to extinguish his emotional wounds, goes back to war. There he no longer seeks glory and recognition; driven by a spiritual impulse, he simply defends his Fatherland and makes the difficult life of a soldier as easy as he can.
Having received a mortal wound in the Battle of Borodino, he ends up in the hospital, and there he meets the love of his life, Natasha Rostova. Before his death, he manages to confess his feelings to her and generously forgives both the offender Kuragin and the girl’s flighty and thoughtless act, which ruined the lives of both of them. Finally he understands the true meaning of the love that unites them, but it is too late...
The image of the main character
(Vyacheslav Tikhonov as Andrei Bolkonsky, feature film "War and Peace", USSR 1967)
Perhaps if at the time of the second meeting between Rostova and Bolkonsky there would not have been a war between Russia and France at that time. Everything would end with a happy ending and their wedding. And maybe a marriage of hearts so passionately in love would be an ideal symbol of family relationships. But it has long been inherent in man to exterminate his own kind, and the most noble and bright representatives of their Fatherland always die in war, who could in the future bring considerable benefit to their country, but they are not destined to do this.
It is not for nothing that Leo Tolstoy leads his hero Andrei Volkonsky through difficult trials and torment, because they raised him to the pinnacle of the spirit, showed him the way to achieve harmony with other people and peace with himself. Having cleansed himself of everything empty and insincere: pride, hatred, selfishness and vanity, he discovered a new spiritual world for himself, full of pure thoughts, goodness and light. He dies a happy man in the arms of his beloved, having fully accepted the world as it is and in complete harmony with it.
The theme of patriotism is the key plot of Leo Tolstoy’s work.
The image and characterization of Andrei Bolkonsky in the novel “War and Peace” was created as a generalized portrait of a Russian officer for the glory of the defenders of the Motherland of all times.
Battle of Austerlitz
The young prince was the son of a noble nobleman of Catherine's times. Brought up and educated in military affairs, he dreamed of military exploits, submitting a petition to the front in 1805. Andrei felt uncomfortable in his native aristocratic circles.
Before the battle, the hero thinks about his own death. Showing high professionalism, he calculates defeat. But he does not flee, but, showing courage, wants to show his abilities as an officer. At a critical moment, when the soldiers were ready to retreat, Bolkonsky raised the fallen banner and led the regiment.
Tolstoy describes the episode with the banner without pathos; the pole was heavy, Andrei dragged it somewhat clumsily, but here and there people rose up behind him, desperately rushing at the enemy. The standard bearer was stopped by a bullet. Andrei was wounded in the head and fell to the ground.
Meeting with the French Emperor
The wounded Bolkonsky is captured, where he sees Napoleon. The prince made a positive impression on Bonaparte, so he was first placed in a hospital and then given freedom. Andrei changed his attitude towards the French emperor. Previously, the hero approved of the reformers' ideas about equality and brotherhood.
But when Napoleon cynically admired with delight the field strewn with the bodies of the dead soldiers of both armies, the prince realized the baseness of the arrogance of the narcissistic commander. This was not greatness, this was self-centeredness, disregarding the lives of millions of people.
Returning from captivity, Bolkonsky finds his wife dying in childbirth, and therefore falls into deep depression.
Relations with Rostova
Having refused military service and being despondent, the prince in the summer goes on his son’s business to Otradnoye, the estate of Count Rostov. There he sees a girl playing who changed his life forever. Natasha was natural, not spoiled by social etiquette, evil intentions and greed. A man who knew how to enjoy clear skies.
Some time later, the hero meets Natasha at the ball. The first dance marked the beginning of their relationship. The prince danced beautifully, his partner turned out to be timid, fragile and flexible. The girl, without pretending, radiated joy with joy and childish mischief, naively believing that everyone around was happy and cheerful.
The meetings began to be repeated, both understood that they were united by a benevolent attitude towards the world and others. Brought up in the traditions of high morality, Natasha saw in Andrei her future husband. Communication between a man and a girl has reached the level where it is necessary to declare the relationship officially.
The young man's father was the first to oppose the marriage. The old man understood that his grandson Kolya needed a mother, and his son’s chosen one was young and inexperienced. Kutuzov invited Andrei to go with him to Turkey, he accepted the offer of his beloved general. These were the circumstances under which the engagement was announced and the wedding was postponed for a year.
War of 1812
For young Natasha, the year-long ordeal of waiting turned out to be too difficult. The girl recklessly agrees to become the wife of the married swindler Anatoly Kuragin. The engagement had to be called off. Bolkonsky acted like an ordinary person. He agreed that fallen women must be forgiven, but he personally was not capable of such leniency.
The Battle of Borodino was the last battle in the hero's life. His regiment stood waiting for an order, shells whistled overhead, but Colonel Bolkonsky knew how important it was for the commander to keep the fighting spirit of the soldiers by his example. Therefore, he did not consider it possible to bend under the sounds of flying cannonballs.
A fragment of another explosion hit the brave officer in the stomach. The wounded commander was threatened with death in occupied Moscow, but he ended up in the Rostov yard, from where he was taken out with their convoy.
Having met face to face, realizing that they could never be together again, Natasha and Andrey realized how dear they were to each other. Both regretted the breakup. Andrei lived his last minutes in the arms of his beloved.
Portrait
Bolkonsky was of average height, with a slender figure and military bearing. The prince carefully looked after himself; Kutuzov’s adjutant could not look untidy. Tolstoy more than once points out the white hands and aristocratic neck of the officer.
The man had all the qualities of a courageous officer; they spoke of him as an intelligent and well-read interlocutor. Friend Count Bezukhov, a philosopher, an eternal seeker of the meaning of life, especially valued the hero’s willpower and ability to learn. Bolkonsky said that one must watch one’s speech, since he himself was very restrained in his statements and judgments.
The prince became one of the first reformers in Russia, as he managed to transfer three hundred peasants from a system of strict control to free cultivators. He freed others from compulsory corvee labor and introduced quitrent. In his native Bogucharovo, the priest received payment from the estate treasury for teaching children to read and write. There was also a special grandmother kept there, an expert in delivering babies to peasant women.
Leo Tolstoy speaks lovingly about his hero. In his image, the reader sees a true patriot, capable of sacrificing his own interests for the sake of other people. Bolkonsky gave his life on the battlefield at the most crucial moment for the state, and was always ready for this.
