Tikhon the gap-toothed is a symbol of what. Tikhon the gap-toothed image and characterization in the novel War and Peace by Tolstoy essay

Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace" is a work that tells about significant events in the history of our country, about the morals, ideals and views of various strata of society, about important aspects of the life of the people. The epic novel recreates a whole historical period. It presents the destinies of peoples and individuals. The heroes of this novel find themselves in a whirlpool of large-scale events. Wherein true value Each character is determined by how involved he is in them, how much he feels responsible for what is happening.

"People are like rivers"

Human life appears before readers in all its diversity and completeness. Numerous streams flow into this huge stream. Tolstoy said: “People are like rivers.” By this, the writer emphasized the complexity and versatility of the human personality, as well as its continuous movement. The place and role of this personality in the life of the country, in its history, in relations with the Russian people are the questions that Lev Nikolaevich poses in War and Peace. Inconspicuous war participants and historical figures, careerists and the best representatives of their time pass before us. There are more than 500 in the novel characters. Tolstoy created many different characters and types. He showed us that the mass of people are the real creators of history.

The value of ordinary people

The writer believed that it is not the will of one or another that determines the path of development of the country, but the spiritual life ordinary people- partisans, ordinary soldiers and officers, that is, those on whose actions the outcome of battles depends. The author admires and is deeply touched by the manifestation of patriotism in ordinary people. He believes that love for the motherland is not expressed by killing children in the name of saving the fatherland, not by pompous phrases or other unnatural actions, but is manifested simply, imperceptibly, and therefore always leads to strong results. it is presented below) is convinced that war has folk character. gives rise to a feeling of revenge that was filled in hard days 1812 the heart of every person. Close-up the writer draws Tikhon Shcherbaty, a peasant partisan from Denisov’s detachment, in which he is “the most useful and brave man.”

A characteristic feature of Tikhon Shcherbaty’s appearance, occupation

This peasant, a native of the village of Pokrovskoye, is certainly the most the right person in his squad. It should be noted that his external characteristics are expressive and funny. The hero has a flaw in appearance, which is why he got his nickname - he is missing one tooth. This gives Yellowfang a resilient and cunning appearance.

Tikhon Shcherbaty knows how to do everything correctly and easily. He easily gets water, makes fires, skins horses for food, prepares food, etc. However, the main occupation of this hero, of course, is military affairs.

Fighting the enemy as Shcherbaty’s calling

Staying with Denisov, Tikhon first did all the menial work. He looked after the horses and built fires. However, it turned out that Tikhon Shcherbaty was capable of more. And he began to go out at night to hunt for prey, bringing French weapons and clothes, and, on orders, sometimes brought prisoners. After some time, the hero was enrolled in the Cossacks. Lev Nikolaevich notes that Tikhon Shcherbaty always walked, but did not lag behind the cavalry. He carried a blunderbuss with him, but more for fun. The real weapons of this hero were an ax and a pike, which Yellowfang wielded perfectly, “like a wolf with teeth.”

He devotes all his strength, endurance and ingenuity to the fight against the enemy. Yellowfang by nature is a worker of the earth, who was created for peaceful life. However, with extraordinary naturalness, this hero suddenly turns into a defender of the homeland. The author embodies in his image the spirit of the avenging people, the daring and resourcefulness of Russian peasants.

Manifestation of cruelty

Tikhon Shcherbaty goes to the enemy with an ax in his hands. And not because someone forces him to defend his homeland, but under the influence of hatred of uninvited guests and great patriotism. These feelings are so strong in him that Tikhon, good-natured by nature, sometimes becomes cruel. Then the French appear to him not as people, but exclusively as enemies of their homeland.

The attitude of comrades towards Shcherbaty

The image of Tikhon Shcherbaty is revealed even more fully to the reader in the way his comrades in arms speak of him. One feels that they admire this hero and respect him. In their rude words you can even hear a kind of affection: “well, he’s clever,” “what a scoundrel,” “what a beast.”

Hero mobility

It must also be said that Shcherbatov’s movements are fast and dexterous. For the first time he appears before the reader running. We see how Tikhon “threw” into the water, then “climbed out on all fours” from the river and “ran further.” This hero is all in action, in a rush. Even his speech is dynamic. It should also be noted that in the work “War and Peace” Tikhon Shcherbaty is distinguished by his ability not to lose his sense of humor in any circumstances.

We now invite you to get acquainted with two heroes - Platon Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty. This will help you better understand the role of the latter in the work.

Platon Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty

Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, drawing the image of the people's avenger, shows that he is distinguished not only by courage, energy, determination, and hatred of the enemy. He is also characterized by great humanism. In the novel War and Peace, the “spirit of simplicity, kindness and truth” is personified by a soldier named Platon Karataev. This hero is the complete opposite of Yellowfang. If Tikhon Shcherbaty in the novel is merciless to the enemy, then Plato loves all people, including the French. Tikhon is rude, and his humor is sometimes combined with cruelty. Platon Karataev wants to find “solemn decorum” everywhere. And him appearance, and the “gentle melodious caress” in his voice, and the nature of his speeches, which are full of thoughts about people and life - everything distinguishes this hero from Shcherbaty.

Tikhon Shcherbaty in the novel "War and Peace" does not remember God. He relies only on himself, on his own dexterity and strength. And Platon Karataev constantly thinks about God. His speech is filled with proverbs. In some of them, echoes of peasant protest against injustice are heard social order(example - “where there is justice, there is untruth”). However, Plato himself is not one of those who are accustomed to actively interfering during life, despite the fact that the spirit of truth-seeking, characteristic of the Russian peasantry in general, is noticeable in him.

Platon Karataev, like Tikhon Shcherbaty, is a patriot in the novel War and Peace. However, it is very difficult to imagine him fighting. The point is not in his timidity, but in the fact that Plato does not feel hatred for the enemy.

Shcherbaty - Russian hero

In two in many ways different images Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy creates a single, capacious image of the people, a kind of unity of spirit. Both Platon Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty each contribute to the common cause in their own way. Both heroes do not simply carry out practical actions while participating in the struggle. Their role is more significant - they carry such qualities as moral beauty, warmth of soul and kindness. In the novel "War and Peace" Tikhon Shcherbaty, whose characteristics we have examined, expresses the active principle of the soul of a Russian person. It symbolizes the ability of the Russian people to bravely fight the invaders. This hero is the embodiment of heroic strength that rose to defend the homeland from enemies.

Shcherbaty and Petya Rostov

It should be noted that the function of Tikhon Shcherbaty in the work is not limited to personifying the courage and strength of a simple Russian peasant. His personality, like many other “passing” characters in the work, serves to enhance the characteristics of the main characters. Having guessed that Shcherbaty killed a man during his foray for the “tongue,” Petya Rostov feels very awkward, although this feeling does not last long. The author notes that Petya, sitting at the same table with the partisans, was in a state of childish, enthusiastic love for all people. He wanted to please everyone, so he treated everyone to raisins sent from home. The death of Petya Rostov emphasizes the weakness of the naive noble boys and the cruel greatness of the “Tikhonov”. After his death, Dolokhov coldly said about Rostov: “Ready.” Denisov, driving up to his body, suddenly remembered how Petya Rostov said: “Excellent raisins, take them all.”

So, Tikhon is collectively people, personifying its best features. He is characterized by fearlessness and self-sacrifice in the name of victory over the invaders. This concludes the analysis of the image of Tikhon Shcherbaty.

A complete picture of life in the novel

Among the representatives of the nobility, the image of Platon Karataev in Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” stands out especially brightly and prominently. When creating his work, the writer sought to most fully reflect the picture of his contemporary era. In the novel, numerous faces and various characters pass before us. We meet emperors, field marshals, and generals. Studying life secular society, life landed nobility. No less important role for understanding ideological content works played by characters from common people. Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, who knew well the living conditions of people of the lower class, talentedly depicts it in his novel. The memorable images of Platon Karataev, Tikhon Shcherbaty, Anisya, and the hunter Danila were created by the writer with a particularly warm feeling. Thanks to this, we have before us a realistic and objective picture of the life of people in the first half of the nineteenth century.

The soft appearance of Plato

The most significant character from the common people is, of course, Platon Karataev. It is in his mouth that the author’s concept is put common life and the meaning of human existence on earth. The reader sees Plato through the eyes of Pierre Bezukhov, who was captured by the French. It is there that they meet. Under the influence of this common man educated Pierre changes his worldview and finds the right path in life. Using a description of appearance and speech characteristics, the author manages to create unique image. The hero’s round and soft appearance, leisurely but deft movements, gentle and friendly facial expression radiate wisdom and kindness. Plato treats his comrades in misfortune, his enemies and a stray dog ​​with equal sympathy and love. He's the personification best qualities Russian people: peace, kindness, sincerity. The hero's speech, full of sayings, aphorisms, and aphorisms, flows measuredly and smoothly. He slowly talks about his simple fate, tells fairy tales, sings songs. Wise expressions fly from his tongue easily, like birds: “To endure an hour, but to live a century,” “Where there is judgment, there is untruth,” “Not by our mind, but by God’s judgment.” Constantly busy with useful work, Plato does not get bored, does not talk about life, does not make plans. He lives for today, relying in everything on the will of God. Having met this man, Pierre understood a simple and wise truth: “His life, as he himself looked at it, had no meaning as separate life. It made sense as a part of a whole that he constantly felt.”

Platon Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty. Comparative characteristics

The worldview and lifestyle of Platon Karataev are the closest and dearest to the writer, but in order to be objective and honest in depicting reality, he uses a comparison of Platon Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty in the novel.

We meet Tikhon Shcherbaty in the partisan detachment of Vasily Denisov. This man from the people is contrasted in his qualities to Platon Karataev. Unlike the peace-loving and all-forgiving Plato, the hero is full of hatred for the enemy. A man does not rely on God and fate, but prefers to act. The active, savvy partisan is everyone's favorite in the detachment. If necessary, he is cruel and merciless and rarely leaves the enemy alive. The idea of ​​“non-resistance to evil through violence” is alien and incomprehensible to Shcherbaty. He is "the most useful and brave man in the squad."

Giving a characterization of Platon Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbaty, Tolstoy compares them external features, qualities of character and life position. Tikhon is hardworking and cheerful like a peasant. He never loses heart. His rude speech is filled with jokes and jokes. Strength, agility, and self-confidence distinguish him from the soft and leisurely Plato. Both characters are well remembered, thanks detailed description. Platon Karataev is fresh, neat, and has no gray hair. Tikhon Shcherbaty is distinguished by a missing tooth, which is where his nickname came from.

Tikhon Shcherbaty is a character who personifies the image of the Russian people - a hero who stood up to defend his Fatherland. The fearlessness, strength and cruelty of such partisans struck terror into the hearts of the enemy. Thanks to such heroes, the Russian people managed to win. Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy understands the need for such behavior of his hero and partially justifies it in our eyes.

Platon Karataev is a representative of the other half of the Russian people, who believes in God, who knows how to endure, love and forgive. They, like halves of one whole, are necessary for a complete understanding of the character of the Russian peasant.

Dear image of Plato to the author

Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy’s sympathies are, of course, on the side of Platon Karataev. The writer, a humanist, has spent his entire adult life opposed to war, the most inhumane and cruel, in his opinion, event in the life of society. With his creativity, he preaches the ideas of morality, peace, love, mercy, and war brings death and misfortune to people. Scary pictures The Battle of Borodino, the death of young Petya, the painful death of Andrei Bolkonsky make the reader shudder from the horror and pain that any war entails. Therefore, the importance of Plato’s image in the novel “War and Peace” is difficult to overestimate. This person is the embodiment of the author’s main idea about a harmonious life in harmony with oneself. The writer sympathizes with people like Platon Karataev. The author, for example, approves of the act of Petit, who takes pity on the French captive boy, and understands the feelings of Vasily Denisov, who does not want to shoot the captured French. Tolstoy does not accept the heartlessness of Dolokhov and the excessive cruelty of Tikhon Shcherbaty, believing that evil begets evil. Understanding that war is impossible without blood and violence, the writer believes in the victory of reason and humanity.

The essay “The Image of Platon Karataev in the novel “War and Peace” can only partially contain the ideas of humanism and philanthropy that the wise Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy wanted to convey to the reader.

Work test

The true patriotism of the Russian people, proven not by word but by deed, was sung by L.N. Tolstoy in his epic novel “War and Peace.” Depicting war, Tolstoy does not show galloping warriors with unfurled banners and their wise commanders, not a parade, not the splendor of victories, but military everyday life, ordinary soldiers, their daily hard work. The writer reveals inner world a military man with a unique personality, attractive with his spiritual beauty. Tolstoy claims that from the will and efforts of the masses of such simple, ordinary people outcome depends historical events. He denies decisive role"great" personality in human history. That's why the author shows the spirit people's war using the example of ordinary people, soldiers who came from the people, Tikhon Shcherbaty and Platon Karataev, directly opposite friends friend, but deserving of respect for their undoubted merits.

Tolstoy, on the pages of the novel dedicated to the war, shows that Russian people did not need to talk about the fatherland and loyalty to the tsar, about patriotism and heroism. Official patriotic phraseology and pomposity in conversation were alien to the people who were waging a people's war. The theme of the people's war is embodied in the image of Tikhon Shcherbaty.

Tikhon Shcherbaty, having heard high patriotic words, got scared. In “War and Peace,” it is unthinkable to have heroes who, like the colonel in Lermontov’s “Borodino,” “with sparkling eyes,” would make a speech to the soldiers calling on them to die on the battlefield. This hero is undoubtedly useful in guerrilla warfare. He is cruel and merciless to his enemies, his character is similar to many natural characters of Russian warriors. Tolstoy recognizes the merits of soldiers like Tikhon Shcherbaty, but he himself has little sympathy for this image. The author gives preference to a completely different hero - Platon Karataev.

Platon Karataev is the complete opposite of Tikhon Shcherbaty. If he is merciless to the enemy, then Plato loves all people, including the French. Plato wants to see “solemn beauty” in everything; his speeches are full of thoughts about life and people. He thinks in aphorisms that are echoes of peasant protest against the injustice of the structure of society: “not with our mind, but with God’s court,” “where there is justice, there is untruth.” On the one hand, Platon Karataev is not one of those who actively interferes in life, on the other hand, he is not ready to “suffer innocently in vain.”

Karataev is endowed with the name of the ancient philosopher Plato - so Tolstoy directly points out that this is the highest path of man among people, participation in the movement of time and history. The image of Karataev in the book unites all kinds of “pictures of life” and the author’s reasoning of the widest scope. Here art and philosophy of history openly converge, mutually “highlighting” each other. Philosophical thought here it directly penetrates into the image, “organizes” it, while the image gives life to itself, concretizes, grounds its constructions, seeks for them actually human justification and confirmation.

In Plato lives the spirit of a truth-seeker, so characteristic of the Russian peasantry, and an eternal love of work. In his soul there is the same pain for the Fatherland as all Russian people. He is not timid, but his love will not turn into hatred for the enemy, even for an enemy capable of shooting a captured soldier weakened by illness, as Plato himself was shot. Separate human life, including his own, is devoid of meaning for him: “She made sense only as a particle of the whole, which he constantly felt.”

In his novel, Tolstoy assigns a special moral task to Platon Karataev, entrusting his hero with the bright mission of bringing peace of mind and clarity to people. Plato is imbued with a feeling of universal loving unity of people. Tolstoy creates the image of Karataev as a bearer of many characteristic features patriarchal Russian people, whose age-old qualities were meekness, humility, kindness and forgiveness. Very characteristic of development creative path Tolstoy that already at the end of the 60s he embodied his human ideal in the image of a patriarchal peasant. But Karataev, with his traits of meekness, humility, obedience and unaccountable love for all people, is not a typical, generalizing image of the Russian peasant. His role is important when studying the author’s worldview: in the image of Karataev it is first given artistic expression elements of Tolstoy's future teaching on non-resistance to evil through violence.

Tikhon Shcherbaty is one of the most important minor characters novel by L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace", a representative of the common people, is a member of Denisov's partisan detachment. Like many Russian soldiers, he is distinguished by courage, courage and fortitude. Always and under any circumstances, he was ready to help everyone, had an immeasurable love for work, a desire to benefit people in everything (for example, he left the detachment at night to get everything that was required for his comrades or for the common cause). He was always very cheerful, did not lose heart, had sincere feeling humor, deftly did all the work - when describing it L.N. Tolstoy Tikhon Shcherbaty is involuntarily associated with Vasily Terkin ( main character Tvardovsky's poem "Vasily Terkin"). According to Tolstoy, it was this man who killed the most Frenchmen.

Tikhon Shcherbaty devoted himself completely to military affairs. He often showed cruelty, but only in war and towards the enemy. We can say that Shcherbaty was created precisely for life in peacetime, but this did not prevent him from very skillfully and bravely defending his homeland. Any soldier or officer will tell you about its significance for the entire Russian army. Born in the village of Pokrovskoye near Gzhat. At first he performed the duties of a laborer, but then he showed great interest and, most importantly, ability for partisan work. Denisov, noticing this, began to take Tikhon on his travels and then enrolled him in the Cossacks. Nicknamed: He received his nickname - Shcherbaty - due to the fact that he was missing one tooth.

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Updated: 2017-01-22

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The main characters of L. N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” are representatives noble class. However, the author strives to paint a picture of Russian life in its entirety, so characters from the common people also appear in the story - Tikhon Shcherbaty and Platon Karataev. Both heroes, as Russian national types and exponents of the spiritual essence of the Russian character, are dear to Tolstoy, each in their own way.
The image of Shcherbaty expresses the active beginning of the Russian spirit, showing the ability of the people to fearlessly fight against the invaders. Tikhon is the embodiment of a heroic people who rose up to defend the Fatherland.
Karataev embodies the idea of ​​“non-resistance to evil through violence” that is close to the writer. The writer appreciates in this hero the manifestation of “everything Russian, kind and round,” all those qualities that, according to Tolstoy, constituted moral basis Russian people, Russian peasantry. Patriarchalism, gentleness, humility and religiosity are traits without which, according to Tolstoy, the mental makeup of the Russian peasant is unthinkable.
Tikhon Shcherbaty personifies in the romance that “club of the people’s war” that rose and “with terrible force nailed the French until the entire invasion was destroyed.” “Non-resistance” Platon Karataev is a different type national character, the other side of “folk thought”.
Tikhon is “the most useful and brave man” in Denisov’s partisan detachment: “No one else discovered cases of attack, no one else took him and beat the French.” Shcherbaty occupied a special, exclusive place in Denisov’s detachment: “When something especially difficult had to be done... everyone pointed, laughing, at Tikhon.” At night he left the detachment and obtained everything that was necessary for his comrades, for the common cause: weapons, clothing, and when he was ordered, he also delivered prisoners. Tikhon was not afraid of any work. He was good at wielding an ax (“like a wolf wields his teeth”) and deftly, with all his might, split logs. If necessary, the ax in his hands turned into formidable weapon. This character embodies heroic forces people, their resourcefulness, camaraderie, daring.
Important Feature Tikhon - the ability not to lose heart, not to lose heart under any circumstances, an indestructible sense of humor. This trait makes Shcherbatov everyone’s favorite in the detachment: “...he was the jester of all the Cossacks and hussars,” and “he himself willingly succumbed to this chip.” Probably, some of Tikhon’s traits (for example, his cruelty) could have been condemned by the writer if we were talking about peaceful
time. But at a critical moment in history, when the question of the future of Russia, the fate of all Russian people is being decided ( Patriotic War 1812), the activities of people like Shcherbaty are salutary for both the country and the people.
Tolstoy will give each of the heroes a bright portrait and speech characteristics. Tikhon’s entire appearance exudes dexterity, confidence, and strength. A funny and expressive feature of his appearance is a missing tooth (for this Tikhon was nicknamed Shcherbaty). His language is permeated with humor, a crude joke. Plato's appearance is also peculiar. He is over fifty years old, but in his appearance everything has been preserved intact: not a single gray hair it was not in his beard and hair, everything was round - his face, his shoulders, his back, and his stomach. Everything had the appearance of some kind of drowsiness, softness.
If Tikhon is merciless towards the enemy, then Karataev loves all people, including the French. Other important features in Karataev are the spirit of truth-seeking, spiritual clarity, love of work: “He knew how to do everything, not very well, but not bad either.”
Plato is a bright exponent of the philosophy of patience, characteristic of the Russian peasantry and determined by the uniqueness of Russian history and culture. This life philosophy reflected in the proverbial wisdom that often sounds in Plato’s melodious speech: “Fate is looking for the head,” “To endure an hour, but to live a century.” Sometimes it seems that he uses the philosophy of patience to cover up his helplessness, his inability to actively resist circumstances. Karataev seems to be completely devoid of individual consciousness; at all times he relies on worldview stereotypes that have evolved over centuries among the people: “Where there is court, there is untruth,” “Never refuse a scrip and prison,” “Not by our mind, but by God’s court.” .
Unlike Karataev, Shcherbaty does not remember God, relying only on himself - on his strength, ingenuity, spiritual vigor. Yellowfang can be harsh, and if circumstances require it, even cruel. These features distinguish him from Plato, who strives to see “solemn beauty” in everything. Shcherbaty, experiencing a patriotic feeling and hatred of the invaders, goes at them with an ax. Plato, on the other hand, is ready to “suffer innocently in vain” rather than shed human blood, even if it is the blood of an enemy.
Karataev and Shcherbaty are two hypostases of a single whole. Salvation for Russia, according to Tolstoy, lies in the synthesis of these two principles - meekness, humility and peacefulness, on the one hand, and energy, will, and the ability to take active action, on the other. Having learned the truth of Karataev, Pierre follows exactly this path in the epilogue of the novel.

Images of Platon Karataev and Tikhon Shcherbatov in the novel “War and Peace” (2nd version)