Portrait of the role of artistic detail of Napoleon Kutuzov. Essay on the topic: Comparative characteristics of Napoleon and Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace”

The images of the commanders Kutuzov and Napoleon, created in Tolstoy’s epic “War and Peace,” are a vivid embodiment of Tolstoy’s principles of depicting historical figures. These heroes do not in every way coincide with their prototypes: the author of War and Peace did not strive to create documentary-reliable portraits of them. Thus, in the novel many well-known historical facts are omitted, some of the true qualities of the commanders are exaggerated (for example, Kutuzov’s senility and passivity, Napoleon’s narcissism and posturing).
Evaluating the Russian and French commanders, like all other historical figures, Tolstoy applied strict moral criteria. The antithesis of Kutuzov - Napoleon is the main moral antithesis of the novel. If Kutuzov can be called a “positive” hero of history, then Napoleon, as depicted by Tolstoy, is its main “anti-hero”.
The author emphasizes the self-confidence and limitations of the French commander, manifested in all his actions, gestures and words. The portrait of the “European hero” is ironic, extremely reduced. “A fat, short figure”, “fat thighs of short legs”, a fussy gait - this is Napoleon in Tolstoy’s portrayal. In the behavior of this hero, his manner of speaking, narrow-mindedness and narcissism are evident. He is convinced of his greatness and genius: “it’s not what’s good that’s good, but what came into his head.”
The writer emphasizes the contrast between Napoleon's inflated self-esteem and his insignificance. The comic effect that arises is the best proof of the powerlessness and emptiness of a historical figure who “pretends” to be strong and majestic.
According to Tolstoy, Napoleon played “the cruel, sad and difficult, inhuman role that was intended for him.” It is unlikely that he would have been able to bear the full weight of this historical role if his mind and conscience had not been darkened.
Napoleon is a deeply unhappy person who does not notice this only due to a complete lack of moral sense. This “European hero” is morally blind, unable to understand “neither goodness, nor beauty, nor truth, nor the meaning of his actions, which were too opposite to goodness and truth, too far from everything human for him to understand their meaning.”
It is possible, according to the writer, to arrive at “good and truth” only by renouncing one’s imaginary greatness, but Napoleon is completely incapable of this “heroic” act.
However, despite the fact that Napoleon is doomed to play his “negative” role in history, Tolstoy does not at all diminish his moral responsibility for what he did: “He, destined by providence for the sad, unfree role of the executioner of nations, assured himself that the purpose of his actions was good peoples and that he could lead the destinies of millions and do good deeds through power! ... He imagined that by his will there was a war with Russia, and the horror of what had happened did not strike his soul.”
Napoleon's antipode - Kutuzov - is the embodiment of folk morality, true greatness, “simplicity, goodness and truth.” The “Kutuzovian”, popular principle is contrasted with the “Napoleonic”, egoistic one.
It is difficult to call a Russian commander a “hero”: after all, he does not strive for superiority over other people. In general, Kutuzov in Tolstoy’s portrayal does not correspond to traditional ideas about a military genius. The writer deliberately exaggerates the decrepitude of the Russian commander. So, the commander-in-chief falls asleep during one of the military councils. This happens not because Kutuzov wanted to “show his contempt for the disposition or for anything else,” but because “for him it was about the irrepressible satisfaction of a human need - sleep.”
Kutuzov does not give orders, approving what seems reasonable to him and rejecting what is unreasonable; he seems to be doing nothing, not looking for a fight. At the council in Fili, it is this commander who outwardly calmly decides to leave Moscow, although this costs him terrible mental anguish.
Tolstoy shows that, without trying to influence the course of history, Kutuzov obeys the logic of the historical process and intuitively sees the highest meaning of what is happening. This explains his external inactivity and reluctance to force the course of events. This man, the writer emphasizes, is endowed with true wisdom, a special instinct, which prompts him during the Patriotic War to act in accordance with the principle “what must happen, will happen on its own.”
The source of the “extraordinary power of insight into the meaning of occurring phenomena” that Kutuzov possessed was his folk feeling. He “carried within himself in all its purity and strength” this feeling, which placed the hero at the “highest human heights.” It was this feeling that was recognized by the people in Kutuzov - and the Russian people chose the commander “to represent the people’s war.”
Napoleon won almost all the battles. Kutuzov lost most of the battles - the Russian army suffered setbacks at Krasnoe and Berezina. But, in the end, it was the Russian army that defeated the French army, commanded by the “brilliant commander” Napoleon.
Thus, true greatness, according to Tolstoy, is not measured by any “false formulas” of historians, it is in closeness to the people and to the very essence of life. That is why Napoleon's genius turns out to be a great historical lie. Tolstoy found true greatness in Kutuzov, a modest war worker, a man of the people and for the people.

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Lesson (2 hours)

Topic Comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon

in L.N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”.

Lesson type – mastering new knowledge.

Goals:

Lesson equipment:

a) portrait of Leo Tolstoy.

portrait of Kutuzov;

portrait of Napoleon;

video recorder.

Students should know:

Battle of Borodino);

Students should be able to:

speak in front of an audience;

draw conclusions;

highlight the main thing in the text.

Board design

Kutuzov

Napoleon

I. General Character Traits

1) Genius.

2) Fearlessness.

a) modesty and simplicity;

b) sincerity and truthfulness;

understanding their feelings;

the spirit of the Russian army;

e) loyalty to duty and the army.

vanity;

egocentrism;

move correctly;

his armies;

During the classes

Organizational moment: a) communication of the topic and purpose of the lesson.

The stage of preparing students for active conscious assimilation of knowledge.

Teacher: two personalities at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries have constantly attracted and will continue to attract the attention of all mankind. Both are talented commanders. History brought them together as irreconcilable opponents in a fierce struggle, from which one emerged victorious - Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov, His Serene Highness Prince Smolensky - a brilliant Russian commander. He, along with his people, opposed Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France.

Teacher: on the pages of the novel “War and Peace” Tolstoy develops his theory about the people and the individual in history. In previous lessons we discussed this issue.

Student: While asserting the determining role of the people, Tolstoy completely denies the role of the individual. He is convinced that “the spontaneous power of the masses excludes any possibility of influencing the course of history by the will of one person.” The course of events is predetermined from above and therefore man is not able to make any significant changes in the process of history - this is Tolstoy’s philosophical and historical concept.

Student: According to Tolstoy, the creator of history and historical events is the people, and not individuals, “that all rationalistically constructed theories, no matter how good they may seem, are nothing before the power that is the mood and spiritual masses of the people.”

Teacher: In the novel War and Peace, Tolstoy gives a universal formula for the heroic. He creates two symbolic characters, two (moral) poles of the epic. At one pole is the classically vain Napoleon, at the other is the classically democratic Kutuzov. These two heroes represent, respectively, the element of individualistic isolation (“war”) and the spiritual values of “peace,” or the unity of people. In the novel, Kutuzov opposes Napoleon both as a character and as a representative of Russian military thought. “The simple, modest and therefore majestic figure of Kutuzov does not fit into that “deceitful form of a European hero, allegedly controlling people, which history has invented. Kutuzov’s unity with the Russian army, the people, and Russia are the moral origins of military successes in contrast to Napoleon’s arrogant loneliness, which predetermined his downfall.

Teacher: why did Tolstoy become interested in Kutuzov’s personality?! In his opinion, Kutuzov is a great man forgotten by historians and writers. By creating the image of Kutuzov in his novel, Tolstoy makes him an exponent of his views on the historical process. From beginning to end, the image of the great commander is built in accordance with Tolstoy’s conviction that the matter of war proceeded “never coinciding with what people came up with, but flowing from the essence of the relationship of the masses.”

III. The stage of acquiring new knowledge.

Analytical conversation.

Teacher: Kutuzov and Napoleon are commanders. Did they share common character traits? (Yes, both had common character traits that are necessary for the leader of huge human groups, a commander. These are genius and fearlessness, personal participation in battles).

Teacher: give examples.

Genius: for Kutuzov, the life of a soldier is his life. And in order to save the entire army in 1805, he sends Bagration’s detachment to cover the withdrawal of troops, realizing that a tenth will survive.

Fearlessness: near Austerlitz, Kutuzov does not pay attention to the whistling bullets, does not notice his wound and, shocked by the flight of the soldiers, says, pointing at them: “The wound is not here, but here.”

NAPOLEON

Genius: It is known that Kutuzov recognized Napoleon’s genius. The French emperor is energetic and full of plans. On one day, October 14, 1806, in two battles, at Jena and Auerstedt, Napoleon defeated the Russian army

Fearlessness: Napoleon accomplished a feat on the Arcole Bridge (November 15-17, 1796), when he personally captivated soldiers and officers, rushing forward to the Austrians with a banner in his hands. He often risked his life. On March 11, 1799, he visited the plague hospital in Jaffa and shook hands with sick soldiers.

Teacher: draw a conclusion about the common features of Kutuzov and Napoleon. (We see that Kutuzov and Napoleon were brilliant and fearless commanders.

Teacher: By creating the image of Napoleon, Tolstoy entered into an open polemic with the traditionally romanticized image of Napoleon, with the attitude towards him as a great man. A.S. Pushkin writes in his poem “To the Sea”:

What is there to regret? Wherever now

Have I set out on a careless path?

One item in your desert

It would strike my soul.

One rock, a tomb of glory...

There they fell into a cold sleep

Majestic memories:

Napoleon was dying there.

Teacher: In critical literature there is still an opinion that Tolstoy’s image of Napoleon “does not correspond to the historical Napoleon. He creates a negative attitude towards himself.” How did foreign writers Ernest Hemingway and Maurice Druon respond to this issue? (It was believed that the image of the French emperor on the pages of the novel “War and Peace” was written not by Tolstoy the artist, but by Tolstoy the officer of the Russian army).

Teacher: however, Tolstoy’s coverage of the image of Napoleon rests on a tradition that had developed in Russian literature long before the appearance of the novel “War and Peace.” Which writers and poets addressed the Napoleonic theme? (Pushkin, Lermontov, Herzen).

What did Herzen write about Napoleon?

Teacher: in this characteristic it is easy to see the features of Tolstoy’s image of Napoleon. Dissatisfaction with Tolstoy’s “exposure” of Napoleon in War and Peace was also expressed by historians. But Tolstoy boldly went on an open offensive against the servile attitude towards Napoleon, whom he encountered in the books of French Bonapartist historians.

Teacher:(Refer to the table.)

a) modesty and simplicity.

Teacher: We are convinced of Kutuzov’s modesty and simplicity by reading an excerpt from the novel “Review of the Regiment by Kutuzov near Braunau” (volume 1, part 2, chapter 2, page 139).

Teacher: why was the Russian army in Austria in 1805? (In 1805, a coalition of European powers against France was realized. Napoleon was heading to Austria. Alexander I sent two Russian armies to the aid of the Austrian army, one of them was led by Kutuzov. Kutuzov’s main apartment was located near Braunau. On Kutuzov’s initiative, a military review was appointed. Purpose : to demonstrate to the Austrian general the difficult situation of the Russian army, the supply of which Austria had to take care of.)

Teacher: How do the soldiers feel about Kutuzov? (And the soldiers pay him with warm sympathy and respect:

Otherwise, no! Totally crooked.

Teacher: more examples confirming that the army loved and respected Kutuzov. (Kutuzov’s appointment as field marshal during the difficult period of retreat, in 1812, delighted the army, which loved him for his Russian kindness: “They say he’s accessible to everyone, thank God, otherwise there’s trouble with the sausage makers! No wonder Ermolov asked to join the Germans. Now maybe you can talk to the Russians too "It will be. Otherwise the devil knows what they did," says Denisov. And one of the soldiers calls him “Sam”, as in a peasant family they call the head of the family).

Teacher: describe Kutuzov’s appearance. (Filling out the table). (Simple, humane, who does not ignore the soldier’s needs; calm, good-natured, wise commander. He learned wisdom from Suvorov: “To always be a winner, you need to find a way to the heart of a soldier.” He “always seemed like the simplest and most ordinary person... "; "saying a few kind words to the officers and soldiers"; "wishing all the best to the captain...").

Teacher: Napoleon in the novel appears as a narcissistic, arrogant ruler of France, blinded by glory, considering himself the driving force of the historical process.

Teacher: The purely Tolstoyan conclusion of this scene is remarkable: “Lazarev looked gloomily at the little man with white hands, who had done something to him...” So, the simplicity of the soldier’s perception exposes all the tawdry majesty of Napoleon.

Teacher: Tolstoy knows how to very acutely show that all this grandeur is a bluff. Sometimes this is done very subtly. Here is the continuation of the conversation: “Know that if you shake Prussia against me, know that I will erase it from the map of Europe,” he said with a pale face distorted with anger, striking the other with an energetic gesture of one small hand.” This little man, with his little hands, is thinking of destroying countries and peoples! Describe Napoleon's appearance.

Filling out the table:

Teacher: so let's conclude. How Napoleon appears to us when personally rewarding a Russian soldier, as well as in the scene when he receives Balashov. (When personally rewarding a Russian soldier, we observe Napoleon’s arrogance. He appears as a narcissistic, arrogant ruler of France. Crazy pride forces him to take actor’s poses and utter pompous phrases. All this is facilitated by the servility surrounding the emperor. Tolstoy’s Napoleon is a “superman” for whom he has interest “only what was happening in his soul.” And “everything that was not his did not matter to him, because everything in the world, as it seemed to him, depended only on his will.” It is no coincidence that the word “I " - Napoleon's favorite word).

Teacher: Let's continue to consider the image of Kutuzov, his sincerity and truthfulness.

Still from the film “Austerlitz: Kutuzov and the Tsar”

Teacher: why was the battle of Austerlitz lost? How does Kutuzov behave during this battle? (Having a superior number of soldiers, an excellent disposition, generals, the same one that he will lead to the Borodino field, Kutuzov melancholy remarks to Prince Andrei: “I think that the battle will be lost, and I told Count Tolstoy so and asked him to convey this to the sovereign”).

Teacher: let's conclude. (Russian soldiers fought not for their native land, but on foreign territory).

Teacher: Napoleon is characterized by hypocrisy, falsehood and posturing. (Simplicity, goodness and truth), embodied in the soul of Kutuzov, are opposed to the spirit of autocracy and lies, which constitute the moral character of Napoleon. Twice in the novel Napoleon acts out scenes of a sentimental nature:

(“Scene with the Portrait of the Son” volume 3, part 2, chapter 26)

Teacher: this scene was a complete success. Napoleon made the impression he wanted on those around him. But another performance that he was supposed to give on Poklonnaya Hill turned out to be disrupted.

Poem by A.S. Pushkin:

...Napoleon waited in vain,

Intoxicated with the last happiness,

Moscow on bended knee

With the keys of the old Kremlin...

No, my Moscow did not go

To him with a guilty head.

Not a holiday, not a receiving gift,

She was preparing a fire

To the impatient hero.

Teacher: the performance was disrupted at the very moment when plans to conquer the world were disrupted. Summing up Napoleon's activities, Tolstoy wrote: “The last role has been played. The actor was ordered to undress and wash off the antimony and rouge: he will no longer be needed.” So, what feature of Napoleon is most sharply indicated in the scenes discussed? (Note in a notebook: such a trait as posing is very sharply indicated. He behaves like an actor on stage. In front of the portrait of his son, he “made an appearance of thoughtful tenderness,” this happens in front of almost the entire army. Such an open manifestation of love seems to Tolstoy an unworthy performance Bringing destruction and death with him, Napoleon hides behind the completely false ideal of so-called civilization, false chivalry, masking his aggressive goals.)

Teacher: just as the simplicity of Kutuzov’s behavior is connected with his historical role as a people’s commander, so Napoleon’s posturing is an inevitable, necessary feature of the behavior of a person who imagines himself as the ruler of the world.

Teacher: what does it say about Kutuzov’s closeness to the people? (Note in a notebook: on the eve of Borodin, soldiers and militia men pray in peace to the Smolensk Icon together and on an equal footing with Kutuzov: “Despite the presence of the commander-in-chief, who attracted the attention of all the highest ranks, the militia and soldiers continued to pray without looking at him.” )

Teacher:(about Napoleon’s indifference to the fates of those around him) To the extent that Kutuzov expresses the interests of the people, Napoleon is so petty in his egocentrism (egocentrism is an extreme form of selfishness).

Episode “Napoleon during the meeting of the Russian diplomat Balashov” (volume 3, part 1, chapter 6).

Teacher: what is the essence of Napoleon? (The right to shed blood, to dispose of the life and death of other people at his own discretion, the feeling of belonging to a higher caste than mere mortals - this is the essence of Napoleon.

Teacher: How does Napoleon appear to us? (Writing in a notebook: a false person, hypocritical, he is deeply indifferent to the fates of those around him, self-centered to the marrow of his bones. For Napoleon, the main thing is himself, his unique personality. He is characterized by delusions of grandeur, he is convinced of his own infallibility. His speech is pompous and false rhetoric.)

Teacher: Let's talk about Kutuzov, about the manifestation of the commander's wisdom and talent in supporting the morale of the Russian army. In 1805, Kutuzov saved the Russian army from death. How did Kutuzov’s military genius manifest itself? (Thrown into the depths of Europe with an army of 50,000, Kutuzov, with the help of spies, established that the position of the ally was far from favorable and therefore had to show criticality and caution to all proposals of the Austrian command. Kutuzov’s forecast was justified. Soon General Mack appeared without an army. This strengthened Kutuzov's decision not to obey extravagant orders, but to take measures to save the army. Kutuzov decides to join the second army marching to Austria from Russia. The French army coming from Vienna could have interfered. And then Kutuzov's army is doomed to death.)

How does Kutuzov behave during the Battle of Borodino? (Kutuzov on the Borodino field does not issue any orders, he only agrees or disagrees. He is focused and calm. Alone understands everything and knows that at the end of the battle, the beast received a mortal wound. But it takes time for him to die.)

Still from the film “Kutuzov’s Conversation with Wolzogen.”

Teacher: does that mean Kutuzov is passive? (It just seems that Kutuzov is a passive person during the Battle of Borodino. Yes, Kutuzov dozes off at military councils, and during the Battle of Borodino he approves or condemns what is being done without his participation. But in all these cases, Kutuzov’s external passivity is a form of manifestation his wise human activity.)

Why does Kutuzov claim, although he is the only one confidently, that the Russians defeated the French in the Battle of Borodino? (Kutuzov made everyone understand that “the battle was won.” “A moral victory..." on “Napoleonic France... at Borodino the hand of the strongest enemy in spirit was laid down...".)

(Kutuzov is guided by an unmistakable hunting instinct. This instinct tells him that the French army at Borodino received a terrible blow, an incurable wound. And the mortally wounded animal, having run to the front and resting in the shelter, by instinct of self-preservation goes home to die in its den.)

Teacher: Feeling sorry for his soldiers, his army, bloodless in the Battle of Borodino, Kutuzov decides to cede Moscow. He alone decides. But the question arises: what then is Tolstoy’s point of view on the role of the individual in history? How does Kutuzov, with his sole power, make such a hugely important historical decision? Does this match his general appearance in the novel? No, Kutuzov did not decide this issue single-handedly. And in this case he was together with his people. But here, at the military council, he was surrounded by people far from the people. Among them he was alone, but only among them. The little peasant girl Malasha, sitting on the stove and not understanding anything from the conversations of the generals, with her folk instinct “kept the side of her grandfather,” as she called Kutuzov to herself. This peasant child, in the setting of a military council, seems to represent the people's soul - Kutuzov's guiding star in his activities.

Still from the film “Military Council in Fili”.

Teacher: How did Kutuzov’s military genius and his patriotic feat manifest themselves at the military council in Fili? (Kutuzov understands that it is necessary to give up Moscow in order to preserve the army and save Russia, that in Moscow the French troops will morally decay, turn into marauders, and lose discipline: “It is not difficult to take a fortress, it is difficult to win a campaign. There is nothing stronger than those two warriors - patience and time ".)

Teacher: Leaving Moscow, Kutuzov wins the war. After leaving Moscow, old man Kutuzov spends nights without sleep, waiting for the death of the French, not allowing himself to believe his own hopes and again and again coming to the conclusion that Russia will win. This is a calm man, but not indifferent, weak in body, but not in spirit. And understanding the real complexity of life warns him against mistakes and he does not take hasty actions and hasty decisions. He waited and waited for his triumph.

Still from the film “Message about Napoleon’s departure from Moscow.”

Teacher: What is the greatness and genius of Kutuzov as a commander, according to Tolstoy, during the Patriotic War of 1812? (Kutuzov did not pretend to be an all-powerful and all-knowing commander, but strived for the main thing (from Tolstoy’s point of view) - to lead the “spirit of the army”, on which the outcome of events depended. And he succeeded, because all his actions stemmed “from the feeling that lay in the soul of the commander-in-chief, just as in the soul of every Russian soldier.")

(Kutuzov understood that only joint actions of the people and the army would lead to the defeat of Napoleonic troops. Therefore, he supported the partisan movement. He correctly weighs the balance of forces of the warring parties at each stage of the struggle, does not fetter the initiative of his subordinates, maintains a clear mind and composure even when Moscow surrenders to him the whole people helps! And wins. But Napoleon could only rely on his genius, on the marauding goals of his soldiers.)

Teacher: So, how do we see Kutuzov during the Battle of Borodino? (Notebook entry: during the Battle of Borodino we see a calm commander. Kutuzov, with his calmness, creates confidence in victory in others. “He did not give any orders, but only agreed.” The general expression on his face was concentrated. He foresaw the course of events. Walzogen’s panicky statement he abruptly interrupted with the order “attack the enemy!” The meaning of the words was communicated everywhere, since what he said flowed from the feeling that lay in the soul of the commander-in-chief, just like in the soul of any Russian person." Kutuzov - the man and Kutuzov - commander, are inseparable in the novel, and this has a deep meaning: in the human simplicity of Kutuzov, the very nationality that played a decisive role in his military leadership is manifested.)

Teacher: For Napoleon, war is a game, and people are pawns who only need to be placed correctly and moved correctly.

How did Napoleon come to power? How? (This man was nominated by the struggle of the party in France. His victories in Europe - “the surrender of corps without battles and fortresses without siege” - are the result of the weakness of European states, and, first of all, German ones; in a word, all the so-called greatness of Napoleon was the result of the confluence of a number of historical circumstances and lasted only until the people of Russia stood up against it.).

Why did the Russians lose the battle to Napoleon at Austerlitz? (In the novel, Tolstoy does not at all seek to belittle Napoleon’s abilities. Depicting the Battle of Austerlitz, he directly admits that in this case Napoleon was strategically stronger than his opponents. “His assumptions turned out to be correct.” He understood that he could attack successfully. At the same time, Tolstoy shows , that in conditions when the Russian soldiers were not vitally interested in this war, and the Austrian command was busy with intrigues. All this played a role and Napoleon turned out to be a skillful strategist in this situation. But nothing could save Napoleon from defeat at Borodino, although here his abilities manifested themselves and Tolstoy emphasizes them in every possible way.)

How does Tolstoy debunk Napoleon as the leader of the French army during the Battle of Borodino? Prove this with the text of the novel (volume 3, part 2, chapter 28, last paragraph).

(“In the Battle of Borodino, Napoleon performed his job as an executor of power just as well and even better than in other battles. He did nothing harmful to the course of the battle; he leaned towards the more prudent opinion; he did not confuse, did not contradict himself, was not afraid and did not run away from the battlefield, but with his great tact and experience of war, calmly and honorably fulfilled his role as apparent commander.")

Teacher:... worthily fulfilled the role of apparent superiors.”

Then what is it? (But the whole point is that the people were fighting for their freedom here, and, whatever Napoleon’s military qualities, he could not do anything since the battle “went on independently of him, according to the will of hundreds of thousands of people participating in the common cause” .)

- “Camp Napoleon.” What will we see? (excerpt from the novel, volume 3, part 2, chapter 34).

(This time we see the horror of the irresistible death of the “almighty” commander, who was convinced of his powerlessness before an invincible enemy.)

Teacher: conclusion. Notebook entry: depicting the military leadership of Napoleon, Tolstoy primarily opposes the cult of personality in history. And the criticism of Napoleon in War and Peace is based on the author’s deep conviction that history is made by the masses. “He was like a child who, holding on to the strings tied inside the carriage, imagines that he is driving.” Tolstoy was able to show, and quite rightly, that it was not Napoleon who made history, but history that made Napoleon. On the Borodino field, Napoleon is nervous. He is powerless to influence the course of the battle. The troops he sends return as frightened and upset crowds. For the first time in his life, Napoleon shudders at the sight of a battlefield covered with the bodies of the wounded and killed. In this chapter, the writer pronounces the final verdict, calling the French emperor “the executioner of nations.”)

Teacher: Let's consider Kutuzov's humane attitude towards the vanquished.

Still from the film “Kutuzov’s Speech to the Preobrazhensky Regiment.”

What were Kutuzov’s activities after Borodin? (Kutuzov’s activities after Borodin were aimed at saving the lives of soldiers. During the retreat of French troops from Moscow, he kept ambitious people from “intercepting the enemy” who did not understand the popular nature of the war.)

Teacher: and the soldiers understand the pointlessness of pursuing the enemy. The people's war is gradually fading away. It is being replaced by another war, where generals who are far from the people will compete in their ambitions. Kutuzov does not want to participate in such a war and will not. What determines Kutuzov's moral qualities?

Writing in a notebook: popular feeling also determines Kutuzov’s moral qualities, “that highest human height from which he, the commander-in-chief, directs all his strength not to kill and exterminate people, but to save and feel sorry for them.” This is proven by the speech before the Preobrazhensky Regiment. This is the humanism of his military calling: “Do not kill people, but have pity and save them.” In this we see the moral impeccability of Tolstoy’s concept of the greatness of man.

Teacher: give facts from the cruelty of Napoleon and his army that are known to history (Napoleon ordered the shooting of four thousand voluntarily surrendered soldiers of the Jaffa garrison during the French Syrian campaign in 1799. The conditions of surrender provided for the preservation of the life of the garrison. Such actions corrupt the troops.)

(The heroic defense of Smolensk made an ominous impression on Napoleon. He ordered the city to be burned with artillery fire, since he could not take it by storm.)

(Napoleon assured the Tsar that he did not want war, but “gave new orders at each station, aimed at hastening the movement of the army from West to East.”)

Teacher: Notebook entry: Napoleon in “War and Peace” is, first of all, an aggressor claiming world domination. From this point of view, his personality and his actions are presented in the novel. In Russia, French soldiers showed themselves to be looters and robbers. This is explained by the goal Napoleon set for the troops. Napoleon's wars were of an aggressive nature.)

Teacher: Where does Kutuzov’s loyalty to duty and the army appear? (Kutuzov refuses Napoleon to make peace.)

Still from the film “Yes, I will be damned by my descendants...”

Teacher: notebook entry: Kutuzov’s most important feature is patriotism. He is a Russian man and suffers deeply, seeing the difficult situation of his homeland; he considers saving it the goal of his life.

Teacher: What is Napoleon's betrayal of his army? (Napoleon, under the name of Prince Vicen, left his army and went to Paris.)

IV. The stage of consolidating new knowledge.

Teacher: Let's sum it up. As we see, in the light of the Patriotic War of 1812, which the Russian people waged as a liberation war, the characteristics of Napoleon as an aggressor and “executioner of nations” and Kutuzov as a “representative of the people’s war”, as a “representative of the Russian people” look contrasting. Let's look again at the table on the board (students read the characteristics of Kutuzov and the characteristics of Napoleon, written in their notebooks).

V. Summing up the lesson.

- Why do we call Kutuzov the commander of the people's war, the embodiment of folk wisdom and patriotic feeling?

Why is Napoleon the commander of an army of robbers, marauders and murderers, “the most insignificant instrument of history”, “a man with a darkened conscience”?

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Lesson (2 hours)

Topic Comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon

in L.N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”.

Lesson type – learning new knowledge.

Goals:

a) educational: give a comparative description of Kutuzov and Napoleon; compare, analyze episodes, scenes of the work, at the same time systematize the material to prepare for an essay on a given topic, making notes in a notebook;

b) educational: to cultivate interest in the work of L.N. Tolstoy, the heroic past of one’s country, to be proud of it, to feel a sense of pride for the Russian people, for the great commander - Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov; develop a responsible attitude towards learning (preparation for writing an essay);

c) developmental: by asking questions, to activate the mental activity of students, the ability to correctly answer questions posed by the teacher, to develop the monologue speech of schoolchildren, to develop the ability to listen to the teacher, while simultaneously making notes in a notebook, and the ability to speak in front of an audience.

Range of issues considered:Leo Tolstoy's point of view on the role of personality in history; common character traits of Kutuzov and Napoleon and their differences - appearance, attitude towards soldiers, character traits, behavior during battles, attitude towards their own army.

Lesson equipment:

a) portrait of Leo Tolstoy.

Portrait of Kutuzov;

Portrait of Napoleon;

Text of L.N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”;

Table (comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon);

Illustrations for Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace.”

b) technical teaching aids: TV;

Video recorder.

Students should know: content of L.N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”;

The historical past of your homeland (in what year and where did it happen?

Battle of Borodino);

Episodes from the life and work of Kutuzov and Napoleon.

Students should be able to: correctly answer questions posed by the teacher;

Perform in front of an audience;

Be able to compare artistic images and details;

Draw conclusions;

Prove your point of view;

Summarize and systematize educational material;

Highlight the main points in the text.

Board design

Napoleon

I. General Character Traits

1) Genius.

2) Fearlessness.

II. The commander of the people's war, the embodiment of folk wisdom and patriotic feeling.

Complete subordination to the interests of Russia and the people:

a) modesty and simplicity;

b) sincerity and truthfulness;

c) closeness to ordinary people, knowledge and

understanding their feelings;

d) manifestation of wisdom and talent

commander in support of moral

the spirit of the Russian army;

e) humane attitude towards the vanquished;

e) loyalty to duty and the army.

II. Commander of an army of robbers, marauders and murderers, “the most insignificant instrument of history,” “a man with a darkened conscience.”

a) narcissism, arrogance,

vanity;

b) hypocrisy, falsehood, posturing;

c) indifference to the fate of others,

egocentrism;

d) war is a game, and people are pawns, whom

you just need to place it correctly and

move correctly;

e) the cruelty and treachery of Napoleon and

his armies;

e) betrayal towards one’s own

During the classes

I.Organizational moment: a) communication of the topic and purpose of the lesson.

II. The stage of preparing students for active conscious assimilation of knowledge.

Teacher: on the pages of the novel “War and Peace” Tolstoy develops his theory about the people and the individual in history. In previous lessons we discussed this issue.

What is Tolstoy's point of view on the historical process?

Disciple: By affirming the decisive role of the people, Tolstoy completely denies the role of the individual. He is convinced that “the spontaneous power of the masses excludes any possibility of influencing the course of history by the will of one person.” The course of events is predetermined from above and therefore man is not able to make any significant changes in the process of history - this is Tolstoy’s philosophical and historical concept.

Student: according to Tolstoy, the creator of history and historical events is the people, and not individuals, “that all rationalistically constructed theories, no matter how good they may seem, are nothing before the power that is the mood and spiritual masses of the people.”

Teacher: in the novel “War and Peace” Tolstoy gives a universal formula for the heroic. He creates two symbolic characters, two (moral) poles of the epic. At one pole is the classically vain Napoleon, at the other is the classically democratic Kutuzov. These two heroes represent, respectively, the element of individualistic isolation (“war”) and the spiritual values of “peace,” or the unity of people. In the novel, Kutuzov opposes Napoleon both as a character and as a representative of Russian military thought. “The simple, modest and therefore majestic figure of Kutuzov does not fit into that “deceitful form of a European hero, allegedly controlling people, which history has invented. Kutuzov’s unity with the Russian army, the people, and Russia are the moral origins of military successes in contrast to Napoleon’s arrogant loneliness, which predetermined his downfall.

III. The stage of acquiring new knowledge.

Analytical conversation.

Teacher: give examples.

Genius: for Kutuzov, the life of soldiers is his life. And in order to save the entire army in 1805, he sends Bagration’s detachment to cover the withdrawal of troops, realizing that a tenth will survive.

NAPOLEON

Genius: it is known that Kutuzov recognized Napoleon’s genius. The French emperor is energetic and full of plans. On one day, October 14, 1806, in two battles, at Jena and Auerstedt, Napoleon defeated the Russian army

Teacher: draw a conclusion about the common features of Kutuzov and Napoleon. (We see that Kutuzov and Napoleon were brilliant and fearless commanders.

Teacher: creating the image of Napoleon, Tolstoy entered into an open debate with the traditionally romanticized image of Napoleon, with the attitude towards him as a great man. A.S. Pushkin writes in his poem “To the Sea”:

What is there to regret? Wherever now

Have I set out on a careless path?

One item in your desert

It would strike my soul.

One rock, a tomb of glory...

There they fell into a cold sleep

Majestic memories:

Napoleon was dying there.

Teacher: in critical literature there is still an opinion that Tolstoy’s image of Napoleon “does not correspond to the historical Napoleon. He creates a negative attitude towards himself.” How did foreign writers Ernest Hemingway and Maurice Druon respond to this issue? (It was believed that the image of the French emperor on the pages of the novel “War and Peace” was written not by Tolstoy the artist, but by Tolstoy the officer of the Russian army).

What did Herzen write about Napoleon?

(“He didn’t have any system,” Herzen wrote about Napoleon, “he didn’t want good for people and didn’t promise it. He only wanted good for himself, and by good he meant power.”)

Teacher: (Referring to the table.)

A plan is presented where we see what individual character traits Kutuzov and Napoleon possessed.

II. Kutuzov - commander of the people's war.

a) modesty and simplicity.

II. Napoleon is the commander of an army of robbers.

a) narcissism, arrogance, vanity.

Teacher: we are convinced of Kutuzov’s modesty and simplicity by reading an excerpt from the novel “Review of the Regiment by Kutuzov near Braunau” (volume 1, part 2, chapter 2, page 139).

Teacher: how do the soldiers feel about Kutuzov? (And the soldiers pay him with warm sympathy and respect:

What did they say, Kutuzov is crooked, about one eye?

Otherwise, no! Totally crooked.

No... brother, he has a bigger eye than you... Boots and wraps - he looked at everything...

Teacher: Napoleon in the novel appears as a narcissistic, arrogant ruler of France, blinded by glory, considering himself the driving force of the historical process.

In what scenes is Napoleon's false grandeur dramatically exposed? (In Tilsit scenes - volume 2, part 2, chapter 21). Prove it. (Napoleon decided to award the Order of the Legion of Honor to the best Russian soldier. The choice fell on Lazarev. “As if Napoleon knew that in order to be happy forever, awarded and endowed by everyone in the world, it was only necessary for his Napoleon’s hand to deign to touch the soldier's chest. Napoleon just put the cross to Lazarev's chest and, lowering his hand, turned to Alexander, as if he knew that the cross should stick to Lazarev's chest. The cross really stuck." He was attached to the soldier's uniform by the helpful hands of those around him).

Teacher: the purely Tolstoyan conclusion of this scene is wonderful: “Lazarev looked gloomily at the little man with white hands who had done something to him...” So, the simplicity of the soldier’s perception exposes all the tawdry majesty of Napoleon.

Delusions of grandeur are especially noticeable in the episode of the novel “Napoleon receives the Russian diplomat Balashov in Vilna” (the student reads volume 3, part 1, chapter 6).

Filling out the table:

Teacher: so, let's conclude. How Napoleon appears to us when personally rewarding a Russian soldier, as well as in the scene when he receives Balashov. (When personally rewarding a Russian soldier, we observe Napoleon’s arrogance. He appears as a narcissistic, arrogant ruler of France. Crazy pride forces him to take actor’s poses and utter pompous phrases. All this is facilitated by the servility surrounding the emperor. Tolstoy’s Napoleon is a “superman” for whom he has interest “only what was happening in his soul.” And “everything that was not his did not matter to him, because everything in the world, as it seemed to him, depended only on his will.” It is no coincidence that the word “I " - Napoleon's favorite word).

Teacher: let's continue to consider the image of Kutuzov, his sincerity and truthfulness.

Still from the film “Austerlitz: Kutuzov and the Tsar”

Teacher: let's conclude. (Russian soldiers fought not for their native land, but on foreign territory).

(“Scene with the Portrait of the Son” volume 3, part 2, chapter 26)

(Before the Battle of Borodino, on the occasion of the birthday of the emperor’s son, Napoleon was brought a portrait of a boy as a gift. The child was depicted playing with a globe in a bilbok. The presentation of the gift should have been solemn, and Napoleon skillfully helps this. He knows very well that de Bosse is something - then he does it in the corner with a gift, but deliberately does not turn around in this corner until the installation of the portrait is completed. Turning around at the appointed time, he thereby gave those close to him the opportunity to effectively tear the cover off the portrait and, as on stage, Napoleon pretended to be unexpectedly delighted And then he took the performance further: "With the Italian ability to change facial expression at will, he approached the portrait and pretended to be thoughtfully tender. He felt that what he would say and do now was history. And it seemed to him that the best What he can do now is that he, with his greatness, as a result of which his son played with the globe in a billbok, that he would show, in contrast to this greatness, the simplest fatherly tenderness. His eyes became misty, he moved, looked back at the chair (the chair jumped under him) and sat down on it opposite the portrait. One gesture from him, and everyone tiptoed out, leaving the great man to himself and his feelings.”)

Reading the episode “Napoleon on Poklonnaya Hill” (volume 3, part 3, chapter 19).

Still from the film “Napoleon on Poklonnaya Hill”.

Poem by A.S. Pushkin:

...Napoleon waited in vain,

Intoxicated with the last happiness,

Moscow on bended knee

With the keys of the old Kremlin...

No, my Moscow did not go

To him with a guilty head.

Not a holiday, not a receiving gift,

She was preparing a fire

To the impatient hero.

When is Kutuzov especially close to ordinary people, does he understand their feelings? (Before the Battle of Borodino, as a faithful son of his people, he, along with the soldiers, worships the miraculous icon of the Smolensk Mother of God, listening to the words of the sextons: “Save your servants from troubles, Mother of God!” and bows to the ground and venerates the people’s shrine. In the crowd of militias and soldiers, he he is the same as everyone else. It is no coincidence that only the highest ranks pay attention to him, while the militia and soldiers, without looking at him, continue to pray.)

Teacher: (about Napoleon’s indifference to the fates of those around him) As much as Kutuzov expresses the interests of the people, Napoleon is so petty in his egocentrism (egocentrism is an extreme form of manifestation of selfishness).

Episode “Napoleon during the meeting of the Russian diplomat Balashov” (volume 3, part 1, chapter 6).

Episode “Napoleon on Poklonnaya Hill” (volume 3, part 3, chapter 19).

Teacher: how does Napoleon appear to us? (Writing in a notebook: a false person, hypocritical, he is deeply indifferent to the fates of those around him, self-centered to the marrow of his bones. For Napoleon, the main thing is himself, his unique personality. He is characterized by delusions of grandeur, he is convinced of his own infallibility. His speech is pompous and false rhetoric.)

Teacher: let's talk about Kutuzov, about the manifestation of the commander's wisdom and talent in supporting the moral spirit of the Russian army. In 1805, Kutuzov saved the Russian army from death. How did Kutuzov’s military genius manifest itself? (Thrown into the depths of Europe with an army of 50,000, Kutuzov, with the help of spies, established that the position of the ally was far from favorable and therefore had to show criticality and caution to all proposals of the Austrian command. Kutuzov’s forecast was justified. Soon General Mack appeared without an army. This strengthened Kutuzov's decision not to obey extravagant orders, but to take measures to save the army. Kutuzov decides to join the second army marching to Austria from Russia. The French army coming from Vienna could have interfered. And then Kutuzov's army is doomed to death.)

What task did Kutuzov set for General Bagration? (Bagration, with four thousand hungry, exhausted soldiers, had to hold off the entire enemy army for 24 hours. This time was necessary for Kutuzov in order to withdraw the army, burdened with convoys, from being attacked by three times superior forces of the French. Bagration coped with the task.)

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To ask questions.

Introduction

Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace" is practically the only historical epic novel. He describes in detail the military campaigns of 1805, 1809 and the War of 1812. Some readers believe that the novel can be used to study individual battles throughout history. But for Tolstoy it was not the main thing to talk about the war as a historical event. He had a different plan - “people's thought.” Show people, their characters, revealing the meaning of life. Not only ordinary people, but also great historical figures such as Kutuzov, Napoleon, Alexander, Bagration. L.N. Tolstoy gives a specific description of Kutuzov and Napoleon in “War and Peace”. This open comparison of the two commanders runs through the entire plot of the work.

The principle of contrast, taken by Tolstoy as a basis, reveals in “War and Peace” the images of Kutuzov and Napoleon as military strategists, showing their attitude towards their country, towards their army, towards their people. The author created a true portrait of his heroes, without inventing heroism or false shortcomings. They are real, alive - from the description of their appearance to their character traits.

The place of heroes in the novel

At first glance, it seems that Napoleon is given more space in the novel than Kutuzov. We see him from the first lines to the last. Everyone is talking about him: in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer, and in the house of Prince Bolkonsky, and in the soldiers’ ranks. Many believe that “...Bonaparte is invincible and that all of Europe can do nothing against him...” And Kutuzov does not appear in entire parts of the novel. They scold him, they laugh at him, they forget about him. Vasily Kuragin mockingly speaks of Kutuzov when it comes to who will be commander-in-chief in the military operations of 1812: “Is it possible to appoint as commander-in-chief a man who cannot sit on horseback, falls asleep in council, a man of the worst morals!...a decrepit and blind man? .. He doesn't see anything. Play blind man's buff..." But here Prince Vasily recognizes him as a commander: "I'm not even talking about his qualities as a general!" But Kutuzov is present invisibly, people rely on him, but they don’t say it out loud.

Napoleon Bonaparte

The great French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in the novel is presented to us through the eyes of his soldiers, Russian secular society, Russian and Austrian generals, the Russian army and L.N. Tolstoy himself. His vision of Napoleon's small character traits helps us understand this complex character.

We see Napoleon in a moment of anger when he realizes that his general Murat had made a mistake in his calculations and thereby gave the Russian army the opportunity to win. “Go, destroy the Russian army!” - he exclaims in a letter to his general.

We see him in his moment of glory, when Napoleon, with his head held high and a contemptuous grin, looks around the field of Austerlitz after the battle. They line up the wounded for him to examine; for him this is another trophy. He either respectfully or mockingly thanks the Russian General Repnin for a fair fight.

We see him in a moment of complete calm and confidence in victory, when he stands on the top of a hill on the morning before the Battle of Austerlitz. Unshakable, arrogant, he raises his “white glove” and with one movement of his hand begins the battle.

We see him in a conversation with Alexander when he came to a meeting in Tilsit. A tough decision, undeniable by anyone, an imperious look and confidence in actions gives the French emperor what he wants. The Tilsit peace was incomprehensible to many, but Alexander was blinded by Bonaparte’s “honesty”; he did not see the cold calculation and obvious deception of this truce.

Tolstoy shows his attitude towards French soldiers without hiding it. For Napoleon, it is just a weapon that must always be ready for battle. He doesn't think about people at all. His cynicism, cruelty, complete indifference to human life, cold, calculating mind, cunning - these are the qualities that Tolstoy talks about. He has only one goal - to conquer Europe, to capture, precisely to capture, Russia and to conquer the whole world. But Napoleon did not calculate his strength; he did not understand that the Russian army was strong not only in howitzers and cannons, but above all in faith. Faith in God, faith in the Russian people, faith in one people, faith in the victory of Russia for the Russian Tsar. The outcome of the Battle of Borodino became a shameful defeat for Napoleon, the defeat of all his great plans.

Mikhail Ilarionovich Kutuzov

In comparison with Napoleon, an active, thinking young but experienced emperor, Kutuzov looks like a passive commander. We more often see him talking to soldiers, sleeping at military councils, not categorically deciding the course of battles and not imposing his opinion on other generals. He acts in his own way. The Russian army believes in him. All the soldiers call him “Kutuzov the Father” behind his back. Unlike Napoleon, he does not boast of his rank, but simply goes to the field not after the battle, but during it, fighting hand in hand next to his comrades. For him there are no privates and generals, everyone is united in the fight for the Russian land.

When inspecting the troops near Braunau, Kutuzov “looks at the soldiers with a gentle smile” and takes the problem of the lack of boots upon himself. He also recognizes Timokhin, to whom he gives a special bow. This suggests that for Kutuzov it is not his rank or title that is important, but simply a person with his soul. Tolstoy in “War and Peace” shows Kutuzov and Napoleon in clear contrast precisely in this aspect - the attitude towards his army. For Kutuzov, each soldier is an individual, a person with his own inclinations and shortcomings. Everyone is important to him. He often rubs his eyes, which are full of tears, because he tends to worry about people, about the outcome of the case. He is excited about Andrei Bolkonsky because he loves his father. He accepts the news of the death of old Bolkonsky with bitterness. Understands the losses and realizes the failure at Austerlitz. Makes the right decision during the Battle of Shengraben. He is thoroughly preparing for the Battle of Borodino and believes in the victory of the Russian army.

Comparison of Kutuzov and Napoleon

Kutuzov and Napoleon are two great commanders who played an important role in history. Each had their own goal - to defeat the enemy, but they went towards it in different ways. L.N. Tolstoy used different means to describe Kutuzov and Napoleon. He gives us both external characteristics and the character of the soul, the action of thought. All this helps to put together a complete image of the heroes and understand whose priorities are more important to us.

The comparison of Kutuzov and Napoleon in Tolstoy’s novel is not a random choice of the author. He does not put two emperors on the same level - Alexander and Bonaparte, he builds a comparison of precisely two commanders - Kutuzov and Napoleon. Apparently, Alexander, still a very young ruler, did not have the qualities of a real commander to be able to resist “Napoleon himself.” Only Kutuzov could claim this.

Work test

Comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon

Appearance

Kutuzov.An affectionate, mocking look; the corners of the lips and eyes are wrinkled from a gentle smile; expressive facial expressions; confident gait.

Napoleon. Short, puffy and overweight figure; thick thighs and belly; a false, sweet and unpleasant smile; fussy gait.

Character

Kutuzov. Does not extol his merits and does not flaunt them; does not hide his feelings, is sincere; patriot.

Napoleon. Boastful, selfish, full of narcissism; extols his merits; cruel and indifferent to others; conqueror.

Behavior

Kutuzov. Always explained clearly and simply; does not leave the troops and participates in all key battles.

Napoleon. Stays away from hostilities; on the eve of a battle he always makes long, pathetic speeches to the soldiers.

Mission

Kutuzov. Saving Russia.

Napoleon. Conquer the whole world and make Paris its capital.

Role in history

Kutuzov. He believed that nothing depended on him; did not give specific orders, but always agreed with what was being done.

Napoleon. He considered himself a benefactor, but all his orders were either carried out long ago or were not carried out because they could not be carried out.

Attitude towards soldiers

Kutuzov. He was kind to the soldiers and showed sincere concern for them.

Napoleon. Indifferent to the soldiers, does not show any sympathy for them; their fates were indifferent to him.

Conclusion

Kutuzov. A brilliant commander; exponent of patriotism and high morality of the Russian people; patriot; wise politician.

Napoleon. Executioner; invader; all his actions are directed against people.

The comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon (the table is presented above) are based on the opposition of individualism and nationality. Only a person who imagined himself higher and better than others could start a bloody war in order to achieve his selfish goals. Such a character cannot become a hero, so Tolstoy, with his humanism and faith in folk wisdom, paints him negatively and repulsively. Napoleon's appearance, gait, manners, even his character - all this is a consequence of his desire to show himself as a superman.

Kutuzov, wise, calm, seemingly inactive, carries within himself all the power of the Russian people. He doesn't make decisions - he follows the course of events. He doesn't try to create history - he submits to it. This humility contained his spiritual and moral strength, which helped win the war.

L.N. Tolstoy encapsulated the incredible power of the people in his novel “War and Peace.” A brief description of this force is given using the example of the image of Kutuzov, which is contrasted with the spiritually poor Napoleon who does not understand his people. The great Russian commander and the French emperor embodied two principles: creative and destructive. And, of course, the humanist Tolstoy could not give Napoleon a single positive trait. Just as he could not denigrate the image of Kutuzov. The characters in the novel have little in common with real historical figures. But Lev Nikolaevich created them in order to illustrate his historical concept.

Comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon in the novel by L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace". The comparison table is at the end of the article.

What kind of commanders-in-chief: Kutuzov and Napoleon appear in Tolstoy’s depiction?

L. N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is, according to famous writers and critics, “the greatest novel in the world.” In his work, the writer glorified Commander-in-Chief Kutuzov as the inspirer and organizer of the victories of the Russian people. Tolstoy repeatedly emphasizes that Kutuzov is a real folk hero. Kutuzov appears to us in the novel as a simple Russian man and at the same time as a wise historical figure and commander. For Tolstoy, the main thing in Kutuzov is his blood connection with the people - “that national feeling that he carries within himself in all its purity and strength.” The author presents Kutuzov as a wise commander who deeply and correctly understands and assumes the course of events. It is no coincidence that Kutuzov’s correct assessment of the course of events is always confirmed later. For example, he correctly assessed the significance of the Battle of Borodino, noting that it was a victory. In Tolstoy's depiction, Kutuzov is a living face. The author shows his gait, gestures, facial expressions, his famous eye, which is either affectionate or mocking.

The opposite figure to Kutuzov is Napoleon. Tolstoy strongly opposes the “cult” of Napoleon. For the writer, Napoleon is an aggressor who attacked Russia. He burned cities and villages, killed Russian people, robbed, destroyed great cultural values, and even gave the order to destroy the Kremlin. Napoleon is a narcissistic, domineering commander who strives for world domination. In the first parts of the novel, Tolstoy ironically talks about servility to Napoleon, which arose and spread in the highest secular circles of Russia. From the very beginning of the novel, Tolstoy clearly expresses his attitude towards this statesman. Thus, he shows that in Napoleon’s actions there was nothing but whim. However, Napoleon “believed in himself and the whole world believed in him.”

Each character in the novel thinks about Napoleon in his own way. The writer depicts this famous commander as a “little man” with an unpleasantly feigned smile on his face, with a “round belly.” Napoleon appears before us as a man in love with himself, who is far from thinking about the people. It is no coincidence that the word “I” is Napoleon’s favorite word. In this one can see the contrast between Kutuzov and Napoleon. According to the author, the real hero is the people's commander, the one who really cares for the freedom of his Fatherland.

Thus, the reader concludes that the two commanders are diametrically opposed. Napoleon is the embodiment of self-confidence and ambition. The only positive thing about this character is his acting ability. Tolstoy helps the reader conclude that Napoleon became famous in Europe only thanks to these abilities. The sharp contrast between Kutuzov and Napoleon is presented by the author of the novel from the point of view of the attitude of each of them to the people, as well as to their own personality. Tolstoy believes that Kutuzov embodied the best features of a public figure of that time - patriotism, simplicity, modesty, sensitivity, determination and sincerity in achieving goals, subordinating his own interests and goals to the will of the people. At the same time, Napoleon, according to Leo Tolstoy, is a selfish man who neglects the interests of the people.

All thoughts, feelings and actions of Kutuzov are aimed at achieving a goal that meets the interests of the people - to preserve their independence, to get rid of an evil and insidious enemy. All his activities are of a national character, determined by his love for the Motherland, the people, and faith in their strength. Appointed commander-in-chief against the will of the tsar, but at the request of the people, Kutuzov sees the patriotism of the army and the population as a decisive prerequisite for victory.
The activities of Napoleon have a completely different, anti-national character. It is directed against the interests of the European peoples whom he robbed and killed.

He presented himself as a superman who is not fit to care about the spiritual state of the people who surround him.

In the behavior of the Russian commander, Tolstoy notes modesty and accessibility to the people. Moreover, for Kutuzov, the opinion of ordinary people about himself is important. Napoleon appears to us completely differently. He cannot meet high moral standards, so he lacks true majesty.

And finally, the main difference between these two commanders is that Kutuzov always tried to act in complete unity with the entire Russian people in battles. Leo Tolstoy sees this as the main reason for Russia's victory in the difficult war of 1812. In contrast to Kutuzov, Napoleon not only did not understand, but did not even try to understand the mood of his people.
Based on the above, we can conclude that an outstanding figure becomes a real winner only if he is unified with the people. The unity of the leader and the people is the key to victory. The absence of such unity leads to defeat.