Secular society as depicted by L. n

1. “War and Peace” is an epic novel.
2. The concept and history of the work.
3. Petersburgers and Muscovites in the novel.
4. The significance of the work for understanding the society of the 19th century.

What are passions? - after all, sooner or later their sweet illness
Disappears at the word of reason; And life, as you look around with cold attention -
Such an empty and stupid joke...
M.Yu.Lermontov

“War and Peace” by L. N. Tolstoy is one of the greatest works, included in the world classics of literature. A long and painstaking work was carried out on the novel. The writer began it in 1863, and finished it only six years later - in 1869. During this time, the novel underwent multiple corrections and was rewritten several times, almost from scratch.

The intention of the novel can be judged from the following letter addressed to A.I. Herzen and dated 1861: “I started a novel about four months ago, the hero of which should be the returning Decembrist ... in 56 to Russia with his wife, son and daughter and trying on his strict and somewhat ideal view of the new Russia...” However, the original idea expanded and changed over time (Tolstoy’s diary entry): “Involuntarily, I moved from the present to 1825, the era of errors and misfortunes of my hero, and left what I started. But even in 1825, my hero was already a mature, family man. To understand him, I needed to travel back to his youth, and his youth coincided with the glorious era of 1812 for Russia. Another time I abandoned what I had started and began to write from the time of 1812, the smell and sound of which are still audible and dear to us... The third time I returned back out of a feeling that may seem strange... I was ashamed to write about our triumph in the fight against Bonaparte's France, without describing our failures and our shame. So, having returned from 1856 to 1805, from now on I intend to take not one, but many of my heroines and heroes through the historical events of 1805, 1807, 1812, 1825 and 1856.”

In this novel, also called an epic novel, the author managed to thoroughly accurately, vividly and at the same time interestingly convey the life of the Russian nobility of the first half of the 19th century. A significant role is also given to the description of secular society, at that time divided into two “camps” that are very different from each other and constantly warring with each other - Moscow and St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg, which was the capital city at that time, is still distinguished to this day by its austere and cold beauty. He is unfriendly, unapproachable and beautiful. It is on a par with European cities, since it itself is a window to Europe. The high society of St. Petersburg is a special, closed and isolated world with its own laws and orders. The morals and customs of the members of this society are oriented towards European traditions. But the first, striking difference between such people is the extreme unnaturalness of their thoughts, words, and gestures. Representatives of this circle are too accustomed to the fact that going out into society is a game where you have to keep your face and you cannot show sincere emotions and feelings. It is no coincidence that Prince Vasily, who is directly related to this category of people, is repeatedly compared to an actor.

The main and favorite form of intellectual pastime of St. Petersburg society is the so-called salons. They held conversations about everything and nothing at the same time: they discussed acquaintances, politicians and emperors, news of war and culture. Naturally, the communication was conducted “at the highest level” and it might seem to an unfamiliar person that the things discussed by these people were very important and serious, and that the people talking were well-read and smart. However, this is not so, because it is no coincidence that the author himself compares one of these salons of Madame Scherer to a “talking machine.” There is something indifferent, mechanical in these techniques, acting without emotion according to a program set by the operator.

Such a pastime cannot satisfy an intelligent, inquisitive and lively person - there is too little soul and really important words in it. However, the people who form the basis of this society need such entertainment. For such salon regulars, this manner of behavior and communication extends to family life, devoid of warmth and understanding and filled with mechanical, cold calculation. A typical St. Petersburg family is the Kuragin “clan”.

Moscow society is presented completely differently. Despite some similarities with St. Petersburg, Moscow nobles arouse great reader sympathy. The first mention of Moscow high society is a description of the Rostov house. The morning reception of guests, dedicated to the name day, on the one hand, resembles gatherings at Scherer’s - the same gossip, as well as empty talk and discussion of important matters. The scale of conversations is smaller, as is less feigned surprise and deceit, which completely disappears from the room with the arrival of children. Children bring with them happiness, spontaneity, light and purity, and adults begin to enjoy life with them.

At the reception, the main qualities of Moscow high society are fully revealed - cordiality, family, hospitality. Moscow society resembles one big family with common troubles and joys. Here everyone knows about everyone and forgives each other’s minor sins, although they may scold each other publicly. Thus, Natasha Rostova’s outburst, which is natural for Moscow, will be absolutely unacceptable in St. Petersburg society. The Moscow world is closer to the people, remembers and honors their traditions. The author’s sympathies lie with the Muscovites; it’s not for nothing that the Rostovs live in Moscow. And although Muscovites also have shortcomings (the same gossip), Tolstoy does not focus on them.

When depicting secular society, the author constantly resorts to the technique of “detachment,” which allows one to look at the characters from a new, previously unexamined side. Likewise, the French language in the speech of the heroes is the same technique of “detachment”, which makes it possible to more accurately convey the thoughts and emotions of society. He spoke mainly French and German.

The epic novel was created already in the second half of the 19th century, that is, the author could not be a witness to the time period he described and used the works of writers and historical documents. It is for this reason that the depiction of society in the work is both traditional and revolutionary new. Thanks to the masterfully created characters of the heroes and correctly described details of social life, the novel “War and Peace” became a kind of encyclopedia of the Russian nobility of the first quarter of the 19th century.

Petersburg

Moscow secular society

People's Thought" in the novel "War and Peace".

The novel War and Peace was conceived as a novel about a Decembrist returning from an amnesty in 1856. But the more Tolstoy worked with archival materials, the more he realized that without telling about the uprising itself and, more deeply, about the War of 1812, it was impossible to write this novel. So the concept of the novel gradually transformed, and Tolstoy created a grandiose epic. This is a story about the feat of the people, about the victory of their spirit in the War of 1812. Later, speaking about his work, Tolstoy wrote that the main idea of ​​the novel is "folk thought" . It lies not only and not so much in the depiction of the people themselves, their way of life, their life, but in the fact that every positive hero of the novel ultimately connects his fate with the fate of the nation. On the pages of the novel, and especially in the second part of the epilogue, Tolstoy says that until now all history has been written as the history of individuals, as a rule, tyrants, monarchs, and no one has yet thought about what is the driving force of history . According to Tolstoy, this is the so-called swarm principle, the spirit and will of not one person, but the nation as a whole. And how strong is the spirit and will of the people, so probable are certain historical events. Thus, Tolstoy explains the victory in the Patriotic War by the fact that two wills collided: the will of the French soldiers and the will of the entire Russian people. This war was fair for the Russians, they fought for their Motherland, so their spirit and will to win turned out to be stronger than the spirit and will of the French, so Russia’s victory over France was predetermined.
The War of 1812 became a milestone, a test for all the good characters in the novel: for Prince Andrei, who feels an extraordinary uplift before the Battle of Borodino, faith in victory; for Pierre Bezukhov, all of whose thoughts are aimed at helping to expel the invaders, he even develops a plan to kill Napoleon; for Natasha, who gave the carts to the wounded, because it was impossible not to give them back, it was “shameful and disgusting” not to give them back; for Petya Rostov, who takes part in the hostilities of a partisan detachment and dies in a battle with the enemy; for Denisov, Dolokhov, even for Anatoly Kuragin. All these people, throwing away everything personal, become one and participate in the formation of the will to win. This will to victory is especially clearly manifested in mass scenes: in the scene of the surrender of Smolensk (remember the merchant Ferapontov, who, succumbing to some unknown, inner force, orders all his goods to be distributed to the soldiers, and what cannot be endured is set on fire) in the scene of preparation for The battle of Borodino (the soldiers put on white shirts, as if preparing for the last battle) in the scene of the battle between the partisans and the French. The theme of guerrilla warfare occupies a special place in the novel. Tolstoy emphasizes that the war of 1812 was indeed a people's war, because the people themselves rose up to fight the invaders. The detachments of elders Vasilisa Kozhina and Denis Davydov were already operating, and the heroes of the novel, Denisov and Dolokhov, were also creating their own detachments. Tolstoy calls the brutal, life-or-death war “the club of the people’s war”:
“The club of the people’s war rose with all its formidable and majestic strength and, without asking anyone’s tastes or rules, with stupid simplicity, but with expediency, without considering anything, it rose, fell and nailed the French until the entire invasion was destroyed.”.

Family Thought" in the novel "War and Peace".

There are five main families involved: Rostov, Bolkonsky, Kuragin, Drubetsky and Bezukhov. Other, less colorful families are also mentioned in the novel: Bergs, Karagins, Dolokhovs etc.

Rostovs: Count Rostov, Countess Rostova, Vera, Nikolai, Natasha, Petya, Sonya.

Bolkonskys: Nikolai Bolkonsky, Andrei, Lisa Bolkonskaya (Meinen, Andrei’s wife, “little princess”, Kutuzov’s niece), Marya, Nikolenka, Mademoiselle Burien.

Kuragin: Prince Vasily, Princess Kuragin, Ellen Kuragin, Ippolit Kuragin, Anatol Kuragin.

Drubetskoy: Anna Drubetskaya, Boris Drubetskoy.

Schoengraben and Austerlitz in the novel "War and Peace".

The role of the epilogue.

Epilogue is the final part of the work, in which the denouement of the plot, the fate of the heroes are finally clarified, and the main idea of ​​the work is formulated. The epilogue is the conclusion of the novel. In the works of L. N. Tolstoy and F. M. Dostoevsky, the role of the epilogue is extremely large:

* The epilogue logically completes the plot of the work.

Tolstoy's philosophical position is so distant from the plot of the work that it could exist independently, as a philosophical treatise. The plot denouement (the first part of the epilogue) occupies a significantly smaller part of the epilogue. 7 years have passed since the war. Marya married Rostov, their happiness is based on Mary’s constant spiritual work. Nikolai admires her mind and soul. Nikolai manages the estate well, Sonya lives with them. There was no soul visible in Natasha, only her face and body. The main thing for her is serving her husband and family. Pierre tells Nikolai about the latest political news, says that the sovereign does not delve into any matters, that the situation in the state is heating up, that everything is ready for a coup. Pierre assures that it is necessary to organize a society, maybe even an illegal one, in order to be useful. Nikolai does not agree with this, recalling that he took an oath: “Tell me now Arakcheev to go at you with a squadron and cut down - I won’t think for a second and I’ll go.” New challenges await Pierre. Trials related to Pierre's participation in a political circle. (As we understand, Pierre will become a Decembrist and take part in the uprising on Senate Square.) So Tolstoy proves to us “that people, like rivers,” change all the time, look for something, strive for something, and this desire for harmony, to truth makes them “quite good.

(Nikolenka's Dream) She and Uncle Pierre walked ahead of a huge army and joyfully approached their goal. But suddenly Uncle Nikolai appears in front of them in a menacing pose, ready to kill the first one to move forward. Nikolenka turns around and sees that it is no longer Uncle Pierre standing next to him, but his father, Prince Andrei, who is caressing him. The boy interprets this dream as follows: “My father was with me and caressed me. He approved of me, he approved of Uncle Pierre. I know they want me to study. And I will study. But someday I will stop; and then I will do it. Everyone will know, everyone will love me, everyone will admire me. Yes, I will do something that would make even him happy..."

In the second part, Tolstoy once again talks about the historical process, about the fact that it is not the individual who makes history, but the masses of the people, guided by common interests, who make it. A person is important in history only to the extent that he understands and accepts these interests. Tolstoy asks himself a global problem: “What moves the world, its history?” And he gives the answer to it: “The laws of necessity.” His position is fatalism. According to Tolstoy, a person is only a pawn in a complex game, the outcome of which is predetermined, and the goal of the pawn is to understand the rules of the game and follow them (and in this case be among the righteous winners), otherwise the pawn will be punished by fate, resistance to which is useless . A gigantic illustration of this position is the picture of war, where everyone, including kings and great commanders, is powerless before fate, where the one who better understands the laws of necessity and does not resist them wins (Kutuzov).

A broad philosophical position is presented. To confirm his position in the second part of the epilogue, he does not use the plot material of his work, but uses newly invented arguments. Particularly noteworthy is the extraordinary innovation of Tolstoy, who turned the epilogue from a small appendage or just the last chapter into an independent work, the role of which is comparable to the role of the main part of War and Peace.

Philosophy of history.

L. N. Tolstoy’s work “War and Peace” was conceived as a narrative about the life of some fictional characters from high society, but gradually it turned into an epic, including not only descriptions of real events of the early 19th century, but also entire chapters, the task of which is to convey to the reader the philosophical views of the author. Turning to the depiction of history, Tolstoy was forced to get acquainted with a variety of materials on the era of interest to him. The position of none of the contemporary scientists could satisfy a person who wanted to “get to the root” of everything. The author of War and Peace gradually develops his own concept of historical development; which was necessary to present in order to reveal to people a “new truth” and to make the logic of the novel clearer.

One of the first problems the writer faced was assessing the role of the individual and the masses in history. And if at the beginning of the creation of “War and Peace” the main attention was paid to individual heroes, then as he studied the war of 12, Tolstoy became more and more convinced of the decisive role of the people. In the second part of the epilogue, the main idea that permeates the entire narrative was formulated as follows: “... the more directly people participate in the commission of an action, the less they can order and the greater their number... the less direct participation that people take in the action itself, the more they order and the smaller their number...” The idea that the actions of the masses determine history is confirmed in many episodes of the novel. Thus, the victory in the Battle of Shengraben for the Russian troops was not brought about by the successful orders of Prince Bagration, who “... only tried to pretend that everything that was done out of necessity, chance and the will of private commanders... was done... in accordance with his intentions ”, and the actions of the “little” captain Tushin, as well as everyone’s awareness of the need for this battle to save the army. At the same time, when the ordinary soldier did not see the goal of the battle, as was the case at Austerlitz, neither the knowledge of the German command of the area, nor the thoughtful disposition, nor the presence of the emperors could influence the unfavorable outcome. The decisive importance of the spirit of the army is especially clearly visible in the Battle of Borodino, when the Russians were able to prove their moral superiority over the enemy, despite the intrigues at Kutuzov’s headquarters and the inconvenience of the position.

According to Tolstoy, the task of the individual is not to interfere with the natural course of history, the “swarm” life of the people. Bagration understands this, and his behavior during the Battle of Shengraben can serve as proof; Kutuzov knows this, feeling the moment when it is necessary to fight a grandiose battle, allowing himself to make the decision to leave Moscow, seeing meaning only in the war of liberation. The main difference between the “most illustrious” and Napoleon is not in the inactivity of the Russian commander, but in the old man’s awareness that his orders are not decisive for the course of history.

Speaking about Tolstoy’s position on the role of the individual in history, we inevitably come to a description of the contradictions in the concept of the author of War and Peace.

On the one hand, one of the fundamental theses is “a person consciously lives for himself, but serves as an unconscious tool for achieving historical, social goals.” According to Tolstoy, it is natural that “most of the people of that time did not pay any attention to the general course of affairs, but were guided only by the personal interests of the present.” On the other hand, all the heroes of the novel are divided into two groups. The first of them includes all those who are not indifferent to the fate of the Motherland, whose lives are turned upside down during the War of 1812, whose “personal interest” is directly related to the “general course of affairs.” This is the old Prince Bolkonsky, gathering a militia, preparing to defend the Bald Mountains from the French, the Rostovs, giving up their carts for the wounded, Petya, Nikolai, Andrei, Pierre, who see the goal of their life in participating in the Patriotic War.

The second half includes those whose lives do not change with the beginning of the war and do not depend on it in any way. These are pseudo-patriots from the St. Petersburg salon A.P. Scherer and visitors to Helen’s house, sympathizing with Napoleon and the French, Berg, preoccupied with the purchase of a wardrobe while the residents of Moscow were leaving, Boris, interested only in promotion. All of them are condemned by the author precisely for their indifference to the common cause. Kutuzov, who understands the deep meaning of what is happening, becomes an ideal person.

In the epic, an important place is given to discussions about the general nature of the development of life. When talking about this part of the novel’s historical and philosophical digressions, the term “fatalism” is often used. The laws of history are not yet accessible to people, so the concept of fate, fate, arises, which replaces the entire set of unknown causes.

Secular society in the novel "War and Peace".

In the novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy created a truthful and holistic picture of Russian life in the first quarter of the 19th century. During this period in Russia, the main social role was played by the nobles, so a significant place in the novel is given to the description of secular society. High society at that time was represented mainly by two metropolitan societies, quite different from each other: St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Petersburg - the capital, a cold, inhospitable city, standing on a par with European cities. The St. Petersburg high society is a special world with its own laws, customs, morals, the intellectual center of the country, oriented towards Europe. But the first thing that catches your eye when describing relationships in this society is unnaturalness. All representatives of high society are accustomed to playing roles imposed on them by society or taken by them voluntarily; it is not for nothing that Prince Vasily is compared to an actor in the novel.

One of the main types of pastime for members of high society were social receptions at which news, the situation in Europe and much more were discussed. It seemed to the new person that everything being discussed was important, and all those present were very smart and thoughtful people, seriously interested in the subject of the conversation. In fact, there is something mechanical and indifferent in these techniques, and Tolstoy compares those present in Anna Pavlovna Scherer’s salon to a talking machine. An intelligent, serious, inquisitive person cannot be satisfied with such communication, and he quickly becomes disillusioned with the world. However, the basis of a secular society is made up of those who like such communication and for whom it is necessary. Such people develop a certain stereotype of behavior, which they transfer into their personal and family life. Therefore, in their relationships in the family there is little cordiality, more practicality and calculation. A typical St. Petersburg family is the Kuragin family.
It appears to us completely differently Moscow secular society , which, however, is still somewhat similar to the St. Petersburg one. The first image of Moscow light in the novel is the description of the name day in the Rostov house. The morning reception of guests is reminiscent of social receptions in St. Petersburg: discussion of news, although not on a global scale, but local, feigned feelings of surprise or indignation, but the impression immediately changes with the appearance of children, who bring spontaneity, happiness, and causeless fun into the living room. At dinner with the Rostovs, all the qualities inherent in the Moscow nobility are manifested: hospitality, cordiality, nepotism. Moscow society in many ways resembles one big family, where everyone knows everything, where they forgive each other’s small weaknesses and can publicly scold each other for mischief. Only in such a society could a figure like Akhrosimova appear, and Natasha’s outburst be condescendingly appreciated. Unlike the St. Petersburg nobility, the Moscow nobility is closer to the Russian people, their traditions and customs. In general, Tolstoy’s sympathies, apparently, are on the side of the Moscow nobility; it is not for nothing that his favorite heroes, the Rostovs, live in Moscow. And although the writer cannot approve of many of the traits and morals of Muscovites (gossiping, for example), he does not focus on them. In depicting secular society, Tolstoy actively uses the technique of “detachment,” which allows him to look at events and characters from an unexpected point of view. So , when describing an evening at Anna Pavlovna Scherer's, the writer compares the salon with a spinning workshop, illuminating a social reception from an unexpected side and allowing the reader to penetrate into the essence of the relationships at it. The French language in the speech of the heroes is also a technique of “detachment,” making it possible to more fully create the image of a secular society , who at that time spoke mainly French.

Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” allows us to judge what Russian society was like at the beginning of the 19th century.

The writer shows the reader not only representatives of high society, but also the Moscow and local nobility, and creates amazing images of peasants. Thus, almost all social strata of Russia are represented in the novel.

Pictures of Russian society in the novel “War and Peace”

Historical figures

• Emperor Alexander I,
• Napoleon,
• Kutuzov,
• marshals of France,
• generals of the Russian army.

When showing historical figures, Tolstoy is authorially biased: for him, Kutuzov is a truly historical, majestic personality. Both Emperor Alexander and Napoleon think first of all about themselves, their role in history, therefore their role in real history is illusory. Kutuzov feels the spirit of providence and subordinates his activities to the service of the Fatherland. Tolstoy writes:

“There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth.”

Therefore, Kutuzov is great and Napoleon and others like him are insignificant.

Images of Russian nobles in the novel “War and Peace”

Revealing the images of Russian nobles, the writer uses his favorite technique of contrast. The St. Petersburg nobility, the high society of St. Petersburg are opposed to the Moscow and local nobility by the desire for their own benefit, career, and narrow personal interests.

The personification of such a society is the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer, whose description of the evening begins the novel. The hostess herself and her guests are likened to a workshop where machines make noise and spindles spin. Pierre's behavior and sincerity seem like bad manners to regulars of the salon.

The Kuragin family also becomes a symbol of the deceit of high society. External beauty is not necessarily an attribute of internal beauty. The beauty of Helen and Anatole hides their predatory nature, which is aimed only at obtaining their own pleasure. Pierre's marriage to Helene, Natasha's false love for Anatole - mistakes for which they pay with disappointment in life, a fragile fate.

The essence of high society is manifested in relation to the War of 1812. During the Battle of Borodino, St. Petersburg is more occupied with which of the two contenders for her hand will be chosen by Princess Bezukhova, Helen, while her husband is alive. The patriotism of this society is expressed in the refusal to speak French and the inability to speak Russian. The deceitfulness of this society is clearly visible in the behavior of Prince Vasily Kuragin during the struggle for the appointment of Kutuzov as commander of the Russian army. Kuragins, Bergs, Drubetskys, Rostopchin, even in war, seek only benefits; true patriotism and the unity of the nation are alien to them.

Moscow nobles and locals are close to the people. Moscow treats the War of 1812 differently. The nobles gather the militia, seized by a single impulse of patriotism, they meet Emperor Alexander. Pierre equips an entire regiment of militia and demands that the carts, which are intended for transporting things during the retreat, be given to the wounded. Tolstoy admires a single family house, where masters and servants represent a single whole (scenes of name days in the Rostovs’ house, Natasha’s hunt and dance in Uncle Rostov’s house).

Images of the people, merchants "War and Peace"

For each of Tolstoy’s favorite heroes, a man of the people becomes the measure of truth:

• for Andrei Bolkonsky this is a meeting with Tushin in the Battle of Shengraben,
• for Pierre - with Platon Karataev in captivity,
• for Denisov - with Tikhon Shcherbaty in the partisan detachment.

The unity of the nation is also represented by the image of Muscovites, in particular the Moscow lady who leaves the city

“with a vague awareness that she is not Bonaparte’s servant.”

The merchant class is represented in the novel by the character Ferapontov, who opens his barns to residents and soldiers during the retreat from Smolensk, shouting:

“Take everything...Raseya has decided.”

The images of peasants are extremely interesting. Tolstoy shows the diversity of Russian folk characters.

• This is Tikhon Shcherbaty - “the most necessary person in Denisov’s detachment”, a man who can walk the same distance as a horseman, pull a horse out of a swamp, take a prisoner.

• This is only the elder Vasilisa mentioned by the writer, who led the partisan detachment.

• This is Captain Tushin, small, nondescript, thanks to whom it was possible to save the Russian army in the Battle of Shengraben.

• This is Captain Timokhin, an unnoticed war worker on whom the Russian army rests.

• This is the philosopher and sage Platon Karataev, whose contradictory image still confuses critics. Plato was a good soldier, but he also takes captivity as a given, as life, while maintaining a sense of self-esteem.

Tolstoy would not have been Tolstoy if he had not shown the contradictory attitudes of the peasants towards the invasion. The revolt of the Bogucharovsky peasants, their reluctance to go into captivity, speaks of the hopes of the peasantry for liberation from serfdom.

“In War and Peace,” Tolstoy will say, “I loved popular thought.”

Russian families in the novel

But family thought also plays an important role in the novel. Tolstoy considers the family to be the basis of the state.

The Rostov, Bolkonsky families, at the end of the novel the families of Pierre and Natasha, Nikolai and Marya - this is the moral ideal of a family where there is kinship of souls, unity and mutual understanding.

It is in these families that talented children grow up, the basis of the future of Russia.

He wrote that his novel was

“a picture of morals built on a historical event.”

The novel gives a lot for understanding the mysteries of the Russian soul and the Russian national character, the amazing strength of the nation, the people in the broad sense during deep national upheavals.

Readers are introduced to high society already on the first pages of Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace,” when we find ourselves in A.P.’s salon. Scherer. We cannot help but notice the author's ironic attitude towards the insincerity, ostentatious stiffness, and mannerisms of the guests of this grand lady. Socialite Anna Pavlovna, as was customary in the world, approached the selection of guests for her magnificent evening very strictly: “Just as a good head waiter serves as something supernaturally beautiful that piece of beef that you won’t want to eat if you see it in a dirty kitchen, So this evening Anna Pavlovna served her guests first the Viscount, then the Abbot, like something supernaturally refined.”

The choice of guests is explained not by their human qualities or level of intelligence, but by their nobility and wealth. The Viscount and the Abbot at this social evening are a kind of dessert and serve to give it significance, splendor, weight, just as exotic overseas fruits serve to decorate the table.

Tolstoy compares Anna Pavlovna Sherer to the “owner of a spinning workshop”, who methodically seated his “workers in their work places”, where everyone performs their task, and he walks around the workshop, keeping order. Tolstoy writes: “... so Anna Pavlovna, walking around her living room, approached a circle that had fallen silent or was talking too much and with one word or movement again started up a uniform, decent conversational machine.”

Everything here is luxurious, prim, somehow unnatural. That is why Scherer is so frightened by the new guest - the “massive, fat” Pierre Bezukhov, “the illegitimate son of the famous Catherine’s nobleman.” Fat, big, a little clumsy, so ungraceful and unaristocratic, he does not know secular manners at all and does not know how to behave in society. Anna Pavlovna also experiences fear of “the intelligent and at the same time timid, observant and natural look that distinguished him from everyone in this living room.” This is what scares people moving in secular circles: a real, lively mind, spontaneity, simplicity.

And Pierre is still very naive. This is such a kind person that he doesn’t even think about bad people. He cannot admit that in secular society there can be people like the cold, calculating Prince Kuragin and his daughter Helen. Or the unprincipled and vile Anatole, who, without hesitation, destroys a person’s life. Or the Bergs with their cynical life formula: “you can and should always have acquaintances with people who are taller than you, because only then will there be pleasure from acquaintances” and so that you don’t have children for a longer time, because “you have to live for society.”

Naive Pierre still sincerely believes that truly intelligent people gathered at this evening, “and his eyes, like a child’s in a toy store, were wide open”: “he was still afraid of missing the smart conversations that he might hear.” Pierre is waiting with hope for “something especially smart.”

Time will pass, and on a fateful day for Russia - the day of the Battle of Borodino - high society will also gather here to have a good time, demonstrate new outfits in public and express loud declarations of love for Russia. On a terrible day for Russia, Scherer’s guests did not have the tact to not organize a magnificent evening out of respect for those people who are now where blood is being shed, the groans and cries of the dying are heard. But Tolstoy writes: “Anna Pavlovna had an evening on August 26, the very day of the Battle of Borodino, the flower of which should have been the reading of the letter from the Eminence, written when sending the icon of the Reverend Sergius to the sovereign.”

Prince Vasily, who became famous for “his art of reading,” was entrusted with reading this letter. The reading of this letter "had political significance." And these people, drowning in luxury, still had the conscience to condemn Kutuzov! Receiving alarming news about the state of affairs of the war with the French, representatives of the secular nobility sighed and said: “What is the position of the sovereign!” Now they “no longer extolled, like the day before, but ... condemned Kutuzov, who was the cause of concern for the sovereign.” Meanwhile, all the patriotism of these people boils down to the fact that they refuse to speak French for a while and fine those who violate this rule in favor of the needs of the Russian army.

Representatives of high society view marriage between people, first of all, as a mutually beneficial, social union. Here we are, together with Natasha Rostova, rejoicing at her first ball, her first great love, her success. And Peronskaya comments: “This is a millionaire bride. And here are the grooms.” Among the suitors is Boris Drubetskoy. All fans of an ugly girl want only a profitable marriage, despite the lack of at least some sympathy for the girl.

Prince Vasily, having decided to marry Helene to the rich Pierre, arranges this marriage, which is destined to become unhappy. He behaves like a subtle psychologist and strategist. Prince Vasily forgets that a family union of two people is also a spiritual union, mutual understanding.

Unfortunately, even in the wonderful Rostov family such marriages take place! Even in this family, where comfort, complete mutual understanding, sincere, ardent affection for each other reign. Nikolenka and Sonya have been in love with each other since childhood, they swore allegiance. But miracles only happen in fairy tales. Sonya lives in the Rostov family, does not need anything, she is a full member of this friendly family. But still she is a homeless woman who has nothing. The Rostovs' affairs are not in very good condition, and this marriage could completely ruin them.

The Rostovs need money. The Count and Countess protest against Nikolenka's marriage to Sonya, and he marries Marya Bolkonskaya. Of course, Marya turned out to be a wonderful girl. Marya and Nikolai truly fell in love with each other, created a good family, but the fact remains: unprofitable marriages are unacceptable in high society.

Tolstoy's attitude towards high society is ambivalent. He perfectly sees the vices of the world: insincerity, stiffness, arrogance, deceit, self-interest. But Tolstoy’s high society is also intelligent, noble people with a fine spiritual organization. This is Pierre Bezukhov, and Natasha Rostova, and Andrei Bolkonsky, and Marya Bolkonskaya, and Nikolai Rostov. These are people who know how to love, know how to forgive and truly love their Russia.

Tolstoy recalled that when writing a ro-
mana "War and Peace" he was inspired by the "thought
folk." It was from the people that Tolstoy learned
I myself advised others to do this. That's why
The main characters of his novel are
people from the people or those who stood close
to ordinary people. Without denying the merits of the two
swearing before the people, he divides it into two
categories. The first category includes those
who by their character, outlook, world-
view close to the people or through the use of
torture comes to this. The best pre-
leaders of the nobility in this regard
are Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre
Bezukhov, Natasha Rostova, Princess Marya
Bolkonskaya. But there are other representatives
nobility, the so-called “secular society”
“stvo”, which constitute a special caste. This
people who recognize only a few
values: title, power and money. Only
those who have one or all of the pe-
listed values, they allow into their
circle and recognize them as their own. Secular society
completely empty, just like empty and insignificant
we are its individual representatives, people without
any moral or ethics
toev, without life goals. Equally empty
their spiritual world is insignificant. But despite
this, they have great power. This is the ver-
the hushka who runs the country are the people
who decide the destinies of their fellow citizens.
Tolstoy tries in his novel to show all
the nation and all its representatives. "War and
world" begins with scenes depicting the highest
noble society. The author shows in
new modernity, but also touches on the pro-g
bad. Tolstoy draws the nobles of this departing
current era. Count Kirill Bezukhov is one of
their representatives. Bezukhov is rich and noble,
he has a good estate, money, power, which
ry received from kings for minor services.
Catherine's former favorite, reveler and
gatekeeper, he dedicated his whole life to pleasure
yam. He is opposed by the old Prince Bolkon-
skiy is his age. Bolkonsky - faithful
defender of the fatherland he served
faithfully. For this he repeatedly
was in disgrace and out of favor with the authorities
haves.
Anti-nationality, complete disregard
the needs of ordinary people, the thirst for profit -
these are the distinctive features of the higher duality
Ryan society. These features are also inherent in state
there the ladies-in-waiting Schörer, and the visitors of the French
Tsuzsky salon of Countess Bezukhova. Here
selfishness, self-interest, career-seeking reign
rism and intrigue. Small talk -
nothing more than ordinary slander,
often turning into slander. Behind the mask
good nature hides hypocrisy and pretense
things that have become a habit. All normal people
human feelings are distorted, everything is saturated
lies, all that remains of friendship and love is vi-
dimness. The origins of the moral decay of the highest
Tolstoy sees our society in parasitism
and idleness. It’s not in vain that he will introduce everyone to him
Lei calls drones. Saltykov-Shchedrin,
characterizing the novel “War and Peace”,
remarked: “And our so-called “higher society”
“The count famously captured the society.”
"Secular society" even with the advent
After the War of 1812, little changed: “the
comfortable, luxurious, concerned only with
ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg
life went on as before; and because of the course of this
life had to make great efforts,
to be aware of the danger and the difficult situation
the situation in which the Russian people found themselves.
There were the same exits, balls, the same French
theater, the same interests of the courtyards, the same in-
interests of service and intrigue..." The times have changed
all that talk - they started talking more
talk about Napoleon and patriotism.
At the top of noble society are
Emperor Alexander I died. Alexander I
the cauldron is exactly as it was imagined
most of the nobles. But in the guise of an emperor
traits of duplicity, posturing and
that cutesy sensuality in which flatter-
people saw a manifestation of a “high soul
king The true appearance of Alexander I is particularly
but is clearly shown in the scene of the king’s arrival in Armik
after the defeat of the invaders. Kutuzov Tsar for-
embraces them, accompanying them with an evil
hissing: “Old comedian.” Tolstoy considers
melts that the top of the nation has become dead and now
lives an “artificial life.” Everything is approaching
the king's wives are no different from him
. my. The country is run by a bunch of foreigners
who don't care about Russia. Mini-
countries, generals, diplomats, staff officers
ry and other close associates of the emperor occupied
you with your own enrichment and career.
The same lies, the same intrigues reign here,
opportunism, as everywhere else. It is Ote-
the honorable war of 1812 showed the real
the essential essence of government officials. False
their patriotism is covered with loud words
you about your homeland and people. But their mediocrity
and the inability to govern the country is clearly visible
in the novel.
All layers are represented in War and Peace
Moscow noble society. Tolstoy,
characterizing noble society, str-
tries to show not individual representations
lei, but whole families. After all, it is in the family that
laid down as the foundations of integrity
and morality, and spiritual emptiness and
idleness. One of these families is
Kuragin family. Its head is Vasily Kuragin
occupies a fairly high position in the country.
He is a minister called upon to take care of the people.
de. Instead, all the worries of the elder Kur-
gina are aimed at oneself and at one’s own
married children. His son Hippolyte is a diplomat,
who can't speak any language at all
Russian For all his stupidity and insignificance
he craves power and wealth. Anatol Ku-
Ragin is no better than his brother. His only
entertainment is carousing and drinking.
It seems that this man is completely
indifferent to everything except self-indulgence
personal whims. His friend Drubetskoy -
Anatole's constant companion and witness
dark affairs.
We get to know these people already
the first pages of the novel, where Tolstoy describes
attracts visitors and regulars of the salon
Anna Pavlovna Sherer. Here they spin and
cold and calculating rogue Vasya
Liy Kuragin, who is looking for clever moves
“whether to the cross, to the shtetl,” and his son Ana-
only, which the father himself calls “restless”
stupid fool”, and destroyers of other people’s destinies
Hippolyte and Helen. Helen - the first beauty
city, but at the same time cold and spiritually pu-
wait man. She realizes her beauty and
puts her on display, allowing her to admire -
Xia. But this woman is far from harmless,
as it may seem at first glance. Av-
Thor emphasizes Helen's smile - it is “inexorable”
Menna." I would like to compare Helen herself with Elena
A beautiful, ancient heroine, because of which
the Trojan War began. Helen also
brings nothing but trouble. Later she
taking advantage of Pierre's gullibility,
lures him into her network and marries him.
In Scherer's salon we see both Pierre and An-
Drey Bolkonsky. The author contrasts
these living people to the dead high society.
We understand that Pierre found himself in a society where
to whom he is alien and who does not understand at all
his. Only Andrey's intervention helps
avoid scandal.
Boris Drubetskoy - another representative
tel of the highest noble society. He's alone
of those who will replace the older one
generation. But the author paints him the same way -
gentle from the people, like everyone else. Boris
cares only about his career. He has a ho-
a cool mind and a sober mind, he knew exactly
He doesn’t know what he needs in this life. He sets a goal
and achieves it. Even during the Drubetskaya war
thinks about awards and promotions,
wants to “arrange for himself the best position”
tion, especially the position of the adjutant during important
new face, which seemed especially tempting to him
you are in the army." He also makes acquaintances
only those that are beneficial to him. Let's remember
how the Drubetskys turned away from the Rostovs when
Yes, they were ruined. This despite
that families were once friendly.
The highest nobility differs from the people even
with your tongue. The language of the noble nobility is
Frenchized language. He's just as dead
vyy, like the rest of society. It preserved
empty stamps, folded once and for all -
all expressions, ready-made phrases that
used in convenient cases. People on-
learned to hide their feelings behind everyday
in my phrases.
Thus, drawing the noble society
in, Tolstoy shows his inactivity
and inability to govern the country. Nobles-
The nobles have outlived their usefulness and must leave the stage.
us stories. Necessity and inevitability
this was convincingly demonstrated by the Patriotic
war of 1812.