Depiction of secular society in the novel "War and Peace". Depiction of secular society in the novel “War and Peace” - essays, abstracts, reports Quotes about secular society War and Peace

Secular society in the novel “War and Peace” is one of the key themes in the study of the epic. After all, it is precisely this that is an integral part of the events taking place. Against its background, the main features of the main characters who are its representatives are most clearly visible. And finally, it also indirectly participates in the development of the plot.

general characteristics

Secular society occupies a prominent place in the novel. And it is no coincidence that this is where the story begins. The aristocratic salon of one of the heroines becomes a kind of stage. The interests, opinions, and ideas of the nobles collide there, among whom are the main characters of the work: Prince Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov. And the reader immediately has a question: what is this very secular society that occupies such a prominent place in the novel?

The writer describes in great detail a meeting of people, which is usually called this concept. He shows that it consists of representatives of the highest aristocracy, who are almost all cold, arrogant, prim and occupied only with their own gain. Against this background, the sincerity, directness, sociability and friendliness of Pierre, the nobility and dignity of Prince Andrei are emphasized even more strongly.

Description of behavior

Secular society plays an important place in the first chapters of the work. "War and Peace" is an epic novel. And therefore the psychology of the main characters unfolds against a broad background. In this case, the reader sees the central characters surrounded by typical representatives of the highest nobility. The writer describes them as outwardly very well-mannered, mannered, polite and helpful people. They make a pleasant impression and seem kind. However, the author immediately makes it clear: this is only an appearance. For example, when describing Prince Vasily, the writer emphasizes that his face looked like a mask. Thus, he immediately makes the reader understand that everything that happens in the salon is false and unnatural.

Princess Salon

Another representative of high society, Anna Pavlovna Scherer, makes about the same impression. Although from the first time she seems very sociable and good-natured. But from the way she treats Pierre, the reader understands: her kindness and helpfulness are feigned. In fact, this woman only cares about decency and decorum in her salon. The secular society gathered at her place must behave according to a strictly established order. And she does not favor those who behave differently. Pierre allows himself to directly and frankly express his thoughts, which immediately displeases her.

Nobles of St. Petersburg

The secular society presented in the novel lives in two main cities of the country: St. Petersburg and Moscow. The aristocracy of the Northern capital mainly spends its time attending balls, receptions, and indulging in other amusements. However, the author has an extremely negative attitude towards these people, who hide coldness, stiffness and arrogance behind external cheerfulness and good nature. Any sincere manifestation of feelings among them is not welcome. On the contrary, all life goes according to a planned order, deviation from which is extremely undesirable.

Sincere expression of feelings, free expression of one's opinion also meets criticism. Inner, spiritual beauty is not valued here. But, on the contrary, ostentatious gloss is of great importance. A striking example is the image of Helen Bezukhova. Outwardly she is very beautiful and impressive, but in reality she is not a person in the moral sense of the word. It is not surprising that Pierre quickly breaks up with her: being sincere by nature, he was never able to come to terms with his wife’s hypocrisy.

Aristocracy of Moscow

The author described the secular society of the Russian capital with greater sympathy and warmth. The following curious fact attracts attention. At first glance, these people are very similar to the capital's nobility. However, it soon becomes clear that they are more sincere, good-natured, honest and sociable. On the whole they make a very good impression, despite the fact that the writer notes their shortcomings.

The description of secular society in Moscow should begin with an overview of the Rostov family. Its members are open, hospitable, friendly, and sociable. They are more open and spontaneous in expressing their thoughts and feelings, unlike other aristocrats. So, the old count is very cheerful and friendly. He goes into all the details of the upcoming holiday, revealing in his communication the traits of a very good-natured and spontaneous person. By this, he immediately wins the sympathy of readers who feel the difference between him and his guests, Princess Anna Scherer and her salon, where everyone is prim and busy only with fulfilling formalities.

The Bolkonsky family as the best representatives of the nobility

The characteristics of secular society in the epic novel under consideration should be supplemented by an overview of the families of the main characters. Because it was in their characters that the author embodied those traits that he considered the best among high society. For example, the Bolkonskys lead a rather secluded lifestyle. And only Prince Andrei periodically appears in the world. But the reader immediately understands that he is doing this solely to comply with the necessary formalities.

In fact, he is so clearly a stranger, although he is accepted everywhere as a representative of a rich and noble family. Nevertheless, the prince does not like the people around him, because he feels the falseness and hypocrisy in their communication. That is why he strives to go to war in order to escape from his boring existence, which was filled with meaningless visits, balls and receptions. This immediately distinguishes the prince from other representatives of the nobility of St. Petersburg.

Princess Marya, his sister, led a very secluded life. And she retained her best qualities as a moral person. That is why she attracts Nikolai Rostov, who eventually marries her, and not Sonya, with whom he has been in love since childhood. Prince Nikolai Andreevich was an old nobleman who, despite all his severity, retained the nobility, honesty and openness of a nobleman. Perhaps this is why he did not fit into the capital’s aristocratic circles and sat hopelessly in his estate, not going anywhere.

Rostov family

These people are also the best representatives of the noble class of the time in question. They are very different from the Bolkonskys both in character and in their way of life. However, they are united by honest and decent behavior, openness, kindness, and sincerity. The first ones are more reserved, the others are open, sociable, and friendly. However, neither one nor the other in any way fits into the usual concept of a secular society.

The Rostovs enjoy universal respect and love. And this is indicative in the sense that not all the upper strata were prim and cold, like the guests in Princess Scherer’s salon. The images of the old count, his wife, Sonya, young Natasha, and her brothers - Nikolai and Peter - are very cute and attractive. They immediately attract openness and spontaneity. At the same time, the writer, striving for the most realistic depiction of reality, also describes the shortcomings of these people, showing that they also tend to make mistakes. For example, Nikolai Rostov loses a large sum and generally leads a riotous lifestyle. And yet these people have more positive qualities than negative ones. Therefore, the author considers them, along with the Bolkonskys, to be the best representatives of the noble class.

A few words in conclusion

So, the depiction of the noble class and its way of life is presented in the novel in sufficient detail, expressively, and most importantly, realistically. In this case, one remembers what the princess says about secular society: in her opinion, it is a kind of backbone of the public life of that time. Therefore, when referring to a work, you should pay a lot of attention to this topic.

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.

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 Helen, 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.

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 devoted 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.

PICTURE OF SECULAR SOCIETY IN THE NOVEL “WAR AND PEACE” The work was completed by 10th grade students of MAOU Secondary School No. 11 Olga Tsygankova, Angelina Mazurina G. Kaliningrad

Tolstoy recalled that he was inspired to write the novel “WAR and PEACE” by “folk thought.” It was from the people that TOLSTOY himself learned and advised others to do the same. Therefore, the main characters of his novel are people from the people or those who were close to ordinary people. Without denying the merits of the nobility to the people, he divides them into two categories. The first category includes those who, by their character, outlook, worldview, are close to the people or come to this through trials. The best representatives of the nobility in this regard are Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre BezuKHOV, Natasha Rostova, Princess Marya Bolkonskaya.

But there are other representatives of the nobility, the so-called “secular society,” who constitute a special caste. These are people who recognize only a few values: title, power and money. Only those who have one or all of the listed values ​​are allowed into their circle and recognized as their own. Secular society is completely empty, just as its individual representatives are empty and insignificant, people without any moral or ethical principles, without life goals. Their spiritual world is just as empty and insignificant. But despite this, they have great power. This is the elite that runs the country, the people who decide the destinies of their fellow citizens.

Tolstoy tries in the novel to show the entire nation and all its representatives. "War and Peace" begins with scenes depicting the highest noble society. The author shows mainly the present, but also touches on the past. Tolstoy paints the nobles of this bygone era. Count Bezukhov is one of their representatives. Bezukhov is rich and noble, he has a good estate, money, power, which he received from the kings for small services. A former favorite of Catherine, a reveler and a libertine, he devoted his entire life to pleasure. He is opposed by the old Prince Bolkonsky, his peer. Bolkonsky is a loyal defender of the fatherland, which he served faithfully. For this he was repeatedly in disgrace and out of favor with those in power.

“Secular society,” even with the onset of the War of 1812, changed little: “calm, luxurious, concerned only with ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg life went on as before; and because of the course of this life, it was necessary to make great efforts to recognize the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves. There were the same exits, balls, the same French theater, the same interests of the courts, the same interests of service and intrigue...” Only the conversations changed - they began to talk more about Napoleon and patriotism.

In War and Peace all layers of Moscow noble society are represented. Tolstoy, characterizing noble society, strives to show not individual representatives, but entire families. After all, it is in the family that both the foundations of integrity and morality, as well as spiritual emptiness and idleness, are laid. One of these families is the Kuragin family. Its head, Vasily Kuragin, occupies a fairly high position in the country. He is a minister called to take care of the people. Instead, all the elder Kuragin’s concerns are directed towards himself and his own children. His son Ippolit is a diplomat who cannot speak Russian at all. For all his stupidity and insignificance, he craves power and wealth. Anatol Kuragin is no better than his brother. His only entertainment is carousing and drinking. It seems that this person is completely indifferent to everything except indulging his own whims. His friend Drubetskoy is Anatole’s constant companion and a witness to his dark deeds.

Thus, by depicting noble society, Tolstoy shows its inactivity and inability to rule the country. The noble nobility has outlived its usefulness and must leave the stage of history. The necessity and inevitability of this was convincingly demonstrated by the Patriotic War of 1812. The highest nobility differs from the people even in their language. The language of the noble nobility is a Frenchized language. He is as dead as the rest of society. It preserves empty cliches, once and for all established expressions, ready-made phrases that are used in convenient cases. People have learned to hide their feelings behind common phrases.