The estate of General Bolkonsky is the nature of the interests of the occupation. Essay on the topic: the image of the old Prince Bolkonsky (l
The first time we encounter the Bolkonsky family is in in full force at the end of the first part of the first volume, when everyone in Bald Mountains, on the Bolkonskys’ main estate, is awaiting the arrival of Prince Andrei and his wife. From this moment on, a lot, one might say almost everything, becomes clear about this family, about all their members. Starting with the old prince and ending with mlle Bourienne. Before we begin describing the family members, it should be said that everyone in the Bolkonsky family is special in their own way. If we draw a parallel with the Rostovs, we can immediately say: this is absolutely different people. The Rostovs are simple nobles, a good-natured father, a kind mother, a generous son, carefree children. Here everything is completely different. A dictator-father, a submissive daughter, a fearful daughter-in-law, and an independent son. This is an overview of the whole family, which gives some insight into the Bolkonskys. You can figuratively imagine the Bolkonskys as a triangle, at the top of which is their father, Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky, on the other peak Andrei, and not the third, Princess Marya Bolkonskaya with Lisa, the wife of Prince Andrei. These are three fronts, three completely opposite groups (if one or two people can be called that) in the family.
Nikolai Bolkonsky
Most of all, the old prince valued “two virtues in people: activity and intelligence.” “He himself was involved in raising his daughter and, in order to develop both main virtues in her, he gave her lessons in algebra and geometry and distributed her whole life in continuous studies. He himself was constantly busy either writing his memoirs,” or “calculations from higher mathematics, either by turning snuff boxes on a machine, or by working in the garden and supervising the buildings that did not stop on his estate.” Living in the village, Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky reads a lot, he is aware of current events. Unlike the inhabitants of secular drawing rooms, he deeply worries about everything that happens in Russia, and believes that the duty of a nobleman is to serve his homeland. True love to his homeland and the consciousness of his duty to it resounds in his parting words ah to his son: “Remember one thing, Prince Andrei: if they kill you, it will hurt me, an old man... And if I find out that you did not behave like the son of Nikolai Bolkonsky, I will be... ashamed!” When in 1806 the theater of military action approached to the Russian borders, Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky, despite his venerable age, accepted the appointment as one of the eight commanders-in-chief of the militia. “He was constantly traveling around the three provinces entrusted to him; he was pedantic in his duties, strict to the point of cruelty with his subordinates, and he himself got down to the smallest details of the matter." In 1812, having learned about the capture of Smolensk by the French, the old Prince Bolkonsky decides to "stay in the Bald Mountains to the last extreme and defend himself." Thoughts about his homeland, about its fate, about the defeat of the Russian army do not leave him even in his dying hours. Nikolai Andreevich was a Russian gentleman, sometimes tyranny and despotism manifested themselves in him, but at the same time he was a man of enormous moral strength highly spiritually developed. The traits of Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky were inherited by his children - Prince Andrei and Princess Marya. Old Prince Bolkonsky did not want his daughter to be like secular women. He did not like idleness, worked himself and demanded that the princess’s life be filled with useful activities.
Andrey Bolkonsky
IN art world Tolstoy has heroes, persistently and purposefully searching for meaning lives striving for complete harmony with peace. They are not interested in social intrigues, selfish interests, empty conversations in high society salons. They are easy to recognize among arrogant, self-satisfied faces. These, of course, include one of the most bright images"War and Peace" - Andrei Bolkonsky. True, the first acquaintance with this hero does not evoke much sympathy, because he Beautiful face“with definite and dry features” spoils the expression of boredom and dissatisfaction. But it, as Tolstoy writes, is caused by the fact that “everyone who was in the living room was not only familiar, but was already so tired of him that he found it very boring to look at them and listen to them.” The author's extensive commentary suggests that a brilliant and idle, empty life does not satisfy the hero, who strives to break the vicious circle in which he finds himself. Prince Andrei, who, in addition to intelligence and education, strong will, decisively changes his life by entering service at the headquarters of the commander-in-chief. Bolkonsky dreams of heroism and glory, but his desires are far from vanity, for they are caused by the desire for the victory of Russian weapons, for the common good. Possessing hereditary pride, Andrei unconsciously separates himself from the world ordinary people. In the hero’s soul, the gap between his lofty dreams and earthly everyday life becomes deeper and deeper. His pretty wife Lisa, who once seemed perfect to him, turned out to be an ordinary, ordinary woman. And Andrei undeservedly insults her with his disdainful attitude. And the bustling life of the headquarters of the commander-in-chief, which Bolkonsky sees as the brain of the army, also turns out to be very far from ideal. Andrei firmly believes that his thoughts about saving the army will attract attention and interest and will serve the common good. But instead of saving the army, he has to save the doctor’s wife from the demands of the transport officer. This one, in general, Noble act seems too small and insignificant to Andrey in comparison with his heroic dream. The feat he accomplished during Battle of Austerlitz When he runs ahead of everyone with a banner in his hands, he is full of external effect: even Napoleon noticed and appreciated him. But why, having committed a heroic act, does Andrei not experience any delight or elation? Probably because at that moment when he fell, seriously wounded, a new lofty truth was revealed to him, along with the high endless sky, spreading a blue vault above him. Against his background, everything former dreams and the aspirations seemed small and insignificant to Andrei, the same as his former idol. A reassessment of values took place in his soul. What seemed beautiful and sublime to him turned out to be empty and vain. And what he so diligently fenced himself off from was the simple and quiet family life, - now seems desirable to him, full of happiness and harmony. It is not known how Bolkonsky’s life with his wife would have turned out. But when, having risen from the dead, he returned home kinder and gentler, a new blow fell upon him - the death of his wife, to whom he was never able to make amends. Andrei tries to live a simple, calm life, touchingly caring for his son, improving the lives of his serfs: he made three hundred people free cultivators, and replaced the rest with dues. These humane measures, testifying to Bolkonsky’s progressive views, for some reason still do not convince of his love for the people. Too often he shows contempt for a peasant or a soldier, whom one can pity, but cannot respect. In addition, the state of depression and the feeling of the impossibility of happiness indicate that all the transformations cannot completely occupy his mind and heart. Changes in the heavy state of mind Andrei's story begins with the arrival of Pierre, who, seeing his friend's depressed mood, tries to instill in him faith in the existence of a kingdom of goodness and truth that should exist on earth. Andrei's final revival to life occurs thanks to his meeting with Natasha Rostova. The description emanates poetry and charm moonlit night and Natasha's first ball. Communication with her opens up a new sphere of life for Andrey - love, beauty, poetry. But it is with Natasha that he is not destined to be happy, because there is no complete mutual understanding between them. Natasha loves Andrei, but does not understand and does not know him. And she, too, remains a mystery to him with her own, special inner world. If Natasha lives every moment, unable to wait and postpone until a certain time the moment of happiness, then Andrei is able to love from a distance, finding a special charm in anticipation of the upcoming wedding with his beloved girl. The separation turned out to be too difficult a test for Natasha, because, unlike Andrei, she is not able to think about something else, to keep herself busy with something. The story with Anatoly Kuragin destroys the possible happiness of these heroes. Proud and proud Andrei is unable to forgive Natasha for her mistake. And she, experiencing painful remorse, considers herself unworthy of such a noble, ideal person. Fate separates loving people, leaving bitterness and pain of disappointment in their souls. But she will unite them before Andrei’s death, because Patriotic War 1812 will change a lot in their characters. When Napoleon entered Russia and began to rapidly advance, Andrei Bolkonsky, who hated the war after being seriously wounded at Austerlitz, went into the active army, refusing a safe and promising service at the headquarters of the commander-in-chief. Commanding a regiment, the proud aristocrat Bolkonsky becomes close to the mass of soldiers and peasants, learns to appreciate and respect the common people. If at first Prince Andrei tried to arouse the courage of the soldiers by walking under bullets, then when he saw them in battle, he realized that he had nothing to teach them. He begins to look at the men in soldiers' greatcoats as patriotic heroes who courageously and steadfastly defended their Fatherland. Andrei Bolkonsky comes to the idea that the success of the army does not depend on the position, weapons or number of troops, but on the feeling that exists in him and in every soldier. This means that he believes that the mood of the soldiers, the general morale of the troops are a decisive factor for the outcome of the battle. But still, the complete unity of Prince Andrei with common people Did not happen. It is not for nothing that Tolstoy introduces a seemingly insignificant episode about how the prince wanted to swim on a hot day, but due to his disgust towards the soldiers wallowing in the pond, he was never able to fulfill his intention. Andrei himself is ashamed of his feelings, but cannot overcome it. It is symbolic that at the moment of his mortal wound, Andrei experiences a great craving for simple earthly life, but immediately thinks about why he is so sorry to part with it. This struggle between earthly passions and ideal, cold love for people becomes especially acute before his death. Having met Natasha and forgiven her, he feels a surge of vitality, but this reverent and warm feeling is replaced by some kind of unearthly detachment, which is incompatible with life and means death. Thus, revealing in Andrei Bolkonsky many remarkable features of a patriotic nobleman. Tolstoy ends his path of quest with heroic death for the sake of saving his homeland. And in the novel, his friend and like-minded person Pierre Bezukhov is destined to continue this search for higher spiritual values, which remained unattainable for Andrei.
Maria Bolkonskaya
The princess lives permanently on the Bald Mountains estate with her father, an illustrious nobleman of Catherine’s, exiled under Paul and who has not gone anywhere since then. Her father, Nikolai Andreevich, is not a pleasant person: he is often grumpy and rude, scolds the princess as a fool, throws notebooks and, to top it all off, is a pedant. And here is the portrait of the princess: “The mirror reflected an ugly, weak body and thin face". And then Tolstoy seemed amazed by what he saw: "the princess's eyes, large, deep and radiant (as if rays warm light sometimes they came out of them like sheaves), they were so beautiful that very often, despite the ugliness of the whole face, these eyes became more attractive than beauty*. Together with Prince Andrei, Princess Marya is shown to us in the novel as a perfect, absolutely integral psychologically, physically and morally human type. At the same time, like any woman, according to Tolstoy, she lives in a constant, unconscious expectation of love and family happiness. That the eyes are the mirror of the soul, common place. But the princess’s soul is truly beautiful, kind and gentle. And it is Marya’s eyes that shine with her light. Princess Marya is smart, romantic and religious. She humbly endures her father's eccentric behavior, his mockery and ridicule, without ceasing to endlessly deeply and strongly love him. She loves the “little princess,” loves her nephew Nikolai, loves her French companion who betrayed her, loves her brother Andrei, loves, without being able to show it, Natasha, loves the vicious Anatol Kuragin. Her love is such that everyone nearby obeys its rhythms and movements and dissolves in it. Tolstoy gives Princess Marya an amazing destiny. He realizes for her any of the wildest romantic dreams of a provincial young lady. She experiences betrayal and the death of loved ones, she is saved from the hands of her enemies by the brave hussar Nikolinka Rostov, her future husband(how can one not remember Kozma Prutkov: “If you want to be beautiful, join the hussars”). A long languor of mutual love and courtship, and in the end - a wedding and a happy family life. Sometimes one gets the impression that the author is elegantly and cleverly parodying countless French novels that were an integral part of " women's world"and had a significant influence on the formation of the spiritual world of the Russian young lady early XIX century. Of course, this is not a direct parody. Tolstoy is too big for this. Special literary device every time he takes Princess Marya outside the plot. Every time she sensibly and logically comprehends any “romantic” or similar combination of events. (Let us remember her reaction to the adultery of Anatol Kuragin and the French woman Bourien.) Her intelligence allows her to stand with both feet on the ground. Her dreaminess, developed by novels, allows her to think of some parallel, second “romantic” reality. Her religiosity stems from her moral sense, but it is kind-hearted and open to the world. Undoubtedly, its literary predecessor attracts attention in this context. This, of course, is Lizonka from " Queen of Spades"Pushkin. In some cases, the pattern of their destinies coincides down to the smallest detail. “Lizaveta Ivanovna was a domestic martyr,” writes Pushkin, “she spilled tea and received reprimands for an extra piece of sugar; she read novels aloud and was to blame for all the author's mistakes." How can one not recall the life of Princess Marya with her father in Bald Mountains and Moscow! In the image of Princess Marya there is much less literary typicality and much more of a living, tremulous soul and human attractiveness than others female characters novel. Together with the author, we, the readers, take an active part in her fate. In any case, real pleasure comes from the description of her cozy family happiness with her limited but deeply beloved husband among her children, relatives and friends.
Lisa Bolkonskaya
Prince Andrei's wife. She is the darling of the whole world, an attractive young woman whom everyone calls “the little princess.” “Her pretty upper lip, with a slightly blackened mustache, was short in teeth, but the more sweetly it opened and the more sweetly it sometimes stretched out and fell onto the lower one. As is always the case with quite attractive women, her shortcomings - short lips and half-open mouth - seemed to be special, actually her beauty. It was fun for everyone to look at this pretty expectant mother, full of health and liveliness, who endured her situation so easily." Lisa was everyone's favorite thanks to her always liveliness and courtesy secular woman, she could not imagine her life without high society. But Prince Andrei did not love his wife and felt unhappy in his marriage. Lisa does not understand her husband, his aspirations and ideals. After Andrei leaves for the war, Lisa lives in the Bald Mountains with the old Prince Bolkonsky, for whom she feels fear and hostility. Lisa has a presentiment of her imminent death and actually dies during childbirth.
Nikolenka Bolkonsky
Another Nikolai Bolkonsky - Nikolenka - will continue the ideas of his father. In "Epilogue" he is 15 years old. For six years he was left without a father. And even before the age of six, the boy spent little time with him. In the first seven years of Nikolenka’s life, his father participated in two wars, stayed abroad for a long time due to illness, devoted a lot of energy to transformative activities in the Speransky commission (of which the old prince was proud, who would probably have been upset if he had learned about Prince Andrei’s disappointment in government activities). The dying Bolkonsky leaves his son something like an old encrypted will about the “birds of the air.” He does not pronounce these gospel words out loud, but Tolstoy says that the prince’s son understood everything, even more than an adult, wise person with life experience, could understand. As a “bird of heaven”, which in the Gospel is a symbol of the soul, not having “image and form”, but constituting one essence - love - Prince Andrei comes, as promised, to Nikolenka after his death. The boy dreams of the Father - love for people, and Nikolenka takes an oath to sacrifice himself (it is not for nothing that Mucius Scaevola comes to mind) at the command of the Father (Father is a word written, of course, not by chance with a capital letter).
One of the images in the novel “War and Peace” by L.N. Tolstoy, which evokes the author’s sympathy, is the image of Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky. This is a general-in-chief, a prince who was dismissed during the reign of Paul I, exiled to his village of Bald Mountains and lived there forever. The prototype of the image of Nikolai Andreevich was Tolstoy’s maternal grandfather, Prince N.S. Volkonsky, for whom the author had deep respect.
The writer also treats his hero with warmth. He draws a man with difficult character, but smart, able to feel deeply. He raises his children - Princess Marya and Prince Andrei - in accordance with his moral principles.
Prince Bolkonsky lives in the village, but he has no time to be bored - he is too careful with his time, unable to tolerate idleness and idleness.
He values order in everything above all. All his days are busy with classes with Marya, working in the garden, and writing memoirs.
Nikolai Andreevich loves his children, but due to his restraint, he does not show it. On the contrary, he is unnecessarily finding fault with Princess Marya, but only because he does not want her to be like cutesy young ladies who are only interested in intrigue and gossip.
Prince Bolkonsky is stern towards children, valuing his family honor, he tells his son: “If they kill you, it will hurt me, an old man... And if I find out that you did not behave like the son of Nikolai Bolkonsky, I will be... ashamed!” Sending Prince Andrei to war, he does not hug his son, does not say parting words, only silently looks at him.
“The old man’s quick eyes were directly fixed on his son’s eyes. Something trembled in the lower part of the old prince’s face.
Goodbye... go! - he suddenly said. - Go! - he shouted in an angry and loud voice, opening the office door. Behind this anger lies a deep feeling of love for his son and concern for him. After the door closed behind Andrei, “from the office one could hear, like gunshots, the often repeated angry sounds of an old man blowing his nose.” And in these sounds we hear the whole gamut of the old prince’s unspoken feelings that he feels towards his son, but which he considers unnecessary to say out loud.
The external characteristics of the character are simple. Nikolai Andreevich “walked in the old-fashioned way, in a caftan and powder,” the hero is short, “in a powdered wig... with small dry hands and gray drooping eyebrows, sometimes, as he scowled, obscuring the brilliance of his intelligent and youthful sparkling eyes.” . The character of the hero is distinguished by his demands and harshness, but by his fairness and integrity. Prince Bolkonsky is smart, proud and reserved. The old prince is interested in both political and military events taking place in the country. The prince, as the head of the Bolkonsky generation described in the novel, himself has a sense of duty and patriotism, decency, nobility and cultivates these qualities in his children. The Bolkonsky family has sharp differences compared to other high society families. The Bolkonskys are characterized by hard work and a thirst for activity. The old prince is firmly convinced that “... only two virtues - activity and intelligence” are the main ones in the world. And he wants to instill these virtues in his daughter Princess Marya, which is why he teaches her mathematics and other sciences.
During the French campaign against Moscow, Prince Bolkonsky serves as commander-in-chief of the militia. Nikolai Andreevich does not dare to refuse this position, because he is guided by a sense of patriotism, duty and love for the Motherland.
Continuing the characterization of the hero, one cannot help but mention one more positive trait the entire Bolkonsky family and Nikolai Andreevich in particular. This is closeness to the people, the desire to delve into their problems and understanding them. The old prince treats his farm with care, without oppressing the peasants.
The image of Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky is described by the author as the embodiment of the entire generation of Russian patriots, highly moral people. But this is not the passing generation. His son, Andrei Nikolaevich, was like his father. Such people will always be at the forefront of the Russian people as long as their descendants are alive. This is evidenced by another little hero novel - Nikolenka Bolkonsky.
The role of the Bolkonsky family in the work
The Bolkonsky family plays an important role in the novel War and Peace. The main problems of the great writer’s work are inextricably linked with them. The text traces the stories of several families. The main attention is paid to the Bolkonskys, Rostovs and Kuragins. The author's sympathies are with the Rostovs and Bolkonskys. There is a big difference between them. The relationship between the Rostovs is sensual and emotional. The Bolkonskys are guided by reason and expediency. But it is in these families that Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy’s favorite heroes are brought up. Members of the Bolkonsky family are prominent representatives people of “peace and light”. Their destinies are closely intertwined with life paths other characters in the work. They accept Active participation in development storyline narratives. Psychological problems, issues of morality, morality, and family foundations are reflected in the depiction of these characters.
Characteristics of relationships
The Bolkonskys belong to an ancient princely family and live on the Bald Mountains estate, located not far from the capital. Each family member is an extraordinary personality, endowed with strong character and remarkable abilities.
Head of the family
Old Prince Nikolai Andreevich, his son Andrei Nikolaevich and Princess Marya Nikolaevna are members of the Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace”.
The head of the family is the old Prince Bolkonsky. This is a person with a strong character and an established worldview. Successful career military man, honors and respect remained a thing of the distant past for him. On the pages of the book we see an old man who has withdrawn from military service and government affairs, secluded himself on his estate. Despite the blows of fate, he is full of strength and energy. An old man's day is scheduled minute by minute. His routine includes both mental and physical labor. Nikolai Andreevich draws up plans for military campaigns, works in a carpentry workshop, and is engaged in arranging the estate. He is of sound mind and good physical shape, does not recognize idleness for himself and forces all household members to live by his rules. It is especially difficult for the daughter, who is forced to study natural sciences and endure her father’s difficult temper.
The proud and unyielding character of the old prince causes a lot of trouble for those around him, and his integrity, honesty and intelligence inspire respect.
Prince Andrey
We meet Andrei Bolkonsky in the first chapter of the work. He appears among the guests of Anna Pavlovna Scherer's social salon and immediately attracts everyone's attention. The young man stands out from the general background not only with his appearance, but also with his behavior. We understand that the people around him cause irritation and even anger. He dislikes false masks, lies, hypocrisy and empty talk secular society. A sincere, kind smile appears on the hero’s face only when he sees Pierre Bezukhov. Andrei Bolkonsky is young, handsome, educated, but dissatisfied with his existence on this earth. He doesn't love his beautiful wife and is dissatisfied with his career. Throughout the development of the storyline, the image of the hero is revealed to the reader in all its depth.
At the beginning of the novel, Andrei is a man who dreams of becoming like Napoleon. Therefore, he decides to leave his pregnant wife and his boring lifestyle and goes to military service. He dreams of heroic deeds, glory and popular love. The high sky of Austerlitz changes his worldview and adjusts his plans for life. He is constantly searching for himself. Feats and serious wounds, love and betrayal, disappointments and victories fill the life of one of Tolstoy’s favorite heroes. As a result, the young prince finds the true meaning of life in serving the Fatherland and protecting his homeland. The hero's fate is tragic. He dies from a serious wound without realizing his dream.
Princess Marya
Andrei Bolkonsky's sister, Princess Marya, is one of the brightest and touching images narratives. Living next to her father, she is patient and submissive. Thoughts about her husband, her family and children seem to her pipe dreams. Marya is unattractive: “an ugly, weak body and a thin face,” insecure and lonely. The only remarkable thing about her appearance was her “large, deep, radiant” eyes: “She sees her purpose in serving the Lord. Deep faith gives strength, is an outlet in its difficult life situation. “I don’t wish for another life, and I can’t wish for it, because I don’t know another life,” the heroine says about herself.
The timid and soft Princess Marya is equally kind to everyone, sincere and spiritually rich. For the sake of her loved ones, the girl is ready to make sacrifices and take decisive actions. At the end of the novel, we see the heroine as the happy wife of Nikolai Rostov and a caring mother. Fate rewards her for her devotion, love and patience.
Family traits
In the novel War and Peace, the Bolkonsky house is an example of truly aristocratic foundations. Restraint reigns in relationships, although all family members sincerely love each other. The Spartan way of existence does not allow you to express your feelings and experiences, whine, or complain about life. No one is allowed to break the strict rules of conduct.
The Bolkonskys in the novel “War and Peace” personify the best features of history noble class. Once upon a time, representatives of this class were the basis of the state; they devoted their lives to serving the Fatherland, just like the representatives of this noble family.
Each of the Bolkonsky family has its own unique character traits. But there is something in common that unites these people. They are distinguished by family pride, honesty, patriotism, nobility, and a high intellectual level of development. Betrayal, meanness, cowardice have no place in the souls of these heroes. The characteristics of the Bolkonsky family develop gradually throughout the narrative.
The concept of a classic
Testing the strength of family ties, the writer takes his heroes through a series of tests: love, war and social life. Representatives of the Bolkonsky family successfully cope with difficulties thanks to the support of their relatives.
According to the plan of the great writer, chapters devoted to describing the life of the Bolkonsky family play a huge role in ideological content novel "War and Peace". They are people of “light”, worthy of deep respect. The depiction of the family life of the favorite characters helps the classic to display the “family thought”, to build his work in the genre of a family chronicle.
Work test
The time period of Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is one of the most significant eras in Russian history. But this specific historical theme does not stand alone in the novel; it is raised to the level of universal human significance. "War and Peace" begins with scenes depicting the highest noble society. Tolstoy reproduces his appearance and historical development over the course of three generations. Recreating without embellishment the “beautiful beginning of Alexander’s days,” Tolstoy could not help but touch on the previous Catherine’s era. These two eras are represented by two generations of people. These are old people: Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky and Count Kirill Bezukhov and their children, who are successors to their fathers. Relationships between generations are first and foremost family relationships. After all, in the family, according to Tolstoy, the spiritual principles of the individual and moral concepts are laid. Let's look at the son and father of the Bolkonskys and their relationship with each other.
Prince Nikolai Andreevich is a representative of the patrimonial Russian aristocracy, a man of Catherine’s era. This era is becoming a thing of the past, however, causing the respect that its representative, old Bolkonsky, rightfully enjoys among the neighboring landowners. Nikolai Andreevich is certainly an extraordinary person. He belongs to the generation that at one time built a powerful Russian statehood. Prince Bolkonsky occupied a special place at court. He was a close associate of Catherine II, but achieved his position not through sycophancy, like many in his time, but through personal business qualities and talents. The very fact that under Paul he received resignation and exile indicates that he served the fatherland, and not the kings. His appearance reflected the features of a noble and wealthy maternal grandfather - a military general. A family legend is associated with the name of this man: a proud man and an atheist, he refused to marry the Tsar’s mistress, for which he was exiled first to the distant northern Trumant, and then to his estate near Tula. Both old Bolkonsky and Prince Andrei are proud of the ancient family and its services to the fatherland. Andrei Bolkonsky inherited from his father a high concept of honor, nobility, pride and independence, as well as a sharp mind and sober judgment about people. Both father and son despise upstarts and careerists such as Kuragin. Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky did not make friends in his time with such people who, for the sake of their career, were ready to sacrifice the honor and duty of a citizen and a person. Old Bolkonsky, however, appreciates and loves Count Kirill Bezukhov. Bezukhov was Catherine’s favorite; he was once known as a handsome man and enjoyed success with women. But Count Kirill’s original philosophy of enjoying life has undergone changes over the years, perhaps that’s why he has now become closer and more understandable to old Bolkonsky.
Andrei has a lot in common in appearance and views with his father, although there are also plenty of disagreements regarding the latter. The old prince went through a harsh school of life and judges people from the position of the benefit that they bring both to the fatherland and to other people. In him amazingly combines the morals of an imperious nobleman, before whom everyone at home trembles, an aristocrat proud of his pedigree, and the traits of a man of great intelligence and life experience. He raised his son and daughter in strictness and was accustomed to managing their lives. Old Bolkonsky could not understand his son’s feelings for Natasha Rostova. Not believing in the sincerity of their love, he does everything he can to prevent their relationship. Something similar happened in the case of Lisa. Marriage, according to the old Bolkonsky’s concepts, exists only to give the family a legitimate heir. Therefore, when Andrei and Lisa had friction, the father consoled his son with the fact that “they are all like that.” Andrey had a lot of sophistication, a desire for to the highest ideal, maybe that’s why I felt constant dissatisfaction with myself, which old Bolkonsky could not understand. But if he still took Andrei into account, even then listened to his opinion, then his relationship with his daughter was much more complex. Madly in love with Marya, he made exorbitant demands on her education, character, and talents. He also interferes in his daughter’s personal life, or rather completely deprives her of the right to this life. Because of his selfish motives, he does not want to marry off his daughter. And yet, at the end of his life, the old prince reconsiders his attitude towards children. He has great respect for his son’s views and looks at his daughter in a new way. If earlier Marya’s religiosity was the subject of ridicule from her father, then before his death he admits that she was right. He asks forgiveness for his crippled life from his daughter and, in absentia, from his son.
Old Bolkonsky believed in the progress and future greatness of his homeland, so he served it with all his might. Even while ill, he did not choose the position of an outside observer in the War of 1812. Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky created his own militia detachment from volunteer peasants.
Andrei’s views on the subject of glory and service to the homeland differ from his father’s. Prince Andrey is skeptical about the state and power in general. He has the same attitude towards people who are placed by fate at the highest level of power. He condemns Emperor Alexander for entrusting power to foreign generals. Prince Andrei eventually revised his views on Napoleon. If at the beginning of the novel he perceives Napoleon as the ruler of the world, now he sees in him an ordinary invader who has replaced service to his homeland with the desire for personal glory. The lofty idea of serving the fatherland, which inspired his father, grows with Prince Andrei into the idea of serving the world, the unity of all people, the idea of universal love and the unity of man with nature. Andrey begins to understand those Christian motives, which guided his sister’s life and which he
I couldn't understand it before. Now Andrei curses the war, not dividing it into just and unjust. War is murder, and murder is incompatible with human nature. Maybe that’s why Prince Andrei dies without having time to fire a single shot.
We must remember one more similarity between both Bolkonskys. Both of them are comprehensively educated, gifted people who are close to the ideas of humanism and enlightenment. Therefore, with all their external severity, they treat their peasants humanely. The Bolkonsky peasants are prosperous; Prince Nikolai Andreevich always takes into account the needs of the peasants first. He takes care of them even when leaving the estate due to an enemy invasion. Prince Andrei adopted this attitude towards the peasants from his father. Let us remember that, having returned home after Austerlitz and taken up farming, he does a lot to improve the lives of his serfs.
At the end of the novel we see another Bolkonsky. This is Nikolinka Bolkonsky - Andrei's son. The boy hardly knew his father. When his son was little, Andrei first fought in two wars, then stayed abroad for a long time due to illness. Bolkonsky died when his son was 14 years old. But Tolstoy makes Nikolinka Bolkonsky the successor and continuer of his father’s ideas. After the death of Prince Andrei, the younger Bolkonsky has a dream in which his father comes to him, and the boy vows to live in such a way that “everyone will recognize him, everyone will love him, everyone will admire” him.
Thus, in the novel Tolstoy introduced us to several generations of Bolkonskys. First, a military general - the grandfather of old Prince Nicholas. We do not meet him on the pages of War and Peace, but he is mentioned in the novel. Then the old prince Nikolai Bolkonsky, whom Tolstoy described very fully. Representative younger generation Andrei Bolkonsky, one of Tolstoy's favorite heroes, is shown. And finally, his son Nikolinka. It is he who will have to not only preserve the traditions of the family, but also continue them.
The Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace” is one of the key themes in the study of this work. Its members occupy central place in the narrative and play a decisive role in the development of the storyline. Therefore, the data characterization characters seems particularly important for understanding the concept of epic.
Some General Notes
The Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace” is typical for its time, that is, for the beginning of the 19th century. The author depicted people in whose images he tried to convey the state of mind of a significant part of the nobility. When describing these characters, one must first of all remember that these heroes are representatives of the aristocratic class at the turn of the century, a time that was a turning point in the history of Russia. This was clearly shown in the description of the life and everyday life of this ancient family. Their thoughts, ideas, views, worldview and even household habits serve as a clear demonstration of how a significant part of the nobility lived during the time in question.
The image of Nikolai Andreevich in the context of the era
The Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace” is interesting because in it the writer showed how and with what a thinking society lived at the beginning of the 19th century. The father of the family is a hereditary military man, and his whole life is subject to a strict routine. In this image one can immediately guess typical image an old nobleman from the time of Catherine II. He is a man of the past, the 18th century, rather than the new. You can immediately feel how far he is from the political and social life of his time; it seems that he lives by old orders and habits, which are more appropriate for the era of the previous reign.
About the social activities of Prince Andrei
The Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace” is distinguished by its solidity and unity. All its members are very similar to each other, despite the age difference. However, Prince Andrei is more passionate about modern politics and public life, he even takes part in the project of drawing up government reforms. In him one can very well discern the type of young reformer that was characteristic of the beginning of the reign of Emperor Alexander Pavlovich.
Princess Marya and society ladies
The Bolkonsky family, whose characteristics form the subject of this review, was distinguished by the fact that its members lived under intense mental and moral life. The daughter of the old prince Marya was completely different from the typical society ladies and young women who then appeared in high society. Her father took care of her education and taught her a variety of sciences that were not included in the program for raising young ladies. The latter learned home crafts, fiction, fine arts, while the princess, under the guidance of her parent, studied mathematics.
Place in society
The Bolkonsky family, whose characterization is so important for understanding the meaning of the novel, occupied a prominent position in high society. Prince Andrei was quite active social life, at least until he became disillusioned with his career as a reformer. He served as Kutuzov's adjutant and took an active part in military operations against the French. He could often be seen at social events, receptions, and balls. However, from his very first appearance in the salon of a famous socialite, the reader immediately understands that he does not belong in this society. He keeps somewhat aloof and is not very talkative, although, apparently, he is interesting conversationalist. The only person with whom he himself expresses a desire to enter into a conversation is his friend Pierre Bezukhov.
A comparison of the Bolkonsky and Rostov families further highlights the peculiarity of the former. The old prince and his young daughter led a very secluded life and almost never left their estate. Nevertheless, Marya maintained contacts with high society, exchanging letters with her friend Julie.
Characteristics of Andrey's appearance
The description of the Bolkonsky family is also very important for understanding the character of these people. Prince Andrei is described by the writer as a handsome young man of about thirty. He is very attractive, carries himself superbly, and in general is a real aristocrat. However, at the very beginning of his appearance, the author emphasizes that there was something cold, aloof and even callous in his facial features, although it is quite obvious that the prince is not an evil person. However, heavy and gloomy reflections left their mark on the features of his face: he became gloomy, thoughtful and unfriendly with others and even with his own wife behaves extremely arrogantly.
About the princess and the old prince
The description of the Bolkonsky family should be continued briefly portrait characteristic Princess Marya and her stern father. The young girl had a spiritual appearance, as she lived an intense inner and mental life. She was thin and slender, but not beautiful in the generally accepted sense of the word. A secular person, perhaps, would hardly call her a beauty. In addition, the old prince’s serious upbringing left its mark on her: she was thoughtful beyond her age, somewhat withdrawn and concentrated. In a word, she did not at all look like a society lady. The lifestyle that the Bolkonsky family led left its mark on her. Briefly it can be characterized as follows: isolation, severity, restraint in communication.
Her father was a thin man of short stature; he behaved just like a military man. His face was distinguished by severity and severity. He had the appearance of a hardy man, who, moreover, was not only in excellent physical shape, but was also constantly busy with mental work. Such an appearance indicated that Nikolai Andreevich was an extraordinary person in all respects, which was reflected in communication with him. At the same time, he could also be bilious, sarcastic and even somewhat unceremonious. This is evidenced by the scene of his first meeting with Natasha Rostova, when she visited their estate as his son’s bride. The old man was clearly dissatisfied with his son’s choice and therefore gave the young girl a very inhospitable reception, making a couple of witticisms in her presence that deeply hurt her.
Prince and his daughter
Relations in the Bolkonsky family could not be called cordial. This was especially evident in the communication between the old prince and his young daughter. He behaved with her in much the same way as with his son, that is, without any ceremony or discounts for the fact that she was still a girl and needed softer and more gentle treatment. But Nikolai Andreevich, apparently, did not make much difference between her and his son and communicated with both in approximately the same way, that is, sternly and even harshly. He was very demanding of his daughter, controlled her life and even read letters that she received from her friend. In classes with her, he was stern and picky. However, based on the above, it cannot be said that the prince did not love his daughter. He was very attached to her and appreciated all the best in her, but due to the severity of his character, he could not communicate otherwise, and the princess understood this. She was afraid of her father, but she respected him and obeyed him in everything. She accepted his demands and tried not to contradict anything.
Old Bolkonsky and Prince Andrei
The life of the Bolkonsky family was distinguished by solitude and isolation, which could not but affect the communication of the protagonist with his father. From the outside, their conversations could be called formal and even somewhat official. Their relationship did not seem cordial; rather, the conversations were similar to an exchange of opinions between two very smart people who understand each other. Andrei behaved with his father very respectfully, but somewhat coldly, aloof and stern in his own way. The father, in turn, also did not indulge his son with parental tenderness and caresses, limiting himself to remarks of an exclusively business nature. He spoke to him only to the point, deliberately avoiding anything that could affect personal relationships. All the more valuable is the final scene of Prince Andrei’s farewell to the war, when deep love and tenderness for his son breaks through the father’s icy equanimity, which he, however, immediately tried to hide.
Two families in the novel
It is all the more interesting to compare the Bolkonsky and Rostov families. The first led a secluded, secluded lifestyle, were strict, stern, and taciturn. They avoided social entertainment and limited themselves to each other's company. The latter, on the contrary, were sociable, hospitable, cheerful and cheerful. All the more significant is the fact that Nikolai Rostov eventually married Princess Marya, and not Sonya, with whom he was connected by childhood love. These must have failed to see better positive traits each other.
