To "War and Peace" Leo Tolstoy walked painfully and for a long time. The first title of the conceived work sounded like “Decembrist”, then “All is well that ends well”, the next one is “1805”, and only in the final version does the written one become an epic novel about Russian society, the dialectics of the soul and the meaning of life. A comparative description of Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov, the main characters of the story, is a clear confirmation of this.
Being a humanist writer, Lev Nikolaevich in each of his works explored the human soul, its internal development, rise or fall. He considered each person as a part of the universe, he was interested in everything in it. And the writer is trying to figure out what makes a person great or low, what is the most important thing in his life, whether he can influence history.
Leading the heroes of the novel through trials with money, love, war, the author always shows the inner experiences of people, the motives for which they act. It is from this point of view that the search for Andrei Bolkonsky is always considered, who turned out to be too good to live in this world.
The evolution of Pierre Bezukhov is the spiritual growth of the author himself, this character is very close to him, therefore it is for him that he marries Natasha Rostova (the most beloved image of Leo Tolstoy), whom he considered the ideal of a Russian woman.
There are more than five hundred characters in War and Peace, most of them are real historical figures. The ingenious multifaceted nature of the novel allowed Tolstoy to place all of them in their places, to identify parallels (maybe not even on purpose).
If we divide all the heroes of the work into four levels: historical, social, folk and natural (metaphysical), then it is easy to find the verticals to which Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov belong. And also those who correspond to them. This can be clearly shown in the table.
As you can see, Prince Andrei and Count Bezukhov, who are on the same rung of the social ladder, correspond to different people at the historical and national level, and their elements do not coincide.
The unrooted, groundless life of Bolkonsky, accompanied by constant striving for unattainable ideals, makes him related precisely to that bottomless blue sky that opened up to him on the Austerlitz field.
Pierre is not like that at all. It is he and those like him - Kutuzov and Platon Karataev - who can defeat Napoleon and Dolokhov, who imagines himself a superman, put in his place the one who knows how to fight so well, more precisely, her analysis, carried out at a metaphysical level, indicates that his element is water. And only she can extinguish any flame, even hostile raging.
Despite all the difference in natures, Prince Andrei and Pierre are Tolstoy's favorite heroes. We meet them on the very first pages of the novel, which tells about salon life. And we immediately see the difference in their behavior, but we immediately understand that these people have deep respect and affection for each other.
At this, in modern slang, high society get-together, they are for one reason - the position obliges. But for the prince, everything here is uninteresting and understandable. Falsehood, vulgarity, the pursuit of money, corruption that reign in high society have long disgusted him, and he does not hide his contempt for those gathered.
The young count is a newcomer here, he reverently watches the guests and does not notice that he is treated like a second-class person, because he is an illegitimate son, and whether he will get the inheritance is still unknown. But the characterization of Pierre Bezukhov would be incomplete, if not to clarify that very little time will pass, and he, like the prince, will begin to treat with a sense of disgust the secular cold brilliance and empty chatter.
The friendship of these people, so different neither externally nor internally, was built on trust and respect, because they felt the sincerity of these relations, the desire to help understand themselves and people. Perhaps this is a vivid example of how opposite characters can peacefully complement each other. They are interested together.
A comparative description of Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov, as they appear at the beginning of the novel, will not be in favor of the latter. The prince has a sober, one might even say statesmanship, practical tenacity, the ability to bring the work begun to its logical conclusion. He is unusually restrained, collected, highly educated, intelligent, strong in character and has great willpower.
And Pierre is a sensitive, spontaneous, broad, sincere nature. After arriving from abroad, he finds himself not in the best company of secular revelers and loafers. Bezukhov understands what he is doing wrong, but the gentleness of his character does not allow him to break unnecessary ties. And then Kuragin appears with his sister, and it didn’t cost anything for this hardened intriguer to rob the gullible Pierre, marrying him to Helen.
And yet, Prince Andrei, so correct and cold, a rationalist to the marrow of his bones, it was with Pierre that he was free from conventions and allowed himself to speak quite frankly. Yes, and Bezukhov, in turn, believed only him and respected Bolkonsky infinitely.
An amazing thing: having the experience of unsuccessful marriages, both heroes fall in love with one girl, amazing in her sincerity and spontaneity, with an irrepressible desire to live - Natasha Rostova. And now the comparative characteristics of Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov, their attitude towards love will not be in favor of the first.
Yes, the prince turned out to be happier, because he became Natasha's fiancé, while the count did not even dare to admit to himself how dear this bright girl was to him. Young Rostova became a manifestation of the true feelings of Pierre and Andrei. If the first was ready to love silently all his life, because for him Natasha's happiness was above all, and therefore he was ready to forgive her everything, then the second turned out to be an ordinary owner.
Bolkonsky could not understand and accept the poor girl's remorse for treason, which, in fact, did not exist. Only on his deathbed, when the whole past life no longer mattered, when all ambitious thoughts were not needed, Prince Andrei understands what it is to love. But this feeling, rather, is not for a specific person, it is not even earthly, but divine.
The characterization of Andrei Bolkonsky as a warrior is brilliant. This is the same type of Russian officers who keep the army and the country. He is moderately cautious, courageous, quickly makes decisions in extreme situations, takes care of his subordinates. No wonder Kutuzov did not want to let him go from his headquarters to the front line.
The war of 1805, incomprehensible and unfair, devastated the prince. After the injury and the French captivity, when the ideal of Napoleon collapsed and depreciated in his eyes, Bolkonsky's life was empty. But we already see a different Andrei. Here he is with his people, and he realized that the main purpose of human existence is to help other people.
For Pierre, the war turned out to be the purgatory of the soul. He stayed in Moscow to kill Napoleon, but, saving the child, he was arrested, then he was preparing to be shot, and then he was expected to be captured and retreat with the French. A complete characterization of Pierre Bezukhov is impossible without It is through this peasant that the count comprehends the national character, its values and priorities. Probably, it was after the meeting with Karataev that the path of Bezukhov the Decembrist began.
Both Andrei and Pierre throughout the whole novel are languidly looking for the meaning of life, following the paths of spiritual quest. They are either disappointed or resurrected again for new things. A comparative description of Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov shows that the trials prepared for them by fate are, in general, very similar.
Prince Andrei realized his death as a return. His mission on this earth is over - ahead of infinity and eternity.
It should not be forgotten that Tolstoy's original intention was to write a novel about the Decembrist. In the very first drafts, the main character was already called Pierre, and his wife was Natasha. But it turned out that without an excursion into the war of 1812, nothing would be clear, and then it became obvious that it was necessary to start from 1805. So it turned out a wonderful book - "War and Peace".
And her heroes - Pierre and Andrei Bolkonsky - stand before us as the best representatives of that time. Their love for the Motherland is active. In them, Lev Nikolayevich embodied his attitude to life: you need to live fully, naturally and simply, then it will work out honestly. You can and should make mistakes, drop everything and start again. But peace is spiritual death.
Tolstoy in his novel "War and Peace" singled out two heroes who throughout history develop and become better. They are our favorite heroes. We set them as an example, even though they did something reckless and wrong.
Andrei and Pierre are different people. But they are united by friendship. Prince Andrei saw in Pierre a young friend with pure thoughts and a bright soul. He wanted to teach him and instruct, to share his experience. And Bezukhov saw a model in Bolkonsky. He loved to watch him, listen to his speeches.
Why are Prince Andrei and Pierre Bezukhov friends? First, they have the same views. And these views were not ideal for a long time. They believed that everything simple in life is boring. The things that surrounded them were not subjects of interest. And we are talking about people, family, relationships.
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They dreamed, made plans for the future. Therefore, their loved ones often suffered.
Both Andrei and Pierre idolized Napoleon. They wanted to go into battle, to fight. They also searched for the meaning of life. The heroes could not sit still, could not imagine themselves in everyday life. The objects of their thoughts were feats.
But the main thing that united them is spiritual development. Andrei Bolkonsky from a terrible cynic, whom his wife neglects, turned into a wise man who repented of his reasoning. He realized that the family is his treasure, and the constant battles and ideas of Napoleon are not a universal ideal. Pierre Bezukhov has also changed. If earlier he easily succumbed to the opinions of others, now he has become more experienced and wiser. He began to analyze what was happening, to appreciate the people who are around him.
The novel "War and Peace" shows a lot. But one of the key themes is friendship. On the example of these heroes, we can see that friendship is a unique force that helps to overcome any troubles and trials.
Updated: 2017-05-22
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After reading the famous novel by Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy "War and Peace", I experienced many life events, experienced different feelings along with his characters. Someone surprised me, someone disappointed me, someone became a good moral example, and someone was not even worthy of attention. Of course, a beloved hero appeared, whom I respect, love, understand. In the novel "War and Peace" I have several of them, because Tolstoy showed several human destinies at once, deserving special attention. But after all, the author himself has sympathy. It seems to me that Tolstoy's favorite character in the novel "War and Peace" is Pierre Bezukhov. The lines in which the writer describes Pierre (his external characteristics, mental breakdown, moral search for the right path, happiness, love) are filled with a certain feeling of kindness and respect for his hero.
The first time we meet Pierre is in the drawing room of Anna Pavlovna Scherer. Tolstoy describes his appearance in sufficient detail: “Pierre was clumsy. Fat, taller than usual, wide, with huge red hands ... he was absent-minded.
He does not make any impression on those around him, only Anna Pavlovna is worried that Pierre would not “do shame” for her salon. The only person who was truly delighted with Bezukhov was Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. At the very beginning of the novel, Pierre was convinced that Napoleon was right, but after a while he pursued the idea of killing Bonaparte in order to free all of Russia.
Passion for Helen Kuragina brought him only disappointment. Pierre realized that external beauty can coexist with internal ugliness. Wild life, idle evenings with the Kuragins and secular intrigues do not bring satisfaction to Pierre, and he leaves this "dissolute" path.
Freemasonry did not open the right path for him. Hopes for "eternal ideals" did not materialize, and Pierre is disappointed in the "brotherhood". Helping one's neighbor and generosity of soul were the true qualities of Pierre, and Freemasonry was already running counter to his ideals.
The collapse of his ideals changed Pierre beyond recognition. From a weak, soft "fat man" he turned into a strong man who found his true happiness and dissolved in it. Having moved fear (the episode of saving the girl), having endured captivity (knowledge of the simple human joys of life), destroying his former desires (to kill Napoleon, save Europe), Pierre went through the difficult path of moral quest for the human meaning of life.
Acquaintance with Platon Karataev revealed to Pierre a certain philosophy of life. He learns the world in other colors, understands that not everything is important and necessary. We see that Tolstoy is not indifferent to this hero, otherwise he would have “abandoned” him in the middle of the road long ago. Pierre is the favorite character in the novel. After all, the writer believes that his Pierre Bezukhov will find what he is looking for, that is bright, pure, devoted, eternal and kind. The same as he was in his essence.
Pierre considered Bolkonsky "a model of all perfections precisely because Prince Andrei combined to the highest degree all those qualities that Pierre did not have and which can be most closely expressed by the concept of willpower." The friendship between Bolkonsky and Bezukhov passed the test. Pierre was in love with Natasha Rostova at first sight. And Bolkonsky too. When Andrei proposed to Rostova, Pierre did not betray his feelings. He was sincerely pleased with the happiness of his friend. How could Leo Tolstoy allow his beloved hero to be dishonest? Pierre showed nobility in relations with Andrei Bolkonsky. His awareness of the relationship between Rostova and Kuragin did not allow him to betray his friend. He did not laugh at Natasha, let alone Andrei. Although he could easily ruin their happiness. However, devotion to friendship, honesty in the heart did not allow Pierre to become a scoundrel.
The love of Pierre Bezukhov is also not accidental. Natasha Rostova is one of Tolstoy's favorite heroines. After a long search, moral tests, the writer rewarded his hero with real happiness. Having met Natasha at the ball, Pierre timidly invited her to dance. Natasha then did not even suspect that a new feeling was emerging in the heart of this "big fat man", which he himself had not yet recognized. Pierre Bezukhov has been waiting in the wings for a long time. But to come to him, he actually went through a difficult path.
In his heart lived love for Natasha Rostova. Maybe it was she who led him to the right decision, showed the truth, determined his future life. Natasha loved Pierre Bezukhov very much, she gave herself entirely to her family - children and husband: "the whole house was guided only by the imaginary commands of her husband, that is, the desires of Pierre, which Natasha tried to guess." Pierre deserved this happiness. L.N. Tolstoy tells us in the epilogue that, having lived in marriage with Rostova for seven years, Pierre was a self-sufficient person. He understood the meaning of life, knew that he was needed and had "a firm consciousness that he was not a bad person ... he saw himself reflected in his wife."
My essay on the topic "Tolstoy's favorite hero in the novel" War and Peace "is written about Pierre Bezukhov. His life is real, without embellishment. Tolstoy showed us his life for several years, opened the pages of his fate. Pierre is the writer's favorite character, this is clearly seen from the descriptions. But there are other characters in the novel who undoubtedly deserve their attention. Maybe they will be the subject of my next writings.
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The novel-epos "War of the World" covers a large historical period, and presents many real historical characters. Leo Tolstoy managed to describe all the social strata of that time: the nobility, the aristocracy, the high society, the merchants, the peasantry, the army. The main idea of the novel is to show the feat of the Russian people who rebelled against the conqueror Napoleon. One of the most interesting storylines was the friendship between Pierre Bezukhov and Prince Andrei Bolkonsky.
The images of the heroes are very contradictory: they have different ages, different characters and social status, but they have a lot in common. The prince sees in Pierre a bright soul who can be taught life. Bolkonsky, for Pierre, becomes a mentor and role model. Both are united by the search for the values of life, the search for ideals, self-development, and a great desire to comprehend the world around them.
Bolkonsky's contemptuous and arrogant attitude towards people is the prince's initial position, even his disrespect for his own wife speaks of this. But, having passed the path of losses and disappointments, he understands both the meaninglessness of his former worldview and the value of the joys of life.
Pierre is an incredibly trusting person. He cannot resist someone else's will, and therefore obeys it. Having gone through the humiliation in captivity, he understands that the highest value lies in the person himself, the ability of the individual to satisfy the needs of his restless soul. He is constantly tormented by philosophical questions: who am I, what is good and evil, what is death? In order to comprehend happiness and wisdom, he is forced to go through hatred and disgust for himself and everything around him. It was these bouts of impotence and despair that helped the hero in the development of spiritual life.
Tolstoy argued that a person will always go hand in hand with discoveries and discoveries, as well as with losses and disappointments. Each event that happened to the heroes of the novel makes us think not only about the causes and consequences of their actions, but also about the motives that prompted them to do so. And the main motive for the friendship of Pierre and Prince Andrei is, undoubtedly, all those amazing qualities that each of them so lacks, but which they find in each other.
WHY ANDREY BOLKONSKY AND PIERRE BEZUKHOV ARE FRIENDS He always searched with all the strength of his soul
one thing: to be quite good.
Pierre on Prince Andrew
You are dear to me especially because you
one living person among all of our
Sveta.
Andrew about Pierre
L. N. Tolstoy. War and Peace
Why do people become friends? If parents, children, relatives are not chosen, then everyone is free to choose friends. Therefore, a friend is a person whom we completely trust, whom we respect, whose opinion we take into account. But this does not mean that friends should think the same way. A folk proverb says: "The enemy agrees, but the friend argues." Sincerity and disinterestedness, mutual understanding and readiness to support and help - this is the basis of true friendship, such as the friendship of Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov, different in character, with different personalities, but with a common desire for a meaningful, fulfilling life, for useful activity.
“The soul must work,” these words, spoken a century after the creation of War and Peace, could become the motto of their life, their friendship.
The reader's attention to Prince Andrei and Pierre is riveted from the first pages of the novel. Imagine a high society evening in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer. Eminent guests, the brilliance of dresses and jewelry, false courtesies, artificial smiles, "decency" conversations. Two people, so unlike everyone else, found each other in the crowd of guests so as not to be separated until the end of the life of one of them.
How different they are: the refined aristocrat Prince Bolkonsky, and the illegitimate son of the noble Catherine's nobleman Count Bezukhov Pierre. Prince Andrei is here. He is accepted in the world, smart, educated, his manners are impeccable. And the appearance of Pierre frightens Anna Pavlovna. Tolstoy explains that her fear "could only relate to that intelligent and at the same time timid, observant and natural look that distinguished him from everyone else in this living room."
Andrei Bolkonsky is frankly bored this evening, he is tired of everything and everyone, but Pierre is not bored: he is interested in people, their conversations. Not observing etiquette, he "breaks" into disputes about Napoleon, disrupting the course of a "decent conversational machine." They were happy to meet. Familiar from childhood, young people have not seen each other for a long time. They have something to tell each other, despite the difference in age.
What unites them now, why are they interested in each other? Both are at a crossroads. Both think not about a career, but about the meaning of life, about a useful, worthy activity for a person. They still do not know what they want, what they should strive for, not only the naive Pierre does not understand this, but also Prince Andrei, but Bolkonsky knows for sure that the life he leads is not according to him. He thinks he failed, rushes about, looking for a way out. However, this does not prevent him from trying to influence Pierre, to convince him that he “will be good” in any field, he just needs to stay away from the company of Dolokhov and Anatole Kuragin.
They are not only concerned with personal problems. The name of Napoleon is on everyone's lips. It causes fear and indignation in court society. Pierre and Prince Andrei perceive him differently. Pierre passionately defends Napoleon, justifying his cruelty by the need to preserve the gains of the revolution; Prince Andrei is attracted to Bonaparte by the eccentricity of the commander, elevated to the pinnacle of glory with his talent.
In many respects disagreeing with each other, they recognize the right of everyone to their own judgments, to their own choice. But at the same time, the more experienced Bolkonsky is afraid (and, unfortunately, he is right!) Of the corrupting influence on Pierre of the environment in which he found himself. And Pierre, considering Prince Andrei a model of all perfections, all the same does not heed his advice and is forced to learn from his own mistakes.
They still have a lot to do. Both cannot help but think, both fight with themselves, often fail in this struggle, but do not give up, but continue to "fight, get confused, make mistakes, start and quit ..." (L. N. Tolstoy).
And this, according to Tolstoy, is the main thing - not to be pleased with yourself, to judge and punish yourself, to overcome yourself again and again. No matter how fate tests Prince Andrei and Pierre, they do not forget about each other.
Here, having experienced a lot, matured Pierre calls in on the widowed Prince Andrei in Bogucharovo after a trip to his estates. He is active, full of life, hopes, aspirations. Having become a Freemason, he became interested in the idea of internal purification, believed in the possibility of the brotherhood of people, did, as it seemed to him, a lot to alleviate the situation of the peasants. And Prince Andrei, who survived his "Austerlitz", lost faith in life, is depressed and gloomy. Bezukhov was struck by a change in him: "... the words were affectionate, the smile was on the lips and face of Prince Andrei, but his gaze was extinct, dead."
I think it is not by chance that the writer collides his heroes at this very moment, when one of them, trying to live for others, “understood all the happiness of life”, and the other, having lost his wife, parted with the dream of fame, decided to live only for himself and his loved ones. , "avoiding only two evils - remorse and illness." If they are connected by true friendship, this meeting is necessary for both. Pierre is inspired, he shares his new thoughts with Prince Andrei, but Bolkonsky listens to him incredulously and gloomily, does not want to talk about himself, does not even hide that he is not interested in everything that Pierre is talking about, but does not refuse to argue. Bezukhov proclaims that it is necessary to do good to people, and Prince Andrei believes that it is enough not to harm anyone. It seems that Pierre is right in this dispute, but in fact everything is more complicated. Prince Andrei, who had that “practical tenacity“, which Pierre did not have, manages to do much of what his friend dreams of and cannot achieve: he is older, more experienced, knows life and people better.
The dispute, at first glance, did not change anything. However, the meeting with Pierre made a strong impression on Prince Andrei, she "woke up something that had long fallen asleep, something better that was in him." Apparently, Bezukhov's "heart of gold" did not let him down when he was not afraid to hurt a friend, offend the prince's grief, convincing him that life goes on, that much is yet to come. He helped Prince Andrei take the first step towards inner rebirth, towards a new life, towards love.
It seems to me that, had it not been for the Bogucharov meeting, Bolkonsky would not have noticed either the poetic moonlit night in Otradnoye, or the lovely girl who would soon enter his life and change it, and the old oak tree would not have helped him to draw such an important conclusion: “No, life is not over at thirty-one… It is necessary that everyone knows me, so that my life goes on not for me alone… So that it is reflected on everyone and that they all live with me.” In two months he will leave for Petersburg, useful people, and Pierre, under the influence of a conversation with Bolkonsky, looking more closely at the Masonic brothers, realized that their correct words about the brotherhood of people hide their own goal - “the uniforms and crosses that they sought in life ". This, in fact, began his break with Freemasonry.
Both friends still have many hopes, sorrows, falls, ups and downs ahead. But one thing, the main thing that unites them, both of them will retain - a constant desire to seek truth, goodness and justice. And how happy Pierre is when he learns that Andrei fell in love with Natasha Rostov, how beautiful and generous he is when he hides his feelings for her, moreover, he persuades his friend to forgive the girl for her passion for Anatoly Kuragin. Having failed to achieve this, Pierre painfully experiences their breakup, it hurts for both of them, he fights for their love, not thinking about himself. Before the events of 1812, Tolstoy again leads his friends to a deep crisis: Prince Andrei became disillusioned with state activity, his hope for personal happiness collapsed, his faith in people was trampled; Pierre broke with Freemasonry, loves Natasha unrequitedly. How difficult it is for both, and how they need a friend! The events of 1812 are a severe test for both, and both stand it with honor, having found their place in the fight against the invaders. Before the Battle of Borodino, Pierre had to see Prince Andrei, because only he alone could explain to him everything that was happening. And so they meet. Pierre's expectations come true: Bolkonsky explains to him the situation in the army. Now Bezukhov understood that "hidden warmth ... of patriotism" that flared up before his eyes. And for Prince Andrei, a conversation with Pierre is very important: expressing his thoughts to a friend, he felt that he might not return from this field, and, probably, he felt sorry for his life, loved ones, his friendship with this huge, ridiculous, beautiful Pierre, but Andrei Bolkonsky - the true son of his father - restrains himself, does not betray the excitement that gripped him.
They don't have to talk anymore. A wonderful friendship was cut short by an enemy grenade. No, it didn't break though. The deceased friend will forever remain next to Pierre as the most precious memory, as the most sacred thing that he had in his life. He still mentally consults with Prince Andrei and, making the main decision in his life - to actively fight evil, I am sure that Prince Andrei would be on his side. Pierre proudly speaks about this to Nikolenka Bolkonsky, the fifteen-year-old son of Prince Andrei, because he wants to see in the boy the heir of the thoughts and feelings of a person who has not died for him and will never die. What united two wonderful people: the constant work of the soul, the tireless search for truth, the desire to always be clean before one's conscience, to benefit people - is immortal. There is something in human feelings that is always modern. The pages of "War and Peace", dedicated to the friendship of such different and equally beautiful people as Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov, unforgettable. After all, before our eyes, these people, supporting each other, are becoming better, cleaner, fairer. Everyone dreams of such friends and such friendship.
