A dishonorable act - war and peace. “War and Peace”, theme of honor and dishonor

All his life, Goncharov dreamed of people finding harmony of feeling and reason. He reflected on the strength and poverty of the “man of the mind,” and on the charm and weakness of the “man of the heart.” In Oblomov, this idea became one of the leading ones. In this novel, two types of male characters are contrasted: the passive and weak Oblomov, with his golden heart and pure soul, and the energetic Stolz, who overcomes any circumstances with the power of his mind and will. However, Goncharov’s human ideal is not personified in either one or the other. Stolz does not seem to the writer to be a more complete personality than Oblomov, whom he also looks at with “sober eyes.” Impartially exposing the “extremes” of the nature of both, Goncharov advocated the completeness and integrity of the spiritual world of man with all the diversity of its manifestations.

Each of the main characters of the novel had their own understanding of the meaning of life, their own life ideals that they dreamed of realizing.

At the beginning of the story, Ilya Ilyich Oblomov is a little over thirty years old, he is a pillar nobleman, the owner of three hundred and fifty souls of serfs, which he inherited. Having served for three years in one of the capital's departments after graduating from Moscow University, he retired with the rank of collegiate secretary. Since then he lived in St. Petersburg without a break. The novel begins with a description of one of his days, his habits and character. Oblomov’s life by that time had turned into a lazy “crawling from day to day.” Having withdrawn from active activities, he lay on the sofa and irritably argued with Zakhar, his serf servant, who was caring for him. Revealing the social roots of Oblomovism, Goncharov shows that “it all started with the inability to put on stockings, and ended with the inability to live.”

Raised in a patriarchal noble family, Ilya Ilyich perceived life in Oblomovka, his family estate, with its peace and inaction, as the ideal of human existence.
Three main acts of life constantly played out before the eyes of little Ilyusha in childhood: homeland, weddings, funerals. Then followed their divisions: christenings, name days, family holidays. The whole pathos of life is focused on this. This was the “wide expanse of lordly life” with its idleness, which forever became the ideal of life for Oblomov.

All Oblomovites treated work as a punishment and did not like it, considering it something humiliating. Therefore, life in the eyes of Ilya Ilyich was divided into two halves. One consisted of work and boredom, and these were synonymous for him. The other is from peace and peaceful fun. In Oblomovka, Ilya Ilyich was also instilled with a sense of superiority over other people. The “other” cleans his own boots, dresses himself, runs out to get what he needs. This “other” has to work tirelessly. Ilyusha, on the other hand, “was brought up tenderly, he did not endure cold or hunger, he knew no need, he did not earn his own bread, he did not engage in menial deeds.” And he considered studying a punishment sent by heaven for his sins, and avoided school classes whenever possible. After graduating from university, he was no longer involved in his education, was not interested in science, art, or politics.

When Oblomov was young, he expected a lot both from fate and from himself. He was preparing to serve his fatherland, to play a prominent role in public life, and dreamed of family happiness. But days passed after days, and he was still getting ready to start his life, he was still picturing his future in his mind. However, “the flower of life blossomed and did not bear fruit.”

He saw his future service not as a harsh activity, but as some kind of “family activity.” It seemed to him that the officials serving together constituted a friendly and close family, all members of which were tirelessly concerned about mutual pleasure. However, his youthful ideas were deceived. Unable to withstand the difficulties, he resigned after serving only three years and without having accomplished anything significant.

It happened that, lying on the sofa, he would be inflamed with the desire to point out to humanity his vices. He will quickly change two or three positions, stand up on the bed with sparkling eyes and look around with inspiration. It seems that his high effort is about to turn into a feat and bring good consequences to humanity. Sometimes he imagines himself as an invincible commander: he will invent a war, organize new crusades, and perform feats of kindness and generosity. Or, imagining himself as a thinker, an artist, in his imagination he reaps laurels, everyone worships him, the crowd chases after him. However, in reality, he was not able to understand the management of his own estate and easily became the prey of such scammers as Tarantiev and the “brother” of his landlady.

Over time, he developed remorse that did not give him peace. He felt pain for his lack of development, for the burden that prevented him from living. He was torn by envy that others lived so fully and widely, but something was stopping him from boldly moving through life. He painfully felt that the good and bright beginning was buried in him, as in a grave. He tried to find the culprit outside himself and did not find it. However, apathy and indifference quickly replaced anxiety in his soul, and he again slept peacefully on his sofa.

Even his love for Olga did not revive him to practical life. Faced with the need to act, overcoming the difficulties that stood in his way, he became afraid and retreated. Having settled on the Vyborg side, he left himself entirely to the care of Agafya Pshenitsyna, finally withdrawing from active life.

In addition to this inability brought up by the lordship, many other things prevent Oblomov from being active. He really feels the objectively existing disconnect between the “poetic” and the “practical” in life, and this is the reason for his bitter disappointment.

If at the beginning of the novel Goncharov talks more about Oblomov’s laziness, then at the end the theme of Oblomov’s “golden heart”, which he carried unscathed through life, sounds more and more insistently. Oblomov's misfortune is connected not only with the social environment, the influence of which he could not resist. It is also contained in the “destructive excess of the heart.” The hero's gentleness, delicacy, and vulnerability disarm his will and make him powerless in front of people and circumstances.

In contrast to the passive and inactive Oblomov, Stolz was conceived by the author as a completely unusual figure. Goncharov sought to make it attractive to the reader with his “efficiency”, rational, skillful practicality. These qualities have not yet been characteristic of the heroes of Russian literature.

The son of a German burgher and a Russian noblewoman, Andrei Stolz received a hard-working, practical education from childhood thanks to his father. This, combined with the poetic influence of his mother, made him a special person. Unlike the round Oblomov, he was thin, all muscle and nerves. He exuded some kind of freshness and strength. “Just as there was nothing superfluous in his body, so in the moral practices of his life he sought a balance between practical aspects and the subtle needs of the spirit.” “He walked through life firmly, cheerfully, lived on a budget, trying to spend every day, like every ruble.” He attributed the reason for any failure to himself, “and did not hang it, like a caftan, on someone else’s nail.” He sought to develop a simple and straightforward outlook on life. Most of all, he was afraid of the imagination, “this two-faced companion,” and any dream, so everything mysterious and mysterious had no place in his soul. He considered everything that is not subject to analysis of experience and does not correspond to practical truth to be a deception.

Although Oblomov has nothing to object to Stolz’s reproaches, there is some kind of spiritual truth contained in Ilya Ilyich’s confession that he failed to understand this life.

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Honor and dignity are the main qualities of human character, and those who have lost them are alien to any high
aspirations and searches. The problem of moral self-improvement of the individual has always been one of the most important in creativity
L. N. Tolstoy.
At the center of the novel “War and Peace” is an image of the Patriotic War of 1812, which shook up the entire Russian
people, who showed the whole world their power and strength. The great historical upheaval revealed the true essence of everyone
an individual person.
In a stern and solemn tone, Tolstoy begins the story of the events of the “glorious era of 1812 for Russia”:
“On June 12, the forces of Western Europe crossed the borders of Russia, and the war began, that is, the opposite happened
event for the human mind and all human nature.”
When “the forces of twelve languages burst into Russia,” our people rose up in a holy war of liberation.
Tolstoy shows in the novel how powerful the “hidden patriotism” that lived in the heart of every true Russian grew.
a man who loved his homeland. As Tolstoy writes, in the Patriotic War of 1812, “the people had one goal: to cleanse their
land from invasion." The thoughts of all true patriots from the Commander-in-Chief were directed towards the implementation of this goal
Kutuzov to an ordinary soldier and a peasant militia. Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov strived for the same goal,
Vasily Denisov and captain Timokhin. For her sake, young Petya Rostov gives his life. They wish with all their hearts victory over the enemy Natasha
Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya.
There is no reason to doubt the truth of the patriotic feelings that possessed both the old Prince Bolkonsky and Nikolai
Rostov, whose character intricately combined positive and negative traits. At the same time the writer
convinces us of the complete lack of patriotism among people such as Prince Vasily Kuragin and his children: Ippolit, Anatole and
Helen. No matter how much the noble guests gathered in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer scolded Napoleon, we will not find any
drops of true patriotic feeling.
It is not love for the Motherland (they do not have this love) that guide Boris Drubetskoy and Dolokhov, who enter the
active army. The first one studies the “unwritten chain of command” to make a career. The second one tries to distinguish himself so that
quickly regain your officer rank, and then receive awards and ranks. Military official Berg in abandoned by residents
Moscow is buying things cheaply... War, as Tolstoy shows, severely tests a person. It's as if he puts everyone
characters of his novel in the face of mortal danger hanging over the Motherland, and, as it were, asks them:
“Come on, what kind of people are you? How will you behave in this difficult time for the fatherland, how will you help the people defending the earth from
enemy invasion?
In essence, almost all the chapters of the third and fourth volumes of War and Peace were written so that the heroes of the novel would give
the answer to this main question.
The misfortune that was approaching the ancient Russian capital was of little concern to the highest circles of noble society. Making some noise in
In the Sloboda Palace, during a meeting with the emperor and showing patriotism, they began to live as before. "It was hard to believe that
indeed Russia is in danger and that the members of the English Club are at the same time sons of the fatherland, ready for it to
every sacrifice,” writes Tolstoy with irony.
The military governor Count F.V. Rastopchin reassured the residents of Moscow with the stupidest posters that ridiculed
French and it was said that they were all dwarfs and that one woman would throw three of them with a pitchfork.” In the high society salon of Julie
Drubetskaya, as in many other “societies” of Moscow, was agreed to speak only Russian, and those who spoke
forgetfulness spoke French. They paid a fine “in favor of the donations committee.” That's the whole "contribution" to the cause of protection
Motherland, introduced by salon “patriots”.
Not in high society drawing rooms, not in palace chambers, not in the sovereign’s headquarters, but on the battlefields it was decided
the most important question about the life and death of the Fatherland. The fate of the Motherland was taken into their own hands by the people, by whose will Tolstoy was
emphasizes that, contrary to the will of the tsar and the ruling elite, Mikhail was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian troops
Illarionovich Kutuzov. He became the true leader of the army and the people. Tolstoy showed this already in the film of Kutuzov’s first meeting
with troops in Tsarev Zaimishche, when he managed to instill confidence in the soldiers that Russia would be saved and victory over the enemy
will be won. Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief on August 8, and already on August 26 he fought the Battle of Borodino, which led to
turning point during the war and predetermined its final outcome.
The Russian soldiers who took part in this battle had no question about what its outcome would be. For each
Of these, there could only be one: victory at any cost! Everyone understood that the fate of the Motherland depended on this battle.
The mood of Russian soldiers before the Battle of Borodino was expressed by Andrei Bolkonsky in a conversation with his friend Pierre
Bezukhov: “I believe that tomorrow will really depend on us... From the feeling that is in me, in
“in him,” he pointed to Timokhin, “in every soldier.”
And Captain Timokhin confirms this confidence of his regimental commander. He says: “Why feel sorry for yourself now!
The soldiers in my battalion, believe me, didn’t drink vodka: it’s not that kind of day, they say.”
And, as if summing up his thoughts about the course of the war, relying on his combat experience, Prince Andrei says
to Pierre, who listens attentively: “The battle is won by the one who firmly decided to win it... no matter what, no matter what.”
confused up there, we will win the battle tomorrow. Tomorrow, no matter what, we will win the battle!”
The soldiers, the combat commanders, and Kutuzov were imbued with the same firm confidence.
Prince Andrei persistently and convincingly says that for him and for all Russian patriotic soldiers the
According to Napoleon, war is not a game of chess, but a most serious matter, on the outcome of which the future of every Russian depends
person. “Timokhin and the whole army think the same,” he emphasizes again, expressing the unanimity of the Russian soldiers who stood up
to death on the Borodino field.
L. N. Tolstoy clearly showed that this battle reflected the moral superiority of the Russian liberation
army over the French - predatory. The inner beauty and wealth of his heroes lies in the harmony of their thoughts and
feelings. The concept of honor cannot be applied to someone who has sacrificed his moral principles for the sake of some
base goals, who live only to satisfy their personal needs, not noticing around them, stepping over
them. No wonder Tolstoy calls Napoleon, the legendary figure who managed to conquer the world at the cost of millions of human beings.
lives, “a man without honor and conscience.”

“War and Peace” was not only Tolstoy’s largest work, but also the greatest work of world literature of the 19th century, as M. Gorky assessed it.

There are about six hundred characters in War and Peace. “It is terribly difficult to think over and change your mind about everything that can happen to all the future people of the upcoming essay, a very large one, and to think over millions of possible combinations in order to choose one millionth of them,” Tolstoy complained. The writer experienced such difficulties while working on each of his major works. But they were especially great when the writer created “War and Peace.” Let us remember that the action of this novel lasts more than fifteen years and covers a huge number of events. The writer really had to think about “millions of possible combinations” and choose from them only the most necessary, the most vivid and truthful.

Over the course of a year, Tolstoy wrote fifteen versions of the beginning of War and Peace. As can be seen from the surviving manuscripts, he tried to start the novel with the author’s introduction, which assessed the historical events of 1812, based on the scene that takes place either in Moscow, then in St. Petersburg, then on the estate of the old Prince Bolkonsky, or abroad. What did the writer achieve by changing the beginning of the novel so many times? This can be seen by reading the scene that opens War and Peace. Tolstoy shows the high-society salon of the maid of honor Anna Pavlovna Scherer, where eminent guests meet and have a lively conversation about what most worried Russian society at that time - about the upcoming war with Napoleon. Reading this scene, we get acquainted with many characters and among them the two main characters of the novel - Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov.

Tolstoy found such a beginning to the work that immediately introduces us to the atmosphere of the pre-war era, introduces us to the main characters, shows how their views and opinions collided when assessing the most pressing issues of the time. And from this first scene until the end of the novel, we follow with unflagging interest and excitement how events unfold and how an increasing number of people become participants in them.

It should still be noted that there are scenes in “War and Peace” where the image of Kutuzov is shown contradictorily. Tolstoy believed that the development of all events taking place in the world does not depend on the will of people, but is predetermined from above. It seemed to the writer that Kutuzov thought the same and did not consider it necessary to interfere in the development of events. But this decisively contradicts the image of Kutuzov, which was created by Tolstoy himself. The writer emphasizes that the great commander knew how to understand the spirit of the army and sought to control it, that all Kutuzov’s thoughts and all his actions were aimed at one goal - to defeat the enemy.

The image of the soldier Platon Karataev, with whom Pierre Bezukhov met and became friends in captivity, is also depicted contradictorily in the novel. Karataev is characterized by such traits as kindness, humility, willingness to forgive and forget any offense. Pierre listens with surprise and then with delight to Karataev’s stories, which always end with evangelical calls to love everyone and forgive everyone. But the same Pierre had to see the terrible end of Platon Karataev. When the French were driving a party of prisoners along a muddy autumn road, Karataev fell from weakness and could not get up. And the guards mercilessly shot him. One cannot forget this terrible scene: the murdered Karataev lies near a dirty forest road, and next to him sits and howls a hungry, lonely, freezing little dog, which he so recently saved from death...

Fortunately, the “Karataev” traits were unusual for the Russian people who defended their land. Reading “War and Peace”, we see that it was not the Platon Karataevs who defeated Napoleon’s army. This was done by the fearless artillerymen of the modest captain Tushin, the brave soldiers of captain Timokhin, the cavalrymen of Uvarov, and the partisans of captain Denisov. The Russian army and the Russian people defeated the enemy. And this is shown with great force in the novel. It is no coincidence that during the Second World War, Tolstoy’s book was a reference book for people from different countries who fought against the invasion of Hitler’s fascist hordes. And it will always serve as a source of patriotic inspiration for all freedom-loving people.

From the epilogue that ends the novel, we learn about how its heroes lived after the end of the Patriotic War of 1812. Pierre Bezukhov and Natasha Rostova united their destinies and found their happiness. Pierre is still concerned about the future of his homeland. He became a member of a secret organization from which the Decembrists would later emerge. Young Nikolenka Bolkonsky, the son of Prince Andrei, who died from a wound received on the Borodino field, listens carefully to his hot speeches.

You can guess about the future of these people by listening to their conversation. Nikolenka asked Pierre:

“Uncle Pierre... If dad were alive... would he agree with you? »

And Pierre replied:

"- I think yes..."

At the end of the novel, Tolstoy depicts Nikolenka Bolkonsky's dream. “He and Uncle Pierre walked ahead of a huge army,” Nikolenka dreamed. They were going to a difficult and glorious feat. Nikolenka’s father was with him, encouraging both him and Uncle Pierre. Waking up, Nikolenka makes a firm decision: to live in such a way as to be worthy of the memory of his father. "Father! Father!

Nikolenka thinks. “Yes, I will do something that would make even him happy.”

With this oath of Nikolenka, Tolstoy completes the storyline of the novel, as if lifting the curtain into the future, stretching threads from one era of Russian life to another, when the heroes of 1825 - the Decembrists - entered the historical arena.

Thus ends the work to which Tolstoy, by his own admission, devoted five years of “incessant and exceptional labor.”

The theme of honor and dishonor in the novel "War and Peace"

At the beginning of the 20th century L.N. Tolstoy was called “a teacher in life and in art” and these lines still express the attitude of people of the 21st century towards him; the legacy of the brilliant writer continues to amaze with both life and creative discoveries.
A reader of any age will find answers to his questions here; he reveals the secrets of the human soul, consciousness from the very beginning of humanity, childhood.
The works of Leo Tolstoy are read, remembered and loved by people all over the world. They are close and understandable to everyone, because they pose the eternal problems of life that concern all people and which they themselves have experienced more than once.
His heroes, like living people, make us think, dream, worry, feel the same way as they do. Thanks to the writer’s skill, it inevitably seems that the characters in the works exist, continuing their journey somewhere nearby, you can actually see them, and turn to them with pressing questions. Sometimes it even seems that you have found yourself in another dimension, in the life that the heroes live, in the social environment that L.N. describes. Tolstoy.
The images created by Tolstoy are different from all other literary heroes.
They can be recognized from thousands of others, because no other author has ever had such living, real characters; the heroes of L.N. Tostoy’s novels always live in the soul of each of us.
The novel by L.N. is very dear to me. Tolstoy "War and Peace". How many wonderful evenings I spent reading this work! The novel left an indelible impression on my soul. I admire the author for his ability to show readers all the secrets of the human soul. Yes, in his novel “the human soul is depicted with a reality unprecedented in our literature.” N.N. Strakhov noted this very accurately. I think L.N. Tolstoy truthfully and without embellishment showed all the emotional experiences of the heroes, the inner world of each of them. And this speaks of the author’s great understanding of the human soul. The novel "War and Peace" is simply the greatest work! It accurately depicts the world of the human soul, its wealth and shortcomings. There are many characters in the novel, but it seems to me that they can be divided into two large groups. In the first group there are people who have lost their spiritual beginning, deaf to the dictates of conscience, the call of the heart, they hide their spiritual emptiness behind euphonious, hypocritical speeches. These include the Kuragin, Drubetsky, A.P. Sherer families and her “important” guests. L.N. Tolstoy is irreconcilable with them: he accompanies almost every word and movement with his own ironic comments. Another group are members of old noble families who have preserved certain traditions and have a rich spiritual heritage. The writer feels open sympathy for them, although he does not keep silent about the class prejudices that prevail here. Andrei and Marya Bolkonsky, Natasha Rostova, Pierre Bezukhov are Tolstoy’s favorite heroes. They express his thoughts and experiences.
Andrei Bolkonsky is a rich, integral, strong-willed nature. He is a man of duty, honor, ready to give everything for a noble goal. Andrei Bolkonsky's thoughts are noble, although he spends all his talent and inquisitive mind in St. Petersburg salons, among fake masks. It seems to me that Leo Tolstoy’s skill in depicting the soul lies in the fact that he showed a person in different situations, because a person’s mental state is constantly changing, it seeks the highest, is in search of the truth of human existence. When A.P. Sherer saw him for the first time in the salon, “everyone who was in the living room was not only familiar, but he was so tired of him that he was very bored looking at them and listening to them,” it seems to us that he is a boring phlegmatic of society, but the appearance Pierre is forced to forget about this: Leo Tolstoy uses the word “kind” more than once; a look, a smile, these small details show us the soul of the hero to the greatest extent. Andrei strives for his Toulon, he goes to war, this shows his love for his homeland. How they read me!
Elya was struck by how L.N. Tolstoy depicted the scene of farewell between father and son, he showed what the true Bolkonsky spirit is, the relationship between father and son sometimes seems strange, but this is precisely what shows the family traditions of the proud and valiant Bolkonsky family.
The Field of Austerlitz, “it has begun, here it is,” these are the thoughts that are wafting from everywhere, in this line you can hear the voice of the people, Russian fearlessness and endless love for the homeland. The Field of Austerlitz, the battle is over, the wounded Prince Andrei. This scene, in my opinion, is the apogee of Leo Tolstoy’s writing gift.
that is the state of the hero’s soul, his attitude towards the world around him. An indelible mark on the soul of Andrei Bolkonskonsky was left by his meeting with young Rostova, and such an unexpected confusion of young thoughts and hopes suddenly arose in his soul,” L.N. Tolstoy reveals this spiritual and moral revival through “that same oak tree.” The old oak tree was completely transformed... No gnarled fingers, no sores, no old grief and mistrust, nothing was visible." The oak tree returned to life again and our hero is again alive morally, full of strength, energy, that apathetic attitude towards the world has disappeared "No, life “It’s not over at the age of 31,” Prince Andrei suddenly decided finally and without change. “Not only do I know everything that is in me, I need everyone to know it too.” With the help of a description of nature, Tolstoy showed not only worldview and spiritual renewal, but also how nature affects the human soul. This connection of inner life man with the life of nature is especially noticeable, because Tolstoy speaks of nature, spiritualizing it, endowing it with humanity!
with my features; Looking at the oak tree, Prince Andry sees not branches, not bark, not growths on it, but “fingers,” “hands,” “old sores.”
“I must live in such a way that everyone knows me, so that my life does not go on for me alone... so that it is reflected on everyone and so that they all live with me!” - this is the conclusion the hero comes to after the unfamiliar feelings he has experienced.

In continuation of the entire story about the fate of Andrei L.N. Tolstoy very realistically depicts the soul of the hero, his desire for a new life. This once again proves that in the novels of L.N. Tolstoy “the human soul is depicted with a reality that is still unprecedented in our literature.” Tolstoy revealed the soul of his heroes, he showed the mental state of people very deeply and truthfully. We see the enrichment of the human soul and its revival. And in conclusion I want to say: “Tolstoy is a wonderful Russian writer!”

A man full of nobility and honor is the old Prince Bolkonsky. He is a patriot himself and raises his children in the spirit of patriotism, severity, and nobility.

His son Andrei is also a man of honor. He boldly goes to war with only one goal - to protect his homeland. Being himself incapable of betrayal and deceit, he understands that it is too difficult to forgive the woman he loves. But, being a generous man, he did it anyway.
Pierre Bezukhov is a good-natured and open person, a loyal friend. In the most difficult moment, he came to the aid of Natasha Rostova. Although he is not a military man, Pierre still went to the Battle of Borodino and could not stay away from the others.

Natasha Rostova is a kind and sincere girl with a real Russian soul. Natasha loves the whole world, all people. She gave her heart to Prince Andrei and suffered the separation from him hard. The girl was unable to resist her attraction to Anatoly Kuragin. Natasha committed this betrayal unconsciously; she needed love and attention. Yes, she acted dishonestly towards her fiancé, but I think one should not judge a naive girl too harshly.

A striking example of dishonor in the novel is Helen Kuragina, an immoral and calculating woman. She does not know such feelings as love and devotion. She lives only for personal gain and marries Pierre only for money. Her brother, Anatole, is an equally cynical and dishonest person. He seduced the bride of Prince Andrei, hurt her honor and made many people suffer for his own benefit and vanity.

The theme of honor and dishonor has been and will be relevant at all times. Each of us has both good and bad qualities at the same time. And when we need to choose between honor and dishonor, we will make a choice based on which qualities we have more.