What is real life? (based on L. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”). “Real life” in the understanding of L. Tolstoy (based on L.N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”) Tolstoy about the real life of people
In the works of L. Tolstoy, much is built on oppositions. One of the main ones is the contrast between “real life” and “false life”. At the same time, the heroes of “War and Peace” can be divided into those who live “unreal lives” (these are, as a rule, people of secular,
Petersburg society: maid of honor Sherer, Prince Vasily Kuragin, Helen Kuragina, Governor General Rostopchin), and those whose lives are filled with real meaning.
The life of the Rostov family is very vividly depicted in the novel. The Rostovs are, first of all, people of feelings, sensations; reflection is unusual for them. Each member of this family perceives life in their own special way, but at the same time, they all have something in common that unites them, making them truly a family. And it is known what importance Tolstoy attached to this concept.
An indispensable condition for real life, according to Tolstoy, is the emancipation of a person who understands conventions and neglects them, building his behavior in society not on secular requirements of decency, but on other grounds. At the birthday dinner taking place in the Rostovs' house, Natasha decides to be insolent: she loudly, in front of all the guests, asks her mother what kind of ice cream will be served. And although the countess pretended that she was dissatisfied and outraged by her daughter’s bad manners, Natasha felt that her insolence was favorably received by the guests precisely because of her naturalness and naturalness. Anna Pavlovna Scherer is frightened by Pierre Bezukhov who appears in her living room, because he is distinguished by his spontaneity and simplicity of behavior and misunderstanding of secular etiquette, which requires people to invariably greet the “useless aunt” only in the name of observing some ritual. Tolstoy very colorfully depicts the spontaneity of behavior in the Russian dance scene of the old Count Ilya Andreevich Rostov and Marya Dmitrievna Akhrosimova. Natasha, all beaming with delight, points the guests to her father. Tolstoy conveys the feeling of joy that gripped the count himself, Natasha, Nikolai, Sonya, the guests... This, in the writer’s understanding, is true life.
Also an expressive example of the manifestation of real life is the famous hunting scene. It was decided to go hunting another day, but the morning was such that Nikolai Rostov felt, as Tolstoy writes, that “it was impossible not to go.” Regardless of him, Natasha, Petya, the old count and the hunter Danila experience this feeling. During the hunt, all conventions are discarded and forgotten, and Danila can be rude to the count and even call him rude names, and the count understands this, understands that in another situation the hunter would never allow himself to do this, but the hunting situation liberates Danila in every sense of the word, and it is no longer the count who is his master, but he himself is the master of the situation, the owner of power over everyone. Participants in the hunt experience the same sensations, although each person expresses it differently. When the hunters drove the hare, Natasha squeals enthusiastically and loudly, everyone understands her feelings, the delight that gripped her. After such emancipation, Natasha’s dance becomes possible.
The culmination of Tolstoy's epic is the War of 1812. It weeds out everything unreal, false in people’s lives, gives a person the opportunity to open up to the end, feeling the need for this, as Nikolai Rostov and the hussars of his squadron feel it at the moment when it is impossible not to launch an attack. The Smolensk merchant Ferapontov also feels the need, burning his goods and distributing them to the soldiers. Heroes who do not strive to be useful to the general course of events, but live their normal lives, are its most useful participants. So, real, sincere feelings are an unmistakable criterion of real life.
But heroes who live rather according to the laws of reason are also capable of real life. An example of this is the Bolkonsky family. None of them, except, perhaps, Princess Marya, is characterized by an open manifestation of their feelings. But Prince Andrey and his sister have their own path to real life. And Prince Andrei will go through periods of error, but an unmistakable moral sense will help him overthrow the false idols that he worshiped. So Napoleon and Speransky will be debunked in his mind, love for Natasha, so different from all the St. Petersburg beauties, will enter his life. Natasha will become the personification of real life, opposing the falsehood of the world. That is why Andrei will endure her betrayal so painfully - because it will be tantamount to the collapse of the ideal.
But here, too, the war will put everything in its place. After breaking up with Natasha, Andrei will go to war, no longer driven by ambitious dreams, but by an inner sense of involvement in the people's cause, the cause of defending Russia. Wounded, before his death he forgives Natasha, because a true understanding of life comes to him.
Tolstoy's real life can be expressed in the feelings of some heroes and in the thoughts of others. This is personified in the novel by Pierre Bezukhov, in whose image both of these principles are combined, for he has both the ability to direct feeling, like the Rostovs, and a sharp analytical mind, like his older friend Bolkonsky. He, too, is looking for the meaning of life and gets lost in his search, sometimes loses all sorts of guidelines, but feeling and thought lead him to new discoveries, and this path leads him to an understanding of the people's soul. This is also evident during his communication with soldiers on the Borodino field on the day of the battle and in captivity, when he becomes close to Platon Karataev. Plato becomes for him the personification of the simplicity and clarity of the basic laws of life, the answer to all thoughts. The feeling of the immensity of true life covers Pierre when he looks at the starry sky and is imbued with a feeling of his unity with the entire universe. We can say that he sees the same sky that Prince Andrei saw on the Field of Austerlitz. And Pierre laughs at the mere thought that a soldier might lock him, that is, the entire universe, and not let him go anywhere. Inner freedom is a characteristic feature of true life.
Tolstoy’s favorite heroes agree in their admiration for life, unconscious, like Natasha’s, or, conversely, clearly conscious, like Prince Andrei’s. The commander Kutuzov, who understands the inevitability of what must happen, is contrasted with Napoleon, who imagines that he controls the course of events, as if the course of thought could be controlled. Real life is always simple and natural, no matter how it develops or manifests itself.
“Real life”... What is this, what kind of life can be called real? The first role of the word “real” is contained in the understanding of life as life at the moment, in the present moment, life today. But there is a deeper meaning hidden in the expression “real life.” Probably, millions of people have more than once been faced with the question of whether their life is really real, the way it should be, whether they really live correctly and there is no other, better life.
The question of real life is also raised in L. N. Tolstoy’s work “War and Peace.” The author could not get around this problem, since the novel is a kind of analogue of the Bible, and in it, as is clear, one can find the answer to almost any question. The characters' reflections on this topic, their disputes among themselves, their interpretation of real life force readers to think about their life, about its meaning. The views of the novel's heroes on the problem posed are not the same, and when you read this book, you follow the thoughts of one, analyze what others have said. You agree with someone, but categorically refuse to share the point of view of another, and maybe you will remain with your previous opinion, understanding real life in your own way. These views are formed under the influence of various factors. A person spends a very long time looking for what he really needs and changes his opinion about it many times. Likewise, many of the novel’s heroes did not immediately understand what kind of life is really real, and many did not recognize this at all.
So, Andrei Bolkonsky, disillusioned with his previous, secular way of life - boring and monotonous - tried to find a true life in the war. He thirsted for glory, heroism, made strategic plans and dreamed of how he would save the army at a critical moment. But after the sky of Austerlitz, what he strived for in the war faded into the background. Glory, great people (Napoleon) - everything is insignificant before eternity. Bolkonsky realized that this is not real life, and his search for takoza continued.
The life of Pierre Bezukhov at first consisted of entertainment, going out, carousing, risky drunken fun (the story with the bear and the policeman). Obviously, with the help of all this he was distracted from the problems that worried him. A serious change in his views occurred after meeting the Freemasons and joining this society. Now faith in the brotherhood of people was revealed to him, virtue awoke in him, and a desire to help others appeared. With this task in hand, he leaves for his estate, where he intends to alleviate the situation of the people by building hospitals and schools. Returning, he visits his friend Prince Andrei. A serious conversation takes place between them, moreover, a real dispute, in which everyone tried to justify the correctness of their views and beliefs. Bolkonsky says that his wisdom is now life for himself, because he found peace only after he ceased to exist for others. And Pierre objects: what about love for one’s neighbor and self-sacrifice? Friends cannot come to a common opinion because they are at different stages of spiritual development and have different current experiences. But the main thing is different: they do not stop in their search for real life.
Tolstoy announces that just after this dispute, fermentation begins in the inner world of Prince Andrei. And the culprit of the next change is Natasha Rostova. When Bolkonsky in Otradnoye heard her sound, her ecstasy before the charm of a magical moonlit night, all this sank into his soul, and he more than once wondered: what is she so happy about and what is she thinking about? And then he decided for himself that life had not ended and that now his task would be for everyone to know about him, so that they would not live independently of him, of his life, but “so that it would be reflected on everyone.” Later, Andrei remembered Pierre’s words and thought that he was right. And now Prince Andrei also begins to believe in the possibility of happiness. From this moment, Prince Bolkonsky’s new understanding of real life begins. Love for Natasha changed him. He shares with Pierre and talks about his feelings, adding that he suffered terribly and suffered, but he would not give up this torment for anything in the world. He utters these words: “I have not lived before. I am only living now.” Now that he suffers and loves at the same time, he believes that he is living, truly living. Why does Prince Andrei say that he would not give up this torment and suffering, that it is only thanks to them that he is alive? This means that real life must contain suffering along with happy moments. It should combine good and bad, joyful and sad, happiness, love and disappointment. Only by suffering can we understand the true value of what we have and truly cherish it.
Prince Andrey learned all this, so we can say that he found what he was looking for, found real life. I believe that L.N. Tolstoy connects the concept of “real life” with Prince Andrei. From my point of view (maybe incorrect), it is he who stands above everyone else in the novel, because he managed to understand something that many did not realize. Let's take the same Pierre Bezukhov. Disillusioned with Freemasonry, he eventually finds happiness with Natasha in the family circle. But their life proceeded calmly, they were simply happy and did not suffer, they no longer tried to look for anything better for themselves. And Prince Andrei, having understood the meaning of true life, goes to another world and joins, as it were, the divine.
In any case, for Tolstoy, in my opinion, what is important is not the achievement of a goal, but precisely the search for it - the search for “real life.”
Makievskaya Chiara
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An essay by 10th grade student Chiara Makievskaya.
“Real life” in the understanding of L.N. Tolstoy.
The most famous epic novel by L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" (1863-1869) cannot help but amaze its reader with the incredible variety of problems raised by the author in the work, which is why the novel "War and Peace" can be viewed from completely different positions. The work “War and Peace” harmoniously combines elements of a love, psychological, philosophical, social and historical novel. In the novel L.N. Tolstoy raises many interesting questions that are relevant to society today, but I would like to consider one of the questions in more detail.
What is “real life” in the understanding of L.N. Tolstoy? Throughout the novel, the author returns to this question more than once, and the question itself originates in the title of the novel. The title of the work has a deep meaning and already partially characterizes the performance of L.N. Tolstoy about “real life”. “Real life” is that same “world”. This is not only the absence of bloody wars, but also the internal agreement of a person with himself, harmony, calmness, and “war” is a “false life”, lack of meaning in life, disharmony.
The term “real life” is largely associated with the Rostov family, and especially with Natasha Rostova. Natasha combines all the qualities necessary, according to Tolstoy, in order to live a “real life.” Since childhood, she has been sincere and spontaneous, loving nature, and from birth inexplicably close to the people. “Favorite” heroes of L.N. Tolstoy, including Natasha, are prone to making mistakes, being disappointed, but each time finding the strength to move forward. Natasha lives a busy life, she is impetuous and often commits rash acts. Natasha has the unique ability to love everyone with all her heart, she is merciful and generous. In Natasha Rostova L.N. Tolstoy sees the ideal of a girl, mother and wife. In the Rostov family, sincerity, naturalness, and purity of soul, characteristic of Natasha and other children, were encouraged. Family relationships were built exclusively on the principles of trust and the laws of the heart. The Rostov family definitely lives “real life.”
An example of a “false life” is the life of the Kuragin family. Their relationship is cold, behind the mask of external beauty there is only emptiness, there is no soulfulness, no emotions, no mutual understanding in their relationship. In the Rostov family it’s the other way around. They empathize with each other, show emotions and appreciate everything spiritual.
Also an important role in understanding the term “real life” is played by the attitude of the heroes to the people. All favorite heroes of L.N. Tolstoy come to “folk thought”. This is the idea of unity of the people and with the people. This idea becomes the true meaning of life for Andrei Bolkonsky and Pierre Bezukhov. “People's Thought” is also close to the Rostov family. The Rostovs perceive nationality on an emotional level, as can be seen, for example, in the hunting scene or in the Natasha dancing scene. The author’s favorite characters sincerely worry about their Motherland and are true patriots: Natasha insisted that the family save not property, but the wounded, Nikolai fights in the war, Petya dies in his first battle. Also L.N. Tolstoy shows false patriots in the novel. Typical false patriots are visitors to A.P. Scherer’s salon, constantly talking about politics, but not really influencing anything. Communication in the salon mainly takes place in French, which was prohibited from being spoken in the salon only in 1812. It is noteworthy that the Rostov family, for example, uses French extremely rarely. Also, staff officers who go to fight not for the people and freedom, but only to receive ranks and orders, can be considered false patriots. Andrei Bolkonsky, being a true patriot, fought in the front ranks, taking an active part in all hostilities. It is also natural that he dies in war.
“Real life,” according to Tolstoy, includes unity with nature and love for it. Heroes who truly live are able to subtly feel nature. This is especially confirmed by the scene of a moonlit night in Otradnoye and the hunting scene, as well as the comprehension of the eternity and incomprehensibility of nature by Prince Andrey, when he looks at the sky over Austerlitz or watches a huge oak tree on the way to Otradnoye and upon returning from the estate. Peering into the sky above Austerlitz, Andrei understands the senselessness and inexpediency of the war, understands how insignificant all this is, especially in comparison with the endless sky: “How come I haven’t seen this high sky before? And how happy I am that I finally recognized him. Yes! Everything is empty, everything is deception, except this endless sky. There is nothing, nothing, except him. But even that is not there, there is nothing but silence, calmness.”
Another important detail is that heroes who truly live, according to Tolstoy, are obliged to change and be in a state of endless search. In one of the letters from L.N. Tolstoy wrote: “To live honestly, you have to struggle, get confused, struggle, make mistakes, start and give up, and start again, and give up again, and always struggle and lose. And calmness is spiritual meanness.” This statement is perfect for describing the long life paths of his favorite heroes. Each of them has experienced strong changes, disappointments, ups and downs. Only the internally empty, spiritually poor characters remained static throughout the novel, for example, Helen, the visitors to the Scherer salon, and their way of life remained unchanged.
Thus, to summarize, from the novel “War and Peace” we learn that, according to Tolstoy, “real life” is freedom in the expression of feelings, mutual understanding in the family, unity with the people, the ability to empathize and understand on an emotional level what what's happening around. Only a person who is able to admire the nature of his Motherland, love every corner of it, be ready to unite with the people and stand up for the defense of his Fatherland, even if victory costs many lives, truly lives. “Real life” is very rich and multifaceted; it does not imply constant success. It is human nature to make mistakes, the only question is how he will behave afterwards. Making mistakes, being disappointed, hoping, falling, rising - this is what life requires of a person. L.N. Throughout the novel, Tolstoy contrasted people living a “real life” and a “false life.” Thanks to the technique of antithesis, the author manages to emphasize the qualities necessary for a real person. The problem raised by the author was relevant at the time of writing the novel and remains just as relevant and important for society. Life is given to a person once and it is worth living it richly and with dignity, there is no point in wasting life, and happiness lies in the fact that life gives every person an infinite number of opportunities, but not everyone decides to use them.
L.N. Tolstoy is known throughout the world not only as a writer, but also as a philosopher. He even created his own philosophical school. It is not surprising that in his works, in addition to social and moral issues, philosophical ones also appear. The problem of life and its meaning occupies a place of honor in the writer’s work. In the novel “War and Peace” L.N. Tolstoy divides heroes into those who live a “real” life and a “fake” one.
In salons like Anna Pavlovna Sherer's, people forget about the true meaning of their existence. They forget how to help others and bring good to the world. For them there is nothing except power, money, intrigue. But all this is just an illusion of life that can collapse in one moment. Heroes living a “fake” life are guided only by their narrow-minded minds. Why close-minded? They are unable to think more broadly than the secular framework allows. In the novel, such characters are Anna Pavlovna Sherer, the Kuragin family, officers who, for the sake of heroism, are ready to go over the heads of others.
The heroes of War and Peace who live “real” lives know how to listen to their feelings. This is Natasha Rostova, Marya Bolkonskaya, Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky. Guided by the advice of their hearts, these heroes find themselves in awkward situations in secular society and make enemies in high circles.
A striking example is the evening scene in Scherer’s salon. he is a “newbie” at this reception, so he subtly senses the artificiality of this society. When everyone gets up to greet “auntie,” Pierre does not follow the general example. This act does not mean disrespect. The man simply feels that he does not want to do this. Bezukhov arouses contempt, but it quickly fades away, because the young man has a lot of money behind him.
And Marya Bolkonskaya are similar in spirit. They act according to the laws of conscience. Their minds are often overshadowed by their feelings. Girls know how to love sincerely, regardless of material circumstances or rank. They suffer from love, but they live a full life, unlike the same Helen Kuragina, who until the end of her short life never learned how to truly love.
The prince is a man with an extraordinary mind. He also lives “for real,” but his actions are guided not only by feelings, but also by reason. Using the example of Bolkonsky, L.N. Tolstoy shows that reason, not entangled in lies and intrigue, can lead a person to “real” life. Prince Andrei is also one of the few heroes to whom the true meaning of human existence is revealed. And if before Austerlitz’s wound the mind of a young man was overshadowed by a thirst for achievement and glory, then tragedy helps to realize that one must live for the sake of love.
Thus, in the novel L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is "real" life. Some heroes live it from birth, others set foot on the true path of existence thanks to personal dramas and tragedies. Characters who live behind artificial masks die mentally or physically. The contrast between two groups of heroes allows the writer to show all the facets of two types of life.
Real life is life without shackles and restrictions. This is the supremacy of feelings and mind over secular etiquette.
Tolstoy contrasts “false life” and “real life.” All Tolstoy's favorite heroes live "Real Life." In the first chapters of his work, Tolstoy shows us only “false life” through the inhabitants of secular society: Anna Sherrer, Vasily Kuragin, his daughter and many others. A sharp contrast to this society is the Rostov family. They live only by feelings and may not observe general decency. For example, Natasha Rostova, who at her name day ran into the hall and loudly asked what dessert would be served. This, according to Tolstoy, is real life.
The best time to understand the insignificance of all problems is war. In 1812 everyone rushed to fight Napoleon. During the war, everyone forgot about their quarrels and disputes. Everyone thought only about victory and about the enemy. Indeed, even Pierre Bezukhov forgot about his differences with Dolokhov. War weeds out everything unreal, false in people’s lives, gives a person the opportunity to open up to the end, feeling the need for this, as Nikolai Rostov and the hussars of his squadron feel it, feel it at the moment when it was impossible not to launch an attack. Heroes who do not specifically strive to be useful to the general course of events, but live their normal lives, are its most useful participants. The criterion of real life is real, sincere feelings.
But Tolstoy has heroes who live according to the laws of reason. This is the Bolkonsky family, with the possible exception of Marya. But Tolstoy also classifies these heroes as “real.” Prince Andrei Bolkonsky is a very smart person. He lives according to the laws of reason and is not subject to feelings. He rarely obeyed etiquette. He could easily move away if he was not interested. Prince Andrei wanted to live “not for himself alone.” He always tried to be helpful.
Tolstoy also shows us Pierre Bezukhov, who was looked at disapprovingly in Anna Pavlovna’s living room. He, unlike others, did not greet the “useless aunt.” He did not do it out of disrespect, but only because he did not consider it necessary. The image of Pierre combines two virtues: intelligence and simplicity. By “simplicity” I mean that he can freely express his feelings and emotions. Pierre searched for his purpose for a long time and did not know what to do. A simple Russian man, Platon Karataev, helped him figure it out. He explained to him that there is nothing better than freedom. Karataev became for Pierre the personification of the simplicity and clarity of the basic laws of life.
All of Tolstoy's favorite heroes love life in all its manifestations. Real life is always natural. Tolstoy loves the life he portrays and the heroes who live it.
