True and false patriotism in the novel by L.N. Tolstoy “War and Peace. What is heroism (definition)? True and false heroism True and false heroism in the novel war

War of 1805 The situation in the theater of military operations was as follows: the thirty-five thousandth Russian army was retreating, pursued by the one hundred thousandth French army under the command of Napoleon. Kutuzov sent Bagration's four thousandth vanguard to cut across the enemies, who, having gotten ahead of the French, was supposed to delay them as long as he could. The task was not an easy one... At night, Bagration, having walked forty-five miles with hungry, barefoot soldiers through the mountains, without a road, having lost a third of the stragglers, arrived at the appointed place several hours earlier than the French. But then the unexpected happened... Murat, having met Bagration’s detachment, thought that this was Kutuzov’s entire army and proposed a truce for three days. For the Russians, this was the only opportunity to gain time and give Bagration’s exhausted detachment a rest. Unlike Murat, Napoleon immediately saw through the deception. While Bagration's detachment was resting, Bonaparte's adjutant rode to Murat with a menacing message. The Russians managed to rest a little, eat soldiers' porridge, and then... suddenly a whistle is heard, a cannonball falls, then the next, and the next... Tushin, the battery commander, ordered fire on Shengraben.

Meanwhile, the infantry regiments, taken by surprise by the French in the forest, ran out of the forest chaotically, in panic, shouting: “Bypassed! Cut off! Disappeared!” The regimental commander ran after his soldiers, trying to stop them, but they did not listen to him and continued to run. He stopped in despair, it seemed to him that everything was over. But then he saw that the French, who had just been advancing, suddenly ran back. Russian riflemen appeared in the forest - this was Timokhin's company, the only one remaining in order, sitting in a ditch, waiting for the enemy, and then suddenly attacked. Timokhin seemed to be imbued with cheerfulness and determination at that moment; he, holding one sword in his hand, filled with a great sense of duty and fighting spirit, ran towards the French, and they, without having time to come to their senses, threw down their weapons and ran. At that moment, Dolokhov ran next to Timokhin, killed one Frenchman at point-blank range and “was the first to take the surrendering officer by the collar.” The fleeing soldiers returned to their battalions. The regimental commander stood with Major Ekonomov and gave him an order, at which time one pale soldier ran up to him, it was Dolokhov. He showed the commander a French sword and bag, said that he had captured the officer and stopped the company. And he also asked the commander to remember him. And then, continuing to interfere with the conversation, Dolokhov showed his wound, which he received from a French bayonet.

If we compare Timokhin and Dolokhov, we can say that Timokhin is brave, decisive, purposeful, desperate, with enormous willpower, because when all the soldiers of other companies began to panic somewhere, picking up the others with them, Timokhin did not succumb to this and remained sit in the forest, in ambush, waiting for the right moment to attack. After all, to win a battle it is important not only to have a large army, although not without this, it is important to be able to properly configure this army, these soldiers, to give them good fighting spirit, faith in their strength and the desire to protect people from death at all costs . And if everyone began to lose heart, become despondent, think that everything is over, then gradually they join others to themselves, and thus it is very easy to succumb to this and run with everyone...

And when the right moment came, Timokhin gave the order to attack, then he ran ahead of everyone and killed the French who got in his way. At that moment he had such a huge charge of energy needed in battle that he infected his company with it, and they, following his example, also ran towards the enemy. Among them was Dolokhov.

Usually, when two people are compared, one comes out positive and the other negative. Timokhin turned out to be positive, but it cannot be said that Dolokhov is completely negative. After all, Dolokhov ran next to Timokhin, knowing that any enemy bullet could hit him, and that’s all... that means Dolokhov also comes out brave and courageous. Yes, he was the first to grab the surrendering officer by the collar to show everyone that he was a hero, but still, he didn’t sit in the bushes during the battle, and then ran out and grabbed him, and he, too, ran into the face of danger, risked his life. ..

But Timokhin, unlike Dolokhov, did not tell the commander to remember him; Timokhin did not need this. He did it very sincerely, not for show, considering it his duty, not seeing it as a feat... But Dolokhov...., in this, of course, he differs greatly from Timokhin... He did all these “feats” solely so that everyone can see what a great guy he is, what a hero he is. But the other soldiers around him were doing the same thing, weren't they? This is the duty of military service!

What I didn’t like most was when he told the commander: “I stopped the company.” This is not true! One stood right there and stopped him! His behavior made a very unpleasant impression on me. There was so much window dressing, hypocrisy, and games in him... He seemed to be pretending that he was now playing the hero, but in fact, one gets the impression that he doesn’t need all this, no, well, of course, he too, maybe , wants to help the troops in the fight against the enemy, but there is so much insincerity and lies in this that it is simply unpleasant to watch!! Of course, I cannot say with complete confidence that he showed “false” heroism, but he was very close to it, and you certainly can’t call it “true”!

Unfortunately, the problem of “true and false heroism” has always and everywhere existed. A true hero, performing a feat, considers it just his duty, he is devoid of vanity and narcissism. Tushin is a prime example of this. But there are people who tend to pass off doing their duty as a feat and exaggerate their successes. This, in my opinion, is the problem of “true and false heroism.” And every soldier is faced with a choice... Often war reveals the true character of a person...

The colossal prose canvas “War and Peace,” which reflected with incredible sincerity and truthfulness real pictures of the life of the people in the abyss of complex events in the first decades of the 19th century, became one of the most important works in Russian literature. The novel earned its high significance due to the seriousness of its problems. True and false patriotism in the novel “War and Peace” is one of the central ideas, the relevance of which continues more than 200 years later.

War is a test of character

Despite the extensive character system of the work, its main character is the Russian people. As you know, people show their true qualities when they find themselves in difficult life situations. There is nothing more terrible and responsible for both an individual and the nation as a whole than war. Like a magic mirror, she is able to reflect the true face of everyone, tearing off the masks of pretense and pseudo-patriotism of some, emphasizing the heroism and readiness for self-sacrifice for the sake of the civic duty of others. War becomes a kind of test for the individual. The novel depicts the Russian people in the process of overcoming this test in the form of the Patriotic War of 1812.

Artistic device of comparison

In the course of depicting the war, the author resorts to the method of comparative comparison of the moods and behavior of both the military and secular society, comparing the years 1805–1807, when the battles took place outside the Russian Empire, with 1812, the period of the French invasion of the territory of the state, which forced the people to rise to defend the Fatherland.

The main artistic device that the author masterfully uses in the work is antithesis. The author uses the method of opposition both in the table of contents of the epic novel, and in the parallel management of plot lines, and in the creation of characters. The heroes of the work are opposed to each other not only by their moral qualities and actions, but also by their attitude to civic duty, the manifestation of true and false patriotism.

The personification of true patriotism

The war affected various segments of the population. And many are trying to contribute to the cause of common victory. Peasants and merchants burn or give away their property just so that it does not go to the invaders; Muscovites and residents of Smolensk leave their homes, not wanting to be under the yoke of the enemy.

With special insight and pride, Lev Nikolaevich creates images of Russian soldiers. They demonstrated heroism and courage in episodes of military operations at Austerlitz, Shengraben, Smolensk and, of course, at the Battle of Borodino. It was there that the incomparable courage of ordinary soldiers, their love for the Motherland and perseverance, and willingness to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of freedom and the Fatherland were manifested. They are not trying to look like heroes, to emphasize their prowess compared to others, but are only trying to prove their love and devotion to the Fatherland. One can involuntarily read in the work the idea that true patriotism cannot be ostentatious and posturing.

One of the most striking characters who personifies true patriotism in the novel “War and Peace” is Mikhail Kutuzov. Appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army against the royal will, he managed to justify the trust placed in him. The logic of his appointment is best explained by the words of Andrei Bolkonsky: “While Russia was healthy, Barclay de Tolly was good... When Russia is sick, it needs its own man.”

One of the most difficult decisions that Kutuzov had to make during the war was the order to retreat. Only a far-sighted, experienced and deeply patriotic commander could take responsibility for such a decision. Moscow was on one side of the scale, and all of Russia was on the other. As a true patriot, Kutuzov makes a decision in favor of the entire state. The great commander demonstrated his patriotism and love for the people even after the expulsion of the invaders. He refuses to fight outside the country, believing that the Russian people have fulfilled their duty to the Fatherland, and there is no longer any point in shedding their blood.

A special role in the work is assigned to the partisans, whom the author compares to a club, “rising with all its menacing and majestic strength and, without asking anyone’s tastes and rules, nailed the French until the entire invasion was destroyed.”

The spirit of sincere love for the native land and state is characteristic not only of the military, but also of the civilian population. Merchants gave away their goods for free so that the invaders would not get anything. The Rostov family, despite the impending ruin, provides assistance to the wounded. Pierre Bezukhov invests his funds in the formation of the regiment and even makes an attempt to kill Napoleon, regardless of the consequences. Patriotic feelings are also characteristic of many representatives of the noble class.

False patriotism in the work

However, not all the heroes of the work are familiar with sincere feelings of love for the Motherland and sharing the people's grief. Tolstoy contrasts the real fighters against the invaders with the false patriots who continued their luxurious life in salons, attended balls and spoke the language of the invader. The author classifies not only secular society as false patriots, but also the majority of the officers of the Russian army. Many of them are happy about the war as a way to receive orders and career growth. The author denounces most of the officers who huddle in headquarters and do not participate in battles, hiding behind ordinary soldiers.

The technique of antithesis in the depiction of feigned and real patriotism is one of the ideological lines of the epic novel “War and Peace”. According to the author, true feelings of love for their native land were demonstrated by representatives of the common people, as well as those nobles who were imbued with its spirit. Those who have no peace in moments of common grief reflect sincere love for the Motherland. This idea is one of the main ones in the work, as well as in the essay on the topic “True and false patriotism in the novel “War and Peace.” The author portrays this belief through the thoughts of Pierre Bezukhov, who realizes that true happiness is in unity with his people.

Work test

Usually, when starting to study a novel, teachers ask about the title of the novel “War and Peace,” and students diligently answer that this is an antithesis (although the title can be considered in several aspects - I say for objectivity), but they do not understand what the novel itself has to do with it.

And the point is this.

Much in the novel is drawn towards these opposite poles: Kutuzov and Napoleon, war and peace (peaceful scenes), true and false. Moreover, creating a picture of the life of society at the beginning of the 19th century, Tolstoy, using the concepts of true and false, talks about some important things, for example, goals, beauty, heroism, patriotism, and the path of a person’s spiritual quest is the path of awareness of the false and true in life.

True and false patriotism

Patriotism is a special feeling. Ask me if I love my homeland, I’ll think about it first, but I’ll answer “yes,” if only because it’s unpleasant for me when Russia is harmed or hurt, when a foreigner speaks badly about it (this is my privilege, because I live here and know my country). It is very easy to slip into leavened patriotism, and then it is not far to nationalism and chauvinism.

In the novel, the heroes are also divided into false, leavened patriots, and real ones. The first include representatives of the nobility and high society, who, in a patriotic impulse, stopped eating French broth, speaking French and dressed in sundresses and caftans. Much more patriotic! Prince Rostopchin, the Governor-General of Moscow, at the most crucial moment, issued funny posters and appeals written in pompous language, which no one needed, and this was, from his point of view, patriotic.

True patriotism was manifested in the burning of their goods before the arrival of the French by the peasants and merchants of Smolensk, in a broad partisan movement that arose spontaneously, sharply and en masse, in the “hidden warmth of patriotism” that everyone feels.

Tolstoy writes in the scenes of leaving Moscow that throughout Europe the local nobility did not leave anywhere when the French army entered their country; moreover, they adapted and later found the French to be quite pleasant people. But Tolstoy writes with pride that the Russians left because it was impossible to be under the French, and that’s all. The author emphasizes the imperative, categorical nature of “And that’s all.” There is no logic. You just can't be under a Frenchman. And in this unconditional feeling is the highest manifestation of patriotism, almost unconscious.

True and false heroism

Prince Andrei thinks about this concept, who wants to accomplish a feat and earn glory for it. At Shengraben, he observes the battle, where he sees combat work, there is no other way to say it, the batteries of Captain Tushin, a modest and unnoticed man in another life, the heroic actions of the detachment of Captain Timokhin, who skillfully put the French troops to flight, Dolokhov, who was demoted to the ranks of soldiers and captured the French officer Tushin doesn’t even notice when he is given the order to retreat: he does everything and does his job.

Then Tushin will almost be punished for the loss of the guns, and no one will notice the modest man who accomplished the feat if Prince Andrei did not stand up for the captain.

On the contrary, Dolokhov, in formation after the battle, draws the attention of his superiors to the fact that he took the Frenchman prisoner, and that his name is Dolokhov, and that he was demoted from the officers. The implication is: “Please note, I am a hero! I need a reward." With these examples, Prince Andrei first thought about the truth of his goal. Which one is the hero? Dolokhov, driven by selfish goals, or Tushin? But the act was heroic for both of them? Although Prince Andrei thought about it, he still did not draw any conclusions. At Austerlitz, he raises soldiers with a banner in his hands to attack, who are doomed to death, while Kutuzov needs to save lives in this “battle of three emperors.” As a result, a false goal, false heroism lead Andrei to a deep mental crisis.

True and false beauty

Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy is a realist, an epic writer, and the main requirement of epic literature is to write as in life. So he writes about Natasha Rostova: “Ugly, thin...”, mentions the ugly stretched mouth when she cries, the angularity, red spots on her face... About Princess Marya he always writes directly: “Ugly Princess Marya...”.

About Helen: a dazzling beauty, perfectly proportioned, full white shoulders, marble white skin... And so on.

But! Natasha is beautiful when she sings, sympathizes, and in an impulse gives carts to the wounded, because she is natural, unlike the completely false and vicious Helen. “Ugly Princess Marya always looked prettier when she cried, and she always cried not from resentment, but from sadness or pity.”

True beauty is in naturalness, mercy, art, but not in sculptural forms, but devoid of any content. And woe to those who do not understand what true beauty is.

Tolstoy's main idea is not even in showing these examples, but in moving towards the truth. Happiness is achieved by those who can perform this movement.

The work of Leo Tolstoy is full of military actions. Together with the author, following him, the reader on the pages of the work “War and Peace” will see incredible pictures of battles and engagements: Borodinsky, Shengrabensky, Austerlitz. But the writer not only shows military operations, but, above all, he wants to show each person as an individual, separately, how he, a soldier or a general, involved in the noisy flow of military operations, will manifest and show himself.

There are many participants in these events. These are the commanders-in-chief of the army on the one hand and on the other. This includes all the staff, generals, officers and, of course, military personnel and partisans. In order for the reader to see them more fully, to realize not only the scale of the entire event, but also to see each individual person, the author tries to put them in a variety of situations: combat and peaceful life. It is known that Leo Tolstoy himself also fought, he took part in hostilities in the Caucasus and proved himself during the defense of Sevastopol. That is why he tries to show the real and harsh military truth, without embellishing it. And it consists of suffering, and blood, and death.

But it is precisely in such conditions that a person’s wonderful qualities manifest themselves: courage, courage, heroism. Tolstoy's epic depicts two wars: 1805–1807, which took place abroad, and in Russia in 1812. Different participants with different characters meet on one front and on the other. For example, Bagration’s detachment makes a heroic transition, and the heroism of the talented commander of the Russian army Kutuzov is shown. But they are opposed by the mediocre and vain Maka, an Austrian general.

But ordinary Russian peasants who became military personnel and their honest commanders show special courage. But among the staff commanders there are many cowards and traitors. Zherkov especially stands out among them. After he was expelled from the Russian regiment, he was able to easily join Bagration himself as an orderly. He told everyone that he didn’t want to fight, but you could get a lot more medals and orders, even without doing anything for it.

But the real heroes who were able to show courage and bravery on the battlefield are modest and simple. They reveal themselves in battle, showing strength of character and spirit. Persistent and solid in execution, they evoke only admiration. One of these heroes is Timokhin. He is a company commander who has successfully maintained his company. But he will always be an example for his soldiers. He himself, by his example, inspired the rank and file of his company to launch a surprise attack on the French. This made it possible to push back the enemy and give the other battalions the opportunity to come to their senses a little and put themselves in order.

The author tries to show everything truthfully, so the pictures of confusion and heroic deeds are simply intertwined. A striking example of this is the description on the pages of the novel of the battle that took place near Austerlitz. Disorder reigned everywhere, and there was some kind of confusion. Some troops were bored waiting for the battle, while others died, received many injuries and wounds. And those who were still waiting, seeing all this confusion, gradually lost heart. And this is the real truthful picture.

The striking battles in the novel, where courage and daring were demonstrated, are Shengraben and Austerlitz. They were conducted outside the Russian state, and its goals were not at all clear to the common people. The War of 1812 looks completely different, when it contained the greatest meaning and goal - to defend one’s homeland. These battles of 1812 were popular, as they were fought against those enemies who encroached on the independence of Russia.

A huge French regiment, which consisted of five hundred people, attacked the country. This power of Napoleon was already famous as the most invincible and strong. But in the Russian state this formidable power received powerful resistance. Not only the military stood up as a wall, but the entire people stood up to defend their country and independence.

The author truthfully shows how the entire population, forgetting about their property, abandoning it, leaving Moscow, which could soon fall into the hands of the French. But this happened not only in Moscow, but also in other villages and cities.

To resist this strongest Napoleonic army, partisan detachments begin to be created. The largest and most heroic on the pages of Tolstoy’s epic novel are the detachments of Dolokhov and Denisov. The writer also tells about the sexton who heads one of the detachments. His story also includes Vasilisa, the elder who was able to beat many Frenchmen. More than a hundred of the enemy died at her hands. The partisans did not act openly; they tried to destroy the huge French army piece by piece. Fighting bravely, they gradually destroyed their enemies, liberating their land.

As a result, the war, which on the part of the French army was aggressive, but on the part of Russia was liberation and people's, ended. It was the people who did everything to win. Only he showed unprecedented courage and bravery. Both commanders and generals showed heroism, who also influenced the defeat of Napoleon’s enormous countless forces.

Patriotism is responsibility, love for the Motherland. To be a patriot means that in any situation you need to be able to take care of your country. This quality is difficult to cultivate in oneself, but without it a person is considered hypocritical and selfish. At one time, Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy decided to seriously think about a similar problem of true and false patriotism. He outlined all his brilliant thoughts in the great epic novel “War and Peace,” where the two characters who are necessary when discussing the above problem are not only people with a certain position, but also ordinary people.

It's worth starting by considering false patriotism. The personification of this is Anatol Kuragin. This is a fake person whose words do not match his actions. With his base desires, he achieves nothing; there is little really worthwhile in his life. The author also shows people of this type, like Boris Drubetsky, who dream only of doing nothing and receiving rewards for their own inaction.

Tolstoy clearly denounces heroes who are considered false. This makes it clear that it is difficult to expect concrete actions from such characters aimed at protecting their homeland. The sad thing is that people, with their indifference to the country, do not make any decisions or care about it. Unfortunately, false patriotism cannot be cured. A true soldier of the homeland is considered to be one who is aware of his responsibility to it. A patriot can be one who does not harbor dark grievances, selfish plans, or serious adversities in his soul. No, people who show love for the Fatherland do not care about material resources, ranks, or position. They are not dependent on this, because they understand that in difficult times the homeland needs its saviors.

A patriot may not be just some exalted person; anyone who is devoted to the country, who is worried about its future, can become one. Tolstoy's novel depicts images of ordinary people who, with their simplicity, attract attention, because their souls are pure and full of warm feelings for their homeland. These are Tushin, Mikhail Kutuzov, Andrei Bolkonsky and others. A true exponent of patriotism, of course, is Kutuzov, his role is significant, since without thinking about himself, he takes care of others: about his soldiers, whom, like Napoleon, he could abandon and forget right there, but the hero is not so selfish and vain. This is what is remarkable about the characters who are the personification of true patriotism: they realize that “when Russia is sick, it needs a person.” Living with the feelings, moods and interests of the soldiers and the people is what those who are filled with faith in an easy life lack.

Patriotism manifests itself in war, and that thing is terrible, tough, merciless, because it takes with it many innocent lives. To be caring for the homeland during difficult periods of the Fatherland is an incredible responsibility. He who can realize it is invincible, he is strong in spirit, he is strong physically. That doesn't matter to him!

Thus, Tolstoy, with his thoughts, encourages readers to reflect on such a concept as “patriotism,” because knowledge is laid from this. It is important to cultivate this feeling in the soul of everyone, so that there are no betrayals towards the homeland, so that in difficult moments there are not many losses. The main thing is that happiness does not come from money. If you spend your whole life striving for material resources, pushing aside your conscience and personal qualities, then as a result you can be left with nothing and completely alone. And nothing could be more terrible than this. Therefore, it is worth understanding that you need to be attentive to the country, become responsive, “you have to love, you have to live, you have to believe...”

Option 2

This novel is a historical witness that reflects the Russian people's courage and valor in the War of 1812. The author's main character is the people. In the novel, Tolstoy very colorfully describes murders, bloodshed, and outlines the human suffering that any war brings. He also shows the reader how hunger passed at that moment in time, makes us imagine the feeling of fear in human eyes. We should not forget that the war described by the writer inflicted both material and other casualties on Russia, and also destroyed cities.

Of great importance during the war is the mood and morale of soldiers, partisans and other people who stood up to defend their homeland, without sparing their strength. The beginning of the war, for two years, was not fought on the territory of modern Russia. Therefore, it was alien to the people. And when the French army crossed the Russian border, the entire people, from children to old people, became a dense and strong wall to protect their homeland.

Tolstoy in his novel divides people into groups in relation to the duty of defending the fatherland and according to the principles of morality. The author in the text also divides the actions of each person into two groups, which are associated with true and false patriotism. True patriotism lies in the actions of the people, which are aimed at increasing the level of glory of their homeland and resolving the future fate of their people. According to the writer, the people of Russia are the most patriotic of the whole world. This was confirmed by the lines of the novel. For example, when the French were finally able to occupy the city of Smolensk, the peasants began to quickly destroy everything that could fall into the hands of the enemy. Such actions of each peasant showed anger and hatred towards the enemy. We should not forget about giving due praise to the inhabitants of the heart of Russia, since they all left their homes so as not to guess the kind of power that the French would bring.

Patriotism also manifests itself on the war front when soldiers show patriotic actions. And in the text there is confirmation of this by scenes of bloody battles. Even the merchant, so that the French would not get his goods, destroyed his shop.

The author also shows the soldiers' attitude towards weapons and drinking vodka, as they prepare for a difficult battle. I would also like to note that from all the battles of the soldiers, certain conclusions can be drawn about their love for their homeland.

Patriotism in War and Peace

Since war is not only included in the title of the famous epic novel “War and Peace” by the Russian writer Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy, but is also the main setting for the unfolding events, the theme of patriotism in the work is, if not the most important, then at least one of the main ones.

In the novel one can find many examples of true patriotism, and the author shows us these examples not only among the Russian nobility close to him, but also among representatives of the common people and representatives of the Russian peasantry.

It is with the common people that we should start. The Patriotic War of 1812 affected every resident of Russia of those times to one degree or another, which leads to a large number of examples of true, real and selfless patriotism. We can see the first examples of sacrificial love for the Motherland in the retreating Smolensk - the residents of the city, led by the merchant Ferapontov, give all their property to the soldiers, donate all the grain they have for the needs of the army, and they set fire to everything that they have to leave in the city so that it did not go to the enemy army.

The residents of Moscow are just as patriotic - they leave the city proudly, not presenting Napoleon with the keys to the city, as he expected, but leaving him an empty ghost town that can do little to help the needs of the French army.

Moreover, everyone is united in the retreat from the city - both the common people, merchants and artisans, and the rich nobles, for whom French at the beginning of the novel was almost like a native language. The main example of selfless patriotism among the nobles can be considered Natasha Rostova, who gives up all family property to help transport wounded soldiers, as well as Pierre Bezukhov, who does not stand aside from the fight against the enemy and is even captured.

Examples of true patriots on the battlefield are also revealed - both among the famous generals and military leaders of those times, mainly Kutuzov, Raevsky, Bagration and Ermolov, and among ordinary soldiers who were drafted into the army and even being poorly trained and little versed in military craft, selflessly went to certain death in order to rid their homeland of the French invaders. The personification of such “simple Russian men” who had to pick up rifles and pistols, swords and pikes and go to the battlefield with the enemy.

Speaking about military heroism and examples of true patriotism in battles with the French army, one cannot fail to mention the partisans, since historically, the Patriotic War of 1812 became almost the first example of the effective use of guerrilla warfare. Tikhon Shcherbaty, Denis Davydov and many other Russian partisans did not participate in the great battles, but, sincerely loving their Motherland, they could not stand aside and destroyed the enemy in other ways.