True patriots war and peace. Summary: True and false patriotism in the novel "War and Peace"

Municipal High School N 1

Essay on literature on the topic

True and false patriotism in the novel

"War and Peace"

Completed by a student of 10 "B" class

Zinovieva Irina

Checked by literature teacher

Chinina Olga Yurievna

Voronezh 2006.

Introduction

Heroically patriotic and anti-war themes are the defining, leading themes of Tolstoy's epic novel. This work captured for centuries the feat of the Russian people, who defended their national independence with weapons in their hands. "War and Peace" will continue to retain this significance in the future, inspiring peoples to fight against foreign invaders.

The author of War and Peace was a staunch and passionate champion of peace. He knew well what war was, he saw it closely with his own eyes. For five years, young Tolstoy wore a military uniform, serving as an artillery officer in the army, first in the Caucasus, then on the Danube and, finally, in the Crimea, where he participated in the heroic defense of Sevastopol.

The great work was preceded by a work on a novel about the Decembrist. In 1856, a manifesto was announced on amnesty for people on December 14, and their return to their homeland caused an aggravation of Russian society. LN Tolstoy also showed attention to this event. He recalled: “In 1856, I began to write a story with a well-known direction, the hero of which was to be a Decembrist returning with his family to Russia ...” The writer did not intend to give the reader an apotheosis of the Decembrist movement: his plans included revising this page of Russian history in the light of defeat of Decembrism and offer their own understanding of the fight against it, by peaceful means and through non-violence. Therefore, the hero of the story was supposed to return from exile, condemn his revolutionary past and become a supporter of another solution to the problem - moral improvement as a recipe for the improvement of the whole society. However, Tolstoy's idea has undergone significant changes. Let's listen to the writer himself: “Involuntarily, from the present (that is, 1856), I moved on to 1825, the era of the delusions and misfortunes of my hero, and left what had been started. But in 1825 my hero was already a mature, family man. To understand him, I had to go back to his youth, and his youth coincided with the glory for Russia of the era of 1812. Another time I gave up what I had begun and began to write from the time of 1812, whose smell and sound are still audible and dear to us. So the heroic epic of the fight against the Napoleonic invasion became the main theme of the new novel. L. Tolstoy, however, continues: “For the third time, I came back because of a feeling that may seem strange. I was ashamed to write about our triumph in the struggle against Bonaparte France without describing our failures and our shame. If the reason for our triumph was not accidental, but lay in the essence of the character of the Russian people and troops, then this character should have been expressed even more clearly in an era of failures and defeats. So, having returned from 1825 to 1805, from now on I intend to lead not one, but many of my heroines and heroes through the historical events of 1805, 1807, 1812, 1825 and 1856. This important author's testimony conveys both the grandiose scale of what is captured in the novel, and the development of the latter into an epic, and the multi-hero character of the work, and the importance of understanding the national character in it, and its deep historicism. An important previous work of Tolstoy was "Sevastopol Tales", and the Crimean War with its failures, which needed to be comprehended, became an impulse in the coverage of historical events.

The work on "War and Peace" was accompanied by a huge creative upsurge of the writer. Never before had he felt his mental and moral powers so free and destined for creative work.

L. N. Tolstoy proceeds to a thorough study of historical sources, documentary literature, memoirs of participants in ancient events. He studies the works of A. I. Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky about the wars of 1805-1814, “Essays on the Battle of Borodino” by F. N. Glinka, “The Diary of Partisan Actions of 1812” by D. V. Davydov, the book “Russia and Russians” by N. I. Turgenev, “Notes about 1812” by S. N. Glinka, memoirs by A. P. Yermolov, memoirs by A. D. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, “Traveling notes of an artilleryman” by I. T. Radozhitsky and many other works of this type. The library of Yasnaya Polyana has preserved 46 books and magazines that Tolstoy used throughout his work on the novel War and Peace. In total, the writer used the works, the list of which includes 74 titles.

The trip in September 1867 to the Borodino field, where a great battle had once taken place, became important. The writer went around the famous field on foot, studying the location of the Russian and French troops, the location of the Shevardinsky redoubt, the Bagration flushes, and the Rayevsky battery. No less significant were the questions of the surviving contemporaries of the great battles, the study of the life of a remote era.

As you work on the novel, its folk origin is strengthened and enriched. “I tried to write the history of the people,” Tolstoy left such a confession in the draft of the fourth volume. Gradually, the “folk thought” became decisive in “War and Peace”, the favorite theme of the epic was the image of the feat of the people during the events of Russian history. The novel included 569 characters, among which were 200 historical figures. But among them, the main characters of the work are by no means lost, whose fates the writer traces carefully, with all the necessary psychological persuasiveness. At the same time, the author connects them with a variety of ties of kinship, love, friendship, marriage, business relations, common participation in grandiose historical events. There are quite a few persons in the novel whose individual features of life and character reflect the properties of the ancestors and closest relatives of Leo Tolstoy. So, in Count Rostov, the features of Count Ilya Andreevich Tolstoy, the writer's grandfather, are guessed, and in the old prince Bolkonsky - the features of another grandfather; Countess Rostova resembles Tolstoy's grandmother - Pelageya Nikolaevna Tolstaya, Princess Marya absorbed the traits of the Writer's mother - Maria Nikolaevna Volkonskaya, and Nikolai Rostov - the properties of his father, Nikolai Ilyich Tolstoy. Prince Andrei absorbed the features of Sergei Nikolaevich, the writer's brother, and Natasha Rostova imprinted the image of Tatyana Andreevna Bers, the writer's sister-in-law. All this testifies to the significant autobiography of the novel and the deep vitality of its characters. But "War and Peace" is by no means reduced to autobiography: it is the broadest canvas that reflects Russian history. Its heroes and the many-sided folk world.

Work on the great book required a titanic work. The total number of surviving manuscripts of the novel is over ten thousand draft texts. Some of the parts of the epic were rewritten many times, individual scenes were remade, according to Tolstoy, "to infinity." But as a result of the tireless and intense work of the author, a novel appeared that constituted a whole era in the history of Russian culture.

True and false patriotism in the novel "War and Peace"

The novel "War and Peace" in terms of genre is an epic novel, since Tolstoy shows us historical events that cover a large period of time (the action of the novel begins in 1805 and ends in 1821, in the epilogue); over 200 characters act in the novel, there are real historical figures (Kutuzov, Napoleon, Alexander I, Speransky, Rostopchin, Bagration and many others), all social strata of Russia of that time: high society, noble aristocracy, provincial nobility, army, peasantry, even merchants.

One of the main issues that worries Tolstoy is the question of patriotism and heroism of the Russian people, it is considered very deeply in the novel. At the same time, Tolstoy does not fall into a falsely patriotic tone of narration, but looks at events sternly and objectively, like a realist writer. The author talks about his novel and about the faithful sons of the Fatherland, who are ready to give their lives for the salvation of the Motherland, about false patriots who think only about their own selfish goals. With this solution of the patriotic theme, Lev Nikolayevich reflected the true historical reality. It consists in depicting the feat of the Russian people in the Patriotic War of 1812. The author speaks in his novel about the faithful sons of the Fatherland, and about false patriots who think only about their own selfish goals.

In the novel "War and Peace" Tolstoy created a voluminous and multifaceted picture of the war. But in this work, the reader sees not galloping warriors with unfolded banners, not a parade and the brilliance of victories, but ordinary military everyday life. On the pages of the novel, we meet with ordinary soldiers, we see their hard, hard work.

The writer introduces us into the inner world of an ordinary person at first glance. But he shows us that even such inconspicuous people can be interesting and attractive with their spiritual beauty. The author reveals to us, the readers, the poetry of the hero's spiritual life. It is often difficult to see the true face of a person under the layers of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The writer shows that one must be able to see human dignity in everyone, that divine spark that will not allow a person to commit a truly vile act. In extreme situations, in moments of great upheavals and global changes, a person will definitely prove himself, show his inner essence, certain qualities of his nature. In Tolstoy's novel, someone utters big words, engages in noisy activities or useless fuss - someone experiences a simple and natural feeling of "the need for sacrifice and suffering in the consciousness of a common misfortune." The former only imagine themselves as patriots and shout loudly about their love for the Fatherland, while the latter are them and give their lives in the name of a common victory or leave their own property to be plundered, so long as it does not go to the enemy. In the first case, we are dealing with false patriotism, repulsive with its falseness, selfishness and hypocrisy. This is how secular nobles behave at a dinner in honor of Bagration: when reading poems about the war, “everyone stood up, feeling that dinner was more important than poetry.” A false patriotic atmosphere reigns in the salons of Anna Pavlovna Scherer, Helen Bezukhova and in other Petersburg salons: “...calm, luxurious, preoccupied only with ghosts, reflections of life, Petersburg life went on in the old way; and because of the course of this life, great efforts had to be made to realize the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves. There were the same exits, balls, the same French theater, the same interests of the courts, the same interests of service and intrigue. Only in the highest circles have efforts been made to recall the difficulty of the present situation. Indeed, this circle of people was far from understanding the all-Russian problems, from understanding the great misfortune and the need of the people in this war. The world continued to live by its own interests, and even in the moment of a national disaster, greed and promotion reign here.

False patriotism is also shown by Count Rostopchin, who puts up stupid "posters" around Moscow, urges the inhabitants of the city not to leave the capital, and then, fleeing the people's wrath, deliberately sends the innocent son of the merchant Vereshchagin to death. Meanness and betrayal are combined with self-importance, pouting: “It not only seemed to him that he controlled the external actions of the inhabitants of Moscow, but it seemed to him that he was directing their mood through his appeals and posters, written in the dark language, which in its midst despises the people and which he does not understand when he hears it from above.

Like Rostopchin, the novel shows Berg, who, in a moment of general confusion, is looking for profit and is preoccupied with buying a wardrobe and a toilet "with an English secret." It never occurs to him that now it is a shame to think about purchases that are not necessary. Such, finally, is Drubetskoy, who, like other staff officers, thinks about awards and promotions, wants to "arrange for himself the best position, especially the position of adjutant with an important person, which seemed to him especially tempting in the army." It is probably no coincidence that on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Pierre notices this greedy excitement on the faces of the officers, he mentally compares it with "another expression of excitement", "which spoke of not personal, but general issues, issues of life and death."

What "other" people are we talking about? Of course, these are the faces of ordinary Russian peasants dressed in soldier's greatcoats, for whom the feeling of the Motherland is sacred and inalienable. True patriots in Tushin's battery fight even without cover. Yes, and Tushin himself "did not experience the slightest unpleasant feeling of fear, and the thought that he might be killed or hurt painfully did not cross his mind." The blood feeling of the Motherland makes the soldiers resist the enemy with unthinkable stamina. From the description of the janitor Ferapontov, we see that this man, who gives his property for plunder when leaving Smolensk, beats his wife because she asks him to leave, he bargains petty with a cab driver, but, having understood the essence of what is happening, he burns his own house and leaves . He is also, of course, a patriot. For him, there is no sense in the acquired good when the fate of his homeland is being decided. "Drag everything, guys, don't leave it to the French!" he shouts to the Russian soldiers.

What is Pierre doing? He gives his money, sells the estate to equip the regiment. And what makes him, a wealthy aristocrat, go into the thick of the Battle of Borodino? All the same feeling of concern for the fate of their country, the desire to help the Russian people.

Finally, let us remember those who left Moscow, not wanting to submit to Napoleon. They were convinced: "It was impossible to be under the control of the French." That is why they "simply and truly" did "that great work that saved Russia."

True patriots in Tolstoy's novel do not think about themselves, they feel the need for their own contribution and even sacrifice, but they do not expect rewards for this, because they carry in their souls a genuine holy sense of the Motherland.

There is a war going on in Austria. General Mack is defeated at Ulm. The Austrian army surrendered. The threat of defeat hung over the Russian army. And then Kutuzov decided to send Bagration with four thousand soldiers through the rugged Bohemian mountains towards the French. Bagration had to quickly make a difficult transition and delay the 40,000-strong French army until the arrival of the commander in chief. His detachment needed to accomplish a great feat in order to save the Russian army. So the author brings the reader to the image of the first great battle.

In this battle, as always, Dolokhov is bold and fearless. He shows his courage in battle, where “he killed one Frenchman point-blank and took the first officer by the collar.” But after that, he goes to the regimental commander and reports on his “trophies”: “Please remember, Your Excellency!” Then he untied the handkerchief, pulled it and showed the gore: “Wound with a bayonet, I stayed at the front. Remember, Your Excellency." Everywhere and always Dolokhov worries about himself, only about himself, everything he does, he does for himself.

We are not surprised by Zherkov's behavior either. When, at the height of the battle, Bagration sent him with an important order to the general of the left flank, he did not go forward, where the shooting was heard, but began to “search” for the general away from the battle. Due to an untransmitted order, the French cut off the Russian hussars, many died and were wounded. There are many such officers. They are not cowardly, but they do not know how to forget themselves, their careers and personal interests for the sake of a common cause. However, the Russian army consisted not only of such officers.

Heroism in the novel looks casual and natural. In the chapters depicting the Battle of Shengraben, we meet true heroes. In describing this battle, the author shows how confusion seized the infantry regiments at the news of the encirclement. “The moral hesitation that decides the fate of the battles has obviously been resolved in favor of fear.” Here he sits, the hero of this battle, the hero of this “case”, small, thin and dirty, sitting barefoot, taking off his boots. This is artillery officer Tushin. “With big, intelligent and kind eyes, he looks at the commanders who have entered and tries to joke: “The soldiers say that they are more dexterous when they take off their shoes,” and he is embarrassed, feeling that the joke has failed. Tolstoy is doing everything so that Captain Tushin appears before us in the most unheroic form, even ridiculous. But this funny man was the hero of the day. Prince Andrey will rightly say about him: “We owe the success of the day most of all to the action of this battery and the heroic stamina of Captain Tushin with the company.”

The second hero of the Shengraben battle is Timokhin. The battle seemed lost. But at that moment the advancing French suddenly ran back ... and Russian riflemen appeared in the forest. It was Timokhin's company. He appears at the very moment when the soldiers succumbed to panic and ran. His actions are at the behest of the heart. Not numerical superiority, not the complex plans of the commanders, but the enthusiasm of the company commander, who led the soldiers, decides the outcome of the battle, it was his determination and belligerence that forced the enemy to retreat. “... With such insane and drunken determination, with one skewer ...” Only thanks to Timokhin did the defenders have the opportunity to return and gather battalions. The Russians won "a moral victory, one that convinces the enemy of the moral superiority of his enemy and of his impotence."

Courage is varied. There are many people who are unrestrainedly brave in battle, but are lost in everyday life. With the images of Tushin and Timokhin, Tolstoy teaches the reader to see truly brave people, their low-key heroism, their great will, which helps to overcome fear and win battles.

The author leads us to the conclusion that not only the outcome of a military battle, but the direction of the development of history is determined precisely by the activity of the human masses, bound by the unity of feelings and aspirations. Everything depends on the spirit of the soldiers, which can turn into panic fear - and then the battle is lost, or rise to heroism - and then the battle will be won. Generals become strong only on the condition that they control not only the actions of the soldiers, but also the spirit of their troops. And to fulfill this task, the commander must be not only the military commander in chief, but also its spiritual leader. This is how Kutuzov appears before us. During the Battle of Borodino, he concentrated in himself all the patriotism of the Russian army. The battle of Borodino is a "people's battle". The "hidden warmth of patriotism" that flared up in the soul of every soldier, and the general "spirit of the troops" predetermined victory. In this battle, the true beauty of the Russian people is revealed. The Russians won “a moral victory, one that convinces the enemy of the moral superiority of his enemy and of his impotence. On the Napoleonic army in this battle "the hand of the strongest enemy in spirit" was imposed.

In the war of 1812, when every soldier fought for his home, for relatives and friends, for his homeland, the consciousness of danger increased tenfold strength. The deeper Napoleon advanced into the depths of Russia, the more the strength of the Russian army grew, the more the French army weakened, turning into a bunch of thieves and marauders. Only the will of the people, only the people's patriotism makes the army invincible. This conclusion follows from Leo Tolstoy's novel War and Peace.

Bibliography

1. L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace".

2. Yu. V. Lebedev “Russian literature of the 19th century”.

3. K. N. Lomunova “The Great Book of Life”.

4. E. S. Rogover “Russian literature of the second half of the XIX century”.

The Patriotic Theme in L. Tolstoy's Novel "War and Peace"

“War and Peace” is the title of the eternal book, the great epic novel by L. N. Tolstoy. War... This word terrifies any person, because war is a "terrible thing." Participation in this cause can be a monstrous crime, or it can be forced self-defense, a serious and bloody matter, but necessary, and therefore heroic and noble.

During the war of 1812, the description of which many pages of War and Peace are devoted to, an amazing unification of the Russian people took place, regardless of class, gender, age, because Russia was in mortal danger. Everyone was seized by a single feeling, Tolstoy called it "the hidden warmth of patriotism", which manifested itself not in loud words and high-flown slogans, but in truly heroic deeds, each of which brought victory closer in its own way. This moral feeling, of course, has long lived in the soul of every Russian person, lurked somewhere in the depths of his soul, but the moment has come - a difficult time for the motherland - and it burst out, reached its highest manifestation. Thanks to him, the Russian people appeared in the war of 1812 as a real hero-hero.

“When “the forces of the twelve languages ​​of Europe broke into Russia”, - notes the researcher K. Lomu-nov, - our people rose to the holy war of liberation. Tolstoy himself said that "the goal of the people was one: to clear their land from invasion." This goal was clear to everyone: from the commander to the simple soldier, peasant, partisan.

Realizing the whole horror of the situation in which the motherland found itself, people went to their deaths, showed true heroism, and fulfilled their duty to the end. It was in Russia that Napoleon encountered extraordinary spiritual fortitude, courage, steadfastness and love for the fatherland.

Drawing episodes of various battles, Tolstoy shows that it is not numerical superiority, not military skill and strategic plans of wise commanders, but the enthusiasm of the belligerents that influences the course of the battle, ensuring victory. Inspired by himself, Timokhin infects his subordinates with this feeling, a man whom no one considers a hero and who himself absolutely does not think about his own heroism. “Why feel sorry for yourself now!” he exclaims.

Tushin fights courageously and decides the outcome of the battle with his battery, about which everyone has forgotten. He does not speak loud words, he silently does a great deed. Tushin showed himself to be a real brave man. Outwardly, this person is unremarkable, but his strength of mind and inner core are obvious.

The central, apex part of the novel is the Battle of Borodino. It was here that people's patriotism and heroism manifested themselves with the greatest force and brightness, because it was here that everyone realized and understood the whole meaning and significance of this war as a holy, liberation war. The Russian participants in Borodino had no doubts about the outcome of the battle. For each of them, there could be only one: victory at any cost. The Russian people fought for their land, for their homeland. Everyone understood that the fate of the fatherland depended on this battle. “... I think,” says Andrei Bolkonsky, “that tomorrow will really depend on us ... From the feeling that is in me, in him,” he pointed to Timokhin, “in every soldier.” Warriors put on clean linen before the battle solemnly, as for the most important thing in life, preparing to fulfill their duty - to die, but not to allow the enemy to win.

The inner fire flared up more and more in everyone who fought: in the people of Raevsky's battery, in Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, who heroically sacrificed himself, and in others. Thanks to this fire, the Russian army won the greatest victory over its opponents.

In the novel "War and Peace" Tolstoy also speaks of the cudgel of the "people's war", which made a significant contribution to the overall victory. This war was fought without knowledge of the rules of military art. The partisan detachments of Denisov and Dolokhov admire their feat, which Kutuzov himself blesses. The elder Vasilisa, who “beat hundreds of Frenchmen,” and the nameless sexton, who “took several hundred prisoners a month,” are surprising. Partisan detachments, armed only with axes and pitchforks, destroyed the great Napoleonic army in parts. These detachments were a good help in the affairs of the army in the field. Their strength was in their fury, in their surprise, in the unpredictability with which they attacked the enemy, and in their elusiveness. Napoleon "did not stop complaining to Kutuzov and Emperor Alexander that the war was being waged contrary to all rules...".

L. N. Tolstoy, drawing images of partisans and soldiers such as Tikhon Shcherbaty and Platon Karataev, concentrated in them the main qualities of the Russian people. Shcherbaty is a vivid image of the people's avenger. He is active, fearless, cruel. He turned out to be "the most needed person" in Denisov's detachment. It combines the resourcefulness and daring of the Russian peasantry. Tikhon, like many others, rebels against the enemy not because someone forces him, but under the influence of a natural patriotic feeling and hatred for uninvited guests.

The heart of Platon Karataev is also overflowing with patriotism, although in the novel he is opposed to Shcherbaty. “... The worm gnaws cabbage,” Plato remarks, “and before that he himself disappears.” “Moscow, she is the mother of all cities,” Karataev also rightly says. He personifies the wisdom, patience and kindness of the Russian people. Having been captured and met Pierre Bezukhov there, Karataev teaches him patience and forgiveness.

National unity was also expressed in relation to one's own property, that which was gained by many years of work, was really expensive, in the ability to donate it. The Smolensk merchant Ferapontov, imbued with a spontaneous patriotic feeling, calls on the soldiers to rob his own shop, although at first the owner spoke in his soul. "Get it all, guys! Don't get the devils!" - all the same, he shouted, and in the end he set fire to his yard. The Rostov family, at the insistence of Natasha, who was possessed by a humane and patriotic feeling, leaves all their property in Moscow and gives carts to the wounded.

The Smolensk scenes of the novel, according to K. Lomunov, are remarkable in that "they clearly show how feelings of insult and indignation were born in the Russian people caused by enemy actions, which soon turned into direct hatred of the invaders."

The writer contrasted the popular patriotism with the false patriotism of individual representatives of the secular nobility, which manifested itself only in grandiloquent phrases about love for the motherland and insignificant deeds. Such characters include Prince Vasily Kuragin and his children Ippolit, Helen, Anatole; guests of Anna Pavlovna Sherer's salon; Boris Drubetskoy, whose main goal is not to stand up for his native land, but to make his own career; Dolokhov, looking for awards and ranks; Julie Kuragina, who imposed a fine for speaking French; Berg, trying to extract as many benefits from the war as possible for himself. Luckily, there were very few of them.

Tolstoy depicts the greatness of the feat of the Russian people and at the same time castigates the war, which brings hardships, disasters, and torments. Many are ruined. Cities and villages perish in the fire of conflagrations. The Russian army is suffering huge losses. But the writer calls all this “a terrible necessity” and speaks with love, pride and delight of those who endured severe trials in the name of the liberation of their native land. He puts fair, wonderful words about the Russian people into the mouth of Kutuzov: “Wonderful, incomparable people!”

Lesson 72 The novel "War and Peace". True and false patriotism in the image of Leo Tolstoy .

Goals:

- educational: - novel War and Peace. True and false patriotism in the image of Leo Tolstoy;

The role of the reception of antithesis in the depiction of the war of 1805-1807, the war of 1812, in the depiction of "drones" and true patriots;

- developing: - to develop the ability of students to use the comparative method and see the subject of study as a whole; develop the ability to research literary and reference material;

- educational: - to educate the citizens of their country on the example of historical and literary events and heroes;

Raising a sense of true patriotism on the example of the heroes of L.N. Tolstoy.

During the classes.

Patriotism does not consist in pompous phrases ...

V.G. Belinsky

Checking homework.

Teacher's word.

Following Tolstoy, we must understand the nature of the war, which is vividly depicted on the pages of the novel, get acquainted with the historical events of the era, see how a person behaves differently in a war, how the author relates to war. And again we will meet with Tolstoy's "tearing off all kinds of masks" and a contrasting comparison of different groups of heroes.

Conversation with notes.

IMAGE OF THE WAR 1805-1807

The narrative is transferred to the battlefields in Austria, many new heroes appear: Alexander I, the Austrian emperor Franz, Napoleon, army commanders Kutuzov and Mack, commanders Bagration, Weyrother, ordinary commanders, staff officers ... and the bulk are soldiers: Russian, French, Austrian , Denisov's hussars, infantry (Timokhin's company), artillerymen (Tushin's battery), guards. Such versatility is one of the features of Tolstoy's style.

What were the goals of the war and how did its direct participants look at the war?

The Russian government entered the war out of fear of the spread of revolutionary ideas and the desire to prevent Napoleon's aggressive policy. Tolstoy successfully chose the scene of the review in Branau for the initial chapters of the war. There is a review of people and equipment.

What will he show? Is the Russian army ready for war? Do the soldiers consider the aims of the war just, do they understand them? (Read ch.2)

This mass scene conveys the general mood of the soldiers. The image of Kutuzov stands out close-up. Starting the review in the presence of the Austrian generals, Kutuzov wanted to convince the latter that the Russian army was not ready for the campaign and should not join the army of General Mack. For Kutuzov, this war was not a sacred and necessary matter, so his goal was to keep the army from fighting.

CONCLUSION: misunderstanding by the soldiers of the goals of the war, Kutuzov’s negative attitude towards it, distrust between the allies, mediocrity of the Austrian command, lack of provisions, a general state of confusion - this is what the scene of the review in Branau gives.

The main feature of the depiction of war in the novel is that the author deliberately shows the war not in a heroic way, but focuses on "blood, suffering, death."

What way out can be found for the Russian army?

The battle of Shengraben, undertaken on the initiative of Kutuzov, gave the Russian army the opportunity to join forces with its units marching from Russia. The history of this battle once again confirms the experience and strategic talent of Kutuzov, the commander. His attitude to the war, as when reviewing the troops in Branau, remained the same: Kutuzov considers the war unnecessary; but here it was a question of saving the army, and the author shows how the general acts in this case.

BATTLE OF SHENGRABEN.

Briefly describe Kutuzov's plan.

This "great feat", as Kutuzov called it, was needed to save the entire army, and therefore Kutuzov, who took care of people so much, went for it. Tolstoy once again emphasizes the experience and wisdom of Kutuzov, his ability to find a way out in a difficult historical situation.

What is cowardice and heroism, feat and military duty - these moral qualities are clear to everyone. Let us trace the contrast between the behavior of Dolokhov and the staff, on the one hand, and Tushin, Timokhin with the soldiers, on the other (Ch. 20-21).

Company Timokhin

The whole company of Timokhin showed heroism. In conditions of confusion, when the troops taken by surprise fled, Timokhin's company "alone in the forest stayed in order and, sitting in a ditch near the forest, unexpectedly attacked the French." Tolstoy sees the company's heroism in their courage and discipline. Quiet, before the battle seemed awkward, the company commander Timokhin managed to keep the company in order. The company rescued the rest, took prisoners and trophies.

Dolokhov's behavior

After the battle, one Dolokhov boasted of his merits and injury. His courage is ostentatious, he is characterized by self-confidence and protruding himself to the fore. True heroism is accomplished without calculation and protrusion of one's exploits.

Tushin battery.

In the hottest area, in the center of the battle, Tushin's battery was without cover. No one had a more difficult situation in the battle of Shengraben, while the results of the battery firing were the greatest. In this difficult battle, Captain Tushin did not experience the slightest fear. Tell about the battery and Tushin. In Tushin Tolstoy discovers a wonderful person. Modesty, selflessness, on the one hand, determination, courage, on the other, based on a sense of duty, this is Tolstoy's norm of human behavior in battle, which determines true heroism.

BATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ (part 3, ch.11-19)

This is a compositional center, all the threads of an inglorious and unnecessary war go to it. The lack of a moral incentive for waging war, the incomprehensibility and alienation of its goals to soldiers, distrust between the allies, confusion in the troops - all this was the reason for the defeat of the Russians. According to Tolstoy, it is in Austerlitz that the true end of the war of 1805-1807 is, since Austerlitz expresses the essence of the campaign. “The era of our failures and shame” - this is how Tolstoy himself defined this war.

Austerlitz became an era of disgrace and disappointment not only for all of Russia, but also for individual heroes. Not at all the way he would like, N. Rostov behaved. Even a meeting on the battlefield with the sovereign, whom Rostov adored, did not bring him joy. With a feeling of the greatest disappointment in Napoleon, who used to be his hero, Prince Andrei also lies on the Pratsensky Hill. Napoleon introduced himself to him as a small, insignificant man. Feeling disappointed in life as a result of realizing the mistakes made by the characters. In this regard, it is noteworthy that next to the Austerlitz battle scenes there are chapters that tell about the marriage of Pierre to Helene. For Pierre, this is his Austerlitz, the era of his shame and disappointment.

CONCLUSION: Universal Austerlitz - this is the result of volume 1. Terrible, like any war, by the destruction of human life, this war, according to Tolstoy, did not have at least an explanation for its inevitability. Started for the sake of glory, for the sake of the ambitious interests of the Russian court circles, it was incomprehensible and not needed by the people, and therefore ended with Austerlitz. Such an outcome was all the more shameful because the Russian army could be courageous and heroic when it had at least some understanding of the objectives of the battle, as was the case under Shangreben.

IMAGE OF THE WAR OF 1812

"French Crossing the Neman" (part 1, ch. 1-2)

French camp. Why, then, “millions of people, having renounced their human feelings and their minds, had to go to the East from the West and kill their own kind.”

There is unity in the French army - both among the soldiers and between them and the emperor. BUT this unity was mercenary, the unity of the invaders. But this unity is fragile. Then the author will show how it falls apart at the decisive moment. This unity is expressed in the blind love of the soldiers for Napoleon and taking it for granted by Napoleon (the death of the uhlans during the crossing! They were proud that they were dying in front of their emperor! But he did not even look at them!).

Abandonment by Russians of their lands. Smolensk (part 2, ch. 4), Bogucharovo (part 2 ch. 8), Moscow (part 1 ch. on her.

BATTLE OF BORODINO (vol. 3, part 2, ch. 19-39)

This is the culmination of the whole action, as firstly, the battle of Borodino was a turning point, after which the French offensive bogged down; secondly, it is the point of intersection of the destinies of all heroes. Wanting to prove that the battle of Borodino was only a moral victory for the Russian army, Tolstoy introduces a battle plan into the novel.

Most of the scenes before and now during the battle are shown through the eyes of Pierre, since Pierre, who does not understand anything in military affairs, perceives the war from a psychological point of view and can observe the mood of the participants, and according to Tolstoy, this is the reason for victory. Everyone talks about the need for victory at Borodino, about confidence in it: “One word - Moscow”, “Tomorrow, no matter what, we will win the battle.” Prince Andrei expresses the main idea for understanding the war: we are not talking about an abstract living space, but about the land in which our ancestors lie, soldiers go to battle for this land.

And under these conditions, one can neither "pity oneself" nor "be generous" with the enemy. Tolstoy recognizes and justifies the defensive and liberation war, the war for the life of fathers and children. War is "the most disgusting thing in life." This is Andrei Bolkonsky. But when they want to kill you, deprive you of your freedom, you and your land, then take a club and smash the enemy.

1. The mood of the French camp (Ch. 26-29)

2. Battery Raevsky (Ch. 31-32)

3. The behavior of Napoleon and Kutuzov in battle (ch. 33-35)

4. Wounding of Prince Andrei, his courage (ch. 36-37)

As a result of the Battle of Borodino, Tolstoy's conclusion about the moral victory of the Russians sounds (ch. 39).

Answer the questions:

1. War of 1805-1807 Give a description.

2. Is the Russian army ready for war?

3. Why was the battle of Shengraben won?

4. Why was the Russian army defeated at Austerlitz?

5. Which of the heroes of the novel endures his "Austerlitz"?

6. Patriotic War of 1812. Give a description.

7. Do the Russian soldiers understand its goals?

8. Why, according to Tolstoy, was a moral victory won by the Russian army near Borodino?

9. Describe the guerrilla war? What role did she play in the victory of the Russian army over the French invaders?

10. What role did the Patriotic War of 1812 play in the fate of the heroes of the novel?

Summary of the lesson.

Homework.

Tolstoy divided the characters of his novel into positive and negative. All of them show their patriotism in different ways. Positive characters such as Natasha Rostova, Pierre Bezukhov and Andrei Bolkonsky love their homeland and are ready to sacrifice themselves to save it. Negative heroes are alien to the concepts of goodness and honor, they only look after their own interests. For them, their native country is only an endless source of consumption, which they use with pleasure.

Natasha Rostova, seeking to help the wounded soldiers, offers them lodging for the night in her house, demanding nothing in return. Despite the fact that Natasha is young and generally far from military life, she tries to help to the best of her ability. Natasha is a patriot of her homeland, because often she is ready to sacrifice her comfort for the sake of the country's well-being. The girl is very kind to other people, so when she feels she can help, she helps.

The thought of surrendering Moscow to the French leads Natasha to despair: the fate of her homeland is important to her, she cannot just come to terms with the fact that Moscow has been abandoned, but she is unable to change anything.

Pierre Bezukhov also does not remain aloof from the war that shook Russia. He organizes his regiment, which, in his opinion, should lead the country to the long-awaited victory over the French. His plan does not lead to the result he expected, but the young man does not despair and prepares to fight the enemy on his own. Pierre believes that it is he who is destined to kill Napoleon, thereby freeing his homeland. He goes to the most dangerous place of hostilities and there he provides all possible assistance to the soldiers. He is not embarrassed by his own position - after all, Pierre was a count - and he fights on a par with the rest of the soldiers. Although he did not have much influence on the outcome of the war, the very fact of his participation in the battle shows Pierre as a true patriot.

On the example of Vasily Kuragin, let's consider the manifestation of false patriotism. Once admiring Field Marshal Kutuzov (“I always said that he alone is capable of defeating Napoleon”), he literally changes his mind the next day to the completely opposite (“I wonder how it was possible to entrust the fate of Russia to such a person”). The predominance of personal interests over the interests of the motherland is inherent in the character of this person. Vasily can only criticize others, but he himself will never take up arms and will not go into battle on a par with the soldiers.

Thus, Tolstoy in his novel showed how different people relate to the fate of their homeland. True patriotism is inherent in positive characters, for whom the homeland is not just a place where they live, but something more dear and dear to them, something for which it is not a pity to die. Negative characters are far from this, so their interests are above others.

Introduction

The theme of patriotism in the novel "War and Peace" is one of the central ones. It is no coincidence that almost two volumes of the famous epic are dedicated to her.

Patriotism of the people in the work

What is patriotism according to Tolstoy? This is a natural movement of the soul, which makes a person not think about himself "with the consciousness of a common misfortune." The war of 1812, which affected everyone, showed how much Russians love their Fatherland. Reading the text of the work, we find many examples of this.

So, Smolensk residents burn houses and bread so that the French do not get it. The merchant Ferapontov gives all the goods to the soldiers and sets fire to his property with his own hands. "Get it all, guys! Don't get the devils!" he shouts.

The residents of Moscow are also deeply patriotic. The episode when Napoleon on Poklonnaya Hill is waiting for a deputation with the keys to the city is indicative. But, most of the inhabitants left Moscow. Artisans and merchants left. The nobles also left the city, for whom, before the enemy arrived on Russian soil, French was their native language.

Patriotism in the novel sometimes wakes up even in those from whom it was difficult to expect. So, Princess Katish, who, together with Vasily, is participating in the hunt for the will of Count Bezukhov, declares to Pierre: “Whatever I am, I can’t live under Bonaparte power.”

Even the cutesy gossip Julie Karagina leaves with everyone with the words: “I am not Joan of Arc and not an Amazon.” Moscow. It was impossible to be under the control of the French."

Natasha and Pierre during the war

The writer's favorite characters cannot stay away from the common trouble. Pierre decides to stay in the capital in order to shoot the French emperor "in order to either perish or end the misfortune of all Europe." He saves an unfamiliar girl from a burning garden, pounces with his fists on a French soldier who is trying to remove a necklace from a woman. Pierre finds himself on the battlefield and captured, he was nearly shot by the French and rescued by Russian partisans. It is the war that makes Pierre look at himself and others with different eyes, feel his closeness to the common people.

The feeling of "the need for sacrifice and suffering" during the general misfortune makes Natasha Rostova scream at her mother, who does not want to give her wagons to the wounded. At that moment, Natasha does not think that she can be a dowry. She thinks only that the wounded cannot be left to the French.

True patriots on the battlefield

It is impossible, speaking about the theme of patriotism in "War and Peace", not to mention the direct participants in the battles, generals and ordinary soldiers.

First of all, the reader is attracted by the image of Kutuzov. Like many of Tolstoy's favorite heroes, Kutuzov has a completely unattractive appearance “in a long frock coat on a huge thick body”, “with a stooped back”, “with a leaky, white eye on a swollen face” - this is how the writer of the great commander draws before the battle of Borodino. Tolstoy emphasizes that this man combined physical weakness and spiritual power. It was she, this inner strength, that allowed him to make an unpopular decision - to leave Moscow in order to save the army. It was thanks to her that he had the strength to liberate the Fatherland from the French.

Images of other heroes also appear before us. These are real historical figures: generals Raevsky, Yermolov Dokhturov, Bagration. And fictional brave men, including Prince Andrei, Timokhin, Nikolai Rostov and many others whose names are unknown.

The true patriots of the fatherland are shown by the writer and participants in the partisan war. They did not participate in great battles, but destroyed the enemy in the ways available to them. Tikhon Shcherbaty, elder Vasilisa, Denis Davydov. It is their exploits that delight the young Petya Rostov, who joins the partisan detachment.

False patriots in the novel

Tolstoy contrasts true patriots with false patriots, who do not care about the common misfortune, and who are trying to extract their own benefit from it.

So, visitors to the Scherer salon live a normal life. She arranges a reception even on the day of the Battle of Borodino. The patriotism of the mistress of a fashionable salon is manifested only in the fact that she gently scolds those who visit the French theater.

"False patriots" are among the staff officers. Among them is Boris Drubetskoy, who, thanks to his cunning, "managed to stay at the main apartment." Berg, who in a pathetic tone makes a fiery speech in front of Count Rostov, and then begins to bargain with him for a "chiffonier" and a toilet "with an English secret." And, of course, Count Rostopchin, who, with his calls and empty activities, doomed thousands of people to death, and then, having given the son of the merchant Vereshchagin to be torn to pieces by an angry crowd, he flees from Moscow.

Conclusion

In conclusion of the essay on the topic of patriotism in the novel "War and Peace" it must be said that Tolstoy was able to show the reader how a real patriot of his Motherland should behave in the hour of danger threatening her.

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