Andrey Bolkonsky.

One of the main characters in the novel is Andrei Bolkonsky. Prince beautiful appearance who dreams of military glory. For Andrei, the most important thing in life is duty to the Motherland. The mature prince was in love with the young Countess Natasha Rostova. He suffered a lot of emotional experiences, including betrayal from Natasha. But when a lot of time passed, and fate brought them together again with Natasha, but this time life turned out to be unfair. The hero's life ends tragically; he dies from a bullet wound received in battle.

Natasha Rostova.

A young heroine who is surrounded by wealth and loved by her parents. The girl is very lively, cheerful, and sincere. She is educated. She was in love with Andrei Bolkonsky. But life prepared many challenges for them. Her fate was ruined by war. The lovers were never destined to be together. She later married Pierre Bezukhov, gave birth to children and found peace in family life. But Natasha was no longer as bright and active as she was several years ago.

Pierre Bezukhov.

Another important hero who inherited a valuable fortune from his father after his death. The hero is kind and naive, he was of strong build. Was previously married to beautiful woman Helen, this led to bad consequences. Later he took young Natalya Rostova as his wife. Pierre's personality changed over time and later he became a confident man who is able to achieve his goals and has his own views on life.

Ilya Andreevich Rostov.

He is a count, he is a kind and sympathetic person. He loves to live in luxurious conditions. He often organized luxurious balls. He loves his wife and children very much.

Nikolay Rostov.

He is the eldest son of the Rostovs. He is honest, kind and sympathetic. He was married to Maria Bolkonskaya. And with her I found personal happiness and peace.

Sonya.

A fragile, slender girl, she is kind and smart. She was in love with Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky, but upon learning that his heart belonged to another woman, she decided not to interfere with his happiness.

Ellen Kuragina.

The heroine is Pierre's first wife. The woman was not particularly intelligent, but thanks to her bright appearance and sociability, she was able to open her own salon in St. Petersburg.

Anatoly Kuragin.

He is Helen's brother. Outwardly, he is as charming as his sister. He preferred to live for his own pleasure. Being married, you want to steal Natasha and marry her.

`

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Tolstoy’s favorite characters in the novel “War and Peace” are Pierre Bezukhov and Andrei Bolkonsky. They are united by the quality that the writer himself most valued in people. In his opinion, to be a real person, you need to “rush, struggle, get confused, make mistakes, start and quit” all your life, and “calmness is spiritual meanness.” That is, a person should not calm down and stop, he should search for meaning all his life and strive to find an application for his strengths, talents, and mind.

In this article we will look at the characteristics of the main characters of the novel “War and Peace” by Tolstoy. Pay attention to why Tolstoy endowed these heroes with such traits and what he wanted to tell his readers by this.

Pierre Bezukhov in the novel "War and Peace"

As we have already noted, speaking about the main characters of Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace,” it is definitely worth discussing the image of Pierre Bezukhov. The reader first sees Pierre in the aristocratic St. Petersburg salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer. The hostess treats him somewhat condescendingly, because he is just the illegitimate son of a rich nobleman of Catherine’s times, who has just returned from abroad, where he received an education.

Pierre Bezukhov differs from other guests in his spontaneity and sincerity. Drawing psychological picture of his main character, Tolstoy points out that Pierre was a fat, absent-minded man, but all this was redeemed by “an expression of good nature, simplicity and modesty.” The owner of the salon was afraid that Pierre would say something wrong, and indeed, Bezukhov passionately expresses his opinion, argues with the viscount and does not know how to follow etiquette rules. At the same time, he is good-natured and smart. The qualities of Pierre, shown in the first chapters of the novel, will be inherent in him throughout the entire narrative, although the hero himself will go through a difficult path of spiritual evolution. Why can Pierre Bezukhov be safely considered one of the main characters of Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”? Consideration of the image of Pierre Bezukhov helps to understand this.

Pierre Bezukhov is so loved by Tolstoy because he main character The novel tirelessly searches for the meaning of life, asks itself painful questions: “What is bad? What well? What should you love, what should you hate? Why live, and what am I? What is life, what is death? What force controls everything?

Pierre Bezukhov goes through a difficult path of spiritual quest. He is not satisfied with the St. Petersburg revelries of the golden youth. Having received an inheritance and becoming one of the richest people in Russia, the hero marries Helen, but he blames himself for the failures of family life and even his wife’s betrayals, since he proposed without experiencing love.

For a while he finds meaning in Freemasonry. He is close to the idea of ​​his spiritual brothers about the need to live for the sake of others, to give as much as possible to others. Pierre Bezukhov is trying to change and improve the situation of his peasants. But soon disappointment sets in: the main character of Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” understands that most of the Masons are trying to make acquaintances with influential people in this way. Further, the image and characteristics of Pierre Bezukhov are revealed in an interesting aspect.

The most important stage on the path of spiritual formation of Pierre Bezukhov is the war of 1812 and captivity. On the Borodino field, he understands that the truth is in the universal unity of people. In captivity, the peasant philosopher Platon Karataev reveals to the main character how important it is to “live with people” and stoically accept everything that fate presents.

Pierre Bezukhov has an inquisitive mind, thoughtful and often ruthless introspection. He is a decent person, kind and a little naive. He asks himself and the world philosophical questions about the meaning of life, God, the purpose of existence, without finding an answer, he does not brush aside painful thoughts, but tries to find the right path.

In the epilogue, Pierre is happy with Natasha Rostova, but personal happiness is not enough for him. He becomes a member of a secret society preparing transformations in Russia. So, discussing who the main characters are in Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace,” we focused on the image of Pierre Bezukhov and his characteristics. Let's move on to the next key character of the novel - Andrei Bolkonsky.

Andrei Bolkonsky in the novel "War and Peace"

The Bolkonsky family is united by common generic traits: a sharp analytical mind, nobility, the highest sense of honor, an understanding of their duty in serving the Fatherland. It is no coincidence that, seeing off his son to war, the father, admonishing him, says: “Remember one thing, Prince Andrei: if they kill you, it will hurt me, an old man... And if I find out that you did not behave like the son of Nikolai Bolkonsky, I will ... ashamed!" Undoubtedly, Andrei Bolkonsky is a bright character and one of the main characters in the novel “War and Peace” by Tolstoy.

During military service Bolkonsky is guided by considerations of the common good, and not his own career. He heroically rushes forward with a banner in his hands, because it pains him to see the flight of the Russian army on the Field of Austerlitz.

Andrei, like Pierre, faces a difficult path of searching for the meaning of life and disappointments. At first he dreams of the glory of Napoleon. But after the Austerlitz sky, in which the prince saw something infinitely lofty, beautiful and calm, the former idol seems to him small, insignificant with his vain aspirations.

The main character of the novel “War and Peace” Tolstoy experiences disappointment in love (Natasha betrays him, deciding to run away with the fool Anatoly Kuragin), in life for the sake of his family (he understands that this is not enough), in public service (Speransky’s activities turn out to be meaningless vanity, not bringing true benefit).

Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, with his pure Russian pen, gave life to a whole world of characters in the novel “War and Peace.” His fictional characters, who are intertwined into entire noble families or family ties between families, show the modern reader a real reflection of those people who lived in the times described by the author. One of the greatest books of world significance, “War and Peace,” with the confidence of a professional historian, but at the same time, as if in a mirror, presents to the whole world that Russian spirit, those characters of secular society, those historical events, which were invariably present at the end of the 18th century early XIX centuries.
And against the backdrop of these events, it is shown in all its power and diversity.

L.N. Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel “War and Peace” experience the events of the past nineteenth century, but Lev Nikolaevich begins to describe the events of 1805. The coming war with the French, the growing greatness of Napoleon decisively approaching the whole world, turmoil in Moscow social circles and demonstrable calm in St. Petersburg secular society- all this can be called a kind of background against which, like a brilliant artist, the author drew his characters. There are quite a lot of heroes - about 550 or 600. There are main and central figures, and there are others or just mentioned ones. In total, the heroes of War and Peace can be divided into three groups: central, secondary and mentioned characters. Among all of them, there are both fictional characters, both prototypes of people who surrounded the writer at that time, and those who really existed historical figures. Let's look at the main characters novel.

Quotes from the novel “War and Peace”

- ... I often think how unfairly the happiness of life is sometimes distributed.

A person cannot own anything while he is afraid of death. And whoever is not afraid of her, everything belongs to him.

Until now, thank God, I have been a friend of my children and enjoy their complete trust,” said the countess, repeating the misconception of many parents who believe that their children have no secrets from them.

Everything, from napkins to silver, earthenware and crystal, bore that special imprint of novelty that happens in the household of young spouses.

If everyone fought only according to their convictions, there would be no war.

Being an enthusiast became her social position, and sometimes, when she didn’t even want to, she, in order not to deceive the expectations of people who knew her, became an enthusiast.

Everything, to love everyone, to always sacrifice oneself for love, meant not loving anyone, meant not living this earthly life.

Never, never marry, my friend; Here's my advice to you: don't get married until you tell yourself that you did everything you could, and until you stop loving the woman you chose, until you see her clearly; otherwise you will make a cruel and irreparable mistake. Marry an old man who is worthless...

The central figures of the novel "War and Peace"

Rostov - counts and countesses

Rostov Ilya Andreevich

Count, father of four children: Natasha, Vera, Nikolai and Petya. A very kind and generous person who loved life very much. His exorbitant generosity ultimately led him to wastefulness. Loving husband and father. A very good organizer of various balls and receptions. However, his life on a grand scale, and selfless assistance to the wounded during the war with the French and the departure of the Russians from Moscow, dealt fatal blows to his condition. His conscience constantly tormented him because of the impending poverty of his family, but he could not help himself. After death youngest son Petit, the count was broken, but nevertheless revived during the preparations for the wedding of Natasha and Pierre Bezukhov. Literally a few months pass after the Bezukhovs’ wedding when Count Rostov dies.

Rostova Natalya (wife of Ilya Andreevich Rostov)

The wife of Count Rostov and the mother of four children, this woman, aged forty-five, had oriental features. The concentration of slowness and sedateness in her was regarded by those around her as solidity and the high importance of her personality for the family. But real reason Her mannerisms are perhaps due to her exhausted and weak physical condition from giving birth and raising four children. She loves her family and children very much, so the news of the death of her youngest son Petya almost drove her crazy. Just like Ilya Andreevich, Countess Rostova was very fond of luxury and the fulfillment of any of her orders.

Leo Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel “War and Peace” in Countess Rostova helped reveal the prototype of the author’s grandmother, Pelageya Nikolaevna Tolstoy.

Rostov Nikolay

Son of Count Rostov Ilya Andreevich. A loving brother and son who honors his family while also loving to serve Russian army, which is very significant and important for his dignity. Even in his fellow soldiers, he often saw his second family. Although he was in love with his cousin Sonya for a long time, at the end of the novel he marries Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. A very energetic young man, with curly hair and an “open expression.” His patriotism and love for the Emperor of Russia never dried up. Having gone through many hardships of war, he becomes a brave and courageous hussar. After the death of Father Ilya Andreevich, Nikolai retires in order to improve the family’s financial affairs, pay off debts and, finally, become a good husband for Marya Bolkonskaya.

Introduced to Tolstoy Lev Nikolaevich as a prototype of his father.

Rostova Natasha

Daughter of Count and Countess Rostov. Very energetic and emotional girl, considered ugly, but lively and attractive, she is not very smart, but intuitive, because she knew how to perfectly “guess people,” their mood and some character traits. Very impulsive towards nobility and self-sacrifice. She sings and dances very beautifully, which at that time was an important characteristic for a girl from secular society. Natasha’s most important quality, which Leo Tolstoy, like his heroes, repeatedly emphasize in the novel “War and Peace” is her closeness to the ordinary Russian people. And she herself completely absorbed the Russianness of culture and the strength of the spirit of the nation. However, this girl lives in her illusion of goodness, happiness and love, which, after some time, brings Natasha into reality. It is these blows of fate and her heartfelt experiences that make Natasha Rostova an adult and ultimately give her a mature true love to Pierre Bezukhov. The story of the rebirth of her soul deserves special respect, how Natasha began to attend church after succumbing to the temptation of a deceitful seducer. If you are interested in Tolstoy's works, which take a deeper look at the Christian heritage of our people, then you need to read about how he fought temptation.

A collective prototype of the writer’s daughter-in-law Tatyana Andreevna Kuzminskaya, as well as her sister, Lev Nikolaevich’s wife, Sofia Andreevna.

Rostova Vera

Daughter of Count and Countess Rostov. She was famous for her strict disposition and inappropriate, albeit fair, remarks in society. It is unknown why, but her mother did not really love her and Vera felt this acutely, apparently, which is why she often went against everyone around her. Later she became the wife of Boris Drubetsky.

She is the prototype of Tolstoy’s sister Sophia, the wife of Lev Nikolaevich, whose name was Elizaveta Bers.

Rostov Peter

Just a boy, the son of Count and Countess Rostov. Growing up, Petya, as a young man, was eager to go to war, and in such a way that his parents could not restrain him at all. Having finally escaped from parental care and joined Denisov’s hussar regiment. Petya dies in the first battle, without having had time to fight. His death greatly affected his family.

Sonya

The miniature, nice girl Sonya was the niece of Count Rostov and lived all her life under his roof. Her long-term love for Nikolai Rostov became fatal for her, because she never managed to unite with him in marriage. In addition, the old count Natalya Rostova was very against their marriage, because they were cousins. Sonya acts nobly, refusing Dolokhov and agreeing to love only Nikolai for the rest of her life, while freeing him from his promise to marry her. She lives the rest of her life under the old countess in the care of Nikolai Rostov.

The prototype of this seemingly insignificant character was Lev Nikolaevich’s second cousin, Tatyana Aleksandrovna Ergolskaya.

Bolkonsky - princes and princesses

Bolkonsky Nikolai Andreevich

The father of the main character, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. In the past, the current general-in-chief, in the present, a prince, who earned himself the nickname “Prussian king” in Russian secular society. Socially active, strict like a father, tough, pedantic, but wise master of his estate. Outwardly, he was a thin old man in a powdered white wig, thick eyebrows hanging over penetrating and intelligent eyes. He doesn’t like to show feelings even to his beloved son and daughter. He constantly torments his daughter Marya with nagging and sharp words. Sitting on his estate, Prince Nikolai is constantly on the alert for events taking place in Russia, and only before his death does he lose a full understanding of the scale of the tragedy of the Russian war with Napoleon.

The prototype of Prince Nikolai Andreevich was the writer’s grandfather Nikolai Sergeevich Volkonsky.

Bolkonsky Andrey

Prince, son of Nikolai Andreevich. He is ambitious, just like his father, restrained in the manifestation of sensual impulses, but loves his father and sister very much. Married to the “little princess” Lisa. Made a good one military career. He philosophizes a lot about life, meaning and the state of his spirit. From which it is clear that he is in some kind of constant search. After the death of his wife, in Natasha Rostova he saw hope for himself, a real girl, and not a fake one as in secular society, and some light of future happiness, so he was in love with her. Having proposed to Natasha, he was forced to go abroad for treatment, which served as a real test for both of their feelings. As a result, their wedding fell through. Prince Andrei went to war with Napoleon and was seriously wounded, after which he did not survive and died from a serious wound. Natasha devotedly looked after him until the end of his death.

Bolkonskaya Marya

Daughter of Prince Nikolai and sister of Andrei Bolkonsky. A very meek girl, not beautiful, but kind-hearted and very rich, like a bride. Her inspiration and devotion to religion serves as an example of good morals and meekness to many. She unforgettably loves her father, who often mocked her with his ridicule, reproaches and injections. And he also loves his brother, Prince Andrei. She did not immediately accept Natasha Rostova as her future daughter-in-law, because she seemed too frivolous for her brother Andrei. After all the hardships she has experienced, she marries Nikolai Rostov.

The prototype of Marya is the mother of Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy - Maria Nikolaevna Volkonskaya.

Bezukhovs - counts and countesses

Bezukhov Pierre (Peter Kirillovich)

One of the main characters who deserves close attention and the most positive assessment. This character has experienced a lot of emotional trauma and pain, possessing a kind and highly noble disposition. Tolstoy and the heroes of the novel “War and Peace” very often express their love and acceptance of Pierre Bezukhov as a man of very high morals, complacent and a man of a philosophical mind. Lev Nikolaevich loves his hero, Pierre, very much. As a friend of Andrei Bolkonsky, the young Count Pierre Bezukhov is very loyal and responsive. Despite the various intrigues weaving under his nose, Pierre did not become embittered and did not lose his good nature towards people. And having married Natalya Rostova, he finally found the grace and happiness that he so lacked in his first wife, Helen. At the end of the novel, his desire to change the political foundations in Russia can be traced, and from afar one can even guess his Decembrist sentiments.

Character prototypes
Most of the heroes of such a complex novel in their structure always reflect some people who one way or another met on the path of Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy.

The writer successfully created a whole panorama of the epic history of the events of that time and privacy secular people. In addition, the author managed to very brightly color the psychological traits and characters of his characters so that he can learn worldly wisdom and modern man.

Field Marshal Prince, aide-de-camp Count, son-in-law of commander Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov. All three led the soldiers into the attack under heavy fire with a battle flag in their hands. All three were wounded, only Prince Volkonsky survived. 1

Tolstoy about the hero: “I will be sent there,” he thought, “with a brigade or division, and there, with a banner in my hand, I will go forward and crush everything that is in front of me.”

"At this time, a new face entered the living room. The new face was the young Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, the husband of the little princess. Prince Bolkonsky was short in stature, a very handsome young man with definite and dry features. ... He, apparently, everyone who was in the living room not only were they familiar, but they bored him so much that looking at them and listening to them was very boring for him.”

Take a look at Adolphe Ladurner's painting "The Armorial Hall of the Winter Palace", where Prince Peter Volkonsky is in the center. See how accurate Tolstoy is.

All photographs of the novel's characters are taken from the film "War and Peace" (1965).

Count Nikolai Rostov

Prototype: the writer's father, Count.

Tolstoy about the hero: "... So much nobility, true youth, which you see so rarely in our age among our twenty-year-olds!.."

Count Pierre Bezukhov

Tolstoy about the hero:“...When moments of cruelty came upon him, like those in which he tied up a policeman with a bear and set him afloat, or when he challenged a man to a duel without any reason, or killed a coachman’s horse with a pistol...”; "...Dolokhov (also a partisan with a small party)."

Princess Helen Kuragina (Countess Bezukhova)

Prototype: N; beloved of Chancellor Prince Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov, who became the morganatic wife of Duke Nikolai Maximilianovich of Leuchtenberg, grandson of Nicholas I (Tolstoy has “a young blond man with a long face and nose”) 3.

Tolstoy about heroin: "In St. Petersburg, Helen enjoyed the special patronage of a nobleman, who occupied one of the highest positions in the state. In Vilna, she became close to a young foreign prince. When she returned to St. Petersburg, the prince and the nobleman<>both claimed their rights, and for Helen a new task presented itself in her career: to maintain the closeness of her relationship with both, without offending either.”

Vasily Denisov

Prototype:, a participant in the Patriotic War of 1812, a hussar who, like the hero of the novel, fought in a partisan detachment.

Tolstoy about the hero: “... Denisov, to Rostov’s surprise, in a new uniform, pomaded and perfumed, appeared in the living room looking the same dandy as he had been in battle...”

Artillery Staff Captain Tushin

Prototypes: Major General of Artillery Ilya Timofeevich Radozhitsky and Staff Captain of Artillery Yakov Ivanovich Sudakov. In character he resembled the brother of the writer Nikolai Nikolaevich.

Tolstoy about the hero:"...Tushin appeared on the threshold, timidly making his way from behind the generals. Walking around the generals in a cramped hut, embarrassed, as always, at the sight of his superiors..."

Baron Alfons Karlovich Berg

Prototype: Field Marshal General, Baron, then Count 4. With the rank of second lieutenant of the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment, he was wounded in the right hand at Austerlitz, but, having transferred the sword to left hand, remained in service until the end of the battle. For this he was awarded the Golden Sword "For Bravery" 5.

Tolstoy about the hero: “It was not for nothing that Berg showed everyone his right hand, wounded in the Battle of Austerlitz, and held a completely unnecessary sword in his left. He told everyone this concealment so persistently and with such significance that everyone believed in the expediency and dignity of this act - and Berg received two awards for Austerlitz ".

Anna Pavlovna Sherer

Prototype: maid of honor of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, daughter of the great poet.

Tolstoy about heroin:"...The famous Anna Pavlovna Scherer, maid of honor and close associate of Empress Maria Feodorovna..."

Marya Dmitrievna Akhrosimova

Prototype:, who had a scandalous reputation in high society. “As you know, L.N. Tolstoy depicted her with photographic precision, right down to her surname and the roll-up of her sleeves, in War and Peace 6 .

Tolstoy about heroin:Akhrosimova is known “not for wealth, not for honors, but for directness of mind and frank simplicity of address.”

LEVOCHKA MAY BE DESCRIBING US WHEN HE IS 50 YEARS OLD. S.A. TOLSTAYA - TO SISTER. NOVEMBER 11, 1862

1. Patriotic War 1812 and the liberation campaign of the Russian army of 1813-1814. Encyclopedia: In 3 volumes. T. 1. M.: Russian Political Encyclopedia (ROSSPEN), 2012. P. 364; Right there. T. 3. P. 500.
2. The Patriotic War of 1812 and the liberation campaign of the Russian army of 1813-1814. Encyclopedia: In 3 volumes. T. 1. M.: Russian Political Encyclopedia (ROSSPEN), 2012. P. 410.
3. Ekshtut S.A. Nadine, or the novel of a high society lady through the eyes of the secret political police. M.: Consent, 2001. P. 97-100.
4. The Patriotic War of 1812 and the liberation campaign of the Russian army of 1813-1814. Encyclopedia: In 3 volumes. T. 1. M.: Russian Political Encyclopedia (ROSSPEN), 2012. P. 623.
5. Ekshtut S.A. Everyday life Russian intelligentsia from the era of the Great Reforms to Silver Age. M.: Young Guard, 2012. P. 252.
6. Gershenzon M.O. Griboyedovskaya Moscow. M.: Moscow worker, 1989. P. 83.

), the French invasion of Russia, the Battle of Borodino and the capture of Moscow, the entry of allied forces into Paris; the end of the novel is dated to 1820. The author has read many history books and memoirs of contemporaries; he understood that the task of the artist does not coincide with the task of the historian and, without striving for complete accuracy, he wanted to create the spirit of the era, the originality of its life, the picturesqueness of its style.

Lev Tolstoy. War and Peace. The main characters and themes of the novel

Certainly, historical figures Tolstoy's works are somewhat modernized: they often speak and think like the author's contemporaries. But this renewal is always inevitable with the historian’s creative perception of the process as a continuous, vital flow. Otherwise it won't work piece of art, but dead archeology. The author did not invent anything - he only chose what seemed to him the most revealing. “Everywhere,” writes Tolstoy, “where historical figures speak and act in my novel, I did not invent, but used materials from which I formed a whole library of books during my work.”

For “family chronicles” placed within the historical framework of the Napoleonic wars, he used family memoirs, letters, diaries, and unpublished notes. Complexity and richness " human world", depicted in the novel, can only be compared with the gallery of portraits of the multi-volume " Human Comedy» Balzac. Tolstoy gives more than 70 detailed characteristics, outlines with a few strokes many minor characters - and they all live, do not merge with each other, and remain in memory. One sharply captured detail determines a person’s figure, his character and behavior. In the reception room of the dying Count Bezukhov, one of the heirs, Prince Vasily, walks on tiptoe in confusion. “He couldn’t walk on tiptoes and awkwardly bounced his whole body.” And in this bouncing the whole nature of the dignified and powerful prince is reflected.

In Tolstoy, the external feature acquires a deep psychological and symbolic resonance. He has incomparable visual acuity, brilliant observation, almost clairvoyance. By one turn of the head or movement of the fingers, he guesses the person. Every feeling, even the most fleeting, is immediately embodied for him in a bodily sign; Movement, posture, gesture, expression of the eyes, line of the shoulders, trembling of the lips are read by him as a symbol of the soul. Hence the impression of mental and physical integrity and completeness that his heroes produce. In the art of creating living people with flesh and blood, breathing, moving, casting shadows, Tolstoy has no equal.

Princess Marya

At the center of the action of the novel are two noble families - the Bolkonskys and the Rostovs. The elder Prince Bolkonsky, general-in-chief of Catherine's time, a Voltairian and an intelligent gentleman, lives on the Bald Mountains estate with his daughter Marya, ugly and no longer young. Her father loves her passionately, but he raises her harshly and torments her with algebra lessons. Princess Marya “with beautiful radiant eyes” and a shy smile is an image of high spiritual beauty. She meekly bears the cross of her life, prays, accepts " God's people“and dreams of becoming a wanderer... “All the complex laws of humanity were concentrated for her in one simple and clear law of love and self-sacrifice, taught to her by the One Who lovingly suffered for humanity, when He Himself is God. What did she care about the justice or injustice of other people? She had to suffer and love herself, and she did it.”

And yet she is sometimes worried about the hope of personal happiness; she wants to have a family, children. When this hope comes true and she marries Nikolai Rostov, her soul continues to strive for “infinite, eternal perfection.”

Prince Andrei Bolkonsky

Princess Marya's brother, Prince Andrei, does not look like his sister. This is a strong, intelligent, proud and disappointed man, feeling his superiority over those around him, burdened by his chirping, frivolous wife and looking for practically useful activities. He collaborates with Speransky in the commission for drafting laws, but soon gets tired of this abstract desk work. He is overcome by a thirst for glory, he sets out on the campaign of 1805 and, like Napoleon, awaits his “Toulon” - exaltation, greatness, “human love.” But instead of Toulon, the Austerlitz field awaits him, on which he lies wounded and looks into the bottomless sky. “Everything is empty,” he thinks, “everything is a deception, except this endless sky. There is nothing, nothing, except him. But even that is not there, there is nothing but silence, calmness.”

Andrey Bolkonsky

Returning to Russia, he settles on his estate and plunges into the “melancholy of life.” The death of his wife and the betrayal of Natasha Rostova, who seemed to him the ideal of girlish charm and purity, plunge him into dark despair. And only slowly dying from a wound received in the Battle of Borodino, in the face of death, does he find that “truth of life” that he has always so unsuccessfully sought: “Love is life,” he thinks. – Everything, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Love is God, and to die means for me, a particle of love, to return to the common and eternal source.”

Nikolay Rostov

Complex relationships connect the Bolkonsky family with the Rostov family. Nikolai Rostov is an integral, spontaneous nature, like Eroshka in “Cossacks” or brother Volodya in “Childhood”. He lives without questions or doubts, he has a “common sense of mediocrity.” Direct, noble, brave, cheerful, he is surprisingly attractive, despite his limitations. Of course, he does not understand the mystical soul of his wife Marya, but he knows how to create happy family, raise kind and honest children.

Natasha Rostova

His sister Natasha Rostova is one of the most charming female images Tolstoy. She enters the lives of each of us as a beloved and close friend. Her lively, joyful and spiritual face emits a radiance that illuminates everything around her. When she appears, everyone becomes happy, everyone starts smiling. Natasha is filled with such an excess of vitality, such a “talent for life” that her whims, frivolous hobbies, selfishness of youth and thirst for the “pleasures of life” - everything seems charming.

She is constantly on the move, intoxicated with joy, inspired by feeling; she does not reason, “does not deign to be smart,” as Pierre says about her, but the clairvoyance of the heart replaces her mind. She immediately “sees” a person and accurately identifies him. When her fiancé Andrei Bolkonsky leaves for war, Natasha becomes interested in the brilliant and empty Anatoly Kuragin. But the break with Prince Andrei and then his death turn her whole soul upside down. Her noble and truthful nature cannot forgive herself for this guilt. Natasha falls into hopeless despair and wants to die. At this time, news comes about the death of her younger brother Petya in the war. Natasha forgets about her grief and selflessly looks after her mother - and this saves her.

“Natasha thought,” writes Tolstoy, “that her life was over. But suddenly love for her mother showed her that the essence of her life - love - was still alive in her. Love has awakened and life has awakened.” Finally, she marries Pierre Bezukhov and turns into a child-loving mother and devoted wife: she gives up all the “pleasures of life” that she so passionately loved before, and devotes herself wholeheartedly to her new, complex responsibilities. For Tolstoy, Natasha is life itself, instinctive, mysterious and holy in her natural wisdom.

Pierre Bezukhov

The ideological and compositional center of the novel is Count Pierre Bezukhov. All the complex and numerous lines of action coming from the two “family chronicles” - the Bolkonskys and the Rostovs - are drawn towards him; he clearly enjoys the author's greatest sympathy and is closest to him in his spiritual makeup. Pierre belongs to the people “seeking”, reminds Nikolenka, Nekhlyudova, Venison, but most of all Tolstoy himself. Not only the external events of life pass before us, but also the consistent history of his spiritual development.

The path of quest of Pierre Bezukhov

Pierre was brought up in an atmosphere of Rousseau's ideas, he lives by feeling and is prone to “dreamy philosophizing.” He is looking for the “truth”, but due to weakness of will he continues to lead an empty social life, carouses, plays cards, goes to balls; An absurd marriage to the soulless beauty Helen Kuragina, a break with her and a duel with his former friend Dolokhov produce a profound revolution in him. He's interested in Freemasonry, thinks to find in him “inner peace and agreement with oneself.” But disappointment soon sets in: the philanthropic activities of the Freemasons seem insufficient to him, their passion for uniforms and magnificent ceremonies outrages him. Moral stupor and panicky fear of life come over him.

The “tangled and terrible knot of life” strangles him. And here on the Borodino field he meets the Russian people - a new world opens up to him. The spiritual crisis was prepared by stunning impressions that suddenly fell upon him: he sees the fire of Moscow, is captured, spends several days awaiting the death sentence, and is present at the execution. And then he meets “Russian, kind, round Karataev.” Joyful and bright, he saves Pierre from spiritual death and leads him to God.

“Before, he sought God for the goals that he set for himself,” writes Tolstoy, and suddenly he learned in his captivity, not in words, not by reasoning, but by direct feeling, what his nanny had told him long ago; that God is here, here, everywhere. In captivity he learned that God in Karataev is greater, infinite and incomprehensible than in the Architect of the universe recognized by the Freemasons.”

Religious inspiration covers Pierre, all questions and doubts disappear, he no longer thinks about the “meaning of life,” for the meaning has already been found: love of God and selfless service to people. The novel ends with a picture of the complete happiness of Pierre, who married Natasha Rostova and became a devoted husband and loving father.

Platon Karataev

The soldier Platon Karataev, a meeting with whom in Moscow occupied by the French produced a revolution in the truth-seeking Pierre Bezukhov, was conceived by the author as a parallel to “ folk hero» Kutuzov; he is also a person without personality, passively surrendering to events. This is how Pierre sees him, that is, the author himself, but to the reader he seems different. It is not impersonality, but the extraordinary originality of his personality that strikes us. His apt words, jokes and sayings, his constant activity, his bright cheerfulness of spirit and sense of beauty (“good-naturedness”), his active love for his neighbors, humility, cheerfulness and religiosity are formed in our imagination not into the image of an impersonal “part of the whole”, but into the amazingly complete face of the people's righteous man.

Platon Karataev is the same “great Christian” as the holy fool Grisha in “Childhood”. Tolstoy intuitively sensed its spiritual originality, but his rationalistic explanation skimmed the surface of this mystical soul.