In the novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy raised all the social and personal issues that had troubled him for many years. The story of the Decembrists was conceived. But it turned out a work that, due to its scale and diversity of images, can be called the encyclopedia of Russian life. The essay on the theme “War and Peace” can be devoted to one of the problems highlighted by the writer.
Subject Features
In creating the novel, the writer acted as an innovative artist. In preparation for such a task as an essay on the theme of "War and Peace," one should pay attention to the plot-compositional features of the work. In the epic novel of Tolstoy there is no intrigue familiar to nineteenth-century literature. Composition and plot are determined by historical events and philosophical understanding of the conflict that underlies the narrative.
The essay on the theme of "War and Peace" should contain an analysis of the opposition of central images. Indeed, the composition of the novel is based on the antithesis. Peaceful society is opposed to the military. Napoleon - to Kutuzov. Secular society with its false life values is opposed to such characters as Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei.
Tolstoy created a work that organically combines the features of a historical novel, epic, essay on morals and chronicles.
War
The Russian writer not only created vivid pictures of the legendary battles, but also showed the inner world of every person involved in the flow of hostilities. An essay on the theme of “War and Peace” is often devoted to the images of the great historical figures of the nineteenth century. The book contains a brilliant commander Kutuzov, mediocre Austrian General Mack.
Tolstoy's work “War and Peace” has many advantages and unique artistic features. It has vivid and capacious images of courageous commanders and venal careerists, courageous soldiers and cowards, occupying warm and comfortable positions in the military top.
The themes of the works “War and Peace” are extremely diverse. And in order to reveal each of them, a lot of effort should be made: to re-read the source, the works of critics, historical works about military events of the early nineteenth century.
Kutuzov: “War and Peace”
Tolstoy's work is the greatest comprehension of social development, history and philosophy. The subject of research for the writer was the legendary historical figures. In philosophical digressions, the Russian classic insists on providence, a kind of teaching that is based on the belief in the continuous connection of historical events with the will of providence. The central place in the chapters on the war is occupied by two antipodes - Kutuzov and Napoleon.
The Russian commander is a unique person. He does not make unnecessary speeches, in his appearance there is something resembling a simple soldier. Kutuzov remains himself on the battlefield, and on the military council. The war of 1812 put this person on a par with the largest political figures.
The historicity of the novel
What can be told in the written work devoted to Tolstoy’s novel? The themes of the works “War and Peace” are diverse. But no matter what problems in the work of the Russian writer they concern, you should familiarize yourself with historical sources. How was Kutuzov’s life? What role did he play in the military-historical events of the early nineteenth century? The questions “War and Peace” certainly answer these questions. The composition should be written on the basis of the impressions of the novel and the information gathered from the documentary books. This approach makes it possible to comprehend the social, political and spiritual positions of the great Russian writer.
Napoleon
In the novel, this historical character is a bourgeois revolutionary, despot, conqueror. The French emperor was accompanied by glory and greatness. Napoleon was admired not only in France, but throughout the world. His strength was awesome, but attractive. Tolstoy tore off the halo of false greatness from the French commander. And the writer did this consciously, as evidenced by the entries in his diary.
Tolstoy called Napoleon "the executioner of the people." The great humanist sought to inspire readers with the idea that cruelty and violence can be justified only by one who has lost a true understanding of the world and of himself.
One cannot deny that one of the greatest figures in history is Napoleon. “War and Peace” is an essay that is not just a multi-volume work reflecting important historical events. It is also an attempt to convince society that Napoleonic greatness is an annihilating terrible force.
Secular Society
One of the most interesting topics in the composition of Tolstoy’s work is the customs of representatives of the Russian aristocracy. The description of secular society in the novel is given considerable importance. This is a special world, living according to its laws, mores and customs. The first thing that catches your eye when reading a book is the unnaturalness, pretense of representatives of secular society. Most of the time they spend on all kinds of receptions, where they discuss the news of politics and art. But their conversations are mechanical. Each of the representatives of this society plays a role assigned to him. At receptions, these people are constantly talking, but do not hear each other.
Natasha Rostova
At the beginning of the novel, the heroine appears before the reader as a cute living teenager. Throughout the events reflected in the book, it changes, grows up. The meaning of life for Natasha is love. But during the breakup with Bolkonsky, she makes a mistake. And finally, at the end of the epic, this image acquires features that, in Tolstoy's understanding, are inherent in the ideal of a woman. With marriage and the birth of children, she loses her former charm and lightness. But she is also responsive, direct, sincere. And most importantly, from now on Natasha gives herself completely to the family. In the essay, reasoning, it is worth comparing this image with other heroines of the book.
Pierre Bezukhov
The image of this hero is also undergoing significant changes. Bezukhov is in spiritual pursuit, in the search for the meaning of life. At social events, he is like a stranger. Bezukhov feels the unnaturalness, pretense, deceit reigning around. He has an observant, inquiring mind. And this quality does not allow him to conduct thoughtless mechanical conversations at social receptions. However, Bezukhov succeeds soon to get rid of a society that is unpleasant for him. The image of this literary hero is another topic for composition based on Tolstoy’s novel.
A family
Tolstoy's work “War and Peace” is a book in which different people are shown. But due to social circumstances, they still have a strong connection. With extraordinary sympathy, Tolstoy belongs to the Bolkonsky. The qualities characteristic of the members of this family are patriotism, nobility, a sense of duty. Unlike other members of secular society, they do not spend time idly. On the example of Bolkonskih, the writer reveals his own idea of an ideal family.
In Prince Nicholas, softness and rigidity are miraculously combined. Mind and activity are the main virtues, according to the theory of this hero. In the essay on the work of the Russian humanist writer, it is necessary to reveal the topic of family values, because it is one of the main ones in Tolstoy's books. The creative task can also be devoted to landscape in the epic novel or the characterization of secondary, but no less interesting characters.