In order to make the most complete portrait of the hero, Leo Tolstoy in his work addresses different facets of the personality. It can be subtle movements of the face, eye gleam, or a smile ... However, in describing the internal state , not only emotions, but also their external manifestations play an important role. The writer finds other features that are able to show readers his "dialectic of the soul." In the article we will focus on the image of the oak from the novel "War and Peace", which helps to reveal the emotional state of Andrei Bolkonsky.
L. N. Tolstoy. "War and Peace". Oak
Andrey meets this tree on his way to Otradnoye ( Rostov estate ). The prince has a rich, albeit small in time, content. He had already seen all the facets of the world and the war and made a firm conviction that for him everything in this world was over. Seeing a tree, Bolkonsky again recalls the path traveled, but does not change his attitude to himself. The delights of spring are not able to give a fresh breath of new life.
However, it is the oak in War and Peace that becomes a key aspect in the fate of the protagonist. Andrei does not understand why coachman Peter can be so happy. The only one the prince finds himself in allies is an old oak tree, which is older than birch trees, probably ten times. The tree even more affirmed Bolkonsky in the opinion that he should live out his life, "not wanting and not worrying."
Confronting the Spring Revival
The description of the oak in the novel “War and Peace” helps to understand why Andrei took him as the only ally among the beauty of the fabulous spring forest. It was a huge tree with broken branches and bark. Between the smiling birches, he stood with his asymmetrical branches, like a monster, and he alone did not want to obey the spring charm. The old oak tree has also seen a lot in its lifetime. War and peace brought him disappointment and wounds, as evidenced by damage to his bark.
In describing this picture, Tolstoy deftly applies one technique. It shows the meeting of two soul mates, opposing the general fun. But still they remain lonely: Andrew - in life, a tree - in the forest. Nothing will change from the fact that two soul mates decided to shut themselves off from others and from the light. After all, life goes on, bringing new impressions and events that gradually overshadow any sadness.
Natasha Rostova
Natasha Rostova was able to revive Bolkonsky to life. He was struck by her sincere admiration for everything that is around. She so directly enjoys a normal night that Andrei begins to think about the fact that inconspicuous things at first sight can inspire a person. When Bolkonsky returns from Otradnoye, he sees that in the courtyard the summer has already taken over, and cannot find the tree with which until recently he was so alone in the kingdom of waking nature.
Crucial moment
The description of the oak in the novel "War and Peace" is very important, because this tree is shown precisely through the eyes of Prince Andrew. Tolstoy uses this image to reveal the inner world of a hero who is not inclined to speak directly about his fears and worries. Bolkonsky only with Pierre allows himself to be a little frank. And when a friend is not around, it is the description of the oak in the novel “War and Peace” that gives us the opportunity to understand what is happening in Andrei’s soul and what changes have taken place in it. The hero, like this very oak tree, came to life under the gentle sun and began, as he again met on the path of birch trees, to enjoy the summer days. With her admiration, Natasha Rostova gave an impetus to the light in the prince.
Bolkonsky strengthened his opinion when he again saw a tree. It was as if it too enjoyed life, and Andrei admired it. The description of the oak in the novel "War and Peace" now painted a transformed giant, spread out with a tent of lush greenery, which was floating, swaying in the sun. New foliage hid the wounds and sores, and the prince thought that, probably, his spiritual wounds could heal. So, he can start life from a new sheet.
The healing power of nature
The oak from War and Peace seems to convey the character's revival stages. Seeing how young leaves make their way through the centuries-old bark, Bolkonsky realizes that he can go forward and rely not on gloomy dark moments, but on bright memories. Prince Andrew realizes that just admiration for life and renewal allows you to move to new heights, and not hide your talents and youth behind the "bark with sores." You need to live not only for yourself, but also for others, so that they too have the opportunity to consider in him the best that he hid for so long.
Thus, the meeting of the protagonist with the oak was a turning point, which showed that it is never too late to start life from a clean page. And those around him, perhaps, will help him in this. Indeed, during his awakening, Bolkonsky recalls Natasha, Pierre and this resurrected oak.
Finally
So, the image of the old tree in the narrative plays several key roles. He not only opens the door for us to the inner world of the hero, but he himself is a character, thanks to which Prince Andrei Bolkonsky finds the path of rebirth to a beautiful new life. But the image of the oak tree at the same time allows the author to demonstrate to the readers those qualities and traits of the hero that could not be shown through the description of the appearance.
The description of this tree will make anyone think about the meaning of life, overestimate some moments, remember that nothing lasts forever on earth. A fragment of a hero’s meeting with an oak tree suggests that a person finds happiness only when he stops running away from him, when he opens towards love. That is the law of life.