Consider the image of Plato Karataev from the work "War and Peace." This novel can be called a broad historical canvas. Its main character is the people. The composition of the novel is rather complicated. It contains many different storylines that are often intertwined, intersected. A photo of the author of the work, Leo Tolstoy, is presented below.
The image of the Russian people in the work of L. Tolstoy
Tolstoy traces the fate of families and individual heroes. The characters of the work are connected by love, friendship, family relations. They are often separated by hostility, mutual hostility. Lev Nikolaevich created a historically true image of the people - the hero of the war. In scenes with the participation of soldiers, in the actions of ordinary people, in the cues of some characters, one can see, first of all, the manifestation of the "warmth of patriotism" that inspires all fighters: soldiers, generals, best officers, partisans.
Who is Plato Karataev
Plato Karataev is shown in a work by a Russian soldier. Pierre Bezukhov met him in a captive booth and lived with him for 4 weeks. According to the writer, Karataev in Pierre’s soul forever remained the most expensive and strongest memory, the personification of all the good, Russian.
In the novel, the image of Plato Karataev is one of the key ones that reflected the philosophy of the people's life . This is a peasant, torn off by the war from his usual way of life and placed in new, unusual conditions for him (French captivity, army), in which his spirituality manifested itself most vividly.
This is the image of Plato Karataev, briefly described. Let's consider it in more detail. The image of Plato Karataev in the novel is largely revealed due to the acquaintance of this character with Pierre Bezukhov and the influence that he had on this hero. What did it consist of? Let's figure it out.
How Plato Karataev influenced Pierre Bezukhov
After Pierre witnesses a terrible event - the execution of prisoners, he loses faith in a person, that his actions are reasonable. Bezukhov is then in a depressed state. His meeting with Plato in the barracks brings him back to life. Tolstoy, describing her, notes that Karataev, a short man, was sitting bent over next to Pierre. Bezukhov first noticed his presence by the strong smell of sweat, which separated from him in any of his movements. The man and the count were in the same conditions: they are prisoners. In such a situation, it is necessary, first of all, to remain human, to survive and survive. Pierre studied this survival with Karataev. The meaning of the image of Plato Karataev is, among other things, in the internal degeneration of Pierre Bezukhov. This hero, as you know, is undergoing a deep internal transformation, like some other characters in the work.
Platon Karataev - collective image
Plato Karataev can be called a collective way, as well as Tikhon Shcherbaty. Introducing himself to Bezukhov, it is no coincidence that he calls himself in the plural. He says: "Soldiers of the Absheron Regiment." However, Plato is the exact opposite of Shcherbatom. If the latter is merciless to the enemy, then Karataev loves all people, not excluding the French. If Tikhon can be called rude, and his humor is often combined with cruelty, then Plato wants to see "solemn grandeur" in everything. Karataev feels himself not a separate person, but part of the people, part of the whole: the peasantry, ordinary soldiers. The wisdom of this character consists in capacious and well-aimed sayings and proverbs, behind which episodes from his life are hidden. The image of Plato Karataev, a short description of which we are compiling, is marked by one important detail. Plato suffered due to an unfair trial, and he had to serve in the army. But Karataev takes for granted any twists and turns of his fate. For the welfare of his own family, he is ready to sacrifice himself.
Love and kindness of Plato Karataev
Love for everyone is an important feature that characterizes the image of Plato Karataev in the novel "War and Peace." This hero loves everyone, every living creature, person, the whole world. It is no coincidence that he caresses a stray dog. According to the philosophy of this character, it is necessary to spare not only people, but also animals. Karataev acts according to the Christian commandment, which says: "Love your neighbor." Plato lived with everyone lovingly, with comrades, French, Pierre. Those around were warmed by such an attitude. Karataev "healed" in a word, consoled people. He was friendly, sympathetic to them, in the voice of this hero was felt simplicity, affection. The first words he said to Pierre were the words of support: "An hour to endure, and an age to live!"
Philosophy of Plato Karataev
We see in Plato Karataev the harmony of inner life, won by the unlimited belief that everything that happens on Earth is the will of God, that sooner or later justice and good will triumph, so there is no need to resist evil with violence. It is necessary to accept everything that happens. Karataev, therefore, preached a philosophy of humility to fate, patience, composed for centuries. His willingness to suffer for people is an echo of the philosophy that he adhered to. Karataev was raised on Christian ideals, and religion, first of all, calls us to obedience and patience. Therefore, Karataev never experienced resentment and evil against others.
Echoes of the Christian religion in the behavior of Plato
Plato does not share the pessimistic view of Bezukhov, who was exhausted by physical suffering. He preaches faith in the best, in the infinite kingdom of God. Pierre begins after meeting with this character in a different way to relate to life, to the events that happened in it. For him, Karataev is an example to follow. Plato helped Bezukhov restore in his soul a sense of stability of the world order, the basis of which is mutual understanding and love, helped him get rid of the terrible question that tormented Pierre: “Why?” After communicating with him, Bezukhov felt the joy of liberation from the endless search for the meaning and purpose of life, since only they prevented him from feeling that life itself consists in its meaning. It is everywhere and in everything. God is with people, and he loves everyone. Without his will, not a single hair will fall from a person’s head. It is in captivity, due to a meeting with Karataev and experienced hardships and trials that Pierre regains faith in God, learns to value life. The philosophy of Karataev is Christian. To any person, no matter how difficult conditions he finds himself in, religion helps him to live.
The importance of people like Karataev to defeat the French
Complementing the image of Plato Karataev, we note that, perhaps, Plato is weak as a soldier. After all, a real fighter must, like Tikhon Scherbaty, hate his enemy. But Plato is certainly a patriot. He is very courageous and strong as a person. Truly great is the significance of the image of Plato Karataev in a work, like in reality at that time such as he. If there weren’t such people in the Russian army who were ready not only to beat the enemy, but also philosophically treat various difficulties in life, find the strength to overcome them, perhaps Kutuzov could not defeat Napoleon.
This is the image of Plato Karataev in the novel "War and Peace", one of the most prominent heroes of the work. Lev Nikolaevich wrote his novel from 1863 to 1869.