Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy in his famous novel "War and Peace" singled out "popular thought" as the main thought. This theme is most multifaceted and vividly reflected in excerpts from the work in which the war is described. As for the "world", the "family thought" prevails in his image. She also plays a very important role in the work of interest to us. The theme of love in the novel "War and Peace" helps the author to reveal this idea in many ways.
Love in the life of the characters of the novel
Almost all the characters in the work are tested by love. Not all of them come to moral beauty, mutual understanding, and true feeling. In addition, this does not happen immediately. Heroes have to go through mistakes and suffering, redeeming them, purifying and developing the soul.
The life of Andrei Bolkonsky with Lisa
The theme of love in the novel "War and Peace" is revealed using several heroes as an example, one of which is Andrei Bolkonsky. His path to happiness was thorny. At the age of 20, being an inexperienced youth blinded by external beauty, he decides to marry Lisa. But Andrei quickly comes to a depressing and painful understanding that he was mistakenly cruel and unique. In a conversation with his friend, Pierre Bezukhov, he utters almost in desperation the words that he should not get married before he did everything he could. Andrei says that he would give a lot so as not to be bound by family ties now.
Bolkonsky family life with his wife did not bring peace and happiness. Moreover, he was burdened by it. Andrei did not like his wife. He rather despised her, treating her like a child from a stupid empty light. Bolkonsky was depressed by the feeling that his life was worthless, that he had become an idiot and a court footman.
Mental fracture of Andrey
This hero ahead had the sky of Austerlitz, the death of Lisa, a mental fracture, longing, fatigue, disappointment, contempt for life. At that time, Bolkonsky resembled an oak tree, which stood scornful, angry and an old freak between smiling birches. This tree did not want to submit to the charm of spring. However, suddenly a confusion of young hopes and thoughts arose in Andrei’s soul, unexpected for himself. As you probably guessed, the theme of love in the novel "War and Peace" is further developed. The hero leaves the estate transformed. Again in front of him is an oak tree on the road, but now it is not ugly and old, but covered with greenery.
The feeling of Bolkonsky to Natasha
The theme of love in the novel "War and Peace" is very important for the author. According to Tolstoy, this feeling is a miracle that revives us to a new life. Bolkonsky did not immediately have a real feeling for Natasha, a girl so unlike the absurd and empty women of the world. It renewed his soul, turned it over with incredible strength. Andrew has now become a completely different person. It was as if he came out of the stuffy room. True, even a feeling for Natasha did not help Bolkonsky to humble his pride. He never managed to forgive Natasha for her "betrayal." Only after he received a mortal wound did he rethink his life. Bolkonsky after a mental fracture understood the suffering, remorse and shame of Natasha. He realized that he was cruel, breaking off relations with her. The hero admitted that he loves her even more than before. However, nothing could keep Bolkonsky in this world, not even Natasha’s fiery feeling.
Pierre's love for Helene
The theme of love in Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is also revealed by the example of Pierre. The fate of Pierre Bezukhov is somewhat similar to the fate of Andrei, his best friend. Like him, fascinated in his youth by Lisa, Pierre, who had just returned from Paris, fell in love with Helene, who was doll-beautiful. When revealing the theme of love and friendship in Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”, it should be noted that Pierre had a childish enthusiastic feeling for Helen. Andrey’s example did not teach him anything. Bezukhov had to make sure from his own experience that external beauty is far from always internal, spiritual.
Unhappy marriage
This hero felt that there were no obstacles between him and Helen, that this girl was terribly close to him. Pierre was dominated by her beautiful marble body. And although the hero understood that this was not good, he still succumbed to the feeling that this depraved woman inspired him. As a result, Bezukhov became her husband. However, the marriage was not happy. A feeling of gloomy gloom, disappointment, contempt for life, for himself and his wife swept Pierre some time after living with Helen. Her mystery turned into stupidity, spiritual emptiness and debauchery. This is worth mentioning if you are writing an essay. The theme of love in Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is illuminated from a new perspective in the relationship between Pierre and Natasha. We will talk about how these heroes finally found their happiness.
Pierre's new love
Bezukhov, having met Natasha, like Andrei, was struck by her naturalness and purity. In his soul, the feeling for this girl began to grow timidly even when Natasha and Bolkonsky fell in love. Pierre was glad for them, but this joy was mixed with sadness. The kind heart of Bezukhov, unlike Andrei, understood Natasha and forgave her for the case with Anatole Kuragin. Despite the fact that Pierre tried to despise her, he could see how exhausted she was. And then the feeling of pity filled the soul of Bezukhov for the first time. He understood Natasha, perhaps because her fascination with Anatole resembled his own passion for Helen. The girl believed that Kuragin possessed inner beauty. In communication with Anatole, she, like Pierre and Helene, felt that there was no barrier between them.
Renewal of the soul of Pierre Bezukhov
The path of life searches of Bezukhov continues after a disagreement with his wife. He is fond of Freemasonry, then participates in the war. Bezukhov is visited by the semi-childish idea of ​​killing Napoleon. He sees Moscow burning. Then he was destined for difficult minutes of waiting for his death, and then captivity.
Pierre’s soul, purified, renewed, passed through suffering, retains love for Natasha. Having met her again, he discovers that this girl has also changed a lot. Bezukhov did not recognize her as the old Natasha. Love awoke in the hearts of the heroes, "long forgotten happiness" suddenly returned to them. They were possessed, according to Tolstoy, "joyful madness."
Finding happiness
Life woke up in them with love. The strength of feeling brought Natasha back to life after a long emotional apathy, which was caused by the death of Prince Andrei. The girl thought that with his death her life was over. However, the love for the mother that arose in her with renewed vigor showed Natasha that love was still alive in her. The strength of this feeling, which is the essence of Natasha, was able to bring to life the people whom this girl loved.
The fate of Princess Marya and Nikolai Rostov
The theme of love in Leo Tolstoy’s novel "War and Peace" is also revealed on the example of the relationship between Princess Mary and Nikolai Rostov. The fate of these heroes was not easy. Ugly outwardly, meek, quiet princess had a beautiful soul. During the life of her father, she did not even hope to ever get married, raise children. Anatole Kuragin was the only one who got married to her, and even then only for the dowry. Of course, he could not understand the moral beauty and high spirituality of this heroine. Only Nikolai Rostov managed to do this.
Tolstoy in the epilogue of his novel speaks of the spiritual unity of people, which is the basis of nepotism. At the end of the work, a new family appeared, where so different, it would seem, beginnings came together - Bolkonsky and Rostov. Reading a novel by Lev Nikolaevich is very interesting. Eternal themes in the novel "War and Peace" by L. Tolstoy make this work relevant in our days.