The images of Napoleon and Kutuzov in the work “War and Peace” are key in the process of ideological disclosure of the content of this immortal novel. These heroes were created by the writer on the principle of contrast. They are worthy opponents, by their nature they are unconditional leaders. However, one of them is doomed to defeat and dishonor, the other to a great victory.
The image of the Russian commander
In a comparative description of Kutuzov and Napoleon, the student can indicate that the image of Kutuzov, which the great Russian writer paints, is simple and at the same time historical greatness. There is nothing superfluous in the commander. With the help of external details, the writer emphasizes the old age of Kutuzov - he has a loose body, a scar on his face. It is often difficult for a general to climb a horse; he very quickly feels physical fatigue. Kutuzov is always calm and restrained, despite the fact that he had a lot to see on his life path.
The main qualities of Kutuzov
A comparative description of Kutuzov and Napoleon shows that the writer more than once emphasizes the genius of Kutuzov’s military decisions. His personal qualities largely coincide with the characteristics of the Russian people. It is simplicity, stamina, good. The warlord is confident. Although he is weak in body, he is strong in spirit. One of his main qualities is caring for every soldier, sincere desire to save his life. Prince Andrey notes that Kutuzov’s mastery consists in the spiritual leadership of the army. The commander does not notice his wound at Austerlitz. His deepest wound was inflicted by the flight of the allied forces. At the same time, the top leadership is dissatisfied with the fact that it was Kutuzov who was appointed the military leader. And his every decision is criticized by the headquarters. However, the soldiers were able to win only under the leadership of Kutuzov.
Continuing the comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon, it should be noted: the Russian military leader is a wise man of experience and an excellent politician. Many people considered him a simpleton, but he prevented conflicts within the headquarters - between rulers and factions. With the help of folk art, Kutuzov prevails over court intrigues. He has one remarkable feature - to defeat the enemy with his own weapons.
Humane commander
Kutuzov feels closeness to his native land, to the people. He does nothing to ensure that the battle of Borodino is won. However, in contrast to the others, he believes that victory will be won. The comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon show that the Russian commander is distinguished by humanism in relation to enemies. He understands: there is no point in shedding blood. The French are already humiliated. The present commander must see the future already in the present - and this property is in Kutuzov. The sympathies of the author of the work belong to him.
The image of Napoleon
The image of the French military leader is no less multidimensional and complex than the image of Kutuzov. He caused a lot of controversy among literary critics who believed that Tolstoy was too keen on exposing Bonaparte.
This historical figure was significant for many. The characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon can be supplemented with historical information: the French military leader managed to make a brilliant career, which caused admiration among many contemporaries. They sincerely considered him a genius, which can be every role model. But for Tolstoy there was nothing attractive in this image. The great writer considered him a man whose "mind and conscience" were darkened. Continuing to characterize Kutuzov and Napoleon, the student may note: everything that Napoleon did was contrary to the principles of good. He was not a statesman, but a capricious child, selfish and narcissistic.
Indifference to people
The writer draws attention to the fact that the commander did not look at people, but past them. For him, only what was happening in his soul was of interest. This is one of the main differences in the images of Kutuzov and Napoleon. Everything that did not concern him directly did not matter to the French commander. After all, Napoleon thought that all the events in the world take place at his will. It cannot be denied that many human lives were in the hands of Napoleon. However, the interests of this commander were deeply at odds with the values of the people and the demands that reality put forward. To illustrate this fact, it is enough to recall an episode in which the crossing of Polish lancers across the Neman river was described . While they were drowning, Napoleon did not even look in their direction. The warlord loved to drive across the battlefield after the battle. The sight of those killed did not touch him at all.
Personality and the course of history. Two opposite images
In his work, Tolstoy radically rethought the role that a person has on the historical course of events. And in relation to this role, there is also a difference in the images of Kutuzov and Napoleon. The writer intentionally decided to abandon the concept of "outstanding" personality. And first of all, he succeeded in debunking this lofty idea with the help of the image of Napoleon. Tolstoy proposed a comparison of this ruler with a boy who, being inside the carriage, pulls the ropes. At the same time, it seems to him that it is he who controls her movement.
But in reality, the person finds himself on the historical stage or is subverted into the darkness of oblivion at the behest of larger forces. And the great Russian writer generalizes the idea of them in the concept of "people." After all, the military operations of 1812 are a clash of the Russian people with the European. At the same time, the aggressive-minded crowd also nominates such a leader as Napoleon turned out to be - cruel, selfish, unprincipled, as he is described in the novel "War and Peace." Napoleon and Kutuzov are opposing figures in this regard. In its internal qualities, Bonaparte is fully consistent with the crowd. Their goals coincide - these are "deceit, murder, robbery." In a word - war.
Goals of generals
The commander Kutuzov is the opposite of the selfish leader. The second type of historical person described by Tolstoy is a real national leader whose goal is to save the homeland, and not the will of the emperor or personal ambitions. This commander is interested in the fate of Russia. Its purpose also corresponds to the goals of the people - and this is peace in the meaning of "absence of war" in their native land. This is the goal of the Russian military leader, Tolstoy emphasizes. Kutuzov and Napoleon have completely different goals. The Russian commander is emphatically democratic, simple and open in every case. But this does not apply to situations when he has to deal with "Napoleonchiks" who serve in the army or at court.
Interests of Kutuzov
The comparison of Kutuzov and Napoleon can be continued by describing the seeming inaction, Kutuzov’s passivity, which seems paradoxical. The decision must be quickly taken at the battle of Borodino, with advice at Fili. But Kutuzov does not do this because he understands that the actions of an individual person mean very little, they cannot change the general direction of the course of history. Events determine the combined actions of the masses - all the people who take part in the battle.
And the genius of Kutuzov as a commander lies in the fact that he is extremely sensitive to this will. His inner impulses coincide with those experienced by thousands of ordinary Russian soldiers. On the one hand, this is hatred of the enemy, on the other - compassion for the vanquished. Ordinary people call the commander "grandfather", "father" - and thus the writer emphasizes the family, tribal nature of the relationship of people with their leader. It is also no coincidence that Kutuzov refuses a foreign campaign after the Russian land was liberated. After all, a foreign campaign serves political interests; there is no national need for it. The writer summarizes his observations on these two personalities with the phrase "There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth."