Patriotic theme in L. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”

“War and Peace” is the title of the eternal book, the great epic novel by L. N. Tolstoy. War... This word horrifies any person, because war is a “terrible thing.” Participation in this matter may be a monstrous crime, or it may be forced self-defense, a grave and bloody matter, but necessary, and therefore heroic and noble.

During the War of 1812, to the description of which many pages of War and Peace are devoted, an amazing unification of the Russian people took place, regardless of class, gender, age, because Russia found itself in mortal danger. Everyone was overwhelmed by a single feeling, Tolstoy called it “the hidden warmth of patriotism,” which manifested itself not in loud words and pompous slogans, but in truly heroic deeds, each of which in its own way brought victory closer. This moral feeling, of course, lived for a long time in the soul of every Russian person, lurking somewhere in the depths of his soul, but the moment came - a difficult time for the homeland - and it broke out and reached its highest manifestation. Thanks to him, the Russian people appeared as a real hero-hero in the War of 1812.

“When “the forces of the twelve languages ​​of Europe burst into Russia,” notes researcher K. Lomunov, “our people rose up in a holy war of liberation.” Tolstoy himself said that “the goal of the people was one: to cleanse their land from invasion.” This goal was clear to everyone: from the commander to the common soldier, peasant, and partisan.

Realizing the horror of the situation in which their homeland found itself, people went to their death, showed true heroism, and fulfilled their duty to the end. It was in Russia that Napoleon encountered extraordinary spiritual fortitude, courage, steadfastness and love for the fatherland.

Drawing episodes from various battles, Tolstoy shows that it is not numerical superiority, not military skill and strategic plans of wise commanders, but the inspiration of the combatants that influences the course of the battle, ensuring victory. Having become inspired, Timokhin, a man whom no one considers a hero and who himself absolutely does not think about his own heroism, infects his subordinates with this feeling. “Why feel sorry for yourself now!” - he exclaims.

Tushin with his battery, which everyone had forgotten about, also fights courageously and decides the outcome of the battle. He does not speak loud words, he silently does a great thing. Tushin showed himself to be a real brave man. Outwardly, this man is unremarkable, but his strength of spirit and inner core are obvious.

The central, pinnacle part of the novel is the Battle of Borodino. It was here that people's patriotism and heroism manifested themselves with the greatest strength and brightness, because it was here that everyone realized and understood the whole meaning and significance of this war as a holy, liberation war. The Russian participants in Borodino had no doubt about the outcome of the battle. For each of them there could only be one: victory at any cost. The Russian people fought for their land, for their homeland. Everyone understood that the fate of the fatherland depended on this battle. “...I believe,” says Andrei Bolkonsky, “that tomorrow will really depend on us... From the feeling that is in me, in him,” he pointed to Timokhin, “in every soldier.” Warriors put on clean linen solemnly before battle, as if it were the most important thing in life, preparing to fulfill their duty - to die, but not to allow the enemy to win.

The internal fire flared up more and more in everyone who fought: in the people of Raevsky’s battery, in Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, who heroically sacrificed himself, and in others. Thanks to this fire, the Russian army won greatest victory over your opponents.

In the novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy also talks about the club of the “people’s war,” which made a significant contribution to the overall victory. This war was fought without knowledge of the rules of the art of war. The partisan detachments of Denisov and Dolokhov admire them for their feat, which Kutuzov himself blesses. The elder Vasilisa, “who killed hundreds of Frenchmen,” and the nameless sexton, “who took several hundred prisoners a month,” are surprised. Guerrilla detachments, armed only with axes and pitchforks, destroyed Napoleonic's great army piece by piece. These units were a good help in business active army. Their strength lay in their fury, in their surprise, in the unpredictability with which they attacked the enemy, and in their elusiveness. Napoleon “never ceased to complain to Kutuzov and Emperor Alexander that the war was waged contrary to all the rules...”.

L.N. Tolstoy, drawing images of partisans and soldiers such as Tikhon Shcherbaty and Platon Karataev, concentrated in them the main qualities of the Russian people. Shcherbaty - bright image people's avenger. He is active, fearless, cruel. He turned out to be “the most needed person” in Denisov’s detachment. It combines the resourcefulness and daring of the Russian peasantry. Tikhon, like many others, rebels against the enemy not because someone forces him, but under the influence of natural patriotic feelings and hatred of uninvited guests.

The heart of Platon Karataev is also filled with patriotism, although in the novel he is contrasted with Shcherbaty. “...The worm gnaws the cabbage,” notes Plato, “and before that he himself disappears.” “Moscow, she is the mother of all cities,” Karataev also rightly says. He personifies the wisdom, patience and kindness of the Russian person. Having been captured and meeting Pierre Bezukhov there, Karataev teaches him patience and forgiveness.

National unity was also expressed in the attitude towards one’s own property, something that was acquired through many years of labor and was truly expensive, and in the ability to sacrifice it. The Smolensk merchant Ferapontov, imbued with a spontaneous patriotic feeling, calls on the soldiers to rob his own shop, although at first the owner spoke in his soul. “Get everything, guys! Don't let the devils get you!" - he nevertheless shouted, and in the end he set fire to his yard. The Rostov family, at the insistence of Natasha, who owned humane and patriotic feeling, leaves all property in Moscow and gives carts to the wounded.

The Smolensk scenes of the novel, according to K. Lomunov, are remarkable in that “they clearly show how feelings of insult and indignation were born in the Russian people caused by enemy actions, which soon turned into direct hatred of the invaders.”

The writer contrasted popular patriotism with the false patriotism of individual representatives of the secular nobility, which manifested itself only in pompous phrases about love for the motherland and insignificant deeds. Such characters include Prince Vasily Kuragin and his children Ippolit, Helen, Anatole; guests of Anna Pavlovna Sherer's salon; Boris Drubetskoy, whose main goal is not to stand up for his native land, but to make his own career; Dolokhov, seeking awards and ranks; Julie Kuragina, who introduced a fine for speaking French; Berg, trying to extract as many benefits from the war as possible for himself. Fortunately, there were still few like them.

Tolstoy depicts the greatness of the feat of the Russian people and at the same time castigates the war, which brings hardships, disasters, and torment. Many are ruined. Cities and villages are dying in the fires. The Russian army is suffering huge losses. But the writer calls all this a “terrible necessity” and speaks with love, pride and delight about those who endured difficult trials in the name of liberating their native land. He puts fair, wonderful words about the Russian people into Kutuzov’s mouth: “Wonderful, incomparable people!”

Municipal secondary school N 1

Literature abstract on the topic

True and false patriotism in the novel

"War and Peace"

Completed by a student of grade 10 “B”

Zinovieva Irina

Checked by literature teacher

Chinina Olga Yurievna

Voronezh 2006

Introduction

Heroically patriotic and anti-war themes are the defining, leading themes of Tolstoy's epic novel. This work has forever captured the feat of the Russian people, who defended their national independence with arms in their hands. “War and Peace” will continue to retain this meaning in the future, inspiring peoples to fight against foreign invaders.

The author of War and Peace was a committed and passionate advocate of peace. He knew well what war was, he saw it closely with his own eyes. For five years, young Tolstoy wore a military uniform, serving as an artillery officer in the field army, first in the Caucasus, then on the Danube and, finally, in the Crimea, where he participated in the heroic defense of Sevastopol.

The great work was preceded by a work on a novel about the Decembrist. In 1856, a manifesto was announced on amnesty for the people of December 14, and their return to their homeland caused an aggravation of Russian society. L.N. Tolstoy also showed attention to this event. He recalled: “In 1856, I began to write a story with a well-known direction, the hero of which was supposed to be a Decembrist returning with his family to Russia...” The writer did not intend to give the reader the apotheosis of the Decembrist movement: his plans included revising this page of Russian history in the light defeat of Decembrism and offer their understanding of the fight against it, carried out by peaceful means and through non-violence. Therefore, the hero of the story was supposed to, upon returning from exile, condemn his revolutionary past and become a supporter of another solution to the problem - moral improvement as a recipe for the improvement of the entire society. However, Tolstoy's plan underwent significant changes. Let's listen to the writer himself: “Involuntarily, from the present (that is, 1856), I moved to 1825, the era of my hero’s delusions and misfortunes, and left what I started. But in 1825 my hero was already mature, family man. To understand him, I needed to travel back to his youth, and his youth coincided with the glory for Russia of the era of 1812. Another time I abandoned what I had started and began to write from the time of 1812, the smell and sound of which are still audible and dear to us.” So main theme The new novel was a heroic epic of the fight against the Napoleonic invasion. L. Tolstoy, however, continues: “The third time I returned back due to a feeling that may seem strange. I was ashamed to write about our triumph in the fight against Bonaparte’s France without describing our failures and our shame. If the reason for our triumph was not accidental, but lay in the essence of the character of the Russian people and troops, then this character should have been expressed even more clearly in the era of failures and defeats. So, having returned from 1825 to 1805, from now on I intend to take not one, but many of my heroines and heroes through historical events 1805, 1807, 1812, 1825 and 1856.” This important author’s testimony conveys the grandiose scale of what is captured in the novel, and the development of the latter into an epic, and the multi-heroic nature of the work, and the significance of comprehension in it national character, and its deep historicism. Tolstoy’s important previous work was “Sevastopol Stories,” and the impetus for covering historical events was the Crimean War with its failures that needed comprehension.

The work on “War and Peace” was accompanied by a huge creative surge of the writer. Never before had he felt his mental and moral forces so free and destined for creative work.

L.N. Tolstoy begins a thorough study of historical sources, documentary literature, and memories of participants in ancient events. He studies the works of A. I. Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky about the wars of 1805-1814, “Essays on the Battle of Borodino” by F. N. Glinka, “Diary of Partisan Actions of 1812” by D. V. Davydov, the book “Russia and the Russians” by N. I. Turgenev, “Notes about 1812” by S. N. Glinka, memoirs of A. P. Ermolov, memoirs of A. D. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, “Camping notes of an artilleryman” by I. T. Radozhitsky and many other works of this type. In library Yasnaya Polyana 46 books and magazines have been preserved, which Tolstoy used throughout the entire time he was working on the novel War and Peace. In total, the writer used works, the list of which includes 74 titles.

The trip in September 1867 to the Borodino field, where a great battle once took place, became important. The writer walked around the famous field on foot, studying the location of Russian and French troops, the location of the Shevardinsky redoubt, Bagration's flushes, and Raevsky's battery. No less significant were the inquiries of the surviving contemporaries of the great battles and the study of the life of a distant era.

As we work on the novel, its folk origins become stronger and enriched. “I tried to write the history of the people,” Tolstoy left such a confession in the draft of the fourth volume. Gradually, “people's thought” became decisive in “War and Peace”; the favorite theme of the epic was the depiction of the feat of the people during the events of Russian history. The novel included 569 characters, including 200 historical figures. But among them the main characters of the work are by no means lost, whose fates the writer traces carefully, with all the necessary psychological persuasiveness. At the same time, the author binds them with a variety of ties of kinship, love, friendship, marriage, business relations, general participation in grandiose historical events. There are quite a few people in the novel whose individual traits of life and character reflect the properties of L. N. Tolstoy’s ancestors and closest relatives. Thus, in Count Rostov one can discern the features of Count Ilya Andreevich Tolstoy, the writer’s grandfather, and in the old Prince Bolkonsky - the features of another grandfather; Countess Rostova resembles Tolstoy’s grandmother, Pelageya Nikolaevna Tolstoy, Princess Marya absorbed the traits of the Writer’s mother, Maria Nikolaevna Volkonskaya, and Nikolai Rostov - the traits of his father, Nikolai Ilyich Tolstoy. Prince Andrei absorbed the characteristics of Sergei Nikolaevich, the writer’s brother, and Natasha Rostova imprinted the image of Tatyana Andreevna Bers, the writer’s sister-in-law. All this testifies to the significant autobiographical nature of the novel and the deep vitality of its characters. But “War and Peace” is by no means reduced to autobiography: it is a broad canvas that reflects Russian history. Its heroes and the diverse folk world.

Working on the great book required titanic work. The total number of surviving manuscripts of the novel is over ten thousand draft texts. Some of the parts of the epic were rewritten many times, individual scenes were redone, according to Tolstoy, “ad infinitum.” But as a result of the author’s tireless and intense work, a novel emerged that constituted an entire era in the history of Russian culture.

True and false patriotism in the novel “War and Peace”

The novel “War and Peace” in terms of genre is an epic novel, since Tolstoy shows us historical events that cover a large period of time (the action of the novel begins in 1805 and ends in 1821, in the epilogue); there are over 200 characters in the novel characters, there are real historical figures(Kutuzov, Napoleon, Alexander I, Speransky, Rostopchin, Bagration and many others), all social strata of Russia at that time: high society, noble aristocracy, provincial nobility, army, peasantry, even merchants.

One of the main issues that worries Tolstoy is the question of patriotism and heroism of the Russian people; it is examined very deeply in the novel. At the same time, Tolstoy does not fall into the false patriotic tone of the narrative, but looks at events sternly and objectively, like a realist writer. The author talks about his novel and about the faithful sons of the Fatherland, ready to give their lives for the salvation of the Motherland, about false patriots who think only about their own selfish goals. With this decision patriotic theme Lev Nikolaevich reflected the true historical reality. It consists in depicting the feat of the Russian people in Patriotic War 1812. The author speaks in his novel both about the faithful sons of the Fatherland and about false patriots who think only about their own selfish goals.

In the novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy created a voluminous and multifaceted picture of the war. But in this work the reader sees not galloping warriors with unfurled banners, not a parade and the splendor of victories, but ordinary military everyday life. On the pages of the novel we meet ordinary soldiers, we see their difficult, hard work.

The writer introduces us to inner world an ordinary person at first glance. But he shows us that even such inconspicuous people can be interesting and attractive with their spiritual beauty. The author reveals to us, the readers, the poetry of the hero’s spiritual life. Often difficult to see true face man under layers of vanity Everyday life. The writer shows what you need to be able to see in everyone human dignity, that divine spark that will not allow a person to commit a truly vile act. In extreme situations, in moments of great upheaval and global change, a person will definitely prove himself, show his inner essence, certain qualities of his nature. In Tolstoy's novel, someone utters loud words, engages in noisy activities or useless vanity - someone experiences a simple and natural feeling of “the need for sacrifice and suffering in the consciousness of general misfortune.” The former only consider themselves patriots and loudly shout about love for the Fatherland, while the latter are them and give their lives in the name of common victory or leave their own property to be plundered so that it does not fall to the enemy. In the first case, we are dealing with false patriotism, repulsive with its falseness, selfishness and hypocrisy. This is how secular nobles behave at a dinner in honor of Bagration: when reading poems about the war, “everyone stood up, feeling that the dinner was more important than the poetry.” A false patriotic atmosphere reigns in the salons of Anna Pavlovna Scherer, Helen Bezukhova and other St. Petersburg salons: “... calm, luxurious, concerned only with ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg life went on as before; and because of the course of this life, it was necessary to make great efforts to recognize the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves. There were the same exits, balls, the same French theater, the same interests of the courts, the same interests of service and intrigue. Only in the highest circles were efforts made to recall the difficulty of the present situation.” Indeed, this circle of people was far from understanding all-Russian problems, from understanding the great misfortune and needs of the people during this war. The world continued to live by its own interests, and even in a moment of national disaster, greed and promotion reign here.

Count Rastopchin also displays false patriotism, posting stupid “posters” around Moscow, calling on city residents not to leave the capital, and then, fleeing the people’s anger, deliberately sending the innocent son of the merchant Vereshchagin to death. Meanness and betrayal are combined with conceit and pout: “It not only seemed to him that he controlled the external actions of the inhabitants of Moscow, but it seemed to him that he controlled their mood through his proclamations and posters, written in that ironic language that in its midst despises the people and which he does not understand when he hears it from above.”

Just like Rostopchin, the novel shows Berg, who, in a moment of general confusion, is looking for profit and is preoccupied with buying a wardrobe and a toilet “with an English secret.” It doesn’t even occur to him that now it’s embarrassing to think about purchases that are not necessary. This is, finally, Drubetskoy, who, like other staff officers, thinks about awards and promotion, wants to “arrange for himself the best position, especially the position of adjutant to an important person, which seemed especially tempting to him in the army.” It is probably no coincidence that on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Pierre notices this greedy excitement on the faces of the officers; he mentally compares it with “another expression of excitement,” “which spoke of not personal, but general issues, issues of life and death.”

About what “other” persons we're talking about? Of course, these are the faces of ordinary Russian men, dressed in soldiers' greatcoats, for whom the feeling of the Motherland is sacred and inalienable. True patriots in the Tushin battery fight without cover. And Tushin himself “did not experience the slightest unpleasant feeling of fear, and the thought that he could be killed or painfully wounded did not occur to him.” The blood feeling of the Motherland forces soldiers to resist the enemy with incredible fortitude. From the description of the janitor Ferapontov, we see that this man, who gives up his property for plunder when leaving Smolensk, beats his wife because she asks him to leave, he pettyly bargains with the cab driver, but, having understood the essence of what is happening, he burns down his own house and leaves . He is also, of course, a patriot. For him, there is no point in acquired wealth when the fate of his homeland is being decided. “Get everything, guys, don’t leave it to the French!” - he shouts to the Russian soldiers.

What is Pierre doing? He gives his money, sells his estate to equip the regiment. And what makes him, a rich aristocrat, go into the thick of the Battle of Borodino? The same feeling of concern for the fate of one’s country, the desire to help the Russian people.

Let us finally remember those who left Moscow, not wanting to submit to Napoleon. They were convinced: “It was impossible to be under the control of the French.” That is why they “simply and truly” did “that great deed that saved Russia.”

True patriots in Tolstoy's novel do not think about themselves, they feel the need for their own contribution and even sacrifice, but do not expect rewards for this, because they carry in their souls a genuine holy feeling of the Motherland.

There is a war going on in Austria. General Mack is defeated at Ulm. The Austrian army surrendered. The threat of defeat loomed over the Russian army. And then Kutuzov decided to send Bagration with four thousand soldiers through the rugged Bohemian mountains to meet the French. Bagration had to quickly make a difficult transition and delay the forty-thousand-strong French army until the commander-in-chief arrived. His squad needed to accomplish a great feat in order to save the Russian army. This is how the author leads the reader to the depiction of the first great battle.

In this battle, as always, Dolokhov is bold and fearless. His bravery is demonstrated in battle, where “he killed one Frenchman at point-blank range and was the first to take a surrendering officer by the collar.” But after that he goes to the regimental commander and reports on his “trophies”: “Please remember, Your Excellency!” Then he untied the handkerchief, pulled it and showed the dried blood: “Wound with a bayonet, I stayed at the front. Remember, Your Excellency.” Everywhere and always Dolokhov worries about himself, only about himself, everything he does, he does for himself.

We are not surprised by Zherkov’s behavior. When, at the height of the battle, Bagration sent him with an important order to the general of the left flank, he did not go forward, where the shooting was heard, but began to “look” for the general away from the battle. Because the order was not transmitted, the French cut off the Russian hussars, many died and were wounded. There are many such officers. They are not cowardly, but they do not know how to forget themselves, their careers and personal interests for the sake of the common cause. However, the Russian army consisted not only of such officers.

Heroism in the novel looks everyday and natural. In the chapters depicting the Battle of Shengraben, we meet the true heroes. In describing this battle, the author shows how confusion gripped the infantry regiments at the news of the encirclement. “The moral hesitation that decided the fate of the battles was apparently resolved in favor of fear.” Here he sits, the hero of this battle, the hero of this “deed,” small, thin and dirty, sitting barefoot, taking off his boots. This is artillery officer Tushin. “With big, smart and kind eyes, he looks at the commanders who entered and tries to joke: “The soldiers say that you are more agile when you take off your shoes,” and he is embarrassed, feeling that the joke was not a success. Tolstoy does everything to make Captain Tushin appear before us in the most unheroic form, even funny. But it was this funny man who was the hero of the day. Prince Andrei will rightly say about him: “We owe the success of the day most of all to the action of this battery and the heroic fortitude of Captain Tushin and his company.”

The second hero of the Battle of Shengraben is Timokhin. The battle seemed lost. But at that moment the advancing French suddenly ran back... and Russian riflemen appeared in the forest. This was Timokhin's company. He appears at the very moment when the soldiers panicked and ran. His actions occur at the behest of his heart. It is not numerical superiority, not the complex plans of the commanders, but the inspiration of the company commander who led the soldiers that decides the outcome of the battle; it was his determination and belligerence that forced the enemy to retreat. “...With such insane and drunken determination, with one skewer...” Only thanks to Timokhin, the defenders had the opportunity to return and gather battalions. The Russians won “a moral victory, one that convinces the enemy of the moral superiority of his enemy and of his own powerlessness.”

Courage is diverse. There are many people who are uncontrollably brave in battle, but get lost in everyday life. Through the images of Tushin and Timokhin, Tolstoy teaches the reader to see truly brave people, their discreet heroism, their enormous will, which helps to overcome fear and win battles.

The author leads us to the idea that not only the outcome of a military battle, but the direction of development of history is determined precisely by the activities of the human masses, bound by the unity of feelings and aspirations. Everything depends on the spirit of the soldiers, which can turn into panic fear - and then the battle is lost, or rise to heroism - and then the battle will be won. Generals become strong only if they control not only the actions of the soldiers, but also the spirit of their troops. And to accomplish this task, the commander must be not only the military commander-in-chief, but also its spiritual leader. This is how Kutuzov appears before us. During the Battle of Borodino, he concentrated in himself all the patriotism of the Russian army. The Battle of Borodino is a “people's battle”. The “hidden warmth of patriotism” that flared up in the soul of every soldier and the general “spirit of the army” predetermined victory. In this battle, the true beauty of the Russian man is revealed. The Russians won “a moral victory, one that convinces the enemy of the moral superiority of his enemy and of his powerlessness. In this battle, the Napoleonic army “was laid down by the hand of the strongest enemy in spirit.”

In the war of 1812, when every soldier fought for his home, for his family and friends, for his homeland, the consciousness of danger increased tenfold. The deeper Napoleon advanced into Russia, the more the strength of the Russian army grew, the more the French army weakened, turning into a bunch of thieves and marauders. Only the will of the people, only people's patriotism makes the army invincible. This conclusion follows from L.N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace.”

Bibliography

1. L.N. Tolstoy “War and Peace”.

2. Yu. V. Lebedev “Russian literature XIX century."

3. K. N. Lomunova “The Great Book of Life.”

4. E. S. Rogover “Russian literature second half of the 19th century century."

Tolstoy divided the characters in his novel into positive and negative. They all show their patriotism in different ways. Positive heroes, such as Natasha Rostova, Pierre Bezukhov and Andrei Bolkonsky, love their homeland and are ready to sacrifice themselves to save it. Negative heroes the concepts of goodness and honor are alien, they look after only their own interests. For them, their native country is just an endless source of consumption, which they enjoy using.

Natasha Rostova, trying to help the wounded soldiers, offers them an overnight stay in her house, without demanding anything in return. Despite the fact that Natasha is young and generally far from military life, she tries to help to the best of her ability. Natasha is a patriot of her homeland, because she is often ready to sacrifice her comfort for the well-being of the country. The girl is very kind to other people, so when she feels that she can help, she helps.

The thought of surrendering Moscow to the French leads Natasha to despair: the fate of her homeland is important to her, she cannot simply come to terms with the fact that Moscow is abandoned, but she is unable to change anything.

Pierre Bezukhov also does not remain aloof from the war that shook Russia. He organizes his regiment, which, in his opinion, should lead the country to the long-awaited victory over the French. His plan does not lead to the result that he expected, but the young man does not despair and prepares to independently engage in battle with the enemy. Pierre believes that it is he who is destined to kill Napoleon, thereby freeing his homeland. He goes to the most dangerous place of military operations and there provides all possible assistance to the soldiers. He is not embarrassed by his own position - after all, Pierre was a count - and he fights along with the rest of the soldiers. Even though he did not have much influence on the outcome of the war, the very fact of his participation in the battle shows Pierre as a true patriot.

Using the example of Vasily Kuragin, we will consider the manifestation of false patriotism. Having once admired Field Marshal Kutuzov (“I always said that he alone is capable of defeating Napoleon”), literally the next day he changes his opinion to the completely opposite (“I’m surprised how it was possible to entrust such a person with the fate of Russia”). The predominance of personal interests over the interests of the homeland is inherent in the character of this person. Vasily can only criticize others, but he himself will never take up arms and go into battle along with the soldiers.

Thus, Tolstoy in his novel showed how different people relate to the fate of their homeland. True patriotism is inherent in positive characters, for whom the homeland is not just a place where they live, but something more native and dear to them, something for which it is not a pity to die. Negative characters are far from this, so their interests come before others.

(402 words) Telling readers about the Patriotic War against Napoleon in his epic novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy touched on the topic of the patriotic struggle of the Russian people. But the author, refraining from blind glorification of that struggle, was primarily interested in the question of what real patriotism is and how to distinguish it from ordinary populism.

Already at the very beginning, the writer demonstrates to us in all its glory the concept of false patriotism. We see a noble society mired in vulgarity and hypocrisy discussing the war in Europe. Loud pathetic speeches are heard, cursing Napoleon, pathetic wishes for victory for Russia. But behind these big words there are no real deeds; the nobility, divorced from reality, has no real concept of war and simply follows the official position of the government. The overwhelming majority of noble society strives only to achieve their personal goals and strengthen their position on the social ladder. The picture of lies and hypocrisy becomes even clearer when we are transported to Austria, where we see demoralized soldiers who do not even understand who they are fighting. Tolstoy shows how the elite Russian Empire, hiding behind fashionable slogans about saving the fatherland, sends soldiers into a meaningless meat grinder for the sake of the interests of rulers and generals.

It is also characteristic that after the Peace of Tilsit, the anti-Napoleonic rhetoric of the noble class instantly changed to the exact opposite. Toasts are proclaimed to the French emperor, Russian-French friendship is extolled. Tolstoy once again emphasizes the unscrupulousness of the noble class, adapting to the powers that be.

Already in the twelfth year, Napoleon's troops invaded Russian territory. Tolstoy again stigmatizes the noble society, which, even at the most critical hour for the country, turns out to be unable to see beyond its own nose. Prince Kuragin, who is trying to maneuver between two opposing opinions about Kutuzov, Elena Kuragina, who in the midst of the war converts to Catholicism and is passionate only about divorcing her husband, staff officers who are exclusively concerned with promotion. Only those nobles who moved away from high society, show true patriotism and really care about the country and people. However, even such outstanding personalities as Nikolai and Pyotr Rostov, Andrei Bolkonsky, Fyodor Dolokhov are just grains of sand against the background of the popular upsurge that has swept the country. According to Tolstoy, it was the universal, not always conscious, strength of the ordinary Russian people that was able to break Napoleon’s previously invincible army. At the same time, Tolstoy remains true to himself: war, in his opinion, is a monstrous crime, covered in dirt and blood. People, defending their country, are capable of the most brutal and inhumane acts.

Tolstoy shows us that true patriotic feeling awakens in the hours of the most difficult trials. It is his spontaneity and sincerity, devoid of self-interest and empty boasting, that distinguishes him from the false patriotism that scoundrels and swindlers use for their own purposes.

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The topic of patriotism deeply worried Tolstoy. In his work, he tried to reveal this topic to the maximum. False and true patriotism in the novel "War and Peace" are opposed to each other. False patriots pursuing selfish goals, acting for the sake of their own interests and real defenders of the Fatherland, for whom duty, honor and conscience are above all. The war tore off the masks from people's faces, revealing their essence and turning everyone's soul inside out.

True patriotism

True patriotism is real actions, when, first of all, you think about the people and their fate. When, without hesitation, you give your life for the sake of your Motherland. Tolstoy was convinced that the Russian people were deeply patriotic. He is able to stand up like an invincible wall, protecting his own. The war affected everyone who was at that time and in that place. She did not choose who was rich or poor in front of her. Different segments of the population fell under its millstones. Everyone, to the best of their ability, tried to contribute to the overall victory over the enemy.

When the French occupied Smolensk, the peasants burned hay so that it would not go to the enemies. The merchant Ferapontov decided to show patriotism in his own way. He personally burned down his trading post so that it would not fall into the hands of the French. Residents of Moscow also did not stand aside. The people did not want to remain under the yoke of impostors. They left their homes, leaving their hometown.

Tolstoy describes Russian soldiers with love and pride. The battles of Smolensk, Shengraben, Austerlitz, the Battle of Borodino are examples worthy of respect. It was in battle that they manifested themselves best qualities: fortitude, iron character, willingness to sacrifice, courage. Everyone realized that the next battle could take the life of any of them, but no one was going to retreat or give up. They did not strive to look like heroes and did not flaunt their victories. They acted sincerely. In every step one could feel the love for the Motherland and Fatherland.

An example of true patriotism was commander Kutuzov. The tsar himself was against his appointment as commander, but Kutuzov managed to justify the trust placed in him. Kutuzov felt and understood the soldiers. He lived by their interests, cared for each one as if he were his own son. For him, everyone was family and loved ones.

The most difficult decision In Kutuzov's life during the war, there was an order to retreat. Not everyone would risk taking on such responsibility. It was a difficult choice. On the one hand, Moscow, on the other, all of Russia. Retreating from Moscow, he managed to preserve the army, the number of soldiers of which was significantly inferior to Napoleonic's. Another manifestation of Kutuzov's patriotism is his refusal to fight outside Russia. He was convinced that the people had fulfilled their civic duty to the Motherland and there was no need to risk their lives again.

Tolstoy did not ignore the partisans, comparing the partisan detachments with a strong club “rising with all its formidable and majestic strength and, without asking anyone’s tastes and rules... nailing the French... until the entire invasion was destroyed.”

False patriotism

False patriotism is completely saturated with falsehood. The actions of these people are ostentatious, the patriotic words coming from their lips are empty. Everything they do is only for their own benefit, for the sake of their own interests. At a time when real patriots fought for their Motherland, false patriots attended social events, went to salons, and spoke the enemy’s language.

Not only secular society angers Tolstoy. He criticizes the officers who prefer to sit back at headquarters, avoiding battles where blood is shed and people are dying. Careerists who want to rise up at someone else's expense and get another order for free.

The author sought to emphasize that true patriotism and sincere feelings for the Motherland are best demonstrated by ordinary people. In moments of shared grief, people become closer. An unknown force awakens in them, capable of pulverizing any enemy. Tolstoy tried to convey his theory to the people through Pierre Bezukhov, who realized that real happiness lies in unity with his people. Only when we are united are we invincible.