Kutuzov's essay in Tolstoy's novel War and Peace (Image and Characteristics)

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Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov is a historical figure. He does not appear very often in Lev Nikolaevich's novel. However, any appearance of him evokes warmth and joy. Kutuzov is a man dedicated to his work. He loves his Fatherland more than anything in the world, takes care of the soldiers, and tries to save Russia from mistakes.

Kutuzov has an inconspicuous appearance , the hero is not distinguished by his beauty. He participated in many battles and has not a single combat wound. One day he was wounded in the temple, from which his eye leaked out. Outwardly, Kutuzov looks like an old man. He moves very slowly and limps. Mikhail Illarionovich is a heavily built man with a swollen and disfigured face.

Kutuzov is distinguished by experience, wisdom and prudence. He was accustomed, as in chess, to thinking through a combination several steps ahead. The appointment of the hero to the position of commander-in-chief caused a strong reaction and active discussion on the part of the nobility.

You will never see a hero at social events. Kutuzov does not like meaningless and stupid conversations. He is used to acting and solving assigned tasks on the battlefield. He is surrounded by military personnel all the time. He loves and appreciates his soldiers, takes care of them like a father. He learned this from his commander Suvorov. He addresses the soldiers simply; you can always talk to him. Before the battle, the hero is interested in the condition and mood of each soldier and officer. He is not indifferent to the outcome of the battle.

The commander is aware of all his responsibility and never sends him into battle in which there will be a lot of bloodshed. He often adheres to wait-and-see tactics and acts deliberately. Kutuzov was never seen angry, with the exception of one occasion.

Mikhail Illarionovich did not have a good relationship with the emperor. They both have different visions and understandings about waging war. At the moment when the Russian army was waiting for the right moment, Alexander the First appeared. He gave the order to go into battle ahead of time. Kutuzov was against this because he understood what the final would be like. Many soldiers died just like that, they turned out to be cannon fodder. In this battle, Kutuzov was also wounded, but then he said that his soul ached for the soldiers, and not the wound.

Kutuzov, with his correct and thoughtful actions, saved the lives of many soldiers. We waited until the French troops were exhausted. After all, they are not accustomed to our living conditions. Mikhail Illarionovich believed that it was important to win not just one fight, but the entire company.

Essay 2

Kutuzov is one of the minor characters in the love story “War and Peace” by L.N. Tolstoy. In the narrative, he appears to be the Russian leader of all armed forces of the state during the War of 1812.

In the literary masterpiece, little is written about him, but the figure of Kutuzov follows imperceptibly through the entire novel: everyone talks about him, some are suspicious of him, some are delighted with him, they constantly talk about him.

Lev Nikolaevich wrote little about Kutuzov’s appearance. It is clear that he has a full face and neck and is depicted as an old man. It was not easy for him to move. Kutuzov also had two injuries on his head: one in the face, and the other on his temple, as a result of which he lost an eye.

He liked all military personnel, of all ranks, and treated them with gentleness and respect. He was concerned about the life of each individual person. Kutuzov did not start a battle if he thought there would be huge losses. He was quite an intelligent and religious person. He always spoke in cold blood about the deaths of soldiers, but the people understood that he was right in this. Kutuzov could burst into tears when something struck him to the core. In his eyes it was felt that he knew absolutely everything, knew what the people believed in and what they were worried about. Kutuzov constantly treated people with respect. Before battles, I tried to talk with any serviceman, regardless of rank.

The servicemen perceived him with warmth and simply believed him. They called him Kutuzov the Father. Bolkonsky was suspicious of him at first, but then realized that Kutuzov was a magnificent husband of his country. The people said a lot of bad things about him: they said that Kutuzov was resourceful, constantly serving and pleasing only the sovereign. When he was appointed commander-in-chief, the people began to reproach him even more.

Tsar Alexander I himself did not sympathize with him, but instructed him to be the head of all the armed forces of the state during the war and, after success, presented him with a medal.

In the love story, Kutuzov was only seen angry and irritated once: when the sovereign arrived at the battle of Austerlitz. They organized a plan that Kutuzov liked. He immediately said that the battle would be lost, but not a single person wanted to listen to him. Ultimately, Kutuzov was right. When Kutuzov saw his soldiers running to fight, he noticed that it was not the wound that worried him, but his soul ached for the soldiers.

Kutuzov was an ordinary person who had his own pros and cons: he liked to be happy, he liked beautiful ladies. He communicated with everyone and moved slowly and calmly, thus his actions were correct at any time. Kutuzov passed away after the end of the war.

Essay: Characteristics of Kutuzov in the epic novel “War and Peace” (+ table)

The much-wise Litrekon wrote for you not only a short essay-reasoning, but also a table with a quotation description of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace” (it is located at the end of the article).

(407 words) In his work, L. N. Tolstoy used real historical figures as heroes, among them Field Marshal General M. I. Kutuzov. The author portrays him as a simple, kind, modest person, close to the soldiers and sympathizing with them. He was united with the people, who defended, always helped his subordinates and encouraged them in moments of excitement and despair. He shakes his head when he sees the soldiers' torn boots; he wipes away his tears when asked if he is wounded, and answers, pointing his hand at those running: “The wound is not here, but here!”

The attitude of the heroes of the work towards Kutuzov is ambiguous. Despite his smile and good manners, secular society did not favor the commander-in-chief. Prince Vasily made caustic remarks in his direction; Emperor Alexander I could not forgive him for the defeat at Austerlitz. There were also those who respected Kutuzov: these were the Bolkonskys, his subordinates, and the Drubetskys.

Kutuzov’s appearance is not very remarkable - a middle-aged, overweight man with a plump face disfigured by a wound, a soft smile and an aquiline nose. His speech is filled with affectionate words, sometimes it does not resemble the way aristocrats usually speak.

But the hero is not always polite and condescending. During and after the Battle of Austerlitz, he looks very exhausted, irritated and even angry. He understood that the battle would be lost and told the emperor about this, but no one listened to him. And the hero was hurt that living people, his soldiers, became cannon fodder. After this, secular society began to treat Kutuzov even worse - they scolded him behind his back and called him “an old satyr.”

The Patriotic War of 1812 is called the people's war, and the commander-in-chief in the war with Napoleon was also a people's war. The soldiers loved him, and perhaps Alexander I was jealous and envious of this love. The greatness of Kutuzov lies not only in the fact that he won the main battle, but also in the fact that he managed to remain caring, calm, modest and wise. Tolstoy respects Kutuzov and portrays him as a hard worker, a true patriot and a worthy man who fought for the people, for the Motherland, and not for titles and honors. But after the war, when the army followed Napoleon to France, Kutuzov was again against this decision. He himself felt that neither the army nor the tsar needed him, because he had fulfilled his mission: Russia had been liberated. Soon after these events, he died - forgotten, despised for cowardice that did not exist.

Using the example of Kutuzov, Tolstoy showed his ideal of an outstanding personality. A great commander, in his opinion, is one who was able to sense the general trend and not interfere with it. He does not rule, does not indicate, but only goes towards the inevitable in the most careful way possible. Kutuzov believed in victory and knew how to achieve it while preserving the lives and morale of the army.

Author: Albina Ismailova

Characteristics of Kutuzov in the novel War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” has one of the largest systems of characters: in total there are 559 heroes in the epic novel! We can talk about each of them for a long time or even endlessly, but now we will talk about Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov - the same great commander thanks to whom Russia won the Patriotic War. Perhaps he deserves special attention: in the novel he appears not only as a historical figure, but also as a character artistically depicted by Tolstoy.

Of course, one cannot help but notice that Kutuzov is not like ordinary military leaders either in appearance or in personal qualities. What stateliness can there be with his “fat neck”, “chubby arms” and “heavy body”? In addition, he is simple-hearted, emotional and seems to be weak at heart. At the military council before Austerlitz, he openly sleeps and, moreover, assures: “Before a battle, there is nothing more important... how to get a good night’s sleep.” During the battle itself, he did not give any instructions and only confirmed or did not accept what was offered to him. How can he become commander-in-chief with this lack of initiative, passivity, and inaction?

But this is precisely why Kutuzov wins. He despises “both knowledge and intelligence” - what commanders usually use when choosing a plan of action. He masters something else, something that does not depend on knowledge and intelligence - “the spirit of the army,” “the feeling of the people.” The wise Kutuzov understands that the main weapon in war is not knowledge and intelligence, but the people, that the commander-in-chief only rules them and that the general's power is not as limitless as it seems at first glance. He is the only one who is close to the people, who knows and feels them, who merges with them into a single whole. Does Kutuzov stand out at least somehow in the headquarters? And do the soldiers call anyone else “father” besides him?..

Does Kutuzov single out anyone for himself? He communicates equally with Prince Bolkonsky, and with Bagration, and with the priest; For him, the captured French are ordinary people with their own destiny, family and homeland. A person's position in society, his origin does not matter to him.

Tolstoy does not elevate or idealize Kutuzov; he portrays him as an ordinary person with his own strengths and weaknesses, natural and sincere, capable of compassion for fallen people, for the feelings that we all experience every day. That is why he is great, and from him, a merciful, sympathetic, generous man, even no less great commanders should learn this simplicity, modesty, love for the people and patriotism - something that they really, really lack.

Other topics: ← The image of Nikolai Rostov in the novel War and Peace ↑ TolstoyThe idea of ​​family in the work War and Peace →

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The image of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace” is a characteristic of the hero of Tolstoy’s work

Kutuzov alone could propose the Battle of Borodino; Kutuzov alone could give Moscow to the enemy, Kutuzov alone could remain in this wise, active inaction, putting Napoleon to sleep in the conflagration of Moscow and waiting for the fatal moment: for Kutuzov alone was vested with the people's power of attorney, which he so miraculously justified.

A. S. Pushkin

Essay plan

1. The image of Kutuzov and his character.

2. The role of personality in history.

3. Kutuzov is a wise commander.

4. The image of Kutuzov – the contradictions of Tolstoy’s worldview.

Tolstoy examines the role of personality in historical events. Kutuzov was great as a commander because he, like all the best representatives of the Russian officers, acted in complete unity with the entire Russian people. In his reasoning, Tolstoy poses the question: what force moves peoples? And he answers this question by claiming that this is the will of God. However, with all the power of his talent, Tolstoy shows that all events were the result of the conscious will of people. These contradictions were reflected in the image of Kutuzov. Tolstoy denied the role of personality in history. In the person of Kutuzov, he planned to give the image of a passive executor of the will of the masses. Kutuzov appears before us in the harsh conditions of war. He inspects the regiment and speaks kindly to the soldiers and officers. Recognizes participants of past campaigns (Timokhin). The soldiers know the attentiveness and simplicity of the commander and say about it: “Crooked, but with more eyes than you: he sees everything.” Kutuzov is decisive and bold to the point of insolence: of the 3 possible options for retreat, he chose the most risky, but expedient. Having marched with his 40,000-strong army to Olmutz to join the Russian units and accepted a battle on the march with an enemy whose strength was three times greater than the strength of Kutuzov’s army, who surrounded him on both sides. A skilled strategist, he saves his army. Sending a 4,000-strong detachment of Bagration, he entangles the French in the networks of their own cunning and emerges with honor from a hopeless situation.

He wisely foresees defeat at Austerlitz. He speaks about this to the king, but they do not listen to him. When the stupid disposition was read out, Kutuzov was sleeping. He is distinguished by the courage and directness with which he objects to the emperor. Having become commander-in-chief, Kutuzov raises the spirit of the army: “And with such fellows, everyone should retreat and retreat?” He allowed the army to take everything along the retreat route, thereby improving the supply of the army. Kutuzov was distinguished by great skill in his ability to distribute people to command posts. He knew how to inspire fighters during battle. So, he did not seem to react to the news of Murat’s capture, but he himself sent an adjutant to travel through the troops with this news. With mental pain, Kutuzov gives the order to retreat, realizing at the same time that this is necessary. His entire tactics were determined by two tasks: destroy the enemy and preserve the army. He carried out these tasks in conditions of intrigues of careerists and court nobility, without fear of royal disfavor. The simplicity and modesty of the commander combined an outstanding mind, powerful will, and military art.

The portrait characteristics of Kutuzov are peculiar, which are given in several strokes: an aquiline nose, a single seeing eye in which thought and care shone, a scar on his temple, senile obesity, fatigue from military labor. Kutuzov's speech characteristics are rich. With the soldiers he is simple and affectionate: “Dear ones, brothers, be patient!” The refined language of the diplomat sounds in a conversation with the Austrian general. Laconic, categorical, right at military councils.

Kutuzov is a bearer of the best traits of the Russian people. The image of Kutuzov revealed the contradictions in Tolstoy’s worldview. He seeks to emphasize that Kutuzov was only a wise observer, and the events passing in front of him did not depend on him in any way.

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The image of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace” by L. N. Tolstoy

In revealing thoughts, the folk image of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace” by L.N. Tolstoy plays almost a central role. It would seem that this completely contradicts the writer’s idea that history is written exclusively by the people. However, the image of the commander deserves special attention.

The reader does not often meet Mikhail Ilarionovich Kutuzov on the pages of the novel. Unlike another great commander, Napoleon Bonaparte. Perhaps L.N.’s intention is in this. Tolstoy in his desire to make Kutuzov as invisible as possible. And yet his presence is felt in everything: in social conversations the name of the commander is constantly mentioned, the emperor does not like him, and the soldiers simply adore him. With his love and respect for the people, Kutuzov won the title of “father” of the army, they hoped for him, they believed in him: “Only the recognition of this feeling in him made the people... choose him, against the will of the tsar, as the leader of the people’s war. And only this feeling put him on... the highest human heights.” In describing the hero, Tolstoy moves away from historical formalities and focuses on his main quality, which helped save Russia from being captured by the French. The author relies on the humanity and wisdom of Kutuzov, making him more of an outside observer of military operations, which contrasts him with the fussy and active Napoleon. In his image, Tolstoy put his main idea that the outcome of the battle depends not on the competent balance of forces, not on the equipment of the army, but on the spirit of the soldiers. This is exactly what Kutuzov thinks, and this is what made the war of 1812 popular.

Tolstoy does not give a clear description of Kutuzov’s appearance, but the reader will not have difficulty imagining what the great commander looked like. The author of the novel introduces us to him either through a description of the heroes of the novel, or he himself gives characteristics of Mikhail Ilarionovich’s appearance. And now before us is a very pleasant middle-aged man with “an aquiline nose on a plump face”, “with a stooped back, with an open white head and with a leaky, white eye on a swollen face”, with a single eye from which it was clear that “thought and care occupied him so much...”

What characterizes Kutuzov more clearly than the portrait is, perhaps, his speech. What is surprising is that he communicates freely, as with high society: “I only say one thing, General, that if the matter depended on my personal desire, then the will of His Majesty Emperor Franz would have been fulfilled long ago.”

But along with elegant expressions and turns of phrase, Kutuzov’s speech contains quite a lot of words that are understandable to a simple soldier: “Here’s what, brothers. I know it’s difficult for us, but what can we do! Be patient: there’s not long left... We’ll see the guests out, then we’ll rest.” These words contain everything: love, care, and anxiety at the same time. And it is precisely this manner of communication that makes Kutuzov not just a historical figure, but a living, feeling hero.

Tolstoy somewhat downplays Kutuzov’s appearance, trying to emphasize his other characteristics. Perhaps this is why most often the reader sees on the pages of the novel a tired old man, half asleep. But in reality, Kutuzov was a brilliant commander, and his fussiness only emphasizes Tolstoy’s idea that the course of all battles is predetermined in advance.

The image of Kutuzov in Tolstoy's novel is complete, despite the apparent contradictions. Indeed, the favorite of soldiers and many members of the nobility, Kutuzov was not awarded the same feelings by the emperor. Alexander I was skeptical of Kutuzov's fatalism regarding battles. The Emperor did not listen to him when Kutuzov attempted to explain to young Alexander that the Battle of Austerlitz would be lost. And the commander was not worried about his own glory, but about the lives that would be lost in vain. But he could not resist the sovereign and, realizing this, showed with all his appearance that he did not agree with his decision. And now the reader sees a completely different Kutuzov: “... seemed exhausted and irritable,” “said angrily,” “screamed biliously,” “angry and caustic expression in his gaze.” Why does the favorite and “father” of the army, “Sam,” as the soldiers called him, change so much? Perhaps from a feeling of hopelessness of the situation, from worries about people.

The decision to start the battle was made against the will of Kutuzov, therefore, seeing the advance of the French army and the plight of the Russian army, Kutuzov did not hide his grief. “The wound is not here, but here!” he says, wounded in the cheek, pointing to the fleeing army.

Nobody remembered the commander after Austerlitz. Only a few contemptuously called him “the old satyr,” complaining that old Kutuzov was never able to defend his decision at the military council.

Despite the defeat, Kutuzov was remembered before the Battle of Borodino, and this is where he showed himself as a true patriot and wise commander.

The Battle of Borodino is the most intense moment of the Patriotic War, the moment of intersection of the destinies of heroes and the moment of truth for many people. It was this battle that made the war a people's war, revealing the essence of each participant. And probably this battle, like the entire Patriotic War, needed Kutuzov. It was he who embodied the national spirit, the strength and unity of the army. After all, if the commander had started to act the same way as Napoleon, his army would not have won. But, apparently, every war needs its hero, and the war of 1812 needed a commander who would not shoot and kill people, but would take pity on them and love them. And the most striking confirmation of this is Moscow, which Kutuzov sacrificed to save thousands of lives; these are reserve troops that managed to confuse Napoleon. Kutuzov was a people's commander, and therefore the army was his reflection. Therefore, the battle was won. And therefore, the death of the commander is symbolic precisely after the Battle of Borodino and the award ceremony. His mission was completed, and another commander was needed for the further course of the war.

Tolstoy managed to embody his ideas of fatalism in the image of Kutuzov. And the writer turned out to be right. There has been much debate among historians and autobiographers regarding the image of Kutuzov in the novel War and Peace. Tolstoy was accused of inaccurate characterizations of the great commander and of being too artistic in his image. But one way or another, the writer was able to discern real, national greatness in Kutuzov. But his greatness does not lie in military literacy or the spirit of conquest, it lies in love and respect for the people.

“Yes, they reproached me a lot for both the war and the peace... but everything came on time. Everything comes on time for those who know how to wait,” with these words from Kutuzov Andrei Bolkonsky can end his essay.

The image of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace” by Tolstoy: the goals of the commander

Kutuzov gives the order to leave Moscow with only one goal - to achieve victory and expel enemy troops at any cost. It is no coincidence that the commander constantly repeats the same words: “I will force them to eat horse meat.” All Kutuzov’s actions are aimed at three main goals:

• exerting all one's strength for triumph over the enemy;
• winning;
• driving the enemy out of the country and alleviating, as far as possible, the consequences for the people and soldiers.

And only after these tasks have been solved does the commander leave the activities of the commander-in-chief of the troops. How could he achieve these goals without ever retreating from his noble goals? He was able to do this for the reason that in his soul there was a truly great national feeling, an invincible principle.

History and personality (the image of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace”)

“War and Peace” is a historical novel in which the author covers all aspects of social life of the 19th century. The novel features characters fictional by Tolstoy - nobles, peasants, soldiers, as well as real historical figures - Emperor Alexander I, Napoleon Bonaparte, General Bagration, General Davout, Arakcheev, Speransky and, of course, Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov, His Serene Highness Prince Smolensky and the Russian genius commander, one of the most educated people of his time. Kutuzov in the novel is an ambiguous person. The image of the commander was influenced by Tolstoy’s philosophy, according to which a person is driven by an inevitable fate. It is not man who controls his own destiny, but fate which subordinates man to its law. There is something higher - History, which has a direct impact on the destinies of all peoples without exception. This idea runs like a red thread throughout the entire work. At the end of the novel, the author seems to sum it up: “...at the present time... it is necessary to abandon perceived freedom and recognize the dependence that we do not feel.” According to Tolstoy, the individual has no freedom. Everything that happens in the real world happens outside of human desire, which is determined by historical laws and is subject to them. It is History and fate that determine the true course of events, and man is a cog, a machine in their hands. However, without this person as an individual there would be no history.

Kutuzov appears in the novel already when the Russian army is retreating. Smolensk has been surrendered, scenes of devastation are visible everywhere. We see the commander-in-chief through the eyes of Russian soldiers, partisans, through the eyes of Andrei Bolkonsky and through the eyes of Tolstoy himself. For the soldiers, Kutuzov is a people's hero who came to stop the retreating army and lead it to victory. “They say it’s accessible to everyone, thank God. Otherwise, there’s trouble with the sausage makers... Now, perhaps, it will be possible to speak to the Russians too. Otherwise, God knows what they did. Everyone retreated, everyone retreated,” says Vaska Denisov, one of the partisans, about Kutuzov. The soldiers believed in Kutuzov and worshiped him. He does not part with his army for a minute. Before important battles, Kutuzov is among the troops, speaking to the soldiers in their language. Kutuzov's patriotism is the patriotism of a man who believes in the power of his homeland and the fighting spirit of a soldier. This is constantly felt by his fighters. But Kutuzov is not only the greatest commander and strategist of his time, he is, first of all, a man who deeply experiences the failures of the 1812 campaign. This is how he appears before us at the beginning of his activities as a commander. “What... what have they brought us to!” “Kutuzov suddenly said in an excited voice, clearly imagining the situation in which Russia was.” And Prince Andrei, who was next to Kutuzov when these words were spoken, sees tears in the old man’s eyes. “They will eat my horse meat!” - he threatens the French, and we understand that this is not just said for the sake of a nice word.

Andrei Bolkonsky looks at Kutuzov just like the soldiers. He is also connected with this man by the fact that he is his father’s friend. Kutuzov was well known to Andrey before. It was to Mikhail Illarionovich that his father sent Prince Andrei to serve, in the hope that Kutuzov would be able to save his son. But, according to Tolstoy’s philosophy, neither Kutuzov nor anyone else is capable of changing what is destined for man from above.

Tolstoy himself looks at the commander from a completely different perspective. Kutuzov, in his opinion, cannot influence either individual people or the course of history as a whole. At the same time, this person personifies the Good that came with the goal of defeating Evil. Evil is embodied in Napoleon, whom Tolstoy considered the “executioner of nations.” Napoleon's posturing, his narcissism and arrogance are evidence of false patriotism. It was Napoleon, according to Tolstoy, who was chosen by History for defeat. Kutuzov just does not prevent Napoleon from falling, because, as a person wise with life experience, who understands and recognizes the power of fate, he knows that Napoleon is doomed. Therefore, he waits for the moment until this person himself repents of his deeds and leaves. To this end, he leaves Moscow, thereby giving Napoleon the opportunity to calmly think everything over and realize the futility of further struggle.

Since history and fate are irresistible, there is no need to strive for active action, the author believes and makes Kutuzov the spokesman for his ideas. This explains his inaction in the novel, which is especially pronounced before the battle at Austerlitz. Kutuzov has an excellent disposition and superior forces to the enemy. Nevertheless, he speaks with amazing calmness about the unfavorable outcome of the battle for the allies, as if it were a matter that had long been decided and did not depend on him. “I think that the battle will be lost, and I asked to convey this to the sovereign,” Kutuzov says to Andrei Bolkonsky. We see the same calm and serenity at the meeting of the military council before the battle. He even allows himself to fall asleep, thereby saying that he already knows everything in advance. Inaction, Kutuzov relies not only on his worldly wisdom, but also on the wisdom of the entire people. All his actions are consistent with this wisdom, which is why many do not understand him. Let us remember how Alexander I wanted to give a general battle, how he sought it from Kutuzov. But such a battle would contradict the natural course of events. Kutuzov understands this and therefore refuses a general battle.

Borodino, for both Tolstoy and Kutuzov, is the battle where Good, on whose side the Russian troops are fighting, must win. Let's see how two great commanders acted in the Battle of Borodino. Napoleon is worried; if he expects victory, it is only due to his personal, unfounded self-confidence. He hopes that the outcome will be decided by his actions as a strategist and commander. Kutuzov behaves completely differently. Outwardly completely calm, he does not issue any orders on the Borodino field. His participation boils down only to agreeing or disagreeing with the proposals of others. Kutuzov knows that this event will be decisive for both the Russians and the French. But if for the Russians this will be the beginning of a distant victory, then for the French it will be defeat.

Only the only time did Kutuzov oppose himself to the will of everyone else - at the council in Fili, when he decided to leave Moscow and thereby won the war.

Thus, Tolstoy showed us Kutuzov in all his greatness both as a commander and as a person. Kutuzov is not only an experienced commander, a patriot, an intelligent and sensitive person, he is a person capable of sensing and understanding the natural course of events. By combining worldly wisdom and acting according to the inevitable course of history, he won the war.

“War and Peace”: description of Kutuzov in the novel

For the first time the reader sees the hero at the parade at Braunau. Against the background of the Austrian general, dressed in a snow-white uniform, Kutuzov, who walked heavily and seemed not to notice the regiment stretched out in front of him, looked more like an ordinary person rather than a commander-in-chief.

The author more than once emphasizes the smile that slid across his face, disfigured by a wound, when he addressed the soldiers. This is the first characteristic of Kutuzov.

“War and Peace” includes several compositionally important scenes, the protagonist of which is the commander, and he is always natural. His face was enlivened by either a gentle smile or a mockery. He is not at all embarrassed by the fact that he has difficulty mounting a horse or begins to doze off during a military council. Without hiding it, in front of everyone, it can wipe a tear from your eye or show fatigue. He even eats chicken during lunch, as if with effort. At the same time, he looks wise, calm and feels responsible for the country and people throughout the novel “War and Peace”. Quotes from Kutuzov are one of the most significant details that help to get an idea about this person. “Woe to the land in which subordinates, superiors and courts, and not laws, govern citizens and affairs!” - this and other statements allow us to understand his inner beliefs and explain some of his actions.

Characteristics of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace”: the commander and his age

During the first war, Kutuzov was still presented as a brave general. However, during the Patriotic War, the commander was already old. And his enemies allow themselves to laugh at this. However, on the part of his troops, Kutuzov’s age only causes respect. Kutuzov is an old man with a white head, plump. He usually wears a white frock coat and a cap with a red band without a visor. During meetings of the military council, he falls asleep. It is difficult for a commander to mount a horse and just as difficult for him to get down. The writer also emphasizes that Kutuzov is “weak to tears.” He can cry, not only thinking about the fate of his country, but even at the sight of wounded soldiers. However, this quality of his does not diminish the image of the commander.