Character history
With the help of a series of female characters in the novel War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy tried to show the significance of the role of the fair half of humanity in society, as well as the value of a strong family in the War of 1812. Marya Bolkonskaya is one of the best representatives of the nobility and the most complex characters in the epic.
Writer Leo Tolstoy
Lev Nikolaevich gives the heroine a characterization of an ugly woman, whose path to marriage is possible only through her origin and wealth, but endowed with exceptional qualities, rare for the society of that time. Loyalty and the ability to self-sacrifice are the girl’s striking traits.
The image of Marya Bolkonskaya in the novel “War and Peace” (L. N. Tolstoy)
The literary scholar brings to your attention an essay on literature on the topic “The Image of Marya Bolkonskaya in L. N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace.” Princess Marya is one of Tolstoy's favorite heroines, thanks to her desire for perfection and faith in God.
L.N. Tolstoy created many different female images in his works. Among them are the majestic, cold aristocrat Helen Kuragina, the passionate Anna Karenina, and the bright, soulful Natasha Rostova. The heroine of the novel “War and Peace”, Princess Marya Bolkonskaya, occupies a special place in Tolstoy’s work.
The princess belongs to an old noble family. Their genealogy originates from the ancient family of Rurik. The Bolkonskys managed to maintain influence in secular society and financial independence. The head of the family is the old prince, former Catherine's nobleman Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky. His wife died long ago, his children grew up. Son Andrei is married and lives in the capital, daughter Marya is with her father on the family estate Bald Mountains.
Short in stature, with a heavy gait, the princess was extremely unattractive. Her steps were heavy and her body lacked grace. The only thing that attracted her attention was the extraordinary beauty of her eyes. Looking at them, people stopped noticing her ugliness. The use of artistic detail in the portrait of heroes is Tolstoy’s favorite technique. Deep, radiant eyes are repeatedly mentioned by Tolstoy, emphasizing the beauty of the heroine’s inner world.
By the standards of secular society, she had no chance of marrying for love. Ugly, awkward, she did not attract men's gaze. And she lived far from secular society, in the village. Even her father said that they would take her for her wealth and connections. The princess is not stupid and she herself understands the current state of affairs. She does not build castles in the air, does not dream of the impossible, although she wants to be happy and loved.
Princess Marya differs from many secular beauties not only in appearance, but also in her education and intelligence. She is being educated at home. The old prince sees two virtues in people: “activity and intelligence.” He is guided by this principle in raising children. He develops his daughter’s mind, studies serious sciences with her, in particular mathematics. After math classes, she plays music, repeating complex passages several times. She mastered the French language under the guidance of her companion Mademoiselle Bourien.
The relationship between father and daughter is not easy. This is mostly due to the complex nature of the father. He is a man of the old school, strict, demanding, and does not outwardly show his real feelings. He was very strict with his daughter, as if he deliberately found flaws in her with which he reproached her. Lessons led by my father were torture. Under his gaze, she forgot everything she knew. Her father lost his temper and called her stupid. It was much easier for the girl to solve problems later alone.
Marya developed a warm, tender, friendly relationship with her brother. They were sincerely attached to each other. Seeing off her brother to the war, the girl put an amulet around his neck, which may have saved the prince’s life. While Andrei was at war, his wife died during childbirth, leaving him an heir, Nikolenka. Princess Marya took upon herself the care of her little nephew. Self-sacrifice is characteristic of the heroine; it manifests itself not only in relation to her nephew. Tolstoy pays tribute to the princess when speaking about this.
The heroine has a pure soul. She doesn't know how to deceive people or be disingenuous. Marya is a very religious girl. Religion, in her opinion, can console and explain what the human mind has not reached. Nikolai Rostov, having become an accidental witness to Princess Marya’s prayer, says that her prayer is capable of moving mountains. The heroine not only hopes in God, she herself helps poor people and welcomes strangers. Tolstoy notes her humility that comes from the heart; he admires this quality of the heroine. The soul of the princess strived for the eternal, “perfect and therefore could never be at peace.”
Her status as a princess allows her to lead an active social life, but by nature she does not gravitate toward the artificial environment that characterizes the atmosphere in secular society. She would have been lonely and uncomfortable in secular society, just like her brother, who ran away from stuffy living rooms to the war in search of fame and new sensations. The princess, however, is aware of social news, which her friend Julie Karagina tells her in letters.
Her days in the village were brightened by communication with Mademoiselle Bourrienne. Marriage was a chance to escape from the house from under the oppression of the father. When Anatol Kuragin arrived to get married, Marya felt nervous. Her father warns her about what Anatole is like. A strict father still gives his daughter the right to make a decision. But everything was determined by chance. The princess became an accidental witness to the tenderness that Anatole showed towards Mademoiselle Bourrienne. Having misinterpreted Kuragin's behavior, she did not want to interfere with her friend's happiness and refused the groom.
Hope for happiness was kindled in Marya’s heart by her meeting with Nikolai Rostov. Nikolai also noticed the spark of God in her. He regrets that he is engaged to Sonya. He compares Princess Mary to an angel, that’s how her face shone when she met him. With him, she was able to realize herself as a wife and mother. Having become the wife of Rostov, she received the title of Countess.
Nikolai is proud of his wife. She became a truly faithful life partner for Nikolai, exerting a positive influence on him. Marya teaches him to deal with people according to his conscience, and not to be proud of his position. Tolstoy speaks with admiration of her as a mother. Marya kept a diary, recording her children's achievements and pedagogical observations. This makes it close to a writer who is interested in pedagogy. Diary entries about children testify to the harmony and richness of the heroine’s inner world.
The princess's heart is filled with love. There is no person she hates, she loves everyone. She is tormented by the fact that her husband’s cousin Sonya, who lives with them in the same house, evokes negative feelings in her. She knew that Nikolai was engaged to Sonya. Despite the fact that he asked to be kind to his cousin, Marya often had evil feelings towards her. She tried with all her might to love her, but she didn’t succeed.
Nobility and integrity are the life principles that determine the heroine’s behavior. Moral qualities and intense spiritual work make her one of Tolstoy’s favorite heroines. There is more humanity in her image than literature. According to P.V. Annensky, it is Princess Marya who carries the idea of the novel and gives meaning and meaning to everything.
Appearance and character
The author carefully worked out the portraits and biographies of the heroes, including Marya Bolkonskaya. The image of the girl is based on Lev Nikolaevich’s ideas about his own mother Marya Nikolaevna (nee Volkonskaya), whom the writer did not remember. He admitted that he had created a spiritual image of her in his imagination. The heroine looks sick: weak body, haggard face.
“Poor girl, she’s devilishly bad,” Anatol Kuragin thought about her.
And she is not distinguished by grace - Lev Nikolaevich never tired of noting that Marie had a heavy, clumsy gait. The only attractive part of the image were the sad big eyes, which seemed to radiate kindness and warmth.
Marya Bolkonskaya and Natasha Rostova
However, hidden behind the unremarkable appearance is inner beauty. Tolstoy praises Marie's loyalty to herself and deep moral principles, high education and prudence, responsiveness, boundless nobility, which is manifested in every action. The girl is devoid of cunning, prudence and coquetry, characteristic of most young ladies.
Marie Bolkonskaya, together with Natasha Rostova, are contrasted in the novel with the greedy, selfish minx Helen Kuragina. At the same time, relations with Natasha are not easy at first. The brother's chosen one irritated the princess with her liveliness of character, spontaneity and cheerfulness, but later the girls were brought together by Andrei's death.
Marya Bolkonskaya and her father Nikolai Bolkonsky
The old prince Nikolai Bolkonsky raised his daughter Marie in the same severity as his son Andrei. Harsh pedagogical methods affected the girl’s character - she grew up reserved, modest, even timid. However, although Marie is afraid of a domestic tyrant, she retains love for her father until the end of his days.
The heroine did not attend balls or social parties in Madame Scherer’s living room, because her father considered such a pastime stupid. The lack of close friends (the circle of contacts was limited to his companion Mademoiselle Bourier and his friend Julie Karagina, with whom there was only constant correspondence) was compensated by extreme religiosity. Marya’s frequent guests are “God’s people”, i.e. wanderers and believers, for which the girl is mocked by her parents and brother.
Marya Bolkonskaya
Marya realizes that nature spared beauty for her, and has no illusions about marriage, although deep down in her soul she hopes to find female happiness and certainly walk down the aisle for love. Marie Bolkonskaya has long seen the meaning of her existence in loyalty to her father, love and care for her brother and his son Nikolushka, but fate decreed otherwise, giving the girl personal happiness.
Essay 4
It is quite difficult to judge the heroine’s appearance; L. N. Tolstoy does not focus on describing her appearance, he only notes that the princess has a thin face, a weak body, a difficult gait, but focuses on her large and sad eyes, thanks to which those around her do not noticed not very attractive features.
Marya Bolkonskaya's character is lively, she senses the mood of those around her well, and it transfers to the heroine, which is why the princess is prone to frequent mood changes. Highly spiritual and deeply believing in God, Bolkonskaya can sacrifice her interests for the sake of others; the writer also points out the heroine’s education.
Marya grew up without a mother, being raised by a strict father, which undoubtedly leaves an imprint on her character. The princess loves and respects her father very much, although she is afraid of him. The heroine is strongly attached to her brother, for her home and family are very important concepts to which she attaches great importance, and she dreams of her marriage, children and a happy family. As a deeply religious person, she does not complain about fate, believing that God controls everything.
At first, Marya does not find a common language with Natalya; despite the fact that they have some similarities in character, they are still quite different. They find a common language while caring for the wounded Andrei, by which time Rostova’s character undergoes great changes, and she grows as a person.
Despite the apparent fragility and helplessness, the heroine is strong in spirit, as evidenced by her ability to withstand all the tests that are sent to her throughout the novel, for which she is rewarded in the end with the love and family she so dreamed of.
Undoubtedly, L.N. Tolstoy has great sympathy for the image of Natasha Rostova, Princess Marya undoubtedly also evokes strong feelings in him, the writer pays a lot of attention to the image of Marya, making it interesting and multifaceted.
Life path
At the beginning of the novel, Princess Marya is 20 years old. She was born and raised on the family estate under the tutelage of a strict and despotic father, who planned his daughter’s daily routine minute by minute, which included long classes in algebra and geometry. In the past, an influential royal nobleman, Nikolai Andreevich, exiled to the Bald Mountains estate, turned his daughter into a maid. His favorite pastime is to bring Marie to tears, to humiliate her with the last words. The father does not hesitate to throw a notebook at the heiress or call her a fool.
Marya Bolkonskaya and Andrei Bolkonsky
Marie developed a warm and trusting relationship with her brother. After the death of his wife, the girl takes on the responsibilities of raising her nephew without any problems.
One day, in correspondence with Julie Karagina, Marya learns that Vasily Kuragin is coming to woo her with his unlucky, dissolute son. The heroine takes Anatoly Kuragin for a worthy man. The hope of finding female happiness awakens in her soul, dreams of family and children take possession of her mind. Tolstoy, like a subtle psychologist, reveals all the hidden thoughts of his beloved heroine. Marie is terribly frightened by such bold thoughts, but decides to submit to God’s will.
Anatol Kuragin
However, the father quickly saw through the petty and calculating nature of the groom, especially since Anatole himself inadvertently ruined the matchmaking by starting a flirtation with his companion Marie. The naive girl decided, in the name of the happiness of the French woman who had fallen madly in love with her boyfriend, to say goodbye to her only chance of marriage.
Her father's illness freed Marya Bolkonskaya from constant supervision, and the heroine, taking Nikolushka, went to Moscow. In the capital, the girl was tormented by the fact that she dared to disobey her father, and suddenly she felt endless love and affection for him. After the death of her parent, Marie was about to leave the estate, but found herself captured by local men who, in fear of losing their own property, did not let her out of the yard. Although the girl was ready to divide the supplies of bread among the starving peasants, showing the generosity of her soul.
Marya Bolkonskaya and Nikolai Rostov
Nikolai Rostov came to the aid of the princess - the only man who managed to sincerely love this woman, who discovered the inner beauty and richness of the soul. But at first the hero did not realize that he was in love; he felt an incomprehensible trepidation and even fear for the girl.
Fate gave Marya Bolkonskaya what she dreamed of so much: the girl married Nikolai and happily raised her children. The heroine turned out to be a devoted, wise wife, valued and respected by her husband, and a wonderful mother - Marie happily devotes time to raising her heirs and even keeps a diary where she records remarkable episodes in the lives of her children.
Origin, upbringing, education
Princess Marya was the daughter of the general-in-chief, Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky. She lived with him and her companion Mademoiselle Bourien on the Bald Mountains estate.
The princess grew up without a mother; she and her brother Andrei were raised by their father. Princess Marya very rarely left Bald Mountains, since the prince considered secular entertainment stupid and did not want his daughter to be like “stupid ladies.” He taught her geometry himself, and was very strict and lost his temper when she didn’t understand something.
The princess knew how to play the clavichord and had to do this from twelve to two o'clock, while her father was resting.
Film adaptations
The novel “War and Peace” has appeared in cinema since 1913. At first, Tolstoy’s work was filmed in a stripped-down form by Russian pioneers of silent cinema, and in 1956, viewers saw the epic in color. Then the heroes of “War and Peace” were brought to life by the American director King Vidor. Anna-Maria Ferrero played the role of Marie Bolkonskaya.
Anna-Maria Ferrero as Marya Bolkonskaya
A notable work that received an Oscar and flattering reviews from critics was the Soviet series War and Peace, filmed by Sergei Bondarchuk in 1965. The meek girl, intimidated by her father, was played by Antonina Shuranova, and the image of Nikolai Rostov was embodied by Oleg Tabakov.
Antonina Shuranova as Marya Bolkonskaya
The film by Robert Dornhelm, released in 2007, is rightfully considered a striking adaptation. Five European countries, including Russia, took part in the creation of the film. The touching Marya Bolkonskaya was made from the Italian actress Valentina Cervi.
Valentina Cervi as Marya Bolkonskaya
The role of the girl's future husband was played by Dmitry Isaev. The film contains significant differences from the original source, but this did not stop it from winning the love of viewers.
Jessie Buckley as Marya Bolkonskaya
The latest film work to date, based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy, was released in 2021. The English dramatic mini-series brought together screen stars - viewers enjoy the performances of Paul Dano (Pierre Bezukhov), Lily James (Natasha Rostova), James Norton (Andrei Bolkonsky). Marie Bolkonskaya and Nikolai Rostov were introduced by Jessie Buckley and Jack Lowden.
The heroine's appearance
In the characterization of Marya Bolkonskaya, it should be noted that the princess was not at all a beauty. On the contrary, there was nothing remarkable about her, and some even considered her ugly. Even the efforts of the little princess and her companion to make her a social beauty did not bring results.
The most beautiful thing about the princess’s appearance were her eyes: “...Rays of kind and timid light shone from her large eyes.” This inner light made her ugly face spiritual and sublime. And those around her no longer noticed her shortcomings - after all, “...in her beautiful eyes there was both love and sadness...”. Princess Marya had a special beauty - not external, but internal, which made her more beautiful.
Quotes
“Princess Marya had two passions and therefore two joys: her nephew Nikolushka and religion.”
“The princess’s eyes, large, deep and radiant (as if rays of warm light sometimes came out of them in sheaves), were so beautiful that very often, despite the ugliness of her entire face, these eyes became more attractive than beauty.”
“This feeling was the stronger the more she tried to hide it from others and even from herself.”
“Whoever understands everything will forgive everything.”
“My calling is different - to be happy with a different kind of happiness, the happiness of love and self-sacrifice.”
“A beautiful heart <...> is the quality that I value most in people.”</…>
“Ah, my friend, religion, and only one religion, can, let alone console us, but save us from despair; Religion alone can explain to us what man cannot understand without its help.”
“I don’t wish for another life, and I cannot wish for it, because I don’t know any other life.”
Attitude towards others
Marya Bolkonskaya was kind to people. She loved her strict father very much, she loved her brother Andrei, with whom she had a trusting relationship. She also fell in love with Prince Andrei's wife Lisa, and after her death she tried to replace her little nephew Nikolenka's mother. She respected Pierre Bezukhov, whom Marya had known since childhood, for his wonderful heart (she wrote to Julie about this, noting that she values this quality most in people). And Princess Marya had a special relationship with Natasha Rostova and Nikolai Rostov.
Natasha Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya
When Natasha was the bride of Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, who was abroad, she and her father came to Moscow in the winter of 1811 to visit Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky. But he did not accept them; only Princess Marya accepted them. She didn’t like Natasha at first sight, she seemed to her “frivolous, cheerful and vain.”
Natasha also did not like Princess Marya, since her tone was unnatural (the princess was afraid of some prank from her father). So they parted, feeling antipathy towards each other.
When Natasha refused her fiancé, Prince Andrei, having become carried away by Anatoly Kuragin, Princess Marya was glad of this and glad that Prince Andrei accepted this news calmly.
But having met in 1812 in Yaroslavl, where the Rostovs arrived from Moscow along with the wounded Prince Andrei, both girls got to know each other better and became friends. Their friendship continued even after Natasha married Pierre, and Marya married Nikolai Rostov.
Nikolai Rostov and Marya Bolkonskaya: relationships
In 1812, Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky died, and Princess Marya was left alone. The French were advancing, and it was necessary to leave Bogucharovo with the peasants, but the peasants in this village were distinguished by their wild disposition. They did not want to leave and did not give horses to the princess.
At this time, Nikolai Rostov, as a caring squadron commander, wanted to take advantage of the provisions that were in Bogucharovo before the French. Having learned from the manager Alpatych that the local people were not allowing the lady to leave the estate, he intimidated the peasants, calling them traitors, and ordered the elder Dron to be tied up, who was later released at the request of Princess Marya. The men brought the horses and began to put the master's things on the carts. So Nikolai Rostov suppressed the riot in Bogucharovo and freed the princess. Princess Marya was very grateful to him and fell in love with him. Because of this feeling, her movements became graceful, and her voice acquired “new, feminine, chesty sounds.” The meek princess also made a pleasant impression on Nicholas, and thoughts about marrying her began to enter his head.
After the death of Count Rostov in 1813, Nicholas, who was with the Russian troops in Paris, resigned and came to Moscow. He took on the debts of the old count and began to live very modestly and poorly, but the thought of marrying a rich heiress was disgusting to him. Having met with Princess Marya, Nikolai behaved coldly. The princess realized that this was happening because of his pride, and said that it was hard for her that he wanted to deprive her of her former friendship. As a result, the young people realized that this pride was not an obstacle to their happiness.
In the fall of 1814, they got married and began to live in Bald Mountains with Nikolai's mother, Sonya and Nikolenka, the son of Prince Andrei. Countess Marya was a loving wife and mother. The Rostovs had two sons and a daughter. Nikolai considered his wife an angel for her moral purity and beauty of soul
Comparison with Natasha Rostova
Also in the description of Marya Bolkonskaya you can include a comparison with the main character of the novel, Natasha Rostova. The differences begin with her upbringing: the princess lived in the village, alone with her father, who was strict and often unfair to his daughter. Natasha's childhood and youth were spent in a large family, in which she was everyone's favorite and many pranks were forgiven.
Natasha was not a beauty either, but they found her charming and sweet. If Marya always tried to be guided by reason and was restrained in showing emotions, then Natasha was always spontaneous in expressing her feelings.
But the heroines also had a lot in common. They tried to see the good in people, and for them the most important thing was kindness in a person. Also, Marya and Natasha later devoted themselves to their family and loved their husbands very much.
