Character
Nikolai is a student, but wants to leave the university and go to military service, considering this his calling, his life goal. He realized that he had no ability for diplomatic or bureaucratic service, since he could not hide what he felt. He is not distinguished by the depth of his mind, he lives more with feelings, with his heart, like his sister Natasha.
Nikolai is simple-minded, this is a distinctive character trait of the members of the Rostov family. At a reception to celebrate the name day of his mother and sister Natasha, young guest Julie Karagina began talking to Nikolai, smiling tenderly. He “with a flirtatious smile of youth” entered into a conversation with her, not realizing that this would cause the jealousy of Sonya, who was in love with him, the fifteen-year-old niece of Count Rostov, who was brought up in his house. It was unexpected for him that his behavior would arouse the girl’s jealousy, and he had to calm her down, assure her that he only needed her in the whole world.
Nikolai is a truthful, cheerful person . Like Natasha, he is musical, sings and dances well, and loves hunting.
Nikolai's fears
Analyzing military service and battles, one may get the impression that Rostov has no fears. But this is not true. No matter how great his courage, there was still a feeling of fear. This is most clearly expressed in the first battle. It is here that the reader will be able to compare Nicholas’s military talents with the achievements of the other heroes of the work.
Rostov was much inferior in wit to Prince Bolkonsky; he did not have the compassionate talent of Bezukhov. When he was wounded, he became timid in front of the crowd of French soldiers running towards him. At this time, he realizes with horror that they want to kill him. Fear “for a happy youth” took over - Nikolai forgot about everything. Instead of shooting at the enemy, he threw his gun at the French.
Probably, this same feeling was the reason why Rostov gave in to his mother and changed his service in the army to work as an official. He understood that his luck in battles would not last forever; he had every chance of ending his life as sadly as Bolkonsky.
Attitude to family
Nikolai respected his father and mother very much, and was friends with Boris Drubetsky, who was raised in their family from childhood, although he had a mother who was a relative of the countess. Of the whole family, he loved Natasha most; they were similar in character and temperament. And Nikolai did not like his sister Vera, who was older than Natasha and Sonya and therefore often made comments to them, like everyone else in their family. He gave her the offensive nickname Madame Genlis (Madame Genlis was a writer known for her moralizing novels).
Nikolai was in love with Sonya and, having written poetry for the first time, presented them to her. Sonya was without a dowry, but this did not matter to Nikolai, he wanted to marry her in the future.
Nikolai Rostov at war
In 1805, twenty-year-old Nikolai dropped out of university and went to serve as a cadet in the Pavlograd Hussar Regiment. He caught up with him in Poland and reached the Braunau fortress in the Archduchy of Austria. Nikolai became friends with the squadron commander, captain Denisov, who was known in the cavalry division under the name Vaska Denisov.
Rostov began to participate in hostilities. During the attack near Shengraben, his horse was wounded in the head and fell; during the fall, Rostov dislocated his arm and was shell-shocked (volume 1, part 2, chapters 19, 21). Seeing the approaching French, who had already taken one hussar prisoner, Nikolai experienced “a feeling of fear for his young, happy life” (volume 1, part 2, chapter 19). He gathered all his strength and ran under French bullets to the bushes where the Russian riflemen were.
Subsequently, Rostov became a brave officer, faithful to his oath and duty, and behaved with dignity in military campaigns and in the Patriotic War of 1812.
Nikolai loved his regiment, which became a sweet and dear home for him, “like his parents’ house.” He treated his colleagues well, in a comradely way. His kindness also manifested itself towards the population. One day he went for provisions and found in a devastated village an old Pole and his daughter with a baby, hungry and without the means to leave. Nikolai brought them to his apartment and kept them for several weeks until the old man recovered (volume 2, part 2, chapter 15).
In the Patriotic War, Rostov fought as a squadron commander. He did not take part in the Battle of Borodino, since a few days before it he was sent on a business trip to Voronezh to buy stallions for the division. Having learned about the Battle of Borodino and the loss of Moscow, Nikolai began to rush to complete the purchase of horses and left for the regiment, with which he later reached Paris.
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Nikolai Rostov and Marya Bolkonskaya: relationships
Rostov met Princess Marya Bolkonskaya in 1812. He was a squadron commander and went to Bogucharovo, hoping to find provisions for the squadron there. There he saw drunken men who did not want to let Princess Marya leave the estate and did not want to leave their homes and go with her, remaining her serfs. The French were advancing, and there were rumors that they would not offend the civilian population.
Rostov, having learned that the defenseless girl’s father had died, and the men would not let her and her little nephew leave the estate, quickly pacified the rebels, and Princess Marya left Bogucharov.
The meek Princess Marya made a very pleasant impression on Nicholas. He could not wish for a wife better than this girl, but he remembered his promise to marry Sonya.
When Rostov was sent on a business trip to Voronezh, Princess Marya was there. This time Nikolai noticed the special, moral beauty of the girl, her radiant gaze captivated him. The young man saw the wealth of her spiritual gifts, which he himself did not have and which he therefore highly valued (volume 4, part 1, chapter 7).
Nikolai regretted that he was in a hurry to make Sonya a promise. He was delighted to receive a letter from Sonya, in which she renounced his promises and gave him complete freedom. The next day Rostov left for the regiment, and his next meeting with Princess Marya took place in Moscow, where he arrived and resigned after the death of his father. He accepted his father's inheritance, although it all consisted of debts. Everyone advised him to renounce the inheritance, but Nikolai considered this unworthy of the “sacred memory of his father.” He began to serve in the civil service and settled in a small apartment with his mother and Sonya, who had lived with the Rostov family since childhood. He sold the property, but half of the debts still remained.
Having met Princess Marya in Moscow, Nikolai behaved dryly, although he liked her. Although he was poor, he was proud and did not want to marry a rich bride. Princess Marya realized that he became cold towards her because he was poor and she was rich. The princess admitted to him that she was upset that he was depriving her of her former friendship, and, crying, wanted to leave. But Nikolai stopped her, realizing that she also loved him. In the fall of 1814, he married Princess Marya, and they began to live in Bald Mountains together with Princess Rostova and Sonya. Nikolai Rostov loved Marya for her sensitivity and kindness, and she fell in love with him not only for his handsome appearance, cheerful and kind disposition, but also for his noble soul. At the end of the novel, the Rostovs already have three children (Andryusha, Natasha, Mitya), and they are expecting a fourth child.
What wound did Nikolai Rostov receive and in what battle?
Education and military career
Regardless of predisposition, physical characteristics and financial condition, at that time all young people sought to try on a military uniform. This was a fashion trend, a career in any other industry was approved only if there were no other options left (for example, the consequences of injuries could not allow the service). Despite the fact that a military career was generally accepted for aristocrats, “despite the aversion to civil service” of their son, the Rostovs send Nikolai to study at the university. At the age of 20, the young man abruptly changes his decision - the Russian-Austro-French War forces him to reconsider his views on duty and calling. To everyone’s horror, everyone’s favorite “Nikolushka” - “an impetuous, pure young man turns into a defender of the fatherland, bound to his comrades in arms by the corporate concept of honor.” At first, everyone thinks that his action is justified by the desire to keep up with his friend Boris, who was hired as an officer, and Nikolai dissuades them: “I just feel a calling to military service.” Nikolai prefers to start his service from the bottom - Rostov is far from the intricacies of military affairs, he does not want to burden himself with these difficulties: “then I joined the hussars, I thought that there was no need for subtleties here,” but as it turned out, this was not the case. Over time, Nikolai becomes convinced that he made the right choice: “I know that I am not fit for anything except military service; I’m not a diplomat, not an official.” During the Battle of Shengraben, Rostov received his first wound: “The hand was like someone else’s... Captain, for God’s sake, I’m shell-shocked in the arm,” he said timidly.” The first wound was a turning point in Rostov’s consciousness - naturally, he understood the fact that on the battlefield he could be killed or seriously injured, but only now does he realize this. Nicholas waited a long time for the battle to begin so that he could “experience the pleasure of attack.” “Hurry up,” he thinks. However, finding himself in a difficult situation after being wounded, threatening to end in captivity, he flees.
Obtaining an officer rank
Nikolai’s zeal and efforts during two battles did not go unnoticed by the command - he was “designated as an officer.” In his letters home, Nikolai tries not to talk about the difficulties of military service or injuries - this would cause a lot of concern to his relatives. “A little wounded, but promoted to officer; he is healthy now, he writes himself” - but even positive news causes tears - his family worries about him. New military actions again become a cause of worry and suffering, and at the same time, pride for his family. Nikolai takes part in the battle of Austerlitz. More successful this time. “Now he is a hussar lieutenant in a silver mentic, with a soldier’s George.” In the future, Nikolai’s career advancement is still as rapid. In 1807 he was already a commander himself. Rostov notes that military service is pleasant for him, he enjoys being here. “The regiment was also a home, and the home was invariably sweet and dear, just like the parental home.” Rostov managed to gain respect from his colleagues. He achieved this unintentionally - humanity and courage did much more than the desire to be the favorite of the soldiers. Rostov “was loved and respected by his comrades, subordinates and superiors.”
In 1812, Nicholas took an active part in the war with Napoleon. He receives the rank of captain. The battle of Ostrovno becomes significant for him: “Rostov kept thinking about this brilliant feat of his, which, to his surprise, bought him the St. George Cross and even made him a reputation as a brave man.”
With his army, Rostov managed to reach Paris. After the war, he was supposed to receive a promotion to commander, but this did not happen. Heartbroken by the loss of her youngest son, Countess Rostova opposes further service. This time Nikolai yields to his mother and, “having taken off his beloved uniform,” masters a new position as an official.
What is Nikolai Rostov afraid of?
Reading about military service and battles, one gets the impression that Nikolai Rostov is not afraid of anything. However, it is not. No matter how great his fearlessness and courage may be, Rostov still has a feeling of fear. This is especially clearly expressed in the first battle. It is here that we can compare Rostov's military skills with the achievements of other characters in the novel. Nikolai is significantly inferior in intelligence to Prince Andrei Bolkonsky; he lacks the compassionate skill of Pierre Bezukhov. Having lost his horse and been wounded, Rostov becomes timid in front of the crowd of French running towards him. At this moment, he realizes with horror that this running crowd wants to kill him, “the one whom everyone loves so much.” Fear “for his happy young life” takes over - Rostov forgets about everything in the world and instead of shooting at the approaching enemy, he throws his weapon at his opponents.
Perhaps this same fear was the reason why Nikolai yielded to his mother’s persuasion to change his military service to civilian service. He realizes that his luck on the battlefields cannot last forever; he has every chance of ending his life as sadly as Prince Andrei.
Nikolai and Maria Bolkonskaya
A marriage with Maria was unusually beneficial for the Rostov family - after ruin, this would be an excellent opportunity to restore the financial independence of the family, to lift it out of poverty. Nikolai feels a feeling of sympathy for the girl, but he is worried that those around him will perceive this event as a marriage of convenience: “The thought alone is disgusting to me, marrying for money.” Since marriage according to this principle is alien to Nikolai, he cares about his reputation, therefore, contrary to his feelings, he does not agree to his mother’s persuasion about marriage with Bolkonskaya. The situation changes after Nikolai finds out that his feelings are mutual. “In the fall of 1814, Nikolai married Princess Marya and with his wife, mother and Sonya moved to live in Bald Mountains.” Princess Marie was not distinguished by the beauty and plasticity of her movements; her movements were heavy, which was wild for a young girl. Therefore, the question of Nikolai’s love for Mary caused confusion for some time. Nikolai believes that his wife is a part of himself, like any part of his body. “Well, do I love my finger? I don’t love you, but try, cut it off,” he draws an analogy to explain his love for Mary. Life with Maria, thanks to the kinship of their souls, became the cause of many happy moments for both spouses. They had three children in their marriage, Maria is expecting a fourth, but his birth is already hidden from the reader - the narrative of the novel ends before the birth of the child.
Nikolai Rostov becomes a landowner
At the age of 35, Nikolai Rostov becomes the owner of a successful estate. “Rare owners had fields so early and well sown and harvested and so much income as Nikolai.” He always treats his peasants with reverence, encouraging them to have large families, a sense of kindness and honesty, hard work, and condemning lies and laziness. His serfs love him and consider him the ideal of a landowner. Nikolai Ilyich believes that good results must be achieved by setting realistic goals and treating his subjects humanely - his main goal is to create a stable economy that would provide a happy and comfortable life for his children. Thus, the personality of Nikolai Ilyich Rostov is multifaceted and unusual. He has talents in many matters and is able to do well any job that he takes on. Thanks to his ability to analyze, be kind, sincere and sympathetic, he gains authority in any environment, be it secular society, colleagues, or peasants.
Nikolai Rostov's attitude to the economy
Living on the Bald Mountains estate, Nikolai showed himself to be a skillful, independent owner. Having started farming, he began to learn from the peasants “judgments about what is good and what is bad.” Only when he understood the aspirations of the men and felt akin to them, he began to boldly manage them. Rostov’s economy flourished, as he was a strict but fair master, “he looked after his own and the peasant’s fields equally.”
The peasants respected their master for his skillful management, and his goal was to arrange his fortune in such a way that his “children would not go around the world” (epilogue, part 1, chapter 7). And after Rostov’s death, the people kept a good memory of him for a long time: “The owner was... First the peasant’s, and then his own. Well, he didn’t give me any encouragement. One word - master! (epilogue, part 1, chapter 7).
