Two families - two lines in the novel
The novel "War and Peace" appears before readers as a story about Russia's participation in the Austrian War of 1805 and the war against Napoleon in 1812.
The description of the events happening with the Rostov family and the Bolkonsky family in Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” are two storylines on which stories about other characters in the novel are strung together like threads, like beads. These two lines run through the entire narrative.
The description of the fates of the members of the two families gives the reader a clear idea of what war is and how it affects a person’s character and worldview.
In the novel “War and Peace,” the Rostovs and Bolkonskys change, grow up, but at the same time always remain true to their principles and upbringing accepted in their families.
Essay Family way of life of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys
Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy was very fond of family values, which is why in the novel “War and Peace” he describes more than one family.
The Rostov family is very friendly, everyone supported each other and never judged. All three generations lived in the same house. The Rostovs never swore or pointed out mistakes they had made.
The image of Natasha Rostova was described from the age of thirteen; Tolstoy dedicated a huge number of pages of his novel to her. From childhood to the moment when Natasha becomes a mother. The novel describes her years of growing up and developing her personality. Natasha is presented as a passionate and spontaneous girl. Lev Nikolaevich describes her emotional state of mind. Having described in the novel the path of a teenage girl who is growing up and is characterized by youthful maximalism. Natasha falls in love with a guy who is not a good match for her. Relatives understand this, but in no case do they condemn or put pressure on Natasha. She even tries to run away with Anatoly Kuragin. The whole family was understanding and supported Natasha Rostova in every possible way. The Rostovs generally solved and worried about all their problems and troubles as a family.
When Nikolai lost a large sum of money, his parents helped him and never reproached their son for this mistake. The Rostov family survived the war. They helped the wounded soldiers with their whole family and did not leave the estate until the last day. The day they had to leave, they left all their belongings behind.
The Rostovs are very impulsive people. The mistakes made by one of them did not in any way affect the harmony in their family. The Rostovs are very kind and generous people. The Rostovs' servants are very devoted and grateful. They all lived as one friendly family.
The image of the Bolkonsky family was completely opposite. Nikolai Andreevich's wife died very early, and he raised his children in severity, even to some extent in cruelty. He treated his daughter badly, like a servant. Bolkonsky very much insulted his daughter Marya. Marya Bolkonskaya is very offended by her father, but does not lose hope for female happiness. Marya's brother Andrei Bolkonsky serves in the army and does not see all the bullying against his sister.
Andrei Bolkonsky grew up as harsh and despotic as his father. He considered it his duty to give his life to his homeland. He was killed at the front.
Princess Marya grows up to be a very meek and uncommunicative girl. She serves her father in everything. Tostoy writes that Marya Bolkonskaya did not have beauty, but on the contrary, she was simple and homely. Despite the fact that the father treated his daughter with cruelty, this did not affect her character; the girl was very gentle. She was not angry with her father and treated everyone well. There was no anger or resentment in her soul.
Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy described completely different families. The Rostovs were good-natured, generous and hospitable. They always stuck together and never abandoned each other. The Bolkonskys, on the contrary, were closed people. Marya and Andrey, who did not know maternal love, were brought up in severity and cruelty. Their families were united by love for their homeland. The Rostovs and Bolkonskys are ready to come to the aid of their fatherland.
Family way of life of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys
Rostov family
In the simple and friendly Rostov family, at first glance, emotions dominate. Kind and hospitable, they are ready to educate and raise other people's children, for example, a distant relative Sonya and the son of a poor friend Boris.
Mother Natalya and father Ilya love their children very much, they forgive them minor pranks, but at the same time they bring up in their offspring, first of all, decency and honesty.
Emotional, noisy, kind Rostovs, whoever it is: father Ilya, or son Nikolai, or Natasha, and even the youngest son Petya, they all live by feelings, and sometimes they act first, and then think. The older sister Vera stands somewhat apart from all the children, more selfish, calm and calculating than the rest.
The youngest Rostov children, Nikolai, Natasha and Petya, adopted from their parents an enthusiastic attitude towards life filled with inner living fire.
Throughout the novel, we see how these people change, but one thing remains unchanged - love for their family and for their homeland.
Nikolai, whom we meet for the first time while preparing to receive guests, appears before us as an open young man dreaming of military exploits. He is used to everyone loving him, and he himself is ready to love everyone.
Over time, we see how Nikolai changes, at the end of the war he becomes a warrior for whom the commander’s order is the law, and reasoning, and even more so, arguing with the commander is wrong.
Natasha, an ardent, funny girl at the beginning of the novel, over time turns into a woman for whom family is the most important thing in life.
Having experienced mistakes and losses of loved ones, Natasha becomes the embodiment of a real Russian woman. Selfless and happy in her love for her husband, Pierre Bezukhov.
Petya Rostov, a small fat boy, as Tolstoy says about him at the very beginning, eventually becomes an enthusiastic young officer.
Having found himself in a war, he childishly does not want to notice and understand its horrors and cruelty. Even on the battlefield, he continues to play his childhood game of “war”, and this leads to tragedy - he dies without listening to Dolokhov’s commands.
Comparative characteristics of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys - essay
Comparative characteristics of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys
The epic novel “War and Peace” by L. Tolstoy is an incredibly popular work due to its appeal to the fundamental questions of human existence and the search for answers to them. And for the author, the basis and starting point that determines the essence of a person has always been the family. This theme is presented vividly and multifacetedly in the novel: the family environment is nurturing and gives a start in life. During the period of trials through which Russian society goes, the character of that time is clearly revealed through the contact of various representatives of families, their attitude to actions and events. And all the heroes of the novel are connected to each other according to the generic principle: Kuragins, Bezukhovs, Drubetskys. The stories of various families are revealed to the readers, intersecting, comparing and contrasting family structures. Tolstoy is closest in spirit to the views on the family structure of two seemingly dissimilar noble families - the Rostovs and the Bolkonskys. They differ not only in nobility and birth, but also in customs, traditions, and views.
Rostov family is a representative of the Moscow Russian nobility. This family personifies all the best qualities: spiritual and emotional generosity, respect for traditions, the concept of honor and dignity. The Moscow house of the Rostovs is open to everyone. Dinners and balls, music and fun fill this family hearth; everyone sings and dances well here. Many people are drawn here. Because the head of the family, Ilya Andreevich, is generous and kind, adoring his wife and children, sincere and sympathetic. He is not a businessman and does not know how to manage a household: the financial situation of the family is extremely upset. But when the eldest son Nikolai loses 43 thousand to Dolokhov, the father pays the debt, although it was very difficult. After all, the honor of the family is above all. Everything here is based on love and trust, so children and parents respect each other's wishes and views. The death of Petya's youngest son in the war undermined the health and strength of his parents, but they could not help but let him go into the active army. As from besieged Moscow, they are not bringing dowries and remaining luxury items, but wounded Russian soldiers. The existing foundations of family life did not allow saving wealth instead of people. Although this completely ruined them. Benevolent and friendly relations bind children together. Naturalness and breadth of nature distinguish her father’s favorite, Natasha. In any, even not the most pleasant, set of circumstances, Natasha and Nikolai support each other, help to find new strength to enjoy life. Nikolai is honest and decent, and Natasha is endowed with love for people and an open soul. The created image of the Rostov family is an ideal and strong family, an indestructible foundation of the state, a source of moral strength.
the Bolkonskys, are no longer guided by feelings, but by mind and cold considerations . This is a family of serving nobles, distinguished by the severity and asceticism of their life. Intense inner work and spirituality, special talent and exclusivity distinguish and distinguish each member of this family. Old Prince Bolkonsky lives in the village without a break, but is still interested in politics and takes all the failures of the Russian army to heart. On the one hand, Nikolai Andreevich appears as a kind of despot and tyrant, especially in relation to his daughter. On the other hand, he is versatilely educated and devoted to his country until his last breath. Indeed, in 1812 he decides to stay on the estate, despite the fact that the French took Smolensk. Father and son often had different, directly opposite views, but did not even try to convince each other. They could silently understand the thoughts of the other: the old prince “saw right through” Andrei. But both were ironic about sentimentality and religion, considering them sources of “human vices.” What is most valued in the Bolkonsky family is intelligence and activity. Therefore, Prince Andrei goes through a difficult path: from the desire for personal glory and confidence in his superiority over others to realizing the importance of universal love and forgiveness. He goes to serve in an active regiment, and does not remain at headquarters. To which Kutuzov tells him: “your road is the road of honor.” Independence and nobility, pride and sharpness of mind are inherited in this family.
The author expressed two types of views on the world using the example of these families. And it is no coincidence that he brings them together: the relationship between Natasha and Prince Andrei, Nikolai and Princess Marya. Heroes go through war and the loss of loved ones, mistakes and suffering in order to learn to understand and accept both the soul and the mind. But it is the second couple that Tolstoy rewards with earthly family happiness because of the sublime love of Marya, a symbol of spiritual beauty and high morality.
In addition to the comparative characteristics of the Rostovs and the Bolkonskys, there are other works:
- The image of Marya Bolkonskaya in the novel “War and Peace”, essay
- The image of Napoleon in the novel "War and Peace"
- The image of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace”
- The life quest of Natasha Rostova - essay
- The life quest of Pierre Bezukhov - essay
- The life quest of Andrei Bolkonsky - essay
- The history of the creation of the novel "War and Peace"
- The figurative system of the novel “War and Peace” by Tolstoy
- Genre of the novel "War and Peace"
- The image of Levin in the novel "Anna Karenina"
- The image of Vronsky in the novel “Anna Karenina”
- The symbolism of the novel by L.N. Tolstoy "Anna Karenina"
- Analysis of the image of Anna Karenina in Tolstoy’s novel of the same name
- Analysis of “Anna Karenina” - parallelism in the composition of the novel
- "Anna Karenina" - the history of creation
Based on the work: "War and Peace"
According to the writer: Tolstoy Lev Nikolaevich
Bolkonsky family
At first glance, it seems that in the novel “War and Peace” the Bolkonsky and Rostov families are two different poles, two completely different worldviews. If for the Rostovs the main thing is emotions, then for the Bolkonskys the main thing is order, established by them once and for all.
The old prince Nikolai Bolkonsky, who loves his children, tries not to reveal his feelings. And the children, Andrei and Maria, grow up and become just as restrained in their expressions of emotions.
Andrei, noble not only by origin, but also by his inner perception of the world, prefers not to show what is happening in his soul.
Throughout the story, changes also occur to him; he suddenly discovers tender spiritual impulses in himself when he falls in love with Natasha. But the greater his disappointment when he finds out about her betrayal.
Maria, Andrei's ugly sister, accustomed to living with a despotic old father, dreams of love. Despite her harsh upbringing, in her soul the romantic mood is much more important than the real perception of the world. Seeing how Anatole, who came to woo her, is caring for Mademoiselle Burien, Maria is not jealous or angry, she decides that she will do everything to make Mademoiselle Burien happy.
Having met Nikolai, Maria sees in him, first of all, a romantic hero who saved her from the peasants who would not let her out of Bogucharovo. Having accomplished the feat, he entered Mary’s life forever. No other circumstances are important to her - neither the fact that the Rostov family was practically ruined by that time and this marriage saves them from poverty, nor the fact that in fact this is a simple accident. Fortunately, over time, Nikolai will appreciate and truly love Maria.
Rostov and Bolkonsky: comparative characteristics
(366 words) In the philosophical, historical epic novel by L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" depicts 559 images. Each one differs from the other in its own special way and is depicted as realistically as possible. The writer, thanks to the precision and clarity of his language, masterfully created a gallery of human types. Thus, the family philosophy of the Bolkonskys and the Rostovs are equally close to L.N. Tolstoy, despite their dissimilarity. They differ not only in nobility, but also in worldview, customs and traditions.
The Rostov family is endowed with very bright qualities: kindness, generosity, simplicity. Rationality, rigor, intellectuality and pedantry are alien to them. The reader sees the picture from literally ideal sides. Family members are ready to come to the aid of each other or strangers at any time. Here Sonya, the count’s niece, and a distant relative, Drubetskoy, were able to find their shelter. The house always welcomes new guests with great joy; it is always filled with love and mutual understanding:
“...She and the entire Rostov family received Prince Andrei as an old friend, simply and cordially. The whole family <...> now seemed to him to be made up of wonderful, simple and kind people. The hospitality and good nature of the old count...”
Children were able to adopt all the emotional behavior of their parents. They can have intimate conversations that last for hours. Their dependence on each other is imbued with closeness of the inner world and tenderness. Therefore, there are no secrets between Natasha, Nikolai and Sonya; they see no reason why they should hide anything from their loved ones.
The Bolkonskys are an example of true aristocratic traditions. Despite the honest love for each other, restraint rules here:
“...The old prince knew very well that he was torturing his daughter, that her life was very hard...”
Upbringing does not allow one to express feelings of worry and sadness. It is not customary to complain about life. All family members adhere to an unshakable strict order:
“The order in his way of life was brought to the utmost degree of precision. His appearances at the table took place under the same unchanging conditions, and not only at the same hour, but also at the same minute...”
In the novel, the Bolkonskys represent the true features of the noble class, which were the basis of the state and could give their lives to serving the Motherland. Each family member is endowed with their own unique character traits. But they have something in common that unites them. This family is characterized by pride in the surname, sincerity, and a high mental level.
By guiding the characters through the prism of trials, the author tests the strength of family relationships.
In the ideological content of the work, a special role is played by the chapters in which the internal structure of each of the families is described, which directly helps Tolstoy show the reader “family thought.” Interesting? Save it on your wall!
