The main images of the novel "War and Peace" include the historical figures of Napoleon and Kutuzov. Many other historical figures also act on the pages of Tolstoy's work, as the author tells about the course of military events in the struggle against France. So, among the other heroes, you can meet Emperor Alexander, and General Bagration, and Marshal Davout, and others. But still the commanders among all of them occupy a special central place. Leo Tolstoy describes these two figures on a large scale, they appear before the reader as if alive. The author creates images that allow one to admire Kutuzov, respect and sympathize with him, hate and despise Napoleon. The antithesis helps the writer to show these two images more fully. But at the same time, it is impossible to find detailed author's characteristics of the generals in the novel. The impression about them is made up of the actions that they perform, the phrases that they utter, and even the appearance of these heroes.
Antithesis is the main compositional device. This opposition already begins in the very title of Tolstoy's work. It continues on the pages of his novel. Therefore, two large-scale historical figures are opposed to each other, only as opponents, as the positive and negative worlds. But do not forget that the reader is facing a novel, which is a work of art, which means that these historical figures are also shown through fiction.
You can see that the author exaggerates some features of the characters. This allows you to achieve a great effect, and gives the reader the opportunity to evaluate their actions. How are these two characters opposed? In portrait characteristics, they are compared. Kutuzov is depicted by the author as an old and overweight person. He is sick. It is difficult for the field marshal to move around, an active lifestyle weighs on him, but the war requires him to move. It seems like a sick old man who has poor eyesight and is tired of life, as secular society thinks in the novel, can manage the army.
Napoleon looks completely different. The Emperor of France is alive and active, a strong flow of energy simply comes from his body. The author describes it in such a way that it seems that only such active people can manage the army. But that's just the reader's sympathy is not on his side. The author achieves this by giving small and very insignificant details of the portrait characteristics. So, Tolstoy, when describing Kutuzov, conveys his appearance and character in simple language. But the portrait of Napoleon is given with irony.
The life goals of these two characters are different. Napoleon, who believed in his own strength, considering himself a famous commander, decides to conquer the whole world. He even imagined that he could change history. The French commander does not feel remorse at all because, on his initiative, a war with Russia began, that he pushed two peoples together and now people are dying. He has his own unattainable goals and for them he is ready to sacrifice people. For Napoleon, in the first place are not people and their lives, but his own vanity and pride. Throughout the novel, the reader does not see the remorse of this man. Neither doubt nor remorse tormented him. All these are moral concepts alien to the hero. He only watches what is happening inside him, how his soul feels. Everything else didn't matter to him. He thought that everything and always in the whole world would depend on his will.
Kutuzov is completely different. He sets himself other goals, not at all similar to Napoleon. He is not interested in power, honors or glory among the people. He commands the Russian army, because his duty to the Motherland tells him so. It is important for him that the people believe and trust him. And his goal is not to glorify himself for centuries, but to expel the enemy from his native land. Honor is important to him, all his actions are considered and fair. He doesn't make hasty decisions. He cherishes the lives of soldiers, so he already commands respect.
These two great commanders who have remained in history lead the greatest armies. The life of a simple soldier in the war depends only on them. This is well understood and realized by Kutuzov. He tries to be attentive to each of his soldiers. Tolstoy's description in the novel of the review of soldiers under Braun perfectly resembles perfectly. The weak and sick commander passes through the entire formation of soldiers and notices everything: boots that are already completely worn out, shabby clothes. He recognizes in the crowd of soldiers and those with whom he personally knew or encountered.
Kutuzov tries to talk to the soldier in order to understand his needs. He speaks the same language with them. The commander does not strive for glory, and for him the praise of the sovereign is not as important as the life of a soldier. Mikhail Illarionovich is trying to talk to every soldier, to give him hope that everything will be fine in the future. The commander understands that a lot depends on the mood of the soldiers in battle. Kutuzov and ordinary soldiers have common goals: hatred for the invader of their native land, love for the motherland, the desire to gain their independence from the French. These common goals help to merge all the soldiers of the Russian army into a single and invincible army, commanded by a wise commander.
Napoleon treats his soldiers differently. For him, the life of a soldier does not matter, in the first place he has only his desires and glory. But those who surround him are completely indifferent to him. He often admires the battlefield, where dead soldiers remain. He does not even provide assistance to his soldiers, who fall into the turbulent current of the hand, although he could save them. He chooses the position of the observer. Napoleon does not feel responsible for the lives of people who believe him and go to die for him. For him, the main thing is his comfort, well-being and glory.
History itself put everything in its place. Napoleon lost this war of 1812 in disgrace, although he had great plans. The decisive battle took place near Borodino, after which the French commander received shame instead of glory, but he could not fully understand why the Russian army won. But this is well understood by Kutuzov, who experiences the same feelings with the soldiers: pain for the Motherland, which is trampled under the feet of the enemy. The motives of heroism and courage belong not only to the great Russian commander, but also to the soldiers.
The wisdom of the commander and his strong spirit and will lead the Russian army to victory over a strong enemy. Kutuzov makes a difficult decision when he talks about retreating from Moscow, but this helps him save the Russian army, which then fights even better and wins.
Roman L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace", as can be seen from the title, is largely built on oppositions. The work correlates, compares the secular society of St. Petersburg and the Moscow nobility, the war of 1805-1807. and the Patriotic War of 1812, the Rostov family and the Kuragin family... As part of this comparison, there is also an understanding of the differences between two great historical figures - Kutuzov and Napoleon.
Kutuzov appears in Tolstoy's novel not even as a talented commander, but as a symbolic person who inspired the Russian people to defeat the enemy. Old and practically already infirm, disgraced in the memory of generals and officers, he was close in spirit to ordinary Russian soldiers who believed him undividedly, which decided the outcome of the battle of Borodino. Kutuzov, as Tolstoy writes, "was chosen by the people against the will of the tsar to be the producers of the people's war." The warrior people, forgotten and abandoned by the tsar and the generals, acquired in the person of Kutuzov a spiritual father and a real commander.
Despite his noble origin, Kutuzov is distinguished by "the popular feeling that he carries in himself in all its purity and strength." It is this quality that primarily distinguishes him from Napoleon. Tolstoy emphasizes that the main advantage of Kutuzov as a commander was not a thorough knowledge of the theory of warfare, not iron logic and calculation in actions, but a huge personal experience, backed up by exceptional intuition, which was fully manifested during the battle of Borodino.
In Tolstoy's novel, Kutuzov is shown not only in the refined perception of the author himself. Alternately, we look at him through the eyes of a variety of people - Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre Bezukhov, a simple Russian peasant ... A look from different points of view gives the image of Kutuzov even more vitality.
The personality of Kutuzov, with his intuition and confidence in the strength of the people's spirit, is opposed by the figure of Napoleon. In the image of Tolstoy, he appears as an ambitious and despot, seeking to exalt himself through world domination. At the same time, the author does not deny the charm of this person in the eyes of many people, including the heroes of his novel: the book reflects sympathy for Napoleon among the Russian nobility after the conclusion of the Tilsit Peace. Young Pierre Bezukhov idealizes the French commander. Andrei Bolkonsky, noting the despotism and cruelty of Napoleon, at the same time recognizes in him a person who is not alien to knightly ideals. To a large extent, such sentiments influenced the outcome of the battle of Austerlitz, where the Russian army was defeated.
Tolstoy convincingly shows in his novel that Napoleon's power is based on such properties of his nature as ambitious aspirations, a cold mind, and the ability to accurately calculate. Napoleon is well aware that, having risen and achieved glory, he will enjoy the rights of the strong for a long time to come. In the words of Tolstoy, this man "has already made sure that intelligence, constancy and consistency are not needed for success."
In the war with Russia, Napoleon personified strength, but was helpless against the "strongest enemy in spirit." This happened because the great despot did not personify the truth in its universal and popular understanding - it simply cannot be in the soul of an ambitious person, intoxicated with success and longing for even greater glory. The writer saw the reason for the rise of Napoleon in a fatal combination of circumstances and found a convincing image in order to show the true place of this man in history and the role assigned to him: “He was like a child who, holding on to the ribbons tied inside the carriage, imagines that he rules ".
“There is and cannot be greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth,” the writer concludes, opposing the figure of an ambitious despot with the modest image of Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov, the Russian commander, people's favorite and chosen one.
In the novel “War and Peace” by the great Russian writer L.N. Tolstoy describes important events during the Patriotic War, reveals the characters of his heroes. One of the main images of the novel is the great commander Kutuzov.
Even in the war of 1805-1807, he shows the permeability of the commander, trying to save the army. After inspecting the troops, the talented commander was convinced that the troops were not ready for battle. Kutuzov understood that the battle of Austerlitz would not be won. He was forced to make a decision, obeying the royal will. Kutuzov accepts defeat with pain in his soul.
During the Patriotic War of 1812, the great commander subordinated all his decisions to the main goal and task - to defeat the enemy. Readers often see him through the eyes of the astute Prince Andrei. He saw the main character trait of the old commander - "lack of personal." Kutuzov treats the soldiers with respect, worries about the life of each subordinate. With contempt, he treats only cowards, as well as careerists.
Not everyone understands why the great commander makes a decision, and the Russian army retreats from Moscow. Kutuzov feels great responsibility for such a decision. He is not afraid of royal disfavor, for him the main thing is the complete defeat of the enemy. He must save the army, which means Russia! From the point of view of the tactics of the commander, the loss of the city does not mean the loss of the entire state. In his image, a close connection with the people is felt. This “people's feeling” made him a national hero who fulfilled a great historical mission during the Patriotic War. In the memory of the people, he remains a talented and courageous commander.
Napoleon in Leo Tolstoy's novel is described as an ambitious man. All his decisions are connected with an attempt to subjugate all peoples to his power. He wants to direct the story of his own free will. Napoleon treats ordinary soldiers with contempt and arrogance. For him, they are only means to achieve the main goal - to become the ruler of the world. The main features of his character are narcissism and individualism, as well as an indifferent attitude towards people and their interests.
The author belittles the image of Napoleon, describing his physical shortcomings. Before the reader is an ordinary person, and not the ruler of nations. During the battle of Borodino, Napoleon realizes that as a commander he lost. This ruler of the world runs ahead of his army. He only thinks about his life. The author sarcastically shows the flight of Napoleon. All his plans are collapsing thanks to the patriotic spirit of the Russian people and the talent of the great commander Kutuzov.
Option 2
At the heart of the novel L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is the idea of opposition. Firstly, in the very title of the work there is a vivid antithesis of two philosophical concepts - war and peace. Secondly, the nature of the opposition is the ratio of the two most important characters, bright and talented commanders - Kutuzov and Napoleon.
The author portrayed the Russian commander-in-chief as a true inspirer who managed to lead the Russian people to victory. Kutuzov is truly a national hero. Hypocrisy and pretense are alien to him, he is an honest and simple person, on the one hand, but a bright historical figure and a wise commander, on the other.
Kutuzov perfectly understands the course of military events, gives them a correct assessment, logically correctly predicting their consequences. Thanks to the developed strategic thinking, unsurpassed leadership talent, amazing intuition and rich experience, the commander's military decisions turn out to be victorious, and predictions come true. This is exactly what happened when Kutuzov emphasized the importance of the battle of Borodino and declared that victory in it would be for Russia.
Kutuzov is ideal for that time, for waging the war of 1812. When its completion drew near, and the Russian army began to conduct military operations in Europe, a new commander-in-chief was needed. Kutuzov at that moment had no choice but to resign and leave the stage. The "representative of the people's war" did not fit into the new circumstances, there was no place for him there.
Tolstoy portrays Kutuzov as a truly living person, with his own emotions, gestures, facial expressions, character and behavior. It emphasizes the expressive figure of the commander, his lively face.
It is interesting that this character is presented to the reader through his perception by persons different in their views and social status. Conversations with close and pleasant people make Kutuzov extremely humane. At the same time, no matter how great the figure of the Russian commander as a person, Tolstoy denied and ridiculed the cult of great people who could influence the course of historical events. According to the writer, only the people themselves can decide the fate of the country, and the leader can only observe and, as far as he can, lead the elusive force of the war, the outcome of which is already known in advance. Here one can clearly see the recognition by the author of the idea of fatalism, according to which all historical events are predetermined by fate.
In contrast to Kutuzov, the author puts Napoleon. Tolstoy is an ardent opponent of the cult of the French leader. For him, this man is only an aggressor and a barbarian who attacked Russia, ruined cities and villages, destroyed great cultural values, ruined so many human destinies. At the beginning of the novel, the writer ridicules the stupid admiration for the false greatness of Napoleon. Tolstoy draws attention to the fact that the actions of the French commander were guided only by a whim, and apart from it, there was no point in his actions.
Each of the characters in the novel had their own opinion about Napoleon. The author portrays him as a narcissistic, overly self-confident leader, who is intoxicated by his own success and world fame, and who considers himself the arbiter of the historical process. Tolstoy's conclusion is very simple - there can be no truly great personality if there is not a gram of goodness, truth and simplicity in it. Thus, the truly great historical figure is the Russian commander Kutuzov, for whom in the first place is not his own glory and success, but the victory of the Russian people in the struggle for the freedom of their Fatherland.
Brief essay on Kutuzov and Napoleon in War and Peace
Kutuzov and Napoleon are two great commanders, the most talented people of their time, who played a huge role in the history of mankind. One who has conquered half the world, and has ambitions to be the ruler of the world. The second is the defender of the Fatherland, who has a holy goal - to cleanse his native land from enemies.
In their comparison, there is no question of who is stronger, who is more talented, but it is their task that determines the outcome of their confrontation. Kutuzov is driven by a great goal - the liberation of the Motherland, this gives him the strength to resist evil. He is forced to weigh his every step, the fate of Russia depends on his decisions, this understanding determines his strategy for waging war. Kutuzov understands that Napoleon's army is more numerous in comparison with the Russian army, and Russia has not yet recovered from the war with Turkey, so he chooses a strategy of luring the enemy deep into the country, thereby exhausting his forces. Napoleon, on the other hand, is in a state of euphoria, he conquered many countries without much resistance, therefore he did not think to meet resistance from Russia, and for him the surrender of Moscow was not a surprise, but he could not even imagine what it would lead to.
The contrast between the two commanders and ordinary soldiers is very clearly seen. Napoleon's army mostly consists of mercenaries from the countries he conquered. Therefore, it is not surprising Bonaparte's attitude towards the soldier, for him the soldier was only a tool that he used to achieve his goals. And the army, consisting of mercenaries, has never been and is not distinguished by special loyalty and stamina. Another thing is Kutuzov, he took care of his soldiers, he was not indifferent to the fate of a simple soldier. National unity, which is especially awakened in times of general misfortune, can work a miracle, make people unshakable and strong. This is what happened in Russia - the general opposition to the conquerors and the strength of the spirit of the people led to victory!
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Depiction of historical figures in works of art Images of Kutuzov and Napoleon in Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace"
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Purpose To determine the features of the image of historical figures (Kutuzov and Napoleon) in a work of art Tasks To consider the images of Kutuzov and Napoleon in the interpretation of L.N. Tolstoy Find the distinctive features of Tolstoy's interpretation of images Draw conclusions
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Tolstoy's views on the role of personality in history The historical process is an element. Personality plays only a leading role in history. A great personality can only be when it obeys the general course of history. The course of history is decided by the masses. All historical events are predetermined from above.
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Kutuzov Kutuzov, like Suvorov, was one of the remarkable Russian people. Having an extensive education, he possessed eloquence and the ability to dominate minds. “Even Ribas will not deceive him,” Suvorov said about his favorite, Kutuzov. Always cheerful, sociable, he was distinguished by amazing composure in the most difficult situations. Strict calculation and endurance were his hallmarks.
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He knew how to speak with a soldier and, like Suvorov, knowing that ceremonial tinsel and outward brilliance were not to the heart of the Russian commoner, he, being already commander-in-chief, appeared before the troops on a small Cossack horse, in an old frock coat without an epaulette, in a cap and with a whip through shoulder.
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In the novel "War and Peace" he is presented as the inspirer and organizer of the victories of the Russian people. Kutuzov is a truly national hero, He is guided in his actions by the national spirit. Kutuzov appears in the novel as a simple Russian man, alien to pretense, and at the same time as a wise historical figure and commander.
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The main thing in Kutuzov is his blood connection with the people, "that people's feeling that he carries in himself in all its purity and strength." He correctly assessed the significance of the Battle of Borodino, declaring that it was a victory.
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Tolstoy put him above Napoleon because he understood the course of history and accepted it. It was such a commander that was needed to wage the Patriotic War of 1812.
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Tolstoy emphasizes that after the transfer of the war to Europe, the Russian army needed another commander-in-chief: “There was nothing left for the representative of the people's war but death. And he died."
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Features of the image of Kutuzov Tolstoy deliberately distorts the image of Kutuzov. In the image of Tolstoy, Kutuzov is a living face. Tolstoy gives this image in the perception of various persons, delving into psychological analysis. Kutuzov “knew that it was not the orders of the commander-in-chief, not the place on which the troops stood, not the number of guns and killed people, but that elusive force called the spirit of war, that decide the fate of the battle, and he followed this force and led it, as far as it was in his authority."
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Inconsistency of the image of Kutuzov Kutuzov appears in the novel as a commander, with all his passivity, accurately assessing the course of military events and unmistakably directing them. That is, Kutuzov acts as an active figure, hiding a huge volitional tension behind external calmness.
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Napoleon Napoleon worked extremely hard and read books in various fields of knowledge: travel, geography, history, strategy, tactics, artillery, philosophy. In addition, he achieved tremendous success in mathematics.
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Bonaparte himself determined the order of his first two functions when he declared: “There are only two powerful forces in the world: the saber and the spirit. Ultimately, the spirit defeats the saber.”
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Napoleon appears in the novel as the arrogant ruler of France, blinded by glory, considering himself the driving force behind the historical process. He assumes acting poses, utters pompous phrases. Napoleon Tolstoy is a "superman", for whom "only what happened in his soul" is of interest. And "everything that was outside of him did not matter to him, because everything in the world, as it seemed to him, depended only on his will."
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Tolstoy believed that Napoleon was like "a child who, holding on to ribbons tied inside the carriage, imagines that he rules." Napoleon in the war with Russia turned out to be weaker than his opponent - "the strongest in spirit."
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The writer depicts this famous commander and outstanding figure as a "little man" with an "unpleasantly feigned smile" on his face, with "fat chest", "round belly" and "fat thighs of short legs".
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Features of the image of Napoleon Napoleon in the novel is the antipode of Kutuzov. Tolstoy opposed the cult of Napoleon. Napoleon is an aggressor who attacked Russia, an ambitious man striving for world domination. Napoleon "has already made sure that intelligence, constancy and consistency are not needed for success." In the actions of Napoleon, except for a whim, there was no point, but "he believed in himself, and the whole world believed in him."
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Conclusions Kutuzov expresses the interests of the people - Napoleon thinks about his own glory. Comparing two great commanders. Tolstoy concludes: "There is no and cannot be greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth." Therefore, it is Kutuzov who is truly great - the people's commander, thinking about the glory and freedom of the Fatherland.
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Questions and tasks Compare the behavior of Kutuzov and Napoleon before the battle of Austerlitz Compare the behavior of Kutuzov and Napoleon before the battle of Borodino Compare the portraits of Kutuzov and Napoleon given in the novel Give a comparative description of the images of Kutuzov and Napoleon.
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Biographical information about Kutuzov Chronology September 5 (16), 1745 - was born in St. Petersburg; 1759 - graduated with honors from the Noble Artillery School; 1764–1765 - took part in hostilities in Poland; 1768–1774 - took part in the Russian-Turkish war; 1774 - near Alushta received a bullet wound in the temple, lost his right eye; 1801 - military governor of St. Petersburg; 1805 - commander in chief of the Russian army at Austerlitz; 1806–1807 - was appointed military governor of Kyiv; 1808 - commander of the corps of the Moldavian army; March 7 (19), 1811 - Commander-in-Chief of the Moldavian Army; August 8 (20), 1812 - commander-in-chief of the Russian army; August 26 (September 7), 1812 - the battle of Borodino, then the surrender of Moscow followed; Winter 1812-1813 - the Russian army under the command of Kutuzov pursued the French and inflicted a decisive defeat on the Berezina River; April 16 (28), 1813 - before the start of the Foreign campaign, Kutuzov fell ill and died in the German town of Bunzlau (Silesia) on April 16 (28), 1813.
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The noble family of the Golenishchev-Kutuzovs traces its origins to a certain Gabriel, who settled in the Novgorod lands during the time of Alexander Nevsky (mid-13th century). Among his descendants in the 15th century was Fedor, nicknamed Kutuz, whose nephew was called Vasily, nicknamed Shaft. His sons began to be called Golenishchev-Kutuzov and were in the royal service. Grandfather M.I. Kutuzov rose only to the rank of captain, his father already to lieutenant general, and Mikhail Illarionovich earned hereditary princely dignity. Children: Praskovya, Anna, Elizabeth, Ekaterina, Daria. Two of them (Liza and Katya) had their first husbands killed fighting under the command of Kutuzov. Since the field marshal left no offspring in the male line, the name Golenishchev-Kutuzov in 1859 was transferred to his grandson, Major General P.M. Tolstoy, son of Praskovya.
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Contemporaries about Kutuzov "Only the recognition of this feeling in him made the people, in such strange ways, choose him, in disfavor, to be an old man, against the will of the tsar, as representatives of the people's war." L. N. Tolstoy “All the best, priceless features of the Russian national character distinguish the nature of this extraordinary personality, up to the rare ability to humanely, even compassionately treat the defeated enemy, recognize and respect the enemy’s courage and other military qualities.” Tarle
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Biographical information about Napoleon Chronology August 15, 1769 - Napoleon Bonaparte was born on the island of Corsica. 1793 Organization of the successful siege of Toulon, which rebelled against the Revolution. 1796-1797 - Successful conduct of the Italian campaign. 1798-1799 - Conducting the Egyptian campaign and campaign against Syria. June 14, 1800 - The defeat of the Austrian troops at Marengo. December 2, 1805 - The destruction of the Russian-Austrian army at Austerlitz. July 8, 1807 - Conclusion of the Peace of Tilsit with Russia. 1808 - Conquest of Spain. June 1812 - Beginning of the war with Russia. September 7, 1812 - Battle of Borodino. October 16-19, 1813 - Defeat near Leipzig in the "Battle of the Nations". April 11, 1814 - First abdication of Napoleon. February 1815 - Flight of Napoleon from Elba. March 20, 1815 - Entry into Paris, the beginning of the "100 days" of government. June 18, 1815 - Defeat in the battle with the troops of the anti-French coalition at Waterloo. October 15, 1815 - Napoleon arrives at Saint Helena. May 5, 1821 - Death of the former Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte.
The author of the novel speaks openly about his rejection of Napoleon, his aggressive policy, thereby belittling the dignity and merits of this commander. The writer's sympathies are on the side of Kutuzov, a truly popular commander, who was not perceived by high society, who condemned his tactics of warfare. Simplicity, kindness, modesty, closeness to a simple soldier - these are the feelings that Tolstoy highlights in Kutuzov. That is why the field marshal does not correspond to the ideas of the world about the commander of the Russian army.
Kutuzov and Napoleon are antipodes in the novel. The attitude of the writer towards them is also different.
Napoleon is the idol of his time, they bowed before him, imitated him, saw him as a genius and a great man. His fame spread all over the world. But Tolstoy did not idealize this universal idol; gradually, in the novel, he is debunked as a commander and as a great personality. This is how Tolstoy describes Napoleon's "great army": "It was a crowd of marauders, each of whom was carrying or carrying a bunch of things that seemed valuable and necessary to him." The man who imagined himself the ruler of the world was very far from a simple soldier and his army, thanks to which he reached the heights of greatness. This is an egoist who thinks only about himself and his desires, subordinating everything only to his whims. “Everything that was outside of him did not matter, because everything in the world, as it seemed to him, depended only on his will.” Tolstoy shows that all this is just a whim, self-deception. Along with arrogance, Bonaparte is characterized by hypocrisy, posturing, and falsehood: “With the ability of Italians to change arbitrarily facial expressions, he approached the portrait and pretended to be thoughtful tenderness.” Even in front of the portrait of his son, he plays a role.
Napoleon is cruel and treacherous. He is indifferent to the fate of the army. He indifferently looks at the death of the lancers crossing the river, he is indifferent to the death of ordinary soldiers, since they are only a tool for achieving their goals. He is flattered by the love of the people, but at the same time, Bonaparte does not feel a drop of gratitude, everyone was obliged to unquestioningly obey his will: “Millions of people killed and tortured each other, because Napoleon was power-hungry».
Most striking is the attitude of the French emperor towards this war, which has as its goal the enslavement of Europe, Russia, and the whole world. He treats war as something natural in human history: “War is a game, people are pawns that should be correctly placed and moved”, “Chess is set; the game will start tomorrow.”
The author expresses his attitude to Napoleon through portrait sketches, which are distinguished by their realism and irony: “A little man in a gray frock coat ... He was in a blue uniform, open over a white waistcoat, descending on a round stomach, in white leggings, fitting fat thighs of short legs.”
A completely different attitude of Tolstoy towards Kutuzov. Here is love, and respect, and understanding, and compassion, and delight, and admiration. With each new meeting, the author more and more reveals the image of the people's commander. From the first minutes of our acquaintance, we begin to respect this person, just like the author himself. He is close to the people, true patriotism is inherent in him, he is devoid of any panache. We see his modesty and simplicity, a simple soldier is close and dear to him. We feel how Kutuzov suffers, seeing Russian soldiers fleeing from the battlefield. He is one of the few who understood the absurdity, uselessness and cruelty of this war. The great commander lives one life with ordinary soldiers, their thoughts. He is modest and simple in everyday life. Kutuzov has military wisdom, he is laconic, does not shout and does not try to prove his case, he always waits. He is loved and honored by ordinary soldiers. The commander and his army are united, this is exactly what the author showed in his work.
Napoleon and Kutuzov appear to us so different in Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace". With the help of these images, the writer wanted to show his attitude to great personalities and their role in history.
Composition on the topic “Images of Kutuzov and Napoleon in the novel “War and Peace” updated: June 28, 2019 by: Scientific Articles.Ru
