Marya Bolkonskaya image. The image of Princess Marya Bolkonskaya in the work of L.N.

Each writer or poet has his own images-ideals, to which he gives special preference. In literature, there has always been an image of a woman, in which each of the creators saw something of their own. A.S. Pushkin embodied the ideal of Russian beauty in the image of Tatyana, A.A. Blok in a central way in his poetry is the image of a sweet stranger, in N.A. Nekrasov it is a devoted real Russian woman. Leo Tolstoy also has his own ideal of the feminine essence, which he revealed to us in the novel War and Peace. It is not difficult to guess that Natasha Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya are Tolstoy's favorite heroines. Indeed, in them Tolstoy embodied certain ideals of female purity, devotion, family, true purpose women in this world.

Natasha Rostova

For Leo Tolstoy, Natasha Rostova is without a doubt the most beloved heroine. Everyone talks about it: and external description, And internal state soul, and Natasha's relationship with other characters - everything about Tolstoy is cute in her. Natasha meets us as a twelve-year-old girl. Her childish spontaneity, cheerful face, smile makes Tolstoy's novel brighter, brings some kind of joy. She easily falls in love handsome men She likes to dance, sing. Tolstoy describes her at name days, at a ball, at a meeting with Nikolai Rostov, etc. She was cheerful everywhere: “jumped like a goat”, “screeched piercingly”, “laughed at every word”, “could not contain her joy”, “a happy smile lit up her face”. Natasha is the center of attention, love, participation, understanding, kindness. She believed that all people should be happy. She was not interested in secular conversations about politics, at the ball she thought only of one thing: “They must know how I want to dance, how well I dance, and how fun they will dance with me.”

Falling in love with Boris Drubetskoy did not leave a shadow of disappointment. What can not be said about Anatole Kuragin. Carried away by him, Natasha admitted the idea that Andrei Bolkonsky was not her love. But, seeing the insincerity of Kuragin, he understands that there was simply no love. Nevertheless, Tolstoy gives Natasha the opportunity to correct her mistake. It is she who spends the last days of Bolkonsky next to him. She takes care of the wounded Andrei, giving him all her time, all her thoughts, all her feelings.

Natasha is a true patriot of Russia. Looking out the window and seeing the wounded soldiers in the courtyard, Natasha, without hesitation, asks her father and mother to give all the carts prepared to transport their property. The count and countess do not contradict her, but silently, brushing away a tear, agree to help.

In comparing Natasha Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya, Tolstoy focuses on their family. Both Natasha and Marya maintained harmony, comfort, and love in their families. Even before they were married, they already understood their purpose, they already knew that family well-being depended on them.

Marya Bolkonskaya

This heroine is described by Tolstoy with special love. The attitude of Marya Bolkonskaya to religion is brought to the fore by the author. For her, helping people, being humble, doing good are the true desires of life.

Her portrait is not so attractive: “... an ugly, weak body and a thin face. Eyes, always sad ... the eyes of the princess, large, deep and radiant (as if the rays warm light sometimes sheaves came out of them), were so good that very often, despite the ugliness of the whole face, these eyes became more attractive than beauty. “Radiant,” Tolstoy says more than once in the novel. And the eyes are the mirror of the soul.

The severity of Marya's father's upbringing did not harden her heart, on the contrary, she loved the prince even more, took care of him until last day. The death of her father brought an irreparable loss to her heart, which only she knew. Marya was very fond of Andrei and his little son. Marya's attitude towards people was this: "I only wish that you all were happy, like me." In the characterization of Natasha Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya, one can find a lot in common. They lived in different families, but eventually merge into one. It is probably no coincidence that Tolstoy ended his novel in this way.

Family of Natasha and Mary

At the end of the novel, we see Natasha, the wife of Pierre Bezukhov. She is happy in her own way. “The subject that Natasha completely immersed herself in was the family, that is, the husband ... and the children who had to be carried, given birth, fed, educated.”

Marya Bolkonskaya will become the wife of Nikolai Rostov. She will be the guardian of all happy days their family life. Devoting herself to her children and husband, Marya lived in complete happiness. It is in this that Tolstoy sees the destiny of a woman. A woman is a wife, a mother.

In my essay "Natasha Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya are Tolstoy's favorite heroines" the main idea, which is revealed by Tolstoy in the novel "War and Peace", is the destiny of a woman. It is relevant even today. I think the values ​​- love and family will be important at all times.

Artwork test

The female image in the novel "War and Peace" by L. N. Tolstoy is, one might say, a theme individual work. With its help, the author shows us his attitude to life, understanding of the happiness of a woman and her destiny. On the pages of the book there are many characters and destinies of the fair sex: Natasha Rostova, Maria Bolkonskaya, Lisa Bolkonskaya, Sonya, Helen Kuragina. Each of them is worthy of our attention and shows the attitude of the great writer to such a person. So, let's try to remember who embodies the female image in the novel "War and Peace". We will pay attention to several heroines that are found on the pages of the work.

Natasha Rostova at the beginning of the novel

This female image in the novel "War and Peace" requires most attention the author, it is to Natasha that he dedicates many pages of his creation. The heroine, of course, causes the most keen interest of readers. At the beginning of the work, she is a child, but a little later, a young enthusiastic girl appears before us. We can see how she gracefully dances, smiles, looks at life as a just ajar book, full of mysteries, miracles, adventures. This is an amazingly kind and open young lady who loves the whole world, trusts him. Every day of her life is a real holiday, she is the favorite of her parents. It seems that such easy temper sure to give her a happy, carefree life with a loving husband.

She is fascinated by beauty moonlit night She sees something beautiful in every moment. Such enthusiasm wins the heart of Andrei Bolkonsky, who accidentally overheard the conversation between Natasha and Sonya. Natasha, of course, also falls in love with him easily, joyfully, selflessly. However, her feeling has not passed the test of time, with the same readiness she accepts the courtship of Anatole Kuragin. Andrei cannot forgive her for this, which he admits to his friend, Pierre Bezukhov. It is difficult to blame Natasha for infidelity, because she is so young, so she wants to learn more about life. Such is this young female image in the novel "War and Peace".

Natasha Rostov. Trials in life

However, the girl has a lot of trials that greatly change her character. Who knows, perhaps, if Natasha had not encountered life's difficulties, a narcissistic egoist would grow out of her, thinking only about her own interests and joys, unable to make her husband and children happy.

She readily undertakes to take care of the dying Andrei Bolkonsky, showing herself as a completely mature, adult person.

After Andrey's death, Natasha grieves a lot and is very upset by his death. Now we are no longer a cheerful coquette, but a serious young woman who survived the loss.

The next blow in her life is the death of her brother Petya. She cannot indulge in grief, as her mother needs help, which is almost due to the loss of her son. Natasha spends day and night at her bedside, talking to her. Her gentle voice soothes the countess, who has turned from a youthful woman into an old woman.

We see before us a completely different captivating female image in the novel "War and Peace". Natasha Rostova is now completely different, she easily sacrifices her own interests for the sake of the happiness of others. It seems as if all the warmth that her parents gave her is now pouring out on those around her.

Natasha Rostova at the end of the novel

The favorite female image in the novel "War and Peace" is for many the image of Natasha Rostova. This heroine is also loved by the author himself, it is not without reason that he pays so much attention to her. At the end of the work, we see Natasha as the mother of a large family, who lives by taking care of her loved ones. Now she doesn't look like that at all. young girl, which was before us on the first pages of the work. The happiness of this woman is the well-being and health of her children and her husband, Pierre. She is alien to empty pastime and idleness. She gives even more force to the love received at a tender age.

Of course, Natasha is not so graceful and beautiful now, she does not take care of herself very much, she wears simple clothes. This woman lives in the interests of people close to her, giving herself entirely to her husband and children.

Surprisingly, she is absolutely happy. It is known that a person is capable only when he lives in the interests of loved ones, because loved ones are an extension of ourselves. Love for children is also love for oneself, only in a broader sense.

This is how Leo Tolstoy described this amazing female image in the novel War and Peace. Natasha Rostova, it is difficult to talk about her briefly, is the ideal woman of the writer himself. He admires her graceful youth, admires the matured heroine and makes her a happy mother and wife. Tolstoy believed that the greatest happiness for a woman is marriage and motherhood. Only then her life is filled with meaning.

L.N. Tolstoy also shows us how different female attractiveness can be. At a young age, admiration for the world, openness to everything new, of course, delight others. However, such behavior in an adult lady may seem ridiculous. Just imagine if the beauty of the night was admired not by a young girl, but by a lady more middle age. Most likely, she could look ridiculous. Every age has its own beauty. Caring for loved ones makes an adult woman happy, and her spiritual beauty makes others admire.

When high school students are given an essay on the topic “My favorite female character in the novel War and Peace,” everyone, without exception, writes about Natasha Rostova, although, if desired, of course, one could write about someone else. This once again confirms that the generally accepted human values defined in the world for a long time, and the heroine of the novel, written more than a hundred years ago, still evokes sympathy.

Marya Bolkonskaya

Another favorite female character in the novel "War and Peace" is Marya Bolkonskaya, Andrei Bolkonsky's sister. Unlike Natasha, she did not have a lively character and attractiveness. As Tolstoy writes about Marya Nikolaevna, she was ugly: a weak body, a thin face. The girl resignedly obeyed her father, who wanted to develop activity and intelligence in her, being sure of the absolute clumsiness of her daughter. Her life consisted of classes in algebra and geometry.

However, the unusual decoration of the face of this woman was the eyes, which the author himself calls the mirror of the soul. It was they who made her face "more attractive than beauty." Marya Nikolaevna's eyes, large and always sad, radiated kindness. Such an author gives them an amazing description.

The female image in the novel "War and Peace", embodied by Marya Nikolaevna, is an absolute virtue. By the way the author writes about her, it becomes clear how much he admires such women, whose existence is sometimes imperceptible.

The sister of Andrei Bolkonsky, like Natasha, loves her family, although she was never spoiled, she was brought up in strictness. Marya tolerated her father, respected him. She could not even think of discussing the decisions of Nikolai Andreevich, she was in awe of everything he did.

Maria Nikolaevna is very impressionable and kind. She is upset by her father's bad mood, she sincerely rejoices at the arrival of her fiancé, Anatole Kuragin, in whom she sees kindness, masculinity, generosity.

Like any kind woman, Marya, of course, dreams of children. She endlessly believes in fate, in the will of the Almighty. Bolkonsky's sister does not dare to wish anything for herself, her noble deep nature is not capable of envy.

The naivety of Marya Nikolaevna does not allow her to see human vices. She sees her own reflection in everyone. pure soul: love, kindness, decency.
Marya is one of those who are truly happy with the happiness of others. This smart and bright woman is simply not capable of anger, envy, revenge and other base feelings.

So, the second amazing female image in the novel "War and Peace" is Marya Bolkonskaya. Perhaps Tolstoy loves her no less than Natasha Rostova, although he does not pay much attention to her. She is like that ideal of the author, to which Natasha will come after many years. Having neither children nor family, she finds her happiness in giving warmth to other people.

Female happiness of Marya Bolkonskaya

Bolkonsky's sister was not mistaken: wanting nothing for herself, she nevertheless met a man who sincerely fell in love with her. Marya became the wife of Nikolai Rostov.

Two seemingly perfect different person matched perfectly. Each of them experienced disappointment: Marya - in Anatole Kuragin, Nikolai - in Alexander the First. Nikolai turned out to be the person who was able to increase the prosperity of the Bolkonsky family, making his wife's life happy.

Marya surrounds her husband with care and understanding: she approves of his desire to improve himself through hard work, through housekeeping and caring for the peasants.

The female image in the novel "War and Peace", embodied by Marya Bolkonskaya, is a portrait of a real woman who is used to sacrificing herself for the well-being of others and being happy from this.

Marya Bolkonskaya and Natasha Rostova

Natasha Rostova, whom we see at the beginning of the work, is absolutely not like Marya: she wants happiness for herself. The sister of Andrei Bolkonsky, like her brother, puts a sense of duty, faith, and religion in the first place.

However, the older Natasha becomes, the more she resembles Princess Marya in that she wishes happiness for others. However, they are different. Natasha's happiness can be called more mundane, she lives with everyday chores and affairs.

Marya is more concerned about the spiritual well-being of loved ones.

Sonya

The niece of Natasha Rostova's father is another female image. In the novel "War and Peace" Sonya, it would seem, exists only to show best qualities Natasha.

This girl, on the one hand, is very positive: she is reasonable, decent, kind, ready to sacrifice herself. If we talk about her appearance, she is very good. This is a slender graceful brunette with long eyelashes and a luxurious braid.

Initially, Nikolai Rostov was in love with her, but they could not marry because Nikolai's parents insisted on postponing the wedding.

The life of a girl is more subordinate to the mind, and not to feelings. Tolstoy does not really like this heroine, despite all her He leaves her lonely.

Lisa Bolkonskaya

Lisa Bolkonskaya is, one might say, the heroine of the second plan, the wife of Prince Andrei. In the world, she is called the "little princess." She is remembered by readers thanks to a pretty upper lip with a mustache. Liza is an attractive person, even this small flaw gives the young woman her own unique charm. She's good, she's full vitality and health. This woman easily endures her delicate position, everyone around is happy to look at her.

It is important for Lisa to be in the world, she is spoiled, even capricious. She is not inclined to think about the meaning of life, leads the usual way of life for a secular lady, loves empty talk in salons and at evening parties, enjoys new outfits. Bolkonsky's wife does not understand her husband, Prince Andrei, who considers it important to benefit society.

Lisa loves him superficially, as if they were just about to get married. For her, he is a background that fits into the ideas of secular ladies about what a spouse should be. Lisa does not understand his reflections on the meaning of life, it seems to her that everything is simple.

It's hard for them to be together. Andrei is forced to accompany her to balls and other social events, which becomes completely unbearable for him.

This is perhaps the simplest female image in the novel "War and Peace". Liza Bolkonskaya remained unchanged from the first edition of the novel. Its prototype was the wife of one of Tolstoy's relatives, Princess Volkonskaya.

Despite the complete lack of understanding between the spouses, Andrei Bolkonsky, in a conversation with Pierre, notes that she is a rare woman with whom you can be calm for your own honor.

When Andrei leaves for the war, Liza settles in his father's house. Her superficiality is once again confirmed by the fact that she prefers to communicate with Mademoiselle Bourrienne, and not with Princess Mary.

Lisa had a presentiment that she would not be able to survive childbirth, and so it happened. She treated everyone with love and did not want harm to anyone. Her face spoke about this even after death.

The flaw in the character of Lisa Bolkonskaya is that she is superficial and selfish. However, this does not prevent her from being gentle, affectionate, good-natured. She is a pleasant and cheerful companion.

However, Tolstoy treats her coldly. He does not like this heroine because of her spiritual emptiness.

Helen Kuragina

The last female image in the novel "War and Peace" is Helen Kuragina. Rather, this is the last heroine, which we will write about in this article.

Of all the women who appear on the pages of this grandiose novel, Helen is by far the most beautiful and luxurious.

Behind her beautiful appearance are selfishness, vulgarity, intellectual and spiritual underdevelopment. Helen realizes the power of her beauty and uses it.

Everything she wants, she achieves at the expense of her own appearance. Having got used to this state of affairs, this woman stopped striving for personal development.

Helen becomes the wife of Pierre Bezukhov solely because of his rich inheritance. It does not really seek to create strong family, give birth to children.

The War of 1812 finally puts everything in its place. For the sake of her own well-being, Helen accepts Catholicism, while her compatriots unite against the enemy. This woman, whose image can be called "dead", really dies.

Undoubtedly, the most beautiful outwardly female image in the novel "War and Peace" is Helen. Tolstoy admires her shoulders at the first ball of Natasha Rostova, but he interrupts her life, considering such an existence meaningless.

Lisa Bolkonskaya, Helen Kuragina and Natasha Rostova

As mentioned above, the deaths of Lisa and Helen were not accidental. They both lived for themselves, were capricious, selfish.

Let's remember what Natasha Rostova was like at the beginning of the novel. Just like Lisa Bolkonskaya, she admired the balls, the high society.

Like Helen Kuraginu, she was attracted to something forbidden, inaccessible. It was for this reason that she was going to run away with Anatole.

However, Natasha's high spirituality does not allow her to remain forever a superficial fool and plunge, like Helen, into a depraved life. main character novel accepts the difficulties that have fallen to her lot, helps her mother, takes care of the terminally ill Andrei.

The deaths of Lisa and Helen symbolize that the passion for social events and the desire to try the forbidden must remain in youth. Maturity requires us to have more balanced behavior and a willingness to sacrifice our own interests.

Tolstoy created a whole gallery of female images. He loved some of them, others not, but for some reason he included them in his novel. It is difficult to determine what is the best female image in the novel "War and Peace". Even negative and unloved heroines were invented by the author for a reason. They show us human vices, an inability to distinguish between the superficial and the really important. And let everyone decide for himself what is the most attractive female image in the novel "War and Peace".

Another female image that attracted my attention in the novel by L.N. Tolstoy's "War and Peace" is Princess Marya. This heroine is so beautiful internally that her appearance does not matter. Her eyes radiate such a light that her face loses its ugliness.

Marya sincerely believes in God, she believes that only He has the right to forgive and have mercy. She scolds herself for unkind thoughts, for disobedience to her father, and tries to see only the good in others. She is proud and grateful, like her brother, but her pride does not offend, because kindness, an integral part of her nature, softens this sometimes unpleasant feeling to others.

In my opinion, the image of Marya Bolkonskaya is the image of a guardian angel. She protects everyone for whom she feels even the slightest responsibility. Tolstoy believes that such a person as Princess Mary deserves much more than an alliance with Anatole Kuragin, who did not understand what treasure he had lost; however, he had very different moral values.

She lives in the naive worldview of the church legend, which causes the critical attitude of Prince Andrei and does not coincide with the views of Pierre Bezukhy and Tolstoy himself. At the right time better condition of his health and spirit, that is, before the crisis near death, Prince Andrei did not take Mary's religious teachings seriously. Only out of condescension to his sister does he consider her religiosity. Accepting the cross from her on the day of departure for the army, Andrei jokingly remarks: “If he doesn’t pull back his neck by two pounds, then I’ll make you happy.” In his heavy thoughts on the Borodino field, Andrei doubts the dogmas of the church professed by Princess Mary, feeling their unconvincing. “Father also built in the Bald Mountains and thought that this was his place, his land, his air, his men, and Napoleon came and, not knowing about his existence, like a puppy out of the way, pushed him and his Bald Mountains fell apart, and all his life. And Princess Marya says that this is a test sent from above. What is the test for, when it is not and will not be? Never again! He is not! So who are these tests? As for the attitude towards the heroine of Tolstoy himself, here the very mood of the image of Mary should be taken into account, which puts her mysticism in connection with the difficult circumstances of her personal life, which in turn gives a special psychological depth to the typification of this character. The novel hints at the reasons for Marya's religiosity. The heroine could become so because of the heavy mental anguish that fell to her lot and inspired her with the idea of ​​​​suffering and self-sacrifice. Marya was ugly, experienced it and suffered. Because of her appearance, she had to endure humiliation, the most terrible and insulting of them was the one that she experienced during the courtship of Anatole Kuragin to her, when the groom arranged a meeting with her companion Bourien at night.

It is no coincidence that it was after this scene that Princess Marya consciously seeks spiritual healing in religious feelings. “My vocation is different,” Princess Marya thought to herself, “my vocation is to be happy with another happiness, the happiness of love and self-sacrifice.”

Another reason for Marya's inner suffering, which nourished her mystical moods, was her father's despotism, which cost her tears and moral self-flagellation. She often endured the insults of this capricious, wayward and evil-minded person. As a result, a person with the ideal of Christian morality, love and self-sacrifice was formed in her. Moreover, unlike Pierre, who saw active virtue in the healing of mankind from vice, Marya consciously limits herself to personal self-improvement alone, through love for people. So you can understand the words of the author: “What did she care about the justice or injustice of other people. She had to suffer and love herself, and she did it.

In the work "War and Peace", the author, admiring the courage and resilience of the Russian people, extols Russian women. Princess Mary, who feels offended at the mere thought that the French will be on her estate. Natasha, who is ready to leave home in what she was, but to give all the wagons under the wounded. But the author does not only admire the woman. Tolstoy's attitude towards women is not unambiguous. In the novel, he emphasizes that outer beauty- not the main thing in the person. Spiritual world, inner beauty mean a lot more.

These are the romantic and impulsive Natasha Rostova, the secular and vicious Helen, and, of course, Marya Bolkonskaya, whose characteristics will be presented in more detail.

Heroine's family

The characterization of Marya Bolkonskaya should begin with a description of her inner circle, which influenced the formation of the character of the heroine. The princess lived without a break in the Bolkonsky estate, which was located in the Bald Mountains. The girl was raised by her father, Prince Nikolai.

He was a nobleman of Yekaterin, exiled by Paul the First, and since then he has not traveled anywhere. He was a stern man, despotic, pedant. The prince often insulted his daughter, calling her a fool, or somehow pointed out her ugly appearance. In the upbringing of the princess, great emphasis was placed on the exact sciences.

Despite excessive severity and contempt, he could not imagine his life without Princess Marya. The girl never thought that her father treated her unfairly. She admired everything he did and found everything he did right. Such devoted love and worship were incomprehensible to her brother, Prince Andrei.

Unlike their father, the prince was soft on his sister and pitied her. He knew about the despotic nature of their father and could not understand how she lives in such a wilderness and everything suits her. Andrei Nikolaevich admired the selflessness of his sister, the way she cared for the prince.

Princess Mary loved her brother as much as her father. The only thing that upset her was that Prince Andrei was not as religious as she would have liked. The girl loved all the people around her: both the "little princess" Elizaveta Bolkonskaya and her French companion. And she not only loved all the close people, she was always ready to protect them.

Marya Bolkonskaya possessed, like her father and brother, prudence and fortitude. But unlike them, she was more open and sincere to others, in her communication there was always more cordiality and warmth.

Appearance of the princess

In the characterization of Marya Bolkonskaya, a description of her appearance must also be given. The princess was not a beauty, she had a thin, weak body. Her gait was always heavy, because she had a habit of stepping on her heels first. Even her father believed that his daughter could marry only because she was rich and noble.

When Anatole Kuragin came to the Bolkonskys to woo, the wife of Andrei Bolkonsky, together with the Frenchwoman, tried to dress the princess in the latest fashion. But it turned out not at all the way they expected: the dress looked ridiculous and did not at all paint the girl. And this was not due to the fact that the outfit was of the wrong style or color, the princess simply had an ugly figure.

Marya Bolkonskaya never harbored illusions in terms of her appearance. And in other people, how they looked didn't matter to her. Much more she appreciated the spiritual qualities of a person, the purity and nobility of his heart. That is why she liked Pierre Bezukhov.

In the characterization of Marya Bolkonskaya, it should be noted that the most remarkable thing about her appearance was her eyes. They were extraordinarily beautiful, they seemed to glow from within. And it was precisely the spiritual beauty that the princess possessed that illuminated them. And sometimes those radiant eyes aroused more admiration than beauty.

The inner world of the heroine

IN brief description Marya Bolkonskaya must be emphasized that she was very selfless, kind and merciful to people. And this distinguishes her from the rest of the characters in the novel. Social entertainment was alien to her, she did not know how to flirt and valued people not for beauty or their position in society.

Most of all she loved her nephew and religion. The princess often invited strangers, pilgrims, and holy fools to the house. Sometimes the girl thought that her destiny was to one day leave their estate and go wandering and praying. But the earthly one prevented this dream from coming true: about family happiness and love.

Princess Marya was so insecure that she considered herself unworthy of love. After an unsuccessful acquaintance with Anatole, the girl decided to devote her life entirely to her father. But she could not completely abandon thoughts of the family. And this struggle - sublime and earthly feelings - is the basis of the character of the heroine. Princess Marya was the purest, most exalted creature in the novel.

Comparative characteristics of Natasha Rostova and Marya Bolkonskaya

It seems hard to find more opposite actors in this novel than Marya Bolkonskaya and Natasha Rostova. However, let's try to compare them.

Relationship with Anatole Kuragin

In characterizing the hero of Marya Bolkonskaya, it should be noted that it was Anatole's betrayal that revealed the selflessness of her nature. Of course, the princess liked this secular young man - after all, she never met anyone and never traveled. But Marya did not overestimate herself, she understood that she was unlikely to be able to interest such a person.

But even after his flirting with the Frenchwoman, the princess acted very nobly: she forgave them and even dreamed of arranging family happiness for them! Acquaintance with Kuragin showed the reader all the inner spiritual wealth that Princess Marya possessed.

Family life with Nikolai Rostov

In the description of Princess Marya Bolkonskaya, it is necessary to tell about how her life developed. future life with Rostov. For her, he became the embodiment of a dream of love and marriage. Having shown himself to be a real knight during their first meeting, he could not help but impress the princess.

Marya Bolkonskaya and Nikolai Rostov are getting married. Rostov loves his wife, although he does not show much tenderness. He admires her spirituality and sublimity, realizing that in this respect she surpasses him. Marya takes care of her beloved husband, trying to make her more exalted. In the same way, she brings up their children, developing in them religiosity and kindness.

Princess Marya Bolkonskaya is pure kind character from the novel War and Peace. Despite the fact that not everyone around could see her beautiful and sublime nature, she managed to start a family and become happy.

Image of Maria Bolkonskaya. One of the most attractive, described with a warm feeling of the heroines of Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace" is Marya, the sister of Andrei Bolkonsky. The princess received an excellent education, but the only entertainment in her monotonous life was mathematics. Only her father was involved in her upbringing - an intelligent, but unsociable and despotic person. The sister of Andrei Bolkonsky was very different from her peers. She was smart, well-bred, but completely ugly. However, the author constantly emphasizes her inner spiritual beauty, which was reflected in her large radiant bright eyes.

Tolstoy often uses the expression "radiant eyes" when describing Marya. Outwardly unattractive, from the first minutes of communication, she amazes the interlocutor with the nobility and beauty of the spiritual world. Princess Mary's gaze is "loving, warm and meek".

The closest person to Marya was her brother, Prince Andrei, although it is not customary in the Bolkonsky family to show feelings. Despite the severity of her father, the princess loves him very much. She denies any sympathy from her brother for her life. Maria considers herself the most happy man and wants Andrei to be as happy as she is.

The rich princess was a very enviable bride in society. Therefore, Prince Vasily Kuragin is trying to marry his dissolute son Anatole to the clever Marya. It turned out that in the soul of this girl lives not only boundless love for God, but also dreams of earthly love, husband and children.

The kind and dreamy princess hoped that she would fall in love with Anatole, and in her dreams she began to draw their joint future. But Prince Vasily immediately saw who liked his son. It was a young and beautiful maid - Mademoiselle Bourienne. Mary soon found out about it. In the garden she saw Anatole embracing her companion. She was not offended by this, saying that she wanted Anatole to marry "poor Amelie".

The war of 1812 quickly burst into the Bald Mountains. After sudden death Father Maria is left alone in anticipation of the arrival of the enemy. In a critical situation, Count Nikolai Rostov, who came to the estate for hay for horses, becomes the unwitting savior of the princess. He helps the princess, and pretty soon a special relationship develops between them. On Nikolai they produce strong impression Marya's big eyes, which in moments of spiritual tension are illuminated by a beautiful light, transforming the whole appearance of the girl.

The epilogue tells that Princess Marya and Nikolai Rostov got married. The house in the Bald Mountains was rebuilt, and Nikolai Ilyich manages the house very well. He loves his wife very much and admires her rich inner world. Countess Marya also takes care of the household, and also brings up children and keeps a diary in which she writes down her thoughts.

Marya does not always agree with her husband. She tries to explain to him that it is necessary to engage not only in material enrichment, but also to enrich spiritual world. Marya sees that Nikolai does not always understand this truth, but her love intensifies more and more, even when she realizes that she and her husband are completely different.

Using the example of this heroine, Tolstoy shows us how much more important and valuable than physical attractiveness is the beauty of the soul. A person with a truly beautiful soul will always be worthy of love and admiration, while external beauty invariably fades and disappears over the years.