The salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer resembles masks pulled together by decency. We see beautiful ladies and brilliant gentlemen, bright candles are a kind of theater in which heroes, like actors, perform their roles. At the same time, each performs not the role that he likes, but the one in which others want to see him. Even their phrases are absolutely empty, meaningless, since they are all prepared and do not come from the heart, but are spoken according to an unwritten script. The main actors and directors of this performance are Anna Pavlovna and Vasily Kuragin.
However, with all this, the description of Scherer's salon is an important scene in the novel, not only because it helps us understand the whole essence of the secular society of that time, but also because it introduces us to some of the main characters of the work.
It is here that we meet Pierre Bezukhov and Andrei Bolkonsky and understand how different they are from other heroes. The principle of antithesis used in this scene by the author makes us pay attention to these characters, take a closer look at them.
Secular society in the salon resembles a spinning machine, and people are spindles that, without stopping, make noise from different directions. The most obedient and beautiful puppet is Helen. Even the expression on her face completely repeats the emotions on the face of Anna Pavlovna. Helen does not utter a single phrase for the whole evening. She's just adjusting her necklace. There is absolutely nothing hidden behind the external beauty of this heroine, the mask on her is held on even more tightly than on other heroes: it is an “unchanging” smile and cold diamonds.
Among all the women who are represented in the salon of the maid of honor, only the wife of Prince Andrei, Lisa, who is expecting a child, is pretty.
We even imbue her with respect when she moves away from Hippolyte. However, Lisa also has a mask that has become so attached to her that even at home she speaks with her husband in the same playful and capricious tone as with the guests in the salon.
A stranger among those invited is Andrei Bolkonsky. When he narrowed his eyes, he looked around the society, he found that before him were not faces, but masks, whose hearts and thoughts were completely empty. This discovery makes Andrey close his eyes and turn away. Only one person in this society is worthy of Bolkonsky's smile. And this same person Anna Pavlovna hardly deserves attention, meeting with a greeting that applies to people of the lowest class. This is Pierre Bezukhov, the “Russian bear”, who, according to Anna Pavlovna, needs “education”, and in our understanding, deprivation of a sincere interest in life. Being the illegitimate son of Catherine's nobleman, he was deprived of a secular upbringing, as a result of which he sharply stood out from the general mass of salon guests, but his naturalness immediately disposes him in relation to the reader and evokes sympathy. Pierre has his own opinion, but nobody in this society is interested in it. Here, in general, no one has their own opinion, and it cannot be, because all representatives of this society are unchanged and self-satisfied.
The author himself and his favorite characters have a negative attitude towards secular society. L. Tolstoy unmasks the actors of the Scherer Salon. Using the methods of contrast and comparison, the author reveals the true essence of the characters. He compares Prince Vasily Kuragin with an actor, and his manner of speaking with a wound clock. The new guests of the salon act at Tolstoy as dishes that are served at the table. First, Anna Pavlovna "serves the table" as a viscount, then as an abbot. The author consciously uses the technique of reducing images, emphasizing the predominance of physiological needs in members of secular society over more important - spiritual ones. The author makes us understand that he himself is on the side of naturalness and sincerity, which certainly had no place in the salon of the maid of honor.
This episode plays an important role in the novel. This is where the main storylines begin. Pierre sees his future wife Helen for the first time, Prince Vasily decides to marry Anatole to Princess Marya, and also to attach Boris Drubetskoy, and Andrei Bolkonsky decides to go to war.
The beginning of the novel has much in common with the epilogue. At the end of the epic, we meet the young son of Andrei Bolkonsky, who was invisibly present in the first scene of the work. And again, disputes about the war begin, as if in continuation of the theme of Abbot Morio about the eternity of the world. It is this theme that L. Tolstoy reveals throughout his novel.
In "War and Peace", it would seem that the scene in Scherer's salon, which opens the work, is by no means repeated. It's just that we kind of plunge into the thick of things, immediately find ourselves among the heroes of the book, captured by the flow of life. But the meaning of the scene is not only in this. In it, of course, although not as clearly as in the first episodes of Dostoevsky's novel, all the main problems of the work are outlined, the very first words that sound in the salon are discussions about Napoleon, about wars, about the Antichrist. In the future, this will find a continuation in Pierre's attempt to kill Napoleon, in his calculations of the numerical value of the name of this "Antichrist". The whole theme of the book is war and peace, the true greatness of man and false idols, divine and diabolical.
Let's go back to Dnna Pavlovna's salon. The main thing for us is to trace how the main lines of the characters in the book are tied in this first scene. Pierre, of course, will become a Decembrist, this is clear from his behavior from the very first pages. V. Kuragin is a sly man, somewhat reminiscent of Famusov, but without his warmth and eloquence, which, however, Griboedov portrayed not without sympathy ... The St. Petersburg public is still not a Moscow nobility. Vasily Kuragin is a prudent, cold rogue, although he is a prince, he will continue to look for clever moves "to the cross, to the town." Anatole, his son, whom he mentions in a conversation with Scherer, "a restless fool", will cause much grief to Rostov and Volkonsky. Other children of Kuragin - Ippolit and Helen - are immoral destroyers of other people's destinies. Helen is already in this first scene far from being as harmless as it might seem at first glance. There was not yet a shadow of coquetry in her, but she is fully aware of her beauty, “giving everyone the right to admire? Significant detail! Her smile is “unchanging” (the most terrible thing that can be in a person, according to Tolstoy, is his spiritual immobility), and Helen’s expression completely depends on the expression on Anna Pavlovna’s face - Tolstoy specifically emphasizes this. Three women in the salon, Scherer, Helen and Lisa, play the role of three parks, goddesses of fate. M. Gasparov interestingly compares Sherer's "spinning workshop" with the work of goddesses spinning the thread of human destiny. Another motif linking War and Peace with antiquity is the ancient beauty of Helene. The same antique beauty makes her look like a soulless statue.
In significant works, as a rule, the first pages contain the grain of the whole idea. This can be said about Dead Souls, Crime and Punishment, Warrior and Peace. L. Tolstoy himself said about Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" that further "it is told and repeated what you read in the first chapters ...".
Literature lesson in grade 10
Episode Analysis
"In the cabin
Anna Pavlovna Sherer"
(based on the epic novel by L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace")
Prepared by:
teacher of Russian language and literature
Karpenko N.A.
Anna Pavlovna's evening was started.
The spindles from different sides evenly and not
silent noise.
L. Tolstoy
Properly tightened masks ...
M. Lermontov
Target: Determine the attitude of the author of the novel to the norms of life of high society and how he expresses it.
Tasks:
- Recall the elements of the plot and their role in the work.
- Find out for what purpose the Petersburg nobility gathered in the capital's salons.
- Reflect on the meaning of French and Russian speech in the novel.
- Learn to work with artistic detail, through which the author characterizes his hero.
- Understand the essence of the method of "tearing off all and sundry masks."
- Determine the artistic techniques with which Tolstoy expresses his negative attitude towards the characters.
During the classes.
- Plot elements. The plot of the novel.
Hello guys.
Today in the lesson we will continue our acquaintance with the epic novel by L. N. Tolstoy "War and Peace" and visit the most famous St. Petersburg salon of 1805, where the high society gathered - the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer.
Our goal : to determine the attitude of the author to the norms of life of high society and how he expresses it.
Tasks:
- Find out for what purpose the Petersburg nobility gathered in the capital's salons;
- Determine the meaning of French and Russian speech in the novel;
- Let's talk about the visitors of the salon and try to understand the essence of the method of "tearing off all and sundry masks", which L.N. Tolstoy uses in his epic novel;
- Let's find out with the help of what artistic techniques L.N. Tolstoy expresses his attitude towards the characters.
But first, let's remember why this work belongs to such an epic genre as an epic novel. What epic genres do you know? What is the difference?
How is the work usually constructed? What elements of the plot must be present in a work of art?
What episode does the epic novel "War and Peace" begin with? (From the description of the salon by A.P. Sherer).
What is the plot element of this episode?
What do you think is the significance of the plot for the work? Remember examples of strings in other works? ("Dowry" - the arrival of Paratov)
Why is this episode considered the beginning of the whole novel?
Notebook entry:
At the evening at A.P. Sherer, all the threads of the novel are tied. Conversations in the salon of persons close to the royal court allow one to get involved in the political atmosphere of the era, because it was in July 1805 that diplomatic relations with France were broken, hence the basis of the plot of the novel - the conflict with Napoleon. Here, in the salon, the main problems of the novel are born: true and false beauty, communication, love, patriotism, the problem of the possibility of world peace.
What is a salon?
Who owns the salon, with the description of which the epic novel "War and Peace" begins? Remind me, please, who is Anna Pavlovna Sherer?
(The maid of honor and close associate of the Empress Maria Feodorovna).
Who is this lady-in-waiting?
Let's remember who was the emperor in Russia in 1805? Who is Maria Fedorovna?
This means that all the Petersburg nobility gathered in the salon of the Empress's maid of honor.
So, the salon has already begun!
- Episode analysis.
Anna Pavlovna Sherer.
Remind me who is the mistress of the salon?
How did the guests find out about the party? How does Anna Pavlovna behave at her party?
What is the meaning of her life? The meaning of her life lies in the maintenance of her salon. She has all the qualities to be a successful society lady.
Vasily Kuragin.
Who was the first guest?
Who is V. Kuragin, what post does he hold? ()
How is he dressed?
In what tone does Vasily Kuragin speak to Anna Pavlovna? What is his speech?
How does Anna Pavlovna greet him? Why does she mention at the very beginning of their conversation that Genoa and Lucca are estates of the Bonaparte family?
Who does Anna Pavlovna call the Antichrist? Why?
Why is it now, in July 1805, that the war with Napoleon is being discussed?
What role does Anna Pavlovna assign to Russia in this war?
How does she feel about the Emperor?
What are the high society nobles most afraid of? (revolution)
Who is Novosiltsev? What is his merit?
What is the real purpose of Vasily Kuragin's visit? (Determine Hippolytus as first secretary to Vienna)
When Vasily spoke about true intentions? (After A.P. finished her fiery speech about the emperor and began to talk about those invited to the evening.)
What does it say? (The fact that Prince Vasily is absolutely not interested in the fate of Russia, and even more so the guests of Anna Pavlovna. He is only interested in the fate of his children, because his financial situation also depends on this).
How does a father feel about his children?
Who does Anna Pavlovna propose to marry Anatole to?
How did Vasily Kuragin react to her proposal?
How does Anna Pavlovna want to turn this business around? (Talk about it with Liza Bolkonskaya)
Vasily Kuragin and Anna Pavlovna decide the fate of people behind their backs, forgetting about honor and dignity.
Vasily Kuragin, in pursuit of profit, is ready for anything. The goal is to try to attach sons: Hippolytus ("calm fool") to the embassy in Vienna and Anatole ("restless fool") to marry a rich bride.)
Guests: Helene, Lisa, Hippolyte, Mortemar (immigrant from France due to the revolution), Abbé Maurio (Italian).
- What rite should be performed by all the guests of the salon? (aunty greetings). For what? So it was customary: to live not by your own mind, but by looking at your elders.
Lisa.
Description of Lisa.
Pierre.
Description of Pierre.
How did Anna Pavlovna receive him?
How did Pierre differ from the rest of the salon guests?
How does Pierre behave in the salon?
What definition does Anna Pavlovna give to Pierre (a person who does not know how to live).
How does Anna Pavlovna behave during the evening?
Helen.
Description Ellen.
Andrei Bolkonsky.
Description of Prince Andrew.
Why was he bored in this society?
How does society treat the prince? (He is on an equal footing, he is respected and feared, he can afford to "squint" at the society. But they are strangers to him.)
Why, a year and a half after the wedding, Andrei was tired of his wife?
Who was Andrei happy in this salon? Why?
Who lives with Pierre in St. Petersburg? Why? Why does Prince Vasily need Pierre? (So that Pierre's dying father, Count Kirill Vladimirovich Bezukhov, left part of the inheritance to Kuragin in honor of caring for his illegitimate son).
Anna Mikhailovna Drubetskaya.
Who is A.M. Drubetskaya? A woman from a noble, but ruined family. Under the leadership of her father, Prince Vasily Kuragin once took his first steps at court.
Why did A.M. come to this evening? Drubetskaya?
How does she behave? (She sits next to an unknown aunt and waits for an opportunity to talk with Vasily Kuragin about the transfer of her son Boris to the guards, and then to adjutants to Kutuzov.)
Who in the salon defends Napoleon, expressing his own opinion?
Who is he arguing with?
Who is attacking him? (Mortemar, Anna Pavlovna, Liza, Ippolit)
When everyone attacked Pierre, who helped him out?
How is Pierre leaving?
3. The meaning of French speech in the novel.
- What is the purpose of Tolstoy introducing French into the novel? (Why is there so much French text in the Russian novel?) (This emphasizes the characters' ignorance of their native language.
The French language is a means of characterizing the nobility with its anti-national orientation. By simply using now Russian, now French, Tolstoy shows his attitude to what is being described. Pierre's words, although he undoubtedly speaks excellent French and is more accustomed to it abroad, Tolstoy quotes only in Russian. The remarks of Prince Andrei are also given, mainly in Russian, with the exception of two cases: Prince Andrei, entering the salon, answers in French the question of Anna Pavlovna, posed in French, and in French he quotes Napoleon's speech.
As a rule, where lies or evil are described, French, later German, breaks into the novel.)
Secular evenings, gossip, wealth, balls - this is all that the high-society nobility of St. Petersburg lives on. Tolstoy is disgusted by everything that happens here. Everything here is false, a mask that hides selfishness, indifference to everything except one's own interests. Everything here happens like a performance in a theatre. Almost everyone hides behind a mask that others want to see on him, everyone does not what they want, but what needs to be done. Their speeches, gestures, words are determined by the rules of secular behavior. Their purpose in life is to be rich and famous. In all this, Tolstoy saw a dead beginning, because these characters do not change throughout the entire novel.
- The techniques that Tolstoy uses to depict the panorama of the life of a secular society:
- Comparison acceptance.
- Acceptance of opposition.
2. "Tearing off all and sundry masks."
Homework:
- Read chapters 7-17.
- Analysis of the episode "Name Day of Natasha Rostova".
Details Category: Articles
The epic novel by Leo Tolstoy "War and Peace" begins with a description of the salon where the most influential people gather and discuss pressing political and economic problems. It is in this part of the novel that the author sets priorities, expresses his attitude towards such people. A summary of the novel can be read on the Uchim.Guru website, because it is quite difficult to immediately recall all the events that took place in the epic. This site helps students to explain the complex in simple and understandable words.
Anna Pavlovna Scherer is a lady-in-waiting (maiden of noble birth) and close associate of Empress Maria Feodorovna. The meaning of her life is the maintenance of the salon. The novel begins with a salon scene, meaning the reader is introduced to all the important characters here. Anna Pavlovna always has a restrained smile on her face, but this is just a mask under which she hides her true emotions. She is very impulsive, she says what she thinks, sometimes it is even difficult to stop her. She even reproaches the prince for having raised his children poorly. In fact, she had no right to do so.
All the nobility of St. Petersburg come to the salon of Anna Pavlovna. She introduces her elderly aunt to everyone, and those present begin to bow, crumble in greetings. It looked very hypocritical, under other circumstances (if it had not been a reception at Anna Pavlovna, for example), no one would have paid attention to this old woman.
The woman sat almost alone for the rest of the evening. Scherer even distributed bows by rank, for example, she bowed to Pierre Bezukhov as people of the lower hierarchy. When Pierre expressed his thoughts, she cut him off. Anna Pavlovna adhered only to her own opinion and considered others to be absolutely unfaithful and stupid. She found fault with Pierre all evening.
Visitors to the salon are also noble nobles to match Anna Pavlovna. Only Pierre was different from all these people.
The conversation between Prince Vasily and Anna Pavlovna clearly makes clear the character of the characters. Anna Pavlovna is a shameless woman who imagines herself to be an expert on human souls and dares to criticize the prince because his sons are not what she would like them to be. She even says that it would be better for you, prince, not to have children at all.
The prince presented himself in this communication with the maid of honor as a ladies' man who agreed with everything she said. He has no opinion of his own.
It was not in vain that Leo Tolstoy put this episode at the very beginning of the novel, so that readers could imagine the true essence of the heroes of the novel without masks, since the conversation between them was quite frank.
Leo Tolstoy begins the work "War and Peace" with the episode "Anna Pavlovna Sherer's Salon", in which he describes how the lady-in-waiting of Empress Maria Feodorovna, the secular unmarried lady Anna Sherer, receives guests in her salon, most of whom are well-known noble nobles from the capital . They came to Anna Scherer not for close and warm communication in an informal setting, but, as is customary, to go out into the world, for strict formalized communication with each other, establishing connections and obtaining personal benefits. Anna Pavlovna also treats all guests differently, there are higher-ranking guests who deserve a more respectful greeting, and there are less famous, "less secular" and influential people, such as, for example, Pierre Bezukhov, who are not entitled to such a greeting.
Anna Scherer makes sure that the conversations in the salon are conducted in the right way and on the right topics. She "serves" especially interesting guests, and any word spoken out of time makes her think that the evening is ruined. Pierre Bezukhov's expression of his frank and naive thoughts causes her fear for the evening and irritation. The salon is dominated by French speech, characteristic of aristocrats and high society. The whole essence of the salon is, as it were, in its own glorification and the receipt of benefits by each participant.
In the episode "Name Day at the Rostovs", the Rostov family hosts guests on the occasion of the name day of mother Natalya Rostova and her fifteen-year-old daughter Natasha.
Natalya Rostova is about the same age as Anna Sherer, but unlike her, she is married and has several children. She loves her family. The atmosphere during the holiday is more informal, the guests speak more colloquially, in Russian, so one of the main guests, Marya Dmitrievna, always expresses herself only in Russian and quite frankly, without hiding her true thoughts. The guests who come to the Rostovs do not have the goal of personal enrichment and profit, the Rostovs do not have a hierarchy in greetings, as in the Sherer salon, all guests are treated equally and quite warmly.
Thus, Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy contrasts these two episodes with each other, in them he shows different types of nobles of his time, shows the reader the contrast between sincere and "real" Moscow with its warm receptions and cold, "artificial" Petersburg, with its inhabitants of the capital's salons. seeking to benefit from any acquaintance. One of the most striking manifestations of this "artificiality" is Tolstoy's numerous comparisons of Helen Kuragina, one of the most important ladies of the Scherer salon, with a marble statue, and the warmth and sincerity of the Rostov holiday is reinforced by the presence of children on it, which we do not see in Anna Pavlovna's salon. These two episodes show the reader the whole essence of the two most important and completely different families found in the novel - the Kuragins and the Rostovs, to whom Pierre Bezukhov will gravitate in different parts of the work.
