The work of Leo Tolstoy is full of military actions. Together with the author, following him, the reader on the pages of the work “War and Peace” will see incredible pictures of battles and battles: Borodino, Shengrabensky, Austerlitsky. But the writer not only shows fighting, but, above all, he wants to show each person as a person, separately, how he, a soldier or a general, involved in a noisy stream of hostilities, will manifest himself and show himself.
There are many participants in these events. These are the commanders-in-chief of the army, both on the one hand and on the other. This is all the headquarters, generals, officers and, of course, military personnel and partisans. In order for the reader to see them more fully, to realize not only the scale of the whole event, but also to see each individual person, the author tries to put them in the most various situations: combat and peaceful life. It is known that Leo Tolstoy himself also fought, he participated in the hostilities in the Caucasus and proved himself in the defense of Sevastopol. That is why he tries to show the real and harsh military truth, without embellishing it. And it consists of suffering, and of blood, and of death.
But it is in such conditions that the wonderful qualities of a person are manifested: courage, courage, heroism. Tolstoy's epic shows two wars: 1805 - 1807, which took place abroad, and in Russia in 1812. Different participants with different characters meet on one front and on the other. For example, a heroic transition is made by Bagration's detachment, heroism and a talented commander are shown Russian army Kutuzov. But they are opposed by the mediocre and conceited Maka, an Austrian general.
But ordinary Russian peasants who have become military personnel, their honest commanders, show special courage. But among the staff commanders there are many cowards and traitors. Zherkov stands out in particular. After he was expelled from the Russian regiment, he was able to easily attach himself to Bagration himself as an orderly. He told everyone that he did not want to fight, but you can get much more medals and orders, even without doing anything for this.
But the real heroes who were able to show courage and bravery on the battlefield are modest and simple. They reveal themselves in battle, showing strength of character and spirit. Persistent and solid in execution, they cause only admiration. One of these heroes is Timokhin. He is a company commander who successfully retained his company. But for his soldiers, he will always be examples. He himself, by his example, inspired the rank and file of his company to a surprise attack by the French. This made it possible to push back the enemy and give the other battalions a chance to come to their senses and put themselves in order.
The author tries to show everything truthfully, so the pictures of confusion and heroic deeds just intertwined. A vivid example of this is the description on the pages of the novel of the battle that took place near Austerlitz. Everywhere there was disorder, and there was some kind of stupidity. Some troops were bored in anticipation of the battle, while others were dying, receiving many injuries and injuries. And those who were waiting, seeing all this stupidity, gradually lost heart. And this is the real picture.
Bright battles in the novel, where courage and daring were manifested, are Shengraben and Austerlitz. They were conducted outside the Russian state, and its goals were not at all clear to the common people. The war of 1812 looks completely different, when it contains the greatest meaning and purpose - to defend your homeland. These battles of 1812 were popular, as they were fought against those enemies who encroached on the independence of Russia.
A huge French regiment, in which there were five hundred people, fell upon the country. There was already fame about this power of Napoleon, as about the most invincible and strong. But in Russian state this formidable power received powerful resistance. Not only the military stood up as a wall, but the whole people rose up to defend their country and independence.
The author truthfully shows how the entire population, forgetting about their property, leaving it, leaving Moscow, which could just about pass into the hands of the French. But this happened not only in Moscow, but also in other villages and cities.
To resist this strongest Napoleonic army, partisan detachments begin to be created. The largest and most heroic on the pages of Tolstoy's epic novel are the detachments of Dolokhov and Denisov. The writer also tells about a deacon who heads one of the detachments. In his narrative there is also a place for Vasilisa, the elder, who was able to beat many Frenchmen. More than a hundred of the enemy died at her hands. The partisans did not act openly, they tried to destroy the huge French army in parts. Fighting bravely, they gradually destroyed the enemies, freeing their land.
As a result, the war, which on the part of the French army was predatory, on the part of Russia, liberation and popular, ended. It was the people who did everything to win. Only he showed unprecedented courage and courage. Heroism was shown by both the commanders and the generals, who also influenced the fact that the vast, countless force of Napoleon was defeated.
The famous novel by Leo Tolstoy "War and Peace" is filled with a detailed, accurate, realistic description of the military events that took place both on the territory of Russian lands and beyond. Due to the fact that the author himself once took part in hostilities in the Caucasus, and then in the defense of Sevastopol, he was able to talentedly, and, most importantly, truthfully describe the state of the war, its destructive power, the troubles that it brings with it .
In the novel "War and Peace" the reader watches the Shengraben, Austerlitz and Borodino battles. On the pages of the novel there is a description of the military operations of 1805-1807. Also paid attention to the author and the war on the territory of Russia in 1812.
Moments of military events acquaint readers with ordinary soldiers who do not know the concept of false patriotism, simulated deeds and actions. Also, we are watching the dubious military "top", which very often acted in their own interests, completely without thinking about the common people.
For example, staff officer Zherkov, after his expulsion, did not want to remain in the regiment, because he knew what and how was actually going on at the front. He was able to receive his numerous awards while sitting at the headquarters. Of course, simple, sincere, real and courageous warriors who were ready to defend the freedom of Russia to the end, contrasted perfectly against the background of such a low person as Zherkov.
With good reviews, Tolstoy describes the personality of company commander Timokhin. Having become an example for the rest of the battalions, Timokhin's company was able to stop the retreat of their own troops, who succumbed to panic and fled in different directions.
Of course, on the pages of the novel there are not only inspiring, heroic moments. After all, war is in many ways disastrous, destructive, chaotic. Such concepts can characterize the battle of Austerlitz, when boredom reigned in the ranks of the soldiers, when stupidity took place around, when the spirit of the soldiers fell down with every minute of the battle.
The war in Russia in 1812 was nationwide. With aggressive attacks, Napoleon's armies won glory in Europe. Now, it is the turn of the Russian lands. But, it was here that Napoleon felt the strength of a worthy opponent, whose troops rallied to defeat the enemy. And not only the soldiers showed their patriotic qualities. As soon as Napoleon began to enter Moscow, all the people, all its inhabitants, abandoned their homes and went away, showing the loyalty of the people.
Lev Nikolaevich paid enough attention to the description partisan detachments, which brought extraordinary benefits, played a role in the course of the war. The reader will learn about the detachments of Denisov and Dolokhov. A few, secret, inconspicuous gatherings of partisans gradually destroyed the enemy. The war is over. And Tolstoy gives preference, due to those simple soldiers, ordinary people who showed their best qualities and could be useful in the course of hostilities.
Love for the motherland, for the Russian lands forced the people to rally and meet with the powerful forces of the enemy. As a result, Napoleon was defeated and lost his authority.
Taken on the initiative of Kutuzov, the Shengraben battle made it possible for the Russian army to join forces with its units marching from Russia. The history of this battle once again confirms the experience and strategic talent of Kutuzov the commander. His attitude to the war during this period, as well as during the review of the troops in Braunau, remained the same: Kutuzov considered the war unnecessary. But here it was about saving the army.
When analyzing Chapters XX and XXI, we will be interested in one problem - the behavior of a warrior in battle. What is cowardice and heroism, feat and military duty. On the example of the behavior of Tushin, Timokhin, Prince Andrei, Dolokhov, Zherkov and others, this is easy to clarify.
Question
Let us first turn to Chapter XX: what is the difference in the behavior of Dolokhov and Timokhin with his soldiers?
Answer
In conditions of confusion, when the troops taken by surprise fled, Timokhin's company "alone in the forest stayed in order and, sitting in a ditch near the forest, unexpectedly attacked the French." Those, "not having time to come to their senses, threw down their weapons and ran."
Question
In what does Tolstoy see the heroism of these people?
Answer
In their courage and discipline. Quiet, before the battle seemed clumsy, the company commander Timokhin, having managed to keep the company in order, himself, “with one skewer”, was the first to rush at the French, with a “desperate cry” and with “such insane and drunken determination” that it was he who made him stop French chain. The company rescued the rest, took prisoners and trophies.
Together with everyone, even among the first was Dolokhov.
Question
Is it possible to say about Dolokhov that he showed courage, courage, determination?
Answer
It was difficult for him, like everyone else, but he was the first to capture a French officer and killed another at the beginning of the skirmish. However, after the battle, only Dolokhov boasted of his merits. “Your Excellency, here are two trophies ... I have taken an officer prisoner. I stopped the company ... ”And even showed his wound as a merit:“ A wound with a bayonet. I stayed at the front." The courage and courage of Dolokhov thus acquire an ostentatious, immodest character (“Please remember, Your Excellency”). Let Dolokhov have a goal - he should be promoted to officer again - this not only does not justify him, but makes his words prudent.
Question
Can he therefore, with all his courage, be called a true hero? Who is higher in their moral essence, Dolokhov or Timokhin?
Answer
A real hero is one who, without calculation, without self-confident sticking out of his exploits and boasting, modestly does the same as Dolokhov, and sometimes does more.
The second half of XX and part of chapter XXI are devoted to Captain Tushin's battery.
Question
Tell us about Tushin's battery. More or less difficulties than Dolokhov had to endure Tushin in battle, what and how did he do?
Answer
In the hottest sector, in the center of the battle, without any cover, Tushin's battery was all the time of the battle, even when everyone around retreated, leaving her alone. Captain Tushin did not receive orders, he acted on his own initiative.
Tushin does not think about himself - neither about his exploits, nor about his merits, nor about the fact that he could be killed or injured. In business - to think about business, outside of business, his attention immediately switches to others (after the battle, he wholeheartedly wants to help Nikolai Rostov and other wounded).
In Tushin Tolstoy discovers a wonderful person. Modesty, selflessness, on the one hand, determination, courage and initiative, on the other, based on a sense of duty, this is the Tolstoy norm of human behavior in battle, which determines true heroism.
The behavior of Prince Andrei is also correlated with the problem of real heroism.
Question
Why does Prince Andrei go to war?
Answer
Andrei Bolkonsky goes to war in order to break the vicious circle of "living rooms, gossip, balls, vanity, insignificance" in order to achieve "his own Toulon", in which he saw the meaning of life.
A military feat, "which will lead him out of the ranks of unknown officers and open the first path to glory" (Part II, Ch. XII) - such was Prince Andrei's initial idea of \u200b\u200bhis place in battle and the nature of the feat. Prince Andrei wanted to achieve not only fame, but also "human love", he wanted to achieve this in an honest way, and not by easily sitting out at headquarters, but ambition also played an important role in Prince Andrei's dreams.
Question
Has Prince Andrei's idea of heroism and glory changed after the Battle of Shengraben?
Answer
Participation in the Battle of Shengraben makes Prince Andrei look at things differently. He himself behaves as he intended: calm courage located in the most dangerous areas of the battle. Meeting with Tushin before the battle and on his battery, and then after the battle in Bagration's hut made him see real heroism and military feat in a different light. Prince Andrei saw that the man, whose “heroic stamina” was due to the “success of the day”, not only did not think about himself in battle and after it, not only did not demand “glory and human love” for himself, but did not even know how to stand up for himself in the face of unfair accusations from his superiors. And the feat itself remained unrewarded.
It is sad and hard for Prince Andrei because, in contact with living life, his ideas about the feat turned out to be wrong. He has not yet abandoned them, has not yet come to a new understanding of achievement. Tolstoy does not depict the path of his quest so straightforwardly. But everything he experienced that day makes him think.
In relation to the real feat, the cowardice of Zherkov, who did not reach the battery with the order and then lied, and the cowardice of the staff officer look especially low.
battle of austerlitz
Chapters XI to XIX of the third part of Volume I are devoted to the description of the Battle of Austerlitz by Tolstoy. For analysis, we select Chapter XII, XIV, XV, XVI, XIX.
Question
How does Tolstoy explain the loss of the battle of Austerlitz and the entire war, if soldiers and officers could show miracles of heroism?
Answer
Emperor Alexander arrives to the army. He claims to be a commander. It was at his insistence that it was decided to give the "battle of the three emperors" at Austerlitz.
The goal of the battle was conceived by Alexander highly - the salvation of Europe from Napoleon.
But the battle is lost.
The loss of the Battle of Austerlitz was "the result of all the complex human movements of these one hundred and sixty thousand Russians and French - all the passions, desires, remorse, humiliation, suffering, outbursts of pride, fear, delight of these people." From Tolstoy's point of view, historical events- this "slow movement of the world-historical arrow on the dial of the history of mankind" is the interaction of actions and moods of all participants in this event.
Question
What caused and in what way does Tolstoy's ironic attitude towards Weyrother's disposition arise?
Answer
Tolstoy draws the scene of a meeting of the military council (Part III, Ch. XII), at which the plan developed by the Austrian General Weyrother is adopted. Kutuzov frankly sleeps during the discussion of this plan, he understands that he cannot change anything, since the disposition is agreed with the emperor.
Pay attention to the dialogue between Kutuzov and Alexander before the battle. “After all, we are not in the Tsaritsyn Meadow ...” (Ch. XV).
The fate of the battle is decided by the spirit of the army, which is made up of the mood of individual participants in the battle.
Question
What was the mood of the participants in the battle, what accidents interfered with the disposition? Why can not the feat of Prince Andrei and the personal will of Kutuzov change the course of the battle?
Answer
On the morning of the battle, a thick fog rose. (Brage, p. 185)
Nature, as it were, joined the battle, favoring the French.
And because of these irregular accidents not foreseen by anyone, the disposition turned out to be an empty formality. Even individual feats could not change things. Neither the desire and order of Kutuzov ("Stop these scoundrels!"), nor the feat that Prince Andrei performs, nor in general "individual human wills" can change the situation, since it is determined by the mood of the whole mass. The general flight determined the tragic outcome of the battle. A field covered with corpses, and Napoleon circling it - such is the outcome of Austerlitz.
Conclusion
The lack of a moral incentive for waging war, the incomprehensibility and alienation of its goals to soldiers, distrust between the allies, confusion in the troops - all this was the reason for the defeat of the Russians. According to Tolstoy, it is in Austerlitz that the true end of the war of 1805-1807 is, since Austerlitz expresses the essence of the campaign. The era of "our failures and our shame" - this is how Tolstoy himself defined this war.
Question
Has the attitude towards Napoleon of the main characters of the novel remained the same? Let's analyze the final scene of volume I, where the image of the victorious Napoleon appears.
Answer
Austerlitz was an era of shame and disappointment not only for all of Russia, but also for individual heroes. Not at all the way he would like, Nikolai Rostov behaved. Even a meeting on the battlefield with the sovereign, whom Rostov adored, did not bring him joy.
With a feeling of the greatest disappointment in Napoleon, who used to be his hero, Prince Andrei also lies on the Pratsensky Hill. Napoleon presented himself to him as a small, insignificant person, “with an indifferent, limited and happy look from the misfortune of others” (ch. XIX). True, the wound to Prince Andrei brought not only disappointment in the futility and insignificance of feats in the name of personal glory, but also the discovery of a new world, a new meaning of life. The invariably high, eternal sky, with clouds quietly running across it, “through which a blue infinity could be seen”, was opened in it new system thoughts, and he wished that people would "help him bring him back to life, which seemed to him so beautiful, because he understood it in such a different way now."
The overall result is a feeling of disappointment in life as a result of realizing the mistakes made by the characters. In this regard, it is noteworthy that next to the Austerlitz battle scenes there are chapters that tell about the marriage of Pierre to Helene. For Pierre, this is his Austerlitz, the era of his shame and disappointment.
Conclusion
Terrible, like any war, this war, according to Tolstoy, had no meaning. Started for the sake of glory, for the sake of the ambitious interests of the Russian court circles, it was incomprehensible and unnecessary to the people, and therefore ended with Austerlitz.
Literature
T.G. Brazhe. The system of lessons for the holistic study of the novel "War and Peace". // L.N. Tolstoy at school M., 1965. - S. 301-323.
G.Ya. Galagan. L.N. Tolstoy. // History of Russian literature. Volume three. Leningrad: Nauka, 1982.
Andrew Ranchin. Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy. // Encyclopedia for children "Avanta +". Volume 9. Russian literature. Part one. M., 1999.
Courage. What it is? I think that courage is decisiveness in thoughts and actions, the ability to stand up for yourself and for other people who need your help, overcoming all kinds of fears: for example, fear of the dark, of someone else's brute force, of life's obstacles and difficulties. Is it easy to be brave? Not easy. Probably, this quality should be brought up from childhood. Overcoming your fears, moving forward despite difficulties, developing willpower in yourself, not being afraid to defend your opinion - all this will help to cultivate in yourself such a quality as courage. Synonyms for the word "courage" - "courage", "decisiveness", "courage". Antonym - "cowardice". Cowardice is one of the human vices. We are afraid of many things in life, but fear and cowardice are not the same thing. I think that meanness grows out of cowardice. The cowardly will always hide in the shade, stay away, fearing for his own life will betray to save himself.
Courage and cowardice are most clearly manifested in people in difficult times. life situations when you need to decide what to do, and in war. Let's look at some examples from the literature.
In the work of A.S. Pushkin "The Captain's Daughter" main character- Pyotr Grinev. He serves in the Belogorsk fortress. There are two young officers here. The second is Shvabrin. They act differently when the Pugachevites captured the fortress. In the face of death, Grinev boldly behaves. He is ready to die, but not to violate the oath to faithfully serve the Fatherland. But Shvabrin is not like that. To save his life, he goes to the service of Pugachev. Of course, who wants to die young. But it is in such situations that hidden human qualities are revealed: the best and the worst, courage and cowardice.
In the story of V. Bykov "Sotnikov" there are two main characters. They are also young and also face death: they fall into the clutches of enemies. Courageously keeps Sotnikov. Beaten, tormented, he does not agree to go to the service of the Nazis. Not only devotion to the Motherland lives in him, but, of course, courage. Courage, bravery, loyalty native land help him to remain human to the end. And what about the second - Rybak? He was already afraid when he left a comrade on the road, who alone was shooting with the policemen. And only the fear of the partisans made Rybak return. He was also afraid in the face of death: he agreed to go to the police to save his life, and even became an executioner: he knocked out a stool under the gallows on which Sotnikov stood. Courage and cowardice are most clearly manifested in war.
Speaking of courage and cowardice, one cannot help but recall the story of Boris Vasiliev "The Dawns Here Are Quiet." Five anti-aircraft gunners are sent with foreman Vaskov to detain a detachment of German saboteurs. Let us recall the episode in which it is told how Zhenya Komelkova goes to swim in the lake in order to force the fascists lurking on the other side to go to railway bypass, waste time. Was she scared at that moment? Of course, it's very scary. But Zhenya did a bold deed, she did not think about herself at that time. Behind her were comrades, in her heart lived devotion to her native land. And the brave Zhenya dies heroically: she leads the enemies away from her comrades, from her wounded girlfriend. And Galka Chetvertak? Is she the meanest? Then why is her name also engraved on a monument standing at the edge of the forest? She didn't die because she was scared. Just fear seized her when she saw enemies very close for the first time in her life. Let's not blame a very young girl for this, let's not say that she chickened out. Indeed, in war, adult men are also afraid of a lot, they just know how to overcome the feeling of fear.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this topic of the essay made me think about the role courage and cowardice play in our life, how to cultivate the best human qualities in ourselves, become brave and strong, not be a coward.
1. Courage is a positive trait of a person's character. It manifests itself in the immutability of decisions, confidence in their actions. This quality has been considered by philosophers from different angles for a long time. Courage can be conscious, that is, a person’s actions are thought out and not accidental, but sometimes courage is instantaneous.
In this case, the decision is made quickly and spontaneously. What drives a person at this moment? Not known. One thing is clear: the result can be completely different.
2. Cowardice is a negative quality of a person's personality. It's not confidence, it's doubt tomorrow, the inability to make the right decision. It greatly affects a person's life and changes it in a variety of ways. Sometimes people are embarrassed by their cowardice and pass it off as the inability to perform an action for any other reason, sometimes cowardice entails various losses, even in quality. human lives. But the most worthy example of a strong character of a person is to overcome his cowardice and do a brave deed, having made a real victory over himself.
3. In the immortal epic novel "War and Peace" by L. N. Tolstoy, an example of a real cowardly person is given. Zherkov was twice ordered by Bagration to inform the left front about the retreat. But this man began to move cowardice. He was afraid to cross the battle line, because the fear of death was higher for him than the order of his superiors. Fear in war will never lead to anything good. This is what happened in our situation. The French began to advance, and the companies fled into the loose. People did not know what to do, because not a single order had been received. There was a commotion, which was completely predictable. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people died because of the cowardice of one person. And it turns out that all these lives could be saved if Zherkov could overcome his fear of death.
4. A delightful example is in the poetic work of K. Vanshenkin "A coward pretended to be brave in war." We are talking about a man who experienced an inexorable fear of battle and death. But this coward was able to overcome himself. He was shaking and pounding, and then these feelings began to recede, and only courage remained. You can show a cowardly person in completely different ways, but, perhaps, such an example of a cowardly person is really worthy of respect and attention.
Updated: 2017-12-05
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- What qualities does a person show in a war? How is courage shown in war? Why do people show cowardice in war? Courage and cowardice. Composition of the Unified State Examination Arguments, examples from the literature
