The problem of true and false heroes. Lesson topic. True and false heroism in the depiction of L.N. Tolstoy (based on the novel "War and Peace"). False and true beauty

The novel “War and Peace” is a historical epic of the valor and courage of the Russian people - the winner of the War of 1812. As in “Sevastopol stories”, and in this novel he realistically depicts war in “blood, in suffering, in death.” Tolstoy tells us about gravity, about its horrors, grief (the departure of the population from Smolensk and Moscow, hunger), death (Andrei Bolkonsky dies after being wounded, Petya Rostov dies). War requires everyone to exert the utmost moral and physical strength. Russia during Patriotic War, during the period of robbery, violence and atrocities committed by the invaders, suffers enormous material sacrifices. This is the burning and devastation of cities.

The general mood of soldiers, partisans and other defenders of the Motherland is of great importance during military events. War of 1805-1807 was conducted outside Russia and was alien to the Russian people. When the French invaded the territory of Russia, the entire Russian people, young and old, rose up to defend theirs.

In the novel “War and Peace” Tolstoy divides people according to moral principles, especially highlighting the attitude to patriotic duty. The writer depicts true patriotism and false patriotism, which cannot even be called patriotism. Real- this is, first of all, patriotism of duty, action in the name of the Fatherland, the ability to rise above the personal at a decisive moment for the Motherland, to be imbued with a sense of responsibility for the fate of the people. By Tolstoy's opinion , the Russian people are deeply patriotic. When the French occupied Smolensk, peasants burned hay so as not to sell it to their enemies. Each in his own way tried to hurt the enemy so that they would feel the hatred of the true owners of the earth. The merchant Ferapontov burned down his own shop so that it would not fall to the French. True patriots are shown to be residents who, leaving hometown, leave their homes because they consider it impossible to remain under the rule of impostors.

Russian soldiers are true patriots. The novel is replete with numerous episodes depicting the varied manifestations of patriotism by Russian people. We see true patriotism and the heroism of the people in the image classic scenes under Shengraben, Austerlitz, Smolensk, Borodin. Of course, love for the fatherland, the willingness to sacrifice one’s life for it, is most clearly manifested on the field, in direct confrontation with the enemy. It was in this period that the extraordinary tenacity and courage of Russian soldiers was particularly evident. Describing the night before the Battle of Borodino, Tolstoy draws attention to the seriousness and concentration of the soldiers who clean their weapons in preparation for battle. They refuse vodka because they are ready to consciously enter into battle with a powerful enemy. Their feeling of love for the Motherland does not allow reckless drunken courage. Realizing that this battle could be the last for each of them, the soldiers put on clean shirts, preparing for death, but not for retreat. While courageously fighting the enemy, Russian soldiers do not try to look like heroes. Panache and pose are alien to them; there is nothing ostentatious in their simple and sincere love for the Motherland. When, during the Battle of Borodino, “one cannonball blew up the ground two steps away from Pierre,” the broad, red-faced soldier innocently confesses to him his fear. “After all, she will not have mercy. She will smack and her guts will be out. “You can’t help but be afraid,” he said laughing.” But the soldier, who was not at all trying to be brave, died soon after this short dialogue, like tens of thousands of others, but did not give up and did not retreat.

Heroes and true patriots Tolstoy's people become outwardly unremarkable. That's the captain Tushin, who found himself in the face of his superiors in a comical position without boots, embarrassed, stumbling and at the same time, at the most critical moment, doing exactly what was needed.

Strength folk spirit will give birth to outstanding commanders. Such as . Kutuzov in the novel is an exponent of the idea of patriotism; he was appointed commander against the will of the tsar and the royal court. Andrey explains this to Pierre like this: “ While Russia was healthy, Barclay de Tolly was good... When Russia is sick, it needs its own man.”. Kutuzovlives only by the feelings, thoughts, interests of the soldiers, perfectly understands their mood, takes care of them like a father. He firmly believes that the outcome of a battle is determined by “an elusive force called the spirit of the army” and strives with all his might to support this hidden warmth of patriotism in the army.

The episode in Fili is important. Kutuzov takes upon himself the gravest responsibility and orders a retreat. This order contains the true patriotism of Kutuzov. Retreating from Moscow, Kutuzov retained an army that could not yet compare in numbers with Napoleonic's. Defending Moscow would mean losing the army, and this would lead to the loss of both Moscow and Russia.After being pushed beyond Russian borders, Kutuzov refuses to fight outside. He believes that the Russian people fulfilled their mission by expelling the invader, and there is no need to shed people’s blood anymore.

The patriotism of the Russian people is manifested not only in battle. After all, not only that part of the people who were mobilized into the army took part in the fight against the invaders.

Lev Nikolaevich shows that patriotic feelings embrace people of different political views: the progressive intelligentsia (Pierre, Andrey), the confrontational old Prince Bolkonsky, the conservative Nikolai Rostov, the meek Princess Marya. A patriotic impulse also penetrates the hearts of people who seem far from the war - Petya, Natasha Rostov. But it only seemed so. A real person, according to Tolstoy, cannot help but be a patriot of his Fatherland. All these people are united by a feeling that exists in the soul of every Russian person. (The Rostov family, leaving the city, gives all the carts to the wounded, thereby losing their property. After the death of her father, Maria Bolkonskaya leaves the estate, not wanting to live in the territory occupied by enemies. Pierre Bezukhov thinks about killing Napoleon, knowing full well how this could end.)

The writer attaches great importance partisan movement. This is how Tolstoy describes his spontaneous growth: “ Before the guerrilla war was officially accepted by our government, thousands of people of the enemy army - backward marauders, foragers - were exterminated by the Cossacks and peasants, who beat these people as unconsciously as dogs unconsciously kill a rabid dog.”. Tolstoy characterizes partisan “war not according to the rules” as spontaneous, comparing it with a club, “ rising with all its formidable and majestic power and, without asking anyone’s tastes and rules... nailing the French... until the entire invasion perished.”.

Tolstoy contrasts the true patriotism of the bulk of Russian people false patriotism the highest noble society, repulsive with its falsehood, selfishness and hypocrisy. These are fake people, whose patriotic words and deeds become a means of achieving base goals. Tolstoy mercilessly tears off the mask of patriotism from German and half-German generals in Russian service, “golden youth” like Anatoly Kuragin, careerists like Boris Drubetsky. Tolstoy angrily denounces that part of the senior staff officers who did not take part in the battles, but tried to get a job at the headquarters and simply receive awards.

People like false patriots there will be a lot until people realize that everyone must defend their own, and that there will be no one else to do this except them. This is exactly what Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy wanted to convey through antithesis, contrasting true and false patriots. But Tolstoy does not fall into the false patriotic tone of the narrative, but looks at events sternly and objectively, like a realist writer. This helps him more accurately convey to us the importance of the problem of false patriotism.

A false patriotic atmosphere reigns in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer, Helen Bezukhova and other St. Petersburg salons:“...calm, luxurious, concerned only with ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg life went on as before; and because of the course of this life, it was necessary to make great efforts to recognize the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves. There were the same exits, balls, the same french theater, the same interests of the courtyards, the same interests of service and intrigue. Only in the most high circles efforts were made to recall the difficulty of the present situation.” Indeed, this circle of people was far from understanding all-Russian problems, from understanding the great misfortune and needs of the people during this war. The world continued to live by its own interests, and even in a moment of national calamity reign here greed, promotion, service.

The Count also displays false patriotism Rastopchin, who posts stupid ones around Moscow "posters", calls on the city residents not to leave the capital, and then, fleeing the people’s anger, deliberately sends the innocent son of the merchant Vereshchagin to death. Meanness and betrayal are combined with conceit and pout: “It not only seemed to him that he controlled the external actions of the inhabitants of Moscow, but it seemed to him that he controlled their mood through his proclamations and posters, written in that ironic language that in its midst despises the people and which he does not understand when he hears it from above.”

The reaction of the scene participants to Berg’s behavior is also indicative for understanding the author’s attitude to what is happening - both direct and not having a direct connection with the hero’s monologues. The direct reaction is contained in the Count’s actions: “The Count wrinkled his face and choked...”; “Oh, you all get out to hell, to hell, to hell and to hell!..” Natasha Rostova’s reaction is even more definite: “... this is such disgusting, such an abomination, such... I don’t know! Are we some kind of Germans?..” Natasha Rostova’s exclamation is somewhat divorced from Berg’s monologues; the plot is connected with Petya’s story about his parents’ quarrel over carts. But it is obvious that Tolstoy puts these words into Natasha’s mouth, among other things, with the aim of giving a final assessment of Berg’s hypocritical shamelessness (the mention of the Germans is no coincidence).

This is finally Drubetskoy, who, like other staff officers, thinks about awards and promotion, wants “to arrange for himself the best position, especially the position of adjutant to an important person, which seemed especially tempting to him in the army”. It is probably no coincidence that on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Pierre notices this greedy excitement on their faces; he mentally compares it with “another expression of excitement,” “which spoke of not personal, but general questions, questions of life and death.”

Tolstoy convinces us that only those nobles who comprehend the spirit of the people, for whom there can be no happiness outside the peace and prosperity of their country, can be true patriots.

By uniting people on a moral principle, emphasizing the special importance in assessing a person of the truth of his patriotic feeling, Tolstoy brings together people who are very different in their social status. They turn out to be close in spirit, rising to the greatness of national patriotism. And it is not without reason that during a difficult period of his life, Pierre Bezukhov, finding himself on the Borodino field, comes to the conviction that true happiness is merging with the common people. (“Be a soldier, just a soldier. Enter this common life with your whole being.”)

Thus, true patriotism in Tolstoy’s understanding is the highest manifestation of the moral strength and spirit of the people. People's patriotism is an invincible force in the fight against enemies. The winner is the Russian people.

War of 1805 The situation in the theater of military operations was as follows: the thirty-five thousandth Russian army was retreating, pursued by the one hundred thousandth French army under the command of Napoleon. Kutuzov sent Bagration's four thousandth vanguard to cut across the enemies, who, having gotten ahead of the French, was supposed to delay them as long as he could. The task was not an easy one... At night, Bagration, having walked forty-five miles with hungry, barefoot soldiers through the mountains, without a road, having lost a third of the stragglers, arrived at the appointed place several hours earlier than the French. But then the unexpected happened... Murat, having met Bagration’s detachment, thought that this was Kutuzov’s entire army and proposed a truce for three days. For the Russians, this was the only opportunity to gain time and give Bagration’s exhausted detachment a rest. Unlike Murat, Napoleon immediately saw through the deception. While Bagration's detachment was resting, Bonaparte's adjutant rode to Murat with a menacing message. The Russians managed to rest a little, eat soldiers' porridge, and then... suddenly a whistle is heard, a cannonball falls, then the next, and the next... Tushin, the battery commander, ordered fire on Shengraben.

Meanwhile, the infantry regiments, taken by surprise by the French in the forest, ran out of the forest chaotically, in panic, shouting: “Bypassed! Cut off! Disappeared!” The regimental commander ran after his soldiers, trying to stop them, but they did not listen to him and continued to run. He stopped in despair, it seemed to him that everything was over. But then he saw that the French, who had just been advancing, suddenly ran back. Russian riflemen appeared in the forest - this was Timokhin's company, the only one remaining in order, sitting in a ditch, waiting for the enemy, and then suddenly attacked. Timokhin seemed to be imbued with cheerfulness and determination at that moment; he, holding one sword in his hand, filled with a great sense of duty and fighting spirit, ran towards the French, and they, without having time to come to their senses, threw down their weapons and ran. At that moment, Dolokhov ran next to Timokhin, killed one Frenchman at point-blank range and “was the first to take the surrendering officer by the collar.” The fleeing soldiers returned to their battalions. The regimental commander stood with Major Ekonomov and gave him an order, at which time one pale soldier ran up to him, it was Dolokhov. He showed the commander a French sword and bag, said that he had captured the officer and stopped the company. And he also asked the commander to remember him. And then, continuing to interfere with the conversation, Dolokhov showed his wound, which he received from a French bayonet.

If we compare Timokhin and Dolokhov, we can say that Timokhin is brave, decisive, purposeful, desperate, with enormous willpower, because when all the soldiers of other companies began to run somewhere in panic, picking up the others with them, Timokhin did not succumb to this and stayed sit in the forest, in ambush, waiting for the right moment to attack. After all, to win a battle it is important not only to have a large army, although not without this, it is important to be able to properly configure this army, these soldiers, to give them good fighting spirit, faith in their strength and the desire to protect people from death at all costs . And if everyone began to lose heart, become despondent, think that everything is over, then gradually they join others to themselves, and thus it is very easy to succumb to this and run with everyone...

And when the right moment came, Timokhin gave the order to attack, then he ran ahead of everyone and killed the French who got in his way. At that moment he had such a huge charge of energy needed in battle that he infected his company with it, and they, following his example, also ran towards the enemy. Among them was Dolokhov.

Usually, when two people are compared, one comes out positive and the other negative. Timokhin turned out to be positive, but it cannot be said that Dolokhov is completely negative. After all, Dolokhov ran next to Timokhin, knowing that any enemy bullet could hit him, and that’s all... that means Dolokhov also comes out brave and courageous. Yes, he was the first to grab the surrendering officer by the collar to show everyone that he was a hero, but still, he didn’t sit in the bushes during the battle, and then ran out and grabbed him, and he, too, ran into the face of danger, risked his life. ..

But Timokhin, unlike Dolokhov, did not tell the commander to remember him; Timokhin did not need this. He did it very sincerely, not for show, considering it his duty, not seeing it as a feat... But Dolokhov...., in this, of course, he differs greatly from Timokhin... He did all these “feats” solely so that everyone can see what a great guy he is, what a hero he is. But the other soldiers around him were doing the same thing, weren't they? This is what duty is all about military service!

What I didn’t like most was when he told the commander: “I stopped the company.” This is not true! One stood right there and stopped him! His behavior made a very unpleasant impression on me. There was so much window dressing, hypocrisy, and games in him... He seemed to be pretending that he was now playing the hero, but in fact, one gets the impression that he doesn’t need all this, no, well, of course, he too, maybe , wants to help the troops in the fight against the enemy, but there is so much insincerity and lies in this that it is simply unpleasant to watch!! Of course, I cannot say with complete confidence that he showed “false” heroism, but he was very close to it, and you certainly can’t call it “true”!

Unfortunately, the problem of “true and false heroism” has always and everywhere existed. A true hero, performing a feat, considers it only his duty, he is devoid of vanity and narcissism. Tushin is a prime example of this. But there are people who tend to pass off doing their duty as a feat and exaggerate their successes. This, in my opinion, is the problem of “true and false heroism.” And every soldier is faced with a choice... Often war reveals the true character of a person...

The colossal prose canvas “War and Peace”, which reflected with incredible sincerity and truthfulness real pictures of the life of the people in the abyss of complex events of the first decades of the 19th century, became one of most important works V Russian literature. The novel earned its high significance due to the seriousness of its problems. True and false patriotism in the novel “War and Peace” is one of the central ideas, the relevance of which continues more than 200 years later.

War is a test of character

Despite the extensive character system of the work, its main character is the Russian people. As you know, people show their true qualities when they find themselves in difficult situations. life situations. There is nothing more terrible and responsible for both an individual and the nation as a whole than war. Like a magic mirror, she is able to reflect the true face of everyone, tearing off the masks of pretense and pseudo-patriotism of some, emphasizing the heroism and readiness for self-sacrifice for the sake of the civic duty of others. War becomes a kind of test for the individual. The novel depicts the Russian people in the process of overcoming this test in the form of the Patriotic War of 1812.

Artistic device of comparison

In the course of depicting the war, the author resorts to the method of comparative comparison of the moods and behavior of both the military and secular society, comparing the years 1805–1807, when the battles took place outside Russian Empire, with 1812 - the period of the French invasion of the territory of the state, which forced the people to rise to defend the Fatherland.

Main artistic device, which the author skillfully operates in the work, is an antithesis. The author uses the method of contrast both in the table of contents of the epic novel and in parallel information storylines, and in creating characters. The heroes of the work are opposed to each other not only by their moral qualities and actions, but also by their attitude to civic duty, the manifestation of true and false patriotism.

The personification of true patriotism

The war affected various segments of the population. And many are trying to contribute to the cause of common victory. Peasants and merchants burn or give away their property just so that it does not go to the invaders, Muscovites and residents of Smolensk leave their homes, not wanting to be under the yoke of the enemy.

With special insight and pride, Lev Nikolaevich creates images of Russian soldiers. They demonstrated heroism and courage in episodes of military operations at Austerlitz, Shengraben, Smolensk and, of course, at the Battle of Borodino. It was there that incomparable courage was shown ordinary soldiers, their love for the Motherland and perseverance, willingness to sacrifice own life for the sake of freedom and the Fatherland. They are not trying to look like heroes, to emphasize their prowess compared to others, but are only trying to prove their love and devotion to the Fatherland. One can involuntarily read in the work the idea that true patriotism cannot be ostentatious and posturing.

One of the most striking characters who personifies true patriotism in the novel “War and Peace” is Mikhail Kutuzov. Appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army against the royal will, he managed to justify the trust placed in him. The logic of his appointment is best explained by the words of Andrei Bolkonsky: “While Russia was healthy, Barclay de Tolly was good... When Russia is sick, it needs its own man.”

One of the most difficult decisions, which Kutuzov happened to accept during the war, is an order to retreat. Only a far-sighted, experienced and deeply patriotic commander could take responsibility for such a decision. Moscow was on one side of the scale, and all of Russia was on the other. As a true patriot, Kutuzov makes a decision in favor of the entire state. He demonstrated his patriotism and love for the people great commander and after the expulsion of the invaders. He refuses to fight outside the country, believing that the Russian people have fulfilled their duty to the Fatherland, and there is no longer any point in shedding their blood.

A special role in the work is assigned to the partisans, whom the author compares to a club, “rising with all its menacing and majestic strength and, without asking anyone’s tastes and rules, nailed the French until the entire invasion was destroyed.”

Spirit of sincere love for native land and the state is characteristic not only of the military, but also of the civilian population. Merchants gave away their goods for free so that the invaders would not get anything. The Rostov family, despite the impending ruin, provides assistance to the wounded. Pierre Bezukhov invests his funds in the formation of the regiment and even makes an attempt to kill Napoleon, regardless of the consequences. Patriotic feelings are also characteristic of many representatives of the noble class.

False patriotism in the work

However, not all the heroes of the work are familiar with sincere feelings of love for the Motherland and sharing the people's grief. Tolstoy contrasts the real fighters against the invaders with the false patriots who continued their luxurious life in salons, attended balls and spoke the language of the invader. The author considers false patriots not only secular society, but also the majority of the officers of the Russian army. Many of them are happy about the war as a way to receive orders and career growth. The author denounces most of the officers who huddle in headquarters and do not participate in battles, hiding behind ordinary soldiers.

The technique of antithesis in the depiction of feigned and real patriotism is one of the ideological lines of the epic novel “War and Peace”. According to the author, true feelings Representatives of the common people, as well as those nobles who were imbued with its spirit, demonstrated love for their native land. Those who have no peace in moments common grief, and reflect sincere love for the Motherland. This idea is one of the main ones in the work, as well as in the essay on the topic “True and false patriotism in the novel “War and Peace.” The author portrays this belief through the thoughts of Pierre Bezukhov, who realizes that true happiness is in unity with his people.

Work test

What's happened true heroism? Under what conditions does it manifest itself? Is every person capable of performing a feat for the sake of his Motherland? It is these questions that the Russian writer B.L. Vasiliev reflects on.

In my opinion, the problem of courage in war is especially popular in our time. Many people treat heroism with irony, believing that it is just a way to show off their fearlessness to others. But we should not forget about those who save others at the cost of their lives. Such people do not demand awards and honors, they only fulfill their moral duty. Revealing the problem of manifestation of heroism, the author relies on his own life experience. In his story, he talks about the heroism of young female anti-aircraft gunners and their commander. In this passage we are presented with a scene of the oncoming battle between the heroes and the Germans. The girls and their commander fearlessly and stubbornly fight their enemies, showing true heroism and patriotism. The heroes are not without fear, but, realizing their responsibility to the Motherland, they successfully fight it.

B.L. Vasiliev is convinced that true heroism lies in self-sacrifice, the ability to sacrifice one’s life to save others, as well as the ability to fight one’s fear.

The works of Russian literature convince us of this. Thus, in K.D. Vorobyov’s story “Killed near Moscow,” the Kremlin cadets who defended their hometown and died in the name of the freedom of their people show steadfastness and heroism. At the end of the story, young lieutenant Alexey Yastrebov, who miraculously survived the bombing and attack of German tanks, accomplishes a feat. He does not give in to fear, but, remembering the words of the old soldier, throws a Molotov cocktail into the tank’s engine. The hero shows true courage, risking his life to save his native country.

Another example is the story “Sotnikov” by V. Bykov. Main character of this work- young partisan Sotnikov - goes in search of food and, having been captured, does not lose his moral fortitude and loyalty to his country. His comrade behaves in the opposite way, who is ready to become a policeman if only his life is spared. At the end of the work, Sotnikov decides to accomplish a feat - to sacrifice his life to save the innocent. But the cruel and insensitive policemen and commanders are not going to leave their enemies alive, so they sentence everyone to death. The author emphasizes that only a morally pure person, faithful to his duty, is capable of this feat.

Thus, true heroes are those people who are able to sacrifice themselves for others without thinking about rewards and respect.

The novel “War and Peace” is a historical epic of the valor and courage of the Russian people - the winner of the War of 1812. As in “Sevastopol Stories,” so in this novel Tolstoy realistically depicts the war in “blood, in suffering, in death.” Tolstoy tells us about the severity of war, its horrors, grief (population leaving Smolensk and Moscow, famine), death (Andrei Bolkonsky dies after being wounded, Petya Rostov dies). War requires the utmost effort of moral and physical strength from everyone. Russia during the Patriotic War, during the period of robbery, violence and atrocities committed by the invaders, suffered enormous material sacrifices. This is the burning and devastation of cities.

The general mood of soldiers, partisans and other defenders of the Motherland is of great importance during military events. War of 1805-1807 was conducted outside Russia and was alien to the Russian people. When the French invaded the territory of Russia, the entire Russian people, young and old, rose to defend their Fatherland.

In the novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy divides people according to moral principles, especially highlighting their attitude to patriotic duty. The writer depicts true patriotism and false patriotism, which cannot even be called patriotism. True patriotism - this is, first of all, patriotism of duty, action in the name of the Fatherland, the ability to rise above the personal at a decisive moment for the Motherland, to be imbued with a sense of responsibility for the fate of the people. According to Tolstoy, The Russian people are deeply patriotic. When the French occupied Smolensk, peasants burned hay so as not to sell it to their enemies. Each in his own way tried to hurt the enemy so that they would feel the hatred of the true owners of the earth. The merchant Ferapontov burned down his own shop so that it would not fall to the French. The residents of Moscow are shown as true patriots, who, leaving their hometown, leave their homes, because they consider it impossible to remain under the rule of impostors.

Russian soldiers are true patriots. The novel is replete with numerous episodes depicting the varied manifestations of patriotism by Russian people. We see the true patriotism and heroism of the people in the depiction of classical scenes under Shengraben, Austerlitz, Smolensk, Borodin. Of course, love for the fatherland, the willingness to sacrifice one’s life for it, is most clearly manifested on the battlefield, in direct confrontation with the enemy. It was in the Battle of Borodino that the extraordinary fortitude and courage of Russian soldiers was particularly demonstrated. Describing the night before the Battle of Borodino, Tolstoy draws attention to the seriousness and concentration of the soldiers who clean their weapons in preparation for battle. They refuse vodka because they are ready to consciously enter into battle with a powerful enemy. Their feeling of love for the Motherland does not allow reckless drunken courage. Realizing that this battle could be the last for each of them, the soldiers put on clean shirts, preparing for death, but not for retreat. While courageously fighting the enemy, Russian soldiers do not try to look like heroes. Panache and pose are alien to them; there is nothing ostentatious in their simple and sincere love for the Motherland. When, during the Battle of Borodino, “one cannonball blew up the ground two steps away from Pierre,” the broad, red-faced soldier innocently confesses to him his fear. “After all, she will not have mercy. She will smack and her guts will be out. “You can’t help but be afraid,” he said laughing.” But the soldier, who was not at all trying to be brave, died soon after this short dialogue, like tens of thousands of others, but did not give up and did not retreat.

Outwardly unremarkable people become heroes and true patriots in Tolstoy. That's the captain Tushin, who found himself in the face of his superiors in a comical position without boots, embarrassed, stumbling and at the same time, at the most critical moment, doing exactly what was needed.

The strength of the people's spirit will give birth to outstanding commanders. Such as Mikhail Kutuzov . Kutuzov in the novel is an exponent of the idea of patriotism, he was appointed commander against the will of the king and the royal court. Andrei explains this to Pierre this way: “While Russia was healthy, Barclay de Tolly was good... When Russia is sick, it needs its own man.” Kutuzov lives only with the feelings, thoughts, interests of soldiers, perfectly understands their mood, takes care of them like a father. He firmly believes that the outcome of the battle is determined by “an elusive force called the spirit of the army” and strives with all his might to support this hidden warmth of patriotism in the army.

The episode in Fili is important. Kutuzov takes upon himself the gravest responsibility and orders a retreat. This order contains the true patriotism of Kutuzov. Retreating from Moscow, Kutuzov retained an army that could not yet compare in numbers with Napoleonic's. Defending Moscow would mean losing the army, and this would lead to the loss of both Moscow and Russia. After Napoleon pushed beyond Russian borders, Kutuzov refuses to fight outside Russia. He believes that the Russian people have fulfilled their mission by expelling the invader, and there is no need to shed more people's blood.

The patriotism of the Russian people is manifested not only in battle. After all, not only that part of the people who were mobilized into the army took part in the fight against the invaders.

Andrey Bolkonsky. Still from the film “War and Peace” (1965)

Lev Nikolaevich shows that patriotic feelings embrace people of different political views: the progressive intelligentsia (Pierre, Andrey), the confrontational old Prince Bolkonsky, the conservative Nikolai Rostov, the meek Princess Marya. The patriotic impulse also penetrates the hearts of people who seem far from the war - Petya, Natasha Rostov. But it only seemed so. A real person, according to Tolstoy, cannot help but be a patriot of his Fatherland. All these people are united by a feeling that exists in the soul of every Russian person. (The Rostov family, leaving the city, gives all the carts to the wounded, thereby losing their property. After the death of her father, Maria Bolkonskaya leaves the estate, not wanting to live in the territory occupied by enemies. Pierre Bezukhov thinks about killing Napoleon, knowing full well how this could end.)

The writer attaches great importance partisan movement . This is how Tolstoy describes his spontaneous growth: “ Before the guerrilla war was officially accepted by our government, thousands of people of the enemy army - backward marauders, foragers - were exterminated by the Cossacks and peasants, who beat these people as unconsciously as dogs unconsciously kill a rabid dog.”. Tolstoy characterizes partisan “war not according to the rules” as spontaneous, comparing it with a club, “ rising with all its formidable and majestic power and, without asking anyone’s tastes and rules... nailing the French... until the entire invasion perished.”.

Tolstoy contrasts the true patriotism of the bulk of the Russian people with the false patriotism of the highest noble society, which is repulsive in its falseness, selfishness and hypocrisy. These are fake people, whose patriotic words and deeds become a means of achieving base goals. Tolstoy mercilessly tears off the mask of patriotism from German and half-German generals in Russian service, “golden youth” like Anatoly Kuragin, careerists like Boris Drubetsky. Tolstoy angrily denounces that part of the senior staff officers who did not take part in the battles, but tried to get a job at the headquarters and simply receive awards.

People like false patriots there will be a lot until people realize that everyone must defend their country, and that there will be no one else to do this except them. This is exactly what Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy wanted to convey through antithesis, contrasting true and false patriots. But Tolstoy does not fall into the false patriotic tone of the narrative, but looks at events sternly and objectively, like a realist writer. This helps him more accurately convey to us the importance of the problem of false patriotism.

A false patriotic atmosphere reigns in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer, Helen Bezukhova and other St. Petersburg salons:“...calm, luxurious, concerned only with ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg life went on as before; and because of the course of this life, it was necessary to make great efforts to recognize the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people found themselves. There were the same exits, balls, the same French theater, the same interests of the courts, the same interests of service and intrigue. Only in the highest circles were efforts made to recall the difficulty of the present situation.” Indeed, this circle of people was far from understanding all-Russian problems, from understanding the great misfortune and needs of the people during this war. The world continued to live by its own interests, and even in a moment of national calamity reign here greed, promotion, service.

The Count also displays false patriotism Rastopchin, who posts stupid ones around Moscow "posters", calls on the city residents not to leave the capital, and then, fleeing the people’s anger, deliberately sends the innocent son of the merchant Vereshchagin to death. Meanness and betrayal are combined with conceit and pout: “It not only seemed to him that he controlled the external actions of the inhabitants of Moscow, but it seemed to him that he controlled their mood through his proclamations and posters, written in that ironic language that the people despise among themselves and which they do not understand when they hear it from above ».

Indicative for understanding the author’s attitude to what is happening is the reaction of the scene participants to Berg’s behavior - both direct and not having a direct connection with the hero’s monologues. The direct reaction is contained in the Count’s actions: “The Count wrinkled his face and choked...”; “Oh, you all get out to hell, to hell, to hell and to hell!..” Natasha Rostova’s reaction is even more definite: “... this is such disgusting, such an abomination, such... I don’t know! Are we some kind of Germans?..” Natasha Rostova’s exclamation is somewhat divorced from Berg’s monologues; the plot is connected with Petya’s story about his parents’ quarrel over carts. But it is obvious that Tolstoy puts these words into Natasha’s mouth, among other things, with the aim of giving a final assessment of Berg’s hypocritical shamelessness (the mention of the Germans is no coincidence).

This is finally Drubetskoy, who, like other staff officers, thinks about awards and promotion, wants “to arrange for himself the best position, especially the position of adjutant to an important person, which seemed especially tempting to him in the army”. It is probably no coincidence that on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Pierre notices this greedy excitement on the faces of the officers; he mentally compares it with “another expression of excitement,” “which spoke of not personal, but general issues, issues of life and death.”

Tolstoy convinces us that only those nobles who comprehend the spirit of the people, for whom there can be no happiness outside the peace and prosperity of their country, can be true patriots.