Secular society in the image "War and Peace" (N. Tolstoy). Image of secular society in the novel "War and Peace" - essays, essays, reports Description of Moscow social life and its representatives

The multifaceted prose canvas created by Leo Tolstoy is a true picture of the life of the Russian people in the first quarter of the 19th century. The volume of the work and the scale of the description characteristically evoke the multifaceted problems of the novel. One of the problems that L.N. Tolstoy is the study of the moral essence of secular society in the novel "War and Peace".

Artistic reception of opposition

One of the main artistic techniques used by the author is a contrast. This catches the eye even before reading the epic novel, because this technique already emphasizes the title of the work. Through a parallel image based on the opposition of war and peace, Lev Nikolayevich depicts actual problems eras of the beginning of the 19th century, human vices and virtues, values of society and personal dramas of heroes.

The method of opposition touched not only the plans of the image, but also the images. The author created images of war and peace in the novel. If the author portrays the war through battles, characters of generals, officers and soldiers, then the world personifies the image of Russian society in the first decades of the 19th century.

In describing the characteristic secular world in the novel "War and Peace", the author does not deviate from his stylistic manner, which is characterized not only philosophical digressions, where the author's assessment of the events described is traced, but also Comparative characteristics phenomena, images, spiritual qualities. So, in a hidden opposition, the author depicts representatives of the two main cities of the Empire - St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Characteristics of the metropolitan society in the novel

In that historical period, which is described in the work, St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire, with a pretentious society characteristic of such a high rank. St. Petersburg is a city characterized by architectural splendor combined with cold gloominess and impregnability. The author also transfers his peculiar character to Petersburg society.

Social events, balls, receptions are the main events for representatives of the secular society of the capital. It is there that political, cultural and secular news are discussed. However, for external beauty these events, it is clear that the representatives of the nobility do not care and do not care at all about either these topics, or the opinions of the interlocutors, or the outcome of conversations and meetings. The denunciation of beauty, true and false, the essence of the metropolitan society is revealed in the novel already from the first price in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Sherer.

The Petersburg high society in the novel plays the usual roles, speaks only about what it is customary to talk about, acts as it is expected. On the example of the Kuragin family, which are typical representatives of the capital's society, the author, with undisguised disappointment and irony, emphasizes the theatricality, pretense and cynicism of the social life of St. Petersburg and its representatives. Only those who are inexperienced or have lost interest in role-playing find the author’s approval on the pages of the novel, through whose mouth the author gives his assessment: “Living rooms, gossip, balls, vanity, insignificance - this is a vicious circle from which I cannot get out.”

Description of Moscow social life and its representatives

For the first time, the author introduces the reader to the customs and atmosphere of the Moscow nobility at the morning reception of the Rostov family. At first glance, it may seem that the secular picture of Moscow is not much different from the society of the Northern capital. However, the conversations of representatives of the nobility are no longer so generalized and empty, in them one can hear personal opinions, disputes and discussions, which indicates the sincerity of views, true excitement for the fate of their region and the state as a whole. At social events there is a place for children's pranks and good-natured laughter, sincere amazement, simplicity and directness of thoughts and actions, trust and forgiveness.

At the same time, one should not assume that Tolstoy, who undoubtedly sympathizes with Moscow society in the novel, idealizes it. On the contrary, he emphasizes many of his qualities that are not approved by the author, such as envy, ridicule, passion for gossip and discussion of someone else's privacy. However, creating the image of the secular society of Moscow, the author identifies it with the characteristic, both positive and negative features inherent in the Russian people.

The role of the image of secular society in the novel

One of the main issues that underlies the work and my essay on the topic “ secular society in the novel "War and Peace" - this is the essence of the Russian people, with all its versatility, shortcomings and virtues. In the novel, Tolstoy's goal was to show, without embellishment and flattery, the true face of society at the beginning of the 19th century, in order to depict the essence of the Russian soul and main national values such as home, family and state against its background.

The image of society serves not only as a force that forms views, opinions, principles of thinking and ideals of behavior, but also as a background for expressing bright personalities due to it, thanks to whose high moral qualities and heroism the war was won, which largely affected future fate states.

Artwork test

In the novel "War and Peace" Tolstoy created a true and complete picture of Russian life in the first quarter of the 19th century. During this period in Russia, the main social role was played by the nobles, so a significant place in the novel is given to the description of secular society. It should be noted that the high society at that time was represented mainly by two metropolitan societies, quite different from each other: St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Petersburg is the capital, a cold, unfriendly city, standing on a par with European cities. St. Petersburg high society is a special world with its own laws, customs, mores, the intellectual center of the country, oriented towards Europe. But the first thing that catches your eye when describing relationships in this society is unnaturalness. All representatives of high society are accustomed to playing roles imposed on them by society or taken by them voluntarily; it is not without reason that Prince Vasily is compared with an actor in the novel.

One of the main pastimes of members of high society were social receptions, where news, the situation in Europe and much more were discussed. It seemed to a new person that everything discussed was important, and all those present were very smart and thinking people, seriously interested in the subject of the conversation. In fact, there is something mechanical and indifferent in these methods, and Tolstoy compares those present in the Scherer salon with a talking machine. A smart, serious, inquisitive person cannot be satisfied with such communication, and he is quickly disappointed in the world. However, the basis of secular society is made up of those who like such communication, for whom it is necessary. Such people develop a certain stereotype of behavior, which they transfer to their personal, family life. Therefore, in their relations in the family there is little cordiality, more practicality and calculation. A typical Petersburg family is the Kuragin family.

Moscow secular society appears to us quite differently, which, however, is somewhat similar to St. Petersburg. The first depiction of the Moscow world in the novel is the description of the name day in the Rostovs' house. The morning reception of guests is reminiscent of secular receptions in St. Petersburg: discussion of news, though not of a global scale, but of local ones, feigned feelings of surprise or indignation, but the impression immediately changes with the appearance of children who bring immediacy, happiness, causeless fun to the living room. At dinner, the Rostovs show all the qualities inherent in the Moscow nobility: hospitality, cordiality, nepotism. Moscow Society in many ways it resembles one big family, where everything is known to everyone, where they forgive each other for small weaknesses and can publicly scold for leprosy. Only in such a society could such a figure as Akhrosimova appear, and Natasha's trick was condescendingly assessed. Unlike St. Petersburg, the Moscow nobility is closer to the Russian people, their traditions and customs. In general, Tolstoy's sympathies seem to be on the side of the Moscow nobility, and it is not for nothing that his favorite heroes, the Rostovs, live in Moscow. And although the writer cannot approve of many features and customs of Muscovites (gossip, for example), he does not focus on them. In the depiction of secular society, Tolstoy actively uses the method of "detachment", which allows him to look at events and characters from an unexpected point of view. So, when describing an evening at Anna Pavlovna Scherer's, the writer compares the salon with a spinning workshop, illuminating the secular reception from an unexpected side and allowing the reader to penetrate into the essence of the relationship there. The French language in the speech of the characters is also a method of "removal", making it possible to more fully create an image of a secular society, which at that time spoke mainly French.

Creating his grandiose novel, Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy could not help but pay attention to secular society, which in most cases consisted of nobles.

The secular society of that period of development of Russia was divided into two types - St. Petersburg and Moscow. Tolstoy tries to give a separate description of the St. Petersburg meetings and the Moscow meetings of the nobility.

When Tolstoy was working on the creation of his novel, Petersburg was one of the coldest and most inhospitable cities. Therefore, the secular society that reigned in it could not radiate other qualities. Petersburg can be safely considered the intellectual center of the country. He was seriously focused on Europe.

A feature of St. Petersburg society was pretense and unnaturalness. The characters with whom the author introduces us are simply playing their part, taking an example from the rest of the members of secular assemblies and imitating the manners they see. During meetings and receptions, all those present necessarily discussed the news of the world and the country. Everyone tried to seem smart, well-read, well-mannered. However, it was only an illusion that overshadowed all the characters, without exception.

Pretense is the principle that ultimately and clearly characterizes the behavior of St. Petersburg society.

Getting acquainted with the Moscow society, the reader understands that the author himself sympathizes more with its representatives and members. Of course, the behavior of the characters is somewhat similar to each other, however, in Moscow society we meet real, living personalities. They are endowed with natural emotions and feelings. They have the right to vote. They express their emotions the way they feel, and not the way others demand it.

In Moscow society, the reader often sees the presence of children. They are the ones who lighten the mood.

The Rostov family is prominent representative Moscow society. They are closer to the people, they are closer to the Russian traditions that existed at that time! And it seems to me that the author himself in many respects sympathizes with the Moscow nobility.

On the pages of the novel, Tolstoy uses such a technique as "dismissal". This can be clearly seen in the example of the St. Petersburg society, whose members often used French as a colloquial language! Of course, this feature for the most part was a kind of removal from the general mass of the Russian population.

Observing the surrounding world, carefully peering into its inhabitants, Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy was able to reliably describe the secular society of that period of time. He skillfully conveyed its features and differences, informing and familiarizing each reader with them.

1. War and Peace is an epic novel.
2. The idea and history of the appearance of the work.
3. Petersburgers and Muscovites in the novel.
4. The value of the work for understanding the society of the XIX century.

What are passions? - after all, sooner or later their sweet affliction
Will disappear at the word of reason; And life, as you look around with cold attention -
Such an empty and stupid joke...
M.Yu.Lermontov

"War and Peace" by L. N. Tolstoy is one of greatest works included in the world classics of literature. Over the novel was a long and painstaking work. The writer began it in 1863, and finished only six years later - in 1869. During this time, the novel was subjected to multiple corrections and several times, almost from scratch, rewritten.

The intention of the novel can be judged by next letter, addressed to A. I. Herzen and dated 1861: “I started a novel about four months ago, the hero of which should be the returning Decembrist ... in 56 to Russia with his wife, son and daughter and trying on his strict and somewhat ideal look to new Russia... However, the original idea expanded and changed over time (Tolstoy's diary entry): “Involuntarily, I moved from the present to 1825, the era of my hero's delusions and misfortunes, and left what I started. But even in 1825 my hero was already a mature, family man. To understand him, I had to go back to his youth, and his youth coincided with the glorious era for Russia in 1812. Another time I gave up what I had begun and began to write from the time of 1812, whose smell and sound are still audible and dear to us ... triumph in the fight against Bonaparte France, without describing our failures and our shame. So, having returned from 1856 to 1805, from now on I intend to lead not one, but many of my heroines and heroes through historical events 1805, 1807, 1812, 1825 and 1856."

In this novel, also called an epic novel, the author succeeded in accurately, vividly and at the same time interestingly conveying the life of the Russian nobility of the first half of XIX century. A significant role is also given to the description of secular society, at that time divided into two very different from each other and constantly at war with each other "camps" - Moscow and St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg, which was the capital city at that time, is still distinguished by its austere and cold beauty to this day. He is inhospitable, impregnable and beautiful. It is on a par with European cities, as it is in itself a window to Europe. The high society of St. Petersburg is a special, closed and isolated from all the world with its own laws and orders. The customs and customs of the members of this society are oriented towards European traditions. But the first striking difference between such people is the extreme unnaturalness of thoughts, words, gestures. Representatives of this circle are too accustomed to the fact that going out into society is a game where you have to keep a face and you can’t show sincere emotions and feelings. It is no coincidence that Prince Vasily, who is directly related to this category of people, is repeatedly compared with an actor.

The main and favorite type of intellectual pastime of St. Petersburg society is the so-called salons. They talked about everything and nothing at the same time: acquaintances, politicians and emperors, news of war and culture were discussed. Naturally, the communication was carried out "at the highest level" and it might seem to an unfamiliar person that the things discussed by these people are very important and serious, and the people who are talking are well-read and smart. However, this is not so, because it is no coincidence that the author himself compares one of these salons of Madame Scherer with a “talking machine”. There is something indifferent, mechanical in these techniques, acting without emotions according to the program set by the operator.

A smart, inquisitive and lively person will not be able to satisfy such a pastime - there is too little soul and really important words in it. However, for the people who form the basis of this society, such entertainment is necessary. With such salon regulars, this manner of behavior and communication extends to family life, devoid of warmth and understanding and full of mechanical cold calculation. A typical Petersburg family is the “clan” of the Kuragins.

Moscow society is presented quite differently. Despite some similarities with St. Petersburg, Moscow nobles evoke great reader sympathy. The first mention of Moscow high society is a description of the Rostovs' house. On the one hand, the morning reception of guests, timed to coincide with name days, resembles gatherings at Scherer's - the same gossip, as well as empty talk and discussion of important matters. The scale of the conversations is smaller, as is the amount of feigned surprise and slyness that completely leaves the premises with the arrival of the children. Children bring with them happiness, spontaneity, light and purity, and adults begin to enjoy life with them.

At the reception, the main qualities of Moscow high society are fully manifested - cordiality, family, hospitality. Moscow society resembles one big family with common troubles and joys. Here everyone knows about everyone and forgive each other for minor sins, although they can scold each other in public. So, Natasha Rostova's trick, natural for Moscow, will be absolutely unacceptable in St. Petersburg society. Moscow world is closer to the people, remembers and honors its traditions. The author's sympathies are on the sides of the Muscovites, it is not for nothing that the Rostovs live in Moscow. And although Muscovites also have shortcomings (the same gossip), Tolstoy does not focus on them.

When depicting a secular society, the author constantly resorts to the technique of "distance", allowing him to look at the characters from a new, previously unconsidered side. So the French language in the speech of the characters is the same method of "dismissal", which makes it possible to more accurately convey the thoughts and emotions of society. He spoke mostly French and German.

The epic novel was created already in the second half of the 19th century, that is, the author could not be a witness to the time period he describes and used the writings of writers and historical documents. It is for this reason that the depiction of society in the work is both traditional and revolutionary new. Thanks to the masterfully created characters of the characters and the correctly described details of secular life, the novel "War and Peace" became a kind of encyclopedia of the Russian nobility of the first quarter of the 19th century.

Artistic reception of opposition

One of the main artistic techniques used by the author is opposition. This catches the eye even before reading the epic novel, because this technique already emphasizes the title of the work. Through a parallel image, based on the opposition of war and peace, Lev Nikolayevich depicts the actual problems of the early 19th century, human vices and virtues, the values of society and the personal dramas of the heroes.

In describing the characteristic secular world in the novel "War and Peace", the author does not deviate from his stylistic manner, which is characterized not only by philosophical digressions, where the author's assessment of the events described is traced, but also by a comparative description of phenomena, images, spiritual qualities. So, in a hidden opposition, the author depicts representatives of the two main cities of the Empire - St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Characteristics of the metropolitan society in the novel

Social events, balls, receptions are the main events for representatives of the secular society of the capital. It is there that political, cultural and secular news are discussed. However, behind the external beauty of these events, it is clear that the representatives of the nobility do not care and do not care at all about these topics, nor the opinions of the interlocutors, nor the outcome of conversations and meetings. The denunciation of beauty, true and false, the essence of the metropolitan society is revealed in the novel already from the first price in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Sherer.

Description of Moscow social life and its representatives

At the same time, one should not assume that Tolstoy, who undoubtedly sympathizes with Moscow society in the novel, idealizes it. On the contrary, he emphasizes many of his qualities that are not approved by the author, such as envy, ridicule, passion for gossip and discussion of someone else's private life. However, creating the image of the secular society of Moscow, the author identifies it with the characteristic, both positive and negative features inherent in the Russian people.

The role of the image of secular society in the novel

One of the main issues that underlies the work and my essay on the topic “Secular society in the novel“ War and Peace ”is the essence of the Russian people, with all its versatility, shortcomings and virtues. In the novel, Tolstoy's goal was to show, without embellishment and flattery, the true face of society at the beginning of the 19th century, in order to depict the essence of the Russian soul and main national values such as home, family and state against its background.

The image of society serves not only as a force that forms views, opinions, principles of thinking and ideals of behavior, but also as a backdrop for expressing bright personalities due to it, thanks to whose high moral qualities and heroism the war was won, which largely affected the future fate of the state.

Artwork test