The image of Kutuzov in the work War and Peace

The image of Kutuzov in the novel “War and Peace”

The epic “War and Peace” is the greatest work of Russian and world literature. L.N. Tolstoy painted a broad picture of the life of Russian society in the period from 1805 to 1820. The novel centers on the defeat of Napoleon's hitherto invincible army by the Russian people in 1812. Against the background of historical events, a chronicle of the life of three noble families is given - the Rostovs, the Bolkonskys and the Bezukhovs. But along with fictional characters, genuine historical figures are depicted - Kutuzov, Napoleon, Alexander I, Speransky and others. By recreating historical events, the author shows the truly popular character of the Patriotic War.

Unlike historical figures such as Alexander I, Napoleon, who think only about glory and power, Kutuzov is able to understand the simple, man, and he himself is a simple person by nature. Tolstoy perfectly captured some of the character traits of the great Russian commander: his deep patriotic feelings, his love for the Russian people and hatred of the enemy, closeness to the soldier. Kutuzov was connected with the people by close spiritual ties, and this was his strength as a commander. At the decisive moments of the entire military campaign of 1812, Kutuzov behaves like a commander, close and understandable to the broad masses of soldiers; he acts like a true Russian patriot. In the novel, Kutuzov is opposed to the German generals, to all these Pfuels, Wolzogens pursuing selfish goals, he opposes Napoleon in everything. The whole appearance of Napoleon, the leader of an aggressive, unjust war, was unnatural and deceitful. And the image of Kutuzov is the embodiment of simplicity, goodness and truth. However, the theory of fatalism also affected the interpretation of the image of Kutuzov in the novel. Along with historically and psychologically correct traits of his character, there are also false traits. Kutuzov was a brilliant commander, he went through an excellent military school under the leadership of Suvorov, all his operations were distinguished by the depth of their strategic plan. The Patriotic War of 1812 was a triumph of his military leadership, which turned out to be higher than the general art of Napoleon. In his multifaceted military and diplomatic activities, Kutuzov showed a deep and insightful mind, enormous experience, and extraordinary organizational skills. Meanwhile, L.N. Tolstoy everywhere strives to note that Kutuzov was only a wise observer of events, that he did not interfere with anything, but at the same time did not organize anything. In accordance with his historical views, which were based on the denial of the role of the individual in history and the recognition of the eternal predetermination of historical events, the author portrays Kutuzov as a passive contemplator, who was supposedly only an obedient instrument in the hands of providence. Therefore, in Tolstoy, Kutuzov “despised intelligence and knowledge and knew something else that should have solved the matter.” This is another “old age” and “experience of life”. Prince Andrei, when meeting him, noted that Kutuzov had only “one ability to calmly contemplate events.” He “will not interfere with anything useful and will not allow anything harmful.” According to Tolstoy, Kutuzov led only the morale of the army. “With many years of military experience, he knew and with his senile mind understood that it is impossible for one person to lead hundreds of thousands of people fighting death, and he knew that the fate of the battle is not decided by the orders of the commander-in-chief, not by the place where the troops stand, not by the number of guns and killed people , and that elusive force called the spirit of the army, and he watched over this force and led it, as far as it was in his power.” All this was expressed with the intention of belittling Kutuzov’s organizational role in the Patriotic War. Kutuzov, of course, understood perfectly well that all of the listed elements play their own, depending on the circumstances, greater or lesser role in the war. Sometimes this is a “place”, sometimes a timely “order from the commander-in-chief”, sometimes superiority in weapons. However, Tolstoy’s powerful realism often overcomes the shackles of fatalistic philosophy, and Kutuzov appeared on the pages of the novel, full of ebullient energy, determination, and active intervention in the course of military operations. This is how we see Kutuzov when, shocked by Prince Andrei’s story about the disasters of Russia, “with an angry expression on his face,” he says to the French: “Give time, give time.” Such is Kutuzov at the Battle of Borodino, when the German Wolzogen, with his cold mind and heart, indifferent to the fate of Russia, reports to him on behalf of Barclay de Tolly that all Russian positions are in the hands of the enemy and that the troops are fleeing. And what energy of determination we see, the power of Kutuzov’s brilliant insight at the military council in Fili, when he gives the order to abandon Moscow in the name of saving Russia and the Russian army! In these and some other episodes of the novel we have before us the real commander Kutuzov.

It seems to me that the image of Kutuzov is the most contradictory, because in his artistic chapters Tolstoy contradicts his philosophical chapters. In some we see Kutuzov as a passive contemplator, in others - a true patriot, a true commander. But despite everything, “War and Peace” is a wonderful work. Tolstoy talks a lot about man in general, as a kind of abstraction, devoid of any class, class, national and temporal characteristics. And no matter how Tolstoy proves that everything happened by the will of Providence, and that personality does not play any role in history, I believe that Kutuzov is truly a brilliant commander, and his role in the outcome of the Patriotic War is great.

The work “War and Peace” is one of the best works of Leo Tolstoy. The author especially clearly showed the defeat of the Russian troops in 1812 by the French army. Along with the fictitious names of the heroes of the Rostov, Bolkonsky and Bezukhov families, there are historical figures - Speransky, Napoleon, Kutuzov.

The writer excellently captured such features of the Russian military leader as cordiality towards the people, closeness to military personnel and hostility towards the enemy. At the main moments of the battles, Kutuzov behaves like a commander, close and understandable to the masses of soldiers, acting like a man who loves his homeland with all his heart. Here he is contrasted with the German generals and Napoleon, since they most of all pursued selfish goals in everything. If the French ruler is shown in all his lies and hypocrisy, then the image of Kutuzov is the embodiment of goodness, simplicity and truth.

He was a wonderful strategist who went through a harsh military school with Suvorov. The war with the French was an excellent result of his skill as a commander, much more effective than Napoleon's maneuvering actions. The writer also tries to note that Kutuzov was an attentive observer everywhere. He tried not to interfere with the ongoing actions, and he did not organize it himself either. Tolstoy believed that Kutuzov was only a leader from a moral point of view, thus he seemed to belittle him. But at the same time, the describer showed the commander, full of ebullient energy and determination in the course of military operations.

His insight is especially visible at the moment when he orders to leave Moscow in the name of the Motherland. It seems that Kutuzov is shown as a contradictory image, since in some episodes he is presented as a passive contemplator, and in others - a true patriot of his homeland. Kutuzov's appearance is also very expressive. A simple figure, ordinary gestures speak of the simplicity and sincerity of the commander.

The author believes that if history and fate are irresistible, then there is no need to strive for active action, which is very noticeable in Kutuzov. Having an excellent disposition and a trained army superior to the enemy, he calmly speaks of the unfavorable outcome of the battle in favor of the French. We notice the same calm at the meeting of the military council. Kutuzov even fell asleep on it. He relies on folk wisdom. All his actions are coordinated with her, and many do not notice this. The Battle of Borodino, both for the author and for the commander, is the battle where the good side should win. So, Tolstoy shows us Kutuzov in all his superiority, as an army commander, and as a man, a true patriot of his homeland.

Option 2

In the novel by L.N. Tolstoy there are many characters and their images, which the author highlights in a special way and with skill. One of the most prominent such heroes is Kutuzov, the commander-in-chief of the Russian army.

Kutuzov was a mature man, decrepit, physically frail, but intelligent, with a gentle look, an senile smile and expressive gestures and figure. The commander-in-chief of the Russian army behaved naturally, for example, he sleeps at the council in Fili, eats chicken during the battle, and, despite his experience, did not always bring things to the end. He was always close to his army, was with the troops at all the most important moments, and speaks simply and clearly. The commander was also kind in his dealings with the people around him; he often used diminutive words in his speech, for example, darling.

When Andrei Bolkonsky's father died, Kutuzov sincerely and truly mourned the death of his old friend, and told Andrei himself that he could serve as a substitute father for him, and he could always rely on him. This situation once again emphasizes the partiality of the commander-in-chief.

It is worth noting Kutuzov’s attitude towards the soldiers. He shows sincere concern for them, which was shown by the review in Braunau, when he tried to say at least a couple of pleasant words to each of the soldiers that would inspire him to fight. He is affectionate in his treatment of them, knows how to simply talk to them, not paying attention to the difference in their position.

Kutuzov shows a fatherly attitude towards Russian soldiers. People consider him a people's commander, the savior of the Russian land, the Fatherland.

Unlike Napoleon, whose goal was glory and power, Kutuzov’s main task was to protect the Motherland. To achieve this goal, he chooses the tactics of keeping the army from war, the key battle and maintaining the morale of the army. Before the Battle of Austerlitz, he understood that it would be lost, and he was sincerely sorry to risk people and expose them to danger.

In general, Kutuzov is a talented commander, a truly Russian man, a wise figure, expresses the patriotic spirit and moral strength of the Russian army. In the work “War and Peace,” the commander-in-chief of the Russian army is contrasted with the Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, and against his background he looks like a bright and pure commander. Despite the discontent of the authorities and personal hostility, Kutuzov was able to lead Russia to victory!

Essay about Kutuzov

In his most popular novel, Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy raises many controversial topics. One of which is the topic of a historical figure and his influence on history.

Kutuzov is the main and controversial personality in the novel. On the one hand, Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy gives a positive assessment of Kutuzov, saying that he listens to the people, respects their opinion, and tries to act for the good of Russia. But on the other hand, he notes that its significance in history is small, because it was the people who became the force that helped defeat the enemy. Tolstoy showed all this perfectly when describing the image of Kutuzov. Kutuzov is shown during the fighting, he is self-confident and decisive. At the council in Fili, Kutuzov makes the most important decision - to leave Moscow to the French. He is well aware of the risk of the whole situation, but Kutuzov is an excellent commander, this is proven by the consequences of this event - Russia is winning the war.

Kutuzov's role is also revealed in the conflict with Alexander the First. He is not afraid to confront the emperor and insist on his right decision.

But Kutuzov is not the main character in the entire novel. At the very end, Leo Tolstoy says that Kutuzov dies at the most opportune moment, no one even notices it or worries.

His character is also manifested in his attitude towards ordinary soldiers, he is friendly with them, tries to make their life in war more favorable and comfortable, helps them get clothes and food. Kutuzov treats those of higher rank with respect, but never strives to gain trust in himself; first of all, he is loyal to the country and his views. Kutuzov always speaks directly, is very competent and tactful, and knows several languages. And the author describes Kutuzov’s appearance like this - one eye that shows love and care, an aquiline nose, a scar on his face, a serious and stately gait, sometimes a tired look from constant military operations.

It can be noted that Tolstoy notes that Kutuzov is an observer, he did not have much influence on the events taking place, the initiator of everything was the people, Kutuzov was only able to direct the situation in the right direction, lead the people, push them to action.

The image of Kutuzov personifies the whole of Russia, all its inconsistency and uncertainty.

Several interesting essays

• Essay based on Ivanov’s painting The feat of a young Kiev resident, grade 5 (description)

  The painting was painted by the artist Andrei Ivanov based on the ancient chronicle of Nestor about the events that took place in 968. The chronicle tells of a young Kiev resident who, during the Pecheneg attack on Kyiv, rushed through the enemy army to the Dnieper River

• Provincial city in the poem Dead Souls by Gogol essay

  From the beginning of Gogol’s work “Dead Souls”, we learn from a dispute among men that the city is located somewhere between Moscow and Kazan, but he does not indicate its exact location and gives it the name NN

• The image of nature in Yesenin's lyrics essay

  The work of Sergei Yesenin belongs to the new peasant poetry, therefore the main theme of the author’s poems is nature.

• Essay Olesya and Ivan Timofeevich comparative characteristics

  The main characters of the story “Olesya” by I. A. Kuprin, a girl named Olesya and the visiting gentleman Ivan Timofeevich, are vivid images that represent love in one of its manifestations

• The image of Rus' in the poem Dead Souls by Gogol essay

  The image of Rus' in Gogol’s work is, first of all, associated with Russia-troika, that is, with a horse-drawn cart that rushes across endless expanses. This image is still relevant today and continues

Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov is a great commander; it was he who led the Russian army in the Patriotic War of 1812. Kutuzov is one of those heroes who is a real historical character. It was under the leadership of Kutuzov that such significant battles as the Battle of Borodino and the Battle of Austerlitz took place. What is the characterization of Kutuzov in War and Peace?

External characteristics of Kutuzov

Despite the strong-willed character of the Russian commander, his appearance was inconspicuous. He was short and had many wounds, which were the result of a long military life. He limped on one leg and had a disfigured face. The commander had a scar on his face and a wound in his temple. The result of this injury was a damaged eye. That's why he often wore an eye patch. The scars gave him a menacing, frightening expression on his face, although, in fact, he was a fair and quick-tempered person.

In the novel, the writer describes him as an elderly man with many ailments: “Kutuzov stood still in the same place and, senilely slumped in the saddle with his corpulent body, yawned heavily, closing his eyes...”

The image of Kutuzov in the novel

Of course, M.I. Kutuzov is a great commander who did a lot for the victory of the Russian army over the French. However, his image does not appear in the novel as often as the image of Napoleon. But they constantly talk about him: some admire him, some do not trust him, but everyone recognizes him as an experienced strategist. Kutuzov is often talked about at social events and receptions, but he himself rarely appears in such places. His place is in war, next to ordinary soldiers.

Kutuzov is an experienced commander. He loves soldiers like family and is very upset when many of them die on the battlefields. He asks what the soldiers are fed and whether they have any diseases. The hero understands that the outcome of the war depends on the ordinary soldier, so it is important that he is happy with everything. that's why they love him so much simple people. Suvorov, another experienced commander, under whose leadership this character began his brilliant career, taught Kutuzov how to care for soldiers.

The distinctive character traits of a commander are kindness and restraint. He is also a loving father who writes very touching letters to his children from the battlefields.

The attitude of the novel's heroes towards Kutuzov

Despite the fact that M.I. Kutuzov was a great commander, he was treated ambiguously in secular society. Tsar Alexander I openly disliked him, but at the same time recognized his merits in military affairs and respected him as a professional in his field. He blamed Kutuzov for the loss of the Battle of Austerlitz, but knew that he had done everything possible.

Andrei Bolkonsky was skeptical about Kutuzov. Before one of the battles, when Kutuzov knew that dozens of young soldiers would die, Prince Andrei was surprised at how cold-blooded this man could be. But then, looking into the commander’s eyes, he realized that he had the right to such behavior.

Kutuzov is the commander-in-chief of the Russian army. A participant in real historical events described by Tolstoy, and at the same time in the plot of the work. He has a “plump, wound-disfigured face” with an aquiline nose; he is gray-haired, plump, and walks heavily. On the pages of the novel, Kutuzov first appears in the episode of the review near Braunau, impressing everyone with his knowledge of the matter and attention hidden behind the apparent absent-mindedness. Kutuzov knows how to be diplomatic; he is quite cunning and speaks “with the grace of expressions and intonations”, “with the affectation of respect” of a subordinate and non-judgmental person, when the matter does not concern the security of the homeland, as before the Battle of Austerlitz. Before the Battle of Shengraben, Kutuzov, crying, blesses Bagration.

In 1812, Kutuzov, contrary to the opinion of secular circles, received princely dignity and was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army. He is a favorite of soldiers and military officers. From the beginning of his activities as commander-in-chief, Kutuzov believes that to win a campaign “you need patience and time”, that the whole matter can be solved not by knowledge, not by plans, not by intelligence, but by “something else, independent of intelligence and knowledge.” According to Tolstoy's historical and philosophical concept, a person is not able to truly influence the course of historical events. Kutuzov has the ability to “calmly contemplate the course of events,” but he knows how to see, listen, remember, not interfere with anything useful, and not allow anything harmful. On the eve and during the Battle of Borodino, the commander oversees the preparations for the battle, together with all the soldiers and militiamen he prays before the icon of the Smolensk Mother of God, and during the battle he controls the “elusive force” called the “spirit of the army.” Kutuzov experiences painful feelings when deciding to leave Moscow, but “with all his Russian being” he knows that the French will be defeated. Having directed all his strength to liberate his homeland, Kutuzov dies when his role is fulfilled and the enemy is driven beyond the borders of Russia. “This simple, modest and therefore truly majestic Figure could not fit into that deceitful form of a European hero, ostensibly ruling people, which history has invented.” Bagration is one of the most famous Russian military leaders, a hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, a prince. In the novel he appears as a real historical figure and a participant in the plot action. Bagration is “short, with an oriental type of hard and motionless face, dry, not yet an old man.” In the novel he participates mainly as the commander of the Battle of Shengraben. Before the operation, Kutuzov blessed him “for the great feat” of saving the army. The mere presence of the prince on the battlefield changes a lot in its course, although he does not give any visible orders, but at the decisive moment he dismounts and himself goes on the attack ahead of the soldiers. He is loved and respected by everyone, it is known about him that Suvorov himself gave him a sword for his courage back in Italy. During the Battle of Austerlitz, Bagration alone spent the whole day fighting off an enemy twice as strong and, during the retreat, withdrew his column from the battlefield undisturbed. That is why Moscow chose him as its hero, a dinner was given in Bagration’s honor at an English club, in his person “due honor was given to the fighting, simple, without connections and intrigues, Russian soldier...”.

IMAGE OF KUTUZOV

By writing "War and Peace", L.N. Tolstoy created not just a novel, he created a historical novel. Many pages in it are devoted to a specifically Tolstoy understanding of the historical process, his philosophy of history.

In this regard, the novel contains many real historical characters who in one way or another influenced the state of European and Russian society at the beginning of the 19th century. These are Emperor Alexander I and Napoleon Bonaparte, General Bagration and General Davout, Arakcheev and Speransky. And among them is a character-sign with a very special semantic content - Field Marshal Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov, His Serene Highness Prince Smolensky - a brilliant Russian commander, one of the most educated people of his time.

Kutuzov, depicted in the novel, is strikingly different from the real historical figure. For Tolstoy, Kutuzov is the embodiment of his historical innovations. He is a special figure, a person endowed with the instinct of wisdom. It is like a vector, the direction of action of which is determined by the sum of thousands and millions of causes and actions performed in historical space.

“History, that is, the unconscious, swarm, general life of humanity, uses every minute of the life of the kings for itself, as an instrument for its own purposes.”

And one more quote: “Every action... in the historical sense is involuntary, is in connection with the entire course of history and is determined from eternity.”

This understanding of history makes every historical figure a fatal figure and makes his activity meaningless. For Tolstoy, in the context of history, it acts as a passive voice social process. Only by understanding this can one explain the actions, or more precisely, the non-actions of Kutuzov on the pages of the novel.

In Austerlitz, having a superior number of soldiers, an excellent disposition, generals, the same one that he would later lead to the Borodino field, Kutuzov melancholy remarks to Prince Andrei: “I think that the battle will be lost, and I told Count Tolstoy so and asked him to convey this to the sovereign ".

And at the meeting of the military council before the battle, he simply, like an old man, allows himself to fall asleep. He already knows everything. He knows everything in advance. He undoubtedly has that “swarm” understanding of life that the author writes about.

However, Tolstoy would not have been Tolstoy if he had not also shown the field marshal as a living person, with passions and weaknesses, with the capacity for generosity and malice, compassion and cruelty.

He is going through the 1812 campaign hard. “What... what they have brought us to!” Kutuzov suddenly said in an excited voice, clearly imagining the situation in which Russia was.” And Prince Andrei sees tears in the old man’s eyes.

“They will eat my horse meat!” - he threatens the French. And he fulfills his threat. He knew how to keep his word!

His inaction embodies collective wisdom. He performs actions not at the level of their understanding, but at the level of some innate instinct, just as a peasant knows when to plow and when to sow.

Kutuzov does not give a general battle to the French not because he does not want - the sovereign wants this, the entire headquarters wants this - but because it is contrary to the natural course of things, which he is not able to express in words.

When this battle takes place, the author does not understand why, out of dozens of similar fields, Kutuzov chooses Borodino, no better and no worse than others. By giving and accepting the battle in Borodino, Kutuzov and Napoleon acted involuntarily and senselessly. Kutuzov on the Borodino field does not issue any orders, he only agrees or disagrees. He is focused and calm. He alone understands everything and knows that at the end of the battle the beast received a mortal wound. But it takes time for him to die. Kutuzov makes the only textbook-historical decision in Fili, One against all. His unconscious popular mind defeats the dry logic of military strategy. Leaving Moscow, he wins the war,

Having subordinated himself, his mind, his will to the elements of the historical movement, he became this element. This is exactly what Leo Tolstoy convinces us of: “Personality is a slave of history.”