Description
War and Peace is a classic based on a specific storyline.
The story takes place during the war between Tsarist Russia and France, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, and narrates events such as Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, the retreat of the Russian army, the burning of Moscow, and finally the defeat of Napoleon’s army.
In this book, Tolstoy writes the private life stories of the aristocratic families of Moscow and St. Petersburg along with historical events, and also talks about the villagers, the musicians, and all ordinary people.
“War and Peace” not only depicts the life of Russia in a particular period (from 1805 to 1812) but also gives a complete picture of human life.
“War and Peace” can be considered a heroic work that mocks and ridicules historical figures.
For Tolstoy, the real heroes of history are ordinary people who live their lives without interfering in the course of events.
People who, unlike leaders and generals, do not play a decisive role in history.
The general themes addressed in the novel War and Peace can be summarized in the following headings:
Mixing the story with philosophical discussions:
Historical-philosophical reflections are very important for Tolstoy.
In parts of the book, he appears as the omniscient and expresses his philosophical view of history.
A look that mocks historians; Historians who attribute historical events to the great decisions of leaders and the genius of commanders.
According to Tolstoy, there are countless reasons for the occurrence of a historical event, the absence of any of which can determine fate in a different way.
Limits of human freedom and his perception of history:
In this novel, Tolstoy repeatedly deals with the theme of freedom (free will) and predestination (destiny).
And it confronts the reader with the fundamental question: Do people determine their own destiny and make their own decisions in life, or are they enslaved by history and living a pre-determined story?
Historical events:
“War and Peace” is a historical novel in which the author expresses his thoughts in the context of narrating historical facts.
In this novel, war scenes are depicted in great detail and historical events such as the socio-political situation in Russia at that time, the reason for the retreat of the Russian army, etc. are narrated without exaggeration and bias.
Tolstoy clearly reveals the false face of Napoleon’s majesty and genius, and does not consider his supernatural power to be a myth.
“War and Peace” can be considered a narrative of the satire of Napoleon and all the commanders and commanders of history.
life values:
The main focus of the story is on the life and private relations of the Russian aristocracy. The author describes in detail the parties and entertainment of the Russian aristocracy of that day and reveals the futility and vulgarity of their lives.
Characterizations:
The characters in the book are some real and some imaginary, and the coordination between the characters in the story is such that it is difficult for the reader to distinguish between the two.
“War and peace” remain in real life, and it can even be said that Tolstoy created a world more real than life.
About the author of the book War and Peace: Leon Nikolai Tolstoy
Leo Nikolai Wich Tolstoy (September 9, 1828 – November 20, 1910) was a Russian writer and socio-political activist.
“War and Peace” and “Anakarnina”, two important works by Tolstoy, are among the best in the world of fiction. Tolstoy lived a very simple life, even though he was world famous during his lifetime.
War and Peace is a work full of surprises that overwhelms every reader.
A work that some critics consider to be the most complete novel in history. War and peace, along with all its literary values, are also a leaf of history.
Leon Tolstoy wrote three outstanding novels during his lifetime, but owes much of his fame to war and peace. Anna Karnina and The Death of Ivan Ilyich are two other books by Tolstoy that are worth reading.
Tolstoy believed that the novel is a means of educating the soul, and that what exists in war and peace is precisely a means of educating the soul.
Every reader after reading this great work confirms this.
Behind the first volume of this novel is:
War and peace are among the few literary works that go beyond the ordinary standards of literary judgment;
It is a novel with an infinitely vast world that speaks of a dangerous era.
It is the most widespread epic of its time: an updated Iliad.
War and peace is a complete picture of Russia at that time, a complete picture of everything in which people find their happiness, greatness, sorrow and humiliation. A world of faces and enthusiasm are rippling through this novel.
Tolstoy began writing War and Peace when he was 35, the age at which a writer’s creative talent is usually perfect, and he finished it when he was seven years old.
In the introduction of the novel, it is explained how the author wrote this novel in seven years, from whom he was inspired and on what basis he wrote its events.
Summary of the novel War and Peace
The novel begins with the story of a party. Peace and tranquility are everywhere and at this party the reader gets acquainted with some of the important characters of the book. This party shows the situation of the aristocratic community before the war.
But at the end of this party, which is full of joy and beauty, there are whispers of war.
Different people talk about Napoleon, how he created unrest in Europe and seeks a country in the world.
Young people talk warmly about Napoleon and have no idea that he might one day invade Russia. They also talk about war declarations and whether or not they should take part in a possible war.
At the end of the male side of the desk, he became more and more passionate. The colonel said that a declaration of war had been issued in St. Petersburg, and a copy of it had been delivered by special courier to the military governor of Moscow the same day, and that he had seen it himself.
After this party, the book space gradually goes to war. Important figures say joining the army, and commanders are organizing their forces.
Here we see the Russian people having to make a difficult decision.
The Russians must be ready to fight the French, whom they are very interested in.
Every Russian wants to travel to France, to Paris one day.
Russians are so interested in France that they often speak French at their parties and like to send their children to study in France.
They follow the French way of life and follow the French way in most areas, but now they have to decide to go to war with them.
It is almost impossible to talk about all the characters in the book (it is said that there are more than 500 characters in this novel), but here we try to point out a few important characters.
People who are the main characters of the novel and if the reader carefully monitors their relationships will not face any problems during the reading of the novel.
One of these characters is Natasha. The beautiful, lively and thirteen-year-old daughter of Kenneth Rustaf, who is highly endorsed in the novel.
A character who is fundamentally changing. We suggest that you pay special attention to Natasha while reading the book.
Another important character in the book is Pierre. The illegitimate child of Kenneth the Great.
Someone who is very famous and rich. Pierre, who had recently arrived from France, came to St. Petersburg from Moscow on his father’s orders and entered aristocratic circles.
Next, Pierre sees himself as the heir to Kenneth Bezukhoff’s vast wealth and attracts everyone’s attention.
Another important character in the novel is Prince Andrew.
Someone who is ready to go to war and talks to Pierre about it the night after the party.
War and Peace is a great novel that will amaze any reader.
A novel that, along with its story, also contains an important narrative of history. Tolstoy himself admits that he sacrificed a few personal qualities for the historical plot of the novel.
The book’s historical narrative is extensive throughout the novel, and Tolstoy, in certain sections, generally omits the narrative aspect and teaches history lessons.
And then it presents the same historical lesson in the form of a story to the reader, something that makes us enjoy reading the book. The balance between the historical and narrative parts of the book is well established and not boring at all.
As noted in the book’s synopsis, the novel also includes Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. A war that brought with it a lot of suffering and misery, and the author offers important lessons on this subject in various sections.
There are many lessons and messages to be learned from war and peace, but perhaps the common denominator of all the messages in the book is that:
In this world full of violence, full of stupidity of rulers, full of war and bloodshed, full of hatred and resentment, full of ignorance and stupidity, one can still be happy.
You can still be happy, and in the most difficult situations and in the worst wars, you can still fall in love and hope for life.
Fear of war may be in everyone’s heart, but it will not stop them from living.
The suffering of war may continue for years to come, but that should not stop us from living. In fact, everyone is free to choose how they deal with it.
One of the important lessons that Tolstoy teaches us in this novel is the issue of freedom.
In fact, Tolstoy tells us that the war between France and Russia was not ordered by Napoleon or the Russian emperor.
This war is the result of the execution of different orders in different categories and it can not be attributed to one person.
Sentences from the book War and Peace
Freedom, equality, these are all cries that have been exposed for a long time. Who does not love freedom and equality? Our Savior Himself has taught freedom and equality.
Do you think people have become happier after the revolution? On the contrary, we were the ones who wanted freedom and Bonaparte destroyed it.
He believed that the source of all human flaws is two things: one is unemployment and the other is the belief in superstitions. And there are no more two virtues: one is work and the other is wisdom.
Admitting a mistake requires more magnanimity than insisting on dragging the work to a place where compensation is no longer possible.
Everyone lives with their own vision. You lived for yourself and you say that there was nothing left to ruin your life, and happiness when you knew you started living for others, but my job was just the opposite.
My goal in life was to have honor, but well, what is honor? It is the love of others. The desire to serve them to enjoy their praise.
No truth is the same in the minds of two people.
It is clear that our destiny is all but to endure adversity.
They all strive, they suffer, they perish their souls and their eternal souls in order to obtain a blessing that lasts no more than a moment, and we not only know this meaning, but Christ, the Son of God, himself came to this earthly world and came to us. He said that this life is nothing more than an instant and it is for us to try and we have hung on to it so hard and we think that we will find happiness only in it.
A person is victorious in a battle who has participated in it with determination and confidence in victory.
He said in his heart: Love! What is love? Love prevents death.
love is life. Everything, everything I understand, I understand only because I love it. There is everything and it is only because I love. Everything is related only to the string of love.
1- Introducing the book on YouTube
2- Introducing the book in Aparat
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