The image of Andrei Bolkonsky. Prince Andrey Bolkonsky

One of the main images of the novel "War and Peace" by the great Russian humanist Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy - Andrei Bolkonsky - is an example of an aristocrat, the owner of the best features that only can be peculiar to man. The moral quest of Andrei Bolkonsky and his relationship with other characters only serve as a clear proof that the author managed to translate this willpower and realism into this.

General information

As the son of Prince Bolkonsky, Andrew inherited much from him. In the novel "War and Peace" he is contrasted with Pierre Bezukhov, who is more romantic, although he has a complex temper. The younger Bolkonsky, who works with the commander Kutuzov, sharply negatively concerns Vyatka society. In his soul he conceals romantic feelings for Natasha Rostova, whose poetry conquered the hero. His whole life is a path of seeking and trying to find a world outlook of the common people.

Appearance

For the first time this hero appears on the pages of the novel "War and Peace" already at the very beginning, namely at the evening of Anna Pavlovna Scherer. His behavior clearly shows that such a society does not attract him, but in the most direct sense repels him, and he finds nothing pleasant here. He absolutely does not try to hide how disappointed in these mannered, lying speeches, and calls all visitors to such meetings a "stupid society". The image of Prince Andrew Bolkonsky is a portrayal of a man who is disappointed in falsehood and who is disgusted with the manner of falsehood reigning in the upper circles.

The prince does not like this kind of communication, but he is much more disappointed that without his social conversations and superficial people his wife - Lisa can not do. He is here only for her, because he feels himself a stranger to this celebration of life.

Pierre Bezukhov

The only person Andrei can consider his friend, close to him in spirit, is Pierre Bezukhov. Only with Pierre he can be frank and without any grimaces confesses to him that such a life is not for him, that he lacks acuteness, that he can not fully realize himself using the inexhaustible source of the thirst of real life laid in him.

The image of Andrei Bolkonsky is the face of a hero who does not want to remain in the shadows behind the backs of his colleagues. He wants to take serious actions and make important decisions. Although he has the opportunity to stay in St. Petersburg and become an aide-de-camp, he wants much more. On the eve of serious battles, he goes to the very heart of the fighting. Such a decision becomes for the prince the treatment of his long discontent with himself and an attempt to achieve in life something more.

Service

In the army, the prince behaves not quite as many would do if they were in his place. He does not even think about immediately getting a high position, using his aristocratic background. He purposely wants to start his service from the lowest positions in Kutuzov's army.

In his aspirations, Prince Andrew Bolkonsky sharply differs not only from representatives of high society who are caught up in the war, but also from ordinary employees who at all costs wish to get the desired high post. Their main goal is regalia and recognition, no matter how useful they are and how bravely they behave in battle.

Vanity is not alien to Bolkonsky, but it is expressed quite differently. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky feels that he is to some extent responsible for the fate of Russia and the people. Especially it was influenced by the Ulm defeat and the appearance of General Mack. During this period, important changes are taking place in the hero's soul, which will affect his entire future life. He felt "at ease" and realized that it was in the army that he could realize his powerful potential. Boredom disappeared from his face, it became clear through his whole form that the prince is full of energy, which he wants to direct to achieve his goals, that is, to protect the Russian people.

The prince becomes ambitious, he wants to perform a feat, so that his name was sealed in history for many centuries. The great commander Kutuzov is pleased with his employees and considers him one of the best officers.

The life of Andrei Bolkonsky in the army is fundamentally different from the "fresh" existence in the circle of secular ladies, which he led earlier. He is ready to do things and does not hesitate with it. Honor and bravery was demonstrated by the hero already during the Battle of the Battle of Shenggraben, when he bravely rides the positions, despite the inexorable non-stop fire of the enemy. During this battle, the younger Bolkonsky witnessed the heroism displayed by the artillerymen of Captain Tushin. In addition, the prince showed his courage, becoming the defense of the captain.

Battle of Austerlitz

Recognition, honor and eternal memory - these are the most basic goals that are priority in order to fully reveal the image of Andrei Bolkonsky. A brief summary of the events of the Austerlitz battle will only help to understand how important it has become for the prince. This battle was a turning point in the moral quest and attempt to perform a feat for the younger Bolkonsky.

He hoped that during this battle he would be lucky to show all his courage and become a hero. He really managed to perform a feat during the battle: when the ensign, who carried the banner, fell, his prince raised him and led the battalion to attack.

However, Andrew was not able to become a hero to the full, because during the Austerelytskogo battle many soldiers were killed, and the Russian army suffered terrible losses. Here the prince realized that his desire to get world fame is just an illusion. After such a fall, the plans of the ambitious prince undergo radical changes. He no longer admires the image of the great Napoleon Bonaparte, now this brilliant military leader becomes only a simple soldier for him. This battle and the reasoning inspired by it are a completely new and one of the most important stages of the quest of Tolstoy's hero.

Return to secular society

Significant changes in the worldview of the prince occur upon his return to the Bald Mountains, where he was sent after a serious injury received on the battlefield. The image of Andrei Bolkonsky becomes more pragmatic, especially after new events of a tragic nature occur in his life. Soon after his return in the birth pains his wife dies, giving life to the son of Nikolenka, who will later become a continuer of his father's spiritual quest.

It seems to Andrei that he is guilty of what happened, that his actions serve as the cause of his wife's death. This state, close to depression, along with the mental disorder that appeared after the defeat in the Austerlitz battle, leads the prince to think that he should give up his claims to military glory, and at the same time stop any public activity.

In such gusts one can find an echo of the best qualities inherited from his father, who fully embodied the image of Andrei Bolkonsky. Briefly: he decides to fence himself off from everything and completely devote himself to domestic affairs and caring for his son.

Revival

The arrival of Pierre Bezukhov in the estate of Bolkonsky introduces radical changes in the life of the prince. He takes an active position and begins to make many transformations in his possessions: he makes peasants free, corvee commutes to a quitrent, signs out a grandmother and pays the salary of a priest teaching peasant children.

All this brings him a lot of positive emotions and satisfaction. Although he did it all "for himself," he managed to do much more than Pierre.

Natasha Rostova

The image of Andrei Bolkonsky can not be fully analyzed without mentioning Natasha. Acquaintance with this young girl leaves an indelible imprint in the soul of the prince. Her energy, sincerity and immediacy allow Andrei to feel the taste for life again and take part in social activities.

He decided to take up the drafting of state laws and enlisted in the service of a certain Speransky. Soon he is deeply disappointed in the usefulness of such activities and realizes that he is surrounded by a complete falsity. However, after returning, he again sees Natasha and becomes animated. The characters flare up feelings that, it would seem, should end in a happy marriage. However, on their way there are many obstacles, and all ends with a break.

Borodino

Disappointed in everything and in all, the prince goes to the army. He is again fascinated with military affairs, and aristocrats, who crave only glory and profit, are increasingly disgusted with it. He is confident of his victory, but, alas, Tolstoy has prepared for his hero the other end. During the battle, Andrew was mortally wounded and soon died.

Before his death, the prince understood the essence of life. Lying on his deathbed, he realized that the guiding star of every person should be love and mercy to one's neighbor. He is ready to forgive Natasha, who betrayed him, and believed in the boundless wisdom of the Creator. The image of Andrei Bolkonsky embodies all the best and cleanest that must be in the soul of man. Having gone through a complex but short journey of life, he nevertheless understood what many will not be able to comprehend for an eternity.