The colossal prose "War and Peace", reflecting with incredible sincerity and truthfulness the real pictures of the life of the people in the abyss of the complex events of the first decades of the 19th century, has become one of the most important works in 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 does not go away after more than 200 years.

War is a test of personality

Despite the expanded system of characters in the work, its main character is the Russian people. As you know, people show their true qualities when they find themselves in difficult life situations. There is nothing more terrible and responsible both for an individual person and for the nation as a whole than war. She, like a magic mirror, is capable of reflecting the true face of everyone, tearing off the masks of pretense and pseudo-patriotism of some, emphasizing heroism, readiness for self-sacrifice for the sake of 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.

An artistic device of comparison

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

The main artistic device that the author skillfully uses in the work is the antithesis. The author uses the method of opposition in the table of contents of the epic novel, and in parallel plot lines, and in the creation of 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, a manifestation of true and false patriotism.

The embodiment of true patriotism

The war affected various segments of the population. And many are trying to do their bit for the common victory. Peasants and merchants burn or distribute their property only so that the invaders do not get it, 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 hostilities near Austerlitz, Schengraben, Smolensk and, of course, at the Battle of Borodino. It was there that the incomparable courage of ordinary soldiers, their love for the Motherland and staunchness, willingness to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of freedom and the Fatherland were manifested. They do not try to look like heroes, to emphasize their prowess against the background of others, but only try to prove their love and devotion to the Fatherland. Unwittingly, the work reads the idea that true patriotism cannot be ostentatious and poser.

One of the most striking characters personifying true patriotism in the novel "War and Peace" is Mikhail Kutuzov. Appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army, against the Tsar's will, he managed to justify the confidence 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, she needs her own man."

One of the most difficult decisions that Kutuzov had to make during the war was the order to retreat. Only a far-sighted, experienced and deeply patriotic commander could take responsibility for such a decision. On one side of the scale was Moscow, and on the other - all of Russia. As a true patriot, Kutuzov makes a decision in favor of the entire state. The great commander demonstrated his patriotism and love for the people 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 his blood.

A special role in the work is assigned to the partisans, whom the author compares with a club, "which rose with all its menacing and majestic strength and, without asking anyone's tastes and rules, nailed the French until the entire invasion died."

The spirit of sincere love for the native land and state is characteristic not only of the military, but also of the civilian population. Merchants distributed their goods for free so that the invaders would not get anything. The Rostov family, despite the impending ruin, is helping the wounded. Pierre Bezukhov invests in the formation of the regiment and even makes an attempt to kill Napoleon, regardless of the consequences. Many members of the nobility also have patriotic feelings.

False patriotism in the work

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

The reception 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, representatives of the common people, as well as those nobles who are imbued with its spirit, demonstrated true feelings of love for their native land. Those who have no peace in moments of common grief, and reflect sincere love for the Motherland. This idea is one of the main in the work, as well as in the essay on the theme "True and False Patriotism in the novel" War and Peace ". The author depicts this belief through the thoughts of Pierre Bezukhov, who realizes that real happiness is in unity with his people.

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Introduction

The theme of patriotism in the novel "War and Peace" is one of the central ones. It is no coincidence that almost two volumes of the famous epic are dedicated to her.

Patriotism of the people in the work

What is patriotism according to Tolstoy? This is a natural movement of the soul, which makes a person not think about himself "with the consciousness of common misfortune." The war of 1812, which affected everyone, showed how much Russians love their Fatherland. Reading the text of the work, we find many examples of this.

So, Smolensk residents burn houses and bread so that the French do not get it. The merchant Ferapontov gives all the goods to the soldiers and sets fire to his property with his own hands. “Bring everything, guys! Do not get the devils! " He shouts.

Residents of Moscow are also deeply patriotic. Indicative is the episode when Napoleon on Poklonnaya Gora is waiting for a deputation with the keys to the city. But, most of the residents left Moscow. Craftsmen and merchants left. The nobles also left the city, for whom French was their native language before the enemy came to the Russian land.

Patriotism in the novel sometimes wakes up even in those from whom it was difficult to expect it. Thus, Princess Katish, who, together with Vasily, participates in the hunt for the will of Count Bezukhov, declares to Pierre: "Whatever I am, I cannot live under Bonaparte rule."

Even the cutesy gossip Julie Karagina leaves with everyone with the words: “I’m not Joanna d'Arc and not an Amazon.” Muscovites left their hometown, “because for the Russian people there could be no question: will it be good or bad under the control of the French in Moscow. It was impossible to be under the control of the French. "

Natasha and Pierre during the war

The writer's favorite heroes cannot stay away from the common misfortune. Pierre decides to stay in the capital to shoot the French emperor "in order to either perish or end the misfortune of all of Europe." He rescues an unfamiliar girl from a burning garden, pounces on a French soldier trying to remove the necklace from a woman. Pierre finds himself on the battlefield and in captivity, he was nearly shot by the French and saved by the Russian partisans. It is the war that makes Pierre look at himself and others with different eyes, feel his closeness to the common people.

The feeling of "the need for sacrifice and suffering" during a time of general misfortune makes Natasha Rostova shout at her mother, who does not want to give her carts to the wounded. At that moment, Natasha does not think that she can turn out to be a dowry. She thinks only that the wounded cannot be left to the French.

True patriots on the battlefields

When speaking about the theme of patriotism in War and Peace, it is impossible not to mention the direct participants in the battles, generals and ordinary soldiers.

First of all, the reader is attracted by the image of Kutuzov. Like many of Tolstoy's favorite heroes, Kutuzov has a completely unattractive appearance "in a long frock coat on a huge thick body", "with a stooped back", "with a flowing white eye on a swollen face" - this is how the writer of the great commander draws before the Battle of Borodino. Tolstoy emphasizes that this person combined physical weakness and spiritual strength. It was she, this inner strength, that allowed him to make the unpopular decision - to leave Moscow in order to keep the army. It was thanks to her that he had the strength to free the Fatherland from the French.

Images of other heroes appear before us. These are real historical figures: generals Raevsky, Ermolov Dokhturov, Bagration. And fictional brave men, including Prince Andrey, Timokhin, Nikolai Rostov and many others, whose names are unknown.

The writer and participants in the partisan war show true patriots of the fatherland. They did not participate in great battles, but destroyed the enemy in the ways available to them. Tikhon Shcherbaty, headman Vasilisa, Denis Davydov. It is their exploits that delight young Petya Rostov, who joins the partisan detachment.

False patriots in the novel

To true patriots, Tolstoy opposes false patriots who do not care about the common misfortune and who are trying to derive their own benefit from it.

So, visitors to the Scherer salon live an ordinary life. She arranges a reception even on the day of the Battle of Borodino. The patriotism of the hostess of the fashionable salon is manifested only in the fact that she gently scolds those who visit the French theater.

"False patriots" are also among the staff officers. Among them is Boris Drubetskoy, who, thanks to his sneakiness, "managed to stay at the main apartment." Berg, who in a pathetic tone delivers a fiery speech to Count Rostov, and then begins to bargain with him for a "wardrobe" and a toilet "with an English secret." And, of course, Count Rostopchin, who, with his calls and empty activities, doomed thousands of people to death, and then, leaving the merchant's son Vereshchagin to be torn apart by an angry crowd, flees Moscow.

Conclusion

In conclusion of the essay on patriotism in the novel War and Peace, it must be said that Tolstoy was able to show the reader how a true patriot of his Motherland should behave in the hour of danger threatening her.

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Kamysheva Anastasia, grade 10

after reading and studying Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace", the children did the final work (abstract, presentation, video). Here's what happened ..

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Creative work: “True and false patriotism in the novel by L.N. Tolstoy's War and Peace. Performed by a student of grade 10 Kamysheva Anastasia.

Background Tolstoy came to the creation of "War and Peace" from the idea of \u200b\u200bthe story "The Decembrists", which began in 1860. The Decembrist theme at the early stage of the work determined the composition of the planned monumental work about the almost half-century history of Russian society (from 1812 to 1856.)

Prehistory Tolstoy's desire to explore the depths of historical and personal life was remarkably reflected in the work on the great epic. Already in the process of searching for the beginning, compiling abstracts and working on the first parts of the future large work, its main features were determined as an epic novel, in which the story of individual families and persons, fictional and real, is combined with the disclosure of the "character of the Russian people and the army."

To reveal the character of an entire people, a character that manifests itself with equal force in peaceful, everyday life and in major, landmark historical events, during military failures and defeats, and at moments of highest glory - this is the most important artistic task of War and Peace.

Why is it an epic novel? 1) The basis of the content of the novel is general life, not private, events of a large historical scale. 2) The work reveals the historical process, an unusually wide coverage of Russian life in all its layers has been achieved. 3) More than 600 characters.

The Russian national way of life and the history of the people, as well as the path of the best representatives of the noble class to the people, are the ideological and artistic core of the work. The path of ideological and moral growth leads the positive heroes of War and Peace, as always in Tolstoy, to a rapprochement with the people.

True patriotism True patriotism is, first of all, the patriotism of duty, an act 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, the 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 felt the hatred of the true owners of the earth. The merchant Ferapontov burned down his own shop so that the French would not get it. Residents of Moscow are shown as true patriots who, leaving their hometown, leave their homes, since they consider it impossible to remain under the rule of impostors.

True patriotism The hidden fire of popular patriotic feeling arises in the souls of Andrei Bolkonsky and his sister, Natasha Rostova and Pierre Bezukhov. It is in peasant Russia that Pierre sees "an unusually powerful force of vitality, the force that, in the snow, in this space, supports the life of this whole, special and united people."

We see the traits of patriotism in Natasha Rostova at the moment when, before the French entered Moscow, she forces them to throw family goods from the carts and take the wounded.

True patriotism In the same way, Marya Bolkonskaya, modest, uncommunicative, closed in her spiritual world, transforms and invariably grows in our eyes, showing her patriotism. This happens at the moment when Marya angrily rejects the offer of the Frenchwoman Burienne to remain in the power of Napoleon, to submit to him.

True patriotism Russian soldiers are real patriots. The novel is full of numerous episodes depicting various manifestations of patriotism by Russian people. We see the true patriotism and heroism of the people in the depiction of the classic scenes near Schöngraben, 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 a direct confrontation with the enemy. It was in the Battle of Borodino that the extraordinary steadfastness and courage of the Russian soldiers was especially manifested. 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 willing to consciously engage in battle with a powerful adversary. Their sense of love for the Motherland does not allow for reckless drunken courage. Realizing that this battle may be their last for each of them, the soldiers put on clean shirts, preparing for death, but not for retreat. Fighting bravely against the enemy, Russian soldiers do not try to look like heroes. Art and pose are alien to them, there is nothing ostentatious in their simple and sincere love for the Motherland.

In the ranks of opponents, everything is different ... There is no spirit of patriotism, everyone wants to curry favor with Napoleon.

True patriotism Mikhail Kutuzov in the novel is the spokesman for the idea of \u200b\u200bpatriotism; he was appointed commander against the will of the tsar and the tsar's court. Andrei explains this to Pierre as follows: "While Russia was healthy, Barclay de Tolly was good ... When Russia is sick, it needs its own man." He lives only by the feelings, thoughts, interests of the soldiers, he 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 is striving with all his might to support this latent warmth of patriotism in the army.

The image of Napoleon in the novel. Napoleon is the only character in the epic, depicted satirically. The author's open indignation does not spare the self-adoring, deceitful, insolent Bonaparte. Tolstoy compares Napoleon to the Russian Tsar Alexander 1 and emphasizes that both of them are slaves to their vanity and personal ambitions. The author writes about Bonaparte: "He imagined that, according to his will, a war with Russia took place, and the horror of what had happened did not strike his soul." Blinded by the victories, the French emperor does not see and does not want to see the numerous victims of the war, morally and physically crippling people.

War and Peace Characters Changing Frozen Court and secular environment. These people live by "ghosts, reflections of life, imitation", they are unchanged.

"Frozen" characters Helen smiles at everyone the same way. When she first appears, her "constant smile" is mentioned three times. Prince Vasily Kuragin, like Helen, is only capable of "the same excitement" of a lazy actor. He is always lifeless. The same lifelessness manifests itself in the statesman Speransky.

False patriotism Anna Pavlovna Sherer and Julie Karagina are also cold and deceitful people. They can only get inspired by a fake game of patriotism. They are incapable of realizing the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people are experiencing the invasion of Napoleon; they are incapable of being imbued with the "people's thought"

True and False Patriotism There will be many people like false patriots until people realize that everyone must defend their country, and that there will be no one else to do this. This is what Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy wanted to convey by means of antithesis, the opposition of true and false patriots. But Tolstoy does not fall into the false-patriotic tone of the narrative, but looks at events harshly and objectively, like a realist writer. This helps him to more accurately convey to us the importance of the problem of false patriotism.

In the general concept of the novel, the world denies war, because the content of the world is work and happiness, a free, natural and therefore joyful manifestation of personality, and the content and need of war is the separation of people, nations, destruction, death and grief.

Thus, true patriotism in Tolstoy's understanding is the highest manifestation of the moral strength and spirit of the people. Popular patriotism is an invincible force in the fight against enemies. The winner is the Russian people. The true heroes are ordinary Russian people who accomplished a great deed - they defeated the "invincible Napoleon." TOTAL

Patriotic theme in Leo Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace"

"War and Peace" is the title of the eternal book, the great epic novel by Leo Tolstoy. War ... This word terrifies any person, because war is a "terrible thing." Participation in this business can be a monstrous crime, or it can be a forced self-defense, a grave and bloody business, but necessary, and therefore heroic and noble.

During the war of 1812, which is described in many pages of War and Peace, an amazing unification of the Russian people took place, regardless of class, gender, age, because Russia found itself in mortal danger. All were seized by a single feeling, Tolstoy called it "the hidden warmth of patriotism", manifested not in loud words and grandiloquent slogans, but in truly heroic actions, each of which in its own way brought victory closer. This moral feeling, of course, has long lived in the soul of every Russian person, lurking somewhere in the depths of his soul, but the moment has come - a difficult time for the motherland - and it burst out, reached its highest manifestation. Thanks to him, the Russian people appeared in the war of 1812 as a real hero-hero.

"When" the forces of the twelve languages \u200b\u200bof Europe broke into Russia ", - notes the researcher K. Lomunov, - our people rose to the holy war of liberation." Tolstoy himself said that "the goal of the people was the same: to cleanse their land from the invasion." This goal was clear to everyone: from a commander to a simple soldier, peasant, partisan.

Realizing the horror of the situation in which their homeland found themselves, people went to their deaths, showed true heroism, and fulfilled their duty to the end. It was in Russia that Napoleon faced extraordinary spiritual fortitude, courage, steadfastness and love for the fatherland.

Drawing episodes of various battles, Tolstoy shows that it is not the numerical superiority, not the military skill and strategic plans of wise commanders, but the inspiration of the belligerents that affects the course of the battle, ensuring victory. Inspired by himself, he infects his subordinates with this feeling Timokhin, a man whom no one considers a hero and who himself absolutely does not think about his own heroism. "Why feel sorry for yourself now!" he exclaims.

Courageously fighting and deciding the outcome of the battle and Tushin with his battery, which everyone has forgotten. He does not speak loud words, he silently does a great thing. Tushin proved to be a real brave man. Outwardly, this person is unremarkable, but his strength of mind and inner core are obvious.

The central, summit part of the novel is the Battle of Borodino. It was here that popular patriotism and heroism manifested themselves with the greatest strength and brightness, because it was here that everyone realized and understood the whole meaning and all significance of this war as a sacred war of liberation. The Russian participants in Borodino had no doubts about the outcome of the battle. For each of them, he could be only one: victory at any cost. The Russian people fought for their land, for their homeland. Everyone understood that the fate of the fatherland depends on this battle. “... I believe,” says Andrei Bolkonsky, “that tomorrow will really depend on us ... From that feeling that is in me, in him,” he pointed to Timokhin, “in every soldier.” Before the battle, the warriors put on clean linen solemnly, as to the most important business in life, preparing to fulfill their duty - to die, but not to allow the victory of the enemy.

The inner fire flared up more and more in everyone who fought: in the people of Raevsky’s battery, in Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, who heroically sacrificed himself, and in others. Thanks to this fire, the Russian army won the greatest victory over its opponents.

In the novel “War and Peace”, Tolstoy also speaks of the club of the “people's war”, which made a considerable contribution to the overall victory. This war was fought without knowledge of the rules of the art of war. The partisan detachments of Denisov and Dolokhov, which Kutuzov himself bless, admire with their feat. The elder Vasilisa, who "beat hundreds of Frenchmen," and the unnamed deacon, "who took several hundred prisoners a month", are surprising. Partisan detachments, armed only with axes and pitchforks, destroyed the great Napoleonic army in parts. These detachments were a good help in the affairs of the army in the field. Their strength consisted in rage, in surprise, in the unpredictability with which they attacked the enemy, and in elusiveness. Napoleon "did not stop complaining to Kutuzov and Emperor Alexander that the war was fought against all the rules ...".

LN Tolstoy, drawing images of partisans and soldiers such as Tikhon Shcherbaty and Platon Karataev, concentrated in them the main qualities of the Russian people. Shcherbaty is a vivid image of the people's avenger. He is active, fearless, cruel. He turned out to be the “most needed person” in Denisov’s detachment. It combines the inventiveness and daring of the Russian peasantry. Tikhon, like many others, rebelles against the enemy not because someone is forcing him, but under the influence of a natural patriotic feeling and hatred of uninvited guests.

The heart of Plato Karataev is also full of patriotism, although in the novel he is opposed to Shcherbatom. "... The worm is eating cabbage," Plato remarks, "and he himself disappears before that." “Moscow, she is the mother of all cities,” Karataev also rightly says. He personifies the wisdom, patience and kindness of a Russian person. Once captured and met there with Pierre Bezukhov, Karataev teaches him patience and forgiveness.

The nation-wide unity was expressed in relation to their own property, that which profited from many years of work, was really expensive, in the ability to sacrifice it. The Smolensk merchant Ferapontov, imbued with a spontaneous patriotic feeling, calls on the soldiers to rob his own shop, although at first the owner spoke in his soul. “Bring everything, guys! Do not get the devils! " - all the same he shouted, and in the end he set fire to his own yard. The Rostov family, at the insistence of Natasha, who had a humane and patriotic feeling, leaves all their property in Moscow and gives carts to the wounded.

The Smolensk scenes of the novel, according to K. Lomunov, are remarkable in that "they clearly show how feelings of insult and indignation were born in the Russian people caused by hostile actions, which soon turned into outright hatred of the invaders."

The writer contrasted the popular patriotism with the false patriotism of individual representatives of the secular nobility, manifested only in high-flown phrases about love for the motherland and insignificant deeds. These characters include Prince Vasily Kuragin and his children Ippolit, Helen, Anatole; guests of the salon of Anna Pavlovna Sherer; Boris Drubetskoy, whose main goal is not to stand up for his native land, but to make his own career; Dolokhov, seeking awards and ranks; Julie Kuragina, who introduced a fine for speaking French; Berg, trying to extract as many benefits for himself as possible from the war. Fortunately, there weren't many like them.

Tolstoy depicts the greatness of the feat of the Russian people and at the same time scourges the war, which brings hardships, calamities, torments. Many are ruined. Cities and villages perish in the fire. The Russian army suffers huge losses. But the writer calls all this “terrible necessity” and speaks with love, pride and enthusiasm of those who have endured severe trials in the name of the liberation of their native land. He puts in the mouth of Kutuzov fair, wonderful words about the Russian people: "Wonderful, incomparable people!"

The novel "War and Peace" is a historical epic of the valor and courage of the Russian people - the winner in the war of 1812. As in "Sevastopol Tales", so in this novel, Tolstoy realistically depicts war in "blood, in suffering, in death." Tolstoy tells us about the severity of the war, about its horrors, grief (population leaving Smolensk and Moscow, famine), of death (Andrei Bolkonsky dies after being wounded, Petya Rostov dies)... War requires the utmost tension of moral and physical forces from everyone. Russia during the Patriotic War, during the period of robbery, violence and atrocities perpetrated by the invaders, makes huge 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 in the course of military events. War of 1805-1807 It was conducted outside of Russia and was alien to the Russian people. When the French invaded Russia, the entire Russian people, young and old, rose to defend their Fatherland.

In the novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy divides people according to the moral principle, especially highlighting their attitude to patriotic duty. The writer portrays true patriotism and false patriotism, which cannot even be called patriotism. True patriotism - First of all, it is the patriotism of duty, an act in the name of the Fatherland, the ability to rise above the personal moment at a crucial moment for the Motherland, to imbue 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, the 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 felt the hatred of the true owners of the earth. The merchant Ferapontov burned his own shop so that the French would not get it. Residents of Moscow are shown as true patriots who, leaving their hometown, leave their homes, since they consider it impossible to remain under the rule of impostors.

The real patriots are Russian soldiers. The novel is full of numerous episodes depicting various manifestations of patriotism by Russian people. We see the true patriotism and heroism of the people in the depiction of classic scenes under Schengraben, 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 a direct confrontation with the enemy. It was in the battle of Borodino that the extraordinary stamina and courage of the Russian soldiers manifested itself with particular. 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 the battle with a powerful enemy. Their feeling of love for the Motherland does not allow reckless drunk courage. Realizing that this battle may be their last for each of them, the soldiers put on clean shirts, preparing for death, but not for retreat. Fighting bravely against the enemy, Russian soldiers do not try to look like heroes. Art 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 a stone's throw from Pierre,” the broad red-faced soldier innocently confesses his fear to him. “She won't have mercy. She'll slap, so the guts out. One cannot help being afraid, ”he said laughing.” But the soldier, who did not at all try to be brave, died soon after this short dialogue, like tens of thousands of others, but did not give up and did not back down.

Outwardly unremarkable people become Tolstoy's heroes and true patriots. This is the captain Tushinfacing the authorities in a comic position without boots, embarrassing, stumbling and at the same time at the most critical moment doing exactly what is needed.

The strength of the national spirit will give birth to outstanding commanders. Such as Mikhail Kutuzov . Kutuzov in the novel is the spokesman for the idea of \u200b\u200bpatriotism, he was appointed commander against the will of the king and the royal court. Andrei explains this to Pierre as follows: "While Russia was healthy, Barclay de Tolly was good ... When Russia is sick, it needs its own man." Kutuzov lives by 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 is striving with all his might to support this latent warmth of patriotism in the army.

The episode in Fili is important. Kutuzov takes on the grave responsibility and orders to retreat. This order contains Kutuzov's genuine patriotism. Retreating from Moscow, Kutuzov kept the army, which so far could not be compared in size with the Napoleonic. To defend Moscow would mean losing the army, and this would lead to the loss of both Moscow and Russia. After Napoleon driven out of the Russian borders, Kutuzov refuses to fight outside Russia. He believes that the Russian people fulfilled their mission by expelling the invader, and there is no need to shed more people's blood.

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

Andrey Bolkonsky. Scene 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 rebellious old prince Bolkonsky, the conservative-minded Nikolai Rostov, the meek Princess Marya. The patriotic impulse penetrates into the hearts of people seemingly far from the war - Petya, Natasha Rostov. But it would only seem. A real person, according to Tolstoy, cannot but be a patriot of his Fatherland.All these people are united by the feeling that is 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 the enemies. Pierre Bezukhov thinks to kill Napoleon, knowing perfectly well how this could end.)

The writer attaches great importance to partisan movement ... This is how Tolstoy describes his spontaneous growth: " Before the guerrilla war was officially accepted by our government, already thousands of people in the enemy army - backward marauders, foragers - were exterminated by Cossacks and men who beat these people as unconsciously as unconsciously dogs gnaw a mad dog ”... Tolstoy characterizes the partisan “war against the rules” as spontaneous, comparing it to a club, “ which rose with all its formidable and majestic strength and, without asking anyone's tastes and rules ... nailing the French ... until the entire invasion died ".

Tolstoy opposes the true patriotism of the bulk of the Russian people with the false patriotism of the highest noble society, repulsive in its falseness, egoism and hypocrisy. These are false people, whose patriotic words and deeds become a means of achieving base goals. Tolstoy mercilessly rips off the mask of patriotism from German and semi-German generals in the Russian service, "golden youth" of the type Anatoly Kuragincareerists like Boris Drubetskoy... 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 just get awards.

People like false patriots there will be many until people realize that everyone must defend their country, and that there will be no one else to do this. This is precisely what Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy wanted to convey by means of antithesis, the opposition of 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 to more accurately convey to us the importance of the problem of false patriotism.

False patriotic atmosphere reigns in the salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer, Helen Bezukhova and in other Petersburg salons: “… Calm, luxurious, preoccupied only with ghosts, reflections of life, St. Petersburg life was going on as before; and because of the course of this life, great efforts had to be made to recognize the danger and the difficult situation in which the Russian people were. 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 remind the difficulty of the present situation. " Indeed, this circle of people was far from realizing the all-Russian problems, from understanding the great misfortune and need of the people in this war. The light continued to live on its own interests, and even in a moment of national disaster reign here greed, nomination, service.

Count is manifesting false patriotism Rastopchinwho posts stupid people around Moscow "Posters", urges the residents of the city not to leave the capital, and then, fleeing the people's wrath, deliberately sends the innocent son of the merchant Vereshchagin to death. Meanness and betrayal are combined with self-conceit, pout: “It not only seemed to him that he was in control of the external actions of the inhabitants of Moscow, but it seemed to him that he was in control of their mood by means of his appeals and posters, written in that derogatory language that in his midst despises the people and which he does not understand when he hears him from above ".

Indicative for understanding the author’s attitude to what is happening and the reaction of the scene to the behavior of Berg - both direct and not having a direct connection with the monologues of the hero. The direct reaction is contained in the count’s actions: “The count frowned and crawled ...”; “Ah, get out of 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 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, including with the aim of giving a final assessment of Berg’s hypocritical shamelessness (it is no coincidence that the Germans are mentioned).

This is finally Drubetskoywho, like other staff officers, thinks of awards and promotions, desires “To arrange the best position for himself, especially the position of adjutant with an important person, which seemed to him especially tempting in the army”... Probably, it is 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, matters of life and death."

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

Uniting people on the moral principle, emphasizing the special importance in assessing a person of the truth of his patriotic feelings, Tolstoy brings together people who are very different in their social status. They turn out to be close in spirit, rise to the greatness of popular patriotism. And it is not for nothing that in 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. (“To be a soldier, just a soldier. Enter this common life with the whole being.”)

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