Where and when did old man Bolkonsky die? Characteristics and image of Nikolai Bolkonsky in Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace essay

Article menu:

One of the most striking and impressive on the reader minor characters Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy's novel War and Peace is Nikolai Bolkonsky, a prince and retired general living on an estate called Bald Mountains. This character is distinguished by a number of contradictory qualities and plays a special role in the work. The prototype of Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky is Leo Tolstoy’s maternal grandfather - Nikolai Sergeevich Volkonsky, an infantry general of the Volkonsky family.

Family of Nikolai Bolkonsky

Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky is the father of two central characters the novel "War and Peace" - Prince Andrei and Princess Maria. He treats his children differently, although they are both brought up in strictness. Accustomed to living according to a schedule, Prince Nikolai, who did not like to spend his time idly, demands the same punctuality and efficiency from his children, whom he loves very much.

Attitude towards daughter

Paying particular attention to the training and upbringing of his daughter, Prince Nikolai shows excessive severity towards her, getting irritated by superstitions, finding fault with every little detail, as they say, “going too far.”

Of course, he understands that he is not doing exactly the right thing, but he cannot do anything with his difficult character, which manifests itself with every, in his opinion, wrong deed and actions of Mary.

The reason for unnecessary prohibitions and nagging towards a girl is the desire to raise her daughter well.

The prince does not want her to be like cutesy young ladies who are only interested in gossip and intrigue. .
Despite the constant nagging of Prince Nicholas, the God-fearing girl endures all insults and humiliation with humility and meekness. She loves her father, trying to live according to God's commandments.

Attitude towards son

Diligently raising a real man in his son, the prince, nevertheless, did not want to allow him to advance up the career ladder, and Andrei is forced to achieve everything through his own efforts. But this is precisely what did not break his son, but taught him to defend his point of view.

Dear readers! We suggest you familiarize yourself with the chapters

Prince Nikolai showed particular persistence when Andrei announced his desire to marry Natalya Rostova. After listening to his son, the irritated father ordered the wedding to be postponed for a year, and it was impossible to reverse this decision. “I ask you, postpone the matter for a year, go abroad, get treatment, find, as you want, a German for Prince Nicholas, and then, if love, passion, stubbornness, whatever you want, are so great, then get married. And this is my last word, you know, my last...” he asserted.

When Andrei Bolkonsky goes to war, the father does not hug his son, no parting words come from his lips, he only silently looks at him. “The old man’s quick eyes were directly fixed on his son’s eyes. Something trembled in the lower part of the old prince’s face.” Valuing his family honor, Nikolai Bolkonsky tells his son: “If they kill you, it will hurt me, an old man... And if I find out that you did not behave like the son of Nikolai Bolkonsky, I will be... ashamed!”

Appearance of Nikolai Bolkonsky

Leo Tolstoy pays considerable attention to the appearance of his hero, Nikolai Bolkonsky. He has “small dry hands, gray drooping eyebrows, intelligent sparkling eyes.” The prince is short, walks in the old-fashioned way, in a caftan and a powdered wig. Nikolai Bolkonsky moves as if against the measured order established on his estate, cheerfully and quickly.

The character of Nikolai Bolkonsky

Although Nikolai Bolkonsky is a strange, difficult and proud person, along with these qualities, kindness is still observed in him, because he raises children, relying on moral principles.

Distinctive features Nikolai Bolkonsky is punctual and strict. He never wastes his precious time. In the house, everyone lives by the rules he has established and adheres to a strict routine.

In addition, the prince is very hardworking, loves to work in the garden and write memoirs. Although Nikolai Andreevich does not take part in public life, he is always interested in events taking place in Russia. During the war with the French, he serves as commander-in-chief of the militia.

This hero has a sense of duty to the Motherland, of which he is a true patriot. He is decent and noble, and is also distinguished by his extraordinary intelligence, intelligence and originality. “...With his enormous mind...” - those around him say. He is very insightful and sees right through people. Among all the character qualities, the prince considers intelligence and hard work to be the most valuable, and considers balls and unnecessary conversations a waste of time. Nikolai Andreevich is quite stingy, although he is very rich.

We invite you to read L. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace”

The image of Nikolai Bolkonsky is described by Lev Nikolaevich as the embodiment of all Russian patriots of that time. Andrei Bolkonsky was like his father, a courageous, purposeful man. Such people, as long as their descendants are alive, stand in the vanguard of the Russian people. This is evidenced by another hero of the novel - the grandson of Prince Nikolai, named after him - Nikolenka Bolkonsky.

Old Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky is an outstanding representative of that mixture of the old Russian nobility with “Voltairianism”, which from the 18th century entered the 19th. This is one of those strong people, for whom the lack of faith in God has completely destroyed all obstacles to tyranny. But in his opinion, “there are only two sources of human vices: idleness and superstition,” on the other hand, “there are only two virtues: activity and intelligence.” But the circle of activity was closed for him and, complaining that the opportunity for social work was taken away from him, he could convince himself that he was forcibly forced to indulge in a hated vice - idleness.

With whims he rewarded himself for his, as it seemed to him, completely involuntary idleness. complete scope for whim - this was what activity consisted of for the old prince, this was his favorite virtue, while another virtue - intelligence - turned into embittered, sometimes unfair censure of everything that happened only outside the borders of his completely independent Bald Mountains. In the name of whim, says Tolstoy, for example, the architect of the old prince was allowed to sit at the table. The prince’s embittered and, at the same time, whim-driven mind led him to the conviction that all the current leaders were boys... and that Bonaparte was an insignificant Frenchman, who was successful only because there were no longer Potemkins and Suvorovs... Conquests and new orders in Europe were “insignificant” "Frenchies" seem to the old prince to be something of a personal insult. “They offered other possessions instead of the Duchy of Oldenburg,” said Prince Nikolai Andreich. “It’s like I resettled men from Bald Mountains to Bogucharovo...” When Prince Bolkonsky agrees to his son joining the active army, that is, to his participation “in a puppet comedy,” he agrees to this only conditionally and sees here an exclusively personal service relationship. “...Write how he [Kutuzov] will receive you. If you are good, serve. Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky’s son will not serve anyone out of mercy.” Those same peers of the prince who, without disdaining their connections, reached “high levels”, were not nice to him. When, at the beginning of the winter of 1811, Prince Nikolai Andreevich and his daughter moved to Moscow, there was a noticeable “weakening of enthusiasm for the reign of Emperor Alexander” in society, and thanks to this he became the center of the Moscow opposition to the government. Now, at the end of his days, a wide field of activity opened up before the old prince, or at least an opportunity appeared for what he could take for activity - a wide field for the exercise of his embittered, critical mind. But it was too late to distract him from his inclination towards unlimited power within his family, which had become a habit - that is, over his daughter, who silently submitted to him. He certainly needs Princess Marya, since he can take out his anger on her, he can nag her, and dispose of her at his own discretion. The old prince drove away the thought of the possibility of Princess Marya marrying, knowing in advance that he would respond fairly, and justice contradicted more than a feeling, but the whole possibility of his life. Noting this feature, Tolstoy also pointed out that justice existed in the consciousness of the old prince, but the transition of this consciousness into action was prevented by inflexible authority and habit of the once established conditions of life. “He could not understand that anyone would want to change life, to bring something new into it, when life was already ending for him.” That is why, with malice and hostility, he accepted his son’s intention to remarry. “... I ask you to postpone the matter for a year...” he resolutely declared to his son, obviously counting on the fact that within a year, perhaps, all this would go down on its own, but at the same time he did not limit himself to one such assumption, but To be on the safe side, he gave his son's fiancee a bad reception. In case, contrary to the will of his father, Prince Andrei still got married, the old man had a “joke thought” and would surprise people with a completely unforeseen change in his life - his own marriage with m-Ile Bourienne, his daughter’s companion. He liked this humorous idea more and more and little by little even began to take on a serious tone. “.. When the barman... according to his old habit... served coffee, starting with the princess, the prince flew into a rage, threw a crutch at Philip and immediately made an order to give him up as a soldier... Princess Marya asked for forgiveness... both for herself and for Philip.” . For herself in that she was, as it were, an obstacle for Mlle Bourienne, for Philip in that he could not guess the thoughts and desires of the prince. The discord between him and his daughter, created by the prince himself, persisted stubbornly. But at the same time, as can be seen, the need for justice has not died out. The old prince wanted to hear from his son that he was not to blame for this discord. Prince Andrei, on the contrary, began to justify his sister: “this Frenchwoman is to blame,” and this was tantamount to blaming his father. “And he awarded! .. awarded! - the old man said in a quiet voice, and, as it seemed to Prince Andrei, with embarrassment, but then suddenly he jumped up and shouted: “Get out, get out!” May your spirit be at ease!” Confusion in this case flowed from consciousness, the cry from a will that did not tolerate any judgment or resistance. Consciousness, however, eventually prevailed, and the old man stopped allowing m-lIe Bouilleppe to visit him, and after his son’s apologetic letter, he completely alienated the Frenchwoman from him. But the imperious will still had its effect, and the unfortunate Princess Marya became the subject of pinning and sawing even more than before. It was during this domestic war that the war of 1812 overtook the old prince. For a long time he never wanted to recognize its real meaning. Only the news of the capture of Smolensk broke the old man’s stubborn mind. He decided to stay on his estate Bald Mountains and defend himself at the head of his militia. But the terrible, so stubbornly unacknowledged moral blow also causes a physical blow. Already in a semi-conscious state, the old man kept asking about his son: “Where is he? “In the army, in Smolensk, they answer him. “Yes,” he said, clearly quietly. - Ruined Russia! Ruined! And he began to sob again. What seems to the prince to be the death of Russia only gives him a new and powerful reason to reproach his personal enemies. A physical shock to the body - a blow - also shakes the old man’s powerful will: her constantly necessary victim - Princess Marya, only here, in the very last minutes of the prince’s life, ceases to be the subject of his sawing. The old man even gratefully takes advantage of her departure and, before his death, seems to ask her for forgiveness.

Prince Andrei's departure to war

LEARNING FROM STUDENTS

Maria Belomestnykh,
10th grade,
Gymnasium No. 1514, Moscow
(teacher - A.N. Kiseleva)

Prince Andrei's departure to war

Analysis of a chapter from the novel by L.N. Tolstoy “War and Peace” (chapter XXV, part 1, volume 1)

The essay was written during a transfer exam (4 hours) on a topic taken from the List of Topics for 11th Grade

In the novel “War and Peace” Tolstoy explores his contemporary society, the basis of which is the family, therefore “family thought” occupies one of the most important places in the work. The novel describes in detail three families (Bolkonsky, Rostov and Kuragin), which are very different in their internal way of life.

The chapter depicts the Bolkonsky family. People in this family are connected by sincere family relationships based on respect for each other, love and mutual understanding, they are able to feel what is happening in the heart of another: “My brother wanted to take the icon, but she stopped him. Andrei understood, crossed himself and kissed the icon,” “...he looked into his son’s face with his quick eyes, which seemed to see right through the person... The son sighed, admitting with this sigh that his father understood him.” Such mutual understanding shows real, spiritual closeness between father and son. In addition, they really loved each other, which is clearly visible in the farewell scene: “They stood silently against each other. The old man's quick eyes were directly fixed on his son's eyes. Something trembled in the lower part of the old prince’s face.” This is all confirmed by his angry and somewhat funny appearance (“he frightened with an angry voice”, “the figure of an old man screaming in an angry voice..”,” he said, looking angrily”) and his often breaking voice, turning into a scream (“he... suddenly he continued in a shrill voice,” “he squealed”).

The Bolkonsky family belongs to an ancient noble family, therefore aristocracy and pride are the fundamental qualities and principles of both Nikolai Andreevich and Andrei Bolkonsky. “Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky’s son will not serve anyone out of mercy,” says the father, accompanying his son to the army and giving him a letter to Kutuzov. In general, the fact that the old prince writes personally to the commander-in-chief and asks him to convey that he “remembers and loves” him, as well as “two Turkish pistols and a saber - a gift from his father, brought from Ochakov,” which we see among the things of Prince Andrei - all this testifies about the military past of Nikolai Andreevich. Therefore, it is not surprising that he praises and thanks his son when he goes to the army: “Service comes first. Thank you, thank you!”

Here we hear the old prince’s opinion regarding the position of adjutant, which is shared by Tolstoy: “... I am writing that he [Kutuzov] employ you in good places and do not keep you as an adjutant for a long time: a bad position!” Such a negative assessment is important for understanding Tolstoy’s attitude towards the heroes occupying this position, as well as for revealing the idea that will be formulated in further chapters, when Tolstoy, reflecting on the historical destinies of peoples, wars and battles, comes to the idea that everything is decided in battle not from above and that the main role is played not by the commanders with their huge headquarters, but by ordinary soldiers who honestly fulfill their duty and get the job done. Andrei Bolkonsky, as one of Tolstoy’s favorite heroes, will also come to this idea and become a regimental commander.

One of the key moments of this chapter is the instruction that the old prince gives to his son: “Remember one thing, Prince Andrei: if they kill you, it will hurt me, the old man. And if I find out that you did not behave like the son of Nikolai Bolkonsky, I will be ashamed!” The motif of the father’s covenant is repeated in Russian literature many times, starting with Pushkin’s “The Captain’s Daughter,” and everywhere it is very important for revealing the image of the hero, because it becomes, as it were, the core of his character. From here we see that the basis of the character of Prince Andrei is honor, which in the Bolkonsky value system is higher than life, and that it is honor and pride that are the most important traits not only of Andrei, but also of all members of the Bolkonsky family.

This motive of the clan, “breed” appears in the novel in connection with all three families (Denisov tells Rostov “your Dug’atskaya weather is R’Ostovskaya”, and Pierre Bezukhov speaks about the “mean breed” of the Kuragins).

In the same chapter, Tolstoy describes the relationship of Prince Andrei with his sister. He treats Princess Marya with love and tenderness, but somewhat condescendingly: “Prince Andrei said mockingly, but affectionately,” “Prince Andrei smiled, looking at his sister, as we smile when listening to people whom we think we see right through.” , “his face was at the same time tender (he was touched) and mocking.”

Prince Andrei ridicules the religious feelings of the princess, which he will only be able to understand at the end of his life. In general, Princess Marya shows an amazing example of humility and Christian love for one’s neighbor. She treats everyone with kindness and condescension: “She is a perfect child, so small, cheerful child. I fell in love with her so much” (about Liza Bolkonskaya). “She is very sweet and kind, and most importantly, she is a pitiful girl” (about the Frenchwoman Bourienne). Prince Andrei, on the contrary, is harsh in his judgments and strict towards people: “Bitterness suddenly appeared on the prince’s face. He said nothing to her, but looked at her forehead and hair, without looking into her eyes, so contemptuously that the Frenchwoman blushed.” At the same time, Prince Andrei often turns out to be more right and understands people better (the case with Mlle Bourienne), but in him, as the princess says, “there is some kind of pride of thought.” She, on the contrary, devotes her entire life to her father and spends it in the village: “I don’t wish for another life, and I cannot wish for it, because I don’t know any other life...”

For psychological portrait Tolstoy is characterized by stable, often repeated details in the image of the hero. In the portrait of Princess Marya, these are the eyes: “Rays of kind and even light shone from her large eyes. These eyes illuminated the entire lifeless and thin face and made it beautiful...”, “...Princess Marya with tear-stained beautiful eyes...” Eyes are a reflection of the inner world of a person, so we can immediately say that inner world Princess Marya is wonderful. External beauty, according to Tolstoy, as a rule, on the contrary, hides emptiness and insignificance (Helen, Vera, Anatole), therefore the fact that Princess Marya is ugly only emphasizes her inner virtues.

Prince Andrei, unlike his sister, does not love his wife, he is unhappy with her and he himself admits this to his father and sister: “...am I happy? No. Is she happy? No. Why is this? I don’t know...” He despises her social habits, talkativeness, the same St. Petersburg stories and gossip: “Prince Andrei has heard exactly the same phrase about Countess Zubova and the same laughter five times in front of strangers.”

Tolstoy, however, treats Lisa Bolkonskaya with sympathy and sympathy, because she is pregnant, which means she is going to become a mother and give a new life.

Andrei asks his father to keep his son if he (Andrei) is killed. He doesn't want his son to value secular society, which Prince Andrei himself so despises. But, despite the fact that Andrei Bolkonsky does not love his wife, he behaves with dignity and nobility: “I cannot reproach myself for anything, I have not reproached and will never reproach my wife, and I myself cannot reproach myself for anything in relation to her, and it will always be so, no matter what my circumstances.”

We can conclude that the Bolkonsky family is a real family in which people are connected not only by blood ties, but also by spiritual kinship and common moral values.

In the novel “War and Peace,” Tolstoy explores the problem of true and false and comes to the idea that the ideal is to renounce everything individual and acquire the swarm principle. For Tolstoy, the family is a symbol of the swarm principle, which is why the “family thought” is so important to him. The Bolkonsky family, of course, is not ideal, but when at the end of the work the Rostov and Bolkonsky families unite, then perhaps not fully, but to some extent the ideal is still achieved, and therefore peace and happiness are achieved.

Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky is a very prominent character in Leo Tolstoy's novel War and Peace. This is one of those heroes who at first glance seems like a gloomy and “dry” person, but who gradually opens up and “exposes” his feelings to the reader. The author of the novel copied the image of the prince from his grandfather, Prince Volkonsky. Perhaps this is why Tolstoy writes about him with warmth and behind the mask of a stern old man there is a deeply feeling and sensitive person.

For the first time we meet a mention of Nikolai Andreevich at the evening of Anna Pavlovna Sherer. We learn about him as the father of Princess Maria Bolkonskaya, who is very rich, but at the same time stingy. "He is very smart man, but with oddities and heavy,” Anna Pavlovna says about him.

We do not know the exact age of the prince, however, from the descriptions we can judge that he is quite old man. He was short, with small hands and bushy eyebrows. However, his young shining eyes gave him away; his vitality was hidden in them. And he moved, as if against the measured order established on his estate, cheerfully and quickly.

And it’s hard to find a busier person. In the Bald Mountains everything was subject to a strict routine. By the way, this is precisely what the prince saw as the reason for his absence of any illnesses. He believed that only “fools and libertines” get sick. Therefore, the prince was constantly busy, this can be judged even by his office, in which everything pointed to the constant vigorous activity of his hands and mind and a huge vitality father of Andrei and Maria Bolkonsky.

The prince believed that activity and intelligence are two virtues. And in addition to his own activities, he also determined his daughter’s daily routine so that there was no room for idleness, which, along with superstition, he considered the source of human vices. And in order to develop Maria’s intelligence, he himself studied science with her, not wanting her “to be like... stupid young ladies.”

Nikolai Andreevich is very respected and known in society. He is personally acquainted with Empress Catherine II and Prince Potemkin, and is also an old comrade of Kutuzov. And even despite his exile from the capitals and the fact that he had no importance in state affairs, he still enjoyed unquestioned authority in society.

Despite the external severity and severity, Prince Bolkonsky loves his children very much. He did not promote his son, but when saying goodbye to him, he could barely restrain himself and, alone with himself, he gave vent to his feelings. He was often rude to his daughter, but the thought of her getting married and leaving her old father was difficult for him, because he could not imagine his life without Mary.

Children, in turn, love and honor their father. The princess says that he is very kind and reprimands his governess: “I will not allow myself to judge him and would not want others to do this.”

Nikolai Andreevich is a true patriot. Therefore, he experiences Napoleon’s attack on Russia very hard and dies “of grief.”

The author of the novel describes Prince Nikolai Andreevich Bolkonsky with such warmth and love that the reader begins to see a loving father in the stern old man. In the image of the hero, Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy reflected the entire generation of Russian patriots - people who will always be respected and necessary in their country.

Option 2

Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is a collection of philosophical themes that are revealed from different sides and views. It raises issues of patriotism, false heroism, life, unity, love and family. The War of 1812 serves only as an expansive backdrop for the characters to interact with each other. One of the most revered characters is Nikolai Bolkonsky, whose priorities and values ​​make people believe in the best. What is this character like?

Nikolai Bolkonsky is a fairly wealthy prince and the father of Maria Bolkonskaya. His exact age is not revealed throughout the volumes of the novel. However, most are inclined to believe that he is already an old man. For his age, Nikolai is a very energetic and active person. The reason for such good health is Bolkonsky’s ideal discipline. During his life, he managed to make a fortune in an honest way. But wealth did not spoil his soul. Nikolai continues to work hard.

Nikolai Bolkonsky is distinguished by severity and seriousness. His control over his daughter knows no bounds. The father independently plans Maria's daily routine. As a result, the young girl has no time left for entertainment and relaxation. But Nikolai justifies this by saying that intellect and any human activity are the highest power that brings goodness and prosperity. The hero is alien to festivities and a frivolous lifestyle. Nevertheless, the Spartan upbringing helped Maria master many sciences and become a very enlightened young lady.

As you read the work, Nikolai Bolkonsky opens with the best side. Behind the mask of stinginess and unpretentiousness hides a rather emotional and vulnerable person. He truly loves his own children and is afraid that one day they will leave him in depressing loneliness. That is why Bolkonsky is afraid to let his offspring go adult life, controlling their every step and action. Children do not judge him for such a character. They try to support him by any means possible.

Nikolai Bolkonsky is a person with an active civic position. He can be considered a true patriot of his own Fatherland. The author shows the character's feelings when it begins Patriotic War. It reflects a generation of real warriors who are ready to stand up for their Motherland. This quality makes Nikolai a revered person in society.

Nikolai Bolkonsky is considered one of the most virtuous people in the entire novel. It combines a certain coldness of soul and clarity of mind. Through his prism of ideas, views and priorities of Bolkonsky, Tolstoy tries to show a true patriot of his state. This character is an example of a moral, honest and respectable person. The writer calls on everyone to honor the people on whom society rests.

Essay about Nikolai Bolkonsky

In my essay I would like to try to reveal the image of Nikolai Bolkonsky. Consider it through the prism of ideas, concepts, lifestyle. Of course, this hero does not carry such a colossal semantic load as Natasha Rostova or Prince Andrei, but one cannot minimize his significance and not try to focus attention on his person, especially since the author himself really likes this hero. The fact is that the prototype of Nikolai Bolkonsky was Tolstoy’s own grandfather, whom he probably treated very well and warmly.

So, Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky is the father of Andrei Bolkonsky and Marya. To identify some features of his appearance, let us turn directly to the novel. Tolstoy writes about him: “an old man” who “aroused in all his guests a feeling of respectful respect”, “a short figure of an old man with small dry hands and gray drooping eyebrows...”.

As for his character, he was a decent, active person. Despite the fact that he lives in the village, he hates idleness and an idle lifestyle. Under Paul the First, he was exiled to the village. He spends most of his time on his beloved daughter. He is also writing memoirs.

He is quite demanding of his daughter, sometimes finds fault with little things, although he loves her dearly; towards Prince Andrei he is rather restrained in expressing his feelings. It is obvious that the prince behaves this way not at all because he is indifferent to the fate of his children, but because he wants them to grow up into worthy, honest people who consider their main task to be to live honestly and with dignity. He also cares about family honor and dignity.

Nikolai Bolkonsky is interested in what is happening in the country, all military actions and events are known to him. He has his own point of view on everything.

He is also very attentive to his farming, he is very close to the people, and, if possible, tries to do everything in his power for them. He is the embodiment of immeasurable love for people, for all those who are next to him. That is why he raised such worthy and highly moral people.

When you re-read the text of the novel “War and Peace”, you involuntarily pay attention to the love and trepidation with which L.N. Tolstoy describes this wonderful man. The endurance, nobility, and philanthropy of this person are truly worth learning from.

The Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace” is one of the key themes in the study of this work. Its members are central to the narrative and play a decisive role in the development storyline. Therefore, the data characterization characters seems particularly important for understanding the concept of epic.

Some General Notes

The Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace” is typical for its time, that is, for the beginning of the 19th century. The author depicted people in whose images he tried to convey the state of mind of a significant part of the nobility. When describing these characters, one must first of all remember that these heroes are representatives of the aristocratic class at the turn of the century, a time that was a turning point in the history of Russia. This was clearly shown in the description of the life and everyday life of this ancient family. Their thoughts, ideas, views, worldview and even household habits serve as a clear demonstration of how a significant part of the nobility lived during the time in question.

The image of Nikolai Andreevich in the context of the era

The Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace” is interesting because in it the writer showed how and with what a thinking society lived at the beginning of the 19th century. The father of the family is a hereditary military man, and his whole life is subject to a strict routine. In this image one can immediately discern the typical image of an old nobleman from the time of Catherine II. He is a man more of the past, the 18th century, than of the new. You can immediately feel how far he is from the political and social life of his time; it seems that he lives by old orders and habits, which are more appropriate for the era of the previous reign.

About the social activities of Prince Andrei

The Bolkonsky family in the novel “War and Peace” is distinguished by its solidity and unity. All its members are very similar to each other, despite the age difference. However, Prince Andrei is more passionate about modern politics and public life, he even takes part in the project of drawing up government reforms. In him one can very well discern the type of young reformer that was characteristic of the beginning of the reign of Emperor Alexander Pavlovich.

Princess Marya and society ladies

The Bolkonsky family, whose characteristics form the subject of this review, was distinguished by the fact that its members lived under intense mental and moral life. The daughter of the old prince Marya was completely different from the typical society ladies and young women who then appeared in high society. Her father took care of her education and taught her a variety of sciences that were not included in the program for raising young ladies. The latter learned home crafts, fiction, fine arts, while the princess, under the guidance of her parent, studied mathematics.

Place in society

The Bolkonsky family, whose characterization is so important for understanding the meaning of the novel, occupied a prominent position in high society. Prince Andrei was quite active social life, at least until he became disillusioned with his career as a reformer. He served as Kutuzov's adjutant and took an active part in military operations against the French. He could often be seen at social events, receptions, and balls. However, from his very first appearance in the salon of a famous socialite, the reader immediately understands that he does not belong in this society. He keeps somewhat aloof and is not very talkative, although, apparently, he is interesting conversationalist. The only person with whom he himself expresses a desire to enter into a conversation is his friend Pierre Bezukhov.

A comparison of the Bolkonsky and Rostov families further highlights the peculiarity of the former. The old prince and his young daughter led a very secluded life and almost never left their estate. However, Marya maintained contacts with high society, exchanging letters with her friend Julie.

Characteristics of Andrey's appearance

The description of the Bolkonsky family is also very important for understanding the character of these people. Prince Andrei is described by the writer as a handsome young man of about thirty. He is very attractive, carries himself superbly, and in general is a real aristocrat. However, at the very beginning of his appearance, the author emphasizes that there was something cold, aloof and even callous in his facial features, although it is quite obvious that the prince is not an evil person. However, heavy and gloomy reflections left their mark on the features of his face: he became gloomy, thoughtful and unfriendly with others and even with his own wife behaves extremely arrogantly.

About the princess and the old prince

The description of the Bolkonsky family should be continued briefly portrait characteristic Princess Marya and her stern father. The young girl had a spiritual appearance, as she lived an intense inner and mental life. She was thin and slender, but not beautiful in the generally accepted sense of the word. A secular person, perhaps, would hardly call her a beauty. In addition, the old prince’s serious upbringing left its mark on her: she was thoughtful beyond her age, somewhat withdrawn and concentrated. In a word, she did not at all look like a society lady. The lifestyle that the Bolkonsky family led left its mark on her. Briefly it can be characterized as follows: isolation, severity, restraint in communication.

Her father was a thin man of short stature; he behaved just like a military man. His face was distinguished by severity and severity. He had the appearance of a hardy man, who, moreover, was not only in excellent physical shape, but was also constantly busy with mental work. Such an appearance indicated that Nikolai Andreevich was an extraordinary person in all respects, which was reflected in communication with him. At the same time, he could also be bilious, sarcastic and even somewhat unceremonious. This is evidenced by the scene of his first meeting with Natasha Rostova, when she visited their estate as his son’s bride. The old man was clearly dissatisfied with his son’s choice and therefore gave the young girl a very inhospitable reception, making a couple of witticisms in her presence that deeply hurt her.

Prince and his daughter

Relations in the Bolkonsky family could not be called cordial. This was especially evident in the communication between the old prince and his young daughter. He behaved with her in much the same way as with his son, that is, without any ceremony or discounts for the fact that she was still a girl and needed softer and more gentle treatment. But Nikolai Andreevich, apparently, did not make much difference between her and his son and communicated with both in approximately the same way, that is, sternly and even harshly. He was very demanding of his daughter, controlled her life and even read letters that she received from her friend. In classes with her, he was stern and picky. However, based on the above, it is impossible to say that the prince did not love his daughter. He was very attached to her and appreciated all the best in her, but due to the severity of his character, he could not communicate otherwise, and the princess understood this. She was afraid of her father, but she respected him and obeyed him in everything. She accepted his demands and tried not to contradict anything.

Old Bolkonsky and Prince Andrei

The life of the Bolkonsky family was distinguished by solitude and isolation, which could not but affect the communication of the protagonist with his father. From the outside, their conversations could be called formal and even somewhat official. Their relationship did not seem cordial; rather, the conversations were similar to an exchange of opinions between two very smart people who understand each other. Andrei behaved with his father very respectfully, but somewhat coldly, aloof and stern in his own way. The father, in turn, also did not indulge his son with parental tenderness and caresses, limiting himself to remarks of an exclusively business nature. He spoke to him only to the point, deliberately avoiding anything that could affect personal relationships. All the more valuable is the final scene of Prince Andrei’s farewell to the war, when deep love and tenderness for his son breaks through the father’s icy equanimity, which he, however, immediately tried to hide.

Two families in the novel

It is all the more interesting to compare the Bolkonsky and Rostov families. The first led a secluded, secluded lifestyle, were strict, stern, and taciturn. They avoided social entertainment and limited themselves to each other's company. The latter, on the contrary, were sociable, hospitable, cheerful and cheerful. All the more significant is the fact that Nikolai Rostov eventually married Princess Marya, and not Sonya, with whom he was connected by childhood love. These must have failed to see better positive qualities each other.