ons WAR AND PEACE ot work: Novel amor: Leo Tsay (1828-1910) pa: Historil romance Time ofp: 805-1813 eel: Resi Fist published: Voyna i mir, 1865-1869 (English translation, 1886) hi roe often acaimed a the gente of is genre i panorama of Rasion Mein the Napeeonc em, Wg ae wt hte poesia tomes of sas work “Ag and Yuh, Wr nd Peace—are shown as simultaneous developments of history Principal Characters Pierre Bezuhov (pyér’ bé-200'haf), the illegitimate son of wealthy Count Cyril Bezuhov. Clumsy, stout, and tncommonly tll, he i at Fist spurned by the socal set buts mach admired afte is father leaves him fortune. Fe is begiled into a marriage with Helene Kuragina, who in tim is unfaithful to him, For Tong years Petre Searches fr peace of mind, a meaning i fe. He socks for itn philanthropy, inthe dssipatons of society, in wine, in heroic feats of ef sacrifice during the war With Napoleon. Finally he gsins sich a internal harmony through witnessing the horor of death on the bated and by learning to shar the misery ofthe haman rae. {At the conclusion ofthe novel he mais Natasha Ros- tova, whom be has long sere loved Princess Natasha Rostov (nit’sho rst), the beautiful daughter of Count Hiya Rostov. Regularly in attendance at all social functions, she is admired by a bos of suitors. She becomes engaged tothe wealthy and handsome Prince Andrey Bolkonsky; however, the mar- riage is postponed fora year at Andrey’ father request During this engagement period, Natasha ruins the pro- posed marriage by attempting to elope with the rake Anz fole Kuragin, When Andrey is mortally wounded, she fut cares for him and receives hs forgiveness Later becomes the wife of Pere Bezuhov. Keuragina (k06-igh'no), “the most in Petersburg” who becomes Pere she has no love for Pere, she vantage of wealth and social posi way hampers her amous, and she and encourages prosperous adi a superficial and shallow ingivid- by the misery and suffering Her happiness is only a fagade, Jy of loneliness and isolation; una of if in tre love and affection, by an overdose of medicine. (okay! 18"), Natasha's who distinguishes himself as a cavalry officer in the Russian army. Iti long supposed that he will wed Sonya, his cousin, who lives withthe Rostov family; however, the financial ruination of his family makes necessary a more profitable match with Princess Marya Bolkonskaya. When the Russian army is in retreat, he saves Marya from the rebellious peasents on her estat. Princess Marya Bolkonskaya (mi'ry2 v6l-kin'sk-y2), Prince Andrey Bolkonsky’s sister, who endures the eccentricities ofa tyrannical father. The old prince, desit- fous of Marya as a nurse and companion, methodically estroys her chances of marriage by refusing to entertain would-be suitors. Resigned to her fate, she takes refuge inan intense religious conviction, entertaining and spon- soring “God's Folk,” peasants who have had various mys- tical experiences. After the deaths of her father and brother, she desires the life of a recluse; but her admiration and love for Nikolay Rostov, whom she later marries restores ber to a normal life. Sonya (sd'ny2), Nikolay Rostov's poor co affectionate companion of Natasha in the Rostov family. For the sake of allowing Nikolay to make @ more edvan- tageous marriage, she releases him from a childhood pledge. Prince Andrey Bolkonsky (an-dra’ vol-kéa’skiy), a ‘wealthy nobleman, the son of an eccentric father and the brother of Marya. At the bate of Austerlitz he fights valiantly, rallying the Russian troops by charging directly {nto the front line while waving the Russian flag. Missing in action, he is assumed dead, but he later returns after hhaving been nursed to health by peasants of the country- side. He becomes engaged to Natasha Rostova, but the ‘marriage is canceled as a result of Natasha's indisere- tions. Although he swears never to fight again, his sense of duty compels him to enlist when France invades Rus- sian soil. Again wounded, he dies in Natasha's arms, having been reconciled to her through her untiing devo- tion to him during is illness Princess Lise Bolkonskaya (i's vi ‘ski-yo), thepeace wi x sensi Asti ponsky (a'K5100'shko vOl-kOnskly), a tsi ince "Andrey and his wife Lise, Count et nn Cid his wife Marya adopt the child after say Fos selay'volka Nir Andee) Rotkonsky (n-K6liy' vOl-kon’skiy), race Nola Pei father of Andkey and Marya afte, Kuragin (G-na0'lyKOO'ra-gn), tr agate. Although previously forced ee Ho os Natasha Rostova.and subjects er mas aE Tt omit and ridicule. «eal Die ocala agin (36 Ty KOS'o-n), the bead ce Vs iy andthe father of Anatole and Helene goxkane alge Kura (Np 10 KOS), minded Younger SOM. | wee Roser (397 S660), weldy 1 yer Rosa e019 eller a apy Ply Rest ive wife of Prince Andrey. She dies ‘death tov (pyé'tya rOs-t0f), their younger lag { Alphose Berg, an officer and intimate fiend ‘ce 6 Re Boris Drubetskoy (b6-is’ dn-bét'skdy), a etre and ambitious friend of the Rostovs, a sue- test saff officer. ‘The Story {css nn eid tine i teat as ncvbl, Aust and Roe srpaned forces atthe batle of Austeritz, where they Si oe pth Pench Indic highest Rs cen enton gute es tag nt se ere nen. Aral Ba Toma tet Ress Se a ae hat ody Nopcon might fait Ast Pea soon icon: Ta, eae eld od women gop, an ane. War, og ol, wat Seren ron sland was tee of ie Trion ld by he army for he young mole scoffs as tndgtanaeenugh, or fe Ras Eigen aly fee eneclen pporunie or sire polly eld young nen as 8 soksome felease for their energies. Young Nikolay Rostov, for example, joined the hussars simply because bef dawn to that way of life. His family idolized him 935 ibe Tincess Anna Drubetskaya (nna deoo-be'ski-y2), “mg of Prince Boris, an impoverished noblewoman. cll Karagina choot k-righ-no), a wealthy young oman who marries Prince Boris Drubetshoy. inna Scherer (an'na shi'on), maid of honor to the impress Marya Fedorovna, Her salon isa meeting place for the highest St.Petersburg society General Michael Kutwzoy (mihi ko0-100'za), appointed commander‘inchief of the Russian army in August, 1812. Obese and slovenly, he is dsiked by his fellow officers, and his military tactics are considered obsolete. Yeti isto him that Gear Alexander I and all Russia turn when Napoleon boldly advances upon Rus- sian sil. Even then, however, he is viciously eiicized ‘when, after a prolonged and costly batle at Smolensk, he chooses not to defend Moscow by what he considers 4 useless and hopeless encounter. His wily scheme of time and patience” proves sound after Napoleon, his line overextended and the Russian winter fast approach- ing, is forced to withdraw his fores, which are virtually annihilated by hunger, cold, and guerilla warfare Napoleon Bonaparte, the renowned commander of the French Grand Armée” Worshiped and admired by the French, feared by the Russians, he shatters the myth of his invineibility during his disastrous Russian campaign. Mademoiselle Bourienne, a companion of Marya in the Bolkonsky family. In his senility, Count Botkonsky finds her alluring and sympathetic. While young Nikolay was applauded in St.Petersburg society, Piere Bezuhoy, a friend of the Rostov family, was looked upon as something of a boor. He had just returned from Paris, where he had studied atthe univer- sity, and he had not yet made up his mind what t0 do with his life. He would not join the army, for he saw no sense in a military career. His father gave him a liberal allowance, and he spent it frivlously at gambling. In truth, he seemed lke a lost man, He would start long arguments, loudly shouting in the most conspicuous manner in the quiet drawing rooms, and then suddenly lapse into sullen silence, He was barely tolerated at soi rees before his father died and left him millions. Then, Suddenly, Pierre became popular, although he attributed his ise to some new personality development of his own, He was no longer sullen but loved everyone, and it was ‘quite clear that everyone loved him. His most dogged follower was Prince Vasily Kuragin, the father of a beau- tiful, unmarried davghtcr, Héléne, who was recognized everywhere as a prospective leader of St. Petersburg “Society, Pierre was forced into marrying herby the crafty who knew a good catch when he saw one. The ge, however, was never a success. Benihov's closest friend was Prince Andrey936 Bolkonsky, an arrogant, somewhat cynical man who also despised his wife, Lise, the “Little Princess,” as she was called, was pregnant, but Prince Andrey could endure the bondage of domesticity no longer. When he received ‘commission in the army, he lft his wife at the family estate, Bleak Hills, inthe care of his sister Marya. and his tyrannical old father, and he went off to war. During his absence, Princess Lise bore him a son but died in childbirth, Prince Andrey returned after the battle of ‘Austerlitz to find himself fee once more, but he enjoyed tno feeling of satisfaction in his freedom. Seeking Pierre, Prince Andrey turned to his friend for answers to some of the eternal questions of loneliness and despair that tortured him. ‘Meanwhile, Pierre had joined the brotherhood of Free- ‘masons and through this contact had arrived ata philos- ophy of life which he sincerely believed to be the only trve philosophy. Had Pierre realized that the order had initiated him solely because of his wealth, he would never have adopted their ideals. In true faith, however, Pierre restored some of Prince Andrey’ lost courage by means of a wild if unreasoning enthusiasm. In the belif that he was now an unselfish, free individual, Piere freed his peasants and set about improving his estate; but having absolutely no sense of business administration, he lost a great deal of money. Finally, with is affairs in almost hopeless disorder, he left an overseer in charge and retired ‘o Bleak Hills and Prince Andrey’s sane company. Meanwhile, Nikolay Rostoy was in the thick of the fighting. Napoleon had overcome the Prussian forces at Jena and had reached Berlin in October. The Russians once more had gone to the assistance of their neighbors, and the two opposing armies met in aterible battle at Eylan in February, 1807. In June, Nikolay had entered the campaign at Friedland, where the Russians were beaten, In June of that year Nikolay naively thought the war was cover, for Napoleon and Czar Alexander signed the Peace of Tilst. What the young officer did not know was that Napoleon possessed a remarkable gift for flattery and ‘had promised, with no intention of keeping his word, that Russia would be given a free hand with Turkey and Finland. For two years Nikolay enjoyed all the privileges ‘of his pos in the army, without having to endure any of the risks. Napoleon had gone to Spain. ‘After having served in minor skirmishes as an adjutant under General Kutuzoy, leader of the Russian forces, Prince Andrey returned tothe country. He had some busi ness affairs to straighten out with Count Rostov, marshal is went to the Rostov estate at almost immediately under ‘young daughter, Natasha had never loved before Masterpieces of World Literature had suspected his wife of being unfaithful; but atthe sight ‘of Prince Andrey, so hopelessly in love, Pierre's heart was touched. He had always been fond of Natasha, whom he had known since childhood, and the match ‘seemed to him ideal. With love once more flowing his heart, he took his wife back, feeling very virtuous at his own generosity. Meanwhile he encouraged Prince Andrey in his suit, "Natasha had ignored previous offers of marriage, When dashing and wealthy Prince Andrey came upon the scene, however, she lost her heart to him instantly. He asked her parents for her hand, and they immediately consented to the match, an excellent one from their point of view, When Prince Andrey broke the news to his quarrelsome ‘and dictatorial old father, however, the ancient prince ‘aid he would not give his blessing until a year had elapsed He felt that Natasha had litle money and was mich too ‘young to take charge of Prince Andrey's home and his ‘on, Marya, Prince Andrey’s sister, aso disapproved of the match. She was jealous of her brothers fiancée, [Natasha was heartbroken but agreed to wait a year, Prince Andrey kept their betrothal a secret, in order, as he said, to let her have complete freedom. Natasha went to visit a family friend in Moscow. There her freedom, ‘was too complete. One night at the opera with Pierre's ‘wife Héléne, who was now recognized a an important social leader, she met Hélene’s disreputable brother, Anatole, Unknown to Natasha, Anatole had already been forced to marry a peasant girl, whom he had ruined. The ‘young rake now determined to conquer Natasha. Aided by his unscrupulous sister, he forced his suit. Natasha became confused. She loved Prince Andrey, but he had. joined the army again and she never saw him; and she loved Anatole, who was becoming more insistent every day. At last, she agreed to run away with Anatole and ‘marry him." Anatole arranged with an unfrocked priest to have a mock ceremony performed. (On the night set for the elopement, Natasha's hostess discovered the plan. Natasha was confined to her room. ‘Unfortunately, she had already writtento Prince Andrey's sister asking to be relieved of her betrothal vows, ‘When Pierre heard the scandal, he forced Anatole to leave town. Then he went to see Natasha. Strangely, he was the only person whom she trusted and to whom she ‘could speak freely. She looked upon him as if he were ‘an older uncle, and she was charmed with his gruf, friendly disposition. Piere realized that he felt an attrac tion toward Natasha he should not have had, since he was not free. Nevertheless, he managed to let her know his affection for her, and she was pleased over his atten tions. She soon began to get well, although she was never gaint be the frivolous gil whom Pine Andrey bad Prince Andrey had suffered a terrible blow tois pride, but in the army there were many engrossing matters tO take his attention away from himself, By 1810, the Franco-alliance had gradually dissoty nue tofree Rusia of "sponsible ne aly understood that Napolegn' yor he appetite French emperoy nro ip favor of Austria a8 the center of fort SPrination, had martied Marie Logis, yy E : fee unmistaaly Fed on WaepaT82, Nieman River. From June to August Napleoy Tod inet uiterropted march o Smolen," IL Smolensk he found burned and. wok recy was deserted. By that ime Naperae oss Taino ce opposition, Old General Run 8 ofthe army ofthe East and now in comple et Ute Rossin foes, was determined hae seca nce tt er ek ihe Russians from a decisive victor we rand deeper into Russia lengthening thei ee se cTedeang teats ee sos might have won their war ear tw og So tht Napoleon, in attempting to complete his marco tesened his chances for victory. Both sides, War fe very tings which would stoma es defeat. Bate afer ttle as fue, wit sies before Napoleon finaly Ted his freee ne sa te ne aby ns pagn vas fought. The Russians, determined ee sey sow, which as only a short distance say ot nec their whole army. The French forces dwindled in jon, but it was clear thatthe Russians got the way OF the bate. General Kutuzov, biter and war-neary Seid, against his wil tha the ary oul ae Moscow. Tiumphant Napoleon marched once mow ig a deserted city. Prince Andrey was gravely wounded at Borodino, The Roxtovs were already abandoning ther estate to move ino the interior, when many wagons loaded with wounded tolirs were brought t0 the house for shelter. Among these was Prince Andrey himself. Natasha nursed hits tod sent for Marya, his sister, and his son, Nikaloshka (id Prince Bolkonsky, suffering from the shock of hav. ing French soldiers almost upon his doorstep, had died aa stoke, Nikolay managed to move Marya and the toy o safer quarters. Although Prince Andrey weleomed tis sister, it was evident that he no longer expected to rover Natasha nursed him tendety, a they once more declared their love for each other. When his wound fs- tered, Prince Andrey knew at lst that he was dying. He ied one night in his sleep. United in tragedy, Marya and aasha became close friends, and young Nikolay found Prince Andrey’s sister attractive Meanwhile, Pier Bezuhov had decided to remai Moscow. Fired with thoughts of becoming a national hero, he hit upon the plan of assassinating Napoleon. Perse, however, was captured a a prisoner of war when hheavy losses on 9x7 “AMP Wo rescue elved by Fen Rn Noman wo was ing complet in fr ‘Ons arin. a and Russians alike, ws ham sa Ghai ad see ts ere neo Neo Sa ced in fen ships with Marya Boosts and th Reston ee Boe Natta charmed sas se tat she wa oper ald He ale atv and owen opts Asis fr panne one ee Sie tine aly Ho custed ea imag May Rahs nd Pe awe tere nry hay. Naa ne ce a Sorin fe tan ach oe ers Sty bot Pace ed ee ee Se tasrior pe aoe oe ee Sense eee Nan Ga oie Pa aera Se aa ae ers anes one oly fay posed aye ad to eas trench on pve aera eb Space Te tet Pe Anerson tts ree eared aoe four fine children, of whom they were very proud. ‘Atiough society thought that Natasha cartied her devo- (continued from 4938 Jrildren to an extreme, Natasha ont er husband an soe han they had ever been before, ‘and Pierre were happier t Critical Evaluation Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace is a panorama of Russian jit that active period of history known a the Napo- leonic era. The whole structure of the novel indicates that Tolstoy was writing a new kind of book. He was not concerned with plot, setting, or even people, as such, His purpose was simply to show that the continuity of life in history is eternal. Each human life holds its influ- ence on history, and the developments of youth and age, ‘war and peace, are so interrelated that in the simplest patterns of social behavior vast implications are recog- hizable. Tolstoy seemed to fee! a moral responsibility to present history as it was influenced by every conceivable human force. To do this, it was necessary for him to create not a series of simple, well-linked incidents but ‘whole evolution of events and personalities. Each char acter must change, must affect those around him; these people in turn mist influence others, until imperceptibly, the whole historical framework of the nation changes. War and Peace, then, is a moving record of historical progress, and the dual themes of this vast novel—age and youth, war and peace—are shown as simultaneous developments of history. War and Peace and Anna Karenina (1875-1877), two ofthe greatest works of fiction in Russian literature—or any literature—were both written when Tolstoy was at the height of is powers as a writer. He was busy man- aging his country estate as well as writing; his life had & healthy, even exuberant, balance between physical and intellectual activities. War and Peace, in particular, reflects the passionate and wide-ranging tastes and energies of, this period of his life—before domestic strife and pro- found spiritual conversion brought about a turning away from the world as well as from art. The novel is huge in size and scope; it presents a long list of characters and covers a splendid variety of scenes and settings. Iti, however, a carefully organized and controlled work— ‘nota all the vast, shapeless “monster” many readers and. some writers have supposed The basic contolling device involves movement between clusters of characters surrounding the major characters: Natasha, Kutuzov, Andrey, Pierre. The sec- ‘ond ordering device is thematic and involves ‘Tolstoy's lifelong investigation of the question: What is natural? ‘This theme is offered inthe first chapter at Anna Scher- ers encounter the artificiality of St the two chief seekers of the Andrey and Pierre love embodiment ofthe natural -Kutuzov is also an embod only he can Tead the Rus- Mastervieces of Wort 1, and they found their lives together a ful their dreams. me of a sian solders ina successful war against th ‘or the essential is the main reason one speaks 8 Peace as a national epic. Yet, Tolstoy's chayn @"@ed represent all men. ag Natasha's group of characters centers in he p family (the novel is, among many things, vor study of family life). Count Hya Rostov, a tasting nobleman, is a sympathetic portrait ofa carefree 8 hearted rich man. His wife is somewhat anxious ay generous in spirit, but they are hapily manu se family asa whole is harmonious. Natasha's boners sisters are rendered with great vividness: the panes 2 energetic Nikolay; the cold, formal Ver; the ys Petya the sweet, compliant Sonya, cousin to Netaaa ing with life. She is willful, passionate, proud, hes ei ie Se il pes ‘major characters, she seeks the natural She isthe he insinets are right and tre. Allof bok 7, teary chapter 7 when she sings and dances, dramatize essential Russianness of her nature. Her neatly conan ‘mated love affair with Anatole Kuragn, her ssf Ante, and her final happy marriage o Pierre show how inensey life-giving she i. One of the great experiences of eaing War and Peace is to witness her slow transition frag slim, exuberant youth to thick-waisted motherhood. Far soy, Naas can do ohing which soo sla right. Kutuzov stands above the generals who cluster set him, Forgotten atthe start of the war, he is called ina action when ll else seems tobave failed. Unik hear generals, many of them German, Kutuzov knows tat bates are not won in the staff room by virtue of elaborate planning but by the spirit ofthe soldiers who actually do the fighting. Kutuzov alone knows that one mis wait for that moment when the soldiers” spirit is totaly commited to the battle. He knows that the forces of war ae greet than any one man can control and that one mast wat ‘upon events and know when not to at as well a when 10 act. His naturalness is opposed to Napoleon's arti- cial. A bilan strategist and planner, Napoleon belies that he controls events. His pride and vanity are se binding; he cannot sce that if he invades Rusia, he is ‘doomed. Kutwzov's victory over Napoleon isa vcory of the natural and the humble, for he is, after al, maa of the people. Furthermore, the figure of Kutuzov ivy closely related to Tolstoy's philosophy of histori chas> and necessity The characters of Andrey and Piere probebly ep ta ar acters~™= (Continued from front flap) geo ies of soy ough nial eras he ous and gj _ vost mystical, although these labels are far ah discrimis : psionic Oo characters centers in MANE and chagic 8 Mind, Pere seems hopelessly 25 ie rete cB OF vial anN™ 69 ean jon ky Andrey's father, and his sister Prin. reenta reat ea who is obedient, pious, and lon sa ‘atasha, is capable q sam mes ing ar PONE AS Howe see Andrey hes bored and eve ty sets fs ‘emsta ra emetourgee ed mete Sette tS he we ee rover mca, Sh Men cn ces Hae tnd he ee ey a ans ‘ome tis Soe Princ et rea nee sie ee, be searching for cham aS Finca ag Fe ml The fat Sng ven rote oe wat ad ips ier om cat ek out wih aa weve sk: seen ee Nace te erations ahem Ct of Borodin. Hy etfs nll esr ee inca etme he a Warr hot be caaceives of ar the cron Misstep na han ME encouners the pesant Keene jn involves a repudiation ofthe world and its petty a e8ches him to accept all things—even death—in of fas and passions. In all but one of these instances, good grace and co involved. Indeed, Andrey’s perception of the te Cony lad rae i écouter Pine inne cet Me Sonera see death asthe doorway to infinity and glory 2 Sout asa farl black hole: Death ba =n transformed, ial and nonessential comes part of tgenatural rhythm, acycle which promises: : gone from hits, Theit mattage fering al human beings temper ae =Pictal bin, fering: A th oy soup is composed of St.Petersburg sacingg Pere tha htt Pn 3 involved in cots on, ens te Kuen toni, command are iain Pins Vlysson, era War an ree, te antl, commen nie Pierre’ fist the advantages ofthe long ne ov; and finaly in Pierre's third ont Seco ceericiemeue ac oo eta fourth ans mak qruech Dig enon almost strate ‘transmit so vividly in she iy dundee an oper heiress ee lite reveals the beaut oan and hungrily. Compared to Andireys rigor