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Have you ever noticed that there are people who are good at everything they undertake, they can always find interesting topic for discussion, do they have a well-defined sense of style and tact, and the movements are full of grace? The most offensive, perhaps, in this situation is that often such people do not make any, or the minimum amount of effort to achieve such a result. And sometimes the opposite happens - a person works a lot on himself, but does not see tangible results. The hero of L. Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace" Pierre Bezukhov belongs to the representatives of the second type of people.
First Impressions
To begin with, let's figure out who Pierre is and what position he occupies in society. His father - Count Kirill Bezukhov - the famous Catherine's nobleman. At the beginning of the novel, he is near death. “I feel sorry for him as a person,” says Pierre, showing a feeling of pity about his sick father. Pierre was not born in official marriage- he is illegitimate, but this does not reduce his significance for the count and society - all the children of Count Bezukhov were born illegitimately. Pierre was 10 years in education abroad, upon returning home, he comes to visit Anna Pavlovna, where "and was the first time in society." Here the reader first meets this hero.
“A massive, fat young man with a cropped head, glasses, light trousers in the fashion of the time, with a high jabot and in a brown tailcoat” - his appearance is a little frightening to those around him. The point here is not at all in his suit, but in physique. On the face of the hostess, amazement and anxiety froze, which "is expressed at the sight of something too huge and unusual for the place."
He has never been in society and therefore is not familiar with many orders and rules. He often gets into awkward situations, cannot immediately understand the meaning of some hints. So, for example, he "did not listen to the words of his interlocutor, left" or began to think about something, not realizing that the person wants to leave his society.
At each appearance, Pierre feels like a child - he knows that before him are representatives of the intelligentsia, high society, so "everyone was afraid to miss the smart conversations that he might hear" and was lost.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the novel by Leo Tolstoy "War and Peace".
Andrey Bolkonsky, a longtime friend, with whom Pierre did not take his "joyful, friendly eyes" helps him get used to society. The meeting in the light with Pierre was just as joyful for Andrey.
Everyone notes that, despite its rather unattractive appearance, Bezukhov is a good person, he is endowed with many positive qualities, and in general a kind and sweet fellow.
However, his desire to find the truth in discussing something, to dot all the “i” plays a cruel joke with him - he often goes too far, tries to continue the conversation in order to achieve the desired result, when it is not entirely correct in relation to the interlocutors. He eschews female society, although he does not avoid it at all and prefers to discuss serious topics, therefore he is considered an eccentric ignoramus.
A new period in life and the first disappointments
With the death of the old count, a new period of life begins for Pierre. The count names him heir. The wealth that has fallen on him becomes the cause of trials and tragedies.
In an instant, this bear, who had been teased by society and had difficulty accepting his distinctive behavior from the generally accepted, received "forty thousand souls and millions." Thanks to this, Pierre became the most desired guest in any home and any company. Many dream of intermarrying with him by marrying his daughter.
An unexpected turn of events with the Bezukhovs' inheritance caused the disappointment and despondency of Prince Vasily, because he himself claimed these riches, and as a result, it was not he, but Pierre who was declared the heir.
The lost opportunity to get rich easily haunts the prince. He finds a way out of the situation - to marry his daughter Helen to Pierre and thus gain access to the money.
It is not difficult to deceive young Bezukhov - he is trusting, sincerely believes in the disinterestedness of people. He has no experience of communicating with high society, he knows little about the orders and life principles of these people. Pierre is a sweet, kind, simple-hearted child who believes that the world is good and wishes him well, because he himself wishes everyone well. In addition, he knew Prince Vasily and his daughter Elena from childhood, this was another reason why a smart, sensible young man did not notice the catch and decided to marry. We can say that Pierre became a hostage to the situation - the prince arranged everything so that Bezukhov began to be considered Elena's fiancé long before Pierre himself was ripe for this step. Having learned about the rumors circulating in society, he has no choice but to get married: "he was married and settled, as they said, the happy owner of a beautiful wife and millions in the large St. Petersburg, newly decorated house of the Counts Bezukhovs."
Doubts about the correctness of his decision did not leave Pierre until the very last, but he did not listen to his inner voice: "some incomprehensible horror seized him at the mere thought of this terrible step."
The marriage union with Kuragina destroyed all Pierre's postulates about family idyll and harmony. He realized that not everyone prefers the desire for family life, and vows given at the altar often become empty words. He understands that as a husband he did not take place. His wife avoids intimacy with him. Elena "laughed contemptuously and said that she was not a fool to wish to have children." At the same time, having become a socialite, she does not shy away from the affection of other men. Soon, only the lazy did not discuss rumors about her love affairs. Pierre becomes the subject of ridicule and regret. He is too trusting, which is why, and not because of stupidity, he does not allow the thought of cheating on his wife, even when it becomes obvious. A certain well-wisher lifts the veil from his eyes: "an anonymous letter, in which it was said with that vile jocularity that is characteristic of all anonymous letters that he does not see well through his glasses and that his wife's connection with Dolokhov is a secret only for him." It is difficult to say what prompted such an action - pity for Pierre, or a desire to annoy Dolokhov.
But even after that, Bezukhov has doubts. “What was said in the letter could be true, could at least seem true, if it did not concern his wife” - Pierre thinks this is not slander. He thinks about this for a long time during dinner and would not have decided anything if Dolokhov had not taken the sheet intended for Bezukhov. “Something terrible and ugly, which tormented him all the time of dinner, rose and took possession of him” - Pierre challenges Dolokhov to a duel.
After the shot, seeing that his opponent was wounded, he, forgetting about everything, including the hatred and anger felt towards this man, "barely holding back sobs, ran to Dolokhov." As you can see, even in such situations, good impulses prevail in him.
After the duel, Helen indignantly expresses her opinion on this matter to her husband. Pierre at the beginning of the conversation was “like a hare surrounded by dogs,” but the behavior of his wife, her accusatory speech towards Bezukhov. And, perhaps, the fact of denying the presence of a lover (now Pierre believed that he was blind, and Elena was depraved) infuriates him. “I will kill you! he shouted, and seizing a marble board from the table with a force unknown to him, took a step towards it and swung at it. Helen's face grew frightful; she yelped and jumped away from him. Pierre felt the fascination and charm of rage. He threw the plank, smashed it, and, approaching Helen with open arms, shouted: “Get out!” - in such a terrible voice that this scream was heard in the whole house with horror.
But his anger did not last forever, over time, he again begins to live with her, although Elena's attitude towards him has not changed.
Thanks to her love affairs, Pierre was given the rank of chamberlain, "and from that time on he began to feel heaviness and shame in a large society."
Elena's death, after six years married life, gave Pierre the opportunity to test himself in family life again. This time his choice was dictated not by the passion and suggestion of society, but by deep love, and mutual.
Natasha Rostova - his wife, finds happiness in family life - at the end of the novel she is the mother of four children. Taking care of them and her husband brings her pleasure. She, like Pierre, having burned herself once, was still able to find happiness and peace.
Social activity
Completely disappointed in family life. Pierre tries to realize himself in social activities. The most acceptable for this, he chooses activities in the Masonic lodge. But even here he does not find himself - he is honored here only for the opportunity to donate large sums, which do not always go to what was planned. Members of the lodge are far away in real life from those truths and rules that they must observe and preach. Pierre understands that this is a hoax.
After being released from captivity, he becomes a member of a secret society, trying to reincarnate the world, sincerely believing that, in the presence of like-minded people, he will be able to achieve changes for the better.
War and Pierre
Bezukhov decides to delve into the sphere of military affairs. He is not a military person by his type of activity, therefore he cannot personally take part in military events. Understanding all the absurdity and incompatibility of his data and the war, he, since there was nothing else left for him (for high society he was a laughingstock, in family life - a deceived husband, and in the Masonic lodge - a purse with money and nothing more), he remains on that war, where his enemy is known and less insidious than civil intrigues and intrigues.
Pierre provides financial support to the regiment created on his initiative. After the Battle of Borodino, which he witnessed, his views change. Now, Napoleon, once idolized by him, has become a person causing disgust and hatred. Pierre plans an assassination attempt on the Emperor. Naturally, Bezukhov, who has no shooting skills, and is generally unfamiliar with military affairs, is an impossible task, his plan fails, and Pierre himself is captured.
Communication here with Platon Karataev, the same prisoner as he is. It opened his eyes to many truths, made him take a different look at everyday things. Plato was a representative of the peasantry, and never entered high society, therefore his life principles are far from high society postulates about life and are unusual for Pierre. Communication with Karataev leads Pierre to the idea that happiness is in the person himself and in order to find it, you just need to not change your spiritual principles, live in unity with nature and the people. In captivity, Bezukhov realizes that his race to find the meaning of life was meaningless.
Thus, Pierre Bezukhov is a character endowed with positive qualities. He is kind, cordial, not able to hold a grudge for a long time, although he is not soft-hearted, he knows how to stand up for himself, is capable of a feat and self-sacrifice, often selflessly helps others. At the end of the novel, having experienced many disappointments and sorrows, he becomes not only smart (as his author portrayed at the beginning of the novel), but also a wise man.
One of the brightest masterpieces in Russian prose is the epic novel War and Peace. The four-volume work, which is distinguished by the diversity of plot lines, an extensive system of characters, the number of which reaches five hundred heroes, is, first of all, not only a reflection of pictures of historical reality, but a novel of ideas. To the final version of the work, Tolstoy followed the path of ideological and plot searches, which is also reminiscent of the image of Pierre Bezukhov in Tolstoy's "War and Peace".
Ideological searches of the author and the hero
Initially, Lev Nikolayevich did not plan to write the history of this character, creating him in the form of a Decembrist fighting for civil equality and freedom. However, gradually in the course of understanding historical events and writing the novel, Tolstoy's ideological orientation is changing. At the end of the work, we clearly see that the true essence of the purpose of the active hero is not in the struggle, but in gaining spiritual harmony and personal happiness through rapprochement with the people. Tolstoy reflected his ideological searches through the image of the main character - Pierre Bezukhov.
The development of the image of Pierre Bezukhov
At the beginning of the work, the hero is opposed to his contemporary high society, in which insincerity, flattery, and superficiality dominate. The young Bezukhov from the first pages of the novel appears as an open and honest person who, at all costs, is trying to find the truth and his calling in life - such is the characterization of Pierre in Tolstoy's novel "War and Peace".
Suddenly finding himself rich, Pierre becomes a victim of his own financial situation and falls into fetters. unhappy marriage. Marrying Helen Kuragina made Pierre disillusioned with the spirituality and purity of the institution of marriage and family. Pierre still does not give up. He tries to find his place in life in order to do good, to help people, to feel his need for society. He believes that he will definitely find his just cause: “I feel that besides me, spirits live above me and that there is truth in this world.” These aspirations became the reason for the hero's entry into the ranks of the Masonic movement. Imbued with the ideas of equality and fraternity, mutual assistance and self-sacrifice, Pierre shares the views of Freemasonry with high ideological passion. However, this period of his life brought disappointment. The hero again finds himself at a crossroads.
Whatever he did or thought was caused by the desire to carry out activities that are useful for society, for Russia. The war of 1812 was his chance to finally do the right thing and serve his people. Main character novel "War and Peace" Pierre Bezukhov, with the same passion and zeal, lights up with the idea of sharing the fate of his people and contributing his all possible help for the common victory. To this end, he organizes the regiment and fully finances its provision.
Not being a military man, Pierre cannot directly participate in hostilities, but the role of a passive observer is also not nice for such an active hero. He decides that it is he who needs to carry out the most important mission, which will save Russia from the French invaders. Desperate Pierre is planning an assassination attempt on Napoleon himself, whom he once considered his idol. Following the lead of his ardent ideas, Bezukhov does not think about possible consequences. In the end, his plan failed, and the hero himself was captured.
Awareness of the essence of true human happiness
It's time for another disappointment. This time the hero is completely disappointed in faith in people, in kindness, in the possibility of mutual assistance and friendship. However, the meeting and conversation with Platon Karataev completely changes his worldview. It was this simple soldier who had the maximum impact on the change in the views of the hero. The simplicity and a certain primitiveness of Karataev's speech managed to reveal all the spiritual wisdom and value of human life more than intricate Masonic treatises.
Thus, Pierre's stay in captivity became decisive in the formation of his civil and personal consciousness. Finally, Pierre realizes that the essence of happiness was in fact so simple and always on the surface, while he was looking for its meaning in philosophical depths, personal suffering, striving for action. The hero realized that true happiness is to have the opportunity of spiritual and physical freedom, to live a simple life in unity with his people. “There is truth, there is virtue; and the highest happiness of man consists in striving to achieve them. The realization of such simple human values finally led the main character to peace of mind, inner harmony and personal happiness.
Implementation of the idea of the novel by the hero
At the end of his ideological quest, the author rewards Pierre with a life in the atmosphere of a real family idyll. The hero enjoys peace and happiness, surrounded by the care of his beloved wife and the happy voices of four children. The image of Pierre Bezukhov is the personification of the hero, through whose spiritual and ideological searches and the path of their realization, the main idea of the work is revealed.
As we can see, like Pierre Bezukhov, the author himself renounces his original convictions. So, at the heart of the novel "War and Peace" the main idea was not the service of civic duty or participation in social movements. the main idea works and my essay on the topic: The image of Pierre Bezukhov in the novel "War and Peace" - in the image of the ideal of human happiness in the family circle, in life on his native land, in the absence of war, in unity with his people.
Artwork test
In which the author paid special attention to the image of Pierre Bezukhov, since this is a key character. It is he who we will now consider, revealing the characteristics of Pierre Bezukhov. In particular, thanks to this hero, Tolstoy was able to give readers an understanding of the spirit of the time when the events described took place, to show the era. Summary of "War and Peace" also read on our website.
Of course, in all colors we will not be able to describe in this article the character traits, essence and full characteristics of Pierre Bezukhov, because for this you need to carefully follow all the actions of this hero throughout the epic, but it is quite possible to briefly get a general idea. The year is 1805, and a noble Moscow lady is holding a secular reception. This is Anna Pavlovna Sherer. Pierre Bezukhov, an illegitimate son from the family of a Moscow nobleman, also appears at this reception. The secular public is indifferent to him.
Although Pierre studied abroad, he feels uncomfortable in Russia, cannot find a worthwhile job, and from this he plunged into an idle life. What does this lifestyle mean for young man that time? At that time, the image of Pierre Bezukhov is overshadowed by drinking parties, idleness, revelry and very dubious acquaintances, which leads to the expulsion of Pierre. Yes, you have to leave the capital and move to Moscow.
AT high society Pierre is also of little interest, he is annoyed by the kind of people he sees in these circles. More precisely, their nature is unpleasant to him: they are petty, hypocritical and all completely selfish. Is it really, Pierre thinks, that life should please this? Is there a deeper meaning, something important and significant that gives the fullness of happiness?
Pierre himself is a soft-bodied and dubious person. It is easy to subordinate him to someone else's influence, to make him doubt his actions. He himself does not even notice how quickly he is taken captive by the idle Moscow life - riotous and windy. When Pierre's father, Count Bezukhov, dies, the son inherits the title and the entire fortune, after which society instantly changes its attitude towards him. We are considering the image of Pierre Bezukhov. How did these events affect him? For example, Vasily Karugin is eager to marry a young man Helen, his daughter. Although Kuragin can be called an eminent and influential person, communication with this family did not bring anything good for Pierre, and the marriage turned out to be extremely unhappy.
We see how the characteristic of Pierre Buzukhov is revealed here. The young beauty Helen is insidious, dissolute and deceitful. Pierre sees the essence of his wife and believes that his honor has been violated. In a rage, he goes on madness, which almost plays a fatal role in his life. But, nevertheless, after a duel with Dolokhov, Pierre remains alive, and everything ends only with a wound that the offender receives.
Pierre is looking for himself
More and more thoughts of the young count are focused around the meaning of his life. How does he manage her? Pierre is confused, everything seems to him disgusting and meaningless. The hero sees perfectly well that there is something great, deep and mysterious, in comparison with the stupid social life and drinking bouts. But he lacks the knowledge and fortitude to figure it out and direct his life in the right direction.
Here, reflecting on what is actually the characteristic of Pierre Bezukhov, let's think - after all, a young and rich count could live recklessly for his own pleasure, without worrying about anything. But Pierre can't do that. This means that this is not a superficial person, but a deeply thinking person.
freemasonry
In the end, Pierre breaks up with his wife, gives Helen a considerable part of his entire fortune and returns to St. Petersburg. On the way, Pierre meets a man from whom he learns that certain people understand the operation of the laws of being and know true purpose person on earth. Considering the image of Pierre Bezukhov at that time, it is clear that his soul is simply exhausted, and he is deeply entangled in life. Therefore, hearing about the brotherhood of Masons, it seems to him that he is saved and now another life will begin.
In St. Petersburg, Pierre undergoes ceremonies, and now he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Life changes its color, the hero opens up new views and another world. While he has no doubts about what the Freemasons say and teach, some aspects of the new way of life still look bleak and incomprehensible. Pierre Bezukhov, whose characterization we are now considering, continues to search for himself, to search for the meaning of life, to think about his destiny.
Trying to give relief to the people
Soon Pierre Bezukhov comes to understand a new idea: an individual person will not be happy if he is surrounded by destitute and deprived of any rights people. And then Pierre tries to improve the life of the common people, to give relief to the peasants.
Such attempts cause an unusual reaction, because Pierre is met with incomprehension and surprise. Even some of the peasants, to whom Pierre's activities were directed, cannot accept the new way of life. What a paradox! Looks like Pierre is doing something wrong again! Thanks to these actions, the image of Pierre Bezukhov is revealed more and more, but for him this is another disappointment. He feels depressed, and hopelessness sets in again, because after deceiving the manager, the futility of his efforts becomes obvious.
The characterization of Pyotr Bezukhov would not be completely complete if we did not consider what began to happen to the hero after Napoleon came to power, as well as the details of the battle of Borodino and captivity. But read about this in the article "Pierre Bezukhov in the novel War and Peace". Now we will pay attention to one more key moment in the image of this hero.
Pierre Bezukhov and Natasha Rostova
Pierre becomes more and more attached to Natasha Rostova, his feelings for her become deeper and stronger. Especially, this becomes obvious to the hero himself after he understands: in difficult moments of life, it is this woman who occupies all his thoughts. He tries to figure out why. Yes, this sincere, intelligent and spiritually rich woman literally captivates Pierre. Natasha Rostova also experiences similar feelings, and their love becomes mutual. In 1813, Pierre Bezukhov married Natasha Rostova.
Rostova has the main dignity of a woman, as Leo Tolstoy shows. She can love sincerely, lastingly. She respects the interests of her husband, understands and feels his soul. The family is shown here as a model, thanks to which it is possible to maintain internal balance. It is a cell that influences the whole society. Will be healthy family will be a healthy society.
In conclusion, considering the characterization of Pierre Bezukhov, let's say that he nevertheless found himself, felt happiness, understood how to find harmony, but how many explorations, troubles and mistakes had to be endured for this!
We are glad that this article was useful to you. Even if you have not yet read the novel "War and Peace" in full, everything is ahead, and when you read it, pay special attention to the image of Pierre Bezukhov, the protagonist of the great epic of Leo Tolstoy.
A short essay-reasoning on literature on the topic: War and peace, the image of Pierre Bezukhov. Characteristics and spiritual quest of the hero. life path Pierre Bezukhov. Description, appearance and quotes of Bezukhov.
"War and Peace" is one of the most ambitious works of world literature. L.N. Tolstoy opened before the readers a wide panorama of names, events, places. Each person can find a hero close in spirit in the novel. Honest and uncompromising will suit Andrey Bolkonsky, lively and optimistic - Natasha Rostova, compliant and quiet - Marya Bolkonskaya, kind and impulsive - Pierre Bezukhov. It is the latter that will be discussed.
Pierre is the illegal but beloved son of Count Bezukhov, who received a high title and fortune after the death of his father. The appearance of the hero is not aristocratic: “A massive, fat young man with a cropped head, wearing glasses,” but his face becomes beautiful and pleasant when Pierre smiles: “He, on the contrary, when a smile came, then suddenly, instantly disappeared serious and even a somewhat gloomy face and another appeared - childish, kind, even stupid, and as if asking for forgiveness. L. N. Tolstoy paid great attention to smiles: “One smile consists of what is called the beauty of the face: if a smile adds charm to the face, then the face is beautiful; if she does not change it, then it is usual; if she spoils it, then it is bad.” The portrait of Pierre also reflects his inner world: no matter what happens, he remains kind, naive and somewhat out of touch with reality.
Pierre studied abroad for 10 years. Returning, the hero is in search of his calling. He looks for something suitable, but does not find it. Idleness, the influence of clever people, always ready to have fun at the expense of rich friends, their own weakness - all this leads Pierre to revelry and madness. In fact, he is kind and clever man always ready to help and support. Let him be naive, distracted, but the main thing in him is the soul. Therefore, Andrei Bolkonsky, who is well versed in people, and sensitive Natasha Rostova have warm feelings for Pierre.
In the world, the hero is not successful. Why? It's simple: the light is completely false and rotten, in order to become one's own there, one must lose one's best qualities, forget about one's own thoughts and speak only what they want to hear, flatter and hide real feelings. Pierre, on the other hand, is modest, simple, truthful, he is alien to the world, his “smart and at the same time timid, observant and natural look that distinguished him from everyone in this living room” had no place in the salons.
What does the hero need to be happy? Decisiveness and willpower, because life carries him like a straw along the river. So he reveled, because he did not want to lag behind "friends". Then he married, because Helen Kuragina seduced him, surrounded him with her beauty, although they both did not love each other. Pierre went to meetings and balls that were unnecessary to him, deceiving himself with illusions, false ideas (for example, Freemasonry). A tragic event helped him find himself - Patriotic War 1812. The hero participated in the Battle of Borodino, watched how simple people, without philosophizing and not reasoning, as Pierre himself loved, they simply go and die for their homeland. In addition to the terrible and heroic battle, Bezukhov experienced a humiliating captivity, but there he met an iconic person - Platon Karataev. Plato contained real life wisdom and spirituality. His philosophy did not hover in the clouds, but was that happiness is inside every person, it is in his freedom, satisfaction of needs, simple joys and emotions. After this meeting, Pierre's life changed: he accepted himself and those around him with their shortcomings, he found the meaning of life and love. Something constantly interfered with his relationship with Natasha: at first she was the bride of a friend, and Bezukhov could not commit a betrayal, then the girl was too depressed by the break with her fiancé, and she was not in the mood for feelings. And only after the end of the war, after the spiritual rebirth of both Pierre and Natasha, they were able to surrender to love, which made them happy for many years.
The writer combined in him the best human qualities, showed through the prism of world-scale events the personal experiences of the character, the spiritual formation of the personality.
After finishing "War and Peace", Lev Nikolayevich said that he was ready to spend his whole life writing a novel, if only it would resonate in the hearts of his compatriots, so that the work would be addressed both after 20 years and after 30. The dreams of the author of the epic came true: after a century and a half The novel makes readers all over the world think about the meaning of life.
Novel "War and Peace"
Leo Tolstoy approached the creation of another imperishable work with inherent pedantry. "War and Peace" is five thousand sheets of drafts and seven years of hard work. The author, in an attempt to find the truth about the war, spent months studying documents, books and magazines about the events of 1812, even visited the battlefields in Borodino.
At first, the writer was going to create a novel about an exiled Decembrist, where the action takes place in the middle of the 19th century, then he changed his mind and returned 25 years ahead, then pushed back the framework to the beginning of the war with, and finally stopped at 1805.
The great artistic creation also went down in history as a new literary format. Lev Nikolayevich stubbornly searched for an unusual type of presentation, as a result he presented to the reading world a genre that had not yet existed - an epic novel that united dozens of destinies in the light of significant historical events.
Next to the central characters, the prose writer settled Pierre Bezukhov. The illegitimate son of Count Kirill Bezukhov, after 10 years spent abroad, returned to his native land. The reader meets the young man in the salon of Anna Scherer - this is Pierre's first appearance in the world. Society with disgust and irony looks at the naive bastad with his ridiculous appearance, manners and straightforward statements.
After the death of his father, Pierre Bezukhov inherits and acquires the status of an enviable groom, strikes in revelry and revelry. Soon he says goodbye to his bachelor life, taking Elena Kuragina, known as Helen, as his wife. The mistake in choosing a life partner is obvious - a stupid, prudent lady, moreover, is not distinguished by chastity, cheating on her husband right and left.
A shock for Pierre is the news of a love affair with a friend Fyodor Dorokhov. Only a duel can protect honor, in which the clumsy and harmless Bezukhov, forced by the laws of society to shoot himself, miraculously wounded his opponent. Living with Helen Kuragina is no longer bearable, and the young man is at odds with his wife.
From the very beginning, Lev Nikolayevich presents the character as a restless person who is trying to answer eternal questions about the meaning of life, purpose, love and hate. Spiritual quests are gaining momentum after treason and a duel, as a result, Pierre is fond of Freemasonry. But here, too, disappointment awaits: instead of higher motives, Bezukhov reveals the true goals of the movement - to rise in society, take possession of "uniforms and crosses", and have a good time in fashionable salons.
The events of 1812, which destroyed the ideals of the hero, help to recover from the experienced personal drama. Pierre Bezukhov sees the heroism of soldiers in the war and also follows their example, discovering courage, courage and the ability to sacrifice in his soul. battle of Borodino clearly shows Pierre how ordinary people defend their native land without much thought about the meaning of being.
Bezukhov decides to stay in the occupied capital, naively believing that he will kill Napoleon. But he is captured, where a fateful acquaintance with the peasant Platon Karataev happens.
The wisdom and high spirituality of a soldier changes Pierre's attitude to life and society. Surprisingly, only in captivity does the hero find peace, accept himself and the shortcomings of others: he understands “not with his mind, but with his whole being, with his life, that a person was created for happiness, that happiness is in himself, in satisfying natural human needs.”
However, a simple path to the complete acceptance of being is not for Pierre, he sees a way out in the moral renewal of society and decides to join the ranks of a secret organization. On the love front, fate presents Pierre with a gift - reciprocal feelings and a happy family life. Although before the couple reunited, years passed.
For the first time, Pierre saw a 13-year-old girl with an open and trusting soul visiting the Rostovs. For a very long time, Bezukhov treated her like a child, watching with interest the development and formation of a person. Natasha, betrothed to a close friend of Pierre, betrayed her fiancé, almost escaping with Kuragin, Helen's brother, who had seduced her. The betrayal shocks Bezukhov, besides, he feels some involvement in the fall of the heroine, because he was still married to Helen.
But soon the girl woke up from the spell of Kuragin and plunged into a pool of strong emotions. Bezukhov supported Natasha - and through these sufferings he considered pure soul heroines. Feelings arose gradually, only after the death of Bolkonsky, communicating with Rostova, he realized that he was full of love for this pure, high being. At the end of the novel, Natasha Rostova accepts a marriage proposal from Pierre Bezukhov, and years later the couple raise four children.
Image
Leo Tolstoy could not decide on the name of one of key characters novel. Before becoming Pyotr Kirillovich Bezukhov, his “passport data” changed three times: in the sketches he appeared as Prince Kushnev, then Pyotr Medynsky, then Arkady Bezukhy. And when the author conceived a work about the Decembrists, the hero bore the name Pyotr Lobazov. Moreover, Pierre does not have a specific prototype, as the writer admitted, the character is in many ways similar to himself.
In the appearance of the hero there is no aristocracy. Readers get acquainted with a well-fed young man with a cropped head and glasses - in a word, nothing remarkable. A sullen, somewhat stupid face, sometimes with the expression of a guilty person, is instantly changed by a smile - then Pierre even becomes handsome. The absurdity of the image, absent-mindedness causes ridicule from the environment. However, observant people notice a timid, but intelligent look.
Pierre Bezukhov - illustration for the book "War and Peace" Tolstoy concluded in the character all the most best performance, making it the standard for all time. Brilliant education, kindness, willingness to rush to help, nobility, innocence and gullibility - from the first pages Bezukhov evokes sympathy. He doesn’t even hate his opponent in a duel, on the contrary, he justifies Dorokhov - who knows, perhaps Pierre could have been in the place of his wife’s lover.
The novel reflects the evolution of the character of Pierre Bezukhov. From a naive and driven person, he turns into a self-sufficient person. The character manages to come to inner harmony.
Screen adaptations
They tried to transfer the novel of the great Russian writer to the screen back in the era of silent films. The viewer saw the first picture directed by Pyotr Chardynin in 1913. By the middle of the century, the film version of the epic was successfully presented by the Americans - the film received three nominations for the Oscar and the Golden Globe Award.
The Soviet authorities decided to give an answer to foreigners, entrusting the director with a case of "national importance". It took six years and 18 million rubles to create the picture. As a result - the main prize of the Moscow International Film Festival and "Oscar".
"War and Peace" inspired the film industry to create two series. The first was released on the BBC channel in 1972, the script of which was written for 20 episodes. The production of the 2007 television version brought together several countries - Russia, Germany, France, Italy and Poland. And after almost 10 years, the BBC corporation again took up the matter, revealing to the world, which includes six episodes.
- 1913 - "War and Peace" (dir. Pyotr Chardynin)
- 1915 - "Natasha Rostova" (dir. Pyotr Chardynin)
- 1956 - "War and Peace" (dir. King Vidor)
- 1967 - "War and Peace" (dir. Sergei Bondarchuk)
- 1972 - "War and Peace" (dir. John Davis)
- 2007 - "War and Peace" (dir. Robert Dornhelm)
- 2016 - "War and Peace" (dir. Tom Harper)
actors
The magnificent picture of King Vidor, based on Tolstoy's novel, brought together brilliant actors. The role of Pierre Bezukhov went to Henry Fonda, although they planned to shoot. But the man flatly refused to join the company on the set in the image of Natasha Rostova. Later, the actress said that it was difficult to get used to such a difficult role.
Sergei Bondarchuk could not decide who to give the role of Countess Rostova to. The master of cinema was brought a ballerina - a girl, tender and fragile, but blonde, while Tolstoy's heroine has dark hair. Lyudmila did not pass the audition, but got a second chance. On the screens, viewers see the actress in a wig. Bastard Bezukhov was performed by the director himself, and the charming friend of Andrei Bolkonsky played.
In the 1972 series, the restless hero was presented, so convincingly that the actor was awarded a BAFTA award.
The authors of the television series "War and Peace" in 2007 allowed themselves to move away from storyline works of the Russian classic, altering some points. So, Helen Kuragina died from a terrible disease (in the book, the consequences of an abortion led to death), and in the duel Nikolai Rostov acted as Pierre's second (in fact, he was an assistant to the enemy). Yes, and Natasha Rostova in performance is not similar to the image described in the novel.
(Andrey Bolkonsky) and (Natasha Rostova). And he demonstrated the evolution of the character of Pierre Bezukhov.
Quotes
"We all know what evil is for ourselves"
“How easy, how little effort is needed to do so much good,” thought Pierre, “and how little we care about it!”
“We can only know that we know nothing. And this is the highest degree of human wisdom.”
“A person cannot own anything while he is afraid of death. And whoever is not afraid of her, everything belongs to him.
“The main thing is to live, the main thing is to love, the main thing is to believe”
“You are the kind of people who come to people when they are happy to spoil their mood”