What estate did Bolkonsky give to his son. Bolkonsky family. The role of the Bolkonsky family in the work

The role of the Bolkonsky family in the work

An important role is played in the novel "War and Peace" by the Bolkonsky family. The main problems of the work of the great writer are inextricably linked with them. The text traces the history of several families. The main attention is paid to Bolkonsky, Rostov and Kuragin. The author's sympathies are on the side of the Rostovs and Bolkonskys. There is a big difference between them. The relationship between the Rostovs is sensual and emotional. Bolkonsky is guided by reason and expediency. But it is in these families that the beloved heroes of Leo Tolstoy are brought up. Members of the Bolkonsky family are prominent representatives of the people of "peace and light." Their fates are closely intertwined with life paths other characters in the work. They take an active part in the development of the storyline of the story. Psychological problems, issues of morality, morality, family values ​​are reflected in the depiction of these characters.

Relationship characteristics

The Bolkonskys belong to an ancient princely family and live in the Bald Mountains estate, located not far from the capital. Each of the family members is an extraordinary person, endowed with a strong character and remarkable abilities.

Head of family

Old Prince Nikolai Andreevich, his son Andrei Nikolaevich and Princess Marya Nikolaevna are members of the Bolkonsky family in the novel War and Peace.

At the head of the family is old prince Bolkonsky. This is a man with a strong character and a well-established worldview. Successful career military, honors and respect remained for him in the distant past. On the pages of the book we see an old man who retired from military service and state affairs, retired to his estate. Despite the blows of fate, he is full of strength and energy. The day of the old man is scheduled by the minute. In his routine there is a place for both mental and physical labor. Nikolai Andreevich draws up plans for military campaigns, works in a carpentry workshop, and is engaged in arranging the estate. He is of sound mind and in good physical shape, does not recognize idleness for himself and makes all household members live according to his rules. It is especially difficult for the daughter, who is forced to study the natural sciences and endure the heavy temper of her father.

The proud and uncompromising nature of the old prince brings a lot of trouble to those around him, and incorruptibility, honesty and intelligence command respect.

Prince Andrey

We meet Andrei Bolkonsky in the first chapter of the work. He appears among the guests of the secular salon of Anna Pavlovna Scherer and immediately attracts everyone's attention. The young man stands out against the general background not only in appearance, but also in his behavior. We understand that the people around us cause irritation and even anger in him. He dislikes false masks, lies, hypocrisy and empty talk of secular society. A sincere kind smile appears on the face of the hero only at the sight of Pierre Bezukhov. Andrei Bolkonsky is young, handsome, educated, but dissatisfied with his existence on this earth. He does not love his beautiful wife, he is dissatisfied with his career. Throughout the development of the storyline, the image of the hero is revealed to the reader in all its depth.

At the beginning of the novel, Andrei is a man who dreams of becoming like Napoleon. Therefore, he decides to leave his pregnant wife, his bored lifestyle and goes to military service. He dreams about heroic deeds, glory and national love. The high sky of Austerlitz changes his worldview and corrects his plans for life. He is constantly looking for himself. Feats and severe wounds, love and betrayal, disappointments and victories fill the life of one of Tolstoy's favorite heroes. As a result, the young prince finds the true meaning of life in serving the Fatherland, protecting his Motherland. The fate of the hero is tragic. He dies from a severe wound, never making his dream come true.

Princess Mary

The sister of Andrei Bolkonsky, Princess Marya is one of the most striking and touching images of the story. Living close to her father, she is patient and submissive. Thoughts about her husband, her family and children seem to her pipe dreams. Marya is unattractive: "an ugly weak body and a thin face", insecure and lonely. Only “large, deep, radiant” eyes were remarkable in her appearance: “She sees her destiny in serving the Lord. Deep faith gives strength, is an outlet in her difficult life situation. “I don’t want another life, and I can’t wish, because I don’t know another life,” the heroine says about herself.

The timid and gentle Princess Marya is equally kind to everyone, sincere and spiritually rich. For the sake of loved ones, the girl is ready for sacrifices and decisive actions. At the end of the novel, we see the heroine as the happy wife of Nikolai Rostov and a caring mother. Fate rewards her for devotion, love and patience.

family traits

In the novel War and Peace, the Bolkonsky house is an example of truly aristocratic foundations. Restraint reigns in the relationship, although all family members sincerely love each other. The Spartan way of existence does not allow you to show your feelings and experiences, whine, complain about life. No one is allowed to break the strict rules of conduct.

The Bolkonskys in the novel "War and Peace" personify the best features of the nobility that is going down in history. Once the representatives of this class were the basis of the state, they devoted their lives to serving the Fatherland, like the representatives of this noble family.

Each of the Bolkonsky family has its own unique character traits. But they have something in common that unites these people. They are distinguished by family pride, honesty, patriotism, nobility, and a high intellectual level of development. Betrayal, meanness, cowardice have no place in the souls of these heroes. The characterization of the Bolkonsky family develops gradually throughout the story.

The idea of ​​a classic

Testing the strength of family ties, the writer takes his heroes through a series of trials: love, war and social life. Representatives of the Bolkonsky family successfully cope with difficulties thanks to the support of their relatives.

As conceived by the great writer, the chapters devoted to describing the life of the Bolkonsky family play a huge role in the ideological content of the novel War and Peace. They are people of "light", worthy of deep respect. The image of the family way of favorite heroes helps the classics to display the “family thought”, to build their work in the genre of family chronicles.

Artwork test

The future Grand Duke was born in 1111 in the "Chudsky outback", as the Rostov region was then called, which became a separate principality. Andrei Yurievich received a good upbringing and education for those times. Dolgoruky entrusted his son to manage Vladimir, a small suburb of Suzdal.

Andrei reigned in Vladimir for many years. The first mention of the Prince of Vladimir in the annals appeared in 1146, that is, Andrei was already 35 years old. In this year, Yuri Dolgoruky, with a sword in his hand, fought for the throne of Kyiv with his cousin, Grand Duke Izyaslav Mstislavich (1097-1154). Andrei and his retinue also took part in the battles on the side of his father. In the chronicler's story about these events, a description of the character of Prince Andrei was found.

His fighting prowess was an example for the squad. Andrei was always in the thick of the battle. He could not notice the helmet knocked off his head and continue to strike the enemy to the right and left. The chronicler notes the rare ability of the prince to subdue his warlike fervor after the battle and immediately turn into a cautious and prudent politician.

Despite the fact that Andrei was a glorious fighter, he did not like war. After each battle, the prince was in a hurry to make peace with the defeated enemy. There are lines in the annals that reveal one of the traits of his character: “He always had everything in perfect order and ready, every minute he was on his guard and did not lose his head in the sudden commotion.” Andrei inherited this trait from his grandfather, Vladimir Monomakh. In addition, he was as pious as his grandfather.

In 1149, Yuri Dolgoruky sat on the throne of Kyiv, but the struggle with his cousin was not over yet. Izyaslav Mstislavich, returning with his squad, forced him to leave the city. Dolgoruky suffered the defeat very painfully, while Andrei never understood his father.

He himself did not seek to reign in Kyiv. Andrei was annoyed to watch how his numerous relatives were constantly at enmity with each other at a time when Russian cities were being robbed by the Polovtsy, and many principalities were completely ruined.

Only after the death of Izyaslav Mstislavich, Yuri Dolgoruky for the second time and briefly sat on the throne of Kyiv, and Andrey was seated to reign in Vyshgorod. But he could not stand it and secretly from his father left for the Suzdal region close to his heart.

From Vyshgorod, Andrei managed to take the miraculous icon of the Mother of God to Vladimir. Subsequently, this icon, called the Vladimir Mother of God, became the main shrine of the Suzdal land. Many folk tales are associated with it. Prince Andrei built one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches for the icon - the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin.

In Vladimir, by decree of the pious Andrei, two monasteries were also erected (Voskresensky and Spassky), other Orthodox churches, and also, following the example of Kyiv, the Golden and Silver Gates. The construction of rich churches in Vladimir gave this city a special status and elevated it above other cities.

Andrei managed to attract smart and enterprising merchants to Vladimir, talented craftsmen and artisans. The population grew rapidly. From a small suburb of Suzdal, Vladimir very soon turned into a large populated city, worthy of becoming the capital of the state.

Yuri Dolgoruky died in 1157. Andrei Bogolyubsky was called to reign by Suzdal and Rostov. Andrei did not want to share power with the veche and the elder boyars, so he ceded the throne of Kyiv to his cousin Rostislav Mstislavich (? -1167), while he himself remained in Vladimir and began to look for ways to autocratic rule over the Russian land.

Andrei decided not to give inheritances to his sons, thereby he tried to strengthen the Vladimir principality. In order to gain unlimited power over the state, Bogolyubsky simply expelled his younger brothers and nephews to Byzantium, depriving them of the right to inherit.

He expanded the new capital of Rus' and even tried to transfer the center of the Russian clergy to Vladimir. But the Patriarch of Constantinople categorically refused to consecrate the protege of the Russian prince as metropolitan.

Andrei Bogolyubsky gave great importance strengthening the Christian faith and the fight against the Gentiles. So, in 1164 he and his army for the first time undertook a campaign to the Bulgar kingdom, where the Mohammedan faith was preached. As a result, the banners of the Bulgars were captured, and the prince was expelled. After that, campaigns against the Bulgars began to be carried out constantly, and Andrei Bogolyubsky believed that a miraculous icon helped him in the sacred struggle.

After the death of the Kyiv prince Rostislav, Andrei agreed to the great reign of his nephew Mstislav Izyaslavich (? -1170). But soon he made a political mistake by sending his young son Roman as prince to Novgorod. Andrei Bogolyubsky was furious - the prince of Kyiv tried to self-govern without his consent! This disobedience turned out to be in the hands of Bogolyubsky, he had a unique opportunity to belittle the importance of the great Kievan reign and become the head of all Russian princes.

He managed to quickly assemble the Suzdal militia, which was joined by eleven princes who were dissatisfied with the rule of Mstislav Izyaslavich. For two days the united army fought under the walls of ancient Kyiv. On the third day the city was taken by storm. The army of Bogolyubsky barbarously robbed and destroyed the city. Defenseless residents were killed, forgetting that they are the same Russian people. “Then in Kyiv there were groans and tugs for all people, inconsolable grief and incessant tears,” the chronicler wrote.

After the victory, Andrei still did not go to Kyiv to reign. His younger brother Gleb (?–1171) became the prince of Kyiv. Andrei Bogolyubsky took the title of Grand Duke and remained in Vladimir. Chroniclers attribute this event to 1169.

After the fall of Kyiv, Andrei Bogolyubsky managed to gather the entire Russian land under his hand. Only Mister Velikiy Novgorod did not want to obey him. Then the prince decided to do the same with Novgorod as with Kyiv. In the winter of 1170, the army of Bogolyubsky approached the Novgorod walls in order to suppress the rebellion. But the Novgorodians with insane courage fought for their city, for the sacred charters of their ancestors, violated by Prince Andrei. They fought so furiously that the army of the Grand Duke retreated.

Bogolyubsky did not forgive the Novgorodians for the defeat of his troops and decided to act differently. A year after the battle, he blocked the supply of grain to Novgorod and thus forced the recalcitrant to recognize his authority. Novgorodians expelled Prince Roman and came to bow to Bogolyubsky. At this time, Gleb died suddenly in Kyiv.

There was a lot of gossip about this death. Andrei used this circumstance to strengthen his power. To get rid of the Smolensk princes Rostislavich, Bogolyubsky openly stated that Gleb had been killed and they were hiding the killers of his brother.

Andrei expelled the Rostislavichs from Kyiv, but they did not reconcile themselves and utterly defeated the army sent against them. The victory did not help Kyiv regain its former greatness, the city began to change hands and eventually submitted to the Prince of Vladimir.

All the activities of Grand Duke Andrei Bogolyubsky were an attempt to change political system in the Russian state. He continued step by step towards autocracy. Following his brothers and nephews, Andrei expelled his father's great boyars from Suzdal. Bogolyubsky's mistake was that instead of them he surrounded himself with ignorant servants.

The Grand Duke was "pious and poor-loving, distrustful and strict." “Such a wise man in all matters,” the chronicler says about him, “so valiant, Prince Andrei ruined his meaning by intemperance,” that is, a lack of self-control.

Bogolyubsky accepted a terrible death in his new residence near Vladimir - Bogolyubovo. In 1174, he fell victim to a conspiracy involving his wife's relatives, the Kuchkovichi. The chronicle preserved a description of this fateful event. The unarmed Bogolyubsky was stabbed with swords and spears in his own bedroom by twenty conspirators. But the worst began after the murder of the prince. Andrei's body was thrown into the street, and his entourage plundered the palace. A wave of robberies and violence spread first to all of Bogolyubovo, and then to Vladimir.

According to the historian V. O. Klyuchevsky, “never in Rus', not a single princely death was accompanied by such shameful phenomena.” The prince was not buried and was not buried for five whole days, and in Vladimir all this time the revelry of the mob continued.

On the sixth day, one of the priests took the miraculous icon of the Vladimir Mother of God and began to walk around the city with prayers. On the same day, Bogolyubsky was buried in the cathedral church of the Assumption of the Virgin, built by his decree.

With the tragic death of Andrei Bogolyubsky, folk legends connect some geographical names of the neighborhoods of Vladimir and Bogolyubov. One of the legends says that later the people of Grand Duke Vsevolod III the Big Nest (1154-1212) seized the Kuchkovichi. The criminals' heels were cut and finely chopped horsehair was poured into the wounds, then they were dragged from Vladimir to the Floating Lake. They were put in tarred boxes, tightly closed and thrown into the lake.

Further, the legend says that from the bottom of the lake the groans of the murderers of Prince Andrei are often heard, especially loud screams are heard on the next anniversary of the crime. The bad reputation of the lake was facilitated by the fact that it quickly became peaty, and often people mistook huge peat hummocks floating in the water for boxes.

Not far from the Floating Lake there is another one - Poganoe. According to legend, the wife of Andrei Bogolyubsky, Princess Julitta, who led a conspiracy against her husband, was drowned in it. They tied a millstone around her neck and threw her into the water.

The Russian Orthodox Church canonized the Grand Duke, who was martyred. His relics were later transferred to a special chapel of the temple. Memory of St. Andrei Bogolyubsky is celebrated on July 4.

It is impossible to say with certainty whether his desire for autocracy was conscious and responsible, or whether it became an ordinary manifestation of lust for power and tyranny. One thing is certain - it was under Andrei Bogolyubsky that Kievan Rus ceased to exist and Vladimir-Suzdal Rus began its history.

There are two parents in the book and two sons Bolkonsky. In the work we are talking and about the old Prince Bolkonsky, his relationship with his son, and about Prince Andrei in the role of a father. Only in the theme it is worth seeing not just family issues, which are also associated in Tolstoy's book with the images of the Rostovs, Kuraginikhs, the Epilogue plot, but also a special biblical reflection. The theme of God the Father and God the Son sounds with particular force in the "epilogue", in the episode of the oath to Niko-Little. But first, let us dwell on the description of the two older Bolkonskys. Prince Nikolai Andreevich is certainly an outstanding person, one of those who built a powerful Russian statehood in the 18th century, close to Catherine II, an in-chief general who occupied a prominent position precisely because of his talents, and not the desire to make a career. He is one of those who served the Motherland and was never served, as evidenced by his resignation and even expulsion under Paul.

In his image reflected the features of the noble and wealthy maternal grandfather of Tolstoy, General Volkonsky, a proud man, an atheist, about whom there is a legend that he fell out of favor by refusing to marry Pavel's mistress, for which he was exiled first to the distant northern Grumant, and then to his estate near Tula. Bolkonsky - an old princely family, Rurikovich, aristocrats. They are rightfully proud of their ancient family and services to the Motherland. The high concept of honor, pride, independence, nobility and sharpness of mind, the old prince passed on to his son. Both neglect upstarts, careerists like Kuragin, although Bolkonsky apparently made the only exception for the old Count Bezukhov, who apparently belongs to the new nobility, to Catherine's favorites (the prototype of his known measure was Count Bezborodko. The titles of these "new people" were, as and their wealth, not ancestral, but donated. Friendship with Pierre, the son of old Bezukhov, went to Prince Andrei, apparently also inherited from the friendship of his father with Pierre's father. It should also be noted that both Bolkonskys are versatile, gifted people who are close ideas of humanism and enlightenment, they humanely treat their serfs, despite the outward severity and exactingness to themselves and others.Princess Marya knew that her father's peasants were prosperous, that the needs of peasants were primarily taken into account by her father, and this prompts her to take care of peasants when leaving the estate due to enemy invasions.When comparing Prince Andrei and his father, however, they forget that their characters are depicted in development.Prince Andrei , of course, he stepped much further than Nikolai Andreevich, for whom he respects and admires (it is not for nothing that he asks his father not to leave his grandson when he leaves for the war). Father Bolkonsky believed in the progress and future greatness of the Motherland, which he served with all his might. Bolkonsky-son - the main ideological hero of Tolstoy - is skeptical about the state and power in general. The high idea of ​​serving the Motherland, which inspired his father, is transformed by Prince Andrei into the idea of ​​serving the world, the unity of all people, the idea of ​​universal love and the unification of mankind with nature. The old prince lives in Russia, and his son feels like a citizen, even better, a part of the universe. He does a feat, but not a patriot's feat. This is the asceticism of the apostle, and it is not for nothing that Tolstoy endows him with the apostolic name - Andrei, but this name is synonymous with the word Russia, because the apostle Andrei, the deputy of Russia, predicted a great future for the Slavs who inhabited these lands. Russia must give the world an example of love and non-resistance, open new era unity of all people, continuing the covenant of Christ.

Christianity c was a step forward in the spiritual development of mankind, because it recognized all people as brothers in Christ, sons of the one God, did not single out which chosen people. In this, Tolstoy's apostle Andrei curses the war, not dividing wars into just and conquering ones. War is murder, according to the hero of Tolstoy, and murder is always (in any war) contrary to God and the law of love. In the name of these ideas, Tolstoy's apostle Andrei and his regiment are martyred, they did not fire a single shot, but survived. It must be said that the old prince, at first a little skeptical about these apostolic, ascetic aspirations of his children - a son in whom he anxiously finds something more than selfless service to the Motherland, and a Christian daughter - at the end of his life, perhaps, is inclined admit they are right. At first, the father is very severe towards Prince Andrei and Princess Marya, in whom, for all their devotion to their father, some kind of spiritual independence is felt. The father scoffs at the religiosity of the princess, while in blue he generally finds some spiritual resources and aspirations incomprehensible to himself with anxiety and internal rejection. The father, for example, approves of Prince Andrei's desire for glory, his departure for the war in 1805, but explains this by the desire of “Bonaparte to conquer. Having instilled in his son moral purity and a serious attitude towards the family, the old man Bolkonsky, however, will not take into account his feelings for Natasha, trying in every possible way to prevent his son's new marriage. Yes, and the feelings of Prince Andrei about the misunderstanding on the part of Lisa, the father shrewdly notices, and immediately consoles his son with the fact that "they are all like that." In a word, from the point of view of the old prince, there is no love, there is only strict fulfillment of duty. For the old Bolkonsky, Prince Andrei has too much living life, spiritual refinement, striving for the ideal.

Daughter Bolkonsky, the father, does not at all want to marry, not believing in the possibility of happiness in marriage, also believing that one grandson is enough to continue the family name - the child of Prince Andrei and Lisa. However, before his death, the usual rigidity of the old prince towards children disappears. He asks for forgiveness for the crippled life from his daughter and in absentia from his son. Princess Mary will still be happy, and the old prince speaks prophetic words about his son before his death: “Russia is lost!” Perhaps he only now realized that his son brought into the world an idea greater than patriotism and service to the motherland. To continue the ideas of his father will be another Nikolai Bolkonsky - Nikolenka. In the "epilogue" he is 15 years old. For six years he was left without a father. And before the age of six, the boy did not spend much time with him. In the first seven years of Nikolenka’s life, his father participated in two wars, stayed abroad for a long time due to illness, devoted a lot of energy to reform activities in the Speransky commission (which the old prince was proud of, he would certainly have been upset if he had known about Prince Andrei’s disappointment in state activity) . The dying Bolkonsky leaves to his son something like an ancient ciphered testament about the "birds of heaven." He does not pronounce these gospel words aloud, but Tolstoy says that the prince's son understood everything, even more than an adult, wise life experience. As a “bird of heaven”, which in the Gospel is a symbol of the soul, having no “image and form”, but constituting one essence - love, comes, as Prince Andrei promised, Nikolenka after his death. The boy dreams about the Father - love for people, and Nikolenka takes an oath to sacrifice himself at the behest of the Father (Father is a word written, of course, not by chance with a capital letter).

So

marriage, also considering that one grandson is enough to continue the family name - the child of Prince Andrei and Liza. However, before his death, the usual rigidity of the old prince towards children disappears. He asks for forgiveness for the crippled life from his daughter and in absentia from his son. Princess Mary will still be happy, and the old prince speaks prophetic words about his son before his death: “Russia is lost!” Perhaps he only now realized that his son brought into the world an idea greater than patriotism and service to the motherland. To continue the ideas of his father will be another Nikolai Bolkonsky - Nikolenka. In the "epilogue" he is 15 years old. For six years he was left without a father. And before the age of six, the boy did not spend much time with him. In the first seven years of Nikolenka's life, his father participated in two wars, stayed abroad for a long time due to illness, devoted a lot of energy to transforming activities in the Speransky commission (which the old prince was proud of, he would certainly have been upset if he had known about Prince Andrei's disappointment in state activities) . The dying Bolkonsky leaves to his son something like an ancient ciphered testament about the "birds of heaven." He does not pronounce these gospel words aloud, but Tolstoy says that the prince's son understood everything, even more than an adult, wise by life experience, could understand. As a “bird of heaven”, which in the Gospel is a symbol of the soul, having no “image and form”, but constituting one essence - love, comes, as Prince Andrei promised, Nikolenka after his death. The boy dreams about the Father - love for people, and Nikolenka takes an oath to sacrifice himself at the behest of the Father (Father is a word written, of course, not by chance with a capital letter).

So"War and Peace" ends with the theme of the Father and the Son, the theme of the apostolic service to God, the theme of the unity of people. Tolstoy does not give intelligible outlines of the Christian idea, because Andrei is an apostle of the new, Tolstoy religion. This is shown in great detail in B. Berman's book "Secret Tolstoy". But the main thing is that the theme of the Father and the Son is very important for Russian literature ("Fathers and Sons"). In "War and Peace" it is developed not as the theme of the prodigal son, but as the theme of the divine service of God the Son to God the Father.

One of the main images of the novel "War and Peace" by the great Russian humanist Leo Tolstoy - Andrei Bolkonsky - is an example of an aristocrat, the owner of the best features that can only be characteristic of a person. The moral quest of Andrei Bolkonsky and his relationship with other characters only serve as clear evidence that the author managed to embody willpower and realism in this.

General information

As the son of Prince Bolkonsky, Andrei inherited a lot from him. In the novel "War and Peace" he is contrasted with Pierre Bezukhov, who is more romantic, although he has a complex disposition. The younger Bolkonsky, who works with the commander Kutuzov, has a sharply negative attitude towards Vyatka society. In his soul, he harbors romantic feelings for Natasha Rostova, whose poetry captivated the hero. His whole life is a path of searching and trying to find the worldview of the common people.

Appearance

For the first time, this hero appears on the pages of the novel "War and Peace" at the very beginning, namely at the evening of Anna Pavlovna Sherer. His behavior clearly indicates that he is not only not attracted, but in the most direct sense repelled, and he does not find anything pleasant here. He does not at all try to hide how disappointed he is in these mannered, deceitful speeches, and calls all the attendees of such meetings "stupid society." The image of Prince Andrei Bolkonsky is a reflection of a person who is disappointed in false morality and who is disgusted by the manner of falsity that reigns in the highest circles.

The prince is not attracted by such communication, but he is much more disappointed that his wife, Liza, cannot do without secular conversations and superficial people. He is here only for her sake, because he himself feels like a stranger at this celebration of life.

Pierre Bezukhov

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

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

Service

In the army, the prince does not behave quite the way many would have done if they were in his place. He does not even think about immediately getting a high position, taking advantage of his aristocratic origin. He deliberately wants to start his service from the lowest positions in Kutuzov's army.

In his aspirations, Prince Andrei Bolkonsky differs sharply not only from representatives of high society who found themselves in the war, but also from ordinary employees who, by all means, want to get the coveted high post. Their main goal is regalia and recognition, no matter how useful they prove to be and how bravely they behave in battle.

Vanity is not alien to Bolkonsky either, but it is expressed in a completely different way. Prince Andrei Bolkonsky feels that he is to some extent responsible for the fate of Russia and the people. He was especially influenced by the Ulm defeat and the appearance of General Mack. During this period, important changes take place in the soul of the hero, which will affect his entire future life. He felt at ease and realized that it was in the army that he could realize his powerful potential. Boredom disappeared from his face, it became clear from his whole appearance that the prince was full of energy, which he wanted to direct towards achieving his goals, that is, to protect the Russian people.

The prince becomes ambitious, he wants to accomplish a feat so that his name will be imprinted in history for many centuries. Kutuzov is pleased with his employee and considers him one of the best officers.

The life of Andrei Bolkonsky in the army is fundamentally different from the “insipid” existence in the circle of secular ladies that he led earlier. He is ready to do things and does not hesitate to do so. The hero demonstrated honor and courage already during the Battle of Shengraben, when he bravely circled the positions, despite the inexorable unceasing fire of the enemy. During this battle, the younger Bolkonsky had a chance to witness the heroism shown by the gunners. In addition, the prince showed his courage by defending the captain.

Battle of Austerlitz

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

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

However, Andrei did not succeed in becoming a hero in full, because it was during the battle of Austerilis that many soldiers were killed, and the Russian army suffered terrible losses. Here the prince realized that his desire to gain world fame was just an illusion. After such a fall, the plans of the ambitious prince undergo drastic changes. He no longer admires the image of the great Napoleon Bonaparte, now this brilliant commander becomes for him only a simple martinet. This battle and the arguments inspired by it are completely new and one of the most important stages in the search for Tolstoy's hero.

Return to secular society

Significant changes in the worldview of the prince occur upon his return to where he was sent after a serious wound received on the battlefield. The image of Andrei Bolkonsky becomes more pragmatic, especially after new tragic events take place in his life. Soon after his return, his wife dies in labor pains, giving birth to her son Nikolenka, who later becomes the successor of his father's spiritual quest.

It seems to Andrei that he is guilty of what happened, that his actions are the cause of the death of his wife. This state, close to depression, together with the mental disorder that appeared after the defeat in, leads the prince to the idea that he should give up his claims to military glory, and at the same time stop any social activities.

rebirth

The arrival of Pierre Bezukhov to the Bolkonsky estate brings radical changes in the life of the prince. He takes an active position and begins to make many transformations in his possessions: he makes the peasants free, changes the corvée for quitrent, writes out a grandmother and pays the salary of a priest who teaches peasant children.

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

Natasha Rostova

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

He decided to take up the drafting of state laws and entered the service of a certain Speransky. Soon he is deeply disappointed in the usefulness of such activities and realizes that he is surrounded by sheer falsehood. However, after returning, he sees Natasha again and revives. The characters flare up feelings that, it would seem, should end in a happy marriage. However, many obstacles appear on their way, and everything ends with a gap.

Borodino

Disappointed in everything and everyone, the prince goes to the army. He is again fascinated by military affairs, and aristocrats, who crave only glory and profit, arouse more and more disgust in him. He is sure of his victory, but, alas, Tolstoy prepared a different end for his hero. During the battle, Andrei was mortally wounded and soon died.

Before his death, an understanding of the essence of life descended on the prince. Lying on his deathbed, he realized that the guiding star of every person should be love and mercy towards his neighbor. He is ready to forgive Natasha, who betrayed him, and believed in the boundless wisdom of the Creator. The image of Andrei Bolkonsky embodies all the best and purest that should be in the human soul. Having passed a difficult, but short, he nevertheless understood what many will not be able to comprehend even for an eternity.

Great statesman.

In July this year, 2011, we will celebrate the 900th anniversary of the birth of St. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. Many historians believe that his personality is undeservedly forgotten today, while the importance of the Grand Duke in our history is great.

Holy Right-Believing Grand Duke Andrei Bogolyubsky was born in 1111 and was the second oldest son of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky and his wife, the Polovtsian princess, in holy baptism Mary, daughter of the Polovtsian Khan Aepa Asenevich. The name of Yuri Dolgoruky is best known in Russian history in connection with the founding of Moscow - then still a small fortress town on the western borders of the Rostov-Suzdal land. This northern region was given to Yuri by his father, Prince Vladimir Monomakh. The capital of the region was Suzdal, where the princely court was located. Prince Andrei grew up and matured here.

From his famous grandfather Vladimir Monomakh, Prince Andrei inherited many character traits: courage, nobility, generosity towards enemies, integrity of nature and perseverance in achieving what was planned. Like Vladimir Monomakh, Prince Andrei had an inquisitive philosophical mind, loved to read Holy Bible to practice divinity. From childhood, he was accustomed to standing idle for long church services, he knew the entire annual liturgical circle by heart. In the annals, one can find such a description of him: “From a young age, love Christ and His All-Pure Mother, the noble and Christ-loving Prince Andrei, having cleansed the mind and mind, like a red chamber, decorating the soul with all good morals ... do not darken your mind with drunkenness.” For his piety, he received the name Bogolyubsky.

Prince Andrei repeatedly showed the valor of the commander and personal courage, participating in numerous campaigns of his father. Especially in this regard, the feat of Prince Andrei near the city of Lutsk in 1150 is indicative, when in the battle Prince Andrei smashed the front ranks of the enemy, his spear broke, his saddle was pierced by a pike, and only an ardent prayer to the Great Martyr Theodore Stratilat, whose memory was celebrated on that day (February 21, NS), saved the prince from the spear of a German mercenary.

Prince Andrei was close to death more than once in battles, but the Providence of God protected him. Along with ardent courage and fearlessness, the prince also possessed a peacekeeping gift, rare in that harsh time, combining military prowess with humility and mercy.

Prince Andrey also became famous for his state mind, creative painstaking activity in the construction of new cities. His father, Yuri Dolgoruky, only outlined where to found this or that city. And Pereslavl-Zalessky, and Yuryev-Polsky (1152), and Dmitrov (1154), and Moscow (1147) grew stronger precisely thanks to the talent, work and will of the active and wise Prince Andrei. As a result of this fruitful work, the north-east of Rus' by the middle of the 12th century turned into a rich, prosperous, populous region, which was able to oppose politically fragmented, torn apart by princely civil strife, suffering from constant raids of nomads, Kyiv. Upon reaching the age of majority, the princely sons were usually given a city to manage. Andrey received from his father Vladimir, at that time an insignificant city inhabited by artisans, merchants, "little" people.

Even in his youth (according to some historical data), Prince Andrei, having reached the age of majority, undertook a journey to the shrines of the East. Was in Jerusalem and Constantinople, where he lived for several years, studying the life and customs of the peoples Byzantine Empire. The Greek kings were his relatives, because. on the line of his grandfather, Vladimir Monomakh, born from the Greek princess Irina, he was the great-great-grandson of the Byzantine emperor Constantine Monomakh. It was then, during his stay in Byzantium, that Prince Andrei had the idea of ​​​​creating the same integral Orthodox state with an autocrat at the head on the territory of the Russian lands that were fragmented and divided at that time.

The prince saw much deeper and farther than his contemporaries with his penetrating mind. He understood that behind the princely strife in the struggle for the throne of Kyiv and the best cities, behind fratricides and perjury, there was a great threat and danger to Rus'. In Kyiv, the grand ducal power was severely limited by the influential and changeable city council. The noble Kyiv squad was too self-willed, and the southern border with the restless Polovtsian steppe lay nearby, so a new capital was needed to implement the plans of Prince Andrei. By the providence of God, the city of Vladimir was indicated.

By the end of 1170, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky managed to achieve the unification of the Russian land under his rule. Recognized by all as the senior prince, whose troops took Kyiv, Andrei, however, did not want to sit on his golden throne. He transferred his brother Gleb from Pereyaslavl here, and he himself remained to live in the distant and still little known Vladimir on the Klyazma.

Prince Andrei Yuryevich, as a smart and far-sighted politician, almost without leaving his Bogolyubov, managed to realize the idea of ​​​​autocracy in the short time of his reign. The princes of Kyiv, Smolensk, Chernigov, Ryazan and Murom, even the princes of Volyn, and in the end the free "Mr. Novgorod", walked according to his grand prince's will.

With extraordinary energy, a series of wise and decisive measures, the Grand Duke of Vladimir achieved his goal. The prince firmly believed that only with autocracy it was possible to achieve the prosperity of the people, that only such a monarchical government could lead the country to expansion and prosperity.

The idea of ​​autocracy did not die with the death of its inspirer. After a relatively short period of time, it manifested itself in full force in the collectors of the Russian land, in Moscow princes and tsars.

From the Russian House magazine, 2011, No. 6