The Bolkonski family in War and Peace: a description, comparative characteristics

The Bolkonski family in the novel "War and Peace" is one of the key themes in the study of this work. Its members occupy a central place in the narrative and play a decisive role in the development of the storyline. Therefore, the characterization of these actors is particularly important for understanding the concept of the epic.

Some general remarks

The Bolkonsky family in the novel War and Peace is typical of its time, that is, for the beginning of the 19th century. The author portrayed people in whose images he tried to convey the mentality of a significant part of the nobility. In describing these actors, we must first of all remember that these heroes are representatives of the aristocratic class of the turn of the century, the time that was a turning point in the history of Russia. This is clearly and was shown in describing the life and way of life of this ancient family. Their thoughts, ideas, views, outlook and even domestic habits serve as a vivid demonstration of how much a nobility lived during the period under consideration.

The image of Nikolai Andreevich in the context of the era

The Bolkonski family in the novel War and Peace is interesting because in it the writer showed how and how the thinking society lived in the early 19th century. The father of the family is a hereditary soldier, and his whole life is subject to strict rules. This image immediately guessed the typical image of the old nobleman of the time of Catherine II. He is a man of the past, the 18th century, than the new. Immediately felt how far he is from the political and social life of his time, it seems that he lives by the old orders and habits that are more to the place for the era of the previous reign.

On the public activities of Prince Andrew

The Bolkonski family in the novel War and Peace is distinguished by monolithism and unity. All its members are very similar to each other, despite the age difference. However, Prince Andrew is more keen on contemporary politics and social life, he even takes part in the drafting of state reforms. He very well discerns the type of young reformer that was characteristic of the beginning of the reign of Emperor Alexander Pavlovich.

Princess Mary and the secular ladies

The Bolkonski family, whose characterization is the subject of this review, was distinguished by the fact that its members lived a tense mental and moral life. The daughter of the old prince Mary was completely different from the typical secular ladies and young women, who then appeared in high society. The father took care of her education and taught her the most diverse sciences, which were not included in the program for the education of young ladies. The latter were trained in home craft, fiction, fine arts, while the princess, under the guidance of her parent, studied mathematics.

Place in society

The Bolkonski family, whose character is so important for understanding the meaning of the novel, occupied a prominent position in high society. Prince Andrew led a fairly active social life, at least until he was disappointed in the career of the reformer. He served as adjutant Kutuzov, took an active part in the hostilities against the French. He was often seen on social occasions, receptions, balls. Nevertheless, from the very first appearance in the salon of a famous secular lady, the reader immediately understands that in this society he is not his own person. He keeps somewhat to the side, not very talkative, although, apparently, is an interesting interlocutor. The only person with whom he himself expresses the desire to enter into a conversation is his friend Pierre Bezukhov.

Comparison of the Bolkonsky and Rostov families further emphasizes the peculiarities of the former. The old prince and his young daughter had a very secluded lifestyle and almost never left their estates. Nevertheless, Mary maintained contacts with the higher world, exchanging letters with her friend Julie.

Characteristics of Andrei's appearance

Description of the Bolkonski family also has a very important for understanding the nature of these people. Prince Andrew described the writer as a handsome young man of about thirty. He is very attractive, he is excellent, in general - a real aristocrat. However, at the very beginning of his appearance, the author emphasizes that there were something cold, alienated and even callous in his features, although it is quite obvious that the prince is not evil. However, heavy and gloomy reflections superimposed his features on his face: he became morose, thoughtful and unfriendly with others, and even with his own wife is extremely arrogant.

About the princess and the old prince

The description of the Bolkonsky family should be continued with a small portrait characteristic of Princess Mary and her stern father. The young girl had a spiritual appearance, as she lived a tense inner and mental life. She was thin, slim, but did not have the beauty in the conventional sense of the word. A secular man, perhaps, would hardly call her a beauty. Moreover, the serious upbringing of the old prince left her imprint on her: she was not thoughtful by her age, somewhat withdrawn and concentrated. In a word, she was not at all like a socialite. She was imprinted with the way of life that the Bolkonsky family led. Briefly it can be characterized as follows: isolation, rigor, restraint in communication.

Her father was a thin, thin man; He held himself straight as a soldier. His face was distinguished by severity and severity. He looked like a hardy man, who besides was not only in excellent physical shape, but was also constantly engaged in mental work. Such appearance said that Nikolai Andreyevich was an outstanding man in all respects, which was reflected in his communication with him. At the same time, he could be bilious, sarcastic and even somewhat unceremonious. This is indicated by the scene of his first meeting with Natasha Rostova, when she visited their estate as a bride of his son. The old man was clearly dissatisfied with the choice of his son and therefore arranged for the young girl to be very inhospitable, releasing a couple of witticisms in her presence that deeply touched her.

Prince and his daughter

Relations in the Bolkonski family could not be called cordial. Especially it affected the communication of the old prince with a young daughter. He held on to her about the same way as with his son, that is, without any ceremony or discount on the fact that she is still a girl and needs a softer and gentle treatment. But Nikolai Andreevich, apparently, did not make a big difference between her and her son and communicated with both of them approximately equally, that is, severely and even harshly. He was very demanding of his daughter, controlled her life and even read the letters she received from her friend. In the classroom with her, he was harsh and picky. However, on the basis of the foregoing, there is no way to say that the prince did not like his daughter. He was very attached to her and appreciated all the best in it, but because of the severity of his character he could not communicate in any other way, and the princess understood this. She was afraid of her father, but she respected him and listened to everything. She accepted his demands and tried not to contradict anything.

Old Bolkonsky and Prince Andrew

The life of the Bolkonsky family was distinguished by its seclusion and closeness, which could not but affect the dialogue of the protagonist with his father. Their conversations from the outside could be called formal and even somewhat official. Their relationship did not seem emotional, rather, the conversations were like an exchange of opinions between two very intelligent and understanding people. Andrei kept his father very respectfully, but somewhat cold, aloof and severely in his own way. Father, in turn, also did not spoil his son with parental tenderness and affection, confining himself to remarks of exclusively business nature. He talked to him only on the merits, deliberately avoiding anything that could affect personal relationships. The more valuable the ending of the stage is the conduct of Prince Andrew to the war, when, through the icy calmness of his father, deep love and tenderness for the son erupts, which he, however, immediately tried to hide.

Two families in the novel

The more interesting it is to compare the families of Bolkonsky and Rostov. The first led a secluded, closed way of life, they were strict, severe, laconic. They avoided secular entertainment and confined themselves to each other's society. The second, on the contrary, were sociable, hospitable, cheerful and cheerful. The more indicative is the fact that Nikolai Rostov eventually married Princess Marya, and not Sone, with whom he was associated with children's love. These very unlike people must have been able to better see the positive qualities of each other.