Analysis of the episode "Namedays of the Rostovs" ("War and Peace")

One of the best works of Russian classical literature is undoubtedly the novel-epic of L. Tolstoy "War and Peace", in which the author from the first pages emphasizes the unnaturalness of all conflicts. This is facilitated by scenes describing a peaceful life in the circle of relatives and friends, always ready to understand and come to the rescue. And to understand what moral values attracted the writer most in people, the analysis of the episode "Namedays from the Rostovs" will help.

The scene in the epic novel

Almost all of the first part of the first volume is devoted to acquaintance with the characters and the foundations in their homes and society as a whole.

After describing the nobility gathered in the Salero salon, L. Tolstoy shows how to celebrate the name-day in the house of the Rostovs. With this family is connected in the work of a very important idea for the writer - a family one, as he himself designated it. And the acquaintance with the Rostovs begins and the narrative about their future fate from the stage, in which relatives and friends gather together. Throughout the day there is a joyful, friendly atmosphere, emphasizing that the owners are happy for everyone who has crossed their threshold. And although the countess, tired of visits, throws: "Well, enough", her words are not perceived as unwillingness to see guests. This, to a greater extent, the manifestation of sincerity and simplicity - the main advantages of all members of the family except for the elder daughter of the Faith. This is the main difference between the Rostovs and the other "noble nests" represented in the novel.

Morning reception

The Count's house was known throughout Moscow, including hospitality and cordiality, which will prove the analysis of the episode "Namedays of the Rostovs." On this day from the very morning the guests came to congratulate their mother and daughter. The countess, a woman of about forty-five, received everyone in the drawing-room. Next to her was Vera, who had matured. Young people, including the birthday girl, thirteen-year-old Natasha, considered this occupation rather boring and therefore engaged in their own, more interesting cases.

All drove with a friendly smile and warm words - here, by the way, instead of fashionable French preferred native Russian - met the count himself. He took them to his wife, and, accompanying him, invited every guest to be on a festive evening dinner, which was arranged according to tradition, even despite financial difficulties.

History with Pierre

The scene in which one of the guests tells a story that happened the day before with the illegitimate son of Count Bezukhov, in drunken revelry, tied a policeman to the back of a bear, can be considered indicative. This caused general laughter and sincere merriment. Especially amusing was the count, pictorially presenting the entire scene described. It is worth noting that Scherer, for example, the guests would certainly try to give a moral assessment of Pierre's stupid behavior and even label him accordingly.

Thus, the birthday of the Rostovs - the analysis of the episode emphasizes this - talk about the simplicity, naturalness, the lack of pretense and ostentatious hospitality in this family.

The beginning of evening

The Count always, even at such a difficult time for them, tried to arrange everything according to the rules - money was never treated as the most important value in life. The women arrived in the living room, and the men went to the owner's office: there they had to admire his remarkable collection of tubes and, of course, discuss political news, the main of which was the war. Each of the guests expressed their opinion on the current political situation, but it was done somehow unobtrusively and without unnecessary discussions. Especially distinguished young lieutenant Berg, who did not accidentally come to the name-day of Natasha Rostova (daughter) and the countess himself: he was supposed to be married to Vera. Often he preferred to remain silent, watching what was happening and assessing the situation. Now Berg attracted the audience with a story about the advantageous position he occupied in the Guards and how quickly he was promoted. At the same time, he did not notice at all that interest in him was rather caused by a display of boasting and self-admiration, little accepted in such a circle and quite relevant to Anna Pavlovna. This was emphasized by the final phrase of one of the guests that with this approach to life Berg will go everywhere. However, here everything happened naturally, without claims of superiority from any of the guests or the count himself.

Long-awaited guest

It was time for dinner, and the men returned to the living room. The hosts all looked at the door, which eloquently spoke of one thing: not all the guests have arrived yet. Finally, there was a noise in the drawing-room, Marya Dmitrievna, fifty years old, dropped in, you could say, because of the absence of which still did not begin to celebrate the name-day of the Rostovs. The analysis of the episode, when all the guests without exception, rose when the lady appeared, immediately emphasizes its importance in this circle. Somewhat rude, but exclusively in Russian, she turned to the count who met her and to her beloved goddess Natasha-the "Cossack", making a couple of observations on the way to Pierre Bezukhov, who was present here. But it was for this straightforwardness and simplicity of communication that she was respected and even somewhat feared in both capitals. Although it should be said that if, as the analysis shows, the name-day of the Rostovs did not begin without it, then in the salon like Scherer, the appearance of Akhrosimova would in principle be impossible - she was very different from the high-nobility with their "high" manners, arrogance and Pretense.

Only now, when the ear-lobes were presented to the goddaughter, and the young Count Bezukhov was read by a guest for the story with the bear, everyone went to the table.

Dinner Description

Analysis of the episode "Namedays of the Rostovs" shows that everything was going on at dinner, as it should be - that is, In general, observed accepted in a secular society of decency. Women sat at one end of the table, the men on the other. It is interesting to note the author's opinion that the owner, casting glances at the opposite wife sitting opposite, unnoticed the guests and guilt, and the countess, in turn, tried to keep her eyes on her husband and noticed how his face and bald spot were becoming redder. This detail emphasizes how well the couple have learned each other over the years of living together.

The animated men soon spoke of war again. But this question worried them more in connection with the fact that they had to send sons to the front. For example, the son of the Rostovs, Nikolay, was soon to leave the house. The guests are genuinely surprised: "And what does this Bonaparte want to fight?" Young Nikolai, ready to win or die for Russia, interferes with the conversation, and Marya Dmitrievna, who noted that everything is God's will (she herself had four sons at the front ). Thus, the war here was perceived as a terrible event, participation in which was not a way to achieve ranks and awards, but a necessity and a duty of every patriot.

Bold prank

The episode "Name Day at the Rostovs" emphasizes that the whole family gathered together at the general table, including its younger members. Between them established their own, special relationship, which felt already adult, Vera looked with irony. Young people were more concerned about mutual sympathy and hobbies. So quiet, Sonia, a poor relative of the Rostovs, spent the whole evening watching Nicholas, with whom she soon had to part. Natasha's birthday girl was exchanging glances with Boris, also preparing to go to the front. Sometimes her attention was attracted by her unusual kind of big and clumsy Pierre.

And suddenly, when the dispute about the war was gradually subsiding and the guests began talking about their own on each side of the table, Natasha's sonorous voice was heard. Her appeal to her mother at that moment looked bold and contrary to the rules of etiquette. After arguing with her younger brother, she decided to find out for sure that she would be served for dessert. Her question first shocked everyone, but the incredible courage of the girl, who dared to enter into a dialogue with Marya Dmitrievna herself, all pretty amused. And the birthday girl felt like a real heroine, and the whole evening was in an ecstatic state.

After-dinner entertainment

The names of Natasha Rostova and her mother continue with the description of the game of cards, in which the men and Marya Dmitrievna herself participated, singing to accompaniment and, of course, dancing. Natasha allowed here another liberty, inviting the unfamiliar Pierre. And then she sat in his company, fanning herself, portraying a secular conversation, admiring her godmother: "What?" But the real event was a dance performed by the Count and Marya Dmitrievna. So much simplicity, naturalness, sincerity was in their heartfelt fun and, albeit not always deft, but natural movements that they could not help admiring.

So L. Tolstoy emphasizes the truly popular character of his favorite heroes in the epic novel "War and Peace".

Namedays of the Rostovs: conclusions

As already noted, in the first part of the story the storylines are fastened and the reader gets acquainted with the characters, whose fate will later pass before his eyes. In this regard, it is indicative that the description of the reception in the Sherer's salon and the Rostovs' house turn out to be next. Their contrast image helps to better understand the dignity of Russian people whose soul was not spoiled by light, see the moral ideals of the author and determine what the role of the family is, where everything is built on mutual love, cordiality, sincerity, and personality formation.

Analysis of the episode "Namedays of the Rostovs" confirms the main idea of the novel: a man is born to live in harmony with the world and with himself, and any war is destructive in nature.