"Sevastopol Stories": analysis. "Sevastopol Stories" by Tolstoy: summary

In this article we will consider three of Tolstoy's stories: we will describe their brief content, and carry out an analysis. "Sevastopol stories" were published in 1855. They were written during Tolstoy's stay in Sevastopol. We will first describe the summary, and then tell you about the work "Sevastopol Stories". Analysis (in December 1854, May and August 1955, the described events occur) will be easier to perceive, remembering the main points of the plot.

Sevastopol in December

Despite the fact that the fighting continues in Sevastopol, life goes on as usual. Hot rolls are sold by women, men - sbiten. Here the peaceful and camp life was mixed. Everyone is frightened and fussed, but this is a deceptive impression. Many people no longer notice explosions and shots, doing "everyday work". Only on the bastions you can see the defenders of Sevastopol.

Hospital

Tolstoy's "Sevastopol Stories" continues to describe the hospital. The summary of this episode is as follows. The wounded soldiers in the hospital share their impressions. A leg-lost pain does not remember, because he did not think about it. In the husband's lunch on the bastion of the woman hit a shell, and she was cut off her leg above the knee. Operations and dressings are done in a separate room. Waiting queue, the wounded see in horror as doctors amputate their legs and arms to their comrades, and the paramedic throws off the cut off parts of the bodies indifferently into the corner . So, describing the details, Tolstoy conducts in the work "Sevastopol Stories" analysis. In August, nothing, in fact, will not change. People will also suffer, and no one will understand that war is inhuman. Meanwhile, these shows shake the soul. The war does not appear in a brilliant, beautiful formation, with drumbeat and music, but in its present expression - in death, suffering, blood. The young officer who fought on the most dangerous bastion complains not on the abundance of shells and bombs falling on his head, but on the mud. This is a reaction to danger. The officer is too at ease, cheeky and boldly behaves.

On the way to the fourth bastion

Less and less on the way to the fourth bastion (the most dangerous) are non-military people. There are more and more often stretchers with the wounded. The artillery officer behaves calmly here, as he was accustomed to the rumbling of explosions and the whistling of bullets. This hero tells how in his battery during the assault there was only one active weapon, as well as very few servants, but the next morning he already fired from all the guns.

The officer recalls how a bomb hit the sailor's dugout, putting 11 people. In the movements, the bearing, the faces of the defenders, the main features that make up the strength of the Russian are visible: stubbornness and simplicity. However, it seems, as the author notes, that suffering, anger and the danger of war added to them traces of high thought and feeling, as well as a sense of self-worth. Tolstoy conducts in the work of psychological analysis ("Sevastopol stories"). He notes that the feeling of vengeance to the enemy, anger lies in everyone's soul. When a nucleus directly flies to a person, it does not leave with some feeling of fear some pleasure. Then he is waiting for himself, so that the bomb explodes closer - there is a "special charm" in this game with death. The feeling of love for the Motherland lives among the people. In Russia, for a long time, great traces of the event in Sevastopol will remain.

Sevastopol in May

The events of the work "Sevastopol Stories" continue in May. Analyzing the time of action, it should be noted that since the beginning of the fighting in this city is already six months. Many died during this period. The most just solution seems to be the original way of the conflict: if two soldiers fought, one from the Russian and the French army, and the victory would be behind the side for which the winner fought. This decision is logical, since it is better to fight one on one than 130 thousand against 130 thousand. From the point of view of Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, the war is illogical. This is either madness or people - not as intelligent creatures as one thinks.

Officer Mikhailov

The military walk along the boulevards in the besieged city. Among them is the infantry officer Mikhailov, a long-legged, tall, awkward and stooping man. He recently received a letter from a friend. In it, the retired ulan writes how Natasha, his wife (a close friend of Mikhailov), follows with enthusiasm for the newspapers about how his regiment moves, and also for the exploits of Mikhailov. He recalls with bitterness his former circle, which is higher than the present to such an extent that the soldiers, when he told them about his life (as he played with the civilian general in cards or danced at the governor's balls), listened indifferently and distrustfully to him.

Dream of Mikhailov

This officer wants a raise. On the boulevard, he meets Obzhogov, the captain, and also Ensign Suslikov. They are servants of his regiment. They greet Mikhailov and shake his hand. However, the officer does not want to deal with them. He yearns for a society of aristocrats. Leo Nikolayevich talks about vanity, conducts his analysis. "Sevastopol Stories" is a work in which there are many authorial digressions, reflections on philosophical themes. Vanity, in the author's opinion, is "a disease of our century". Therefore, there are three types of people. The first take the beginning of vanity as a necessary fact, and therefore just. These people obey him freely. Others see it as an irresistible, unfortunate condition. Some slavishly, unconsciously act under the influence of vanity. So Tolstoy ("Sevastopol stories") argues. The analysis of it is based on personal participation in the described events, on observations of people.

Twice Mikhailov passes hesitantly past a circle of aristocrats. In the end, he dares to say hello. Previously, this officer was afraid to approach them because these people could not justify him at all with an answer to the greeting and prick his sick pride. The aristocratic society is Prince Galtsin, adjutant Kalugin, captain Praskuhin and lieutenant colonel Neferdov. They behave towards Mikhailov rather arrogantly. Galtsin, for example, takes an officer by the arm and walks with him a little just because he knows that this will give him pleasure. However, soon they begin to talk demonstratively only among themselves, letting Mikhailov know that they do not need any more in his society.

Captain-captain, returning home, recalls that the next morning volunteered to go to the bastion instead of a sick officer. It seems to him that he will be killed, and if this does not happen, they will surely be rewarded. The captain-captain comforts himself that his duty is to go to the bastion, that he has acted fairly. He guesses along the road where he can be wounded - in the head, stomach or leg.

Collection of aristocrats

Aristocrats in the meantime at Kalugin drink tea, play the piano. They behave quite differently at the same time, more importantly and unnaturally, as on the boulevard, demonstrating their "aristocracy" to those around them, which Tolstoy (Sevastopol Stories) notes. Analysis of the behavior of the characters in the work occupies an important place. With instructions, the infantry officer enters the general, but then the aristocrats take on a newly inflated appearance, pretending that they did not notice the man who entered. Kalugin, having gone to the courier general, is imbued with the responsibility of the moment. He reports that a "hot deal" is to be held.

The defense of Sevastopol in "Sevastopol stories" is described in some detail, but we will not dwell on this. On a sortie, Galtsin is called to go, knowing that he will not go anywhere, because he is afraid. It is accepted to dissuade Kalugin, knowing also that he will not go. Going out into the street, Galcin starts walking aimlessly, not forgetting to ask the wounded, passing by, about how the battle goes, and also scold them for their retreat. Going to the bastion, Kalugin at the same time does not forget to demonstrate courage: when whistling bullets do not bend down, takes a dashing pose on the horse. He is struck by the unpleasant "cowardice" of the battery commander. But there are legends about the bravery of this man.

Mikhailov was injured

After spending six months on the bastion and not wishing to risk vainly, the battery commander sends Kalugin in response to his demand to inspect the bastion to the guns with a young officer. Praskukhin orders the general to notify Mikhailov's battalion of the redeployment. He delivers it successfully. Under fire in the dark, the battalion begins to move. Praskukhin and Mikhailov, walking side by side, think only of the impression they make on each other. They meet the unwilling to expose once again the dangers of Kalugin, who learns from Mikhailov about the situation and turns back. The bomb explodes next to him. Praskukhin perishes, is wounded in Mikhailov's head, but does not go to the dressing, believing that duty is above all.

All the military the next day walk along the avenue and talk about yesterday's events, showing their courage to others. Announced a truce. The French and Russians communicate with ease with each other. Between them there is no enmity. They understand how war is inhuman, these heroes. This is noted by the author himself, carrying out analysis in the work "Sevastopol Stories".

In August 1855

Kozeltzov appears on the battlefield after the treatment. He is independent in his judgments, very talented and very clever. All the carts with horses were lost, a lot of people gathered at the bus stop. Absolutely no part of the officers have a livelihood. Here is Vladimir, the brother of Mikhail Kozeltsev. He did not get into the guard, despite his plans, and was appointed a soldier. He likes fighting.

Sitting on the station, Vladimir is not so eager to fight. He lost money. A younger brother helps pay off the debt. Upon arrival, they are sent to the battalion. Here, over the pile of money, an officer sits in a booth. He must count them. The brothers diverge, having gone to sleep on the fifth bastion.

Vladimir proposes to spend the night in his commander. He falls asleep with difficulty under the whistling bullets. Michael goes to his commander. He is indignant at the entry of Kozeltsev, who was recently with him in one position, in the service. However, the rest of his return are pleased.

In the morning, Vladimir enters the officer circles. They all sympathize with him, especially the junker Vlang. Vladimir falls on the dinner arranged by the commander. There is a lot of talk. In a letter sent by the chief of artillery, it is said that an officer is required in Malakhov, but since this place is restless, no one agrees. However, Vladimir decides to go. Vlang goes with him.

Vladimir in Malakhov

Arriving at the place, he finds in confusion fighting weapons, which no one can fix. Volodya communicates with Melnikov, and also finds a very quickly common language with the commander.

The storm begins. Kozeltsov sleepy goes to fight. He rushes to the French, snatching his sword. Strongly wounded Volodya. To make him happy before his death, the priest informs us that the Russians have won. Volodya is glad that he was able to serve the country, and thinks about his older brother. Volodya still commands, but realizes after a while that the French have won. The corpse of Melnikov lies not far away. The banner of the French appears above the mound. Vlang is leaving for a safe place. So Tolstoy ends "The Sevastopol Stories," a brief summary of which we have just described.

Analysis of the work

Leo Nikolayevich, hitting the besieged Sevastopol, was shocked by the heroic spirit of the population and the troops. He began to write his first story "Sevastopol in the month of December". Then came the other two, talking about the events in May and August 1855. All three works are united by the name "Sevastopol Stories".

We will not analyze each of them, we note only common features. Of the struggle, which did not cease almost a year, only three pictures are snatched. But how much they give! Carrying out the analysis of the work "Sevastopol Stories", it should be noted that Tolstoy is gradually increasing, from work to work, critical pathos. There is an increasingly accusatory beginning. It strikes the narrator of the work "Sevastopol Stories", the analysis of which we hold, the difference between the true greatness of the soldiers, the naturalness of their behavior, the simplicity and vainglorious desire of officers to start a battle to get an asterisk. Communication with the soldiers helps the officers to find courage and fortitude. Only the best of them are close to the people, as shown by the analysis.

"Sevastopol stories" by Tolstoy marked the beginning of a realistic depiction of the war. The artistic discovery of the writer was her perception from the point of view of ordinary soldiers. Later he uses in "War and Peace" the experience of working on the work "Sevastopol Stories" by Tolstoy. Analysis of the work shows that the writer was primarily interested in the inner world of a person who was in the war, and "trench" truth.