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Characteristics of the hero Pierre Bezukhov
Pierre Bezukhov is one of the main characters of the novel "War and Peace". Pierre is the illegitimate son of the rich and influential Count Bezukhov, from whom he received the title and inheritance only after his death. The young count lived abroad until he was 20, where he received an excellent education. Arriving in St. Petersburg, he almost immediately became one of the richest young men, and was very confused, because he was not ready for such great responsibility and did not know how to manage estates and dispose of serfs. Pierre was very different in his absurdity and naturalness from people of high society, and some took advantage of his gullibility. Prince Kuragin, obsessed with the idea of taking possession of Pierre's fortune, married him to his daughter Helen. Bezukhov soon realizes that he does not love his wife at all, that she is a cold, dissolute and calculating woman, and tries to break up with her. The duel with Dolokhov and the breakup with his wife lead Pierre to severe disappointment in people and life. He leaves the city and on the way meets the Mason Bazdeev, and since Pierre had a penchant for philosophical reasoning and was easily influenced by others, he joined the Masonic society to find the meaning of life and change society for the better. Because of his impracticality, he is unable to reorganize and make the lives of his peasants easier, although he tried very hard and saw his happiness in caring for others.
With the beginning of the war, Pierre changes his opinion about Napoleon, because he considered him his idol, and after the Russians leave Moscow, Bezukhov remains in the city to kill Napoleon. Pierre strives for unity with the people; he understands that social life weighs heavily on him. He helps the soldiers in the Battle of Borodino, and at the same time feels that he is needed on the battlefield. And having been captured, he enjoys the fact that he endures all the suffering together with everyone else. After meeting with Platon Karataev, Pierre begins to think that each person has his own purpose in life. By nature, Bezukhov is a very emotional person and because of this, it is difficult for him to perceive difficult reality.
In which the author paid special attention to the image of Pierre Bezukhov, since he is a key character. It is this that 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. You can also read a summary of “War and Peace” on our website.
Of course, in this article we will not be able to describe in all colors the character traits, essence and complete characteristics of Pierre Bezukhov, because for this we need to carefully follow all the actions of this hero throughout the entire epic, but it is quite possible to briefly get a general idea. The year is 1805, and a noble Moscow lady is throwing a social reception. This is Anna Pavlovna Sherer. Pierre Bezukhov, an illegitimate son who comes 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 worthwhile work, and as a result he plunges into an idle life. What does this lifestyle mean for a young man of that time? At that time, the image of Pierre Bezukhov was darkened by drinking, idleness, carousing and very dubious acquaintances, which led to Pierre's expulsion. Yes, you have to leave the capital and move to Moscow.
Pierre is also of little interest in high society; 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 be pleasing with this? Is there a deeper meaning, something important and meaningful that gives complete happiness?
Pierre himself is a soft-hearted and dubious person. It is easy to subordinate him to the influence of others, to make him doubt his actions. He himself does not even notice how quickly he is captured by the idle Moscow life - riotous and windy. When Pierre's father, Count Bezukhov, dies, his son inherits the title and his entire fortune, after which society instantly changes its attitude towards him. We are looking at the image of Pierre Bezukhov. How did these events affect him? For example, Vasily Karugin can’t wait to marry Helen, his daughter, to a young man. Although Kuragin can be called an eminent and influential person, the connection with this family did not bring anything good for Pierre, and the marriage turned out to be extremely unhappy.
We see how the characteristics of Pierre Buzukhov are 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 commits madness, which almost plays a fatal role in his life. But, nevertheless, after the 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 it? Pierre is confused, everything seems disgusting and meaningless to him. 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, thinking about what really is the characteristic of Pierre Bezukhov, let’s think - after all, the young and rich count could live wildly 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 reflective 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 some people understand the operation of the laws of existence and know the true purpose of man on earth. Looking at the image of Pierre Bezukhov at that moment, it is clear that his soul is simply exhausted, and he is deeply confused 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 rituals, and now he is a member of the Masonic brotherhood. Life changes its color, the hero discovers new views and a different world. Although he has no doubt about what the Freemasons say and teach, some aspects of the new way of life still seem murky and unclear. Pierre Bezukhov, whose characterization we are now considering, continues to search for himself, search for the meaning of life, think about his purpose.
An attempt to give relief to the people
Soon Pierre Bezukhov comes to understand a new thought: an individual will not be happy if he is surrounded by disadvantaged people and deprived of all rights. And then Pierre tries to improve the lives of the common people, to give the peasants relief.
Such attempts cause an unusual reaction, because Pierre is met with misunderstanding and surprise. Even some peasants, whom Pierre's activities were aimed at, 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 another key point 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 his life, it is this woman who occupies all his thoughts. He's trying 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 her husband’s interests, understands and feels his soul. The family is shown here as a model through which one can maintain internal balance. This is a cell that influences the entire society. If the family is healthy, the society will be healthy.
In conclusion, considering the characteristics of Pierre Bezukhov, let’s say that he nevertheless found himself, felt happiness, understood how to find harmony, but how much research, 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 entire novel “War and Peace,” everything is ahead, and when you read it, pay special attention to the image of Pierre Bezukhov, the main character of Leo Tolstoy’s great epic.
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 development of the individual.
Having finished “War and Peace”, Lev Nikolaevich said that he was ready to spend his whole life writing a novel, if only it would find a response 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 characteristic 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 visiting 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 mid-19th century, then he changed his mind and went back 25 years into the future, then moved the frame back to the beginning of the war and finally settled on 1805.
The great artistic creation also went down in history as a new literary format. Lev Nikolayevich persistently searched for an unusual type of presentation, and as a result, 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.
The prose writer placed Pierre Bezukhov next to the central characters. The illegitimate son of Count Kirill Bezukhov returned to his native land after 10 years spent abroad. The reader meets the young man in Anna Scherer's salon - this is Pierre's first appearance in society. Society looks with disgust and irony at the naive bastad with his ridiculous appearance, manners and straightforward statements.
After the death of his father, Pierre Bezukhov enters into an inheritance and acquires the status of an eligible bachelor, falling into revelry and debauchery. 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, calculating lady, moreover, is not distinguished by her chastity, cheating on her husband right and left.
Pierre is shocked by the news of a love affair with his friend Fyodor Dorokhov. Only a duel can defend 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 unbearable, and the young man separates from his wife.
From the very beginning, Lev Nikolaevich presents the character as a restless person who is trying to answer eternal questions about the meaning of life, purpose, love and hatred. Spiritual quests gain momentum after betrayal and a duel, and as a result, Pierre becomes interested in 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 hero’s ideals, help him come to his senses after the personal drama he has experienced. Pierre Bezukhov sees the heroism of the soldiers during the war and also follows their example, discovering in his soul courage, courage and the ability to sacrifice. The Battle of Borodino clearly shows Pierre how ordinary people, without unnecessary thought about the meaning of existence, defend their native land.
Bezukhov decides to stay in the occupied capital, naively believing that he will kill Napoleon. But he is captured, where he makes a fateful acquaintance with the peasant Platon Karataev.
The soldier's wisdom and high spirituality changes Pierre's attitude towards 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 man was created for happiness, that happiness is in himself, in the satisfaction of natural human needs.”
However, the simple path of complete acceptance of existence 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, years passed before the couple reunited.
For the first time, Pierre saw a 13-year-old girl with an open and trusting soul while visiting the Rostovs. For a very long time, Bezukhov treated her like a child, watching with interest the development and formation of her personality. Natasha, engaged to Pierre's close friend, betrayed her groom, almost running away with Kuragin, Helen's brother, who bewitched her. The betrayal plunges Bezukhov into shock, and he also feels some involvement in the heroine’s downfall, since he was still married to Helen.
But soon the girl woke up from Kuragin’s spell and plunged into a maelstrom of intense emotions. Bezukhov supported Natasha - and through these sufferings he examined the pure soul of the heroine. Feelings arose gradually, only after Bolkonsky’s death, when communicating with Rostova, I realized that I 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 are raising four children.
Image
Leo Tolstoy could not decide on the name of one of the key characters in the novel. Before becoming Pyotr Kirillovich Bezukhov, his “passport data” changed three times: in sketches he appeared as Prince Kushnyov, then Pyotr Medynsky, then Arkady Bezukhim. And when the author conceived a work about the Decembrists, the hero was named Pyotr Lobazov. Moreover, Pierre does not have a specific prototype; as the writer admitted, the character is in many ways similar to himself.
There is no aristocracy in the hero's appearance. Readers meet a well-fed young man with a cropped head and glasses - in a word, nothing remarkable. A gloomy, somewhat stupid face, sometimes with the expression of a guilty person, instantly changes to a smile - then Pierre even becomes handsome. The absurdity of the image and absent-mindedness evoke ridicule from those around him. However, observant people notice a timid, but intelligent look.
Pierre Bezukhov - illustration for the book "War and Peace" Tolstoy incorporated all the best characteristics into the character, making him a standard for all time. Brilliant education, kindness, readiness to rush to help, nobility, simplicity 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 end up 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 achieve inner harmony.
Film adaptations
They tried to transfer the novel of the great Russian writer to the screen back in the era of silent cinema. The audience saw the first film 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 Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe Award.
The Soviet authorities decided to respond to foreigners by entrusting a case of “national importance” to the director. 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 the Oscar.
War and Peace inspired the film industry to create two TV series. The first one was released on the BBC channel in 1972, the script of which was scheduled for 20 episodes. The production of the 2007 television version united several countries - Russia, Germany, France, Italy and Poland. And almost 10 years later, the BBC corporation took up the matter again, revealing to the world, including 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
King Vidor's magnificent film, based on Tolstoy's novel, brought together brilliant actors. The role of Pierre Bezukhov went to Henry Fonda, although they planned to film it. 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 complex role.
Sergei Bondarchuk could not decide who to give the role of Countess Rostova. They brought a ballerina to the master of cinema - a tender and fragile girl, but blonde, whereas 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. The director himself played the bastard Bezukhov, and the charming friend 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 2007 television series “War and Peace” allowed themselves to deviate from the storyline of the work of the Russian classic, changing some points. So, Helen Kuragina died from a terrible illness (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 the enemy’s assistant). And Natasha Rostova’s performance is not similar to the image described in the novel.
(Andrei Bolkonsky) and (Natasha Rostova). And he demonstrated the evolution of Pierre Bezukhov’s character.
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 in order to ruin their mood.”
One of the main characters in Leo Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” is Pierre Bezukhov. His image stands out clearly among other heroes of the epic. In the person of Bezukhov, the author portrays representatives of the advanced intelligentsia of the early 19th century, who were characterized by spiritual quests, since they could no longer live in the environment of the decaying system of autocracy.
During the course of the story, Pierre's image changes, as does the meaning of his life when he finally comes to the highest ideals.
We meet Bezukhov at an evening with Anna Pavlovna Sherer: “A massive, fat young man with a cropped head, glasses, light trousers in the fashion of that time, with a high frill and a brown tailcoat.” The external characteristics of the hero are nothing interesting and only cause an ironic smile.
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Bezukhov is a stranger in this society, because along with his ridiculous appearance, he has a “smart and at the same time timid, observant and natural look,” which does not see a single living soul in the high-society salon, except for the “mechanical” guests of the salon owner.
Having received a huge inheritance, Pierre still remains in this society; on the contrary, he becomes even more mired in it by marrying the cold beauty Helen Kuragina.
However, everything about him is opposed to secular society. Pierre's main character trait is his kindness. On the first pages of the novel, the hero is simple-minded and trusting; in his actions he is guided by the call of his heart, therefore he is sometimes impulsive and ardent, but in general he is distinguished by his generosity of soul and ardent love. The hero's first life test is Helen's betrayal and Pierre's duel with Dolokhov. A deep spiritual crisis begins in Bezukhov’s life. The hero decides to join the Masonic lodge; it seems to him that the idea of universal brotherhood, continuous work on the inner world - this is the meaning of life. But gradually Pierre becomes disillusioned with Freemasonry, because things do not go further than analyzing his own state of mind. However, Pierre continues to search for the meaning of life, wanting to be useful to the world.
A meeting in French captivity with Platon Karataev, a simple soldier, had a huge influence on the hero’s views. The proverbs and sayings that fill Karataev’s speech mean more to Bezukhov than the detached wisdom of the Freemasons.
During his captivity, Pierre Bezukhov becomes patient, he steadfastly endures life's hardships and adversities, and also begins to overestimate all the events that happened to him before: “He learned to see the great, the eternal and the infinite... and joyfully contemplated the ever-changing, eternally great, incomprehensible and endless life.”
After captivity, Pierre feels spiritually free, his character changes. His attitude towards people has also changed: he wants to understand people, to see something good in everyone.
Pierre becomes truly happy in his marriage to Natasha Rostova. In the epilogue of the novel, Bezukhov appears before us as a happy family man, the father of four children. The hero found his happiness, peace of mind and joy. Of course, Bezukhov is interested in social issues that concern not only his personal happiness. He shares his thoughts with Nikolai Rostov, his wife’s brother. But Pierre's political activities remain behind the scenes; we say goodbye to the hero on a positive note, leaving him with his family, where he feels completely happy.
Updated: 2012-03-14
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A short essay-discussion on literature on the topic: War and Peace, the image of Pierre Bezukhov. Characteristics and spiritual quest of the hero. The life path of Pierre Bezukhov. Description, appearance and quotes from Bezukhov.
“War and Peace” is one of the most ambitious works of world literature. L.N. Tolstoy revealed to his readers a wide panorama of names, events, and places. Every person can find a like-minded hero in the novel. Andrei Bolkonsky would be honest and uncompromising, Natasha Rostova would be lively and optimistic, Marya Bolkonskaya would be compliant and quiet, Pierre Bezukhov would be kind and impulsive. It is the latter that will be discussed.
Pierre is the illegitimate but beloved son of Count Bezukhov, who received a high title and fortune after his father’s death. The hero’s appearance is not aristocratic: “A massive, fat young man with a cropped head, wearing glasses,” but his face becomes beautiful and pleasant when Pierre smiles: “With him, on the contrary, when a smile came, then suddenly, instantly, the serious and even a somewhat gloomy face and another one appeared - childish, kind, even stupid and as if asking for forgiveness.” L.N. Tolstoy paid great attention to smiles: “In one smile lies 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 ordinary; 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 detached from reality.
Pierre studied abroad for 10 years. Having returned, the hero is in search of his calling. He looks for something suitable, but doesn't find it. Idleness, the influence of clever people who are always ready to have fun at the expense of rich friends, his own weak character - all this leads Pierre to carousing and madness. In fact, he is a kind and smart person, always ready to help and support. He may be naive and absent-minded, but the main thing in him is his soul. Therefore, Andrei Bolkonsky, who has a good understanding of people, and the sensitive Natasha Rostova have warm feelings for Pierre.
The hero is not successful in the world. Why? It’s simple: the world is completely deceitful and rotten, in order to become one of your own there, you must lose your best qualities, forget about your own thoughts and say only what you want to hear, flatter and hide your real feelings. Pierre is modest, simple, truthful, he is alien to the world, his “intelligent and at the same time timid, observant and natural look, which distinguished him from everyone in this drawing room” had no place in the salons.
What does the hero lack to be happy? Determination and willpower, because life carries him like a straw along a river. He partied like that because he didn’t want to fall behind his “friends.” Then he got married because Helen Kuragina seduced him and surrounded him with her beauty, although they both did not love each other. Pierre went to meetings and balls that he did not need, and deceived himself with illusions and false ideas (for example, Freemasonry). A tragic event helped him find himself - the Patriotic War of 1812. The hero took part in the Battle of Borodino, observed how ordinary people, without philosophizing or reasoning, as Pierre himself loved, simply go and die for their Motherland. In addition to the terrible and heroic battle, Bezukhov experienced humiliating captivity, but there he met a significant person - Platon Karataev. Plato contained real life wisdom and spirituality. His philosophy was not in the clouds, but was that happiness is within 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 a friend’s fiancée, and Bezukhov could not commit betrayal, then the girl was too depressed by the break with her fiancé, and she had no time 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.